The Blood Crown - Chapter 282

Feng Guozhang returned, bringing with him a letter from Chen Mu. However, the letter was not addressed to Feng Ye, but to Yan Sikong.

 

Upon hearing this news, Yan Sikong’s heart sank. He didn’t know what Chen Mu had written, but Chen Mu had previously sowed discord between him and Feng Ye, and it had been quite effective. Knowing this tactic worked, it was very likely that he would try it again. Otherwise, why would the letter be addressed to him instead of Feng Ye if it was Feng Ye’s people who had gone to negotiate? It was disrespectful to the Wolf King.

 

As expected, Feng Ye stared at the letter with a dark expression. However, he did not order it to be handed to him immediately. Instead, he gestured for the letter to be given to Yan Sikong.

 

Yan Sikong reached out to take the letter. Even though he hadn’t read a single word yet, he already knew it was a hot potato. But his urgency to know the fate of Yuan Nanyu left him with no hesitation, and he opened it without delay.

 

After scanning a few lines, he froze.

 

This… this was not the letter of proper diplomatic exchange between enemies, but rather a letter of deep affection and longing. Even the accusations contained an air of grievance.

 

Yan Sikong’s scalp tingled as he read, and when he reached the end, his entire body shook. He stared at the few words, almost unable to believe his eyes.

 

Feng Ye became tense. “What happened to Que Wang? What does the letter say?”

 

Yan Sikong suddenly exploded in anger, leaping to his feet and rushing to Feng Guozhang.

 

The poor old man trembled, fear in his eyes as he looked at Yan Sikong.

 

Yan Sikong grabbed the letter and hissed coldly, “What is Chen Mu trying to do? This letter is nonsense, full of filth! What did he do to Que Wang?”

 

Feng Guozhang shrank back, “Wolf King, Master Yan, I followed your orders, and beyond that… I know nothing.”

 

“You stayed in his camp for so long, and you know nothing?” Yan Sikong glared at Feng Guozhang. “Chen Mu is your grandson, and you know nothing? Who else could know?”

 

Feng Guozhang quickly said, “I… I was sent by the Wolf King to persuade him to surrender, and Prince Chu was cautious of me. I only… I only heard a few rumors.”

 

“Rumors?!” Yan Sikong’s eyes were bloodshot.

 

Feng Ye stepped forward and snatched the letter from Yan Sikong, quickly flipping through it.

 

Feng Guozhang’s eyes flickered, as though he found it hard to speak. After some hesitation, he finally said, “It’s said that Prince Chu and he… have… frequent… interactions…” He pondered the words for a while before finally spitting out, “Close.”

 

At this moment, Feng Ye had finished reading the letter, his face changed dramatically. His murderous aura surged as he coldly glared at Feng Guozhang. “Leave. Everyone leave!”

 

Feng Guozhang and all the guards retreated, leaving only Feng Ye and Yan Sikong standing in the tense silence.

 

Feng Ye trembled with the letter in his hand, his voice shaking. “I didn’t trust you about Xi’er’s matter because you had no credibility in my eyes at that time. I doubted everything you did. Now, explain yourself.”

 

Yan Sikong looked at Feng Ye coldly. “If it weren’t for the matter regarding Que Wang’s reputation, I wouldn’t even bother explaining.”

 

“Then explain,” Feng Ye gritted his teeth.

 

“This is just another one of Chen Mu’s tactics to sow discord. He deliberately provoked you, hoping to lead you out of the city to fight,” Yan Sikong clenched his fists, unwilling to believe the contents of the letter. He couldn’t imagine that Yuan Nanyu had been… at the hands of Chen Mu.

 

“Chen Mu wrote this deeply affectionate yet accusing letter, claiming you betrayed your relationship with him, that you swapped identities to save Que Wang, and that Que Wang took your place in your relationship with him…” Feng Ye’s blood surged, his eyes filled with murderous intent. “And spent a warm night with him.”

 

“He’s talking nonsense,” Yan Sikong growled. “There was nothing between me and him. How dare he tarnish Que Wang’s reputation? I will not let him go!”

 

Feng Ye took a deep breath. “Feng Guozhang just said their relationship was ‘close.’”

 

“Impossible,” Yan Sikong quickly denied, his anxiety rising. “It’s impossible.”

 

“Whether it’s true or not, I’ll send someone to investigate,” Feng Ye crumpled the letter. “I won’t fall for Chen Mu’s tricks so easily, but if Que Wang really…”

 

Yan Sikong’s face turned pale. His lips pressed tightly together, too afraid to even think about it. But once Chen Mu discovers the truth, he could do anything. If Chen Mu chose to humiliate Yuan Nanyu in that way… He didn’t want to believe it, but his heart was already in turmoil. He forced himself to stay calm and said, “Never mind, let’s rescue him first.”

 

Chen Mu had indeed written in the letter that Yan Sikong should go to exchange Yuan Nanyu, but Yan Sikong knew Feng Ye would never allow it. With past lessons in mind, escaping again was almost impossible.

 

Yuan Nanyu, what should I do…

 

—

 

Feng Ye’s spies had yet to return with news, but Yan Sikong had already received the most unwanted news from another source. This person… was She Zhun.

 

Since their separation in the winter, nearly a hundred days had passed. The two had parted ways back then because he had gone to Chen Mu’s camp to “throw himself into the net,” while She Zhun had to settle matters with Ali. Afterward, he traveled through many places and completely lost contact with She Zhun.

 

She Zhun did not know that the “Yan Sikong” in Chen Mu’s camp was not actually Yan Sikong. He had been determined to rescue him, but failed. When he appeared at the city gates, seeking an audience with the Wolf King, he was covered in blood.

 

Yan Sikong rushed over and, upon seeing She Zhun severely injured, his heart twisted in pain.

 

“She Zhun!” Yan Sikong rushed to the bed and saw the usually charming and carefree man now pale, weak, and disheveled. The bloodstained clothes thrown on the floor stabbed at his eyes.

 

Feng Ye said, “I’ve already called the imperial physician to treat him. Don’t worry, his life is not in danger. He’ll get better eventually.”

 

She Zhun’s two subordinates had only minor injuries and were anxiously watching from the side.

 

She Zhun squinted at Yan Sikong, opened his mouth as if to speak, but his voice was barely a whisper.

 

Yan Sikong choked up, “She Zhun, were you trying to save me? How many times do you intend to save me? Why don’t you just walk away, carefree, why return to this mire again?”

 

She Zhun shook his head and softly replied, “I… couldn’t save him, and ended up implicating him… To help me, his identity was exposed…”

 

Yan Sikong said through tears, “This is not your fault. It’s my incompetence. I swapped identities with him to save him, but it only made things worse.”

 

She Zhun struggled to breathe, finding it hard even to speak. “He… he and Prince Chu…”

 

Yan Sikong trembled, “She Zhun, stop talking. You need to rest. I will rescue him. I will definitely rescue him.”

 

She Zhun’s eyelids grew heavier, and he finally lost consciousness.

 

Yan Sikong stood up from the chair, walked into the outer room, and called for She Zhun’s two subordinates.

 

“Master Yan,” they cupped their hands, “Thank you, Wolf King, Master Yan, for saving our leader.”

 

Feng Ye said, “She Zhun saved me once, so it’s the least I can do.”

 

Yan Sikong took a deep breath, “How did She Zhun get injured?”

 

The two subordinates exchanged a glance, then lowered their heads dejectedly. “Our leader thought the one in Chen Mu’s camp was Master Yan, so he planned to rescue you. He had already infiltrated the camp and located General Que, but he never anticipated…”

 

“Never anticipated what?” Yan Sikong’s voice was hoarse.

 

The man seemed troubled, not knowing how to continue.

 

“Speak,” Yan Sikong urged in a cold tone.

 

“He never anticipated… that Chen Mu would be in General Que’s tent, with him…” The man glanced cautiously at Feng Ye, and reluctantly continued, “In bed together.”

 

Feng Ye’s face remained expressionless, as calm as a sea with a storm brewing beneath the surface.

 

Yan Sikong felt the world spinning. He staggered backward and grabbed the bookshelf to steady himself.

 

Yuan Nanyu… Yuan Nanyu had really…

 

It was his idea, the stupid idea of swapping identities. He never imagined that Chen Mu would dare to do such a thing.

 

Feng Ye’s voice was cold with murderous intent: “Continue, what happened to Que Wang?”

 

“Our leader tried to rescue General Que, but was caught by Chen Mu. General Que helped him escape, injuring Chen Mu in the process, and his identity was exposed,” the subordinate said gravely. “Our leader was injured and couldn’t treat his wounds while evading pursuit, causing his condition to worsen. Fortunately, he managed to get here in time.”

 

Yan Sikong inhaled sharply, feeling as though all the life had been drained from him. His body felt empty, and he couldn’t bear to think about how Yuan Nanyu had spent these days pretending to be him in order to survive.

 

And how had Chen Mu treated him?

 

Feng Ye coldly asked, “Was Que Wang injured?”

 

“No.”

 

“Was he imprisoned?”

 

“…No.”

 

“Go ahead.” Feng Ye instinctively clenched his hands behind his back into fists.

 

After the two left, Feng Ye looked at Yan Sikong and said in a low voice, “Que Wang’s identity was exposed by Chen Mu three days ago. During this time, Chen Mu treated him as if he were you, and did… to him…”

 

“Shut up.” Yan Sikong glared at Feng Ye, his eyes bloodshot. “Shut up.”

 

Feng Ye narrowed his eyes, unable to suppress his anger any longer. “Have you and Chen Mu been involved? How else would he do such things to Que Wang!”

 

Yan Sikong, already full of regret, was further enraged by these words. “Who I have been involved with has nothing to do with you. What can you do to me?”

 

“You’re asking for death!” Feng Ye shouted.

 

“Yes, I’m asking for death. I already told you to kill me, why haven’t you made a move?” Yan Sikong thought of Yuan Nanyu’s suffering, and his heart seemed to be torn apart. Feng Ye’s biting words could no longer hurt him because he was already covered in wounds.

 

Feng Ye swept the teacup off the table with one hand, his eyes flashing with a chilling hate. “If Chen Mu touches you even once, I will make you wish you were never born!”

 

Yan Sikong gave a bitter laugh, but his voice was filled with pain. “Feng Ye, you’ve already made me wish I were never born.”

 

Seeing the madness in Yan Sikong’s eyes for a moment, Feng Ye’s heart twisted in pain. He gritted his teeth. “You say you are clear of any wrongdoing with Chen Mu, but when I rescue Que Wang, I will personally ask him.”

 

“I don’t care whether I am clear or not. I don’t care what you do to me,” Yan Sikong said hollowly, staring ahead. “I only want him to return safely.”

 

“I also want him to return safely, but even if he does, he will never be truly safe, and it’s all because of you.”

 

These words struck Yan Sikong like a knife. His face turned pale, and he said hoarsely, “Yes, yes, it’s my fault, but if anyone should be punished, it’s not you.”

 

Feng Ye took a few steps forward and stared at him. “Since when did you speak to me with such bitterness? You used to be eloquent, capable of saying all the things people wanted to hear. Why, when it comes to me, do you only speak with such coldness?”

 

Yan Sikong seemed to find the question ridiculous, but he couldn’t laugh. “Do you really want me to answer that?”

 

Feng Ye glared at him, his face dark.

 

“Do you really want to know, or is it just that the proud, world-dominating Wolf King can’t stand someone going against him?”

 

Feng Ye’s expression twitched, and a ferocious look appeared on his face. He reached out to grab Yan Sikong, but Yan Sikong, like a frightened bird, retreated a few steps, looking at him warily.

 

Feng Ye was stung by Yan Sikong’s cold eyes and distant attitude. He wanted Yan Sikong to say something kind to him, even… even to smile, even the false pretenses from before would be better than the current rejection. How long had it been since he had received any warmth from this person? Yet, in this world, only this person could warm his heart.

 

Suddenly, he hesitated, compromising, and suddenly tired of arguing. If only this person would soften towards him, he might be able to let go of everything, to forget the past. He had worked so hard, surviving so many dangers, until now, even the emperor had bowed to him. Why couldn’t he get what he most wanted?

 

Three years ago, the Yan Sikong who named his daughter “Jinyu,” the one who wholeheartedly recruited soldiers and strategized for him, surely still cared for him. But now? Now there was nothing left in his eyes.

 

Yan Sikong whispered, “You refuse to exchange me, and now that Chen Mu is on guard, an attack on the camp is only going to end in death. Tell me, how do you plan to rescue him?”

 

Feng Ye gazed deeply at Yan Sikong. “If I rescue him, how will you thank me?”

 

Yan Sikong froze for a moment, then angrily said, “Que Wang has been by your side, fighting for you, risking his life. You yourself said he’s your brother by blood. Do you really need to make demands just to save him?”

 

“He was lax with his leadership and too emotional, which led to the ambush that endangered the whole army. My desire to save him is out of loyalty, but if military law were applied, even if he doesn’t die, he should be punished severely. How much do you want me to sacrifice to save him?”

 

Yan Sikong glared at Feng Ye. “You mean to say, Que Wang deserves to die.”

 

“He made a grave mistake, and he is to blame,” Feng Ye said coldly. “But I will still do everything to save him because he truly is my brother. But you… don’t think this is something you’re entitled to.”

 

Yan Sikong sneered. “What do you want? The mighty Wolf King can’t tell me directly, and now you want me, a man over thirty, to serve you in bed? As a regent, your demands are truly disgraceful.”

 

“I want the old you.” Feng Ye stared at Yan Sikong, his voice trembling as he spoke. “When you betrayed me, it was because I went from being the heir of Prince Jingyuan to a prisoner. But now I have everything. I can give you whatever you want. If… if you can treat me as you did before, I’ll forget the past.” By the end, Feng Ye’s voice was shaking uncontrollably.

 

He could never forget the look in Yan Sikong’s eyes when they met in prison. That look of shock and pity—no amount of punishment could compare to the pain of that look. Once, he had been so glorious in front of Yan Sikong; now, he was nothing but a wreck. That’s why Yan Sikong had chosen to marry his cousin and refused to be with him.

 

All the hatred and resentment he had kept in his heart for years had tormented him until today, and still it could not be released.

 

But he truly wanted to let go. He wanted Yan Sikong to treat him like he did before. Even if it was just for his power, his status, he would accept it. He had never been able to forget a heartless, ungrateful person, and he hated it, but he had to accept it. As long as he had power, as long as he had status, he wouldn’t be afraid of this person leaving him again.

 

He just wanted the old Yan Sikong back, even if it meant deceiving him for the rest of his life.

 

Yan Sikong felt a deep pain in his heart. He thought his heart had long ceased to stir for this person, but it was something beyond his control. Looking at Feng Ye, with his helpless, unwilling expression, Yan Sikong felt as though he could hardly breathe.

 

The old Yan Sikong.

 

What was the old Yan Sikong like?

 

Was he the one who could still laugh, who could still feel, who could still dream of growing old together with someone?

 

That Yan Sikong had long died due to his own foolishness and weakness. He deserved to die that way.

 

But now, the one who killed that Yan Sikong was forcing him to resurrect. It was truly tragic and laughable.

 

Yan Sikong looked at Feng Ye. It seemed like it had been a long time since he had really looked at this person—the one who had once been the closest to him but was now the most distant. He had no more expectations for this person. He calmly and indifferently said, “As long as you can rescue Que Wang, you can have whatever you want.”

 

Feng Ye also looked at Yan Sikong. He felt as though the person in front of him was just an empty shell. This person had the appearance of Yan Sikong, but not his soul. But what could he do? He felt as though he couldn’t even control an empty shell.

 

Yan Sikong lowered his head and walked past him, returning to the inner room.

 

Feng Ye raised his hand, wanting to grab him, but his hand froze in midair, and in the end, it fell weakly.

 

Yan Sikong returned to the room and sat by She Zhun’s bed, watching the man sleep, motionless.

 

Was someone like him really worth others risking their lives for him time and again?

 

In fact, compared to being harmed, he was more afraid of being treated kindly. Once someone was kind to him, he had to repay them doubly. Yuan Mao had taken care of him for four years, and he gave Yuan Mao half of his life without regret. Feng Ye had also been kind to him, so he endured again and again, gave in again and again, even when it went against his own heart, eventually helping Feng Ye get what he wanted.

 

He was scared.

 

He reached out, adjusting She Zhun’s blanket, and then sat quietly beside him, guarding him.

 

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I’m back home, will update properly (though I have to go to Qingdao for a book signing again this weekend), but I will definitely finish this year! Believe in myself!