The Blood Crown - Chapter 94

As the two men faced each other in silence, Yan Zilian suddenly returned and they both stood up to salute.

Yan Zilian glanced at Yan Sikong. “What’s this? Is the Ministry of Personnel too idle?”

Yan Sikong smiled bitterly. “To be honest, Teacher, it’s a bit… idle.”

Yan Zilian, with a look of anticipation as if he had already anticipated it, said, “Come in with me and let’s talk.”

Entering the inner room, Yan Zilian closed the door, checked the windows, and glanced outside to make sure no one was around. “Sit.”

“Teacher, how are you today?”

Yan Zilian adjusted his ceremonial robe and sat down calmly, shaking his head gently. “Not good.”

“Why does Teacher say so?” Yan Sikong felt a pang of worry.

“Jingyuan Wang and the Wala battles are in a stalemate, causing people to worry. Although the matter of reducing the feudal lords has been pushed forward due to the failure of Prince Liang’s rebellion, progress is slow. Local officials and feudal lords are colluding, the Empress Dowager has been ill for a long time, and it’s feared she may not survive this winter. Princess Wengui is also eyeing the situation closely.” Yan Zilian sighed deeply. “It’s a turbulent autumn.”

Yan Sikong comforted him, saying, “Teacher, don’t worry too much. We’ve achieved victory in suppressing the rebellion, and the reduction of the feudal lords is making progress. I feel that the fortune of Da Cheng is coming. However…” he changed the subject, “A few days ago, I went to the Eastern Palace and happened to see Princess Wengui. The Crown Prince told me that Princess Wengui has recently been trying to win over Consort Hui, but I don’t know what she intends to do.”

“She definitely doesn’t have good intentions. We must remind the Crown Prince to be on guard.”

“I’ve already reminded the Crown Prince.”

Yan Zilian looked at Yan Sikong and said, “I’m getting old. When the weather turns cold, I feel depressed and tired. You all need to grow up quickly, so as not to let our great country fall into the hands of villains.”

“Teacher, rest assured.”

“How are you doing at the Ministry of Personnel?”

Yan Sikong talked about his dissatisfaction at the Ministry of Personnel. In fact, he and Yan Zilian had already anticipated this. Initially, he was simply ignored, which was not bad, indicating that Xie Zhongren still didn’t take him seriously. Now he understood more and more why Yan Zilian had arranged for him to be placed in the Ministry of Personnel. Because besides him, there was no better candidate. He needed to be in a low position, able to take over the position of Chief Officer, and be clever and sharp, able to maneuver in that dangerous place with ease. Among the younger generation, only he and Shen Hexuan had this qualification, but if Shen Hexuan went, it would definitely be a disaster.

Yan Zilian patiently comforted him, asking him to restrain his sharpness and act low-key. As long as he persevered for a few more years, there would be a place for him sooner or later.

Yan Sikong had already prepared himself for a long-term struggle.

Yan Zilian stroked his beard. “Actually, I expected that you wouldn’t have an easy time at the Ministry of Personnel. With your outstanding talent and being a reader for the Crown Prince, Xie Zhongren will notice you sooner or later. I also worry that he will make things difficult for you, so I’ve thought of a completely safe plan for you.”

“Please tell me, Teacher.”

“I went to the palace today to pay my respects and brought up the matter of Princess Wanyang again.”

Yan Sikong’s heart skipped a beat and his face changed slightly. “Uh…”

Yan Zilian’s face lit up with joy. “In the battle to suppress the rebellion, His Majesty is very satisfied with you. He has already agreed and will arrange for the marriage on a chosen day.”

Yan Sikong felt his breath trembling. He was stunned for a moment, then got up and knelt on the ground, not letting Yan Zilian see his expression. He whispered, “Thank you, Teacher…”

Yan Zilian thought he was just too happy and laughed, “Get up quickly. After the New Year, Princess Wanyang will be seventeen years old. His Majesty’s intention is to arrange the marriage first, and when the Empress Dowager’s condition improves, he will pick an auspicious day to hold the wedding.”

Yan Sikong looked blankly at the ground, without responding.

Yan Zilian noticed Yan Sikong’s abnormality. “Sikong, what’s wrong? Aren’t you happy?”

“Student… Student is of course happy. Student is just afraid… Student’s humble origin might cause Princess Wanyang to suffer…”

“Sikong, among the eligible young gentlemen in the capital, how many can compare to your outstanding talents and appearance? When ordinary girls see you, how can they not be delighted? Heroes don’t ask about their origins. His Majesty has chosen you, so you don’t need to belittle yourself. Just focus on being a good husband.” Yan Zilian said contentedly, “Your parents have passed away, and as your teacher, I am so pleased to have found such a good marriage partner for you.”

“…If Teacher hadn’t been like a second parent to me, Student would never have been able to express enough gratitude.”

Leaving the Wenyuan Pavilion, Yan Sikong walked home in a daze. Should he tell Feng Ye? From what standpoint should he tell Feng Ye?

Even if he didn’t tell him, Feng Ye would soon find out.

How would Feng Ye react if he found out…

“What else can be done? The Emperor personally bestows the marriage. Can one resist the imperial decree? Besides, someday Feng Ye will also marry. It’s better for the two of us to part ways here to avoid embarrassment in the future. It’s actually a good thing.”

Yan Sikong’s thoughts were in turmoil when suddenly he heard the sound of hoofbeats outside the carriage. It was the sound of a single horse’s hooves. Within the capital, unless it was a special pardon or an urgent matter, riding horses was not allowed. The hoofbeats were neither fast nor slow, and the pace was leisurely. It didn’t seem urgent. The only possibility was…

Yan Sikong didn’t even have time to think before he violently lifted the curtain.

A fiery red steed brushed past his carriage. He looked up and met a pair of extremely familiar eyes, with a flash of surprise in them.

Yan Sikong’s and Feng Ye’s gazes met in the air. Although it was only a momentary encounter, their eyes had already locked, and everything around them seemed to disappear, leaving only each other’s faces clear.

The two quickly averted their gazes.

Yan Sikong forcibly restrained himself, didn’t look back, and withdrew his stiff neck back into the carriage, but he couldn’t come back to his senses for a long time.

The sound of hoofbeats gradually faded away, and the tender bud that had quietly sprouted in his heart also withered in an instant.

A self-deprecating smile appeared on Yan Sikong’s face.

Suddenly, the receding sound of hooves rushed back urgently. Yan Sikong was still in a daze when his carriage was suddenly forced to a stop, and the two horses let out short neighs, their hooves impatiently and chaotically stomping on the ground, causing the carriage to sway.

Feng Ye shouted loudly from outside the carriage, “Yan Sikong, come out.”

Yan Sikong’s heart was pounding, and he grabbed the window frame, unsure of what to do.

Feng Ye shouted again, “Come out.”

Yan Sikong suddenly pushed open the carriage door. From a distance of twenty feet away, he looked deeply at Feng Ye, his eyes flashing incessantly.

Feng Ye tilted his head. “Come with me.”

The coachman looked at Yan Sikong and hesitated. “My lord, this…”

At this moment, there weren’t many pedestrians on the street, but they all glanced sideways, puzzled by the tense and inexplicable atmosphere between the two men.

Yan Sikong gritted his teeth inwardly, stepped out of the carriage, and jumped towards Feng Ye. Feng Ye grabbed his hand, spun around, and Yan Sikong sat behind Feng Ye as he rode.

Feng Ye urged the horse forward, and the fiery red horse galloped towards the Jingyuan Wang Mansion.

Yan Sikong wanted to say something, but his throat felt as if it were blocked, not knowing what to say, and Feng Ye remained silent all the way.

Back at the Wang Mansion, Feng Ye pulled him towards the inner courtyard.

Yan Sikong finally found his voice. “What are you doing, Crown Prince?”

Feng Ye ignored him.

“Crown Prince… Feng Ye!” Yan Sikong shook off his hand, straightened his wrinkled ceremonial robe, and regained his composure.

Feng Ye turned to look at him. “Do you want to say it here?”

There were servants doing chores nearby, so Yan Sikong cleared his throat and straightened his posture. “Please, Crown Prince.”

Yan Sikong followed Feng Ye into the study, where Feng Ye picked up something from the table and tossed it to Yan Sikong. Yan Sikong caught it and saw that it was a wooden box, looking at Feng Ye puzzledly.

“Open it and see,” Feng Ye said expressionlessly.

Yan Sikong took a deep breath and opened the wooden box, inside which were several letters. “What is this?”

“You’ll know once you open it,” Feng Ye said emotionlessly.

Yan Sikong picked up the topmost letter and tore it open. As he unfolded the letter, he froze.

It was his portrait, to be precise, a portrait of himself at the age of sixteen or seventeen, and it was posted as a wanted notice by the government, under his former alias – Nan Yu.

Trembling, Yan Sikong opened the other letters. They contained records of his involvement in smuggling salt, as well as information about his past associates, including his former boss and She Zhun.

“I investigated She Zhun and you,” Feng Ye said calmly. “You and him were involved in smuggling salt along the coast of Jiangnan. You followed a salt smuggler known as ‘Six Saintly Buddhas’ in the martial world. Later, ‘Six Saintly Buddhas’ was arrested, and you and She Zhun took all his dirty money and ran away. The government issued a warrant for your arrest for three months, and you were eventually caught. But you spent one hundred and twenty thousand taels of silver, bribed several officials, and found a death row inmate to take your place for execution. Then you changed your name and identity, transforming into the Yan Sikong you are today.”

In late autumn, Yan Sikong could still feel cold sweat trickling down his back. But the more Feng Ye saw through his true identity, the more relieved he felt. After all, he no longer had to pretend. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then slowly opened them, smiling wryly. “I deliberately got caught, to make ‘Nan Yu’ disappear forever.”

Feng Ye clenched his fists. “You admit to all of this? You did all of these things?”

“After you’ve found out everything so clearly, what else can I say?” Yan Sikong said firmly. “As a government official, you turned out to be a dead convict who smuggled salt and bribed your way out of punishment!” Feng Ye said sternly. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll report you?”

“You won’t,” Yan Sikong said confidently. “Otherwise, why are you still standing here?”

“You…” Feng Ye pointed at him. “Yan Sikong, how much more about you do I not know?!”

“What you see now is the real me,” Yan Sikong said lightly. “I’m a villain who is cunning and ruthless, willing to do anything for revenge. As long as it’s for my father, for my family, smuggling salt means nothing, conspiracies mean nothing. I’m already in hell, and I will drag my enemies down with me.”

“And what about me?” Feng Ye growled, glaring fiercely at Yan Sikong. “What am I to you? You say you’re in hell, then are all the joy we’ve had together just as fake as your past, your words, your schemes?”

“I’ve told you the truth!” Yan Sikong shouted.

Feng Ye looked at Yan Sikong in astonishment.

Yan Sikong’s nose tingled, his lips trembling slightly. He blinked hard to stop the tears from falling and said softly, “Feng Ye, you’re… an accident. In my grand scheme of revenge, there was no place for you, but you… you still appeared… I didn’t tell you because… I didn’t want to involve you. Why force me?”

“… What do you mean by saying I’m an accident?”

Yan Sikong lowered his head, his heart torn. He said hoarsely, “Since I was thirteen, I’ve hardly ever told the truth, or treated anyone sincerely. Only you… I thought you and I were real…”

Feng Ye cursed softly, “With your mouth full of lies, how can I believe you?”

“You… don’t have to believe me.” Yan Sikong raised his head, his eyes red. “Feng Ye, just be yourself, just be the Crown Prince. We shouldn’t be like this, we shouldn’t… I have things I must do, it has nothing to do with you. I just hope you can… pretend as if nothing ever happened, for the sake of our past friendship.” He turned to leave.

Feng Ye stepped forward and hugged him tightly from behind.

Yan Sikong bit his lip, his eyes filled with pain and struggle. A voice in his heart screamed to refuse, he must refuse all this, he couldn’t let Feng Ye control his emotions, he couldn’t have an unwarranted weakness, he must be invincible. But his body couldn’t muster any strength.

Feng Ye gritted his teeth and said, “Yan Sikong, you’re a damn bastard. If I had known you were such a cunning and deceitful person, I… I would never have fallen for you. But now…” He tightened his arms, almost embedding Yan Sikong into his body. He sighed heavily, his voice bitter, “I’ve been thinking about you day and night.”

Yan Sikong widened his eyes forcefully to stop the tears from falling. It had been eleven years, and this was the first time someone said they wanted to rely on him.

Struggling, Yan Sikong turned around and cupped Feng Ye’s face, pressing his lips firmly against Feng Ye’s. The two kissed roughly and awkwardly, salty tears mingling in their mouths, filled with bitterness.

“Feng Ye, don’t be good to me…” Yan Sikong choked out.

“Why?” 

“Don’t be good to me, I’m not a good person…” Yan Sikong buried his face in Feng Ye’s chest, wishing he could forever stay in this warm embrace.

Feng Ye whispered softly, “You may not be a good person, but you’re mine.”

Yan Sikong closed his eyes, letting the tears flow freely.

The two embraced tightly. In this moment, they wished they could merge into one, just to feel each other’s warmth and deep affection.

AN – Today is the last update before the New Year~~ Starting tomorrow, I’m taking a break until the fifth or sixth day. I want to be an excellent lazy fish for a few days, no writing, no exercising, just eating, sleeping, playing.

It’s also a good time to smoothly outline the next plot of “Zhu Wang”. Please believe that there will be more grand chapters and more tangled emotions in the future.

Happy New Year to you all, I love you =3= (End of this chapter)