The Blood Crown - Chapter 98
The sacrificial ceremony ended, and the courtiers began to return to the palace one after another.
Yan Sikong bumped into some former colleagues from the Hanlin Academy, who pulled him into conversation. He kept looking back, trying to find Feng Ye, but he saw that Feng Ye was already surrounded by ministers who had come to congratulate him.
One of his colleagues followed his gaze and said, “Lord Yan, you won’t be able to squeeze in there now.”
Liang Sui, feeling smug, chimed in, “Don’t you know that Lord Yan and the young prince are very close? They often drink and chat together. There’s no need for him to join the crowd now.”
“That’s true. Lord Yan first impressed everyone at the young prince’s banquet with his literary talent, and then he and the young prince campaigned together in Lianghu. When Lord Yan rises to prominence in the future, he mustn’t forget his brothers.”
“Hahaha, that’s right.”
Yan Sikong forced a smile but remained silent. He and Feng Ye had been trying to avoid displaying their friendship in public, but with eyes and ears everywhere in the capital, their close relationship was well-known. Although Yan Zilian had not explicitly stated it, the purpose of arranging the marriage with Princess Wanyang was to further cement the alliance with the Feng family. This significance was no less than becoming the emperor’s son-in-law.
But he feared he might end up ruining everything.
After finally entering the palace gate, Yan Sikong found an opportunity to squeeze his way to Feng Ye’s side. He whispered to Feng Ye, “Young prince, I have something to say…”
“Young prince,” Zhao Fuyi happened to walk over, took Feng Ye’s arm, and said, “General Di is in the capital to report on his duties. Come, let me take you to pay your respects.”
Feng Ye glanced at Yan Sikong and said, “Lord Yan, let’s talk later.”
“Young prince…” Yan Sikong tried to follow for a few steps, but then hesitated, worried about being too abrupt. He could only watch as Feng Ye walked away, and he was pushed along with the crowd through the Taiji Gate, beginning to line up with the other courtiers, awaiting the emperor.
Such elaborate rituals typically took up the entire day. By nightfall, the courtiers were hungry and exhausted, but they still stood straight.
Until an inner eunuch called out, and Emperor Zhaowu personally assisted a graceful and dignified woman out. With her snowy hair and slow pace, she exuded an aura of weakness despite her elaborate attire and makeup.
The courtiers knelt and performed the ritual of three kneels and nine kowtows, cheering for longevity.
Emperor Zhaowu helped the empress dowager onto the Golden Phoenix Throne and sat beside her to show filial piety.
After the courtiers rose, Yan Sikong was finally able to look up at the empress dowager. He saw her red eyes and dark cheeks, breathing slowly but heavily, fearing she might not survive the winter.
Trembling, the empress dowager raised her hand and waved, and the Chief Eunuch Yu Ji shouted, “Rise, and be seated.”
The courtiers took their seats according to their ranks, with higher-ranking officials closer to the throne. However, there were exceptions, and although Feng Ye was only a fourth-ranking official, he sat among the highest-ranking officials.
Yan Sikong looked at Feng Ye, feeling uneasy and restless. His heart seemed to sink lower and lower. He listened somewhat absent-mindedly as Yu Ji read the imperial decree, praising merits and virtues, but sweat gradually beaded on his palms.
When Yu Ji read out the rewards for Feng Jianping, granting him the Purple Sash and Golden Seal, a first-rank Jade Belt, as well as countless treasures and land, it was clear that Emperor Zhaowu had wracked his brains to come up with these rewards. Feng Ye was receiving them on behalf of his father, as Feng Jianping had already received all the possible rewards due to his countless merits and high position, making these rewards a brainchild of sorts, and Feng Ye accepted them on his father’s behalf.
Feng Ye walked proudly to the center of the Golden Phoenix Hall, kneeling proudly to receive his rewards. Arrogance and pride were written all over his young and handsome face, making him seem like a proud son of heaven.
Liang Sui nudged Yan Sikong discreetly. Yan Sikong slightly turned his head, but his gaze remained fixed on Feng Ye. Liang Sui leaned in and whispered in his ear, “Hey, have you heard the news?”
“What news?”
“Actually, His Majesty is conferring honors on Prince Jingyuan, who is returning to the capital.”
“Is that so? Then…”
Liang Sui shook his head. “He won’t come back. He said he wants to exterminate the remaining remnants of the Wala tribe and reinforce the defenses of Datong. He’s too occupied to return.”
Yan Sikong fell silent for a moment, then leaned in close to Liang Sui and spoke in a very solemn tone. “Brother Liang, heed my advice and refrain from spreading rumors about this matter. Beware of getting into trouble.”
Liang Sui looked at Yan Sikong in surprise, but seeing Yan Sikong’s cold and piercing gaze, as if he could see through people inside and out, he felt his hair stand on end. Suddenly, he realized that Yan Sikong was no longer the naive provincial scholar he had known two years ago, seeking to ingratiate himself with him and Zhou Mixing to befriend the powerful. He nodded awkwardly, feeling guilty, and looked away.
Yan Sikong’s own thoughts were stirred. He knew Liang Sui was trying to fish for information from him, thinking that because of his friendship with Feng Ye, he might know some inside information. He truly didn’t know, and even if he did, he wouldn’t tell an outsider.
This matter was something even he was unaware of, indicating its extreme confidentiality. But he could guess that Liang Sui must have received the information from Zhou Mixing. Zhou Mixing’s father was the magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture, and the emperor’s edicts had to pass through the prefectural relay stations. Shuntian Prefecture was the outer gate of the capital, and news of comings and goings in the capital was always well-informed.
While this matter sounded reasonable, it was actually quite problematic. Emperor Zhaowu had not directly issued the decree through the Imperial Academy but rather as a mid-level decree, which meant it was an imperial decree issued secretly by the emperor, without discussion or record by the cabinet. Yan Sikong speculated that Emperor Zhaowu was worried that Feng Jianping wouldn’t return. If he openly issued the decree and Feng Jianping publicly refused, it would end badly.
And Feng Jianping did indeed refuse.
With nearly three hundred thousand troops under his command, ample military resources, and a recent great victory over the Wala tribe, Feng Jianping’s fame had spread far and wide. He was now a highly esteemed figure, and when Feng Ye boasted that he could change the dynasty’s name if he wished, it wasn’t just empty talk. Gathering the strength of the entire nation would likely still be insufficient to contend with the Feng family’s army, especially considering Emperor Zhaowu’s loss of virtue. If Feng Jianping were to oppose, his power would likely be ten times that of Prince Liang.
But Yan Sikong knew that Feng Jianping harbored no disloyalty. If he did, he wouldn’t have waited until now, and he wouldn’t have let Feng Ye return to the capital. If he did, his well-educated and indoctrinated only son wouldn’t have such unwavering loyalty to the current dynasty. However, Feng Jianping wouldn’t easily relinquish his military power, so he wouldn’t risk returning to the capital. With the capital and the borderlands in a standoff, he would defend his border, and the emperor would rule in the capital, and peace would prevail.
This matter was so delicate that neither the emperor nor Feng Jianping wanted others to know. If Liang Sui couldn’t control his tongue, trouble would ensue sooner or later.
As Yan Sikong was pondering all this, he suddenly heard Yu Ji clear his throat and say loudly, “Today, there is another joyful event.” He coughed lightly, prolonging the tone, “Yan Sikong, receive the decree.”
Yan Sikong felt hundreds of pairs of eyes all turn towards him in unison, but he could distinctly feel one pair burning especially hot. Yet, he didn’t dare to meet it. He stood up, adjusted his new court attire, and walked to the center of the hall with small steps, kneeling down.
“The decree from the Empress Dowager: Princess Wanyang, virtuous and elegant, gentle and wise, beautiful and charming, has reached marriageable age, but she doesn’t cherish herself. It’s heard that Yan Sikong of the Yan family, a double-awarded Jinshi scholar, former reader to the Crown Prince, has made outstanding contributions in quelling rebellions, possessing the beauty of Minister Xu and the talent of Minister Guan, combining intelligence and bravery, exemplary virtue, and loyalty. He is a pillar of our nation and matches well with Princess Wanyang. Therefore, it is decreed that Yan Sikong shall be given the title of Marquis, marrying the Princess on an auspicious day.”
The hall erupted in discussions, some filled with envy.
Yan Sikong remained kneeling on the ground, only to hear Yu Ji chuckle and say, “Master Yan, the newly-appointed Marquis, why haven’t you thanked the decree yet?”
Yan Sikong was about to speak when suddenly, there was a sound of a table being knocked over in front of him. This was followed by hurried footsteps, and then a thud as someone knelt down hastily. “Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, my cousin is still young and unruly, not yet suitable for marriage. I beg you to retract the decree!”
Yan Sikong bit his lip, his body trembling slightly.
Feng Ye’s tone was not only urgent but even carried a hint of sternness. Daring to speak in such a nearly “coercive” manner to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor in the grand hall, the entire audience fell silent.
Emperor Zhaowu was also stunned, probably not expecting that Feng Ye would be so rude.
Xie Zhongren suddenly stood up and loudly declared, “Bold! How dare you oppose the decree of the Empress Dowager and the edict of the Emperor? The Crown Prince is too… too ignorant!” He hesitated for a moment, not daring to use too extreme words.
Feng Ye fiercely knocked his head on the ground, “I know my fault. My younger sister is still too young and unruly to be married. I beg the Empress Dowager and the Emperor not to force her into marriage! Besides, Yan Sikong comes from a humble background and is not worthy of my sister’s status and beauty. My father and I hope that my sister can marry into a prestigious family, or at least a scholarly and aristocratic one. Please, Empress Dowager and Emperor, do not compromise my sister’s happiness.”
Emperor Zhaowu’s face showed anger, but he restrained himself and said in a deep voice, “Xi’er is almost seventeen years old, the right age for marriage. Although Yan Sikong is from a humble background, he is talented and handsome, with a bright future ahead. How could the Empress Dowager and I treat Xi’er unfairly?”
The Empress Dowager also looked puzzled but did not speak.
“But…” Xie Zhongren said with a strange tone, “The Crown Prince insists on having Princess Wanyang marry into a prestigious family. Could it be that he finds Prince Jingyuan’s power insufficient?”
Yan Sikong listened with a pounding heart, but unfortunately, he could not stop Feng Ye from speaking further. The Emperor was marrying Princess Wanyang to him. Privately, he was indeed a suitable match, but politically, the Emperor could not afford to give the Feng family another powerful ally. Yan Sikong ‘s humble background and lack of connections were exactly what the Emperor wanted.
As the conversation progressed, Feng Ye also realized that he was treading on dangerous ground. He clenched his fists tightly, his face stiff and pale.
Emperor Zhaowu glanced at Xie Zhongren and then at the gloomy Feng Ye, always somewhat hesitant. He finally said, “Feng Ye, you… you may retire now. If you continue to speak on this matter, it will be disrespectful to the Empress Dowager and disrespectful to Marquis Yan Sikong .”
Feng Ye hesitated in place for a moment, a moment that made everyone uncomfortable. They dared not even breathe, fearing the worst. Finally, Feng Ye pleaded guilty, knocked his head again, and returned to his seat.
Even Yujia was sweating profusely, wiping his forehead with his sleeve, and tremblingly said, “Marquis Yan Sikong , why don’t you express your gratitude?”
Yan Sikong had been kneeling on the ground for so long that his legs had gone numb. He took a deep breath and shouted, “Thank you for the grace of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.”
Emperor Zhaowu waved his hand, “You may rise.”
Yan Sikong struggled to stand up from the ground, and when he looked up, he met Feng Ye’s glaring eyes. He closed his eyes and bowed deeply.
Emperor Zhaowu said a few words about treating Princess Wanyang with respect, then let him go, and Yujia announced that the banquet was beginning.
Throughout the evening, Yan Sikong accepted congratulations from everyone, but he dared not look in Feng Ye’s direction even once.