The Blood Crown - Chapter 265

Yuan Nanyu frowned. “How do we switch? And what happens after?”

 

“I will go to Pei’an to persuade Han Wang to send troops on behalf of Chen Mu. You will impersonate me. As long as we leave Pingliang, with your skills, you’ll find a chance to escape on the way.”

 

“And you?”

 

Yan Sikong gently tapped the mask on Yuan Nanyu’s face. “I’ll wear this and stay here.”

 

“This is madness,” Yuan Nanyu said, eyes wide. “If Chen Mu finds out, how could he ever let you off!”

 

“Don’t worry. Even if he finds out, he won’t kill me,” Yan Sikong said firmly. “But if you don’t leave, he might kill you.”

 

Yuan Nanyu shook his head. “No. I can’t let you take my place and suffer. If this is your plan, I can’t do it.”

 

“Yu’er, at a time like this, you’re still hesitating?” Yan Sikong stared at him. “A king rules the world with filial piety. Chen Mu wants to become emperor, so how could he kill his own teacher? Time is pressing, and there’s no better plan than this.”

 

“Er’ge,” Yuan Nanyu stared at Yan Sikong without blinking, his tone serious. “I won’t leave you to bear the blame while I escape. Even if he doesn’t kill you, he certainly won’t let you off easily. If you’re not safe, what’s the point of me living?”

 

Yan Sikong took a deep breath and said in a low voice, “Because you can’t die here. You still have ambitions to fulfill, still many things to do. Even if it’s to go out and right the wrongs you’ve committed, you can’t just escape death.”

 

Yuan Nanyu bit his lip, turning his face away.

 

Yan Sikong grabbed his face and forced him to look at him. “Xiu’er, do you know why, twenty years ago, you took the blame for me and were exiled?”

 

Yuan Nanyu shook his head in confusion.

 

“Because we are brothers,” Yan Sikong’s voice trembled. “What you’re willing to do for me, I’m willing to do for you, because we are brothers. Xiu’er, let me repay you. I owe you twenty years. The nights when I thought you were dead, I suffered deeply. Let me repay you now.”

 

Yuan Nanyu’s eyes reddened, and his shoulders trembled.

 

Yan Sikong couldn’t help but pull Yuan Nanyu into his arms, gently stroking his back as he had when they were children, choking with emotion. “You must live. We still have hope. If you die, Er’ge has nothing left.”

 

“I… I will save you,” Yuan Nanyu gritted his teeth. “I will defeat Chen Mu and come back to rescue you.”

 

“Don’t worry about me. I came to find Chen Mu on my own, and I have my own ways of keeping safe,” Yan Sikong whispered. “From now on, you must not act foolishly or let emotions cloud your judgment.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Yan Sikong smoothed his messy hair. “We need to exchange some things: people we know, things we’ve learned, words we’ve said. You need to imitate my voice, gestures, and actions, and I’ll imitate yours. You must also lose more weight so you look more like me.”

 

Yuan Nanyu nodded solemnly.

 

“Today, I can’t stay long. Think carefully, and I’ll come back tomorrow. I’ll bring the disguise ointment that She Zhun left for me. We must take on each other’s identity as quickly as possible.”

 

Yuan Nanyu wiped his face. “Er’ge, I will do my best.”

 

—

 

Yan Sikong returned to his quarters and began preparing. He and Yuan Nanyu were very similar in appearance, build, and voice, though Yuan Nanyu was slightly more muscular. Despite having no blood relation, they seemed like twins, an uncanny coincidence that must have been fated.

 

The New Year’s Eve was approaching, and Yan Sikong decided to switch identities with Yuan Nanyu that night. During the New Year, people would be busy and distracted, and the two people most likely to notice any unusual behavior—Chen Mu and Shen Hexuan—would be spending time with their families. There was no better time to pull off the switch. Once the New Year was over, he would go to Pei’an. In such a short time, as long as Yuan Nanyu disguised himself well, they would be able to fool everyone.

 

Having made up his mind, Yan Sikong specifically asked for permission from Chen Mu, saying that forcing Yuan Nanyu wouldn’t work, and that their conversation in the prison with wine would help ease Yuan Nanyu’s guard. He requested Chen Mu’s permission to visit whenever necessary.

 

Chen Mu, busy with his battle against Feng Ye from afar, trusted him and agreed.

 

Shen Hexuan didn’t speak, but after Yan Sikong left, he followed him and stopped him in the hallway.

 

Yan Sikong cupped his hands in a mocking gesture. “Lord Shen, is there something you need?”

 

“Yan Sikong, what are you up to?” Shen Hexuan said coldly.

 

“I’m dull-witted. Lord Shen, would you kindly enlighten me?”

 

“His Highness entrusted me with the interrogation of Yuan Nanyu, but you’re going to visit him like a friend. You must have other plans,” Shen Hexuan said sharply.

 

“His Highness did ask you to interrogate him, but what have you gotten from it?” Yan Sikong mocked. “Since you haven’t gotten anything, why not let me try? Could it be that Lord Shen is afraid I’ll steal your credit?”

 

“I don’t care about any credit,” Shen Hexuan said angrily. “You’re cunning and treacherous, making people wary. His Highness trusts you, but I’ll keep an eye on you. I won’t let you stir up trouble under my nose.”

 

“Heh.” Yan Sikong sneered. “Lord Shen, you have no proof, yet you make baseless accusations. This is not how a gentleman behaves.”

 

“You’re no gentleman, so there’s no need to treat you like one.”

 

Yan Sikong mocked, “Wait until Lord Shen finds something to hold over me, then tell His Highness.”

 

As Yan Sikong turned, the murderous intent on his face could no longer be hidden. Once Yuan Nanyu was safely sent away, he would find a way to deal with Shen Hexuan.

 

—

 

Yan Sikong continued visiting Yuan Nanyu in prison for several days, always bringing good wine and food. These items would be inspected by the guards, so Yan Sikong kept the disguise ointment hidden on his person. This ointment was specially formulated by She Zhun and could withstand water for a few days. When applied, it would create a second layer of skin, allowing him to assume a different identity.

 

Entering the prison, Yan Sikong took out the disguise paste. “This is what I mentioned; it should be better than what you made yourself.”

 

Yuan Nanyu applied a little to his arm, then rubbed it in, and it blended naturally with his skin. He praised, “Indeed, it’s a good thing. This She Zhun is truly skilled.”

 

“He’s the most famous information broker in the Jianghu. I don’t even know how many identities he has.” Yan Sikong took off Yuan Nanyu’s mask, poured some wine onto a cloth, and wiped his face clean, then applied the paste over the marks from the ink punishment.

 

“When will he come to find you? With him around, we may be able to get you out.”

 

“I don’t know. Once he settles things with Ah Li, he’ll come to find me.” Yan Sikong smiled, “He has always saved me in times of danger, and we’re as close as brothers. I hope one day you two can meet.”

 

“Definitely.”

 

Yan Sikong evenly applied the paste and nodded in satisfaction. “It’s flawless, it doesn’t look suspicious at all.”

 

Yuan Nanyu gently touched his face. “Really?”

 

“Really.” Yan Sikong said. “Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, we’ll carry out everything as planned.”

 

Yuan Nanyu’s face showed unease. “Er’ge, I still feel… this isn’t right. You pretending to be me might work, but I… I’m really not good at pretending.”

 

“You have to do it, whether you can or not. Right now, Feng Ye is pressuring Chen Mu, and Chen Mu has no intention of exchanging you for the city. If any lords rise up against Feng Ye, the first thing Chen Mu will do is use your blood to consecrate the army’s flag.” Yan Sikong stared deeply into Yuan Nanyu’s eyes. “Once the new year passes, your fate will be sealed—live or die. I won’t let you stay here risking everything.”

 

“But you…”

 

“I said, don’t worry about me. I’ll definitely survive, nothing else matters.” Yan Sikong cupped Yuan Nanyu’s face, looking at the familiar face that seemed like his own. Even though they weren’t twins, they had a twin-like bond. He cared about Yuan Nanyu’s well-being as though he was caring for himself, and he believed that when Yuan Nanyu took the blame for him, he must have thought the same way.

 

Yuan Nanyu sighed and nodded.

 

“I’ve taught you to imitate me. How did it go?”

 

Yuan Nanyu stood up, straightened his chest, and walked like Yan Sikong. He bowed and coughed lightly, saying in a neither humble nor overbearing manner, “I greet His Highness.”

 

Yan Sikong smiled. “Very good. Try to avoid contact with them as much as possible. If you can hide, then hide. You must hold on until you leave Pingliang.”

 

“I won’t disappoint Er’ge.” Yuan Nanyu said solemnly. “Er’ge, take care of yourself.”

 

“Don’t worry!”

 

—

 

On New Year’s Eve, Yan Sikong finished the tasks assigned by Chen Mu, and before the feast, he brought some New Year’s food to visit Yuan Nanyu.

 

The two quickly changed clothes. Yan Sikong wiped Yuan Nanyu’s face clean and fixed his hair. To cover the smell from Yuan Nanyu’s days without proper hygiene in the prison, Yan Sikong splashed strong alcohol on his clothes. “Once you go out, go back and wash up. Tonight’s banquet, Chen Mu will definitely be too busy to pay attention to you. Stay away from Shen Hexuan, pretend to be drunk, and return to your room early.”

 

“Okay.” Yuan Nanyu looked a bit tense.

 

“Luckily, you went with me to Yunnan. Many of Chen Mu’s officials and generals, you know them. If something goes wrong, don’t be afraid. Just act like you’ve drunk too much. Wu Bin needs to remain calm.”

 

“Rest assured, Er’ge.”

 

Once Yuan Nanyu was all set, Yan Sikong ruffled his own hair, smeared ashes on his face and feet, and then held the mask, staring intently at it.

 

Yuan Nanyu softly said, “Er’ge, if you…”

 

Without hesitation, Yan Sikong put on the mask. “From now on, you are Yan Sikong, and I am Que Wang.”

 

Yuan Nanyu sighed deeply, “Er’ge, I’m afraid after doing this, I’ll regret it.”

 

“If you die at Chen Mu’s hands, you won’t even have the chance to regret it.” Yan Sikong pulled him up, pushing him out of the prison. His eyes, warm and firm behind the mask, said, “Yuan’er, go quickly.”

 

“Er’ge…”

 

“Trust Er’ge. We brothers will definitely meet again.”

 

Yuan Nanyu widened his eyes, fighting back the tears, clenched his fists, and deeply bowed to Yan Sikong. “We will definitely meet again!” After saying this, he forced himself to turn around and leave.

 

Yan Sikong sat in the prison, gently touching his face with trembling hands. This mask was hard to remove after wearing it for too long. Originally, it should have been his to wear. Now, it had simply returned to its rightful owner.

 

He no longer had the time to think about his fate. Even if he had to die in place of Yuan Nanyu, he accepted it. His only wish was that Yuan Nanyu could successfully escape.

 

—

 

Disguised as Yan Sikong, Yuan Nanyu suppressed his anxiety, trying to stretch his body and relax his steps as he walked out of the prison.

 

The guards had received Yan Sikong’s silver, and after seeing him come and go these past few days, they had become somewhat familiar. While saluting, they didn’t forget to laugh and joke, “Lord Yan, Happy New Year! How did you spill alcohol on your coat? Be careful not to catch a cold.”

 

“I’ll go change right away.” Yuan Nanyu saw that the guards showed no suspicion, and his anxious heart finally began to calm down.

 

Following Yan Sikong’s description, he returned to his residence, had his servant prepare hot water, and cleaned himself up inside and out. After finishing his grooming, he applied the disguise paste to his face once more for extra precaution. When everything looked flawless, he felt it was safe to attend the New Year’s banquet.

 

Chen Mu had invited many officials and trusted subordinates to celebrate the New Year. He sat at the main seat with Princess Yunlong, while Qi Manbi sat beside, elegantly poised.

 

As Yan Sikong had said, Chen Mu had too many guests to attend to, so he didn’t pay much attention to Yuan Nanyu. Yuan Nanyu greeted Chen Mu and then sat down at the side.

 

Once seated, Yuan Nanyu carefully observed the people around him. To avoid making any mistakes, he needed to identify those he hadn’t met but had heard about from Yan Sikong.

 

The Princess Yunlong had a graceful appearance, but when compared to Qi Manbi’s seductive charm, she appeared somewhat plain. It was no wonder that on this New Year’s night, Chen Mu and she didn’t seem like a couple enjoying each other’s company; they treated each other with utmost respect.

 

Yuan Nanyu noticed Shen Hexuan’s gaze. He calmly and confidently met his stare, even raising his glass with a hint of provocation.

 

As long as he didn’t speak, he was confident he could imitate Yan Sikong at least eight out of ten.

 

The banquet began, and the guests brought elaborate gifts. Their bold and carefree New Year’s greetings seemed to already treat Chen Mu as an emperor. Chen Mu accepted everything without hesitation, his youthful, handsome face full of ambition, which caused Shen Hexuan to frown repeatedly.

 

Yuan Nanyu remembered the younger version of Shen Hexuan he had seen years ago, who would follow Yan Sikong around, calling him “teacher” and unable to function without him. It was indeed true that Yan Sikong and he had helped Chen Mu stabilize the situation, suppressing the bandits, recruiting soldiers, and attracting talents, which had helped him rise to where he was today.

 

Although their initial goal in helping Chen Mu was to use him to restrain the lords, they hadn’t anticipated that this young man would become so cunning and ambitious, creating the current situation. He was truly a double-edged sword, benefiting himself while also harming himself.

 

Perhaps, in his bones, Chen Mu truly had the blood of an emperor. Yuan Nanyu had seen Feng Ye in his early twenties, full of arrogance, but Chen Mu’s arrogance was different. It carried both a calculated self-restraint, as if every move he made had a purpose. Yan Sikong had trained him as the ruler of the world from a young age, and the results were impressive.

 

Yuan Nanyu felt deeply moved.

 

After drinking several large cups of wine, Yuan Nanyu pretended to have a headache and got up, swaying as he headed back to his room to rest.

 

A servant came over to help him. “Lord Yan, what’s wrong?”

 

Yuan Nanyu waved his hand. “I have a headache. Help me back to my room to rest.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Lord Yan.” A woman’s voice called from behind, clear and distinct amidst the noise of the room.

 

Yuan Nanyu turned around and saw it was Qi Manbi, Chen Mu’s concubine. He had noticed her when he and Yan Sikong had gone to Yunnan. After all, they resembled each other to some extent. If not for her, he wouldn’t have suspected Chen Mu’s intentions toward Yan Sikong.