The Blood Crown - Chapter 140

Chapter 140

Yan Sikong still remembered the spring hunt four years ago, when Feng Ye wielded a heavy crossbow and tamed wild steeds. That youthful figure in bright clothes, with a vigorous spirit, was deeply imprinted in his mind.

In the blink of an eye, four years had passed. He had risen from a humble position to become a fifth-ranking official, while Feng Ye had shed much of his youthful greenness and grown into a more mature man. However, their journey had been fraught with hardships and dangers. No one could predict how many years they would still be together.

As the date of the spring hunt approached, the two met secretly at the old residence of the Yan family. Though Yan Sikong knew the hope was slim, he still ventured to ask first, “Has Your Highness changed your mind?”

Feng Ye’s face tightened as he shook his head. “His Majesty has personally promised today that after the spring hunt, he will allow my father to return to Dàtóng.”

“Really?”

“Who knows,” Feng Ye squinted, “Now that the imperial inspection is over and His Majesty still hasn’t decreed the reduction of military preparations, my father is even less likely to cause any trouble.”

“They have gone to great lengths; how could they just let Your Highness return to Dàtóng like that?” Yan Sikong shook his head, feeling a hundred percent disbelief.

“I told my father the same thing. But he’s very stubborn. I suspect he might have a plan, but he doesn’t want to be seen as a traitor,” Feng Ye said.

“Even your teacher is ready, yet Your Highness…” Yan Sikong sighed heavily, feeling powerless. “And you? What do you think?”

Feng Ye cut in, “Even if I manage to obtain the military token, I can only call upon two thousand soldiers. You and I are both familiar with the terrain of the Mountain and Sea hunting grounds. To bypass General Zhào Fùyì’s garrison, we can only climb the southwest foothills of the mountain and attack the rear of the main camp. But then, we won’t have horses and can’t carry heavy armor and equipment.”

“We don’t need to directly confront General Zhào Fùyì’s large army. We just need to swiftly rush into the main camp, kill the Emperor’s personal guards, and detain him. Then, the grand scheme will succeed.”

Feng Ye nodded slightly but remained silent, deep in thought about something.

After a moment of silence, Yan Sikong said, “You’re hesitating too, aren’t you?”

Feng Ye clenched his fists silently. “If I do this, regardless of success or failure, my father will never forgive me.”

“Yes, but it can truly protect the Fēng family.”

Feng Ye looked at Yan Sikong, his eyes flickering.

Yan Sikong grabbed Feng Ye’s arm urgently. “Feng Ye, since His Highness decided to return to the capital, we’ve taken the wrong step from the beginning.”

Feng Ye wiped his face and said with difficulty, “The road we’ve traveled, let alone right or wrong.”

Yan Sikong closed his eyes sadly, feeling overwhelmed by waves of despair. In fact, he had anticipated this outcome long ago. If Fēng Jiànpíng didn’t agree, they wouldn’t get past General Zhào Fùyì. Even Yán Zǐlián hesitated. After all, the risk was too great.

Perhaps it was because he was already prepared, he quickly calmed down. Just as he couldn’t stop Fēng Jiànpíng from returning to the capital the first time, this time, he was also powerless. All he could do was strive to take the next step well, regardless of how the game had progressed. After all, as Feng Ye said—regardless of the road traveled, it’s not a matter of right or wrong.

Feng Ye couldn’t help but pull Yàn Sikong into his embrace. “Sikong, don’t worry. My Fēng family isn’t as fragile as you think. My father must have his own considerations.”

Yàn Sikong nodded.

“And that eunuch won’t be arrogant for much longer. My father already hates him to the core. Once my father returns to Dàtóng, he will use his military authority to advise and impeach Xiè Zhōngrén.”

Yàn Sikong gently touched Feng Ye’s face. “Feng Ye, do you think I’m worried about missing the chance for revenge? More than revenge, I hope for your safety.”

In these past ten-plus years, for the sake of revenge, he could ignore life and death. He had once believed that nothing in this world could be more important than revenge, but now he knew—this person’s safety was.

Feng Ye turned his face, kissing Yàn Sikong’s warm palm. “I know, Sikong. I understand.”

Yàn Sikong closed his eyes, burying his face in Feng Ye’s chest.

He wished this moment could freeze, allowing them to embrace at the end of the world.

—

On a drizzly and chilly morning, the Mountain and Sea hunting grounds welcomed the royal spring hunt.

The spring hunt was usually an annual event, but in the past two years, due to disasters and continuous warfare, the national treasury was tight, and it was not appropriate to squander money here. Now, with the success of the reduction of feudal lords and the severe setbacks against the Wàlà, there was a sense of prosperity in the country. Holding a spring hunt not only counted as a celebration but also upheld the fine tradition of the Chén Dynasty’s martial prowess.

The focus of this spring hunt was on several imperial princes.

When Feng Ye returned to the capital that year, Chen Mu was only eleven or twelve years old, and the other princes were even younger, finding it difficult to even ride horses. Now, not only had Chen Mu grown up, but the Second and Third Princes were also in their early youth, all eager to show off their skills at the spring hunt.

Due to rain on the first day of the hunt, Emperor Zhàowǔ postponed the encirclement hunt for a day. Today, a theater troupe was brought in to perform a play to lighten the mood, staging a lively rendition of “Borrowing Arrows with Thatched Boats” in the fine rain, setting up cross formations and lanterns, singing loudly, indeed evoking a sense of battle.

Following Chen Mu’s orders, Yàn Sikong sat behind Chen Mu. Thus, he was actually just below Emperor Zhàowǔ’s side, very close. He secretly observed and found that Emperor Zhàowǔ, who usually loved excitement, was very indifferent to the performance today. It wasn’t that the play was poorly performed—this was the most famous theater troupe in the capital—but he seemed distracted.

“Master.” Chen Mu turned his head and called Yàn Sikong.

Yàn Sikong knelt a few steps on the cushion and came to Chen Mu’s side. “Your Highness.”

“How is the play? Is it good?”

“It’s good. This is the best ‘Borrowing Arrows with Thatched Boats’ that I’ve heard.”

“Oh, I haven’t listened to many plays. I thought Father didn’t seem to like it. I thought they didn’t sing well.”

Even Chen Mu noticed…

Yàn Sikong glanced at Emperor Zhàowǔ and said quietly, “Your Majesty may have something on his mind.”

Chen Mu lowered his voice, “I noticed Feng Ye looking at you several times.”

Yàn Sikong’s heart skipped a beat, looking again at Feng Ye, but Feng Ye didn’t meet his gaze. He smiled bitterly, “As I follow Your Highness, he can’t do anything to me, he can only look.”

“Of course, he wouldn’t dare provoke you in front of me,” Chen Mu said, “This play is really boring. Even if it’s sung well, I don’t like it. I really want to go hunting.”

“Your Highness, please be patient. The weather today isn’t good for hunting.”

Chen Mu shrugged and said coldly, “And that woman, she’s almost on equal footing with the Empress.”

Yàn Sikong knew the “woman” he referred to was Noble Consort Wén, who was now serving the Emperor alongside Empress Shěn, side by side. Although the consort was favored, she was still just a consort and could not sit on par with the Empress according to protocol. However, Empress Shěn was non-confrontational, and Emperor Zhàowǔ indulged her, thus this scene occurred.

Of course, what Chen Mu cared most about was not that Noble Consort Wén was sitting there, but because Noble Consort Wén was sitting there, the Second Prince was sitting almost level with her on her side, under the gaze of the public, his position almost level with his own crown prince position.

Chen Mu naturally dared not to speak out.

Yàn Sikong comforted him in a low voice, “Your Highness, don’t take it to heart. There is only one throne in the world, and no one can sit on par with it.”

Ambition burned fiercely in Chen Mu’s eyes. He glanced at Yàn Sikong and smiled, “Master always hits the nail on the head for me. Perhaps you are the person in the world who knows me best.”

Yàn Sikong also smiled, “I am honored by Your Highness’s praise.”

“Tonight, Master will stay with me.”

“This is not appropriate.” Yàn Sikong hurriedly said, “I cannot presume.”

“What’s inappropriate? This isn’t the palace. Master has taught me for many years, and I have always wanted to have a candlelit night talk with Master, to let Master guide me in communion with ancient sages.”

Yàn Sikong again declined, but Chen Mu persisted. He reluctantly said, “Then I will respectfully obey.”

Chen Mu said happily, “In that case, no one will dare to trouble Master.”