The two were facing each other in silence, when Yan Zilian came back suddenly, they all got up and saluted.
Yan Zilian glanced at Yan Sikong: "Why, the officials are too idle?"
Yan Sikong smiled wryly: "To tell the truth, teacher, it's a little... leisurely."
Yan Zilian had an expected expression: "Follow me in and have a chat."
Entering the inner room, Yan Zilian closed the door, covered the window, and looked outside to make sure there was no one: "Sit."
"How is the teacher today?"
Yan Zilian shook his court clothes, sat down calmly, and shook his head lightly: "Not good."
"Why did the teacher say that?" Yan Sikong's heart tightened.
"The war between King Jingyuan and Wala is stalemate, which is frightening. Although the matter of cutting down the vassal was implemented because of the attempted rebellion of King Liang, the progress was slow. Local officials and the vassal king often colluded. The empress dowager has been suffering for a long time. In winter, Concubine Wen Gui is staring at her like a tiger." Yan Zilian sighed deeply, "This is an eventful autumn."
Yan Sikong comforted: "Teacher, don't worry too much. We won the fight against the rebellion, and we made steady progress in cutting down the vassals. I think Dasheng's national fortune is coming. But..." He changed the subject, "I went to the East Palace a few days ago , was bumping into Concubine Wen Gui, and heard His Highness the Crown Prince say that Concubine Wen Gui recently intends to win over Concubine Hui, and I don't know why."
"There must be no good intentions, please remind Your Highness to be more prepared."
"The student has already reminded His Highness."
Yan Zilian looked at Yan Sikong, "I am old as a teacher, and when the weather is cold, I feel depressed and sleepy. You should grow up as soon as possible, and don't let my great river and mountains be destroyed by treacherous hands."
"Teacher, don't worry."
"How are you in the official department?"
Yan Sikong talked about his disappointment in the Ministry of Officials. In fact, he and Yan Zilian had expected these things. At first, he was just ignored, but it was not bad. This proves that Xie Zhongren did not take him seriously. He now understands more and more why Yan Zilian put him in the official department, because there is no better candidate than him. He must be lowly in position, who can just take over the post of chief executive, but also smart, sharp, good at dancing, and able to fight in that dangerous place. He can bend and stretch, with ease, among the younger generation, only he and Shen Hexuan have this qualification, but it would definitely be a disaster for Shen Hexuan to go.
Yan Zilian comforted him patiently, telling him to restrain his edge and act in a low-key manner. As long as he survived for a few years, sooner or later he would have room to show his talents.
Yan Sikong has already made preparations for a long-term struggle.
Yan Zilian stroked his beard and said: "Actually, I have expected that you will not have a good time in the official department, and you are outstanding, and you are the prince's servant. Xie Zhongren will notice you sooner or later. I am also worried that he will make things difficult for you, so , I have thought of a complete plan for you."
"Teacher, please tell me."
"I went to the palace today to face the saint, and I brought up the matter of Princess Wanyang again."
Yan Sikong's heart skipped a beat, his face changed slightly: "Uh..."
Yan Zilian showed joy: "Your Majesty is very satisfied with you in the first battle against the rebellion. He has already agreed to give you a marriage at a certain date."
Yan Sikong felt his breath trembling, he was stunned for a moment, got up, knelt down on the ground, not letting Yan Zilian see his expression, he said in a low voice: "Student thanked teacher..."
Yan Zilian only thought that he was too happy, so he laughed and said: "Get up quickly. After the new year, Princess Wanyang will be seventeen years old. What His Majesty means is that the marriage should be granted first, and when the condition of the Empress Dowager improves, Just pick a good day and auspicious day to get married."
"..." Yan Sikong's mind was muddled, he should have been happy. In the eyes of outsiders, if a poor scholar from a humble background can marry a princess who is as rich as a thousand gold, it is likely that eighteen generations of his ancestors have accumulated virtues before he can be rewarded for this. Adding a plaque to his body not only helped him a lot, but also added a gold medal for avoiding death.
But at this moment, he only thought about how Feng Ye would react if he found out.
Yan Zilian said proudly: "The eunuch probably didn't expect me to come up with such a strange trick. Wan Yang is His Majesty's favorite princess. His Majesty once told me in private that Wan Yang is innocent and spoiled, and he doesn't want her to marry into a wealthy family. , so as not to be wronged, you come from a poor family, but you have a bright future, and you are exactly the son-in-law your Majesty wants."
Yan Sikong stared blankly at the ground without responding.
Only then did Yan Zilian discover Yan Sikong's strange behavior: "Sikong, what's wrong with you? Are you unhappy?"
"Student... the student is of course happy, the student is just afraid... the student's background is mean, and he is afraid that Princess Wanyang will be wronged..."
"Sikong, there are thousands of young masters and celebrities of the right age in this capital, but which one can compare with your talent and beauty? How can an ordinary girl not be happy to see you? No matter where a hero comes from, your majesty will see it." If you are chosen, you don't need to belittle yourself, just be your concubine-to-be with peace of mind." Yan Zilian said contentedly, "Your parents are both dead, and as your teacher, I am able to find such a good marriage for you. Glad."
"...a teacher is like a parent again, and the students are grateful."
—
After leaving Wenyuan Pavilion, Yan Sikong headed home in a daze. Should he tell Feng Ye? In what position did he tell Feng Ye
Even if he doesn't tell, Feng Ye will know soon.
What would happen if Fengye found out...
So what, the emperor personally bestowed the marriage, is it possible to resist the decree? Besides, Feng Ye will marry a wife one day, and it is a good thing for the two to part ways here to avoid embarrassment in the future.
Yan Sikong was in a state of confusion when he suddenly heard the sound of horseshoes coming from outside the carriage. It was the hoofbeat of a single horse. In the capital, unless there is an amnesty or an important mission, horse riding is not allowed. The hoofbeat is neither fast nor slow, and the speed is relatively slow. It does not seem to be an important mission. The only possibility is...
Yan Sikong didn't even have time to think in the future, so he opened the curtain suddenly.
A flaming horse was passing by his carriage. He looked up and met a pair of extremely familiar eyes, which flashed with surprise.
The eyes of Yan Sikong and Feng Ye meet in the air, even if they brush each other for only a moment, their eyes have already frozen, everything around them seems to have disappeared, only their faces are so clear in the world.
The two quickly separated.
Yan Sikong forcibly restrained himself, without looking back, he retracted his stiff neck back into the carriage, but he could not regain his senses for a long time.
The sound of horseshoes gradually drifted away, and the unidentified young shoots that sprouted quietly in the bottom of my heart also withered in an instant.
A self-deprecating smile appeared on Yan Sikong's face.
Suddenly, the distant sound of horseshoes rushed back again, Yan Sikong was still in a daze, his carriage was forced to stop suddenly, the two horses neighed shortly, and the horseshoes stepped on the ground impatiently and chaotically, The carriage shook endlessly.
Feng Ye shouted loudly from outside the car: "Yan Sikong, come out."
Yan Sikong's heart was beating wildly, he was holding on to the window citron, momentarily at a loss.
Feng Ye called again: "Come out."
Yan Sikong suddenly pushed open the door of the carriage, and looked deeply at Feng Ye from a distance of two feet, his eyes flickering unceasingly.
Feng Ye tilted his head: "Follow me."
The coachman looked back at Yan Sikong and said in embarrassment: "My lord, this..."
At this time, there were not many pedestrians on the street, but they were all looking sideways, quite puzzled by the tense but somewhat inexplicable atmosphere between the two.
Yan Sikong gritted his teeth secretly, walked out of the carriage, and jumped towards Feng Ye, Feng Ye grabbed his hand, turned his waist, and Yan Sikong took advantage of the opportunity to sit behind Feng Ye.
Feng Ye clamped his horse's belly, Zui Hong trotted towards Jingyuan Palace.
Yan Sikong wanted to say something, but his throat seemed to be blocked, there was more to say, and Feng Ye remained silent all the way.
Back in the palace, Feng Ye dragged him to the inner courtyard.
Yan Sikong finally recovered his voice: "What are you doing, son?"
Feng Ye turned a deaf ear to it.
"My son... Feng Ye!" Yan Sikong shook off his hand and adjusted his wrinkled court clothes, and he had already calmed down.
Feng Ye looked back at him: "Do you want to talk here?"
There was a servant doing chores beside him, Yan Sikong coughed lightly and straightened his waist: "My lord, please."
Yan Sikong followed Feng Ye into the study room, Feng Ye picked up something from the table, and threw it to Yan Sikong, Yan Sikong caught it, took a closer look, it was a wooden box, he looked at it for no reason With Feng Ye.
"Open it and have a look." Feng Ye looked at him expressionlessly.
Yan Sikong took a deep breath and opened the wooden box, which contained several letters: "What is this?"
"You'll know if you take it apart and have a look."
Yan Sikong picked up the top letter and opened it. When he opened the letter, he was stunned.
It turned out to be a portrait of himself, to be precise, it was a portrait of himself when he was sixteen or seventeen years old, and it was announced as a reward for the yamen.
Trembling, Yan Sikong opened other letters, including some files of his arrest for smuggling salt, and contents about his former boss and She Zhun.
"I went to investigate She Zhun and you." Feng Ye said calmly, "You and he followed a private salt dealer who was known as the 'Six Sacred Buddha' in the Jiangnan coastal area. Later, the 'Six Sacred Buddha' was arrested. You and She Zhun took all his dirty money and ran away. The Yamen wanted you for three months, and you were caught later, but you spent 120,000 taels of silver to bribe many officials and find a death row prisoner to replace you. Beheaded, then changed his name and surname, transformed into today's Yan Sikong."
In late autumn, Yan Sikong could still feel the cold sweat dripping down his back, but the more Feng Ye saw his true face, the more he felt relieved, after all, he finally didn't have to pretend anymore. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, opened them slowly, and smiled: "I was arrested on purpose, to make 'Nan Yu' disappear from now on."
Feng Ye clenched his fists: "You admit it? You did all of this?"
"You have already found out so clearly, how can I make excuses?"
"As an official of the court, you are actually a death row prisoner who sold illegal salt and bribed!" Feng Ye sternly said, "Aren't you afraid that I will report you?"
"You won't." Yan Sikong said firmly, "Otherwise what are you still standing here for?"
"You..." Feng Ye pointed at him, "Yan Sikong, how many faces do you have that I don't know?!"
"What you see now is the real me." Yan Sikong said with a faint smile, "I am a scheming villain who will do anything for revenge, as long as I can do it for my father and my family Revenge, salt smuggling is nothing, conspiracy is nothing, I am already in hell, and I will definitely drag the enemy down."
"What about me!" Feng Ye growled and glared at Yan Sikong fiercely, "What am I in your eyes? You say you are in hell, so the joy you have with me is all fake Really, just like your past, your words, and your plots are all fucking fake."
Yan Sikong roared: "You are real!"
Feng Ye stared blankly at Yan Sikong.
Yan Sikong's nose was sour, his lips trembled slightly, he blinked hard, and said in a low voice: "Feng Ye, you are... an accident, I didn't have you in my revenge plan, but you... But you still appeared... I don't tell you because I don't want to involve you, so why do you force me. "
"... What do you mean when you say I'm real?"
Yan Sikong lowered his head, his heart was torn, he said in a hoarse voice: "Since I was thirteen years old, I have hardly told the truth, I have never treated anyone sincerely, only you, I thought you and I ,it is true… "
Feng Ye cursed in a low voice: "You are full of lies, how can I believe you?"
"You...don't believe it." Yan Sikong raised his head, his eyes were red, "Fengye, you just want to be your son, you and I shouldn't be like this, we shouldn't be like this. I have something to do, with You have nothing to do, I just ask you for the sake of past friendship... just pretend nothing happened." After he finished speaking, he turned around and was about to leave.
Feng Ye stepped forward and hugged him fiercely from behind.
Yan Sikong bit his lip, his eyes were full of pain and struggle, a voice in his heart was yelling to refuse, he had to refuse all of this, he couldn't let Feng Ye control his mood, he couldn't let himself have something he didn't deserve. Some weaknesses, he must be invincible. But the body can't exert any strength.
Feng Ye gritted his teeth and said: "Yan Sikong, you are such a fucking bastard. If I had known that you were such a sinister and cunning person, I, I would not have been tempted by you, but now..." He tightened his arms, almost To embed Yan Sikong into his body, he let out a long breath, and said bitterly, "I think about you day and night."
Yan Sikong's eyes widened with all his might to stop the tears from dripping down the frame. He opened his mouth, but couldn't speak.
"Kong'er, I'm angry with you, and I feel sorry for you..." Feng Ye tremblingly said, "You must have suffered a lot, you lost everything at such a young age, you have been wandering alone for these years, and you still want to be alone I can't protect you in the past, so can't I let you rely on me now?"
Yan Sikong couldn't control it any longer, tears burst down the embankment, this was the first time in eleven years, someone said to let him rely on him.
Yan Sikong struggled to turn around, held Feng Ye's face, and blocked his lips with force, the two kissed awkwardly and rudely, with salty tears streaming down their mouths, full of bitter taste.
"Feng Ye, don't be nice to me..." Yan Sikong choked up and said vaguely.
"why."
"Don't be nice to me, I'm not a good person... don't be nice to me..." Yan Sikong buried his face in Feng Ye's chest, wishing he could hide in this warm area forever.
Feng Ye said softly: "You may not be a good person, but you are mine."
Yan Sikong closed his eyes, letting the tears flow.
The two embraced tightly. At this moment, they wished they could blend into each other, just to feel each other's warmth and affection.