After Yan Beimo left, the entire Junhou Mansion became empty.
But the number of patrolling guards is increasing.
Chu Changning was accompanied by a maid who had been observing him for several days. She knew martial arts and seemed to be a secret guard or assassin.
Chu Changning ignored her and spent his days either going out to listen to operas or returning to the Yan family to pray for blessings, living a carefree life.
Yandu is far from Jiangdong, and it takes five or six days to travel by water.
Yan Beimo traveled down to Qudu by luxury boat.
The officials in Qudu had already heard the news.
Under the moonlight, a group of officials stood at the riverside dock. When they saw the magnificent fleet of ships sailing along the southwest waterway, they immediately stood at attention respectfully.
"Your humble servant hereby orders all officials of the capital to respectfully welcome Lord Yan Sheng'an."
More than a dozen multi-story ships were moored on the riverbank, and the man was escorted out.
He wore a black brocade robe and a jade crown. His calm face was as flawless as white jade, and his brilliance shone brightly in the moonlight.
Yan Beimo looked at the group of officials on the dock, walked to Yan Ling, who was at the head of the group, and personally helped him up, his face gentle.
"It's been many years since we last met. Lord Yan is still as vigorous as ever."
Yan Ling stood up and smiled.
"You flatter me, Lord Yan. I have prepared a banquet. Please come to my residence so that I may do my best to welcome you and give you a proper welcome."
Among all the noble families in the world, the Yan family was the most prominent. The difference between scholars and commoners was like heaven and earth. The children of noble families were born to enjoy wealth and honor and could be ranked among the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers.
But this Yan Beimo, as a scion of a noble family, has been fighting with the northern kings for many years, launching several northern expeditions to plunder territory. His methods are ruthless and merciless, even killing his own brother.
Now that they have personally descended to Jiangdong, it is even more unfavorable.
Yan Ling was filled with apprehension, but outwardly remained respectful as he led his men back to his residence.
The mansion had already prepared a fine banquet and wine. Inside the house, the golden beast incense burner was magnificent and splendid. Beautiful women danced, and maids served jade chopsticks to the table.
Yan Beimo sat high in the main seat, casually glancing around before his gaze settled on a white-robed scholar in a secluded corner.
"Lord Yan, who is this gentleman?"
Yan Ling followed his gaze and her heart skipped a beat.
"Bai Xun, come and greet Marquis Yan."
The man called Bai Xun rose respectfully and said, "This humble subject, Bai Xun, pays his respects to Marquis Yan."
Yan Beimo chuckled, "I heard that His Majesty sent a group of disciples to Qudu to discuss the matter of the refugees from Jiaozhou. This must be one of His Majesty's disciples."
Bai Xun knelt on the ground, his back straight.
"This humble subject will certainly not fail Your Majesty's important task."
Everyone kept their eyes down, focused on drinking and remaining silent.
The new emperor, supported by powerful families, has been heavily promoting officials from humble backgrounds since his ascension to the throne, which has already aroused the dissatisfaction of these families. It should be noted that during the reign of the previous emperor, people from humble backgrounds had no opportunity to enter the court as officials.
The aristocratic families viewed the poor as the sons of servants, and even eating and living with them would be ridiculed by the powerful families.
This world belongs to the powerful families.
The new emperor, a pawn of the powerful families, attempted to overthrow their regime. How could the families tolerate this?
Bai Xun naturally knew this as well, and thought that Yan Bei Mo disliked him and wanted to kill him on the spot.
Unexpectedly, Yan Beimo simply smiled faintly, "The forces in Jiaozhou are complex and varied. Since Young Master Bai is acting on His Majesty's orders, Lord Yan must generously offer his assistance."
After the words were spoken, everyone had different thoughts.
Yan Ling smiled and agreed.
With the world in chaos and the northern kings vying for supremacy, Yan Beimo has been fighting for years. His behavior has completely deviated from the ancestral precepts of aristocratic families, and he is inherently a rebellious person. So, he was not surprised at all that he said this.
"Lord Yan, you must be tired from your journey. I'd like to offer you a toast."
Yan Beimo raised his glass, and the other adults followed suit.
After several rounds of drinks, Yan Ling gestured with his eyes for the maid to come forward and serve him. However, before she could get close, she saw that the man in the main seat seemed to be drunk and stood up.
Yan Ling, being particularly tactful, ended the banquet and ordered a maid to lead everyone to the side rooms to rest.
The moon shines through the window, and the study is filled with people.
Yan Beimo, who had been drunk at the banquet, now sat calmly in the main seat, his expression composed and showing no signs of intoxication.
"They've all gone back?"
"yes."
Where is he now?
Yan Ling said respectfully, "The patriarch is still in the military camp and should have received the news."
Yan Beimo's expression was indifferent. "Have all the people been cleared out?"
"There were no survivors."
Yan Beimo played with the black bead in his hand. "Take him with you. Go see the old man in person tomorrow."
The Yan family head came to Jiangdong this time for the 100,000 troops in Qudu. He originally planned to take over Jiangdong and hand them over to Yan Liangyu, who was serving in Jiangdong.
Unexpectedly, not long after they arrived, they heard the news that Yan Liangyu had gone missing.
He immediately ordered his men to return to Yandu, and secretly sent assassins to kill Yan Beimo and block his way to Jiangdong.
Yan Beimo had lived in the North for many years, surrounded by countless capable and skilled people. His own internal strength was unfathomable, and assassins couldn't even get close to him.
Before dawn, at the Military Affairs Office of Qudu.
Upon hearing that Yan Beimo had arrived in Jiangdong the previous night, the head of the Yan family remained slumped in his chair.
The room was dimly lit, with thin rays of white light from the horizon seeping into the magnificent building and falling on his face.
The surroundings were gloomy.
He didn't know how long he had been sitting when suddenly the sounds of weapons clashing and fighting erupted outside.
Bright red blood splattered all over the vermilion window.
Startled by the commotion, he immediately shouted, "Help! Help!"
No one responded.
Just then, with a creak, the door was pushed open.
The person walked in against the light.
The head of the Yan family squinted, his eyes stinging from the light.
With a loud thud, the blood-soaked body was thrown at his feet.
He stared intently, his face turning deathly pale, and he jumped up in shock.
“Boyuan”.
Yan Beimo stood at the door, calmly watching this scene unfold.
He quietly closed the door behind him and bowed.
"Your son greets his father."
"Yan Beimo, how dare you!"
Enraged, the head of the Yan family picked up a red glazed porcelain vase from the table and smashed it at him.
Yan Beimo remained motionless as the sharp blade sliced across his cheek, leaving a bright red bloodstain.
"He's your brother! How could you be so cruel? Have you forgotten everything your ancestors taught you?"
He knew his son harbored resentment and that he was ruthless, but he never expected that his son would dare to murder his brother.
Brother murder!
So insidious and vicious.
"Are you planning to kill your father?!"
The atmosphere inside the room was tense. As the two sides faced off, he casually raised his eyes and looked at them, his eerie gaze sending chills down one's spine.
"Would a father who favors his concubine over his wife be afraid of patricide and fratricide?"
He gently wiped the bloodstains from his face with his fingertips, and his words were chilling.
The head of the Yan family was stunned, then leaned back and slumped into a chair.
"No, no, your mother committed suicide, she committed suicide--"
"Self-inflicted death?" Yan Beimo sneered. "You claimed to have died in childbirth, but you were actually driven to death by your good concubine."
He suddenly leaned down and grabbed his neck, his expression sinister.
"My father betrayed my grandfather for love, slaughtered the entire Qinghe Garden, and forced my mother to commit suicide. Yet your concubine is being kept safe outside. How can I live in peace with such a deep-seated hatred?"
The head of the Yan family was being choked by his own son, his veins bulging and his eyes bloodshot.
"And her—"
"Haha, Father still thinks about your beautiful concubine even now, how deep his affection is!"
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