The Blood Crown - Chapter 136

Yan Sikong drove his carriage through the city. The twilight had deepened, and there were fewer pedestrians on the street, but still, many witnessed this unusual scene. Yan Mansion’s servants followed behind.

Upon reaching Prince Jingyuan’s residence, the carriage halted. Yan Sikong was stiff with cold, his tongue trembling as he said, “My… My Lord, we have arrived.”

Feng Ye emerged from the carriage, looking at Yan Sikong’s pale face. His brows furrowed, and he lowered his voice to reprimand, “You didn’t even wear warm clothes. Are you foolish?”

Yan Sikong smiled bitterly and whispered, “You held back just now, didn’t you?” Although it had been agreed upon beforehand, Feng Ye’s kick was not something an ordinary person could endure. Yan Sikong was worried about Ah Li.

“Don’t worry,” Feng Ye jumped down from the carriage, mocking loudly, “Yan Son-in-law drives steady. It would be a waste for him to just be a son-in-law.”

Yan Sikong also disembarked from the carriage without looking back.

The servants hurried over, draping him in thick clothes. He feigned a staggering appearance, half of which was genuine — the cold had almost made him lose feeling in his legs.

He was helped back into the carriage, where a warm charcoal fire burned. He huddled by the brazier, feeling sensation gradually return to his hands and feet, finally letting out a slow breath.

Could today’s events deceive Ye Li? Could they deceive Xie Zhongren? Time was pressing, and this was all they could do. He imagined that Xie Zhongren was equally anxious, wanting to find a “reason” to deal with Feng Jianping. Otherwise, with Feng Jianping’s renowned achievements, even the emperor wouldn’t dare to act recklessly. The Jing Inspection was currently the only feasible pretext.

Yan Zilian was also making a desperate move. If he could seize this opportunity to eliminate the vacillating Liu An, it would firstly greatly diminish Xie Zhongren’s prestige, and secondly, it would shatter their plot to use the Jing Inspection to frame Feng Jianping. Perhaps this reduction in military strength could avoid the need for actual conflict.

Though Yan Sikong was frozen to the point where his blood was nearly congealed, his mind was unusually clear. He repeatedly pondered the potential consequences of everything that could happen. He had to stay alert; in this crisis-ridden court, the slightest confusion could cost him his life.

—

By the time Yan Sikong returned home, it was already late at night. Most of the guests had left, leaving only Zhou Mixing, Ye Li, and Liang Sui waiting for him.

Yan Sikong looked disheartened when he saw them, bowing apologetically, “I not only failed to fulfill the duties of a host, but also dampened everyone’s spirits. I am truly ashamed.”

“Oh dear, Sikong, please don’t feel awkward,” Zhou Mixing pulled him to sit down, startled by his cold hands, “Look at you, don’t freeze yourself to death.”

Ye Li quickly poured a cup of hot tea, handing it to Yan Sikong gently, “Lord Yan, your health is the most important.”

Yan Sikong waved his hand, his voice tinged with humiliation, “Today, I have made a fool of myself in front of everyone.”

“Prince Jingyuan’s son has gone too far,” Liang Sui was furious, “You were friends before, and you even fought together in Jingzhou. He actually disregards all this because of our difference in status!”

Zhou Mixing frowned, “He… does he really need to go this far? A hero doesn’t judge by birth. Moreover, you are a person with limitless prospects. Why would he be so concerned about status?”

Yan Sikong sighed deeply, “Actually… it’s not just that.”

Ye Li’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

“I knew there was more to it!” Liang Sui’s eyes darted around, looking slightly embarrassed, “It’s not like the rumors outside, you and he…”

Yan Sikong smiled bitterly and waved his hand, “That’s pure nonsense. My conflict with him mainly stems from the conquest of Liangwang.”

“Oh? Could it be because of the merit?” Zhou Mi Xing immediately reacted. On the battlefield, soldiers would secretly compete for a kill, as that would mean a considerable amount of silver. Disputes between generals for promotion and rewards have been common since ancient times.

“I said there must be hidden motives!” Liang Sui’s eyes flickered with a hint of embarrassment. “It can’t really be as the rumors say, you and him…”

Yan Sikong smiled bitterly and waved his hand. “That’s purely nonsense. My conflict with him mainly stems from the conquest of Liangwang.”

“Oh? Is it because of merit?” Zhou Mixing immediately caught on. On the battlefield, soldiers and generals would vie for heads to claim rewards. After all, it was pure silver. Among generals, disputes for promotion and rewards were common throughout history.

Yan Sikong nodded heavily. “I regard all of you as dear friends, which is why I’ve finally confided my long-held grievances. I hope you will keep this strictly confidential.”

“You can trust us, Sikong.” Ye Li said with emotion. “Lord Yan, you don’t disdain me for being lowly. I am grateful and will absolutely not reveal a word.”

“Miss Ye Li is Zhou’s beloved, and in my heart, she is not an outsider.” Yan Sikong concluded. “Actually, it’s nothing significant, and it’s been a long time. I just didn’t want General Zhao Fuyi to hear about it.”

“Oh?” Yan Sikong sighed. “At that time, I accompanied General Zhao’s expedition with Feng Ye. I persuaded the rebels in Kuizhou to surrender and devised a plan to raid Qingxu Valley, bypassing Liangwang’s rear. I dare not claim great credit, but General Zhao praised me highly and favored me, seeming… to favor me more than the prince.”

“It’s only reasonable.” Liang Sui remarked. “If it weren’t for you persuading the rebels with words and actions, the outcome of that battle would have been uncertain. In the battle against the rebels, your merits outweighed Feng Ye’s.”

“Yes,” Zhou Mixing agreed. “Although there’s no distinction between literary and military affairs on the battlefield, if you hadn’t taken Kuizhou and devised a brilliant strategy, despite the valiant Little Wolf King, could he have repelled the rebel army alone?”

Ye Li murmured softly, “The prince’s narrow-mindedness.”

“Since then, his attitude towards me has clearly changed.” Yan Sikong shook his head. “After His Majesty arranged our marriage, he became even more relentless. I endured and endured, but he…” Towards the end, his tone carried clear resentment.

“Too much insolence,” Zhou Mixing frowned. “He already overestimates himself. In the capital, who would tolerate such arrogance if he weren’t the son of Prince Jingyuan?”

“Exactly,” Liang Sui exclaimed angrily. “Last time, Brother Zhou kindly arranged a game to reconcile you two, but he publicly humiliated you, not even giving face to Brother Zhou.”

Recalling the incident, Zhou Mixing looked somewhat embarrassed. Though he held no official position, as the eldest son of the magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture, he was highly respected in the capital. No one had ever humiliated him so publicly before. Since then, he had privately spoken ill of Feng Ye.

As the conversation progressed, everyone criticized Feng Ye’s numerous misdeeds, but in the end, Yan Sikong couldn’t help but sigh. “Despite my lingering grievances, I can only swallow my pride. After all, he is the son of Prince Jingyuan, and I cannot afford to offend him.”

Silence filled the room.

“I’ve heard rumors that His Majesty intends to reduce the military forces in Datong.” Liang Sui looked at Yan Sikong with a probing tone. “Sikong, Master highly regards you. You should be aware of this, right?”

Yan Sikong widened his eyes and quickly waved his hand. “This matter cannot be spoken of, cannot be spoken of.”

Ye Li narrowed her eyes slightly.

After consoling Yan Sikong for a while longer, despite their resentment towards the son of Prince Jingyuan, they understood, as Yan Sikong said, that after a few criticisms to vent their anger, they could only swallow their grievances.

After finally seeing off Zhou Mixing and the others, Yan Sikong was exhausted. He tried to stay awake and went to see Ah Li, who was fine and had only bruises on his chest. Spit out the blood was false, but it would take time to pretend to lie in bed.

Yan Sikong was relieved and returned to the bedroom, fell asleep.

—

The farce in front of Yan’s house quickly spread throughout the capital. When Yan Sikong went to the yamen, his colleagues sympathized with him, and he could only smile bitterly, saying that he dared not blame the prince, and he was deeply humiliated and full of resentment.

This bureau had officially begun, waiting for Xie Zhongren to take the bait.

A few days later, when Yan Sikong had just finished speaking to Chen Mu, he was about to go home and was stopped by a eunuch. Let Yan Sikong go with him.

The small eunuch who led Yan Sikong seemed hesitant: “Mr. Yan has finished his lectures, and I should immediately send Mr. Yan out of the palace.”

The eunuch stared and whispered, “I have been ordered by Xie Gonggong, so you don’t need to talk more. Whatever you should do, do it.”

Hearing Xie Gonggong, the small eunuch showed a frightened look and left without saying a word.

The eunuch smiled and said, “Mr. Yan, please.” Yan Sikong refused to move: “Gonggong, there is no decree, and the foreign ministers cannot walk around the harem on their own. Is this not appropriate?”

“Ah, with Xie Gonggong’s orders, what else do you need? Go.”

Yan Sikong hesitated

“Lord Yan, let’s go.” The eunuch’s tone grew heavier.

Yan Sikong reluctantly followed along.

This meeting place with Xie Zhongren was different from the last time, and Yan Sikong didn’t recognize where it was. It was quite remote, and they had hardly encountered anyone along the way. However, the head eunuch, as before, had the same sinister smile that was more grimace than smile.

“Xie Gonggong,” Yan Sikong greeted with a bow, “thank you for your auspicious gift.”

Xie Zhongren chuckled twice. “It’s just a formality, nothing more. You scholars always make a big deal out of everything.”

Yan Sikong didn’t respond, looking visibly uneasy.

Xie Zhongren glanced at him sideways. “Why, are you afraid of me?”

“Younger one… respects Gonggong.” Yan Sikong replied cautiously.

Xie Zhongren sneered. “You respect me, yet you don’t want to be associated with me, is that it?”

Yan Sikong swallowed nervously. “The younger one thought… after the last time, it was made clear to Gonggong. The younger one is after all a student of Elder Yan, and while respecting Gonggong greatly, but… the kindness of my teacher is not slight, and the younger one should avoid suspicion.”

“I understand.” Xie Zhongren mocked, “You scholars are stubborn and rigid in temperament. I only wanted to talk to you, not to make you betray your teacher. Why so nervous?”

“…May I ask Gonggong why you’ve summoned me?” Yan Sikong asked cautiously.

“I’m in the palace, and news can be quite limited. I only heard yesterday that the Prince of Jingyuan caused a scene in front of your new residence?” Xie Zhongren’s expression shifted slightly.

Yan Sikong’s face changed slightly. “Rumors tend to exaggerate. The prince was merely displeased because his carriage was obstructed. It’s already in the past.”

“Heh.” Xie Zhongren sneered coldly. “But what I heard was not just that. I heard that the young prince nearly kicked to death your loyal servant who has been with you for many years. He also made you wear thin clothes and drive his carriage in the cold winter month. Is that true?”

Yan Sikong pursed his lips and remained silent.

A gleam flashed in Xie Zhongren’s eyes. “It seems it is true.”

“I… don’t know what Gonggong…” Yan Sikong began cautiously.

“That young prince truly is too arrogant!” Xie Zhongren suddenly became indignant. “This matter has spread throughout the capital. Many people are indignant on your behalf. You suffered such great humiliation. Are you really going to swallow your pride like this?”

Yan Sikong replied cautiously, “That day, the younger one hosted guests. It happened to snow heavily, and the gatekeeper didn’t handle it properly, blocking the prince’s carriage. The younger one dare not harbor any resentment towards the prince.”

“Hmm, indeed you dare not.” Xie Zhongren mocked, “Even if that young prince were to ride up and urinate on your neck, you wouldn’t dare to fart.”

Yan Sikong’s face changed, his body trembling slightly with anger. “Gonggong, why do you have to humiliate the younger one like this? If the younger one has offended in any way, Gonggong should just say.”

“Am I humiliating you?” Xie Zhongren raised his voice. “The one provoking you, humiliating you repeatedly, is it not Feng Ye?”

Yan Sikong was now annoyed and embarrassed. “Even if it were, so what? The younger one believes in treating people generously. To tolerate the small-minded is what makes a gentleman.”

“Lord Yan, despite your scholarly background, surely you’re familiar with the teachings of the sages,” Xie Zhongren said. “Although I haven’t read many books, I know what Confucius said: ‘Repay resentment with virtue, how then do you repay virtue?'”

Yan Sikong was speechless.

“What comes next?” Xie Zhongren raised an eyebrow at Yan Sikong.

“…’Repay resentment with justice, repay virtue with virtue,'” Yan Sikong said in a deep voice. “Gonggong, what exactly do you want to say to the younger one?”

“I…” Xie Zhongren sneered twice, “want to give you a chance to ‘repay resentment with resentment.'”