Chapter 194

Chapter 194

It is often said that when one prospers, all prosper; when one falls, all fall.

Why were ancient families united? Was it not because when one person erred, the entire clan suffered the consequences?

Even a family with a hundred years of prestige, once embroiled in a rebellion case, would see its mansion topple in an instant—when the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact.

Although Jiang Wencheng was merely a concubine-born son of the Jiang family, his status not as esteemed as that of the legitimate line, if he were to be connected in any way to the word "rebellion," the entire Jiang family would not escape involvement—at the very least, demotion and exile; at worst, the execution of the entire household.

Therefore, as long as Jiang Wencheng was dragged into the mire, the Jiang family behind him would have no choice but to climb aboard the sinking ship.

Over the following days, Han Zhang deliberately familiarized Jiang Wencheng with the various affairs of the prefectural office, accompanied him through the streets to observe the people's condition, and often sat with him over tea, engaging in lofty discussions about ideals and aspirations.

People always yearn for what they do not have.

Show someone who's never seen the world the splendor and extravagance of life;

Show someone who's seen it all the hustle and bustle of everyday life;

Although Jiang Wencheng had been groomed by his family since childhood and was not the sort to be swayed by sweet words, after days of conversation and interaction, he could not help but be moved by the bold spirit in Han Zhang's words, stirring the youthful passion within his heart.

Brother Han, though stubborn and arrogant in temperament, truly possessed the talent to bring order to the realm and carried a sincere, burning ambition—everything he said and did was for the country and the people!

After every pep talk from Han Zhang, he felt a surge of passion and impulse: "A real man should be like Brother Han!"

A man of Brother Han's caliber—why couldn't the Crown Prince stand him?

Lord Jiayou's death could not be blamed on Brother Han at all. Brother Han was virtuous, unafraid of power, and his refusal of the marriage was entirely reasonable. Jiayou could not come to terms with it himself and died of a broken heart—why should Brother Han take the blame?

Why should the Crown Prince, to let his younger brother rest in peace in the underworld, demand the nine clans of the Han and Shen families, and the hundreds of thousands of people of Yunyang, be put to death alongside him?

And why... should he be made the pawn that was meant to be thrown away?

Though it is said that if the ruler commands a minister to die, the minister must die, a ruler who disregards reason is just a tyrant!

The more Jiang Wencheng thought about it, the more worked up he got.

Of course, the most important thing was that he did not want to die. If he died, he could not rest easy about his mother and his husband's future, even with the family's support.

He didn't want to be a pawn—really didn't want to.

But that was the royal family—the Crown Prince himself... How could he possibly fight back?

Jiang Wencheng's already tormented and conflicted inner world was driven nearly to depression by Han Zhang's charm offensive.

Sharing the same bed day after day, though he concealed it well, An Ge'er still noticed that something was off with his husband and asked with concern:

"Dear, what has been wrong with you these past few days? You've visibly lost weight. Is it that the prefectural office has too much work and you can't keep up?"

Of the three top officials in the prefectural office, the Assistant Prefect position was still vacant, leaving only Han Zhang and Jiang Wencheng—a Prefect and a Vice-Prefect—to handle everything. It did indeed seem understaffed, so An Ge'er's concern made sense.

Jiang Wencheng could not reveal the truth, so he naturally nodded and sighed:

"Although Yunyang Prefecture is remote and the people live in poverty, its territory is much larger than the surrounding prefectures, and the work is naturally complicated. The newly appointed Assistant Prefect has yet to arrive, leaving only Brother Han and me to manage everything—it's honestly exhausting."

With that, he forced a cheerful tone and comforted him: "But don't worry too much, my dear. Once this busy stretch is over, things will settle down."

"You've visibly lost weight—how can I not worry?"

An Ge'er looked at his beloved's thin appearance with deep concern.

Jiang Wencheng didn't want him to worry too much, so he broke into a smile and pulled the man into his arms: "I know you care about me, dear. But the work at the office really can't be put off. Rest assured, the kitchen prepares nourishing soup every day, and I've been drinking it like a good boy."

"Instead of worrying about me all day, you should focus on taking care of yourself. Go visit Brother Han's little Tao'er more often, play with him a bit—when we have our own child someday, you'll have some experience, won't you?"

At the mention of children, An Ge'er's attention was indeed distracted, and he nodded with anticipation:

"You're right, dear. I should take good care of myself. Once things ease up at the office, I'll ask Big Brother Han to check me over."

Because the affairs of the prefectural office were too numerous, and they had much to settle upon first arriving in Yunyang, they had not yet mentioned the infertility issue to Han Zhang and his husband.

The couple then started talking about having kids.

Outside the window, a large willow tree nurtured by Han Zhang's powers was openly eavesdropping, then relayed the information to Han Zhang.

Upon receiving the news, Han Zhang was speechless: ...

Brother Jiang and An Ge'er actually can't have kids?

That's perfect!

So.

Han Zhang turned around and said to Shen Qinglan: "Dear, why do you think Brother Jiang came to Yunyang to take up a post this time? In my recent chats with Brother Jiang, I got the sense that he seems to intend to settle here long-term."

"There's got to be something behind this. Otherwise, with the Jiang family's background, Brother Jiang could have secured any lucrative post—why would he be sent to this backwater?"

"Moreover, I've noticed that he seems troubled lately, distracted and preoccupied."

"Dear, you've gotten close with An Ge'er. When you have free time, why not ask around a bit? Given the deep friendship between our two families, if Brother Jiang is truly in trouble, how could I stand by and do nothing?"

Shen Qinglan immediately got worried upon hearing this: "Alright, I'll go ask An Ge'er when I get the chance."

When An Ge'er was questioned, he naturally explained according to Jiang Wencheng's instructions.

"Husband's constitution isn't as strong as Big Brother Han's. The affairs of the office are numerous and tangled, and as a newly appointed official, he's inevitably overwhelmed—that's why he's lost weight. Once things settle down, he'll naturally recover."

Shen Qinglan, hearing this, was convinced and breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good. Then when you go back, brew some nourishing soup for Big Brother Jiang. I still have several fine century-old ginseng roots in my storehouse—take a couple more back with you to replenish his vitality."

"How can I accept that?" An Ge'er quickly waved his hands: "You've already given me two before! Such precious items—every family keeps them for emergencies. How could I keep accepting them again and again?"

He was genuinely embarrassed. No matter how good the friends, one shouldn't take things so freely.

But century-old ginseng and such herbs were hardly rare to Shen Qinglan, after all, Han Zhang had wood-type powers and could accelerate plant growth—practically a wholesale herb dealer!

Shen Qinglan deliberately put on a stern face and feigned anger:

"Why speak such formalities with me? I said I have them, so I truly have plenty. I got lucky recently and acquired seven or eight of them! Take them if I say take them—if you refuse again, I'll really get angry."

An Ge'er could not argue him down and finally accepted the gifts with a smile:

"Alright, alright, I'll do as you say. Then I also have a piece of warm jade of excellent quality—I'll have someone carve a collar pendant for little Tao'er, and you're not allowed to refuse either."

"Done. Then I'll thank his Uncle An on behalf of Tao'er."

Shen Qinglan nodded with a smile, then asked with concern: "But speaking of which, why did Big Brother Jiang come to Yunyang to take up a post?"

Yunyang was truly remote—unless forced by circumstances, who would willingly come here.

At this point in the conversation, An Ge'er no longer hid the difficulty he had conceiving, and with a sorrowful expression, he recounted the whole matter.

"...Actually, I had wanted to come to you earlier, but Big Brother Han's golden needle technique has its limitations—each use depletes it a little more, making it truly precious. Without the Emperor's permission, I really couldn't just show up at your door unannounced."

"Now that my belly still hasn't shown any sign of a baby, and with all the gossip in the household getting louder every day, and my husband refusing to take a concubine no matter what, we figured we'd just come on over."

"Anyway, if the Emperor's got a problem with it, my husband and I will simply spend the rest of our lives in Yunyang—better than ending up with no kids at all."

Shen Qinglan was fuming when he heard this.

The royal family had treated their couple like dirt—kicking his husband to this godforsaken backwater after using him up and forgetting every kindness.

Why the hell should they stay grateful and obedient, letting the royals hog his husband's medical skills?

Since the Emperor hadn't outright banned it, they might as well play dumb!

Shen Qinglan's eyes darted cleverly, and he immediately slapped on a clueless, simpleton look, eyes all wide:

"What? The Emperor's got a problem? A problem with what? You're unwell, and my husband knows medicine—isn't it just common sense to heal the sick and save lives? The Emperor wouldn't actually ban doctors from practicing medicine, would he?"

Then, in a super exaggerated tone, all confused: "My husband hasn't gotten any imperial decree saying he can't practice! An Ge'er, what are you even saying? I don't get it at all?"

And with that, he kept winking and giving An Ge'er the eye.

"..."

An Ge'er was momentarily stunned, then caught on and nearly laughed out loud.

Lan Ge'er was as ballsy as ever, even daring to take a jab at the Emperor in such a roundabout way.

But Lan Ge'er was doing all this for him!

An Ge'er was both touched and tickled, quickly playing along with a confused look, hand on his forehead, faking it:

"Oh dear, Lan Ge'er, what did I just say? Maybe I didn't sleep well last night and got a little foggy—can't seem to remember?"

The two traded looks and grinned at each other—no words needed!

Shen Qinglan smiled and took An Ge'er's hand, reassuring him: "Don't worry, you know my husband's medical skills. Even if conceiving is difficult, as long as there's breath in a person, he can snatch them back from the King of Hell himself."

"I'll speak to him tonight and have him treat you as soon as possible. I guarantee that by this time next year, you and Big Brother Jiang will have a chubby little baby in your arms."

"No rush, no rush..." An Ge'er felt a great weight lifted from his heart, his smile light and bright, "I've waited years already; a little more time won't hurt. Let's wait until my husband and the others get through the busiest period at the yamen—we mustn't delay important matters..."

He naturally believed in Lan Ge'er's words.

After all, Han Zhang had refused the royal family's marriage for Lan Ge'er's sake—how could he refuse this?

His Lan Ge'er knew how to coax and charm; that Han Zhang would be utterly smitten!