The Blood Crown - Chapter 37

On the evening of the banquet, the entrance to the Feng Mansion was bustling with activity, and the sound of people filled the air. Most of the capital’s elite had received invitations and eagerly attended.

When Yan Sikong arrived, he saw Xue Bo welcoming guests at the entrance. Upon spotting him, Xue Bo warmly greeted, “Mr. Yan, thank you for gracing us with your presence.”

Yan Sikong looked around and whispered, “Have you securely tied up Lord Feng’s soul? With so many people here, if that giant wolf were to make an appearance, it might frighten a few.”

Xue Bo chuckled, “Mr. Yan, rest assured. He is well taken care of.” He instructed one of the servants, “Take Mr. Yan to find a seat.”

“It’s not appropriate,” Yan Sikong objected. “I’m just a minor official; it’s not suitable for me to take a high seat. Let me find a place on my own.”

“Well…”

Yan Sikong smiled, “If your young master has any objections, I’ll explain it to him myself.” Without waiting for Xue Bo to respond, he walked into the mansion.

It was early summer, and the weather was pleasant. The dining tables were set up in the courtyard. Yan Sikong scanned the area and spotted a familiar face – Zhou Mixing.

Zhou Mixing was equally surprised to see him. “Brother Yan, what a coincidence…” Most of the guests at Feng Ye’s banquet were high-ranking officials and nobility. While Yan Sikong had recently been appointed as a tutor to the Crown Prince, he wasn’t well-known. So, his presence among the guests was unexpected.

Yan Sikong didn’t explain and just said with a smile, “May I join you, Brother Zhou?”

“Please, please, have a seat.” Zhou Mixing said, “Let me introduce you to some people. This is the second son of Minister Gao of the Dali Court, and this is Mr. Zhang from Jinan Prefecture, who happens to be in the capital on official business…”

The introductions continued.

“This gentleman here is the recent sensation in the capital,” Zhou Mixing patted Yan Sikong on the shoulder, “In this flourishing May, during the revival of the Imperial Academy, it’s none other than Mr. Yan Sikong here. He has the talent of an eight-legged essay and the charm of an imperial favorite, and he has astounded everyone. Even the Emperor himself praised him greatly.”

“Oh, I’ve heard about you. I’ve heard that at the Imperial Academy, you outshone everyone, even surpassing Shen Hexuan, who won the Triennial Examinations thrice.”

Yan Sikong modestly replied, “I’m just an average scholar with some shallow knowledge. The Hanlin Academy is home to many talented individuals, and I can’t compare to them.”

“Modesty, too much modesty, hahaha.”

“I heard that you’ve been appointed as a tutor to the Crown Prince?”

“That’s correct.”

The others in the group were quite interested. “Is the Crown Prince a diligent learner?”

Yan Sikong smiled, “The Crown Prince is extraordinarily intelligent, studious, and given time, he will surely become an enlightened ruler.” He understood that these people were not really interested in whether the Crown Prince was a diligent learner; they were just looking for some juicy information.

They seemed eager to continue their inquiries, but Yan Sikong skillfully diverted the conversation elsewhere.

At that moment, Feng Ye made his entrance, capturing the attention of all the guests. His charismatic and untamed appearance drew everyone’s gaze.

Feng Ye was dressed in a dark blue formal attire with an open collar, a rhinoceros belt, and black trousers tucked into golden embroidered boots. This attire emphasized his narrow waist and long legs, making him look exceptionally handsome and elegant, a sight to behold.

First, he apologized to the guests, explaining his absence due to health issues and inability to receive visitors. Then, he conveyed gratitude on behalf of the Jingyuan King. His words were impeccable, and despite the humble language he used, his inherent pride couldn’t be concealed.

As he spoke, his eyes scanned the surroundings.

Yan Sikong overheard the hushed conversations about Feng Ye’s appearance, the Jingyuan King’s power, and more. He paid no attention and couldn’t help but steal glances at Feng Ye.

When their eyes met from a distance, Yan Sikong’s lips curled slightly, hiding a smile. He knew that Feng Ye had been looking for him.

The banquet began, with music, dance, and wine, creating a lively atmosphere. Yan Sikong and Zhou Mixing, among others, were sipping their drinks, but their minds were elsewhere. Yan Sikong occasionally glanced around, and he noticed that Feng Ye was socializing and laughing with others.

Feng Ye, having grown up in the military, carried a wild and unrestrained demeanor typical of a warrior. He lacked the refined etiquette that often characterizes such events. At times, he was so direct that it bordered on being intimidating. However, excessive ceremony and formality weren’t necessarily a good thing, and Yan Sikong worried that if he adhered too strictly to etiquette, he might offend someone.

But it seemed that Feng Ye was handling the situation with ease, which put Yan Sikong at ease.

After a round of music and dance, the Censor-in-Chief, Pei Fanjiaying, was inspired after a few drinks. He proposed a poetry and wine session, suggesting that those who excelled in poetry would compose poems, and those skilled with wine would make toasts.

“Excellent idea!”

“Pei Sir, you go first!”

Pei Fanjiaying initiated the session, and the literati and officials, now excited, began composing poems and making toasts. Poetry and wine brought them together, making the most of this splendid evening.

When it was Yan Sikong’s table’s turn, Zhou Mixing instigated, “Let our dear Yan show his talents.”

Feng Ye, holding a wine cup, approached with a smile and said to Yan Sikong, “I’ve heard that Mr. Yan is exceptionally talented. We’re all looking forward to it.”

“Ah, so the Crown Prince has also heard about Mr. Yan.”

“Receiving praise from the Emperor on the Academy’s revival, who hasn’t heard of it? Mr. Yan, please.”

Yan Sikong smiled and replied to the applause, “I’m just a humble servant.”

“Please.”

Yan Sikong examined his bronze goblet and began reciting a poem with grace and elegance:

“The divine brew bestowed by the heavens, we travel through the cloud-lined streets.
With blue dragon setting the table, and white tiger bearing the wine vessels.
Southern stars create music with zithers, and Northern stars blow on flutes and oboes.
Dewdrops form a canopy, and the stars propel the celestial chariot.”

As he finished the poem, everyone was astonished.

“What a beautiful poem! ‘The divine brew bestowed by the heavens, we travel through the cloud-lined streets.’ After a single cup of this wine, we’re ascending to the skies, hahaha! Beautiful poetry indeed.”

“Excellent poem, Mr. Yan has truly amazed us.”

Yan Sikong humbly replied, “You’re too kind.”

Feng Ye squinted his eyes, gazing at Yan Sikong’s flushed yet talented countenance, with those eyes brimming with intoxication and talent. His breath became slightly hurried, and he listened to the admiration and praise of those around him, almost as if they were praising him.

“Mr. Yan, I’ll toast to you.”

“Yan Brother, come on, you have to drink this cup. On the fifteenth of next month, we have a moon-watching banquet at my mansion, and you must attend.”

“Mr. Yan, I’ll toast to you…”

Seeing Yan Sikong about to be overwhelmed by the toasts, Feng Ye quickly squeezed through the crowd and reached Yan Sikong’s side. He took the wine from his hand and said with a smile, “I’ve heard that Mr. Yan Sikong is exceptionally talented, and I am very much looking forward to your performance.”

“So, the Crown Prince has also heard of Mr. Yan.”

“On the Academy’s revival, Mr. Yan Sikong received praise from the Emperor himself. Who hasn’t heard of it? Mr. Yan, please.”

Yan Sikong smiled and raised his wine cup, “Then, let me offer my humble work.”

“Please.”

Yan Sikong looked at the bronze goblet in his hand, thought for a moment, and recited a poem:

“The heavens bestow beautiful wine, and we travel through the streets of clouds.
The azure dragon sets the table, the white tiger carries the wine jug.
Southern constellations play the zither, and northern constellations blow the flute and oboe.
Dewdrops form the canopy, and the stars push the celestial chariot.”

Once the poem was finished, everyone was amazed.

“What a great poem! ‘The heavens bestow beautiful wine, and we travel through the streets of clouds.’ With just one cup of this wine, we could ascend to the skies, hahaha! Beautiful poetry!”

“Great poem, Mr. Yan truly amazes us.”

Yan Sikong humbly replied, “You’re too kind.”

Feng Ye slightly squinted his eyes, looking at Yan Sikong’s flushed and talented face. Those eyes, brimming with a mix of intoxication and talent, made his breath quicken slightly. He listened to the admiration and praise from the people around them, feeling proud as if they were praising himself.

“Mr. Yan, I’ll toast to you.”

“Yan Brother, come on, you have to drink this cup. On the fifteenth of next month, we have a moon-watching banquet at my mansion, and you must attend.”

“Mr. Yan, I’ll toast to you…”

As Yan Sikong was about to be overwhelmed by the toasts, Feng Ye quickly stepped up and reached Yan Sikong’s side. He took the wine from his hand and said with a smile, “I’ve heard that Mr. Yan Sikong is exceptionally talented, and I am very much looking forward to your performance.”

“Ah, so the Crown Prince has also heard about Mr. Yan.”

“On the Academy’s revival, Mr. Yan Sikong received praise from the Emperor himself. Who hasn’t heard of it? Mr. Yan, please.”

Yan Sikong smiled and raised his wine cup, “Then, let me offer my humble work.”

“Please.”

Yan Sikong looked at the bronze goblet in his hand, thought for a moment, and recited a poem:

“The heavens bestow beautiful wine, and we travel through the streets of clouds.
The azure dragon sets the table, the white tiger carries the wine jug.
Southern constellations play the zither, and northern constellations blow the flute and oboe.
Dewdrops form the canopy, and the stars push the celestial chariot.”

Once the poem was finished, everyone was amazed.

“What a great poem! ‘The heavens bestow beautiful wine, and we travel through the streets of clouds.’ With just one cup of this wine, we could ascend to the skies, hahaha! Beautiful poetry!”

“Great poem, Mr. Yan truly amazes us.”

Yan Sikong humbly replied, “You’re too kind.”

Feng Ye slightly squinted his eyes, looking at Yan Sikong’s flushed and talented face. Those eyes, brimming with a mix of intoxication and talent, made his breath quicken slightly. He listened to the admiration and praise from the people around them, feeling proud as if they were praising himself

Yan Sikong couldn’t help but smile and leaned closer to Feng Ye, whispering in a low voice, “Your tolerance for alcohol is still less than mine, so why show off?”

Feng Ye pretended to be angry, saying, “I helped you handle the drinks, and you don’t even appreciate it. Now you’re teasing me?”

“No, no,” Yan Sikong chuckled. “Have a sip of green tea to sober up a bit.” He poured a cup of tea for Feng Ye.

Feng Ye pushed the tea away, saying, “I won’t drink it.”

“You…”

Feng Ye held the wine cup in his hand and said, “I heard them talking about seeking Lady Yan Ge’s approval for your marriage. They said it’s a minister’s daughter from some prominent family.”

Yan Sikong raised an eyebrow, asking, “Is that so? Which minister’s daughter? How old is she?”

Feng Ye glanced at him, saying, “It seems like you’re looking forward to it.”

“Men should marry when the time is right, and women should wed when it’s their time. I’m not getting any younger.”

Feng Ye stared at him and said, “I haven’t even agreed to an engagement, so why do you get to talk about marriage?”

“There’s nothing to compare here. Do you want to outdo me in this too? Besides, I’m five years older than you.”

“Do you really want to get married?” Feng Ye’s face now showed anger.

Yan Sikong didn’t understand why Feng Ye was getting upset, but he could tell that he was genuinely unhappy. So, he chuckled and said, “I’m not really interested in marriage, but my parents have the final say. If my teacher arranges a marriage for me, how can I refuse?” He wasn’t lying. He had no desire to get married and had no interest in having children, but matters of marriage were beyond his control. His views on marriage hadn’t changed much from his childhood, except now, he didn’t care whom he married, if he were to marry at all. However, if he did, it had to be the daughter of a prominent family.

Feng Ye pursed his lips, then abruptly pushed Yan Sikong away and stood up, walking away.

“Crown Prince…” Yan Sikong sighed and shook his head with a helpless smile.