Chapter 521: Lost and Got Red Eyes

Chen Yan carefully looked this way and meticulously instructed Xu Lianyue and Xiao Shunzi on the upcoming plan—what to do and what not to do.

He didn't return home with Qing'er until sunset.

After traveling to many places today, Chen Yan was already a bit tired, and Li Lizhi, as always, handed him a cup of hot tea and personally came behind him to loosen his shoulders.

"How did you all fare playing with the Supreme Emperor today? Has he already left?"

Li Lizhi pursed her lips, as if suppressing a smile, "Today the Grand Emperor lost badly, even wagered his own jade pendant on Gao Yang, and before leaving he threatened that he'd definitely win it back tomorrow."

Chen Yan went numb as soon as he heard it.

"No, he's at least an elder, and the past few years have been uncomfortable for him. I deliberately invited him over just to have you all keep the old man company, to soothe the old gentleman."

"How did you all manage to win his jade pendant back?"

Li Lizhi said awkwardly, "Well... at first we just exchanged a few words to warm the atmosphere, after we won a bit we started to go easy, but who knew the Grand Emperor was so... uh, straightforward."

"By the end we could no longer call it going easy; we almost gave away a whole Wei River, yet the Grand Emperor still couldn't win."

"He lost so badly his eyes turned red, then he pressed his jade pendant onto us; we didn't want it, but he insisted on giving it."

Chen Yan: "......"

Goddamn straightforwardness.

You even made a high-EQ remark, huh?

Just say his luck... no, just call him stupid and that's it?

Played all day, and still couldn't draw a good hand?

Blaming bad luck just doesn't make sense.

"Snort!"

Chen Yan covered his face, "...... you, you all be more careful next time; the old man is quite old, and at his age maintaining a pleasant mood is most important."

"If he's happy every day and moves a little, maybe he could live another ten or twenty years."

"If he's gloomy every day, he might not last long before he passes."

Li Lizhi, startled, hesitated, "Is it that serious?"

"Then what do you think?" Chen Yan said irritably, "Why do you think your father and mother didn't stop me from coaxing the Supreme Emperor over? And even enjoyed it?"

"Isn't it simply because we want the old man to be happier, live longer, so everyone has a chance to fulfill their filial duties?"

"You all..."

Chen Yan wanted to speak but stopped, ending with a sigh, "Fine, just lose once; it's not a big problem. Just be more careful from now on."

Hearing him speak so seriously, Li Lizhi felt a bit frightened and quickly nodded in agreement.

Then Chen Yan got up, stretched a bit, and went to take a comfortable shower.

After the meal, the family sat down to chat for a while, then each returned to their rooms with Li Tai and the others, preparing to rest.

Chen Yan was indeed a bit tired today, and as he lay on the bed he intended to sleep.

However at that moment, Gao Yang slowly extended her hand, "Husband, do you think I'm beautiful today?"

Chen Yan turned his head, realized Gao Yang hadn't removed her makeup, and feeling her outstretched hand, he quickly calculated the timing and instantly understood her intention.

But he wasn't in the mood, and slapped her hand away, "You're not beautiful today, you're hideously ugly; seeing you made me eat far less dinner."

Gao Yang: "......"

She was accustomed to Chen Yan's cold remarks, felt no anger, and asked, "Then when do you think I'm most beautiful?"

She thought about dressing up nicely next time, according to his preferences.

Chen Yan paused for two breaths, "I think you're most beautiful when you're greatly surprised!"

Gao Yang:???

She blinked bewilderedly, still not grasping what it meant.

On the other side, Li Lizhi's face had already turned bright red.

"Damn, why can I understand it instantly!"

"What does it mean?"

Gao Yang was at a loss; she had imagined Chen Yan would say she was most beautiful on her wedding day in her bridal dress, or when the lights flickered and she blushed involuntarily, and she had considered many other answers, but never this one.

"You figure it out yourself," Chen Yan said offhand.

Gao Yang turned her head, looking at Li Lizhi's flushed face.

The latter felt embarrassed, but faced with her sister's pleading gaze, didn't know how to refuse, so leaned over and whispered in her ear.

Gao Yang, after hearing, suddenly understood, then angrily slapped Chen Yan.

"You rotten brat, a dog's mouth can't spit ivory; I knew you weren't a good person!"

"Right, right, you're right," Chen Yan said perfunctorily, while giving Li Lizhi a strange look.

Li Lizhi could instantly get it; he truly hadn't thought of it.

Indeed!

When a serious person becomes unserious, they become increasingly wild.

Now Li Lizhi is already an old pro.

Gao Yang also saw that Chen Yan wasn't in that mood today, and having eaten little dinner, she likewise let go of her thoughts.

She got up, washed her face properly, changed into sleepwear, and lay back down.

She was about to rest, thought of something, and asked, "Since you returned to Chang'an, you've visited many people; why didn't you go to see Dai Zhou?"

"You must first become Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue; after Dai Zhou is transferred, you become Minister of Revenue. During that period you need frequent contact, so why not prepare some gifts and visit him?"

"No need!"

Chen Yan opened his eyes, "People like Dai Zhou are a bit like me; we both dislike flashy things, giving gifts is useless."

"Moreover, when I was in Weinan County, I specifically gave his nephew a hand; when his nephew returns from Weinan County to Chang'an, as long as he doesn't act foolishly, his future will certainly be fine."

"Because of this, Dai Zhou already owes me a favor, and we have no conflicts; later we'll all be in the same small circle. When I take office, he will simply hand over properly, we'll all build good relations, and there's no need to give gifts or anything."

"Oh~ I see." Gao Yang nodded thoughtfully, then reminded: "As for the rest, you may already have a sense, but I must tell you, the Ministry of Revenue is different from the other five ministries; inside there will definitely be many twists and turns."

"Corrupt officials, then, need not be mentioned."

"If you and Du Gou and the others, as newly appointed officials, want to set a big fire, it's best to tell Father Emperor in advance; no matter what means you use, you must let Father Emperor know."

"You say that." Chen Yan listened, almost laughing, and retorted: "What? Are you afraid I'll use poison?"

"Then what?"

Gao Yang gave him a cold look, "If others aren't clear, are we not clear? When Xu Lianyue lives alone, anyone who harbors lewd thoughts toward her meets a tragic death; some even die without realizing it, and no trace of any cause can be found."

"If possible, it's best not to use poison."

"......"