The Blood Crown - Chapter 206

Shen Hexuan was not surprised to see Yan Sikong, knowing why he was brought to Dazhou. He did not react with the disdain Yan Sikong had anticipated.

Shen Hexuan had been imprisoned for almost a year and had lost a lot of weight. His clothes were plain but clean, and his hair was neatly combed. Despite his imprisonment, he maintained his dignified demeanor, sitting in the cell as if he were still in an official capacity.

Yan Sikong bowed to him. “Brother Shen, it’s been a long time.”

Shen Hexuan looked coldly at Yan Sikong. “You finally came.”

“Were you waiting for me, Brother Shen? I apologize for not visiting you sooner; I’ve been quite busy.”

“Were you busy helping Feng Ye swallow Qianzhou and Dazhou, or busy recruiting soldiers for Prince Chu?”

Yan Sikong forced a smile. “Nothing escapes your notice, Brother Shen. Open the cell door.”

The jailer opened the door, and Yan Sikong entered with wine and food, sitting cross-legged opposite Shen Hexuan.

Shen Hexuan watched Yan Sikong set the wine and food on the table and said frostily, “It seems that Lord Yan can move freely even in Feng Ye’s prison. You must be highly valued by that rebel.”

Yan Sikong did not respond, simply pouring two glasses of wine. “Here, let me offer you a drink, Brother Shen.”

Shen Hexuan took the glass, paused for two seconds, and then threw the wine into Yan Sikong’s face.

Yan Sikong closed his eyes, some of the wine seeping into his eyes and stinging so much he almost cried. He wiped his face with his sleeve and smiled faintly. “This wine was meant as an apology. You can drink it however you wish. Now that we’re done with that, feel free to scold me as you please.”

“Cursing someone without shame is a waste of breath,” Shen Hexuan said expressionlessly. “You don’t need to put on any pretense in front of me. Do whatever you want, whether to kill or torture; I will never surrender.”

“I didn’t come to persuade you to surrender.”

“Then what are you here for? To mock me?” Shen Hexuan’s face twisted in anger. “To mock me for still believing in a despicable person like you, for losing Maoren because of my naivety?”

“Whether I was here or not, Maoren would have been unable to withstand the Wolf King’s army. The same goes for Qianzhou and Dazhou. Eventually, the Northwest will fall into the Wolf King’s hands. My presence only spared tens of thousands of soldiers from death in battle.”

“Shameless!” Shen Hexuan said sternly. “You traitor who seeks personal gain, how dare you speak so brazenly! You have dragged the Central Plains into civil war, causing countless soldiers to die on the battlefield and countless civilians to be displaced. No number of deaths can atone for your sins!”

Yan Sikong smiled coldly. “If it weren’t for me, would Feng Ye not have rebelled? If it weren’t for me, would Prince Chu have settled peacefully in Yunnan? If it weren’t for me, would the court have lost Hetao and Liaobei, leading to the decline of national strength and the rampant barbarian invasions, making the Great(Da) Sheng’s empire precarious?!” 

Shen Hexuan growled, “You’re simply quibbling! Your actions will cause the Great Sheng to collapse. When foreign invaders seize the opportunity, our Han empire will be finished!”

Yan Sikong retorted fiercely, “It is precisely to avoid repeating the catastrophe of the Eight Kings’ Rebellion that I support Prince Chu to succeed the throne. Prince Chu is benevolent and strategic despite his youth; he will surely rectify the court’s corruption and bring peace to the people. I will not let the current inept ruler destroy our Han empire!”

“You may deceive others with these words, but don’t try to fool me!” Shen Hexuan’s face turned pale with anger. “Prince Chu, at only nineteen, trusts and relies on you completely, while Feng Ye holds a heavy military force. If he were to take over the capital, even if Prince Chu were on the throne, the real power would lie with you and Feng Ye! You are merely using the emperor to control the feudal lords!”

“Yes!” Yan Sikong shouted back. “So what if that’s the case?!”

“You…” Shen Hexuan pointed at him, trembling. “You have the heart of a wolf! The heart of a wolf!”

Yan Sikong took a deep breath. “Brother Shen, we have known each other for more than ten years. Have you ever seen me driven by greed for wealth, lust, power, or fame? Everything I have done has been met with public scorn. Yet I have endured humiliation and burden to destroy the eunuchs, and I traveled a great distance to support Prince Chu in establishing his foundation. I have never sought personal pleasure. Do you remember the meal we had together before you left the capital? I spoke to you about my ambitions and ideals, and I meant every word. It’s just that you cannot accept the way I achieve them.”

“You have committed acts of treason and harm, but you want to disguise it as something noble for the sake of the country. This only makes me look down on you even more.”

“I don’t need any reputation. Besides you, I don’t care to explain myself to anyone. But you are different, Brother Shen. I always believed that one day you would understand me, perhaps you are the only one who can.”

Shen Hexuan sneered. “Ridiculous.”

“Don’t you want Prince Chu to become emperor? After teaching him for years, don’t you know he is truly a man fit to be emperor?”

“I want him to be emperor, and I have high expectations for him as a ruler. But why didn’t he accept the court’s offer to return as the crown prince? He is willing to commit treason for the throne. Such disloyalty and unfilial behavior make it impossible for him to govern with filial piety even if he becomes emperor.”

“If he returned as the crown prince, it’s uncertain whether he would even survive to ascend the throne. How would he avenge Empress Hui’s death? Wouldn’t it be even more disloyal and unfilial if he didn’t avenge his own mother?”

“Don’t try to twist the facts.”

“Isn’t Brother Shen too naive? Simply relying on moral constraints to govern people and affairs is no different from those pretentious scholars and self-styled saints!”

Shen Hexuan’s expression changed repeatedly. “You have such a skill in distorting the truth. You secretly assist the rebels in plotting against the Great Sheng’s territory and incite the princes to rebel, yet you make it sound like a righteous cause.”

“I don’t dare claim to be righteous. I only know that the Great Sheng cannot be destroyed by incompetent rulers and corrupt eunuchs. Only by supporting a wise and virtuous ruler can my ideals be realized.”

“You’re not trying to assist him; you’re trying to control him,” Shen Hexuan said, pointing at Yan Sikong with a look of hatred. “To control him along with Feng Ye.”

“The world will always belong to the Chen family. When Prince Chu can stand on his own, we will retire.”

“Even if you are willing to retire, will Feng Ye?”

“The Feng family has been loyal for three generations. If they wanted to rebel, why didn’t they do so when Prince Jingyuan held power? Feng Ye was forced into rebellion by incompetent rulers and deceitful officials. If he encounters a wise and virtuous ruler, he would be a loyal and capable minister.”

“Such nonsense can only be believed by a three-year-old.”

“Whether you believe it or not, Brother Shen, it changes nothing. You are now in prison. Even if you have the heart to serve the country and save the people, you are powerless. It would be a shame for your talent to waste away in this prison. I didn’t come here to debate right and wrong with you.”

“What do you want?”

“I’m here to offer you a way out, one that will allow you to fully utilize your talents and fulfill your ideals.”

“Don’t even think about it…”

“I want to send your family to Yunnan,” Yan Sikong said.

Shen Hexuan was stunned.

“A wise bird chooses the right tree to nest in, and a worthy minister chooses the right lord to serve. Brother Shen should understand who is truly capable of restoring the Great Sheng and who can help you realize your ideals of governing the country and making your name known.”

Shen Hexuan fell silent.

“Or would you prefer to remain with the corrupt officials and the decadent emperor, sinking together into oblivion?”

Yan Sikong poured another glass of wine, toasted Shen Hexuan, and then drank it himself. “I am about to depart with General Que for a mission to the Chahar region. It is a dangerous journey, and there is no guarantee of returning safely. If you come to your senses, let me know. Otherwise, there may be no chance for negotiation.”

He put down his cup and left the cell.

Yan Sikong couldn’t predict Shen Hexuan’s decision, but he felt he had done everything possible. If it weren’t for his regard for Shen Hexuan’s talent and their past camaraderie, he wouldn’t have kept him around this long. If Shen Hexuan remained stubborn, he would die in prison.

After seeing Shen Hexuan, Yan Sikong visited Feng Xiang. Unlike Shen Hexuan, Feng Xiang was less rigid and stubborn; his refusal to surrender was likely because his family was still in the capital.

Feng Xiang was of little importance, and Yan Sikong had no intention of making things difficult for him. He would discuss with Feng Ye about releasing him, allowing him to return to the capital alone and deliver a message to intimidate the court.

Back at his residence, Yan Sikong, annoyed by the smell of wine, wanted to change clothes quickly but was blocked by Feng Hun, who sniffed him for a while.

Feng Hun was fond of wine and would occasionally be given aged fine wine by Feng Ye. Ordinary wine did not interest it. Yan Sikong, feeling helpless, had a servant bring a pot of the same wine and personally fed it to Feng Hun.

After Feng Hun drank, it paced around Yan Sikong, occasionally pouncing on him with playful behavior, completely losing its usual composure and coldness. Yan Sikong found it hard to handle, and they played around until he was out of breath.

When the sun set, a servant invited Yan Sikong to join Feng Ye for dinner, allowing him to escape.

Feng Ye claimed to have broken his leg and needed to rest, maintaining a strict secrecy about it. He even pretended to be bedridden, having his meals brought to his bedside.

When Yan Sikong entered the room, Feng Ye dismissed the servants, got out of bed, and stretched his limbs, complaining, “Lying in bed all day is more tiring than riding a horse for a day.”

“You’ll be setting out soon. Just endure a little longer,” Yan Sikong said. “Have you discussed things with Que Wang?”

“Yes. Though he can disguise himself as me, he cannot perfectly mimic me, and his voice is different. He might be recognized by those close to me, so I’ll select two trusted servants to accompany him. We’ll go there and back quickly, and with my uncle’s support, it should be fine.”

“Good.”

Feng Ye approached Yan Sikong and sniffed him. “Why do you smell of alcohol? Did Shen Hexuan still have the mood to drink with you?”

“No, I fed the wine to Hun. It got it all over me.”

Feng Ye tugged at his collar. “It smells awful. Take it off.”

“I’ll change right away…”

“Do it here.” Feng Ye pressed down on his shoulders and looked at him with leisure.

Yan Sikong hesitated for a moment but began to undress. Feng Ye, seeming impatient, quickly tore open his clothes and pushed him onto the bed.

“Feng Ye, aren’t you going to eat…”

“I’m hungrier here.” Feng Ye pulled Yan Sikong’s hand towards himself and pressed his own arousal against him. Yan Sikong recoiled as if burned.

During the passionate encounter, Yan Sikong, amidst the chaos, still remembered to bring up the important matter. “Feng Ye, I have a request… I beg you…”

Feng Ye chuckled. “Do you want me to be faster, harder, or to change positions?”

“I… hope you release Shen Hexuan and Feng Xiang.”

Feng Ye paused and thrust forcefully into Yan Sikong, making him shudder violently. He snorted, “Don’t you remember what I said? I told you not to mention other men in front of me, especially at times like this.”

Yan Sikong clung to Feng Ye’s neck, gently rubbing his forehead against Feng Ye’s cheek in a moment of tenderness. “Please, release them.”

Feng Ye’s passion intensified, and he did not respond, only embedding himself deeper into Yan Sikong’s body and soul.

Before leaving, Feng Ye ordered Feng Xiang to be released, and Shen Hexuan eventually agreed to go to Yunnan. Initially, Feng Ye had opposed this, fearing that Shen Hexuan’s assistance to Chen Mu would make Chen Mu too powerful and hard to control. However, he was eventually persuaded by Yan Sikong, who worried that Chen Mu, being young and currently holding military power, might be in danger of being plotted against or seduced by the court.

After dealing with matters in Dazhou, Feng Ye donned Yuan Nanyu’s armor and mask. Though Feng Ye was slightly taller than Yuan Nan Yu, their builds were similar. Wearing heavy armor and riding a horse, it was hard to tell them apart. Accompanied by three thousand guards and ample gifts, Feng Ye and Yan Sikong headed west, crossing the border to the Chahar region.

The Chahar region, now stationed not far from Dazhou, was only a two or three-day journey away. From a distance, they could see the numerous Mongolian yurts and scattered livestock on the grasslands. The Chahar had relocated here after negotiating with the court, deliberately positioning themselves closer to Dazhou and Hetao to intimidate Feng Ye.

Tukur, the son of Khan Nadan,   personally came to welcome them. Upon seeing the boxes of gifts, he smiled broadly and treated them much more courteously. After arranging for the guards to stay nearby, he led Feng Ye, Yan Sikong, and two personal attendants to meet Nadan.

On the way, Tukur pretended to apologize for killing the Wolf King’s envoy and then informed them that the court’s envoy had been staying for some time and wished to meet them.

Yan Sikong knew that they were referring to him. Calmly, he replied that according to protocol, they should first pay their respects to the Khan, and he would naturally meet with the Great Sheng’s envoy afterwards.

Goodnight, and love you all~ (End of chapter)