Chapter 7: What a Pity We Can

"Run!"

"Other families' daughters‑in‑law are just perfect!"

Chen Yan walked out of the detention area, his neck bearing faint red scratches, yet he looked radiant, smiling broadly, smoothing his slightly disheveled clothes.

The oppressive emotions that had begun in the Tianlao Heavenly Prison Death Prison since his transmigration, and the taut nerves, finally poured out in a release…

But I have to admit, Boss Cao really didn't cheat him!

"Young Master, your stamina is truly impressive…"

"Wasn't it said that the chick's first head would be quick?"

Zhu Yi's voice suddenly came from behind.

Besides the teasing, there was more puzzlement and incomprehension…

Damn!

Damn it, why are you here?

When did you learn to listen to the walls?

Still savoring the moment, Chen Yan was startled by this unannounced guy, jolted, turned his head and cursed.

He clearly remembered that before coming, he had sent Zhu Yi away, right?

Luckily it wasn't during business time, otherwise he'd be scared into needing a stomach remedy.

"Isn't this worrying that some uncultured person might disturb Young Master's refined mood?"

"And on top of that we have to protect Young Master's safety…"

Zhu Yi, arms wrapped around his sword, expression unchanged, opened his mouth.

He spoke with great confidence.

You damn it!

Chen Yan, seeing this, clenched his teeth, suppressed the urge to kick him, and spat out a single word: "Go!"

"Yes."

Zhuque Tang.

Council Hall.

"Old Zhang, this is the family genealogy of the Kai Yuan line!"

Chen Yan stopped before Zhang Wenqian, who had been waiting for a long time, took a booklet from his chest and gently tossed it over.

"Sir, what do you mean…?"

Zhang Wenqian reached out, took it, skimmed it briefly, then, puzzled, looked up at Chen Yan.

The genealogy is all prepared; what does this old man intend?

Yet vaguely, his mind already formed a few guesses, just a bit hesitant to be sure…

Chen Yan's mouth twitched slightly upward, his fingertip lightly tapped the booklet, and he said calmly: "According to this genealogy, eliminate all the descendants of my second uncle…"

That breezy, nonchalant tone seemed as if stating a very ordinary matter.

The ones to be dealt with also seemed to be insignificant people…

"Sir, are you serious?"

Even though he was prepared in his heart, when he actually heard it, Zhang Wenqian couldn't help but ask.

The names recorded in this genealogy are not strangers; each one is a cousin of the Mirror Master.

"Old Zhang, do I look like I'm joking?" Chen Yan's gaze hardened, lightly patted Zhang Wenqian's shoulder, and calmly retorted.

Blood relatives?

It is precisely these close relatives who hand‑picked him into Tianlao, wishing he would die sooner.

Now in this world, the only ones Chen Yan can consider family are the ever‑loyal Zhu Yi and Qingyu…

"Yes."

Zhang Wenqian nodded, replied, seeming to realize he missed a key person, and asked again: "What about Chen Kaiyuan?"

Chen Yan pulled a chair, sat down, knuckles lightly tapping, half‑smiling: "Arrange for someone to stage a self‑inflicted suicide…"

"Then imitate his handwriting and write a confession letter!"

"Remember to include my two good younger brothers!"

Since it's a Letter of Allegiance, Chen Yan will certainly submit a perfect "answer sheet" for himself.

Who made his expertise match perfectly?

Zhang Wenqian, upon hearing, was stunned, thought briefly, then his eyes lit up, gave a thumbs up, "Sir, brilliant!"

"Great!"

Creating a self‑inflicted suicide to appear as a crime‑fearing death needs no formal process; while cementing all crimes, it also directly eliminates any chance of overturning the case or rescuing Chen Kaiyuan.

Adding a confession letter makes it a nailed‑down iron case, a perfect closed loop.

All procedures are reasonable, compliant, legal; no one can find a flaw.

As for the two who were dragged in, having offended such a brother, they can only consider themselves unlucky…

At that moment, Zhang Wenqian could only sigh in awe.

Such meticulous scheming—could this really be just a seventeen‑year‑old boy?

A talent like this seems born for the Mirror Department!

Chen Yan rubbed his jaw, as if recalling something, and specifically instructed: "My second uncle is my blood relative, beloved kin…"

"When you act, be swift!"

He paused, then sighed: "It's a pity we can't use the genealogy; I wish we could have a Nine‑Clan Match‑Three!"

Having said that, he let out a long sigh.

Full of regret.

Zhu Yi, hearing this, moved beside Chen Yan and reminded, "Young Master, you are also among his nine clans…."

"It won't be for long!" Chen Yan leaned back against the chair, lazily crossed his legs, and said calmly.

Zhu Yi said nothing further, only silently stared at Chen Yan, a glint flashing in his eyes.

The Young Master had changed; compared with his former dull, weak, indecisive, family‑concerned, and silent self, he was a different person.

The lady in heaven has a spirit!

After the Young Master went through a stint in the Tianlao Siyu, he awakened…

After one incense stick.

Song Fei led the group of embroidered‑clad agents who had seized the household back.

He piled all the gold, silver and treasures they had obtained inside the Council Hall; the scene was spectacular.

"Sir, this is the detailed inventory of the seized assets from Chen Kaiyuan's manor; please review…." Song Fei walked up to Chen Yan and presented the pre‑prepared summary.

"A total of 530,000 taels of silver, countless precious land deeds…"

Chen Yan took it, skimmed the list quickly, and laughed, "My second uncle really knows how to hoard wealth!"

Chen Kaiyuan, that old fool, is no good at being an official or commanding troops.

But when it comes to embezzlement and hoarding, he has a rare talent; give him a few more years and he could reap even more…

"Sir, should these confiscated spoils be sealed and stored in the manor's treasury immediately?" Song Fei bowed and asked.

"Seal what?"

Chen Yan stood up, took the small case temporarily holding the Silver Notes, opened it, took out two ten‑thousand‑tael Silver Notes, and slipped them into Song Fei's and Zhang Wenqian's hands, "Take these!"

No one understands making money better than Chen Yan.

Is the fastest way for a transmigrator to amass the first bucket of gold by making salt, soap, glass, smelting iron, or copying books?

No, none of those!

It's confiscating households!

"Sir, what does this mean?"

Zhang Wenqian was baffled by Chen Yan's sudden move.

"Sir, our blatant corruption isn't appropriate, right?" Song Fei was stunned, whispering a reminder.

At that moment, the two ten‑thousand‑tael Silver Notes in their hands were just like a hot‑potato.

They made the two of them extremely nervous.

If they were caught hoarding this kind of silver…

"What's inappropriate?"

Chen Yan retorted, eyebrows slightly raised, pointing at himself, "If you don't take it, how could I?"

"If I don't take it, how will Grand Tomb Steward take it?"

"This…."

Song Fei and Zhang Wenqian exchanged a glance, speechless.

It sounded a bit unreliable, yet it seemed to make sense.

Chen Yan placed his hand on their shoulders and, meaningfully, continued, "If Grand Tomb Steward doesn't take it, how can you and I progress?"

No running, no delivering, demoted for use.

Only run, no delivering, stay in place.

Both run and deliver, promotion and heavy use!

As a former top‑tier boss's personal aide, Chen Yan deeply understood one principle:

If you don't align yourself with the top leader, don't appear regularly in the top leader's sight, and don't treat the top leader as your zz resource, it's hard to appear in the first‑level organization's assessment scope.

Grand Tomb Steward isn't his father; on what grounds would he arbitrarily promote and heavily employ him?

At that moment, Song and Zhang both felt a sudden enlightenment, their minds cleared, and they exclaimed in unison, "Sir, you're absolutely right!"

At the same time, they were immensely relieved that they had bet on the right treasure…

Now that this lord has gone up, could he still forget them?

"One hundred thousand taels to honor the overseer, two hundred thousand taels plus various treasures, and the land deeds, to honor Grand Tomb Steward…."

Chen Yan smiled and began to arrange methodically, "Take another thirty thousand taels out and distribute them to our Zhuque Guard brothers!"

"Everyone toiled all night; you've all worked hard."

"Whether now or later, any benefit, I will never enjoy alone!"

Song Fei and Zhang Wenqian could not hide their excitement; their hands trembled constantly as they respectfully knelt, "We are willing to give our lives for you, Sir!"