Chapter 626: Prophetic Words

Ye Zhuxi was choked by Chen Yan's tease, rolled a huge white eye, and snorted irritably, "I'm a person, not a bodhisattva!"

When the words fell, she bit her lower lip, her silver teeth lightly grinding, her tone full of grievance: "So many times I really want to stitch those guys' mouths shut!"

It wasn't a casual complaint; these days at the Ye mansion, the idle chatter of those younger brothers and sisters pierced her ears one by one, and even with her usually cheerful disposition, she couldn't help feeling irritated.

If she didn't consider the elders in the mansion, who have always treated her kindly, she could truly draw a spear and storm into those people's courtyards for a good lesson.

Let them know what it means for disaster to come from the mouth.

Chen Yan took in the woman's hypocritical demeanor, smiling more broadly, his gentle expression almost spilling over.

He deliberately elongated his tone, teasing with interest, "I'd really like to see General Ye using needle and thread—what a sight that would be!"

"Go away!" Ye Zhuxi heard that, her cheeks reddening a bit more, she reached out and pushed Chen Yan hard, though the force was light and airy, tinged with a coquettish petulance.

She turned her face away, muttering a complaint, "You have no idea, the countless petty rules and endless formalities in the Ye household are as numerous as cattle hair!"

"Not as free as in the army at all!"

In the army it's so exhilarating—mounting a horse with a spear, drinking strong wine, lying on the battlefield—there's no such myriad constraints that bind a person so uncomfortably.

Chen Yan heard that, restrained his smile a bit, his lips still curved slightly, raised an eyebrow and asked, "General Ye, aren't you afraid that entering my Duke of Wei's mansion would be the same situation?"

"That's different!" Ye Zhuxi immediately lifted her head and straightened her chest, her bright eyes full of confidence, her tone even more assured, "In the months back in Chang'an, I've investigated everything…"

"The Duke of Wei's mansion never enforces those petty rules; the matriarch Pei Suiwan is famously a kind person!"

"All affairs in the mansion are managed by her in perfect order; everyone in the household constantly praises her!"

She had long gotten a clear picture of the Duke of Wei's mansion and had even secretly met Pei Suiwan…

Otherwise she wouldn't be waiting so calmly to marry there.

Chen Yan listened to this clear reasoning, couldn't help nodding repeatedly, his tone full of flattering smile, "No wonder you're the former great commander who guarded a region!"

"Truly knowing both sides, a hundred battles never fail!"

Ye Zhuxi's brows and eyes relaxed under his praise, a smug smile lifting her lips.

She seemed to suddenly recall something important, moved next to Chen Yan, gently nudged his arm with her elbow, her tone hopeful, "Moreover, after entering your Duke of Wei's mansion, I won't be bound by the Ye household, and I can ask Chen Zhuguo to secure me a minor post!"

She paused, then quickly added, "It doesn't have to be a high rank, just a position where I can work…"

"Spending the whole day idly at home, one will soon become useless!"

Ye Zhuxi remembered clearly that Chen Yan had promised not to confine her to the inner quarters…

She didn't believe that the respectable Chen Zhuguo would break his word and get fat?

Chen Yan looked at the woman before him, radiating vigor, her strength seemingly inexhaustible, his smile deepening.

He pondered briefly, then slowly asked, "Then how about going to Zhe Chong Fu to train the mansion troops?"

"Excellent!" Ye Zhuxi heard that, her eyes suddenly brightened, as if starlight flickered within.

She slapped her thigh hard, her excited voice pitched higher, "Just in time someone can train with me!"

"Otherwise, when we actually go to the battlefield later, we won't even be able to lift a horse spear or long spear!"

Thinking of returning to the barracks, sweating with those mansion troops, training martial arts, her blood seemed to boil.

Chen Yan, looking at Ye Zhuxi's astonishingly bright eyes, his smile spreading, slowly nodded and replied, "Fine!"

When the words fell, a calm smile spread on his lips, his tone full of firm promise, "When the time comes, I'll arrange it for you…"

Ye Zhuxi heard that, the gloom in her heart dissipated largely, she exhaled a heavy breath of stale air, stood up neatly, the hem of her soft armor brushed the stone bench, stirring a breeze.

She lifted her eyes to Chen Yan, fists clenched, gently flexing her wrists, her knuckles making a faint crack, the warlike spirit in her brows reignited, she asked boldly, "Enough rest, General Chen, shall we spar now?"

"Exactly my intention!" Chen Yan also stood, dusted his robe, shouted loudly, "Let's go! I, the lord, will train with General Ye to the fullest!"

Before the words finished, the two walked side by side toward the center of the training ground.

Morning light fell on them, stretching their upright figures tall—one handsome and steady, the other dashing and heroic—a rare matching pair.

At the field's edge, Dong Xuqing watched their departing backs, twirling his short whiskers, curiosity in his eyes, turned to Peng Chong and Feng Muye beside him and asked, "Hey, who do you think would win between the Grand General and General Ye?"

"Obviously the Grand General!" Peng Chong replied without hesitation, his tone full of certainty.

Having followed Chen Yan for years, he knows well the Grand General's skill, forged through real combat on the battlefield.

Feng Muye, however, slowly shook his head, his gaze fixed on the dark figure in the arena, and said gravely, "I think General Ye!"

"Just now she faced three alone, the expenditure was great, but her foundation is there; her spear technique is fierce and cunning, she might not lose…"

"General Ye's previous major battle drained much stamina, so her odds aren't high!" Peng Chong argued, each holding their own view.

Dong Xuqing, seeing this, a sly glint in his eyes, smiled and suggested, "I think you two should stop arguing and start a bet!"

"Whoever loses, will treat the lunch today!"

"Makes sense!" Peng Chong's eyes lit up, immediately agreeing.

"Good idea!" Feng Muye also nodded in approval, not backing down.

"I bet ten taels that the Grand General wins!" Peng Chong said first, his tone full of confidence.

"I'll match ten taels, betting General Ye wins!" Feng Muye replied, not wanting to lose.

As their words ended, nearby personal guards and mansion troops also got excited, each rushing to place bets; some followed Peng Chong betting Chen Yan to win, others favored Ye Zhuxi.

The training ground's side instantly became lively, shouts and arguments rising and falling, even more bustling than the earlier contest.

Not long after, a crisp clatter of armor colliding came from the center of the training ground.

Chen Yan and Ye Zhuxi had already donned dark luminous armor, each flipped onto their horses.

Chen Yan held a wooden horse spear; its shaft was heavy, and in his grip it seemed to wield a thousand‑pound force.

Ye Zhuxi still bore that wooden long spear, its tip angled toward the ground, exuding a chilling killing aura.

The two exchanged a glance, both bristling with battle intent.

"Charge!"

Almost simultaneously, they let out a light shout, urging their horses toward each other.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The wooden horse spear and the Chang Qiang clashed violently, emitting a deafening crisp sound as wood chips flew and fell onto the Huangtu.

Chen Yan's horse spear was heavy and fierce, each strike bearing the force of thunder, every move striking straight for the vital points.

Ye Zhuxi's Chang Qiang was agile and cunning; amid twists and turns it always evaded deadly assaults, and the counterstrike was fierce.

Their Warhorses circled and tangled on the training ground, silhouettes interlacing, and the sound of Weapons clashing never ceased.

The onlookers at the side held their breath, eyes locked on the arena, and even the arguing voices of the bettors gradually fell silent.

Half Hour Rest passed swiftly amid the crisp clash of Weapons and the Warhorse's whinny.

Another fierce clash erupted; the two each reined back their horses, the Warhorse let out a long whinny, its front hooves lifting and kicking up a cloud of dust.

Ye Zhuxi sat steadily on the horse's back, her chest heaving violently as she gasped heavily, sweat from her temple sliding down her cheek onto the Xuan Armor, leaving a small dark stain: "Huff! Huff!"

She felt her palm numbed by the shock, her arm aching and numb, and her grip on the spear weakened slightly.

Chen Yan was in far better shape, his breathing a bit heavy, the collar of his Xuan Armor damp with sweat; looking at Ye Zhuxi's pale yet stubborn face, he loudly suggested, "General Ye, shall we call today a draw?"

Ye Zhuxi slowly shook her head, raised a hand to wipe the sweat from her face, her gaze still sharp, and replied loudly, "Losing is losing; I'm Ye Zhuxi, I'm not one who can't afford to lose!"

Having said that, she turned her horse's head, made a solemn fist‑bow toward Chen Yan, and in a frank tone declared, "I gladly concede defeat!"

Chen Yan, seeing this, let a faint, indifferent smile spread across his lips, raised his hand to return the fist‑bow, and said loudly, "Then I accept your concession!"

Peng Chong, at the side, saw the scene and instantly leapt up excitedly, elbowing Feng Muye beside him hard, his face full of a smug grin, and shouted loudly, "Did you see?"

"Grand General won!"

As the words fell, he looked up and let out a hearty laugh: "Hahaha! Old Feng, today's noon wine and meat are on you!"

Ye Zhuxi flipped off the horse, her movements swift and without a hint of lag.

The Armor pieces of the Xuan Armor clanged crisply in her hand; she raised her hand to untie the strap around her neck, removed the heavy armor, and casually handed it to a nearby waiting bodyguard.

Her fingertips brushed her temple, wiping away the rolling sweat droplets; the icy sensation cleared her chaotic thoughts a little.

She lowered her gaze to the thin cocoon in her palm, her brows slightly furrowed, slowly sinking into a contemplative state, not even noticing Chen Yan's approaching footsteps.

Chen Yan, having removed his armor, wore dark military attire that made his posture appear even more upright.

He looked at the woman before him who had sheathed her edge, a hint of seriousness in her brows, couldn't help his curiosity, raised his hand to lightly pat her shoulder, and asked aloud, "What are you thinking about?"

"So engrossed?"

Ye Zhuxi snapped back to reality, lifted her eyes to look at him, her gaze bright, and replied seriously, "I was wondering if your Weiguo Gongfu is big enough?"

"If that's the case, we could practice together in the mansion every day!"

Chen Yan heard the words, couldn't help tugging at the corner of his mouth, feeling both amused and exasperated.

He had originally thought she was pondering some military affairs or wedding details, but didn't expect she was thinking about this.

He shook his head helplessly, about to tease, when a rapid footstep sound came from afar, growing nearer.

The newcomer was You Xian, followed by several embroidered messengers clad in Flying Fish robes and bearing embroidered spring swords at their waists, each with a cold expression and steady stride.

You Xian quickly stepped forward, bowed respectfully toward Chen Yan, glanced swiftly at Ye Zhuxi, then lowered his voice and said gravely, "Pillar of the State, I have urgent intelligence that must be reported to you at once!"

Ye Zhuxi, so perceptive, knew at once that it was a confidential matter.

She immediately nodded toward Chen Yan and said, "Then I will take my leave now!"

Chen Yan nodded, responded gravely, "Hmm."

Ye Zhuxi turned and hurried away, passing the palace soldiers still gathered at the arena, and raised her voice to command, "Disperse, each go train on your own."

The crowd immediately responded and dispersed.

In just a moment, within ten steps of the arena, only Chen Yan and You Xian's party remained, and even the wind seemed to carry a hint of murderous aura.

You Xian's complexion grew increasingly solemn, stepped forward, lowered his voice further, each word weighty: "Pillar of the State, Gao Changjing orders preparations to spread this prophecy in Chang'an!"

Before the words finished, he took from his bosom a neatly folded hemp paper and handed it up with both hands.

Chen Yan reached out, took it, his fingertips unfurled the paper, and his eyes quickly scanned the ink characters upon it.

He curled a cold, sharp smile at the corner of his mouth, then read the prophecy aloud: "In the western gold, a dragon resides; purple robes, jade belt, imperial bearing."

"When the Zhou calendar ends, the Wei banner rises; Chen, the Pillar of Heaven, determines the realm."

"Do not say that today the minister and the lord; next year the Dragon Court will exchange old acquaintances!"

After finishing, he tossed the paper onto his palm, rubbing it with a half‑smile, and meaningfully praised, "What splendid prose!"

You Xian could not smile at all, his complexion heavy as if covered with a layer of frost, full of worry, said, "Pillar of the State, it seems Gao Changjing intends to use a sinister tactic to place you in mortal danger!"

He knows all too well the venomous nature of this prophecy...

Gao Changjing intends to use rumors to stir Your Majesty and the Grand Preceptor's suspicion toward his own Pillar of the State!

After all, once the seed of suspicion is sown, it becomes the beginning of an irrecoverable calamity...

This truly is an extremely sinister killing move!

Chen Yan, after listening, was indifferent, instead smiling calmly, his tone light as if speaking of a trivial matter: "The scheme is a good scheme..."

As he spoke, he lifted his gaze to the horizon; under the endless clear sky, a few flying birds flapped their wings and swooped past.

He gently shook his head, his tone bearing a hint of regret and a hint of haughty contempt for the world, and sighed slowly, "What a pity, using this move against me, Gao Changjing is still a bit immature!"