RMACAUH Chapter 35
by VolareFeng Chao had people prepare some gifts the night before, and the next morning, he took a carriage to the Prince’s Mansion for a visit.
Steward Zhao led Feng Chao to the Misty Rain Pavilion, where Feng Yue liked to spend his leisure time enjoying the scenery.
Knowing that Feng Chao was coming, Feng Yue had a chessboard set up on a small table by the window.
Wine was being warmed on a charcoal stove, and some famous delicacies from the capital were placed around the table, which was quite thoughtful.
Feng Chao entered the room and took off his fox fur cloak, handing it to a maid to hang on a wooden rack.
Feng Yue saw him come in, stood up to greet him, and bowed slightly, “Brother is here, please have a seat.”
Feng Chao saw that his etiquette was impeccable, not at all like the rough and careless person he remembered. He couldn’t help but say with emotion, “You are completely different from how you were when you were young.”
Feng Yue simply smiled without saying a word. Who would believe him if he said he had lived a lifetime more than them?
Anyone who had experienced such suffering would learn to reinvent themselves.
If it were before, he would have already grabbed his sword and started a massacre, wanting to destroy these cursed bastards!
The two sat opposite each other at the small table. Feng Yue picked up the black pieces and said with a smile, “Brother’s chess skills are excellent, so please let me have a slight advantage.”
With that, he made the first move.
Feng Chao remained calm. He had originally thought of just playing a little with him, since he had only ever seen him wield a sword and spear, and never seen him play music, chess, write calligraphy, or paint.
After playing for a quarter of an hour, Feng Chao began to sense that something was wrong. This kid had already set several traps for him in a row, and he had really fallen for them because of his carelessness.
As the saying goes, playing chess is like life. Such a deep mind, using retreat as an advance, taking the field with the appearance of a weakling, neither arrogant nor impatient, setting him up several times in a row, was not so simple.
Feng Chao composed himself and began to play seriously.
It was also because he played chess every day that he barely won the first game by a single move.
Feng Chao took a sip of tea and looked up at him, “Are you… still my little brother, A Yue?”
“Why does Brother ask that?”
“Such a disposition is not something someone your age should have.”
“Is Brother talking about himself?”
“I’m not like you. I play these games every day, yet I almost lost.”
“Brother is too kind. You were clearly letting me win quite a bit, which allowed me to take advantage of your openings, but I still didn’t win, did I?”
Feng Chao chuckled. The two picked up the chess pieces again and leisurely began their second game.
This time, Feng Yue changed his previous strategy of using retreat as an advance. He used attack as defense, disrupting Feng Chao’s moves again.
This person…
Feng Chao shook his head with a smile, barely winning again by a single move.
“I underestimated you too much. All warfare is based on deception. I’ve suffered two losses from you.”
“This third time, I might not lose so gracefully.”
“Not necessarily.”
In this third game, Feng Yue combined offense and defense. Every time he captured some of Feng Chao’s pieces, Feng Chao didn’t gain much advantage either, harming the enemy by a thousand while losing eight hundred of his own.
Feng Chao was still more skilled and won narrowly again.
“Let’s have some tea.” Feng Chao sighed and smiled as he picked up a pastry and took a bite, wondering if his brain had become dull recently. He had to find someone to practice with again.
“Not playing anymore?”
“I’m tired!” Feng Chao said he was tired, but he also felt that it was meaningless. Winning against Feng Yue was a foregone conclusion, but each game was only a narrow victory, which was even more boring than losing.
Seeing that he had lost interest, Feng Yue ate some refreshments and rested for a while before getting to the main topic, “The reason I invited Brother to my mansion for a short visit is actually to discuss the water management issue in Chu Ting with you.”
“Oh?” Feng Chao sat up straight, puzzled, “Why are you suddenly interested in water management?”
“It’s not about interest. First, it’s about serving the sovereign and worrying about the sovereign’s concerns; second, it’s about lamenting the hardships of the people’s lives; third, as a member of the imperial family, since I receive the support of the people, I should return peace and tranquility to them. This is my duty.”
The fact that he could say these words already shocked Feng Chao greatly. Such awareness made him feel inferior.
“Managing water in Chu Ting is not a matter of a day or two. This assignment is currently a hot potato. Several officials in the Ministry of Works are shrinking back, afraid of taking responsibility. It’s not their fault. For ten years, they’ve been receiving the lowest salaries without getting a single drop of profit. Several Ministers of Works have been replaced, and the position is still vacant.”
“If Brother takes on this assignment, I have a genius craftsman to recommend to you. He knows a lot about water management in Chu Ting. Having him is like having divine assistance. If you manage it well, you will have made a great contribution and can be rewarded with a princedom and noble rank.”
The more Feng Chao listened, the more skeptical he became. Was his third brother joking?
If there really was such a genius, and such a great achievement was within easy reach, would he let others have it?
“I know you have many concerns, so let me be frank. The Emperor treats me with superficial favor but is actually very wary of me. I don’t want to stay in the capital and incur his displeasure. I spent a great deal of effort finding this person. If I could really claim this achievement, I wouldn’t give it to you.”
“Don’t you have a second brother?”
“Brother, don’t joke. He was originally just a son of a concubine. Why should he sit on an equal footing with us? My relationship with him is only superficially harmonious. He probably hates me to the core.”
Feng Chao couldn’t help but be shocked, but on the surface, he still appeared calm and composed, saying, “I don’t see it that way. Your second brother is still very fond of you.”
Feng Yue also knew that his eldest brother was cautious, never showing his true colors and pretending to be confused to get information out of him.
In reality, he was probably already aware that Feng Xiao’s affection for him was only superficial.
If he didn’t say some harsh words, he would keep trying to smooth things over and play tai chi with him.
“The Emperor has not yet named an heir. You are the eldest son. Do you really not care?”
Upon hearing this, Feng Chao’s eyes dimmed slightly. He pretended to drink tea to hide his discomfort.
Feng Yue’s lips curled into an almost imperceptible smile, “It is said that his mother climbed to her position through scheming, and her favor almost surpassed that of the late Empress. After her death, her son was no less willing to continue playing the role of a A ghost, low, despicable, and disgusting!”
Feng Chao’s heart tightened, and he reminded him, “Third brother, be careful what you say!”
Feng Yue’s eyes were bloodshot, and his breathing was erratic. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm the hatred in his heart.
Feng Chao thoughtfully drank his tea. He would not believe Feng Yue because of these words, nor would he sincerely stand on the same side as him.
He didn’t trust anyone.
“Why me?” Feng Chao asked him.
“If you don’t want to take on this assignment, I won’t force you. I will find someone else to claim this achievement.”
“You want me to fight with Feng Xiao?”
“If you don’t want to fight with him, can I tie you up and force you to fight him? But this crown prince position, since the Emperor doesn’t want to give it to you, nor does he want to give it to me, then who does he want to give it to?” Feng Yue sighed, pretending to be concerned, “I’m going to Guangling after the New Year’s Festival, Brother. I’ll be far away from the Emperor, and the position of crown prince is within reach. How can they let you go?”
Feng Chao smiled meaningfully, “My good brother, I appreciate your concern. Since everything has been made clear, please take me to meet this person. Once I’ve met him, I’ll have a better idea of what’s going on.”
Feng Yue stood up and made a gesture of invitation. Feng Chao followed him to the door. A maid took the fox fur cloak from the wooden rack and put it on him. The two brothers went to the separate courtyard together.
When he saw the delicate and elegant young man before him, Feng Chao was very surprised. Then, after looking at his drawings, he was even more impressed.
His third brother had really found him a treasure and was kindly helping him achieve fame and success.
“Are you willing to come with me?”
Shang Mingyu looked at the man before him, who had the delicate beauty of a young man and the heroic spirit of a man. He was truly like jade among men, an unparalleled gentleman.
“I can promise you wealth and status, perhaps even help you achieve success and fame, and give you the opportunity to use your talent.”
Shang Mingyu could not hide his excitement and bowed to him, “Mingyu is willing to follow Your Highness.”
This trip was worthwhile for both of them.
Before Feng Yue sent him off on the carriage, he lowered his voice and reminded him, “There is another person that Brother needs to be especially careful of.”
“Oh?”
“When you go to Chu Ting to manage the water, be careful of Sun Changze, the chief of the water department. This person is greedy and can easily cut corners on the materials used to repair dams. A thousand-mile dike can be destroyed by an ant hole. Do not fail because of this.”
Feng Chao’s heart skipped a beat, full of doubt, “So far away, before anything has happened, how do you know?”
Feng Yue patted him on the chest and chuckled, “Just think of it as something I dreamed about!”
Feng Chao took a breath, his mouth slightly open, wanting to say something, but in the end, he just smiled helplessly, turned around, and got on the carriage.
After returning, Feng Chao immediately had people carefully investigate. There were some twists and turns, but there really was such a person as Sun Changze, but he was not currently the chief of the water department, but a water department clerk.
No matter when, those words seemed absurd, but his third brother’s incredible foresight and planning made him have to believe it.
It was truly very strange!
*
The date for the wedding set by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau was ten days before the New Year’s Festival, and the day his maternal grandfather returned to the capital was about the fifth day after his wedding when he arrived at Shanhaiguan.
In the end, he would not be able to attend his wedding, which was a bit of a pity.
Recently, there had been several sunny days, but it was not a good sign; the sun was shining at the wrong time.
Feng Yue had people prepare some apprenticeship gifts, intending to take a day off to visit the Grand Scholar’s Mansion.
Although he might be settled in Guangling for the next few years, maybe three years, five years, or even ten years… he would eventually return!
If he didn’t return to the capital for such a long time, there had to be some of his own people in the capital watching over things. If he could become a disciple of Liu Wenyong, it would be equivalent to subduing most of the influential civil officials in the court.
The Emperor was being counterproductive. At first, he asked three questions and didn’t know anything, so he was sent to the Wenyuan Pavilion, but the intention was not to really let him learn anything.
The Emperor still thought he was a free and unrestrained person, not subject to control, and specifically sent him to annoy people.
He wanted several senior officials to see clearly that he was someone who couldn’t be helped, an empty-headed good-for-nothing.
After he went to Guangling, his eldest brother would be able to be named a prince without accident, letting him take his current position as the target. Let’s see who can outlast whom.
“Your Highness, the wedding attire has been delivered. Would you like to try it on?”
Steward Zhao led two maids to bring in the wedding attire, interrupting Feng Yue’s thoughts.
The gloom between his eyebrows disappeared, and he stood up happily, “Try it on, of course, I have to try it on! Come on!”
Once he put on this gorgeous red robe, it was the day of the wedding in the blink of an eye.
The long street was lined for ten *li*, and everyone in the city came to watch the excitement.
The long wedding procession stretched as far as the eye could see.
“My goodness! So much dowry? It’s almost as much as the gifts the Prince’s Mansion sent for the betrothal.”
“It is said that the Fifth Young Master Wei’s maternal grandfather is the richest man in Chu Ting. This little bit of stuff is nothing.”
“With so much dowry entering the Prince’s Mansion, he shouldn’t suffer any grievances.”
“That’s not necessarily true. After all, according to rumors, the reason he was able to marry into the Prince’s Mansion is because…”
…
Sitting in the festive red bridal sedan, Wei Xiaofeng was so nervous that he could hardly breathe, his fingers clenched tightly until his knuckles turned white.
The golden tassels hanging from the coronet kept shaking in front of his eyes. He grabbed the golden tassels in front of his forehead and knocked on the sedan window a few times.
Sang Cai lifted a corner of the sedan curtain and looked inside, “Young Master, what’s wrong?”
“A’Cai, I’m nervous. I want to pee.”
Sang Cai comforted him, “We’ll be at the Prince’s Mansion soon. Young Master, don’t be nervous. What’s there to be nervous about?”
“Everyone’s watching, and so many important people will be there during the wedding ceremony. What if I make a fool of myself? I’ve never experienced such a grand occasion before!”
“Hey, don’t worry. Even if you embarrass yourself, the Prince will be embarrassed with you. It’s embarrassing for one person to be embarrassed, but it’s an unforgettable memory for two people to be embarrassed together.”
“A’Cai, what you’re saying makes a little sense.” Wei Xiaofeng took several deep breaths, put down the window, and sat up straight again.
After a bumpy and swaying journey, they finally arrived at the Prince’s Mansion.
The master of ceremonies shouted, “The new husband has arrived!”
Wei Xiaofeng, dressed in an elaborate red ceremonial robe, was carefully helped out of the sedan by the maids. The golden tassels brushed against his face, making it itchy and prickly. He really wanted to scratch it.
Feng Yue stepped down the stairs and walked towards Wei Xiaofeng.
This scene overlapped with his previous life, but his state of mind was so different.
Feng Yue took Wei Xiaofeng’s hand from the nanny’s hand. Two long strings of firecrackers were set off at the door. Wei Xiaofeng was already nervous, and he was suddenly startled. He subconsciously hid in Feng Yue’s arms.
Feng Yue quickly covered his ears with his hands and entered the gate of the Prince’s Mansion in a half-embrace.
After all, it was a joyous day, and there were not so many strict rules. In the eyes of others, they would only sigh at their deep affection, not at how improper it was.
Moreover, Feng Yue was a military general, and most of the people who came today were military generals, all of whom were straightforward people. At most, they would tease Feng Yue a few words about having his new husband in his arms, being distracted, and eager to enter the bridal chamber.
Wei Xiaofeng followed Feng Yue in a daze to complete the wedding ceremony. When he was sent to the bridal chamber, he was dizzy and almost walked in the opposite direction from Feng Yue, causing a burst of laughter, but there was nothing else inappropriate.
After entering the bridal chamber, listening to the auspicious words, and drinking the nuptial wine, the nannies and maids in the room all left, leaving only the two of them behind.
Wei Xiaofeng sat stiffly on the edge of the bed, clenching his fingers tightly, his long neck seemed to be broken by the coronet, and the ceremonial robe was also heavy.
He only hoped that Feng Yue would hurry out to entertain the guests so that he could be more comfortable.
After waiting for a long time without any movement, Wei Xiaofeng couldn’t bear it any longer, “Aren’t you going out?”
Feng Yue leaned back, “Isn’t it good for me to stay here with you?”
“I don’t need you to stay with me.” He would be much more comfortable being alone right now.
Feng Yue grabbed his arm and pulled him down to lie down together. Wei Xiaofeng stared, feeling relieved. Lying down was more comfortable than sitting.
Feng Yue turned over and lay on his side, supporting his head with one hand, his eyes looking at him with a smile, “Are you tired?”
“Yes.” Wei Xiaofeng nodded honestly.
“I haven’t closed my eyes since last night. I’m very excited now, and I probably won’t be able to sleep tonight either.”
“Then you should go to bed earlier!”
“How can I do that?”
“Why can’t you?”
“Tonight is our wedding night. Do you know what we’re going to do?”
Wei Xiaofeng’s fair face turned red, “I know.”
“You know? How did you become enlightened? Hmm?” Feng Yue lightly scratched his chin with his fingertips, his smile playful.
“The nanny told me.”
“How did she tell you?”
“She told me to serve you well.”
Feng Yue looked shocked, “My little husband can also serve people? Then who was it who knocked me off the bed last time?”
“You were too rogue last time, so I knocked you down.” Wei Xiaofeng looked up at the sky with a guilty conscience.
“Take off the coronet, it looks heavy to me.”
Feng Yue helped him up and carefully took off the coronet for him, so as not to pull his hair.
Suddenly, Wei Xiaofeng’s stomach grumbled. He had been busy from morning to night today, tossing him around so much, and so far, he had only drunk the nuptial wine, his stomach was starving.
Feng Yue got up and took the pastries from the table to the bedside, sitting side by side with him to eat pastries.
Wei Xiaofeng was a little uneasy, “Isn’t this against the rules?”
“Here, you are the rule. Do whatever you want, and no one can say anything. Eat!”
He hadn’t eaten anything all day either. He would have to be dragged to toast later. It was better to eat something than nothing.
Sure enough, after only eating two pieces of cake, there was a group of people outside calling.
“Brother Yue, come out and drink!”
“Your Highness, your subordinate has brought two jars of Zhuyeqing wine tonight. It’s still early, and there are plenty of opportunities to be intimate with your little husband. Why don’t you come out and drink with your brothers!”
…
Feng Yue hadn’t even swallowed the pastry in his mouth before he hurriedly responded and opened the door, afraid that these warriors would get drunk today and rush in without knowing the severity of the situation.
The feast was in full swing. Feng Yue toasted a few glasses of wine to several senior officials and was pulled away by the brothers in the army to play finger-guessing games and throw dice.
Feng Yue lost a few bowls of wine in the finger-guessing game, but he was very good at throwing dice. After a few rounds, he defeated everyone and waved his hand, saying he wouldn’t play anymore.
Feng Yue also leaned back on a grand master’s chair and fell asleep, taking advantage of the wine’s potency.
In the end, Steward Zhao woke him up. At this time, the noisy front hall was quiet, and the guests didn’t know when they had left.
“If Your Highness is tired, you should go back to the room to sleep. It’s cool tonight, and it’s not good to catch a cold.”
“Have them prepare hot water. I want to take a bath.”
“Yes.” Steward Zhao took two steps and turned back to ask, “Do you want me to cook a bowl of sobering soup?”
“Cook it.”
Feng Yue’s footsteps were a little unsteady as he walked towards the bridal chamber.
The red candles had already burned halfway, past midnight. Wei Xiaofeng was still wearing that cumbersome ceremonial robe, unable to resist the sleepiness, and slumped on the edge of the bed, falling into a deep sleep.
Feng Yue pulled the quilt over him and poured a few glasses of cold tea to drink, feeling much more refreshed.
Hearing the movement outside, he went forward, opened the door, and instructed, “Keep it down.”
The servants brought in hot water and filled the bathtub. The maids lit incense, prepared clothes for both of them, and waited quietly on the side.
“There’s no need to serve here. Leave an old nanny and a maid to keep watch outside, and the rest can go to rest.”
“Yes.”
During this time, everyone in the mansion had been working hard to prepare for the Prince’s wedding, and they hadn’t slept well.
Feng Yue took off the heavy red wedding robe, only wearing a thin red brocade, and returned to the bedside to take off Xiaofeng’s outer robe.
He didn’t wake up at all during the whole process. If he were to carry him away overnight, he probably wouldn’t even notice.
After doing all this, Feng Yue put down the bed curtain and returned to behind the screen to start bathing.
The hot water seemed to evaporate the fermented alcohol in his body, making him feel very comfortable and relaxed, as if he were floating in the clouds.
“Your Highness, the sobering soup is ready. Do you want me to bring it in?” Steward Zhao’s voice came from outside.
“Bring it in.”
Steward Zhao quickly brought the sobering soup over, and Feng Yue leaned lazily against the bathtub, closing his eyes to rest.
Steward Zhao’s voice was very low, “Just put the sobering soup here. Your Highness should drink it while it’s hot. If there are no other instructions, this one will take his leave.”
“Yes.”
After soaking for a while, the water gradually cooled down. Feng Yue hooked the soup bowl next to him with his fingers and drank the sobering soup in one gulp.
He got up from the bathtub, wiped the water off his body, put on a satin undershirt, and got into bed, bringing a heat with him.
Feng Yue looked at the person he had been thinking about for a long time, lying right in front of him, and a burst of lust shot from his lower abdomen to his whole body.
He had finally waited until tonight, how could he just fall asleep like this?
Feng Yue pulled Xiaofeng over and let him lie on top of him, holding his soft lips and teasing him wantonly, his wide palms seemed to be stroking the best mutton fat white jade, making him more and more addicted to rubbing and playing with him.
Wei Xiaofeng had a dream, dreaming that he was trapped in a furnace, and a giant python was tightly Wrappeding him, making it difficult for him to breathe.
He struggled desperately, but couldn’t break free, until a burst of splitting pain pulled him back to reality from his absurd dream.
When he realized that his whole body was naked, his legs were wide open, lying in Feng Yue’s arms, he was ashamed and afraid, wanting only to escape.
Feng Yue imprisoned him in his arms, his deep and hoarse voice with a bit of forbearance, “Don’t move.”
“It hurts…” Wei Xiaofeng forcibly suppressed the tears in his eyes, shivering all over from the pain.
“It will be a little painful the first few times. When you taste the pleasure, you’ll have to pester me for it every day.”
“I, I don’t want to, don’t do it.” Wei Xiaofeng’s small face was pale, and he struggled even more violently. Feng Yue was already afraid of hurting him, and with such a struggle, he was able to escape.
How could Feng Yue let him go so easily? He reached out and grabbed him back, turning over and pressing him firmly under him.
“Didn’t you say the nanny taught you everything?”
“She taught me, but she didn’t say it would hurt so much!”
“This little bit of pain is inevitable, bear with it.”
“It’s not you who’s hurting, of course you say that.” Wei Xiaofeng’s eyes were red, aggrieved.
Feng Yue had reached the limit of his endurance at this time, pulling his hand down to his crotch, and had to coax him with sweet words, “My good husband, I’m already like this, are you going to let me go out and soak in cold water? Can you really be so cruel?”
Wei Xiaofeng’s heart tightened. Seeing that he really looked uncomfortable, he couldn’t bear to refuse him any longer.
“If it hurts, hold me tight. I won’t let you hurt all the time.”
Fortunately, Feng Yue was one who cherished jade and did not act rashly. The sobbing gradually turned into unbearable moans.