Yan Yi clenched his fists, his lips trembled slightly, and the muscles on his face were tense, clearly indicating that he was in a state of extreme tension.
Yan Yi had been waiting outside the study for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Seeing that Prime Minister Qi had not yet called him, and after looking around and finding no one else, he mustered his courage and decided to go up and knock on the door.
At that moment, the door was opened, and someone said, "You may leave."
"Yes, sir."
"Come in, and close the door."
"Yes, Prime Minister Qi." Yan Yi obediently closed the door and stood motionless at the doorway.
"What are you standing there for? Come and play a game of chess with this old man."
"Huh? Oh, oh, oh!"
Yan Yi's heart was racing, his breathing was rapid, his palms were cold, and all the muscles in his body were tense. Every part of him showed that he was extremely nervous and scared.
"You look nervous?"
Upon realizing his thoughts had been exposed, Yan Yi nodded instantly, but then quickly shook his head.
"Am I that frightening? You don't treat me like this in the imperial court."
Yan Yi immediately understood that Prime Minister Qi was referring to the time when they had a disagreement during the morning court session.
At that moment, Yan Yi didn't care who was standing in front of the door; he just wanted to reveal all his thoughts.
Now it seems they are reaping what they sowed.
"This junior dares not."
"Dare not? I remember you were the one who debated with me in public back then."
Yan Yi's heart pounded like a drum, and his palms were sweating profusely. What was bound to happen had finally arrived.
"If His Majesty brings this matter up again now, I will still hold the same opinion as before, it has nothing to do with others. But this matter is indeed my fault. Prime Minister Qi is an elder, and Yan Yi should not have acted in such a way in front of everyone that day."
After Yan Yi finished speaking, he clenched his fists, waiting for the storm to come.
"So you mean if you were given another chance, you wouldn't bring up your idea?"
"No, Yan Yi still wants to present his thoughts to the Emperor. It is Yan Yi's duty to share the burdens of Yue Kingdom, the Emperor, and the people, but it is also the duty of a junior to respect the elderly. If given another chance, the junior will choose another suitable opportunity to report to the Emperor."
Yan Yi's words not only stated his position but also aimed to salvage his image in Prime Minister Qi's eyes.
He hadn't realized his feelings for Qi Yanyan before, but now that he did, he naturally had to consider her family's opinions.
"I am not very satisfied with your statement."
After hearing these words, Yan Yi's heart skipped a beat.
I thought to myself, "This is it, I'm doomed..."
"As ruler and subject, it is our duty to relieve the worries and troubles of the emperor and the people. Yan Yi, remember, no matter who you are facing, what you firmly believe in will always be what you firmly believe in, and it will never waver!"
"I understand."
"Would you like to play a game with me now?"
"Prime Minister Qi, please."
Prime Minister Qi didn't stand on ceremony and made the first move.
Yan Yi never expected that the upright and incorruptible Prime Minister Qi would cheat so blatantly while playing chess.
In less than half an incense stick's time, Prime Minister Qi had already regretted countless moves.
Yan Yi was going to marry someone else's daughter, and he dared not say anything, so he could only pretend not to see it.
In the end, Yan Yi lost to Prime Minister Qi in less than half an incense stick's time.
"Prime Minister Qi's chess skills are superb; I, a junior, humbly admit defeat."
"I never expected you to be such a good chess player. Please come to the Prime Minister's residence more often and play chess with me."
Yan Yi found it hard to accept that he would have to continue playing chess with Prime Minister Qi.
Winning the game is not difficult; the difficulty lies in pretending not to see when Prime Minister Qi takes back his move, and deliberately losing to him without making it obvious.
But Yan Yi suddenly realized that Prime Minister Qi had just said "in the future".
"In the future...in the future..." Yan Yi murmured to himself.
"What? Is it really that difficult for you to play chess with me more often in the future?"
Yan Yi immediately denied it, "No, no, I would be more than happy to play chess with Prime Minister Qi."
Hearing Yan Yi's words, Qi Cheng waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no."
"What is wrong?"
Yan Yi was still a little confused.
"The form of address is incorrect."
Yan Yi pondered for a moment, recalling what Prime Minister Qi had just said about "the future," and called out softly, somewhat unsure of himself.
"Father-in-law?"
"How come this form of address becomes a question when you use it?"
"This junior is not unsure whether Prime Minister Qi is referring to this."
"He's a decent person, just a bit slow-witted. Alright, the game of chess is over, let's go to the main hall and take a look."
After returning home, I pondered that matter for half a day and realized that my considerations were indeed flawed.
In addition, Prime Minister Qi really admired Yan Yi, but he just wanted to test him to see if he would change his opinion because of what happened today.
As expected, this guy lived up to his judgment.
He also heard from the servants that the Empress Dowager had ordered Rong Mama to propose marriage on behalf of the Yan family. The two of them had already been in the study for quite some time, and it would be a bit inappropriate if they didn't leave soon.
Even though the Empress Dowager was Prime Minister Qi's sister, the proper etiquette between ruler and subject should still apply.
The Empress Dowager sent Rong Mama to propose marriage, firstly because of Jiang Luo's relationship, and secondly because Qi Yanyan was her own niece. She couldn't be more pleased with a marriage that would strengthen family ties.
At this moment, Prime Minister Qi and Yan Yicai arrived late.
"Granny Rong, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
"Your Excellency is too kind. This old servant and Your Excellency's wife are having a pleasant conversation."
She was happy that the task the Empress Dowager had entrusted to her was completed so quickly.
Moreover, Yan Yi was someone she had watched grow up, and she was genuinely happy that he had married a woman of equal social standing.
The Prime Minister's wife was unaware that Prime Minister Qi had already accepted Yan Yi.
Thinking back to this guy's attitude yesterday, I can't help but feel a little worried.
The Prime Minister's wife pointed to the boxes piled up in the courtyard, "These are all the betrothal gifts that Yi'er prepared for our Yan Yan."
Upon hearing "Yi'er," Prime Minister Qi knew that Yan Yiren had already been persuaded by Granny Rong even before he appeared.
Prime Minister Qi looked towards the courtyard and was surprised to find that boxes of all sizes filled the entire space.
Prime Minister Qi never expected that the Yan family would come to propose marriage with such a large amount of betrothal gifts.
Of course, the dowry given when his empress dowager got married was no more than this.
"Is there any alcohol in this?"
Prime Minister Qi sniffed carefully a few times and confirmed that the fragrance was coming from the courtyard. He immediately thought of the fruit wine that Yan Cheng had "shared" with them.
[Could it be fruit wine? How could this old man bear to part with it?]
Prime Minister Qi didn't have many hobbies, except that he liked to drink with his colleagues on weekdays, and this wine really suited his taste.
"Reporting to Uncle Qi, there is indeed wine."
Yan Yi pondered for a moment and felt that it was still somewhat inappropriate to address him as "father-in-law" now, so he changed his mind and called him "uncle".
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