Yan Qi’s complexion instantly turned as pale as snow.
He looked stunned, obviously not expecting Sui Heng to say such things.
Yan Qi’s confidence is not unwarranted arrogance. The Yan family had a deep foundation, with a wealth of talented individuals and old officials throughout the court and government, ruling almost half of the literati circle in the Sui capital.
Sui Heng, who was a warrior, was not supported by the civil service officials. Since the establishment of the Spring Banquet, the Crown Prince’s mansion has always dominated and participated independently. However, with the support of the Yan family, Sui Heng, the Crown Prince, was not only able to sweep the top spot in all martial arts competitions but also easily won the top spot in most literary projects, crushing the Qingliu civil officials represented by the Left Prime Minister, Jimo Qingyu to death as well.
Jimo Qingyu even cursed Yan Bing behind his back for having no scholarly manners, only knowing how to follow the trend.
The Spring Banquet originated from the gathering of literati and scholars, and the Six Arts competitions is the core of the Spring Banquet.
Once he loses the support of the Yan family, the Crown Prince’s mansion will inevitably lose half of its territory at the Spring Banquet, not only to the civil service group, but even to other small subordinate countries.
“Your Highness may humiliate me.”
Yan Qi took a deep breath and spoke again.
“But as the Crown Prince, Your Highness should know which is more important. This minister would like to remind Your Highness that tomorrow’s banquet will be attended by not only the Jiangbei countries, but also the Jiangnan countries.”
“So?”
The shadows of the lanterns floated and fell on Sui Heng’s gloomy eyes.
He laughed in anger and tsked, “Gu realized that not only does Imperial Censor Yan like to make a fool of himself, but he’s also overconfident. What? Is Imperial Censor Yan teaching Gu how to do things?”
Yan Qi’s face turned pale again. After a long silence, he arched his hands and lowered his sleeves expressionlessly, bowed lightly, and turned around to leave.
Seeing this, Shi Fang’s heart ignited.
His Highness hates being threatened the most in his life. This Yan Qi dares to threaten His Highness in person with a roundabout attitude. Shi Fang dares not imagine how angry His Highness would be at this moment.
Shi Fang couldn’t help but pout and say, “This Yan family is really despicable.”
Jiang Yun heard it on the side and couldn’t help but glance at him.
He thought to himself, this Sui Empire’s palace is also quite interesting. The Yan family, which is from the same lineage as Empress Yan, should have been closely linked to Crown Prince Sui Heng. But why did they became enemies?
Knowing his composure, Shi Fang hurriedly said, “Young Master, hurry over. His Highness is still waiting.”
Sui Heng called Jiang Yun over to set up a lantern.
“Praying lantern?”
When he was in the Jiang Empire, Jiang Yun had also seen it, but on New Year’s Eve, he sat in a driving carriage watching the people outside the city gather by the river to light lanterns and pray for blessings from afar.
“That’s right.”
Sui Heng raised his eyebrows, his eyes bright and clear. And he couldn’t tell that he had just had an argument with his old lover to Jiang Yun at all.
He naturally said, “Gu doesn’t believes in these supernatural beings, but according to the custom of the Sui capital, on the third of March, if you write down your thoughts and wishes on paper, put them in a lotus lantern, let it float away with the water, and your wishes can come true. Why don’t you write one?”
He ordered the palace attendants to take a lotus lantern, clean paper, and a brush, then stuffed them all into Jiang Yun’s arms.
“En, Gu will help you think. Why don’t we just write about it? How about you write that you’ll grow old with Gu and give Gu a litter of offspring?”
Jiang Yun glanced at him.
He handed the brush and paper back, “Write it yourself.”
Sui Heng refused, “Since it’s a wish, of course it’s only effective if you write it yourself. It won’t work if Gu writes it for you.”
Jiang Yun wanted to say that he didn’t have anything he wanted to write.
But Sui Heng gave him no chance to explain and give the brush back.
“Write it now, Gu will watch.”
How could he write shameful words like that? Jiang Yun bit his lip and said, “You turn around.”
Sui Heng: “……”
Sui Heng couldn’t believe it. “It is not like it’s anything shameful. Why should Gu turn around?”
Jiang Yun: “Turn around.”
“Fine, you are the ancestor, what you say is the final say.”
Sui Heng chuckled lightly and turned around.
Not long after that, he suddenly turned around and said, “When you finish writing, Gu wants to see.”
Jiang Yun didn’t pay any attention to him.
As soon as he grabbed the brush, his body was suddenly embraced from behind.
Jiang Yun was angry. “What are you doing?”
Sui Heng stretched out his broad palm, holding his little lover’s fair and slender hand, and said in a serious manner. “After Gu thinks, since it involves two people, we must write together in order for it to be effective.”
Jiang Yun: “……”
Jiang Yun wanted to pull out his hand but he was held even tighter by him.
“Don’t move, there’s only this one piece of paper. If you tear it, there’s no more.”
He has started writing with a domineering manner.
Jiang Yun had no choice but to let him hold his hand and write those two lines of shameful words on the paper according to his writing habits. His face burst with heat uncontrollably.
Seeing his little lover’s slightly red earlobes, Sui Heng chuckled lightly. “Isn’t this interesting? Your face is too thin.”
“What? Is it so embarrassing to have a baby with Gu?”
Jiang Yun looked at him with shame and irritation.
“What do you think?”
“Think of what?”
Sui Heng was particularly pleased and said, “If Gu says you can give birth, then you can give birth. If you can’t give birth, Gu will have people filling up this river.”
“……”
Jiang Yun was too lazy to argue with him.
Sui Heng carefully rolled up the note and placed it in the heart of the lotus before pulling Jiang Yun along and slowly pushing the lotus lantern out of the water.
After all, it is a very ceremonial thing. Jiang Yun followed the lotus lantern with his gaze, watching it drift away and slowly merge with other lotus lanterns.
Sui Heng stood behind, enjoying his little lover’s beautiful and elegant figure with pleasure. Suddenly, he leaned over and asked, “Don’t you have anything to ask Gu?”
He suddenly uttered this sentence.
Jiang Yun looked up, slightly puzzled.
Sui Heng: “Gu and him, it’s not what you think.”
It took Jiang Yun a moment to react, he was talking about Yan Qi.
Jiang Yun actually didn’t mind or care much about his love history. Moreover, he also noticed the strangeness of Yan Qi’s actions. Out of courtesy, he still let out an “oh” and nodded.
“What kind of reaction is that?”
Sui Heng was displeased. “Shouldn’t you be jealous or unhappy when you see Gu with other men?”
Having said that, Jiang Yun didn’t mind getting to know more and asked, “You two were lovers?”
The question seemed to please Sui Heng.
He didn’t answer, but his eyes curled and he smiled. “What? You’re bothered?”
“……”
Jiang Yun didn’t know what he was so happy about and asked in return. “What do you think?”
Sui Heng was even more pleased.
He said it almost proudly. “No, there’s only one person Gu’s liked since Gu grew up, and that’s you.”
Jiang Yun was taken aback.
Sui Heng said, “What? Are you overwhelmed?”
“You’re not the only one Gu has liked, there’s also…”
He leaned closer and whispered something, and Jiang Yun’s ears turned red, and he pushed him away.
As the Crown Prince of the Suzerain State, Sui Heng couldn’t stay away from the banquet for too long. Sure enough, shortly after, a palace attendant came over and said that His Majesty had summoned the Crown Prince back.
Sui Heng didn’t plan to stay by the river forever either. He was just afraid that Jiang Yun might not be familiar with the place and would be bored at the banquet, so he took the time to invite him out to admire the scenery.
“The dinner may take a while to finish. It’s cold at night, so Gu will ask Ji An to bring you a cloak. If you’re really bored, you can also go back to the palace to rest first.”
Although he said that, Sui Heng was ultimately not at ease with his little lover leaving his sight.
Jiang Yun nodded and walked back with him.
The atmosphere of the banquet was lively, and Emperor Sui and Empress Yan had already left. Guests from subordinate countries were less restrained and began toasting and chatting with each other.
The person surrounded the most, dressed in a crimson robe and with a jade-like face, stood tall in the vast dusk, like the shadow of a clear pond and a crane. It was Yan Qi who appeared by the river. Yan Qi is the eldest grandson of the Yan family and also the top expert in writing in Jiangbei. There are countless people who want to befriend him, whether they are famous scholars or high-ranking officials.
It’s rare to see him on weekdays, so it’s natural for them to take this opportunity to get close to him.
Chen Qi was also surrounded by many people, mainly famous scholars and officials from the five countries of Jiangnan. Although some of them are not ashamed of Chen Qi’s treachery and working for the enemy, but Chen Qi was once one of the Four Princes of the Southern Kingdom and held a high position in the literati and scholars’ minds. Now, he is also a famous figure around the Crown Prince of Sui, holding the Military Advisor position in the Sui army. Pleasing Chen Qi is tantamount to pleasing the Crown Prince of Sui. Moreover, their monarch had already surrendered to the Sui Empire, and there was essentially no difference between them and Chen Qi.
Suddenly called to the banquet, most of the ministers were terrified and uneasy. They desperately need to learn more, and they desperately need to take advantage of this opportunity to please the Sui Empire, the new sovereign, especially the ruthless and bloodthirsty Crown Prince of Sui. Sui Heng had a noble identity and a notoriously domineering temper. The ministers dares not carry favor without authorization, so they all wanted to politely inquire about the other party’s preferences through Chen Qi.
And there’s another reason.
Yan Qi and Chen Qi, one is the best literary master in the north and the other is the best literary master in the south, they are known as “Southern Qi and Northern Qi.” At this Spring Banquet, they will compete on the same stage for the title of literary leader. Famous scholars and officials from other countries, especially literati and scholars who are passionate about literature, naturally want to take a peek and see which one is better.
“In the past, we small countries still had opportunities. This year, with the presence of ‘Southern Qi and Northern Qi’, the name of the literary leader will definitely not fall into the hands of others.”
Wei Yun also came to toast Chen Qi.
During this time, he had been staying in Sui Capital as a hostage, and his uncle, King Wei, wanted to use him to carry favor with the Crown Prince of Sui but was rejected by Sui Heng. Wei Yun could only stay in a specific palace like other hostages, and his daily outings and interactions were closely monitored. Compared to the spirited “Prince Rong” at the previous Liushang Banquet, Wei Yun’s complexion was much dimmer.
Chen Qi is surrounded by all kinds of people, and Wei Yun waited for a long time for the opportunity to drink with Chen Qi.
Chen Qi said, “Ziqing seems a bit haggard.”
Wei Yun smiled wryly and said, “I am now a prisoner, and I’m not as successful as those of outstanding talent. In the future, I’ll be counting on Brother Chen to take care of me in the Sui capital.”
Chan Qi said definitely.
Wei Yun knew that this was just a polite remark on the scene because there were too many people trying to please Chen Qi. They must’ve given each other gold, silver, jewelry, or other good things privately, while he had nothing. His uncle was eager for him to die in the Sui Empire so that he could rightfully help his own son to the throne. Many officials came to pay tribute to Chen Qi. Wei Yun could only retreat first and sit back at the banquet table. When he saw the Crown Prince of Luo, Luo Fengjun, dressed in white and with a cold and proud face, pouring his own drinks, ignoring the bustle around him, he asked, “Brother Luo, won’t you go socializing?”
Luo Fengjun sneered, “They’re just a bunch of monkeys with no shame. What is there to socialize with? I’m afraid I’ll get my eyes dirty.”
Wei Yun: “……”
Wei Yun felt offended, but at the same time, he didn’t understand why was Luo Fengjun so angry when he was in such a situation. He knew that Luo Fengjun had always looked down on Chen Qi, but Chen Qi is now different from before. Luo Fengjun’s actions are somewhat unaware of the change.
At this moment, piles of “Greeting, Your Highness” suddenly came from the front. Sui Heng had returned.
He was covered in black armor, his black hair was adorned with an ink crown, his phoenix eyes wide opened, and he was as upright and handsome as a heavenly god. It was extremely oppressive just standing there.
The monarchs of several subordinate countries welcomed him first.
Ordinary ministers bow down and salute, not daring to face him directly.
Sui Heng smiled and patted the Chen Kingdom’s Guozhu’s shoulder, saying, “Gu hasn’t seen the Guozhu for a few days. The Guozhu’s face is so red and has also become fatter. Could it be that there’s something joyful going on?”
The Chen Kingdom’s Guozhu shuddered hard and suddenly laughed more unsightly than crying.
Jiang Yuping, the Guozhu of the Jiang Kingdom, poured a glass of wine with his own hands and presented it to Sui Heng. Sui Heng took it, but did not drink it. He only said, “The navy offered by the Jiang Kingdom’s Guozhu is excellent. Let’s go to the drill ground to observe and see the results of Gu’s training someday.”
Jiang Yuping knows that he’s a tough soldier and a ruthless trainer. He’s afraid he doesn’t like the soldiers the Jiang Kingdom themselves trained. He must have definitely been ruthless and re-polished them once again.
Then he smiled respectfully and said, “This subject is honored.”
Sui Heng had not attended the Spring Banquet for three years, and the Guozhu of the northern countries naturally couldn’t wait to come forward and offer him a toast. One person said, “Tomorrow’s competition, is Your Highness still short of people? This subject happens to have a few wrestlers here that can be sent to Your Highness.”
The Spring Banquet offers more than 20 types of competition events, with participants representing their respective countries. Each country excels in different fields, including cultural and military events. Even for a suzerain like the Sui Empire, it is rare for them to simultaneously win the top spot in all projects.
The other person immediately and happily took over. “His Highness’s Qinglang Battalion is full of fierce generals, which one of them is not a wrestler? Does he still need those crooked people of yours? You should focus on yourself first, don’t go back empty-handed like last year.”
“Your Highness.”
Xu Qiao quietly walked over and whispered, “Prime Minister Yan just ordered someone to send a list of all the Yan disciples who participated in the Spring Banquet’s Six Art Competition this year. He said to ask Your Highness to take a look.”
This could almost be considered an unsolicited favor.
The Yan family’s disciples almost occupied half of the literary circle in the Sui capital. With the participation of the Yan family’s disciples in the competition of the six arts, even if the Crown Prince’s mansion could not win all the top spots, they could still win at least half of the top spots. At least the category of literature will not fall into the hands of outsiders.
Unexpectedly, Sui Heng lightly tugged the corner of his mouth and said calmly, “No need, thanks the Right Prime Minister for his kindness. Gu has other arrangements for this year’s competition.”
Xu Qiao was taken aback for a moment, not understanding the meaning behind his words.
Sui Heng said, “This year, Gu won’t be using the Yan’s disciples.”
“This—”
How is this possible without using the Yan family?
Xu Qiao had to confront danger and admonish, “Your Highness’s blatant opposition to the Yan family is not beneficial to Your Highness. This subordinate knows that Your Highness still harbors a grudge against the Yan family due to the incident three years ago, but the Spring Banquet can directly affect Your Highness’s reputation and authority, so Your Highness cannot play around.”
Moreover, His Highness’s move is almost equivalent to indirectly pushing the Yan family back to the civil service group.
The civil service officials are already unfriendly toward His Highness. If those old officials of the Yan family were to ease this, what would His Highness’s reputation be like?
“Gu is not playing.”
“Gu just wants to let the Yan family know who is the ruler and who is the minister in this court.”
Xu Qiao still felt that Sui Heng was too impulsive, but he dared not persuade him again.
Because Sui Heng was known for his decisive and domineering words. Xu Qiao was a bit worried about what kind of controversy Sui Heng’s decision would cause.
“Go and call Chen Qi over.”
Sui Heng ordered.
Xu Qiao accepted the order with a bitter face.
“This year’s Spring Banquet’s Six Arts Competition, how certain is the Military Advisor’s of getting victory?”
After calling Chen Qi to the front, Sui Heng asked straight to the point.
Chen Qi had a vague premonition and cautiously replied, “This subordinate will do his best.”
“Gu doesn’t just need you to give it your all. Gu wants the Military Advisor to win no matter what.”
The night was quiet, and this sound was like thunder.
Chen Qi slowly lifted his head amidst the silent thunder.
Sui Heng said, “This year, Gu’s Crown Prince’s mansion won’t use the Yan family’s disciples. And Gu had his eyes on the Military Advisor. As long as the Military Advisor can win half of the literary projects for Gu, you will become Gu’s loyal minister in the future.”
“Also, Gu needs Military Advisor to recruit a group of talents with the fastest speed possible, regardless of their origin or family background, to become Gu’s right-hand men.”
As deep as Chen Qi was, he couldn’t help but froze.
Chen Qi has conducted in-depth research on the civil and military confrontation in the court of the Sui Empire and speculated that Sui Heng may break with the Yan family, but he did not expect this day to come so soon.
Chen Qi also realized that this could be another opportunity for him to soar higher and faster after the capital of Chen defected.
He arched his hands, dropped his sleeves, and bowed to the ground. “Since Your Highness believes in this minister, this minister will not disappoint Your Highness’s entrusted!”
