The news of King of Jingyuan's Shizi’s return to the capital caused a great shock among the influential officials in the capital for a moment. Many people deliberately came to make friends. Of course, they also wanted to see who the legendary brave and fierce little wolf king was. They took turns to come and pay him a formal visit in the past few days, but no matter who came, all of them were rejected on the spot, using "Shizi is tired from the journey and is feeling unwell" as an excuse.
For a moment, it annoyed the famous scholars in the capital, and
the rumors about him became even more outrageous.
Yan Sikong was only amused to hear about it. Ordinary people probably think that Feng Ye is arrogant because he is the Shizi of King of Jingyuan. But in fact, he was already like this since he was young. However, this also reminded him that he must find a proper time to meet Feng Ye. King of Jingyuan is a person with a high position. There are many people who want to seek a connection with Shizi, so he cannot be rude.
But unexpectedly, he will soon have a chance to see Feng Ye.
Emperor Zhaowu wanted to hold a spring hunt in the Shanhai hunting grounds while holding a reception for Feng Ye at the same time. Most of the officials and aristocrats in the capital were invited to dinner, so Feng Ye could not refuse the emperor's invitation no matter what.
The Shanhai hunting grounds is a royal hunting ground with abundant water and lush grass. Birds and animals are everywhere. Back then, the first emperor favored this expansive precious land. Since then, for more than 200 years, the descendants of the dynasty of Cheng Sheng have to hunt here as their rite of passage.
Naturally, Yan Sikong was not invited, but he begged Yan Zilian a
little and went with him. He knew that he might not even have the chance to get
close to Feng Ye, but he was curious to see Feng Ye’s true features.
----
On the day of the spring hunt, Yan Zilian's cart driver picked up Yan Sikong and they rode together to the Shanhai hunting grounds.
On the way, Yan Zilian stroked his beard with a smile and said, "Shen Hexuan doesn't like to join in on this kind of fun, yet you like it."
Yan Sikong roughly knew Yan Zilian's subtle thoughts about them. He pretended not to understand the implied meaning, and said happily, "This student has never seen a hunt before, not to mention the imperial family’s hunting, so it must be a magnificent and unprecedented event!"
Yan Zilian is an old official for three dynasties*. He has
been an official for 40 years. He’s very good at judging people. Yan Zilian recognizes
Shen Hexuan's talent and knowledge, but he doesn't like his inflexibility and
inability to act according to circumstances. On the contrary, Yan Sikong is witty
and intelligent, but he is a little slick and sly. After all, none of them can
be perfect.
Yan Sikong knew that his ambition could not stay hidden sooner or later. In order not to arouse Yan Zilian's concerns, he often pretended to be childish and competitive because of his youth, so that Yan Zilian felt that he was easy to control.
As the senior grand secretary, Yan Zilian appears to be an extremely high-ranking minister, but in fact, he has been suppressed by the eunuchs such as Xie Zhongren and treaded on thin ice for many years. Now, the crown prince of the Eastern Palace is about to start school. Choosing a royal tutor for the emperor or the crown prince --- especially the crown prince, is a very important thing that he can control. It even determines the future political situation of Dasheng. He must choose someone who can be trusted and controlled.
Yan Sikong is trying to fit Yan Zilian's ideal. Otherwise, he
would not have taken a year to win Yan Zilian's favor with the status of a 9th rank
jinshi. Yan Zilian may be very experienced, but during his 40 years in the imperial
court, all the people he encountered were only imperial relatives, officials, and
aristocrats. And during Yan Sikong’s 10 years, he encountered countless people from all trades*. Before the time is ripe, he will "act" well as
Yan Sikong who fits his current identity.
Sure enough, Yan Zilian pretended to be serious: "Did you ask me to take you to the spring hunt for fun? You are already an official of Dasheng, so you shouldn’t lose your dignity."
Yan Sikong arched his hands and said, "What teacher taught is right. This student was frivolous."
Yan Zilian nodded: "His Majesty has no intention of hunting in today’s spring hunt, but on Shizi.”
"What teacher means is..."
"That Shizi is young and spirited. He relied on his father’s
control over massive forces and cared for no one. He shut out all those who
came to visit him. His Majesty called him back to the capital to hold back King of Jingyuan, yet he is still so arrogant, so how can he not take the chance to get
rid of his power and prestige?"
"What teacher says sounds reasonable." Yan Sikong rolled his eyes*, "I wonder how His Majesty will get rid of his power and prestige."
Yan Zilian shook his head: "I don't know either, but there will
be an interesting show today."
----
When they reached the Shanhai hunting grounds, more than a dozen military tents were erected on the vast grassland. They gathered around the largest and most imposing one in the middle with the royal flag waving in the wind.
The spring hunt was about to begin. The emperor led his empress, the princes, and the others to take a seat. Yan Sikong left Yan Zilian for the time being, found Zhou Mixing, Liang Sui, and the rest, and sat with them.
After sitting down, Yan Sikong couldn't control himself and was looking
for someone around the main platform.
"Sikong, what are you looking at?" Liang Sui asked.
Yan Sikong's Adam's apple slid gently and tried his best to say in a calm tone: "I've always wanted to see Eunuch Xie's venerable face."
"Oh, he’s there." Liang Sui whispered in Yan Sikong's
ear, "He’s old and useless."
Following Liang Sui's gaze, Yan Sikong saw an old eunuch in a luxurious silver silk brocade. His temples had turned white, and his eyelids were drooping weakly, but he still couldn't hide his sharp pupils. He put his hands in his sleeves and sat at the table silently. No one knew what vicious scheme was going on in his mind.
Yan Sikong had some difficulty suppressing his overflowing hatred. His hands hanging under the table tightly grasped his robe, and he lowered his head to cover his emotions.
Xie Zhongren is right in front of him. He wished he could
personally taste the flesh and blood of this eunuch!
"Sikong, what's wrong?"
Yan Sikong paused for a while. When he looked up, he had returned
to his normal state. He said with a light smile: "Nothing."
A noise came from the surrounding area, and Zhou Mixing shouted, "Hey, Shizi is coming!"
Everyone looked towards the rear. They saw a light cavalry coming. The grass waves were rippling like waves, and a pure white horse was like an egret skimming the water at a low altitude, light and vigorous. It was full of strength and beauty as if it was going to stretch its wings and fly into the clear sky in the next second.
The man on the horse made everyone stunned.
What a handsome young man he is. His eyebrows are picturesque, his
face is like a sculpture, his deep eyes are full of sharpness, and he is
breathtaking like a wolf. He is obviously a tall man, and his lips are as if
smeared with cinnabar. A lock of thick black hair flutters in the wind with the
horse's mane. His heroic posture is like a god descending to the world, which
makes people reluctant to look away.
He quickly reined in the reins, turned over nimbly and got off the horse. He knelt on one knee, and cupped his fist with the other hand. His actions were very smooth, and he said in a loud voice without being servile nor overbearing: "I’m Feng Ye. Greetings to the emperor and empress. Long live the emperor."
The vigorous and unrestrained young voice echoed through all of the hunting grounds and shook everyone's heart.
Emperor Zhaowu was also intimidated by Feng Ye. After a long
pause, he said, "Please rise, my dear subject."
Feng Ye stood up.
He wore a black riding suit and only wore a breastplate and bracers, which tightened his waist and made him look extremely slender and strong. Even his body shape stood out from the crowd.
Yan Sikong stared at that man who was only 33.3 meters away from him,
and he felt an upsurge of emotion for a moment. It was difficult to describe
the taste at this time.
He had not experienced any happiness for a long time, but it really gave him a trace of comfort to see an old friend in the cold imperial city. He even thought, why not just remain like this? Treat it as if the two had never known each other, and be like strangers in the future. In the deepest place of his heart, maybe "Yuan Sikong" still existed and was unwilling to make use of Feng Ye.
Empress Xu smiled and said, "General Feng's son is really energetic
and handsome. I have never seen such a good-looking boy in this palace."
Emperor Zhaowu touched his beard and smiled: "Indeed.
Empress, Feng Ye has not been married yet. You must pay more attention to this
matter."
"Rest assured, Your Majesty."
Feng Ye maintained his composure, arched his hands, and said,
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, empress."
Yan Sikong closed his eyes. Over the years, he advanced gradually
step by step. Whenever he decided to take a step, he was firm, but this time,
he hesitated.
----
old official for three dynasties* [三朝老臣]--- means he served 3 different
emperors in his lifetime. 1 emperor in 1 dynasty. Usually, those who serve a lot
of emperors are rather old already.
people from all trades* [三教九流]---The Three Religions (Daoism,
Confucianism, Buddhism) and Nine Schools (Confucians, Daoists, Yin-Yang,
Legalists, Logicians, Mohists, Political Strategists, Eclectics,
Agriculturists). This is often a derogatory term.
rolled his eyes* [眼珠子转了转]---this Chinese term means a person came up with an idea (usually bad ideas)
PS: Here's Prince Charming Feng Ye~~
Edited on 29 July 21 (Emzie)
No comments:
Post a Comment