The Blood Crown - Chapter 123
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Feng Jianping insisted that Yan Sikong stay for dinner at the mansion, and Yan Sikong, although reluctant to linger, found himself unable to refuse.
During the meal, they continued discussing the situation in the court. Suddenly, Feng Jianping seemed to recall something. “After returning to the capital, I heard rumors about a rift between you and Xi’er due to her marriage. Is there any truth to this?”
Feng Ye glanced at Yan Sikong, clearly unsure how to explain. In Feng Jianping’s eyes, he was still inexperienced and not yet capable of handling matters independently. He hesitated whether he should confess the relationship between him and Yan Sikong to his father, especially now when the situation was so precarious.
“What’s wrong, is it true?”
“Father…”
“Why? Are you really concerned about family status?”
“No.”
“Could it be…” Feng Jianping raised an eyebrow, “Do you have feelings for Xi’er?”
“Of course not,” Feng Ye blurted out, “Father, you’re overthinking.”
“Then why?” Feng Jianping glanced at Feng Ye.
Yan Sikong set down his chopsticks. “Your Highness, there are two reasons for this.”
“Oh? Let’s hear them.”
“Firstly, as a civil official and a military general, the Crown Prince and I have grown too close. It inevitably gives others leverage, especially considering Your Highness’s position, which attracts attention everywhere. Secondly…” Yan Sikong glanced at Feng Ye, “I once swore that until I avenged my great hatred, I would not marry. Bearing such a deep-seated grievance, I tread on thin ice. I fear I might disappoint Princess Wanyang.”
“Yes, Sikong once made such a vow,” Feng Ye added, “Besides, factional struggles are perilous. I don’t want Xi’er to be implicated.”
Feng Jianping chuckled, “When a man reaches adulthood, he should marry. Since you and Xi’er are the marriage arranged by the emperor, you need not worry too much. Ye, from now on, you and Sikong getting closer is also a good thing.”
Yan Sikong chuckled dryly, looking at Feng Ye’s changing complexion, feeling helpless.
“But,” Feng Jianping continued, “Sikong is right that you two should not get too close, at least until we eradicate the eunuch party, to avoid suspicion.”
Feng Ye sullenly replied, “Since then, whenever I visit him, I keep it discreet, even when meeting Elder Yan.”
“One day, I should visit the Empress in the palace,” Feng Jianping sighed, “I used to dote on her the most. When I left the capital years ago, she was still a little girl. Blink of an eye, thirty-some years.”
“Father, has there been much change in the capital?”
Feng Jianping shook his head, “Only people have changed.”
After dinner, Feng Ye personally escorted Yan Sikong out of the mansion. The two walked side by side under the moonlight, both tall and long-legged, deliberately walking slowly. In such peaceful moments, it seemed they could walk like this forever without feeling tired.
Yan Sikong subtly held Feng Ye’s hand and whispered, “Don’t be disheartened. The most important thing now is to eliminate the eunuch party, support the Crown Prince. Once Teacher and His Highness control the court, we can discuss marriage later.”
Feng Ye reluctantly replied, “Anyway, with the Empress newly deceased, you won’t become relatives within three years.”
“The Emperor calling your father back to the capital is definitely not just about attending a funeral. After the funeral, he might start making moves. You two need to be prepared.”
“Hmm… If it’s just reducing military strength, my Feng family can accept it. I’m afraid Xie Zhongren might slander and manipulate the Emperor against my father.”
“You’re worried about all this, but he has already taken action. Otherwise, His Majesty wouldn’t have summoned your father back to the capital. What’s next…” Yan Sikong squinted, “When the troops arrive, we’ll handle them; when the water comes, we’ll cover the earth.”
“After my father returned home, we had a long talk. He understands my concerns, but he wrote in his letter that he would never become a traitor.” Feng Ye tightened his grip on Yan Sikong’s hand. “Of course, he also has his concerns. The two thousand soldiers he brought back are all elite among the elites, loyal only to the Feng family. They might ensure my father’s safety.”
Yan Sikong felt worried. However elite these soldiers were, they were only two thousand in number, stationed thirty miles away. But he didn’t voice this concern, instead comforting Feng Ye, “That makes me feel much better. When His Highness returns to the court and joins forces with my teacher, we will surely root out the treacherous and cleanse the court.”
“By then,” Feng Ye lowered his head, gently kissed Yan Sikong’s forehead, “there will be no barrier between us anymore. I want to be with you forever.”
Yan Sikong teased, “Aren’t you afraid His Highness will break your legs?”
Feng Ye snorted, “I, Feng Ye, fear nothing.”
Yan Sikong chuckled, “You’re clearly afraid of your father.”
Feng Ye pursed his lips, whispering, “I don’t fear him; I just respect him.”
Yan Sikong burst into laughter.
Feng Ye pulled him into the shadow of the eaves and kissed him forcefully. “Laugh all you want, but I won’t let you go.”
Yan Sikong caressed his cheek, smiling, “I’ll go. Sooner or later, we won’t need to hide like this. We can stroll freely under the moonlight.”
“Of course,” Feng Ye smiled confidently.
—
Before the funeral, everything was calm.
By the decree of Emperor Zhaowu, a grand state funeral was held for the Empress, with a new imperial tomb selected and elaborate funeral rites performed to appease the heavens’ wrath.
The funeral cost five hundred thousand taels of silver, causing complaints among the people and discontent in the court, though many dared not voice their anger.
The funeral was more extravagant than previous ones, involving sacrifices to heaven and recitations of scriptures. All the feudal princes and courtiers spent a freezing day on the northern outskirts in winter, causing discomfort to the elderly.
After such efforts, the funeral finally concluded without any mishaps. Those involved from the Ministry of Rites might need to go home and burn incense for their mistakes.
Following the funeral, preparations for a grand feast began. However, even before the feast, there were movements in the court.
During the morning court, censors directly admonished Feng Jianping and Feng Ye, saying that since Feng Jianping had returned to the capital, he should be assessed according to the standards of the capital exam.
Originally, Feng Jianping had refused to return to the capital, citing ongoing military affairs in Datong as his reason and the Emperor had agreed to postpone the examination.
Now, factions were divided over whether the Emperor’s decision should continue to be delayed or the trial restart, but the debate didn’t last long. The Emperor summoned the historian and retrieved the records of that day. It was clearly written that the delay would continue.
However, with Feng Jianping’s recent return to the capital, the first test had been delayed for just three months, and this delay had been found to be quite reasonable by many experts
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