Quick Wear: There is always a female supporting role tearing up the script

Yan Huaiming was soaking wet and still dripping with water. He stood at the door and said, "I have clearly reported the affairs of Zhao Xuzhen and Li Zhikai to you. Why is Your Majesty unaware of this?"

"You touched someone close to me? All the evidence I collected will be destroyed!"

Yan Chongfu put down his teacup and said, "I've told you long ago not to touch Zhao Xuzhen. He has a strong foundation in the court and many disciples. We can't lose him as a chess piece."

Yan Chongfu: "You've been very disobedient these years. Do you think I'm only interfering with you now? You're too naive. If it weren't for my indulgence, how could you be so arrogant and shout at me today?"

Yan Huaiming's chest heaved as he stood in the dampness, his eyes red.

Yan Chongfu continued, "No matter how the royal power changes, only our Yan family remains unshakable. The entire world is in our hands. Why do you bother to do unnecessary things and bring trouble upon yourself?"

Yan Huaiming clenched his fists and looked deeply at Yan Chongfu. "But Zhao Xuzhen is colluding with the Liao Kingdom! He's feeding Erdun's appetite ever bigger. Yesterday, during the battle at Yushan Pass, the defenders simply opened the gates to surrender. As soon as the Liao army entered the city, they began burning, killing, and looting. Those bandits have turned Lianzhou City into a purgatory."

"Those barbarians are nothing to be afraid of," Yan Chongfu said slowly. "They are just trying to get what they want. At most, they will just cause some trouble outside the Yulan River. They won't get very far."

Yan Huaiming closed his eyes and said, "You treat everyone as a chess piece, even..."

No, the whole world is his chessboard. Only a few people are qualified to be chess pieces, and everyone else is an ant.

Yan Huaiming opened his eyes, with strong hatred in them.

"I can't forget," he looked at Yan Chongfu, "You forgot, but I can't."

He turned and walked into the rain.

The next day, he fell ill.

Yunzhi brought the medicine into the room and saw Yan Huaiming sitting on the bed, looking sick. He was wearing a white robe, his hair was untied, and he was reading a letter facing the window.

It should be a secret letter sent by Seventeen from the Liao Kingdom. He can make a special potion and write it on paper. The words can only be revealed by holding it to the sunlight at a specific angle.

Yunzhi placed the medicine in front of his bed and stood quietly aside. After Yan Huaiming finished reading the letter, he stuffed the paper back into the envelope, picked up the medicine bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

He placed the empty bowl on the bedside table, but didn't let go. He stared absentmindedly at the bowl, where only a few traces of brown water remained, and suddenly said, "It's a bit bitter."

Yunzhi couldn't help but sigh. She couldn't bear to see his sick face, so she packed up the medicine bowl and walked out.

Thirteen was hiding in a dense tree in the yard. Yunzhi walked under the tree. He picked a leaf, pinched it between his fingers, and threw it hard. The leaf flew straight towards her.

The leaves barely touched Yunzhi's cheek before floating down to the ground.

She stopped under a tree and said, "Don't mess with me, it's annoying."

Thirteen's voice rang out from the lush branches and leaves: "What are you worried about? Tell me and I'll be happy."

"You won't be happy either," she said, her chest becoming more gloomy as she stared at the glaring sun in the distance. "This morning, news arrived that Erdun, leading the troops personally, has broken through Jun'an and is heading straight for the Yulan River."

While Yan Huaiming was still ill, he received a summons from the emperor to enter the palace.

He holds no official position. The head of the Yan family never works for the court. They are just chess players. With hundreds of years of foundation, the Yan family is like a big tree, and its roots have penetrated into every corner of this land. They are intertwined and are a far more stable existence than the constantly turbulent imperial power.

The present dynasty has been established for only thirteen years. Four years ago, the late emperor passed away, and the twelve-year-old prince ascended the throne. Zhao Xuzhen controlled the government and was able to command the princes for a time.

It was not until Yan Huaiming rushed into the muddy water and stood beside the little emperor that the situation gradually became balanced.

Yan Chongfu did not interfere in this matter at first. Although Zhao Xuzhen had a close relationship with him, if he became more powerful, it would be difficult to control him.

So he indulged Yan Huaiming and wanted to protect Zhao Xuzhen.

He has to maintain this balance.

Everyone is on his chessboard, including his only son.

Yan Huaiming's carriage was specially allowed to enter the palace directly. He suppressed a cough and got out of the carriage. His black cloak had a circle of white fox fur, which made his face look a little pale. Fortunately, his lips still had color, so he didn't look haggard.

He walked into the palace and the sixteen-year-old Emperor Zong Zhenglin came out from the inner room to greet him.

He saw that Yan Huaiming exuded a sense of loneliness, and his previous spirit seemed to be cut off.

Zong Zhenglin felt guilty, "It's my incompetence that has made all the hard work of the teacher go to waste."

Yan Huaiming was only seven years older than him, but he always treated him kindly. He comforted Zong Zhenglin: "Your Majesty is still young. You have done very well. In the future, you will do even better."

Zhao Xuzhen's biggest crime was treason and collaborating with the enemy, wantonly provoking wars for profit, but he was extremely cautious. Everyone knew it, but no useful evidence could be produced.

This time, he could have used the Li Zhikai incident to give him a good beating, but Yan Chongfu, who had always been a bystander, took action.

Yan Huaiming doesn't blame anyone, he can only blame himself for not being as skilled as others.

He discussed some political affairs with Zong Zhenglin and inevitably mentioned Erdun.

Calculating the time, his army will reach the Yulan River in two days.

"My spies report that the Liao army's morale is high, they are well-prepared, and they have ample food and supplies, with supplies constantly arriving." Yan Huaiming said solemnly, "This time is different from the past. They have made sufficient preparations."

Once you cross the Yulan River, you will see densely populated and prosperous towns, which is completely different from the bleak and cold frontier.

After capturing a city, the Liao army would plunder more supplies, Erdun's soldiers would be warmer and better fed, and would also become more greedy and passionate.

Half of the imperial court was corrupt in Zhao Xuzhen's hands, and it was difficult for them to resist this powerful army.

Yan Huaiming said to Zong Zhenglin, "I will go to Yulan River."

He lowered his eyes, staring at the chessboard in front of him, "I will not let the war spread to more places."

The carriage drove out of the palace gate. Yan Huaiming lifted the curtain and looked at the bustling market outside. Yunzhi handed him the warm medicine.

He looked at the bowl of dark soup without reaching for it. Suddenly, he said, "Let's go to the east side of the city to the Shi family's candy store. I want some preserved apricots."

Wanwan had finished shopping and was holding her maid's hand to get into the carriage when a black carriage passed by on the road ahead. There were magnolia flowers painted on the carriage wall and a bronze bell hanging on the eaves.

The maid supporting Wanwan exclaimed, "It's the young master's carriage!"

Wanwan turned around in front of the car door.

She saw the carriage stopped by the roadside and a maid got out. It was Yunzhi.

Soon after, a figure in a black cloak came down. He only tied half of his hair with a hairpin. His face looked a little bad, as if he was sick. He lowered his eyes and looked at the candies on the stall.

Wanwan asked, "Should I go over?"

Nanny Li, who was standing beside the carriage, said, "Young Master has not summoned you, so there is no need for you to come forward."

Wanwan nodded after hearing this and got into the car.

The carriage moved slowly, getting farther and farther away from Yan Huaiming.

Nanny Li and the maid from before walked together outside the carriage. "You are so outspoken and slanderous. Go back and get two strokes of the cane. You don't have to serve the young lady anymore."

The maid lowered her head and tearfully replied, "Yes."