Mysteries of the Great Zhou Dynasty

Chapter 186 Extra: Yan Mingzhang (3)

Yan Lizhe softened his tone and said, "Everyone, Wang Shi and I will take good care of this child, so you don't need to worry. As for adoption, we will only adopt Mingzhang. There's no need to be bound by rigid rules when it comes to the position of family head. If Mingzhang has the ability in the future, no one can take the position of family head away from him; if he doesn't have the ability, then whoever is capable can take the position of family head!"

Second Uncle Yan Zuhui and Third Uncle Yan Zuning both stood up and said in unison, "Li Ze, are you serious?"

Yan Lizhe replied firmly, "Of course it's true!"

The atmosphere between the second and third wives instantly lightened. After all, they didn't have to adopt a child and even had the chance to become the head of the family. Where else could they find such a good deal? As for that fool, let whoever wants to raise him raise him, as long as this matter doesn't fall on their own shoulders.

Second Uncle Yan Zuhui rolled his eyes and tentatively said, "Li Ze, words alone are not enough. Why don't we write it down, sign it, and put our fingerprints on it?"

Third Uncle Yan Zuning echoed, "Yes! Yes! There are rules for everything!"

Fourth Uncle Yan Zurui, on the contrary, was somewhat worried: "Li Ze, how can the matter of the head of this family be treated so lightly? Don't you want to reconsider?"

The third brother, Yan Likai, interrupted impatiently, "Fourth Uncle, don't think that you won't benefit from not having grandchildren. You need to think long-term. What if your fourth branch has a good grandson and he becomes the head of the family?"

Fourth Uncle Yan Zurui was so angry he couldn't speak. He slapped his hand and sat down. What kind of people were these! They were all opportunistic scoundrels. If the Yan family fell into the hands of these people, then it would truly be doomed to decline!

Yan Lizhe cupped his hands in thanks to his fourth uncle: "Thank you for considering my needs, Fourth Uncle. This idea isn't new. Appointing the virtuous and capable is also of great benefit to our Yan family."

Second Uncle acted quickly, seemingly afraid that the head of the family would go back on his word. He quickly wrote up the agreement and brought it over for Yan Lize to sign and affix his seal.

Yan Lize carefully reviewed the document, and finding no errors, he calmly signed it.

Suddenly, a clap of thunder startled everyone. Yan Mingzhang, who was terrified of thunder, screamed and threw himself into Wang's arms.

The other two children were also frightened and ran to their mother's side.

With a tender heart, Wang picked up Mingzhang and hugged him tightly, gently patting his back. She smiled and said to everyone, "Look, this child is just meant for me. How could I bear to leave him? This is the children's own choice."

Everyone had already achieved their goals and didn't care about the issue of whether the succession would continue. They quickly said some polite words, and the atmosphere became harmonious again.

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That day, Yan Lizhe rushed in from outside, picked up the teapot, and poured himself several cups of tea.

Wang was reading to Mingzhang when she saw her husband rush in. Startled, she quickly put Mingzhang down, took out a handkerchief to wipe her husband's sweat, and asked, "Husband, what happened? Why are you in such a hurry? Drink slowly, it's bad for your health if you drink too fast!"

Yan Lizhe beamed and lifted Yan Mingzhang up: "Our Mingzhang is truly blessed! Today I was chatting with my colleagues and heard that the great writer Rong intends to take on a last disciple. This great writer Rong is nearly sixty years old now and has taught several top scholars. Wasn't his son the top scholar a few years ago? I'm thinking of taking Mingzhang to try it out tomorrow. With Mingzhang's quick wit, he's sure to succeed!"

Wang took Mingzhang and handed him to a maid beside her, gesturing for her to take the child to eat some pastries and send the child away.

Seeing Mingzhang walk away, Madam Wang frowned slightly and said worriedly, "How can Mr. Rong accept this child in his condition?"

Yan Lizhe, however, didn't seem to care at all: "I don't see it that way. Mingzhang is a clever child. Although he doesn't talk, you can see how quick-witted he is in his eyes!" Madam Wang didn't know what else to say, but she instructed the servants to prepare more generous gifts.

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The next day, under the bright sunshine, Yan Lizhe and Wang Shi took Yan Mingzhang to visit the great writer Rong. Rong loved playing chess, so they brought him the exquisite chess set, whose pieces were made of white jade and black jade, and whose board was made of a single piece of ice stone, making it very rare and priceless.

The Yan family of three were very polite and bowed respectfully. Mr. Rong was very kind and called Yan Mingzhang to his side to ask him some questions.

"Child, tell your grandfather, what's your name?" Mr. Rong asked, stroking Yan Mingzhang's head.

The Yan couple were secretly sweating bullets.

Yan Mingzhang remained neither humble nor arrogant. He took out a piece of paper and neatly wrote his name on it.

Mr. Rong had heard some things before, and he wondered why the child had stopped talking. A pang of heartache flashed in his eyes. Then, he picked up the paper, clapped his hands, and laughed: "Good! Good calligraphy! Is this a copy of Yan Zhenqing's style?"

Yan Mingzhang nodded, neither humble nor arrogant.

Mr. Rong laughed and said, "This handwriting is much better than the crab-shaped characters my little granddaughter writes! Those characters are all over the place..."

Although Mr. Rong said this, the smile on his lips and the love in his eyes could not be hidden.

Yan Mingzhang chuckled.

Startled, Wang's eyes widened, and she quickly nudged her husband, "Husband, Zhang'er smiled! Did you see it?"

Yan Lizhe was also astonished, his eyes wide with surprise: "I saw it... This Mr. Rong is truly capable! We've come to the right person!"

Mr. Rong then asked, "Child, your name is Yan Mingzhang, so I'll call you Zhang'er, just like your parents do! What did you eat for breakfast?"

Yan Mingzhang remained calm and drew a bowl of noodles on the paper, outlining the shape of the noodles with just a few lines.

Mr. Rong was increasingly satisfied: "Lize, you two have really raised a good child. This child has a very solid foundation in writing and drawing!"

Yan Lizhe simply nodded, not daring to claim credit.

Mr. Rong slowly began to speak: “Li Ze, I only care about fate when it comes to accepting disciples. At this age, I should be at home enjoying my grandchildren, but the other day that old scoundrel surnamed Fan insisted that I don’t know how to teach children and that I’ve ruined my little granddaughter. I’m not convinced! What a joke! I’ve taught several top scholars! I’m determined to teach another one and show him who’s really ruined my granddaughter, him or me! You and I will have a game of chess. If you win, I’ll take this child as my disciple, how about it?”

The old scoundrel surnamed Fan that Mr. Rong mentioned must be his father-in-law, as I've long heard that the two of them don't get along.

Yan Lizhe and Wang Shi exchanged a glance, inwardly lamenting, "Everyone says I'm a rascal, but this great writer Rong is taking on disciples far too casually! Besides, should we win this game or lose?"

Despite his thoughts, he still had to play the game. Yan Lizhe was a renowned chess player in the capital, but today he was having a tough time. As he played, he was trying to figure out how to win, and he wanted to win by just one move to save face for the old master.