A few days later, someone openly questioned Feng Ye at the morning court, asking why Feng Jianping had not yet left for the capital to report on his duties.

This person was not a member of the eunuch party, nor was he an official of Yan Zilian's faction. He was just a censor in the Censorate with a stubborn temper and a penchant for ostentation. He would usually arrest and scold anyone he saw.

Emperor Zhaowu's face changed immediately, but he first hypocritically blamed the Ministry of Personnel, asking whether it was the Ministry of Personnel's fault for not informing Feng Jianping in time.

Liu An naturally denied it and threw the question back to Feng Ye.

Feng Ye described the situation in Datong in detail without being humble or arrogant. He believed that Datong was still surrounded by crises. His words were sharp and seemed difficult to refute.

Emperor Zhaowu also asked Feng Yan, who was temporarily acting as the Minister of War, whether Datong was really as Feng Ye had described.

Feng Ke had just taken over the position of Shangshu. He had never been to Datong, so how could he speak about it? He avoided the main point and spoke without substance.

The historian refused to give in and accused Feng Ye of exaggerating. Feng Jianping ignored the imperial examination and refused to return to the capital, fearing that he had rebellious intentions.

The two became more and more angry as they argued, and the situation became tense.

At this time, Yan Zilian stepped forward and took out Feng Jianping's memorial, saying that he had just received it but had not yet presented it to Emperor Yu.

The memorial was earnest and stated that the crisis in Datong had not been resolved. It requested the emperor to postpone his return to the capital to report on his work and instead submit a memorial to state his opinion. The reasons given were almost the same as those given by Feng Ye.

The words in this memorial were so earnest that it was difficult to tell the importance of it. Emperor Zhaowu asked Yan Zilian what to do about the matter.

Yan Zilian suggested that a patrol inspector could be sent to Datong to see if what Feng Jianping said was true, but this proposal was opposed by the eunuchs.

After some hesitation, Emperor Zhaowu finally agreed.

Naturally, this inspector would be selected by Yan Zilian, and Yan Zilian would have the final say on the inspection situation at that time.

Late at night, the two met. Feng Ye had been upset at the morning court session and was being pressured by Yan Zilian, so his face was gloomy.

Yan Sikong had no choice but to persuade him: "Send the inspector to Datong. It will take at least a month to go back and forth. At least during this period, Your Highness does not have to worry about the imperial inspection."

"But what happens after that? Wouldn't that mean Yan Zilian will want you even more?"

"It can be delayed for a month or so. There is no other way." Yan Sikong sighed, "Feng Ye, although I don't like the teacher's approach, he is right about one thing. It is impossible for Your Highness to stay out of it."

"You mean, my dad should get involved in the party struggle?" Feng Yejian frowned, "My dad doesn't want to be used by anyone."

"Everyone is eyeing the military power in your hands. No matter how cautious you are, you can't stop the people from talking."

Feng Ye clenched his fists and squinted his eyes at Yan Sikong: "You also hope that my father will stand on the side of the nobles, so that it will be more helpful for your revenge."

Yan Sikong was stunned for a moment, his expression changed: "What do you mean by that?"

"You are a successful candidate in two imperial examinations. Do you still need to ask me what I mean?" Feng Ye said coldly. "Your teacher always consults with you before doing anything. How come you are totally unaware of this incident?"

Yan Sikong stood up and said coldly, "Feng Ye, I never wanted your Feng family to get involved in party disputes. Yes, I have thought that if the Feng family can help me get revenge, it will be even more powerful, but I don't want you to be in danger. In your eyes, am I so sinister that I even want to plot against you?"

"Haven't you ever plotted against me?" Feng Ye also stood up and stared at him, "In the Ge Zhong case, you really took advantage of me."

Yan Sikong opened his mouth, but felt as if his throat was being strangled, unable to speak, and his face was burning. He took great effort to whisper, "But I won't hurt you."

Feng Ye looked at Yan Sikong's trembling appearance, with complicated thoughts in his eyes.

Yan Sikong took a deep breath and felt a chill all over his body. He slowly sat down in the chair, "Feng Ye, since you don't trust me to this extent, why did you come to me? What is going on between us?"

Feng Ye looked at him silently.

Yan Sikong smiled bitterly: "You hold on to me, not because you like me, but because you can't bear to give up. You can't bear that I used you, deceived you, and humiliated you... Why? Aren't you tired?"

Feng Ye gritted his teeth and asked, "Who caused the current situation?"

"It was me." Yan Sikong laughed mockingly, "It was me, I did it, I admit it, but I also said that I would never hurt you. If you don't believe this, don't come to me for a discussion. I probably still have this body that you can't forget. Now that you are here, I have prepared a pillow and a bed for you. Is that enough?"

"Shut up!" Feng Ye said angrily, "When is it your turn to blame me? Who are you trying to confuse by pretending to be so pitiful?"

Yan Sikong looked at Feng Ye in disbelief, his nose was sour and his heart was twitching with pain. He bit his trembling lower lip lightly, his eyes were filled with despair: "...I dare not."

Feng Ye was so angry that he was extremely frustrated, but seeing Yan Sikong's disheartened look, he could no longer utter the blame that was on the tip of his tongue.

Yan Sikong lowered his eyelids and said hoarsely, "This is just torturing each other, why bother?"

Feng Ye clenched his fists. Yes, why bother? If he could be magnanimous and put this person behind him, why would he torture each other? Even he would look down on himself.

But this person...

Feng Ye slowly moved his feet, walked in front of Yan Sikong, and lifted his chin.

Yan Sikong's red eyes and the hurt look he couldn't hide made him feel uneasy. He hesitated for a moment and said, "I shouldn't have doubted you so easily about this matter."

Yan Sikong was startled, his eyes were filled with moisture, and he looked even more pitiful. Feng Ye took a deep breath and thought, he might have been poisoned by this man.

"I was attacked by everyone in the court today...I shouldn't have taken my anger out on you." Feng Ye stroked his cheek gently.

Yan Sikong paused for a moment and said, "But you argued with reason and lived up to His Highness's expectations of you."

"My father is far away in Datong, so I will naturally take responsibility for the affairs of the court."

Yan Sikong nodded.

Feng Ye held Yan Sikong in his arms and said with emotion, "Kong'er, you said that you only have me in this world to rely on, and I only have you in the capital."

Yan Sikong hugged Feng Ye back, leaning against his broad chest, listening to his vigorous heartbeat. He slowly closed his eyes. Even after going through so many twists and turns, Feng Ye's embrace was still the place in the world where he felt most at ease.

——

The inspector selected by Yan Zilian set out soon. The distance between the capital and Datong was more than 600 miles, and it would take more than ten days to march, but a fast horse could reach the city in a few days. According to the imperial decree, the inspector had to rush to Datong as quickly as possible.

Some time later, Feng Jianping's letter was delivered to Feng Ye. In the letter, he said that after careful consideration, he had decided to assist the crown prince. Firstly, if he did not do so, Yan Zilian would not let him pass easily in the imperial examination. Secondly, as the two princes grew older, the situation in the court became turbulent due to the dispute over the throne. It was no longer possible for him to sit on the sidelines. Since he had to make a decision sooner or later, there was no need to delay any longer.

This result was anticipated by both Feng Ye and Yan Sikong. Not only was Yan Zilian forcing Feng Jianping, but the situation was also secretly fueling the situation. If they joined forces with Yan Zilian from now on, defeating the eunuch party would be just around the corner.

Now that the decision has been made, the next step is to find a suitable time to show loyalty to the prince. As the prince's birthday is approaching, this opportunity comes easily.

After discussing with Yan Sikong, Feng Ye selected a valuable gift and gave it to Chen Yi, with the intention of announcing the Feng family's inclination to the world.

Yan Sikong was a mixed bag of joy and sorrow. He was happy that he had the help of the Feng family, and Chen Fei's position as the crown prince was even more difficult to shake. He was worried that once the Feng family was in trouble, Feng Ye in Beijing would fall into open and covert attacks, and he would no longer be able to act like a prince. I used to be an idle son like that.

As soon as Feng Ye's birthday gift was sent out, it spread throughout the capital. The court officials, who were already wavering between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, now found it even more difficult to make a decision.

Yan Zilian was very satisfied, and chose a day to have a long talk with Yan Sikong and Feng Ye, talking about the righteousness of the country, the integrity of the generals, and the people's hearts, and expressed his determination to eliminate the eunuch party. Although the two were quite dissatisfied with his approach, they could not help but admire his ambition to save the country and the people.

Not long after, Yan Zilian summoned the inspector back.

Needless to say, Yan Zilian took the initiative to advise Feng Jianping and decided not to return to the capital to report on his duties.

This move caused a lot of opposition in the court, not only from the eunuchs, but also from Emperor Zhaowu, but he had no choice but to agree to let Feng Jianping continue to stay in Datong.

After half a year, almost all the officials in and around the capital had completed their assessments. Those who deserved promotion were promoted, and those who deserved resigned were resigned. Both the eunuch party and the gentry faction suffered heavy losses in this imperial examination. More than eighty officials were demoted or dismissed precisely because of factional struggles, and many important positions were replaced. Neither side gained anything, but forcing Wen Youchi to leave was the biggest victory for the gentry faction.

At this point, this vigorous and treacherous Beijing inspection plan finally came to an end.

Volume 5: Storm is Coming