Chapter 574: Hezhou Local Specialties

Chen Yan's brow furrowed slightly, then his eyes suddenly brightened, his mind cleared, all previous doubts vanished, a knowing smile curled at his mouth, and he said loudly, "So it's the two of them!"

After his words settled, he lifted his gaze to the bowing Chen Heyi waiting, his tone adding urgency, and ordered, "Quickly, invite them!"

"Take them directly to the Shufang; I will arrive shortly!"

"Yes, Chen Zhuguo." Chen Heyi replied respectfully, bowing slightly at the waist.

Then, turning, he hurried toward the Fumen, his steps swift, daring not to delay a moment.

Chen Yan turned to Yun Xi and Wei Yingxue beside him, a hint of apology on his face, and said gently, "Yun Xi, Yingxue, I have an old friend visiting, I'll be busy with receptions and won't be able to keep you company for a while…"

"Yingxue, since you're new here and unfamiliar with the affairs of the mansion, today I'll leave you in charge!"

Yun Xi, very understanding, knowing that official duties and personal relations cannot be neglected, waved a hand and laughed brightly, "Brother A Yan, go ahead and attend to your business!"

She blinked her lively big eyes, reached out to affectionately loop her arm around Wei Yingxue's, and added eagerly, "In a moment I'll take sister Yingxue out for a walk to properly see the sights of Chang'an!"

Chen Yan, hearing this, nodded with satisfaction, then as if recalling something important, raised an eyebrow and reminded, "Yun Xi, before you go out to play, first introduce Yingxue to the people in the mansion!"

"Alright!" Yun Xi replied cheerfully, "Brother A Yan, rest assured, I've got it all noted!"

Having said that, she tugged Wei Yingxue's arm and headed out of the courtyard, steps light, and said warmly, "Yingxue, let me tell you, the sisters at our Duke of Wei mansion are all wonderful…"

Wei Yingxue, being pulled, followed with light steps, listening to Yun Xi's endless introduction, a faint smile on her cheek, occasionally nodding gently in response.

Their figures gradually vanished at the far end of the courtyard corridor, leaving only the garden's fresh scent and scattered crabapple petals.

Meanwhile, inside the Shufang of the Duke of Wei mansion.

Two men in their thirties sat on pear‑blossom wood chairs beside the table, both clad in luxurious Brothels of fine material with intricate dark patterns, instantly revealing their distinguished status.

The man on the left had a gentle face, scholarly air in his brows and eyes, tall stature, upright posture, and was Liu Zhuang.

The man on the right was robust, with a resolute face, a lingering military bearing in his brow, sitting as straight as a pine, his gestures crisp and efficient, and he was Yang Langhui.

The two had just been escorted into the Shufang by Private Soldiers when two maids in teal servant attire entered slowly carrying tea sets.

They gently placed the tea tray on the table, brewed hot tea for them; the tea liquid was clear and bright, its fragrance wafted, refreshing the heart.

The maids bowed and said respectfully, "Please, esteemed gentlemen, enjoy the tea first!"

"My Chen Zhuguo will come over after handling some trivial matters; please wait a moment!"

Liu Zhuang gave a slight nod, his voice gentle, "Hmm, thank you, ladies."

The maids, seeing this, said no more, bowed and stepped back a few paces.

Then, turning, they quietly slipped out of the Shufang, gently closed the door, leaving only Liu Zhuang and Yang Langhui inside to wait.

Yang Langhui lifted the celadon tea cup on the table, fingertips tracing the rim, brought it to his lips and sipped gently; the warm tea slid down his throat, its fragrance rich and lingering, his eyes brightened and he exclaimed, "What fine tea!"

Liu Zhuang also lifted his cup, took a small sip, carefully savoring the tea, then laughed aloud, "This is premium pre‑rain Longjing, harvested before the Qingming rains, the buds tender, the craft exquisite, the taste fresh and mellow—a true tea masterpiece!"

Yang Langhui, hearing this, nodded repeatedly, took a few more sips, his eyes full of admiration.

Before long, a steady footfall sounded from outside the Shufang.

Accompanied by a slight door‑push, Chen Yan hurried in, and upon entering shouted cheerfully, "Old Liu, Old Yang, sorry to keep you waiting!"

Speaking, he walked quickly forward, clasped his hands in a bow to them, and said earnestly, "Brothers, since we last left Hezhou, it's been ages!"

Liu Zhuang and Yang Langhui, seeing this, immediately rose, their faces showing warm smiles.

Liu Zhuang gazed at Chen Yan, clasped his fists, and replied familiarly, "Chen Zhuguo, since we left Hezhou over half a year ago, hope you've been well!"

Hearing this, Chen Yan laughed heartily, waved his hand and said, "All well, all well!"

Beside him, Yang Langhui stared at Chen Yan with bright admiration, smiling, "Chen Zhuguo now looks even more vigorous than when you were in Hezhou!"

Chen Yan raised his hand, pointed at Yang Langhui with a smile, teasing, "Old Yang, you're still so eloquent!"

Speaking, he stepped forward, patted both shoulders with steady force, full of old‑friend affection, and added, "You two aren't bad either!"

The words hung in the air as the three exchanged smiles.

"Hahaha!"

The bright laughter echoed through the Shufang, dispelling the initial stiffness, filled with the joy and warmth of old friends reunited.

After the laughter faded, Chen Yan's gaze unintentionally swept behind the two, spotting two heavy wooden crates standing in the corner.

The crates were thick and smooth, clearly heavy, evidently items brought intentionally.

A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes as he joked, "You both came, and you even brought something!"

Saying so, he lifted his hand to point at the two crates, his tone casual and familiar.

Liu Zhuang, hearing this, gave a gentle smile, brushed his sleeve lightly, and replied calmly, "Just some local specialties from Hezhou…"

Yang Langhui, nearby, quickly echoed, nodding vigorously, "Yes, yes!"

Speaking, he rubbed his hands together, a simple smile on his face, and added sincerely, "When visiting the Chen Zhuguo mansion, we can't come empty‑handed, can we?"

Chen Yan shook his head helplessly, a smile at his mouth, and said, "All brothers, you're really being courteous!"

Liu Zhuang blinked, his gaze landing on the crates behind, a hint of slyness in his eyes, and suggested with a smile, "Chen Zhuguo, shall we take a look?"

Chen Yan, already curious about the heavy crates, heard Liu Zhuang's suggestion and immediately nodded, "Then let's take a look!"

As soon as the words finished, Liu Zhuang and Yang Langhui rose, walked to the crates, and together lifted the lid of the first crate, then opened the second as well.

The moment the lid was lifted, a blaze of golden light filled the box and caught their eyes.

It turned out to be two boxes full of Gold Cakes.

Each Gold Cake was polished smooth and round, its bright hue gleaming under the Shufang's light and shadow.

The heavy weight was obvious, and they were clearly of great value.

Chen Yan stared at the golden Gold Cakes in the box, his smile deepening, and with a meaning‑laden glance at Liu Zhuang and Yang Langhui said teasingly, "You two really are generous!"

Liu Zhuang and Yang Langhui exchanged a look, then together bowed low to Chen Yan, fists clasped, their waists bent extremely low, faces bearing respectful smiles, and said earnestly, "A modest token, not enough to show our respect!"

"We hope Chen Zhuguo will smile and accept it!"

Chen Yan's gaze fell on the full box of Gold Cakes, he smiled calmly and feigned refusal, "I, the Duke, do not accept rewards without merit!"

Liu Zhuang, hearing this, spoke loudly, his tone earnest and solemn, stating plainly, "For Liu (myself) and Brother Yang to stand here safely today, without having been dismissed or prosecuted, spared from the Court's punishment, it is all thanks to your mediation and thoroughness in the Court, Chen Zhuguo!"

"This favor, the two of us will never forget for as long as we live; this little thing is not even one ten‑thousandth of the help you, Your Excellency, have given us!"

"Indeed!" Yang Langhui hurriedly echoed from beside, nodding repeatedly, his tone sincere and heartfelt, eyes full of gratitude, and following Liu Zhuang's words added: "Your Excellency's great kindness and virtue, Shuyi and Brother Liu both keep etched in our hearts, never daring to forget!"

"If you had not stepped in to help, the two of us would have long since seen our futures ruined, perhaps even our lives endangered…"

"We just arrived in Chang'an, and already came to visit your residence!"

Chen Yan burst into hearty laughter, stepped forward, and reached out to hook the shoulders of Liu Zhuang and Yang Langhui, his grip steady, bearing the intimacy of old friends; yet he feigned a scolding tone and said: "We are brothers who fought side by side on the battlefield, lived and died together—talking like this makes us sound like strangers!"

Having said that, he gently patted the two on the back and led them to sit beside the table.

Chen Yan lifted his teacup, took a light sip, then shifted his tone and asked meaningfully: "I heard you, Old Liu, have been transferred to become Yinzhou Prefect; and you, Old Yang, are about to take Yubi out of town?"

Liu Zhuang, upon hearing this, smiled knowingly, rose and clasped his hands, replying respectfully: "It is all thanks to Your Excellency's recommendation and support, of course!"

Yang Langhui's gratitude overflowed, and in a sincere tone said: "If it were not for Your Excellency's vigorous assistance and careful recommendation, given our situation in Hezhou, our official careers would truly have been hopeless!"

"How could we have been given such an important appointment today?"