The Blood Crown - Chapter 257

Shen Hexuan was not in Chen Mu’s residence. After the guard led Yan Sikong out of the mansion, they turned through a crooked little alley and eventually stopped in front of a very simple and dilapidated cottage. The house seemed to have been abandoned for quite some time, with the cold winter winds seeping through the cracks. If the snow on the roof were any thicker, it might collapse.

Yan Sikong frowned. “What does this mean? You want me to stay here?”

The guard quickly cupped his hands in respect and replied, “I wouldn’t dare. You are a distinguished guest of Prince Chu, and proper hospitality will be extended to you. This place… is where Lord Shen wishes to meet you.”

Yan Sikong couldn’t figure out what Shen Hexuan was up to, but there were not many guards here, and if they meant him harm, these people would not be much of a threat. Moreover, this was Chen Mu’s territory. Feeling somewhat reassured, he walked inside.

The room contained only a low tea table with some wine on it. Shen Hexuan was kneeling at the table, quietly watching him.

The light inside was dim, and Shen Hexuan’s figure blended into the shadows, mysterious and deep.

Just as Yan Sikong was about to speak, Shen Hexuan suddenly recited, “A house that leans crookedly.”

Yan Sikong pondered for a moment before responding, “Two people with accents from the north and south.”

Shen Hexuan paused for a moment, then laughed heartily.

Yan Sikong realized that Shen Hexuan had changed. He was not the same person as before. Yan Sikong sat down, his eyes scanning the room. “Lord Shen chose to meet here in such a shabby place. It couldn’t be just to exchange poetry, could it?”

“Of course not, though it was a momentary whim. But your response, Lord Yan, is truly marvelous,” Shen Hexuan said as he fixed his gaze on Yan Sikong’s eyes.

Yan Sikong smiled faintly. “Lord Shen has changed a lot. In the past, when we met, you would either scold me or accuse me, but today, you seem so composed. Is it because you feel you’ve finally won against me?”

“Not entirely, but it is one of the reasons,” Shen Hexuan said slowly as he poured wine for both of them. “But you are right, I have changed a lot. The changes I’ve undergone in these past two years outweigh everything from my previous life. And I have you to thank for that.”

He set the wine pot down and picked up his glass. “Please.”

Yan Sikong held the glass in his hand and gave Shen Hexuan a glance.

“What’s wrong? Are you afraid it’s poisoned?” Shen Hexuan asked before drinking his glass of wine in one go.

Only then did Yan Sikong feel at ease and drink from his own glass.

“The reason I chose to meet here is that we’ve both lived lives of luxury, too much so, that we’ve perhaps forgotten who we really are. Isn’t it a good thing to use this humble house to remind ourselves?”

“I have never forgotten who I am. I trust Lord Shen is not one to forget his roots. This seems unnecessary.”

“Is that so? Then let it be my self-reflection. After all, I am not like Lord Yan, able to completely erase my past and create a brand-new identity,” Shen Hexuan’s gaze sharpened.

“I did it out of necessity,” Yan Sikong smiled. “I wonder, what did you think when you learned my true identity?”

Shen Hexuan blinked, paused for a moment, and then said, “To be honest, I was surprised. I didn’t expect that some of the things you told me before were true. You really did endure years of humiliation for the sake of revenge, just to bring down the eunuchs. I had thought it was all just an excuse for your personal ambitions. But now, it turns out everything you did wasn’t for wealth and glory.”

Yan Sikong raised an eyebrow. “That’s not something I would expect Lord Shen to say.”

“Yes, I didn’t expect that either. But one day, I found myself admiring you,” Shen Hexuan sneered. “Although you’ve done many despicable things, the fact that you were willing to go so far for the sake of gratitude is something ordinary people couldn’t do. I’m truly shocked.”

Yan Sikong gave a half-smile, not really smiling. “It’s truly touching that Lord Shen can understand my actions.”

“I understand, but I can’t say I agree with most of them,” Shen Hexuan poured a second glass of wine. “But understanding, for me, is still a great thing. From the fall of Qianzhou to my imprisonment, then my hardships in Yunnan, the capital, and Taiyuan, changes came one after another. Many things I once believed in are now shaking, and these past two years, what I’ve learned may have surpassed all the knowledge I had before.” His eyes became hollow and confused. “For a moment, I realized that, while I had read many books, I never understood people.”

Yan Sikong felt a ripple in his heart. He knew that every word Shen Hexuan said came from the bottom of his heart, born from a crisis of faith that led to a change in character. He had gone through the same thing when he was thirteen. Anyone who experiences such a crisis would never return to the way they were before.

He suddenly wondered, did the young master, Feng Ye, who lost everything in one night and fled in panic, go through the same painful destruction and rebirth?

Shen Hexuan seemed to fall deep into his own thoughts, muttering to himself, “So I often think of you. You and I went in completely different directions, doing so many evil and backward things, yet you also accomplished many things that I wished I could do but couldn’t. I keep asking myself why. Why, despite my deep understanding of the way of the sages and my efforts to follow the rules, have I faced so many setbacks? And why, despite your clever words and unscrupulous methods, have you managed to achieve everything you wanted?”

Yan Sikong listened impassively.

Shen Hexuan chuckled softly, “Later, I figured it out. The way of the gentleman is to honor other gentlemen, but the world is ruled by petty men. My teacher always taught me to be adaptable, and now, nearing my fortieth year, I finally understand the meaning of this.”

“If Lord Shen has such enlightenment, Yan is truly happy for you. Here, a toast to Lord Shen’s newfound wisdom.”

The two of them drank again.

Yan Sikong smiled and said, “It seems that since Lord Shen’s enlightenment, you’ve shown great skill in strategy and have learned to calculate people.”

Shen Hexuan smiled slightly. “Calculating, I’ve always known how, I just didn’t care before. But now, I must learn from Lord Yan, or how can I protect my country and fulfill my duties as a subject?”

Yan Sikong shook his head in disagreement. “It seems Lord Shen’s enlightenment isn’t complete. Why are you still holding onto this foolish loyalty?”

“I am not foolishly loyal. As I said, I understand you, but I do not agree,” Shen Hexuan’s eyes grew clearer. “Let me ask you, do you think that by removing the incompetent rulers and supporting the wise monarchs, you can restore the country? But just because a foolish ruler has a son, does that son have to be a fool? Does a wise monarch’s son have to be wise? Throughout history, it’s always a cycle of prosperity and decline. No matter how wise a ruler is, once they die, it’s hard to ensure the country won’t fall apart. Governing a large nation is like cooking a small fish; the goal is stability, to ensure the dynasty endures. If you stir up chaos, you’ll only break the laws and disrupt the people, causing them to suffer.”

Yan Sikong’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Your words are no different from those corrupt officials who only occupy their positions without doing anything! When we first entered officialdom—no, when all scholars entered officialdom—who didn’t have passion and ambition? But in the end, we were all worn down by the dreary, stagnant bureaucracy. You claim a wise monarch may not have a wise successor. Let me tell you, the matters of one generation belong to that generation. When the current emperor is incompetent, we must support a wise ruler to replace him. When the next emperor is incompetent, the next generation will act for the heavens. If we stand by and watch, we’ll only let the rotting place continue to decay, until it destroys the entire body, and there’s nothing left to save!”

The two of them stared at each other, both with sharp, unyielding gazes. They both understood that neither could convince the other, for their beliefs were as unshakable as the Five Mountains.

They both sighed at the same time.

Shen Hexuan spoke indifferently, “I’ve known for a long time that between you and me, we are indeed ‘speaking different dialects.’”

Yan Sikong gave a bitter smile. “Yes, but the fact that Lord Shen understands me is already a great comfort. Perhaps, we are the ones who understand each other the most. But because of this understanding, we can’t even reach a point of ‘harmony in difference.’ It’s destined… we will be enemies.”

Shen Hexuan poured them both a third glass of wine. “What a pity. I once considered you a close friend, only to be deceived by you, thinking I had misjudged someone. Now, after going in circles, I’ve realized, we truly are close friends.”

The two solemnly clinked their glasses and drank the wine.

Yan Sikong lightly wiped the corner of his mouth. “To be called a ‘close friend’ by you, I’m truly honored.”

“Actually, we don’t have to be enemies,” Shen Hexuan gazed at Yan Sikong. “Helping Prince Chu ascend the throne is also your wish, isn’t it? Now, as long as he recovers the traitors and triumphantly returns to the capital, becoming the crown prince, and persuades the emperor to abdicate, everything can follow the proper rites and unfold naturally.”

Yan Sikong curled his lips into a smile. “Feng Ye is unkind, but I am not unjust. Moreover, it was you who conspired against me.”

“Warfare is full of deception, are you holding a grudge against me?” Shen Hexuan said. “Besides, you’ve also schemed and sowed discord with me.”

“In a battle, both of us are playing our parts. How could there be any grudges? Lord Shen, you exaggerate.”

“Lord Yan is one who pays back a grudge, even if you don’t hate me, you…” Shen Hexuan sneered. “Don’t you hate Feng Ye?”

Yan Sikong leaned slightly forward, smiling. “I’ve known him since we were children, and we once had mutual affection. If I say I don’t hate him, that would be a lie. But… if you want me to help Prince Chu deal with him, what good will Prince Chu offer me?”

“Prince Chu values you highly. Whatever you want, he might give it to you.”

“Then what should I ask for?” Yan Sikong smiled coldly. “Lord Shen, your probing only seeks to know if I truly want to stay. You want to use me to get rid of Feng Ye, but you’re afraid I’ll plot for personal gain and threaten your position. In this world, there’s no such thing as having it both ways. If I stay, Lord Shen will always have to be on guard against me. If I were you…” Yan Sikong stretched out his hand and lightly traced his neck. “I’d have killed me.”

A flicker of murderous intent flashed in Shen Hexuan’s eyes. “Lord Yan, you spared my life, and I am grateful. In truth, I don’t want to kill you. If you were to disappear, and no one could find you, that would be perfect.”

“I’ve decided to retire, but they won’t let me go. Why don’t you help me and send me away?”

Shen Hexuan shook his head. “It’s too late. Prince Chu will certainly send people to watch you.”

Yan Sikong sneered and said nothing.

“Therefore, I want to advise you to redeem your sins. When you return to the capital, I’ll plead with the emperor with Prince Chu, so you can be reunited with your wife and daughter. Perhaps that would be your best option in this life.”

Yan Sikong grabbed the wine pot and poured the wine straight into his mouth, drinking half a pot. He wiped his mouth and grinned. “The path of my life has always been one I walked myself.” He stood up. “I won’t keep Lord Shen company here in the cold. Farewell.”

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I will definitely finish writing this year, I believe in myself!