Chapter 322: Meeting Du Ruhui Again

On the other side, Chen Yan wandered around, strolling through the bustling Chang'an City.

He didn't even know what he was browsing, perhaps missing the bustle, or perhaps his heart was troubled and he wanted to clear his mind.

As he walked, somehow he ended up at Cai Duke's residence.

He stopped, still hesitating whether to go inside.

Then he saw two gatekeepers: one warmly welcoming him, the other rushing through the gate.

Chen Yan didn't even have to think; he knew that person was going to report.

Helplessly, he followed the gatekeeper into the residence.

Not long after entering, he saw Du Ruhui briskly walking toward him.

"Ha ha, Zi An, long time no see, come in, sit down."

Du Ruhui acted very enthusiastically, pulling him toward the main hall without further ado.

"Cai Duke, you look full of vigor; it seems you've recovered well," Chen Yan joked, "Looks like a stint in Dali Temple Prison hasn't affected your physical recovery."

At the mention, Du Ruhui's face darkened.

"If you hadn't brought that up, we could have had a pleasant chat."

Going to Dali Temple Prison was the most humiliating thing for Du Ruhui this year.

At first he even demanded that Li Shimin uncover the true culprit, and Li Shimin readily agreed, tasking Li Junxian with a full investigation.

Later, the investigation's intensity gradually waned, and Du Ruhui thought Li Shimin was indifferent, even privately urging him a few times.

Li Shimin solemnly promised on the surface that he would give an answer, but in reality showed no response, and Li Junxian became idle instead.

This made Du Ruhui keenly sense something was wrong, and he never brought up the matter again.

Chen Yan smiled, turned his head, and asked in puzzlement, "By the way, where is Aunt Xiao?"

Du Ruhui heard that and gave a look as if Chen Yan were teasing him.

"Didn't Aunt Xiao hear that you're about to have a grand wedding again, marrying Princess Changle, and that she's busy handling the wedding affairs for you?"

"Huh?" Chen Yan was startled, then recalled it was indeed the case, stammering, "It's like this: I went to see the retired emperor today, then also paid respects to His Majesty and the Empress, and in that moment I forgot."

"Forgot?" Du Ruhui stared at him for a few breaths, without asking further.

Changing the subject, he asked, "Gou Er, how's it over there?"

"Did it help you?"

Chen Yan admitted, "It was a huge help; without Brother Du, Weinan County wouldn't be what it is today."

"Brother Du's abilities are great, so great that I only need to devise plans, and most other matters require little of my concern."

"That's good then," Du Ruhui said, feeling gratified.

To receive such praise from Chen Yan while working in Weinan County, his future prospects were surely without worry.

The two continued chatting about trivialities, rambling here and there, but the atmosphere grew increasingly awkward.

Du Ruhui's smile faded, and he said softly, "Do you have something on your mind?"

Chen Yan hesitated briefly, then nodded.

Du Ruhui smiled and said, "Throughout history countless prodigies have emerged, many achieving fame at a young age—for example the former Champion Marquis, who earned a marquisate in a single battle and outshone three armies, what a spirited vigor that was!"

"At that time, he was still under twenty!"

Du Ruhui replied unhurriedly, "You've never been on a battlefield; your knowledge of the Champion Marquis likely remains only on the surface of the records, but do you know?"

"Although I rarely go to war, I have indeed been there. The first time I took up a sword in battle, I was profoundly shocked—blood everywhere, severed limbs, wailing across the fields, lives falling like grass."

"So later, I once doubted whether the famous generals' descriptions in the histories were accurate."

"The Champion Marquis was the utmost of them all."

"I truly cannot imagine how a boy under twenty could achieve a marquisate in a single battle and outshine three armies."

He paused, then with a sigh said, "But later I saw Qin Qiong's unrivaled bravery, entering the battlefield as if stepping into an empty realm. I understood: just because I cannot do something doesn't mean others cannot either."

"And true geniuses are even beyond ordinary understanding."

Du Ruhui looked at the youth before him and said, "The former Champion Marquis was like that, and you are the same."

Chen Yan waved his hands repeatedly, "Cai Duke, stop gilding my face; what virtue or ability do I have to be compared with the Champion Marquis?"

"Quick, stop crushing me."

Du Ruhui shook his head, "You don't believe it; it's your modesty, but I truly think so."

"The viewpoints, strategies, and angles you propose are things we normally wouldn't think of, hard to grasp, yet once known they feel like an epiphany."

"Since you first spoke of economic circulation, I knew you must be a true genius."

"I often place you on an equal footing, even above myself, because the knowledge you possess warrants it."

"After all, the accomplished are teachers; didn't you say live to old age, learn to old age?"

"But seeing you now, I suddenly realized—you are still a boy under twenty, far too young."

"Even though you possess knowledge that amazes us, your youth means you lack experience; you've faced too few hardships, and everything has been too smooth."

"With such a background, minor issues are fine, but if a major crisis arises, you may become lost."

Chen Yan opened his mouth, but could not find a rebuttal.

Du Ruhui, seeing this, sighed, "Could you tell me what you've encountered?"

"I certainly can't offer effective advice in other matters, but I'm older, having lived through chaotic times; perhaps I can give you some different insight."

Chen Yan remained silent for a long while, then slowly said, "Today I met the Prince of Yue; he told me my situation is very dangerous."

"At first I thought the danger he mentioned stemmed from a noble family, but later..."

"My mind is troubled, I can't make sense of it."

"You say, where exactly is my situation dangerous?"

The situation...

Du Ruhui frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "You mean......"

As he spoke, he pointed upward with his finger.

Chen Yan suddenly understood and replied, "I've considered that, but I don't think so. If His Majesty wants to move against me, the marriage with Changle will surely be delayed again and again; he won't let Changle marry me."

"Hehe......" Du Ruhui gave a noncommittal response: "To be frank, your idea is naive. Since ancient times, an emperor with ideals and ambitions necessarily has a cold heart."

"Xi Han, even Han Gaozu once abandoned his own daughter and fled."

"To such a hero, what is a daughter?"

"You, because His Majesty married Princess Changle to you, deny His Majesty as a source of danger—that's too arbitrary."

"......"