The Blood Crown - Chapter 216

A few days after sending the messenger to Datong, General Feng’s reply arrived. The military situation was urgent, and no one dared to delay even a moment.

Feng Ye received the letter and eagerly unfolded it. His expression changed from one of anticipation to one of growing concern as he read on.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen in Datong?” Yan Sikong, feeling a pang of anxiety, quickly snatched the letter from Feng Ye’s hands and scanned it. His face too fell into a somber silence.

Feng Changyue agreed to mobilize 20,000 troops and provided a batch of supplies. Datong was tranquil, and the He-tai market was thriving. Many people had returned to farming and animal husbandry in the region. It was expected that the autumn harvest would be abundant. The first half of the letter was filled with good news, and the latter half, while seemingly positive to others, was not what the two of them wanted to see.

The letter from Feng Changyue stated that the court had been secretly in contact with Khan Nadan. They had sent valuable gifts to Khan Nadan’s wives, concubines, and generals in an attempt to sway him. To appease Khan Nadan, it was decided that his only daughter would be given to Feng Ye in marriage, establishing a connection between their families. Although the daughter had been married before, her husband had died young, so she was not required to be a primary wife.

Setting aside personal feelings, this was a flawless move. Although Khan Nadan was just a tribal leader, Feng Ye was merely a rebel. If Khan Nadan’s daughter were not a widow, a formal marriage would be reasonable. Her willingness to become a concubine for Feng Ye showed Khan Nadan’s sincerity. With this marriage, the relationship between the Chahar and Datong would be solidified.

Of course, Feng Changyue had played a role in this. He had argued with Feng Ye more than once over the issue of marriage and concubines. Now, it was a golden opportunity. According to the letter, he had already decided on Feng Ye’s behalf, and Khan Nadan’s daughter could not be easily dismissed.

Feng Ye, with a dark face, sat in his chair, looking at Yan Sikong without speaking.

Yan Sikong put down the letter, feeling a blockage in his chest, each breath feeling extremely bitter. However, he didn’t want to show his feelings. Taking a deep breath, he said, “General Feng is your uncle. Even if he made the decision on your behalf, it is understandable.”

Feng Ye’s expression turned cold, “Is that all you have to say?”

“If this can stabilize the relationship between Datong and the Chahar, it is a double benefit,” Yan Sikong replied.

Feng Ye slammed his palm on the table with a bang, “I’m to take a barbarian woman as a concubine, and that’s all you have to say?!”

Yan Sikong turned to Feng Ye, meeting his eyes directly, “What does the Wolf King want me to say?”

Feng Ye bit his lip, “You answer my question with another question. You love to speak in riddles to hide your true thoughts. Are you brave enough to speak honestly?”

“What I think is…” Yan Sikong shook the letter in his hand, “General Feng has indeed accomplished two things with one action. It’s a good strategy.”

Feng Ye stood up, his face frosty, and advanced step by step towards Yan Sikong, “So, my marrying and taking concubines doesn’t matter to you, right?”

Yan Sikong blinked but subtly avoided Feng Ye’s gaze, saying calmly, “I… have no reason to be concerned. You need to marry and take concubines to continue the Feng family line; it is only natural.”

“Only natural,” Feng Ye said coldly, “Just like it is natural for you to marry and have children. It’s a pity that Xie’er didn’t give you a son. Since you can’t return to the capital now, do you want to take a few concubines here to continue the Yan family line?”

Yan Sikong’s breath became unstable, “Why are you mocking me? It is you who is marrying a concubine, so why do you have to ridicule me?”

Feng Ye clenched his fists and did not answer.

Yan Sikong struggled to control his boiling anger, “What do you want from me? Should I forbid you from taking a concubine? Should I ask you to return Khan Nadan’s daughter as she is? You know that’s impossible. You know that Datong must not be in turmoil. Marrying one woman…”

“Yes, just marrying one woman,” Feng Ye’s forehead was twitching with anger. “In your mind, as long as the goal is achieved, anything can be sacrificed, anything can be discarded. After all, you climbed up the ranks with Wan Yang’s help. Even if I marry multiple wives and concubines to gain soldiers and allies, you’d be happier than anyone else!”

“Nonsense!” Yan Sikong shouted uncontrollably. His eyes were red, and he pointed forcefully at Feng Ye, “Feng Ye, it is you who is taking a concubine. Whether it was forced by General Feng or due to the situation, you are still taking a concubine. Why are you angry? Do you think I don’t care? Marrying Wan Yang felt like I owe you a lifetime. Even if the marriage was arranged by my teacher and the emperor, even if not marrying her would have led to trouble from Xie Zhongren, now if you, Feng Ye, take wives and concubines, I, Yan Sikong, dare not say a word. You will use this to crush me!”

Feng Ye was stunned.

Yan Sikong trembled, “Am I wrong? If I say you should take a concubine, you accuse me of being scheming. If I say you shouldn’t take a concubine, you will definitely question me about Wan Yang. Whatever I say or do, I am at fault in your eyes!”

Feng Ye’s face was rigid. “You married Wan Yang, so indeed you owe me a lifetime. I once was willing to remain single for you, yet you still covet the benefits brought by the princess of the imperial court.”

Yan Sikong, suppressing his heartache, forced a smile. “Feng Ye, despite our situation being unclear, at least we are working together for mutual benefit. Why bring up old grievances? No matter how many times you bring them up, nothing will change. Why bother? Why make things harder?”

He knew that the rift between him and Feng Ye could never be bridged, like a hunter’s trap covered with a thin layer of soil, superficially peaceful but ready to fall into a deep pit with a single misstep. Therefore, ignoring, not mentioning, or asking about it was the best state they could be in. At least, this way, they could work together on serious matters.

Under this calm façade, as long as no one exposed the trap or uncovered the deep pit, he could at least find warmth in the countless nights spent in Feng Ye’s embrace. That was all he hoped for.

Feng Ye looked at Yan Sikong, his eyes filled with complex and unnameable emotions. Finally, they turned into indifference, as still as stagnant water. He said quietly, “You’re right. There’s no need.”

Yan Sikong’s lips quivered, but he could not speak.

Feng Ye took the letter from his hands. “I will take Khan Nadan’s daughter as a concubine. As the last heir of the Feng family, I must continue the family line…” He lowered his head, leaning close to Yan Sikong’s ear. “One day, I will also marry a woman of high status and noble background. How about that?”

Yan Sikong closed his eyes, his heart like dead ashes. He heard himself respond calmly, “Fine.”

Feng Ye turned and left without looking back.

That night, Feng Ye returned only after midnight from his patrol.

Yan Sikong lay on the bed, pretending to be asleep, but in reality, he had been awake for half the night. He didn’t know why, but what occupied his chaotic mind was not Feng Ye’s soon-to-be concubine or the noblewoman he might marry in the future, but… whether Feng Ye had called him “Kong’er” that night of the celebration, whether it was a real call or just his imagination.

He didn’t know why he cared so much, but no matter how hard he thought and puzzled over it, he would not ask Feng Ye.

He felt the sinking of the bed beside him and sensed Feng Ye’s presence.

“You’re not asleep. Stop pretending.”

Yan Sikong opened his eyes and turned over.

Feng Ye sat on the bed, looking down at him with a blank expression. “Take off your clothes.”

Yan Sikong stiffened.

Feng Ye bent down, his strong arms braced on either side of Yan Sikong. In his deep eyes, there was an inscrutable emotion. “I said, take off your clothes.”

Yan Sikong hesitated for a moment before undoing the buttons of his inner garment, exposing his pale chest to Feng Ye.

Feng Ye lowered his head, lightly kissing the corner of Yan Sikong’s lips. “I’ve heard that barbarian women are bold and unruly. I wonder if they have a different flavor compared to you.”

Yan Sikong’s gaze darkened.

Feng Ye caressed his delicate skin playfully. “Don’t worry, even if I take a concubine, I won’t neglect you. The passion you have, Yan Sikong, is unmatched by others.” He licked his lips, “And it’s endlessly intriguing.”

Yan Sikong stared at Feng Ye without blinking, his gaze sharp. It seemed that such humiliation could no longer shake his heart.

“Yes, especially with such a gaze.” Feng Ye’s fingers traced Yan Sikong’s brows and eyes. “No matter how noble a woman is, she can’t be as interesting as taming you. After all, you… are the most greedy water spirit in the world. If I can’t satisfy you with power, you’ll turn to others at any time, right?”

Yan Sikong sneered coldly, “Should I say you underestimate me or overestimate me?”

“I’ve just seen through you,” Feng Ye said, his hand wandering downwards, touching the body that belonged solely to him, one he would never give to anyone else. “I know what kind of person you are, but I still want you. Whether it’s your talent or your body, it can only belong to me.”

Yan Sikong was silent for a moment, then suddenly reached out and embraced Feng Ye’s neck, saying calmly, “Come on then.”

Feng Ye’s blood surged, his eyes flashing with a beastly light. He ripped apart Yan Sikong’s clothes.

Only in such a frenzied descent could Yan Sikong momentarily forget everything, believing that the person with whom he was being intimate was truly his closest companion.

AN – It took a week to sort things out, but I can finally update and work on the next chapter… 

Cough, anyway, I suggest everyone read it again~~ (End of this chapter)