Chapter 555: In High Spirits

"Duke of Wei, stop joking; the fact that I could come today surely means I can, to some extent, represent the elders of my family."

"Except for the third request, I can decide on it right now; please forgive me that I cannot agree to the first two."

"Even though he thought Chen Yan was being excessive, even bordering on kicking someone when they're down, and his words also contained a slight disparagement, Cui Xuan still did not lose his temper, remained calm, and flatly refused."

"Chen Yan smiled and shook his head, lifted his hand to point at the grand wedding scene outside, 'Brother Cui, your family often arranges marriages. Although today Cheng Chumo is marrying a Lu family woman, when you think about it, it should be connected to you, right?'"

"Cui Xuan truly detested being led by the nose, with the conversation controlled entirely by the other side, yet he was helpless and could only reply:"

"Yes, when you add it up, she is still my distant cousin."

"Duke of Wei brought this up... is he implying that this could help us?"

"The subtext of his sentence was hidden rather deep; although he said nothing outright, merely uttering it already made his attitude quite clear."

"That was essentially telling Chen Yan, yes, exactly!"

"It does indeed help us, but I still cannot accept your condition."

"Is that so?"

"Chen Yan gave a meaning‑laden smile, patted Cui Xuan's shoulder, and left a remark, 'I suggest you think carefully over what I said, and go back to discuss it with the elders of your family.'"

"Brother Cui, see you next time!"

"After speaking, Chen Yan, regardless of Cui Xuan's expression, turned and left without any hesitation."

"Cui Xuan intended to try to retain him, to talk about other matters, but found it hard to bring up."

"Watching the other's departing back, Cui Xuan let out a long sigh."

"Why is it always like this?"

"......"

"You're back?"

"When Chen Yan returned, Li Lizhi instinctively rose to greet him."

"But Chen Yan raised his hand to signal her to sit, 'Just stay seated; I was only going to discuss some matters with someone, not a big deal.'"

"Li Lizhi did not press further and sat down calmly."

"The others, seeing this, smiled lightly and said nothing."

"Kid, come over; the two of us have something to discuss."

"At this moment, Yuchi Gong waved at him, indicating that Chen Yan should come sit beside him."

"The latter instantly became wary, 'Can't you just say whatever it is directly? We're all family; who are you guarding against?'"

"Yuchi Gong, irritated, 'Who am I guarding against?'"

"Who exactly is guarding whom?"

"Isn't it just to have you come sit here?"

"As for such a big reaction?"

"Ha ha, Old Black Yuchi, Zi An's words are still reasonable; we're all family here, who are you guarding against? Just say whatever you have to say directly."

"Qin Qiong stepped forward and said a sentence in support of Chen Yan."

"Although she didn't know what Yuchi Gong intended to say, whatever could be spoken in such a setting was probably not something important."

"Exactly, exactly!"

"Chen Yan nodded repeatedly, sitting between Li Lizhi and Gao Yang, far from Yuchi Gong."

"I..."

"Yuchi Gong was about to speak, the words on the tip of his tongue, yet he didn't know how to articulate them."

"That made Madam Yuchi beside him frantic; she slapped his arm and interjected, 'Brother Yan, we're all family, I'm not hiding anything from you. Here's the thing: now the three of you younger brothers have all married, you even have a daughter, yet our Bao Lin still hasn't found any prospect.'"

"You've arranged the marriages of Huai Dao and Cheng Chumo, but you mustn't forget our Bao Lin."

"Chen Yan raised an eyebrow upon hearing that, his gaze shifting to the Bao Lin beside Madam Yuchi, who had remained silent, his look subtle."

"Aunt, is Bao Lin still worried about not finding a wife? There's something hidden in your words."

"A distinguished Duke's eldest son, how could he possibly fail to find a good maiden?"

"There's no need for him to worry about that."

"If he hasn't found one for now, either Madam Yuchi has high standards and is picky, or there are other considerations."

"And from what he knows, Madam Yuchi has never been picky; she's rather generous and doesn't place much importance on family background."

"If the family background is decent, that basically catches her eye."

"Thus, Madam Yuchi bringing this up now clearly indicates other motives."

"Brother Yan, it's like this..."

"Madam Yuchi, lowering her voice, said, 'I want to ask you, could our Bao Lin marry a noble family daughter... do you think that would work?'"

"Hearing this, Chen Yan laughed and teased, 'Aunt, the way you put it, there's no difference for Bao Lin. Cheng Chumo is fine, so why not Bao Lin?'"

"Really?"

"Madam Yuchi's eyes lit up instantly."

"If there's a better one, naturally no one would be a poor choice."

"She is the same as well."

"Since Cheng Chumo's proposal to a prestigious family, and now the wedding in such a short time, while Li Shimin gave no indication at all, she gradually guessed something and thus began to plot."

"Now she has come to confirm it with Chen Yan."

"Mother, I really don't want..."

"Shut up!"

"Seeing that Chen Yan had confirmed, the excited Madam Yuchi couldn't stay still, and Yu Chi Bao Lin was about to refuse, but was snapped back by a glance from her own mother."

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

He, Cheng Chumo, and Qin Huaidao are different; Qin Huaidao is mutually in love with his sister, so their getting together is natural, not strange.

However, he and Cheng Chumo actually don't really intend to marry; if they did, it would have happened long ago, so why wait until now?

Especially after going to Weinan County, although it wasn't as enjoyable as imagined, he and Cheng Chumo both came to like the feeling of leading troops.

They are very satisfied with their current life.

No longer want to marry.

It's just that his mother keeps nagging; before she only mentioned it a few times and he brushed it off, but now she is firmly demanding it.

Yu Chi Bao Lin truly has no way to handle it.

While Mrs. Yu Chi Bao Lin was pondering which lady from a noble family to choose, Chen Yan reminded, "Aunt, if you have that intention, I suggest you act quickly, otherwise after a while the good ones may all be taken."

Mrs. Yu Chi Bao Lin was startled, then nodded heavily.

"Alright, I understand."

Thus the matter was settled, everyone sat together, ate and drank, chatted and laughed, the atmosphere was very harmonious.

Soon after, the groom came out to offer a toast.

First the relatives and elders, then it was the turn of Chen Yan's table.

"Look, look at Cheng Chumo in this outfit, how magnificent, marrying the bride," Chen Yan joked.

Cheng Chumo couldn't help but smile, "Brother Zi An, your ten‑thousand taels truly surprised me, it's not that I'm spoiling the mood, it's just too......"

"Too what? Too happy?"

Chen Yan immediately cut him off, asking back.

Cheng Chumo paused, felt warmth in his heart, no longer fixated on whether ten thousand taels was a lot, cheerfully nodded, "Yes, it's a grand wedding, today we're too happy!"

"Being happy is right!"

Chen Yan cheerfully raised his cup, looking around, "Today it's not only Cheng Chumo who's happy, we are all happy, and not just today—henceforth we must stay happy!"

"......"