Ming Dynasty: I, Yan Maoqing, am truly radiating auspicious energy!

Chapter 112 Sharing happiness is worse than enjoying it alone!

Yanfu.

As soon as the servant Yan Niancai lifted the curtain of the four-bearer sedan chair, Yan Song nearly bumped into an ugly, one-eyed, round face:
"Dad, you're back from your shift."

"……Um."

Yan Song hesitated for a second before nodding slightly in response.

He felt he should have gotten used to Yan Shifan's appearance by now, after all, this was his own son, whose features resembled his own, while his face and figure resembled his wife, Ouyang Duanshu.

But even now, when he accidentally bumps into that face, he still can't help but feel a sense of awe.

"Tell me, what have you done today that requires your father to personally clean up your mess?"

As he got up and stepped out of the sedan chair, Yan Song asked tentatively.

It's no wonder that Yan Song never said anything nice.

The reason why Yan Shifan usually waits so obediently at home for him to return from his shift is that he has most likely gotten into some serious trouble due to his arrogance and unpredictability, and is asking him to clean up the mess.

"Father, what are you saying? Has your son never done anything to make you happy?"

Yan Shifan, smiling broadly, reached out to support Yan Song in place of Yan Nian. Seeing Yan Song about to say something, he quickly added,
"...Even if it didn't happen before, it really happened this time. Your son has come to congratulate you. I wonder if you saw those yamen runners who came to arrest people when you passed by Yan Maoqing's residence on your way back?"

"Is this happening?"

Yan Song had been dozing in the sedan chair and hadn't even lifted the curtain to look outside.

"Sir, yes."

Yan Nian quickly took over the conversation, bowing as he spoke.
"There were indeed a few yamen runners from the Shuntian Prefecture government at the entrance of the Yan residence just now. I don't know what they were up to, and I didn't dare to bother you, sir."

"Qing'er, could this matter be related to you?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Song immediately realized something and looked at Yan Shifan with a questioning gaze.

After all, Yan Shifan is now the governor of Shuntian Prefecture, and many affairs of the Shuntian Prefecture government are under his jurisdiction.

"Yan Nian, you may step back."

Yan Shifan's smile widened. He first dismissed his servant Yan Nian, then blinked his one eye and spoke to Yan Song:

"Father can rest assured, this matter has nothing to do with his son."

"In fact, someone reported to the Shuntian Prefecture government that Yan Maoqing and his wife had committed adultery before marriage. The magistrate acted impartially in accordance with the Ming Dynasty law and issued an arrest warrant, ordering the yamen runners to go to Yan's residence to arrest his wife and bring her to the government for questioning."

"Is there such a thing?"

Yan Song scrutinized Yan Shifan from head to toe.

No one knows a son better than his father. Unless he was also blind in one eye, just by looking at Yan Shifan's smug expression, he could tell at a glance that this matter was definitely related to him.

However, if Yan Shifan said that he had nothing to do with him, he could reluctantly believe it, after all, his son was quite capable when it came to getting things done.

"Absolutely true!"

Yan Shifan laughed even more smugly.
"While being unmarried and committing adultery are not serious crimes, once Yan Maoqing's reputation for being immoral and corrupt is established, the public outcry over this matter will certainly be significant."

"This time, Yan Maoqing's career is definitely over. Not only will he have to return the position of Shujishi that we fought for for him, but he can forget about keeping his official rank. Before long, he will have to tuck his tail between his legs and get out of the capital."

"Father, do you think this is something that can make you feel at ease?"

"..."

Yan Song truly hates Yan Maoqing now, and he would be very happy if he could get Yan Maoqing to withdraw his official title and leave the capital.

However, upon suddenly hearing about this, he couldn't help but feel somewhat worried.

After all, even before the selection process began, the current emperor seemed to have shown signs of favoring Yan Maoqing.

In the recent subjugation of Anda, the Emperor seemed to have used the momentum of the Futao campaign to coordinate a scheme with Yan Maoqing from within and without. He even suspected that Xia Yan's sudden resignation and failure to enter the cabinet a few days ago were related to Yan Maoqing…

Although there is no substantial evidence for these matters, most of them are his personal speculations.

However, some things in the imperial court are so serious that even mere speculation cannot help but warrant attention. Otherwise, a single misstep could lead to utter ruin. Only by being cautious can one ensure long-term stability.

So Yan Song asked again, emphasizing the point:
"Qing'er, are you sure that no matter how this matter develops, it will never involve you in any way?"

"Absolutely, absolutely, and without a doubt, Father, you can just relax and wait and see what happens."

Yan Shifan patted his chest, full of confidence, and said...
"Now that the first good show has begun, it's always better to share the joy than to enjoy it alone."

"Therefore, the son specially invited the three Grand Secretaries Zhai Luan, Xu Zan, and Zhang Bi, as well as officials from various departments, censors, and academicians from the Hanlin Academy, in his father's name."

"My son has already calculated the timing. When these people arrive at Rope Craftsman Alley, it will be around the time when Yan Maoqing's wife is escorted out by the Shuntian Prefecture yamen runners. As long as some officials see this scene and inquire a little, they can spread the news to all the guests who came to the banquet today. At that time, it will be equivalent to spreading this scandal throughout the court."

"After all, although Yan Maoqing has official titles, he must first report to the court and have the emperor order the removal of his titles before the Shuntian Prefecture can arrest him according to law."

"But his wife is just a commoner who has only recently arrived in the capital. How can he let her have her way?"

"If she dares to resist arrest or escape, forcing the constables to use weapons, then this matter will only escalate further, and the show will only become more exciting, hehehe."

"you……"

Upon hearing this, Yan Song was not pleased but worried, his brows furrowing into a knot.

He had a bad feeling that things wouldn't be that simple, but he couldn't explain where this bad feeling came from.

Especially since Yan Shifan has made such a big deal out of this, if something goes wrong, it might be difficult to handle.

“Oh, Father, you are always too cautious, which is why those bastards dare to be so presumptuous.”

Yan Shifan placed his hands on Yan Song's shoulders, pushing him as he walked, laughing as he went.
"You can rest assured this time. Your son has already ordered the servants to prepare the banquet. You don't need to worry about anything. Just change out of your court robes and wait to greet the guests. You can take this opportunity to get acquainted with the newly arrived Grand Secretary Xu and Grand Secretary Zhang..."

While they were talking.

"Young master! Young master! The yamen runners have come out of the Yan residence, and something seems amiss!"

A servant sent by Yan Shifan to keep watch outside the Yan residence rushed in and immediately reported to Yan Shifan.

"?!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Song froze, unable to move an inch.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Something doesn't seem right!"

Yan Shifan was also taken aback, and immediately turned around, glaring at his one-eyed opponent and shouting sternly.

"Young master, how dare I speak nonsense? Something is indeed not quite right."

The servant was so frightened that he immediately knelt on the ground and said cautiously,

"I was ordered by you, young master, to guard the entrance of the Yan residence. The four constables entered the Yan residence and came out about a quarter of an hour later."

"But when they left the Yan residence, they did not take Yan Maoqing's wife with them."

"I saw that they were all pale-faced, completely lost and dejected, and even their gait was unsteady..."

"One of them had a large wet patch in his crotch, and we don't know if he peed in his pants."

"What did you say?!"

Yan Shifan nearly popped his eyes out when he heard this, his face filled with disbelief.

This was the first time he had ever heard of such a strange thing: a yamen runner from the Shuntian Prefecture went to arrest a criminal with a warrant, but not only did he fail to apprehend the criminal, he also wet his pants on the way back!

(End of this chapter)