The Blood Crown - Chapter 143

Chen Mu had Yan Sikong carried back to his tent, where the imperial physician was summoned. After a thorough examination, it was determined that fortunately, the injuries were not severe. When Yan Sikong landed, he had managed to protect both Chen Mu and his own vital areas. The blood on his head was actually from a scrape, and one rib was probably cracked, but the rest were just superficial wounds.

As the pain gradually subsided, Yan Sikong circulated his qi and blood through his meridians and found that he was indeed not seriously injured. However, he still pretended to be weak, worried that his actions earlier might have revealed his martial arts skills.

Chen Mu, filled with guilt and sorrow, trembled with anger at the thought of Chen Chun. Yan Sikong patiently consoled him, “Your Highness, small patience avoids great misfortune. There were many witnesses; the news must have already reached His Majesty. When His Majesty summons you, remain calm and do not lose your composure.”

Chen Mu gritted his teeth. “Father will certainly favor him. How dare he… does he really want to kill me?” He still hadn’t fully recovered from the earlier shock. Despite knowing that Chen Chun coveted the position of Crown Prince, the arrow Chen Chun shot at him had been completely unexpected.

Yan Sikong held Chen Mu’s hand. “Your Highness, you need not think about that now. Whether intentional or not, he almost injured you, and he cannot escape that guilt. When you face His Majesty, do not show hatred or anger. Be surprised, aggrieved, and deeply hurt. Do not let His Majesty feel that you are using this incident to threaten him. He will naturally give you justice in front of the court officials.”

Chen Mu took a deep breath, his body trembling uncontrollably, his gaze icy cold. “Alright.”

Yan Sikong thought, Feng Ye would certainly testify for Chen Mu. Feng Jianping and Yan Zilian wouldn’t miss this opportunity either; they would definitely guide the court officials to apply pressure. Emperor Zhaowu would undoubtedly be displeased. Hopefully, he wouldn’t take out his frustration on Chen Mu.

This incident also revealed how Consort Wen usually taught Chen Chun. Perhaps in Chen Chun’s heart, he believed that the person who broke into the harem to assassinate him back then was sent by his royal brother. No one had expected him to be so audacious. He had been spoiled by Emperor Zhaowu to the point of being reckless.

Yan Sikong applied the medicinal ointment left by the imperial physician to Chen Mu’s face, neck, and hands, making his injuries look more severe. He repeatedly reminded Chen Mu to control his emotions.

Sure enough, soon after, Yu Ji personally came to the Crown Prince’s tent, saying that His Majesty had summoned him.

Chen Mu looked at Yan Sikong, who gave him a firm look. Chen Mu nodded and left.

Yan Sikong let out a long sigh and relaxed, lying back on the bed.

After a while, a young eunuch brought in some medicinal soup, flattering, “Master Yan, you are truly brave and loyal, protecting His Highness from the fall with only minor injuries. It is a great fortune within misfortune.”

Yan Sikong smiled faintly. “I was holding a true dragon’s son. The mountain gods and land deities naturally gave some face.”

“What Master Yan said is very true.”

After drinking the calming medicinal soup, Yan Sikong unknowingly fell asleep.

When he woke up, it was completely dark. He vaguely saw someone sitting by the bedside. Still half-asleep, he called out, “Feng Ye.”

“Sir? Sir, you’re awake.” Chen Mu leaned in to check on him. “What did you say?”

Yan Sikong instantly woke up, forcing his eyes open. Chen Mu’s youthful, handsome face was close by, making him break out in a cold sweat. “Your Highness.”

“Are you feeling better? Does it still hurt?” Chen Mu asked with concern.

“Much better,” Yan Sikong replied. “When did Your Highness return? Why didn’t you wake me?”

“You are injured and need rest,” Chen Mu said, tucking the blanket around him. “The night is chilly. Are you cold?”

“I’m fine,” Yan Sikong hurriedly said. “How did things go with His Majesty?”

At these words, Chen Mu’s face instantly darkened, his eyes lifeless with extreme disappointment.

“Did he still favor the Second Prince?”

Chen Mu’s face twisted with rage. “He pretended to scold Chen Chun but actually protected him in every way. Chen Chun insisted it was an accident, and in the end, he was only punished by forfeiting this year’s tribute, facing the wall for three days, and copying the ‘Standards for Being a Good Student and Child’. Such a trivial punishment is nothing compared to your injuries.”

Yan Sikong sighed, having anticipated this outcome. He could only comfort him, “At least His Majesty still punished the Second Prince, giving you an explanation. As for my injuries, they are not worth mentioning.”

“But he tried to assassinate the Crown Prince!” Chen Mu roared. “He shot an arrow at me; if it were anyone else, it would be a death sentence!”

“Yes, but he is not ‘anyone else’.” Yan Sikong patted Chen Mu’s hand, speaking earnestly. “His mother is His Majesty’s favored concubine, and he is His Majesty’s most beloved son. Your Highness should understand this.”

“I understand. I’ve long understood…” Chen Mu’s face was as cold as ice. “No matter how intelligent and diligent I am, he won’t let me handle state affairs. No matter how hard I try to excel beyond the other princes, he won’t look at me. Just because I’m the son of a palace maid, he has ignored my mother and me for years. Now, he wants to dethrone me, even if it means driving my mother to death, to hand over this great kingdom to that arrogant and incompetent Chen Chun!” His final words burst out in a torrent of hatred, the twisted, vicious tone not something one would expect from a young man.

Yan Sikong was momentarily stunned by Chen Mu’s fierce expression. He felt a complex mix of emotions, seeing in Chen Mu’s face a reflection of his younger self. He knew that such hatred could make a person stronger, but also understood how it could torment and consume them.

Yan Sikong could only soothe Chen Mu, urging him to remain calm. He had repeated the same words countless times, and Chen Mu was likely tired of hearing them. Chen Mu then comforted him, pressing him back onto the bed to rest.

Yan Sikong asked, “I hear music and dancing outside?”

“Yes, Father is hosting a banquet,” Chen Mu replied with a cold laugh.

“Who hunted the most today?” Yan Sikong regretted asking as soon as the words left his mouth because he realized that, aside from Feng Ye, there was likely no one else. Chen Mu now harbored considerable animosity towards Feng Ye.

“…Feng Ye,” Chen Mu squinted his eyes. “Today, he even offered to give me the deer. Wasn’t that an intentional insult?”

“Your Highness misunderstands. The Feng family supports you.”

“No need to defend him, sir. When he saw me, he remained seated on his horse, so arrogant,” Chen Mu sneered. “The Feng family upholds the eldest prince, a tradition and ancestral system, not me as a person. Neither Chen Chun nor Feng Ye looks up to me.”

Yan Sikong felt some concern. If Chen Mu ascended to the throne in the future, he and the Feng family should maintain a harmonious relationship; otherwise, the court would be in turmoil. Fortunately, Chen Mu was still young and listened to him. Yan Sikong spoke sternly, “Your Highness must not think this way. Feng Ye grew up in the military, not bound by etiquette, wild and untamed. Being young and accomplished, he is naturally proud and aloof, not targeting you specifically. Think about it, has General Feng ever shown you any disrespect?”

Chen Mu thought for a moment. “No.”

“Exactly. As Feng Ye matures, he will understand propriety. Even if he doesn’t, Your Highness remembers the Lü Bu we discussed the other day, correct?”

Chen Mu seemed to grasp Yan Sikong’s point.

“Your Highness should be the one who wields the bow, the sword, the chariot. Feng Ye is a natural general. If Your Highness uses him well, it will be your achievement. How can you be at odds with a mere warrior?”

Chen Mu nodded. “Sir, you are right.”

Yan Sikong smiled. “When Your Highness ascends the throne, you will encounter people ten times more difficult than Feng Ye. You must control them and steer the country.”

Chen Mu smiled. “Then, I will have you by my side, sir, to help me achieve a prosperous and powerful nation, dominating the seas.”

“I will serve with my life.”

Outside, the music and dancing continued. Even without seeing it, one could imagine the lively scene of the banquet, which seemed unrelated to the Crown Prince’s tent.

For fifteen years, Chen Mu had grown accustomed to being neglected, though he was increasingly unwilling to accept it.

The two chatted late into the night, accompanied by the music. Yan Sikong felt Chen Mu’s dependence and trust in him had surpassed that of anyone else in the world, especially after the death of Consort Hui. Chen Mu regarded him as the most important person.

Yan Sikong felt satisfied yet also a bit worried. If Chen Mu didn’t become emperor, then no matter who ascended, Yan Sikong would be pushed aside without mercy.

However, with so many things to worry about, he set those thoughts aside for now.

After the lights were extinguished, both of them, despite urging each other to sleep early, found themselves unable to fall asleep.

Tomorrow was the last day of the spring hunt. Chen Mu planned to exert all his effort to hunt more game, while Yan Sikong, seeing the only opportunity for the Feng family to seize power slipping away, could only face an uncertain future filled with danger. His heart was heavy with sorrow and anxiety.