Chapter 622: Candidates for Huazhou Prefect

Thinking that way, Yuwen Hu only felt the gloom in his heart completely dissipate, replaced by an indescribable exhilaration.

Yuwen Ze hurried to Chen Yan's side, raised his hand and heftily placed it on his shoulder; his smile was extremely broad, carrying a hint of boastful pride, and his tone was full of excitement: "Brother, sister‑in‑law, Father's golden words are sealed; from now on Ji Min will be your son‑in‑law!"

Chen Yan looked at his overjoyed expression, and recalling his own delicate, well‑mannered daughter Shuying, he inexplicably felt as if a cabbage he had carefully cultivated was being eyed before any tender leaves had even sprouted.

He helplessly rolled his eyes and, in a sour teasing tone, said, "You kid, your mouth is about to split all the way to the roots of your ears!"

Yuwen Ze lifted his hand to touch his nose, his tone carrying a hint of petty pride: "No way around it!"

"Who would have thought that Ji Min would someday marry a good wife!"

When the words fell, his smile deepened further, and his gaze toward Chen Yan and his wife was truly sincere: "That girl Shuying, I and Shuying are very fond of her!"

Pei Suiwan smiled gently, stepped forward, and his eyes fell on the infant in Yuwen Hu's arms; his tone was so soft it could be squeezed into water: "Sister‑in‑law will prepare a generous dowry for Shuying early!"

Speaking, as if recalling something, he gently admonished the swaddled child, "Ji Min, you must treat Shuying well in the future, never bully her, understand?"

"Sister‑in‑law, rest assured!" Yuwen Ze shouted immediately, stepped forward, pounded his chest and vowed, "That stinky kid—if he even dares to say a single word to Shuying, I'll swing the great whip and beat him!"

"Hahaha, you as a father‑figure are indeed strict." Yuwen Hu was amused by his words and laughed out loud, his laugh bright.

He lowered his head to look at the infant in his arms, saw the little one seemed disturbed by the laughter, its tiny mouth twitched slightly, and he softened his voice, saying warmly, "Alright, after all that fuss, Ji Min must be hungry…"

"Let the wet‑nurse take him to feed first!"

The wet‑nurse waiting in the courtyard corridor had already been standing by for orders.

Hearing this, they hurried forward, their brows smooth and eyes compliant, steps feather‑light, they reached Yuwen Hu, and respectfully knelt and saluted.

Yuwen Hu carefully handed the infant to the wet‑nurse, who took it steadily with both hands; her movements were so gentle as if cradling a priceless treasure, and she replied respectfully to the others, "Yes, we servants will diligently look after the young lord!"

Having said that, she lifted the child and stepped out gently.

Yuwen Hu watched the wet‑nurse carry Ji Min away, only then did the smile on his face gradually fade a bit; he turned, his gaze slowly sweeping the people standing in the courtyard.

In the faint morning light, fatigue from a night of waiting showed in everyone's brows.

He cleared his throat, and his voice sounded steady: "You all have waited from dusk till dawn; I imagine you're all exhausted…"

When the words fell, he turned his head toward Yuwen Ze beside him and ordered, "A Ze, you arrange for your father‑in‑law and mother‑in‑law, as well as sister‑in‑law, to rest in the residence!"

Yuwen Ze heard this, immediately bowed his head and nodded, respectfully replying, "Yes, Father."

Immediately after, Yuwen Hu's gaze swept over the crowd, landed on Chen Yan, his expression solemn, and he loudly said, "A Yan, you come with me to the study!"

Having said that, without waiting for Chen Yan's response, he turned and strode straight toward the study in the residence, the hem of his dark robe swaying lightly with each step.

Chen Yan watched his back, first slightly startled, then turned his head to Pei Suiwan and Yun Xi beside him, a soothing smile spreading on his face: "Suiwan, Xi'er, you go with A Ze to rest well; I'll be back shortly!"

Pei Suiwan and Yun Xi exchanged a glance, both nodded gently, and together replied, "Very well."

Only then did Chen Yan feel at ease, and he quickly turned and hurried after the direction Yuwen Hu had gone.

On the other side, Yuwen Ze hurried forward, and to Du Yaoguang, Li Shimiao, as well as Pei Suiwan and Yun Xi, he respectfully made a welcoming gesture, his tone courteous: "Father‑in‑law, mother‑in‑law, sisters‑in‑law, please this way!"

Du Yaoguang and Li Shimiao smiled and nodded, Pei Suiwan and Yun Xi also thanked softly, and the group followed Yuwen Ze along the pebble‑laid path, slowly heading toward another courtyard.

The phoenix‑tree leaves in the courtyard rustled in the morning breeze, accompanying the footsteps of the group as they gradually faded away.

Inside the study.

The early June morning light filtered through the carved lattice windows, spilling abundantly across the floor, illuminating the furnishings inside with clear clarity.

The brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones on the desk were neatly arranged; in the corner stood a display shelf filled with various ancient books and bronze ornaments, exuding a pervasive, tranquil scholarly atmosphere.

Yuwen Hu walked to the Grand Master's Chair at the main seat, sat down, raised his hand to tap Chen Yan who had just entered, and in a deep voice said, "A Yan, sit."

Immediately, he raised his voice and ordered the Personal Guard waiting outside the door, "Bring tea!"

"Yes!"

The Personal Guard answered, and shortly thereafter carried a black lacquered tray inside, on which sat a pot of hot tea and two white‑jade tea cups.

The guard skillfully poured the tea to the brim, then bowed and stepped back, gently closing the study's door, leaving only Yuwen Hu and Chen Yan inside.

Chen Yan sat in the opposite chair, his gaze sweeping the room, but he couldn't help murmuring to himself, "Grand Preceptor father leaving me alone like this is probably not idle chatter; there must be an important matter to discuss, and it's likely not a small issue!"

Thinking that way, he lifted the white‑jade tea cup before him, his fingertips grazing the cool cup wall, and gently sipped the hot tea.

The rich tea aroma instantly spread through his mouth, and Chen Yan's eyes lit up; he set down the cup and, feigning ease, praised, "Fine tea!"

"It's mellow on the palate, with a sweet aftertaste…"

While speaking, his peripheral glance carefully fell on Yuwen Hu's face, observing his expression for any change, daring not to be even slightly lax.

Yuwen Hu lifted his tea cup and also took a sip; the warm tea slid down his throat, soothing the fatigue of the night.

He set down the cup, his fingers lightly tapping the smooth rim, producing a crisp sound.

Then he reached out, opened the desk drawer, and took out a neatly folded roster, lifting it and placing it before Chen Yan.

"A Yan, take a look." His voice was low and calm, "These are the candidates from various factions recommended for the Huazhou Prefect position…"

He paused, then lifted his eyes toward Chen Yan, a hint of depth flashing in his pupils, and asked meaningfully, "Who do you think is the most suitable among them?"

Chen Yan felt a chill in his heart, silently thinking, "Indeed, it has arrived."

He hurriedly reached for the roster, his fingertips brushing the yellowed pages, his eyes quickly scanning the listed names.

These names were either scions of Guanzhong noble families or protégés and former officials of high‑ranking ministers, each with deep backgrounds, yet each also bearing the imprint of their own faction.

After a moment of contemplation, he already reached a conclusion in his mind.

For Grand Preceptor father to ask him so solemnly in private rather than decide unilaterally suggests he is not satisfied with any of these candidates.

He set the roster down, his expression heavy as he lifted his head, and in a deep voice said, "Replying to Grand Preceptor, I think none of these people are suitable!"

"Oh?"

Yuwen Hu heard this, his eyebrows lifted slightly, and his eyes, far from showing displeasure, filled with strong admiration.

He raised his hand and said, "Tell me your view!"

Chen Yan inhaled deeply, gently placed the roster on the table, after brief deliberation spoke clearly, "Grand Preceptor, your insight is evident; Huazhou borders Chang'an, a crucial capital region, guarding the eastern gateway of Guanzhong—its position is of utmost importance!"

His pace was neither hurried nor slow, each word landing with weight: "Each person on this roster is backed by various forces…"

"Now, within the court, the various factions already maintain a delicate balance; appointing anyone from any one side to the Huazhou Prefect position would disrupt that balance!"

Speaking of this, he paused slightly, his tone suddenly rose, his eyes blazing as he looked at Yuwen Hu, and said solemnly, each word measured: "The great families of Guanzhong can be used, but they must also be balanced!"

"We must never let their power expand too much around the Capital region, otherwise it will sooner or later become a factor the Court cannot control!"

Yuwen Hu listened to Chen Yan's words, immediately nodded in agreement, the admiration in his eyes deepening, and in a deep voice said, "You are thinking just like I do!"

As soon as the words fell, his brows slightly furrowed, a deep light swirling in his eyes, his expression turning complex, his tone carrying an unmistakable gravity: "But finding a Prefect of Huazhou who can satisfy everyone without upsetting the balance is truly hard…"

Chen Yan heard this and immediately bowed his head, replying, "I understand!"

"This position must both hold the scene steady and not involve too many factions; indeed it is fraught with countless difficulties…"

Yuwen Hu lifted his gaze, his eyes falling on Chen Yan, and with a hint of expectation asked, "A Yan, do you have a favored candidate?"

Chen Yan's fingertips brushed the warm cup wall as he fell into thought, his eyes slightly squinting, names flashing rapidly through his mind.

In an instant, a face clearly rose before his eyes; he looked up at Yuwen Hu, his tone cautiously probing, "Grand Preceptor, what do you think of Li Tan?"

"Li Tan?"

Yuwen Hu, hearing this, turned the Jade Ring, his fingertip rubbing its warm jade, began to ponder carefully, murmuring low, "The heir of Duke Zhao, chief of the Mingjing Office, and also a direct line of the Li Family of Longxi; his ability and loyalty are top‑tier choices…"

The more he thought, the more appropriate it seemed; his eyes suddenly brightened as if an epiphany, he thumped his thigh hard and laughed loudly, "How could I have forgotten this kid before!"

Chen Yan, seeing this, slightly lifted the corner of his mouth, holding the hot tea cup, added with a meaningful tone, "If we pull the Zhao State Duke Mansion into the game, the power distribution on the Court can gain another layer of balance…"

Yuwen Hu lightly pinched his beard, his mind rapidly weighing pros and cons from all angles—Li Tan's family background, his abilities and reputation, and the reactions of various factions after the recommendation—filtering each in turn.

A moment later, a satisfied smile spread across his face, and he said loudly, "By this measure, he truly is an excellent choice!"

Chen Yan, seeing Yuwen Hu had already agreed, felt the weight in his heart lift, and smiled, proposing, "As for the recommended person, how about letting A Ze take it?"

Yuwen Hu, so perceptive, instantly grasped Chen Yan's implication…

He intends for Li Tan to inherit A Ze's favor, so that later on the Court the two will share an extra bond of goodwill, looking out for each other.

He raised his hand, pointing at Chen Yan, his eyes full of satisfaction and praise, and scolded with a smile, "You brat!"

"Indeed, it's more thorough than I thought!"

When the words fell, the two exchanged a glance and burst into loud laughter: "Hahaha!"

The atmosphere in the Shufang lightened considerably thanks to this harmonious decision.

The morning light outside the window grew brighter, streaming through the lattice and bathing the two, adding a touch of warmth.

Just then, Yuwen Hu abruptly stopped laughing, as if recalling something urgent, his expression hardening, and in a deep voice said, "By the way, A Yan…"

Chen Yan's smile faded as well; he knew that Grand Preceptor father surely had another matter.

Yuwen Hu's eyes flashed with a chilling ferocity; he slowly rose, paced to the window, his gaze fixed on the heavy sky beyond the mansion, his voice cold as if forged of ice, each word measured, he said solemnly:

"Let that Gao Changjing keep bouncing around long enough; we cannot keep him any longer!"