The Blood Crown - Chapter 333

Chapter 333

After meeting Yunlong, Yan Sikong already had an idea in mind and needed to discuss it with Feng Ye. However, a servant told him that Feng Ye had gone to see the young heir.

When Yan Sikong found Feng Ye, he saw him standing motionless in front of a small wooden crib, staring at it.

Hearing footsteps, Feng Ye looked up at Yan Sikong and motioned for him to come over.

Yan Sikong quietly walked up and saw a small baby sleeping in the crib. His eyelids were slightly swollen, clearly from crying earlier. The delicate features faintly resembled Feng Ye’s, and it was easy to imagine that one day, when he grew up, he would undoubtedly possess a face capable of captivating the masses.

Feng Ye spoke softly, “He was awake just now. He wasn’t afraid of me at all and even called me ‘Father’…” His gaze dimmed. “Then he asked me for a younger brother and a mother.”

Yan Sikong sighed. “Let the princess come to see the heir.”

Feng Ye replied coldly, “She has already sent Ze’er away. How could I dare entrust Yue’er to her?”

“Regardless, she is the heir’s biological mother, and he needs her now.”

“She won’t be for long. I plan to divorce her.”

“…Let’s discuss this back in the room. Don’t wake the heir.”

The two returned to the room. Feng Ye asked, “What did you discuss with her?”

Yan Sikong took a deep breath and looked steadily at Feng Ye. “You must realize that it’s almost impossible to bring the young prince back.”

Feng Ye lowered his gaze, remaining silent.

“If we were Nadahan, we would also seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to strengthen ourselves with your help. He won’t return the young prince.”

“I’ve already sent people to Chahar,” Feng Ye said gravely.

“It’s futile,” Yan Sikong shook his head, sighing. “You know that.”

Feng Ye clenched his fists, his expression icy and imposing.

“It’s come to this; accept it,” Yan Sikong said. “Perhaps the young prince truly can bring a century of peace to the borderlands. Perhaps this is the destiny of the Feng family’s descendants.”

Feng Ye closed his eyes and said hoarsely, “He can’t even walk yet. We’ve never even met.”

“He will not only learn to walk but also learn to wield weapons, ride horses, and shoot arrows, just like you. One day, you will meet him.”

Feng Ye gazed at Yan Sikong. “If this truly is his destiny, then my son will become a Mongolian king.”

Yan Sikong returned Feng Ye’s gaze. “Feng Ye, you swore never to enter the Central Plains in your lifetime.”

“True. But will Chen Mu spare me?” Feng Ye narrowed his eyes. “Will he quietly let me govern the four northern prefectures? If one day he musters the power of the Central Plains to attack me, how could I remain unprepared?”

“I understand,” Yan Sikong said heavily. “If an alliance with Mongolia can bring true peace to the borderlands and ensure self-preservation, then so be it. But you must remember your oath: if Chen Mu does not provoke you, you must not provoke him.”

Feng Ye stared into Yan Sikong’s eyes and solemnly said, “If others don’t provoke me, I won’t provoke them.”

Yan Sikong drew in a sharp breath. As Yunlong had said, the Chen family and the Feng family were destined to clash. Even if this generation maintained a temporary peace out of mutual caution, what about the next generation? Or the one after that? The kingdom would eventually be unified, and ambition knows no bounds.

Feng Ye continued, “Even so, I never intended to sacrifice my son. I cannot forgive Yunlong for what she has done. I want to…”

“You cannot divorce her,” Yan Sikong interrupted.

Feng Ye stared at Yan Sikong. “Why are you helping her?”

“She means nothing to me. Why would I help her? I’m doing this for you,” Yan Sikong said seriously. “Divorcing her will do nothing but vent your anger. What good will it bring? Your marriage to Prince Yong’s family is an alliance. If you turn against them now, Chen Mu could exploit it. Besides, how can the heir, so young, go without a mother?”

“She personally sent her son to the barbarians as a hostage. How can someone like that be a mother?”

“But Yunlong is still the heir’s biological mother. When the heir grows up, how will you explain this to him? Furthermore, the young prince is now in Chahar and can only rely on Saren. Yunlong’s superficial friendship with Saren can be useful,” Yan Sikong said. “If you spare her and her father, not only can you easily reclaim Prince Yong’s military power, but you can also ensure their absolute loyalty.”

Feng Ye’s expression turned grim as he shook his head. “I’ve already shown them mercy by sparing their lives.”

“If I can’t persuade you, then what about General Feng? He’ll return to Datong soon. How will he react if you divorce her?”

Feng Ye’s expression shifted slightly. He knew Feng Changyue would never agree to the divorce. He had already disappointed Feng Changyue by abandoning the capital for Liaodong. Even though Feng Changyue was merely an adopted son of the Feng family, he was still the only elder Feng Ye had. The thought of facing Feng Changyue gave him a headache worse than the wound in his chest.

Yan Sikong spoke softly, “In noble families, marriages are alliances. Allies are rarely ideal, but as long as they remain useful, the bonds must not be broken lightly.”

He recalled the pang of bitterness he had felt years ago upon first hearing that Feng Ye was getting married. Now, that feeling had long since subsided. Partly because he no longer wanted to be entangled in emotions and partly because he saw that such alliances, born of profit, had nothing to do with love. He, Wanyang, Chen Mu, the Princess Consort, Feng Ye, and Yunlong were all the same. Few noblewomen were willing to abandon glory and wealth to wander with their true love as Wanyang had. Yunlong had not accepted her fate easily, but she had gone to another extreme.

Feng Ye frowned deeply.

—

Two days later, Feng Changyue returned to Datong with his troops, while Chen Mu finally achieved his lifelong ambition of taking the capital. Once he consolidated his position, he would announce to the world that Da Sheng had a new emperor and the northern prefectures a new king.

Feng Ye personally greeted Feng Changyue at the residence gate. But upon seeing him, Feng Changyue let out a heavy sigh and turned away. Feng Ye stood there, looking despondent.

Yan Sikong noted Feng Changyue’s greying temples and slightly hunched back. Compared to the last time they had met, Feng Changyue seemed much older, which filled Yan Sikong with a sense of melancholy.

That night, Feng Ye and Feng Changyue had a long, private conversation. Servants outside the room reported that their discussions grew heated several times.

—

Burdened by heavy thoughts, Yan Sikong struggled to sleep that night. When he finally fell asleep, he did not wake until the sun was high in the sky.

When he woke up, the maid had been waiting for some time. While assisting him with washing, she informed him that Feng Ye was waiting for him.

He quickly freshened up, changed his clothes, and went to meet Feng Ye.

Feng Ye, clearly having stayed up all night, had dark circles under his eyes and looked exhausted. As soon as they met, he didn’t wait for Yan Sikong to ask about his conversation with Feng Changyue and said, “Come with me out of the city.”

“Out of the city? For what?”

“To take Hun’er up the mountain,” Feng Ye replied. “I consulted Master Denghai; today is an auspicious day.”

“Alright.”

The two left the residence. Yan Sikong noticed the guards bringing over Zuihong and frowned. “Feng Ye, your injury flared up just two days ago, and now…”

“I don’t want to ride in the carriage anymore.” As he spoke, Feng Ye had already mounted the horse. Though his movements weren’t as smooth as before, compared to the frail state when he couldn’t even get out of bed, Feng Ye had regained the aura of the Wolf King.

Yan Sikong could only follow suit and mount his horse. In the accompanying carriage lay a black zitan coffin carved with a wolf totem.

Yan Sikong glanced at the coffin and silently thought, “Hun’er, I’ve come to see you off.”

The group set out in a grand procession beyond the city.

Feng Ye and Yan Sikong rode at the front. Along the way, Feng Ye remained silent.

After waiting for some time without Feng Ye initiating a conversation, Yan Sikong asked, “After talking with General Feng all night, did you reach any decisions?”

“We’ll reclaim Prince Yong’s military power, keep the uncle in charge of Datong, and not hold Prince Yong or his heir accountable for their actions in Datong,” Feng Ye replied.

Yan Sikong had anticipated this. “And?”

“He forbade me from divorcing my wife.” Feng Ye’s lips pressed into a thin line, anger simmering beneath his words.

“General Feng, naturally…”

“But I still divorced her.”

“What?!” Yan Sikong turned sharply to look at Feng Ye and said anxiously, “You…”

“I went to see her this morning,” Feng Ye said calmly, looking at Yan Sikong. “I handed her the divorce letter myself. I kept her title as the Princess Consort of Zhenbei(Northern Garrison) and her honor, keeping it from the public, allowing her to enjoy wealth and luxury. But from now on, we will neither see each other in life nor share the same tomb in death.”

Yan Sikong looked at Feng Ye in shock.

Feng Ye sneered, “Do you know what she said to me?”

“…”

“She still urged me to support Ze’er in becoming the Mongolian king. She said I’m still young and should return to the Central Plains within my lifetime to pursue imperial ambitions. If she weren’t a woman, with her background and ambition, she might have been someone who stirred the winds and clouds.” Feng Ye spoke coldly, “But fortunately, she is a woman. With her impatience for quick success, she would likely have met an early death.”

Yan Sikong let out a long sigh. “Perhaps it’s for the best.”

Feng Ye gave Yan Sikong a deep look. “Kong’er, do you truly not care at all?”

“…What are you referring to?”

“You know exactly what I mean.”

After a moment of contemplation, Yan Sikong said, “I only want you to secure your position as Prince Zhenbei, ruling over the four northern prefectures. Nothing else matters.”

Feng Ye tightened his grip on the reins. “So, in your eyes, only power remains?”

Yan Sikong said nothing.