The Blood Crown - Chapter 240

As Feng Ye had promised, the next day he spread the news.

Although Feng Ye’s actions had outsmarted Chen Mu, they also left behind significant risks. What would happen if Chen Mu really came? Or what if he didn’t? If he came, the situation would certainly end badly. If he didn’t come, Chen Mu might seek to ally with the imperial court.

Yan Sikong’s suggestion was actually the most feasible. If he went to Chen Mu, he didn’t believe Chen Mu would be swayed by Shen Hexuan. But this plan was firmly rejected by Feng Ye. Yan Sikong vaguely felt that Feng Ye’s refusal wasn’t entirely out of jealousy, but also a lack of trust in him. No, it should be said that since the two of them fell out years ago, Feng Ye could no longer trust him.

Yan Sikong also found it harder and harder to understand Feng Ye’s words and actions. He once thought he was the person who understood Feng Ye the most, but now he needed to carefully think through every word and action, unsure whether he could even grasp a fraction of his intentions. He increasingly felt that he was no longer accompanying the lover of his past, but rather a… a king.

As he watched the growing distance between them, he felt powerless, and his heart grew colder. He no longer wanted to try.

—

A few days later, there was news about Yan Sikong’s assignment to A Li. The “Iron Staff” was a wandering man who had injured his leg in the past and now walked with a heavy iron crutch weighing over a hundred pounds. To make a living, he did both legal and illegal jobs, though he had never been caught for his crimes.

Such a person was cunning and unpredictable, only caring about money, not loyalty. Chen Mu couldn’t possibly use him as a spy. It was more likely that he had just paid him to help him escape the city.

This was a wise move. If Chen Mu had really planted someone in the city, Yan Sikong would not have overlooked it. It seemed that Chen Mu was just as wary of him.

A Li gestured: “Young master, should we tie him up and ask him?”

Yan Sikong shook his head. “He’s been carrying that heavy iron crutch for years, so he’s definitely not easy to deal with. There’s no need. First, we might alert Feng Ye; second, we wouldn’t get any useful information from him. Let’s drop it.”

A Li nodded but didn’t leave. He looked at Yan Sikong with concern.

Yan Sikong noticed and asked, “What’s wrong?”

A Li gestured: “The Wolf King is getting married.”

Yan Sikong understood and calmly said, “Oh, right. A man must marry when he grows up.”

A Li seemed hesitant.

Yan Sikong knew what was on his mind but didn’t want to explain further. He was afraid that the more indifferent he acted, the more suspicious it would seem.

“A Li, you can go. I…”

Suddenly, there was a loud noise from outside. Yan Sikong stood up. “This house has never been this noisy. Let’s go out and take a look.”

The two of them walked through the corridor and arrived in the front yard.

This mansion had originally belonged to Luo Ruoxin. After his death, Feng Ye had spared his family, but naturally, they couldn’t remain in Taiyuan. So, the Luo family moved to the countryside, and this mansion was requisitioned by Feng Ye as a temporary residence. It was quite grand.

Now, the vast yard was filled with large wooden boxes, all wrapped in bright red silk, clearly meant as wedding gifts.

Yan Sikong walked over. “What is this…”

The steward bowed his hand. “Lord Yan Sikong, the Wolf King’s wedding is approaching. These are congratulatory gifts from all sides. Over there, the eight boxes are all from General Feng sent from Datong.”

“Oh, may I see the gift register?” Yan Sikong wasn’t actually interested in the gifts; he just wanted to know who had sent them to Feng Ye. Over the past two years, Feng Ye had been busy fighting wars and sending envoys everywhere to forge alliances. Some had openly submitted to him, such as officials and generals from Shu and Qianzhou, as well as the Brave King. Others had secretly provided him with military supplies. His mind was meticulous, and gathering intelligence had become second nature to him.

The steward didn’t see anything wrong and handed over the register. Yan Sikong casually flipped through a few books, finding nothing of particular interest. But when he reached the long register from Feng Changyue, he froze.

Yan Sikong had the ability to skim-read, not always to understand every word, but sometimes he couldn’t help but notice things that caught his eye. When he glanced at this register, he had already gotten the gist of it, and a few items caught his attention.

South Sea pearls, dragon-and-phoenix embroidered bedspreads, gold-carved dragon-and-cloud teapots, double-dragon cups…

Yan Sikong’s hand trembled as he held the register.

These items—these were all items only the emperor and empress could use!

The South Sea pearls were exclusive to the royal family, often embedded in coronets. Each one was worth a hundred thousand taels of silver, but ordinary people, no matter how rich, couldn’t buy them. If they wore one without imperial permission, they would lose their head.

The rest of the items were also ceremonial gifts used during the emperor and empress’s wedding. While not necessarily expensive, they were reserved for the true dragon and phoenix. Ordinary people were forbidden from using them, or it would be seen as an intentional insult, a crime punishable by death.

Feng Changyue had been by Feng Jianping’s side for many years. How could he not know this? Even if they were already in rebellion, they had no fear of the royal family. But there was no need to deliberately send these items as wedding gifts for Feng Ye and the princess, and they might even end up using them in the wedding. If someone with even a little knowledge saw these gifts, they would instantly make certain connections. What other meaning could there be in doing this, if not a provocation?

What other meaning…

Yan Sikong suddenly felt a chill down his spine, sweat pouring down his forehead.

“Lord Yan Sikong?” The steward looked at him in confusion. “You’re so pale. Have you caught a cold? You should go inside and rest. The servants still have much to do.”

A Li also supported Yan Sikong and looked at him with concern.

Yan Sikong pushed A Li away, trying to steady himself. “It’s nothing. I’ll go inside.” He turned and walked toward the inner courtyard.

But instead of returning to his own room, he headed straight for Feng Ye’s study.

He and Feng Ye had shared meals and quarters in the army, and even in the mansion, they had lived together until recently, so no one thought it unusual for him to enter Feng Ye’s private chambers.

He entered the study, closed the door, took a deep breath, and walked briskly to the bookshelf to begin searching through Feng Ye’s letters.

He had never done this before, because in his heart, he had always trusted Feng Ye, believing that Feng Ye had no secrets from him.

But strange and inexplicable events kept happening, and their feelings and trust were slowly wearing away. Now, what was left between them?

After a long search, Yan Sikong finally found Feng Changyue’s letter.

If Feng Ye truly harbored ill intentions and was deliberately hiding something, Feng Changyue would certainly know. After all, those precious gifts in the boxes had come from him!