He was already married.

Because of Mrs. Yan's death, Yan Qing had to observe filial piety, so his marriage to Shen Zhu was delayed.

His son and his wife died one after another. Under such repeated blows, Yan Yongnian also fell ill. Emperor Shizong ordered the imperial physician in the palace to diagnose and prescribe him, but his illness was not in his body or skin. It was just depression in my heart, so my condition didn’t get better until half a year later.

If he didn't have to take care of his father, Yan Qing felt that he would have collapsed a long time ago. He didn't dare to think about Yan Lan or his mother. He just felt like a lonely boat drifting in the sea, and his fate was the violent storm on the sea. , she could only hold on to her last breath and drift with her fate.

The most uncomfortable moment was one evening when her father was sitting in a lounge chair under the eaves and suddenly whispered to her: "Nanny, from now on we will depend on each other."

At that moment, she felt the sadness in her heart was like a huge wave. The beating made her almost unable to hold on, and in her ears was the voice of her father sighing, "Qing'er, daddy now only hopes that you can be safe and smooth, and there is nothing else for her to ask for."

And she is not the same, she only hopes that her father can Good health and nothing else to think about.

Although the illness was gradually cured, Mr. Yan Ge was now in a state of mental distress and his energy was not as good as before. He struggled to support himself in the court and was unable to do what he wanted.

Yan Qing once wanted to persuade his father to stop meddling in the affairs of the court, but Yan Yongnian repeatedly said: "Wait a little longer until dad arranges everything."

Yan Qing didn't know what kind of plan his father was making. Yongnian knew that he could not defeat Cai Yong at all. At his age, he should not miss power and position, but he did not plan for himself, but also for the group of faction members who had followed him, especially for Shen. Pay attention to the plan.

This is naturally for Yan Qing.

In the autumn of the 21st year of Chenghua, Yan Yongnian recommended Shen Zhu to take charge of the Ministry of War. Shizong followed his recommendation and promoted Shen Zhu to be the Minister of the Ministry of War. Subsequently, Yan Yongnian resigned and became an official.

From then on, the Yuan Party was in decline, and the Cai Party became the dominant party in the DPRK, without any rivals.

In the late autumn of this year, Yan Ge's illness worsened again, and the climate in the imperial capital was cold and dry. Yan Yongnian decided to take his daughter back to his hometown to recuperate. After Yan Qing had fulfilled his filial piety for his mother, he returned to Beijing to buy the wedding ceremony.

This is also the first time Yan Qing returned to Jiangling after five years.

After Yan Yongnian returned to Jiangling, he closed the door and thanked guests, only concentrating on recuperating. Those who wanted to visit Jiangling were all turned away in the end.

Jiangling is a small place, so even if you don't go out, some news can still reach your ears. For example, Master Xuezheng Jiang from Jiangling is getting married, and his wife's appearance is famous far and wide.

Of course Yan Yongnian knew. At first he was worried that his daughter would be uncomfortable, but when Yan Qing was in front of him, his expression was as usual, as if he didn't care.

Although he was far away in Jiangling, Jiang Weiren had heard the news that Yan Ge had become an official early in the morning, and of course he also knew that Shen Zhu was now the Minister of the Ministry of War.

At such an age, he is already a second-rank official in the court, so there is no need to mention his future career.

This seemed to confirm that his original decision was correct...

He had already married a wife at that time. Shi Fang was a good girl. After marrying into the Jiang family, she had been serving his mother for him. She was diligent, thrifty and respectful, and could not fault anything.

It is said that he is lucky to have such a wife.

At the end of autumn, Mr. Yan Ge actually returned to Jiangling, saying that he was returning to his hometown to recuperate.

Even though he had become an official, Yan Ge Lao had great prestige in the court, and officials at all levels in Jiangling were rushing to visit him. Jiang Weiren had good relations with the Yan family, but at this time, he did not send a message to visit.

Because he knew in his heart that neither Mr. Ge nor another person wanted to see him.

Not long after, a former friend of his passed through Jiangling. Knowing that he was now living in Jiangling, he came to visit him.

That person was Zhao Shu, his colleague when he was a scholar in the Hanlin Academy.

Zhao Shu brought news from the imperial court in the past two years. Compared with Jiang Weiren, his future was smooth. He was selected as the prince's minister when he was in the Hanlin Academy. Later he gained the prince's trust and Cai Yong's favor. Appreciated, he is now in an important position.

He left the capital this time because he was secretly entrusted by the prince.

The prince indulged in asking questions, and a group of alchemists were raised in the East Palace. Most of those alchemists were good at Fuluan art, which they used to predict the future. But now that Shizong was old and moody, the results of those alchemists Fuluan were often wrong, so the prince sent Zhao Shu secretly to Jiangnan and other places to find new alchemists.

"Then did you gain something from this trip?" Jiang Weiren asked him.

Zhao Shu shook his head. Among the alchemists he saw along the way, many were deceived and deceived, but none of them were truly capable.

"I said Jiang Tingchen, back then you were so high-minded that you didn't even pay attention to Miss Gu's stunning beauty. I was just wondering how long you would waste your time. Unexpectedly, you got married right after you returned to Jiangling." Zhao Shu Make fun of him.

On the banks of the Qujiang River, Gu Yuqing had a connection with the two of them. However, Jiang Weiren did not accept his affection, but Zhao Shu never forgot Gu Yuqing.

"Did you know that Miss Gu has entered the East Palace since you left," Zhao Shu lowered his voice and told him, "Although she had that status in the past, the prince was fascinated by her, and now even Cai Chief Assistant, I have to flatter her, hoping that she can get some good words from His Highness."

After saying that, Zhao Shu put down his cup and said sternly to Jiang Weiren: "Tingchen, although this Jiangling is your hometown. But your talent and ambition shouldn't be reduced to this, so you haven't thought about re-entering Beijing?"

"Re-entering Beijing..." Jiang Weiren murmured, thinking.

"A good bird chooses a tree to roost in. If you are willing, I can recommend you to Cai Shoufu. In the end, you said it was because of Mr. Yan Ge that you ended up in this situation. But who among Mr. Yan Ge and those gang members have ever come out to do anything for you?" You speak, the Chief Assistant loves talents. If you are willing to abandon the dark side and turn to the bright side, not only will you be valued by him, you will at least have a chance to return to the capital."

Jiang Weiren lowered his head, nodded slowly and said, "What you said is not unreasonable... ..."

Zhao Shu stayed in Jiangling for two days. Before leaving, Jiang Weiren said to him: "Didn't you say the day before yesterday that you couldn't find any alchemist who was good at Fuluan technique? I do have a candidate here."

The person he mentioned was named. His name is Cheng Qiyu, and he is also from Jiangling. Although he is not well-known, he is really capable.

Zhao Shu had found nothing, so he took Cheng Qiyu back to the capital for business purposes. Not long after, he was really appreciated by the prince. Not only did he build a Taoist temple for him, but he would also come to help him every day. Luan, just listen to his words.

For this reason, Zhao Shu was also given a large reward. Thinking that Jiang Weiren had solved this urgent problem for him, Zhao Shu not only introduced him to Cai Yong, but also spent money to recruit Cai Yong's eldest son, Cai Quan.

Now that Cai Yong is old, most of the affairs in the court are shared by his sons. Cai Quan is still in charge of the staff. Not long after, Jiang Weiren was promoted to participate in the politics of Jiangling Mansion.

Those who participated in the political affairs of the fifth rank had to go to Beijing to report on their duties every year. With Zhao Shu's guidance, Jiang Weiren had the opportunity to meet the chief minister Cai.

The outside world does not know exactly how Jiang Weiren flattered the chief minister. They only know that after that, he began to be gradually appreciated by Cai Chief Minister. It was rumored that he relied on disparaging his former mentor Yan Ge to win over Cai. Yong's joy.

In the eyes of everyone in the court, he became an out-and-out villain.

Being able to climb up to Cai Shoufu, when Jiang Weiren returns to Jiangling, naturally no one will dare to despise him as before.

The news from Beijing also spread to Yan's mansion, and even the old housekeeper next to Mr. Yan Ge angrily said: "Now Cai Yong wants to deal with those ministers who used to follow you in the court. He heard that Jiang Weiren confessed many things, so he just let them I found the reason. I never saw that he was such a shameless villain before!"

Yan Yongnian didn't say anything after hearing this, and only shook his head slowly.

He took Yan Qing back to Jiangling to recuperate, but for some reason, that winter, his condition got worse and worse.

Yan Qing regretted a little. He should have persuaded his father to stay in the capital. Although the environment in Jiangling was good, when it came to seeking medical advice, the capital not only had the most prestigious Dongbi Hall in the world, but also the doctors from the imperial hospital. No matter what, It won't make the condition worse.

"Dad, the roads in the north may be blocked by ice and snow in winter, but when spring comes, we will return to the capital," Yan Qing said to his father with a straight face, "You must promise me!" "

Sure," Yan Yongnian smiled helplessly. He said, "As long as I can still move my bones, we will definitely return to Beijing when spring begins."

Yan Qing breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this, but he didn't know that these words were true.

When the winter finally passed, Yan Yongnian could no longer get up. The capital was thousands of miles away, but his illness could not withstand such a journey.

Yan Qing always believed that her father's illness would get better and he would return to Beijing safely with her. She did not believe that fate would be so cruel to her. After her brother and mother passed away one after another, she would take away the only thing she had left. Close relatives.

But when has fate ever made any sense?

In the spring of the 22nd year of Chenghua, servants of the Yan family went to Jiang Weiren's home.

"Master Daotai, our master has invited you." The servant said respectfully.

Mr. Yan Ge suddenly sent someone to invite him, and Jiang Weiren already had bad suspicions in his mind. But when he saw Mr. Yan Ge, he was shocked to realize that his once hale and hearty mentor was now terminally ill.

"Tingchen, when you were demoted from the capital, did you really blame me for not advising His Majesty on your behalf?"

There were rumors outside that he felt resentful because Mr. Yan Ge didn't intercede on his behalf. Only then did he switch to Cai Shoufu's party.

"Does the teacher believe in the student?" Jiang Weiren asked calmly.

Yan Yongnian had already laughed. Of course he believed it, otherwise he would not have asked his servants to invite him to come over to meet him at this time.

"It was also in Jiangling back then, and it was also in my house, and it is like this today. But it was me who gave you the advice. Today, I want to ask you for help." Old Yan Ge stared at him with burning eyes, "Tingchen, you know What am I going to ask?"

Jiang Weiren smiled, "The student still remembers that my mentor said that a gentleman's revenge is never too late, and he will have a chance of winning if he takes action slowly..."

His words were actually the answer.

Yan Yongnian no longer has the energy to fight with the Cai Party, and the Yuan Party has been completely defeated because of his departure. If he wants to bring down the Cai Party, he can only bear the humiliation and bear the burden of his reputation, even if he is regarded by the world as a treacherous villain who clings to the powerful. I am also willing to walk alone like this.

"But have you ever thought about how difficult this road is?"

How can it be so easy to gain the trust of Cai Yong's party? With Cai Yong's suspicion, he may never be able to get rid of that suspicion, and he will still be misunderstood by the world. Contempt, the hardship and bitterness in it are difficult to describe in a word.

"But someone has to take this road..."

Just like Yan Lan's revenge, someone has to avenge it.

"From now on, I will focus on the light and I will do my best to help him. One day, he will be able to achieve his wish."

Yan Qing knew that his father was visiting a visitor in the study, but he didn't know who it was. I want to disturb you, but the medicine has already been prepared and it’s time to drink it.

When she walked outside the courtyard where the study was located, the servant guarding the door told her that the person in the study at this time was Master Jiang Dao Taijiang.

Not long after she turned to leave, the door to the study room opened. Jiang Weiren stood up to say goodbye. The servant outside came forward with a medicine cup, "Master, it's time to drink medicine."

Usually Yan Qing personally served his father to drink medicine. , so when Mr. Yan Ge saw the medicine cup in the lacquer plate, he subconsciously asked: "Has the lady been here?"

"Yes," the servant replied, "The lady gave the medicine to the little one and left."

Listen . When Jiang Weiren heard what the servant said, his eyes darkened, but his expression was very well concealed. He said goodbye to Mr. Yan Ge and walked out of the house.

The vegetation in the courtyard was quiet, and the evening light had dimmed. He looked at everything in the courtyard, thinking that she had been standing in this courtyard just now.

Although they are so close together, they are as far away as the end of the world.

As if by God's will, Mr. Yan Ge returned to his hometown this time and could not leave again. He died of illness in Jiangling at the end of spring.

Because there are elders in the clan, there is no need for Yan Qing to arrange his father's funeral.

Everyone in the clan thought that she was alone now, and they were afraid that she wouldn't be able to hold on, but she seemed to be calmer and more resilient than anyone expected.

Mr. Yan Ge was eventually buried in the Yan family cemetery. Before his death, he had asked Yan Qing to bury Yan Qing's mother in Jiangling after she married Shen Zhu, and the couple would sleep together.

Jiang Weiren did not go to the mourning hall to express his condolences. In the eyes of those people, this naturally confirmed the speculation that he resented Mr. Yan Ge.

It was a month later that he went to the grave of Mr. Yan Ge. He took his wife Shi Fang with him. Unexpectedly, he met Yan Qing when he left.

It was also at that time that Yan Qing met the Mrs. Jiang that people talked about.

Sure enough, she had an extraordinary appearance, standing beside him quietly like that. He is also handsome and handsome, and the two of them are a perfect match together.

After a brief exchange of greetings, the two of them passed each other as if they were strangers. It wasn't until they were far away that Jiang Weiren looked back.

Xue Shifang was clearly aware of her husband's abnormality. When he turned around, his body was tense and he had never looked nervous before. When she raised her eyes, she saw him standing still and staring at the woman in the distance.

In that moment, with just one glance, she understood who the person he had hidden deep in his heart was.