Your Majesty, We’re Counting on You to Ruin the Country! 77

Chapter 77: New Year’s Eve

In the Plum Blossom Villa, there were fallen plum blossoms everywhere. It was secluded and quiet, making one feel that the years were peaceful and good. Feng Qi and Wen Ning’an had been here for two or three months, and Feng Qi had long had someone move all the memorials over.

During the Great Cold, the ground was frozen and the weather was cold. The weather was extremely cold, and the cold wind was even more biting. This night was New Year’s Eve. Wen Ning’an and the others were gathered around a round table, all wearing thick coats. On the table was a Manchu-Han Imperial Feast, with fish and meat, as well as the unique dumplings and seven-vegetable congee of New Year’s Eve. The windows were covered with paper-cuts, and lanterns were hung on the buildings and plum trees. The whole villa looked red and festive.

Qin Zhaohuang and Yu Qianshou had also come to celebrate the New Year with them.

Yu Qianshou sat at the side, feeling awkward, but he couldn’t resist Qin Zhaohuang, who had insisted on coming and had even dragged him along. In fact, Wen Ning’an and Feng Qi were also extremely surprised by his appearance. Wen Ning’an had originally thought that Qin Zhaohuang was celebrating the New Year alone outside and, afraid that he would be lonely, had invited him to the villa. Who knew that he and Yu Qianshou had already secretly gotten together!

Tsk, tsk.

Wen Ning’an asked in a low voice, “You and he… are together?”

“Oh my,” Qin Zhaohuang said shyly. “I also couldn’t resist his constant pestering, confessing his feelings to me every day. So I reluctantly agreed to be with him.”

Yu Qianshou: “…”

The corner of Wen Ning’an’s mouth twitched.

Yu Qianshou was a little awkward with the others. But at least he no longer had an employer now, and his past conflicts with them were not a matter of life and death, so although it was strange, they gradually became more familiar with each other as they chatted.

In any case, he is Qin Zhaohuang’s other half.

But then, when Feng Jun appeared at the door with Feng Changhuan, Feng Jun calling out “Imperial Brother” affectionately while Feng Changhuan held a gift box, looking just like a married couple returning home, Feng Qi felt that his whole person was not well.

Motherfucker, what the hell is this!

What the fuck is Feng Changhuan doing here!

Feng Qi’s chopsticks fell to the table with a “thud,” and Wen Ning’an and the others were dumbfounded.

Feng Jun’s smile was extremely stiff, while Feng Changhuan was all smiles.

“Imperial Brother, Happy New Year.” Feng Jun sat down in the empty seat beside Yu Qianshou with a dry laugh, and Feng Changhuan sat down in turn. The two of them were some distance from Feng Qi, and Feng Jun couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.

Although he didn’t know why, the two had never met and had no conflicts, but he knew that his imperial brother had an inexplicable hostility towards Feng Changhuan.

The atmosphere at the round table was a little stiff. In the end, it was Qin Zhaohuang who smiled. “Since everyone is here, then… let’s eat? Bi’er is about to starve.”

Bai Bi, who had been inexplicably pulled in, blinked.

What about me?

The sound of bowls and chopsticks slowly began. Feng Qi’s gaze was fixed on Feng Changhuan as he served food to Feng Jun.

Why is there a feeling of… my own cabbage being eaten by a wild boar?

Qin Zhaohuang leaned over slightly, crossed over Yu Qianshou to find an ally, and said to Feng Jun, “I didn’t expect the King of Hong Xi would also be willing to come. How long did you persuade him?”

Feng Jun smiled very kindly. “He was very willing, very willing. I didn’t have to persuade him. He himself insisted on coming. I couldn’t stop him.”

Couldn’t stop him!

Fortunately, this awkwardness did not last long. Qin Zhaohuang was a chatterbox, and Wen Ning’an was very patient. So the two of them kept talking, and the others would occasionally chime in.

After the meal, Feng Qi immediately said to Feng Jun in a low voice, “Jun’er, come with me for a moment.”

The two of them left the main hall.

Qin Zhaohuang looked at the crowd and smiled. “Shall we play a New Year’s game?”

As he spoke, a servant brought up some wooden sticks for everyone to play with. On New Year’s Eve, one had to stay up all night, so they needed to pass the time.

Wen Ning’an turned to Bai Bi. “We’ll probably be up very late. You should go to sleep first.”

Bai Bi immediately shook his head.

“I also want to stay up.”

To stay up for His Highness and His Majesty!

Qin Zhaohuang pulled him over. “It’s too much of a wet blanket to send someone to bed so early on New Year’s Eve. Come, I’ll teach you how to play. Let’s beat Ning’an until he can’t take it anymore.”

“Alright!”

This little traitor! Wen Ning’an smiled and shook his head.

In the main hall, everyone was getting more and more excited. And in the quiet study, Feng Qi said with a solemn expression, “What is going on between you and Feng Changhuan?”

Feng Jun, with a look as if he were about to cry, exclaimed, “Imperial Brother—”

Feng Qi rubbed his temples. “Don’t play pitiful with me. If you and that Feng Changhuan are truly in love, and your feelings are deep, I will naturally not stop you. Mar… I will also prepare a good betrothal gift for you.”

The past life is the past life, and this life is this life. Feng Qi did not want his only remaining brother to be unhappy because of his own selfish desires.

“In love, my ass! It’s always been him forcing me to cooperate with him.” Feng Jun said, “I can’t, and I don’t dare to refuse him.”

Feng Qi frowned. “You don’t like him?”

Feng Jun nodded.

Feng Qi thought to himself, That’s right. Feng Jun has always frequented song and dance halls and is always surrounded by all kinds of beauties. He probably wouldn’t be interested in men.

He thought for a moment. “In that case, I will grant you a marriage. I will arrange for a girl with a good family background, looks, and character for you.”

“No, no!” Feng Jun immediately waved his hand. “Feng Changhuan will definitely kill them. One of my singing girls was almost tortured to death by him before!”

Feng Qi said, “Then I will arrange for you to marry the sister of the ruler of Nanxiang, Nan Shengliu. Feng Changhuan will definitely not dare to kill this person. To kill her would mean a war between Nanxiang and Hong Xi. He is not that foolish.”

Feng Jun paused, then slowly nodded.

Feng Qi stood up and patted his shoulder, smiling. “In any case, you should also settle down and start a family. This marriage will not only find you a good woman, but also tightly tie Nanxiang and Bei Miao together. Killing two birds with one stone.”

Feng Jun just pouted.

After Feng Qi and Feng Jun returned to the main hall, they saw everyone gathered around the table, fooling around, the table covered with wooden sticks.

Qin Zhaohuang had a look as if he were about to cry, his resentful gaze moving back and forth over Wen Ning’an.

Feng Jun asked curiously, “What’s wrong?”

Qin Zhaohuang cried, “All the silver tonight has been taken by Ning’an! There was no chance for us at all! Not only have I lost all my silver, but I also owe that monster a huge sum.”

Feng Changhuan also said with dissatisfaction, “This is the first time I have lost so miserably. This is not a matter of skill at all, but His Highness’s luck is too good. All the good sticks seem to have a spirit and go towards him.”

Qin Zhaohuang added, “And every time Ning’an draws, it’s the best of the best of the best of the best!”

Feng Jun patted his chest, thinking to himself that it was lucky he hadn’t participated.

Wen Ning’an smiled a little sheepishly and touched his own stomach. “Perhaps it’s Long’er who has brought me good luck. I was originally not good at this. Tonight is the first time I’ve played.”

The others looked at Wen Ning’an with a faint look.

The first time he’s played.

Feng Qi pinched his cheek and smiled. “Today, we’ll rely on you to get rich. Why don’t you just win back Hong Xi and the Fengtian Temple?”

Feng Changhuan immediately threw the stick in his hand on the table and spread his hands. “I’m not playing anymore. I can’t afford it.”

Qin Zhaohuang also threw his stick and said angrily, “Only a fool would play with Ning’an.”

Wen Ning’an chuckled softly, while Feng Qi teased him, “What are you so angry about? Next time you have good news, you can win it back. I have heard before that a child in the womb can bring good luck to the parents. Seeing it today, it is indeed so.”

Qin Zhaohuang was choked by him for a moment, his cheeks a little red. Yu Qianshou gently placed the stick on the table, also a little embarrassed, his gaze couldn’t help but drift to Qin Zhaohuang’s flat stomach.

Feng Qi continued, “Since no one is playing anymore, then I will announce something.”

“I have granted a marriage to Jun’er. The person is the sister of the ruler of Nanxiang, Nan Shengliu.”

The atmosphere was awkward for a moment. No one understood the situation, and no one dared to speak.

“Congratulations.” The first to speak, on the contrary, was Feng Changhuan.

His face showed no change, and his tone was natural. “I have long heard that Nan Shengliu is both talented and beautiful, a good girl. I congratulate Your Highness here.”

The others then also congratulated him one after another, thinking to themselves that Feng Changhuan and Feng Jun were just simple friends.

Qin Zhaohuang was puzzled. Since they are friends, why were their gazes so ambiguous when they looked at each other? Feng Changhuan’s eyes were overflowing with doting, while Feng Jun’s were full of dependence and willfulness.

Forget it. It’s better not to meddle in other people’s business.

Feng Qi sized up Feng Changhuan without a trace but saw that he seemed not to care at all.

Feng Jun, hearing his congratulations, thought to himself that Feng Changhuan really didn’t mind. He was just finding him interesting and playing with him. He was the only one who had taken it seriously…

Feng Changhuan smiled on the surface, looking at Feng Jun, who didn’t even dare to look at him. He thought to himself that he had inadvertently pushed him too hard, which had led to the opposite effect.

No matter. We’ll take it slow.

Feng Changhuan narrowed his eyes slightly. He had never failed to get what he wanted, and this time would be no exception.

Heh, there’s plenty of time…

Seeing that Feng Changhuan showed no reaction, Feng Qi said, “King of Hong Xi, how about a match?”

“Playing with the sticks?” Feng Changhuan raised an eyebrow slightly, seeming to be very interested.

“Yes. We’ll play a simple game. The two of us will draw sticks together. Whoever draws a bad stick will have to drink a cup as a forfeit.”

Qin Zhaohuang, fearing the world was not in chaos, became excited. This was not a competition of luck or a game, but a drinking competition! Not only him, but the others were also very interested in this match.

The two of them started as they said. They each drew a stick from the tube.

Feng Changhuan turned over the stick in his hand and saw “Great Fortune.” He couldn’t help but smile. “A good stick.”

“A hundred years of fortune.” Feng Qi shook the wooden stick in his hand, a look of arrogance on his face.

Feng Changhuan shrugged, took the wine cup that had already been filled by Qin Zhaohuang, and drank it in one gulp.

The two of them drew again.

Feng Qi showed his first. He shook his head. “My luck is not good this time. Misfortune.”

Feng Changhuan stared at him for a long while, then, without a word, took the wine cup and drank it down.

His was “Great Misfortune.”

And it was “a hundred years of great misfortune.”

…

…

After an hour of playing, Feng Qi was as calm as ever, but Feng Changhuan’s face was flushed, and he felt dizzy. What they were drinking on New Year’s Eve was pure Jiaobai wine. He felt a fire in his stomach, as if it were about to burn up.

If he drank anymore, he probably wouldn’t be able to go home and would collapse here…

Just as Qin Zhaohuang was about to pour more wine, he looked at the wine jar. It was already empty! He couldn’t help but say with some concern, “King of Hong Xi, are you still alright?”

Feng Jun was also a little anxious. This fool!

Feng Changhuan shook his head and sighed. “Alas, this king admits defeat. I really can’t drink anymore.”

Feng Qi raised an eyebrow slightly, feeling refreshed.

“It was also thanks to Long’er’s light and luck. I will punish myself with a cup.” As he spoke, he also had someone bring a wine jar, but he didn’t use a cup, but drank directly from the jar, and with one gulp, half the jar was gone!

Seeing this, Feng Changhuan smiled. “The King of Bei Miao has a great capacity for alcohol, and a great capacity in general!”

“Likewise, likewise.”

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Feng Qi thought to himself, After this half jar of wine, I should let go of the past! He was living a very good and happy life with Wen Ning’an now. The past life was just the past life. Let it go with the wind.

“Oh my! Someone is setting off fireworks.” Qin Zhaohuang pointed to the fireworks in the night sky outside the window. “It must be the residents at the foot of the mountain.”

The fireworks bloomed in the inky night sky like bouquets of flowers. After a fleeting moment, they fell like meteors without any lingering feelings. One after another, a hundred flowers bloomed, illuminating half the sky.

Feng Qi turned his head and saw Wen Ning’an looking out the window, the splendid fireworks reflected in his eyes, a gentle smile on his lips.

“Yixin… with you in this life, what more could I ask for.”

He couldn’t help but reach out and wrap his arm around Wen Ning’an’s shoulder.

A new year, welcoming the new and getting rid of the old. From now on, there would be no past life in his heart, only this life. This life with Wen Ning’an.