The Blood Crown - Chapter 279

The next day, Yan Sikong entered the palace alone to see Wanyang.

No matter how unwilling he was to face her, he could no longer avoid it. Despite the lack of affection between them, a wife and child were a man’s responsibility for life, and in this regard, he didn’t feel like much of a man.

Wanyang and her daughter were living in the palace of the Noble Consort Xian. After the fall of the Feng family, Noble Consort Xian had lost favor with the Emperor Zhaowu, but she had done nothing wrong, and with Wanyang around, she still maintained the ceremonial status of a consort, although she now lived in what resembled a cold palace.

This was only the second time Yan Sikong had seen Noble Consort Xian, the first being on the day of the grand wedding. Unfortunately, she had been ill for a long time and was now bedridden, barely conscious.

Yan Sikong solemnly knelt and bowed to her.

Wanyang stood beside her daughter, her face cold.

The group quietly withdrew, and Yan Sikong asked, “What illness does the consort have? Has the imperial physician been taking good care of her?”

Wanyang coldly replied, “Stop pretending. Do you even care?”

Yan Sikong lowered his head and remained silent.

Yan Jinyu looked up at Yan Sikong and hesitantly stuttered, “Are you… my father?”

Yan Sikong squatted down and patted the little girl’s head. “Jinyu, I… I am,” he said. He looked at the child with no affection, as if looking at a stranger. He had once decided that he would never have children in this life. He had no relatives and wasn’t even sure if he would survive tomorrow, so offspring were just an added burden to him.

Yan Jinyu pursed her lips and shrank behind Wanyang, softly saying, “They say… Daddy is a bad person.”

The wet nurse nearby pulled her away, saying, “Princess, let me take the little princess downstairs.” As she carried her, she frequently looked back, her eyes filled with curiosity and fear.

Wanyang’s eyes reddened. “When She Zhun brought her, she cried nonstop from hunger. Her mother couldn’t even eat, had no milk, and feared the child would die. I couldn’t sleep for days and nights. Where were you at that time? You were planning how to rebel.”

Yan Sikong spoke in a deep voice, “As for the feelings between us, I owe you. But your father trusted corrupt officials, was incompetent, and caused the destruction of both the Feng family and mine. Now he’s reaping what he sowed.”

“I know my father wronged you… Then, can we consider it even?” Wanyang choked with emotion. “Let’s wipe away our grudges. Don’t kill him.”

Yan Sikong turned his face away. “This is not something I can…”

“I know you can!” Wanyang raised her voice. “I know you’re the only one who can persuade my cousin. My cousin’s family was unjustly killed. Both my mother and I are in pain, but… but he’s my father. He wasn’t a good emperor, but he’s been kind to me since I was young. Tell me, what can I do?”

Yan Sikong took a deep breath. “I can’t promise you that.”

“You must promise me,” Wanyang stepped closer, fixing her gaze on Yan Sikong. “My cousin has what he wanted. My father has agreed to abdicate. Give him a chance to live.”

Yan Sikong spoke softly, “I’ve lived half my life for revenge. How can I spare the man who killed my whole family and my foster father, as well as the two hundred members of the Feng family who died unjustly? What should I do about Feng Ye?”

“Then kill me,” Wanyang’s tears rolled down her face. “As a subject and a daughter, I should be willing to die for my king and father. I’ll use my life to repay the sins he committed.”

Yan Sikong sighed, “Your Highness, you know this is impossible. You are not only the Princess of Dasheng, but also the sister of the Wolf King. No one will lay a finger on you.”

Wanyang said firmly, “If you kill my father, I will die for him. My blood is of the Chen and Feng families, and I can only watch as they destroy each other. I can’t balance filial piety and righteousness. My mother and I are in too much pain, so it’s better to end it all.”

Yan Sikong hurriedly said, “Your Highness, please don’t be impulsive!”

Wanyang’s face was full of pain, and tears poured down.

Yan Sikong took a sharp breath and said bitterly, “I’ve owed others, and that’s what I owe. I’m no good person, but you… you are my first wife, and also Feng Ye’s sister… Fine, as you said, let me repay you. I will persuade Feng Ye.” He knew Feng Ye hated Emperor Zhaowu deeply and had no intention of sparing the foolish emperor. He had fantasized about regicide for years, but now… now he could only persuade Feng Ye with the greater good and for Wanyang’s sake.

Wanyang choked out, “Okay, as long as you spare my father’s life, I’ll be forever grateful.”

Yan Sikong bowed deeply to Wanyang. “Your Highness, please take care.” He bowed and then withdrew.

—

Back at the relay station, the guards informed Yan Sikong that Feng Ye was looking for him, saying there was an important matter to discuss.

Yan Sikong wasn’t sure if it had anything to do with Yuan Nanyu, but his heart immediately sank. He hurried to see Feng Ye.

As soon as he entered the room, Feng Ye’s gaze fixed deeply on Yan Sikong, his eyes unreadable.

Yan Sikong quickly asked, “Is there any news about Que Wang?”

Feng Ye shook his head. “No news is the best news for now.”

Yan Sikong let out a long sigh. “That makes sense.”

“You went to see Xi’er.”

“Yes.” Thinking of Wanyang, Yan Sikong felt a bit weary.

“She asked you to convince me not to kill that dog emperor.”

“Since you’ve already guessed, what are your plans?”

Feng Ye sneered. “That dog emperor fears my Feng family army, so he’s been blurring the lines of right and wrong, allowing Xie Zhongren to frame my father, leading to the unjust deaths of over two hundred members of the Feng family. Even if he dies a thousand times, it won’t quell the hatred in my heart.”

“He destroyed my family twice. I’ve thought of revenge for twenty years,” Yan Sikong said with a tinge of sorrow. “But Wanyang is using her life to threaten me…”

Feng Ye narrowed his eyes and spoke coldly. “Her life isn’t as valuable as she thinks.”

“But regicide will leave a stain for all eternity. Besides, he has already surrendered the city. If you don’t spare his life now, the world will turn against you.”

Feng Ye frowned. A ruler is considered a divinely appointed son of heaven, sacred and inviolable. Regardless of how foolish a ruler is, regicide is considered worse than parricide. Throughout history, such an act has been seen as the utmost disloyalty, and few people have the courage to bear that kind of infamy.

“For twenty years, I’ve never wanted anything but his death, even wishing for him to die an unbearable death,” Yan Sikong said with difficulty. “But if you kill him, you’ll be giving others a handle. Even if you support the Thirteenth Prince, everyone will have a reason to oppose you.”

Feng Ye closed his eyes, clenching his fists tightly.

“I have a plan.”

“Speak.”

“She Zhun told me there is a poison in the martial world. If it’s mixed into food every day, the person will gradually weaken and die in a few years, but their pulse can’t be detected.”

“Is that necessary?” Feng Ye snorted. “You see how bloated and indulgent he looks. His body has already been ruined by alcohol and debauchery; he won’t live much longer.”

“…True.”

“Until the situation stabilizes, I won’t kill him. I’ll imprison him in the palace for now. The Ministry of Rites and the Internal Affairs Court are already preparing for the new emperor’s enthronement.”

Yan Sikong nodded.

Feng Ye stared at Yan Sikong. “Xi’er pleaded with you a few times, and you’re willing to give up your revenge. How do you think I feel?”

“You can think whatever you want,” Yan Sikong said. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave now.”

“Don’t leave.” Feng Ye stood up and walked to Yan Sikong’s side. “What else did you and Xi’er talk about?”

“Only this matter.”

“I don’t believe it,” Feng Ye said. “After all, you two are husband and wife. You’ve lived under the same roof for many years. You to her, and she to you—are you telling me there’s really nothing between you?”

“Yes, we are husband and wife. Therefore, whether there is or isn’t, it’s natural,” Yan Sikong turned to leave.

Feng Ye grabbed him from behind, pulling him into a tight embrace.

“Feng Ye!” Yan Sikong tried to break free, but Feng Ye held him tightly.

“I’m really happy…” Feng Ye took a deep breath and whispered in his ear. “When I found out that you still belong to me alone.”

Yan Sikong coldly responded, “I don’t belong to you, I belong to no one.”

“You are mine. You promised me. Never try to deny it.”

“What I promised was to Feng Ye, not to the Wolf King.”

Feng Ye’s body stiffened for a moment, and Yan Sikong seized the chance to break free from his grip.

Yan Sikong turned around and stared directly at Feng Ye, coldly saying, “I’ve said it before, in my heart, Feng Ye is dead. You are only the Wolf King now.”

Feng Ye was somewhat enraged. “There is only one of me in this world. Feng Ye is me, and the Wolf King is also me. The Feng Ye who used to pamper you was killed by your own hands!”

“That’s why I’m willing to accompany him to the grave,” Yan Sikong sneered. “I can go and join him anytime.”

“You…” Feng Ye gritted his teeth. “Yes, I wrongly blamed you for Wanyang and the child, but that’s the only thing. Now that I’ve achieved my goal and taken control of the capital, you are indispensable. I’m willing to let go of the past. Consider it wiped clean.”

Yan Sikong’s anger nearly made his heart burst. He mocked, “The Wolf King is indeed magnanimous and humble.”

“What do you want from me!” Feng Ye’s eyes were bloodshot. Yan Sikong’s indifference left him at a loss. “You’ve admitted that you owe me. Now I hold the power. Whatever you want, I can give it to you. I’m willing to let go of the past. You should be grateful!”

Yan Sikong laughed loudly. “Yes, I’m so grateful.”

“Don’t laugh!” Feng Ye growled. “What do you want? Don’t go too far!”

Yan Sikong stopped laughing, but his lips curled into a sneer. “I dare not. I just want peace and quiet. I hope the Wolf King will allow it.”

“You…” Feng Ye’s face turned green with anger.

Yan Sikong cupped his hands, turned, and walked out without looking back.