Chapter 598: Fire‑Burned Celery

A few days later.

Night.

The sweltering heat of day faded, and the evening breeze, carrying the dampness of the Wei River, brushed the vermilion walls of the Duke of Wei's mansion, fluttered over the copper bells at the eaves of the Ya Ge, chiming and shattering the courtyard's quiet.

Inside the Ya Ge.

Candles burned brightly.

On the rosewood table lay a cloud‑patterned chessboard, its black and white pieces arranged like stars in a tangled, stalemated battle.

The two seated opposite each other were both in ordinary attire.

On the left, Chen Yan wore a Brothel, his dark hair bound with a jade crown, holding a black piece; his fingertip grasped a stone, his gaze fixed on the board, eyes deep.

On the right, Yuwen Ze wore a moon‑white brocade, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, idly twirling a white piece in his hand, relaxed.

The candle flames flickered, casting their silhouettes on the wall, bright then dim.

Chen Yan stared at the board for a moment, then his fingertip placed a black piece steadily on a spot that seemed ordinary but concealed a hidden threat, and he looked up at Yuwen Ze, a smile curling his mouth: "A Ze, you've got it!"

"Your chess skill has improved lately!"

Yuwen Ze heard this, raised an eyebrow, spun the white piece between his fingertips, and glanced at the newly placed stone on the board.

Then, he placed another piece, just enough to neutralize the hidden threat, his tone tinged with pride: "Although Shuying may not match my sister‑in‑law, the title of Chang'an's number‑one talented lady still means she excels at music, chess, calligraphy and painting…"

"I spend every night playing against her; by osmosis I've naturally improved!"

Chen Yan's smile deepened when he heard the mention of his wife; he lifted the blue porcelain teacup, sipped the warm pre‑rain Longjing tea, his gaze fixed on Yuwen Ze's face, half‑smile, tone teasing: "During those endless nights, you're only playing chess?"

The words made Yuwen Ze pause, then he burst into a hearty laugh, his laughter ringing, causing the candles to sway slightly: "Hahaha!"

He set down the white piece and lifted his teacup, taking a sip.

After a moment, he restrained his smile, his eyes sharpening, his tone shifting to the point: "A Xiong, the invited Qilin prodigy is dead…"

"What about the Prince of Guangling, Murong Yuan, whose mind is inscrutable—should we deal with him together?"

Chen Yan set down his teacup, his gaze returning to the board, his fingertip gently rubbing a black piece, expression calm, he placed another piece slowly, breaking the stalemate, his tone laden with meaning: "No rush!"

He paused, then looked at Yuwen Ze, a flash of brilliance in his eyes: "He still has value to be used…"

"The Prince of Guangling, as a Great Zhou subject, must die in his proper place!"

Yuwen Ze blinked, a hint of understanding in his eyes, watching the board's situation clear, a playful curl at his mouth, he placed his white piece, clashing with the black, his tone teasing: "Looks like A Xiong has already prepared his final shining purpose for him?"

How could Yuwen Ze not know that his own A Xiong intends to squeeze every remaining value from the ever‑scheming Prince of Guangling?

Chen Yan watched his move, his smile deepening.

The two exchanged a glance, both understanding without words, then burst into loud laughter.

Their laughter echoed through the Ya Ge, drowning out the wind outside.

After laughing, Chen Yan picked up another black piece, his fingertip feeling its cold surface, as if asking casually: "A Ze, when will you welcome the legitimate daughter of the Lu clan into the prince's residence as a secondary consort?"

Yuwen Ze heard this, his smile softening, gazing at the heavy night outside, a hint of tenderness in his eyes, his tone resolute: "About a month after Shuying gives birth!"

"The naming, registration, and tax procedures are complete; we just need to pick an auspicious day thereafter!"

Chen Yan nodded, placed another piece lightly, his tone even yet solemn: "As long as you have it in mind, that's enough!"

Yuwen Ze set down the white piece, lifted his teacup, offered a distant salute to Chen Yan, his face full of gratitude: "I must thank A Xiong for arranging the marriage alliance between me and the Lu clan of Fan Yang!"

Getting another beautiful concubine is just a bonus…

The main point is to amass political surplus!

Chen Yan lifted his blue porcelain teacup, lightly clinking it with Yuwen Ze's, producing a crisp chime; his eyebrows curved as he feigned scolding: "Brother, do we still need that word of thanks?"

Having said that, he deliberately set a stern face, his fingertip hovering to tap Yuwen Ze's forehead, chiding: "Why keep such distance from A Xiong?"

Yuwen Ze, hearing this, quickly set down his teacup, smiled, clasped his hands in a bow, his tone respectful yet teasing: "A Xiong, your lesson is spot‑on!"

The kitchen in the mansion is roasting deer penis; once it's done, I'll make you eat two more, to replenish your body, and spare you from having to stay up playing chess with my younger sisters through endless nights!

"Haha!" Yuwen Ze raised an eyebrow, immediately clasped his fists in agreement, his tone brisk: "Then I'll gladly obey, Brother!"

The two exchanged a glance and burst into loud laughter.

Their bright laughter shook the copper bells at the eaves of the Ya Ge, making them sway gently, the evening breeze carrying the mirth out the window.

It startled a few night birds perched on the locust tree in the courtyard corner.

At that moment, the door of the Ya Ge was gently pushed open, and a tall figure strode in quickly—it was Zhu Yi.

He wore Xuanse Jinshen, his steps steady, cradling a scroll of documents, his expression solemn as he bowed to Chen Yan: "Minister, the Mirror Office has just delivered news!"

Chen Yan's smile remained, he simply raised his hand, saying casually: "Read it."

Zhu Yi unfolded the document, his eyes scanning the characters; his expression grew increasingly stern, his voice deepened as he read aloud, word by word: "Seven officials dispatched by the Imperial Academy to the Huazhou prefectural and county schools to oversee expanded admissions, along with over twenty accompanying clerks, lodged at the relay station that caught fire at the third watch last night!"

"The blaze was fierce; the relay station was completely destroyed, and the entire party perished, none survived!"

"What?!" Yuwen Ze sprang up from the couch, his smile vanished instantly, his face filled with shock and astonishment.

He widened his eyes, shouting hoarsely, "Seven officials, over twenty clerks, and not a single survivor?!"

"How… how could this be!?"

"The Huazhou relay station's fire‑prevention has always been strict; how could such a massive fire erupt suddenly?"

Before the words finished, Chen Yan sat upright on the couch, showing not the slightest surprise; instead he lifted his teacup, sipped slowly, a faint smile still at his lips, his tone light as a breeze, as if commenting on a trivial matter: "Isn't it just a case of burning celery?"

"Look at you making such a fuss!"

Yuwen Ze, hearing this, was even more bewildered, watching his own A Xiong remain unruffled; his growing doubt could no longer be held back, he stepped forward, fixed his gaze on Chen Yan, and asked gravely: "That's not right! A Xiong, this isn't an accident; clearly someone did this on purpose!"

"Why aren't you at all surprised?"