Chapter 547: Cheng Yaojin: Determined to Take Up Arms! I

Sincere......

What a sincere heart!

Cheng Yaojin was so angry he could barely stand it; he really wanted to leap up and hammer the person before him, embedding him into the wall.

But when he tried to act on it, a piercing pain shot through his backside.

Cheng Yaojin instantly became depressed.

Based on his twenty years of knowledge of Chen Yan, he would say that he certainly couldn't outtalk this kid; given the current situation, even if he wanted to act, he lacked the ability.

So between anger and humiliation, he chose to be both humiliated and angry.

Cheng Yaojin fell silent.

"Ah, Cheng Bo Bo, why have you fallen silent? Were you born not to speak?"

Cheng Yaojin still said nothing, even turning his head away.

Seeing this, the Cui Clan laughed so hard she could barely stand, "Yan brother, just eat at home tonight; Auntie has asked the back kitchen to prepare something tasty for you."

"Don't feed him!" Cheng Yaojin heard that and shouted, "That kid even joined my book, babbling about how important the plow ox is, impeaching old Cheng for heinous crimes. Damn it, just thinking about it makes me angry, I won't even give him a fart to eat!"

"Let that scoundrel kid drink the northwestern wind!"

Chen Yan smiled and bowed to the Cui Clan, "Since Aunt Cui has spoken, the nephew certainly has no reason to refuse. Rest assured, Aunt Cui, the nephew will not be courteous to you."

"That's fine, you and my old Cheng… hmm, talk more, I'll instruct the back kitchen."

The two ignored Cheng Yaojin; as they spoke back and forth, their smiles never ceased.

It even made Cheng Chuliang beside them laugh.

Cheng Yaojin cursed and whined, angry one moment, wailing the next; even so, the Cui Clan didn't mind, carefully urging Chen Yan to take good care of Cheng Yaojin, and then left.

When she left, Cheng Chuliang immediately spoke up, "Father, why are you doing this? Don't you realize that in this household, sometimes your status is the lowest?"

Cheng Yaojin: "......"

You little brat, what nonsense are you calling big truth?

Does your father not care about his face?

"Hey, Chuliang, you can't speak like that; what you mentioned, after all, was when you were at home, Cheng Bo Bo still had a reputation outside, and look, he was publicly beaten and got a board."

Chen Yan laughed and made another cutting remark.

Cheng Yaojin said nothing.

Thirty years the river east, thirty years the river west—do not despise the middle‑aged poor!

And wait for me to heal!

I will definitely take up arms!

I'll take your life!

He harbored secret resentment as he thought.

"Alright, no more jokes."

Chen Yan waved his hand, and Cheng Chuliang, feeling quite self‑aware, brought over a chair, letting him sit beside Cheng Yaojin.

There's no way around it; in this household, Chen Yan has always treated him best since childhood, always thinking of him first; a real older brother is just like that.

He himself is also sensible, remembering Chen Yan's kindness.

Chen Yan sat down, about to speak, thought for a moment, then suddenly recalled something, turned his head and said, "By the way, Chuliang, how about I find you a good daughter‑in‑law?"

Cheng Yaojin thought Chen Yan was about to say something else, but didn't expect him to immediately propose finding a wife for his second son, and was stunned.

Not only him, Cheng Chuliang, being the one concerned, was also taken aback.

After a moment of hesitation, he shook his head and declined, "I know Brother Chen would certainly not harm me; saying he'll find me a good wife, that's certainly doable, but the eldest brother at home hasn't married yet, so I… it's not very appropriate."

"Ah, never mind!"

Chen Yan, indifferent, said, "Let's solve it for both of you at once; the two brothers marry together, isn't that even better?"

"That works!"

With the conversation at this point, Cheng Chuliang had no reason to hesitate; the family had been searching for a bride for Cheng Chumo these past days, and now handling his case as well—what else could be lacking?

"Kid, don't cause me trouble!"

Cheng Yaojin, hearing this, grabbed Chen Yan's arm; finding a virtuous girl for the eldest son is fine, but for the second son he has other plans.

People of this era all share the same thought: the eldest son is destined to inherit the title, the second son cannot have nothing.

Thinking of the histories, whether Fang Xuanling or Du Ruhui, they both had the eldest son marry a virtuous lady, while the second son formed a royal marriage to find a patron.

Du Ruhui's second son, Du He, even married Cheng Yang.

Cheng Yaojin was no exception, and he had already chosen his target: the Imperial Family's marriageable Princess Qinghe.

Initially, when Empress Changsun did not propose that Chen Yan marry Princess Gao Yang, he even discussed with Yuchi Gong, Qin Qiong, and others, maneuvered a bit, and arranged for Chen Yan to marry Princess Qinghe.

Later the plan couldn't keep up with changes; who knew Empress Changsun was so invested, leading Chen Yan to marry His Majesty's dearly beloved Princess Gao Yang, and she herself even secured the legitimate Princess Changle.

Thus Cheng Yaojin planned to have his second son, Cheng Chuliang, marry Princess Qinghe.

But before that, he must first resolve the eldest son Cheng Chumo's marriage.

"Rest assured, could I possibly harm Chuliang?"

Chen Yan reassured Cheng Yaojin with a word; he understood the thoughts of parents of this era perfectly.

Furthermore, the histories clearly record that Cheng Chuliang's later wife was Princess Qinghe.

But Chen Yan thought it unnecessary.

A true man born into the world, if he cannot accomplish anything, merely dreaming of finding a patron and lying flat—how can that be?

As for Cheng Chuliang, he already has a plan in mind!

Cheng Yaojin silently stared at Chen Yan for two breaths, nodded, "You kid always handles affairs flawlessly, but finding a wife for Chuliang isn't urgent for now. Whatever you intend, you must tell me clearly; I need to see results!"

Chen Yan paused, understanding this was the unique parental worry of this era, hesitated a moment, and agreed.

Since you say so, I can't make arrangements on my own.

Cheng Chuliang, I have to inconvenience you for now.

"It's fine, Brother Chen!" Cheng Chuliang said unbothered, "I'm still young; if there's a chance, there is, if not, never mind, I'm not in a hurry."

"Alright, then let's continue with the main business."

Chen Yan nodded and said seriously to Cheng Yaojin, "Today's first matter is actually about Brother Cheng Chumo's marriage."

"I propose that Brother Cheng Chumo marry a noble‑family daughter; what do you think?"

Hearing this, Cheng Yaojin frowned, "If this were the past, I would raise both hands in agreement, but you know the current situation… His Majesty's conflict with the noble families has reached an irreconcilable point, with open and covert struggles constantly underway. Letting Brother Cheng Chumo marry a noble‑family daughter now…"

The sixth year of Zhenguan is approaching, and everyone is watching the Imperial Examination.

If the Examination results are excellent and many low‑born youths rise, the noble families' fate will certainly not be favorable.

Even if the results aren't great, what about the next time?

The library stands right there; if it doesn't work this time, could it possibly fail next time as well?

The noble families have already entered their twilight; why would they still go to marry into others?

Moreover, given the current situation, if you go marry a noble‑family daughter, how would Li Shimin think?

If it weren't for this, Cheng Yaojin would have found a good wife for Cheng Chumo long ago.

After all, before they begged to marry noble daughters; now the families are the ones offering, and they avoid it.