The Blood Crown - Chapter 89

After Yan Sikong’s promotion, people from all walks of life flocked to him, wanting to host banquets to celebrate his success. He tried his best to refuse many of them, but some people insisted, so he had no choice but to attend.

For a while, his simple mansion was bustling with activity, with people coming to give gifts non-stop. Some were scared off by Ah Li’s inability to speak and his strange appearance, but that didn’t stop the gifts from piling up into mountains at home.

Yan Sikong only let Ah Li politely accept them and record them in a book, but he didn’t even bother to look at them. Although he had already gone to the Ministry of Personnel for his new assignment, he still needed to assist the Three Law Departments in handling the Ge Zhong case, as most of it had been handled by him.

Zhao Fuyi had completely handed over the case to the Three Law Departments and returned to the Jing Shan Camp. After being away for half a year, there were many miscellaneous matters that needed his attention. Feng Ye naturally followed him, so now only Yan Sikong and Liang Guang were handling the case.

Yan Sikong privately visited Liang Guang with generous gifts, thanking him for his support and appreciation. Liang Guang slightly declined but ultimately accepted with a smile.

The two of them chatted happily, and Yan Sikong timely mentioned the purpose of his visit. He handed over the evidence of Ge Zhong’s son, Ge Yong’s crimes to Liang Guang, hoping that Liang Guang would transfer it to the Three Law Departments and convict Ge Yong.

Liang Guang exclaimed, “General Zhao has already promised Ge Zhong to deal leniently with Ge Yong, removing some of the charges against him, and even the charge of rebellion is not implicated.”

“That’s true, but think about it, Lord Changshi, Ge Zhong conspired with the Prince of Liang, and Ge Yong is his only son. Could he be unaware?” Yan Sikong said, “Lord Changshi might as well take a look at the evidence I’ve compiled. Ge Yong has relied heavily on Ge Zhong’s power to amass wealth in the Two Lakes region.”

Liang Guang casually flipped through it, “But General Zhao has promised Ge Zhong…”

“But Lord Changshi hasn’t,” Yan Sikong smiled, and Liang Guang’s brow furrowed, his expression serious, and his tone became colder, “Initially, it was you who negotiated with Ge Zhong and made him sign.”

“That’s right. His Majesty entrusted this case to General Zhao and Lord Changshi, and both should handle it impartially, not letting any treacherous individuals go free. To make Ge Zhong sign was a last resort, out of necessity,” Yan Sikong said calmly, “I have been troubled by this matter day and night. Whenever I think about letting those traitorous rebels escape punishment, I feel deeply indebted to His Majesty’s grace. Therefore, I am willing to bear the reputation of being untrustworthy and not let General Zhao break his promise, while at the same time ensuring that the thief is brought to justice.”

Liang Guang said in a deep voice, “I don’t think it’s appropriate. The Three Law Departments are about to close the case. How can we afford to have new complications at this time? Moreover, if Ge Zhong finds out and fights to reopen the case, what then?”

“Ge Zhong is deeply imprisoned, and his family is in the Two Lakes region. No one visits him, so he won’t know what’s happening outside. By the time he finds out, everything will have settled, and it will be too late,” Yan Sikong said earnestly, “I came to find Lord Changshi not to seek credit or usurp authority. If Lord Changshi is unwilling to take charge of this matter, then I never came, and I will submit the evidence to the Three Law Departments without implicating General Zhao and Lord Changshi.”

Liang Guang raised his voice, “Carrying out orders, where does the implication come from? But…” He hesitated for a moment, leaned forward, and lowered his voice, “Sikong, how does this matter look to you? It’s not quite right.”

Yan Sikong smiled lightly and also whispered, imitating him, “Lord Changshi, the power of the Ge family is deeply intertwined with the eunuch faction. If Ge Yong doesn’t die, how can we sleep peacefully?”

Liang Guang coughed lightly, straightened his posture, and tapped the case files, “Let it go, let me think about it.”

Yan Sikong knew that only the last sentence of their conversation today had entered Liang Guang’s heart. Liang Guang had already waded into this muddy water and would naturally fear retaliation.

A few days later, Yan Sikong received news that Ge Yong had been transferred from the court’s prison to the decree prison, being tried together with Prince Liang for rebellion. Those who entered the decree prison were mostly doomed, either to die or to live a worse-than-death existence.

Due to the significance of this case, the Three Law Departments conducted the trial swiftly, without delay. Less than two months after the army returned to the capital, the case was closed.

Both Ge Zhong and Ge Yong were sentenced to confiscation of property and exile, while Prince Liang’s relatives, being of imperial lineage, were spared their lives due to the benevolence of Emperor Zhaowu, and only had their titles revoked, property confiscated, and were banished, sparing their lives.

Although Yan Sikong had long expected this outcome, he still felt disdain for Emperor Zhaowu’s indecision and womanly kindness. Now was the perfect time to deter other feudal lords. If those who plotted rebellion were not exterminated, how could they conquer the world? It’s no wonder that barbarians from beyond the borders were willing to risk their lives just to enter the Central Plains and partake in its riches.

Ge Zhong and others were scheduled to be executed after the autumn, and now it was already after autumn.

On the day of the execution, the people swarmed to the western market like a tidal wave. The capital hadn’t seen such a grand execution in a long time, and the crowd of onlookers blocked four or five streets around.

Yan Sikong changed into a plain blue robe and followed the crowd towards the execution platform. Unlike eleven years ago, he didn’t walk quickly but steadily, like a boat on a calm lake. The expressions of the people, whether bewildered, suspicious, inquisitive, or excited, no longer seemed striking to him.

He gently squeezed through the crowd, inching closer to the execution platform.

The executioner was already reading out the charges, and over twenty people were kneeling on the platform, but Yan Sikong only looked at the frail, white-haired prisoner.

Even when kneeling on the execution platform eleven years ago, his spine remained straight because he had nothing to be ashamed of.

Ge Zhong seemed to sense something from the depths of his consciousness. He slowly lifted his head and looked at the crowd below.

Yan Sikong, tall and straight, with a face like a peach blossom, even in the drab crowd, looked like a heavenly deity.

Ge Zhong suddenly became agitated, and strong hatred flashed in his eyes hidden among his disheveled hair. He shouted at Yan Sikong, “Beast, scoundrel!”

He was already a walking corpse, and his sudden roar startled the executioners around him. However, amidst the clamor, his voice was almost drowned out.

Yan Sikong looked at Ge Zhong with a cold smile.

“Yan Sikong, you framed me! You treacherous villain, you inconsistent scoundrel! I will turn into a vengeful ghost, haunting your bed every night. I will drag you to hell—” Ge Zhong roared frantically.

Yan Sikong gazed at Ge Zhong from afar, just as he had stood in the same position eleven years ago, watching Yuan Mao despairingly. He, too, had shouted loudly, wishing his voice could pierce the sky, shake the universe, ring the drums of injustice, awaken every remaining conscience, make the winter blossom, make the June snowfall, all to save his innocent father.

But it was all in vain.

Eleven years had passed, why bother with Ge Zhong? He had been living in hell all this time. Fortunately, he had finally sent one of the main culprits to the execution platform.

With a mocking smile, Yan Sikong lightly parted his lips and silently mouthed four words to Ge Zhong: “Cut the grass and eliminate the roots.”

The large blade gleaming with cold light was raised high, and its sharp cold edge seemed to cut through time and space, slicing through the gloomy clouds. With just one stroke, it could tear apart the world’s evil with unstoppable force, as if to cut down demons.

Inner demons.

Yan Sikong’s pupils were filled with blood—

When Yan Sikong returned to his mansion with a wooden and weary gait, he saw a familiar carriage parked in front of the door—a carriage from the Jingyuan Prince’s Mansion.

He walked over and indeed saw Xiao Li waiting for him. As soon as he saw him, Xiao Li respectfully said, “Master Yan, our young master invites you to Lingwu Villa for a gathering.”

Yan Sikong stared at Xiao Li’s empty eyes without blinking for a long time, making Xiao Li feel uncomfortable. Only then did he say, “I’ll have Ah Li pack my belongings.”

With Ge Zhong’s death, his hatred and bloodthirstiness seemed like an unfilled hole, becoming empty again.

He remembered Ge Zhong’s words before his death. He wasn’t afraid. If there were truly vengeful spirits in the world, they would have exterminated all the evildoers long ago. He just felt powerless. Perhaps he should go to his father’s memorial tablet and offer a few cups of wine. But he really wanted to see Feng Ye, because he knew that only by Feng Ye’s side could he sleep peacefully tonight.

With the carriage heading to Jing Shan, he and Feng Ye hadn’t seen each other for over a month. They were too busy to even eat. He was pulled into the room by Feng Ye and they shared a passionate moment, releasing their pent-up longing.

After the lovemaking, Feng Ye traced the sweaty lines on Yan Sikong’s back with his fingers, watching him lie lazily in his arms, with a slight smile on his lips.

Yan Sikong turned over, “Have you finished your military affairs at Jing Shan?”

“After being busy for so long, it should be finished,” Feng Ye gently kissed his forehead, “What about you? Is everything going smoothly at the Ministry of Personnel?”

“I’ve only been there for a few days, so far so good.” Yan Sikong lightly brushed Feng Ye’s cloud-like hair, tucking it behind his ear, his bright eyes staring at him without blinking, “Do you know that Ge Zhong and the others were executed today?”

“I heard,” Feng Ye puzzled, “Why was Ge Yong executed too? Didn’t General Zhao already promise to deal lightly with Ge Zhong and Ge Yong?”

Unable to contain his satisfaction and desire to confide, Yan Sikong calmly said, “I persuaded Lord Liang to transfer Ge Yong’s evidence to the Three Law Departments. As Ge Zhong’s only son, he must have been involved in whatever Ge Zhong did and deserves to be punished.”

Feng Ye frowned slightly, “That makes sense, but…”

“What? Do we still need to stick to our promises for a dead prisoner?” Yan Sikong said coldly, “He’s not worthy.”

Feng Ye hugged him, “Well, it’s better to prevent any future revenge from the Ge family.”

Yan Sikong narrowed his eyes, “Yes, cut the grass and eliminate the roots.”

Feng Ye nuzzled against Yan Sikong’s warm neck and smiled, “Sikong, I have good news to tell you.”

“Oh? What good news?”

“My father intercepted the rear army of the Wala and trapped them in Yulian Hute. The Wala have almost worn down the Jurchens. Now, with enemies on both fronts, they’re very likely to be annihilated by my father.”

Yan Sikong’s eyes widened with joy, “That’s great! If we can wipe out the Wala and then seize the opportunity to eliminate the Jin thieves, then the borders of Dasheng will be secure for a hundred years!”

Feng Ye was also excited, “The battle report should have reached the court by now. My father has defended Datong for over twenty years. Although he hasn’t allowed the barbarians to pass, he hasn’t eradicated them either. If he can severely damage the Wala this time, my father will surely be remembered in history.”

Yan Sikong smiled, “He already has a place in history as the King of Jingyuan.”

“And me,” Feng Ye grinned arrogantly, “I will definitely be there too.”

Yan Sikong looked at the dazzling light emanating from Feng Ye and couldn’t help but hook his neck, kissing him deeply.

Feng Ye’s fingers roamed Yan Sikong’s body, while softly saying, “Tomorrow, General Zhao invites you to Jing Shan Camp, saying he wants to celebrate with you.”

“Alright,” Yan Sikong flipped over and pressed Feng Ye underneath him, “It’s my first time going to Jing Shan Camp. It will be more magnificent than the rebel camp.”

Feng Ye smirked, “Let me show you the majesty of a commanding officer first.”

Yan Sikong laughed softly as they fell into another round of passionate embrace. (End of this chapter)