The Blood Crown - Chapter 147

A few days later, Yan Sikong learned about the interrogation from Yan Zilian.

Regarding the accusations of assassination and rebellion, Feng Jianping and his son categorically denied them. The few Feng family soldiers captured insisted that they were dispatched by the Feng residence’s guards with military orders to rescue the Emperor and Feng Jianping, who were supposedly attacked at the Shanhai Hunting Grounds. However, the guards they referred to had already vanished in the chaos.

The Ministry of Justice sent people to count the bodies in the forest. After many identifications, they found the dead guard and discovered Feng Jianping’s military token on him. But this was not enough to clear the Feng family’s name.

Yan Sikong asked softly, “Have they… been tortured?”

According to the laws of the dynasty, regardless of guilt or innocence, ten lashes were administered before interrogation to demonstrate legal authority and deter wrongdoing. During the interrogation, torture was unavoidable, especially since the Feng family had been sent to the Imperial Prison, known as a human purgatory.

He knew well what Feng Ye was enduring now, yet he was powerless to help.

Yan Zilian nodded gravely. “I have instructed Meng Duo to take care of them as much as possible, but the Emperor has been pressing for the three judicial offices to conclude the case as quickly as possible.”

“The guard is dead and cannot testify… Are there any other favorable pieces of evidence?”

“General Feng’s presence in the camp could serve as a counterpoint, but Feng Ye was in the forest at the time and participated in the chaos. Although he claims he was trying to stop the Feng family soldiers.”

“What about Zhao Fuyi? Didn’t he see who led the troops?”

Yan Zilian shook his head. “There was a fog in the forest at the time. Initially, he didn’t even know the attackers were Feng family soldiers. He only received reports from the patrolling sentries about an attack on the Shanhai Hunting Grounds and went to fight the enemy.”

“Was he able to get the news so quickly? The sentries should be interrogated as well.”

“I will have Meng Duo interrogate the sentries,” Yan Zilian said solemnly. “The current situation is extremely unfavorable. Zhao Fuyi does not believe the Feng family would rebel, but as the commander of the garrison, he had no choice but to arrest Feng Ye.”

Yan Sikong pondered for a moment. “I need to visit General Zhao personally.”

“What will you do there?”

“If he believes in the innocence of the Feng family and holds old sentiments, he will help us.”

“Currently, the court and the public are full of Xie Zhongren’s spies. Meeting him might be useless and could even expose yourself,” Yan Zilian said. “You should not meet him directly. I will arrange this.”

“Understood.” Yan Sikong hesitated. “I have another request.”

“Speak.”

“I… I want to see Feng Ye.”

Yan Zilian frowned and did not respond.

“There are things that Feng Ye may only be willing to say to me. I need to know exactly what happened at the hunting grounds.”

Yan Zilian hesitated for a moment and agreed. “I will have Meng Duo arrange it. You must act carefully.”

Yan Sikong bowed deeply. “Thank you, Teacher.”

“Yan Sikong,” Yan Zilian said expressionlessly, “if… if His Majesty really intends to kill them, what will you do?”

Yan Sikong clenched his fists. “I will risk my life to save Feng Ye.”

“How do you plan to save him?” Yan Zilian asked deliberately.

Yan Sikong stood motionless for a long time before softly uttering two words, “Break into the prison.”

Yan Zilian’s eyes widened, his face went pale, and he staggered back a few steps.

“Teacher!” Yan Sikong hurriedly went up to support him.

Yan Zilian coughed harshly, his frail body shaking violently. He covered his mouth and nose with his sleeve, but the sleeve was soon soaked with bright red blood…

“Teacher!” Yan Sikong was alarmed and quickly took out a soft cloth from his bosom to wipe the blood from Yan Zilian’s lips. “Teacher, what’s wrong?” He helped Yan Zilian to sit in a chair.

Yan Zilian waved his hand and coughed for a long time, his face flushing deeply, before he gradually stopped.

Yan Sikong knelt in front of Yan Zilian, his voice hoarse. “Teacher…”

Yan Zilian drank some water and gradually calmed down. “It’s not… not your fault. Life has its time, and I am old. I had hoped to use my remaining days to eliminate treacherous people for the Great Sheng and leave with peace of mind when my time came, but now…”

Yan Sikong looked at Yan Zilian with sorrow.

Yan Zilian took a deep breath. “I understand your nature. You seem adaptable and self-reliant, but in reality, you are very persistent about what you believe in and will go to any lengths to achieve it. I always thought you could accomplish great things, overturning the world and reversing the tides, but unfortunately, I may not see it.”

“Teacher, please don’t say that!”

Yan Zilian waved his hand to stop him. “Sikong, I have been an official for forty years, with students and former officials all over the world. You are the most intelligent and the one I admire most. I hope you will inherit my legacy, save the declining court, and the countless common people. Can you do that?”

Yan Sikong trembled as he nodded.

—

—

**“Teacher… I have failed.”** Yan Zilian extended his hand, his old and frail fingers brushing through Yan Sikong’s dark hair. His voice was mournful. “In the end, I was defeated by that eunuch… No matter how hard we try, we might not be able to save the Feng family, but you must not give up. As long as you survive, even if I descend to the underworld, I want to see you make that eunuch suffer a thousand deaths.”

Yan Sikong’s eyes were filled with tears as he solemnly nodded.

“No matter what you do, you must first protect yourself. If you can rescue the Feng family, there will still be hope.” Yan Zilian tightly grasped Yan Sikong’s hand. “I will help you.”

Yan Sikong choked up, “Even if I die a thousand times, it would not be enough to repay your kindness.”

Yan Zilian’s gray eyes flashed with a sharp light. “When such a magnificent country falls into the hands of treacherous people, I cannot die in peace. The crown prince is young, and the country is in danger. Sikong, from now on, it depends on you.”

Yan Sikong closed his eyes, gripping Yan Zilian’s hand in return, and spoke heavily, “I will never let down my teacher.”

Under Meng Duo’s arrangements, Yan Sikong was secretly led into the Imperial Prison on a dark and stormy night. He observed the layout of the prison, committing it to memory. Although he was confident that Yan Zilian could obtain the most detailed blueprints, someone still needed to conduct a field survey.

The Feng family father and son were both held in the deepest part of the Imperial Prison, where heavy criminals were detained, but they were not in the same location.

As soon as Yan Sikong entered the prison, he was hit by a stifling, gloomy, and foul smell that made him nauseous. He took a deep breath and exposed his nose and mouth to the stench without hesitation. He knew that no matter how uncomfortable he felt or how anxious he was outside, it could not compare to the torment Feng Ye was enduring.

Walking through the dim corridor, Yan Sikong followed the prison guard into the most isolated cell. He immediately saw the figure huddled in the deepest part of the cage, hidden in the shadows.

Yan Sikong felt as if he had been struck by a sword in the chest, the pain almost making him unable to breathe.

The prison guard cupped his hands and said, “Master Yan, you have only an incense stick’s worth of time. I will wait outside. Please do not stay long.”

Yan Sikong struggled to control his emotions and nodded.

Hearing the noise, the person in the cell moved slightly.

The guard turned and left. Yan Sikong could no longer control himself and rushed to the iron cage, whispering, “Feng Ye…”

The person in the darkness shifted forward, coming into the light.

Yan Sikong’s tears fell instantly.

The once spirited and handsome young lord now had a dirty face, bloodied prison clothes, and the once angelic face now looked heart-wrenchingly haggard and disheveled.

Feng Ye stared at Yan Sikong in surprise, his eyes showing intense struggle.

“Feng Ye, Feng Ye!” Yan Sikong desperately reached into the cage, wanting to touch Feng Ye, even if it was just the edge of his clothing with its warmth. He hated his hands for not being long enough to grab Feng Ye immediately, and for not being strong enough to pull him out of all this suffering.

He hated Xie Zhongren, hated Emperor Zhao Wu, and hated this troubled world!

Feng Ye, however, remained motionless, staring at Yan Sikong.

“Feng Ye… are you badly injured? Have you eaten enough?” Yan Sikong’s voice was trembling uncontrollably. “I miss you so much, I worry about you every day. I… I brought the best medicine for wounds. Please… say something!”

Feng Ye slowly straightened his body. The pain from the action was evident in his twisted expression, but he managed it. He opened his cracked lips and said in a hoarse voice, “You came. Just in time, I have something to ask you.”

Yan Sikong was stunned, confused by Feng Ye’s unusual tone and attitude.

“Do you know who took the military token to call for reinforcements?”

“…Who?”

“小六 (Xiao Liu).”

“Your… coachman?”

“Correct. He was bribed. He had no family or relatives, and besides the people from the residence, no one knew him. But before we went to the spring hunt, someone visited him.”

“Who?”

“Your loyal servant, Ah Li.” Feng Ye’s eyes flashed with coldness.

Yan Sikong was stunned.

“This was told to me by Xue Bo when he visited me a few days ago.” Feng Ye narrowed his eyes, his disheveled hair and the blood smeared on his face giving him a menacing look.

“Ah Li… Why did Ah Li go to find Xiao Liu?” Yan Sikong mumbled, he had never heard of Ah Li doing such a thing.

“That is what I want to ask you.” Feng Ye leaned forward, his disheveled appearance not diminishing the ferocity in his eyes. “My father’s token was hidden in his belt, and I only told you. That night at the banquet, only you did not appear. My two thousand Feng family soldiers entered the hunting grounds from the southwestern mountain slope, exactly the same route we discussed!”

Yan Sikong knelt on the ground, staring blankly at Feng Ye. (End of Chapter)

—