Chapter 94: Chen Yan Mourns, Making the Funeral a Showcase

Chen Yan was not at all disturbed by the anger that spoiled his mood; instead he beamed with joy, shoved the woman aside, ignored the saying that the day's plan starts in the morning, casually threw on his outer coat, pushed open the door and asked:

"How far are they from Shanggui?"

They waited for stars and moon, and at last it arrived for them.....

"It should be under ten li!"

"Servants, change your clothes!"

"Go out of the city to meet them!"

Outside Shanggui City.

The commanders under Chen Yan, the remaining mid‑ and low‑rank officials of Qinzhou, and the great families such as Lü Liang had already lined up on the left and right waiting.

From afar.

Dust rose into the sky, and a hundred‑person cavalry came into view; in the middle, protected, was the newly appointed regional governor who had rushed here through starry night.

Chen Yan, leading Gu Yu‑ci and others, quick‑stepped forward to greet them, smiling: "Inspector Pei, Governor Wang, I have long admired your great name!"

Although it was their first meeting, Chen Yan had seen the portraits of the two two days earlier and had etched them into his mind.

For anyone else, it would not be worth mobilizing forces to welcome them....

But the two before him, one from the Hedong Pei Clan, the other the trusted general of Grand Minister Da Zhongzai, deserved full respect and solemn reception.

"The name 'Mirror Master Chen' is already as thunderous as a ringing bell!"

Pei Yanshao dismounted, clasped his fists in salute, and said: "Seeing you today, you truly are a youthful prodigy!"

"Grand Minister Da Zhongzai truly has a discerning eye for talent!"

Having said that, he quickly surveyed the young man who was famous throughout Qinzhou.

His features were handsome, his stature tall, giving an excellent impression.

Based solely on appearance, he would indeed be very popular with women.....

"Inspector Pei, you overpraise!"

Chen Yan shook his head, swept his hand over Pei Yanshao and the people beside him, and said: "Compared with you all, the gap is far too wide; this comment truly flatters me!"

"Mirror Master Chen is overly modest....."

Pei Yanshao smiled at the corners of his mouth, warmly saying: "You are both literary and martial, overflowing with talent; in Chang'an one could not find a second like you!"

"My younger sister cannot stop praising you!"

Pei Yanshao, looking at the aptly responsive Chen Yan, found him increasingly pleasing.

He saw no trace of the youthful restlessness that should be there....

Indeed, he is unlike the rest.

Chen Yan saw Pei Yanshao mention Miss Pei, and immediately continued, "Speaking of it, at the poetry gathering back then, Miss Pei helped out righteously, and we haven't properly thanked her in person yet!"

Chen Yan knew that having a mutually acquainted person as a bridge could greatly eliminate the sense of distance and draw the two sides closer.

Although he had only a single encounter with Miss Pei, they were not yet very familiar....

"This Miss Pei cannot take on the task...."

Pei Yanshao pursed his lips in a light smile, a hint of intriguing color flashing in his eyes, and said lightly: "Please, after you return to Chang'an, go on your own!"

He paused, then added: "My younger sister also loves poetry; she should be eager to discuss it with the Mirror Master!"

It seemed a casual remark, but in fact it was scheming.

As the legitimate elder brother, Pei Yanshao naturally wanted to create more opportunities for his little sister to interact....

"After returning to Chang'an, I shall of course bring gifts and visit!" Chen Yan smiled calmly, without hesitation, and said.

Using the pretext of thanking Miss Pei, to "by the way" also visit Pei Nayán, thereby drawing closer to the Hedong Pei Clan, is also a good idea.

"I wonder, after Mirror Master Chen has broken off the marriage engagement with the Wen Family, does he have a maiden he favors?"

Governor Wang Kang stepped forward, pushed through the chatter of Pei Yanshao, hooked Chen Yan's shoulder, and asked.

He paused, then continued: "My family has a younger sister, beautiful in appearance, and coincidentally close to your age....."

The implication of those words was already unmistakably clear.

Rude brute! In front of me, digging at my sister's corner?...... Pei Yanshao saw this, his expression unchanged, but inside he couldn't help muttering curses.

Pei Yanshao knew that Chen Yan, this handsome fellow, and the Wang family represented by Governor Wang had certainly taken an interest.

He hadn't expected the fellow to be so blunt, laying out his intention outright....

"Thank you, Governor Wang, for your kind intention!"

Chen Yan smiled, speaking with righteous firmness: "This is the age for building achievements and serving Grand Minister Da Zhongzai; for now I have no such considerations....."

Don't be fooled by someone's grandiose talk; in reality it's just a solemn fart.

The reason Chen Yan refused Governor Wang is not that career takes precedence....

Rather, he has a clear plan for his own marriage, intending it as a political bargaining chip!

A marriage alliance must also choose among the Six Surnames of Guanzhong, to pave the way for future prospects!

"No problem, no problem!"

"Achievements come first!"

Governor Wang, who had been indirectly rejected, was not angry; he waved his hand and laughed.

He paused, then continued: "Calling you Governor Wang is too formal; my elder brother, being a few years older than you, you may simply call me Brother Wang!"

If a marriage cannot be arranged, drawing closer as friends is also excellent.

Getting on good terms with such a young man of limitless prospects benefits both himself and his family.

After a round of small talk, Chen Yan greeted each in turn, and You Xian stepped forward in time, shouting: "Sir."

Chen Yan nodded in understanding, turned to Pei Yanshao, Wang Kang and others, restrained his smile, and solemnly said: "Your excellences arrive at a perfect time; the funeral of the former inspector and governor has already been prepared....."

"Please, everyone, follow me to conduct the mourning rites!"

Inside Shanggui City.

The funeral procession, like a winding white dragon, slowly slithered along the twisting streets.

At the front were several soldiers clad in hemp robes, wearing white mourning caps.

They continuously scattered paper money from their hands, while a double-reed horn played around them.

Immediately behind was a vermilion coffin carried by eight people, covered with a huge white silk, rustling in the wind.

The filial sons and worthy grandchildren followed the coffin, each draped in hemp and mourning attire, their wails shaking the heavens.

"Now that we're carrying the coffin, it can't be by chance…"

"It must have been waiting for us all along!"

Pei Yanshao, who led the coffin at the front, slightly turned his head, gave a sideways glance to Chen Yan, and thought inwardly.

How could such a coincidence exist in the world?

They had just arrived, and the funeral happened to be underway…

Even the onlooking townsfolk were already arranged…

It must have been plotted long ago!

"Mo Cishi, Commander Cheng, Brother Mo, Brother Cheng!"

"You were harmed by treacherous villains, and died so miserably!"

"You and I, brothers, felt like old friends at first sight; we hadn't even had a proper drink together, yet you already slipped away from this world?"

"My dear elder brother!"

Chen Yan lifted his sleeve, applied the secret Yun Xi elixir already smeared on it to his eyes, and began to weep.

Immediately, voice and tears fell together, grief overwhelming.

"Young Master, not going to Nanqu Courtyard to perform a play would truly be a pity…"

Zhu Yi, standing at the back, saw the scene, forced a suppressed smile, and thought inwardly.

"He really cries like that; those who don't know would truly think he and Mo Zhengxi share a deep affection!"

Pei Yanshao, expressionless, let out a light hum and muttered under his breath.

After all, regarding the true cause of death of those few, he also had his own conjectures…

"Stop the coffin!"

Amid the grand procession, upon reaching the pre‑selected spot, the master of ceremonies You Xian began the ceremony, "Lord Chen, please recite the eulogy!"

The spacious venue was already crowded with Shanggui citizens.

Chen Yan stepped onto the stage, wiped his tears, and loudly read the pre‑written script: "Remembering the past when we first met, our spirits aligned, becoming inseparable!"

"Your talent overflows, your virtue is lofty, you treat others sincerely, and the world praises you."

"Who could have imagined that the villains Niu Shounian, Xin Zhenghui and their ilk, a nest of snakes and rats, heartless and mad, would go to any lengths—depraved beyond reason, jealous of your talent, fearful of your righteousness—to employ all sorts of underhanded schemes and frame you."

"Though you fought valiantly, you were outnumbered, and ultimately met death at the hands of the villains."

"If this vengeance is not avenged, my heart cannot be at peace!"

"Fortunately, Heaven has favored us, capturing the chief villain…"

"Today, at your funeral, I offer a blood sacrifice to my brother!"

"Execute!"

At the center of the venue, Niu Shounian and his companions had already been escorted here.

What they failed to understand was when they had dispatched people to assassinate Mo Zhengxi and the others.

It never happened!

But they cannot argue, for their mouths have already been sealed…

Yuwen Ze, the execution overseer, at Chen Yan's command, the executioners raised their knives.

Niu Shounian and his comrades, once renowned in Qinzhou and Shanggui, were mercilessly beheaded, meeting the end of their lives.

"Lord Chen Yan, you truly are a man of feeling!"

"Who says it isn't?"

"With brothers like this, what more could one ask for!"

"Mo Cishi, Commander Cheng should also smile in the afterlife…"

The surrounding onlookers, moved by Chen Yan's sincere feelings and his vengeance for his brother, whispered to each other, praising endlessly.

Thus it spread as a celebrated tale.

Pei Yanshao, observing from the stage, after watching the whole ceremony, his gaze grew deeper, and he mused: "Using the funeral as a splendid stage, this Mirror Master Chen, at such an age, not only masters the art of warfare but also understands politics, manipulates hearts—truly a rare talent!"

"Such an unparalleled talent must never be taken advantage of by others!"