The Blood Crown - Chapter 110

Yan Sikong did not know how he returned home that day, but when he woke up, he saw familiar curtains. He immediately awoke, remembering what had happened the previous night, and couldn’t help but gasp.

The area from his waist down was sore and unbearable. He endured the discomfort and called out, “Ali, Ali!”

After calling several times, the door was pushed open from the outside, and it was Feng Ye who came in.

Yan Sikong was stunned and hurriedly asked, “How did I get back? Did the people at Baisheng Tower notice anything?” As soon as he spoke, he realized his voice was hoarse, hardly sounding human.

Leaning against the door, Feng Ye mocked, “Are you afraid they know about us? Indeed, if it’s just a fondness for men, the emperor might turn a blind eye, but if the object is me, that’s a different story, right?”

Yan Sikong sat up straight, his tone cold but more helpless, “Feng Ye, I’ve wronged you, but humiliating and mocking me, what can it change?”

Feng Ye’s eyes narrowed dangerously, “You dare lecture me?”

“…I just want you to say it out loud. What exactly do you want from me?”

“If I…” Feng Ye took a few steps closer, seemingly making a significant decision, “If I want you to come with me?”

Yan Sikong looked at him in shock, “What?”

“Come with me, return to Datong with me.” Feng Ye’s eyes suddenly became fervent, “I’ll find the best assassins to kill Xie Zhongren and Han Zhaoxing for you. We’ll leave this place of trouble.”

“Are you still drunk!” Yan Sikong’s chest heaved violently, “You want me to elope? Do you know that’s a capital crime? Under heaven, all land belongs to the emperor. Where can I escape?”

“I’ll find a death row prisoner of similar stature to you and let you ‘die’ accidentally.” Feng Ye held Yan Sikong’s shoulder, like a dying man suddenly seeing hope, “Once we return to Datong, no one can touch us.”

Yan Sikong stared at him with wide eyes, “You’re mad.”

“I’ll avenge you. I’ll kill your enemies. Isn’t that enough? Isn’t that what you want!”

Yan Sikong trembled, “Leaving aside how difficult it is to assassinate the chief eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, even if it were possible, that’s not what I want. I want to eradicate the eunuch faction, I want him to admit his guilt, I want to clear my father’s name so that future generations know he was a hero who protected the people of Guangning!”

“You’re just unwilling to give up your fame and fortune,” Feng Ye said harshly, “You’ve never been willing to compromise for me, not even a little.”

“It’s your idea that’s absurd, too foolish!” Yan Sikong shouted, “The enemy is right in front of me. How can I abandon years of effort and leave? Without the emperor’s order, how can you leave? Feng Ye, have you not grown up?”

Feng Ye arrogantly said, “I’ve never feared the emperor’s orders! As long as we return to Datong, I’ll protect you. Kong’er, come with me. I’m sick of this place.”

Yan Sikong shook his head in disbelief, “Only you, the heir of Prince Jingyuan, can get whatever you want, but I can’t. My vendetta means nothing to you. My struggles and near-death experiences mean nothing to you. What you want is just someone to dally with, a bedfellow. Have you ever considered me a man!”

“You’re twisting things!” Feng Ye roared, “You use me for your revenge, and you dare paint yourself as so righteous while doing all these despicable things!”

Yan Sikong felt a dull pain in his heart. He pursed his lips and said hoarsely, “I also wish I had a clean background, happy parents, no deep hatred. In that case, I wouldn’t mind never marrying for life. But I am who I am, a person who does despicable things. Feng Ye, I’m destined to disappoint you. I’d rather we never met again.”

Feng Ye pointed at Yan Sikong’s nose, gritting his teeth, “Don’t say that again.”

Yan Sikong softly said, “Feng Ye, in the past, no matter how difficult it was, I knew what to do. But now, we are deep in this mire, and I have no idea.”

Feng Ye looked deeply into Yan Sikong’s eyes, “I only know I won’t let you marry Wanyang.”

“What do you want to do?” Yan Sikong felt a wave of fear rising in his heart.

“The Empress Dowager is critically ill. Once she passes away, the royal family cannot marry for three years. I will find a way to destroy this engagement,” Feng Ye grabbed Yan Sikong’s wrist and said viciously, “You won’t get to be a prince consort.”

Yan Sikong responded coldly, “Feng Ye, acting so recklessly, aren’t you afraid of bringing disaster upon yourself?”

“I dare to keep you, Yan Sikong, by my side. What else do I have to fear?”

“What exactly are you planning?”

“What,” Feng Ye sneered, “are you afraid I’ll interfere with your grand revenge plans or ruin your dream of becoming a prince consort?”

“I’m afraid you’ll commit more wrongs!” Yan Sikong seized Feng Ye’s collar, “Feng Ye, don’t do something foolish.”

Feng Ye wrapped his arm around Yan Sikong’s waist, pulling him close, and whispered in his ear, “You swore that you are mine. I won’t let anyone else have you.”

“Feng Ye!”

Feng Ye released him, seeming unwilling to continue the topic, “Have you investigated the background of that Ye Li?”

“…” Yan Sikong took a deep breath. He knew how wild and unruly Feng Ye could be, and whatever he said now would only further provoke Feng Ye. This was something he had always tried to avoid, fearing that in a fit of rage, Feng Ye might do something irreparable. Last night at Baisheng Tower had already been nerve-wracking enough. So, he had to set aside his questions and replied, “I have. She is an informant planted by Xie Zhongren in Yanliu Alley.”

“Did She Zhun help you investigate?”

“Yes.”

“She Zhun returned to the capital a few days ago,” Feng Ye said with certainty.

Yan Sikong sensed something, “How do you know?”

Feng Ye sneered, “Not only do I know he returned, I also know where he’s staying.”

“You’ve been spying on me?!” Yan Sikong was shocked.

“What, did you think I’d let you keep me in the dark forever and manipulate me as you please?” Feng Ye looked at Yan Sikong sideways, “Not only that, I also know where he’s been, and I know that your mother, your elder brother, and elder sister are still alive.”

Yan Sikong felt a chill, “Why are you investigating these things?”

“I want to know what else you’ve been hiding from me,” Feng Ye said expressionlessly, “I can no longer trust you completely.”

“In that case, why force yourself to stay with me?”

Feng Ye stared at him, his gaze piercing, his tone chilling, “Because I like you. Even knowing how despicable you are, I still like you. I’ve seen your best side, and I will never forget it. How many people dare to love a viper? But I dare. Only I, Feng Ye, can handle you.”

Yan Sikong was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly, “Feng Ye, no matter how despicable I am in your eyes, rest assured that I will never harm you. No matter what happens, I won’t.”

Feng Ye gazed at him for a long while, then reached out and gently stroked his cheek, “I believe you on this.”

“Then don’t disturb my family. They all think I’m long dead.”

Feng Ye raised his chin arrogantly, “I said I won’t let you manipulate me anymore. I hold not just your weakness but your entire being. From now on, whatever you do, I must know. I’ve tolerated you too many times. If I find out you’ve deceived me even once more…” Feng Ye said coldly, “I will make you regret it.”

Feng Ye’s wolf-like fierce gaze made Yan Sikong’s scalp tingle. He knew Feng Ye was serious. All his weaknesses were in Feng Ye’s hands. He used to believe Feng Ye wouldn’t take things to the extreme, but now, their relationship had deteriorated beyond repair. He was no longer sure.

Feng Ye stared at Yan Sikong, mercilessly, “Do you understand?”

Yan Sikong nodded, his mind in turmoil. He had always intended to use Feng Ye, but now he had entangled himself in the process. This was the biggest mistake he had made in over twenty years, and there was no remedy.

Feng Ye continued, “In this imperial evaluation, Xie Zhongren will also try everything to eliminate dissidents. Ye Li can be used well.”

“I have the same thought.”

“And Wenyu Chi,” Feng Ye said. “My father has replied, saying this person does not covet money. He has served as the Minister of War for seven years, always diligently and faultlessly. But his son, the elder brother of Consort Wen, has gained a lot from military supplies and expenses. We can only target him through his son.”

“I’ve asked She Zhun to investigate him.”

“No need. I’ve already sent someone.”

“But if it’s just his son accepting bribes, it might not be enough to remove him from his position as Minister.”

“Then we need to dig deeper and find heavier crimes.”

Yan Sikong nodded, “We should be able to implicate Wenyu Chi. This must be done quickly. We need to bring this to light when the imperial evaluation is in full swing.”

“I know,” Feng Ye said. “More importantly, you and Yan Zilian need to be extra cautious. The Ministry of Personnel is largely controlled by the eunuch faction. Xie Zhongren won’t miss this opportunity.”

Yan Sikong took a deep breath, his deep eyes full of complex thoughts.