Chapter 352: You

Inside the Duke's mansion, the wine had been poured three rounds.

Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin, and Yuchi Gong raised their voices ever higher, each recalling the old days and bragging.

Qin Huai Dao waited with a worried expression, and whenever Qin Qiong hadn't brought up the main business, he kept trying to catch a glimpse of his own old father.

Chen Yan was happily gnawing on beef with Yuchi Bao Lin and Cheng Chumo, occasionally listening to the three brag, and casually chiming in a few lines.

"Yuchi Laohei!"

Qin Qiong set down his wine bowl, put an arm around Yuchi Gong's shoulder, and slurred, "Let's not bring up the old days; after half a lifetime of war, we should rest now."

"Look, the kids are already this big; we're soon at the grandfather generation."

"Who says not?" Yuchi Gong didn't think much, continued along Qin Qiong's words, "Chen kid will have to be a father this year; if Old Chen were still alive, wouldn't he already be a grandfather?"

"Sigh~" Qin Qiong's expression turned melancholy, "To be honest, I don't know if I'll live long enough to become a grandfather. As you and Cheng Laohei know, I've shed too much blood on the battlefield, and my body is deteriorating."

Yuchi Gong and Cheng Yaojin, upon hearing that, jerked their heads up.

"Lao Qin, don't joke with us!" Cheng Yaojin hurried, "Didn't Chen kid say last year he'd help you recuperate?"

"I remember you were all rosy then, saying your body felt much lighter; how come now it's not?"

"Indeed!" Yuchi Gong couldn't keep drinking, hurried, "Don't scare us!"

"Chen kid could even cure Du Ruhui; why can't he fix your hidden injuries?"

Qin Qiong waved his hand, "Do you really think Zi An is an Exiled Immortal?"

"These hidden wounds have been festering for years; my body is already a hollow shell, how long I can live is all up to fate."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yan silently lowered his head, his mouth corner twitching repeatedly.

Just then, Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong happened to look over, assuming Chen Yan was sad, deepening the misunderstanding.

The two Da Hei Haozi instantly became as frantic as ants on a hot pan.

"Then what to do?"

Cheng Yaojin clenched his teeth, "How about looking for Sun Simiao, ask Mr. Sun to try?"

"Where to find him?" Yuchi Gong retorted immediately, "He roams the clouds everywhere; we have no idea where he is now, how can we find him?"

"We have to try, can we just watch Lao Qin get into trouble?"

"Trying? No way. In my view, we should go to the palace and have His Majesty summon the imperial physicians, cooperate with Zi An to devise a plan; together we can solve it."

"Imperial physicians? Those physicians are nothing!"

The two grew more agitated, and soon began arguing outright.

Seeing this, Qin Qiong hurriedly intervened, "Brothers, please hear me out for a moment."

Yuchi Gong and Cheng Yaojin, upon hearing that, hesitated briefly, sighed, and sat down.

"Two brothers!" Qin Qiong said earnestly, "My life has been spectacular enough; the only regret is that I couldn't see Huai Dao settle down, enjoy a family with many grandchildren."

"If something happens to me, Huai Dao will be in your care thereafter."

"Given our past bond, could you help the kid with his marriage affairs, so no one bullies him, okay?"

With those words, the two Big Old Black instantly felt a surge, their eyes reddening, recalling a scene all too familiar—just like when Mother Chen, on her deathbed, begged them to look after Chen Yan.

"Old… Lao Qin, do we brothers still need to talk about this?"

Yuchi Gong felt uneasy inside, "Even if you don't bring it up, can I just watch my own nephew being bullied?"

"Indeed!" Cheng Yaojin pounded the table, "Lao Qin, rest assured, as long as we live a single day, I guarantee no one will dare to bully Huai Dao!"

"Besides, aren't you fine now?"

"Huai Dao isn't a child any more; in my opinion, we should quickly find a good lady so Huai Dao can settle down first—your wish might not be impossible!"

Cheng Yaojin paused, "Lao Qin, if you don't mind, my family's third…"

"Hey!" Qin Qiong hurriedly cut in, "What kind of talk is that?"

"What 'mindful or not' talk is that? Who do you think I am?"

Yuchi Gong, hearing Cheng Yaojin's words, seemed to recall something, waved his hand large, and said, "Cheng Laohei's words reminded me—I remember Huai Dao is not on good terms with my family's second lady?"

"Otherwise, shall we pair them together?"

"Alright!"

Qin Qiong immediately stood up, slamming the table so loudly it shook the heavens, pointed at Cheng Yaojin, then at Cheng Chumo and the others who had been listening nearby.

"You all just heard that, right? It was Yuchi Laohei who said it himself, not me!"

"I've agreed to this marriage; from today it's set, and tomorrow I'll send people to propose!"

Yuchi Gong:???

Cheng Yaojin:???

The two stared dumbfounded at Qin Qiong's excited demeanor, where was the earlier gloom?

This damn lively fellow, no matter how you look, doesn't seem to have any trouble!

"In‑laws!"

Qin Qiong lifted his wine bowl, facing Yuchi Gong, "No more words; it's all in the wine. I did it, you can do as you wish!"

Yuchi Gong: "......"

As you wish?

I'll follow your damn will!

Yuchi Gong stared at the wine before him, then glanced at the oddly‑faced Cheng Yaojin and the few juniors suppressing laughter, feeling only resentment.

Damn it, you're human—I'll eat you!

Damn, got duped again!

"......"

In the evening, Chen Yan, drunk, staggered back to the Weinan Bo Fu.

Before he could even take a comfortable bath, Xiao Shunzi hurried over and said, "Lord Bo, today Princess Gao Yang has assigned Miss Xu Lianyue to Weinan County, saying she is to manage the white wax trade and handle dealings with four wealthy merchants."

"You weren't here, I… I didn't know what to do, so I had to agree."

Chen Yan was startled, "Xu Lianyue?"

"Yes, it's Miss Lianyue!"

Chen Yan: "......"

"Damn it, who the hell let her make decisions on her own?"

Chen Yan instantly lost his temper.

He shoved Xiao Shunzi aside, rushed straight into the master bedroom, found Princess Gao Yang, and demanded, "What are you doing?"

"Assigning Xu Lianyue to Weinan County and even damn meddling in my business, did you even ask me?"

"Did I give you too much face, making you so arrogant now?"

Princess Gao Yang, having anticipated this scene, replied coolly, "She is pitiful; her reputation is rotten, the neighbors all shun her, treating her as a plague spirit!"

"So what?" Chen Yan shouted angrily, "There are plenty of pitiful people in the world; does she think she's the oldest?"

Princess Gao Yang added, "She is very capable in business; she kept the restaurant ledger in perfect order before and offered many useful ideas. As you grow bigger, Xiao Shunzi is already almost overwhelmed; it's necessary to find someone to share the load with Xiao Shunzi."

"Is that a problem?" Chen Yan, somewhat persuaded, still retorted, "Are you unaware of who is behind this trade?"

"Who gave you the authority to arrange people on your own?"

"You didn't even inform me a single word!"

Princess Gao Yang calmly glanced at him, extended five fingers, and gently wiggled them.

Chen Yan was stunned, "Five times?"

Princess Gao Yang: "Yes, five times!"

"Hmm… Xiao Shunzi is indeed a bit busy; Xu Lianyue is very capable, so this arrangement isn't bad!"

"Don't make it a precedent, okay!"

"......"