The Blood Crown - Chapter 132

Despite the turmoil inside, Yan Sikong had to suppress his overwhelming hatred and respectfully saluted, “Junior… greets Eunuch Xie.”

Xie Zhongren sat down in the grand master’s chair, cleared his throat, and said slowly, “No need for formalities, Director Yan.”

Yan Sikong straightened up, staring intently at Xie Zhongren, taking in every wrinkle, line, hair, and spot on his aged, gray face, as if the more he observed, the better he could understand his opponent.

Xie Zhongren also looked at him, his sharp eyes leisurely waiting for Yan Sikong to speak, though both knew the purpose of this visit.

“Junior has come today to apologize to Eunuch Xie,” Yan Sikong said, bowing.

Xie Zhongren chuckled, “I don’t understand. What is Director Yan apologizing for?”

“Honored by your esteem, my household received your generous gift yesterday. I was busy with official duties and hadn’t yet moved in, so I wasn’t at home. My servant, not knowing better, took it upon himself to accept the gift…”

“Oh, that. Director Yan has been working in the Ministry of Personnel for more than half a year, known for being diligent and fair, and now you’re also the future husband of Princess Wanyang. I truly admire young talents like you and wanted to make your acquaintance…” Xie Zhongren smiled, “Could it be that Director Yan looks down on someone like me?”

Yan Sikong replied calmly, “I meant no such thing. It’s just that I dare not accept such a grand gift without merit. I have already ordered it returned to your residence. My household was not strict, and I know this matter was handled poorly, so I came to apologize personally.”

Xie Zhongren let out a long “Hmm,” his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Returning the gift after accepting it—Director Yan, you’re slapping my face.”

“I dare not. I have always respected you, Eunuch Xie. Please be magnanimous and don’t hold it against me.”

Xie Zhongren chuckled non-stop, “You, as Grand Secretary Yan’s favored student, truly respect me?”

“You have served His Majesty for many years, sharing his burdens. Your contributions are invaluable. For that alone, you deserve the admiration of the world.”

Xie Zhongren smiled, “It’s said that Director Yan is eloquent and versatile. Meeting you today, it seems to be true. Why are you still standing? Sit.”

Only then did Yan Sikong sit down, and a young eunuch immediately brought fragrant tea.

“In fact, whether the gift is returned or not doesn’t matter. I’ve watched Princess Wanyang grow up. Consider the gift as her dowry. Are you unwilling to accept it because you’re afraid Grand Secretary Yan might mind?”

“To say I’m not afraid at all would be deceiving you, Eunuch Xie. As a student of Grand Secretary Yan, who has promoted me many times, I feel I must avoid suspicion.”

Xie Zhongren snorted, “Whether it’s you, me, or Grand Secretary Yan, we all serve His Majesty and are loyal to the country. There should be no distinctions of closeness or distance. The current factional struggles in the court, hindering each other, are what His Majesty dislikes the most. I am also deeply worried about this.”

Yan Sikong cursed this shameless eunuch in his heart. If not for his excessive interference in politics, how could there be such factional strife and a polluted court? Now he pretends to be concerned about the country and people—truly a thief crying “stop thief.” He cautiously and perfunctorily agreed, “Eunuch Xie makes a good point.”

Xie Zhongren then changed the subject, “As the Director of the Merit Examination Office in the Ministry of Personnel, I heard you drafted the proposal regarding reducing the Datong military. What are your thoughts on this?”

Finally, they were getting to the main point.

Yan Sikong coughed lightly and slightly revised what he had told Liu An, presenting a response that was watertight, showing no personal opinions or emotions.

After listening, Xie Zhongren frowned slightly, “Minister Liu said the same. Could it be he’s afraid of taking responsibility and had you unify your statements?”

Yan Sikong replied, “This proposal was decided after discussions between Minister Liu and me. Our thoughts on this matter are quite similar.”

“Heh,” Xie Zhongren chuckled lightly, “I don’t believe that. Minister Liu wasn’t personally humiliated by Prince Jingyuan’s heir, was he?”

Yan Sikong was momentarily stunned and fell silent.

As expected, Xie Zhongren intended to exploit this point. Feng Ye publicly opposed the marriage at a grand banquet, left him standing outside the mansion for two hours when he sought an audience, and mocked him mercilessly at Zhou Mixing’s drinking party, even treating him like a prostitute—these were well-known incidents in the city. Even if Xie Zhongren didn’t believe the rumors, his spies on Huaniu Street, including Ye Li, had seen it firsthand.

Most people wouldn’t believe such absurd rumors, assuming instead that Feng Ye, being of noble birth, looked down on him as a commoner. This kind of inequality in marriage wasn’t uncommon.

Scholars highly valued their reputation. To outsiders, Yan Sikong had suffered such humiliation, and they assumed he must bear a grudge, though he dared not express it.

Xie Zhongren wanted to use this to drive a wedge between them. Perhaps Yan Sikong could turn this to his advantage…

Xie Zhongren wanted to discern his true intentions from his expression but saw that Yan Sikong’s face was emotionless. This made him think even more that Yan Sikong was just pretending to be calm. He continued, “Director Yan, you and the heir apparent were once friends, but he has shown no regard for your past relationship. Even if you marry the princess, you won’t receive any support from the Feng family.”

Yan Sikong lowered his head. “I only do my duty. The rest, I do not dwell on.”

Xie Zhongren smiled secretly. “Is it that you don’t dwell on it, or you don’t dare to? Can you truly swallow this humiliation?”

Yan Sikong pressed his lips together, remained silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, “What does Eunuch Xie mean by this?”

“Let’s speak plainly.” Xie Zhongren’s tone was airy. “You are indeed Grand Secretary Yan’s student, but who is your true master? Your lord and father?”

“…His Majesty.”

“You respect your teacher and your superiors, always following Grand Secretary Yan, which is commendable. But you are about to become the imperial son-in-law. To put it bluntly, you will be part of His Majesty’s family. Can you distinguish between closeness and distance?”

Yan Sikong responded with fear, “I… I don’t understand.”

“Let me be frank with you. Grand Secretary Yan opposes His Majesty at every turn. His Majesty wants to appoint the second prince, and Yan orders ministers to protest. His Majesty wants to reduce the Datong military, and Yan conspires with Prince Jingyuan to hold onto military power. He shows no loyalty as a subject.”

Yan Sikong’s face turned pale, not feigned but real, as he realized that Emperor Zhao Wu was blaming Yan Zilian for the setbacks in establishing the heir and reducing the military. Previously, Zhao Wu had been both respectful and fearful of Yan Zilian, but now Xie Zhongren dared to speak such words in front of him, indicating Zhao Wu’s dissatisfaction with Yan had reached its peak. It seemed the Emperor wanted to deal with them all.

This revelation sent a chill through Yan Sikong. It appeared that the Feng family wasn’t the only one in deep trouble.

Seeing his words had an effect, Xie Zhongren continued persuasively, “Director Yan, you are smart and should understand my meaning. If it were someone else, I wouldn’t bother. But as His Majesty’s chosen son-in-law, he holds you in high regard. After winter, you will marry Princess Wanyang. A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. Do not disappoint His Majesty.”

Yan Sikong’s face turned ashen, and he said in a low voice, “What do you mean, Eunuch?”

Xie Zhongren sneered, “If you can persuade Grand Secretary Yan to stop before it’s too late, that would be best. Otherwise, I advise you to plan for yourself. His Majesty does not wish to disgrace you and harm the princess’s reputation. Do you understand?”

Yan Sikong’s fists clenched, his body trembling slightly. He whispered, “I am loyal to His Majesty and harbor no disobedience. I hope Eunuch Xie can see that.”

Xie Zhongren smiled with satisfaction. “Director Yan is a sensible man. I will report your loyalty to His Majesty.”

“Thank you, Eunuch Xie.”

Xie Zhongren lowered his voice, “If Grand Secretary Yan and Prince Jingyuan show any signs of movement, shouldn’t you report them to His Majesty?”

Yan Sikong remained silent, looking troubled. Agreeing too readily would arouse suspicion in Xie Zhongren.

Xie Zhongren smiled, “It seems Director Yan still doesn’t understand.”

“I…”

“Never mind. Think it over carefully. I speak to you for His Majesty’s and Princess Wanyang’s sake. If you do not return to the right path…” Xie Zhongren’s tone turned cold, “it will be unfortunate.”

“…Thank you for the advice. Your words are enlightening, and I will remember them.”

Xie Zhongren smiled slightly and took a sip of tea.

A cold glint flashed in Yan Sikong’s eyes. Apart from them, only two frail eunuchs were in the room. It would be easy for him to kill this old eunuch. He wished he could strangle that scrawny neck and see fear and regret in Xie Zhongren’s eyes. He had fantasized countless times about making him suffer, but now, so close, he could do nothing. He took a deep breath, suppressing his malice, and said, “I also have a matter to ask you, Eunuch.”

“Please.”

“Does His Majesty truly intend to send troops to Liaodong?”

Xie Zhongren replied indifferently, “With the Jurchens stirring, even deploying troops to Liaodong is for the greater good.”

Yan Sikong secretly clenched his fists. “I… understand.”

Xie Zhongren smiled faintly, “What do you understand?”

Yan Sikong paused and said expressionlessly, “I understand His Majesty’s determination.”