My father is Jiajing

Chapter 291 This Family Can't Live Without Me

Auspicious snow heralds a good harvest!
The first snow of the winter of the 30th year of Jiajing finally arrived. Although it was a little slower than previous times, the roads were still covered with silver snow.

The streets and roads inside and outside the capital are filled with the breath of winter, and take away the last yellow fallen leaves that are so stubborn that they have not yet dispersed.

In Yan Shifan's mansion, Luo Longwen was like a devoted servant, grinding ink for Yan Shifan so that Yan Shifan could paint in the small pavilion in the mansion.

"Young Lord, your paintings are becoming more and more vivid. Even Tang Yin of the Hongzhi Dynasty is inferior to you."

Luo Longwen praised Yan Shifan's paintings in a flattering manner.

In fact, Yan Shifan's paintings are not too bad, they are acceptable and just average. But if compared with a great talent like Tang Bohu, he may be overestimating himself.

However, since ancient times, due to the official-centered thinking, even if some people's paintings or poems are very ordinary, even if the paintings or poems are very ordinary, there will still be many people who ignore the facts and praise them.

What he is thinking and aiming at is nothing more than trying to get close to others and gain some opportunities and benefits for himself.

Yan Shifan smiled heartily when he heard Luo Longwen's flattering words, "Yes, you have good taste. But I have to praise your Song Dynasty inkstone. It is really good. The ink is fine and colorful, which makes people like it very much."

Luo Longwen said quickly: "Since the young minister likes it, I will find you a few more ancient inkstones. I heard that a family in Jiangnan has a Li Houzhu inkstone. I am willing to spend a lot of money to buy it for you."

Yan Shifan waved his hand and said, "No, no, writing and painting are just daily pastimes. Besides, those people in Jiangnan are now inclined to stand with that old dog Xu Jie. If you go to them to buy an ancient inkstone at this time, you will most likely be turned down."

After saying this, Yan Shifan's mood also changed obviously. He put the brush in his hand on the pen holder beside him and said viciously: "Speaking of this old dog Xu Jie, I am furious. This old thing is submissive in front of my father, pretending to be a filial son and grandson, but in fact he is harboring evil intentions and wants to replace my father. Why doesn't he take a piss and look at his wrinkles? Does he deserve it?"

After venting his anger, Yan Shifan sighed helplessly, "But my father is like an old and confused man. He actually protects Xu Jie everywhere and doesn't let me cause trouble for him. I really don't know how he managed to fool my father."

In fact, the reason why Yan Song did not allow Yan Shifan to become enemies with Xu Jie was because he saw the future clearly, although he was now the prime minister, the most powerful figure in the Ming Dynasty, second only to the emperor.

However, Yan Song knew very well what kind of person the emperor he served was. He was able to hold a high position at the age of sixty or seventy. It was only because the emperor still felt that he could be used that he allowed him to continue to stay in the position of Prime Minister.

But Yan Song knew that since he had defeated Xia Yan, he had no way out. Xu Jie was a disciple of Wang Yangming's disciple, and the spiritual leader of the southern literati and scholars. He was destined to rise to a high position.

Moreover, Emperor Jiajing promoted him to the position of Second Assistant in the Cabinet, which already explained the problem. If he did not do a good job, Xu Jie would replace him at any time.

Therefore, for the future of the Yan family and for Yan Shifan to have a good ending in the future, Yan Song asked Yan Shifan to make friends with Xu Jie.

But unfortunately, Yan Shifan did not see through his father's painstaking efforts. He still thought that he and his father were unmatched in the world, and that with his intelligence and talent, he could manipulate everyone in the world.

Therefore, some tragedies have actually sown the irreversible seeds before they happen.

Luo Longwen listened to Yan Shifan's words and naturally followed his intentions. He continued to flatter him and replied: "Lord Xu is very cunning, and Lord Yan didn't notice his meanness for a while. But fortunately, the young Lord is very observant, and his eyes are like piercing eyes and golden pupils, and he saw through Lord Xu's scheming at once. So with the young Lord here, Lord Xu will never be able to deceive Lord Yan."

Hearing Luo Longwen's words, Yan Shifan felt relieved. He picked up the brush and continued to paint the remaining parts. While painting, Yan Shifan sighed and said, "This family can't do without me."

Luo Longwen flattered him and said, "Yes, the young master is our backbone and pillar. Without the young master, we wouldn't be where we are today."

Yan Shifan laughed out loud and felt a little better. Looking at the ink painting he had just finished, Yan Shifan said happily, "I'll give you this painting."

Luo Longwen immediately showed an expression of being flattered, and quickly replied: "Thank you, young minister, I am really overjoyed to be able to receive your calligraphy!"

Yan Shifan laughed happily again, then took out a small Shoushan stone seal hanging on his waist, exhaled a breath, pressed hard on the ink painting, and suddenly two seal characters "Donglou" appeared in the lower left corner of the painting.

Luo Longwen excitedly put the painting aside and said, "I will definitely find the best paperhanger in Chenghuang Temple to frame this painting and treat it as a family heirloom of the Luo family!"

Yan Shifan laughed and said, "Well, well, well, you're really lucky. There are so many people following me, but you're the only one who got my painting."

Luo Longwen smiled flatteringly and said, "This is all because of my good work."

Yan Shifan laughed again and said, "You are really good at taking advantage of others. By the way, how is that matter going?"

The painting was finished, the small talk was over, and Yan Shifan finally asked about the business.

When Luo Longwen heard Yan Shifan asking about that matter, he immediately perked up. Luo Longwen said to Yan Shifan: "Don't worry, young minister, I have arranged everything. It's normal for some people to freeze to death with such heavy snow today."

After hearing this, Yan Shifan couldn't help but smile, "Nonsense, the capital is the best place under the emperor's feet, is it normal for people to freeze to death? Be careful with your words next time."

After being scolded by Yan Shifan, Luo Longwen immediately replied, "Yes, yes, yes, I said something wrong, please punish me, young minister."

Yan Shifan smiled and said, "Forget it. I won't blame you because you said the wrong thing because you were anxious. But you must remember this in the future and don't say anything nonsense again."

Luo Longwen was obedient again and hummed twice.

Yan Shifan was looking at the heavy snow falling from the sky outside, like goose feathers, and his mood was extremely good. He had been waiting for this snow for a long time, and it finally came.

"Wang Youzhao, ah Wang Youzhao, if you want to blame someone, you can only blame yourself for being too greedy."

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Continue updating tomorrow morning!

(End of this chapter)