Chapter 64 Taking Everything from Chen Yanqing

Chapter 64: Taking Everything from Chen Yanqing

When Madam Chen said this, the most delighted was none other than Chen Yanlin, who couldn't hide his smirk. "Grandmother, don’t speak in anger."

"Do you think I’ve gone senile too?" Madam Chen rebuked him unhappily, but kept her eyes on Chen Yanqing.

She wanted her grandson to understand what was at stake, not to truly force him out—moreover, she intended to use the guild to keep him.

"Your mind has been unsettled lately, and managing the guild alone is indeed too much for you. From now on, let Fifth Young Master assist you."

Chen Yanqing flatly refused. "I disagree."

Madam Chen’s anger flared. "I’ve said I’m not dead yet. I’ll personally meet with the guild’s owners and see if anyone still listens to me."

Chen Yanqing’s face turned stormy.

Chen Yanlin feigned a sigh. "Third Brother, there’s no need to be so wary of me. I only wish to help you, especially since Fourth Brother is now... Does Grandmother not know yet?"

Chen Yanqing’s expression stiffened.

Madam Chen turned her gaze to him. "What don’t I know?"

Chen Yanlin raised his brows. "Fourth Brother has developed an opium addiction."

Madam Chen went pale.

"Shut your mouth!" Chen Yanqing’s face turned ashen, a rare show of anger on his features.

Chen Yanlin, finally seeing him at a disadvantage, felt triumphant. "Only if we brothers unite can the Chen family remain prosperous."

Chen Yanqing studied him for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Then I’ll see if you’re truly up to it."

"I won’t disappoint you, Third Brother."

Though elderly, Madam Chen had been a force to reckon with in her youth, whether managing the household or assisting Old Master Chen in business.

*

Now, she acted with the same decisiveness, forcibly wrested away half the control from Chen Yanqing’s hands.

From then on, all goods destined for export beyond the borders required not only Chen Yanqing’s seal but also Chen Yanlin’s approval.

Shu Yan burst into the study, clutching a shipment order held up at customs. "Young Master, Fifth Young Master is deliberately delaying his seal. The goods can’t be sent out, and the receiving party will surely grow impatient."

Chen Yanqing set down the ledger in his hands. "What did he say?"

"What else could he say? Just excuses to delay." Shu Yan fumed, seething with frustration. "Says he’s still learning the ropes, worried about past problems recurring, and insists on inspecting each item."

"I think he’s waiting for you to beg him."

"More than that." Chen Yanqing chuckled lightly, his pupils narrowing. "By doing this, the merchants can’t wait forever and will have to suck up to him."

"In the long run, they’ll all side with Fifth Young Master." Shu Yan said grimly.

He looked at Chen Yanqing with concern. "Madam Chen’s methods are too ruthless. She’s forcing you into submission."

"There’s no choice. Though the trade route between the Chen family and Ulan was established through Mother and her maternal family, our uncle’s got control of the border now."

Shu Yan blurted out. "What should we do?"

After a moment of silence, hearing no response from Chen Yanqing, he wondered—was his master going to give in?

But which side? The guild? Or Miss Song?

Instead, Chen Yanqing asked a name he hadn’t expected—

"How has Liu Zhiyi been lately?"

"The Sixth Concubine?" Shu Yan frowned, trying to recall. "She should still be confined for her pregnancy."

"Why do you ask about her?" Shu Yan was puzzled.

Chen Yanqing glanced at him. "Have you forgotten the physician’s diagnosis of Father?"

Shu Yan’s furrowed brows gradually relaxed, his eyes went wide as he understood. He remembered.

Back when they had just returned from Liangjiang, he and his master had overheard the physician’s words outside the old master’s room—

The physician had said the old master’s body was depleted from years of consuming aphrodisiacs, rendering them ineffective.

But if that were the case, how could the Sixth Concubine be pregnant?!

Shu Yan gulped, staring at Chen Yanqing.

Chen Yanqing spoke calmly, without surprise or doubt. "She’s nearing her due date, isn’t she?"

"The timing is... suspicious." He let out a light laugh, his eyes turning sharp as he instructed Shu Yan, "Keep an eye on her."

...

At noon, Chen Yanqing stepped out of his study and came face-to-face with Chen Yanlin, who was walking casually toward him.

"I was just about to look for you, Third Brother." Chen Yanlin smiled faintly, his eyes narrowing.

Chen Yanqing stopped to look at him.

Chen Yanlin spoke leisurely. "Grandmother has entrusted me with such an important task. Naturally, I can’t afford to be careless. I hope you’ll be patient with me, Third Brother."

"You overthink it." With that, Chen Yanqing strode past him.

Chen Yanlin raised his brows, watching him walk away, eyes burning with ambition.

Half control of the guild wasn’t enough to satisfy him. He wanted to seize everything that belonged to Chen Yanqing—including Song Yinrou.

Once they crossed Bukou Gorge, they would be completely beyond the reach of Xiyu Pass.

*

Yin Rou, worried that Chen Yanqing wouldn’t catch up, deliberately delayed their journey—claiming the carriage ride wore her out, feeling dizzy or feverish, insisting on frequent stops.

Fortunately, Song Zean didn’t catch on, humoring her every whim.

After half a month, they still hadn’t made it past Bukou Gorge, having stayed in a nearby town for several days.

Early one morning, Song Zean knocked on Yin Rou’s door. Thinking he was there to hurry her along, she only cracked it open.

"Brother, is something the matter?" Yin Rou peered through the opening, half her face showing as she gave a sleepy yawn. "I’m still sleepy."

Song Zean saw through her act and gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head. "I have some errands to attend to. Stay at the inn and don’t go wandering about."

Glad he wasn’t pushing her to leave, Yin Rou nodded eagerly. "I’ll stay right here."

Watching Song Zean descend the stairs, Yin Rou shut the door behind him.

She returned to the table and slumped onto it, listless, her eyelids fluttering weakly.

Though she didn’t have to worry about leaving again, she still had no idea when Chen Yanqing would arrive.

Meanwhile, Song Zean stepped out of the inn, his typically serene brow gradually furrowing.

As if tormented by some pain, his pace quickened.

His gaze swept over the shops lining the street, as though searching for something, before he finally entered an herbal medicine store.

...

When Song Zean returned to the inn, Yin Rou was waiting for him downstairs. He smiled as he approached. "Why did you come down?"

Yin Rou pouted slightly. "I was waiting for you. Why were you gone so long?"

Song Zean lowered his eyes briefly. "I wanted to inquire about the Chen family."

At this, Yin Rou straightened in her seat. "Did you find out anything?"

"No."

Seeing him shake his head, her eyes lost their spark before she hastened to add, "I think we should delay our departure a little longer. At least until we know what’s happening with the Chen family."

She worried he would refuse, but to her surprise, Song Zean nodded swiftly. "Very well."

Yin Rou was inwardly pleased—this meant she could buy more time to wait for Chen Yanqing.

And it seemed her brother was concerned too. Perhaps, given time, his temper would cool, and he might even agree.

Her mind whirled quietly, her lips curling faintly.

...

The next day, Song Zean prepared to go out again to gather information. Yin Rou wanted to accompany him but was met with a frown and a refusal.

"Just stay here," Song Zean said firmly.

Seeing her slight pout, he added, "Otherwise, we can leave right now."

Yin Rou gave him an exasperated look and pushed him lightly. "Go on then."

*

The Spring Oriole Pavilion was located in Water Alley, a lane teeming with brothels. As dusk fell, the entire street lit up with colorful lanterns. Women in flimsy silks leaned over railings, waving handkerchiefs to entice men inside.

The Spring Oriole Pavilion was the largest brothel in the area. The attendant, spotting a man approaching, bowed deeply and greeted him warmly. "Welcome, good sir."

After a glance at the man’s attire and bearing, the attendant grinned even wider. "Which lady would you like, sir?"

"A private chamber, and bring the madam here to see me."

The attendant paused, appraising him once more before nodding. "Wait a moment, young master. I’ll fetch her right away."

The curtain to the private chamber had barely been lowered when it was lifted again. Song Zean looked at the newcomer, his face clouding. "You."

Chen Yanlin smiled lazily. "Fourth Brother, long time no see."

"Get out," Song Zean said sharply.

"Now, now." Chen Yanlin strolled in, swinging his robe as he took a seat opposite him, reclining lazily against the armrest. "Fourth Brother seems to be in some trouble."

Song Zean ignored him, but Chen Yanlin continued, "For days, you’ve visited every apothecary in town. Now you’re here. It seems what you seek is scarce."

Song Zean’s gaze turned fierce. "You’ve been following me?"

Chen Yanlin waved a hand dismissively. "I’m concerned about you, Fourth Brother. Have you forgotten? Last time you were in agony, it was I who saved you."

Song Zean scoffed coldly. "Spare me the act. The Chen family is rotten to the core!"

"Fourth Brother forgets—you are also a Chen."

Song Zean clenched his teeth. He wished he weren’t.

Chen Yanlin considered him briefly before chuckling lightly. "No need to hold such a grudge, Fourth Brother. I’ve come to atone."

He slid a small box from his sleeve and pushed it toward Song Zean.

Though nothing was said, Song Zean knew exactly what was inside. His gaze locked onto it, unblinking.

Chen Yanlin smirked, his smirk widening. *Playing the moralist? With this in hand, I’ve got you now.*

"This isn’t circulated in Great Yu. Beyond the Western Jade Pass, it’s even harder to find. Fourth Brother must have been desperate to come to a place like this."

Song Zean’s expression contorted in shame, self-disgust and inner conflict at their height.

Chen Yanlin continued casually, "Fourth Brother has no connections to obtain this. But I’m different."

"I can provide it to you—endlessly."

Song Zean sneered. "Since when were you so kind?"

Chen Yanlin raised a brow. "We’re family after all. I can’t bear to see you suffer."

"If you’re going to play games, save it." Song Zean stood to leave.

Chen Yanlin tsked. "Fine, let’s be blunt. Third Brother and I don’t get along. I’d love nothing more than to oppose him."

"He lied to you, betrayed you, and mistreated Miss Song. Need I remind you?"

Song Zean fell silent but didn’t leave. He sat back down and took the box from Chen Yanlin.

After a long pause, he met his gaze with heavy meaning. "Endlessly."

Chen Yanlin’s eyes glittered. "Endlessly."

Yin Rou waited in the inn until late at night before Song Zean finally returned. She hurried over. "Brother, why are you back so late?"

*

Song Zean explained, "I couldn’t get any news about the Chen family, so I sought other means to ask."

Yin Rou nodded trustingly. Song Zean patted her head. "Go rest early."

She obeyed and returned to her room. Only after a while did she realize her brother might not have eaten yet. She decided to go downstairs to fetch something to eat.

Her room was at the innermost room, a ways from the staircase. The hour was late, and the hallway was deserted, so Yin Rou immediately noticed the figure ahead.

The tall, shadowy figure in the dim corridor was too far to recognize, yet she felt an inexplicable familiarity.

"You—" she whispered tentatively.

The man turned. Moonbeams filtered through the window, illuminating his handsome features.

Chen Yanqing stood frozen—but Yin Rou had already fluttered forward like a moth, flung herself into his embrace.