Nascent Soul Rising from a Sickly Body!

Among Great Rui's chief ministers, Qiu Yan had once visited Ma Yang's home and, during his half-year post at the Hanlin Academy, had also called upon Wang Fu's residence. Now, he had come to Yan Dongting's estate.

Compared with the first two, the Yan Residence was far more magnificent. From afar, it seemed plain and unadorned, yet one could still sense its imposing grandeur. Once inside, they passed through corridors and gardens before finally reaching the main hall. The moment Qiu Yan took a seat, maids came over carrying cups and fruit platters, setting them nearby before waiting attentively at his side.

"Scholar Qiu's visit brings glory to this humble residence. It is only that my father has just returned from the palace and is somewhat fatigued and unwell. He needs a physician to tend to him, so I must ask the Scholar to wait a moment. I have come especially to beg your pardon."

Before long, Yan Dongting's third son, Yan Junqing, came over. After exchanging formal greetings with Qiu Yan, they began to converse.

Qiu Yan shook his head. "Not at all. Elder Yan, the Grand Chancellor, is both a senior and an old servant of the court. What harm is there in waiting a while longer?" Remembering how the man had looked in the Imperial Study, he found this unsurprising.

Yan Junqing then chatted with him in a scattered fashion. Their topic was mainly the northern war, but he knew little of the actual battlefield situation, speaking only of rumors from the streets. This showed that although Yan Dongting was a chief minister privy to military and state affairs, he did not leak such matters to those around him.

Li Kun cared greatly about this as well. When Qiu Yan had taken his leave from the Imperial