Chapter 5: You

Mingjing Department garrison.

A towering building rose before the eyes, its thick gray‑blue bricks stacked in layers.

The high wall resembled a coiled beast, tightly enclosing the interior.

The wall's crenellations stood densely like the beast's sharp fangs.

At the main entrance, two massive Zhuqi Daimen were shut tight, their bronze hinges glinting coldly in the dim light.

Above the gate hung a black‑backed, gold‑inscribed plaque bearing the bold characters "Mingjing Department," its strokes firm and authoritative.

On either side of the doorway stood a uniformed envoy.

"This Mingjing Department isn't as gloomy and terrifying as the rumors claim!"

Chen Yan stood with his hands behind his back, glanced around, and sighed.

He paused, his gaze landing on the two stationed envoys, then continued, "The staff are indeed very capable!"

If it were a scion of a noble family in this era, not even a grandiose compliment like that—just standing before the Mingjing Department would likely make their legs go weak.

But Chen Yan had visited places like this far too many times…

These envoys, however, looked hand‑picked, far from ordinary.

"Hmm."

Zhu Yi, who guarded beside him, replied tersely, "Hmm."

He was concentrating, sensing the aura inside the Mingjing Department.

Some were skilled, but generally beatable, enough to let the Young Master retreat unscathed.

"Halt, all who come!"

"The Mingjing Department is a restricted area; all idle persons must withdraw immediately!"

The envoy stationed on the left side of the gate noticed the two, lifted a hand expressionlessly, and coldly barked a warning.

"This is my Waist Badge."

Chen Yan drew the Token from his chest, hurled it forcefully, and sent it straight toward them.

When he emerged from Tianlao, Yuchi Min's envoy not only delivered a golden seal but also this Waist Badge.

"Hm?"

Li Tan, standing on the right, reached out, glanced casually at the two gilt characters, and said, "Zhuque?"

He paused, then asked lazily, "You are the newly appointed Mirror Master of the Zhuque Guard?"

"Exactly."

Chen Yan nodded, acknowledging his identity.

The next moment, Li Tan's expression flipped to a beaming smile, "Lord Chen, this is your first time at the Mingjing Department; you're probably unfamiliar with the layout. May I escort you to Zhuque Tang?"

He wore an overtly eager, flattering demeanor.

His status seemed far from simple… Chen Yan sized up Li Tan, gave a calm smile, and nodded, "Then I'll be in your care!"

Chen Yan's judgment stemmed not only from Li Tan's bearing, which differed from the other stationed envoys…

…but also because the Mingjing Department is a place of strict protocol, yet he could freely abandon his post.

The man beside him didn't even attempt to stop him, further indicating his unusual standing…

Along the way, Li Tan recited details about the Mingjing Department to Chen Yan like a chatterbox, until they reached the outside of Zhuque Tang, where he shouted loudly:

"Lao Song, Lao Zhang, hurry and pay your respects, you Zhuque Guard's new Mirror Master!"

"He's an exceptionally handsome and kind young man!"

The word "pay respect" was enunciated with a heavy bite.

It was pure teasing.

A moment later, two people emerged from the hall, "What are you shouting for?"

"We heard your voice from far away…"

The impatient tone carried extreme disdain.

The two men, about thirty, stopped before Chen Yan, exchanged a glance, and respectfully saluted, "Shuyi Zhuque Deputy Envoy Song Fei (Zhang Wenqian), honored to meet the Mirror Master!"

This attitude starkly contrasted with that toward Li Tan.

"You need not be overly formal."

Chen Yan lifted the two, then pointed at the sullen‑faced Li Tan beside him, and asked, "May I know who this is…?"

Obviously, Chen Yan's curiosity about his identity was intense.

Zhang Wenqian glanced at Li Tan with an indescribable disdain and introduced, "Former Xuanwu Mirror Master Li Tan, now a gate‑keeping foot soldier of the Mingjing Department…"

"Oh?"

Chen Yan smiled, teasing, "Such a leap in rank?"

A Mirror Master of equal standing reduced to a gate guard—there must be a story behind that.

Song Fei shrugged and said, "Because he spied on the Sun family matriarch bathing and even tried to steal a lady who hadn't yet left the pavilion, the overseer dismissed him, and he was completely ruined…"

"Hey hey hey!"

Li Tan's face flushed red, instantly displeased, retorting, "I kindly sent you people, and you still expose my flaws?"

That's downright unfilial!

His words hung in the air.

Under the strange gazes of Song Fei and Zhang Wenqian, and Chen Yan's admiring stare, Li Tan muttered curses and hurried away.

Chen Yan suppressed the upward curl of his mouth, restrained his smile, and said, "Please, gentlemen, gather the Zhuque Guard within the quarter hour…"

Having spoken, his sharp gaze fell on the faces of the two Deputy Envoys.

He watched their subtle facial shifts.

But unexpectedly, the two of them, without a moment's thought, answered in unison, "Yes."

"Shuyi will attend to it immediately."

Immediately, they turned to leave, offering no refusal at all.

"Wait!"

Chen Yan called the two back.

"Sir, any further orders?" Song Fei and Zhang Wenqian turned back, asking in confusion.

Chen Yan narrowed his eyes slightly and asked bluntly, "So you agreed so readily?"

"Not even planning to make things difficult for me?"

A long‑vacant post, a parachuted leader is most prone to being harassed and set up.

Especially if he were absent, the position of the Vermilion Bird Mirror Officer would very likely fall to one of the two.

Thus, before arriving, Chen Yan had already prepared a plan to have Zhu Yi commit murder to establish his authority…

In the end, who could have expected it to go so smoothly?

Truly unexpected!

"Sir, you jest…"

Song Fei shook his head and said, "This is the Grand Overseer's appointment; we obey without question!"

Before Chen Yan arrived, the commander's order had already been transmitted to the Vermilion Bird Guard.

The two understood clearly that resistance offered no benefit; it would be opposing the Grand Overseer…

On the contrary, this person is favored by the Grand Overseer; after cultivating a good relationship, once he rises swiftly, would he not lift his own?

Indeed, they are two clever minds… Chen Yan gave a calm smile, his eyes full of appreciation, waved his hand, "See to it!"

Night.

Zhenyuan Jiangjun Fu.

The main house of the inner residence.

"A newly bought five‑foot sword, hanging from the central beam."

Chen Kaiyuan sat at the table, holding a wine cup, humming a tune, "Madam, have a little wine!"

Jiang Chucheng took the cup Chen Kaiyuan handed her, nestled in his arms, and asked, "Sir, what day is it today?"

"Why such a mood?"

Her beautiful eyes were full of puzzlement.

Just a few days ago, her husband was fearful and frowning; why has he suddenly changed?

Jiang Chucheng, Chen Kaiyuan's second wife.

At thirty‑three, she was voluptuous, like a blooming peony, exuding mature charm.

Between her brows and eyes lay the gentle tenderness of years, her gaze flickered as if holding a thousand words.

Her face was like a silver plate, skin as white as jade, glowing with a soft sheen.

"Of course there is good news…"

"A great good news!"

Chen Kaiyuan drained the cup in one gulp and laughed heartily.

"What good news?" Jiang Chucheng blinked her beautiful eyes and asked.

"News came from Tianlao; that foolish brat Chen Yan confessed without denial…"

Chen Kaiyuan refilled his cup, extremely excited, "He confessed to all the crimes!"

"And our Chen Family's report earned merit, yet we remain untouched."

One arrow, three eagles—how could it not bring great joy?

"Really?" Jiang Chucheng's beautiful eyes brightened, her jade hand lightly covering her mouth, full of disbelief.

She of course understood the reason behind her husband's recent frowns.

He had secretly backed the Deposed Emperor of Former Yan, hoping to gamble for a brilliant future, but the plan failed, and he feared the Grand Overseer would discover and settle the score.

"Then how could it be false?"

"It's almost a done deal…"

Chen Kaiyuan raised his eyebrows, exceedingly smug, and declared decisively.

"This truly is double happiness arriving!"

Jiang Chucheng smiled brightly, softly saying, "We must have a good drink…"

"Madam, come, let us share a cup of interlocking wine!" Chen Kaiyuan lifted his cup, passing through Jiang Chucheng's arm.

Just as he was about to finish the drink, a teasing voice came from behind:

"Yo!"

"Having a little wine?"

"The mood's not bad!"

"Who?" Chen Kaiyuan was startled sharply, spilling the wine onto the ground.

Moreover, that voice was incredibly familiar…