The Blood Crown - Chapter 338

Chapter 338

After handling the military affairs of Guangning, Yuan Nanyu led his troops back to Datong.

Currently, Liaodong was still under the command of General Liang Huiyong, who also served as the Governor. However, after Chen Mu gave the four prefectures to Feng Ye, the position of Governor was no longer set. Liang Huiyong, being a military officer, was not skilled in governance and was not fit to hold military power. Feng Ye planned to select capable civil officials from Liaodong to manage the local affairs, and Yuan Nanyu was bringing back his recommendations after careful investigation.

When he saw Feng Ye, Yuan Nanyu was surprised. He frowned, glanced at Feng Ye, then at Yan Sikong, and finally his gaze settled on Feng Ye’s chest: “The Wolf King’s wound had almost healed when he left Guangning. How is it still not recovered now?” Feng Ye was physically strong. Despite the serious injury, after surviving death and receiving excellent treatment from the Medicine Valley’s Master, he should at least be able to get out of bed, if not completely healthy.

Yan Sikong’s face darkened: “He fell off his horse.” Although he had doubts about this explanation, without evidence and with Feng Ye not speaking, he didn’t dare to question further.

“Fell off your horse?” Yuan Nanyu scolded, “You’re such a grown man, and you’re still riding while injured?!”

Feng Ye awkwardly replied, “Let’s not talk about that. Tell me about the situation in Liaodong.”

“I’ll check your wound first,” Yuan Nanyu said, reaching to undo Feng Ye’s clothes.

Feng Ye stopped his hand: “No need. Let’s talk about Liaodong first.”

Yuan Nanyu had no choice but to give up and reported the events that had occurred after their departure.

He and Liang Huiyong had overseen the repair of Guangning City, sent scouts to monitor the movements of the retreating Jin forces, returned the captured Chu soldiers to Chen Mu, and investigated the local officials in Liaodong so that Feng Ye could select talented individuals for positions.

Yan Sikong flipped through the documents that Yuan Nanyu had presented, pointing to one name: “This Cai Xun was a colleague of my father’s. He’s quiet, but careful and serious in his work. He’s someone we can rely on.”

“Is that so? I don’t remember,” Yuan Nanyu said. “You really do have an impressive memory, Second Brother.”

“I only recognized this one name,” Yan Sikong said with some emotion. “It’s been over twenty years. So many people are no longer here.”

“Sikong, you and your brother can decide the personnel affairs in Liaodong,” Feng Ye said. “You’re more familiar with your hometown than I am.”

Yan Sikong nodded, tucking the document into his sleeve, then asked Yuan Nanyu, “Since we left, has Chen Mu made things difficult for you?”

Yuan Nanyu shook his head, casually replying, “He was in such a hurry to return to become the emperor, how could he stay in Guangning?”

“He’s been through so much, finally sitting on the Golden Luan Throne…” Yan Sikong shook his head. “Little does he know, the hardships are just beginning.”

“I just received news today that Shen Hexuan has entered the cabinet,” Yuan Nanyu said. “He’s the youngest cabinet minister in Dashing history, right?”

Yan Sikong nodded: “Pretty much. Though Shen Hexuan is only thirty-seven, he supported Chen Mu’s rise to the throne all the way. Whether as the imperial teacher or as a meritorious official, his appointment to the cabinet was expected. After a few more years of experience, as long as the emperor and his ministers are united, one day, Shen Hexuan will surely take the place of their esteemed teacher, Yan Zilian.”

If Yan Zilian were aware from above, he would surely feel at ease.

“Shen Hexuan is a man of strong character, but easily broken like steel,” Feng Ye scoffed. “With Chen Mu’s sinister and cold nature, it won’t be easy for them to work together. There are more dramas to come.”

What Feng Ye said was exactly what Yan Sikong was worried about. The relationship between the emperor and his ministers was like that of a married couple: it’s easy to endure hardships together, but difficult to enjoy wealth and power together. How they would balance each other in the future would test both Chen Mu and Shen Hexuan. Conquering the world was only half the battle; keeping it was just as difficult. What Chen Mu had inherited was a nation on the brink of collapse, and he would need to invest his entire life’s efforts to revive it. Shen Hexuan’s assistance would be crucial.

—

After reporting to Feng Ye, Yan Sikong took a moment to chat privately with Yuan Nanyu. The two brothers drank the strong and spicy Liaodong brewed wine that Yuan Nanyu had brought back. This wine, a local specialty, was strong and fiery. In the cold winter months, a sip would make one unafraid of the cold, though it was a little harsh on the stomach and lungs in the warmth of spring. Nevertheless, they drank heartily.

Hearing Yuan Nanyu speak about the situation in Liaodong, Yan Sikong felt deeply reassured. After the great defeat of the Jin army, the people of Liaodong had once again seen hope. This land, which had suffered from barbarian invasions for decades, was finally saved.

Fueled by the alcohol, Yuan Nanyu excitedly said, “Second Brother, we must retake the seven northern states of Liaobei, reclaim our northern frontier, and drive the Jin dogs completely out of the pass.”

Yan Sikong agreed, “Yes, we should strike while the iron is hot. We can definitely do it.”

“I’ve known for a long time that I followed the right person,” Yuan Nanyu’s gaze was firm. “If it weren’t for Feng Ye, Liaodong would surely have fallen. He can recover Hetao, and he will surely recover the seven northern states. We will take back, bit by bit, the land that the foolish emperor fled from!”

“Good!” Yan Sikong filled Yuan Nanyu’s cup with wine. “Right now, the most important thing is that Feng Ye recovers as soon as possible, so he can take on the heavy responsibility of Prince Zhenbei(Prince of the North).”

“Yes.” At this point, Yuan Nanyu furrowed his brows and said, “Feng Ye is really reckless, riding a horse with an injury that hasn’t healed… Tomorrow, I’ll personally treat him.”

Yan Sikong hesitated to speak.

“Second Brother, what is it?” Yuan Nanyu noticed his unusual behavior, but he had drunk a little too much and didn’t pay much attention.

“It’s nothing,” Yan Sikong said. “The doctors in Datong are no match for you. It’s all up to you.”

—

The next day, Yan Sikong purposely chose to visit Feng Ye during his daily dressing change. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw several doctors retreating from the house, their faces full of fear, each walking quickly as if they were fleeing.

Yan Sikong frowned and, upon entering the room, saw Yuan Nanyu angrily scolding the “quack doctors” while personally wiping Feng Ye’s wounds. Feng Ye was sitting cross-legged on the couch, his upper body completely bare, sitting upright with no expression on his face.

“Yuan Nanyu, what’s going on here?” Yan Sikong walked over and saw that Feng Ye’s wound was showing signs of infection. His heart tightened in alarm, and he shouted, “What happened?”

“These quacks! Such a simple wound, how could it not heal after so long?!” Yuan Nanyu was furious, his face turning pale with anger. “I’m going to investigate these people, see if they’re spies sent by Chen Mu!”

Feng Ye calmly said, “It’s not that serious. It’s already healed.”

“Healed?” Yuan Nanyu squinted his eyes. “This injury looks strange. It seems as though it’s been opening and healing repeatedly. How exactly have they been treating you?”

Yan Sikong’s expression changed. He said in a low voice, “If Chen Mu truly sent spies, wouldn’t it be quicker to assassinate or poison him?”

Yuan Nanyu, of course, knew this was impossible. He had just lost his temper. He took a deep breath and said, “From today on, I will personally treat your injury. No one else is allowed to handle your dressing change. Even if your foot was already in the underworld, Master could pull you back. If I can’t even heal such an external wound, it would be a disgrace to the school.”

Feng Ye turned his face away, remaining silent.

Yan Sikong couldn’t help but take a couple of steps forward and stood before Feng Ye, looking down at him.

Feeling Yan Sikong’s gaze, Feng Ye hesitated for a moment, then slowly raised his head, staring into his eyes without blinking, his gaze filled with unspoken emotions.

Yan Sikong pressed his lips together. “You said you would take care of your injuries.”

Feng Ye nodded slightly.

Yan Sikong clenched his fists secretly. “Have you been taking care of your injuries?” The wound on Feng Ye’s chest once again pierced his eyes. That was where a bloodied hole had once been, and whenever he thought back to it, he still trembled in fear.

Feng Ye lowered his eyelids and, after a long pause, finally said, “I have.”

Yuan Nanyu furrowed his brows. Though he didn’t understand the unspoken tension between them, he still sensed an indescribable heaviness.

—

After driving all the doctors away, Yuan Nanyu did as he promised. Not only did he handle the dressing changes himself, but even the servant girl preparing medicine had to be watched by a personal attendant. As a doctor, he knew better than anyone how unusual Feng Ye’s injuries were, and he feared that someone might take advantage of the situation to harm Feng Ye.

However, despite Yuan Nanyu’s painstaking care, Feng Ye’s injuries still didn’t heal, and rumors spread throughout the city. Various gossip and speculations had probably already reached the capital.

Yan Sikong could no longer tolerate it and decided to share his suspicions with Yuan Nanyu. He hadn’t spoken before, partly because he was afraid of overthinking, and partly because he didn’t know how to explain the complicated relationship between him and Feng Ye. But now, he was more concerned about Feng Ye’s repeated injuries. If something were to happen, wouldn’t it be too late to regret it? There was nothing more important than this.

That day, as he was about to find Yuan Nanyu, he saw Yuan Nanyu’s attendant quickly darting into his courtyard like a rabbit, shouting, “Master Yan! Master Yan!”

Yan Sikong opened the door and scolded, “What is it? You’re so reckless.”

“Master Yan, the General and Prince Zhenbei(Prince of the North) are arguing! Please come quickly!” the attendant said.

Yan Sikong widened his eyes, then immediately set off, asking, “What happened?”

The attendant smiled bitterly. “I don’t know. The General was giving Prince Zhenbei(Prince of the North) his daily dressing change as usual, but somehow, they started arguing. We didn’t dare to go in.”

Yan Sikong’s face darkened as he hurriedly walked, then ran toward Feng Ye’s residence. From outside the door, he heard Yuan Nanyu shouting, “You’re crazy! You’re out of your mind!”

Feng Ye and Yuan Nanyu had fought side by side for years, and though they were close friends and brothers, Yuan Nanyu always maintained the proper master-servant relationship, especially in front of others. The shouting today was unprecedented.

Yan Sikong didn’t care about formalities anymore. With a loud crash, he threw open the door and rushed in, a look of anxiety on his face.