Chapter 89: [Sheng & Bi] Long Companionship (Part 1)
A new emperor, a new atmosphere.
The world all said that Feng Shengshi looked exactly like King Feng, but his temperament was like King Wen’s.
In late autumn, the cool wind already carried a hint of chill. In Beicheng Hall, Bai Bi was sitting at his desk, seriously reviewing the lists of local officials. The tea at the side had long gone cold, and no one was drinking it. As the prime minister of the Son of Heaven, he assisted in all matters. A good emperor was busy with state affairs, and so was a good emperor’s prime minister.
At the end of the year, there were more things to do.
Bai Bi rubbed his temples and looked up, only to see that Beicheng Hall was empty. The servants, the vice-ministers, and the other officials who were handling state affairs with him had all suddenly disappeared.
What’s going on?
“Bi’er.”
A familiar voice sounded by the door, and Feng Shengshi’s tall figure appeared in his sight. He was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe and holding a food box.
Bai Bi suddenly understood why the others were not there.
He only then suddenly realized that at this time, there would be no one around him, ever since Feng Shengshi had started bringing him food. Today there were many people, so it was particularly noticeable, which was why he had noticed it.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.” Bai Bi frowned slightly and was about to stand up and pay his respects when his wrist was held by him.
“I’ve told you so many times, call me Long’er.”
Bai Bi lowered his eyes.
“Your Majesty, this subject has also said many times, please do not bring food to this subject anymore…”
Feng Shengshi blinked, his smile still gentle. But Bai Bi knew very well that he was definitely not as kind as he appeared on the surface. His temperament was originally even more terrifying than Feng Qi’s, and he had been difficult to deal with since he was a child. It was only after years of training by Feng Qi and Wen Ning’an that he had learned to hide his ruthlessness and mischievous ideas under a gentle smile, killing without shedding blood.
Feng Shengshi held his arm and said softly, “I was just afraid that older brother would not eat on time.”
Bai Bi pulled his hand away without a change in expression.
Feng Shengshi narrowed his eyes and smiled. “I haven’t eaten yet either. Together?”
He walked to the desk and put down the round porcelain container, taking out the food box layer by layer. Chicken marrow bamboo shoots, sweet and sour fish, almond tofu… all were Bai Bi’s favorites.
Since he didn’t mind, the two of them, as usual, didn’t care about etiquette or comfort and began to eat around the desk.
Bai Bi’s table manners were very good. His slender fingers held the chopsticks and slowly brought the food in his bowl to his mouth, then chewed it carefully. When he lowered his head, a few strands of fine hair would occasionally brush against his forehead and cheeks, and at this time, he would put down his bowl and gently tuck the long hair behind his ear.
“Bi’er, there is a lantern festival today. Will you go for a walk with me tonight?”
Bai Bi was stunned for a moment. “State affairs…”
“Let’s not talk about state affairs.” Feng Shengshi placed his index finger on his lips and teased, “I, the Emperor, am not even talking about state affairs. Why is the prime minister more concerned than I am?”
Bai Bi frowned slightly.
“It’s settled then.”
Feng Shengshi did not give him a chance to refuse. When night fell, he came to Beicheng Hall again and pulled him away. The two of them rode to the riverbank in the north of the city.
Today was the Lantern Festival, and many people were gathered by the river. The two of them, in disguise, squeezed into the crowd and were not recognized.
The crowd was bustling, and the lights were dim.
The riverbank was hung with lights, and lotus lanterns and painted boats floated on the river. In the middle of the river, there was a tall small building. Under the red lanterns, scholars and beauties were reciting poetry, and singing girls and dancing girls were adding to the fun with the sound of music.
What a romantic scene.
Feng Shengshi bought a white paper lantern and handed it to him. “Make a wish?”
Bai Bi just smiled faintly.
The Lantern Festival was personally established by Feng Qi, on the tenth day of the ninth month. The world only knew that the Son of Heaven was purely praying to the heavens for blessings, but he and Bai Bi knew very well that it was because this day was Wen Ning’an’s birthday.
Feng Qi had always been fond of these little tricks, because Wen Ning’an liked them.
Feng Shengshi didn’t know if Bai Bi liked them, but he was testing the waters, doing more and more.
He smiled. “If I also set a lantern festival, and set it in the third month, would that be good?”
Bai Bi’s earlobes turned slightly red, and he said in a low voice, “The thought is what matters. The lantern festival should be left for the future… for the young master’s true love.” The third month was Bai Bi’s birthday.
“There will be no one else,” Feng Shengshi said with a hidden meaning, and couldn’t help but sigh in his heart. How has the little crying baby of the past become so distant from me now?
The surface of the water was sparkling. He couldn’t help but remember when he was a child, being naughty and mischievous, he had pulled Bai Bi and leaped into the lotus pond in the palace to play. The lotus pond was actually not deep, but Bai Bi had been so scared that his face was pale, and he was crying and choking miserably, struggling in the water, trembling all over. Bai Bi was a few years older than him, but he had practiced martial arts since he was a child. With his brute force, Bai Bi, in his fear, had been unable to break free from his restraint for a moment.
He had also been scared by Bai Bi’s reaction and had hastily dragged him ashore. Afterwards, as expected, he had been severely reprimanded by Wen Ning’an, and only then did he learn about Bai Bi’s life before he had been with them.
The thought of Bai Bi having been beaten by the servants, and even thrown into the pond and abused, made him feel both heartbroken and guilty. He held his hand and said seriously, “I will protect you in the future. I will definitely not let others bully you.”
Bai Bi had not yet recovered, and he was still heaving and hiccupping.
“Coward.” Feng Shengshi, a little devil, stood on his tiptoes and, imitating his imperial father, scraped his nose.
“Don’t be afraid. I said I will protect you in the future!”
At that time, Bai Bi had just given a soft “mmm” with a thick nasal voice and had turned his head away in a huff.
The two of them walked down along the riverbank, a trail of candlelight and laughter.
“Come and see, come and see—”
“Freshly baked goods!”
Feng Shengshi said, “Wait here for a moment!”
With that, he hurried to a stall not far away. Bai Bi watched his retreating figure and just smiled and shook his head.
The crowd was really too crowded. Although it was now late autumn, he still felt a cold sweat, hot and sticky all over. He frowned and was about to walk to a less crowded corner when his ears suddenly exploded.
Boom—
With the deafening sound of an explosion, screams came from all around. He turned his head abruptly and saw that the high platform on the river… had collapsed!
The wooden planks and beams broke one after another with a “crack, crack,” and the tall platform slowly sank into the water. The people on the high platform naturally fell into the river.
The riverbank was also in chaos, with people screaming and pushing.
“Young master! Please leave quickly!” A man in black landed in front of him. It was an imperial shadow guard.
The man in black drew the sword at his waist and pulled him away, his tone calm. “Assassins are attacking, but young master, do not worry. This subordinate will definitely protect you and get you out safely.”
“Where is His Majesty?”
“Master’s martial arts are high. Young master need not worry.”
Just as he was about to say something, he heard a sound of breaking air in his ear. Before he could react, the world spun before his eyes, and his arm was clearly grabbed and pulled away by the shadow guard, dodging a hidden weapon that had shot from behind.
The hidden weapon just grazed past his cheek.
He only felt a cold sweat on his palm, his heart beating like a drum. He couldn’t help but turn his head to look for Feng Shengshi’s figure.
“Help—”
“Murder! Murder!”
More and more men with weapons gathered around him. The imperial shadow guards and the assassins disguised as common people in plain clothes started a chaotic fight.
The clang of swords clashing and the sound of blades cutting through flesh were incessant. He was protected by the shadow guards and was fine.
“Bi’er!”
He was stunned for a moment and turned his head to see Feng Shengshi running towards him. The chaotic crowd separated them, and he had no choice but to use his lightness skill.
After landing steadily beside him, he immediately pulled him into his arms and protected him.
He held a long sword and cut down the men who were attacking them one by one, one strike, one head, fresh blood gushing out, showing no mercy at all.
His martial arts were personally taught by Feng Qi and Wen Ning’an. He had both Feng Qi’s sharpness and Wen Ning’an’s restraint, his advance and retreat just right.
“Master, be careful!”
He and Bai Bi subconsciously looked up and saw a large net covering the sky. The iron net not only covered a large area and was difficult to dodge, but it also had barbs and poison hooks.
He frowned, leaped into the air, and swung his long sword, trying to tear a hole in the iron net. He was very confident in his weapon. The dagger in his hand, My Love, was said to be a demon blade from the frontier, a gift from a friend of his daddy when he was a child. It could cut hair as if it were mud.
“Clang—”
Sparks even flew when the blade scraped against the iron net.
“Be careful!”
Bai Bi’s pupils contracted sharply. Feng Shengshi was concentrating on the iron net above and could not pay attention to the cold arrow coming at him.
He heard his call and had no choice but to change his path in mid-air, bending down and turning half a circle to let the sharp arrow pass over his head.
Before he could let out a sigh of relief, he saw that not far from them, the assassin who had shot at him had nocked another arrow on his bow, pulled it tight, and was aiming…
The imperial shadow guards were few. They were either defending against the iron net or fighting with the assassins and had no energy to deal with the ambusher far outside the battle.
Bastard!
Bai Bi, regardless of anything, rushed at the assassin and, before he could react, kicked him in the lower body!
“Ah—”
The commotion here attracted the attention of others. Seeing the assassins rushing at him, he subconsciously turned and ran.
Feng Shengshi roared, “Protect the young master!”
The imperial shadow guards and the assassins all went for him. He hesitated and stopped, looking at the people coming at him in a panic.
However, something unexpected happened.
Just behind him, a few people in white robes suddenly appeared. The features of these uninvited guests were all covered by white cloth, and their faces could not be seen.
The figures of the people in white were like ghosts, coming and going without a trace. In the blink of an eye, they were behind him.
It was almost instantaneous. The next moment, his figure disappeared with those mysterious people.
On the other side, Feng Shengshi finally broke free from the entanglement of the iron net. However, before he could react, he could only watch as Bai Bi disappeared into the dark night with a group of white figures.
“Bi’er—”
