"Mother, can you tell me what happened back then? And how you met Father?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
She wasn't particularly interested in the past, but if Yun Shi was to face her own life, she needed to know what had happened before.
Yun Shi was silent for a moment before continuing to tell Qi Zhenzhen about those times. It turned out that because of Qin Lang, many young masters from prominent families in the capital came to seek knowledge. Qi Tianming, who was then the heir of the Marquis's mansion, was one of them.
"Some genuinely came to study, while others were unconvinced. Many of those young masters had been taught by renowned scholars since childhood and possessed considerable talent! How could such people be willing to be overshadowed by someone unknown?" Da Feng Novel Network
Qi Zhenzhen understood Yun Shi's meaning; most people harbored intentions of provocation.
"So, was my father also unconvinced by Uncle Qin Lang's knowledge back then?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
Yun Shi shook her head. "Not at all. Qin Lang and your father hit it off immediately. They were kindred spirits and became very good friends. It was also because of this that your father and I gradually became acquainted. As for those who were provoking, Qin Lang and your father repelled them together! Qin Lang felt that your father was different from those young masters and regarded him as a confidant. Your maternal grandfather also greatly admired your father. With your maternal grandfather and Qin Lang's persuasion, your father stayed at the academy."
"Later, influenced by your father, Qin Lang prepared to enter officialdom. By then, we had known each other for four years, and I was already engaged to Qin Lang. Because your maternal grandparents were reluctant to part, our wedding was set for when I turned sixteen. Qin Lang also vowed to work hard so that I could marry him with great fanfare!"
"Your father, as the heir of the Marquis's mansion, had extensive connections in the official circles, which greatly aided Qin Lang. Qin Lang's path in officialdom was smooth. By the time I turned sixteen, he was already a fourth-rank official in the capital, serving in the Ministry of War. Fourth rank is not something easily achieved; some people might not reach it in their entire lives. And it wasn't an external posting, but a capital post, and in one of the Six Ministries. Truly, he was soaring with success! Everything was going well, but..."
Yun Shi's brows furrowed tightly, her emotions somewhat unstable. After a long pause, she continued, "The weapon designs developed by the Ministry of War were leaked, and the recipient was the Western Qin, who were enemies of Da Feng. Upon investigation, all evidence pointed to Qin Lang. Not only that, but your maternal grandparents were also implicated. It turned out that one of your maternal grandfather's former students was a Western Qin national, who had already become an important official in Western Qin. The court's investigation concluded that Western Qin had bribed Qin Lang with significant benefits! Although the final investigation found your maternal grandfather not involved, it was too late. Your maternal grandparents contracted a plague while in prison and died without timely treatment. I suddenly had no one to rely on. Your father found me and said that he was entrusted by your maternal grandfather and Qin Lang to take good care of me. At first, your father simply arranged a courtyard and servants for me, ensuring my livelihood. But you know, how fragile I was after suddenly losing my parents and my support. Your father was my last lifeline. I had originally intended to follow your maternal grandfather and the others, but before your maternal grandfather passed away, he instructed me to live well and not let the Yun family's bloodline be broken. Moreover, Qin Lang was still alive at the time, although imprisoned, so I still held a sliver of hope."
Qi Zhenzhen didn't know what to say for a moment. It was truly a convoluted turn of events. She then recalled what Qin Lang had said at the time, that all of this was inseparable from Qi Tianming. Was it really so?