The Blood Crown - Chapter 192

When Yan Sikong saw Feng Ye, he could tell from his exuberant demeanor that he was in high spirits. Having taken Qianzhou without a single soldier being lost and thus gaining control over the entire Hetao region, it was no surprise he was pleased.

Feng Ye looked at the bear cloak Yan Sikong was wearing with satisfaction and nodded. “Come, sit.”

After the maidservant helped Yan Sikong remove his cloak and then withdrew, only Feng Ye and Yan Sikong remained at the table with food and wine.

Yan Sikong sat beside Feng Ye and said calmly, “Congratulations on taking Hetao, Wolf King.”

Feng Ye rested his chin on his hand and stared intently at Yan Sikong’s cold, handsome profile. “You are the one who contributed the most. What reward do you want?”

“I can’t think of anything at the moment. If you really want to reward me, you might as well just keep a record for now.”

Feng Ye chuckled. “You are always so astute.”

Yan Sikong ignored the possible sarcasm in his words and didn’t respond.

“Have you named the child, Duo’er?” Feng Ye suddenly changed the topic.

Yan Sikong straightened up immediately, unsure if Feng Ye was about to make trouble again. His expression darkened.

“No need to be nervous.” Feng Ye saw through his thoughts, his tone flat and lacking warmth. “Duo’er is still my niece. Can’t I care about her?”

“…Not yet.”

“Name her Jinyu.”

Yan Sikong was taken aback.

“My mother gave names to both my and my elder brother’s children before she died,” Feng Ye said softly. “She named them ‘In this world, only those who hold jade and orchids in their hands are worthy of respect’.”

Yan Sikong felt a pang in his heart. “Why should my daughter have your name?”

“Because she is the only child in this world who shares blood with both you and me.” Feng Ye gazed deeply at Yan Sikong. “If you were a woman, this child would be the one you bore for me.”

“Absurd.” Yan Sikong turned his face away.

Feng Ye, however, pinched his chin, forcing him to face him. “How wonderful it would be if you were a woman.”

Yan Sikong pushed his hand away. “I don’t want to discuss this any further.”

“Feeling guilty, are you?” Feng Ye sneered.

Yan Sikong took a deep breath. “Feng Ye, there’s no longer any affection left between us. Why are you bringing this up? Let’s talk about something serious instead.”

Feng Ye’s eyes flashed with anger. “Alright, what serious matter?”

“Datong, Prince Chu.”

“It’s impossible to use the same trick again. Sending you to Datong is out of the question. The court and Datong must be suspicious of you by now.”

Yan Sikong nodded. “That’s right. Yusheng Lang has betrayed us, and the old Datong officials are restless. Xue Ronggui must be on edge day and night. I haven’t yet figured out how to make amends to the court, or perhaps the court has already decided to punish me for my incompetence.”

“Since you are still in my prison, the dog emperor can’t punish you.”

“There must be rumors circulating in the capital…” Yan Sikong said. “What about Feng Xiang and the others?”

“They are all imprisoned.”

Yan Sikong narrowed his eyes. “Although these eight hundred soldiers were brought from the capital by me, their loyalty remains with the court. Feng Xiang is not someone who can be coerced or enticed. For now, keep them locked up. If they can’t be persuaded to serve me, they’ll have to be killed.”

“Same with Shen Hexuan.” Feng Ye glanced at Yan Sikong. “I don’t keep idle people in my army, especially since this person has caused me to lose thousands of soldiers.”

“He is not idle. He will surely be of great use.”

Feng Ye snorted coldly.

Yan Sikong quickly changed the subject. “What are your thoughts on Datong?”

“I am more familiar with Datong than you. My uncle has already secretly contacted several generals who were favored by my father. With Qianzhou in hand, I am confident in taking Datong. You need not worry.”

“In that case, I have something more important to attend to.”

“What?”

“Prince Chu.”

Feng Ye looked at Yan Sikong. “You want to go find Prince Chu?”

“Yes,” Yan Sikong replied. “Others might think I’m still imprisoned, but as long as I leave the city secretly…”

“No,” Feng Ye interrupted firmly.

“Why?” Yan Sikong asked, puzzled. “Prince Chu is young and this is the time for him to recruit soldiers and gather talented people, as well as to win over the vassal kings. I want to help him. When the time comes, you two can join forces and be unstoppable.”

Feng Ye said coldly, “If he can’t even manage to leave Yunnan, then he doesn’t deserve the throne.”

“He’s only nineteen. If something goes wrong with him, all our efforts will be in vain,” Yan Sikong said in a serious tone. “When the day comes to capture Datong, you’ll announce to the world that you support Prince Chu’s ascension. He must be strong enough to respond, as you said, at the very least, he needs to be able to leave Yunnan.”

Feng Ye clenched his fist. “With Mao Ren and Qianzhou already in my grasp, I don’t need you to intervene in Datong. I just need you to stay by my side, no need to go anywhere!”

“A mere two-time graduate of the imperial exams and a prince’s lecturer like me should just stay here to keep you warm at this critical moment while abandoning such an important person as Prince Chu?”

“Why not?” Feng Ye glared at Yan Sikong. “Do you think that without you, I can’t take this empire?”

“You…” Yan Sikong took a deep breath and emphasized, “Do you think that with just a few letters exchanged, Prince Chu would recklessly conspire with you?”

Feng Ye was momentarily at a loss for words.

“Feng Ye, I must meet him and persuade him to trust us, especially to trust you.”

Feng Ye’s face darkened as he glared at Yan Sikong. “Do you want to leave me so badly?”

Yan Sikong said calmly, “It’s not about leaving or not leaving. The things I need to do are never delayed for anyone or anything.”

Feng Ye said coldly, “Yes, aside from what you have in mind, nothing else matters.”

Yan Sikong fell silent.

“I refuse to let you go.”

“Whether you do this for yourself or for Prince Chu, the ultimate beneficiary is still you, Feng Ye,” Yan Sikong said seriously. “Why do you have to go against your own interests?”

Feng Ye turned his face away, staring at the untouched, cold food and wine on the table. He felt stifled and suddenly turned back to Yan Sikong. “Smile at me.”

Yan Sikong was taken aback.

“Since we reunited, you’ve always had this face toward me. I want you to smile.”

Yan Sikong felt his anger rise sharply. Was Feng Ye really blaming him for not being cheerful? Every moment since their reunion, he had to endure Feng Ye’s pain and humiliation. Why should he smile? Was it to mock his own intelligence and foolishness? He gritted his teeth and said, “I can’t smile at you.”

Feng Ye slammed the table, his voice harsh. “Then don’t go anywhere. I’d be happy to keep you here just to warm my bed. What of it?” He stood up, brushing off his sleeves as if to leave.

“Feng Ye!” Yan Sikong called out loudly.

Feng Ye stopped in his tracks.

Yan Sikong stood up, walked to him, and looked up with his chin raised. Slowly, he forced a stiff smile.

Feng Ye’s eyes flashed with a dark pain. He grabbed Yan Sikong and pushed him against the wall, pressing his lips against Yan Sikong’s in a rough kiss.

Yan Sikong did not resist, only numbly allowing Feng Ye to do as he wished.

Feng Ye tasted every part of Yan Sikong’s lips and mouth until both were breathless. He finally pulled back slightly, resting his forehead against Yan Sikong’s and whispered, “Leave after the first month of the new year. Que Wang will follow you.”

Yan Sikong was startled. “Are you sending him to protect me or to keep an eye on me?”

“Both.”

AN – Recently, things have been a bit busy, hoping to finish up soon~ (End of Chapter)