Starting as pearl divers, they have endless jobs.

Chapter 234 Rewarded Again, Enchantress Arrives

Chen Ye paused slightly in his grip on the pen.

Wu Daofu!
The Grand Tutor of the court, with disciples and old friends all over the world, and having been the tutor of three emperors, his prestige was at its zenith.

Even Empress Wu Zhao had attended his classes and treated him with the respect due to a disciple.

Such a powerful figure, almost a symbol of the Great Chen civil service, was actually involved in this earth-shattering case.

However, Chen Ye then remembered his sister Chen Wan'er's solemn admonition.

"Do not believe any of Sun Demao's accusations, and try not to escalate this matter."

"He's at his wit's end now. To survive, he'll definitely bite people like a mad dog and try to muddy the waters."

Thinking of this, Chen Ye looked up at Sun Demao, who was lying on the ground, looking emaciated, and made up his mind.

Whether Wu Daofu is truly corrupt or Sun Demao is deliberately trying to frame him, I cannot remember his name, even for Wu Mengwei's sake. Otherwise, if the situation escalates and becomes a storm affecting the entire court, I will find it difficult to remain unscathed.

Thinking of this, Chen Ye continued to write down the details of Sun Demao's subsequent confession regarding his collusion with the Demonic Sect and the evidence of his accomplices' crimes, but he did not write down the name Wu Daofu.

Half an hour later, a statement that was more than ten pages long was finally completed.

Chen Ye put down his pen, blew on the ink, and then picked up the statement and walked up to Sun Demao.

"Lord Sun, please sign here."

Sun Demao struggled to lift his head, looked at the densely packed confession, and a bitter smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

He knew that he was finished.

There was no point in struggling any longer, so he resigned himself to his fate, reached out, dipped his hand in the red ink, and pressed his fingerprint heavily onto the confession that had determined the fate of countless people.

The moment the fingerprint touched the ground, Sun Demao seemed to have all his strength drained away, collapsing completely to the ground, muttering incomprehensible words.

Chen Ye put away his confession, didn't even glance at him again, and turned to walk out of the cell.

Outside the door, Shen Lian and a group of high-ranking officials from the Xuanjing Division had been waiting for a long time.

Although they didn't go inside, the intermittent screams and cries coming from within were enough for them to imagine how intense the interrogation must have been.

Seeing Chen Ye walk out calmly with the confession in his hand, everyone's faces were filled with awe.

This Lord Chen is truly a man of extraordinary abilities!

Even the commander-in-chief was helpless against this tough nut, but he subdued it in just one hour.

"My lord, I have not failed in my mission."

Chen Ye walked up to Shen Lian and presented his confession with both hands.

Shen Lian took the still-warm confession, quickly flipped through it, and then nodded.

"well done."

"You go back and rest first, I'll handle the rest."

"Yes, sir." Chen Ye bowed and replied without hesitation, then turned and walked out of the prison.

Watching Chen Ye's departing figure, Shen Lian's brows furrowed slightly.

He always felt that things weren't that simple.

Given Sun Demao's personality, how could he not implicate a few truly important figures when he was at his wit's end, in order to muddy the waters?
Although this confession also involved several officials at the level of vice minister and physician, the most important one was only a count with a nominal title.

This doesn't fit Sun Demao's character.

However, Shen Lian did not pursue the matter further, because this was already the best possible outcome, and he did not want to make a big fuss about it.

Although the Xuanjing Division was essentially a tool in the Empress's hands, it couldn't go too far. After all, if it provoked public outrage, the commander of the Xuanjing Division would likely become the scapegoat.

Chen Ye was unaware of Shen Lian's subsequent arrangements; at this moment, he had already walked out of the Xuanjing Division's gate.

The chilly night wind at midnight blew against his face, clearing his muddled mind considerably.

"Zhao Qi!" Chen Ye called out.

Zhao Qi, who had been waiting at the door, immediately came forward. "Sir, the horses are ready. Shall we go home now?"

"No rush, I have something I need you to do."

"Yes!" Zhao Qi replied immediately, his spirits lifting.

What he is most grateful for now is that he joined Chen Ye early on and never had any disloyal thoughts. Even when the Chen family was in trouble, he never wavered.

Don't you see how many people want to join Chen Ye but can't? As one of Chen Ye's old men, my status will naturally rise accordingly.

Therefore, when he heard that Chen Ye had something to tell him, he did not hesitate at all and immediately agreed.

"Take this to Miss Bai in Cui Liu Lane and tell her that everything has been taken care of, so she doesn't need to worry. I will visit her in a few days." As he spoke, Chen Ye handed a letter to Zhao Qi.

Zhao Qi didn't dare to ask any more questions and immediately took the letter, saying, "Okay, I'll go now."

After Zhao Qi left, Chen Ye looked up at the waning moon on the horizon, then let out a long sigh and walked towards the Chen residence.

It was already past midnight when they returned to the Chen residence.

The lanterns in front of the mansion gate emitted a dim yellow light, casting his long shadow on the bluestone slabs.

When the gatekeeper saw Chen Ye return, he quickly stepped forward to open the gate and respectfully called out, "Young Master!"

Chen Ye nodded and stepped into the mansion.

The lights were still on throughout the Chen residence, clearly indicating that everyone inside was waiting for him.

He had just crossed the front yard when he saw a beautiful figure quickly coming out of the main house to greet him; it was Xie Weining.

Her beautiful face was filled with anxiety and worry, and she only breathed a sigh of relief after seeing Chen Ye.

"Husband! Nothing... has happened in the palace, has it?"

Seeing her nervous expression, Chen Ye felt a warmth in his heart. He took her slightly cold hand in his own and comforted her with a smile, "Don't worry, Sun Demao has completely fallen. No one will bother our Chen family anymore."

Upon hearing this confirmed news, Xie Weining's eyes lit up instantly.

Although she didn't understand the intrigues and power struggles in the imperial court, she was well aware of the immense pressure that the name Sun Demao had brought to her family.

Now that her greatest enemy had been defeated by her own husband, her pride and admiration were almost overflowing.

"I knew it, my husband, you could do it." She looked up at Chen Ye with her pretty face upturned, her eyes full of tenderness.

Chen Ye smiled, pinched her soft cheek, and teased, "What, you have so much confidence in your husband?"

Xie Weining blushed, lowered her head somewhat shyly, and whispered, "Mmm..."

The two walked side by side toward the main house, the atmosphere warm and enchanting under the dim light.

"By the way, where's Dad?" Chen Ye asked.

“Dad is getting old and can’t stay up any longer, so I told him to go to sleep first,” Xie Weining replied softly.

When the two returned to their room, the maid had already prepared hot water.

Xie Weining personally helped Chen Ye undress and served him as he washed up. Chen Ye enjoyed the beauty's service, and all the fatigue of the day seemed to disappear in that moment.

"Husband, have some hot tea to warm yourself up." Xie Weining handed him a steaming cup of ginseng tea.

Chen Ye took the teacup but didn't drink it. Instead, he pulled her onto his lap.

"Ah!" Xie Weining exclaimed, her pretty face instantly turning red.

"You...what do you do?"

"What do you mean I should do?" Chen Ye said with a wicked grin.

Silent all night.

The next day, Chen Ye woke up feeling refreshed, but before he could even get up, there was a rapid knocking on the door.

"Young master, someone from the palace has arrived! His Majesty has bestowed a reward!"

Is there someone coming to the palace?
Chen Ye's heart stirred, and he immediately dressed and went to the front hall.

A middle-aged eunuch dressed in the robes of an imperial attendant, with a fair complexion and no beard, was sitting in the main seat drinking tea. Behind him stood two junior eunuchs, each holding a tray covered with bright yellow silk.

The servants of the Chen family stood at a distance, their faces filled with awe and curiosity.

Chen Ye's father, Chen Fangshi, had also rushed over upon hearing the news and was sitting nervously beside him, barely daring to breathe.

Upon seeing Chen Ye enter, the middle-aged eunuch immediately stood up, his face beaming with smiles.

"Lord Chen, we are honored to meet you."

He adopted a very humble posture, completely lacking the arrogance typical of people in the palace.

"You're too kind, sir." Chen Ye cupped his hands in greeting and asked politely, "May I ask what brings you here so suddenly?"

The middle-aged eunuch said with a smile, "I am here on His Majesty's orders to deliver a reward to Lord Chen."

After saying that, he winked at the little eunuch behind him.

The young eunuch immediately stepped forward and raised the tray in his hands high.

The middle-aged eunuch personally lifted the yellow silk covering it.

On the tray, a stack of gleaming gold official documents was neatly arranged, next to a white jade waist plaque carved with auspicious beasts, and a thick stack of house deeds and land deeds.

"His Majesty has decreed," the middle-aged eunuch cleared his throat and announced loudly, "Chen Ye, the Zhaowu Colonel of the Xuanjing Division, has made outstanding contributions in thoroughly investigating the case of Censor-in-Chief Sun Demao's treason, and his loyalty and bravery are commendable. He is hereby awarded a thousand taels of gold and a luxurious mansion in Tinglan Pavilion in Yunzhou City to recognize his merits!"

"Lord Chen, please accept the imperial decree."

Upon hearing this, the entire front hall fell into a deathly silence.

Chen Fangshi was so excited that he trembled all over, his lips quivering, unable to utter a single word for a long time. It wasn't because the reward was particularly generous, but rather the sheer glory that overwhelmed him.

The servants around them were also stunned, and then their faces showed a look of pride and joy.

Only Chen Ye maintained his calm expression.

He stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said in a deep voice, "Your subject, Chen Ye, thanks Your Majesty for your great favor!"

The middle-aged eunuch quickly helped him up, his smile becoming even more obsequious. "Lord Chen, His Majesty said you are a young prodigy and a pillar of our Great Chen. You should share His Majesty's burdens in the future."

"Your subject will certainly devote himself to the cause until his dying breath," Chen Ye once again expressed his loyalty.

The middle-aged eunuch nodded in satisfaction and personally handed the house deed and the waist tag representing the owner of the mansion to Chen Ye.

Chen Ye casually handed the eunuch a hundred-tael silver note and smiled, "Thank you for making this trip, sir. This is for you to have some tea."

"Of course, of course." The middle-aged eunuch smiled so much that his eyes narrowed into slits. He felt that this newly favored person was indeed good at handling things, and that his efforts to get this job were worthwhile.

"Then I'll head back to the palace to report."

After saying this, he turned and left with two eunuchs.

It wasn't until their figures completely disappeared outside the door that the entire Chen residence erupted into chaos.

"Young Master is truly amazing!"

"Our Chen family is going to prosper!"

The servants cheered, and Chen Fangshi was moved to tears, holding Chen Ye's hand, too excited to speak.

Chen Ye comforted his father for a few moments, then instructed the steward to put away the gifts, while he himself took the house deed and returned to his room.

Xie Weining was already waiting inside. "Husband, are we... really going to move?"

"Yes." Chen Ye nodded with a smile. "It was a gift from His Majesty, I can't refuse it."

At the same time, the entire imperial court was thrown into turmoil because of the Sun Demao case.

Shen Lian, the commander of the Xuanjing Division, publicly announced Sun Demao's crimes and the long list of his accomplices.

The list included more than thirty officials, ranging from senior officials in the Six Ministries to local prefectural officials.

The Empress was furious in court and ordered all the officials on the list to be dismissed, investigated, and imprisoned in the imperial prison for joint trial by the three judicial departments.

For a time, the entire court was in a state of panic, with everyone feeling insecure.

In this great purge, Chen Wan'er, who had been attacked by Sun Demao's cronies, rose to prominence.

The Empress not only rejected all the impeachments against her, but also praised her in court, saying that she was intelligent and discerning, and gave Chen Ye a generous reward.

After this series of actions, everyone understood.

The Chen siblings had become favorites of the Empress, and as a result, Chen Ye's name once again resounded throughout Yunzhou City.

So after the court assembly ended, visiting cards arrived at the Chen residence like snowflakes.

Countless officials and nobles are now scrambling to establish a connection with Chen Ye.

Chen Ye refused to see anyone, only instructing his butler to use the excuse of being unwell and needing to rest to keep everyone out.

Three days later, Chen Ye officially moved into Tinglanxuan, located on the shore of Xuanwu Lake.

This mansion covers a vast area, with pavilions, towers, carved beams and painted rafters, and even an artificial lake in the backyard that draws water from Xuanwu Lake. Its beauty is comparable to that of a royal garden.

Xie Weining stood under the veranda of the main house, looking at the scenery before her that rivaled that of a royal garden, and was filled with emotion.

In just a few months, her husband went from a notorious playboy to a rising star in the imperial court, enjoying the emperor's favor. This dramatic change still feels somewhat unreal to her.

Just then, a cloak, still warm from her body, was gently draped over her shoulders.

Xie Weining turned around and met Chen Ye's smiling face.

"Husband," she called softly, nestling into his arms. His unique, cool scent filled her nostrils, and her heart was filled with an unprecedented peace.

"What are you thinking about?" Chen Ye asked softly, his arm around her slender waist.

"I'm wondering if I'm dreaming." Xie Weining tilted her pretty face up, gazing at him with her beautiful eyes, "Because I always feel like all of this is too unreal."

Chen Ye lowered his head and gently kissed her smooth forehead. The warm touch instantly brought two blushes to Xie Weining's cheeks.

"This is not a dream," Chen Ye said softly. "This is just the beginning, and things will only get better from here on out."

Xie Weining's heart skipped a beat; the sweet feeling almost melted her. Then she said nothing more, simply burying her head deeper and tightly hugging her man's waist.

Just at this heartwarming moment, a commotion arose from the front yard.

"Brother Chen! Brother Chen! We've come to congratulate you!"

Before anyone arrives, the sound comes first.

Hou En and Qian Yi, two lively characters, each carrying a large red coral tree, ran in excitedly.

Behind them followed more than twenty noble sons of the Drunken Cloud Society, each carrying a valuable gift and beaming with smiles.

Congratulations, Brother Chen, on moving to your new home!

"Wishing Brother Chen all the best in his career!"

The crowd cheered in unison, creating a great commotion that startled the birds in the courtyard into flight.

Seeing this, Chen Ye couldn't help but smile knowingly, "We're all brothers, you're being too formal!"

"Of course, of course!" Hou En handed the coral tree to a servant, then leaned forward and winked at him.

“Brother Chen, you are now the most sought-after person in Yunzhou City. After that old scoundrel Sun Demao fell from power, countless positions in the court have become vacant, so the threshold of your Tinglanxuan is likely to be worn down by the crowds.”

Qian Yi chimed in, "That's right! My dad said that anyone who doesn't want to get on your good side, Brother Chen, is a fool!"

Chen Ye smiled noncommittally, then led everyone into the front hall, where servants immediately served fragrant tea and snacks.

The hall was filled with laughter and chatter as everyone showered Chen Ye with compliments, creating a lively atmosphere.

As the hostess, Xie Weining was dignified and poised in her interactions, her eyes radiating the pride of being Mrs. Chen.

Just then, a butler with a strange expression strode in and whispered in Chen Ye's ear:

"Young master, there is a young lady outside the door who requests an audience."

"Girl?" Chen Ye raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Yes,” the butler hesitated for a moment before continuing, “She said her name is Yuan Xiao’e, and she sells tofu in the south of the city. She came especially… especially to congratulate you.”

Upon hearing this, the previously noisy front hall instantly fell silent.

Hou En, Qian Yi, and the others exchanged glances, their eyes filled with gossip.

Is that a tofu seller in the south of the city?

Isn't that the tofu seller that Chen Ye specifically instructed us to investigate a while ago? She actually came too?

Xie Weining's smile froze slightly. Although she trusted her husband, she still felt a little uneasy when she heard that a young girl had come to her door.

The atmosphere in the hall then became subtle.

All eyes were on Chen Ye, waiting for his reaction.

Chen Ye's face showed no change in emotion, but he sneered inwardly.

This guy behaved himself for a few days, but eventually couldn't hold back and offered himself up.

However, Chen Ye did not panic and said directly to the butler, "Let her in."

"Yes!"

When Bai Yingluo, disguised as Yuan Xiao'e, walked into the front hall, everyone's breath seemed to stop for a moment.

She was still wearing the same faded coarse cloth dress, her hair tied up with a simple wooden hairpin, her face bare and without makeup.

However, that pure and beautiful face, and that timid and endearing appearance, were more captivating than any gorgeous clothes or jewelry.

She is like a lily quietly blooming in the mountains and fields, pure, flawless, and carrying a fresh scent untouched by the dust of the world.

Hou En, Qian Yi, and the others stared wide-eyed.

At the same time, Bai Yingluo, carrying a bamboo basket, walked to the center of the hall with her head down.

"This humble woman, Yuan Xiao'e, greets Lord Chen."

After saying this, she was about to kneel down and pay her respects.

"No need for formalities," Chen Ye's voice rang out at the right moment, stopping her actions.

"Thank you, sir." Bai Yingluo bit her lower lip, then raised the bamboo basket in her hand and mustered her courage to say, "I heard that you have moved to a new residence. I don't have any valuable gifts, but these are a few tofu dishes that I made myself. I hope you won't find them too bad."

Her cautious and hesitant demeanor, as if afraid of being rejected, made many men present feel a flutter in their hearts.

"Thank you for your kindness." Chen Ye smiled gently and gestured for his servant to take the basket away.

However, under the Heartstring Master talent, a cold and amusing voice entered his mind.

[The acting was quite good today; the looks in the eyes of all those stupid men in the room were hilarious.]

[Tsk tsk, Xie Weining is getting more and more beautiful the more I look at her. When will I be able to win her over along with Chen Ye?]

Hearing these heartfelt words, Chen Ye felt a surge of murderous intent, but his smile grew even warmer.

"Miss Yuan, since we're having a small banquet today, why don't we sit down and have a couple of drinks together?"

(End of this chapter)