The Blood Crown - Chapter 336

Chapter 336

When Yan Sikong rushed in to see Feng Ye after hearing the news, he saw a servant carrying out a basin of bloody water with soaked cloth floating inside. His mind buzzed, and an image of Feng Ye collapsing in his arms after being struck by an arrow flashed before him. Fear gripped him, and his legs began to tremble uncontrollably.

He hurried into the room and saw Feng Ye reclining on the bed, his chest wrapped in layers of white bandages. The spot where the arrow had once pierced through was now bleeding again, staining the bandages red—wounds that had almost healed were reopened.

Seeing Yan Sikong, Feng Ye’s dim eyes lit up slightly.

The doctors surrounding the bed immediately stepped aside. Yan Sikong walked over, gritting his teeth, and asked, “What happened?”

“It’s been a long time since I rode a horse. Zuihong was too excited, and I didn’t pay attention,” Feng Ye replied nonchalantly. “I fell off.”

“How could you ride when your injury is barely healed?” Yan Sikong turned and glared at Feng Ye’s personal guards, scolding sharply, “How do you all serve the Lord of the Northern Frontier?!”

The guards hastily knelt down. “This is entirely our fault.”

“Forget it. It’s not their fault,” Feng Ye said, tilting his chin slightly. “Leave us.”

The people in the room retreated one by one.

Yan Sikong frowned at Feng Ye, his expression shifting uncertainly.

“Sit,” Feng Ye said, patting the edge of the bed.

Yan Sikong sat down and said in a deep voice, “You’re the ruler of the Four Prefectures of the North, bearing great responsibilities. How could you act so recklessly?”

“Alright, Uncle just left after reprimanding me,” Feng Ye said softly. He reached out and touched Yan Sikong’s cheek. “A bit of rest, and I’ll be fine.” His complexion was pallid, but his eyes were unusually bright.

Yan Sikong stared at the glaring bloodstains on Feng Ye’s chest and remained silent.

Feng Ye spoke gently, “I’ve sent for the best burn ointments and herbal remedies from the Medicine Valley. You must use them regularly.”

“No need. Que Wang prescribed something for me, and I’ve been taking it for some time now. I’ve recovered quite well.”

“…He knew,” Feng Ye said angrily. “He knew and still helped you hide it from me.”

“I was the one who forbade him from saying anything.” Yan Sikong was unwilling to discuss the matter further. “I’ve long since recovered. You, on the other hand, need to heal quickly. You’ve just been granted your title, and the people of the Northern Frontier are waiting to welcome their new lord.”

Feng Ye seemed not to hear him and instead gazed intently at Yan Sikong. He said softly, “Burning is one of the cruelest tortures in the world. You endured such suffering, and I wasn’t there by your side. Back then, you must have… hated me deeply.”

Yan Sikong replied calmly, “If I hated you, I wouldn’t have done what I did.”

Feng Ye laughed bitterly and nodded. “You didn’t hate me. You were simply utterly disappointed in me. So disappointed you’d rather die than see me again.” Every time he thought of Yan Sikong walking into the flames and enduring that hellish pain, it tore him apart. He didn’t even dare to recall all he had done that pushed the one he loved most to such a desperate act.

The one who should suffer the most was himself.

Yan Sikong had no desire to indulge Feng Ye’s self-pity. Though at that time, he had indeed felt that way. “It’s all in the past,” he said.

“I can’t move on,” Feng Ye replied, shaking his head slowly and hoarsely. “I’ll never move on.”

“…”

Feng Ye wanted to say more but suddenly furrowed his brow, a flicker of pain crossing his face—it was clear his wound had been triggered.

Yan Sikong quickly said, “You should rest.” He helped Feng Ye lie down carefully.

Feng Ye grasped Yan Sikong’s hand and looked at him pleadingly. “Kong’er, will you stay with me?”

Yan Sikong sighed inwardly and nodded.

Feng Ye brought Yan Sikong’s hand to his lips and kissed it softly, treating it as if it were a priceless treasure.

As those gentle kisses left warmth across his skin, Yan Sikong felt a surge of bittersweet sorrow in his heart.

“I failed to treat you well,” Feng Ye said regretfully. “No one in this world has cared for you, and I didn’t either. I let you suffer so much.”

Hearing this, Yan Sikong instinctively clenched his fist, gripping Feng Ye’s hand so tightly it hurt.

Yet Feng Ye didn’t resist. He continued to kiss Yan Sikong’s hand tenderly—from the back of his hand to his knuckles, to his palm and fingertips. Slowly, that clenched fist relaxed.

Feng Ye’s kisses continued to the center of his palm and finally to the tips of his fingers.

Yan Sikong’s hand trembled, just as his heart trembled.

“What will it take for you to be happy?” Feng Ye pressed his cheek against Yan Sikong’s palm and rubbed it gently. “Tell me, whatever you want to do, wherever you want to go, whatever you desire—I’ll do anything to make my Kong’er smile sincerely. Even if… it’s not for me.”

Yan Sikong said softly, “I hope you’ll recover well, fulfill your role as the Lord of the Northern Frontier, and not disappoint the Four Prefectures’ expectations.”

“Alright. Whatever you wish for, I’ll do it,” Feng Ye replied, closing his eyes. His face remained pressed against Yan Sikong’s hand, as if it was also pressed against his heart. His eyelashes glistened with tears. “You always think of others. Have you ever thought about yourself?”

“I… need nothing,” Yan Sikong murmured. He was beyond wanting.

Feng Ye’s lips moved faintly but said nothing. He simply held Yan Sikong’s hand tightly, like a drowning man clutching driftwood.

—

A few days after Feng Ye’s official investiture, Zuo Létai sent a letter of congratulations from Chahar, simultaneously apologizing. He explained that Sarin had impulsively taken their son back to Chahar but assured Feng Ye that the boy would be treated like a prince, so Feng Ye needn’t worry.

Nadahan likely knew that Feng Ze was not Sarin’s child, but the letter of congratulations was his response to Feng Ye’s attempt to reclaim Feng Ze. Just as they had anticipated, Nadahan would never return Feng Ze. It was unlikely before, and now that the Wolf King had become the Lord of the Northern Frontier, it was even less possible.

Feng Ye could only accept reality. Having just been elevated to his title, his position in the Northern Frontier was not yet secure. At this time, he could only placate Chakhar and must not turn against them. Once he truly ruled the Northern Frontier, as Yun Long had planned, he would have to make arrangements for Feng Ze’s future.

For now, the most important thing was still recovering from his injuries.

Since the day he fell from his horse, Feng Ye’s condition had been unstable. Though the injuries were not severe, the wounds refused to heal, forcing him back to a state where he needed constant care. Rumors about his condition began to spread throughout Datong.

Yan Sikong had to oversee Feng Ye’s meals, medicine, and dressing changes every day. If he didn’t, Feng Ye would refuse to cooperate. As long as Yan Sikong was there, even if they exchanged only a few words or sat in silence, Feng Ye would feel at ease.

Yan Sikong noticed that Feng Ye’s reliance on him was becoming increasingly childlike, leaving him utterly helpless.

That day, after accompanying Feng Ye for a meal, Yan Sikong was about to return to his own courtyard when he was stopped by a guard. The guard informed him that Feng Changyue had summoned him for questioning.

Since Feng Changyue’s return to Datong, the two had only exchanged a brief glance when Feng Ye greeted him at the manor gates. Yan Sikong knew that Feng Changyue neither liked nor respected him. A summons from him now was unlikely to bring anything good.

But Yan Sikong remained calm and followed without hesitation.

Years of toil had left Feng Changyue with graying temples. Once a fierce general on the battlefield, he now appeared old and weary—a sight that evoked mixed emotions.

Yan Sikong cupped his hands in salute. “This junior greets General Feng.”

Feng Changyue responded coldly, “As the Grand Preceptor, you outrank me. It is I who should bow to you.” Despite his words, he made no move to stand.

Yan Sikong chuckled lightly. “The emperor has changed, and titles such as Grand Preceptor and Minister mean little now. I am, at present, nothing at all.”

“Even if you are no longer the so-called ‘fence-sitter,’ you remain the top strategist under the Lord of the Northern Frontier. Saying you are ‘nothing’ is far too modest.”

Yan Sikong, unwilling to spar verbally with Feng Changyue, replied, “May I ask why the General has summoned me?”

Feng Changyue’s face remained expressionless as he said, “Feng Ye is now the Lord of the Northern Frontier. His safety concerns the well-being of the Four Prefectures and their people. It is of utmost importance.”

“Yes.”

“Anyone who endangers him must be dealt with severely.”

“Yes.” Yan Sikong felt a pang of doubt, unsure of what Feng Changyue was implying. His words seemed to suggest someone intended harm to Feng Ye.

Feng Changyue narrowed his eyes, clearly annoyed. “Are you truly unaware, or are you pretending?”

Yan Sikong frowned. “This junior truly does not understand what the General is referring to. I hope the General will enlighten me. If someone intends harm to the Lord of the Northern Frontier, they must not be spared.”

Feng Changyue snapped, “One of the doctors treating Feng Ye is skilled in martial arts. He stated that the reopening of Feng Ye’s wounds does not resemble injuries from a fall—it clearly appears to be caused by internal force.”

Yan Sikong’s body stiffened. “…What?!”

“Do you truly not know?” Feng Changyue’s face darkened. “When I questioned him, Feng Ye insisted it was from a fall. He is clearly covering something up. If there is any reason for him to conceal the identity of his assailant, it must be for your sake, Yan Sikong!”

Yan Sikong turned pale, his vision momentarily blurred.

Feng Ye’s reopened arrow wound was… caused by internal force?!

Feng Changyue pressed on relentlessly, his voice sharp. “Who was it? Why did they attack the Lord of the Northern Frontier? What is your involvement in this? Speak the truth!”

Yan Sikong clenched his fists. Who would dare to attack the Lord of the Northern Frontier on Datong soil? If such a person existed, why would Feng Ye cover for them instead of executing them on the spot? How could this have anything to do with him…

No. This matter might be related to him alone…

A ridiculous thought flashed through his mind, and Yan Sikong instantly felt as if he had fallen into an icy abyss.