As the New Year approaches, court officials begin their annual holidays one after another.

Feng Ye felt that Yan Sikong's home was too lonely, so he took him and Ali to the Feng Mansion to celebrate the New Year.

There aren't many servants in the Feng Mansion, but when it comes to preparing to welcome the spring, one is as good as three. Looking around, there are busy people everywhere.

Ali had never been in such a big mansion before. It was so crowded that one would get lost if he just walked around. He wanted to help without being redundant, but he didn't know where to start.

Yan Sikong smiled and said, "Ali, you have worked hard for a year. Just treat yourself as a guest these days and have a good rest."

Feng Ye also said: "Yes, you don't have to do anything, and don't follow us, Xue Bo, arrange for him to stay in the guest room and entertain him well."

"yes."

Ali followed Xue Bo in a daze.

Yan Sikong suddenly burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at?"

"I think if Ali saw Hun'er, he would be scared away."

"I let Hun'er stay in the inner courtyard. Most of the servants in the mansion are also a little afraid of it." Feng Ye smiled and said, "Are you not afraid of it now?"

"No longer afraid."

Walking into the inner courtyard, they saw Feng Hun napping under a tree. The light snow that had fallen last night had not melted yet. In such a cold day, he was sleeping soundly with his fur on. It was enviable. The two of them were wrapped in thick fur coats, but they were already shivering slightly.

They hurried into the house.

As soon as the door was closed, Feng Ye pressed Yan Sikong against the wall and kissed his lips passionately, savoring him carefully.

Yan Sikong couldn't help but hold Feng Ye's hand, closed his eyes and felt the softness and sweetness.

The two of them separated, panting slightly, and Feng Ye asked softly, "Are you cold?"

Yan Sikong shook his head and said with a smile: "I am a man from Liaodong, this is not that cold."

"But when you speak now, there is no trace of Liaodong accent at all?"

"...I have been away from Liaodong for ten years. It is inevitable."

Feng Ye hugged his waist and rubbed his cold cheek affectionately: "I missed you so much after not seeing you for a few days."

"Why are you so fond of acting like a spoiled child?" Yan Sikong's tone was doting without him even noticing.

"Yes?"

"Not now?"

"Only to you." Feng Ye pulled his collar with his teeth and carried him to the bed.

"Feng Ye..."

"I miss you." Feng Ye's breathing became a little rapid.

Yan Sikong slapped him on the back, not knowing whether to laugh or cry: "What are you doing in broad daylight!"

"What happened during the day?" Feng Ye didn't think much of it.

Yan Sikong placed his hands on his chest, moving their upper bodies apart, "Feng Ye, stop making trouble."

Feng Ye curled his lips, suddenly lowered his head, and bit his ear lightly: "I will not let you go tonight."

——

During the few days of leisure in a year, Yan Sikong lived the life of a distinguished guest in Feng's mansion. He had almost everything provided for him, and he did not refuse. He had not really celebrated the New Year for a long time, and he used to be quite resistant to this festival of family reunion, but with Feng Ye around, everything seemed natural.

Feng Ye had his first taste of sexual desire and was in high spirits. He made love with Yan Sikong almost every night. His legs felt weak when he walked during those days, but he could not resist Feng Ye who dragged him into the abyss of desire.

On New Year's Eve, the Feng Mansion was decorated with lights and colorful lanterns. The roof was filled with red lanterns, like full fruits, foreshadowing a good harvest in the coming year.

Starting from the afternoon, gifts of congratulations from various princes, ministers, and dignitaries were continuously sent to the mansion. Feng Ye did not even look at them, but just asked his servants to record them in the account.

After sunset, Yan Sikong met Feng Ye's distant relatives at the family dinner in Feng Mansion. Feng Ye grew up in the military camp and was not close to them. He could also feel that these people were somewhat afraid of Feng Ye, and they treated each other with respect. But after all, it was the Spring Festival, and the atmosphere was still quite lively, and the whole mansion was full of joy.

Yan Sikong sat aside, but smiled without saying a word, with a suffocating sadness silently flowing in his heart.

Every year, he would think of the years he spent before the age of thirteen.

When he was young, his family was wealthy. During the Chinese New Year, he would buy new clothes and new shoes, and the house would be filled with delicious food. He could also set off firecrackers, greet each other with relatives and have fun everywhere. It was the day he looked forward to the most. Later, he went to the Yuan family. Although they lived a frugal life, he never lacked food and clothing. During the Chinese New Year, the whole family would get together and celebrate the new year happily. That ordinary and simple happiness was better than countless other things in the world.

To this day, he can still recall the smiles on his loved ones' faces, but he will never have the chance to see them again in this lifetime.

"Kong'er, Kong'er?"

"Huh?" Yan Sikong came back to his senses.

"What's wrong with you?" Feng Ye grabbed his hand under the table, "I've been calling you for a long time."

Yan Sikong shook his head: "Nothing."

Feng Ye stared at him in silence for a while, then leaned over slightly and whispered, "You have no family, so I am your family. We will spend every year together from now on."

Yan Sikong's heartstrings vibrated, and his nose felt sore. He looked at Feng Ye without blinking, and nodded with a smile. Feng Ye seemed reckless, but in fact he was very thoughtful and often said very heartfelt words.

"I miss my father too." Feng Ye said, "When I left Datong, my father said..." He pursed his lips, "'This may be the last time you and I meet in this life.'"

Yan Sikong held his hand instead.

Feng Ye shook his head: "I returned to the capital because the emperor was relieved to let my father lead the troops to guard the border. Perhaps we will never see each other again."

"No, if one day King Jingyuan conquers Wala and returns victorious, you will be able to reunite."

Feng Ye smiled and said, "Well, I hope so."

What Yan Sikong saw in Feng Ye's eyes was not only longing and sorrow, but also endless loneliness. As a young and ambitious general, he could not roam the battlefield or fight in battles, but had to be trapped in the city. It was like trapping Feng Ye's soul in a small mansion. How helpless and unwilling he must have been.

While eating the New Year's Eve dinner, the opera troupe invited by Feng Ye began to sing, and the audience was toasting each other, making the scene very lively.

Nearing midnight, a group of people walked into the yard, where firecrackers and fireworks had already been prepared. At this time, snow was falling from the sky, the Milky Way disappeared, and every star above their heads appeared large and bright.

Xue Bo shouted excitedly: "Come on, let's set off the fireworks first."

Feng Ye lit the wick himself, and heard a series of hissing sounds. Bunches of fireworks shot straight into the sky, blooming into gorgeous flowers above the indigo sky. Although they were fleeting, they added color to this world.

"It's so beautiful..." Everyone exclaimed excitedly.

In the distant imperial city, the sound of the Jingyang Bell was heard, one sound after another, pushing time into the new year.

"Ah, it's time to welcome the new year. Hurry up and get the firecrackers ready!"

When the last bell rang, the firecrackers to welcome the spring were lit, and the crackling sound rang out to usher in the new year.

Feng Ye and Yan Sikong covered their ears, laughed and dodged the debris from the firecrackers. They turned to each other as if they had telepathy, and their eyes met unexpectedly in the air. They caught the pulse of emotions in each other's eyes, which was like a warm current, rushing into their hearts.

Feng Ye came over, suddenly lifted up his cloak, covered Yan Sikong's head, then lowered his head and kissed Yan Sikong's lips heavily.

Yan Sikong also put everything in the outside world behind him, held his neck, and responded emotionally.

The sparks in the sky and the joy in the world seem not as charming and touching as this kiss.

——

On the first day of the New Year, the two of them stayed in bed for almost the entire day. The servants brought wine and delicious food into the house, but ignored their dishevelled state.

Spending the spring night in the warm hibiscus tent is nothing more than this.

On the second day of the New Year, they should not be so unrestrained. Before dawn, the two of them went out early, as all the officials in the capital needed to go to the emperor to pay New Year's greetings on this day.

Due to the snowstorm in the south, all ceremonies were kept simple and ended before noon.

Afterwards they separated, Feng Ye went to pay New Year's greetings to Concubine Xian, while Yan Sikong also had the Crown Prince, teacher and colleagues to visit.

When they returned to Feng Mansion that day, it was already completely dark. Yan Sikong held his waist, feeling extremely tired, and thought that he should not have indulged himself too much.

Feng Ye had already returned, and seeing how tired he looked, he couldn't help laughing.

Yan Sikong glanced at him and said, "How dare you laugh? Go to bed honestly today, or don't blame me for being rude."

"Don't worry." Feng Ye hugged him and kissed him, "How could I not feel sorry for you."

Yan Sikong was relieved: "When did you come back?"

"I will be back in the afternoon. I will only go to wish my aunt a happy new year."

"Oh..." In the past, Yan Sikong had no idea when he heard about Concubine Xian. But now Yan Zilian was planning to marry Concubine Xian's daughter, Princess Wanyang, to him. He just felt guilty.

"My aunt is lonely in the palace and asked me to visit her often."

"Isn't Princess Wanyang accompanying her?"

"She is too energetic and can't sit still in her room, which gives my aunt a headache."

Yan Sikong paused, and couldn't help asking, "Did you kiss her?"

Feng Ye thought for a moment and said, "Every time I go, she always wants to play with me, but I really don't have much to say to her. She's just a spoiled little girl."

An alarm bell suddenly sounded in Yan Sikong's heart.

I'm afraid that I've been deeply immersed in lust these days. It's only the body that's indulged, but why is my mind not clear?

What on earth was he thinking? Everything with Feng Ye was nothing but illusions, and could never be considered real.

He warned himself not to let his emotions get the better of him.

Looking at Feng Ye's smiling, defenseless eyes, Yan Sikong felt a chill gradually despite the blazing charcoal fire in the house.