Chapter 58: Chen Yan is Young Master Cao, and Young Master Cao is Chen Yan!

Yuwen Heng heard the words, first stunned, then greatly surprised, a grin rose involuntarily, his eyes full of approval, and he thought, "This kid… it wasn't in vain that night when he helped him out of the encirclement!"

"No wonder big brother dotes on him so much; he's a talent worth cultivating!"

At that moment, Yuwen Heng finally understood why his own big brother valued and favored this child so highly.

He's capable, knows how to handle matters, repays kindness, and even flatters…

Who could not like him, who could not love him?

Moreover, he's the son of an old friend…

Very good!

"Congratulations, Grand Marshal!"

"Congratulations, Grand Marshal!"

"To obtain this timeless masterpiece, one's name will be recorded in history!"

The crowd in Chang'an immediately stood up and jointly offered congratulations.

They knew well that Chen Yan's poem would spread far and wide.

And the Grand Marshal's name would likewise be preserved for the ages, remembered by future generations centuries later.

This is the value of a timeless masterpiece.

At that moment, their gazes toward Chen Yan grew fervent, including many high officials and nobles.

Who wouldn't wish to leave two lines of name in the annals of history?

"Hahaha!"

Yuwen Heng, in high spirits, let out a resonant laugh, then turned to Wang Can and asked meaningfully, "My younger generation in my household are still passable, aren't they, Brother Wang?"

Yuwen Heng is a grudging person.

He hasn't forgotten for a moment how Xiao Liang mocked Great Zhou before…

Wang Can clenched his teeth, forced a smile, and nodded in acknowledgment.

The hatred simmering in Wang Can's heart!

Why isn't this kid a disciple of his own Liang?

"Who says Great Zhou has no people?"

Chen Yan gave a half‑smile, flicked his sleeve, inhaled deeply, and shouted, "Step forward, speak louder, say it again!"

He stood like a black‑haired host grabbing the microphone.

Chen Yan intends to reclaim the lost face of Great Zhou with profit.

"Suiwan, Chen Yan is so manly!"

Du Shuying stared at Chen Yan, eyes shining, tugged Pei Suiwan's hand, and laughed, "Not only handsome, but also brimming with literary talent and imposing!"

At that moment, Du Shuying was captivated by Chen Yan.

Which young maiden in the bloom of love wouldn't love a hero who turns the tide in desperate times?

Moreover, this hero also fits her aesthetic…

"Hmm."

Pei Suiwan nodded, smiled charmingly, eyes deep, and said meaningfully, "His status and talent are the perfect match for an ideal son‑in‑law!"

Not only Du Shuying, even Pei Suiwan was enthralled.

Her heartbeat inexplicably quickened, the feeling of being moved.

She fell for him at first sight.

Moreover, Chen Yan is overflowing with talent, of similar age, and his family background matches.

The Duke of Wei's mansion and the Hedong Pei Clan are a perfect match.

Du Shuying withdrew her gaze, as if recalling something, and asked curiously, "Suiwan, if Mirror Master Chen and that Young Master Cao were both before you, whom would you choose between them?"

"Why choose?" Pei Suiwan replied with a faint smile, turning the question back.

"Huh?"

Du Shuying was startled, opened her mouth wide, and asked, "You don't want both, do you?"

She hesitated, then continued, "That would perhaps be improper according to etiquette…"

These aristocratic ladies, with illustrious family doors, find it extremely hard in this era to have a husband on each side.

In the values of rites, only men can have multiple wives and concubines.

Pei Suiwan, seeing Du Shuying's misunderstanding, smiled and shook his head, explaining, "Chen Yan is Young Master Cao, and Young Master Cao is Chen Yan!"

"What?!" Du Shuying exclaimed.

In her beautiful eyes, disbelief shone.

Even more shocked than before.

How could these two be the same person?

The ones shocked were not only Du Shuying, but also Pei Xilou, who asked, "Little sister, who is Chen Yan?!"

Du Jinghuai furrowed his brows, "How could this be possible?!"

Pei Suiwan curled his lips in a smile, glanced at the spirited Chen Yan, and said, "One who simultaneously possesses astonishing poetic talent and has a close relationship with the Grand Marshal…"

"In all of Chang'an, aside from Mirror Master Chen, can you find anyone else?"

This speculation is neither hard nor easy to state.

It's just a method of elimination.

There are people with close ties to the Grand Marshal, and there are rare individuals with world‑shaking poetic talent.

But those who satisfy both…

Apart from this man, can a second be found?

So, when the Grand Marshal appointed Chen Yan and he produced a renowned piece, Pei Suiwan had already concluded that Cao Kun was Chen Yan's alias!

This is the same person!

"Indeed!"

Du Shuying suddenly understood, reacted, and exclaimed in surprise, "Cao Kun is very likely the alias of Mirror Master Chen!"

Everything now makes sense.

The name Cao Kun originated from the Qinglou.

The illustrious Mingjing Mirror Keeper would not swagger to such places, would he?

"This is the most reasonable explanation!"

Pei Xilou nodded and sighed, "Chang'an has hidden such a figure; what a surprise!"

What moved Pei Xilou was not only the deeply hidden Chen Yan, but also the Grand Tomb Steward's keen eye for talent.

To have uncovered such a gold ingot.

Truly both civil and martial....

"Second brother." Pei Suiwan called softly.

"Hmm?" Pei Xilou's thoughts were drawn back.

Pei Suiwan pursed his lips, his gaze sharp, and said earnestly, "You speak of our Pei clan taking Mirror Master Chen as a son‑in‑law; what do you think?"

As he spoke, his peripheral glance fell on Chen Yan, the focus of the gathering.

Pei Xilou narrowed his eyes slightly, thought briefly, and solemnly replied, "If you have such intention, I, as your elder brother, will discuss it with my father for you!"

He knew clearly what this union would signify....

The former is the Grand Tomb Steward's favorite, the future Duke of Wei and Great Zhou's poetry champion; the latter is a renowned lady of Chang'an, the legitimate daughter of the He Dong Pei Clan.

A strong alliance, with limitless future prospects.

Moreover, his own younger sister is already enamored with him....

Pei Xilou understood even better that after today, anyone from the Chang'an Shijia seeking a marriage alliance will trample over Chen Yan's threshold and cannot hesitate.

"Then I shall trouble you, second brother!" Pei Suiwan smiled, looking affectionately at Chen Yan.

The Pei clan's girl is truly decisive..... Du Jinghuai, witnessing the scene, sighed inwardly.

Without comparison, there is no harm.

When someone sets their sights, they act immediately, without any dithering.

By contrast, our own foolish little sister....

On the other side.

"Just a poem, it's merely a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse...."

"What's there to be proud of?"

Facing the up‑close, wide‑mouthed Chen Yan, Xie Ang sneered lightly and scoffed coldly.

The expression was a thousand, ten‑thousandfold defiant.

"Exactly!"

"Why the frenzy!"

The Xiao Liang crowd echoed in unison.

"There's nothing to be proud of...."

Chen Yan shrugged, half‑smiling, half‑laughing, teasing, "I have no idea who has already conceded!"

"Gentlemen, shall you help me confirm once more?"

As he said, Wang Zhixu nodded his mouth.

When it comes to stabbing the heart or sprinkling salt on a wound, Chen Yan is a professional.

"You!"

"You!"

Xie Ang and the others glared at Chen Yan, choked into speechlessness.

"Just practice more if you're weak; as long as you can write poetry, that's enough!"

Chen Yan smiled calmly, adding, "If you lack skill, stop barking there!"

"Who are you calling a dog?"

Xie Ang, furious, demanded.

"Who asks who to insult!" Chen Yan blinked, saying cheekily.

"Damned bastard!" The humiliated Xie Ang ground his teeth.

How could he have ever endured such humiliation?

"Haha!"

Du Shuying was amused, covered her mouth with a light laugh, praising, "Mirror Master Chen's poetry is superb; I didn't expect his insults to be equally strong!"

"These Xiao Liang dogs make me furious!"

Du Jinghuai glared, reminding, "Shuying, watch your words!"

One may eat messily, but words must not be spoken carelessly.

Especially in a setting like this.

Wang Zhixu's eyes shone with bone‑deep cold, as if a resolve had been made, and he said gravely, "One more contest; if you, Chen Yan, can still win, I, Wang Zhixu, will never write poetry again in this life!"

The pride in his bones and his strong self‑esteem made him unwilling to become Chen Yan's stepping stone.

Even if the price of failure is an eternity of ruin.....

"Tsk, such a huge gamble?"

"Brother Chen, do you have the courage to fight again?" Wang Zhixu asked sharply.

Chen Yan smiled calmly, lifted his hand, and said, "Since Brother Wang has such refined interest, I shall certainly accompany you to the end!"