As soon as Chen Yi left, Yuan Nanyu came in with a serious look on his face: "This little prince doesn't look simple. I'm afraid he's not easy to control."

"He is indeed different from what he was back then." Yan Sikong frowned and said, "He has grown up..."

"Are we oversimplifying things? Did you mention the ban on wild animals?"

"He mentioned it. He said he didn't trust Feng Ye." Yan Sikong's eyes rolled back and forth. "When we were in the capital, he thought Feng Ye and I were not on good terms, and he had a prejudice against Feng Ye. Now..."

Yuan Nanyu asked, "Now that he thinks you and Feng Ye are in cahoots, how will you react?"

Yan Sikong glanced at Yuan Nanyu and said, "I can't tell. Maybe he even doubts me." He paused and continued, "He is very smart and knows his situation. Without Fengye's troops, he can't even reach the gate of the capital. But he also knows that even if he becomes emperor, he can't make his own decisions. So he wants to test my attitude."

"How are you going to deal with this?"

"Of course I want him to think that I am loyal to him." Yan Sikong pondered, "No matter what, he is still easy to control now. Don't worry, I can convince him."

"I always feel that he..." Yuan Nanyu hesitated to speak.

"What do you think?"

"Nothing." Yuan Nanyu thought, maybe he was just overthinking it.

"Yu... Quewang, you've worked so hard to take care of me all the way. You must be tired, go take a rest." Yuan Nanyu took care of him all the way. If it weren't for Yuan Nanyu, they probably wouldn't have been able to reach Yunnan safely. Although Yuan Nanyu didn't remember the past, his gentle nature had never changed. He was particularly touched every time he thought about it.

Yuan Nanyu smiled and said, "This is the mission the Wolf King gave me. Besides, we are brothers, so this is what we should do."

Yan Sikong also smiled: "You know, I have been through so many things in these years, and being able to meet you again is the best thing."

Yuan Nanyu was stunned for a moment, and scratched his head a little embarrassedly: "If you are sincere, then I am also happy."

"I mean it sincerely." Yan Sikong stared at him, "Like you said, we are brothers."

Yuan Nanyu showed a beautiful smile.

——

Yan Sikong couldn't bear the tiredness and took a short nap. When he woke up, it was dusk. The servants of the palace took him to see Chen Yi.

Yan Sikong thought that Chen Yi would at least invite a few of his trusted friends to entertain him as a reward, but he did not expect that Chen Yi was the only one present at the banquet.

Yan Sikong cupped his hands: "Your Highness."

Chen Yu's expression was calm: "Sir, there is no need to be polite. Please take a seat."

Yan Sikong sat down, looked at the food and wine and said with a smile: "Many of these dishes are new to me."

"I asked the chef to cook some local specialties so you can taste the different flavors."

"Thank you, Your Highness. I am really hungry."

"Then let's eat quickly." Chen Yu took the initiative to pour wine and serve food to Yan Sikong. Yan Sikong couldn't refuse and had to accept it with pleasure.

During the meal, Chen Yi never mentioned the purpose of Feng Ye and Yan Sikong's trip. Instead, he asked Yan Sikong about the hardships he had experienced along the way with concern. Yan Sikong answered truthfully and took the opportunity to express his loyalty to Chen Yi, who was looking forward to reuniting with him regardless of his own safety.

From time to time, Chen Yu looked at Yan Sikong with a very deep gaze and a faint smile, which made Yan Sikong unable to guess what the smile meant.

After three rounds of drinks, Chen Yi was slightly tipsy. He held Yan Sikong's hand and talked about the injustice and unwillingness he had suffered over the years, as well as his longing and expectation for him. Yan Sikong also did not forget to express his own suffering. When they got emotional, they both choked up a little, which was truly moving.

At this moment, there was a sudden noise outside the door, and a servant's anxious voice came: "Madam Qi, the prince does not allow outsiders to enter."

"I'm not a stranger." A coquettish female voice retorted.

Then, the door was gently pushed open with a creak, and a graceful figure walked into the room. The woman was wearing a scarlet cotton coat with white peony embroidery and a crimson skirt. Her slender and white neck was wrapped in a circle of snow fox fur. Even in such thick clothes, her graceful figure could be seen. She lowered her head, leaned forward, and said softly, "I have seen the prince, and I have seen... the distinguished guest."

The voice was so soft and beautiful that it could melt one's bones.

The servant stood behind her, looking at Chen Yu nervously.

Chen Yu waved his hand, signaling him to go down. He looked at the woman with a somewhat unhappy tone: "Manbi, didn't I tell you not to disturb me?"

Qi Manbi said coquettishly, "I have never seen the prince entertain guests in this way. He even held a banquet in his own bedroom. I think it must be an honored guest. The prince has no wife, and I am the mistress of the house. How can I not entertain the guests?"

Yan Sikong stood up quickly and bowed, saying, "Hello, Madam." He didn't know that Chen Yu had a concubine, but this was very unusual.

Chen Yu frowned and said, "Manbi, get up."

Qi Manbi then stood up and raised her head. When her eyes met Yan Sikong's, they were both stunned.

Yan Sikong thought to himself, this girl is really very beautiful, but, this appearance...isn't it somewhat similar to his own?

Qi Manbi came back to her senses and asked: "How should I address you, distinguished guest?"

Yan Sikong glanced at Chen Yi. His identity was kept secret during his visit to Yunnan. He had just removed his disguise when he arrived at Chen Yi's residence. He didn't know whether Chen Yi trusted this woman.

Chen Yu hesitated for a moment: "He is Yan Sikong."

Qi Manbi was surprised: "This... So you are Lord Yan. The prince often mentioned you to me and praised you as a rare talent in a century." She looked at Yan Sikong with a bit of strange eyes. She thought that besides Chen Yi, there would be more people who would mention this name, but they would not say anything good about him.

"I don't deserve it." Yan Sikong said respectfully.

"Sir, please sit down." Chen Yu said, "Manbi, come and toast the gentleman with a glass of wine."

"yes."

"Your Highness, this..."

"Just sit down." Chen Yu took his hand and asked him to sit down.

Qi Manbi poured a glass of wine and offered it to Yan Sikong: "I have long heard of your great name, sir. I offer you a glass of wine."

Yan Sikong had no choice but to accept the glass of wine.

After the toast, Qi Manbi tactfully withdrew. When Chen Yu saw her leave, he said, "I spoiled her so much and was so unruly. I'm sorry to make you laugh."

"I am terrified that your Highness's concubine would offer me wine. This is really..."

"Mr. is both a teacher and a father to me. It is only natural for her to toast you."

"I am so terrified..." Yan Sikong has always been humble and courteous in front of Chen Yi. The words "both teacher and father" seemed to have a deeper meaning. He hoped that he was just overthinking it.

Chen Yu refilled Yan Sikong's glass with wine, chuckled, and said, "Sir, have you noticed that Manbi looks a bit like you?"

Yan Si's heart trembled slightly. It turned out that he was not drunk. Sometimes people have a very vague idea of ​​their own appearance, so he was not sure whether he was mistaken when he thought he looked like Manbi, but now he was sure that it was not an illusion.

Chen Yu, what does this mean?

Yan Sikong calmed down and laughed, "Your Highness, you are laughing. Madam is in her prime, so beautiful and charming that she can never be compared with a man like me who has experienced so much."

"Sir, your appearance is widely praised. As you get older, you become more attractive." Chen Yu looked deeply into Yan Sikong's eyes, smiled and said, "Sir... can't you see it?"

Yan Sikong acted confused: "Really?" He touched his face and looked down at his reflection in the wine. "I really can't tell. If this is true, then Your Highness is praising me. I am very happy."

"When I first met Manbi, I thought she looked like my husband, and I liked her very much, so I took her in as a concubine." Chen Yu smiled and shook his head, "She knows how to serve people, but she is a little too thoughtful."

Yan Sikong flattered her, "Madam is a beauty of heaven, with a kind heart. Your Highness has a good eye for people, and an even better eye for women."

Chen Yu raised his eyebrows and looked at Yan Sikong: "Do you really think I have a good eye for women?"

Yan Sikong suddenly noticed that Chen Yi's expression was strange and he didn't dare to respond. Chen Yi found a woman who looked similar to him as a concubine, which was already very strange. He now just wanted to avoid the topic.

Seeing that he didn't say anything, Chen Yu leaned forward and approached Yan Sikong: "Sir, you know, the only reason I took her in is because of her face that slightly resembles yours."

Yan Sikong had sweat on his forehead. He hesitated and said, "Your Highness has left his hometown and has no relatives or friends around him. He can only rely on this to express his thoughts and seek peace of mind. I feel really sorry for Your Highness."

Chen Yi laughed softly, "Well, you are right, you are right, the master is always so insightful. When I look at her, I can think of the master, and sometimes I can even deceive myself that the master is right beside me, urging me to study and teaching me the way of the emperor, so I am particularly fond of her, which is actually a transfer of affection to the master."

Yan Sikong was already sitting on pins and needles. He would never have thought that Chen Yi would give him such a difficult problem. Although Chen Yi hadn't said it yet, he was very smart. Chen Yi was most likely targeting him...

Yan Sikong was furious and cursed in his heart, what a mess! What a mess!