“Fengchun… Fengchun?”
Yan Dong snapped back to reality, meeting the gaze of Emperor Cheng An, who looked at him with a gentle, elder-like sentiment. “In the blink of an eye, Fengchun has grown up, and now he even has worries on his mind.”
“Yes, he’s eighteen now,” said Consort De, sitting upright with her hands on her knees, smiling. “He’s at the age where he can be matched for marriage.”
Yan Dong chuckled inwardly, finding such elders amusing. They always find a way to steer the conversation towards marriage. Why not just become a matchmaker directly?
Emperor Cheng An looked at the person sitting on the couch and teased, “I heard you have a good relationship with your cousin from the Yiqing family?”
“I do have a good relationship with Jiaxi, but we are just innocent classmates and friends, nothing more,” Yan Dong retorted. “Who says a good relationship between a man and a woman means they’re in love?”
“Yes, that’s true.” Emperor Cheng An laughed, patting Yan Dong’s head and ruffling his hair. “But I must say, don’t follow your older siblings’ example and delay starting a family.”
“I don’t want to be paired with anyone,” Yan Dong said. “I just want to be with someone I like.”
Such innocent words made Consort De laugh lightly, covering her sleeve. “Hearing this, could it be that Fengchun has someone in his heart?”
Today was the New Year’s Palace Banquet. The Empress was hosting the harem’s etiquette, and Consort De was attending to the sick. Yan Dong had entered the palace early, and after paying his respects, he was kept in the warm pavilion. At this moment, Lü Neishi led the princes, Yan Song, and Wang Zhi into the warm pavilion to pay their respects. Through a layer of Ruyi-patterned window screens, Yan Dong’s clear voice could be heard.
“Yes, I have someone I like.”
The Third Prince paused for a moment, then turned to look at Yan Song behind him. It was a split-second reaction, but Yan Song’s expression remained unchanged, showing no special reaction to the words.
Their eyes met, and Yan Song seemed puzzled, asking calmly, “What?”
The others also stopped, and Wang Zhi’s gaze shifted between Yan Song and the Third Prince, sensing a subtle tension between them, like a faint, indescribable hostility.
“Nothing,” the Third Prince said warmly. “You’ve always been strict with Fengchun. I was just worried you’d be upset when I heard him say that.”
“Children have to grow up. Besides, it’s not an absurd matter. If I got angry, wouldn’t that be unreasonable?” Yan Song joked. “What did that kid say outside to ruin my reputation as an older brother?”
“Hey, Dongdong didn’t complain. It’s just that you’ve always been strict with him, and I was overthinking it.” The Third Prince laughed, patting Yan Song’s shoulder, and they continued inside with the others.
Yan Dong spoke frankly, and Emperor Cheng An was surprised, saying happily, “Oh? Which family’s girl is it? If it’s suitable, I’ll grant you a marriage.”
The group entered and paid their respects. Emperor Cheng An gestured for everyone to sit, and Yan Dong stood up to pay his respects. He naturally exchanged a glance with Yan Song before sitting back down, saying mysteriously, “I can’t say right now.”
“Sigh,” Emperor Cheng An sighed, sounding a bit sad. “Our Fengchun has little secrets now.”
Yan Dong scratched his head in embarrassment, explaining, “I’m secretly in love with someone, and they don’t know, so I have to keep it a secret for now. There’s no wall in the world that doesn’t leak!”
What? Everyone was quite surprised. Who would have thought that this little ancestor, known for his temper, would learn to be cautious and reserved after falling in love?
The Sixth Prince, still young, couldn’t help but sit next to Yan Dong, his face full of surprise. “Dongdong, didn’t you say that if you want something, you should go for it? Why are you secretly liking someone now? That’s so unambitious.”
“What do you know, kid?” Yan Dong also felt unambitious but didn’t admit it, presenting another theory. “If I say it directly and they don’t like me, wouldn’t it be over? So, my strategy is like boiling a frog in warm water, slow and steady, waiting for the right moment to make a move and win them over.”
Yan Song sat quietly across from them, watching Yan Dong speak passionately about his mysterious crush, not participating in the conversation.
The Fifth Prince, with a mischievous mouth, said, “What if the right moment never comes?”
Yan Dong didn’t look at Yan Song, saying aggressively, “Then I’ll just keep secretly liking them.”
“Oh, it seems our Dong’er is really smitten, truly in love.” The Fifth Prince looked at Yan Dong’s expression and said with a smile, “What if you make a move and it doesn’t work out?”
Really, nothing good comes out of a dog’s mouth!
“What do you mean by that!” Yan Dong jumped up, angrily pouncing on the Fifth Prince. “You just can’t stand to see me happy! You can’t stand to see me win over the beauty! You snake-hearted person, how can you be so bad!”
The Sixth Prince went up to hug Yan Dong’s waist, like a little tail forced to sway behind Yan Dong, persuading, “You guys, stop fighting!”
The three of them made a ruckus, quickly tumbling out of the warm pavilion. Emperor Cheng An shook his head with a smile, not minding them, and turned to ask Yan Song, “Xuming, did you know about this?”
“I just found out,” Yan Song said.
The Second Prince was surprised, “He even kept it from you?”
“Perhaps he was afraid I’d scold him for not focusing on his studies, so he mentioned it to His Majesty first, making it hard for me to say anything.” Yan Song said.
“Hey, really, don’t scold him,” Emperor Cheng An said. “You older siblings haven’t started families yet, but don’t stop your younger brother. If it’s mutual, it could be a beautiful story.”
Yan Song nodded with a smile, saying, “I will follow your orders.”
The Third Prince sat across from Yan Song, naturally observing his reaction—there was no flaw. But he didn’t completely dismiss his suspicions, as he knew Yan Song well. Yan Song was deeply scheming, never showing his emotions, making it hard to see through him.
As they chatted, the banquet was about to begin. His Majesty and Consort De got up and left the warm pavilion, with the entourage following like a dragon.
Yan Song stood on the palace path, and Yan Dong, tired from the commotion, ran back to his side, panting. He raised his hand to help Yan Dong tidy his appearance, asking, “Did you hit him?”
“Of course, he’s no match for me. I gave his bad mouth a good tug.” Yan Dong shooed away the palace servants carrying the sedan chair, wanting to walk alone with Yan Song. On the way, he looked up and whispered to Yan Song, “Before you came, Consort De brought up my marriage, but His Majesty didn’t respond. Is she up to something?”
Yan Song walked unhurriedly, saying, “Consort De may not really want to arrange a marriage for you. She might just be testing His Majesty’s thoughts on your marriage. His Majesty’s words earlier suggest he’s willing to facilitate a beautiful story, provided the person in your heart is suitable.”
Yan Dong walked backward, facing Yan Song, asking, “What counts as suitable?”
“Not detrimental to the court,” Yan Song said.
That’s what Emperor Cheng An would consider. Yan Dong curiously asked, “What about in your eyes, big brother?”
“Not detrimental to you,” Yan Song said.
Yan Dong laughed, “Is it that simple? I thought you’d say something about matching families, golden couples, virtues, and talents.”
“How many can truly match you? Sincerity is the most important,” Yan Song patted Yan Dong’s head, saying softly, “Of course, I can only reluctantly accept it. For example, if our third sister suddenly changes her mind and wants to marry, no matter how good her husband is, I won’t be satisfied.”
So, he’s just a brother, Yan Dong thought, even if he treats him with special favor, it’s just a brother’s favor for a younger brother.
He tilted his head slightly, looking at Yan Song with a complex gaze, making Yan Song stop and ask what was wrong.
Yan Dong shook his head with a smile, turning his back to Yan Song, saying, “Nothing, just feeling like I’m quite unreasonable.”
Yan Song looked at Yan Dong’s back, “Why do you say that?”
“I stop you from starting a family, but you don’t stop me, making me seem unreasonable.” Yan Dong kicked a pebble underfoot out of boredom.
“You can’t compare it like that. I have no intention of marrying, and as an older brother, I should let—”
Again with this annoying older brother attitude, Yan Dong interrupted, not without malice, “So, whatever I do, you’ll let me? Even if I go against the norm, break the law, you won’t abandon me, right?”
“What do you want to do?” Yan Song said. “Tell me, I’ll do it for you.”
“I don’t want to hear that.” Yan Dong turned and stopped, frowning at Yan Song, “Yes or no, can you answer me directly, brother?”
Yan Dong was half a head shorter than Yan Song, but at this moment, he seemed to be the one looking down. Yan Song met his aggressive younger brother’s gaze for a long time, saying, “Yes.”
Yan Dong, like a mischievous child who had received a “get out of jail free card,” immediately smiled happily. He leaned forward slightly, looking up into Yan Song’s eyes, “Great, if I ever make a big mistake, brother, remember what you said today.”
Yan Song’s eyelid twitched, but before he could speak, Yan Dong had already turned and walked away.
In the capital, below the princes, the Yan State Duke’s Mansion held the highest status. Yan Dong ascended the steps and sat beside Cui Fulai. He glanced sideways, seeing Yan Song talking to the Marquis of Zhenyuan below.
“What are you looking at,” Yan Zong asked, “so intently?”
“Big brother,” Yan Dong propped his chin with one hand, still staring at Yan Song, smiling, “I thought of a phrase, ‘golden brilliance and jade purity.'”
Yan Zong also looked over. Not just them, the seats were like flowing water, with countless eyes openly and secretly cast on Yan Song. Someone like him, loved by many, also envied by many.
Yan Dong was used to seeing him in the spotlight, but now he hated those ignorant gazes, a contradiction that defied reason, stirring his heart. Suddenly, Yan Song turned his head, his gaze fixed on Yan Dong’s face, as if among so many people, he had always, only focused on that one person.
Yan Dong was momentarily stunned, then smiled, his eyes sparkling, as if their earlier confrontation had never happened. Yan Song’s gaze paused slightly, then returned to normal.
The palace banquet was like that, with toasts and music, Yan Dong, having grown up in the palace, never felt restrained, leisurely turning the palace banquet into a family feast.
The pot steamed with heat, and behind it, his face was flushed, as if drunk, but Yan Dong hadn’t had a single drink tonight, busy with the hotpot.
Yan Song, on the other hand, drank quite a bit, accompanying Emperor Cheng An and the princes, as well as some officials present, socializing up and down. By the time the banquet ended, he was somewhat drunk.
Yan Dong sent Yan Jian and Yan Zong to their parents’ carriage, riding with Yan Song himself, under the pretense of taking care of him, though once on the carriage, he leaned back on a pillow, reading a book.
Yan Song leaned against a medicinal pillow, his posture not as upright as usual. He glanced at Yan Dong, unable to see the content of the book, and said, “Come here.”
“Oh.” Yan Dong obediently moved over, adjusting his posture, offering his shoulder as a pillow for Yan Song.
Yan Song tilted his head to rest on it, barely able to make out the small print, still the same book as before. He closed his eyes, “Is it that good?”
The voice was like a feather, tickling Yan Dong’s ear, making him restless. He couldn’t help but glance at the face resting on his shoulder.
Yan Song wasn’t a teetotaler, occasionally having a drink with family at home, and sometimes socializing outside, but he was always self-disciplined, and no one dared to force him, so he never drank too much, and his tolerance wasn’t great. Drinking made his face flush, and because of his fair skin, it was particularly noticeable, like rouge, seeping from his skin, with a faint scent—Yan Dong couldn’t tell if it was real or his imagination. He felt light-headed, as if he were drunk too.
“What are you sniffing?” Yan Song suddenly opened his eyes, catching Yan Dong, who was sneaking a sniff of his scent. Yan Dong, like a little thief, shrank back, eyes wide, frozen in place.
Because of the shrink, Yan Dong’s shoulder no longer touched Yan Song’s chin. His “pillow” moved away, and Yan Song, displeased, wrapped an arm around Yan Dong’s waist, pulling him back, resting his chin again.
They had grown up together, used to being close, but now even a simple hug made Yan Dong stiffen, his breath catching for a moment.
Too close, just like Yuan Yuan said, the smile of the one in your heart is no different from an aphrodisiac. Yan Dong, young and impulsive, couldn’t restrain himself. Realizing his impulse, he dared not move, sitting there like a puppet, whispering, “Are you very drunk?”
“Not too bad,” Yan Song closed his eyes again, lazily saying, “It’s New Year’s Eve, not going to the office tomorrow, a few more drinks won’t hurt.”
Yan Dong said, “But last year, you didn’t drink more on this day.”
Perhaps not fully awake, Yan Song replied slowly, after several breaths, “Last year, you didn’t like reading these romantic novels. People change… suddenly.”
Yan Dong was like a fledgling, relying on instinct to face his feelings for Yan Song. But to capture the precious prey, a hunter must learn patience, strategy, and setting traps, so he had to study hard… though after reading most of the novel, he hadn’t learned anything truly useful, just some sweet talk and cheesy lines!
Hearing Yan Song’s words, Yan Dong thought he disliked him reading these novels, so he promised, “Just passing time, not delaying reading serious books.”
Yan Song didn’t respond, and knowing how uncomfortable it was to be drunk, Yan Dong didn’t speak further, quietly serving as a pillow.
Back at the Yan State Duke’s Mansion, Yan Dong helped Yan Song off the carriage, accompanying him to Xunfeng Courtyard. Yan Song stopped at the bathhouse door, withdrawing his arm from Yan Dong’s shoulder, saying, “Go rest.”
“You’re really muddled, it’s New Year’s Eve, why would I go back?” Yan Dong found a legitimate reason, taking the opportunity to stay.
“Look at me…” Yan Song pressed his brow, telling Yan Dong to wash up and prepare to stay up for the New Year. Yan Dong obediently agreed, returning to his room under Yan Song’s gaze.
Yan Song’s gaze turned cold behind the snow curtain. After a long time, he said, “He really has someone in his heart.”
Chang Chun Chun was stunned, inwardly exclaiming, and instinctively reassured, “Before the dust settles, anything is possible.”
Yan Song didn’t speak, turning into the bathhouse, undressing and removing his hairpin as he walked, casually discarding them. The white jade hairpin fell to the ground, shattering with a crack.
Chang Chun Chun stood at the door, watching, sighing inwardly, thinking how love truly troubles, swiftly cleaning up the pieces.
Yan Song sat in the bath, surrounded by warm water, but it was ineffective. His head throbbed, and Yan Dong’s words from the palace echoed in his ears repeatedly.
His younger brother had quietly fallen in love, deeply rooted, and had come to him for a “get out of jail free card,” showing great thoughtfulness. To make Yan Dong happy, he had to be a good older brother, not only not obstructing but helping his brother achieve his desires. But… being a good older brother? Yan Song was inherently greedy, suppressing his nature was already an effort, and to watch his only treasure slip away was incredibly difficult.
He didn’t know how long had passed when familiar footsteps approached softly. Yan Song opened his eyes, and a spoon appeared before him.
Yan Dong, dressed in a thick white nightgown, hair casually tied in a small bun, squatted by the pool like a snowman, watching him with concern, “Are you still dizzy? Have some hangover soup first. If it’s really uncomfortable, I’ll call a doctor.”
Yan Song lowered his eyes, sipping a couple of mouthfuls from the bowl before turning away. Yan Dong didn’t force him, placing the small bowl on a low table behind him, saying with concern, “I’ll stay here with you, but you can only soak for one incense stick’s time, soaking too long will make you more muddled.”
His tone was like a little old man, making Yan Song chuckle, “Got it.”
Yan Dong chuckled, lying on the soft couch, covering himself with a blanket, stretching comfortably.
The fragrance in the bathhouse had a calming effect. When Yan Song got out of the bath on time, he glanced over, seeing the boy already sleeping soundly.
Yan Song casually took a towel to dry himself, changed into clean shorts, draped a nightgown over himself, and walked to the couch. Yan Dong, completely unguarded, slept peacefully, unaware that the beast before him was struggling to restrain its instincts, baring its fangs.
Yan Song quietly watched Yan Dong, the peach blossom dream within him feeding on desire, surging uncontrollably. The night served as a veil, and he gazed at the “culprit” of his downfall with a mix of love and hate, raising his cold, slender right hand.
Without any warning or pattern, Yan Dong dreamt of that demon again, a familiar, unspeakable dream. He woke abruptly, unexpectedly meeting a pair of pitch-black eyes. Yan Song sat by the couch, looking at him, his eyes like embers, faintly glowing with a red warmth, scorching his spine.
Most of the candles had gone out at some point, leaving only the four flying swallow lamps by the pool, casting a dim light on the water. Yan Song sat with his back to the light, his chest and neck skin glowing like jade, his expression gentle, “Awake?”
His voice was hoarser than usual, sounding particularly alluring. Yan Dong’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his throat suddenly dry. He stared at this drunk, less sharp person, like a hungry puppy, suddenly bold, just to seize the moment and catch a whiff of the meat.
Yan Dong suddenly sat up, wrapping his arms around Yan Song’s neck, holding him tightly.
Yan Song was momentarily stunned, not speaking, hearing the voice pleading pitifully in his ear, “Brother, I had a nightmare. Can you stay with me tonight?”