The Blood Crown - Chapter 151

Yan Sikong received the news and immediately rushed to Yan Zilian’s residence, which was shrouded in gloom. Yan Zilian’s eldest son was directing the servants to pack up their belongings.

“Brother Yan,” Yan Sikong approached and asked, “What is going on here?”

Yan Weiming exchanged greetings with him and sighed, “My father is gravely ill. Once… those eunuchs won’t spare the Yan family. I’m dismissing some servants and sending relatives back to the countryside to prepare for any eventualities.”

Yan Zilian had only two sons. The elder was kind-hearted but lacked sharpness, holding a minor post in the Ministry of Rites. The younger son, indulging in pleasures, had failed to pass the imperial examinations and had caused Yan Zilian some trouble, so he had been sent back to the countryside long ago.

Yan Weiming had some self-awareness. The aristocrats and eunuchs had long-standing grievances. Once Yan Zilian fell, Xie Zhongren would certainly seize the opportunity for revenge.

Yan Sikong could only hold his hand and comfort him, “Brother Yan, do not lose heart. The teacher is a venerable elder with years of service to the state and great achievements. If he is abandoned in his old age, it will surely chill the hearts of both civil and military officials. The teacher is highly respected with many disciples and former officials across the land. He will not be easily bullied.”

Yan Weiming forced a smile, “That may be so, but His Majesty’s current attitude toward my father…”

“Brother Yan, take heart and care for the teacher. With Elder Huo in the Cabinet, the eunuchs won’t have the power to cause trouble for now.” Yan Sikong glanced at the packed belongings. “Sending the relatives to the countryside to avoid the storm is indeed a wise move.”

Yan Weiming nodded and held onto Yan Sikong’s hand tightly. “Sikong, my father holds you in the highest regard. You must help our Yan family.”

“Rest assured, Brother Yan,” Yan Sikong said solemnly. “The teacher’s kindness will never be forgotten.”

After bidding farewell to Yan Weiming, Yan Sikong followed the servant to Yan Zilian’s main residence.

Along the way, his temples were throbbing. Although he had appeared confident while comforting Yan Weiming, he felt more uncertain than Yan Weiming himself.

With Yan Zilian ill, the position of Chief Minister was temporarily taken by the second assistant, Huo Li. Huo Li was an elderly scholar who only knew academics. Yan Zilian had chosen him as the second assistant because of his non-contentious nature, thus he was able to control the Cabinet alone. Without Yan Zilian, Huo Li would likely not last long in the Cabinet.

From a distance, Yan Sikong could already smell the strong medicinal odor.

Upon entering, the rich smell of herbal medicine mixed with the heavy air was ominous. Seeing the elderly man with gray hair and a sallow face on the bed, Yan Sikong’s breath caught, and his heart sank. If he had held onto a shred of hope for Yan Zilian’s recovery before, it was now entirely gone.

“Teacher…” Yan Sikong called mournfully as he approached gently.

In just a few days, Yan Zilian had become so thin he was almost skeletal, his face ashen, and his breathing weak. Once a powerful and decisive Chief Minister, he was now nothing more than an old man nearing the end of his life.

Yan Sikong’s nose was tinged with a bitter taste.

Yan Zilian slowly opened his eyes, and upon seeing Yan Sikong, he stared blankly for a long time before nodding. In a hoarse voice, he said, “You’ve come. I’ve been waiting for you.”

Yan Sikong knelt before the bed, asking weakly, “Teacher, do you feel any better?”

Yan Zilian shook his head slightly. “This time, it will not get better.”

Yan Sikong lowered his head heavily.

Yan Zilian said, “You all leave.”

The servants withdrew one by one.

Yan Zilian tried to prop himself up with great effort but was too weak. “Help me… sit up.”

Yan Sikong carefully helped Yan Zilian sit up, supporting him with cushions, and poured him a glass of warm water.

After Yan Zilian drank some water and caught his breath, he turned his lifeless eyes toward Yan Sikong. “Sikong, we both know that my time is near.”

Yan Sikong shook his head. “Teacher, you will recover.”

“There is no need to say these useless words. I have matters to discuss with you.”

“Student is listening.”

Yan Zilian took a deep breath, his voice beginning to tremble. “I… am six years older than that eunuch. It is only reasonable to die before him. However, I am deeply unwilling, unwilling… unwilling to die with my ambitions unfulfilled…”

Yan Sikong gripped the edge of the bed tightly.

“At twenty-two, I passed the imperial examinations and have served as an official for over forty years, assisting three emperors. When I first entered officialdom, it was the height of the Great Sheng Dynasty. The former emperor’s wisdom and benevolence were revered by all, and his cultural and military achievements made the world submit. The court was clean and bright, with little corruption…” Yan Zilian’s eyes suddenly lit up, as if he could still see the glorious and prosperous times of the past.

Yan Sikong had read about the Great Sheng’s flourishing period in history books. During that time, the number of vassal states and tribes paying homage each year reached nearly a hundred, the treasury was full, and there were a million troops. The weather was favorable, and the people lived in peace and contentment.

But perhaps prosperity always leads to decline. Perhaps due to prolonged peace, military preparedness waned. Although Emperor Shengming was brave and accomplished, his reign was short-lived. After his death, Emperor Shengwen ascended the throne, and the national fortune declined rapidly. The loss of He-Tao and the enrichment of the Wala occurred, and with Emperor Zhao Wu’s reign came extravagance and folly, the loss of Liaobei. For decades, the Central Plains were plagued by war, the people suffered, and the national fate was in jeopardy.

—

Yan Zilian’s eyes, which had briefly shone with the light of reminiscence, soon lost their luster and returned to the grim reality. “It’s a pity,” he said, “that you will never have the chance to witness such a Great Sheng Dynasty.”

Yan Sikong could clearly feel Yan Zilian’s profound sorrow. His entire life had been dedicated to reviving the Sheng dynasty and restoring its former glory, but he alone was powerless to change the course of fate.

“When the late emperor missed the opportunity to reclaim He-Tao, I was powerless to dissuade him. When the current emperor abandoned Liaobei, I was still not a member of the Cabinet, and my attempts to advise him were futile.” Yan Zilian’s tears flowed freely. “Now, as the head of the officials, I cannot even prevent the treacherous scheming against the loyal. I have watched them destroy the great walls and desecrate our magnificent country. My lifelong ambitions have been eroded by regret and helplessness. Tell me, how will history remember me?”

Yan Sikong spoke with tears in his eyes, “Without your steadfast support, the country would have already fallen into ruin. Criticism and praise are in the hands of the people.”

“In the hands of the people…” Yan Zilian nodded bitterly, “In the hands of the people.”

“You will certainly be remembered as a great and virtuous minister in history.”

Yan Zilian waved his hand dismissively. “Enough. I used to care a lot about my reputation after death, but as the end approaches, I no longer care much. What occupies my mind now is only the unfinished business and the fate of the Great Sheng Dynasty. Personal praise or blame means little.”

“Teacher…”

Yan Zilian looked at Yan Sikong, his voice weak. “Sikong, remember every word I say to you today.”

Yan Sikong stared at him intently.

“If I die, His Majesty will no longer have any concerns, and the Yan family might be beyond saving. You must prepare for everything.”

Yan Sikong nodded gravely.

“The eunuchs will also strike back, suppressing our faction and eradicating us completely.” Yan Zilian sighed, “You once had some value to Xie Zhongren. Now that you are my disciple and the crown prince’s attendant, you will surely be his first target for elimination. Do you understand?”

“Student understands, and I am not afraid of him.”

“You must be afraid.” Yan Zilian grasped Yan Sikong’s wrist. “You are young and talented, full of wisdom. In my heart, only you can fulfill my unfinished ambitions. The Yan family and the crown prince will now depend on you. You must not let anything happen to yourself.”

Yan Sikong’s expression was complex.

Depend on him? He no longer had the Yan family to rely on, and he could soon lose Yan Zilian as well. He didn’t know what fate awaited him after Yan Zilian’s death.

Their struggle with Xie Zhongren had left them severely wounded and suffering significant losses.

Yan Zilian saw through his thoughts and spoke softly, “Sikong, you are still young. As long as you survive, there is hope.”

Yan Sikong forced a bitter smile. “I will strive to find a way to survive, inherit the teacher’s legacy, and fulfill your wishes.”

“How will you find your own way?”

Yan Sikong fell silent. He didn’t even know how Xie Zhongren might try to eliminate him. He could only take it one step at a time.

Yan Zilian said, “There is only one way to ensure your survival now.”

“What is it?”

“Princess Wanyang.”

Yan Sikong was taken aback.

“If you can successfully become the prince consort, it will protect your life and safety. Additionally, as long as the wedding date is set, it will certainly be after the autumn. Before then, the Empress Dowager’s annual memorial is not yet due, and the princess’s marriage is imminent. It is not suitable to carry out a death sentence before then, which can delay things for several months and give you time to prepare.”

“Teacher… you are right.” Yan Sikong frowned. “But what if His Majesty has already decided to call off the marriage?”

“Not necessarily. Due to the Yan family’s situation, His Majesty has already developed friction with the virtuous consort and the princess. If he were to cancel an already arranged marriage, it would not only harm the reputation of his own daughter but also insult the daughter of an ordinary family. Moreover, His Majesty truly cherishes the princess.”

“What should I do? Should I ask His Majesty to confirm the wedding date?” Yan Sikong realized that although Yan Zilian was seriously ill, his mind was still sharp. This path he suggested was not just about saving his life but also about saving the Yan family.

“His Majesty will not listen to my words anymore, so how could he listen to you?” Yan Zilian held Yan Sikong’s hand and spoke in a frail, weak voice. “You must ask Xie Zhongren.”

Yan Sikong was stunned.

“When we tried to lure Xie Zhongren into a trap, you and Feng Ye put on a show. It seems it was an unintended move.” Yan Zilian said seriously, “Sikong, if it were anyone else, I would not make this request because I know they could not accomplish it. But you, perhaps only you can.”

Yan Sikong’s mind went blank for a moment. He was clever enough to understand Yan Zilian’s intention immediately, muttering, “Teacher… is asking me to plead with Xie Zhongren.” Some things Yan Zilian didn’t say explicitly, but he understood that Yan Zilian was asking him to “change sides.”

Yan Zilian spoke sadly, “Sikong, you spoke of praise and blame being in the hands of the people. Are you willing to endure what others cannot, to suffer what others cannot, for the sake of your ideals?”

Yan Sikong looked at Yan Zilian, wanting to tell him that if it were someone else, he would be willing to do anything, even to the point of being a servant to achieve his goals. Someone who had once been homeless and begged on the streets would not care about pride. But Xie Zhongren—Xie Zhongren was the one who had ruined his family. Yan Zilian was asking him to bow and scrape to the eunuch he wished he could devour alive!

The two of them locked eyes in silence for a long time.

Yan Zilian’s vision was growing dim, and he could barely see Yan Sikong’s face. Yan Sikong, too, was feeling a chill all over, his gaze growing distant.

Countless thoughts tangled like a wild beast rampaging through his mind, causing him excruciating pain. If hatred had a form, it would have devoured everything around him. Yet, amidst this whirlpool of despair, a voice quietly reminded him that Yan Zilian was right.

He needed the status of prince consort to protect himself. He needed to secure a wedding date with Princess Wanyang to buy time for Feng Ye. He needed to get close to the enemy, to find the vital points, so that someday, when he had enough power, he could strike back with rage, piercing through the filthy heart, vindicating the souls and restoring peace to the country!

For that day, could he endure what others could not, suffer what others could not, and endure the scorn and disdain of the world to beg for mercy from his mortal enemy?!

Yan Sikong, can you do it?

(End of Chapter)