The Blood Crown - Chapter 120

Yan Sikong secretly went to find She Zhun.

He was worried that if Feng Ye couldn’t escape from the capital, it would inevitably constrain the actions of King Jingyuan. Therefore, he wanted to secure another route behind Feng Ye’s escape to ensure his safety.

When She Zhun saw him, he was not surprised but couldn’t resist mocking him, “Rare guest, Lord Yan. Didn’t you say we’d better not meet? For the sake of your little prince, you’re willing to do anything.”

“You know why I’ve come to see you.” This statement was not a question; Yan Sikong’s tone was very determined.

“Of course, the whole court is guessing whether King Jingyuan will return to the capital. If he doesn’t…” She Zhun squinted, “…it will be like Sima Zhao’s heart. You’ve come to me because you’re afraid Feng Ye will be trapped in the capital as a hostage.”

“Can you help me?” Yan Sikong asked directly.

She Zhun spoke in a low voice, “Do you really intend to rebel?”

Yan Sikong’s face remained expressionless. “If I did intend?”

She Zhun gasped, “I’m increasingly unable to understand you. Don’t you understand that you’ve always acted in secret before achieving success? If you really participate in rebellion, what waves can you stir up as a lowly sixth-rank official?”

“My strategy, coupled with the Feng family’s military power, can overturn the world,” Yan Sikong said arrogantly.

“But the risk is too great. A slight mishap and not only can you forget about revenge, but you may also lose your life.”

“But if it succeeds, the eunuchs will be at my disposal.”

The two stared at each other, testing each other in secret, trying to find hesitation in each other’s eyes but never finding any loopholes.

In the end, She Zhun compromised. He sneered, “You’ve always been a madman.”

Yan Sikong smiled darkly. “Thieves who steal hooks are beheaded; thieves who steal countries become dukes. I’ve done things that could cost me my head. This is no different. Are you afraid?”

“I’m afraid of what?” She Zhun snorted. “I, the cunning rabbit, have three burrows. I’ll find a way to save my life. If it really succeeds, should your little prince make me a duke?”

“It’s a deal.”

“Speak then, what do you want me to do?”

“Feng Ye said that when he returned to the capital several years ago, he had already prepared a way out for himself. If something goes wrong, he will immediately escape from the capital. But I’m not reassured. I want you to prepare as well to ensure that he can leave the capital smoothly, no matter what method is used.”

She Zhun shrugged. “You’ve found the right person. I’ve long dug a secret passage for myself, a route straight to a household outside the city, where there are fast horses and money ready. But the location of that secret passage is not close to the Jingyuan Mansion, almost crossing half the city.”

“We’ll play it by ear. Draw the location of the secret passage for me when the time comes.”

She Zhun turned and entered the bedroom. In a short while, he returned with a palm-sized piece of parchment and handed it to Yan Sikong.

Yan Sikong glanced at it, already memorizing it, and returned the parchment to him.

“What will you do if Feng Ye leaves?”

“Now everyone thinks that Feng Ye and I have turned against each other. As long as it’s not exposed, I’m temporarily safe. I’ll support him in the capital, and the big plan can succeed.” Yan Sikong looked at She Zhun. “By then, I’ll need you and your men to deliver messages for us.”

She Zhun showed a cynical smile. “It seems I’m going to make a great achievement. Just conferring a title won’t be enough, right?”

“As long as it succeeds, I guarantee you a lifetime of honor, wealth, and enjoyment.”

She Zhun burst into laughter, but there was no smile in his eyes. “If it doesn’t succeed, I won’t let you drag me down.”

Yan Sikong remained calm. “Rest assured.”

The two discussed some more details to ensure nothing went wrong. Yan Sikong planned to tell Feng Ye about this matter next time. Despite Feng Ye’s inexplicable hostility towards She Zhun at times, She Zhun was very reliable in many situations. Having an extra route was never a bad thing.

–

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A Autumn Rainy Scene

The capital had been shrouded in continuous rain and gloomy weather for more than ten days straight. Even at noon, the sky remained dim and chilling, piercing through bones as if it were midwinter, which was truly unsettling.

Yan Sikong kept hearing various rumors from all sides: which vassal kings had already set out, which ones were about to arrive in the capital. However, due to the lack of news from King Jingyuan, the rumors grew louder and more sensational, spreading panic among the people.

Now, the vassal kings were about to arrive in succession in the capital. If Emperor Zhaowu called for loyalty, they had no reason not to comply. On one hand, they pressured Feng Jianping to return to court; on the other, they prepared for Feng Jianping’s rebellion. Such strategy, such cunning, such machinations, sent shivers down one’s spine.

Yan Sikong deeply felt that he had underestimated Xie Zhongren. This eunuch not only engaged in slander, flattery, factionalism, and embezzlement, but he was also adept at manipulating power. It was no wonder that even Yan Zilian had not been able to defeat him over these years.

Time passed day by day in such anxiety. Yan Sikong waited for several days, feeling restless day and night. He commanded Ali to quietly inform Xuebo to have Feng Ye come to see him as soon as possible. Firstly, he wanted to find out if King Jingyuan had any movements, and secondly, he wanted to tell Feng Ye about She Zhun’s secret passage.

However, Feng Ye had not come to him for a long time. Perhaps he was secretly busy organizing his family’s wealth and settling several relatives and many servants. If Feng Ye escaped, these people could only resign themselves to fate.

Half a month after the imperial decree was issued, Feng Ye sneaked into Yan Sikong’s mansion late at night.

“Feng Ye!” Yan Sikong hurried forward to greet him, seeing his pale face and deep gaze, he had an extremely bad premonition in his heart. “Why did you only come to me now? I…”

“My father is returning to the capital.” Feng Ye uttered these words slowly and gritted his teeth.

Yan Sikong froze. A chill surged from the soles of his feet straight to his head. “Wh… What?”

“He has already set out.” Feng Ye said in a deep voice. “He said the Feng family has been loyal for three generations and will never be traitors. He wants to return to the capital to clear his name.”

“Foolish!” Yan Sikong couldn’t control himself and shouted. He felt like his heart was about to jump out of his throat, and his mind went blank.

Feng Ye stared blankly at the ground. “Perhaps… we were overly cautious. My father is the Governor of Datong, with distinguished military achievements. Anyone who harms him will be condemned by the world.”

Yan Sikong sat weakly in the chair, unable to speak for a long time.

The room was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop, and the suffocating silence lasted for a long time. Yan Sikong slowly regained his senses from shock and immense disappointment. He calmed down. “There’s no use talking about it now. Since His Highness has set out to return to the capital, let’s prepare for his return.”

He felt like he was falling endlessly into a bottomless pit, a terrifying sensation where everything was slipping out of control. Although this was just his speculation, he had always been accustomed to planning for the worst to ensure comprehensive consideration.

Although he resented Feng Jianping’s blind loyalty, he also knew that there were few ministers in the world like him who could truly ensure long-term peace and stability. He admired Feng Jianping, although he deep down believed that Feng Jianping had taken a wrong step.

Feng Ye looked at Yan Sikong, suppressing the fear in his eyes with determination. “Kong’er, I won’t let anything happen to my father.”

Yan Sikong pressed his weak legs and walked towards Feng Ye, gently holding his hand, comforting him. “I understand. I tend to think too deeply and always assume the worst. Maybe we have indeed been overly cautious.”

Feng Ye managed a forced smile and pulled him into his arms. “The Feng family still has three hundred thousand troops in Datong. How could they easily falter? With us together, nothing can stand in our way.”

Yan Sikong took a deep breath, also hugging him tightly, suppressing the worries in his heart, softly murmuring, “Mmm.”