The Blood Crown - Chapter 201

Although Elder Huo used the postal service to quickly send the memorial back to the capital, the round trip would take at least ten days to a month. Yan Sikong and Chen Mu did not know what Elder Huo had written in the memorial, but the response presented to Chen Mu was for him to seek the Emperor’s instructions. As an envoy, it was his duty, but as an elder who had already retired from official duties and was far from the court, whether or not the case of Chen Chun’s assassination was re-examined was actually no longer important.

When Yan Sikong discussed this with Chen Mu, he hinted several times that the court officials, especially Meng Duo who was currently in a high position, would support a re-examination. In fact, the opposite was true.

Meng Duo and Yan Zilian not only complemented each other in their official capacities but were also very close friends. Meng Duo had been one of the senior officials who supported Chen Mu’s ascension to the throne. Naturally, he hoped Chen Mu would inherit the throne. However, precisely because of this, Meng Duo would not want to re-examine the case. He feared that Emperor Zhao Wu might cover for Concubine Wen Gui, which would only strengthen Chen Mu’s resolve to use military force.

Elder Huo and Lord Xu advising Chen Mu was not a clever strategy devised by the dimwitted Emperor Zhao Wu, but rather a compromise from the collective wisdom of important officials. They all hoped Chen Mu would return to the capital and be granted a title. Their greatest fear was seeing the father and son turn against each other, and the royal dignity of governing the country through filial piety be destroyed.

Unfortunately, there were two things they did not know. First, Chen Mu harbored a deep grudge and wanted more than just the position of Crown Prince. Once in power, he would not leave Concubine Wen Gui and Chen Chun alive. Second, Yan Sikong would never allow the court to unite with Chen Mu against Feng Ye.

Chen Mu was indeed a very clever and perceptive person, but he was still too young. He had been the Crown Prince but was not allowed to participate in governance. After being exiled from the capital as soon as he came of age, he had only learned the superficial aspects of court disputes, mostly taught by Yan Sikong. Yan Sikong could grasp his thoughts with a fair degree of accuracy and inject his own ideas, making Chen Mu demand a thorough re-examination of Chen Chun’s assassination case, which would put the court in a difficult position and deter Chen Mu from returning to the capital.

Chen Mu continued to treat Elder Huo and Lord Xu with the courtesy due to distinguished guests, and he was very respectful, but at the same time, the recruitment and expansion of his troops were accelerating. For the first time in his life, he tasted the benefits of military power and had become addicted.

When Elder Huo received news from the court and discussed it with Chen Mu, Chen Mu immediately went to find Yan Sikong, looking anxious and frustrated.

Yan Sikong reassured him, “Your Highness, you command tens of thousands of troops, overseeing thirteen provinces and seventy-four counties. You must always maintain your dignity and not show your emotions on your face.”

Chen Mu took a deep breath and said gravely, “Do you know how the court replied?”

“Would Your Highness like me to guess?”

“Yes.”

Yan Sikong pondered for a moment. “Could it be that they agreed to a re-examination but only conducted it secretly?”

“That’s right!” Chen Mu said coldly. “This is just a delaying tactic meant to hold me back.”

“Your Highness is wise,” Yan Sikong said with a smile. “Concubine Wen Gui enjoys unparalleled favor in the harem, and Chen Chun is also the Emperor’s most beloved son. The Emperor knows you won’t let them go, so it is impossible for him to allow you to take the throne easily.”

“I thought my father would be clear-headed given the current situation. Though they are both consorts and princes, they cannot be treated equally,” Chen Mu said coldly. “When I ascend the throne, I will make sure that Chen Chun and that witch suffer a terrible fate!”

“Your Highness is filial and never forgets to seek justice for Concubine Hui. Concubine Hui will be very comforted if she can see this from the heavens. For now, you should focus on managing the military and expanding your influence. If the court does indeed send troops to attack, you only need to hold your position and wait for the right moment.”

“Wait until when? Why has Feng Ye not taken action? Is it because of Chahar?”

“Yes, Chahar is a major thorn in the side of the Wolf King, and they cannot fight each other directly but only coexist.”

“But I heard that the Feng family’s troops killed many of Chahar’s people, including the uncle and brothers of the Nadehan. Under the new and old grudges, Chahar killed the envoys sent by Feng Ye to negotiate.”

“That was for show to the court,” Yan Sikong said with a smile. “Those uncivilized barbarians have little sense of family loyalty or brotherly affection. Chahar’s father stole Chahar’s concubine, and Chahar killed him to take the Nadehan’s position. Such a person cares little about relatives. What he cares about is how many treasures and beauties he can obtain from the Central Plains.”

“In that case, Chahar naturally will not cooperate with Feng Ye.”

“Not necessarily,” Yan Sikong said. “With threats or temptations, if either works, Chahar could quickly betray the court. But as it stands, the court still holds the upper hand.”

“What should be done?”

Yan Sikong suggested, “Your Highness, I need to return to assist the Wolf King in dealing with Chahar, whether through strategy or force.”

Chen Mu’s expression changed. “You want to leave?”

“Your Highness…”

“I do not permit it.” Chen Mu stood up abruptly. “I am still unsteady, and the court is gathering troops to watch me closely. At this moment, you want to leave me and go find Feng Ye?”

“I have selected capable strategists for Your Highness, and they can handle things independently…”

“I only need you!” Chen Mu shouted. “You promised to stay by my side and assist me, yet now, at the most critical moment, you want to abandon me and go find Feng Ye?”

“Your Highness,” Yan Sikong took a deep breath, “can you calm down and let me explain?”

Chen Mu’s eyes were fierce, and his chest heaved with anger.

“I do not wish to leave either, but after weighing the situation, the overall situation takes precedence. If Feng Ye cannot escape from Datong, he cannot help you capture the capital. To allow Feng Ye to escape from Datong, we must deal with Chahar, and I already have a plan in mind. I must return to assist him.” In fact, Yan Sikong had not figured out a strategy yet, but he definitely needed to return.

“If the court were to send troops to attack me? With only fifty thousand troops and tight military funds, this is a critical time for using people. Are you not afraid that if you leave now, I might fail and lose all my previous achievements?”

“I won’t be gone long. Once the rear of Datong is secure, it will be time for the Wolf King and Your Highness to move. As for here in Zhongqing, Your Highness has General Hou and other capable generals, and there are also Mr. Qian, Mr. Qu, and other strategists. As long as you defend your position, I believe even a million troops would find it difficult to breach.”

“My unwillingness for you to leave is not just because of these things.” Chen Mu stared hard at Yan Sikong. “Leaving aside status and our shared experiences, I, Chen Mu, do not want you to return to Feng Ye.”

Yan Sikong said solemnly, “Your Highness is the True Dragon of Heaven, and commanding the four corners is a mission bestowed upon you by Heaven. How can there be any notion of leaving aside status? Your Highness should not act impulsively.”

“What if I insist on acting impulsively?” Chen Mu took a step closer, clenching his fists. “You always consider every detail, planning five steps ahead, but you intentionally ignore my feelings. Do you think that by pretending it doesn’t exist, it will truly disappear?”

“Your Highness!”

“Yan Sikong!” Chen Mu’s voice was sharp. “You said you would stay by my side. Since you consider me your lord, how can you betray your lord?”

Yan Sikong’s eyes widened, and he said in a deep voice, “Your Highness has passed the age of childish tantrums. Everything should be for the greater good. Why must you indulge in such a filial son’s sentiment?”

“Filial son?” Chen Mu, in a rage, grabbed Yan Sikong’s wrist. “Now I am taller and stronger than you. If you still see me as a filial son, should I not do something a man should do?”

Yan Sikong squinted and took a step back but stopped in time. He could not show fear. If he could not subdue Chen Mu, it would mean his plans of these years had completely failed.

Chen Mu seized Yan Sikong by the waist and bent down to kiss him.

Yan Sikong hesitated whether to use force. He had always hidden his skills to give himself more leeway, so Chen Mu was unaware of his abilities. However, he still refrained. He turned his head to avoid the kiss and pushed Chen Mu away with force.

Chen Mu, surprised by the strength of a scholar, staggered back a few steps, looking at Yan Sikong with astonishment.

“Li’er!” Yan Sikong shouted. “What kind of manners are these?”

The address “Li’er” indeed stopped Chen Mu in his tracks, and he stared blankly at Yan Sikong.

“I am your teacher!” Yan Sikong scolded sharply. “You disregard the proprieties of ruler and subject, and also the etiquette between teacher and student? I have endured humiliation and hardship, and planned for years to enable you to rule the world and save the people. Yet you shame me like this. Can you face Concubine Hui’s spirit in heaven?”

Chen Mu’s eyes turned red. “I am sincere to you, treating you as a treasure and respecting you as a distinguished guest. How could there be any shame?”

“To me, this is shame.”

“I refuse to accept it. Feng Ye can do it, but I cannot? Why?” Chen Mu growled. “Now you want to abandon me and return to him, forcing me to think day and night about you with him while I am powerless!”

“Should I stay and enjoy the flowers and the moon with you, indulging in poetry and wine?” Yan Sikong retorted angrily. “Do you want the empire, or do you want romance?”

Chen Mu’s lips trembled, unable to speak.

Yan Sikong took a deep breath. “You think you have grown up, but in reality, you are still unstable and willful. It is truly disappointing!”

Chen Mu’s face grew even paler.

Yan Sikong, exhausted and disheartened, smirked. “I could stay and serve as a minister, ready to sacrifice myself for you at any time. Do what you wish with me, but I cannot bear the heavy responsibility of supporting your great cause.”

Chen Mu’s eyes were moist with pain and reluctance. He slowly stepped in front of Yan Sikong, lifting Yan Sikong’s chin, his eyes revealing undisturbed affection. “In my heart, there is only you, more than Feng Ye, more than my sister, more than anyone in the world. I care about you the most.”

Yan Sikong looked at Chen Mu with an expressionless and cold gaze.

Chen Mu lowered his head, gently pressing his lips against Yan Sikong’s. Yan Sikong’s body stiffened, and his fists clenched tightly at his sides. Whether Chen Mu stayed or left was entirely up to him in that moment.

The kiss was gentle and brief. The next moment, Chen Mu fell to his knees with a thud.

Yan Sikong was stunned.

Chen Mu choked out, “Li’er will never again overstep the proprieties between teacher and student. Please calm your anger, my teacher.”

Yan Sikong squinted his eyes.

Chen Mu embraced Yan Sikong’s waist, pleading like a young man, “Please calm your anger, my teacher.”

Yan Sikong, suppressing his anger, trembled as he raised his hand to stroke Chen Mu’s head. “Your Highness, please rise. I cannot accept this.”

“Please calm your anger, my teacher,” Chen Mu said softly.

Yan Sikong sighed deeply, showing some struggle on his face. Unfortunately, he had only this one piece to play. If he could replace it, he would, but he had no other choice. Otherwise, he would have discarded this increasingly self-willed piece.

In a place Yan Sikong could not see, Chen Mu’s tearful eyes radiated a deep, bone-chilling coldness. (End of Chapter)