Chapter 542: A Secret Letter from the State of Qi

February 20th.

7–9 a. m.

Mirror Office.

The loft's furnishings were simple yet grand; silver‑thread charcoal burned in a corner, warm smoke curled upward, mingling with the crisp scent of dragon‑scented incense on the desk.

Chen Yan, clad in a dark Brothel, sat upright on the main seat, holding a tea spoon, leisurely adding tea to the purple‑clay teapot.

His movements flowed like clouds and water, each detail exuding unhurried elegance.

You Xian stood beside the desk, cradling a hefty document he had just reported, still maintaining a respectful posture, bowed his head and said, "Minister, this is the draft‑transfer status of the original Four Guards and the formation status of the new Seven Guards…."

"Very well!"

Chen Yan, hearing this, continued his motions, slowly pouring the brewed tea into a white porcelain cup; the tea was clear and its fragrance spread everywhere.

He pushed the cup toward You Xian, his voice low and calm: "First, try this newly harvested pre‑rain tea."

Then he lifted another cup, took a gentle sip, closed his eyes to savor it for a moment, then slowly opened them, a hint of approval in his gaze: "Their efficiency is quite high, much faster than this Lord had expected…."

Since Li Tan was on leave for business, Chen Yan came to the Mirror Office to take the lead shift and drive progress.

You Xian took the cup with both hands, his fingertips lightly touching the rim, warmth spreading along his fingers, bowed and replied, "This matter was handled personally by you, Minister—yourself drafting the regulations and allocating personnel…."

"All of us in the Mirror Office are grateful for the Minister's patronage and fully aware of the matter's gravity; who would dare not cooperate wholeheartedly?"

This expansion of the Mirror Office benefits the overwhelming majority, opening many more advancement channels; essentially there will be no resistance, and morale is high….

If anyone truly remains blind and dares to cause trouble, they're practically asking to be killed?

Chen Yan, after hearing You Xian, slowly nodded, his fingertips releasing the cup; the cup's base lightly struck the desk, producing a crisp sound.

He reached into his chest and produced a Scroll wrapped in brocade silk, his fingertips brushing the cool wooden rod, and with a calm smile said, "You Xian, take a look at this!"

"Yes." You Xian replied respectfully, stepping forward quickly to take the Scroll with both hands.

Then, with a slight press of his fingertips, he slowly unfurled the Scroll.

His eyes swiftly scanned the cinnabar seals and inked characters; his previously composed expression suddenly changed, pupils narrowing slightly, his face full of astonishment, he gasped, "Appoint two Overseers?!"

"Dividing command of the original Four Guards and the new Seven Guards?!"

At that moment, the shock was brief; You Xian quickly grasped the Minister's intention:

Mutual checks!

Prevent any single side from dominating, keeping them in check….

Chen Yan lifted the cup and took a light sip; the warm tea spread in his throat, a calm smile still on his face, he slowly nodded in affirmation, "Exactly!"

Having said that, he raised his eyes to stare at You Xian, his gaze deep and resolute, slowly raised his hand and pointed at him, proclaiming loudly, "I, this Lord, wish to promote you, Azure Dragon Mirror Master, to one of the positions, to oversee the newly established Seven Guards!"

"?!!"

You Xian froze, as if struck by a thunderclap, the Scroll in his hand nearly slipping.

He stared blankly at Chen Yan, disbelief filling his eyes; after a moment he suddenly recovered, hurriedly tucked the Scroll away carefully, rushed forward, bowed deeply, his gesture supremely respectful: "Thank you, Minister, for the promotion!"

When his words ended, he inhaled deeply, his tone brimming with uncontrollable excitement and solemnity: "Shuyi will swear to serve the Minister to death, never shying from fire or water, and will never disappoint your trust!"

You Xian had originally been just an ordinary embroidered‑clad messenger…

His current achievements and status owe entirely to the Minister's promotion and trust!

His very life belongs to the Minister!

He must, no matter what, aid the Minister and keep the other Overseer in balance.

You Xian: Loyalty!

Chen Yan tapped the desk lightly with his fingertips, the rhythm relaxed, a slight smile at the corner of his mouth, and said slowly, "As for the candidate for the other Overseer…"

"Song Fei is steady and capable, ready for more responsibility, so promote him to oversee the original Four Guards!"

You Xian is a trusted member of the Old Troops, and Song Fei likewise belongs to his own old cadre…

We must not favor one over the other!

Especially Lao Song, who knows the roots well and is more trustworthy; appointing him as the other Overseer is most fitting!

"The Minister is wise!"

You Xian, hearing this, quickly bowed respectfully: "Song, Mirror Master, has deep experience, familiar with the original Four Guard affairs; under his command it will be as steady as Mount Tai."

But after a moment's thought, his expression briefly faltered, then he carefully lifted his gaze, his voice tinged with hesitation, asking, "Minister, what about Overseer Li?"

He looked as if a blind scholar had suddenly discovered a brilliant point.

Chen Yan, hearing this, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes, blinked lightly, and said casually, "Old Li, over these years in the Mirror Office, his merits have already accumulated enough…."

"Duke Zhao will not keep him waiting any longer!"

"It won't be long before Old Li is dispatched out of the town to take a key post in a prefecture!"

"So that's it!" You Xian finally realized, the doubts in his heart instantly vanished.

He smiled a bit embarrassedly, his voice growing softer, with a hint of awkwardness: "Shuyi still thought that …"

Chen Yan, hearing this, raised an eyebrow, a trace of jest in his eyes, asked teasingly, "Thought what?"

Before You Xian could answer, he continued teasing, "Perhaps you thought this Lord and that youngster Li Tan had grown a rift, intending to sideline him?"

Having said that, he could no longer contain himself, threw his head back and let out a hearty laugh: "Hahaha!"

You Xian's cheeks reddened from the remark; he quickly smiled awkwardly yet politely, clasped his hands in a bow toward Chen Yan, and said earnestly with a hint of flattery, "Minister, you're joking!"

"With your magnanimity, that would never happen!"

"Who doesn't know that Lord Chen Yan has always valued loyalty and righteousness, treating the Old Troops best!"

As his words fell, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the loft, shattering the room's relaxed atmosphere.

A messenger in embroidered robes hurried in, and upon entering bowed respectfully to Chen Yan: "Minister!"

Chen Yan's smile instantly faded, his demeanor regaining composure; he glanced at the embroidered messenger and asked gravely, "What business?"

The messenger, daring not to delay, blurted out, "Replying, Minister, the Grand Preceptor's Personal Guard seeks an audience outside!"

Chen Yan heard the words, felt a slight stir, immediately raised his hand and said decisively, "Please, quickly!"

After a moment, a Personal Guard clad in Xuan Armor strode into the pavilion, tall and solemn, and upon entering bowed respectfully to Chen Yan, saying, "I have the honor to see the Pillar of State!"

"No need for formalities!" Chen Yan quickly raised his hand to cut him off, his tone urgent, "But what instruction does the Grand Preceptor have?"

The Personal Guard straightened, clasped his fists, and loudly declared solemnly, "Pillar of State, the Grand Preceptor summons you to go at once to Tian Guan Fu!"

Chen Yan felt a chill, knowing that such an urgent summons must involve something serious; without hesitation, he sprang up and ordered in a deep voice, "Prepare the horses!"

"Yes!" You Xian, seeing the situation, dared not delay, immediately responded, turned and hurried out of the pavilion to arrange the carriages and horses.

The morning light at the end of the Chen hour had shed its gentle glow, becoming ever brighter.

The wind still carried a chill, yet it could not disperse the solemn dignity before the gate of Tian Guan Fu.

From afar came a rapid clatter of horse hooves, drawing nearer; amid swirling dust, three fine horses galloped in and steadied before the Zhuqi Daimen of Tian Guan Fu.

Chen Yan, wearing a dark Brothel, his robes fluttering from the ride, dismounted smoothly, brushed the dust from his garment, and let out a long sigh, "Phew—"

The breath that had surged in his chest from the frantic ride gradually steadied, yet a hint of gravity gathered on his brow.

His gaze fell on the towering gate of Tian Guan Fu, and he murmured to himself, "Grand Preceptor father summons me so urgently; what emergency could it be…?"

Zhu Yi and Hongye also dismounted, standing respectfully behind Chen Yan, their foreheads dotted with fine beads of sweat.

At that moment, a dense clatter of hooves sounded from behind, accompanied by a shout, "A Xiong!"

A White Horse galloped in, its rider in official robes dismounted briskly—it was Yuwen Ze.

He hurried to stand before Chen Yan, his face showing the haste of travel, his forehead flushed, his breathing slightly rapid.

Chen Yan looked at him and asked directly, "The Grand Preceptor urgently summoned the two of us; do you know what it is about?"

Yuwen Ze shook his head, his eyes full of bewilderment, "I don't know!"

Speaking, he raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, breathed, and continued, "I was just at the government office handling local civil affairs, had just finished checking a batch of household registration documents, then received my father's message and rushed here without pause!"

Chen Yan heard this, furrowed his brow, steadied himself, and without further thought said to Yuwen Ze, "Let's go! First, we go in to see the Grand Preceptor…"

"Very well." Yuwen Ze replied, and the two walked side by side toward the gate of Tian Guan Fu.

The Bodyguards at the gate, seeing Chen Yan and Yuwen Ze, hurried forward and bowed in salute.

The two quickened their steps into the hall, passing through the courtyard, where towering pines and cypresses stood robust; they hurried toward the main hall.

Yuwen Hu, dressed in a dark four‑claw python robe, stood with his hands behind him before the desk in the hall, tightly clutching a Secret Letter.

He had been rubbing the letter repeatedly in his hand for a long time, the edges of the paper creasing.

His brow remained slightly furrowed, his deep eyes swirling with gravity, as he paced intermittently.

The "tap tap" of footsteps drew nearer, and Chen Yan and Yuwen Ze entered the hall side by side.

Seeing Yuwen Hu's solemn expression, the two halted, adjusted their robes, and together respectfully bowed, saying, "Your servant (child) presents himself…"

Before the words finished, Yuwen Hu urgently raised his hand to cut them off, "Spare me these empty courtesies!"

Chen Yan felt a chill, then lifted his head and asked in a deep voice, "Grand Preceptor, you urgently summoned your servant and A Ze here; what important matter is it?"

Yuwen Hu turned, handed over the Secret Letter, "Here, you two brothers take a look at this Secret Letter!"

Chen Yan stepped forward, took the Secret Letter, carefully opened the envelope, and unfolded the paper.

Yuwen Ze skimmed quickly, and when he saw the key sentence, his body jolted, his composure instantly replaced by shock, and he blurted, "What?!"

Chen Yan read word by word, his expression growing ever more grave; upon reaching the end, his hands trembled slightly, his eyes filled with disbelief, and he exclaimed, "The Lu family of Fanyang actually intends to surrender the Qi region's Shuo Prefecture to Great Zhou?!"