Autumn rain brings cold weather. After a heavy rain, the weather suddenly turned cold.

On the streets late at night, the wind was howling and chilly, sweeping past, and the flying dust made it impossible to open one's eyes. The coldness barely penetrated one's clothes. There were few pedestrians on the road, and even the guards patrolling the streets had their collars pulled tight, their necks hunched, and looked hurried.

A man wrapped in a cloak was walking on the street against the wind, his steps not slowing down at all. With his black clothes and black hair, he looked like a lonely shadow in the dark night.

Walking to a pawnshop that had already closed, he looked around and saw that no one was there. He knocked on the door twice, paused, knocked twice again, and then knocked twice again.

Soon, the door was opened and the man slipped into the house.

"Sir, please go to the inner room." The person who opened the door greeted.

When I entered the house, I saw a man half-lying on a chaise longue, lazily throwing grapes into his mouth one by one. The candlelight in the room was dim, so I couldn't see his face clearly.

"Hey." The man's eyes lit up, and he said sarcastically, "Lord Yan actually came to visit my humble home in person. I am terrified."

Yan Sikong found a stool and sat down: "She Zhun, I came to discuss serious matters with you today."

"When have you ever come to see me for anything but business?" The man named She Zhun laughed, "But you said at the beginning that if it is not necessary, you and I should not meet."

"I have entered the court as an official. I may be watched at all times, so I must be cautious."

She Zhun shrugged and said, "You didn't send your ugly servant here today. It seems that this is not only a serious matter, but also a big one."

"That's right." Yan Sikong looked serious. "It's hard to explain it through letters. I need you to do something for me in person. Don't leave it to your subordinates. I'm worried."

"Oh?" She Jun raised his eyebrows, put down his crossed legs, and sat up. Under the candlelight, he could vaguely see a handsome and cynical face. "Tell me about it."

"Do you remember the courtesan of Tinglan Pavilion whom I asked you to look up last time?"

"Ye Li, of course I remember." She Jun touched his chin, "Wow, that young lady is so beautiful."

"I have sent her several gifts anonymously. Now I need you to get close to her, no matter what method you use or how much money you spend, and become her regular customer."

"Wow, there is such a good thing." She Jun laughed, "In what capacity?"

"A man of the Jianghu, a retainer of the King of Chu."

"Purpose."

"Inadvertently revealed to her..." Yan Sikong's eyes sparkled, "For many years, the King of Liang has been raising troops, casting iron, storing grain and silver, and recruiting talented people."

She Jun narrowed his eyes and asked, "Is this true or did you make it up? Does the King of Liang want to rebel?"

"Some are true, some are false. Four years ago, I went to Jingzhou Prefecture and found that the number of the Prince of Liang's guards far exceeded the quota for the princes."

She Jun lowered his voice unconsciously: "That doesn't mean he wants to rebel. Yan Sikong, what do you want to do?"

Yan Sikong smiled faintly: "Do you know who is the current governor of Hunan and Hubei?"

"...Ge Zhong."

"Ge Zhong is a frontier official, in charge of the military and political power of the two lakes and twenty-one states. The Prince of Liang is the eldest son of the emperor, but he cannot inherit the throne because he is not born of a legitimate child. The dragon throne is reserved for eight-year-old children, and it is not his turn to sit on it. What do you think, can one of them have the power to rebel and the other have the intention to rebel?"

She Jun took a deep breath and said, "Yan Sikong, you are really brave."

"I don't care whether they want to rebel or not, I will help them to 'rebel'. Ge Zhong colluded with the eunuch party, abused his power and wealth, framed loyal officials, and the King of Liang was lawless, extorting the people's money, and bullying the land. If these two are not removed, the people of the two lakes will never have peace." Yan Sikong said coldly, "Besides, Ge Zhong is also Xie Zhongren's man."

She Jun was silent for a while: "You know me, I have enough money, I can do anything."

Yan Sikong took out a purse from his arms and placed it on the table. Suddenly, there was a clanging sound and it sounded heavy.

She Jun grinned and said, "I have money and can sleep with the courtesan. Lord Yan, if you have such a good job next time, just come to me."

Yan Sikong stood up and said, "I'm leaving first."

"You've been getting pretty close to Prince Jingyuan recently," She Jun joked.

Yan Sikong turned his head and asked: "How did you know?"

"What is there in this capital city that I don't know?"

"I gave you the money, not for you to keep an eye on me."

"I have eyes and ears everywhere, but I'm not deliberately staring at you." She Jun said with a fake smile, "Why, when I mention the little wolf king, you become a little bit upset, and you're still thinking about our childhood sweethearts?"

"… Let me know any news you have." Yan Sikong left.

——

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Feng Ye returned to the Jingshan camp. Perhaps due to the busy military affairs, the two had not seen each other for more than a month.

Yan Sikong's life was the same as before, he often went in and out of Wenyuan Pavilion and the Eastern Palace, and he also had some social events from time to time. He was very good at winning people's hearts, and he made many friends in just two years in the capital. Because of his outstanding talent and appearance, and because he was the prince's tutor, he was famous among the young men and celebrities in the capital, and many people wanted to make friends with him.

As a result, more and more people wanted to act as matchmakers for him, but he always said that his parents had already passed away and that marriage matters should be decided by his mentor, and asked them to go find Yan Zilian. However, after saying this, there was no further news.

That day in the East Palace, even Chen Yu couldn't help but wonder: "Sir, why haven't you married yet?"

"Why is Your Highness concerned about this?" Although he did not want to get married, he was actually curious as to why Yan Zilian had not arranged a marriage for him yet.

"Sir, your talent and appearance are amazing. I'm afraid all the women in the world want to marry you, but not only do you not have a wife, you don't even have a concubine." Chen Yu narrowed his eyes and asked ambiguously, "Could it be... Sir, you like men?"

The Da Sheng dynasty was not as fond of homosexuality as the previous dynasties, but it did not shy away from it either. It was not uncommon for royal relatives and high-ranking officials to keep a male pet at home.

Yan Sikong smiled and said, "I have read a lot of sages, I have Buddhism and Confucianism in my heart, and I have great aspirations in my heart. I only want to assist Your Highness and Your Majesty to create a peaceful and prosperous era and establish achievements that benefit all people. It doesn't matter whether I marry a wife or a concubine."

Chen Yu chuckled and said, "Sir, you are only 23 years old, but you speak like an old man. Don't take advantage of my youth by making such grandiose statements. If you marry and have children, it won't hinder you from making achievements in your career."

Yan Sikong said helplessly: "Your Highness is right. I am curious too. My mentor has not arranged a marriage for me, but there is nothing I can do."

"I'll go talk to Master Yan Ge."

"No." Yan Sikong said, "The teacher must have a purpose for this, Your Highness, please don't worry about it."

"Okay." Chen Yu rolled his eyes and suddenly moved closer to Yan Sikong, with a slightly shy smile on his childish face, "Then, sir...are you a homosexual?"

Yan Sikong leaned back unconsciously: "Your Highness, please stop making fun of me."

Chen Yu burst into laughter.

——

The next day when he went to Wenyuan Pavilion and saw Yan Zilian, Yan Sikong suddenly remembered Chen Yi's words for some reason.

Why didn't Yan Zilian arrange a marriage for him? Did he want to pick a noble from his own faction to further strengthen their relationship? Marriage is very important in factional disputes. Perhaps for this reason, Yan Zilian has not found a suitable family yet.

Furthermore, ever since the incident of re-editing history, Yan Zilian had been sometimes as usual towards him, and sometimes a little indifferent. He didn't know if he was testing or examining him.

Yan Sikong decided to go and ask. He didn't like this kind of uncertainty, but he probably couldn't make the decision on the marriage.

When Yan Zilian saw him come in, he just raised his eyes and glanced at him, then continued to read the documents in his hand.

Yan Sikong bowed to him: "Students have seen the teacher."

"Please sit down." After saying this, Yan Zilian buried his head in reading and ignored him.

Yan Sikong was not in a hurry either. He sat quietly and waited.

After nearly an hour, Yan Zilian put down the scroll and raised his head.

Yan Sikong hurriedly bowed.

"What do you want from me?"

"I am a student... I have something that is hard to understand and I would like to ask the teacher for help."

A sharp gleam flashed in Yan Zilian's eyes: "The matter of compiling new history?"

"Uh, no."

"What is that?"

Yan Sikong acted a little shy and said, "Recently, more and more people want to arrange marriages for me. My parents have passed away, so marriage matters should be decided by my teacher..."

Yan Zilian sneered: "Are you in a hurry to get married?"

"No, if the student is in a hurry to get married, he can do it at the age of 16 or 17. The student is just curious why the teacher rejected all the matchmakers."

"To be honest with you, you can't get married within two years."

Yan Sikong raised his eyebrows in surprise: "This... students don't understand." Hearing this, Yan Sikong felt relieved. If they really got married, Feng Ye didn't know what to do... But getting married and having children is human nature, and Feng Ye will have a family sooner or later, but it would be better if he didn't have to worry about this for the next two years.

"If you want to know why, you need to answer me a question truthfully." Yan Zilian stared at Yan Sikong with his experienced eyes.

Yan Sikong sat up straight unconsciously. He suddenly realized that Yan Zilian's hot and cold attitude during this period might be waiting for him to come to him. Of course, it was not for marriage, but for something else...

"Teacher, please tell me."

Yan Zilian suddenly took out a book from under the pile of books and threw it to Yan Sikong.

Yan Sikong took a closer look and found that it was the manuscript of the ninth volume of the New History: "This..."

"Shen Hexuan came to see me a few days ago," Yan Zilian said, "and pointed out something wrong. It seemed quite strange, and it made him suspicious."

Yan Sikong had expected that Shen Hexuan was a stubborn person who would not tolerate any injustice. He had doubts in his heart and had to find out the truth. He just didn't expect that he would go directly to Yan Zilian. Although he was a little nervous, he seemed very calm. "Actually, Brother Shen also told me before that I also felt that the mistake was a little unusual, but I couldn't tell what was wrong."

Yan Zilian narrowed his eyes: "You also find it strange?"

Yan Sikong nodded: "What did the teacher see?"

"I scolded Hexuan and told him to stop being suspicious." Yan Zilian said in a deep voice, "But I think his suspicion is right."

"What does he... suspect?" Yan Sikong asked cautiously.

Yan Zilian paused and said, "He suspected that the word 'Zhao' was added later."

Yan Sikong was shocked: "This..." He quickly opened the manuscript and looked carefully at the reversed words, "This..."

Yan Zilian carefully observed Yan Sikong's reaction and remained silent for a while.

Yan Sikong suddenly raised his head, his face darkening: "Teacher, are you doubting me?"

The sword came too straight and too fiercely, and Yan Zilian was stunned for a moment. He said, "If this word was really added later, everyone in Wenyuan Pavilion is a suspect, and naturally you are the most suspicious among those involved in the case."

Yan Sikong stood up and knelt down respectfully. "I failed to detect the mistakes and I am deeply derelict in my duty. Thanks to the teacher and several adults who stood together to protect me, Your Majesty only gave me a slight punishment. I am just a little Hanlin. I have studied hard for more than ten years to be able to serve you. I dare not joke with my future and life and the majesty of the royal family. Teacher... you really scared me."

Yan Zilian's expression eased and his tone became gentle: "Sikong, hurry up and get up. I just want to investigate this matter secretly. I don't really suspect you. Besides, no one knows whether this word was added later. Even Liu Zhaolin himself can't remember what he wrote."

Yan Sikong wiped the sweat from his forehead and stood up, but he looked a little frightened.

Yan Zilian's face turned stern again. "I have always been at odds with Wang Shengsheng. His demotion is a great relief to all. However, I will never allow anyone to do evil things under my nose. I have been in the political arena for more than 40 years. I hate the word "unawareness" the most. Once I am unaware, it is easy to lose control of everything. If a disaster occurs, it may involve many people and the consequences are difficult to predict. Do you understand?"

“Students understand.”

Yan Zilian nodded, "As for your marriage." He stroked his beard, "Sikong, you are a talent who can assist the king, and you are the young man I value most. In time, you will surely become a prime minister. But you are born in a poor family, and your foundation is weak. Your teacher is old, and one day I am gone, you young people will surely have a bumpy career, so you need a strong in-law."

Yan Sikong looked at Yan Zilian in a daze.

Yan Zilian smiled and said, "So, I declined all marriage proposals for you and waited for a princess to grow up."