webnovelfull Chapter 112: The First Wife’s Bastard
Chapter 112: The First Wife’s Bastard
"Yan Canglan, your performance today was outstanding. I am very pleased." Master Qu's tone was calm, but revealed a hint of joy.
Yan Canglan bowed his head slightly, with a humble expression: "Master, you are overpraising me. I just did my best."
Master Qu nodded gently, his eyes becoming softer: "Your achievements are inseparable from your diligence and hard work. But I hope you understand that the road of learning is endless. You can't be proud of your temporary achievements."
A hint of determination flashed in Yan Canglan's eyes: "Disciple will keep this in mind and will definitely work harder."
Master Qu gently put down the bamboo slips in his hand, looked at Yan Canglan with sharp eyes, and a satisfied smile on his lips.
Yan Canglan sat in the front row, straightened his back a little awkwardly, a shy blush on his face.
Master Qu spoke slowly, his voice mellow and powerful: "Yan Canglan, today, I want to talk to you alone, what do you think?"
Yan Canglan was slightly stunned, then he stood up respectfully, cupped his hands and said, "I would like to hear the details, please enlighten me, Master."
Master Qu nodded slightly, his eyes showing approval, he turned and walked to the corner of the academy, Yan Canglan followed closely. The two came to a row of bookshelves, Master Qu gently patted Yan Canglan's shoulder, motioning him to sit down together.
"Yan Canglan, do you know why I want to praise you?" Master Qu asked with a deep gaze.
Yan Canglan thought for a moment and replied, "The students thought it was because of my hard work and progress in my studies."
Master Qu smiled and shook his head: "That's right, but you overlooked one point, which is your attitude. In the academy, you respect teachers, unite classmates, and study hard. This is your most precious quality."
Hearing this, Yan Canglan's eyes flashed with gratitude. He lowered his head and said softly, "Master, you are too kind. I still have many shortcomings."
Master Qu gently patted Yan Canglan's knee, his eyes full of kindness: "Don't be modest, I have seen your strengths. But today, what I want to talk to you about is not just academics."
Yan Canglan raised his head, his eyes full of confusion.
Master Qu sighed, his expression becoming serious: "Yan Canglan, have you ever thought about why there are so many students in the academy, but I only value you?"
Yan Canglan pondered for a moment and tentatively answered: "Is it because the student has a special talent?"
Master Qu smiled and shook his head: "No. In fact, the reason why I value you is because you have a unique temperament. This temperament reminds me of a good friend of mine when I was young."
A hint of curiosity flashed in Yan Canglan's eyes. He wanted to know who the good friend that the teacher was talking about was.
Master Qu looked into Yan Canglan's eyes and slowly told him the story of the past.
"Back then, I studied with that good friend at the White Egret Academy. We shared the same ideals and were as close as brothers. However, fate played a trick on us and he died young, which made me extremely sad. Before he died, he asked me to find a student with a similar temperament to him to carry on his wishes."
Yan Canglan listened to Master Qu's words, and a wave of respect surged in his heart. He had never expected that he would be valued so much by this master.
"Master, there is one thing I don't understand. What was the senior's last wish?" Yan Canglan couldn't help but ask.
A trace of nostalgia flashed in Master Qu's eyes. He looked at Yan Canglan and said slowly: "The will of that predecessor was to pass on a unique martial art. This martial art can not only strengthen the body, but also train one's will, making one indomitable in the face of adversity."
A hint of excitement flashed in Yan Canglan's eyes, and he clenched his fists tightly, indicating that he was willing to accept the task.
In the corner of the academy, the two often stood for several hours, discussing the secrets of martial arts with each other.
Whenever Yan Canglan had some understanding, his face would always be filled with joy. And Master Qu would smile beside him, his eyes full of approval. Sometimes, Yan Canglan would encounter a bottleneck, and Master Qu would use a stern look and tone to encourage him to break through.
……
"What's the matter with you following us?" Yan Canglan looked Yan Jijin up and down. This brother was the illegitimate son of the eldest wife in the Yongchang Marquis's Mansion. He was usually timid and stuttered whenever he spoke.
Yan Jijin was glanced at by Yan Canglan, his face turned pale instantly, his lips trembled slightly, but he replied calmly: "Young... Young Master, I... I have no ill intentions, I just... I just want to talk to you."
Yan Canglan frowned slightly. He had never had much contact with this brother. Why did he suddenly come to visit him today? Could it be something important? He nodded and motioned Yan Jijin to follow him. The two of them walked into the courtyard of Yongchang Marquis's Mansion together.
The autumn sun shone in the courtyard, and golden leaves fluttered in the air. Yan Jijin followed Yan Canglan nervously, his heart in turmoil. He caught a glimpse of Yan Canglan's tall figure, and couldn't help but think of their life stories.
"Tell me, what's the matter?" Yan Canglan stopped and turned to look at Yan Jijin.
Yan Jijin took a deep breath and tried to make his voice sound steady: "Young Master, do you know the recent situation of the Yongchang Earl's Mansion?"
Yan Canglan nodded slightly: "I have heard a little bit, it seems that because of the dispute among the powerful officials in the court, the Yongchang Earl's Mansion was implicated."
A trace of worry flashed across Yan Jijin's eyes. "Yes, my father was recently demoted to the border, and the power of the family fell into the hands of the second branch. I'm worried that they will harm our first branch."
Yan Canglan frowned, he understood that Yan Jijin's worries were not unreasonable.
The power struggle in the Yongchang Marquis's mansion was already known to everyone in the court. He asked in a deep voice, "So what are you going to do?"
Yan Jijin gritted his teeth, a hint of determination flashed in his eyes: "I would like to ask the young master to lend a hand and help our eldest house get through this difficult time."
Yan Canglan was silent for a moment. He knew that if he intervened, he would be involved in this dispute. But how could he sit back and watch his relatives being suppressed? He looked at Yan Jijin, with a complicated look in his eyes: "Do you really think I can help you?"
Yan Jijin looked at Yan Canglan nervously and nodded: "I believe in the ability of the young master. As long as you are willing to help, there is hope for our eldest house."
Yan Canglan nodded slightly and decided to intervene in this dispute.
But he still had a question in his mind: "Why did you choose to find me? Instead of looking for your other brothers and sisters?"
Yan Jijin smiled bitterly: "They...they have all turned to the Second House. Only you, young master, can still support our First House."
Yan Canglan couldn't help but sigh in his heart when he heard this. This seemingly timid brother actually had such a firm belief. He patted Yan Jijin on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, I will do my best to help you."
A trace of gratitude flashed in Yan Jijin's eyes, and he held Yan Canglan's hand tightly: "Thank you, young master. I will do my best to repay your kindness."