Chapter 643: Yun Xi's Little Sister-in-Law's Improved Secret Medicine Is Truly Effective!

Chang'an.

The early evening of early July shed the scorching heat of the day.

The night breeze carried the lotus fragrance from the Back Garden pond, brushing over the Blue Bricks of the Duke of Wei's mansion courtyard.

The waning western sun lingered on the brink of setting, golden‑red afterglow splashing over the soaring eaves, the crimson gauze lantern hanging in the corridor still unlit, only the sky light reflecting the courtyard scenery.

In the curved pond, pink‑white lotus stood upright, willow branches swayed lightly at the bank, and two sandalwood targets stood ten zhang away, their bullseyes painted vermilion, strikingly vivid in the dusk.

After dinner, Chen Yan and Yuwen Ze had shed their official robes for everyday clothes, standing in the courtyard center, drawing bows and nocking arrows.

Chen Yan wore a dark‑hued Brothel with subtle cloud patterns, its fabric woven with understated clouds, a matching jade belt at his waist, his posture as upright as the ancient cypress in the courtyard.

The bones of his bow‑hand were distinct, the pads of his fingers worn smooth by years of shooting, and when he raised his hand, the lines of his shoulders and back flowed sleekly.

Beside him, Yuwen Ze wore a sapphire‑blue Brothel, its collar and cuffs embroidered with silver‑threaded lotus vines; his stance was relaxed as he drew the bow, mirroring Chen Yan, a rare pair of heroic brothers.

With nothing else after today's meal, they arranged a contest in the Back Garden.

The servants of the State Duke Mansion stood with lowered hands in the corridor, silent, only hearing successive whooshing sounds from the courtyard.

"Swoosh swoosh swoosh!"

The sharp crack of arrows leaving the string sliced the night wind, feather arrows flying swiftly toward the opposite bullseye.

Each shot seven arrows, their movements continuous like drifting clouds and flowing water; Chen Yan raised his hand to nock an arrow without hesitation, his dark garment fluttering lightly with the motion.

After the seven arrows, the servants stepped forward to inspect, reporting that the Pillar had six hits, only one arrow grazing the edge and missing.

Yuwen Ze's blue figure moved nimbly in the dusk; of his seven arrows, two missed, while the remaining five lodged firmly in the target.

Chen Yan lowered his bow, flicked the arrow shaft with his fingertip, smiled calmly, a hint of composure in his eyes, "A Ze, how about firing the remaining three arrows together?"

Yuwen Ze replied without hesitation, "Alright!"

Before the words finished, he already bent down, drew three feather arrows from his quiver, nocking them on the string.

Both shoulders dropped as they drew their bows simultaneously, the dark and blue silhouettes frozen in the afterglow, the strings drawn full like a full moon, the night wind stirring their robes yet not a hair moved.

In the next instant, three consecutive "swoosh swoosh swoosh" sounded.

The arrows burst through the air, arriving at the bullseye almost simultaneously. The servant hurried to check, returning with a smile, reporting that Chen Yan's three arrows all hit, the feather shafts embedded evenly in the vermilion bullseye, neatly arranged.

Yuwen Ze had two hits and one miss.

Yuwen Ze gazed at the bullseye, sighed lightly, his tone tinged with helplessness, "Enough, enough!"

Then, loosening his wrist, he tossed his bow to the servant behind him, turning with a playful grin, bowing to Chen Yan, his posture open, "My arrow skill is inferior, I gladly concede!"

Chen Yan stepped two paces forward, a slight smile at the corner of his mouth, his gaze teasing, raised his hand to pat Yuwen Ze's waist, the dark Brothel brushing the sapphire Brothel, familiarity evident, "You youngster, just after the Lu family entered the sect, already maintaining this level, that's quite good!"

He paused, the smile deepening, teasingly remarked, "At least your legs aren't weak, and your hands can still hold the bow!"

The remark hit the spot; Yuwen Ze recalled the recent wedding night, was startled at first, then exchanged a glance with Chen Yan and burst into hearty laughter.

The laughter collided with the night wind, startling the ornamental koi in the pond to flick their tails and swim away, while the servants in the corridor smiled faintly.

After laughing for a while, Yuwen Ze gradually restrained his smile, raised his hand to rub his wrist, his tone full of admiration, "But I must say, Yun Xi Xiaosaozi's improved secret medicine is truly effective!"

Speaking, he rolled his shoulders and neck twice, his eyes bright with interest, his tone a touch proud, "I've been toiling day and night lately, yet feel no fatigue at all, even more radiant and vigorous than before..."

After all, aside from the Lu family just entered into Jin Wang Fu, the others kept in the outer residence have not fallen behind...

Chen Yan heard this, his smile faded slightly, he nodded lightly, his tone advisory, "The medicine is indeed useful, but use it sparingly!"

He looked at Yuwen Ze, his words weighty, "Don't rely on the medicine's support, don't overindulge, lest you ruin your body..."

In the end, a blade still hangs over the head of desire.

Even with so many women in Chen's household, none would dare such indulgence...

Yuwen Ze heard this, shrugged, a hint of helplessness on his face, spreading his hands, "Isn't there no other way?"

"That day, A Xiong, you weren't there, didn't hear father's orders..."

He paused, sighed lightly, then continued, "I must seize the chance to spread my lineage!"

Chen Yan naturally recalled that day's scene, nodded in agreement, "Grand Preceptor's words are indeed true; matters of heirs are crucial for a noble family, but you must exercise some restraint, the body is fundamental..."

Speaking, his gaze circled Yuwen Ze's face, then with a half‑smile drew nearer, his tone profound, "Moreover, to increase the success rate of spreading one's lineage, there are techniques; brute force alone won't suffice!"

Yuwen Ze understood this as a secret method; recalling his elder brother's mansion where the sisters‑in‑law's hit rate was indeed high, his eyes lit up, forgetting the earlier missed shots, he blinked rapidly, clasped his fists solemnly toward Chen Yan, earnestly saying, "Please, A Xiong, instruct me!"

Chen Yan saw his impatient demeanor, a smile hidden no longer, raised his hand toward him, voice lowered, "Lean in!"

Yuwen Ze immediately obeyed, stepped forward quickly, tilted his head slightly, pressing his ear to Chen Yan's lips, fearing to miss a word.

Chen Yan leaned forward, his fingertip hovering near his lips, avoiding the servants' gaze in the corridor, and whispered the secret technique slowly, his tone gentle yet each word clear.

The night breeze carried lotus fragrance over the two, and the gauze lantern in the corridor had been lit by the servants at some point.

Warm amber light bathed the courtyard, stretching their silhouettes tall.

Yuwen Ze initially listened intently, his eyes widening as he heard more; when Chen Yan finished, he sprang upright, face full of shock and amazement, exclaiming, "My heavens!"

"A Xiong, can it really still be like this?!"

The incredulous tone startled even the frogs by the pond into a brief silence.

He stared blankly at Chen Yan, feeling that all his past learning was insufficient; A Xiong's few precise points left him rooted, speechless.

Chen Yan nodded confidently, his chest full of certainty, saying, "Naturally!"

Then, raising an eyebrow, he retorted, "Could I still deceive you, brother?"

His tone was resolute, the dark Brothel under the warm amber light accentuating his already upright bearing.

Yuwen Ze gave a bitter smile, a hint of frustration, raised his hand to rub his brow, his face pained as he said, "When I exerted effort before, wasn't most of it futile and useless?"

Thinking of the days of toil that turned out mostly wasted, his brows clouded with gloom.

Even losing a few thousand silver taels at a gambling den felt pale compared to his current, palpable frustration.

Chen Yan, seeing Yuwen Ze's demeanor, was about to tease, when a flicker of light shifted in the corridor.

A beautiful, delicate maid of about fifteen or sixteen hurried forward, holding a gold‑painted lacquer tray; in the tray, two bowls of sweet water each held sparkling ice cubes, the chill rising along the rims, dispelling the lingering heat of dusk.

The maid bowed her head, her voice gentle and courteous, "Pillar, Prince!"

"The ice‑chilled sweet spring is ready; please wet your throats, you two!"

Yuwen Ze, already feeling the summer heat and irritation, saw this and immediately stepped forward, directly taking a bowl; his fingertips touched the cold porcelain, and he instantly relaxed, sighing, "Damned weather is getting hotter…"

He then raised his head and gulped the ice water down; the ice water entered his throat, the heat vanished, and he breathed out with pleasure, repeatedly exclaiming, "At a time like this, a bowl of ice water is simply incomparable!"

Chen Yan also stepped forward at a leisurely pace, took another bowl of ice‑chilled sweet spring, sipped a few mouthfuls to quench his dry throat, and after finishing, lightly placed the bowl on the lacquer tray, smiled calmly, and remarked, "Fortunately they started making and storing ice as early as May…"

"Otherwise, it's only early July, and the remaining over two months of scorching heat would be unbearably painful!"

The maid collected the empty bowls, bowed and withdrew; Chen Yan then led Yuwen Ze toward the Qinfang Pavilion on the west side of the courtyard.

Inside the pavilion, a pear‑flower wood chessboard was already set, black and white pieces arrayed on both sides, and the ebony chessbox glimmered with a warm luster.

Just as the two sat on the stone bench in the pavilion, preparing to take pieces for a game, faint footsteps came from outside, accompanied by the close maid's soft call, and Lu Ning approached.

Lu Ning's brows and eyes were gentle as water, skin translucent as jade, she wore a moon‑white embroidered split‑branch magnolia ru‑skirt, the hem lightly draped, exuding a few touches of refined elegance, yet her brows concealed a few bits of the pragmatic spirit rare in Jiangnan daughters.

She was now four and a half months pregnant, her lower abdomen slightly rounded, moving with a few more gentle steps than an ordinary woman, holding a blue‑cloth‑bound ledger in her hands, with a close maid following closely.

Upon reaching the pavilion she led the maid, together performed a respectful bow, her voice soft yet clear: "Husband, Commandery Prince!"

Chen Yan, whose gaze had been fixed on the board, immediately softened, smiling as he looked, "Ning'er, you've arrived?"

"Sit quickly!"

Saying so, he rose, extended his hand to steady Lu Ning's elbow, and carefully helped her onto the stone bench padded with a soft cushion.

The movement was full of meticulous care.

Lu Ning obediently nodded, "Yes, thank you, husband."

After they were seated, Chen Yan finally noticed the ledger she still held, furrowed his brows slightly, and in a warm tone asked, "What are you still holding in your hands?"

Lu Ning, hearing this, gently lifted the ledger with both hands, handed it to Chen Yan, her tone gentle yet orderly: "This is the recent summary ledger of our State Duke Mansion's ice‑block business. Since summer began, aside from our own use, the remaining ice in the cellar has been sold at reduced prices to Chang'an and nearby residents. These are this month's inflow and outflow accounts; please review, husband!"

The ledger's cover was tidy, its edges even, clearly having been carefully maintained.

Chen Yan reached for the ledger but did not flip through it, placing it casually on the stone table beside him; his tone was full of concern, with a hint of admonition: "Ning'er, you're already pregnant; although the fetal signs are stable, don't involve yourself so directly in these accounting matters. Let Chen Zhunxu and the others handle them!"

"Your primary task now is to nurture the fetus peacefully; overexerting yourself will harm the child inside."

Lu Ning heard this and smiled faintly, her brows curving like a new moon; the Jiangnan woman's gentleness fully showed in the smile, and she softly said, "I asked Sister Xi'er; she said that since the month is still early and the fetal qi is stable, moving about to handle affairs is actually more beneficial for the fetus than lying in bed all day, no problem…"

Then, her gaze swept over the ledger on the table, her expression gradually turning serious, and her tone added a few points of insistence: "Moreover, Chen Zhunxu and the others are swamped and know nothing about these silver accounts; a slight oversight can easily cause errors…"

"This ice‑block business looks simple, but it's a major revenue stream for the mansion; only by personally overseeing it can I be at ease!"

The profit is huge, often reaching seven or eight thousand qian, which the mansion's private soldiers cannot calculate clearly.

Moreover, this is the mansion's own money; to prevent the distribution officials from cheating and hiding, one must constantly check the accounts…

Chen Yan saw Lu Ning's determined expression, recognized her clear‑minded and opinionated nature, and realized further persuasion would be futile, so he stopped pressing, merely tightened his grip on her hand and gently patted it, his tone full of tenderness: "You've worked hard!"

He then gave a careful reminder, his concern thick enough to be palpable, "But don't overexert yourself; your health and the child's are paramount—act within your limits in all matters…"

Lu Ning lightly nodded, her fingertips gently resting on his back of the hand, her eyes shimmering with a gentle smile: "I understand, husband, rest assured!"

As her words ended, she smiled charmingly, shallow dimples by her cheeks adding a touch of coquettishness, "Sister Xi'er comes to my chambers daily to take my pulse; her pulse has always been steady, and she says that with this kind of care, a healthy child will surely be born in winter…"

Sitting nearby eating "dog food", Yuwen Ze bowed his hand toward Lu Ning and laughed, "Sister‑in‑law truly is A Xiong's virtuous help!"

Lu Ning heard this and smiled faintly, her tone modest and self‑effacing: "The Commandery Prince overpraises me!"

"I am merely guarding the State Duke Mansion, offering my husband a modest contribution, nothing worthy of the title of virtuous help…"

Having said that, she let the close maid store the ledger on the stone table, then smoothed her loose skirt hem, her posture dignified and appropriate.

Chen Yan, listening to Yuwen Ze's praise, curled a few points of pride at the corner of his mouth, smiled calmly, and in a teasing tone said, "A Ze, you kid, don't be jealous!"

"Both of you younger siblings come from illustrious families, well‑read and sensible, and will surely be able to share your worries in the future…"

Just as these words fell, a figure hurried down the corridor, a maid in light‑blue servant attire.

She lowered her brows, her steps quick yet proper, approached the pavilion's entrance, knelt and saluted, her voice bright yet respectful: "Pillar of the State, Commandery Prince, the Personal Guard from Jin Wang Fu requests an audience!"

Chen Yan and Yuwen Ze exchanged a glance, surprise flickering in their eyes.

Chen Yan deepened his voice and ordered, "Please come forward!"

The maid responded, "Yes!"

Immediately, she turned swiftly to deliver the message, her skirt hem sweeping over the blue bricks, leaving a light sound.

Soon, the Personal Guard followed the maid, passing through the winding pool's willow banks, dressed in Xuanse Jinshen, a jade belt at the waist, bearing a long sword, his posture upright as a pine.

Arriving at the pavilion, he immediately paid respectful homage to the two, his voice resonant: "Greetings, Pillar of the State! Greetings, Heir Apparent!"

Chen Yan raised his hand, his tone casual, "No need for excessive ceremony."

Yuwen Ze went straight to ask, his brows showing a hint of urgency: "Your father sent you here; what urgent matter is there?"

The Personal Guard stood, hands lowered, his expression even more respectful, and in a deep voice reported, "Pillar of the State, Heir Apparent, the Grand Preceptor has ordered me to come; please return to Jin Wang Fu immediately to discuss matters!"