Yan Sikong still remembered the spring hunt four years ago, when Feng Ye wielded a heavy crossbow and tamed fierce horses. The image of the young man in bright clothes, riding a horse and full of vigor and vitality was still deeply imprinted in his mind.

In the blink of an eye, four years have passed. He has been promoted from a small Hanlin to a fifth-rank doctor. Feng Ye has also gradually lost his youthfulness and has become more and more like a man. However, the journey they have taken has been really bumpy and full of dangers. No one dares to say how many years they will spend together in the rest of their lives.

As the date of the Spring Hunt approached, the two secretly met at the old house of the Yan Mansion. Although Yan Sikong knew that there was little hope, he still asked first: "Have you changed your mind, Your Highness?"

Feng Ye frowned and shook his head: "Your Majesty has personally promised today that he will let my father return to Datong after the spring hunt."

"Really?"

"Who knows?" Feng Ye narrowed his eyes. "Now that the imperial inspection is over and His Majesty has not yet issued an order to reduce the military, it is even more impossible for my father to cause trouble."

"They have put so much effort into this, how could they just let His Highness go back to Datong like that?" Yan Sikong shook his head, totally disbelieving it.

"That's what I told my father, but he was very stubborn. I guess he knew what was going on, but he just didn't want to be a traitor."

"Even the teacher has the idea, but Your Highness..." Yan Sikong sighed heavily, feeling powerless. "What about you? What do you think?"

Feng Yetun said, "Even if I steal the military token, I can only mobilize 2,000 soldiers. You and I are familiar with the terrain of the Shanhai Hunting Ground. If we want to bypass Zhao Fuyi's garrison, we can only climb up the mountain from the southwest foot of the mountain and attack the rear of the camp. But in this way, we have no horses and can't bring heavy armor and equipment."

"We don't need to confront Zhao Fuyi's army head-on. We just need to rush into the camp like lightning, kill the emperor's personal guards, and put them under house arrest. Then we can accomplish our goal."

Feng Ye nodded slightly but did not answer. He frowned and thought about something.

After a moment of silence, Yan Sikong said, "You are hesitant too, aren't you?"

Feng Ye secretly clenched his fists, "If I do this, no matter if I succeed or not, my father will not forgive me."

"Yes, but it can truly protect the Feng family."

Feng Ye looked at Yan Sikong with sparkling eyes.

Yan Sikong grabbed Feng Ye's arm and said anxiously, "Feng Ye, when His Highness decided to return to the capital, he already lost an opportunity. If there is no rebellion during the Spring Hunt this time, he will lose the second opportunity. From now on, the Feng family will be manipulated by others and will no longer be able to resist!"

"Maybe... things are not as bad as you think." Feng Ye pursed his lips, his face in great struggle, "My father and I had a long talk all night, he believes that as long as Wala survives, His Majesty will still rely on him. As long as a few tens of thousands of troops are cut, the matter can be settled."

"But the Wala are now half dead, and I'm afraid they won't be able to disturb the border again in the next ten years. Can't your majesty's series of actions make you wake up? When the rabbit is dead, the dog is cooked; when the birds are all gone, the bows are put away. There are so many lessons from the past, Fengye!" At the end, Yan Sikong was already roaring.

"I..." Feng Ye also growled, "My mother passed away a long time ago, my eldest brother is also dead, and I am the only one left to my father. If I continue to be so rebellious, he..."

Yan Sikong looked at Feng Ye's face, which was even a little distorted, and his heart was chilled. He knew that Feng Jianping could only walk past the hurdle of "loyalty", and Feng Ye could only walk past "filial piety". Although the father and son of the Feng family had very different personalities, they were still father and son in terms of right and wrong. After all, stealing the military token first and then the throne was such a heinous crime. Even if he was such a rebellious person, if Feng Jianping was replaced by Yuan Mao, he didn't know if he could do it.

How could he say Feng Ye was cowardly?

He let go of her hand in disappointment and whispered, "I made a wrong move, Feng Ye. From the moment His Highness returned to the capital, I made a wrong move."

Feng Ye wiped his face and said harshly: "It's not about right or wrong when we walk the path."

Yan Sikong closed his eyes sadly, his heart about to be drowned by the surging despair. In fact, he had expected this to happen. If Feng Jianping did not agree, they would not be able to get past Zhao Fuyi. Yan Zilian also hesitated, after all, this matter was too risky.

He also hoped that he was just overthinking it, or that perhaps his desire for revenge was at work, so he deliberately took the situation seriously in order to convince Feng Ye and himself. However, what he was considering was definitely not just revenge. Compared to revenge, he was more worried about the Feng family.

Unfortunately, it was all in vain.

Or perhaps it was because he was already prepared, he calmed down quickly. Just like the first time he couldn't stop Feng Jianping from returning to Beijing, this time he was also powerless. What he could do was to try his best to take the next step no matter how the game had played out. After all, like Feng Ye said - the path you have walked is not about whether it is right or wrong.

Feng Ye couldn't help but pull Yan Sikong into his arms: "Kong'er, don't worry, my Feng family is not as fragile as you think. My father must have his own considerations."

Yan Sikong nodded.

"That bastard won't be able to be so arrogant for much longer. My father already hates him. When he returns to Datong, he will use his military power to make suggestions and impeach Xie Zhongren."

Yan Sikong gently touched Feng Ye's face: "Feng Ye, do you think I am worried about missing the opportunity for revenge? Compared to revenge, I hope you are safe."

Over the past decade, he had disregarded life and death for revenge. He once thought that nothing in the world was more important than revenge, but there really was one - the safety of the person in front of him.

Feng Ye turned his head and kissed his warm palm: "I know, Kong'er, I understand."

Yan Sikong closed his eyes and buried his face in Feng Ye's chest.

How he wished that time would freeze at this moment and they could be together at the end of the mountains and seas.

——

On a morning with heavy spring rain and a chill that had not yet dissipated, the Mountain and Sea Hunting Grounds welcomed the Royal Spring Hunt.

Spring hunting is usually held once a year, but in the past two years, due to disasters and wars, the national treasury was tight and it was naturally not appropriate to waste money on it. Now that the reduction of the power of the princes has been greatly achieved and the Oirat has also been severely defeated, the country seems to be on the rise. Holding a spring hunting is not only a celebration, but also can promote the fine tradition of martial arts of the Chen Dynasty.

The highlight of this spring hunt is on several princes.

The year Feng Ye returned to the capital, Chen Yi was only eleven or twelve years old, and the other princes were even younger, and they had difficulty riding a horse. Now, not only has Chen Yi become an adult, but the second and third princes have also grown into teenagers, and they are all vying to perform in the Spring Hunt.

As it had been raining on the first day of the spring hunt, Emperor Zhaowu postponed the hunt for a day. Today he invited a troupe of actors to perform "Borrowing Arrows with Thatched Boats" to liven up the atmosphere. Watching the actors marching in a cross pattern in the drizzle, arranging lanterns and singing loudly, they did indeed sing out a murderous aura.

According to Chen Yi's instructions, Yan Sikong sat behind Chen Yi, so he was actually just below the side of Emperor Zhaowu, very close. He secretly observed and found that Emperor Zhaowu, who usually loved the excitement, was very indifferent to the play today. It was not that the play was not good, this was the most famous troupe in the capital, but he seemed absent-minded.

"Sir." Chen Yu turned around and called Yan Sikong.

Yan Sikong knelt on the mat and took a few steps to Chen Yu's side: "Your Highness."

"Is this opera well sung?"

"Well, this is the best "Borrowing Arrows from a Straw Boat" I have ever heard."

"Oh, I haven't heard much opera. I saw that my father didn't seem to like it very much. I thought they didn't sing well."

Even Chen Yi discovered...

Yan Sikong stole a glance at Emperor Zhaowu and said, "Your Majesty may be worried about something."

Chen Yi lowered his voice and said, "I noticed Feng Ye was looking at you. He looked at you several times."

Yan Sikong's heart skipped a beat, and he looked at Feng Ye again, but Feng Ye didn't look him in the eye. He smiled bitterly and said, "I am following His Highness, and I dare not do anything to him. I can only watch."

"Of course, he dared to provoke you in front of me." Chen Yu said, "This play is really boring. I don't like it even if it's well sung. I really want to go hunting."

"Your Highness, please be patient. It's not a good day to hunt today."

Chen Yu curled his lips and said coldly: "That woman is almost on par with the queen."

Yan Sikong knew that the "that woman" he was talking about was Concubine Wen Gui, who was serving the emperor on the left and right with Empress Shen at that time. No matter how favored a concubine was, she was still a concubine after all, and according to etiquette she could not sit with the empress. However, Empress Shen had a peaceful personality and Emperor Zhaowu was tolerant of her, so this scene happened.

Of course, what Chen Yu cared about most was not that Concubine Wen sat there, but because Concubine Wen sat there, the Second Prince sat below her side, in full view of everyone, and his position was almost equal to that of his own Crown Prince.

Naturally, Chen Yu was angry but dared not speak out.

Yan Sikong whispered to comfort him: "Your Highness, don't worry about it. There is only one throne, and no one can sit on it equally."

Chen Yu's eyes were burning with ambition. He glanced at Yan Sikong and said with a smile, "Sir, you always hit the nail on the head. I'm afraid you are the one who knows me best in the world."

Yan Sikong also laughed and said, "I am overwhelmed by your kindness."

"Sir, please stay with me tonight."

"This is inappropriate." Yan Sikong said hurriedly, "I should not overstep my authority."

"What's wrong with that? This isn't the imperial palace. You have taught me for many years. I have always wanted to have a nighttime conversation with you and let you take me to the spiritual realm of the ancient saints."

Yan Sikong refused again, but Chen Yu still insisted. He said helplessly: "Then I will respectfully obey your command."

Chen Yu said happily, "In this case, no one can cause trouble for you, sir."