The Blood Crown - Chapter 330

Chapter 330

 

Within a few days, they bid farewell to Que Linghu and She Zhun.

 

On She Zhun’s last night in Liaodong, Yan Sikong drank heavily with him. The two reminisced about their youthful experiences, laughing and crying at times. Perhaps it was age catching up with them; every conversation now seemed to evoke memories of the past.

 

It is rare in life to have a true friend, making parting all the more poignant.

 

For a peaceful life, She Zhun had decided to retire from the martial world, no longer wandering, and return to his ancestral home in Jiangnan with Wanyang and Jinyu to live out his days in peace. The world is vast, and this farewell might well be forever.

 

Yan Sikong repeatedly urged She Zhun to treat Wanyang well. Wanyang was of royal lineage, having never left the palace her entire life, while She Zhun had grown up roaming the martial world, unrestrained by rules and propriety. The disparity between the two was significant, and their life together was bound to be fraught with challenges.

 

However, he still believed they would grow old together because, despite She Zhun’s seemingly carefree demeanor, he was utterly reliable.

 

She Zhun also solemnly vowed to treasure Wanyang for the rest of his life.

 

At dawn, Yan Sikong and Yuan Nanyu personally escorted She Zhun to the outskirts of the city. With tearful goodbyes, they stood in place, watching She Zhun’s figure fade into the distance until it disappeared.

 

Yuan Nanyu consoled him, saying, “Second Brother, don’t be sad. She Zhun is going to reunite with the girl he loves. Jiangnan is a wonderful place. I’ve never been there. Perhaps one day, you and I could travel there together.”

 

Yan Sikong glanced at Yuan Nanyu and smiled faintly. “I hope so.”

 

Yuan Nanyu blinked and, before Yan Sikong could speak, took the initiative to say, “As for the matter of paying homage and presenting a report, I know you want to persuade me, but there’s no need. As the vanguard general under the Wolf King, I have my duties and mission. Facing gunfire and arrows, I would never hesitate. Compared to that, presenting tribute is a leisurely errand.”

 

“I’m worried Chen Mu will target you.” They both knew what Chen Mu had done to Yuan Nanyu. Entering the capital was fraught with unknown dangers.

 

Yuan Nanyu sneered, “Xuanhua is so close to the capital—what could he possibly do to me?”

 

Yan Sikong sighed, his heart heavy. “You’re right. You’re a great general with your duties and mission. Once in the capital, please exercise utmost caution.”

 

“Don’t worry, Second Brother,” Yuan Nanyu reassured him with a comforting smile.

 

“If you truly no longer…fear him, that is indeed a good thing.”

 

“I’ve never feared him. The only regret is that I can’t kill him with my own hands.” Yuan Nanyu narrowed his eyes. “But thinking of him sitting uneasily on the dragon throne, walking on thin ice, does bring me some satisfaction.”

 

Yan Sikong remarked, “From now on, he and Feng Ye will counterbalance each other. At first, both sides will undoubtedly focus on governing diligently, resting their armies and aiding the people, leaving no openings for the other. But as time passes and circumstances change, whoever sits in the grand hall, should they aspire to expand their dominion, a clash between the northern frontier and the central plains will become inevitable.”

 

“By then, we may all have turned to dust.”

 

“Indeed. Each generation tackles its own challenges. To ensure stability for even one generation is no small feat.”

 

Yuan Nanyu put an arm around Yan Sikong’s shoulder. “If not for you defeating the eunuch faction, this kingdom would already have rotted to its core. Unfortunately, the world doesn’t understand you, nor do they understand that healing a festering wound must begin with pain.”

 

Yan Sikong shook his head with a faint smile, his tone light as a cloud. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

 

The two returned to the city, where a guard reported that Feng Ye was urgently seeking them.

 

They rushed to the inn, finding Feng Ye’s expression dark, anger lurking in his furrowed brows.

 

“Wolf King, what’s happened?”

 

The brothers couldn’t help but feel tense. With Chen Mu’s army stationed on the outskirts of the city, they feared something had gone awry.

 

Feng Ye asked Yan Sikong, “Have the documents been sent?”

 

Yan Sikong nodded. “By now, they should be in their hands.” He continued, “What’s the matter?”

 

Feng Ye took a deep breath and said gravely, “I’ve received news from Datong. Yong Wang and Nadahan are in constant conflict, and during the tension, Sarin took the opportunity to abduct Ze’er.”

 

“What?!” Yuan Nanyu’s face changed as he roared, “How dare she kidnap the Wolf King’s child!”

 

Yan Sikong frowned deeply. “How did she take the little prince? Where is he now?”

 

The “Ze’er” Feng Ye referred to was his youngest son. He had named his twin sons Feng Yue and Feng Ze—Yue for mountains and Ze for rivers—reflecting his ambition to dominate the land.

 

“The letter doesn’t say. Ze’er was taken by her to Chahar and is now a hostage in Nadahan’s hands,” Feng Ye said grimly. “Ze’er has just turned one. For a mere woman to steal an infant and escape through layers of guards to the frontier—how could this be?”

 

Yuan Nanyu said, “We must hurry back to Datong to rescue the little prince.”

 

Yan Sikong said solemnly, “I sense something strange about this. If the little prince truly is in Nadahan’s hands, we must send someone to negotiate for his return. The alliance with Chahar was brokered by me—I’ll go.”

 

Feng Ye said coldly, “Sikong, Nadahan has already turned against Yong Wang. If you go, he might vent his anger on you. I must go and bring Ze’er back myself.”

 

“Years ago, you and I braved danger to visit Chahar, even when Nadahan harbored murderous intent toward us. Despite the peril, we survived and secured the alliance between Datong and Chahar,” Yan Sikong said. “Moreover, Nadahan’s grudge is against Yong Wang, not you. There’s significant room for maneuver here. If handled well, we could even wrest military power in Datong from Yong Wang’s hands. Let me go.”

 

Feng Ye pondered briefly. “We’ll return to Datong first and decide based on the situation.”

 

“Time is of the essence. You should depart as soon as possible,” Yuan Nanyu said. “I’ll stay in Guangning to manage the aftermath.”

 

—

 

After reading the documents sent by Yan Sikong, Chen Mu and Shen Hexuan raised no objections. These documents included the imperial decree announcing Feng Ye’s enfeoffment and various agreements on military, political, legal, and tax matters between the four provinces and the court. While many details were unsatisfactory, Chen Mu, fearing prolonged delays, agreed to everything. Compared to the military and political upheavals he would face after ascending the throne, as well as the task of legitimizing his claim, these terms were trivial.

 

Thus, Yuan Nanyu stayed in Guangning to handle matters like managing Chu army prisoners, rebuilding city walls, and personnel adjustments, while Feng Ye and Yan Sikong hurried to Datong.

 

Feng Ye’s health was steadily improving. Though horseback travel was still inadvisable, riding in a carriage posed no issue, so he insisted Yan Sikong ride with him.

 

One day, Feng Ye ate only a few bites before ordering the food removed. Seeing this, Yan Sikong said, “You must finish your meal before taking medicine. Why eat so little?”

 

“I have no appetite,” Feng Ye replied, leaning back against the carriage cushions, his brows slightly furrowed.

 

“Are you worried about the young prince?” Yan Sikong asked. “Nadahan won’t harm him. Once we return to Datong, this matter will certainly be resolved smoothly.”

 

“Not just that,” Feng Ye murmured, closing his eyes wearily.

 

Yan Sikong gazed at Feng Ye’s noticeably thinner face and the dark circles beneath his eyes, and a pang of emotion stirred in his heart.

 

Over these past days, Feng Ye had been caught between the capital and Liaodong, ambushed, gravely wounded, forced to relinquish the kingdom he had fought for with his blood, and now faced with instability in his hometown of Datong and the news that his own son had become a hostage.

 

The relentless tide of setbacks and despair would have crushed most people’s spirits by now. Undoubtedly, his heart was burdened with immense pain and turmoil, yet Feng Ye never uttered a single complaint.

 

Yan Sikong suddenly realized that he hadn’t considered Feng Ye’s thoughts for a long time.

 

The little prince he once sacrificed everything to protect had now become the mighty Wolf King. Though their grudges had grown entangled over the years, in his heart, Feng Ye remained a man as unyielding as a mountain—one that could never be toppled, no matter the weight upon it.

 

But Feng Ye was, after all, just a man.

 

He, too, had his joys and sorrows, his triumphs and defeats, his life and death.

 

The Feng Ye before him, with his deeply furrowed brows, must be harboring unimaginable pain within.

 

Yan Sikong silently studied Feng Ye. Seeming to sense his gaze, Feng Ye suddenly opened his eyes, catching Yan Sikong’s averted look.

 

Feng Ye smiled faintly. “Were you looking at me?”

 

“Are you unwell?”

 

Feng Ye’s tone grew tinged with disappointment. “Is there nothing else we can talk about, aside from serious matters and my injuries?”

 

“What would you like to talk about?”

 

Feng Ye shifted closer to him and pulled him into his arms. “It doesn’t matter if we don’t talk, as long as you’re here with me.”

 

Yan Sikong allowed Feng Ye to embrace him in silence, his heart calm.

 

Feng Ye’s warm lips pressed gently against his hair and cheek as he murmured, “Kong’er, you know, there are many things I’m afraid of in my heart.”

 

Yan Sikong listened quietly.

 

“I once thought I feared nothing, only to later realize it was just youthful arrogance,” Feng Ye said, his cheek brushing against Yan Sikong’s, savoring the warmth of the person in his arms. “But how I long to return to those youthful days. Back then, my father was still alive, the Feng family was still loyal for generations, and you and I… still cherished each other deeply.”

 

Yan Sikong’s heart ached as he listened.

 

“The name you gave Zuihong, ‘Forever Young,’ held such a beautiful wish, but alas, who can remain young forever?”

 

Yan Sikong whispered hoarsely, “Indeed, who can stay young?” Like Feng Ye, he too wished to return to the past. He even wished to return to before he turned nine, when he lived a modest but content life with his birth parents, dreaming grandly of becoming a renowned minister.

 

Back then, his life was devoid of tragedy and worry.

 

“In the blink of an eye, I’ve reached my thirties. I once thought my feelings for you were merely part of my youthful recklessness, but after all these years, you’ve become a piece of my heart,” Feng Ye said with a self-mocking smile. “How can I let go?”

 

Yan Sikong sighed softly. “Feng Ye, feelings that arise in the innocence of youth are bound to leave an everlasting imprint.”

 

“And for you? Have they stayed with you all your life?”

 

“I’ve never forgotten a thing,” he thought to himself, especially you.

 

“Do you ever long for those times? We were so good together.”

 

“Of course I do. But as for what came after… let’s not talk about it.”

 

Feng Ye’s gaze dimmed.

 

“Don’t dwell on the past; it’s all behind us now,” Yan Sikong said. “What you’ve done for Guangning more than makes up for everything.”

 

“Then why are you still so distant from me?” Feng Ye released him, caressing his face as he stared into his dark eyes. “You advise me, you’re willing to travel to Chahar with me to save Ze’er, you care about my injuries, and yet you keep me at arm’s length. Why?”

 

Yan Sikong hesitated, unable to answer even his own confusion.

 

“Do you resent Yunlong?” Feng Ye lowered his gaze. “You didn’t have to accompany me back to Datong.”

 

“No.” Yan Sikong answered frankly, “There’s nothing to resent. Besides, the young prince is a Feng family heir; his safety is of utmost importance. I have to go back.”

 

“My ties with her have long since soured. If you meet her and she says something unpleasant…”

 

“Why would I contend with a woman? Don’t worry. This time, there are two critical matters: first, rescuing the young prince, and second, taking back Datong’s military authority from Prince  Yong to prevent his growing power.”

 

Feng Ye said coldly, “While he’s skilled in business, he’s insatiably greedy and short-sighted. Since taking charge of Datong, relations with Chahar have worsened to this point. The fact that he didn’t split his forces to support me during the critical moment is already a grave offense. Sparing him punishment is mercy enough—I’ll never hand Datong over to him again.”

 

Yan Sikong nodded. “Chahar is crucial to Datong, and besides, Sarin is still your concubine. The matter of the young prince can only be resolved through negotiation, not conflict.”

 

“Whatever has happened, we’ll know when we return,” Feng Ye said, his gaze hardening. “If the Prince of Yong can’t subdue Nadahan, then I will. I’ll never allow the Mongol tribes to grow strong again and repeat the mistakes of the Oirats.”