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  Chapter 42

  The sound was low and mournful, interwoven with the deepest pain of despair and the most humble hope, causing Ming Xuan's heart to involuntarily "thud" once, as if something was heavily pounding her heartstrings. Her face turned pale, and her eyes became dim and unclear. "It's me."

  The first time they met in the plum blossom forest is still vivid in her mind. He was wearing a green shirt, with a warm and gentle smile, like a jade. The elegant young man of the prosperous era was facing the proud red plum blossoms, smiling at her with a shallow smile. The scene was extremely beautiful. As for Yan Qingye, although it can't be said that they had love at first sight, she truly wanted to work hard with him to build a future together until their hair turned white. His talent and appearance were both top-notch, but this was secondary. It was his unyielding perseverance and pure and noble character that made her heart feel at ease.

  What a pity...

  She had a beautiful dream for two months, it's time to wake up now. I hope her withdrawal can calm down the peaceful and serene atmosphere of the Yan family that she unintentionally disturbed.

  Through the layered gauze, Yan Qingyan couldn't see clearly the face that had been lingering in his dreams every day. He clenched the gauze curtain in his hand several times, wanting to lift it, but ultimately restrained himself. He could no longer be her husband, so why bother making unnecessary moves that would embarrass her? His mother and sister had already treated her unfairly this time, he didn't want to become another source of trouble for her.

  He didn't dare look at her again, afraid that if he saw her, he would never be able to forget.

  She is not the kind of person he can portray. Let's just say that the joy and sweetness of these two months were just a dream, and now that the dream has shattered, he should wake up too.

  "Ming Xuan sighed softly, "There's something I shouldn't say, but now that it's come to this, I'll overstep my bounds just once. As the saying goes, 'Every place has its own beautiful scenery,' but parental love is one-of-a-kind. If you continue down this path of despair, even if I'm heartbroken, I can only sigh in regret. The ones who will truly be hurt are your parents and siblings. Yan Gongzi, don't do something that will bring joy to others but cause your loved ones pain. It won't harm anyone else, but you'll end up losing everything."

  She paused slightly, "Let it go, I'm just not meant to be with you. Later on... later on, you'll meet a woman who's truly worth your love and companionship."

  This sentence is not just for Yan Qingye to hear, but also for myself to hear.

  Inside the mosquito net, it was quiet and soundless for a long time before a low, weak voice came from inside, "Okay."

  Ming Xuan's nose slightly ached, she only felt that this house was really too depressing, her heart was like a huge stone pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe. Her lips trembled lightly as she said, "As long as you understand."

  She thought for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Under the feet of the Son of Heaven, there are countless princes and high officials everywhere. The Yan family is only a fifth-grade official, and it's just a humble and insignificant position. If someone above wants to make things difficult, we can only be bullied like ants and fireflies. If you want the Yan family not to be bullied in Shengjing, you should recover from your illness as soon as possible and prepare for next month's imperial examination. This year is the first imperial examination after the emperor ascended the throne, and he will definitely promote those who pass with high honors. If you don't like competing with others for power and profit in Shengjing, then ask for a favor to be appointed to an external position, choose a peaceful and stable place, and you can also serve the court and bring glory to your family."

  It's not easy to be calm and peaceful when you're in a turbulent situation.

  The current emperor and Pei's atmosphere is mysterious, with a gradually tense situation. Although the emperor's power is weak, he has the upper hand in terms of legitimacy and righteousness. Over the past three years, he has trusted Han Xiu, won over the Gu family, and promoted talented officials from humble backgrounds, all to prevent being controlled by Pei's growing power. As a seasoned politician with experience in three courts, Pei is well aware of this. Yet, he remains tolerant, either because he doesn't want to be criticized for "controlling the emperor" or because he simply doesn't take the emperor's minor actions seriously.

  The Empress Dowager has no children, and now the Emperor will have a chance to breathe a sigh of relief. When he grows up, there will be another fierce battle in the court, and at that time, none of the officials in Shengjing City can avoid this storm. If the Yan family still thinks they can continue to live in seclusion like before, they will only be crushed to death.

  Either seize the opportunity and strive to climb up, or leave Shengjing far away, only these two roads.

  Ming Xuan is not proficient in politics, but she uses history as a mirror. Most things in the world are like this. Her words this time were not only to help Young Master Yan recover his spirits and prepare for the spring exams again, but also because she felt somewhat guilty towards the Yan family. She had always been unwilling to discuss court affairs, and breaking this rule was also relying on the Yan family not daring to spread these words around. As for how they would choose, that is the Yan family's affair.

  She said no more, and it was as if she had completely severed her ties with the Yan family.

  Yan Qing stared blankly at the figure that was getting farther and farther away, finally unable to bear it any longer, he tore open the curtain. The crimson figure at the corner of his eye vanished in an instant, transforming into bright red blood that dripped onto his heart. His body, which had been propping itself up, seemed to have its last bit of strength drained out of it, and the grand building was on the verge of collapse. The bitter emotions he had sown in his youth, the joy and happiness he thought would come true in his adolescence, were all buried at this moment.

  After a long time, he sat up again, his back straight as a green pine. "Mother, I want to take the medicine."

  When Ming Xuan returned to the Niú Yī Fáng, Sù Wān had already neatly arranged the selected clothes on the table in the package room. Each season, she had chosen five sets of clothes, all made from the best materials of the Niú Yī Fáng, but with the simplest styles. This was so that after taking them back, the maids at the Huàn Yù Gé could work together to alter and embroider them, so that on the day of the wedding, even if the womenfolk rummaged through them, they wouldn't be too embarrassed.

  Dan Hong knew in her heart that the Yan family would probably come over to apologize and break off the engagement with Old Lady Zhu within these few days. Miss saw these clothes at the bottom of the trunk, and her heart must have been inevitably distressed. She quickly ordered someone to pack up the clothes and settle the account, then hastily helped Ming Xuan onto the carriage returning to their residence.

  Ming Xuan comforted her instead, "How do we know that losing the horse isn't a blessing in disguise? I don't believe that heaven has spared my life just to let me suffer. Losing this good marriage with the Yan family means there might be an even better man waiting for me. Let's cheer up and when we return to the manor, let's not let others see that we went to the Yan Manor today.

  As long as the Yongning Marquis Manor had not divided its household, she was still the legitimate daughter of the marquis's family. The marchioness would never be able to casually marry her off to just any ordinary family. Her grandmother had always been unwilling to humiliate her by making her a substitute wife, and even marrying into the Jian'an Earl's household as his wife was something she had only reluctantly agreed to. It seemed that in the future, the likelihood of her becoming someone's concubine was not high; her future husband would likely be an illegitimate son of a duke or marquis, or perhaps a younger son from a lower-ranking official family.

  No matter what, roads are walked out by people, no matter what, she believes that the boat will naturally go straight to the bridgehead, and there is always a way to deal with everything.

  The horse carriage continued on its way, but suddenly stopped at Wusheng Street. The driver came back to report, "It seems that the soldiers of the five cities are arresting people ahead, and the road is already blocked. There are also many carriages coming from behind, so it's not possible to move forward or backward for now. I'm afraid Miss will have to wait here for a while."

  Ming Xuan slightly lifted the curtain of the carriage, and indeed saw a middle-aged man in tattered clothes being escorted by five city soldiers riding tall horses, surrounded by onlookers everywhere, with carriages jammed in front and behind her.

  Before long, she faintly heard people talking in the carriage next door, "I heard that this person sneaked into Yang Youzheng's mansion at night and stole something extraordinary, and even stabbed several guards."

  Someone in the carriage echoed, "Look at that person dressed like a beggar, but he's very bold and daring, actually dared to move earth on Tai Sui's head. Yang Youzhong is the uncle of Pei Xiang's family, and the two of them are in charge of the Imperial Secretariat, they can be said to be powerful and influential. Tsk tsk, I heard that this time Yang Youzhong was so anxious because the thief mistakenly entered the study and took something that shouldn't be taken. Yang Youzhong made a fierce statement, and both the Five Cities Military Command and the Jingjiwei received severe pressure and issued military orders. Look, just a few days later, they caught the thing."

  That person had said with great admiration earlier, "Master Fu is indeed a confidant of Old Master Pei's, he knows more than us."

  He praised a few words and asked, "Who is the general who wore armor before? Seeing that Commander Shi of the Five Cities Army was so respectful to him, he must be a big shot. How come I've never seen him before?"

  "That gentleman, with a smile, replied, 'That is Vice General Pang Jian of the Northern Expeditionary Army under General Xu Qi. A few months ago, the Northern Expeditionary Army recaptured the last city taken by the Northern Hu, and even pushed back the enemy army for 500 miles, retaking two cities from them. The Emperor was overjoyed and has already asked the Imperial Observatory to select an auspicious day to hold a grand feast to reward the military. This General Pang is here in place of General Xu Qi to receive the imperial edict and express gratitude. He is now a big favorite of the Emperor, and even if he were just a minor officer like the Commander of the Five Cities Garrison, even Prime Minister Pei would have to look at him with different eyes.'"

  He paused and said, "It was also that little thief who asked for death, daring to steal into General Pang's house in the post station, which is why he got caught."

  Ming Xuan listened, her heart slightly moved, and she lifted the front curtain a bit more. Not far ahead, a middle-aged general wearing armor stood upright. She took a closer look, but her face suddenly changed... Even though they were not very close, the rough and rugged outline, as well as the dark and coarse complexion, made it clear to her at a glance that this General Pang Jian was none other than the fake monk she had accidentally seen behind Qingliang Temple on that day.

  At this time, a loud and violent cough suddenly came from the carriage on the left, followed by a somewhat arrogant voice scolding, "Stop coughing! With this sickly appearance, it's better to stay in Qingliang Temple. Why bother coming back to the mansion to pay respects to grandfather? And mother is also being unreasonable, insisting that I come to pick you up! You've been coughing all along the way, can't you calm down a bit? It's really annoying!"

  The man pulled open the carriage curtain and jumped down from the horse-drawn vehicle, surprisingly turning out to be a young man in magnificent attire.

  With the help of his guards, he dispersed the onlookers and ran straight to the center of the congestion. He took out a golden waist plaque from his waist and waved it in front of the commander of the Five Cities Garrison, saying condescendingly, "You shouldn't disturb the people's livelihood while catching a fugitive. Can't you see that we're stuck here? The carriages behind us can't get through. Hurry up and clear the way for me! Today is my grandfather's birthday, if I'm late, it will be your fault!"

  The commander hastily nodded and bowed, saying, "Second Master is right, I'll have someone clear a path for you."

  At this time, the thief who was tightly tied up suddenly burst out crying loudly, "Second Master, save me!"

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