The Blood Crown - Chapter 108

Another spring day filled with orioles and long grasses.

Yan Sikong still remembers this time two years ago. He was winning praise at a court lecture, and shortly after that, he saw Feng Ye again at the spring hunt. That image of the youth in bright clothes on a spirited horse, full of vigor, remains vividly in his mind.

Two years have passed, times have changed, and people and things are no longer the same.

Looking at the thriving vegetation outside the window, Yan Sikong felt a sense of decay, danger, and desolation lurking in the darkness, ready to devour everyone at any moment.

He couldn’t say what it was, but he instinctively felt uneasy.

Suddenly, a hand was placed on his shoulder. He shivered all over, feeling a chill down his spine, and instinctively grabbed the wrist and pulled forward. His mind cleared instantly, and he remembered where he was, stopping himself just in time before he could throw the owner of the hand out.

“Ah!” A startled cry sounded in his ear.

Yan Sikong quickly steadied the person and looked up, “Brother Liang?”

It was Liang Sui.

Liang Sui looked at Yan Sikong in surprise, “I, I called you. What were you looking at?”

Yan Sikong released him and returned to normal, smiling, “I was looking at spring. ‘When April’s blossoms fade in the human world, peach blossoms in mountain temples begin to bloom.’ Today’s sunny weather is perfect for enjoying spring.”

“Brother, you are quite the poet.” Liang Sui rubbed his sore wrist, “How come I never noticed your strength before?”

“I often did farm work as a child.”

“You? Farm work?” Liang Sui teased, “With your fair skin and delicate looks, you don’t seem the type for hard labor. Just look at your hands…” He casually turned over Yan Sikong’s hand and saw the calloused scars on the palm, immediately falling silent.

The scars, long-standing, looked like those from rough work upon closer inspection.

Yan Sikong clenched his hand, “I was poor as a child, unlike you, Brother Liang.”

“Hey, heroes don’t question their origins. A poor scholar like you, who couldn’t afford private school or tutors, yet studied diligently by the light of fireflies and a borrowed lamp to pass the imperial exams, is even more admirable. I think everything you have today is well-deserved, so don’t belittle yourself because of your background.”

Yan Sikong raised an eyebrow slightly and smiled, “Brother Liang, you didn’t come to the yamen just to comfort me, did you?”

Liang Sui laughed, “Today, Brother Zhou is hosting a banquet at Baisheng Pavilion. You must honor us with your presence.”

Yan Sikong smiled wryly, “Brother Liang, I’ve been busy with the imperial assessments lately and can’t get away. How about I host a banquet to make up for it after the assessments?”

“Brother Sikong, I’ve invited you several times. Brother Zhou also wants to see you. We used to drink together often. Now that you’re in the Ministry of Personnel and are a prospective son-in-law of the royal family…” Liang Sui complained, “It’s so hard to see you.”

Not wanting to offend these noble scions, Yan Sikong agreed, “Then I shall defer to your wishes.”

—

That evening, Yan Sikong arrived at Baisheng Pavilion.

Baisheng Pavilion was the most luxurious restaurant in the capital, frequented by high-ranking officials and nobles. Opposite was Yanliu Alley, convenient for guests to indulge in revelry after dining, or to call over the courtesans. At night, with lights and music, it was the most extravagant place in the city.

Yan Sikong had been to Baisheng Pavilion countless times, but his deepest memory was the day Feng Ye returned to the capital. One was upstairs, the other downstairs, a brief glance passing between them.

Later, he asked Feng Ye why he suddenly looked up when entering the city that day. Feng Ye said he felt a sudden pang, sensing something upstairs that compelled him to look. It must have been a shared intuition.

Getting off the carriage, Yan Sikong deliberately stood where Feng Ye had ridden past, looked up, and saw only the orange light through the window paper. He laughed at himself and walked in.

Zhou Miexing loved grand displays and had undoubtedly reserved one of the most luxurious rooms on the third floor. The waiter respectfully led Yan Sikong upstairs. As the door opened, laughter erupted from within. Yan Sikong, prepared to socialize, froze upon seeing who was inside.

Surrounded in the middle was Feng Ye!

Feng Ye looked at Yan Sikong with a faint smile, his gaze somewhat cold.

“Ah, brother, you’re finally here.” Zhou Miexing personally stood up, walked over, and held his hand affectionately, “It’s been a while since we brothers met. I missed you.”

Yan Sikong regained his composure, “Brother Zhou, you flatter me. I was handling official duties today, so I’m a bit late…” His gaze drifted to Feng Ye again.

“No matter, no matter.” Zhou Miexing held his hand and led him to sit beside Feng Ye, “Come, sit next to me and the heir apparent.”

“But…”

“Sit.” Zhou Miexing whispered in his ear, “I’m hosting, it’s fine.”

Recalling Liang Sui’s words from the morning and the current scene, Yan Sikong roughly understood what was going on.

Previously, he was just a follower in these social events, only listening to Zhou Miexing boast at banquets. But now, he was the Principal Examiner of the Ministry of Personnel and a prospective son-in-law. Naturally, Zhou Miexing’s attitude toward him had changed. With the imperial assessments imminent, and Zhou Miexing’s father—the Governor of Shuntian Prefecture—also under evaluation, Zhou Miexing invited both him and Feng Ye to smooth over their relationship, making a favorable gesture.

This plan was clever enough, but Zhou Miexing didn’t know the true nature of the enmity between him and Feng Ye, which wasn’t as simple as the rumored “demanding standards” of Feng Ye.

Forced to sit beside Feng Ye, Yan Sikong noticed everyone watching them with anticipation.

Clearing his throat, Yan Sikong prepared to flatter Feng Ye, as their ranks and backgrounds warranted.

Zhou Miexing, considerate of his potential embarrassment, stood up and raised his cup, “Come, now that everyone’s here, I must say a few words.”

Everyone echoed his sentiment.

Zhou Miexing respectfully bowed to Feng Ye, “I’m honored to have the heir apparent at this banquet. This first cup is to the heroic heir apparent.” He then drank it down.

Feng Ye raised his cup and drank with him, smiling, “You’re too kind, Brother Zhou.”

“This second cup,” Zhou Miexing smiled at Yan Sikong, “is to my dear brother, now Principal Examiner Yan and prospective son-in-law Yan. With a bright future ahead, don’t forget us brothers when you soar high.”

Yan Sikong stood and smiled, “I don’t deserve it. Brother Zhou and all our brothers are talented and virtuous. I’m fortunate to be among you. I’ll need your guidance in the future.”

They clinked cups and drank.

After two cups, Zhou Miexing became bolder. He looked at Feng Ye, then Yan Sikong, and laughed heartily, “The third cup is the purpose of today’s banquet. I’m risking my face to invite the heir apparent and Brother Yan because I heard there’s some estrangement between you two over Princess Wanyang’s marriage decree. In this ever-changing world, we need each other’s support. In my humble opinion, you were once like-minded friends. If there’s a rift over family background, wouldn’t that be a pity?”

Everyone echoed, “Indeed, indeed.”

“The heir apparent, be more magnanimous.”

Watching Feng Ye’s expression, Zhou Miexing continued, “This third cup, I want to toast both of you. For my sake…”

“Brother Zhou,” Feng Ye slightly turned his head, glancing at Zhou Miexing with a forced smile, “You’re really considerate.”

Zhou Miexing’s face changed slightly. Anyone with ears could hear the sarcasm in those words. He found himself in an awkward position, unsure whether to toast or not.

Yan Sikong quickly stood up, holding Zhou Miexing’s hand, and said emotionally, “I, Yan Sikong, come from a humble background, while Princess Wanyang is of noble blood. I indeed am unworthy of her. However, His Majesty, not despising my lowly status, bestowed this marriage upon me. I am deeply grateful and will repay this grace with my life. But the heir apparent, caring for his cousin, is understandably worried that my low status and coarse behavior might be unworthy of the princess. I hold no resentment or disrespect towards him.”

Under the table, Feng Ye clenched his fist tightly, loathing Yan Sikong’s hypocrisy.

Yan Sikong and Zhou Miexing turned towards Feng Ye together. Yan Sikong, with respect and sincerity, said, “Whether the heir apparent accepts me or not, I must toast to him.” With that, he prepared to drink.

But Feng Ye suddenly reached out and grabbed his wrist.

The move was so swift that no one at the table saw it clearly.

Yan Sikong’s hand was halted, but not a drop of the wine spilled.

Feng Ye looked up at him, his gaze sharp.

The table fell silent, Zhou Miexing broke into a cold sweat, and everyone else barely dared to breathe.

Feng Ye slowly spoke, “Yes, I am indeed worried you might be unworthy of Wanyang. If she marries you, will you treat her well?”

Yan Sikong’s heart trembled. He replied softly, “Of course… I will.”

“What will you do?” Feng Ye pressed, “Say it.”

“I… will treat the princess with respect and courtesy.”

Feng Ye sneered, “Between husband and wife, merely respect and courtesy?”

“And also love and affection,” Liang Sui interjected, trying to defuse the situation.

Feng Ye shot Liang Sui a cold glance that made his hair stand on end. Feng Ye turned back to Yan Sikong, “I want to hear you say it.”

Yan Sikong felt an intense coldness throughout his body. Was Feng Ye forcing him to declare undying love for Wanyang?

Zhou Miexing urged, “Brother, quickly say it. The heir apparent just wants to be reassured before entrusting the princess to you.”

Yan Sikong and Feng Ye locked eyes, each seeing the deepest torment and struggle in the other’s gaze. But Feng Ye was relentless, staring and pressing for a result he didn’t really want.

Yan Sikong took a deep breath, feeling a surge of anger and sorrow. He said softly, “I, Yan Sikong, will cherish and care for Princess Wanyang, respect her greatly, and not fail His Majesty’s… or the heir apparent’s trust.” As he finished, he felt a painful tightness in his chest, his voice trembling slightly.

Feng Ye’s grip on Yan Sikong’s wrist tightened, causing Yan Sikong to turn pale with pain, but he endured without showing it.

Feng Ye released his hand, his eyes like deep, still waters, and said quietly, “In that case… I suppose I can rest assured.”

Zhou Miexing quickly tried to lighten the mood, “Hahaha, that’s great, that’s great. Come, let’s all raise a toast.”

Everyone raised their glasses, congratulating the two on their “reconciliation.”

Yan Sikong forced a smile, feeling extremely uncomfortable next to Feng Ye. He couldn’t even look Feng Ye in the eye, and they didn’t speak for the rest of the meal.

Everyone could see the tension between them. Zhou Miexing felt things were still too stiff, so after a few rounds of drinks, he called over a dozen girls from Tinglan Pavilion across the street.