The Blood Crown - Chapter 45

Feng Ye ordered Xiao Liu to escort Yan Sikong back to the city and hurried to the Jingshan Camp himself.

While Yan Sikong was swaying on the horse-drawn carriage, he felt as though the events of the past two days were like a dream. It wasn’t until the magnificent imperial city reflected in his eyes, becoming clearer and more majestic, that he truly woke up.

Under the Emperor’s feet, with its jade towers and palaces, how many shadows lurked beneath the facade like monsters tunneling under the ground, gnawing at the foundation of the dynasty.

Upon returning home, Yan Sikong didn’t take a moment’s rest. He called Ally to his study, prepared ink and paper, and wrote a few words. Then, he handed the pen to Ally and said, “Write these words again.”

Ally hesitated but complied.

“It’s alright, just copy them as they are.”

Ally reluctantly took the pen and clumsily rewrote the same words. Although it was a bit messy, it was still legible.

Yan Sikong picked up the paper and stared at the characters on it, akin to serpents and earthworms wriggling. “New History, Eleven Volumes, Nine Chapters.”

Then, he crumpled the paper into a ball. However, after a pause, he unfolded it and roughly crumpled it again before handing it to Ally. He spoke earnestly, “Ally, I need you to do something now, and you must do it personally, without anyone else’s help.”

Ally waved his hand dismissively.

“It’s fine, just write it.”

Ally reluctantly took the pen, followed the original text, and rewrote the words. Though it was a bit crooked, it was still recognizable.

Yan Sikong held the crumpled paper and stared at the characters, which looked like spring silkworms and autumn snakes. “New History, Eleven Volumes, Nine Chapters.”

Then, he handed the crumpled paper to Ally, saying gravely, “Ally, I need you to go to Qingyang in disguise and ensure that this paper is seen by Lord Cai Zhongfan, the Imperial Censor. You must carry out this task discreetly.”

Ally nodded once more.

“Take some extra silver with you and make it a quick trip. If…,” Yan Sikong let out a sigh, “if someone discovers what you’re doing, take the money and disappear, don’t come back.”

A hint of sorrow flickered on Ally’s strange and deformed face, and all his features seemed to scrunch together. He tucked the crumpled paper into his own chest and knelt on the ground, giving a deep bow to Yan Sikong. Then, he rose and left.

Yan Sikong sat motionless in his chair, his eyes fixed on empty space, radiating an unfathomable chill.

The day before the Longevity Celebration, Yan Sikong went to the Eastern Palace as usual to give a lecture to the Crown Prince.

Upon his arrival at the Eastern Palace, he noticed several large cinnabar-red wooden boxes outside the palace. The Crown Prince, accompanied by his consort, was discussing something, while eunuchs and palace maids attended to them.

“Your Highness, Crown Prince,” Yan Sikong approached and greeted them.

“Teacher,” the Crown Prince greeted Yan Sikong with a happy smile and grabbed his hand, “You’ve come at the perfect time. Help me decide what gift to present to Father tomorrow.”

Yan Sikong glanced at the several boxes, each containing rare and precious treasures. “Your Highness, where did these come from?”

Before being designated as the Crown Prince, Chen Mu had been subjected to neglect within the palace. Even the annual birthday gifts that should have been given to every imperial prince had been deducted and delayed for years. His mother had been a mere concubine, and she had never received any imperial favor until she gave birth to the Crown Prince. Only after he was enthroned as the Crown Prince did she receive a belated title as Hui Fei. They would never receive such rewards.

There was only one possible source—these gifts were presented by court officials.

Indeed, Chen Mu said, “The exquisite Hupu pearl belt was sent by Lord Wang, the Prefect of Yingtian. The pair of transformative Tianmu tea bowls was sent by Master Chen, the Grand Mentor. This piece of Taihu stone, known as the ‘Shou’ stone, was brought all the way from Suzhou by Lord Song. Its natural form resembles ‘longevity,’ making it a rare treasure…”

“Your Highness,” Yan Sikong interrupted, “are you planning to select one of these to present to the Emperor?”

Chen Mu nodded, “But I don’t know which one Father would like. I’m discussing it with Mother.”

Consort Fei approached, “Yes, Lord Yan, you’re a clever man. Help our Mu choose one.”

Yan Sikong bowed respectfully to Consort Fei, then turned to Chen Mu and said, “Your Highness, in my humble opinion, these gifts are not suitable.”

Chen Mu immediately looked disheartened, “Are they not valuable enough? But there’s nothing more precious within the Eastern Palace.”

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

“Why?” Consort Fei asked.

“Your Highness becoming the Crown Prince doesn’t mean your past hardships are over. From the moment you were designated, everything is just beginning.”

Chen Mu took a deep breath and stared at Yan Sikong intently.

“The Emperor is still in his prime, robust and healthy. The other imperial princes are not yet of age, far from the age when they might leave the palace for the frontier. As long as they remain in the capital, your position as Crown Prince will remain precarious.”

Chen Mu pursed his lips and nodded in silence.

“The Emperor favors the Second Prince the most, and the power of the other imperial princes, as well as the influence of their maternal families, should not be underestimated. Your Highness… forgive me for being blunt, but besides being the eldest son, you have no other advantages.”

Chen Mu tightened his fist, “Why are you suddenly telling me this today?”

The change in address made Yan Sikong immediately aware that he had pushed too hard, so he corrected himself, “It was Your Highness who asked me to advise on the gifts, and perhaps I’ve overstepped. I apologize. Today, I came here solely for the purpose of teaching.” He then took out a scroll from his bag and unfolded it.

Chen Mu grabbed his wrist and stared at him with a sharp gaze, “Go on.”

Yan Sikong gave a faint smile and cleared his throat, “Your Highness, being the Crown Prince doesn’t mean your past hardships are over. From the moment you were designated, everything is just beginning.”

“Why are you suddenly telling me this?” Chen Mu’s voice quivered.

The change in his tone, like a survivor of a catastrophe, made him dazed for quite some time.

Yan Sikong patted Chen Mu’s hand and lowered his voice, “Your Highness, there’s no need to panic. With me here, I will do my utmost to protect you.”

Chen Mu suddenly stood up and bowed to Yan Sikong, “Thank you, Teacher.”

Yan Sikong quickly knelt down, “Your Highness, you overwhelm me.”

Chen Mu helped Yan Sikong to his feet and said, “So, according to your opinion, what should I give to Father?”

“Simply present a poem; the Emperor won’t take notice of it, but it won’t raise his suspicions either. It will also show that you are diligent in your studies and have achieved something. There will be others who will speak on your behalf.”

“Very well, I’ll follow your advice.”

Under Yan Sikong’s guidance, Chen Mu wrote a lengthy poem, filled with beautiful and praise-filled verses throughout. Yan Sikong spent the whole night revising it, ensuring that the language was up to Chen Mu’s standards and that not a single word was out of place.

People often used historical allusions to criticize contemporary events, and there were many waiting to find faults in Chen Mu’s words. Even a single unintended word could be twisted into a grave implication. History was filled with those who had fallen victim to the power of words. Therefore, without extensive knowledge of the past and present, Yan Sikong wouldn’t dare to take on such a task, but he was well-equipped for it.

Not only could he help Chen Mu write a perfect poem of praise, but he would also use the enmity between Cai Zhongfan, the Circuit Intendant of Qingyang, and Wang Shengsheng, the Deputy of the Grand Council, to initiate the first wave of attacks against Xie Zhongren.

In truth, he had not planned to begin cultivating Chen Mu so early. As he expected, this young man had an extremely alert nature. However, regarding the New History, although he wasn’t the main author of that particular chapter, he was responsible for reviewing it. This matter was bound to involve him and many others, both major and minor. Yan Sikong needed powerful allies to help him extract himself from this crisis. Chen Mu couldn’t assist him, but behind Chen Mu, there were conservative court officials led by Yan Zilian, who would lend their support due to Chen Mu’s influence.

Even if these people proved ineffective, he had someone else to rely on.