Starting as pearl divers, they have endless jobs.

Chapter 235 Questions at the Grand Tutor's Mansion

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.

Hou En and Qian Yi opened their mouths wide, almost enough to fit an egg.

What's going on with Brother Chen's move?
You should know that the real wife, Xie Weining, is sitting right here!
Inviting other young women to the table in front of his wife—if word gets out, wouldn't Chen Ge's hard-won playboy image be ruined overnight?
Hou En and Qian Yi exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of worry in each other's eyes.

Xie Weining, however, remained seated with a gentle smile, showing no sign of anything amiss.

When faced with Chen Ye's invitation, Bai Yingluo, disguised as Yuan Xiao'e, showed an expression of being flattered, her face flushed red, and she waved her hands repeatedly.

"No, I am of lowly status and dare not sit with you gentlemen. Now that I have conveyed my sentiments, I will take my leave."

After saying that, she curtsied with her empty basket in hand and turned to leave.

His timid appearance further aroused the protective instincts of many noble sons present.

But they didn't dare say anything, and could only secretly look at Chen Ye.

Chen Ye sneered inwardly.

What a great move to turn retreat into advance!

This enchantress truly portrayed a naive and panicked common girl with remarkable skill.

However, since you're acting, I'll naturally continue the performance, so I said, "Miss Yuan, please wait."

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable power.

Bai Yingluo stopped and turned around to look at him timidly, her eyes already brimming with tears.

At the same time, Chen Ye stood up and came to her, smiled gently at Bai Yingluo, and said, "Miss Yuan, please don't misunderstand. I just didn't know how to thank you for your kindness, so I invited you. Since you insist on not accepting, I won't force you. This is just a small token of my appreciation."

As he spoke, Chen Ye took out a silver note and handed it to Bai Yingluo.

Looking at the gentle and refined man in front of her, Bai Yingluo was momentarily distracted.

The thought that Chen Ye had previously implanted into her mind through the Heartstring Master talent was now also taking effect.

Bai Yingluo blushed, this time not as an act, but because she genuinely felt a little shy, and then lowered her head.

At the same time, her inner voice became panicked.

[This guy is getting more and more pleasing to the eye.]

Oh well, I was going to tease him a bit, but I'll pass.

After these thoughts flashed through her mind, Bai Yingluo did not take the silver note, but said in a low voice, "Sir, there is no need to say anything. I understand. Besides, I am not short of money. I sell tofu every day, and the money I earn is enough for my father and me to spend."

Without waiting for Chen Ye to react, she turned and ran away.

This scene caused many noble sons present to sigh with regret, feeling that she was truly a girl of gold.

Only Chen Ye watched Bai Yingluo's figure as if she were fleeing in panic, and secretly found it amusing.

Very good, it seems that the idea I planted in her mind before was indeed working.

The little incident passed just like that, and no one dared to bring it up again in front of Xie Weining. Qian Yi and Hou En exchanged a glance and then began to change the subject to liven up the atmosphere.

The banquet continued for more than an hour before finally ending. Hou En, Qian Yi, and the others, supported by servants, left Tinglan Pavilion in a drunken stupor.

The mansion, which had been noisy all afternoon, finally quieted down.

The maids and servants were cleaning up the mess in the front hall, while Xie Weining sat in the flower hall, a hint of weariness barely perceptible between her brows.

Today, all the guests were prominent noblemen from Yunzhou City. Their flattery and fawning over Chen Ye made her, as his wife, feel honored, but also quite tired.

"What are you thinking about?"

Xie Weining snapped out of her daze and turned to face Chen Ye's smiling face.

"It's nothing, I just feel a little tired."

Chen Ye reached out and gently tucked a stray lock of hair that had been ruffled by the wind behind her ear, a gesture that was both natural and intimate.

"Thank you for your hard work today."

“It’s no trouble at all. My husband is currently enjoying great favor from the emperor, and all those who have come to congratulate him are friends. As your wife, it is only right that I do this.”

Xie Weining lowered her head, her voice carrying a hint of pride that she herself was unaware of.

Chen Ye smiled and said nothing more, but simply took her hand and walked towards the inner courtyard.

Throughout the entire process, Xie Weining did not ask about Bai Yingluo, because Chen Ye had told her in front of the Chen residence that day to be wary of this woman and not to be deceived by her innocent appearance.

Xie Weining kept these words in mind, so even though Chen Ye was very gentle with Bai Yingluo today, she was not jealous at all. On the contrary, she was a little worried, afraid that Bai Yingluo would pose some danger to her husband again.

I slept soundly through the night.

The next morning, just after Chen Ye finished breakfast, the butler Chen Zhong strode in with a serious expression.

"Master."

"What's wrong?" Chen Ye put down his teacup and asked casually.

Chen Zhong took out an exquisitely crafted invitation from his pocket and presented it with both hands.

"Young Master, the Grand Tutor's Mansion has sent an invitation."

Taishi Mansion?
Chen Ye's eyebrows instantly rose, and he took the invitation. On the cover, the words "To be opened by Chen Ye personally" were written in gold-embossed regular script, and at the bottom was a vermilion Wu character seal.

Upon opening the invitation, the contents were even simpler, consisting of only a few words, inviting him to visit the residence today. The signature was Wu Daofu.

Chen Ye's mind raced.

He had no connection with this Grand Tutor; his only link to him was with Miss Wu Mengwei, the eldest daughter of the Wu family who secretly harbored feelings for him.

But no one knew about this except for his sister Chen Wan'er, so there was only one possibility left.

Sun Demao!
Chen Ye's eyes sharpened.

So, is this invitation a trap, or does it have a deeper meaning?
Is this a warning or an attempt to win me over?

Chen Ye couldn't quite figure out the Grand Tutor's true intentions.

"Young Master, what... what should we do?"

Seeing that Chen Ye remained silent for a long time, Chen Zhong's worry deepened.

In his view, although the Chen family is currently enjoying great success, it is still far inferior to a behemoth like the Grand Tutor's Mansion.

The Grand Tutor's sudden invitation is definitely not a good thing.

"What's the rush?" Chen Ye closed the invitation and casually placed it aside, his tone calm.

"The Grand Tutor of the court has invited me; if I don't go, wouldn't I seem guilty?"

As he spoke, he stood up and straightened his robes.

"Prepare the horse, I'm going to the Grand Tutor's mansion."

"Yes, Master."

Although Chen Zhong was still uneasy, seeing Chen Ye's calm and composed demeanor made him feel much more at ease.

A quarter of an hour later, Chen Ye changed into a dark blue casual outfit and rode his horse alone toward the Grand Tutor's Mansion located on Zhuque Street.

The Grand Tutor's residence was far more understated than Chen Ye had imagined.

There were no tall and imposing stone lions, nor a vermilion and gold-plated gate; it was just an ordinary-looking courtyard house with blue bricks and gray tiles. The only difference was that two calm and composed guards stood in front of the gate.

But the more this is the case, the more it demonstrates the owner's confidence.

After all, true power does not need to be adorned with external luxury.

Chen Ye dismounted, handed the reins to the servant at the door, and then stepped forward to present his calling card.

"Chen Ye of the Xuanjing Division has come to pay a visit at the invitation of the Grand Tutor."

The butler at the door checked the name card and immediately put on a warm smile, bowing to Chen Ye.

"So it's Lord Chen. Please come in. My master has been waiting in the study for quite some time."

He nodded and followed the butler through the front yard, around several corridors, and arrived at a secluded courtyard.

The courtyard is filled with lush bamboo. A gentle breeze rustles the bamboo leaves, creating a rather elegant atmosphere.

The butler led Chen Ye to the door of the study, then stopped and respectfully gestured for him to enter.

"Lord Chen, my master is inside."

Chen Ye took a deep breath and pushed open the heavy wooden door.

The study was dimly lit, and the air was filled with a faint scent of ink and sandalwood.

An elderly man dressed in a gray scholar's robe, with white hair and beard but vigorous spirit, stood with his back to him in front of a huge desk, seemingly admiring a landscape painting.

The figure, though appearing somewhat slender, exuded a sense of profound and imposing strength.

"Student Chen Ye greets Grand Tutor." Chen Ye bowed, performing a standard junior's greeting.

The old man slowly turned around, revealing a face etched with the marks of time yet exceptionally gentle, his eyes clear as water, seemingly able to see right through people's hearts.

It was none other than Wu Daofu, the Grand Tutor of the current dynasty.

"Hehe, Nephew Chen, there's no need for such formalities." Wu Daofu's face showed a warm smile, and his voice was gentle and pleasant.

"Come, sit down and talk."

He pointed to a grand chair next to the desk.

Chen Ye didn't stand on ceremony and sat down quite casually.

"I wonder what brings the Grand Tutor to see me?"

Wu Daofu did not answer directly, but instead personally picked up the teapot on the table and poured Chen Ye a cup of hot tea.

As soon as the amber-colored tea was poured, the entire study was instantly filled with its aroma.

"Try my pre-rain Longjing tea first," Wu Daofu said with a smile, pushing the teacup in front of Chen Ye.

"This was just a gift from His Majesty a few days ago."

Chen Ye picked up the teacup and saw that the tea was clear and bright, with tender green tea leaves unfurling in the cup like sparrow tongues. He took a sip and found it slightly astringent at first, but then sweet and fragrant.

"Excellent tea." Chen Ye put down his teacup and exclaimed sincerely.

Wu Daofu stroked his beard and smiled, but a meaningful light shone in his seemingly cloudy old eyes.

"This tea is good, but if the water used to brew it is not right, or the heat is slightly off, even the best tea leaves will not bring out the flavor."

He spoke slowly and deliberately, as if he were discussing the art of tea or giving instructions on the state of the nation.

Chen Ye's heart skipped a beat. They've arrived.

He knew that the real test had only just begun.

“What the Grand Tutor says is absolutely right,” Chen Ye said, following his words. “The way of brewing tea lies in one’s mind; a slight error can lead to a huge mistake.”

"Oh?" Wu Daofu raised his eyebrows, seemingly interested in Chen Ye's answer. "It seems that Nephew Chen is quite knowledgeable about the tea ceremony?"

"I wouldn't dare call it research, I only know a little bit about it," Chen Ye replied modestly. "My father loved this subject most of all his life, and I was influenced by him from a young age, so I also learned a little bit about it."

Wu Daofu nodded noncommittally, picked up his teacup, and gently blew on the steam.

“I do have some impression of your father, Chen Fangshi. Back in the day, he was a dashing young man. What a pity…”

He stopped halfway through his sentence and let out a faint sigh.

Chen Ye did not respond.

He knew that saying more at this time would only lead to more mistakes, so silence was the best course of action.

The study fell silent again, with only the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind outside the window.

at the same time.

In the inner courtyard of the Grand Tutor's mansion, in an exquisite embroidered pavilion.

Wearing a pink dress, Wu Mengwei, with her delicate and charming appearance, paced back and forth in the room restlessly.

Her little face was filled with anxiety and anticipation, and her big, watery eyes kept looking out the window, as if she was waiting for something.

"Miss, please stop spinning me. My eyes are getting dizzy from all this spinning," said Taozi, a young maid who was arranging the embroidery.

"What do you know!" Wu Mengwei stopped and glared at her reproachfully.

"Brother Chen rarely comes to our house, and Father even called him to the study. Do you think Father... he might make things difficult for Brother Chen?"

Wu Mengwei learned from the other maids that her father had sent an invitation to Chen Ye, so she was restless all day, her tone full of worry.

Although she didn't know why her father had suddenly invited Chen Ye, she was well aware of her father's methods.

As the head of the civil officials, Father's mind is as deep as the sea. Although Brother Chen is very capable now, he is probably still not enough in front of Father.

Peach chuckled and teased, "Miss, you can rest assured! That Lord Chen is now a favorite of His Majesty. He even brought down the Censor-in-Chief Sun Demao. Master cherishes talent, so why would he make things difficult for him?"

"That's true, but I'm still worried."

Wu Mengwei bit her lip, her heart pounding. Chen Ye's handsome face and the sweet words he had said to her in the birch forest kept flashing through her mind.

The thought of these things made her heart beat even faster.

No, I have to go take a look!

A bold idea sprouted in Wu Mengwei's mind.

"Peach, you stay here and keep an eye on things for me. If Mother asks, just say... just say I'm a little tired and taking a nap."

As Wu Mengwei spoke, she tiptoed toward the door.

"Oh, Miss, where are you going?" Peach asked quickly.

"I'll be back as soon as I go!"

Wu Mengwei waved her hand without turning her head, then slipped out of the embroidered building.

According to the rules of the Great Chen Dynasty, noble ladies are not allowed to meet with men outside the family at will, let alone eavesdrop on their fathers' conversations with guests.

If this is discovered, not only will she be punished, but Chen Ye will also be implicated, accused of misconduct and seducing a noblewoman.

But at this moment, Wu Mengwei was overwhelmed by longing and worry and couldn't care less about anything else.

Guided by her memory, she carefully avoided the servants in the mansion and made her way to the small courtyard where her father's study was located.

The courtyard was quiet, with only the sound of the wind rustling through the bamboo leaves.

Wu Mengwei's heart was in her throat as she cautiously peered towards the study.

The study door was tightly closed, but the window was slightly ajar.

Wu Mengwei was overjoyed. She crouched down, tiptoed, and quietly moved to the window.

She dared not get too close, afraid of being discovered by the people inside, so she pressed her ear against the cold wall, trying to hear what was happening inside.

Just as she approached the window, Chen Ye, inside the study, suddenly heard a sweet yet slightly shy voice in his mind.

What are Daddy and Brother Chen talking about? Why haven't they said anything for so long?

Oh dear, my heart is pounding so fast! What if they find out?

But... but I really want to see what Brother Chen looks like now...

Hearing these thoughts, a barely perceptible smile appeared on Chen Ye's lips.

Wu Mengwei?
She actually came to eavesdrop.

This discovery instantly eased Chen Ye's tense mood.

"Nephew Chen seems a little distracted?"

Just then, Wu Daofu's gentle voice rang out again, interrupting Chen Ye's thoughts.

Chen Ye immediately composed himself, a perfectly measured look of fear appearing on his face.

"Grand Tutor, please forgive me. I was just... just a little nervous."

This reason makes sense.

After all, it's perfectly normal for a low-ranking official of the sixth rank to be nervous when facing the Grand Tutor of the court.

Upon hearing this, Wu Daofu not only did not get angry, but instead burst into laughter.

"Haha, don't be nervous. I called you over for no other reason than to have some tea and chat."

As he spoke, he picked up his teacup and took another sip, then changed the subject.

"Besides that, I also have to thank you."

As he spoke, Wu Daofu put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and his clear eyes seemed to see right through Chen Ye's heart.

"You handled Sun Demao's case very well."

Chen Ye's heart skipped a beat.

Now, here comes the main topic.

"I was merely following orders and dare not claim credit," Chen Ye replied respectfully, lowering his eyes.

"Following orders?"

A strange smile played on Wu Daofu's lips.

"I suspect that Sun Demao will implicate many people while he is in prison."

"After all, in order to survive, he was like a mad dog, biting anyone he saw and trying to muddy the waters."

"But in the statement you submitted, only some trivial and insignificant details were recorded."

Chen Ye did not answer immediately, but instead picked up the teacup on the table and took a small sip.

This action caused a strange glint to flash in Wu Daofu's eyes.

Faced with his question, this kid actually had the leisure to drink tea?

interesting.

Then Chen Ye put down his teacup, a perfectly measured look of confusion and embarrassment on his face.

"Replying to Grand Tutor," he said slowly, his voice steady and unhurried.

“Sun Demao did indeed talk nonsense in the prison and implicated many people. However, he had already gone mad at that time. He cursed almost all the important officials in the court, from the imperial relatives to the ministers of the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers. Such crazy talk was naturally not credible, so I discarded it all.”

Chen Ye's words were perfectly flawless.

He acknowledged that Sun Demao had indeed engaged in false accusations, yet downplayed it by simply describing it as "crazy talk," perfectly explaining why no important figures appeared in the testimony.

Most importantly, he distanced himself completely, adopting an attitude of simply doing his job impartially.

Wu Daofu listened quietly, his gentle face showing no change in emotion. He simply picked up his teacup and gently skimmed off the foam with the lid.

For a moment, only the crisp sound of porcelain clattering could be heard in the study.

Each sound struck Chen Ye's heart.

This old fox is not easy to fool.

After a moment, Wu Daofu put down his teacup. "Nonsense?"

He repeated those four words, his tone slightly playful.

"It is truly admirable that my nephew Chen has such good judgment at such a young age, and is not led astray by the criminal's nonsense."

"You flatter me, Grand Tutor."

Chen Ye maintained his humble demeanor, saying, "I just feel that the Xuanjing Division's investigations require solid evidence. There is no real evidence against those whom Sun Demao has implicated. If this leads to a major imprisonment and affects the innocent, wouldn't that go against His Majesty's original intention in establishing the Xuanjing Division?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Daofu finally smiled.

The smile remained warm, but a hint of appreciation had appeared deep in the depths of his eyes.

"What a great piece of evidence! What a great way to avoid harming the innocent!"

Wu Daofu stroked his beard and praised, "His Majesty was right about you. You are not only capable, but also responsible. You are destined for great things."

Hearing this, Chen Ye felt somewhat relieved.

He knew that Wu Daofu had clearly believed, or rather, chosen to believe, his story.

This explanation is the most logical and also best serves Wu Daofu's own interests.

A smart subordinate who knows how to prioritize and what to remember is far more useful than a stubborn, headstrong person.

[Yay! Daddy praised him!]

I knew Brother Chen was the best!

Outside the window, Wu Mengwei's heart was filled with joy, making Chen Ye almost burst out laughing.

This girl is quite the character.

(End of this chapter)