逐王水千丞 ZhuWang The Blood Crown novel by ShuiQianCheng English translation: Chapter 46

The emperor’s birthday is a national celebration. Emperor Zhaowu is so extravagant in nature that his birthday must be well organized every year. Naturally, this 40^th birthday cannot be held perfunctorily.

Before dawn, Emperor Zhaowu took all of his family members and the civilian and military officers of the court to the Temple of Heaven* to make offerings for the Buddha’s Birthday*. At the same time, slaughtering was banned all over the country for one day. The whole city is celebrating the birthday in the capital. There were plenty of vegetarian meals, tables, and chairs that were set up on the roads which stretched about 5 kilometers long, and more than 10,000 people came to eat and watch.

The offering ceremony didn't end until the afternoon, so the courtiers stood under the hot sun for 10 hours. About 2-3 courtiers fainted among the aged and physically declined courtiers.

Yan Sikong stood at the very back, chanting a meditation mantra while staring at the back of Feng Ye's head. He observed that Feng Ye turned his head several times to look for something. He must be looking for him, so he counted how many times Feng Ye turned his head in his heart. Unexpectedly, he didn't feel that the ceremony was boring anymore.

After the ceremony, they returned to the palace for the birthday banquet in the evening.

This time, Emperor Zhaowu took the opportunity of his birthday to pray for the people suffering from the floods on both sides of the Yellow River. Therefore, the birthday banquet was a vegetarian feast. Yan Sikong insinuated in his heart: The cost of this birthday is several hundred thousand silver dollars, so does this fatuous and self-indulgent ruler really not know how to truly relieve the suffering of the people?

On the way back to the palace, Yan Sikong and Liang Sui were walking side by side and chatting about what birthday gifts they had prepared. Suddenly, Yan Sikong felt someone coming close behind him. As soon as he was about to turn his head, he was held by a powerful hand on his shoulder, and a familiar scent wafted into his nose. It was a body scent mixed with a faint scent of Chinese mugwort*. It was as refreshing as the grassland after the rain with every clump of greenery filled with vitality.

Yan Sikong turned his face and saw that Feng Ye was smiling at him. Under the sunset, his skin was as clear as jade.

"Oh, Shizi." Liang Sui arched his hand.

Feng Ye nodded. “Both of you must be tired."

Liang Sui said with a forced smile, "We’re still alright."

"Lord Yan, can I borrow you for a minute to help me see if there are any slip ups in my congratulatory speech?"

Yan Sikong respectfully said, "At your service, Shizi."

Feng Ye pulled Yan Sikong to one side and whispered, "Where the hell have you been standing today? I've been looking for you."

"Why were you looking for me?" Yan Sikong smiled faintly and thought: You were “looking” for me 16 times.

"I was afraid you would faint from the heat and wanted to send someone to give you water."

Yan Sikong laughed. “I'm not that weak."

"Look at you. Your face is red from the sun." Feng Ye looked down at him. "Eat more in the evening. Come and look for me after the birthday banquet. I'll send you home."

"Okay." Yan Sikong asked, "How was the interrogation with that scout?"

"Nothing special this time since Wala sends people to spy all year round."

Yan Sikong nodded, "That's good."

"You have nothing to say to me?"

Yan Sikong blinked. “You mean..."

Feng Ye pursed his lips and said unhappily, "You didn't miss me?"

Yan Sikong was holding back his laughter. “We haven’t seen each other for only two days.”

Feng Ye touched his own chin, "That means…if we don’t see each other for many days, you will miss me?"

Yan Sikong finally couldn't help it and snorted out a laugh.

"I can't go back and forth from the Jingshan’s camp every day, so you usually don't have many opportunities to see me. If you still don't miss me..." Feng Ye snorted out a laugh, "I'll really kidnap you up the mountain."

Yan Sikong looked around and coughed lightly. “Keep your voice down."

Feng Ye grinned and didn't care. “I'll accompany you since I'll be staying in the city for a few days."

“Why do I need your company?”

"Then you shall accompany me." Feng Ye said overbearingly.

Yan Sikong didn’t know whether to cry or laugh.

With no one looking at them, Feng Ye took advantage of the situation to grab his hand with force. “Come and look for me after the birthday banquet." Then, he winked at him and left with a cheerful face.

Yan Sikong smiled lightly, straightened his clothes, and strode into the Hall of Preserving Harmony.

The birthday banquet began with the emperor’s lecture. Using mostly modest words, he lectured himself instead of the courtiers, such as being grateful for God’s grace and protecting all living beings, bearing heavy responsibilities, and seeing his own shortcomings.

Next, The Directorate of Ceremonial’s zhangyin court eunuch, Xie Zhongren, read aloud Emperor Zhaowu’s outstanding achievements. Yan Sikong listened with an indifferent face and still had to shout, “Long live the king”.

Later, the dance, music, and banquet started. The courtiers could finally breathe a sigh of relief and fill their hungry stomachs.

Yan Sikong chatted with his colleagues around him, yet he calculated soberly in his heart; Ah Li should be reaching Qingyang soon if he travelled at top speed.

When the dance and music paused, the official who’s in charge of the ceremony held a long list of gifts in both hands and read aloud the birthday gifts from foreign countries, feudal princes, and officials. Whenever he read one, the eunuchs would present it. If the birthday gifts were too large, they had to be carried in by others.

Of course, not everyone had the opportunity to personally present their own birthday gifts to the emperor, but it was an indispensable etiquette for the crown prince. When all the birthday gifts were shown to Emperor Zhaowu one by one, Chen Mu arched his hands, bowed with his head lowered, respectfully walked in, and knelt in front of the Danxi*.

"Son wishes father’s happiness to be as immense as the East Sea and a long life. Long live my father!"

Emperor Zhaowu was in a good mood today, so he smiled at Chen Mu. “Mu’er, please rise."

"Thank you, father."

Empress Xu said with a smile, "What treasure has Mu’er prepared for His Majesty?"

The eyes of the hundreds of officials at the banquet fell on Chen Mu.

Chen Mu kept his chest up. The handsome young man had a noble aura that could not be hidden. He replied humbly. “Son had written a poem for father."

There was a sound of surprise at the banquet. There were many rare treasures in today's birthday ceremony, yet the crown prince of Dasheng only composed a mere poem, which didn’t seem presentable.

Emperor Zhaowu smiled and remained silent.

Empress Xu had no children. She had fought openly and maneuver covertly with Consort Chang, the mother of the second prince, for many years. Naturally, she was biased towards Chen Mu. She thought of how expensive the Jiulong jade given by the second prince was and felt slightly embarrassed at this moment.

Chen Mu arched his hand. “Son thought that since father possesses the world, priceless treasures are nothing to father. Father would focus on sincerity. Even the sun and moon could testify my filial piety, respect, and love for father. This poem was written by me for several months. I only wish father will live a long life."

"Haha, that’s good," Emperor Zhaowu said with a smile. "Mu’er, come and read it to father."

Chen Mu spread out the scroll at an appropriate speed. He cleared his throat and read aloud.

This poem was full of restrained and implicit praises and sincere adoration, yet it wasn’t too flattering. It sounded comfortable. Occasionally, the words used were childish, but the defects couldn’t obscure the virtues*, which made people recall fondly the true sentiments Chen Mu revealed.

After reading the poem, Yan Zilian took the lead and applauded. Naturally, the courtiers followed suit and applauded as they had to give face to elder official Yan.

Yan Sikong revealed a satisfied smile on his face.

Emperor Zhaowu revealed a happy expression on his face. “Mu'er, you have made great progress in your learning."

Yan Zilian hunched his body to leave the table, knelt down and said in a loud voice, "Your Majesty, although the word formation of the crown prince’s eulogistic poem is still a little childish, his talent cannot be underestimated. Most importantly, this poem is full of true feelings and reverence, and even paid great attention to Nationalism and people's livelihood. When I listened, I was really...really moved." His voice was trembling at the end of his sentence.

"Yeah, it's really a good poem. Your Royal Highness’s sincerity surpasses countless treasures.”

The hall was filled with the sound of praises.

The faces of the officials under the second prince's faction didn't look good.

Emperor Zhaowu was smug from the flattery. Obviously, he was very satisfied with this poem too. “It's rare for you to have this regard. I like it."

Chen Mu knelt down excitedly. “Thank you, father."

The birthday banquet lasted until midnight. All the officials were tired and returned home in a hurry after the banquet.

Yan Sikong walked leisurely towards the outside of the hall, thinking that the new history had been presented and would be made public tomorrow. Cai Zhongfan would never miss the opportunity to accuse Wang Shengsheng. A storm would definitely surge in the imperial court. He could not estimate whether it would be a violent storm or a light rain. But it didn’t matter even if he couldn’t achieve his goal. This time, he would test the water first. Sooner or later, he could produce clouds with one turn of his hand and rain with another*.

"Sikong." A call came from behind.

Yan Sikong stopped suddenly and turned around hurriedly. “Teacher."

Yan Zilian came and walked beside him while whispering, "Did you write the poem for the crown prince?"

Yan Sikong smiled lightly. “Nothing can be concealed from teacher."

Yan Zilian said with a smile while stroking his beard, "There were no loopholes in that poem. His Highness doesn't have such talent, and Hexuan is too inflexible to do such a thing. Who else could there be other than you?”

Yan Sikong made a slightly uneasy look. “Did I do something wrong?”

"You have done a great job, and you should do your best to assist His Highness in the future."

"I understand."

"By the way." Yan Zilian seemed to think of something, "I heard that you have been a little close to Shizi recently?"

Yan Sikong evaded the crucial point and said, "I am grateful to Shizi for not being condescending and doesn’t mind befriending me. We have had a drink together."

"Mm, not bad." Yan Zilian stood still and patted Yan Sikong on the shoulder. "Sikong, teacher has high hopes for you. Don't let me down."

"Alright."

When the two walked to the palace gate, they saw Feng Ye leaning against the wall with his arms folded, obviously waiting for him.

Yan Sikong explained in a hurry, "Oh, it's late now. Just now, I implored Shizi to give me a ride.”

Yan Zilian nodded and arched his hand at Feng Ye. Feng Ye also saluted back. “Elder Official Yan has had a long day. Be careful on your way home."

"Thank you, Shizi. I shall take my leave first."

After Yan Zilian left, Feng Ye pulled Yan Sikong to one side, narrowed his eyes and said unhappily, "What did I say? I asked you to come and find me, yet you concentrated on loitering outside the palace. You didn’t have the intention of finding me.”

Yan Sikong comforted, "I wanted to walk to a less crowded place to wait for you."

Feng Ye raised his eyebrows. “Really?"

"Of course."

Feng Ye snorted, "Let's go."

When they got on the carriage, Feng Ye asked, "Did you write that poem for the crown prince?"

Yan Sikong was not surprised that everyone could guess it right. After all, it was not difficult to guess. He said, "I am His Highness's royal tutor. It’s my duty to guide His Highness."

"Don't give me that." Feng Ye said in a deep voice, "My father said that this political strife will blow up sooner or later. By then, I wouldn’t know where the flames of war will burn. As a mere royal tutor, you shouldn’t go in too deep."

Yan Sikong looked at Feng Ye with fixed eyes and said, "What about you? The King of Jingyuan would probably have a hard time not getting involved in it." Feng Jianping held the greatest military power in Dasheng. Whoever could get his support could sit firmly as the crown prince. However, he didn’t favor either side at this time, which was indeed a wise move.

Feng Ye said, "The Feng family is only loyal to the emperor."

Yan Sikong nodded. “The King of Jingyuan is wise."

The carriage stopped and Xiao Liu said, "Lord Yan, you’re home."

Yan Sikong arched his hand and said, "Farewell."

Feng Ye's bright eyes twinkled in the dark. He looked at him, but he didn't speak.

Yan Sikong hesitated for a moment. There was a voice in his heart urging him to make a decision. He had the answer after an instant thought. He said softly, "I didn’t enjoy myself to the fullest as there was no wine in tonight’s banquet. Why don’t you... come to my house and have a few drinks?"

Feng Ye's face brightened.

----

PS: my job drives me insane lmao :')

Temple of Heaven* [天坛]---located in Beijing

Buddha’s Birthday* [浴佛节]---literal translation: bathing Buddha festival. Also known as: Vesak Day (We use this term in Singapore) or Buddha Day. One of the most important Buddhist festivals. The main theme of this event is to remind people to always keep a pure heart and to observe whether their heart is pure or not.