The Blood Crown - Chapter 153

In the summer of the thirty-fourth year of the Zhao Wu reign, Yan Zilian, the foremost minister who had assisted three emperors, the Grand Scholar of the Wen Yuan Pavilion, and the Head of the Cabinet, passed away suddenly in grief and unwillingness.

Although Yan Sikong was deeply mournful, he also felt a sense of relief for the Yan family. If Yan Zilian had not departed so “timely,” after the downfall of the Feng family, Xie Zhongren would have swiftly turned his attention to the Yan family. Yan Zilian’s death allowed Emperor Zhao Wu to show his final mercy, honoring him with a grand funeral in recognition of his decades of diligent service, and even writing a memorial himself. Otherwise, Yan Zilian might not have had a dignified end.

However, Yan Sikong knew that with Yan Zilian’s passing, the disaster for the gentry faction was about to begin.

When Yan Sikong attended the funeral, rumors about his close ties with Xie Zhongren were already spreading throughout the capital. Many of his peers looked at him with suspicion. While other contemporaneous scholars were still minor officials, Yan Sikong had risen rapidly, and envy and suspicion led many to mockingly call him “Prince Consort Yan,” their tone filled with sarcasm.

During the memorial rites, Yan Sikong, with red eyes, performed several deep kowtows, silently vowing, “Teacher, the unfinished wishes of yours will be carried on by your student. I will certainly **cleanse treachery, purge the court, and restore peace to our central China.”

After the memorial, Liang Sui pulled him aside, appearing hesitant to speak. “Sikong, there have been many rumors about you in the capital recently. I thought they were just hearsay, likely spread maliciously by the eunuch faction. You…”

Yan Sikong interrupted him bluntly. “Brother Liang, we’ve always been close. I don’t consider you an outsider. I have a few unpalatable pieces of advice.”

Liang Sui was taken aback.

Yan Sikong glanced at the peers around them who were also casting furtive glances at him, then lowered his voice. “With Teacher’s passing, and Xie Zhongren’s monopolization of power, there will certainly be a major purge of the gentry faction. A storm of bloodshed is inevitable. A wise person should not stand under a dangerous wall. I hope Brother Liang will stay clear of trouble.” He knew Liang Sui was not a paragon of virtue, and even if he didn’t speak, Liang Sui would likely try to make himself stand out. Moreover, with Liang Sui’s status and talent, he was unlikely to be of much interest to Xie Zhongren. His real intention was to use Liang Sui to test Zhou Mixing and the Shuntian Prefect behind him.

“You…” Liang Sui looked at Yan Sikong in disbelief, unable to speak for a while. He probably hadn’t expected Yan Sikong to be so shameless. After all, his mentor had just passed away, and Yan Sikong was already, as rumored, switching sides?

Yan Sikong cupped his hands in farewell and left.

As soon as Yan Zilian was buried, invisible flames of war ignited in the court, and with the passage of time, summer turned into the sweltering heat of high summer.

Emperor Zhao Wu suddenly issued a decree setting the wedding date between Yan Sikong and Princess Wanyang, soon after the Empress Dowager’s annual memorial.

At the same time, Xie Zhongren led the eunuch faction to purge the gentry faction. Now, the gentry was led by the newly appointed Head of the Cabinet, Huo Li. However, Huo Li was dull and indifferent to power, in stark contrast to Yan Zilian, and was clearly unfit for the role. The six ministries and nine ministers were split into two factions, attacking each other, leaving the gentry faction leaderless and steadily losing ground to the eunuch faction.

Yan Weiming, who had no great ambitions but had self-awareness, resigned from his position early under the pretext of mourning, planning to return to his ancestral home in Jiangnan to farm. But Xie Zhongren, who had endured Yan Zilian’s frustrations for half his life, was not willing to let him go easily. He dug up old grievances against Yan Zilian’s son, using corruption as an excuse to confiscate the Yan family’s property. Eventually, the ministers intervened, and Emperor Zhao Wu, mindful of Yan Zilian’s past contributions, only retracted the honors given to Yan Zilian, ordering the Yan family to return to their hometown and never return to the capital.

A long-serving official, a grand minister, discarded as soon as the Moon Festival passed, was truly heartbreaking.

During this period, Yan Sikong said nothing in defense of the Yan family.

Similarly, Xie Zhongren pulled down gentry officials one by one, executing some, demoting others, and causing widespread despair and complaints in the court. Yan Sikong remained silent throughout.

He could only remain silent, heartbroken and silent, because he knew that no matter how much he suffered, he could not change anything now.

And he had to survive.

Shen Hexuan, whom he had neglected for a long time, submitted a petition from a thousand miles away, accusing Xie Zhongren of numerous grave crimes and seeking justice for Yan Zilian. Perhaps due to the intensity of the conflict or Shen’s insignificant status, the petition did not cause much stir. However, it infuriated Xie Zhongren, who, unable to find any incriminating evidence against Shen Hexuan despite searching thoroughly, resorted to accusations of false reporting. Shen was demoted to a remote county in Qiannan as a county magistrate, with almost no chance of returning to prominence.

The second person in the history of the Dashing Dynasty to achieve three successful examinations was rendered virtually powerless.

Soon after, Yan Sikong received a letter from Shen Hexuan, which harshly condemned him for betraying his teacher and ancestors for personal gain, labeling him as heartless and shameless, and cursing him to be recorded in the “Traitors’ Annals” and be forever scorned and reviled.

Yan Sikong read the letter carefully, recognizing its superb literary quality and heartfelt words, truly deserving of Shen’s talent. He quietly burned the letter but knew he had an excellent memory and would never forget it.

The next day, a servant delivered a simple jewelry box. Inside were several pieces of jewelry matching the box and a note with elegant handwriting that read: “No debts remain, take care of yourself.”

The servant said cautiously, “This was sent by Madam Shen. She and the others left today, saying they are returning to their hometown in Suzhou.”

Yan Sikong sighed lightly. “Call A Li.”

Xie Zhongren was narrow-minded and vengeful. Even if the eunuch did not take action, the long journey to Suzhou posed many dangers for the widow and orphan. He needed A Li to find She Zhun and send someone to secretly protect them.

Additionally, he needed to know how She Zhun’s arrangements were progressing.

He had already given She Zhun all the information from the Zhao prison obtained through Yan Zilian and had spent a fortune buying off the chief guard who had previously taken him to see Feng Ye. They knew the locations where Feng Ye and Feng Jianping were imprisoned and were steadily perfecting their plan for a jailbreak and escape route to ensure everything would go smoothly.

He knew very well that once Xie Zhongren completed his purge of the gentry faction and no one dared to speak up for the Feng family, it would be time to act. They needed to complete this task as soon as possible, as if Meng Duo also lost power, there would be no one to support the father and son in the Zhao prison. He feared that even if they succeeded in the jailbreak, the rescued would be left in a miserable state.

Every day, he told himself that no matter how much he suffered, it would not be worse than Feng Ye’s current pain. So, no matter how dangerous the path he had chosen, no matter how much scorn and disdain he faced, and no matter how humiliating it was to flatter and bow to Xie Zhongren, he could endure it.

As long as Feng Ye lived.

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Since the spring hunt, Yan Sikong had not seen Chen Mu again. First, there was the Feng family’s rebellion case, and then Yan Zilian’s passing. He had used these events as excuses to avoid giving Chen Mu his lessons. Not only was he truly overwhelmed, but he also didn’t know how to face Chen Mu, as he had no time to attend to Chen Mu’s needs, and the questions Chen Mu wanted to ask were ones he found difficult to answer.

But today, Chen Mu had sent someone to invite him for the second time. He could no longer refuse and had to go to the Eastern Palace with a heavy heart.

Upon meeting Chen Mu again, there was an inexplicable sense of estrangement between them. Chen Mu no longer greeted him with the same warmth as before. Instead, he looked at him from a distance and called out cautiously, “Sir.”

“Minister Yan pays his respects to His Highness the Crown Prince,” Yan Sikong said, and was about to kneel.

“There’s no need for such formality,” Chen Mu interrupted him, “Come inside with me.”

Yan Sikong sighed inwardly. He genuinely wanted to pay his respects, but calling him “Crown Prince” was indeed awkward.

They walked into the palace, and Chen Mu dismissed the attendants. Turning to Yan Sikong, he asked, “Is your health any better, Sir?”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am fine now.”

Chen Mu bit his lip, hesitating to speak.

Yan Sikong asked, “Your Highness, are you well these days?”

“Do you think I could be well?” Chen Mu said self-deprecatingly. “I see everyone around me falling one by one, not knowing when it will be my turn.”

Yan Sikong found himself at a loss for words of comfort.

Chen Mu stared intently at Yan Sikong, hesitated for a moment, then walked over to stand before him, looking up into his eyes. “They all say you have turned traitor, defecting to Xie Zhongren during Elder Yan’s illness.”

Yan Sikong’s gaze remained unchanged as he fell silent.

Chen Mu’s voice suddenly became agitated. “Aren’t you going to explain? Xie Zhongren killed my mother and committed many crimes…”

Yan Sikong met Chen Mu’s eyes and asked, “If I said this was a temporary measure, that I am merely surviving for revenge, would you believe me?”

Chen Mu stared at Yan Sikong in shock. “Is that true? Do you know what others are saying about you? Are you willing to be scorned by the world just to… walk this path?”

Yan Sikong forced a bitter smile. “Yes, I am walking this path.”

“And me?” Chen Mu’s voice trembled. “What will happen to me? What should I do?”

Yan Sikong gazed at Chen Mu for a long time, then suddenly reached out to touch Chen Mu’s face, speaking softly, “Mu’er, this will be the last time we meet.”

Chen Mu’s face changed dramatically. He grasped Yan Sikong’s hand tightly, asking, “What do you mean by that?”

“Once Xie Zhongren has dealt with the gentry and the Feng family, your position as the Crown Prince will certainly not be preserved.”

Chen Mu shivered. Although he had anticipated this, he hadn’t expected Yan Sikong to speak so bluntly. He was at a loss, panicking and angry, feeling helpless. “How dare you…”

Yan Sikong’s knees gave way, and he knelt before Chen Mu.

Chen Mu’s eyes reddened, and he collapsed to the ground, falling into Yan Sikong’s arms, choking on his words, “Sir…”

Yan Sikong embraced Chen Mu, despair evident in his voice. “Your Highness, I am powerless and cannot assist you any longer.”

Chen Mu’s tears flowed freely.

“Chen Chun is about to come of age. The Emperor will surely replace you before he becomes an adult. Do not resist, or you may lose your life…” Yan Sikong said.

Chen Mu was filled with hatred. “Why… why has everything turned out like this?”

“Teacher spent his whole life without being able to eliminate the eunuchs, but I have not given up,” Yan Sikong said hoarsely. “It’s just that from now on, I cannot walk alongside you.”

“I do not want to pass the throne to Chen Chun. I do not want to!” Chen Mu cried out. “I hate it, Sir, I hate it!”

Yan Sikong held Chen Mu tightly, his voice trembling. “I also hate it, but mere hatred is of no use. We must survive, survive to have hope.”

“What hope is there?” Chen Mu gritted his teeth. “Even if he does not kill me, he will certainly send me to a remote place as a useless prince, living a life of mediocrity and dying in obscurity… I might as well die now!”

“Your Highness, do not think like that.” Yan Sikong cupped Chen Mu’s face, his tone stern. “While there is life, there is hope. Even if you are sent to a fief, do not give up on yourself. You are still young and have plenty of time. If I can eliminate the traitors and change the court’s situation, you must be prepared!”

Chen Mu looked deeply at Yan Sikong. “Are you serious? Is it still possible for me to become emperor?”

Yan Sikong spoke with conviction, “In my heart, only you can be the emperor. As long as I am alive, I will not give up. You must not give up either.”

Chen Mu bit his lip and nodded slowly, his eyes burning with a fierce fire, filled with hatred, pain, and ambition beyond his years.

Yan Sikong helped Chen Mu to his feet. “From now on, I can no longer teach you. Remember my words. Obey the Emperor, save your life, and after you are sent to your fief, secretly gather people and troops. One day, there will be a place for you to use them!”

Chen Mu said resolutely, “Alright, I will wait for you.”

The two looked into each other’s eyes and saw the unwavering determination of mutual commitment.

Chen Mu seemed to remember something and said sadly, “Sir, you are to marry… the Princess.”

Yan Sikong said in a deep voice, “Only by marrying Princess Wanyang can I secure my position and…”

“Secure what?”

Yan Sikong did not intend to reveal his plan to rescue prisoners to Chen Mu, and almost let it slip. He changed his words, “Only then can I fulfill Teacher’s wishes and make arrangements for our future.”

Chen Mu opened his mouth, gazing deeply into Yan Sikong’s eyes, and said with difficulty, “I…”

Yan Sikong quietly watched Chen Mu, waiting for him to finish.

Chen Mu hesitated for a long time before lowering his eyes. “After today, I don’t know when we will meet again. I am reluctant to part with you, Sir.”

“I am also reluctant to part with you, Your Highness.” Yan Sikong patted Chen Mu’s shoulder. “But we will certainly meet again.”

Chen Mu embraced Yan Sikong once more, tears streaming down his face. “Call me Mu’er one last time.”

“… Mu’er.”

Chen Mu closed his eyes, feeling a deep and heartbreaking sorrow for the first time. 

(End of Chapter)

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