The news that Prince Jingyuan had returned to the capital caused quite a stir among the nobles in the capital, and many of them wanted to make friends with him. Of course, they also wanted to see what the legendary fierce and powerful Little Wolf King looked like. Over the past few days, they took turns to visit him, but no matter who came, they were all rejected on the grounds that "the prince was tired from traveling and was in poor health."
This displeased the famous scholars in the capital, and the rumors about him became more outrageous.
Yan Sikong just found it funny when he heard this. Most people thought Feng Ye was so arrogant because he was the prince of Jingyuan, but he was actually like that when he was a kid. However, this reminded him that he had to find a suitable time to meet Feng Ye. Jingyuan was a powerful prince, and there were many people who wanted to get close to him, so he couldn't be rude.
But he didn't expect that he would have the chance to meet Feng Ye soon.
Emperor Zhaowu was going to hold a spring hunt in Shanhai Hunting Ground and at the same time to welcome Feng Ye. Most of the officials and nobles in the capital were going to be invited to the banquet, and Feng Ye could not refuse the emperor's invitation no matter what.
The mountain and sea hunting ground was a royal hunting ground with lush grass and abundant water, and birds and beasts everywhere. Emperor Taizu once took a fancy to this precious land where "the mountains and rivers stretch thousands of miles, and the nine sides embrace the capital". Since then, for more than two hundred years, the descendants of the Chen Sheng Dynasty would hunt here as their coming-of-age ceremony.
Yan Sikong was naturally not invited, but after a little pleading with Yan Zilian, he went along. He knew that he probably wouldn't even have the chance to get close to Feng Ye, but being able to see Feng Ye's true face would also satisfy his curiosity.
——
On the day of the spring hunt, Yan Zilian's driver picked up Yan Sikong, and the two of them rode together to the Shanhai Hunting Ground.
On the way, Yan Zilian stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Hexuan doesn't like to join in such a bustle, but you like it."
Yan Sikong had almost figured out Yan Zilian's subtle thoughts about the two of them, so he pretended not to understand the hidden meaning and said happily: "Students have never seen hunting before, let alone a royal hunting, it must be unprecedented!"
Yan Zilian is an old minister who has served three dynasties and has been in office for forty years. He has a very sharp eye for people. Yan Zilian appreciates Shen Hexuan's talent and bearing, but he doesn't like his rigidity and inflexibility. On the other hand, Yan Sikong is smart and intelligent, but a little too smooth, and can never be perfect.
Yan Sikong knew that his ambition would be exposed sooner or later. In order not to cause Yan Zilian's concern, he had to often pretend to be timid and childish due to his youth and to be competitive, so that Yan Zilian would feel that he was easy to control.
As the chief minister of the inner cabinet, Yan Zilian is apparently in a very high position, but in reality he has been suppressed by Xie Zhongren and other eunuchs, and has been walking on thin ice for many years. Now that the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace is about to go out of the cabinet to give lectures, selecting a tutor for the emperor or the crown prince - especially the crown prince - is a crucial matter that he can control. It even determines the future of the court of Da Sheng. He must choose someone who is trustworthy and controllable.
Yan Sikong is trying hard to match Yan Zilian's ideals, otherwise he would not have won his favor in just one year as the ninth-ranked Jinshi. Yan Zilian may have a mature vision, but he has been in the court for forty years, and the people he has come into contact with are nothing more than royal relatives, officials and nobles. In his ten years, he has come into contact with countless people from all walks of life. Before the time is right, he will "play" a Yan Sikong that matches his current identity.
As expected, Yan Zilian pretended to be serious and said, "You asked me to take you to the Spring Hunt. Is it for fun? You are already a minister of Da Sheng. You must not lose your dignity."
Yan Sikong bowed and said, "Teacher is right, the student is frivolous."
Yan Zilian nodded and said, "Today is the spring hunt. Your Majesty is not interested in hunting, but in the prince."
"Teacher's meaning is..."
"That young prince is young and arrogant. He relies on his father's heavy military power and doesn't care about anyone. He refuses to let anyone in. Your Majesty summoned him back to the capital to restrain Prince Jingyuan. He is still so arrogant. How can we not take this opportunity to kill him?"
"Teacher, what you said makes sense." Yan Sikong rolled his eyes, "I wonder how Your Majesty is going to kill his prestige?"
Yan Zilian shook his head: "I don't know, but there will be something interesting to watch today."
——
When we arrived at Shanhai Hunting Ground, we saw more than a dozen military tents erected on the vast grassland. The largest and most imposing one was in the middle, with the royal flag fluttering in the wind.
The spring hunt is about to begin. The emperor, his concubines, princes and others sit on the upper throne. Yan Sikong bids farewell to Yan Zilian and finds Zhou Mixing, Liang Sui and others and sits with them.
After sitting down, Yan Sikong couldn't control himself and started looking for someone around the stage.
"Sikong, what are you looking at?" Liang Sui asked.
Yan Sikong's Adam's apple slid slightly, and he tried to speak in a calm tone: "I have always wanted to see the face of Eunuch Xie."
"Oh, there it is." Liang Sui whispered in Yan Sikong's ear, "That old man."
Following Liang Sui's gaze, Yan Sikong saw an old eunuch in a gorgeous dress woven with silver silk and brocade. His temples had already turned white and his eyelids drooped weakly, but his sharp eyes could not be concealed. He sat at the table with his hands folded, motionless and silent, and no one knew what vicious plot was going on in his mind.
Yan Sikong could hardly suppress his overwhelming hatred. He grasped the collar of his robe tightly with his hands hanging under the table and lowered his head to conceal himself.
Xie Zhongren was right in front of him. He wished he could taste the flesh and blood of this bastard with his own mouth!
"Sikong, what's wrong?"
Yan Sikong paused, and when he raised his head, he had returned to normal. He smiled faintly and said, "Nothing."
There was a burst of noise all around, and Zhou Mixing shouted, "Hey, the young master is here!"
Everyone looked behind them and saw a horse riding lightly on the green grass. The grass was rippled like waves. A pure white horse was like an egret flying low over the water. It was light and agile, as if it would spread its wings and soar into the clear sky in the next second, full of the beauty of strength.
The person on the horse stunned everyone.
What a handsome and upright young man he was, with picturesque eyebrows, facial curves like a sculpture, a pair of deep and sharp eyes, and a wolf-like captivating look. Although he was a tall man, his lips were as red as rouge. A lock of dark hair fluttered in the wind along with the mane of a horse. His dashing and heroic posture was like a god descending from heaven, making people reluctant to look away.
He quickly pulled the reins, turned over and dismounted neatly, knelt on one knee, clasped his fists tightly, and said in a smooth and unyielding voice: "I, your humble servant Feng Ye, kowtow to the Emperor and the Empress. Long live the Emperor."
The bold and uninhibited voice of the young man echoed throughout the paddock, shaking everyone's hearts.
Emperor Zhaowu was probably also shocked by Feng Ye. He paused for a long while before saying, "Ah, my dear, please stand up."
Feng Ye stood up.
He was wearing a black riding suit, with only a breastplate and arm guards, which tightened his waist and made him look extremely slender and strong, making his figure stand out among the crowd.
Yan Sikong stared blankly at the person who was only a dozen feet away from him. His heart was filled with emotions and it was difficult to describe the feeling at that moment.
He hadn't felt any happiness for a long time, but meeting an old friend in this cold imperial city did give him some comfort. He even thought, why not just leave it like this, pretending that the two of them had never met, and would be strangers in the future. Deep in his heart, maybe "Yuan Sikong" was still alive and was unwilling to use Fengye.
Empress Xu chuckled and said, "General Feng's son is really handsome. I have never seen such a good-looking boy."
Emperor Zhaowu stroked his beard and smiled, "That's true, Queen. Feng Ye has not yet been promised a marriage, so I'll have to ask you to pay more attention to this matter."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty."
Feng Ye calmly bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, and thank you, Queen."
Yan Sikong closed his eyes. Over the years, he had been cautious in every step, and once he decided to take a step, he would be firm and unwavering. But at this moment, he hesitated.