The Blood Crown - Chapter 184

Feng Ye finally decided to let Yan Sikong return to Qianzhou.

Before he left, Yan Sikong requested a private meeting with Yuan Shaoxu. After some hesitation, Feng Ye agreed.

Yuan Shaoxu arrived at Yan Sikong’s tent, looking tense and uncomfortable. He glanced around as if checking for eavesdroppers.

Yan Sikong said calmly, “Elder Brother, please sit.”

Yuan Shaoxu sat at the low table with a blank expression.

“Elder Brother, with your skill, you should sense if there’s anyone around. Don’t worry. Besides…” Yan Sikong sneered, “The Wolf King might not care about the truth and won’t send anyone to eavesdrop.” As he spoke, he poured a cup of tea for Yuan Shaoxu.

Yuan Shaoxu took a deep breath. “I… I wanted to speak with you privately.”

“What do you want to say, Elder Brother?” Yan Sikong stared at Yuan Shaoxu without blinking.

“Sikong, I know I didn’t handle things well, but you need to… you need to understand me.” Yuan Shaoxu’s gaze shifted uneasily.

Yan Sikong smirked, his smile full of irony. “Elder Brother, I know you’ve disliked me since we were young. But we’re still brothers. Even if you hadn’t done this, with your and Nanyu’s abilities, you would still be favored by the Wolf King.”

“It’s not the same,” Yuan Shaoxu said, lifting his teacup and drinking it in one gulp, gritting his teeth. “You’ve enjoyed high official positions and wealth, living in luxury. Do you know how I’ve lived? I had a bright future but left my hometown, only to become a guard dog for gentry and landowners just to survive. I was meant to be a general on the battlefield, yet I’ve lived such a pathetic life. I can’t swallow this grievance for the rest of my life!”

“Wealth and honor? Hahaha…” Yan Sikong chuckled, gripping his teacup tightly. “Wealth and honor? Elder Brother, do you know what kind of hellish life I’ve led these years?”

The teacup shattered in Yan Sikong’s hand with a “crack,” and blood dripped from his fingertips along with the spilled tea, but he didn’t seem to notice.

Yuan Shaoxu pressed his lips together, saying nothing.

Yan Sikong wanted to tell Yuan Shaoxu that after being driven out of his home, he had lived a life worse than a dog just to survive. For revenge, he had endured years of hardship and humiliation. Even when he became an official, his seemingly smooth path was fraught with hidden dangers. Every step he took was perilous, and he had never had a peaceful night’s sleep. Now, he was despised, suspected, and humiliated by the only person he had ever loved. Who could he complain to about his suffering and grievances? But as he was about to speak, he decided against it because he knew Yuan Shaoxu wouldn’t understand; this person only saw his own grievances.

Yan Sikong picked up a cloth and slowly wiped away the spilled tea. “I endured humiliation and hardship for the sake of avenging Father. I had to bow and scrape to my enemies. Now I’m infamous, and my dearest ones see me as a cunning deceiver, unwilling to believe who I really am. Elder Brother, are you satisfied?”

Yuan Shaoxu’s eyes dropped in guilt, and he said quietly, “I know you’ve had a hard time these years. You avenged Father, so our Yuan family’s raising of you wasn’t in vain.”

Yan Sikong felt a lump in his throat and nodded. “That might be the only thing you’ve said that’s been pleasing.”

Yuan Shaoxu looked at Yan Sikong and said, “Sikong, for Father’s sake and for Yu’er’s sake, please don’t bring up your identity anymore. I’m asking you as a favor.”

Yan Sikong clenched his fists secretly. “When did Elder Brother know I was alive, and when did you know Yu’er was alive?”

“…Mother, Elder Sister, and I always believed you would be alive. You were always clever and would find a way to survive. Over the years, someone has secretly assisted us several times, and we guessed it might be you. A few years ago, when your name spread from the capital to the world, we suspected that Yan Sikong was you. But at that time, you had switched sides to the eunuch party…”

Yan Sikong remained silent.

“As for Yu’er, we thought he was already dead,” Yuan Shaoxu continued. “I have ambitions and am unwilling to live a dull life. I also have a deep grudge against that foolish emperor and corrupt officials. So when the Wolf King led the Feng family army to rise, I came from afar to join him, knowing he would accomplish great things. I wanted to make my mark here. I didn’t expect to meet Yu’er here.”

Yan Sikong squinted slightly.

As Yuan Shaoxu spoke, his voice unconsciously grew softer. “Initially, I had no intentions. When they suspected it and asked me to verify, I… After that, I was valued by the Wolf King.”

Yan Sikong took a deep breath, his face a picture of despair.

“Sikong, listen to me. Given the current situation, it’s better to let it go,” Yuan Shaoxu said darkly. “If you insist on proving your identity, and the Wolf King finds out I deceived him, with his temper, he will certainly kill me. Now, our Yuan family not only has private ties with the Wolf King but also saved his life. If one day the Wolf King rules the Central Plains, our Yuan family will be the greatest contributor. Who you are is insignificant in comparison.”

Yan Sikong smiled faintly. “Elder Brother, you’re quite the strategist.”

“Sikong.” Yuan Shaoxu’s tone grew earnest. “We’re brothers. For Father’s sake and for Yu’er taking the blame for you, can you bear to see me punished by the Wolf King?”

Yan Sikong laughed coldly. “Elder Brother, don’t worry. As Yu’er said, let this matter pass.”

Yuan Shaoxu sighed in relief.

Yan Sikong looked at Yuan Shaoxu’s face, which resembled Yuan Mao’s, and bitterly smiled. Yuan Shaoxu was right about one thing; who he was didn’t matter because Feng Ye didn’t care at all.

On the night before returning to Qianzhou, Feng Ye stayed in Yan Sikong’s tent, forcefully asserting himself on Yan Sikong on the bed.

Yan Sikong was exhausted, his whole body drained. After Feng Ye had finished, Yan Sikong lay limply in his arms, too tired to even keep his eyes open.

Feng Ye’s kisses fell on Yan Sikong’s sweat-soaked brows and eyes. His dark eyes stared straight ahead, filled with complex thoughts.

Yan Sikong’s eyelids grew heavier, and he was about to fall into a deep sleep.

But Feng Ye suddenly spoke, whispering in his ear, “I know you’re eager to leave, but remember, you need to complete everything I ask of you, and then come back to me.”

Yan Sikong slowly opened his eyes and remained silent.

Feng Ye pressed his head into his neck and hugged him tightly.

Yan Sikong said softly, “Feng Ye, do you really think you can control me?”

“The Prince of Jingyuan can’t, but the Wolf King can,” Feng Ye said, narrowing his eyes. “Whether in the past or now, I can easily destroy everything you care about. It’s just that the Prince of Jingyuan wouldn’t bear to. My hand brushes through your thick black hair,” he whispered, “but the Wolf King would.”

Yan Sikong felt a chill run down his spine.

He believed what Feng Ye said was true.

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