逐王水千丞 ZhuWang The Blood Crown novel by ShuiQianCheng English translation: Chapter 41

Jingshan was not far from the imperial city, and anyone could reach there in 2 hours with a fast horse. However, the carriage was a little slow, so it was close to noon when they arrived.

Yan Sikong got out of the carriage and looked around. “Can the Jingshan’s camp be seen from here?"

"You can see it when you go up the mountain." Feng Ye stretched his back muscles, "There’s a grassland at the foot of the mountain where you can ride horses. Zui Hong is over there. There’s a manor on the mountain where we can avoid the summer heat that only the royal family members and relatives can enter. There will only be you and me these next 2 days. The fruits are fleshy at this time, and we will certainly eat to our fill."

Yan Sikong looked up. Indeed, at the middle of the mountain, he saw a curved-up roof* among the dense vegetation.

"Let’s go. They should have finished preparing lunch."

However, Yan Sikong did not move. He said with hesitation. “His Highness Feng Hun is also in the manor?"

Feng Ye was stunned. He laughed and said, "Are you that afraid of him?"

Yan Sikong said silently in his heart: who is not afraid of a giant wolf that can swallow people alive? He coughed softly. “Except for the people around you, others don’t encounter wolves often." Plus, he’s such a big wolf.

"Don't worry, I’ve let him go behind the mountain. He can't stand being shut inside the house all day." Feng Ye hugged Yan Sikong's shoulder. "He’s my younger brother. He won't bite you. Don't be afraid. I’ll let you two get familiar with each other in these next two days."

"No need, No need."

"HAHAHAHA!!!" Feng Ye pulled Yan Sikong along, "Let’s go."

The two hiked up the mountain. The location of the manor was not very high up, but Yan Sikong still panted a lot when he climbed all the way up. Feng Ye only looked a little tired.

Several servants and a housekeeper stood at the gate of the manor. When they saw Feng Ye, they bowed. “Welcome, Your Highness."

Yan Sikong looked up and saw a painted red plaque hanging on the lintel with four characters that were inlaid with gold*: Lingwu Mountain Villa.

Those words had a strong and powerful aura which could only be written by people with an extraordinary state of mind.

Yan Sikong said happily, "Is this Teacher Daogong's handwriting?"

The housekeeper smiled and said, "Lord Yan has good eyes. It's true. Teacher Daogong was invited by the King of Chu to show him around and left these four words as a mark."

Teacher Daogong was an imperial censor in the era of Sheng Ningzong and was really talented. Because of his upright and outspoken temperament, he was not pleased by Sheng Ningzong and was sent to Guizhou. That place was barren and prone to disasters, which was almost equivalent to being exiled. In that same year, Sheng Ningzong lost the important Hetao area. Since then, Dasheng’s territory had started to decline, and Teacher Daogong's admonition was precisely related to the Hetao area.

His integrity and talent had not been forgotten even though he was dead now.

Yan Sikong sighed with emotions in his heart that Sheng Ningzong lost Hetao to Wala and Emperor Zhaowu abandoned Liaobei and gave it to the Jin. This father and son’s ‘contribution’ to the current Dasheng’s internal and external perils couldn’t go unnoticed.

Feng Ye said, "My father also told me about this person too. He said that he’s a rare good official."

Yan Sikong sighed.

The housekeeper led them in. This manor was built on the back of the mountain with ranges upon ranges of green peaks. There were beautiful plants and a small bridge above a stream in the courtyard. Each building was as exquisite as a glorious palace, like a fairyland hidden in the middle of the mountain.

Sumptuous food and wine had been prepared in the manor, and there were musicians playing a beautiful melody at the side.

"Eat more. When we're full, we can go trekking, horseback riding, and fishing." Feng Ye said, "I know you're exhausted from editing history, so have a good rest for the next two days."

Yan Sikong felt warm in his heart. No one had cared so much about him in a long time. He couldn't help laughing and said, "Thank you."

"Yo, you finally smiled." Feng Ye joked, "You no longer have a fearful expression that I'm going to eat you."

Yan Sikong raised his eyebrow. “I have never been afraid of you, Feng Ye."

"Really?" Feng Ye suddenly got close to him, admiring his calm and beautiful eyes and brows. He hooked his lips into a smile and said, “Not bad, my dear needs to have at least this amount of courage."

Yan Sikong picked up a tender bamboo shoot with his chopstick. “Let’s eat." If it was just an occasional teasing from Feng Ye, he could still handle it. He had an uncertain feeling that Feng Ye needed his company, and it didn’t seem to be very important as for how to accompany him.

Just like that arrogant and domineering child back then who also longed for a playmate.

He hoped he was right.

----

After their meal, Yan Sikong asked Feng Ye to take him to see the Jingshan’s camp.

"Why do you want to see the camp?"

"What's wrong with looking at the garrison camp as a courtier? I'm not going in. I'm just looking at it from the mountain."

"You can't see it from here. You have to go to the summit. How about I take you to the summit tomorrow morning?"

"That’s good."

"Let's go horseback riding." Feng Ye said with a smile, "You want to ride Zui Hong, right?"

Yan Sikong said honestly, "Yes."

"Let’s go!"

When going down the mountain, Yan Sikong inquired about the situation of the Jingshan’s camp. Feng Ye seemed unwilling to say more and asked what birthday gift he had prepared for the emperor instead.

"It's just a humble work*." Yan Sikong asked, "What about you?"

"Uncle Xue has gone to prepare it. I'm too lazy to bother." Feng Ye curled his lips, "What's the point of getting a great number of people involved in celebrating a birthday? It would be appropriate if the taels spent on that birthday were used to buy some armor for the soldiers and exchange for a few kilograms of grains.”

Yan Sikong said in a deep voice, "Exactly." Emperor Zhaowu was extravagant and indulged in leading a life of pleasure every day. If it had not been for the strenuous support of sober people, the leader of this country would have changed long ago.

"You guys spent a lot of effort in compiling history too, right? Is this revision to cover up the battle of Hetao and the battle of Liaobei?"

Yan Sikong couldn't help sneering. “The updated history has not been made public, and you guys have guessed it." Hetao and Liaobei were the emperors’ most shameful accomplishments in these two dynasties. Emperor Zhaowu was currently in reign, so naturally, he couldn’t stand everyone all over the world accusing him and his father. Therefore, he demanded that the Sheng’s history be heavily edited. In reality, he usurped and changed it to save some face for the royal family.

Thus, it can be seen that although Emperor Zhaowu was fatuous, he was extremely sensitive about how he was regarded by others, so he decided to make an issue of this updated history. He didn't expect the opportunity to come so soon. Even if this matter would involve him, he would never miss the possibility of annihilating one of Xie Zhongren's henchmen.

"Who wouldn't be able to guess it?" Feng Ye narrowed his eyes and a cold light flashed inside them. "If my father had been born 20 years earlier, Hetao would never have been lost."

Yan Sikong looked blankly into the distance and whispered, "Yes, but there is only one King of Jingyuan in the world."

"When the updated history comes out, I will go and see how the two battles, Hetao and Liaobei, have been edited."

"A lot of people are waiting to see." Yan Sikong said with a smile, "If there are mistakes in the book, no one can give an explanation to the emperor. If the book is perfect, no one can give an explanation to the future generations."

Feng Ye remained silent for a while, and said, "It's not easy for you guys."

Yan Sikong shook his head and smiled.

As they talked, they had reached the foot of the mountain. There was indeed grassland and a stable, and the horses from Xiao Liu’s carriage were also eating the grass here.

Feng Ye ordered, "Go and bring Zui Hong out."

Xiao Liu received the order. After a while, he brought the overbearing horse king out of the stable.

Yan Sikong stepped forward and touched his shiny fur without concealing his love. “Even though he’s in the grassland, don't let him eat green grass all the time. At least half of it should be hay, otherwise he’ll get fat easily and will not be lean."

Xiao Liu said, "Don't worry, Lord Yan. Shizi has transferred a horse breeder from the palace."

"Get on the horse and I'll take you for a ride."

Yan Sikong's eyes lit up. He stepped on the stirrup and got up on the horse. Feng Ye then got up and hugged Yan Sikong's waist.

Yan Sikong's body immediately stiffened.

However, Feng Ye hugged his waist tightly and stuck his back to his chest. At the same time, he smiled and said flirtatiously in his ear, "Are you afraid now?"

Yan Sikong frowned and said, "Do you think this is interesting?"

Feng Ye chuckled twice and let go of his arm. “Nevermind. You didn't provoke me today, so I won't provoke you."

"When did I provoke you?"

"You embraced a prostitute and drank with her, and you still asked me when you provoked me?" Feng Ye pulled the reins and Zui Hong started to trot nimbly, "I have a bad temper, but I'm afraid that I’ll scare you, so I didn’t get angry with you."

Yan Sikong mocked, "Then I should really thank Shizi."

Suddenly, something wet, soft, and warm pasted onto Yan Sikong's earlobe, followed by a small prickling pain.

"You..." Yan Sikong dodged sharply and nearly fell from the horse.

Feng Ye quickly grabbed his waist and licked his sharp white wolf teeth. He said with an evil smile, "Say my name. If you call me wrongly, I'll punish you. I'll do what I said."

Yan Sikong was burning with suppressed anger. Feng Ye was right. Power was a good thing. He didn’t even dare to hurl insults at Feng Ye, and probably only a few people in this world would dare to do it.

Feng Ye put his chin on Yan Sikong's shoulder. “Do you still remember that you also took me horseback riding when I was a child?"

Yan Sikong calmed down his emotions and nodded. “I remember." It would be nice if time solidified at that moment.

"At the time, I was actually unwilling and you had to take me." Feng Ye said with a smile, "So, I thought that one day I will take you just like this." He suddenly clipped his horse's belly with force and shouted, "Go!"

Zui Hong started to gallop with its four hooves.

Yan Sikong's body tilted back uncontrollably into Feng Ye's embrace. The chest behind him was broad and hard. Even the temperature emitted from it was full of vitality and vigor. Regardless of others, this embrace indeed gave people a full sense of security. In his memory, only two people had given him this kind of chest. One was Feng Ye, and the other was his lifelong pain.

Zui Hong ran faster and faster. He turned into a fiery-red thunderbolt, flying across the shallow grass, and galloping between heaven and earth.

Yan Sikong could only feel the wind whistling past his ears and scratching his cheeks until they hurt. He had never ridden such a fast horse before. The lightning speed caused the scenery at both sides to be constantly thrown behind him. His eyes could barely focus on things. This horse was still carrying two people. If there was only one person on Zui Hong’s back, how fast could he go!?

Feng Ye laughed. “How’s that? Can you still withstand it?"

Yan Sikong shouted, "Why couldn't I withstand it?!"

Feng Ye waved the whip and slapped the horse's hip. “Go!"

Frenziedly, Zui Hong crossed his hooves and ran delightfully.

Yan Sikong clamped the horse's belly and grabbed the reins. His facial features had been distorted by the wind, but he was gradually becoming more excited.

Suddenly, a dark shadow leaped out from the right side. Yan Sikong looked back. It turned out to be Feng Hun who came down from the mountain at some point in time!

Feng Ye shouted, "Feng Hun, follow us!"

The silver-gray one-eyed wolf followed closely with the aura of hunting prey, chasing after them relentlessly.

One horse and one wolf. One in front and the other at the back. They were running wildly on the grassland as if charging and breaking through the enemy lines.

Yan Sikong suddenly felt a heroic spirit in his chest and couldn't help recalling that year.

Back then, Feng Ye was half a head shorter than him and needed to shrink in Yan Sikong’s embrace to keep his balance during the gallop. He had a great aspiration of reaching for the clouds when he was still young and high-spirited.

The Feng Ye in the past seemed to be pieced together into a small fragment at this moment, and Yan Sikong could barely recall a little.

Feng Ye tightly hugged Yan Sikong's waist, and his voice floated in the wind like a dream. “I don't believe you forgot the promise you and I had made."

Yan Sikong’s eyes became hot, and he couldn't help but want to cry.

----

PS: done with a week of work. It’s hectic lol.

PS from Emzie: Did he, did he just bite his ear? ((・▽・))

curved-up roof* [翘角飞檐]---(see pic below)