Ever since Yan Sikong was punished by the butler Zhao Feng last time, he has behaved himself a lot. Whenever he sees Yan Sikong, he is always submissive and has to report everything to him.

Today, Zhao Feng is leading the entire mansion to welcome the New Year. It happens to be the most important Spring Festival among the "Three Festivals and Two Birthdays". People are constantly coming and going to give gifts, and the servants are tidying up the mansion inside and out. There are several groups of people coming in and out every day just to buy New Year's goods.

Yan Sikong looked at the lights and decorations in the mansion, his eyes reflecting the red spring couplets and window decorations. The festive atmosphere filled every corner, but he was not affected at all because his mind was tangled with countless complicated thoughts.

He called Zhao Feng and asked him if he had sent New Year's gifts to Shen Hexuan's wife.

Zhao Feng nodded and bowed: "I have sent it, I sent it a long time ago, don't worry, young master."

"Go and invite them to your house to celebrate the New Year together. If she insists on refusing, then forget it."

"Yes, I'll go right away." Zhao Feng retreated respectfully.

Yan Sikong knew that this person must be a hypocrite, and he must have hated himself in his heart. Apart from Ali, there was no one in this mansion who could be trusted.

During the New Year holidays, there would certainly be endless social engagements. He felt exhausted just thinking about it, but he was still looking forward to the arrival of New Year's Eve, because he and Feng Ye had agreed last time that they would go to the old house of the Yan Mansion to get together when it was late at night, even if it was just to have a glass of New Year's wine together.

——

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year's Eve. Like every year in the past, court officials and royal relatives had to get up early to accompany the emperor in offering sacrifices to heaven and ancestors, and then celebrate the new year together in the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the evening.

At the end of the year, everyone in the court tacitly agreed not to cause trouble on this day, and different parties could congratulate each other hypocritically, otherwise, bad luck would be a small matter, but it would lead to big trouble if it offended the dragon.

Yan Sikong saw Feng Jianping, who had lost noticeable weight, at the dinner party. It seemed that he had been suffering like everyone else during these days.

He also saw Feng Ye. They both stole glances at each other several times, but they never dared to look each other in the eye. Missing each other was an emotion that was difficult to conceal, and they were afraid that others would notice something strange.

The singing of praises and clinking of glasses at the dinner were similar to those of previous years. Yan Sikong was absent-minded and just wanted it to end quickly. He wanted to be alone with Feng Ye for a while.

Halfway through the dinner, the court officials had been drinking and had become a little unrestrained. Yan Sikong also stood up and toasted Yan Zilian and the others. After toasting around, he saw that Chen Yi finally had a moment, so he raised his glass and walked over.

"Sir." Chen Yu's face turned red from drinking. After tonight, he would be fifteen years old and an adult. However, in just a few years, he had shed his childish youthfulness and immaturity and became more handsome and tall, with extraordinary bearing. In addition, he was precocious and steady in character. Yan Sikong gradually saw the undercurrent of royal aura in him.

Yan Sikong seldom had a premonition, as he always believed in judgments based on facts. But he just had a premonition that Chen Yu would definitely inherit the throne and rule the world.

"Your Highness." Yan Sikong said respectfully, "I'm here to offer Your Highness a glass of light wine. Please feel free to drink as you please." After saying that, he raised his head and drank the wine in the glass.

Chen Yu's back was straight. He was close to Yan Sikong in private, but in front of outsiders, he was very dignified and reserved. He just smiled faintly and raised his glass slightly: "Thank you, sir. This year, we also have Mr. Lao."

"It is my great honor to be able to teach Your Highness."

The two of them exchanged pleasantries, and the ministers around them took the opportunity to flatter him. After two drinks, Chen Yi took Yan Sikong aside to talk, and the ministers dispersed tactfully.

Chen Yu glanced in Feng Ye's direction and frowned, "I heard that Feng Ye humiliated you, is that true?"

Yan Sikong laughed and said, "You are too kind. Your Highness, don't trust those eunuchs. If they see a mountain cat, they will say it is a tiger."

Chen Yu was skeptical: "I won't allow anyone to bully you. If you have any difficulties, you must tell me."

Yan Sikong said with emotion: "Your Highness cares so much about me, I am willing to be bullied."

Chen Yu smiled and said in a low voice: "When I become the emperor, no one in the world will be able to bully you."

Yan Sikong sighed in his heart, but could only show a determined expression on his face.

Chen Yu thought for a moment and then said, "I think there's something wrong with Feng Ye. This isn't the first time he's been at odds with you."

Yan Sikong wanted to avoid the topic, but Chen Yi was a bit persistent, so he had to say: "The prince and I just had some misunderstandings, but it's not a big deal." He hinted quietly, "We still have to focus on the overall situation."

Chen Yu frowned slightly and paused: "I also heard from the eunuchs that..."

Yan Sikong felt bad.

"Tell me..." Chen Yu glanced at Yan Sikong and asked tentatively, "Tell me what kind of love you and Feng Ye have."

Yan Sikong chuckled: "Does Your Highness believe it?"

Chen Yu seemed to be relieved and laughed: "That's ridiculous."

"Too absurd. Those eunuchs have been deposed and have been staying in the inner palace all year round. They are more talkative than women. Your Highness must remember to keep a distance from these eunuchs." Yan Sikong pointed his lips at Xie Zhongren meaningfully.

Chen Yu said: "Don't worry, I've always been on guard against them."

Feng Ye was at the other end of the hall, looking thoughtfully at the two people who were chatting and laughing.

——

It was already late at night when Yan Sikong returned home. Although he had a very good alcohol tolerance, he was still a little tipsy at this time. However, he was still very sober. The fatigue from not resting for a whole day could not overcome his desire to see Feng Ye immediately.

He asked the servants to fetch some water, took a bath, and drank two cups of tea to sober up.

By the time it was 3 a.m., the mansion was already quiet. Yan Sikong changed into night clothes, sneaked out of the mansion from the backyard, and walked towards the old house.

On New Year's Eve, there was no one on the street. He dodged the occasional night patrol guards and quietly slipped under the wall of the old house and climbed over it. When his feet landed lightly on the ground, he couldn't help but feel funny. Going back to his own home was like being a thief.

Before he could stand firmly on his feet, he suddenly felt that the air flow behind him was a little unusual. Just as he was about to turn around, a pair of strong hands grabbed his wrists and twisted him behind his back. Then, an iron arm crossed his waist, forcing him to stick to the broad and warm chest behind him.

A joking voice sounded beside my ears: "Where did you come from, you little thief, to dare to break into the residence of an official appointed by the imperial court?"

The voice was low and charming, which made people feel distracted.

Yan Sikong smiled and asked, "Are you going to send me to the government?"

"I can't bear to send you to the authorities." Feng Ye bit Yan Sikong's earlobe gently, and his big hand wandered over his waist and abdomen through the clothes, "I will interrogate you."

"You are abusing the death penalty." Yan Sikong's breathing became a little rapid.

"Yeah..." Feng Ye turned Yan Sikong's head and kissed him hard on the lips. It was a passionate kiss, enough to melt the severe winter chill. The two of them licked each other's lips passionately and roughly, entwining each other's tongues, as if they wanted to pour all their desire into this kiss.

When they separated breathlessly, the burning desire in each other's eyes was the only scenery left in their eyes.

Feng Ye stroked Yan Sikong's cold cheek and said softly, "It's too cold outside, let's go inside."

Yan Sikong had moved in less than a month ago, and all the furnishings, bedding and other miscellaneous items in the house were left here. This simple house held memories of countless late-night secret meetings between him and Feng Ye. Even the most luxurious mansion was not as good as this one in his mind.

A charcoal fire had already been lit in the house, and wine was still warming on the stove.

Yan Sikong took off his cotton padded jacket and asked, "You've been here for a long time?"

"Just arrived." Feng Ye picked up the wine bottle and poured wine for the two of them, "You've been drinking a lot, right?"

"Not bad." Yan Sikong raised his glass, "How can those wines compare to yours?"

Feng Ye raised his eyebrows: "Oh, what's so good about my wine?"

"Whether it's good or not, it's not about the wine, it's about the person." Yan Sikong looked at Feng Ye and said softly, "I miss you a little."

Feng Ye was also very touched. He pulled Yan Sikong to sit in his arms and said, "I miss you too. We are in the same city, but it is so difficult for me to see you."

Yan Sikong leaned into Feng Ye's arms at ease and clinked glasses with him: "We won't be like this forever, maybe soon..."

"Tsk." Feng Ye kissed his cheek, "I don't want to talk about 'business' tonight. I just want to spend the New Year with you."

Yan Sikong drank up the wine in the glass, threw the glass away casually, turned around and hugged Feng Ye's neck, pressing him down on the couch while blocking his lips heavily.

As they kissed, they pulled at each other's clothes. The strong longing in their hearts was like a beast about to break out of a cage. They had to use all their will to suppress it. That kind of bitter and expectant feeling is something that will be hard to understand for those who have never experienced it.

"Kong'er, I miss you too. I miss you so much." Feng Ye left a string of kisses on Yan Sikong's warm and fair skin, whispering love words passionately.

Yan Sikong's five fingers shuttled through Feng Ye's thick black hair, and his long legs were wrapped around that thin and powerful waist. He pressed hard against Feng Ye, as if he wished to merge into one with him, as if only in this way could they truly feel each other and temporarily forget the endless darkness in front and behind.

They blended together to their heart's content, feeling each other and themselves more strongly in the supreme and ultimate pleasure. The union of body and soul made them feel unspeakable security and satisfaction, as if as long as they held each other, they had nothing missing and could do nothing.