The Blood Crown - Chapter 331

Chapter 331

 

Liaodong was not very far from Datong, and the Feng family’s troops and horses traveled as fast as they could. It took them only eight days to return to Datong.

 

Had it not been for Feng Ye’s inability to ride a horse and his need to travel by carriage, they might have arrived even sooner.

 

Upon arrival in Datong, without pausing to rest, they hurried back to the mansion.

 

Prince Yong, who had just received the news, couldn’t make it to the city gates in time and instead headed straight for the Wolf King’s mansion.

 

The two groups happened to run into each other at the gate.

 

Upon seeing Feng Ye, Prince Yong’s expression clearly showed guilt. After all, Feng Ye had entrusted him with Datong, yet the situation had spiraled out of control. Not only was a conflict with the Chahar imminent, but the Wolf King’s son had also been abducted. Naturally, Prince Yong couldn’t lift his head in shame.

 

“Wolf King, you’ve returned. How is your recovery?” Prince Yong asked cautiously. His fair skin and portly figure betrayed years of pampered living, making him appear entirely out of place in the rugged and harsh environment beyond the Great Wall.

 

“Still manageable. Thank you for your concern, Father-in-law,” Feng Ye replied coldly. “Is there any news about Ze’er?”

 

As the group spoke, they entered the mansion. Prince Yong cast a glance at the man beside Feng Ye, quickly deducing his identity with a flash of resentment in his eyes. A year ago, it was widely rumored that Yan Sikong had died, but after the Battle of Guangning, news of his survival began to spread. By the time whispers reached Datong not long ago, his identity had become apparent from his appearance and demeanor, as well as his presence here.

 

Yan Sikong remained indifferent, following Feng Ye calmly.

 

Prince Yong lamented tearfully, “It’s all my fault! Who could have imagined that wretched barbarian woman would be so audacious as to harm the Wolf King’s child? I failed to protect Ze’er and have been restless day and night.”

 

“When I uncover the truth, I will hold those accountable without mercy,” Feng Ye said coldly, casting a sharp glance at Prince Yong. “The most important thing now is to rescue Ze’er. Is there any information?”

 

Prince Yong’s jowls trembled as he replied in a low voice, “Sarin has already returned to Chahar. Nada Khan has made outrageous demands. Fearing for Ze’er’s safety, I sent everything he asked for.”

 

As they talked, the group pushed open the door to find an exquisitely dressed woman sitting inside. She was stunningly beautiful, with alabaster skin, elegant eyebrows, and pearly teeth. Her noble demeanor was impeccable. Despite the sudden entrance of these grim-faced men, she didn’t react with fright. Instead, she merely arched an eyebrow upon seeing her husband, whom she hadn’t seen in over a year.

 

She was the Princess Yunlong, daughter of Prince Yong and Feng Ye’s wife.

 

She rose gracefully, performed a courteous bow, and said softly, “Your Highness has returned. Why did you not send word ahead? The household was unprepared.” She stepped aside, offering the main seat and withdrawing quietly.

 

“No need,” Feng Ye said as he sat down. He looked at Yunlong, his expression impassive. “Please take a seat, my lady. Everyone is here. There’s no need for pleasantries. Tell me everything about how Ze’er was taken, leaving out no detail.”

 

At the mention of Feng Ze, Princess Yunlong’s eyes reddened. Her complexion turned pale, and her exhausted gaze showed the toll this had taken on her. Prince Yong took over the explanation.

 

He recounted the events of that day in detail, while Princess Yunlong twisted her handkerchief and occasionally shed tears.

 

As Feng Ye and Yan Sikong listened attentively, they both felt something was amiss.

 

When the story was over, Feng Ye asked gravely, “You’re saying that Sarin visited as usual to play with Yue’er and Ze’er but took advantage of the nanny stepping away to abduct Ze’er?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Ze’er is just a year old and prone to crying and fussing. How could Sarin have taken him out of the mansion unnoticed? With so many servants around, did no one see anything?”

 

“It was already late, and most of the staff were busy preparing dinner. They weren’t paying attention.”

 

Feng Ye’s piercing gaze fixed on Prince Yong. “They weren’t paying attention? How long was the nanny gone? After she discovered Ze’er missing, was a search conducted? Sarin is just one woman. How could she evade the mansion guards, the city patrols, and the gatekeepers to leave the city with Ze’er? How did she make it back to Chahar?”

 

The barrage of questions left Prince Yong drenched in sweat. He stammered angrily, “That venomous barbarian woman must have had accomplices! She couldn’t have done this alone. Nada Khan must have sent someone to help her!”

 

Yan Sikong studied Prince Yong intently. His pale, fleshy face trembled as his evasive gaze and inconsistent answers deepened Yan Sikong’s suspicion. Sarin had taken the Wolf King’s son—an actual child. To leave the mansion and the city, she would have needed prepared horses and supplies for herself and the child. Traveling several hundred miles to the Chahar tribe without being caught? That would require more than accomplices; it would need an entire escort.

 

Feng Ye narrowed his eyes, his gaze icy. “And have these accomplices been identified? A woman abducted my son from this mansion, left the city unimpeded, and returned to the barbarians, yet you noticed nothing? Ridiculous!” He slammed the table, his rage like a sword sweeping through the room, leaving everyone trembling.

 

Princess Yunlong’s frail figure quivered, and she lowered her head, sobbing softly—a picture of pitiful grace.

 

“It’s all my fault. I was careless and failed to protect Ze’er. Though she was a barbarian, she had married into the Feng family, so I didn’t suspect her. But she… she…” Prince Yong stammered, “If you must punish someone, punish me! I am filled with regret!”

 

Feng Ye rose from his seat and approached Prince Yong, his towering frame exuding an oppressive aura. Prince Yong felt parched, avoiding Feng Ye’s predatory gaze.

 

“Father-in-law,” Feng Ye said coldly, towering over him. “Your vague answers and evasions lead me to suspect you’re hiding something. Are you?”

 

Prince Yong’s face changed. “What do you mean by that, Wolf King?”

 

“During my absence, you acted recklessly in the Hetao region, violating my trade agreement with Nada Khan and seizing his profits. Just how much are you keeping from me?”

 

Prince Yong trembled. “Wolf King, it’s… it’s complicated. The barbarians… they cannot be trusted!”

 

“Indeed, the barbarians cannot be trusted,” Feng Ye sneered, “but a traitor in the family is worse. I will investigate the Hetao affair later. For now, I care only about rescuing Ze’er. I’ll ask you once more: Are you hiding anything about Ze’er’s abduction?”

 

Prince Yong clenched his fists, his thick neck stiffening as he replied, “I dare not hide anything.”

 

Yan Sikong glanced at Princess Yunlong, whose face was ashen. She bit her lip, twisting the handkerchief tightly.

 

Like Feng Ye, Yan Sikong was certain Prince Yong was lying or at least concealing something.

 

Prince Yong despised barbarians and had clashed with Nada Khan over the Hetao region. There was no way he wouldn’t have guarded against Sarin. Her time in the Wolf King’s household was likely far from peaceful, and Princess Yunlong wouldn’t have let her near her children.

 

As for Sarin seemingly walking on air to return to Chahar with a child, it was simply absurd.

 

“Very well,” Feng Ye said, stepping back. “I will conduct a thorough investigation. On the day of the incident, every servant in the mansion, every vendor on the streets leading to the city gates, and every guard at the gates—I will question them all.” His gaze turned sinister. “And if I find who helped Sarin take my son, no matter who it is, I will exterminate their entire clan!”

 

Prince Yong trembled.

 

“Guards!” Feng Ye called. He summoned his soldiers. “Spread the word: Anyone who provides information will be rewarded with a thousand taels of silver. Those involved who confess will be dealt with leniently. But if I find anyone complicit or silent, their entire clan will be executed!”

 

“Yes, sir!”

 

The guards were about to leave when a sharp voice suddenly rang out from inside the room: “There’s no need!”

 

Yun Long raised her tear-filled eyes and looked at Prince Yong.

 

Prince Yong futilely shook his head, his face already ashen.

 

Feng Ye slowly turned around to look at Yun Long.

 

Yun Long also gazed at Feng Ye, her voice trembling as she said, “There’s no need to investigate. It was me, I was the one who let Saren take Ze’er away.”

 

Feng Ye gritted his teeth and said, “What did you say?”

 

Yan Sikong was shocked, unable to believe what he had heard. Though he had suspected that there was more to the story, he never imagined Yun Long would send her own son away.

 

Yun Long stood up, tears streaming down her face, and said, “I gave Ze’er to her and sent her back to Chahar.”

 

“Why?” Feng Ye looked at Yun Long coldly, his voice unusually calm, like the stillness before a storm.

 

“It wasn’t her!” Prince Yong hurriedly interjected. “Wolf King, I was the one who made a mistake, the one who feared that Nadahan would break the treaty and align with King Chu. I was afraid you’d blame me, so I sent Ze’er to Chahar as a hostage.”

 

Feng Ye’s face was filled with killing intent as his eyes darted between the father and daughter. “Explain clearly.” He glared at Yun Long. “Talk.”

 

Yun Long choked back her sobs and said, “It has nothing to do with Father. It was my idea; he only wanted to cover for me. An envoy from King Chu went to Chahar to sow discord with Nadahan. War was imminent, and you were trapped in Liaodong. I was worried Datong wouldn’t hold…”

 

“So you sent Ze’er to the barbarians as a hostage?” Feng Ye said fiercely. “He’s your son!”

 

“I had no choice!” Yun Long cried. “I wept day and night. Seeing Yue’er only reminded me of Ze’er, and my heart ached every time. My lord, you were trapped in Liaodong, and Nadahan only dared to act so arrogantly because of that. Now even the kingdom must be handed to King Chu. If we lose Chahar, how can the Feng family stand firm in the four prefectures of the North? I… I did it for you!”

 

“If you truly did it for me, you wouldn’t have greedily meddled in Hetao and offended Nadahan. When Uncle was in charge, Datong and Chahar were on good terms. If not for you…” Feng Ye’s finger trembled as he pointed at the father and daughter. “When I was trapped in Liaodong, waiting desperately for reinforcements, if you hadn’t antagonized Nadahan, Datong’s reinforcements would have arrived earlier. How could I have been surrounded by Chen Mu!” His veins bulged on his forehead, and his face was twisted like that of a ferocious beast.

 

Yun Long covered her face with a handkerchief and sobbed. “If… if my lord hadn’t insisted on rescuing Liaodong and instead stayed firmly in the capital, Chen Mu would never have been able to break in. Why would we have fallen to this point?”

 

“Are you blaming me?”

 

“I wouldn’t dare, but…” Yun Long turned her cold gaze to Yan Sikong. “My lord went to Liaodong for him. Have you ever considered me for even a moment?”

 

Yan Sikong remained calm and silent.

 

“Do you even understand how vital the Liaodong gateway is to the Central Plains? It’s not for you to question my military strategy. As a consort, your only duty is to manage the household and raise our children. Yet you’ve ruined Datong, and Ze’er has become a barbarian hostage. And you still don’t think you’re wrong!” Feng Ye was nearly beside himself with rage.

 

“She knows she’s wrong, she knows she’s wrong!” Prince Yong rushed to Feng Ye’s side, pleading. “Wolf King, please calm your anger. She knows she’s wrong. Fu’er, kneel and beg the Wolf King’s forgiveness!”

 

Yun Long fell to her knees with a thud, sobbing. “My lord, please calm your anger. Fu’er knows she was wrong. I did it for Datong, for the Feng family, for you.” She crawled towards Feng Ye on her knees, clutching his robes and looking up tearfully. “My lord, actually, actually Ze’er going to Chahar as a hostage isn’t entirely a bad thing.”

 

Feng Ye looked at Yun Long with an icy stare. “What did you say?”

 

“Sending Ze’er to Chahar not only stabilizes Chahar and resolves Datong’s crisis, but it’s also greatly advantageous to my lord.” Yun Long’s tear-filled almond eyes shone pitifully. “Saren has always wanted a child desperately, but she cannot conceive. She couldn’t have one with her previous husband, and you… you won’t touch her. She… she’s willing to tell Nadahan that Ze’er is her biological child with you. As long as Ze’er stays in Chahar, when he grows up, we can support him to become the Great Khan and reunite Mongolia.” Her eyes glimmered. “With the entire Mongolian force backing you, my lord, reclaiming the Central Plains would be within reach.”

 

Feng Ye kicked her away and drew his sword with a swift motion, fury consuming him. “I’ll kill this greedy, power-hungry madwoman!”

 

“Wolf King, no!” The guards rushed to restrain Feng Ye, and Yan Sikong quickly grabbed the sword from his hand. Prince Yong shielded Yun Long.

 

Terror filled Yun Long’s eyes as she continued to beg for Feng Ye’s forgiveness.

 

Yan Sikong spoke in a low voice, “Calm down, Feng Ye, calm down.” He snatched the sword away and flung it to the ground with a clang.

 

Yun Long wept bitterly. “I know my lord wants to be emperor. How could you possibly accept handing over the hard-won kingdom to someone else? Sending Ze’er away makes my heart bleed, but I did it all for you. If Ze’er becomes the Mongolian king, Mongolia and the Central Plains will forever be allies. There will be no more wars.”

 

“Nonsense!” Feng Ye’s face was pale with fury. “Someone, I want this madwoman divorced. Now!”

 

Prince Yong knelt before Feng Ye with a thud, begging, “Wolf King, please calm down. I beg you to spare her for the sake of my years of service to the Feng family, for the sake of Fu’er giving you two sons.”

 

Feng Ye roared, “Get out! I haven’t even settled accounts with you for what you’ve done!”

 

Yun Long collapsed on the ground, crying repeatedly, “I did it for my lord, I did it for my lord.”

 

“You gave your own son, the descendant of the Feng family, to the barbarians as a hostage, leaving a year-old infant to suffer in a foreign land. And you dare say it was for me? It was for your dream of becoming an empress!” Feng Ye bellowed. “Guards, confine them to their quarters. Without my order, they are not to take a single step outside.”

 

“Yes!”

 

The guards filed in and dragged Prince Yong and Yun Long away.

 

Feng Ye, overwhelmed by rage, felt his wounds flare up. Clutching his chest, he staggered.

 

Yan Sikong quickly supported him, helping him to a chair. He ordered the guards, “Everyone, leave.”