Chapter 569: Being Able to Form a Marriage Alliance with the Grand Preceptor Is Absolutely the Best!

Chen Yan's words fell, and the hall fell silent.

Only the candle's crackle echoed, making the astonishment on everyone's faces clearer.

Lu Huichun's hand holding the wine cup paused midair, his fingertips tightening slightly, a few drops of the sloshing wine splashing onto his sleeve.

He seemed unaware, only furrowing his brow and sinking into thought.

These two titles raced through his mind, retrieving the corresponding entries from the court and Imperial Clan roster he had skimmed earlier.

Among the many Great Zhou Imperial Clan scions, those who hold both the Pillar of State and Right Marquis Guard Grand General posts and have brilliant battle merits are few, narrowing the scope to a minuscule range.

Yet something felt off; the connection between these titles and a figure in his memory seemed shrouded in a thin mist, vaguely discernible but never fully aligning.

His fingertips absentmindedly traced the cup's rim, his gaze landing on the steaming dishes on the table, while his thoughts had already drifted far away.

The Pillar of State rank is the second highest honor in the Court.

The Right Marquis Guard Grand General oversees the Capital's defense and frontier campaigns.

Such power and prestige, among the Imperial Clan, are attainable only by a few core scions deeply favored by the Grand Preceptor.

The Yuwen Clan's branches are numerous, but only a non‑ordinary offshoot would prompt a power broker like Chen Yan to bring it up and be willing to arrange a match.

Suddenly, a flash of insight lit his mind; a vague figure became clearer, matching these titles perfectly.

Lu Huichun's pupils suddenly narrowed, the cup nearly slipping from his grasp; he snapped his gaze at Chen Yan, eyes full of disbelief, his tone tinged with unmistakable surprise, his voice a few pitches higher than usual: "If I recall correctly, A Yan, the person you mentioned seems to be the Grand Preceptor's only son?!"

"Is that Yuwen Ze, the Yuwen Commandery Prince?!"

One must realize those titles are symbols of power and honor, yet none bear the terrifying words 'Grand Preceptor's only son'…

This is destined to be a future ruler!

Pei Xun's hand stroking his beard paused, a flash of understanding crossing his eyes, followed by a few more degrees of solemnity.

Chen Yan met everyone's gaze, his face still bearing a composed, calm smile, nodding slowly, his tone firm: "It is indeed A Ze!"

As his words fell, he lifted his hand to raise the wine cup on the table, taking a light sip, his gaze sweeping over Lu Huichun and Cui Yuanti, a gentle smile at his lips, he asked softly: "What do aunt and uncle think?"

"Is this marriage alliance worthy of Yu Fu?"

Lu Huichun's shock had not yet settled; upon hearing it, an uncontrollable excitement surged from his heart, instantly dispelling all doubts.

He slammed the cup down, his palm striking the table hard, causing the dishes to tremble, his face alight with excitement, he blurted out: "If we could bind ourselves to the Grand Preceptor, that would be a heavenly boon beyond desire!"

"It is Yu Fu's blessing, and moreover a distinct honor for the Lu family!"

Cui Yuanti had already regained her composure, eyes full of joy, she quickly echoed: "Yes, this is truly wonderful!"

Her tone was wholly satisfied, speaking a few paces faster: "This prince is both civil and martial, his conduct upright and modest, never showing the arrogance of Imperial Clan scions."

"Last year he personally commanded the great army, forcing the Tuyu Hun to sign the treaty beneath the city…"

"Such talent and daring, when one looks across Chang'an's young elites, are truly rare!"

Saying that, she tugged Lu Huichun's sleeve, her eyes brimming with delight.

Between the lines, her approval of the marriage alliance was evident, clearly extremely satisfied.

Lu Huichun's excitement gradually faded a bit, his expression becoming more restrained, his eyes gaining a hint of caution.

He looked at Chen Yan, his tone easing, with a hint of probing depth, and asked slowly: "Would Prince of Ancheng, with such a noble status, consent to this marriage?"

Regarding Yuwen Ze, Lu Huichun had encountered him in the new city and had heard of him after arriving in Chang'an…

He truly is an exceptional match!

But such a matter requires the Grand Preceptor's nod, right?

Otherwise it would all be idle talk.

Cui Yuanti instantly understood her husband's concern, her smile fading slightly, her gaze burning as she looked at Chen Yan.

Chen Yan, hearing this, a deep glint flashed in his eyes, his gaze like a torch, sweeping over the worry in Lu Huichun and his wife's eyes; he lifted the wine cup on the table, his fingertips tracing the rim, and replied: "To be frank, aunt, this marriage alliance is actually the Grand Preceptor's intention…."

This was the consensus previously reached between Chen and the Grand Preceptor.

After all, the quickest way to win over the Fan Yang Lu clan is through a marriage alliance!

And the most suitable candidate is none other than the Grand Preceptor's only son, the future Jin Prince…

It also grants the Fan Yang Lu clan ample regard and respect!

It also provides A Ze with even more political redundancy…

That brief sentence, like a clap of thunder, rang in Lu Huichun's ears, his cautious expression vanishing without a trace, replaced by an uncontrollable exhilaration.

His eyes shone, his voice trembling slightly, yet unable to hide his excitement: "It's the Grand Preceptor's intention?!"

He reiterated the question, saw Chen Yan nod with a smile, and burst into hearty laughter, his palm again slapping the table, his tone full of relief and joy: "To bind with the Grand Preceptor's household in marriage, there's nothing better!"

This son‑in‑law, though admittedly a notch below the one before us, is still a dragon among men!

Chen Yan met Lu Huichun and his spouse's expectant gazes, slowly set his wine cup down, his fingertips pausing briefly on the rim, his smile fading slightly, his tone deepening, then abruptly shifting: "However, there is one matter I must clarify with aunt and uncle in advance, lest misunderstandings arise later…."

Lu Huichun and his spouse felt a sudden tension, exchanged a glance, the joy in their eyes dimming greatly, and they held their breath, waiting silently for what followed.

Cui Yuanrong also withdrew her smile, leaning forward slightly, her expression gaining a hint of gravity.

Pei Xun's hand stroking his beard slowed, his gaze landing on Chen Yan, as if he had already guessed the unspoken words.

Chen Yan lifted the wine cup, taking a shallow sip; the warm liquid slid down his throat, yet did not dilute the solemnity in his tone. He looked up at Lu Huichun and his spouse, his gaze sincere, and said slowly: "A Ze already has a primary wife; if we were to take Yu Fu's sister as a consort, it would likely wrong her, bringing her into the household as a secondary wife…"

As his words fell, the atmosphere in Ya Ge instantly stilled; the candlelight flickered, and the expressions on everyone's faces varied.

Cui Yuanrong's brow furrowed slightly, she sighed softly; among the Imperial Clan's nobles, many have three wives and four concubines, making a secondary wife's position commonplace.

But Yu Fu is the Cui family's legitimate daughter, the Lu family's prized jewel; suddenly being forced to rank below others inevitably leaves a bitter feeling.

Chen Yan set the wine cup down, his fingertips interlaced on the table.

His gaze steadied on Lu Huichun and his spouse's faces, carefully observing their expressions, saying no more, and waiting quietly for their reply.

He knew these words might stir their hearts, for a secondary wife differs vastly from a primary wife; in an ordinary household, it would likely be unacceptable.

But with the Grand Preceptor and Prince of Ancheng's statuses before them, this is the optimal solution; what remains is for the Lu family to decide.

Who would have thought, upon hearing this, Lu Huichun's face showed not a hint of displeasure but a series of gestures, his tone urgent and earnest, fearing Chen Yan might think they were dissatisfied: "No, no grievance!"

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes full of certainty, and said confidently, "Being able to marry the Prince of Ancheng is already a tremendous blessing for a young lady!"

"How many noble daughters from famous families can't even be obtained, so where does this talk of grievance come from? And what about a concubine?"

A respectable legitimate daughter of the Lu clan of Fanyang cannot possibly become a concubine to another family…

But he is the Grand Preceptor's only son; as long as the Grand Preceptor moves up another step, his daughter's future will be…

Moreover, speaking only of the present, whether it's the family's development or the son's official career, they would receive tremendous support; such an opportunity is certainly not one to miss.

Cui Yuanti, as the lady of the house, is also not lacking in insight, and she quickly echoed, her eyes full of agreement and her tone a bit excited: "Indeed, A Yan, Huichun is absolutely right!"

"To gain the Grand Preceptor's favor and give Yu Fu a chance to marry into the Prince's residence is a blessing cultivated over ten lifetimes for a young lady; how could there be any grievance?"

"A daughter from an ordinary family would rarely have such a fate in a lifetime; we can only be grateful, thank A Yan for his effort in matchmaking, and thank the Grand Preceptor and the Prince for their regard, there will be no complaint whatsoever!"

Chen Yan saw the two's sincere expressions, his eyes filled with genuine joy, no hint of coercion, and his face finally broke into a smile again. He lifted his wine cup and gave it a gentle shake, then asked with a smile, "So does that mean Uncle and Aunt have agreed?"

Lu Huichun and his wife spoke almost in unison, their eyes brimming with uncontrollable excitement, their tone urgent yet certain: "Agree, agree! Of course we agree!"

The two exchanged a glance, their eyes full of great joy and anticipation.

It felt as if a huge stone in his heart had finally settled, and the Lu family's future ahead would become bright because of this marriage.

Sitting in the corner, Lu Yingxuan listened quietly to everyone's conversation from start to finish, never interjecting.

Yet his expression changed continuously with the dialogue, from initial shock, to later anticipation, and now to ecstatic joy.

He looked at his parents' figures talking with Chen Yan, and inside a storm had already risen, silently exclaiming, "My younger sister married into the Jin Wang Fu and became a concubine of the Prince of Ancheng; doesn't that make me the Prince's brother‑in‑law?!"

Just thinking of this made his blood boil, his eyes full of yearning. With the Prince of Ancheng and the Grand Preceptor now linked by marriage, his future official career would surely advance much more smoothly, no longer needing to tread so cautiously as before.

He even hoped for more opportunities, with a future that seemed completely open.

Chen Yan, seeing this, nodded slowly, his smile growing gentler, and said with firm tone, "Then tomorrow I will give the Grand Preceptor his reply…"

Lu Huichun quickly stood, clasped his fists deeply toward Chen Yan, his tone full of gratitude and respect: "Thank you for your effort, A Yan!"

"We have troubled you with this matter and caused you much trouble; the Lu family will forever remember this kindness and shall not forget it!"

Chen Yan quickly raised his hand and tapped, laughing, "Hey, Uncle, that's being formal?"

"We are one family, not two; Yu Fu is my younger cousin, and arranging a match for her is my duty, why thank me?"

"A Yan is right!" Pei Xun, sitting nearby, also echoed, his face full of smiles, his gaze toward Lu Huichun becoming more friendly, and said laughing, "Brother‑in‑law, isn't it that our families should help and support each other?"

Lu Huichun nodded repeatedly, his face full of agreement, his tone sincere and bright: "Extremely so!"

Having said that, he lifted his hand and raised the wine cup on the table; the liquid swayed gently, reflecting the candlelight with a warm yellow halo. He raised the cup toward everyone and shouted, "Come, let us drink!"

"Today joy upon joy, let us float a great toast; do not waste this table of delicacies and this beautiful time!"

Chen Yan, seeing this, immediately stood, steadied his wine cup, and let its rim lightly touch Lu Huichun's cup, producing a crisp sound. He laughed loudly, "Then let us drink this cup to the great joy of Yu Fu and A Ze, and to the future friendship of our two families—let's have a good drink!"

As soon as the words fell, everyone at the table rose, each lifting the wine cup before them.

The crisp clinking of cups rose and fell, intertwining with the crackling of the candles, making the scene especially lively.

"Gan!" everyone echoed in unison, their tone full of joy and exhilaration, tilting their heads and drinking the wine in their cups to the bottom.

After sitting down again, Lu Huichun picked up the communal chopsticks, served a piece of braised deer meat to the nearby Cui Yuanti, but his gaze fell on Lu Yingxuan. A hint of regret crossed his face, and in a tone tinged with lament he said, "If only Yingxuan had married early, I would have asked my brother‑in‑law and sister to arrange for him to marry a daughter of the Pei Clan; that would have brought our families even closer, truly a kinship upon kinship. What a wonderful fate we missed!"

Having said that, he let out a long sigh, his eyes full of regret, gently shook his head, his tone full of remorse.

Pei Xun narrowed his eyes slightly, his fingertips lightly stroking his beard. After hearing Lu Huichun's words, he suddenly turned to the nearby Cui Yuanrong and asked inquisitively, "Madam, that child of the second brother's family, Tingchao, seems to have recently become a widower…"

Cui Yuanrong heard this and immediately understood, a flash of comprehension in his eyes, he smiled lightly and, following Pei Xun's words, said, "Exactly, the second brother has lately been worried about finding a suitable match for him; he has searched the renowned families of Chang'an but still feels something is missing, and hasn't been able to settle on anyone yet!"

Lu Huichun heard this, his eyes brightened instantly, he slapped the table hard and laughed, "What a coincidence!"

Having said that, he looked at Pei Xun, his eyes full of eagerness, and said smiling, "My third brother has a legitimate daughter, named Si Yue, who just turned sixteen this year. She is as beautiful as a flower, gentle and serene, and excels in qin, chess, calligraphy and painting…"

"She is filial and sensible in daily life, the cherished jewel of the third brother and his wife; pairing her with Tingchao would be perfect!"

Pei Xun's eyes were deep and profound, a hint of emotion on his face, and he said with a weighty tone, "In that case, it truly is a destiny ordained by heaven!"

Lu Huichun nodded repeatedly, fully agreeing, and said, "It seems Heaven itself intends for us to become kin upon kin!"

Having said that, he and Pei Xun exchanged a glance, both eyes showing understanding and delight, and they simultaneously burst into hearty laughter: "Hahaha!"