Chapter 451: Cui Xuan

Chang'an City, the Duke of Yi's residence is exceptionally lively today.

Because the Duke of Yi's eldest son Qin Huaidao has happily married the second miss of the Duke of E's household, many of Chang'an's meritorious nobles either came in person or sent congratulatory gifts.

Mrs. Jia, Qin Huaidao's mother, was literally beaming with laughter; her son is getting married, will soon have an heir, and she will become a grandmother at once—how could she not be delighted?

Of course, there are also those who are not pleased.

For example, Yu Chi Bao Lin.

He sat with a few brothers, watching that kid Qin Huaidao grin without closing his mouth, feeling uneasy inside.

"She's the most obedient sister of mine..."

He was quite depressed, not because he couldn't accept his sister's marriage—after all, women are eventually to be wed, and once he grew up he understood that this day would come.

But the problem is, his own sister is such a fresh blossom, how could she end up on Qin Huaidao's heap of cow dung?

Yu Chi Bao Lin didn't understand at all.

Just then, Qin Huaidao happened to have a bit of free time, grabbed a wine cup and rushed over, and upon reaching Yu Chi Bao Lin, grinned and shouted:

"Uncle, come, let's have a drink; from now on we're true brothers, we must be close."

Yu Chi Bao Lin: "......"

"Wait, Lao Qin, what kind of talk is that?" Cheng Chumo pretended to be dissatisfied, glanced at the brothers, and said, "We weren't true brothers before?"

Yu Chi Bao Lin quickly nodded, seized the chance to vent his frustration: "Exactly, Lao Qin, have you forgotten the days last year when we endured hardships together at the Negotiation Mansion?"

"We did go through tribulations, after all."

Qin Huaidao chuckled, then immediately set a stern face, "Don't call me Lao Qin, call me brother‑in‑law!"

Yu Chi Bao Lin: "......"

This time, even Chen Yan, who had been watching the scene, laughed.

The three were instantly drawn in; Qin Huaidao suddenly raised his cup toward him and said, "Old Chen, speaking of it, my wife and I owe today to you!"

"If it weren't for your scheming back then and sending us beef to the door, I wouldn't have today's happy event."

Chen Yan's smile stiffened; before he could speak, Yu Chi Bao Lin's eyes widened like copper bells, and his gaze toward him grew increasingly hostile.

"Fine, Old Chen, I said why that day Uncle Qin performed such a pathetic scheme so calmly—turns out it was all your doing!"

Cheng Chumo couldn't stop nodding, "At first I also found it odd; logically, Uncle Qin is a heroic figure, upright all his life, so why resort to scheming?"

"If that kid was the one causing trouble behind the scenes, then it wouldn't be surprising."

"Old Chen always has plenty of devilish ideas!"

"I..."

Just as Chen Yan was about to speak, Yu Chi Bao Lin cut in: "What do you mean, 'I'?"

He lifted his wine bowl and slapped the table, "Come, today one of us must go out lying down!"

"Otherwise this matter won't end!"

Chen Yan's head filled with black lines, and when he turned his head he saw that mischievous Qin Huaidao had walked away smiling.

He left......

Damn it, you're really lacking any sense of righteousness!

If I hadn't called out that nonsense about you and Yu Chi Bao Lin's sister, could you have made it this far?

Not giving any perks is one thing, but to damn trap me?

"Bao Lin... listen to my explanation..." Chen Yan, seeing no hope in Qin Huaidao, prepared to employ his own art of persuasion.

But before he could start, Cheng Chumo softly said, "Bao Lin, you mustn't fall for his trick; he wants to fool us again, and we can't outtalk him."

Chen Yan: "......"

You really are my good brothers.

Just as they were pulling at each other and Chen Yan couldn't stand being forced to drink, a savior arrived.

Li Lizhi, with a scowl, dragged Xiao Sizi over and pushed her sister toward Chen Yan, saying, "Take care of this unlucky child; I'm done with her."

She said that and left.

Chen Yan was stunned for a moment, then looked down and met Sizi's slightly innocent big eyes.

"....... What did you do again?"

Sizi exhaled, fidgeting, "I didn't do anything, just asked whether the bride and groom had already gnawed."

Chen Yan: "......"

He couldn't help covering his face, silent for a while.

Cheng Chumo and Yu Chi Bao Lin looked at each other, not knowing what to say.

Is this the reputed obedient and sensible Little Princess of Jinyang?

Chen Yan stared at her silently for a while, then helplessly said, "Then follow me; today is the couple's grand wedding day, don't cause trouble."

"I wasn't trying to cause trouble; I saw dates in the plate and held back from eating them," Sizi felt aggrieved, "I was just watching that you didn't... with older sister..."

"Stop! That's enough, stop!"

Chen Yan instantly sensed trouble and hurriedly covered the youngster's mouth.

The youngster blinked his big eyes, didn't continue speaking, perhaps realizing he had said something wrong.

Cheng Chumo and Yu Chi Bao Lin, as if they hadn't heard the earlier words, continued eating and drinking on their own, no longer forcing Chen Yan to drink.

However, before Chen Yan could breathe a sigh of relief, Cheng Chumo seemed to notice something, frowned, his lips moved, and in a voice only a few nearby could hear, said:

"Old Chen, someone from the Cui family has arrived."

Cui family......

Chen Yan turned his head and saw a young man, about twenty‑five or twenty‑six, with a faint smile and a rather gentle aura, walking toward them.

"Duke of Wei, Young Master Cheng, Young Master Yu Chi, Cui Xuan pays his respects."

Cui Xuan politely clasped his fists.

"It turns out to be Young Master Cui, please have a seat!"

Chen Yan did not rise, merely making a gesture of invitation.

If others treat me with courtesy, I will return courtesy.

Even if they become enemies in the future, it's merely a difference of stance; he never minds chatting a few more words with polite people.

But no matter what, he is still a Duke; his status stands as is, and a polite word is already giving face.

If Cui Xuan were a smart person, he wouldn't think anything of it.

As expected, Cui Xuan remained calm, unbothered by his attitude, and sat down composedly.

His gaze first fell on Xiao Sizi, somewhat puzzled, "I don't know who this is......"

Chen Yan shook his head, unwilling to say more, "Young Master Cui, just state your purpose for today; after all, everyone's time is precious, we can be straightforward, what do you think?"

"That is only proper." Cui Xuan gave a slight nod.

Before coming, they had inquired from various sides about Chen Yan's character, knowing he was someone who disliked idle talk.

As for the current situation, he had already made preparations.

"We still have matters to attend to, we will leave first." Cheng Chumo gave a dry cough, pulled at Yu Chi Bao Lin who was preparing to watch the show; she stared for a moment, then realized and followed Cheng Chumo as he rose and left.

Their seat had originally been arranged in advance by Qin Huaidao; it wasn't particularly private, but it was relatively far from other guests.

If they weren't deliberately shouting, hardly anyone could hear their conversation.

Cui Xuan didn't mind the child Sizi, and first brought up a matter: "Duke of Wei, I heard from my family's elders a few days ago that you had planted all the fields you obtained from the Wei family with something called cotton......"

"......."