The Blood Crown - Chapter 307

The construction of the “mountain wall” was more difficult and slower than they had imagined. The ground had frozen due to the bitter cold, and the soldiers worked arduously in the harsh Liao winter. Though the task was grueling, anything was better than the horrors of the city falling to the Jurchen cavalry.

 

Yan Sikong inspected the progress of the wall daily. As the New Year approached, his anxiety grew, fearing that Zhuo Letai might launch an attack before their defenses were ready.

 

While they were rushing to fortify and prepare for battle, Feng Ye received a letter from the capital. Feng Changyue was urging him to return, citing two reasons: first, Chen Mu had allied with several vassal kings and was rumored to be preparing to raise troops against the Feng family army; second, Feng Changyue found it increasingly difficult to suppress opposition from court officials in Feng Ye’s absence.

 

Feng Ye, however, was at his wit’s end. His presence in Liaodong was not just about Yan Sikong. Upon arriving in Guangning, he realized the situation in Liaodong was far more dire than he had imagined. If Zhuo Letai broke through the gateway to Liaodong, he would face a pincer attack from both Chen Mu and the Jurchen army, with almost no chance of victory.

 

Had Zhao Fuyi still been in Liaodong, things might not have deteriorated to this point. But with the great general fallen, there was no one in the land capable of stabilizing this crumbling territory.

 

Feng Ye wrote back to Feng Changyue, explaining the situation in Liaodong and stating that Zhuo Letai could attack at any time. If he left now, the hard-won morale of the Liaodong soldiers would undoubtedly collapse.

 

Upon learning this, Yan Sikong remarked, “The Wolf King should never have come in the first place.”

 

Feng Ye sighed, “Sikong, it was you who wrote to me, asking me to come.”

 

“I asked you to send troops, not to come in person. You fought so hard to gain control of the capital, only to leave so rashly. It’s unwise. Don’t you realize that Chen Mu is just waiting for you to leave?”

 

“So you think I should return?”

 

“If you leave now, the army’s morale will surely waver,” Yan Sikong said, narrowing his eyes. “Moreover, Zhuo Letai likely won’t wait for us to finish building the wall.”

 

Feng Ye responded coldly, “Chen Mu could raise his forces at any moment. Once I deal with Zhuo Letai, I’ll return to settle things with him.”

 

At the mere mention of “Chen Mu,” Yuan Nanyu, standing nearby, showed a strange reaction. He was a straightforward person, not skilled at hiding his emotions.

 

Both of them noticed Yuan Nanyu’s stiff expression at the same time. Yan Sikong quickly changed the subject, saying, “One section of the wall has been completed. At this pace, we should be able to finish the mountain wall before spring.”

 

Feng Ye nodded. “Que Wang, calculate the timing. The backup provisions should be arriving soon. Send troops to escort them.”

 

Yuan Nanyu rose, saluted, and said, “Yes.” Then he strode out.

 

After Yuan Nanyu left, Feng Ye asked, “Has Que Wang shown any unusual behavior?”

 

Yan Sikong knew exactly what Feng Ye meant and shook his head. “None.” He was aware of the indelible scars left on Yuan Nanyu by Chen Mu’s actions. But as a man, Yuan Nanyu had endured exile and survived countless battles. He would have to bear it.

 

“I’ve been thinking of arranging a marriage for him,” Feng Ye said. “A noblewoman from a prestigious family in the capital—he can have his pick.”

 

“What does he think about it?”

 

Feng Ye shook his head. “You’re his elder brother. Perhaps he’ll agree if you speak to him.”

 

Yan Sikong thought for a moment. “He seemed to have a fondness for a courtesan in Taiyuan.”

 

“I know,” Feng Ye replied. “I wanted him to take her as a concubine first, but he refused.”

 

Yan Sikong pondered this. “I’ll persuade him another day.” He stood up. “I’ll take my leave.”

 

“Wait,” Feng Ye said, pursing his lips. “Do you truly refuse to spend even a moment longer with me? Not even to talk?”

 

“I still need to inspect—”

 

“Others can handle the inspections,” Feng Ye interrupted, his tone firm. “It’s too cold outside. I won’t allow you to go out and suffer in the cold. Sit down.”

 

Yan Sikong lowered his head, thought for a moment, and sat back down.

 

Feng Ye quietly watched Yan Sikong. Even without speaking, just looking at him was enough to bring a sense of satisfaction. After all, this person was within his reach.

 

The silence in the room didn’t make Yan Sikong feel awkward; he calmly sipped his tea.

 

After a long time, Feng Ye said, “I have so much I want to say to you, but when the time comes, I don’t know where to start.”

 

Yan Sikong raised his head, expressionless. “Why not talk about the Wolf King’s twins?”

 

Feng Ye’s face immediately changed.

 

Seeing Feng Ye’s discomfort, Yan Sikong thought, You’re the one who made me stay. “I have yet to congratulate the Wolf King on the birth of his children. You and the princess are truly blessed, destined for a prosperous family. The Feng lineage will undoubtedly flourish.” After saying this, Yan Sikong felt short of breath. He had always avoided thinking about Feng Ye’s wife and children—not out of jealousy, not out of envy, but simply because he didn’t want to think about it. He had intended to make Feng Ye uncomfortable, but he hadn’t expected to feel stifled himself.

 

How pitiful. How laughable.

 

Feng Ye lowered his head slightly and said, as if evading the topic, “They… they’re in Datong.”

 

“With the Central Plains in turmoil, keeping your wife and children in your hometown is indeed safer,” Yan Sikong remarked, his tone calm as he used the lid of his teacup to skim the floating tea leaves. “But it must be hard for the Wolf King, unable to enjoy family life.”

 

Feng Ye clenched his fists, his eyes gradually reddening.

 

“Have you named them?” Yan Sikong asked leisurely, his gaze icy.

 

Feng Ye raised his head, staring at Yan Sikong, and said in a deep voice, “I know you resent me—”

 

Yan Sikong cut him off, “The Wolf King is mistaken. Taking a wife and having children is only natural. I’m genuinely happy for Prince Jingyuan.”

 

Feng Ye’s body trembled slightly. Yan Sikong’s sarcasm felt like a dagger twisting in his heart. Feng Ye murmured softly, “When you fled Taiyuan, I thought… I mistakenly thought you had betrayed me. At the time, I was… disheartened with you.”

 

Yan Sikong listened impassively.

 

“I wanted to forget you—always wanted to. I thought that by marrying a wife, I could… treat her well and stop thinking about someone who had betrayed me again and again.” Feng Ye’s voice grew hoarse as if it took tremendous effort to utter these heart-wrenching words.

 

Yan Sikong said coldly, “If that’s the case, why did you send your wife and concubine back to Datong?”

 

“I never touched Saren. As for Yunlong… her ambitions were too great. She was fixated on becoming empress, but her vision was short-sighted and her schemes poorly thought out. Keeping her in the army would only mislead Yong Wang and cause trouble. Moreover, at the time, Taiyuan was the battleground between Chen Mu and me—it was far too dangerous. So I sent them away.”

 

Yan Sikong replied impassively, “Regardless, she is your first wife. You should treat her well instead of entangling yourself with a traitor like me.”

 

“I wronged you—from beginning to end,” Feng Ye said, his voice filled with regret. “I never expected you to switch identities with Que Wang and return to my side. Only then did I realize that I had never forgotten you—not even for a day.”

 

Yan Sikong sneered, “The Wolf King need not blame himself. I’ve said it before: as the one who stands above all others, your rewards and punishments are all acts of grace. You cannot be ‘wrong.'”

 

“Kong’er,” Feng Ye said with a sorrowful smile, “I know you want me to give up. You think that, being proud since childhood, I can’t bear this. But compared to losing you, these things are insignificant. If you want me to give up on you, it would only happen if I were dead.”

 

Yan Sikong looked at him indifferently.

 

Feng Ye stood up and walked to Yan Sikong’s side, kneeling on one knee before him.

 

“Wolf King…” Yan Sikong was about to rise.

 

Feng Ye pressed down on Yan Sikong’s knee, holding his hand, and looking up into his eyes, he said softly, “Neither Sarin nor Yunlong ever truly wanted me as a person. What they sought was the power in my hands and the wealth and glory of their families. Only you—when I was reduced to a prisoner, you risked everything to save me. When I was at my lowest, you came to my side to help me.”

 

Unable to avoid his gaze, Yan Sikong turned his face away. He didn’t want to hear from Feng Ye’s mouth how “deep and loyal” he had once been. What did that get him in the end?

 

It was absurd.

 

But Feng Ye persisted, saying, “You always claim to be cold-hearted and indifferent, but it was you who spent half your life avenging your adoptive father. It was you who risked your life to destroy the eunuch faction. It was you who braved danger for Que Wang. And for me, you gave everything…” His voice choked with emotion. “I loathe my own stupidity, my self-deception, my trust in slanderous words, my blindness. You are so good to me, and yet I hurt you time and time again. Even in death, I cannot atone for my sins.”

 

Yan Sikong’s body trembled slightly.

 

Feng Ye reached out and gently caressed Yan Sikong’s warm cheek. “You have always cared for the world, but the world only sees the surface. Kong’er, don’t be afraid. I will help you achieve your wishes. Together, we will defeat the Jurchens and defend Liaodong. I swear I will never claim the throne. I will stand by you, assisting the Chen dynasty’s emperor with all my strength. You will have the chance to shine in court and realize your ambitions for governance. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?”

 

Yan Sikong’s heart was filled with mixed emotions, leaving him momentarily speechless.

 

Once, he prided himself on his intelligence, believing he could plan ten steps ahead. But after suffering repeated blows, misunderstandings, betrayals, and the torturous pain of burning despair, he had resigned himself to fate. When he chose to leave seclusion to save Liaodong, he hadn’t thought about the future.

 

Feng Ye was right; it had once been his lifelong ambition. But after enduring countless tribulations, he had grown fearful, timid, and hesitant. If not for the crisis in Liaodong, he would have been content to waste away his days in that small village, avoiding the endless trials of the mortal world.

 

It seemed Feng Ye had seen through his thoughts. “It’s okay. If you no longer wish to face the world, I will hide you away. Kong’er, whatever you want, I will give you. Just being able to look at you like this is enough for me.”

 

Yan Sikong’s heart trembled deeply. He said in a low voice, “Wolf King, please rise. This is inappropriate.”

 

But Feng Ye rested his face on Yan Sikong’s knee, murmuring, “I miss you so much. I truly miss you.”

 

Yan Sikong sat stiffly in his chair, staring blankly ahead, his eyes filled with deep sorrow.

 

—

 

Two days later, scouts brought urgent military news. Their supply convoy had been ambushed by Jurchen forces. Yuan Nanyu was currently entangled with the enemy, both sides suffering casualties. The grain supplies were at risk, and Feng Ye was urgently needed to send reinforcements.

 

Feng Ye immediately ordered his generals to dispatch troops and considered going personally to ensure the supplies were rescued.

 

Yan Sikong and Liang Huiyong both opposed the idea.

 

“The Wolf King must not risk himself lightly,” Yan Sikong said seriously. “Que Wang has not been trapped, and the Jurchens have not yet succeeded. Sending General Xu Feng to escort the supplies will suffice.”

 

Feng Ye said solemnly, “I understand, but accompanying the supplies is Hun’er.”

 

Yan Sikong was surprised. “You brought Hun’er to Liaodong?”

 

“We left in such a hurry, and I feared it couldn’t endure the journey. So I had it follow the supply convoy,” Feng Ye sighed. “Hun’er… it’s getting old. It seems afraid it won’t see me one last time. No matter where I go, it insists on following.”

 

Yan Sikong furrowed his brows, a wave of sadness washing over him. “Even so, you must not go. Que Wang and General Xu Feng will bring back both Hun’er and the supplies.”

 

Feng Ye sighed deeply, then narrowed his eyes dangerously. “There must be a traitor in court leaking information to the Jurchens. Otherwise, how else would they know the supply route and timing? I’ll write to my uncle immediately and have him investigate thoroughly!”

 

“It might not necessarily be a Jurchen spy,” Yan Sikong said. “If you suffer a defeat here, the one who benefits is none other than Zhuo Letai.”

 

Liang Huiyong froze, then widened his eyes. “Sikong, you mean to say that the Prince of Chu…”

 

Yan Sikong nodded. “Barbarians are reckless and lack foresight. Planting spies in our court is difficult for them. But there are many within the court who secretly support the Prince of Chu.”

 

“But, but even so, the Prince of Chu couldn’t possibly aid the enemy!” Liang Huiyong exclaimed in disbelief. “Liaodong is part of our Dazhong Empire. The people of Liaodong are our people!”

 

Yan Sikong sneered. “General Liang doesn’t understand the Prince of Chu. I do.” He had taught Chen Mu much, but Chen Mu had turned out to be even colder, more ruthless, and more unscrupulous than he anticipated. With the added fuel of hatred toward him and Feng Ye, Chen Mu had surpassed him in cruelty and cunning.

 

Feng Ye said coldly, “The question now is whether Chen Mu merely wants me defeated to seize an opportunity or if he’s already colluding with Zhuo Letai.”

 

“We may find out very soon.”