The Blood Crown - Side Story 2: Waning Moon (Part 3)

Side Story 2: Waning Moon (Part 3)

 

Yuan Nanyu felt a chill down his spine, his entire body on edge, as if the figure staring directly at him was not human but a predator.

 

And he was the prey.

 

Instinctively, he leaned back slightly—avoiding danger was human nature.

 

Chen Mu swirled the wine in his cup, watching Yuan Nanyu with amusement, observing a face so similar to Yan Sikong’s yet utterly different in temperament. How could he have mistaken him back then? Now, he would never make the same mistake again. He chuckled softly and said, “Where are you retreating to? From the day you agreed to come to the capital to pay tribute, you should have known there was no way out.”

 

Yuan Nanyu said coldly, “How does Your Majesty intend to deal with me?”

 

Chen Mu laughed. “Today, I graciously welcome you. I have neither reproached nor troubled you, so why speak of ‘dealing’ with you? Your phrasing makes it sound as if you can’t wait for me to act.”

 

“You…”

 

“What do you hope I’ll do to you?” Chen Mu lightly licked his lips. “Are you already imagining… how I’ll ‘deal’ with you?”

 

Yuan Nanyu gritted his teeth. “A man may die but not be humiliated. I, Yuan Nanyu, am not someone who fears death. I implore Your Majesty not to push me too far.”

 

Chen Mu burst into laughter. “You speak of ‘death’ and ‘killing’ so readily—how frightening. When did I ever say I wanted to kill you? You are a great general of our Da Sheng dynasty. I treasure you too much for that.”

 

“Stop pretending!” Yuan Nanyu growled under his breath.

 

“Oh? What is it you wish to say, General Yuan?” Chen Mu blinked innocently. “Speak plainly.”

 

Yuan Nanyu’s chest heaved with rage. If not for the eunuchs, maids, and guards present, he might have already struck him. How could a despicable scoundrel like Chen Mu be in power?

 

“Ah,” Chen Mu said as if having an epiphany, smiling faintly. “General Yuan, are you trying to say that I cannot favor you?”

 

Yuan Nanyu couldn’t hold back anymore. He stood abruptly to leave, but Chen Mu was quick to press down on his knee, staring at him with dark, unblinking eyes and smirking. “I cannot favor you? Cannot strip you of your clothes, kiss every inch of your body, or enter you and…”

 

“Silence!” Yuan Nanyu sprang to his feet, overturning the banquet table.

 

A dozen imperial guards drew their swords with a synchronized swish, encircling Yuan Nanyu in the blink of an eye.

 

The imperial guards were all highly skilled martial artists, and Yuan Nanyu knew he couldn’t defeat them even with extra limbs. He dared not act rashly.

 

The chief guard shouted sternly, “Yuan Nanyu, how dare you disrespect His Majesty! Your Majesty, I request permission to execute this traitor on the spot.”

 

Chen Mu smiled thinly at Yuan Nanyu.

 

Yuan Nanyu clenched his fists, his face alternating between pale and livid.

 

“Your Majesty!” the chief guard pressed.

 

Gritting his teeth, Yuan Nanyu thought to himself that a wise man doesn’t fight when the odds are against him. He dropped to his knees with a thud. “This subject drank too much. I deserve death. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

 

Chen Mu snorted. “Yuan Nanyu, such audacity. Aren’t you afraid I’ll wipe out your entire clan?”

 

“This subject deserves death.”

 

Chen Mu set down his wine. “Forget it. You’re drunk, and I won’t hold it against you. Reflect on your behavior by kneeling here through the night.”

 

Yuan Nanyu said, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing my life. This unworthy subject dares not taint the auspicious aura of Qianqing Palace and is willing to kneel outside the Meridian Gate instead…”

 

“When I say kneel here, you kneel here.”

 

“…Understood.”

 

Qianqing Palace was the emperor’s main hall and sleeping quarters. It was barely a hundred steps from Chen Mu’s dragon bed. The thought of spending the night here made Yuan Nanyu’s scalp tingle.

 

“Your Majesty, it’s inappropriate for an outsider to remain in the palace overnight,” the chief guard said boldly. “This violates palace regulations.”

 

Chen Mu cast him a sidelong glance. “Who is the palace regulation?”

 

The chief guard wanted to speak further, but Sun Mo quickly signaled him with his eyes, and he hesitated before closing his mouth.

 

Chen Mu yawned and raised his hand. Sun Mo immediately stepped forward to assist him, fawning, “Your Majesty, you’re tired. Please retire early.”

 

“Hmm.” Chen Mu pointed at Yuan Nanyu. “Keep an eye on him.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

After Chen Mu left, Yuan Nanyu knelt stiffly under the watchful eyes of the guards. If he could endure the night in this position, it would be considered his luck.

 

The autumn night was chilly, and by midnight, the cold seeped into his bones. Yuan Nanyu closed his eyes and practiced his breathing techniques, channeling inner energy to get through the long night.

 

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps reached his ears, approaching from afar.

 

Yuan Nanyu opened his eyes to see Sun Mo walking toward him, his heart tightening.

 

Sun Mo stopped before Yuan Nanyu and addressed the chief guard. “His Majesty is restless and has summoned General Yuan for a drink.”

 

The chief guard cupped his hands. “Understood.”

 

Sun Mo smiled at Yuan Nanyu. “General Yuan, please.”

 

Yuan Nanyu could feel the piercing stares of the imperial guards. Rumors about him and Chen Mu had circulated since his imprisonment in the Chu army camp and were no secret. Clenching his jaw, he knew this trip would not end well.

 

Sun Mo, seeing Yuan Nanyu glaring at him, remained patient and said softly, “General Yuan, please.”

 

Yuan Nanyu’s rigid body finally moved. He stood, his legs numb from kneeling. He almost collapsed, but Sun Mo quickly supported him, feigning concern. “Careful, General Yuan. Why provoke His Majesty like this?”

 

Yuan Nanyu shook off his hand. Though he managed to steady himself, his legs trembled. He forced himself to take a few steps to regain his balance.

 

Sun Mo led him through the dim palace corridors to the inner chambers.

 

Along the way, Sun Mo tried several times to strike up a conversation, but Yuan Nanyu turned his head away, ignoring him.

 

Finally, outside Chen Mu’s sleeping quarters, Sun Mo stopped and lowered his voice. “General Yuan, a wise man adapts to circumstances.”

 

Yuan Nanyu stared at him expressionlessly.

 

Sun Mo sighed and pushed open the door, stepping inside before turning back to look at Yuan Nanyu, who remained standing outside.

 

Yuan Nanyu took a deep breath and followed him in.

 

The room was scented with a light fragrance, soothing and pleasant. The dim candlelight cast shadows over the dragon bed’s draped curtains, obscuring whatever secrets lay hidden behind them.

 

After leading Yuan Nanyu inside, Sun Mo retreated silently.

 

Yuan Nanyu stood before the curtains, his emotions gradually settling.

 

Before coming to the capital, he had imagined countless strategies to deal with Chen Mu. He had resolved that he could face death but would never allow Chen Mu to humiliate him again.

 

“Standing before my dragon bed like this—are you eager to climb in?”

 

A soft voice suddenly echoed in the darkness, startling Yuan Nanyu.

 

He quickly turned his head and realized that in the dark corner, where the candlelight did not reach, there was a faint figure. Only then did he realize that Chen Mu was not lying on the bed but was half-reclining on the kang. He had not sensed any unusual aura before, and Chen Mu’s internal energy had clearly improved dramatically compared to before.

 

Chen Mu lit the candle on the low table, his hair disheveled, wearing a pure white undergarment, the front of his robe loosely open, his strong chest partially visible. His handsome face flickered in the light of the flame.

 

Yuan Nanyu frowned and looked at him.

 

“There are countless people in this world who would want to climb this dragon bed,” Chen Mu teased. “If you want to, then go ahead.”

 

Yuan Nanyu said in a deep voice, “What exactly do you want to do?”

 

“I want to fuck you,” Chen Mu said openly. “Is that answer satisfactory to General Yuan?”

 

“Dream on.” Yuan Nanyu snarled, “I’ve said it before, a man can die but not be humiliated. Don’t think you can kill me, and don’t think I’m afraid of the army of the four northern provinces!”

 

Chen Mu’s eyes darkened. “You, as a hostage, dare to threaten me?”

 

“So what?” Yuan Nanyu replied arrogantly. “I don’t believe you have no concerns.”

 

Chen Mu stared at Yuan Nanyu for a moment, then smiled. “If I only wanted to bed you, it would be effortless. But that would be boring. Right now, I just want to drink with you and chat.” He motioned with his chin, “Come here.”

 

Yuan Nanyu walked over and sat down on the kang.

 

The two of them were separated by a low table, their eyes meeting.

 

Chen Mu glanced sideways at the wine jug.

 

Yuan Nanyu stiffly poured two cups of wine.

 

“Finally, it’s just the two of us,” Chen Mu raised his cup and drank a sip, “In this palace, there are always people watching me. I think only when I sleep can I truly be alone.”

 

Yuan Nanyu remained silent.

 

Chen Mu looked at Yuan Nanyu and asked, “How is Yan Sikong?”

 

Yuan Nanyu hesitated for a moment and said, “He’s fine.”

 

“He’s now the Grand Marshal of the Northern Protectorate, second only to the King of the North, above all others in the four northern provinces,” Chen Mu sneered. “Has he achieved his goal?”

 

“Maybe.”

 

“You don’t have to hide it.” Chen Mu took another sip of wine, “Are you afraid that I’ll resent him living well?”

 

“Will you?” Yuan Nanyu stared at Chen Mu.

 

“I will.” Chen Mu said without hesitation, then showed a cold smile. “The Grand Marshal of the four provinces, is that all he wanted? He could have been a chancellor. The position of Shen Hexuan was originally his. Do you think he regrets it?”

 

“Regret or not, I can’t answer for him.”

 

“You don’t answer, but I know. There’s no one in this world who has no regrets. Those who say they have no regrets are just lying.” Chen Mu sneered, “But for his title, whether he regrets it or not, it’s too late.”

 

“No matter your resentment toward him, don’t forget, the reason you are here today is because of him,” Yuan Nanyu said coldly.

 

“Indeed, it’s because of him,” Chen Mu laughed coldly. “He is my teacher. What he taught me, I have used my entire life, and I will never forget.”

 

Yuan Nanyu sensed a dangerous atmosphere. He narrowed his eyes and looked at Chen Mu. “If you have grievances, direct them at me. If you clash with him again, it will be the people of the North who suffer.”

 

Chen Mu mocked, “You are truly loyal to him. But he treated you like a pawn, sending you to the capital as a hostage.”

 

“That was my choice.”

 

“Your choice?” Chen Mu laughed loudly. “You were just manipulated by him without knowing it. He has that ability, to control everyone without them realizing. Whether it’s you, or Feng Ye, you’re all his pawns.”

 

Yuan Nanyu said coldly, “You don’t understand.”

 

“You don’t understand anything!” Chen Mu shouted, his eyes reddened by the alcohol. “He betrayed me.”

 

“You betrayed him first.”

 

“No, from the moment he decided to follow Feng Ye, he betrayed me,” Chen Mu stared at Yuan Nanyu and said in a cold tone.

 

Yuan Nanyu scoffed, “Arguing about the order of betrayal is pointless. Yes, he betrayed you. So what? You want to humiliate me to take revenge on him. That is why you wanted me to come to the capital.”

 

Chen Mu chuckled lowly, not saying anything.

 

“Chen Mu, listen carefully.” Yuan Nanyu fearlessly stared into Chen Mu’s eyes, speaking each word clearly. “Yes, you are the emperor. You can do whatever you want. But if you dare to touch me, I will find a way to kill you. Even if you slice me into a thousand pieces, skin me alive, and pull out my bones, never think that I will bow to you. Never.”