The Blood Crown - Chapter 39

A servant brought in chairs, and Zhou Mixing politely stood up, offering, “Your Highness, please take a seat.”

Feng Ye waved his hand. “No need, Master Zhou, you can remain seated. Just place the chair here.” He pointed casually, indicating the spot next to Yan Sikong.

Yan Sikong gently pushed away the courtesan nestled in his arms and sat upright.

After some formalities and pleasantries between Zhou Mixing and Feng Ye, Zhou returned to his seat.

Once Feng Ye had taken his place, the atmosphere grew somewhat tense, and everyone became more reserved.

Zhou Mixing couldn’t quite grasp Feng Ye’s intentions, so he decided to break the ice and offered a toast, “To share a drink with Your Highness is our great honor. Let this cup be raised to the fate that led you to the right seat in the wrong place. What do you say?”

“Agreed. We all toast to Your Highness.”

They all raised their glasses and toasted to Feng Ye. He raised his glass with a smile, drank it in one go, and then spoke, “In truth, I was entranced by the beautiful music coming from inside. I couldn’t stand outside clapping my hands, so I thought I’d come in to see who was playing.” He glanced at Yeli.

Yeli stood up and gave a slight bow.

Zhou Mixing looked somewhat awkward, and the others didn’t know how to respond.

Feng Ye continued, “I grew up in the military camp and wasn’t influenced by the refinement of music and etiquette, so I might come across as rough. I hope you won’t take offense.”

“Your Highness, you jest. Your carefree and wild demeanor befits a true man.”

Yan Sikong remained silent, pondering what kind of game Feng Ye was playing.

Feng Ye raised his glass again and turned to Yan Sikong, saying with a fake smile, “Lord Yan has an excellent capacity for alcohol. Shouldn’t you finish this cup?”

Yan Sikong, without showing any emotion, replied, “Your Highness is right.” He lifted his glass, and just as he was about to take a sip, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his side. He cried out in pain, and the wine splashed onto his clothes.

Today, he was dressed in white, and the front of his robe was now stained with amber-colored wine, utterly ruining his elegant appearance.

“What’s wrong, Lord Yan?” Zhou Mixing asked in concern.

Yan Sikong still felt the dull pain in his side and was certain that Feng Ye was behind this. He gritted his teeth and said, “Perhaps… a cramp.”

“Why are you just standing there?,” Zhou Mixing said to a servant nearby, “Go get a new set of clothes for Lord Yan.”

“No need,” Yan Sikong replied with a bitter smile, “In fact, I wasn’t feeling quite well to begin with, and now it seems… even worse. I’d like to take my leave and apologize for dampening the mood.”

“Oh my, dear brother, you should return home and rest early,” Zhou Mixing said, offering his assistance. “I’ll have the coachman take you.”

“I’ll accompany him,” Feng Ye said, not waiting for anyone’s reaction. He helped Yan Sikong up and said, “Enjoy yourselves, everyone.”

The others were left baffled by Feng Ye’s sudden arrival and departure, not sure of his intentions.

Yan Sikong was escorted out of Tinglan Ge by Feng Ye. Once they were inside the carriage, Yan Sikong pushed away Feng Ye’s hand and spoke with a serious tone, “What’s your game, Your Highness?”

Feng Ye’s voice was icy. “This brothel isn’t yours, is it?”

Implicitly, he meant he could come and go as he pleased.

Yan Sikong took a deep breath. He could tell Feng Ye was trying to provoke him, but he wasn’t going to fall for it. He replied calmly with a meaningless statement, “No, it’s not.”

Silence filled the carriage awkwardly as the two men sat there like opposing forces, neither one speaking to the other.

The carriage quickly passed through a street, and suddenly, Yan Sikong exclaimed, “We’re going the wrong way; we should be heading east.”

The coachman ignored him.

Yan Sikong glared at Feng Ye, “Your Highness?”

Feng Ye looked at him askance, “How about we go horseback riding?”

“In the middle of the night? What’s the point?”

“In the middle of the night, and yet you still found the time to visit a brothel.”

Yan Sikong chuckled, “And how is that Your Highness’s concern?”

Feng Ye was left speechless, his face revealing anger.

“Since Your Highness can’t accompany me back, let’s stop here,” Yan Sikong suggested, his tone hiding his own suspicions.

Feng Ye gazed outside the carriage without speaking.

Yan Sikong couldn’t help but feel perplexed by Feng Ye’s actions. He cautiously asked, “What is the reason for Your Highness’s actions?”

Feng Ye’s voice was heavy. “We used to ride horses together when we were kids, and I thought you still enjoyed horseback riding.”

“Whether I enjoy horseback riding or not has nothing to do with Your Highness’s actions today.”

“It’s been ten years, and I can hardly find a trace of the old Yan Sikong in you.”

Yan Sikong had been controlling his emotions, but this statement struck him like a dagger. He felt a mixture of sorrow and anger and replied, “Your Highness, with your noble lineage and easy life, you can maintain your true self for ten or twenty years. I envy you for that.”

Feng Ye sneered, “Don’t mock me, Yan Sikong. I know the past ten years haven’t been easy for you. I can treat you well now, protect your wealth and prosperity, and ensure no one can harm you. All you have to do is…”

“All I have to do what?” Yan Sikong raised his voice, “What does Your Highness want?”

“I want you!” Feng Ye’s voice was menacing, his eyes seemed to gleam with a greenish light.

Yan Sikong was stunned.

Feng Ye had said something so audacious and chilling, but his face showed no fear. Instead, he seemed relieved and relaxed, as if he had unburdened himself.

Yan Sikong’s mind went blank, and he hadn’t felt this shocked in a long time.

Feng Ye chuckled and raised his chin. “Yes, I want you.”

“Your Highness… Perhaps you’ve had too much to drink…”

“Do I look like I’ve had too much to drink to you?”

Yan Sikong was somewhat disoriented. He shouted, “Stop the carriage! Stop it now!”

“Do you think the coachman will listen to you? He obeys your orders?” Feng Ye taunted.

Yan Sikong forced himself to remain composed but couldn’t meet Feng Ye’s eyes. “Your Highness, please, don’t joke like this.”

“You’re a clever person, and you can tell whether I’m joking,” Feng Ye said. He suddenly reached out and gripped Yan Sikong’s narrow chin, forcing him to turn his face towards him, his gaze predatory, like a hunter watching his prey in a cage. “Yan Sikong, be mine, and I’ll treat you well.”

Yan Sikong pushed away Feng Ye’s hand, gritting his teeth. “Your Highness, you’ve gone mad. I am a man!”

“And so what?” Feng Ye’s lips curled into a light smile. “I want you.”

Yan Sikong couldn’t help but move away from him, trying to create some distance. He felt like he was in the presence of a wild beast, but the carriage was narrow, and he had nowhere to escape. He said with determination, “Your Highness, you can’t force me into this. I don’t have such preferences.”

Feng Ye leaned in closer, his high nose almost touching Yan Sikong’s face. He whispered, “In the future, you can’t go to those places, or if you touch any of those women, I’ll double it and do it to you.”

Yan Sikong had nowhere to retreat. He used his hand to fend off Feng Ye’s chest, which felt like natural armor, with an underlying strength. He hadn’t figured out how to respond when Feng Ye suddenly pulled him into his embrace. Yan Sikong was both shocked and angry. “Your Highness!”

Those arms were as strong as steel pincers!

“Today you held her. Did you kiss her?”

Yan Sikong was silent.

“Speak,” Feng Ye’s voice carried a threat.

“No,” Yan Sikong admitted.

“Hmm.” Feng Ye released Yan Sikong, satisfied. He spoke loudly, “Driver, take Lord Yan back to his residence.”

The coachman responded, “Yes.”

Yan Sikong sat huddled in a corner of the carriage, trying to calm himself. After a while, he spoke, “Your Highness…”

“Call me by my name,” Feng Ye commanded.

“…Feng Ye,” Yan Sikong closed his eyes and, sparing any unnecessary words, got straight to the point, “I don’t have feelings for men.”

“You will have feelings for me,” Feng Ye said, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Yan Sikong’s mind was in turmoil. While he had experienced advances from men in the past, no one had dared to have such intentions towards him. He had skillfully managed to fend them off, but Feng Ye was proving to be an exception.

He had intended to use Feng Ye as a source of power, but it had led to this troublesome situation.

The carriage soon came to a halt.

Yan Sikong drew back the curtain and saw that they had arrived at his residence. In a hurry, he prepared to exit the carriage.

From behind him, Feng Ye said, “Yan Sikong, remember the words I spoke today.”

Yan Sikong hesitated for a moment but didn’t turn back.

Feng Ye watched Yan Sikong from the carriage. Once Yan Sikong entered his residence, Feng Ye revealed a proud and confident smile.