The Blood Crown - Chapter 103

Feng Ye was startled and, without thinking, grabbed him up: “Yan Sikong!”

Yan Sikong looked deeply into Feng Ye’s eyes: “Feng Ye, I beg you to save the Crown Prince and Consort Hui. If this matter doesn’t end well, His Majesty will definitely take the opportunity to depose the Crown Prince.”

“I told you, I don’t care,” Feng Ye said viciously, but he couldn’t help avoiding Yan Sikong’s gaze.

“The Crown Prince is the future enlightened ruler of Dasheng, for the sake of the people…”

“Don’t give me that nonsense!” Feng Ye narrowed his eyes. “You’re in such a hurry to save him because if he can’t become emperor, you won’t be able to become the imperial tutor, which would delay your grand plan for revenge. Everything you do is for revenge. Since you could deceive me for revenge, how dare you come back to beg me? Do you have any shame at all?”

Yan Sikong stared blankly at Feng Ye, as if a hand was gripping his throat, causing him heart-wrenching pain and making it hard to breathe. Shame was something useless to him, but the disdain from Feng Ye hurt him so much that his usually eloquent tongue was at a loss for words.

Feng Ye watched as Yan Sikong’s eyes slowly reddened, his Adam’s apple moved up and down, and his gaze began to wander.

The two stood in a silent standoff for a moment. Suddenly, Yan Sikong threw his arms around Feng Ye’s waist.

Feng Ye’s eyes widened. The first thing he felt was a chill; the person in his arms seemed even thinner, and the arms around his waist were cold. He must have been freezing outside for a long time… Realizing what he was thinking, Feng Ye silently cursed himself twice and tried to push Yan Sikong away. But his strong arms, capable of drawing a two-stone bow, felt as heavy as lead and wouldn’t move.

Yan Sikong buried his face in Feng Ye’s chest, choking back sobs: “Feng Ye, please help me.”

Countless struggles flashed through Feng Ye’s eyes. It was the first time Yan Sikong showed weakness to him, and he could see that Yan Sikong’s face was pale, and his eyes were dark with fatigue. He didn’t want to admit it, but he couldn’t help feeling a bit of pity.

Yan Sikong pressed his nose against Feng Ye’s clothes, breathing deeply, trying to absorb the scent of Feng Ye’s skin. He missed this person so much.

The two were like drowning people, clinging to each other as if the other were a piece of driftwood. This embrace was filled with an unspoken desire, and neither wanted to break it first.

Feng Ye’s sharpness quietly receded, and he said softly with unwillingness: “Yan Sikong, what am I supposed to do with you?” His tone was full of sadness and helplessness.

Yan Sikong shook his head, his voice hoarse: “Do you regret reuniting with me? After all, I’m no longer the Sikong you once knew.”

Feng Ye paused for a moment: “I’ve never regretted it.”

Yan Sikong’s nose tingled, tears welled up, and he hugged Feng Ye even tighter.

Feng Ye could no longer control himself. He forcefully hugged Yan Sikong back and gritted his teeth, saying, “Yan Sikong, you bastard. You… you really might be a water demon.” He wondered if he was poisoned, or bewitched, otherwise why would he be so soft-hearted to someone who had deceived him time and again.

Yan Sikong remembered the first time they went to Lingwu Manor, in that mountain cave where they took shelter from the rain, Feng Ye’s words. He whispered: “Then, would you still be willing to go to the underworld with me?”

Feng Ye grabbed Yan Sikong’s hair, forcing him to look up at him, and said each word clearly: “In life, you are my – Feng Ye’s person, in death, you are my – Feng Ye’s ghost. Whether in heaven or hell, you can’t escape from me.”

Yan Sikong gave a slight smile, a smile full of helplessness and bitterness.

He often wondered, if those things hadn’t happened back then, if he had grown up peacefully, passed the imperial exams smoothly, and then reunited with Feng Ye, what would their relationship be like? They would surely treat each other with sincerity and then join hands to rule the world.

But there are no “ifs” in this world.

He and Feng Ye had come to this point because of fate.

Feng Ye released Yan Sikong: “Tell me, what do you want me to do? I won’t let my father plead for the Crown Prince; His Majesty is already wary of him.”

“I understand, so I hope you can write a letter and have Commander Zhu deliver it secretly to Consort Xian, so that Princess Wanyang can inform the Empress Dowager when she pays her morning respects.”

Feng Ye snorted coldly: “So you’re already planning to have your future wife assist?”

“Only the Empress Dowager can save the Crown Prince now,” Yan Sikong avoided Feng Ye’s angry gaze.

Feng Ye reached out, gently smoothing Yan Sikong’s hair that he had tousled, his face expressionless: “Remember, you are mine. No matter who it is, even if it is my cousin, between you and me, she is just an outsider. Your heart can only have me.”

Yan Sikong stared fixedly at Feng Ye.

“Understand?” Feng Ye’s hand slid down, lifting Yan Sikong’s chin, his eyes cold and sinister, “Say you are mine, and you will belong to me, Feng Ye, for life. If you want this letter, swear it on your father.”

Yan Sikong paused, then raised his hand: “I swear on my father’s spirit in heaven, I, Yan Sikong, will belong to you, Feng Ye, for life.” He had never been moved by anyone before, nor would he be in the future. He knew clearly that only Feng Ye would treat him like this, and there would be no one else in his heart besides Feng Ye.

Feng Ye’s gaze lingered on Yan Sikong’s face, as if trying to discern truth from lies in his expression and eyes, “Do you know, I can’t tell if you’re lying or telling the truth, and I’m afraid to trust you easily because you are too good at deceiving people.”

Yan Sikong said seriously: “Since I swore on my father, every word is true.”

Feng Ye finally lowered his hand: “Let’s go to the study.”

—

When Yan Sikong left the mansion, it was already late at night. Liu Cheng was dozing on the carriage, and Yan Sikong woke him up with a pat.

Liu Cheng jolted awake, “Young master…”

“Shh,” Yan Sikong gestured for him to be quiet, “You go back by yourself, I have something else to do.”

“Where are you going? Let me take you.”

“There are patrols on the streets at night; the carriage is too conspicuous. Just go back.” Yan Sikong wrapped his cotton coat tightly around him and turned to leave.

He tried to keep a low profile, avoiding the night patrols, and made his way to Yan Zilian’s residence.

Although it was late and unlikely that anyone would see him, it was best to be cautious. Visiting a cabinet minister’s house in the middle of the night would certainly arouse suspicion.

Yan Sikong quietly knocked on the door, and the doorkeeper, recognizing him, quickly let him in, seeing his urgent expression and guessing it must be important.

He assumed Yan Zilian would be up late, pondering countermeasures, and indeed, the light in the east wing was still on.

When Yan Zilian saw him, he hurriedly asked, “Did you get the letter from the heir?”

Yan Sikong nodded, “Yes, I didn’t dare delay and brought it immediately.” He handed the letter to Yan Zilian.

Yan Zilian spread out the letter, scanned it quickly, and repeatedly exclaimed, “Good.” “I visited Commander Zhu in secret today. He is very angry about being implicated in this matter and agreed without hesitation. However, he is currently in the palace, so I can only give it to him after entering the palace tomorrow. This means the Empress Dowager will receive the news at the earliest tomorrow.”

“Teacher, are you worried something might happen in this one day?”

“Yes, the Crown Prince and Consort Hui are in prison. Every extra hour they stay there is inappropriate.”

“There’s no other way but to wait,” Yan Sikong pondered. “Teacher, do you think I should visit the Crown Prince? As his tutor, it would be reasonable.”

Yan Zilian thought for a moment and said, “There’s no need for now. The Empress Dowager might get angry, and His Majesty could release them. Let’s wait a couple of days.”

“Alright.”

Yan Zilian patted Yan Sikong’s shoulder, his tone loving and comforting: “Sikong, you must have suffered some grievances asking for help from the heir.”

Yan Sikong smiled: “For the Crown Prince and Consort Hui, what grievance could I have?”

“It seems the heir still understands the bigger picture.”

Yan Sikong smiled bitterly to himself. He knew Feng Ye would definitely help him. He understood Feng Ye thoroughly, yet he found himself increasingly unable to understand himself.

—-

The next day at the morning court, another wave of turmoil arose. Emperor Zhao Wu asked about the interrogation of the assassin, and Meng Duo, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, had to report truthfully that the investigation was still ongoing.

The participating censor bluntly stated that the assassin firmly claimed Consort Hui was behind it. The Minister of Justice refuted, saying the assassin had no evidence and was likely framing her.

Emperor Zhao Wu, enraged, said that the Second Prince was so frightened that he fell ill. Losing patience, he ordered the three judicial offices to interrogate Consort Hui.

The ministers earnestly advised against it, but Emperor Zhao Wu, clearly influenced by Consort Wen and Xie Zhongren and with the intention of deposing the Crown Prince, was unusually stubborn this time.

Yan Sikong felt a chill upon hearing the news of Consort Hui’s interrogation. He didn’t expect even a day’s peace. Such a merciless interrogation of the Crown Prince’s mother was actually targeting the Crown Prince. This move could undermine the Crown Prince’s prestige, and it seemed Emperor Zhao Wu was determined to depose him.

Yan Sikong felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles. If Chen Mu were really deposed, as the former Crown Prince’s tutor and Yan Zilian’s student, he feared he would no longer be valued in a court full of eunuch factions. One wrong step could ruin everything.

Yan Sikong closed his eyes wearily, feeling boundless fear and loneliness.

—

Happy Lantern Festival!

Water Demon – In traditional Chinese folklore and mythology, a “water demon” (水魅, shuǐ mèi) refers to a supernatural being or spirit associated with water. These entities are often believed to inhabit bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, or seas and are known for their ability to control or manipulate water. They can be malevolent or benevolent, depending on the specific legend.

The term can also imply someone who has an enchanting or bewitching nature, often with a connotation of being deceptive or dangerous, akin to sirens or mermaids in Western mythology. In the context of the story, calling someone a “water demon” suggests they have an almost supernatural allure or power over another person, often leading to negative consequences.