Chapter 59 Prime Minister An Manor (1/2)
January 1, 2019
secretdreamwishes
Lan You Nian sat with Lan Jian Jun and Lan Mo Xian in a horse carriage heading to Prime Minister An’s manor, which was the maiden home of An yiniang.
“Nian’er, today you must follow your older brother. Don’t run around,” Lan Jian Jun said with a worried heart. Then he said sternly to Lan Mo Xian, “Mo Xian, Prime Minister An is usually not in harmony with our Lan manor, in the past he has never invited our Lan manor, now, not only did he invite our Lan manor but also specifically wants Nian’er to come. There is most likely danger.”
Lan Mo Xian’s warm face was also severe. How can he not know father’s worries? When An yiniang married father to be a concubine, Prime Minister An threatened father to turn his mother into a concubine and make An yiniang into the Madame, but father, not only did he refuse, he also refused to accept An yiniang. Originally, Father and Prime Minister An did not get along in the official circles, and because of such a matter, the feeling of animosity became deeper. Later, An yiniang entered the manor as a concubine, but father never questioned about her. It was blatantly slapping Prime Minister An’s face. In the future, the two fought many times in the official circles.
Later, mother died. Father only wanted to mourn her. An yiniang attained power in the manor, and Prime Minister An’s side was a lot smoother. Even later, father went to the border to fight the war. There was no more interaction with Prime Minister An, so the two men’s grievances were put aside, but now looking at Prime Minister An’s attitude, he probably has targeted Nian’er meimei…
“Father, son knows. Today son will pay more attention and take care of Nian’er meimei,” Lan Mo Xian comforted. Today, originally, he didn’t want Nian’er meimei to come here but Prime Minister manor’s invitation not only named Nian’er, this morning the old madame and An yiniang persuaded many times. If they did not come, it will also cause a lot of tongues to wag.
“Nian’er, be more careful today. Protecting yourself is priority. No matter what happens, don’t be afraid. Father will be there for you!” Lan Jian Jun looked at the daughter who did not say a word. His heart was anxious. Although he was a military commander, he was aware of civil officials’ twist and turns. Prime Minister An better not touch Nian’er, otherwise…
“Many thanks for General Lan’s consideration,” Lan You Nian still looked the same with a gentle smile. There wasn’t even a little bit of anxiousness for today’s banquet.
“Nian’er!” Lan Jian Jun’s voice carried hints of severity, “No matter how much you hate father’s neglect in the past, father is willing to bear it. Whatever you want to do father will all agree, but you cannot be mischievous. Do you know if you make a wrong step today, you will be in danger!”
“Oh?” Lan You Nian raised her eyes, those eyes that were resplendent as the stars suddenly burst with a grim chill. This child made Lan Jian Jun, who was always on the battlefield year around, fear. This chill he only ever saw on one person. That person was Ming wang Feng Yi Xuan.
“Nian’er….” Lan Mo Xian was also shocked by the cold aura around his family’s little sister. He was afraid that Lan You Nian will defy father and add more problems to today. Lan Mo Xian pleadingly called Lan You Nian, he didn’t want his most respected father and his most loved little sister become enemies.
Lan Jian Jun seemed to feel that his tone was too heavy. He wanted to say something but Lan You Nian already closed her beautiful eyes. The mild look seemed like she never put anything or anyone into her heart, seemingly, in this world she was alone.
Lan You Nian considered today’s banquet. Today was the 50th birthday of Prime Minister An so the grand banquet invited all the capital’s noble people. Prime Minister An can be said to be living very smoothly. His eldest daughter was the noble empress of a country. He assisted second wangye Feng Shao Chu; if in the future second wangye Feng Shao Chu ascends the throne, then one can only imagine the high status of Prime Minister An. Moreover, Prime Minister An has now the official title of prime minister. People who want to curry favor with him were endless. Such a conceited person yet the daughter who was a concubine was not favored, how can Prime Minister An swallow this?
Some time ago, Lan Ya and Lan Zhi went to Prime Minister’s manor frequently. They must have said something in front of Prime Minister An that will cause Prime Minister An to regard herself as a thorn in his side. Today’s banquet probably will be many deliberate difficulties for her. In fact, Prime Minister An’s purpose wasn’t difficult to guess. He and Lan Jian Jun did not agree with each other. However, although Prime Minister An’s official grade was high, but he had no military power. Originally, he thought that Lan Jian Jun will hand over the military power to Lan Yin in the future, but didn’t expect Lan Jian Jun will not have such an idea. So Prime Minister An, not only did he want to get rid of her, more importantly, he wanted to get remove Lan Mo Xian, so to let the military power fall into Lan Yin’s hands. In the future, it will be much easier to help Feng Shao Chu to win the throne, then, Prime Minister An can be described as under one person but over tens of thousands of people.
The carriage stopped. Lan Jian Jun led Lan Mo Xian and Lan You Nian down the carriage. The carriage following behind also stopped. Out walked down An yiniang and her children. Today’s An yiniang carefully dressed up in a big peony on jade green smoky gossamer green rosy cloud brocade (bi xia luo), the pink water fairy scattered flower with green leaves skirt dragged on the ground. She wore a thin coat of gold-threaded thin jade-green, low hanging hair obliquely inserted with a jasper hairpin inlaid with pearls. She was clearly over 30 years old but still deliberately dressed up as a young woman. It made people feel uncomfortable. Behind her, Lan Zhi and Lan Ya were carefully dressed up; they were also a beautiful scenery.
An yiniang seeing everyone’s appreciation of her, she wanted to throw up. Today she came back to celebrate her father’s birthday, but she couldn’t share a carriage with her lord husband. Don’t know how the noble matrons in the capital will mock her behind her back. However, father promised he will punish that whore. Let’s see how long she can be proud. Not only was the identity of legitimate daughter her daughers’, this glory and favor will also be her daughters’.
Lan You Nian with Lan Jian Jun followed the manservant into Prime Minister An manor. The red wall surrounded in protection, the green willows hang down, three hanging flower gates, and four sides of the hand-to-hand veranda. In the courtyard, the roads were intersected. The mountains and stones dotted, embracing the “An Manor” plague on the building. The entire courtyard was magnificent, grand and luxurious. The gardens clustered, delicate and exquisite. The inner courtyard was full of roses. A pool of water surrounded by a white stone road that crossed the Qi Fang River to cross to the other side.
“Isn’t this my virtuous son-in-law? My humble resident is honored by your presence!” Prime Minister An stood outside the hall and greeted the new arrivals. He was wearing a gold and black robe. Although he was already fifty years old, he looked very healthy. The looks were quite elegant and scholarly, but that pair of eyes were full of slyness that couldn’t be ignored.
“Prime Minister An’s 50th birthday, how can this general not come?” Lan Jian Jun didn’t pay heed to Prime Minister An’s call of virtuous son in law. He was not as respectful to him as to Tutor He. The surrounding people seeing this knew that General Lan had no intention of currying favor with Prime Minister An. He even fell Prime Minister An’s face.
An yiniang who followed behind paled. She did not expect Lan Jian Jun to still not recognize her identity on this day, as if her becoming his concubine dirtied his reputation. Lan You Nian looked at An yiniang‘s pale cheek and cast a smug smile. This smile was clearly seen by An yiniang.