In the month of May, the capital had been snowing for two days, covering the ground with more than half a foot of snow. It was inconvenient for passers-by to travel, and the wheels of horse-drawn carriages were frequently blocked. But the streets were still bustling, because it was the time to buy New Year goods, and the streets and alleys were filled with shouts and calls for hawking.
Yan Sikong has moved into his new house for less than a month, and today is his second banquet. The difference from the last time is that this time he invited friends of similar age to the banquet, including Zhou Mixing, Liang Sui and others who he hangs out with on a daily basis.
In the past, his salary was meager, and he could not compare with Zhou Mixing's style of a young master, so he mostly ate, drank and had sex for free. But now he has become successful and lives in a mansion given by the emperor. In return, he should invite this group of friends to a gathering separately.
Now that he had an extraordinary status, he was no longer the poor scholar who followed Liang Sui. When he extended the invitation, these young masters and celebrities naturally accepted it with pleasure and were all happy to fulfill his wish to show off.
Unfortunately, the weather was not good as it snowed heavily, and the Yan Mansion's doorman was not properly away from the crowd, resulting in more than a dozen horse-drawn carriages blocking the entrance. Many of the carriages had their wheels stuck in the snow and mud, unable to move, and almost blocking the entire street.
If someone drove by, they would complain but would just take a detour.
Inside the mansion, Yan Sikong and Zhou Mixing were roasting charcoal, drinking wine, and chatting happily. Yan Sikong hosted a group of girls from Tinglan Pavilion. Ye Li, Zhou Mixing's old lover, was listed on his invitation. At this time, she was sitting next to Zhou Mixing, smiling sweetly. Her beautiful appearance made the cold winter day more colorful.
After three rounds of drinks, someone suggested that they start competing in erotic poetry.
This kind of erotic poetry is very particular. It should be charming but not obscene, erotic but not explicit, yet it can make people imagine endlessly. To write a good erotic poem requires both skill and elegance.
At first, this group of people were reciting poems with all their heart, but as a group of drunk men with beautiful prostitutes in their arms, and in a very safe private residence, they became more and more unbridled, and their poems became more and more obscene, gradually becoming unbearable to listen to.
Yan Sikong's face was flushed at this time. He chatted and laughed with these drinking buddies, and used poetry to tease the beauties. This unrestrained appearance was very different from his usual self, and everyone thought he was getting carried away.
Just when he was in high spirits, a servant from the mansion rushed in, looking a little flustered. He called out "Young Master", but seeing that the room was full of guests, it seemed inconvenient for him to speak and he looked at Yan Sikong anxiously.
Yan Sikong hooked his finger at him, then smiled and motioned for everyone to continue drinking.
The servant ran to Yan Sikong and whispered something in his ear.
Yan Sikong frowned: "The door hasn't been cleared yet? What are you doing?"
"The snow fell and melted, and the ground was a mess. We have cleared half of it, but..." The servant's face showed obvious fear.
"Hurry up and put the carriages of the masters in place." Yan Sikong waved his hand impatiently, "If anyone comes, let them take a detour."
"That car refused to go around and its attitude was very overbearing..."
Liang Sui, who was standing by, heard this and asked, "What's going on? What happened to the carriage? Who is being bossy?"
"It's nothing." Yan Sikong said to the servant in feigned anger, "What a waste! You are disturbing the pleasure of the gentlemen with such a small matter."
"But sir, that car seems to be the car of Prince Jingyuan..."
Yan Sikong's hand shook as he raised the glass, and half of the wine spilled.
The servant quickly wiped the water stains off his body with his sleeves.
Yan Sikong widened his eyes: "Who are you talking about?"
"Prince Jingyuan..."
The servant's voice was not loud, but the people around Yan Sikong heard it. They pricked up their ears and looked towards them with inquiring eyes.
Yan Sikong rubbed his face, his expression changed. He stood up, smiled dryly and saluted: "Everyone, continue drinking. I'll be back soon."
I hurried outside the mansion and heard a roar from a distance: "Get out of my way!"
The gate of the Yan Mansion was wide open, and several carriages were parked in a disorderly manner in front of the gate. A group of servants in the mansion were pushing the carriages with all their strength, trying to make way for them, but it was still difficult to clear the way for the time being.
Ali was wearing a brand new fur jacket, standing in front of a carriage like a door god, not giving way at all. His ugly face looked quite ferocious.
The coachman whipped the horse into the snow and shouted, "You daring servant, how dare you block the prince's carriage? Get out of the way! Are you deaf?"
Ali gestured stiffly behind him twice and made circles in the air with his hands, meaning for them to take a detour.
"What a joke! There's no reason for the prince's carriage to take a detour for you guys!" The driver was angry and raised his whip towards Ali.
"Ali——" Yan Sikong was shocked, but it was too late to stop it.
Ali was quick-witted and grabbed the whip, quickly wrapped it around his strong arms twice, and then pulled it hard. The driver was pulled up like a kite, thrown into the air, and then fell heavily into the snow.
The driver fell to the ground and wailed loudly.
The carriage that had been silent was kicked open, and Feng Ye walked out with a cold face. He stood on the carriage condescendingly, looking down at everyone with a cold gaze.
Yan Sikong hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Highness, I didn't know you were coming, and I'm sorry for not coming to greet you."
Feng Ye said coldly: "Yan Sikong, you are so brave, you dare to stop my car?"
"I dare not do that. It is really a snowstorm and the road is muddy. I am entertaining friends today, so the carriages are jammed at the gate..." Yan Sikong said anxiously, "I have urged the servants to clear the way, but I still blocked the way for you, please forgive me."
"This is not my way, it's your majesty's way. The whole world belongs to you. Every blade of grass and every tree belongs to your majesty. How dare you occupy your majesty's way and make others go around it!"
"I dare not. I know my crime." Yan Sikong bent over in fear.
More and more people gathered around, and even on this freezing cold day, there was no shortage of people watching the fun.
"And you, this evil servant!" Feng Ye glared at Ali fiercely, "Not only did you block the road, you even dared to hurt my driver."
Ali was still standing there stupidly, with no fear on his face, he just looked at Yan Sikong inquiringly.
Yan Sikong trembled and said, "I was not strict enough in my discipline. I beg you to forgive me for his mental disability."
Feng Ye snorted coldly, and suddenly pointed his toes. His tall figure soared into the air and swooped down towards Ali like a phoenix spreading its wings. Before everyone could even blink, they saw Feng Ye kick Ali in the chest, sending the nearly seven-foot-tall strong body flying.
"Ali!" Yan Sikong hurriedly ran towards Ali.
Ali was seen twitching all over and spitting blood, which soaked the snow beneath him. It looked horrifying.
"Ali!" Yan Sikong helped Ali up, looking anxious, "Ali, are you okay?"
Blood kept gushing out of Ali's mouth. He groaned hoarsely but was unable to speak.
Yan Sikong turned his head and looked at Feng Ye, his eyes showing hatred. He gritted his teeth and said, "You are so high and mighty, why would you bother with a servant? Aren't you afraid of losing your status?"
Feng Ye sneered and said, "I see that you and this monster have a deep relationship as master and servant, and I think you will not punish him, so I will teach your servant a lesson on your behalf. You should thank me."
Yan Sikong made a gesture to the other servants, asking them to carry Ali away. Then he stood up and clenched his fists: "The servants in the mansion offended the prince. It was my fault for not disciplining them properly. I should take the blame for them. If the prince is still angry, why not take it out on me!"
"Oh my! What happened?"
Zhou Mixing ran out shouting, followed by many guests of today's banquet.
There was already chaos in front of the door. Yan Sikong and Feng Ye were facing each other in the snow, and it was clear that the situation was tense. Anyone with a discerning eye could guess what was going on.
Zhou Mixing quickly tried to smooth things over: "Sir, it's so cold, why bother freezing in the snow? Why don't you go into the mansion and tell him about it, and let Sikong punish you with three cups of wine..."
Feng Ye looked up at the grand mansion, "tsk tsk" twice, and smiled contemptuously, "Prince Consort Yan is too generous as a live-in son-in-law."
Yan Sikong's face looked extremely ugly.
Zhou Mixing and Liang Sui looked at each other, both feeling extremely embarrassed.
"There's no need to enter the palace. How can you come here uninvited?" Feng Ye said arrogantly. "Today I passed by here on my way back home. It should have been harmless, but who knew that blind dog servant would dare to block the official road, and dare to ask me to take a detour, and even hurt my driver... Prince Consort Yan, don't say that you and I have been on the battlefield together. Even if we are going to get married soon, you shouldn't be so presumptuous to me. I want an explanation. Isn't it bullying?"
Yan Sikong said coldly: "I am willing to take the blame on behalf of my servant."
Feng Ye smiled, picked up his driver from the snow, and put him in the carriage: "Your dog servant injured my driver, and I'm in a hurry to go back home, how about Prince Consort Yan give me a ride?"
No one dared to breathe a sigh of relief, but in their hearts they all felt that Feng Ye had gone too far, actually asking Yan Sikong, a dignified official in the Ministry of Personnel and a future royal consort, to drive his carriage?
If I had known Feng Ye was arrogant and unruly, who would have known that he would be so unforgiving after I offended him.
Yan Sikong pursed his lips, endured the humiliation, and said in a deep voice: "I obey your command."
Feng Ye laughed twice and got back into the car.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Yan Sikong went over and pulled up the horse. The servants of the Yan mansion quickly cleared a path for the carriage to pass through, but it was very narrow and he could not get in the carriage for the time being. He had to lead the horse through himself. So he stepped into the thick snow one foot at a time and drove the carriage with difficulty through the congested road in front of the mansion.
The servants hurriedly caught up and put a fur coat on the thinly dressed Yan Sikong, but Yan Sikong threw it to the ground viciously. He climbed onto the carriage, waved the whip, shouted "Drive", and drove the carriage to the Jingyuan Palace...
Everyone watched the carriage go away, talking about it. Ye Li, who was standing aside, seemed to be thinking about something...