"Kong'er! Kong'er!"

Yan Sikong heard Feng Ye's voice and rushed out of the study. Before he could stand firm, he saw a black shadow rushing towards him. The next moment, he was picked up from the spot.

“Hahahahahaha, my dad won, my dad won—” Feng Ye held Yan Sikong and spun around in the yard, laughing wildly.

Yan Sikong was also delighted: "I just received the news and was just about to enter the palace. That's great, that's great!"

"My father killed 100,000 Wala soldiers and drove the enemy back 600 miles. Wala was severely damaged and we have no worries at the border for several years!" Feng Ye was so excited that his eyes turned red. "My father avenged my eldest brother and avenged the millions of people who were killed by Wala!"

Yan Sikong hugged Feng Ye's neck and kissed him fiercely: "Prince Jingyuan's achievements are unparalleled in the world, and his name will be remembered for thousands of years."

Feng Ye also hugged him tightly and choked up, "Kong'er, I'm so happy, I really..."

Yan Sikong's nose also felt sore: "Me too, me too."

Ever since Emperor Ningzong of Sheng lost the Hetao region, the people of Central Plains have been harassed by the Oirat for more than fifty years, and there has never been a day of peace on the border. The Oirat is growing stronger and stronger, threatening Sheng at all times. Now, King Jingyuan has finally dealt a heavy blow to the Oirat, and the Oirat has lost 100,000 soldiers and horses. In the short term, it will have no ability to invade the Central Plains again. The peace they have been waiting for has finally come.

Feng Ye wiped away his tears: "My father's lifelong wish is to destroy the Wala. Now we are on the verge of success. The great cause is just around the corner. As long as we seize the opportunity to recover the Hetao area, the Wala may not be able to make a comeback for a hundred years."

"Yes, I think so too." Yan Sikong said excitedly, "Hetao is a military stronghold. Not only is its location crucial, but it also has abundant water and grass, and produces a lot of good horses. Emperor Taizu conquered the world by conquering Hetao. If the previous emperor hadn't lost Hetao, how could our Dasheng be bullied and humiliated by the barbarians to this extent?"

"Yes, my father will definitely retake Hetao, and then Dasheng will once again be a prosperous era with peace and prosperity throughout the world."

Yan Sikong couldn't help but imagine the heyday of Da Sheng described in the book, when the people lived and worked in peace and contentment, and all the barbarians came to pay homage. That was a hundred years ago, but it made every citizen of Da Sheng yearn for it.

Feng Ye was so happy that he didn't know what to do. He kissed Yan Sikong several times and said, "I really wish I could fly to my father and celebrate for him in person."

Yan Sikong smiled and said, "His Majesty will definitely hold a grand celebration banquet in Beijing. You should toast him a few more glasses of wine here."

Feng Ye sighed and said, "I don't know if I can ever surpass my father in my lifetime." Although his tone was a little regretful, his bright eyes revealed an unconcealable pride.

"You are still young, and the world is changing rapidly. The future is unpredictable, but no matter what, you will become the successor of King Jingyuan and continue to protect the Chinese people."

Feng Ye nodded vigorously, his eyes burning.

——

The news that Prince Jingyuan had defeated the Oirat Mongols quickly spread throughout the capital. The whole country was rejoicing. Even the cold winter wind could not blow away the joy that was hanging over the heads of the people. Everyone in the capital was talking about it. The war reports that were heard from others became the most popular topic in teahouses and taverns overnight.

Emperor Zhaowu was overjoyed and announced the great victory at Beiyuan Pass to the world, saying that Dasheng's national fortune had arrived. Not only had they defeated the Oirat, but the Empress Dowager's health had also improved. This was all due to the virtue of her ancestors and the blessing of God. He would hold a grand banquet for the whole country to celebrate the victory.

During this year, first the rebellion was put down, then the reduction of the power of the feudal lords was successful, making the national treasury abundant, and finally, Prince Jingyuan defeated the Oirat. This series of great news really made people feel that the country was in good fortune, and it was no wonder that Emperor Zhaowu boasted that "the country's fortune has arrived."

On the day Emperor Zhaowu issued the decree, Yan Sikong and Feng Ye got drunk; they were so happy.

With only a few days left before the end of the year, all the civil and military officials in the Manchu court were busy with official duties before the New Year. The Ministry of Rites and the Honglu Temple were the busiest, as they had to prepare for a grand banquet.

Yan Sikong had worked in the Ministry of Personnel for half a year and finally had something to do - preparing for the imperial examination in the spring of next year. This was because the Ministry of Literature was short of staff and was overwhelmed. Although it was a waste of talent to let him, a double-listed Jinshi and the prince's trial student, do low-level and tedious clerical work, and if it were someone else, they would have walked away rather than accept the humiliation, but Yan Sikong did not complain. He did whatever he was asked to do and did it meticulously and impeccably.

On this day, he finally managed to go home early and have a good rest. As soon as he walked out of the palace, he ran into Yan Zilian's carriage which was waiting for him.

Yan Sikong got on Yan Zilian's carriage and bowed, "Teacher, I haven't seen you for a long time. Are you doing well?"

"It's almost the New Year, and the workload has become a bit heavy." Yan Zilian said, "You look so tired, are you busy with the imperial examination?"

"Exactly."

"how?"

Yan Sikong smiled bitterly: "All I do is paperwork. I can't see what's important now. If there was, I would have reported it to the teacher long ago."

Yan Zilian nodded: "Be smart, next year's imperial examination is of great importance."

"Students understand." Yan Sikong waited for Yan Zilian to continue speaking. He waited for him here on purpose, it was impossible that he was waiting for him just to chat.

"Actually, I came to see you today because I have something happy to tell you."

Yan Sikong's heart skipped a beat; he had already guessed what it was.

Yan Zilian smiled and said, "His Majesty said that the Queen Mother has recovered a little and will attend the banquet. At the banquet, he will personally arrange a marriage for you and Princess Wanyang."

Yan Sikong smiled a little stiffly: "I am so flattered that the Empress Dowager personally arranges a marriage for me." What was supposed to come finally came.

"Yes, this is better than His Majesty's gift of marriage. His Majesty has always been filial and respectful, and he will definitely pay more attention to you."

"Thank you, teacher."

"You must dress up nicely that day to please the Queen Mother. You will be the Prince Consort soon, and you will definitely not be left out of the next year's imperial examination." Yan Zilian said happily, "The timing is so good, it seems that the eunuch's fate is coming."

The faces of Xie Zhongren and Feng Ye appeared in Yan Sikong's mind at the same time. He clenched his fists and said in a deep voice, "I hope so."

——

After returning home, Yan Sikong called Ali and asked, "Has the prince returned to Beijing?"

Ali shook his head and gestured: If the prince returns to Beijing, he will definitely come to see you, young master.

Yan Sikong sighed: "Go to Prince Jingyuan's Mansion and find out when the prince will return to Beijing."

Ali nodded.

Yan Sikong calculated that it was less than four days until New Year's Eve. The end of the year was the busiest time. Feng Ye had been in the Jingshan camp for many days and had not returned. He was afraid that Feng Ye would not come back until the banquet, and he would not have time to confess his marriage in advance.

It was all his fault for being too lucky and putting it off again and again. He thought the marriage proposal would have to wait until next year at least. Yan Zilian had said the same thing before. Who could have known it would happen so soon, catching him off guard. If Feng Ye had heard the news of his marriage at the banquet, he would have been even angrier.

Later, Ali came back and brought him the most frustrating news - Feng Ye really would not return to the city until New Year's Eve. By then, he would have been in the palace. The two of them had such a huge difference in status that they could not sit together. He didn't know if they would have a chance to talk.

Ali looked at Yan Sikong worriedly and gestured: "Sir, what's wrong with you?"

Yan Sikong looked at Ali: "Ali, I'm going to get married."

Ali was stunned for a moment, and his ugly face suddenly broke into a big smile. He clapped his hands excitedly and asked Yan Sikong where she came from.

Yan Sikong smiled bitterly and said, "It's the princess, the emperor's favorite Princess Wanyang."

Ali was stunned. After hesitating for a moment, he asked: Isn’t that the prince’s cousin?

"That's right." Yan Sikong shook his head. "Ali, being a royal consort is not easy, especially since the girl I'm going to marry is Feng Ye's cousin. I don't know how to face Feng Ye."

Ali also looked embarrassed and stood aside awkwardly.

As his only servant, Ali naturally knew about his affair with Feng Ye. Although male homosexuality was not as prevalent in Da Sheng as in the previous dynasty, it was not a big deal for men to have affairs with each other, as long as they did not expose it to the public. If scholars, scholars, officials and nobles were interested in this, they would at most be teased for being "romantic", but it would not hinder them from getting married and having children.

But the person he wanted to marry was Feng Ye's cousin, which was quite embarrassing. Moreover, the princess was of noble status and could not be treated like an ordinary woman. Who dared to let her suffer such an injustice?

From the day Yan Sikong learned that Yan Zilian was trying hard to promote this marriage, this was the poison lurking between the two of them. It was only a matter of time before the poison broke out, but he didn't know how Feng Ye would react.

Ali asked again: Has the young master told the prince?

Yan Sikong shook his head: "Go prepare a new set of court clothes for me. I want to wear them at the banquet."

——

In the blink of an eye, it is New Year's Eve.

All the civil and military officials of the Manchu court, including officials from the suburbs of Beijing, flocked to the capital. Every year on New Year's Eve there was a royal banquet, but this year's was more grand than in previous years because it was also a celebration of the victory at Beiyuan Pass.

Although the protagonist of the banquet, Prince Jingyuan, was still in Datong reorganizing his troops and consolidating the defenses and could not come, his reward was already on the way.

At dawn, hundreds of officials had accompanied Emperor Zhaowu to offer sacrifices to heaven. They stood in the late moon sky until noon. As in previous years, some of them collapsed due to exhaustion.

Yan Sikong quickly found Feng Ye standing very front among the moving crowd. Feng Ye was very tall, and standing among a group of officials who were either old or bloated, he was like a crane standing out among a flock of chickens, very conspicuous.

The heaven sacrifice will soon be over and they will return to the palace. He must inform Feng Ye in advance before the grand banquet and marriage.