The Blood Crown - Chapter 97

“Kong’er! Kong’er!”

Yan Sikong heard Feng Ye’s voice and hurriedly rushed out of the study. Before he could steady his steps, he saw a figure coming towards him, and in the next moment, he was lifted up from the ground.

“Hahaha, my father won, my father won!” Feng Ye held Yan Sikong and spun around in the courtyard, laughing crazily.

Yan Sikong’s face was also filled with joy. “I just received the news too. I was about to enter the palace. This is great, fantastic!”

“My father defeated a hundred thousand Wala troops, pushing them back six hundred miles. The Wala suffered a heavy blow, and the border will be worry-free for years to come!” Feng Ye’s eyes were red with excitement. “My father avenged my elder brother and the millions of people who were harmed by the Wala!”

Yan Sikong hugged Feng Ye’s neck tightly and kissed him fiercely. “The achievements of Prince Jingyuan will resound through the ages.”

Feng Ye also held him tightly, choked with emotion. “Kong’er, I’m so happy, I really am…”

Yan Sikong’s nose was tingling too. “So am I, so am I.”

Since Emperor Sheng Ning lost control of the Hexi region, the people of the Central Plains had been suffering from Wala raids for over fifty years, with no respite at the border. The Wala were constantly threatening the stability of Great Sheng’s territory. Now, Prince Jingyuan had finally dealt a heavy blow to the Wala, causing them to lose a hundred thousand troops and rendering them incapable of invading the Central Plains in the short term. The long-awaited peace had finally arrived.

Feng Ye wiped away his tears. “My father’s lifelong ambition was to eliminate the Wala. Now, he’s on the verge of accomplishing it. We just need to pursue victory and recover the Hexi region. The Wala probably won’t be able to make a comeback for a hundred years.”

“Yes, that’s what I think too,” Yan Sikong said excitedly. “The Hexi region is strategically important, not only because of its location but also its abundant water and grass, and its excellent horses. Emperor Taizu gained control of the Central Plains by obtaining the Hexi region. If it weren’t for the late emperor losing control of the Hexi region, how could Great Sheng have been humiliated by barbarians like this?”

“That’s right. My father will definitely reclaim the Hexi region. By then, Great Sheng will surely restore the prosperous and peaceful era of ruling the Four Seas.” Yan Sikong couldn’t help but imagine the prosperous era described in books about Great Sheng, where the people lived and worked in peace and all nations paid tribute. It was a hundred years ago, but it still filled every citizen of Great Sheng with longing.

Feng Ye was so happy that he didn’t know what to do with himself. He kissed Yan Sikong several times. “I wish I could fly to my father’s side and celebrate his victory in person.”

Yan Sikong chuckled. “His Majesty will hold a grand celebration in the capital. You can toast him here.”

Feng Ye sighed. “I wonder if I’ll ever surpass my father in this lifetime.” Although he spoke with a hint of regret, his bright eyes betrayed his undeniable pride.

“You’re still young, and the world is unpredictable. No matter what, you will be the successor to Prince Jingyuan and continue to protect the people of Great Sheng,” Yan Sikong said firmly, meeting Feng Ye’s gaze.

The news of Prince Jingyuan’s victory over the Wala spread quickly throughout the capital, and the whole country rejoiced. Even the cold winter wind couldn’t dispel the joy that enveloped everyone. People in the capital were discussing this matter everywhere, and the hearsay war report became the most talked-about topic in teahouses and taverns overnight.

Emperor Zhaowu was overjoyed and announced Prince Jingyuan’s victory to the world, declaring that the fortune of Great Sheng had arrived. Not only had the Wala been defeated, but the Empress Dowager’s health had also improved. It was thanks to the blessings of the ancestors, and a grand celebration would be held to commemorate this victory.

In this year, after quelling the rebellion, successfully reducing the power of the feudal lords and enriching the national treasury, and finally Prince Jingyuan’s great victory over the Wala, this series of great news made people feel that they were under a lucky star, and it was no wonder Emperor Zhaowu would boast that “the fortune of the country has arrived.”

On the day Emperor Zhaowu issued the decree, Yan Sikong and Feng Ye got drunk together, they were just too happy.

With only a few days left until the New Year, the civil and military officials were busy with the year-end public affairs, especially the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which were preparing for grand banquets.

And after half a year of working in the Ministry of Personnel, Yan Sikong finally had something to do—preparing for next year’s spring inspection. This was mainly because the Ministry of Personnel was short-handed and overwhelmed with work. Although assigning such mundane tasks to a two-time scholar and former prince’s tutor was really a waste of talent, and if it were anyone else, they might have left in indignation, Yan Sikong did not complain. Whatever he was asked to do, he did it meticulously and flawlessly.

On this day, he finally managed to come home early and rest properly. Just as he left the palace gates, he ran into Yan Zilian’s carriage, which was waiting for him.

Yan Sikong got into Yan Zilian’s carriage and bowed. “Teacher, it’s been a long time. Are you well?”

“It’s almost New Year, and the public affairs are more burdensome.” Yan Zilian said, “You look exhausted. Are you busy with the spring inspection?”

“Yes.”

“How’s it going?”

Yan Sikong smiled bitterly, “All I do is clerical work, and I still can’t see anything significant. If there were, I would have reported it to my teacher long ago.”

Yan Zilian nodded, “You’re clever, next year’s imperial inspection is of great importance.”

“I understand,” Yan Sikong waited for Yan Zilian to continue speaking, deliberately waiting for him here, it couldn’t just be idle chatter.

“Actually, I sought you out today because I have some good news to tell you.”

Yan Sikong’s heart skipped a beat; he already guessed what it was.

Yan Zilian chuckled, “His Majesty said that the Empress Dowager’s health has slightly improved, and she will attend the grand banquet. At the banquet, she will personally officiate the marriage between you and Princess Wanyang.”

Yan Sikong smiled somewhat stiffly, “To receive the marriage blessing personally from the Empress Dowager, I’m deeply honored.” What had to come had finally come.

“Yes, this is even better than receiving it from His Majesty. His Majesty has always been filial, and he will surely treat you with even more importance.”

“Thank you, teacher.”

“On that day, you should dress up smartly and win the Empress Dowager’s favor. You’ll soon be a son-in-law, and next year’s imperial inspection will surely not exclude you.” Yan Zilian said happily, “The timing is so perfect, it seems the eunuch’s days are numbered.”

In Yan Sikong’s mind, the faces of Xie Zhongren and Feng Ye surfaced simultaneously. He clenched his fists and said in a deep voice, “I hope so.”

After returning home, Yan Sikong called for Ali, “Has the young master returned to the capital?”

Ali shook his head and gestured: If the young master returns to the capital, he will definitely come to see the young master.

Yan Sikong sighed, “Go to the Prince Jingyuan’s mansion and find out when the young master will return to the capital.”

Ali nodded.

Yan Sikong calculated that there were less than four days left until New Year’s Eve, and the New Year’s festivities were the busiest time of the year. Feng Ye had not returned to the city for several days, fearing that he would only return when the grand banquet was held. He would not have time to confess his marriage in advance.

He blamed himself for being complacent and delaying. He thought the marriage matter would have to wait until next year. Yan Zilian had also said so before. Who knew it would come so soon, catching him off guard. If Feng Ye heard about his marriage at the grand banquet, he would surely be even angrier.

Later that evening, Ali returned, bringing back the most disheartening news — Feng Ye was indeed waiting until New Year’s Eve to return to the city. By then, Yan Sikong would already be in the palace, and their disparate statuses meant they couldn’t sit together, let alone have a chance to speak.

Ali looked at Yan Sikong with concern, gesturing: Young Master, what’s wrong with you?

Yan Sikong looked at Ali, “Ali, I’m getting married.”

Ali was momentarily stunned, his ugly face suddenly breaking into a wide grin. He excitedly clapped his hands and asked Yan Sikong which family’s young lady he was marrying.

Yan Sikong smiled bitterly, “It’s the princess, the Emperor’s favorite, Princess Wanyang.”

Ali froze, hesitated for a moment, and asked, “Isn’t she the Prince’s cousin?”

“That’s right,” Yan Sikong shook his head, “Ali, being a son-in-law is not easy, especially when the one I’m marrying is Feng Ye’s cousin. I don’t know how to face Feng Ye.”

Ali also showed a troubled expression, standing awkwardly to the side.

As Yan Sikong’s only servant, Ali naturally knew about his relationship with Feng Ye. Although the Great Sheng Dynasty was not as open to male-male relationships as the previous dynasty, it was not considered a big deal for men to have close bonds as long as it was not openly displayed. If it involved scholars, officials, or aristocrats, it might be teased as “romantic,” but it wouldn’t hinder marriage and starting a family.

But marrying Feng Ye’s cousin made things quite awkward, especially considering the princess’s noble status. She couldn’t be treated like an ordinary woman, and who would dare to let her suffer such indignity?

Since the day Yan Sikong learned that Yan Zilian was actively promoting this marriage, it had become the poison lurking between them. The poison would inevitably erupt sooner or later, but Yan Sikong didn’t know how Feng Ye would react.

Ali asked again, “Has the young master told the young prince?”

Yan Sikong shook his head, “Go prepare a new set of court robes for me. I’ll wear them at the grand banquet.”

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year’s Eve.

Officials from all over the capital, including the outskirts, flocked to the capital. Every year on New Year’s Eve, there was a royal banquet, but this year’s was grander than usual because it was also a celebration for the victory at Beiyuan Pass.

Although the protagonist of the banquet, Prince Jingyuan, was still in Datong organizing the troops and fortifying the defenses, his rewards were already on the way.

At dawn, hundreds of officials followed Emperor Zhaowu to offer sacrifices to the heavens, enduring the cold of the twelfth lunar month until noon, as was the tradition, with several inevitably feeling weak and falling.

In the bustling crowd, Yan Sikong quickly found Feng Ye standing prominently at the forefront. Feng Ye was exceptionally tall, standing out among a group of old and overweight officials.

The sacrificial ceremony was about to end, and they would soon return to the palace. Yan Sikong was determined to inform Feng Ye before the grand banquet. (End of this chapter)