The Blood Crown - Chapter 52

“Sikong, look at this lantern; it’s shaped like a fish, quite interesting.”

Feng Ye pointed to the lanterns hanging above their heads. These lanterns were about half a meter long, with each fish scale painted in different colors, very exquisite.

“This is still considered ordinary; let’s go further inside.” Although both of them were wearing masks, the upturned corner of Feng Ye’s lips and his cheerful tone revealed his excitement. His overflowing vitality and joy were infectious, making Yan Sikong unable to suppress his smile.

“Alright, give me one of these.” Feng Ye threw a small piece of silver to the vendor and casually picked up a string of sugar figurines. He took a bite and then brought it close to Yan Sikong’s mouth. “It’s very sweet; try it.”

Yan Sikong never ate these things that filial sons would eat, but as he got closer, he could smell the sweet aroma of malt sugar. He couldn’t resist extending his tongue and took a light lick, instantly savoring the sweet taste. “Hmm, very sweet.”

“Master, I’ve found some silver for you.”

“Let’s keep it.” Feng Ye held Yan Sikong’s hand and continued to walk forward.

Perhaps Datong was not as bustling as Feng Ye had imagined. He found everything fascinating and wanted to eat, buy, and play with everything. If it weren’t for Yan Sikong’s persuasion, they might have ended up unable to carry all the things they wanted to buy.

As they strolled through the crowd, Feng Ye held Yan Sikong’s hand tightly as if he was afraid of losing him. In crowded places, he would even shield him in his embrace.

Because nobody recognized them, Yan Sikong temporarily let go of his usual caution and worries, simply enjoying the festive atmosphere. For the first time, he didn’t think about too much and immersed himself in the joy of the festival. In the past, he never would have imagined celebrating such a heartwarming festival of family reunions. Three festivals and two birthdays, which ordinary families celebrated with great joy, had brought him indescribable suffering. But today was different, perhaps because… because he had Feng Ye by his side.

Unable to resist, he squeezed Feng Ye’s hand back. It was just the hand of a reckless and carefree youth, but the warmth in their palms made him feel incredibly at ease.

Suddenly, Feng Ye turned his head and grinned, “Up ahead, we can guess riddles.”

Yan Sikong smiled and said, “Sure, let me try.”

The two of them walked over and looked at the rows of lanterns, each with a riddle posted on it.

Feng Ye picked up one and read, “‘Using the emperor to command the princes,’ guess the name of a famous scholar from the Warring States period?” He pondered for a moment.

Yan Sikong turned his eyes and smiled slightly, “I know.”

“So fast?” Feng Ye wondered, “Who is it?”

“It’s Wei Wuji.”

Feng Ye turned over the back of the paper slip, “You’re right. Let’s try another one.” He continued to search for more riddles.

“Feel free to pick one.”

“Hmm… ‘Two on top, one pair below,’ guess a word.”

Yan Sikong pondered for a moment and replied, “Is it the character ‘竺’?”

“Exactly,” Feng Ye smiled, “Are none of these riddles challenging for you?”

“These little tricks can’t stump me,” Yan Sikong replied.

Feng Ye pinched his chin and hmphed, “Such arrogance, I like it.”

Yan Sikong chuckled, “I’m just telling the truth. If you don’t believe me, try again.”

Feng Ye, still unwilling to give up, asked several more riddles in a row. Yan Sikong took a bit longer to think about some of them, but in the end, he could answer them all correctly. Gradually, people around them gathered to watch, marveling at Yan Sikong’s cleverness. Each time he answered correctly, it would be met with applause.

“Feng Ye wanted to leave but wasn’t willing; he didn’t like so many people watching Yan Sikong, so he pulled someone and squeezed out of the crowd.

Yan Sikong laughed and said, “What’s this? Giving up?”

‘Yes, what kind of punishment do you have in mind?’ Feng Ye quickly kissed his hair when no one was looking. “Losing to you isn’t so bad.”

Yan Sikong teasingly scolded, “This is not how you lose; you’re just taking advantage.”

Feng Ye playfully said, “Sikong, you’re really clever, perhaps the smartest person I’ve ever met.”

“I do consider myself clever, but I wouldn’t dare claim to be the ‘smartest,’ for example, in the Hanlin Academy, there are a few individuals who I find truly impressive.”

“Anyway, in my heart, you are the smartest,”Feng Ye added with a smile,”and the best.”

Yan Sikong pursed his lips and chuckled.

Feng Ye lowered his head and whispered in his ear, “What about me? Am I good in your heart?”

“Of course, you are.”

“How good?”

Yan Sikong felt a warmth in his cheeks and said, “How should I put this?”

Feng Ye was persistent, “Why can’t you say it? I can list many good things about you; can’t you do the same for me?”

Yan Sikong sighed, “You’re from a distinguished family, and you’re handsome…”

“I don’t want to hear those things,” Feng Ye interrupted, “I don’t want to hear you praise me; I want to hear your sincere words.”

Yan Sikong paused and then pulled Feng Ye into a less crowded corner. His clear eyes, visible through the mask, looked deeply at Feng Ye . “Feng Ye , you have many virtues in my heart. You’re exceptionally handsome, extraordinarily skilled in martial arts, you have the aura of a hero, and most importantly… you’re good to me.”

“Am I really that good in your heart?” Feng Ye asked in excitement.

Yan Sikong smiled sincerely, “Truly.”

Feng Ye couldn’t contain his joy and lifted Yan Sikong off the ground with both hands, letting out an excited chuckle.

Yan Sikong was startled and said, “This is not appropriate; please put me down!” The Lantern Festival was crowded, and people were already watching them. He wasn’t comfortable with the curious glances.

Feng Ye placed Yan Sikong back on the ground but remained cheerful, “I’m happy, who cares about propriety.”

Yan Sikong sighed and said, “I just praised you, and you’re already so impulsive. It seems you’re forever a youth, not yet a grown man.”

Feng Ye cornered Yan Sikong against the wall, lowered his head, and used his lips to caress Yan Sikong’s cheek, whispering seductively, “Then when will you let me be a man?”

Yan Sikong’s face turned as red as a burning ember.

Feng Ye gently touched his cheek and said, “Your face is so hot; are you feeling shy?”

Yan Sikong attempted to push him away, feeling flustered, “Let’s go release the river lanterns.”

“Why don’t you agree to me first?”

“What am I agreeing to?”

Feng Ye asserted, “Agree to let me be a real man.”

Yan Sikong blushed deeply, thankful for his mask that concealed his embarrassment. He cleared his throat and tried to maintain composure, saying, “To be a real man, you need courage, determination, and…”

Feng Ye gently covered his mouth and grinned, “I have all of that. Sikong, you’re so clever; why pretend to be clueless? Don’t you understand that whenever I look at you, I want to be with you intimately?”

Yan Sikong looked into Feng Ye ‘s eyes, feeling his mouth dry and his throat tight, and in Feng Ye ‘s eyes, he saw the desire of a man – pure, passionate, intense, straightforward, and inevitable.

It sent shivers down his spine.

“I said I want you, and I will have you,” Feng Ye planted a firm kiss on Yan Sikong’s lips, then laughed as he pulled Yan Sikong closer. “Come on, let’s go release the river lanterns!”

Yan Sikong secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but his mind remained in turmoil. After wandering for ten years, he believed he could handle any danger that came his way with composure. However, Feng Ye constantly caught him off guard because this person had no intention of harming him; quite the opposite, he seemed to protect him at every turn. Dealing with someone who had no ill intentions and treated him so well left him uncertain about how to respond.

A sense of confusion swept over him.

The two of them walked through the lantern market and reached the riverside, where countless people had gathered. Orange lanterns floated on the water’s surface, resembling night-blooming lotuses, each one emitting a faint, flickering light, carrying the hopes and memories of those present.

They purchased two river lanterns and stood by the water. Yan Sikong said, “Make a wish.”

Feng Ye smiled at him and asked, “Do we have to say it out loud?”

“It’s up to you.”

“Then I wish…” Feng Ye flashed a mischievous grin, “for us to be loving every year and safe every year.”

Yan Sikong chuckled, “Why are you laughing? Isn’t that a good wish?”

Yan Sikong closed his eyes, still smiling, and his lips lightly moved as he silently made a wish that only he knew.

Feng Ye leaned in to listen closely but couldn’t quite make it out. “What did you wish for?”

“I’m not telling you.”

“You’re such a tease, and I told you mine.”

“But you wanted to tell me, didn’t you?” Yan Sikong said, “Come on, let’s release them.”

Together, they let the river lanterns float away, watching them drift into the distance.

Feng Ye nudged his shoulder. “Come on, tell me what you wished for.”

Yan Sikong smiled and replied, “If I tell you, what if it doesn’t come true? I’m not telling.”

“I told you mine; does that mean mine won’t come true?” Feng Ye protested. “At least tell me, does your wish include me?”

Yan Sikong paused for a moment, his voice unexpectedly tender even to himself, “Yes.”

Feng Ye beamed, “Haha, that’s great.”

Yan Sikong turned his head one last time to look at the two lanterns now floating toward the center of the river. It was as if they could truly fulfill the wishes in people’s hearts. Otherwise, why would their faint light in the darkness feel so warm?

Feng Ye , I wish for you to become a legendary hero for generations to come.