The Blood Crown - Chapter 58

As the Lunar New Year approached, the court officials began their annual holiday. Feng Ye, finding Yansikong’s residence too quiet, brought him and Ah Li to the Feng residence to celebrate the New Year.

The Feng residence didn’t have many servants, but with the preparations for the Spring Festival, it felt like they needed three people for every task. Everywhere you looked, there were busy people bustling about.

Ah Li had never stayed in such a large mansion, and he found it easy to get lost in the sprawling courtyards. He wanted to help but didn’t know where to begin, fearing he would be in the way.

Yansikong smiled and said, “Ah Li, you’ve worked hard all year. These days, treat yourself as a guest and relax.”

Feng Ye also added, “Indeed, you don’t need to do anything. Don’t follow us around either. Xue Bo, arrange a guest room for him and take good care of him.”

“Yes.”

Ah Li followed Xue Bo in a daze.

Yansikong suddenly chuckled.

Feng Ye asked, “What are you laughing at?”

“I was thinking if Ah Li saw Hun, he might be scared away.”

“I had Hun stay in the inner courtyard. Most of the servants in the house are a bit scared of it. Are you no longer afraid of it?”

“I’m not.”

They walked into the inner courtyard and saw Hun napping under a tree. The snow from the previous night had not yet melted. Despite the cold weather, Hun, covered in fur, was peacefully sleeping, which made them quite envious. They were shivering even though they were wrapped in thick fur cloaks.

They quickly entered the house. Once the door was closed, Feng Ye pressed Yansikong against the wall and passionately kissed his lips, savoring the moment.

Yansikong couldn’t help but grip Feng Ye’s hand and closed his eyes, enjoying the tenderness and sweetness of the kiss.

When they parted, Feng Ye whispered, “Are you cold?”

Yansikong shook his head and smiled, saying, “I’m a man from Liaodong. This isn’t that cold.”

“But you don’t have a Liaodong accent anymore.”

“I left Liaodong ten years ago. It’s hard to maintain the accent.”

Feng Ye hugged his waist and nuzzled his ice-cold cheek affectionately. “I haven’t seen you in a few days, and I’ve missed you so much.”

“Why are you so good at being coquettish?”

“Am I?” Feng Ye said.

“Only with me,” Yansikong replied.

Feng Ye smirked and then lowered his head, biting Yansikong’s earlobe lightly. “I’ll make sure not to let you off tonight.”

Yansikong scolded, “It’s daytime! What are you doing!”

Feng Ye replied nonchalantly, “What’s wrong with daytime?”

In the evening, Yansikong enjoyed a leisurely time in the Feng residence. It was rare to have a few days of relaxation each year. He was living the life of an honored guest, where everything was readily available. He didn’t resist but welcomed it. He had not celebrated the New Year in such a relaxed manner in a long time. In the past, he had always been reluctant to embrace the family gathering on this festive day, but with Feng Ye by his side, everything felt natural.

Feng Ye, newly exploring the pleasures of love, was passionate, almost insatiable, and Yansikong had a difficult time keeping up. After a few days, his legs felt like jelly, and he couldn’t resist being drawn into Feng Ye’s passionate whirlwind.

On New Year’s Eve, the Feng residence was adorned with lanterns and decorations, and the atmosphere was lively. All the court officials and nobility came to offer New Year’s greetings and gifts. Feng Ye didn’t pay much attention to the gifts and had the servants keep a record of them.

After sunset, Yansikong attended a New Year’s banquet at the Feng residence and saw Feng Ye’s distant and close relatives. As Feng Ye had grown up in the military, he wasn’t particularly close to these relatives. He could sense that these people had a certain level of fear and respect for Feng Ye, and they treated each other with courtesy. However, it was New Year, and the atmosphere was joyful, with the entire residence filled with celebration.

Yansikong sat there, smiling but silent, as he couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of sorrow.

Every year, he would recall the New Year celebrations he had as a child. When he was young, his family was well-off, and they would buy new clothes and shoes for the New Year. Their home would be filled with delicious food, and they would set off fireworks. They would visit relatives, play games, and it was the day he looked forward to the most. Later, when he went to the Yuan family, even though their life was more frugal, they still celebrated the New Year as a close-knit family, and those simple and heartfelt moments of happiness were more than enough.

Now, in this life, he could still remember the smiles on his family’s faces, but he would never see them again.

“Kong’er, Kong’er?”

“Eh?” Yansikong snapped back to reality.

“What’s wrong with you?” Feng Ye held his hand under the table. “I’ve been calling you for a while.”

Yansikong shook his head. “Nothing.”

Feng Ye stared at him, silent for a while. He leaned in, lowered his voice, and said, “You don’t have family anymore, but I’m your family. From now on, we’ll celebrate every New Year together.”

Yansikong’s heart trembled, and his eyes welled up with tears. He blinked and smiled, nodding his head. Feng Ye might appear reckless and unrestrained, but his thoughts were deep, and he often said heartwarming things.

“I miss my father too,” Feng Ye said. “When I left Datong, my father said… ‘This may be the last time we see each other in this life.'”

Yansikong gripped his hand in response.

Feng Ye shook his head. “I returned to the capital to reassure the emperor and let my father lead the troops at the border. Maybe we truly won’t see each other again.”

“No, if one day the Prince of Jingyuan conquers the Khitans and returns triumphantly, you will surely be reunited.”

Feng Ye smiled. “I hope so.”

In Yansikong’s eyes, he saw not only longing and sadness but also profound loneliness. As a young and ambitious military commander, being unable to roam the battlefield and lead armies, akin to confining Hun within a small mansion, must be frustrating and reluctant.

They enjoyed a sumptuous New Year’s Eve dinner, and Feng Ye had arranged a troupe to perform for them. Everyone cheered and enjoyed the lively entertainment.

As the night approached, a group of people gathered in the courtyard, where fireworks and firecrackers had been prepared. It was a snowy night, and the Milky Way was hidden, making each star above seem larger and brighter.

Xue Bo excitedly shouted, “Let’s light the fireworks first!”

Feng Ye ignited the fuses himself. Fireworks sizzled and burst, one after another, shooting straight into the sky. They blossomed into beautiful flowers in the indigo sky, though fleeting, they added color to this world in their brief existence.

“It’s so beautiful,” everyone exclaimed excitedly.

When the sound of the Jingyang Bell rang in the distance, the final strike marking the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year, they eagerly lit firecrackers, creating a deafening cacophony to welcome the New Year.

Feng Ye and Yansikong covered their ears, laughing as they dodged the flying dirt and debris from the firecrackers. Their eyes met in the night sky, filled with a deep affection that flowed between them like a warm stream, surging into their hearts.

Feng Ye leaned in, suddenly raised his cloak, and covered Yansikong’s head. He then lowered his head and kissed Yansikong’s lips passionately.

Yansikong disregarded everything around them, holding onto Feng Ye’s neck, reciprocating with intense affection.

Fireworks lit up the night, and the happiness of the people below seemed less radiant than this one lingering kiss.

On the first day of the New Year, they spent most of the day in each other’s embrace. Servants brought fine wine and dishes into the room and paid no heed to their disheveled state.

In the evening, they reluctantly left each other’s embrace. They both had official duties to attend to on the second day of the New Year. All court officials were required to pay their respects to the emperor.

Due to the heavy snow in the south, the New Year’s rituals had been simplified, and they were completed before noon.

Afterward, they parted ways. Feng Ye went to visit the Empress for New Year’s greetings, and Yansikong had to visit the Crown Prince, his teacher, and his colleagues.

When they returned to the Feng residence, it was already dark. Yansikong was supporting his aching back and felt thoroughly exhausted. He chastised himself for indulging in desires so excessively.

Feng Ye had returned earlier and, seeing Yansikong’s weary appearance, couldn’t help but smile.

Yansikong gave him a sidelong glance. “You dare laugh. Today, I’ll sleep honestly. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being impolite.”

“Don’t worry,” Feng Ye assured, hugging him and giving him a kiss. “I will always cherish you.”

Only then did Yansikong feel relieved. “When did you return?”

“I came back in the afternoon. I went to visit my aunt.”

“Oh…” In the past, Yansikong had little interest in the Empress. Still, now that Feng Ye was plotting to betroth Princess Wanyang to him, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of anxiety.

“My aunt is quite lonely in the palace. She wants me to visit her often.”

“Isn’t Princess Wanyang with her?”

Feng Ye replied, “She has too much energy and can’t sit still. It gives my aunt a headache.”

Yansikong hesitated for a moment and couldn’t control his question. “Are you close to her?”

Feng Ye pondered for a moment. “Every time I visit, she wants to play with me. But there’s not much for us to talk about. She’s just a spoiled girl.”

A warning bell rang in Yansikong’s mind. Perhaps these days, engrossed in their passions and intimacy, he had become confused. What exactly was he thinking? Everything between him and Feng Ye was like a mirage, far from being real.

He reminded himself not to let emotions cloud his judgment. Looking at Feng Ye’s smiling, carefree eyes, with his guard completely down, even with the warmth of the room and the crackling fire, Yansikong gradually felt a chilling breeze.