The Blood Crown - Chapter 13

After Feng Ye left, Yuan Sikong felt gloomy for quite some time. They had promised to exchange letters, but whenever he picked up the pen, he didn’t know what to write. So, he decided to wait until the earth was covered in silver, and the snow hung from the branches, to paint a winter scene to send to Feng Ye.

Yuan Nanyu could see that Yuan Sikong was in low spirits and knew the reason behind it. It didn’t sit well with him, and he tried various ways to make him smile. “Second Brother, look at me, look quickly.”

Yuan Sikong turned his head and saw Yuan Nanyu lifting his good leg behind his neck, grinning foolishly at him.

Yuan Sikong shook his head helplessly. “It seems like lying in bed all these days hasn’t affected your limbs.”

“Naturally. I was forced to practice martial arts by Father since I was four, and I’ve only been bedridden for a month.” Yuan Nanyu replied and started shadowboxing on the bed with strength and precision.

Yuan Sikong teased, “Oh, you’ve been practicing martial arts for so many years, and you still managed to fall from the rooftop. What did you learn?”

“It was because Father scared me,” Yuan Nanyu made a playful face.

“This incident should serve as a warning to us in the future…”

“Oh, stop it!” Yuan Nanyu dramatically covered his ears. “Second Brother, you’re becoming more and more like Father.”

Yuan Sikong chuckled, “What’s wrong with being like Father? Father is a good person.”

Yuan Nanyu’s eyes lit up, “Second Brother, you smiled, you finally smiled!”

Yuan Sikong touched his own face and said, “Haven’t you seen me smile before? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Ever since Little Prince left, you’ve been moody all the time.”

Yuan Sikong let out a light sigh and then smiled again, “Partings always make people think.”

Yuan Nanyu grumbled, “You have me, Second Brother. Don’t think about him anymore.”

“Alright, I won’t think about him. The weather is nice today; how about I take you outside for a stroll?”

“Sounds good.”

Yuan Sikong helped Yuan Nanyu put on a light jacket and then supported him with a crutch as they walked outside.

As they stepped out, their eyes fell on the ancient ginkgo tree. This century-old tree held the memories of the Yuan family’s children from childhood to adulthood. Now that it had been climbed by the prince’s son, it added even more reverence. Yuan Sikong thought of this and couldn’t help but smile.

“Second Brother?”

“Yes,” Yuan Sikong assisted Yuan Nanyu and walked into the courtyard.

The two of them began to chat.

“Big Brother has already joined the army this year, and he looks so handsome in armor and with a sword,” Yuan Nanyu admired, “In a few more years, I want to be like him, like Father, guarding Guangning City.”

Yuan Sikong looked at Yuan Nanyu in surprise, “Why are you suddenly so inspired today? Weren’t you just thinking about playing before?”

Yuan Nanyu shrugged, “Who said I only wanted to play? I never neglected my studies and martial arts. This time, witnessing the might of the Feng Family Army has inspired me even more.”

Yuan Sikong was pleased, “It’s great that you think this way. Maybe when you grow up, you’ll become the top scholar in the civil exams, and I’ll become the top martial scholar.”

Yuan Nanyu suddenly became excited, “If I become the top scholar in civil exams and you become the top martial scholar, our Yuan family will gain a great reputation.”

Yuan Sikong chuckled, “It’s not as easy as you think to become the top scholar. But if you have the aspiration and work hard towards it, you will surely achieve something.”

“Agreed!” Yuan Nanyu nodded vigorously.

As they walked out of the small courtyard, they suddenly heard an argument coming from the main house, and the two of them exchanged glances.

Yuan Sikong had been in the Yuan family for four years and had never heard Yuan Mao raise his voice to Yue Qingfrost. Even though Yuan Mao was strict and had a cold temper, this man had poured all his tenderness onto his childhood sweetheart and wife.

Yuan Nanyu grew nervous and asked, “Why are Father and Mother arguing?”

“This…”

Just then, the door was forcefully pushed open, and a graceful figure in a pale yellow dress rushed out. Yuan Weiling’s pretty face was flushed with anger, tears welled up in her eyes as she hurriedly made her way out.

“Ling’er!” Yue Qingfrost chased after her, her voice filled with anxiety.

“Ignore her!” Yuan Mao’s tone was unfriendly. “Let her figure it out on her own.”

Yue Qingfrost stood awkwardly in the doorway and happened to spot the two of them.

Yuan Sikong mouthed a question, “What happened?”

Yue Qingfrost gave them a meaningful look, indicating that they should go and find Yuan Weiling.

With Yuan Nanyu leaning on his crutch, they walked slowly, but they eventually found Yuan Weiling discreetly wiping away her tears beneath the ginkgo tree.

Yuan Sikong helped Yuan Nanyu sit down, and he sat cross-legged next to Yuan Weiling. He offered her a handkerchief.

Yuan Weiling took the handkerchief and wiped away her tears forcefully, making her fair skin turn red.

Yuan Nanyu asked softly, “Sister, what happened?”

Yuan Weiling was still choking back sobs and didn’t answer.

“Is it because… Father mentioned a marriage proposal to you?” Yuan Sikong couldn’t think of any other reason.

Yuan Weiling nodded, her eyes moistening again.

Yuan Weiling was exceptionally beautiful, and although her temperament was as fiery as her beauty, she had been receiving marriage proposals since the age of thirteen. Yuan Weiling was different from typical girls; she had been practicing with swords and spears since she was young, aspiring to join the military. The Sheng Dynasty did have a women’s military, but it was not well-established and mainly consisted of women who had faced difficult circumstances and had no other options. A girl like Yuan Weiling, who was willingly rebellious, was a rarity.

In the past, Yuan Mao could use her young age as an excuse to refuse proposals, but now that she was eighteen and still without an engagement, it was a concern for the family. Yuan Mao and Yue Qingfrost were growing anxious.

Yuan Weiling choked back tears and said, “All these high-ranking and wealthy suitors, I haven’t even met them. I don’t want to get married.”

“But Father seems determined this time,” Yuan Sikong gently held Yuan Weiling’s hand and said, “Sister, Father has already offended many people who proposed to you. You should understand his situation. He must have chosen a good family for you.”

Yuan Weiling sobbed, “What if I don’t like him? What if he’s stupid or ugly? What if he’s a complete fool?”

Yuan Sikong felt for Yuan Weiling but could only offer comfort, “Sister, you can tell me who Father mentioned, and we can secretly go and see for ourselves. If he truly isn’t suitable for you, then you don’t have to marry him.”

“Yes, we’ll help you check,” Yuan Nanyu said indignantly. “If he really doesn’t measure up to my sister, we’ll ask Father to cancel the engagement.”

“I don’t even know. I didn’t listen,” Yuan Weiling wiped away her tears. “I wish I were a boy. Yuan Shao and you guys can do whatever you want, but I can’t. I’ve been studying and practicing martial arts since I was a child. Where am I lacking compared to you guys?”

Yuan Sikong and Yuan Nanyu exchanged helpless glances. Yuan Weiling was the only daughter in the Yuan family and was highly cherished, but the rules of society dictated that fathers were responsible for making marriage decisions. Yuan Mao had no choice but to follow these traditional norms.

They stayed with Yuan Weiling beneath the tree until her emotions calmed down.

That night, before bed, Yuan Sikong helped Yuan Nanyu wash, and Yuan Nanyu, with a solemn expression, asked, “Elder brother, one day, do you and I also have to marry someone we’ve never met?”

“Probably,” Yuan Sikong replied.

“In that case, what kind of woman do you hope to marry?”

Yuan Sikong hesitated for a moment. He had never considered this question before, and now that it was brought up, he realized he had no specific image in mind for his future wife. He simply hoped that she would be gentle, virtuous, and meet the approval of Yuan Mao and Yue Qingfrost. As for her physical appearance, intelligence, family background, or talents, he didn’t really have any preferences. He pondered for a moment and replied, “As long as my parents like her.”

“You… don’t you want to like your wife?” Yuan Nanyu asked.

“I’ll listen to my father,” Yuan Sikong said, setting aside a cloth and helping Yuan Nanyu get dressed. He then teased, “What about you? What kind of wife do you want? I didn’t realize it, but it seems like you’ve already started thinking about it.”

Yuan Nanyu blushed and quickly denied, “I haven’t started thinking about that at all! I just asked casually because I saw my sister worried about her marriage.”

Yuan Sikong chuckled, “I was just teasing you. You seem quite eager.”

Yuan Nanyu huffed, “When the time comes, if Father arranges for you to marry an ugly woman, let’s see if you’ll still listen to him!”

Yuan Sikong teased, “I don’t mind marrying an ugly woman. You, on the other hand, should marry a beautiful one.”

“You… always use your clever words to tease people!”

“Hahaha!”

Yuan Weiling’s marriage arrangement was eventually finalized. The groom came from a prestigious family with a history of serving in the government, and he had promising prospects. Despite the groom’s family not residing in Guangning City, it was only a day’s journey away. Both sets of parents chose an auspicious day for the formal proposal, and they agreed to hold the wedding next year when the weather was warmer and the surroundings more pleasant.

The Yuan family hadn’t experienced such a joyous occasion in a long time, and the entire estate was filled with a festive atmosphere, dispelling the winter chill.

To prepare for the arrival of the prospective in-laws, Yuan Sikong woke up early in the morning and helped Chen Bo and his wife with the cleaning. The Yuan family only had these two servants—Chen Bo, who handled various tasks and security, and Liu Shen, who cooked and did other chores. Despite their old age, Yuan Mao couldn’t bear to dismiss them. Although they were called servants, they were more like family.

After a full day of bustling activity, the entire mansion was thoroughly cleaned, and new lanterns were hung. A sumptuous feast was prepared to welcome the guests.

For the occasion, Yuan Mao, who usually wore light armor, changed into fine clothes. He had just turned thirty, had a handsome appearance, and stood tall and straight. He often wore armor and a helmet, giving him a cold and unapproachable demeanor. Now, dressed in a navy blue embroidered robe, he exuded an air of nobility.

Yuan Sikong complimented him, “Father, you look really handsome today, like a general in his formal attire.”

Yuan Mao was in a particularly good mood and smiled, “Is that so? I rarely wear such clothes. It seems I should wear them more often.”

“You should wear them more often. When you stand next to Mother, you really look like a couple.” Yuan Sikong winked at Yue Qingfrost.

Yue Qingfrost chuckled, “Sikong, you always have a way with words.”

“Oh, the prospective in-laws are here!” Chen Bo stood at the entrance and shouted excitedly.

Yuan Mao took Yue Qingfrost’s hand and said, “Let’s go.”

Leading the way, the couple went ahead, with Yuan Shaoxu guiding his two younger brothers from behind, ready to greet the guests.

However, just as they were about to reach the entrance, a figure suddenly rushed in, narrowly avoiding colliding with Yuan Mao. Everyone was startled because it wasn’t the expected prospective in-laws but rather Hu Baicheng, looking grave and serious.

Before Yuan Mao could inquire, Hu Baicheng urgently said, “Master, there’s a major problem!”