The Blood Crown - Chapter 264

Yan Sikong arrived alone at the prison and saw Yuan Shaoxu, who was being held there.

 

Yuan Shaoxu was curled up in a corner, covered in blood, his hair disheveled. When he saw the visitor, he froze for a moment, subconsciously turning his face away, both ashamed and trying to hide his miserable state. But soon, he realized the futility of this gesture. He turned back around but kept his eyes on the ground, not daring to lift them.

 

Yan Sikong looked down at Yuan Shaoxu from above, feeling both disgust and anger. The disgust was directed at Yuan Shaoxu as a person, while the anger was directed at the face that resembled Yuan Mao’s. The Yuan Mao in his mind was an upright, heroic figure, someone who would never show any deceitful or treacherous expression, nor would he lower his head because of being imprisoned. What Yan Sikong hated the most was that Yuan Shaoxu, with this face, had committed disgraceful acts, tarnishing the memory of Yuan Mao that Yan Sikong held dear.

 

After a long silence, Yuan Shaoxu spoke in a low voice, “You must be quite pleased with yourself, right?”

 

“You’ve caused the deaths of the soldiers, and Yuer was captured. What should I be pleased about?”

 

Yuan Shaoxu nervously pressed his lips together. “Are you trying to help Feng Ye or Chen Mu? You’re so opportunistic, who would trust you?”

 

“Being opportunistic is better than you thinking you’re clever and causing harm to the entire army. Someone like you still dares to dream of being a general? You’re not worthy.”

 

Yuan Shaoxu turned around in agitation, speaking bitterly, “Victory and defeat are common in war. When the Wolf King gave me a task, I never slacked off. It’s you… it’s all because of you, slandering me in front of the Wolf King, preventing me from being trusted!”

 

“So you colluded with the enemy and framed me? If the Wolf King knew you were conspiring with the enemy, you wouldn’t have enough lives to pay for it.”

 

“I didn’t collude with the enemy!” Yuan Shaoxu shouted. “I didn’t leak military secrets, nor did I accept bribes from them.”

 

“Really?” Yan Sikong sneered. “Yuan Shaoxu, do you think I’ll believe you? Perhaps this time, you faked military orders and led the troops into an ambush as part of a scheme between you and Chen Mu.”

 

“No!” Yuan Shaoxu yelled, “Yan Sikong, stop slandering me. I never betrayed the Wolf King.”

 

Yan Sikong’s voice grew cold. “You’ve already betrayed the Wolf King by sowing discord between us.”

 

“You’re always around the Wolf King, spreading lies to confuse him, suppressing me on purpose. Yuer is my own brother, yet he keeps distancing himself from me because of you. You… you shouldn’t have appeared!” Yuan Shaoxu’s eyes were filled with hatred as he looked at Yan Sikong.

 

Yan Sikong leaned closer to Yuan Shaoxu. “If it were anyone else, I would have made sure they couldn’t live, but you’re my father’s eldest son. I truly want to spare your life and let you live a life of luxury. Why do you keep pushing your luck?”

 

The cold and deep look in Yan Sikong’s eyes made Yuan Shaoxu tremble. “What, do you want to kill me?”

 

Yan Sikong stared at Yuan Shaoxu, silent.

 

Yuan Shaoxu began to panic. “Sike, you can’t really want to kill me, right? I… I’m your elder brother after all.”

 

“Now you remember you’re my elder brother?”

 

“There’s some misunderstanding between us, but you… you didn’t even stand properly here…”

 

“That’s because I was lucky. But if you had the chance to kill me, you wouldn’t hesitate, would you?” Yan Sikong smiled coldly.

 

“I… I wouldn’t kill you. After all, I still care about the brotherhood,” Yuan Shaoxu said, his eyes showing a hint of panic. “Sike, for Father’s sake, please let me go.”

 

“Let you go?” Yan Sikong’s voice turned cold. “I may spare your life, but you will remain in prison. Only then will I feel at ease.”

 

“I can’t stay here!” Yuan Shaoxu lunged at the iron bars, grabbing them. “Let me go, Sike, let your elder brother go! I promise I won’t oppose you again, I swear!”

 

“You were never my opponent, so what do you mean by opposing me?” Yan Sikong slowly stepped back, coldly saying, “Yuan Shaoxu, sparing your life is my last act of mercy. Keep your mouth shut while you’re in prison. If you try to bite, I’ll make sure you go to join Father earlier.”

 

After saying that, Yan Sikong turned and walked away.

 

“Sike, Yan Sikong!” Yuan Shaoxu yelled. “Let me go, come back here, let me go—”

 

Yan Sikong wore a cold smile at the corner of his lips, leaving Yuan Shaoxu’s voice far behind.

 

Yan Sikong, out of respect for Yuan Mao’s kindness, found it difficult to kill Yuan Shaoxu. However, imprisoning him might be even more satisfying than killing him.

 

—

 

Just two days after Yuan Nanxun’s capture, Feng Ye sent an envoy to negotiate peace with Chen Mu. The conditions presented by Feng Ye seemed quite sincere. Not only was he willing to cede Fengxiang, Qingyang, and Taiyuan, but he was also willing to help Chen Mu return to the capital to ascend the throne, in exchange for only the territories of Xuanhua, Datong, and Qianzhou as his fiefs, never to enter the capital again.

 

At that time, Feng Ye already controlled Datong and Qianzhou, and adding Xuanhua to that would make the deal quite profitable if Feng Ye truly followed through with his promises.

 

The envoy expressed in the most flattering terms Feng Ye’s admiration and loyalty to Chen Mu, saying that Feng Ye had been waiting in Taiyuan for a wise ruler. Chen Mu’s attack on Pingliang and the capture of Que Wang had broken his heart. The envoy begged Chen Mu not to listen to Yan Sikong’s slander. Furthermore, to show sincerity, Feng Ye was willing to hand over Fengxiang, but Chen Mu must release Que Wang.

 

Chen Mu greeted the envoy calmly and arranged for him to rest after the meeting.

 

Once the envoy had left, Chen Mu sneered. “Feng Ye actually wants to trade Fengxiang for Que Wang. The Wolf King, known far and wide, now has no choice but to humble himself before me.”

 

Yan Sikong was still thinking about the look the envoy had given him, that expression of anger held back. It was truly amusing.

 

Shen Hexuan spoke bluntly, “Your Highness is still young. A little success has made you complacent. Underestimating the enemy is dangerous.”

 

Shen Hexuan’s words were not as pleasant as Yan Sikong’s, and they made Chen Mu’s expression darken, though he didn’t refute it.

 

Yan Sikong added, “Warfare thrives on deception. Your Highness must not trust Feng Ye too easily. However, it is indeed a good sign that Feng Ye has shown weakness.”

 

“Then what does the teacher think? In my opinion, if he wants to ransom Que Wang, he should offer Qingyang instead. Fengxiang is too cheap of a trade.”

 

“Exchanging a city for a person could be a trap. Even if he really brings Changyang, would Your Highness dare enter the city? What if the city is full of ambushes, and you fall into the trap?” Shen Hexuan said. “In my opinion, if he truly intends to support Your Highness, he should immediately withdraw his troops to Datong. Once he retreats from the Central Plains, we can release Que Wang right away. This will also reveal Feng Ye’s true intentions.”

 

“Good.”

 

Yan Sikong shook his head. “This back-and-forth testing, hasn’t Your Highness grown tired of it? We’ve already conquered Pingliang. We should take advantage of the momentum and attack Taiyuan. Only by truly cornering him will he possibly retreat.”

 

“But with my current troops…” Chen Mu furrowed his brows.

 

“When will the imperial court send troops?” Yan Sikong asked.

 

“The court is persuading various lords to support the king,” Shen Hexuan frowned. “But after the demotion of the princes a few years ago, it severely weakened their power, and now no one is willing to take the first step.”

 

“Your Highness married Princess Ning, and Ning Wang(Prince) and Han Wang(Prince) are full-brothers. It should be easiest to persuade him,” Yan Sikong looked at Chen Mu. “Why not send someone?”

 

“Naturally, I have sent someone,” Chen Mu sighed and said angrily, “But Han Wang has a violent temper and an eccentric nature. It’s said he has been obsessed with a heretical cult these years, and he doesn’t listen to ordinary people.”

 

Yan Sikong rubbed his chin thoughtfully, making an appearance of hesitation. After a while, he said, “Since Han Wang is so difficult to deal with, we must find a clever and tactful person. After thinking it over, besides myself, I can’t think of a better candidate.”

 

“Would you go, sir?” Chen Mu’s eyes lit up, then he quickly dismissed the idea. “No, Han Wang’s mood is unpredictable. It would be too dangerous for you.”

 

Yan Sikong smiled. “Is Your Highness worried that my bad reputation will make him treat me unfairly?”

 

Chen Mu frowned. “I can’t let you take the risk.”

 

“All the lords are standing by, unwilling to take the first step in this murky situation. If no one responds, we’ll only watch as Feng Ye grows stronger. Now that Pingliang has fallen, Que Wang has been captured, Feng Ye has suffered consecutive defeats, and his army’s morale is shaken—this is the best time to defeat him. We cannot miss it.”

 

Chen Mu sighed quietly and fell silent.

 

Shen Hexuan glanced at Yan Sikong, his gaze filled with suspicion, though he could not fathom Yan Sikong’s true intentions.

 

What Yan Sikong was thinking, of course, was to pull a fast one, sending Yuan Nanyu away in his identity. Once out of the city, with Yuan Nanyu’s skills, he could easily escape. As for him, even if Chen Mu found out, he probably wouldn’t kill him.

 

In any case, he couldn’t care about himself now. The longer Yuan Nanyu stayed, the more likely their identities would be exposed. Even if it could be hidden for a while, with Shen Hexuan around, fanning the flames, Chen Mu might order Yuan Nanyu’s death to bolster his authority over Feng Ye at any moment.

 

Yan Sikong persuaded Chen Mu a few more times. He knew Chen Mu’s concern wasn’t just for his safety, but also for fear that he would go back to Feng Ye. After a great deal of persuasion, he finally agreed to send military escorts from the Juejiao to protect him, and Chen Mu finally consented to send him as an envoy to Han Wang.

 

Shen Hexuan remained silent, though his gaze grew increasingly profound.

 

“I have one more request, Your Highness.”

 

“Please, sir.”

 

“I wish to interrogate Que Wang.” Yan Sikong glanced at Shen Hexuan. “I doubt Master Shen has gotten much out of him.”

 

Shen Hexuan coldly said, “I intended to use both manners and force, but seeing his state, he probably expects to be punished.”

 

“Why not let me try? After all, I have some previous acquaintance with him.”

 

Chen Mu nodded. “Very well. The prison is heavily guarded. Take my token with you.”

 

—

 

That night, Yan Sikong brought fine wine and food to visit Yuan Nanyu. Yuan Nanyu and Yuan Shaoxu were locked up in the same dungeon, but they were kept far apart.

 

Pingliang had just been taken over, and the city was filled with loyalists to Feng Ye and Que Wang. To prevent any rescues, the originally somewhat simple prison had been completely surrounded by soldiers from Chen Mu, with tight security. Even a rat wouldn’t be able to get in or out.

 

But with Chen Mu’s token in hand, Yan Sikong had no trouble.

 

Entering the dungeon, Yan Sikong saw that although Yuan Nanyu’s clothes were dirty and his hair disheveled, he had not been tortured. Yan Sikong felt slightly relieved and ordered the jailers, “Open the cell and step aside.”

 

“Uh…” The jailers looked at each other.

 

Yan Sikong raised the token. “I come on the orders of Prince Chu. You may leave now. Is he going to fly out?”

 

“…Yes.” The jailers reluctantly opened the cell door and retreated.

 

Once everyone had left, Yan Sikong quickly entered the cell. “Yu’er, how are you?”

 

Yuan Nanyu smiled bitterly. “I haven’t been tortured, but my heart is tormented by guilt, unable to rest day or night.”

 

“A real man should not bind himself to the victories and losses of a single battle.” Yan Sikong took the wine and food out of the basket. “Come, let’s have a good drink together, brother.”

 

Yuan Nanyu hesitated before asking, “Big Brother… How is he?”

 

Yan Sikong’s face darkened. “You’re still thinking about him? You and the soldiers ended up like this all because of him.”

 

“I know, but…” Yuan Nanyu sighed deeply. “I can’t bring myself to be cold-hearted.”

 

“He’s still alive.” Yan Sikong said coldly. “I spared his life, that was my ultimate mercy.”

 

Yuan Nanyu nodded. “The military has its rules. He committed a great offense, and if Wolf King were to deal with him, decapitation would not be excessive. To leave him his life is already a great mercy.”

 

“This is because of you and Father. Otherwise, I would never be so lenient.”

 

Yuan Nanyu looked at Yan Sikong and whispered, “Now, I believe you.”

 

“Believe me in what?”

 

“That you are truly Yan Sikong.”

 

Yan Sikong was taken aback. “Do you…”

 

“No.” Yuan Nanyu shook his head. “I didn’t remember, but Big Brother’s attitude toward you, and yours toward him—I can tell. There is no brotherly bond between you. Also, the matter of colluding with the enemy, looking back now, it’s full of doubts. I once subtly asked Big Brother, and his reaction showed that he must have a guilty conscience. If I wasn’t assigned to guard Changyang by the Wolf King, I would have confronted him with the iron staff.”

 

Yan Sikong poured two cups of wine and said softly, “I’ve already said, Big Brother has been lying from the beginning. Whether it’s our identities or the matter of colluding with the enemy, if he and I were really brothers, would he have treated me like this?”

 

Yuan Nanyu sighed deeply. “So, in the end, he and I are true blood brothers.”

 

Yan Sikong smiled bitterly. “That’s right.”

 

Yuan Nanyu raised his cup. “This cup is to apologize to you on behalf of Big Brother. I don’t defend him, nor do I ask for your forgiveness, but I am deeply grateful that you spared his life.”

 

“I did this not only for you but also to repay Father and Mother’s kindness.” Yan Sikong clinked glasses with him. “Yuer, remember, the bond between us is stronger than that of brothers. Back then, you took the blame for me and were exiled. I will repay this debt with my life, and I will certainly save you.”

 

Yuan Nanyu’s eyes filled with emotion. “Thank you…” He hesitated before calling out, “Er’ge(Second Brother).”

 

That “Er’ge” made Yan Sikong’s eyes redden. His hand, still holding the cup, was shaking.

 

“Er’ge!” His Yuer had finally called him “Er’ge” again. This “Er’ge” crossed a full twenty years! For this moment, no matter how cruel or heartless fate had been to him, he could let it go. After all, they had reunited as brothers.

 

“Er’ge.” Yuan Nanyu grabbed Yan Sikong’s hand. “If I can escape, I will explain the truth to Feng Ye. In fact, it doesn’t matter whether it was you or me from the beginning. In his heart, it was always you, not the name.”

 

Yan Sikong shook his head. “There’s no need to mention him again. Never bring him up. Everything I’ve done for you has nothing to do with him.”

 

Yuan Nanyu wanted to say something but stopped.

 

Yan Sikong knocked his cup against Yuan Nanyu’s. “Come, bottoms up!”

 

The two of them drank heartily and emptied their cups.

 

Yan Sikong continued to pour wine and serve food, explaining how they would help him escape.

 

“I’ll disguise myself as you?” Yuan Nanyu was shocked.

 

“Yes.” Yan Sikong said firmly