Chapter 637: Again, Furious Retort

"Zi Anxiong, you're back!"

The next morning at dawn, when the civil and military officials went to court, Chen Yan walked over, and Du Gou and the others were extremely excited, rushing to surround him.

Especially Han Zhongliang, who was practically on the verge of crying.

Don't be fooled by his swagger yesterday, daring to point at Xiao Yu's nose and scold, but he was just forcing himself.

When Chen Yan wasn't there, he truly felt insecure.

Now that he sees Chen Yan, Han Zhongliang, for some reason, instantly feels at ease, his sense of security maxed out.

Don't ask why.

If you ask, it's because the head of their Ministry of Revenue is truly formidable; that's no small matter.

"Hmm, I'm back," Chen Yan said with a slight nod, turned his head to glance at the surrounding officials, finally fixing his gaze on a person with two large bumps on the forehead, one eye darkened, and a steel‑blue complexion.

"Yo, Minister Xiao, not seeing you for two days, you…still look as splendid as ever."

"But why does your complexion seem off? Have you encountered any vexing matters lately?"

The two were already the focus of everyone's attention, and now hearing Chen Yan's words instantly drew almost everyone's notice.

Waiting to see what will happen when the two reunite after two days.

"Chen Yan!" Xiao Yu's lungs seemed about to explode, her face turning somewhat ferocious, "Stop being so sarcastic there; I'm like this…all because of you!"

"If you hadn't disregarded martial virtue and ambushed this seventy‑ or eighty‑year‑old old man, I wouldn't have ended up like this!"

"Don't make any snide remarks; later on the court we'll see the real proof!"

"Why wait until the court?" Chen Yan said with a smile, reaching out to Du Gou, who immediately understood and took a large slab from his pocket, placing it in Chen Yan's hand, "If you're not convinced, we can settle it right now; after all, I still hold the title Marquis of Weinan and can keep cutting down further."

"If that's not enough, I also have a Gao Yang Happy… Death‑exemption Gold Medal in my hand; after we see the real proof, in a couple of days I'll still be a fine fellow, but you…I can't say for sure."

"How about it? Want to give it a try?"

"Ha ha......"

Chen Yan's words fell, causing many people outside the Tai Chi Palace to laugh.

Everyone knew Chen Yan could certainly pull off such a thing; after all, a few days earlier he led a massive brawl with so many officials, and was only locked up for two days before being released.

Do it again, and dealing with Xiao Yu blocking the way would be a win on all fronts.

"You..." Xiao Yu, upon seeing Chen Yan's slab, felt a sudden panic in her heart for some reason, and a vague throbbing on her forehead.

"You... you are unreasonable, your behavior is extremely vulgar, considering you grew up reading the saints' books..."

Chen Yan's expression turned cold: "How could I? It's not your place to judge; whether I live up to my parents' expectations is for my parents themselves to decide, and the Empress herself to decide."

"What are you, some kind of thing? How can you even say..."

"A fool who clings to a bunch of bald donkeys as if they were treasures, protecting them like a hen guards its chicks; your sister, your compatriot, was once wandering in hardship, how could I not have seen you get anxious? Now she's still under house arrest, why haven't you helped her?"

"Heh......" Chen Yan sneered, scanning the crowd, "Since the Duke smashed the Eastern Göktürks, the former Xiao Empress, our Minister Xiao's own sister was also brought back to Chang'an."

"Now she's in Chang'an City, but what has Minister Xiao done?"

"Aside from the day she was brought back, they only met once on the court; our Minister Xiao probably never once visited his own sister."

"They say elder brothers are like fathers, elder sisters like mothers."

"Minister Xiao, for the sake of his own official career, never visited his own elder sister; this is the Minister Xiao who reads the saints' books..."

"Shut up!" Xiao Yu shouted angrily, unable to stay calm any longer.

Because of Chen Yan's words, they truly struck the most vulnerable spot in his heart.

Other officials also cast strange looks at Xiao Yu, some even beginning to whisper.

"Hey, Lao Wei Chi, this Xiao Lao Cai Bangzi, really hasn't visited his own sister? That can't be right?" Cheng Yaojin exclaimed, "Scholars are supposed to value filial piety above all, aren't they?"

"Huh, Cheng Laohei, you don't get it, do you? What does it matter between siblings? His sister was a former Empress; now this Xiao fellow is a pivotal figure in the court. Though we call him Lao Cai Bangzi, he's actually not that old, may have chances to advance later. Now going to see the former Empress, how will that affect his career?"

"Is that so? But as a younger brother, neglecting his own sister—would His Majesty dare to employ such a person?"

"I can't speak definitively, but… *tsk tsk*, my great‑nephew said it right: elder brothers are like fathers, elder sisters like mothers. His own sister has suffered so much, returned for two years, and this Xiao hasn't visited even once; I truly despise such a person."

"Well said!" Cheng Yaojin said meaningfully, "Someone who spouts righteousness yet is no different from a beast; even if he later becomes prime minister, his lofty position…"

"I, Old Cheng, look down upon such people."

It's not only Cheng Yaojin and his group discussing; others are too, just not as loudly.

The only common point may be that the looks at Xiao Yu all reveal contempt.

"You... you all."

Xiao Yu's eyes were blood‑red, breathing like a bull, "How do you know I haven't visited my sister? You're pure nonsense!!!"

"Nonsense?" Chen Yan raised an eyebrow, "When did I…"

"Your sister now lives in Xingdao Lane, Chang'an City; that place seems adjacent to the Imperial City, tranquil, with abundant provisions."

"But who doesn't know, she's a sixty‑plus year old with no close ones, living alone in a small courtyard, accompanied daily by loneliness."

"Given your status and His Majesty's profound sense of justice, as long as you raise the matter, wouldn't His Majesty be willing to let your sister live with you?"

"With a brother beside, nephews and grandsons accompanying, it wouldn't be a waste of those years of suffering."

"But have you raised it?"

"You, this younger brother, your son, your grandson, have you visited this aunt, great‑aunt?"

Damn it, you let...

Xiao Yu felt dizzy, truly wanting to go all out with Chen Yan, opened her mouth to scold, but Chen Yan retorted: "Alright, alright, I let, I let, I let out your five‑spice, numbing fart!"

"Lao Cai Bangzi, when it comes to officialdom, ninety‑nine percent of those present can't match you."

"But when it comes to being a person..."

Chen Yan sneered, "You could just find any beggar in Chang'an… they'd all be better than you!"

"......."