After Chen Xuanqing got married, Madam Chen called him over for a talk.
"It's been so many years..." she began with emotion. "From Jiang Shi's death until now, you've never remarried. Common husbands observe mourning for their wives for at most a year, and many secretly remarry even before that. With no one to care for you, I'm truly worried."
Chen Yanyun merely smiled. "I have no wish to remarry. There are plenty of servants attending to me, so don't worry."
But Madam Chen wouldn't relent. She privately arranged meetings with many young ladies and sought numerous matchmakers, yet her son remained unwilling.
Chen Yanyun couldn't stop his mother from these efforts, so he let her proceed as she wished. He had endless matters to attend to and couldn't spare the energy to deal with her concerns.
Now that he had entered the Grand Secretariat, his responsibilities multiplied—such as matters concerning Marquis Changxing.
Xiao You was a man of talent whom Chen Yanyun had met at Zhang Ju Lian's residence.
At the time, Chen Yanyun had gone to discuss affairs with Zhang Ju Lian. Xiao You sat with his back to the lattice window and asked coolly, "No one knows about this, right?"
Zhang Ju Lian replied, "Nine Balance is aware, but he's no concern. Since he's coming today, you two should meet."
Zhang Ju Lian introduced them.
Xiao You stood up with a smile. "I've read Lord Chen's poetry and greatly admire your work."
Chen Yanyun remained composed, cupping his hands in return. "You flatter me, Mr. Xiao. I've long heard of you—your brilliance in the Battle of Jizhou was extraordinary, far beyond my own meager talents."
Zhang Ju Lian waved a hand. "Sit, both of you. No need for formalities. Xiao You currently has difficulty moving freely around Marquis Changxing's estate. Nine Balance, the planning will require your joint consultation." His tone darkened slightly. "It's best to leave Marquis Changxing's faction no room for retaliation in one stroke..."
Chen Yanyun smiled. "This student understands. Master, do share your thoughts."
Their leisurely conversation decided lives in just a few words.
Yet Xiao You's insight was remarkably sharp.
With the late emperor barely cold in his grave, he had led Marquis Changxing into believing Prince Rui intended rebellion. Marquis Changxing fell for the ruse and was shot dead on the spot. The Changxing estate collapsed overnight—though the frail heir proved clever. Using his father's military merits in court, he overturned the case and persuaded the Ministers of War, Justice, and the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review to intercede. In the end, he barely managed to preserve the Changxing estate.
"Insignificant. Let it be," Zhang Ju Lian said dismissively.
Chen Yanyun watched Ye Xian's thin, retreating figure. Ye Xian remained silent throughout, never betraying any excess emotion.
Only his face was unnaturally pale, his steps slow. His spine stayed rigid.
Chen Yanyun narrowed his eyes.
Ye Xian was no simple man—surviving this ordeal proved that. But as Zhang Ju Lian said, the Changxing faction was no longer a threat.
The remnants of Marquis Changxing's faction were thoroughly purged, starting with families closely tied to them by interest or alliance. Chen Yanyun oversaw this. Many were implicated and imprisoned, keeping him shuttling between the Three Judicial Offices. When he finally returned home to rest briefly, Jiang Yan delivered more case files: "...Third Master, these are from Daxing. The Changxing estate had deep ties there, along with other interested parties..."
Chen Yanyun took them, flipping casually through the pages."The Gu family..." His hand paused, "Is it the Gu family of Censor-in-chief Gu Deyuan from the Censorate?"
Jiang Yan confirmed: "Gu Deyuan's younger brother married the legitimate daughter of Marquis Changxing's household. They're connected by marriage."
Chen Yanyun tossed the case file onto the table and reclined in the Grand Preceptor's Chair with closed eyes. "Arrest them." Gu Deyuan had also assisted Marquis Changxing's household quite a bit.
Jiang Yan nodded: "His fourth brother didn't enter officialdom, but the fifth brother Gu Dezhao serves as Director of Granaries in the Ministry of Revenue. The two families have dealings. This subordinate thinks we might as well eliminate them all together. Gu Deyuan was originally part of Fan Chuan's faction."
Chen Yanyun suddenly opened his eyes, as if remembering something, "The Gu family from Shi'an?"
"Precisely from Shi'an."
Chen Yanyun sat up and pondered, then took back the case file and circled several names with his brush before handing it over: "Then arrest these first. Leave the others untouched for now."
After Jiang Yan took the documents and withdrew, Chen Yanyun lay back again with closed eyes, but found himself unable to sleep.
Truth be told, he kept thinking about that girl—blind from snow blindness, curled up crying, saying no one loved her.
Her spine had been as thin and bony as a kitten's, pitiful yet giving off an unapproachable air.
Such thoughts only flashed occasionally. Though the impression was deep, it ultimately meant nothing.
He had once pitied her, yet now he was about to personally bring ruin upon her family.
If her father were stripped of office, exiled, or even imprisoned and beheaded, how could her small Gu family withstand it? Already motherless, now she might lose her father too. Who knew what would become of her then.
Chen Yanyun suddenly felt inexplicably perturbed, unable to pinpoint exactly why. Leaving his study, he walked along the passageway into the inner courtyard as dusk fell. Finding himself at a loss for direction, he stopped to gaze at the dark eaves in the distance.
An attending servant quietly asked: "Third Master, would you like to visit one of the concubines?"
Looking up, Chen Yanyun realized he had unconsciously wandered to Carp-envying Pavilion.
With night just fallen, candles burned brightly in Carp-envying Pavilion. Having cultivated restraint these past two years, he hadn't visited any of his concubines.
Nor was there any reason to.
Without a word, Third Master Chen immediately returned to his study and summoned guards: "Bring Jiang Yan here."
Jiang Yan had just ordered horses prepared and was about to depart when he hurried back to Ninghui Hall, sweating profusely: "Third Master! What are your instructions?"
After a pause, Chen Yanyun finally said: "Regarding Gu Dezhao... leave it for now. I have arrangements for personnel transfers in the Ministry of Revenue."
Jiang Yan was momentarily stunned. The Third Master could have simply sent a servant with this message. Why urgently summon him in person only to deliver such an abrupt remark? Yet he dared not question Third Master Chen, merely cupping his hands in acknowledgment.
Jiang Yan's hesitation already revealed his own misstep.
Perhaps he truly had been overworked recently.
Closing his eyes, Chen Yanyun sensed something amiss. Pitying someone—this feeling was actually quite dangerous, much like curiosity. Yet the thought of leaving Gu Jinzhao homeless disturbed him even more. He rather wished he could protect her himself.
Chen Yanyun ordered investigations into Gu Dezhao—and incidentally, into Gu Jinzhao as well.The person who came back to report said, "The Eldest Miss of the Gu family is just an ordinary young lady from a boudoir. It's said that due to reputation issues, she hasn't been betrothed yet. Their family is now in a precarious situation, and no one dares to associate with them easily..." Not knowing why Third Master Chen was asking about Gu Jinzhao, the messenger could only try to be as detailed as possible. "Gu Dezhao now realizes the danger and is also seeking someone to protect him."
Chen Yanyun remained silent after hearing this.
Well, since the person had already been protected by him, let it be.
A few days later, he encountered Gu Dezhao outside the Meridian Gate.
Gu was speaking with another official from the Ministry of Revenue, their voices so low they were barely audible.
Upon seeing Chen Yanyun's sedan chair approaching, both men hurriedly stepped to the side of the road and called out, "Lord Chen."
Chen Yanyun glanced at Gu Dezhao. The latter was extremely nervous, bowing with fearful deference. Normally, when encountering officials like Chen Yanyun, they would respectfully greet them and wait for them to pass, given the vast disparity in status. But today felt somewhat unusual...
Gu Dezhao couldn't help but think of Gu Deyuan's dismissal and punishment.
"What were the two of you discussing that made you so cheerful?" Third Master Chen suddenly asked.
Gu Dezhao was stunned by the question. Only after being nudged by the official beside him did he hurriedly reply, "Oh... it's just some family matters of this humble official."
"I heard your elder brother was imprisoned for embezzlement," Third Master Chen remarked.
"Thank you for your concern, Lord Chen. Indeed, my brother has acted inappropriately," Gu Dezhao replied, his heart skipping a beat. Why was Third Master Chen asking him this?
Third Master Chen smiled faintly. "Then you should be even more mindful of your own conduct, Lord Gu. It's always good to be cautious in one's dealings. After all, the times are turbulent with Wormwood. Don't you agree, Lord Gu?"
Gu Dezhao forced himself to answer, "This humble official understands."
Third Master Chen nodded and entered his sedan chair.
Gu Dezhao watched as the sedan chair moved away, then sighed.
The official accompanying him asked, "Lord Gu, when did you get to know Third Master Chen?"
"Know him? I've never even spoken to him before!" Gu Dezhao shook his head. How could he possibly know Chen Yanyun?
"And I have no idea what he meant by those words... Ah! When Marquis Changxing was alive, I didn't benefit at all. Now that he's dead, I'm being dragged down too. It's really hard to explain..."
The other man laughed. "You refuse to believe you're foolish! Now that Lord Chen is showing concern for you, instead of seizing the chance to build a relationship with him, you're here complaining about having no one to protect you. Do you expect him to come knocking at your door?"
Gu Dezhao was half-convinced. "But... how do I go about building a relationship with Lord Chen...?"
The man shook his head. "Forget it, I can't be bothered with you. With your attitude, you'll remain a minor official for life!"
After much contemplation, Gu Dezhao eventually decided to invite Third Master Chen for a drink at the Liuhe Tavern.
However, after waiting outside the Ministry of Revenue for a long time, Third Master Chen never came out to see him.
When Jiang Yan went to see Third Master Chen, he curiously observed Gu Dezhao for a while. Upon reaching Third Master Chen, he mentioned, "Lord Gu wishes to invite you for a drink. Would you like to see him?"
Third Master Chen replied, "Why would I drink with him? He's just desperately seeking help."
Jiang Yan thought that made sense. Why would Third Master Chen agree to drink with Gu Dezhao? He had asked unnecessarily."That Doctor Gu is truly desperate for a cure," Jiang Yan said with a laugh. "I heard he's marrying off his eldest daughter to a Pacification Commissioner from western Hubei. The commissioner happened to be in the capital and will take her back with him. That region of Sichuan and Guizhou is all barren mountains and treacherous waters—avoiding tigers by day and snakes by night. Who knows what other mishaps might occur on the journey."
Third Master Chen set down his brush and asked, "Which Pacification Commissioner?"
"The hereditary Pacification Commissioner from the Qin family of Shi Prefecture Garrison," Jiang Yan replied. "You met him just the other day—the one who beat the Golden Guard Commander in an arm-wrestling match but couldn't even recognize his own name."
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