Chapter 8 Fear

Sui Yan was holding the scalding hot little hand warmer, looking very confused. He only reacted when he was led into the Hall of Supreme Harmony by Duan Zhisu.

Sui Yan felt both amused and confused. What on earth was this?

It was very difficult to discern the young man's thoughts. Sui Yan shook his head, thought no more, and followed Duan Zhisu to sit down.

The emperor held a banquet, and all the royal family members were present. They were all seated at this time. Countless exquisite snacks were brought up one after another by the maids. Sui Yan glanced at them, hmm, no dessert, it was boring.

The emperor had not arrived yet, so people did not need to worry about etiquette. Those who were close to each other toasted each other and talked in words that others could not understand. People who had grudges naturally would not settle accounts in such occasions.

For example, Jiang Enhe who was sitting opposite Sui Yan.

Sui Yan leaned on the back of the chair with his chin propped up, glanced at him lazily, and wondered why this idiot was here too?

Not willing to be outdone, Gan Enhe gave him a look that said "Why aren't you dead yet?"

Sui Yan laughed, thinking how he had grown old and why did he bother with a child?

Thinking this, he looked away.

The positions of the two chairs were quite far apart, with an empty seat in the middle, and no one knew whose seat it belonged to.

But soon, Sui Yan found out.

Just before the emperor arrived, Duan Mingchong walked to his seat, undressed and sat down. With the corner of his eyes, he noticed Sui Yan looking at him. He glanced at him somewhat unnaturally, then quickly looked away.

Sui Yan didn't understand what was going on.

At this time, the emperor of Beilan walked out from the side hall, and everyone hurriedly got up from their seats and shouted "Long live the emperor".

Emperor Beilan was in his prime, and his solemn face showed dignity without anger. After he sat down, he raised his hand and said with a reluctant expression: "Today is a family dinner, so there is no need to be polite."

Everyone responded quickly and slowly returned to their seats.

Sui Yan kept his head down and didn't dare to look up. After sitting down, facing the table full of fish and meat, he felt that life was hopeless.

At this time, a dancer in red entered the center of the hall and began to dance gracefully as the silk and bamboo strings behind the pearl curtain sounded.

Sui Yan had no intention of admiring the beauty at all. He was only thinking about when he could go back. While he was stunned, Duan Mingchong beside him suddenly kicked him under the table.

Sui Yan came back to his senses and looked at him blankly. Only then did he realize that all the clan members were looking at him.

Sui Yan was startled and quickly looked towards the first person.

Emperor Bei Lan looked at him amiably. Seeing his blank expression, he did not blame him. He said calmly, "Why are you so well-behaved today, Wang Gui? You didn't even move your chopsticks. Is the food not to your liking?"

Sui Yan looked at Emperor Bei Lan's face, trembling slightly, and said with a forced smile: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. It suits my taste."

Duan Zhisu gave him a strange look.

Emperor Bei Lan smiled and said, "You have suddenly become so sensible. Your uncle is even more worried. Don't you like sweet porridge the most? I asked Chef Yu to make a sweet soup just for you. Try it and see if it tastes good."

Sui Yan froze. To others, this was simply a great gift from heaven, but he had no reason to refuse, so he quickly stood up and wanted to express his gratitude.

Emperor Bei Lan waved his hand and said, "How can you learn to behave after being sick? Just take the reward you received."

Sui Yan's face turned pale instantly, but he still forced a smile and thanked him.

The sweet soup was quickly served. Sui Yan didn't know how the clan members present were looking at him. He just felt uncomfortable all over.

The sweet soup with impeccable color, aroma and taste was placed in front of him. Sui Yan seemed to see the crystal jade bowl slowly twisted into a wine glass.

A hazy voice suddenly came to my ears.

"He is a wicked man who plotted to murder his brother and was sentenced to death."

"Send this cup of infamy."

"His Majesty!"

"Oh? Since you're begging for him, then this cup of poisoned wine..."

Sui Yan took a deep breath and it was hard for him to catch his breath.

"...I'll give it to you as a reward."

Sui Yan couldn't tell for a moment whether this was the cold and deserted Hall of Supreme Harmony in his previous life, or the family banquet filled with nobles after his rebirth. The chill crept up from the soles of his feet, like a fierce ghost that locked up people's souls, dragging him down bit by bit.

Until a hand suddenly reached out from the side and grasped his wrist tightly.

Sui Yanhun shuddered and suddenly woke up.

Fortunately, Emperor Bei Lan was staring at the dancer and did not notice his abnormality.

Sui Yan suddenly covered his mouth.

Duan Mingchong raised his hand and gave some instructions to the guard beside him. The guard took the order and whispered something to the attendant of Emperor Beilan. Soon Emperor Beilan waved to Duan Mingchong.

Duan Mingchong nodded in thanks, walked over, picked up Sui Yan, and slowly walked out of the hall.

Sui Yan was feeling a little dazed and was supported by Duan Mingchong as he walked out. It was not until he breathed in fresh air into his lungs that he shivered and slowly came back to his senses.

Duan Mingchong wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and asked worriedly, "What happened to you today?"

Sui Yan opened his mouth, but said nothing.

The two were walking on the corridor outside the hall. The light from the lantern poured down, making Sui Yan's face look even paler.

Duan Mingchong accompanied him for a while, and Sui Yan finally caught his breath and said softly: "Thank you, Your Highness, I'm just feeling unwell. I'll be fine after a short rest."

Duan Mingchong frowned and said, "You didn't look like you were just feeling unwell. Instead, you looked a bit like..."

It's a bit like being possessed.

Sui Yan forced a smile and said, "Your Highness, you are worrying too much."

Duan Mingchong touched his forehead and said, "Since you don't feel well, go lie down in the side hall. I just told my father that you drank too much. You don't have to go back. There's nothing important to do at the family dinner anyway."

Sui Yan shook his head: "Don't bother, I'll just stay here for a while."

Since Sui Yan was reborn, he has always felt that he has seen through life and death, and he is not afraid of anything, no matter it is Duan Zhisu who sentenced him to death, or Emperor Bei Lan who caused him to suffer all kinds of pain.

But when Emperor Bei Lan said that casually today, it brought back the most unbearable scene in his heart.

"It's a reward for you."

Then came the excruciating pain that almost tore my throat apart.

fear.

The fear is so deep-rooted that it's like a brand in my bones.

Even after many years, he still trembles with fear when he thinks back on it.

If Duan Mingchong hadn't realized that something was wrong and brought him out, he might have done something extremely outrageous in front of so many people.

Duan Mingchong looked at him worriedly, said nothing more, turned and left.

Sui Yan stood alone on the veranda with a cloak tied around his neck, staring blankly at the raging snow and wind outside. His body seemed out of his control as he slowly walked towards the steps at the opening of the veranda.

There is a swimming lake at the foot of the stairs.

There seemed to be a voice whispering to him in the darkness.

"Come here and you won't be afraid anymore."

Sui Yan was frightened and wanted to walk towards the source of the sound in a daze.

Just when he took the first step, he heard a cracking sound, and then Duan Mingchong, who had returned, pulled him back.

Sui Yan was caught off guard and staggered, with his back hitting the carved wooden door beside him.

There was a slight "clang" sound.

Duan Mingchong's usually gentle face was now somewhat gloomy. He asked coldly, "What do you want to do now?"

Sui Yan looked at him blankly and said in a daze: "Someone is calling me over."

Duan Mingchong broke out in a cold sweat after hearing his words.

Duan Mingchong took a deep breath and said directly, "Do you want to commit suicide again?"

Sui Yan was a little stunned. After a long while, he answered the question irrelevantly and asked, "What did you do just now?"

It was completely impolite to address the prince as "you", but Duan Mingchong didn't care and said, "Go get you some sweet soup."

Sui Yan uttered an “Ah” and said absentmindedly: “I heard the sound of a bowl breaking. Did the soup spill?”

Duan Mingchong: “…”

Duan Mingchong was so angry that he laughed. He loosened his hand on Sui Yan's shoulder, rubbed his brow, and said helplessly: "Is this the time to talk about this?"

Sui Yan still murmured: "Tang..."

Duan Mingchong was completely helpless and said, "Okay, I'll have someone make you another bowl later."

Sui Yan then nodded.

Because Sui Yan still looked a little dazed, Duan Mingchong did not dare to ask him about his previous suicide attempt. He sat with him for a while before leaving.

But before leaving, he sent a group of people to guard Sui Yan, fearing that he would jump into the lake and commit suicide.

The family dinner ended quickly. Sui Yan held the small hand stove and stayed in the corridor with Duan Mingchong for a while before being escorted out of the palace by the palace servants.

After lowering the curtain, Sui Yan suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.

He rubbed his brows and thought that this prince was really difficult to deal with. If he didn't play dumb, he would not be able to get away with it.

Sui Yan began to have wild thoughts, the Emperor Beilan was a decisive man, so why was his son so indecisive? They didn't even know each other very well, but he was meddling in everything.

However...

Sui Yan touched his wrist gently and smiled softly after a moment.

But he didn't hate this feeling.

Thinking back to Duan Mingchong's slightly childish face, Sui Yan was in a daze, and even the fear of meeting Emperor Bei Lan disappeared a little bit.

"It's no big deal." Sui Yan thought, "I'm not afraid of him. I won't provoke anyone in this life. Even if he wants to force me to drink poison, he can't."

Thinking of this, Sui Yan felt much more at ease.

But even so, he was still frightened and started to have a high fever again when he returned home.

Haitang and Lizhao were busy until late at night, cleaning the body and giving medicine, and they finally retreated reluctantly until late at night.

The next morning, Sui Yan was basking in the sun in the yard with a small hand stove in front of him, with a pile of peeled tangerines on a small table beside him.

Before noon, Haitang came in quickly from the Chuihua Gate, followed by someone from the palace.

Sui Yan raised his eyes.

Haitang led someone over and said, "Young Master, the Crown Prince sent someone to bring you something."

Sui Yan looked listless, his hand lazily supporting his head, and said, "Give me something? Bring it here and let me see."

The palace servant came forward respectfully, holding a small wooden box in his hand. He bowed, half-knelt on the ground and opened the small door next to the box.

Soon, a snow-white rabbit jumped out from inside.

Sui Yan: “…”

Sui Yan looked at the hopping rabbit in confusion and said, "Did your Highness really ask you to deliver it?"

The palace maid quickly said, "That's right. His Highness said that the young marquis likes these cute things, so he sent us to the morning market to look for it for a long time before we found this one."

Sui Yan didn't know whether to be happy or sad for a moment.

The palace maid asked earnestly, "Young Marquis, what do you think?"

Sui Yan stared at the rabbit for a long time before he curled his lips, smiled softly, and said, "I think it's very good."

Before the palace maid could breathe a sigh of relief, she heard the young marquis add with a gentle smile on his face.

“It must taste delicious if it’s grilled.”

Palace maid: “…”

The author has something to say: Rabbit: QAQ!

Rabbits are so cute, why do we eat them?!