The Blood Crown - Chapter 32

It’s unclear how long they remained in this standoff. Yan Sikong, seemingly effortless with his back against the wall, began to feel discomfort due to his tense posture. The mental torment was even more unbearable.

He couldn’t bear it any longer and subtly shifted his leg.

The wolf merely moved its eyes.

Yan Sikong held the knife horizontally in front of him, mustering his courage and carefully sliding to sit on the floor along the wall.

The wolf remained entirely unresponsive, maintaining the same sitting posture from beginning to end, exuding an aura of unparalleled nobility.

Given the circumstances, Yan Sikong could only speculate boldly. The wolf did not seem to intend to harm him, but rather… observe him?

An incredible turn of events.

Just then, footsteps sounded from outside the door. Yan Sikong’s heart raced, and he fixated on the open door.

When he saw the person entering, Yan Sikong was left stunned.

Although he had guessed it beforehand, seeing Feng Ye in the flesh left him trembling with an inexplicable emotion. When Feng Ye, with an unreadable look in his eyes, gazed at him, it was as though the sands of time rapidly rewound. They had returned to their youth, that irretrievable youth.

Yan Sikong’s throat tightened. When he finally spoke, his voice was calm. “Your Highness, do you understand that abducting an imperial official is a grave offense?”

Feng Ye sneered, “Dissecting a horse’s corpse is a grave offense, assaulting the son of the King is a grave offense. Have you been punished?”

Yan Sikong’s lips trembled, and in his mind, there was only one thought: he remembers me.

In that moment, a myriad of grievances seemed to flood his heart, and he couldn’t help the sourness that welled up in his nostrils.

Feng Ye stared intently at Yan Sikong, and his chest heaved deeply.

Yan Sikong lowered his gaze, hiding his inexplicable emotions. He spoke softly, “Your Highness, could you please ask the wolf to step aside for now?”

Yan Sikong clung tightly to the dagger, looking anything but dignified. In this awkward position, Feng Ye couldn’t help suppressing a laugh, and a trace of mockery flickered in his eyes. He reached out to stroke the wolf’s head. “What do you mean ‘the wolf’? This is Feng Hun, my little brother.”

Yan Sikong took a deep breath. “May I request, Your Highness, that… Feng Hun steps aside temporarily?”

“We both drank from a she-wolf.” Feng Ye embraced Feng Hun’s neck. “Isn’t he imposing?”

“…Imposing.”

Feng Hun extended his massive paw and pushed Feng Ye’s hand off his neck before sitting up straight.

“I had him come to watch you. What, are you scared?” Feng Ye sneered. “Weren’t you quite fearless before?”

Yan Sikong, his fear diminishing, tried to regain his composure. He stood up, supporting himself against the wall.

Feng Ye grunted, “I haven’t asked you anything yet. Dare you question me?”

“Your Highness, what would you like to ask?”

The day’s events had been too astonishing, and Yan Sikong had lost his temper. Feng Ye paused and said, “I will ask you three questions. If you answer them well, I will let him go.”

“I will respond truthfully.”

Yan Sikong’s attempt at sounding official grated on the ears, and Feng Ye raised an eyebrow. “On the day of the spring hunt, did you suggest to Lord Xue to help me tame the fierce horse?”

“I did.”

“If I hadn’t sought you out, when were you planning to find me?”

“…”

Feng Ye’s tone turned sharp. “Speak.”

“Your Highness, I’ve heard that you’ve been denying all visitors, so I assumed you preferred not to be disturbed, and I didn’t want to intrude.”

Feng Ye narrowed his eyes. “Feng Hun, come closer.”

“Don’t…” Yan Sikong recoiled in fear, retreating into the corner.

Feng Hun, however, stood up and walked towards Yan Sikong, stopping a few steps away from him.

Yan Sikong watched the massive wolf head that was now so close, its pale eyes, and the silver-gray fur that was visible in detail. His breathing became extremely cautious. The closer he got, the more he realized the immense and majestic presence of Feng Hun. Could this really be a wolf?

Feng Ye crossed his arms, observing Yan Sikong. “One last question. If I don’t like your answer, you’ll stay in this room with him for the day.”

Yan Sikong took a sharp breath and silently cursed Feng Ye. “Your Highness, please go ahead.”

Suddenly, a glint of fierceness appeared in Feng Ye’s eyes. “If you didn’t die back then, why didn’t you come find me?”

Yan Sikong froze, and through the short distance that separated them, they gazed into each other’s eyes.

In that moment, their eyes collided in the air, and the emotions at that very instant were impossible to describe.

“Tell me, after your family’s misfortune, my father sent people to Guangning to find you. He heard you had been exiled to the northwest, and he sent people to search for you, but they said you had died at a quarry…”

“Why would I come to find you?” Yan Sikong suddenly shouted.

Feng Ye was taken aback.

Yan Sikong stared at Feng Ye, his eyes filled with anger. At that moment, he realized he had nothing left. His father had been wrongfully executed, his brother had replaced him in exile, perishing far from home. When he had used the money he earned through his life to search for Yuan Nanyu and received the cold news of his death, he knew that all he had left to sustain him was hatred. He hadn’t expected someone to so brutally expose his scars in front of him after so many years.

And it hurt so much.

Feng Ye gazed at Yan Sikong with a dark look.

Yan Sikong took a deep breath and spoke with a quivering voice. “Datong… It’s too far.”

During his most desperate moments, he had considered going to Datong to find Feng Ye. But looking at Yuan Weiling being returned(from marriage) and how everyone who had once been friends with the Yuan family kept their distance from them, he lost the courage. Datong was too far away, and people’s hearts were too distant. The road he needed to take was filled with thorns and blood, destined for a life of solitude.

Feng Ye fell silent for a moment, then patted Feng Hun’s back, and Feng Hun turned to leave.

Yan Sikong breathed a sigh of relief.

Feng Ye muttered, “If you came to find me, at least I wouldn’t let you suffer.”

Yan Sikong’s heart warmed, and he whispered, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

The two fell into an awkward silence.

After all, ten years had passed, and things had changed dramatically. They were both officials in the same court now, and the disparity in their statuses couldn’t be ignored. They couldn’t be as carefree and intimate as they were in their childhood.

Feng Ye said, “Come here.”

Yan Sikong hesitated. “Your subordinate still has…”

Feng Ye arrogantly said, “I told you to come with me. What’s wrong? Did Feng Hun scare your legs to jelly?”

Yan Sikong had no choice but to follow him.

Feng Ye led him through the winding corridors, past the green tiles and red eaves. This newly acquired Feng family mansion was truly majestic.

From a distance, Yan Sikong caught a familiar smell—horse dung.

Feng Ye took him to the stables.

Yan Sikong felt a glimmer of hope. Would he get to see that extraordinary horse soon?

Sure enough, as they approached the stables, the horse he had been longing to see, the fiery red Tian Shan Horse King, was leisurely grazing. It occupied four stalls, and all the other horses kept their distance.

Yan Sikong walked closer but didn’t get too near, fearing he might be kicked. He exclaimed, “An exceptional horse.”

Feng Ye grabbed a carrot, stuffed it into the horse’s mouth, and petted its mane. Watching Yan Sikong, who was cautiously standing a yard away, he mocked, “Come closer; it won’t bite.”

Yan Sikong approached, extending his hand carefully. He touched the horse’s face. The horse simply glanced at him and continued munching on the carrot. Encouraged, Yan Sikong gradually moved his hand to stroke the horse’s back, belly, and thighs, feeling the incredible strength transmitted through his palm from the rock-hard muscles.

Such a perfect horse, a gift from heaven.

Yan Sikong asked, “What’s its name?”

“I haven’t thought of a name worthy of it yet,” Feng Ye said. “You can choose one.”

Yan Sikong thought for a moment and recited, “The exchange of cups is like the young and bold, the hair turns white, yet the red blush remains. How about calling it ‘Zui Hong’?”

Wishing for eternal youth and “Blush” drinking bold wine.

“‘Zui Hong’,” Feng Ye’s eyes lit up. “Reveling like a young hero, this name suits it well.”

Yan Sikong looked at Feng Ye’s handsome and spirited appearance and said with a smile, “Only Your Highness possesses the heroic spirit to ‘revel and lay on the battlefield,’ and only Your Highness’s warhorse deserves this timeless name.”

Feng Ye’s bright eyes sparkled like stars. He smiled proudly, “You still know how to talk. Someday, I’ll take you for a ride on Blush. After all, I got this divine horse, and you played a part in it.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. However, I have many official duties to attend to, and I fear…” Yan Sikong began to say.

Feng Ye suddenly lowered his head and leaned in closer. Yan Sikong was taken aback and retreated. Feng Ye’s face was very close, and Yan Sikong could feel his warm breath. He heard Feng Ye teasingly say, “Why have you become so short?”

Yan Sikong replied with resignation, “It’s because Your Highness has grown taller.”

Feng Ye continued, “You probably can’t beat me anymore.”

Yan Sikong retorted, “Your Highness is jesting.”

Feng Ye asked, “What about the dagger I gave you?”

Yan Sikong replied sadly, “I had to sell it to make a living.”

Back when he had been kicked out of the Yuan family by Yuan Shaoxu, he had secretly returned home once. He had sold the dagger that Feng Ye had given him for fifty taels of silver, which he had given to Yuan Weiling to help her family leave Guangning as soon as possible.

Feng Ye said with a deep voice, “Have you forgotten our agreement from years ago?”

Yan Sikong’s body trembled slightly. He lowered his head, pretending to conceal the emotions in his eyes. He softly replied, “After all the changes I’ve been through, many things… have become a bit hazy in my memory.”

Feng Ye looked at him with disappointment and said, “Never mind, it’s not your fault.”

Yan Sikong couldn’t help but smile faintly. He remembered the awkward yet adorable round face of Feng Ye.

Being able to see him again and knowing he was safe, not forgotten by Feng Ye, was more than enough. After all, in this world, few people probably remembered “Yuan Sikong.”

“Are you hungry? Let’s have a meal together,” Feng Ye suggested.

Yan Sikong hesitated. “Your servant…”

“I told you to do something,” Feng Ye pointed at him with his finger. “So just do it. Stop with the needless words.”

Yan Sikong thought to himself that Feng Ye hadn’t changed much.

The two of them walked into the courtyard, where a large locust tree provided shade, and its fragrant flowers were in full bloom, fluttering gently in the spring breeze. Under the tree, a table was set with food, and Xue Bo stood there, smiling at Yan Sikong. Not far away, Feng Hun was resting against a tree.

This serene scene remained fresh in Yan Sikong’s memory for many years, even though reality had changed drastically. They approached the table, and Xue Bo greeted Yan Sikong with a bow. “Lord Yan, I hope you can forgive the offense from last night.”

“Last night was you?” Yan Sikong was somewhat surprised. This Xue Bo looked so ordinary, yet he had some impressive skills.

Xue Bo smiled, “If you’re still feeling unwell, you can start with a bowl of this chicken soup to nourish your heart and lungs.”

“I’m fine,” Yan Sikong glanced at Feng Ye but saw that the instigator showed no remorse and nothing could be done.

Feng Ye took a seat, and Yan Sikong refused to sit with his back to Feng Hun. So, he sat down beside Feng Ye. Feng Ye saw through him and mocked, “Are you really that scared of it? Feng Hun grew up with me and is quite intelligent.”

“If it’s a spiritual beast, it’s even more important to treat it with respect,” Yan Sikong thought. After all, it was still an animal, and what if it went mad and bit someone?

Feng Ye laughed, “Xue Bo, pour the wine.”

Yan Sikong watched as Xue Bo poured wine into two bowls. He felt a bit uneasy; although he had a good alcohol tolerance, drinking so liberally in broad daylight seemed quite unseemly.

Xue Bo finished pouring the wine and stepped aside.

“How well can you handle alcohol?” Feng Ye asked, picking up a wine bowl and placing it in front of Yan Sikong.

“Reasonably well.”

Feng Ye grinned, “Oh, that means you’ll still lose to me.” He forcibly placed the wine bowl into Yan Sikong’s hand and ordered, “Down it.”

Yan Sikong couldn’t help but smile, raising the bowl with his sleeve-covered hand, and then downed the entire bowl of wine. After wiping his mouth, he said, “Mmm, this ‘Cold Pool Fragrance’ is excellent.”

Feng Ye stared at Yan Sikong’s empty and clean wine bowl, his expression slightly changing.

“Your Highness, please,” Yan Sikong said.

Feng Ye pursed his lips, raised the wine bowl, and drank heartily. His Adam’s apple moved up and down vigorously, brimming with the vitality of life.

After draining the bowl, Feng Ye laughed heartily. “Good wine!” With one hand, he lifted the wine jug, filled both bowls again, and then stared directly into Yan Sikong’s eyes. “Tell me about your past ten years.”

‘Blush’ ‘醉红’ – Zui Hong (The name ‘Zuì Hóng’ means “Drunk in Red” in English. It conveys the imagery of youth and vibrant spirit, as if one remains youthful and spirited even in old age, with a touch of wine-induced redness.)