The Blood Crown - Chapter 133

The news of Xie Zhongren sending lavish gifts to Yan Sikong naturally reached Yan Zilian’s ears quickly. However, Yan Zilian was composed and sought out Feng Ye first.

The two had not seen each other for several days. When they met, the intense longing in their eyes was palpable, but now was not the time to express their feelings. Xie Zhongren’s actions made Feng Ye suspicious.

“You met with him,” Feng Ye said, gently stroking Yan Sikong’s smooth, white cheek. His tone was affirmative and kind, knowing that a face-to-face conversation with Xie Zhongren was no easy task for Yan Sikong.

Yan Sikong nodded. “Yes, I did.”

“Did he trouble you?”

“No, it’s just…” Yan Sikong lightly bit his lower lip, staring deep into Feng Ye’s eyes, and said with a slight tremor, “I wanted to kill him. With every word he said, I fantasized about how to kill him. He is so old and weak; I thought I could break his neck with one hand…” As he spoke, his teeth clenched tightly, and his eyes immediately filled with bloodshot veins.

“I understand.” Feng Ye smoothed Yan Sikong’s hair. “Fortunately, you are not an impulsive person.”

Yan Sikong took a deep breath and sighed. “Yes, I have endured humiliation and heavy burdens for over a decade for revenge. How could I not endure this moment?”

Feng Ye reassured him, “He will die at your hands sooner or later, and it won’t be a good death.”

A fierce glint flashed in Yan Sikong’s eyes.

“What was the eunuch’s intention in sending gifts?”

Yan Sikong’s face turned ashen. “He spoke in a strange, half-threatening, half-warning manner.”

“Trying to win you over?”

“No, not just that. He wanted to use me to explore the relationship between my teacher and you all. He also tried to use me to sow discord. When I didn’t give a clear response, he hinted at the Emperor’s growing dissatisfaction with my teacher, urging me to distance myself from both my teacher and the Feng family.”

Feng Ye narrowed his eyes. “A clever plan, but he doesn’t know that we all want his life.”

“However, some things he said might not be just empty threats.”

“What exactly did he say?”

“He didn’t spell it out, but it’s clear that the reduction of military forces is non-negotiable. The Emperor’s dissatisfaction with my teacher is also growing. My teacher is highly respected, with many students and former officials throughout the court. In the past, the Emperor treated him with great respect, and many matters were decided based on the cabinet’s opinions. But in the matter of establishing the heir, the Emperor had a severe falling out with my teacher and the scholar-official faction. Since then, the Emperor has become more distant. Today…” Yan Sikong said worriedly, “I fear that my teacher may not escape unscathed this time.”

“Grand Secretary Yan holds a high position and commands the loyalty of many scholar-officials. It won’t be easy to shake his status. Don’t be intimidated by Xie Zhongren.”

“That’s true, but no matter how high a position, one is still a subject.” Yan Sikong said gravely. “I don’t believe my teacher is completely unaware. I think this is why he has always advised you all to compromise. He fears the situation may exceed his ability to control.”

“In this world, nothing is ever entirely within one’s grasp,” Feng Ye said solemnly. “Since he holds his position, he should have the resolve. We all have this resolve, so we won’t sit and wait for death.”

Yan Sikong looked at Feng Ye, his tone somewhat anxious. “Did you bring any good news this time?” He was referring to their grand plan.

Feng Ye stood up, turned his back to Yan Sikong, and looked at the calligraphy and paintings on the wall without speaking.

Yan Sikong sighed. “The prince is unwilling, isn’t he?”

Feng Ye’s voice was cold. “He has never been indecisive, but this time, he still holds a sliver of hope for that foolish Emperor.”

“If we wait for the prince to wake up, it may be too late.”

Feng Ye turned around. “What is Grand Secretary Yan’s attitude?”

“As long as the prince agrees.” Yan Sikong’s eyes were dark and unreadable. “I told him we could emulate the Mawei Station coup and clean out the Emperor’s entourage. Once we seize power, everything will be under our control.”

“Without my father, we cannot persuade Zhao Fuyi or mobilize the Feng family army.” Feng Ye said bitterly, “The Emperor wants to dismantle the Feng family, yet my father still clings to his foolish loyalty!”

Yan Sikong stroked Feng Ye’s back. “Don’t be upset. I believe the prince must be very tormented right now. You and the prince are family; he won’t completely disregard your words. We still have time.”

“Kong’er.” Feng Ye turned around, gripping Yan Sikong’s shoulders, his face full of difficulty. “I respect my father and don’t want to go against him, but if he remains so stubborn, we might miss our last chance to save ourselves.”

Yan Sikong nodded heavily. “If the prince backs down this time, even if it only results in a reduction of military forces and doesn’t threaten his life, losing a significant amount of military power will leave him at the mercy of others. I don’t believe the prince hasn’t thought of this. Perhaps, more than the military power, he is unwilling to give up his reputation for loyalty and righteousness.”

Feng Ye smiled bitterly, “You’re right. He has served Da Sheng all his life and doesn’t want to end up with a traitor’s name.”

Yan Sikong sighed, “In this, the prince is not as clear-sighted as my teacher. In my teacher’s eyes, the country comes first, then the emperor. Loyalty to the country and loyalty to the emperor can’t always be reconciled.”

Feng Ye spoke softly, “I want to go see Zhao Fuyi myself. I can’t stand by and watch the Feng family army be torn apart. What do you think?”

Yan Sikong lowered his head, his brow furrowed, clearly hesitating.

“Do you think it’s inappropriate?”

“It is. You are young and unlikely to gain General Zhao’s trust. Such a significant matter cannot be decided by a few words from you. Even if you did manage to persuade him, if the prince found out, who knows what trouble might arise? This is the worst plan.”

“Even the worst plan is still a plan. Do you have a better one?”

Yan Sikong thought for a moment. “Do you have a way to mobilize the two thousand Feng family troops outside the city?”

“I can steal my father’s military tally.”

“Used properly, these two thousand troops might bypass Zhao Fuyi and still achieve success. If we control the Emperor, it will be enough.”

“What do you intend to do?”

“If the Crown Prince cooperates with us from the inside… After all, he can freely enter and exit the Emperor’s presence.”

Feng Ye disagreed, “How can a mere child conspire in such a major event?”

“When I swore revenge, I was younger than him,” Yan Sikong said seriously. “This child has the makings of a king. Don’t underestimate his courage. Moreover, we don’t have to let him know our entire plan. It would be safer if he didn’t know, but he trusts and relies on me and would likely listen to me.”

Feng Ye looked grave. He sighed deeply, stepped back a few steps, and sat in a chair, wearily wiping his face. “This is rebellion, a storm of unimaginable magnitude. Are we really going to rely on a mere boy?”

“Of course not entirely,” Yan Sikong reached out, gently rubbing Feng Ye’s earlobe. “We still have my teacher, the elite soldiers of the Feng family, and most importantly, we have each other.”

Feng Ye looked up, staring at him without blinking, the tension in his brow slightly easing.

Yan Sikong sat on his lap, leaning against his broad chest, showing a bitter smile. “Feng Ye, I’m so tired. I wish I could wake up and find that this whole life has been a dream. I’d rather be a cowherd in the countryside than Yan Sikong.”

“If it were all a dream, then our meeting wouldn’t have happened.” Feng Ye grasped Yan Sikong’s hand, gently rubbing his palm. “I wouldn’t allow that.”

“If it were a dream, most of it would be a nightmare.” Yan Sikong softly caressed his cheek with his fingertips. “You are the only beautiful dream I don’t want to wake from.”

Feng Ye smiled, “Me too. I think of you when I wake, and I think of you in my dreams. I wish we didn’t have to get caught up in these schemes and bloodshed and could just think of each other, of poetry and wine… Kong’er, can we ever live such a life?”

Looking into Feng Ye’s sparkling eyes, Yan Sikong’s heart was overwhelmed by sadness and helplessness. Who wouldn’t want to live a carefree, idyllic life as lovers? He held Feng Ye’s face, kissed him softly, and whispered, “Yes, we can.”

“When?”

“I don’t know, but we will.”

“Why?”

“Because…” Yan Sikong’s nose twitched, and he spoke with a trembling voice, “Because everything we do is for that day.”

Feng Ye embraced Yan Sikong tightly, inhaling his familiar and warm scent. “I believe you. You’ve lied to me many times, but in this, I believe you.”

Yan Sikong buried his face in Feng Ye’s neck, nuzzling against him. “You are the only one in my heart. You need never doubt that.”

Feng Ye showed a satisfied smile, “Alright.”

“I will choose a day to enter the palace. The Crown Prince should be well aware of the arrangements for the winter hunt. This must be done flawlessly. If the prince changes his mind, let me know immediately.”

“Okay.” Feng Ye cherished the person in his arms and said softly, “Kong’er, if the Feng family ever holds power, you will have made the greatest contribution. I will share this great land with you. As for the young Crown Prince… he just needs to be obedient.”

A flicker of a different emotion crossed Yan Sikong’s eyes.

He had long seen that Feng Ye’s ambition and courage far surpassed Feng Jianping’s and that he was not bound by traditional morals, capable of doing anything. This sharp nature was a double-edged sword. Fortunately, he could control it.