The Blood Crown - Side Story 2: Waning Moon (Part 4)

Side Story 2: Waning Moon (Part 4)

 

Looking at the hatred in Yuan Nanyu’s eyes, Chen Mu was momentarily stunned. He furrowed his brow and hesitated, asking, “Do you… really hate me so much?”

 

Yuan Nanyu coldly looked at him.

 

Chen Mu stared at Yuan Nanyu for a while, then revealed a mocking expression. “You once lay beneath me, yearning for me. You almost died in the process. Now, you turn your back so ruthlessly?”

 

Yuan Nanyu clenched his teeth.

 

“Don’t dare to admit it?” Chen Mu sneered. “Are you afraid to admit that you too once indulged in it?”

 

Yuan Nanyu glared furiously. “You had your court ministers stay overnight in the palace just to say these useless things?”

 

“How could they be useless?” Chen Mu suddenly pushed himself up and, bypassing the low table on the kang, crawled toward Yuan Nanyu.

 

Yuan Nanyu stood up, but Chen Mu quickly grabbed his leg and threatened, “Don’t move, or I’ll call the guards in.”

 

Yuan Nanyu squinted his eyes. “Chen Mu, are you really going to force me?”

 

“I just want to be closer to you. What’s wrong? Now you’re going to commit regicide?”

 

Yuan Nanyu tightened his fists, gathering his energy in silence.

 

Chen Mu sat beside Yuan Nanyu, the two of them close but not touching, and Yuan Nanyu was unwilling to act.

 

Chen Mu gazed at Yuan Nanyu for a while, then extended his hand and gently touched Yuan Nanyu’s cheek.

 

Yuan Nanyu turned his head away.

 

“Let me help you remember,” Chen Mu’s gaze grew brighter in the dim light, “what we had between us.”

 

“There was never anything between us.” Yuan Nanyu emphasized, his voice cold. “Let me leave the palace.”

 

“What’s the matter? You don’t dare to listen?”

 

“Let, me, leave, the, palace!” Yuan Nanyu’s resistance grew stronger.

 

“You won’t listen.” Chen Mu laughed, “You don’t dare to remember. If you did, you’d recall the pleasure we shared in bed.”

 

Yuan Nanyu gritted his teeth. “You had your concubine drug me, despicable.”

 

“I’ve said it countless times, I never instructed her, she acted on her own. Moreover…” Chen Mu’s fingers slid across Yuan Nanyu’s leg, lightly grazing his pants, “you were awake afterward.”

 

“Awake?” Yuan Nanyu coldly said, “Awake with shackles on?”

 

“Still trying to argue,” Chen Mu lightly licked his lips. “We once tangled together, entwined for an entire night. In that military tent, you came beneath me many times, and when you were lost in it, you even actively sought pleasure. I don’t believe you’ve forgotten.”

 

“Shut up!” Yuan Nanyu, furious and ashamed, pushed Chen Mu away and stood up.

 

His breathing was erratic, his chest rising and falling heavily, his shoulders trembling.

 

He hated Chen Mu, hated the humiliation Chen Mu had caused him, but what he hated even more were those absurd nights, the indelible marks Chen Mu had left on him, the sinful, crazy desire that had consumed his dignity and reason, dragging him into an abyss of eternal torment.

 

Yes, Chen Mu was right. He didn’t dare to remember. How many times had he woken up in the middle of the night, feeling as if he was still trapped in that military tent, waiting for Chen Mu to pin him down and do whatever he wanted? He hated the humiliation, he hated being forced, humiliated, and treated like a toy by a man, yet he had experienced the greatest physical pleasure from it.

 

Was he born to be so lowly?

 

Chen Mu narrowed his eyes, cold and cunning like a snake. “So, have you remembered what I gave you?”

 

“You disgust me,” Yuan Nanyu quickly replied. “I just want to kill you, kill you!”

 

A dark glint flashed in Chen Mu’s eyes. “You only had that one chance to kill me, too bad you missed.” He laughed softly, “I never miss. I always aim right inside your body.”

 

Yuan Nanyu was filled with rage, yet he couldn’t kill Chen Mu to release his anger. His eyes reddened with fury.

 

Chen Mu looked at Yuan Nanyu’s anger and disgust, feeling satisfied, but his heart tightened with unease. He maliciously added, “If you were a woman, you would have been pregnant with my heir by now. I would make you my noble consort, and you would be the only one I favored in the harem, how would that be?”

 

Yuan Nanyu grabbed a porcelain bottle and threw it at Chen Mu.

 

Chen Mu waved his hand to block it, and the porcelain bottle smashed against the floor, creating a loud noise in the dark night.

 

The small eunuch guarding outside rushed over and called out by the door, “Your Majesty?”

 

Chen Mu had already given instructions that no one should enter, so the eunuch dared not intrude.

 

Chen Mu glanced at the shattered porcelain bottle on the floor. “When there’s no one else around, I allow you to be reckless. But if you dare to be disrespectful in front of others, even if I want to spare you, the court officials won’t let me.”

 

Yuan Nanyu angrily said, “Let me leave the palace!”

 

“I’ll allow you to leave when I’m ready for you to leave.”

 

“What do you want from me?”

 

“I just want you to stay with me,” Chen Mu blurted out.

 

There was silence in the room.

 

Yuan Nanyu remained motionless, his gaze still cold and distant.

 

Chen Mu lowered his eyes and said in a deep voice, “Go ahead.”

 

Yuan Nanyu immediately turned and walked out.

 

When his footsteps faded, Chen Mu swept everything off the low table in frustration.

 

—

 

Yuan Nanyu returned to the Jianjia Manor, the sky already beginning to brighten. He hadn’t slept the whole night, yet he didn’t feel tired at all, only a sense of heartache.

 

Every word Chen Mu said, every look he gave, felt like a knife hanging above his head, making his hair stand on end. Chen Mu was already difficult enough when he was Prince Chu, let alone now that he was the ruler of the world. Yuan Nanyu knew that dealing with Chen Mu would be a long and bitter battle. Unlike the battles he fought on the battlefield, this one he would have to face alone.

 

No matter how dangerous, no matter how unbearable, he would not retreat. Because he was Yuan Nanyu, the General of the Northern Protectorate, a lone fighter, and he couldn’t lose.

 

But… he couldn’t help but remember the look in Chen Mu’s eyes before he left. That gaze was so deep that it seemed no light could ever penetrate it.

 

—

 

Yuan Nanyu unintentionally fell asleep. When he woke up, the sun was already high.

 

After waking, he sat down to meditate, calm his mind, and steady his emotions before getting up to wash and eat. In the afternoon, as instructed by Feng Ye and Yan Sikong, he brought gifts to visit some government officials and notable figures in the capital.

 

He attended a banquet and returned to the manor late at night. As soon as he entered, the butler came over, fawning, and mysteriously said, “General, the Emperor has sent you another gift today, and it’s waiting for you to return.”

 

Yuan Nanyu frowned. “Again? Tell Sun Mo I won’t be back tonight, and have him come tomorrow.”

 

“Sun Gonggong(Eunuch) left long ago. This gift is a bit inappropriate,” the butler said with a smile. “Sun Gonggong dropped it off and left. Come see it for yourself.”

 

“What is it?” Yuan Nanyu felt increasingly uneasy.

 

The two of them walked to Yuan Nanyu’s bedroom, where candles were lit, and a figure could be vaguely seen through the paper window.

 

Yuan Nanyu sensed something was wrong. He quickly strode forward and slammed the door open.

 

Inside stood a woman, slender and beautiful, a rare and stunning beauty.

 

The moment she saw Yuan Nanyu, the woman knelt down and softly said, “I greet General.”

 

Yuan Nanyu was filled with anger, his blood boiling. He shouted, “Butler!”

 

The butler ran over, and seeing the angry look on Yuan Nanyu’s face, he became nervous. “General…”

 

“Get her out of here.”

 

“Huh? That’s not possible! She was a gift from the Emperor. How can you just send her away?”

 

The woman lifted her head, looking as if she were about to cry. “Does the General despise me?”

 

“It has nothing to do with you.” Yuan Nanyu took a deep breath. “Arrange a room for this lady.”

 

“But…”

 

“Go!”

 

Yuan Nanyu didn’t know what trick Chen Mu was playing now. It was probably just another way to mock him.

 

He had wandered the world before, later joined the military, and had many women in his life. He had once been fond of indulgence, thinking of himself as a dashing figure, but he had never settled down due to his wandering lifestyle.

 

However, since he became Chen Mu’s concubine, even though he later escaped the Chu army’s camp, he had not touched a woman.

 

Perhaps it was due to guilt, perhaps resistance, or maybe because of his disdain for himself. Or perhaps… he was afraid that when he held a soft and beautiful woman in his arms, his mind would uncontrollably wander back to those times with Chen Mu.

 

He had originally planned to marry and have children after helping Feng Ye achieve his goals, but now, he no longer dared to think about it. His wife should not have a husband as disgraceful as him.

 

And now, Chen Mu had sent him a woman, mocking him maliciously.

 

Another sleepless night passed. The next morning, Yuan Nanyu called the butler and ordered him to treat the woman well, but to keep it secret from everyone in the mansion. The emperor’s gift could not be returned. He planned to take her with him when he returned to Datong and arrange for her there.

 

—

 

After that day, Yuan Nanyu was left in peace for several days. Although he did not attend court, he received reports from his spies about what was happening in the court. As expected, Chen Mu was paying close attention to the situation in the northern provinces and had mentioned Feng Ye several times in court.

 

After handling all the tribute and completing the tasks given by Yan Sikong, Yuan Nanyu requested to return to Datong. He knew that Chen Mu would not let him go so easily, but perhaps there was a reasonable excuse to keep him. He wanted to see how Chen Mu would try to make things difficult for him.

 

The day after his request was submitted, Yuan Nanyu was in his study writing a letter to Yan Sikong when a servant rushed in to inform him of a distinguished guest.

 

Seeing the servant’s flustered expression, Yuan Nanyu frowned. “What guest?” He had a hunch.

 

The servant said nervously, “General, you’ll know when you see for yourself.” He looked around, as if afraid someone might overhear, clearly following orders to keep it discreet.

 

Yuan Nanyu put down his pen, carefully hid the letter, and went to his bedroom. He pushed open the door and saw a tall man dressed as a eunuch, standing with his back to him, admiring a flower-and-bird painting on the wall.

 

Yuan Nanyu shut the door behind him and said in a deep voice, “What are you doing here?”

 

The man turned around, and it was none other than Chen Mu, whom he hadn’t seen in several days.

 

Chen Mu raised an eyebrow, took out a folded document from his chest, and threw it onto the table.

 

Yuan Nanyu glanced at it; it was his own report.

 

“You want to leave?”

 

“I’ve completed my task. Why can’t I leave?”

 

Chen Mu spoke with mockery in his tone. “Do you really think you can leave?”

 

“Are you planning to tie me up again?”

 

Chen Mu sneered. “If I want to keep you here, I don’t need a reason.”

 

Yuan Nanyu was furious but helpless because what Chen Mu said was true.

 

Chen Mu leisurely sat down in a chair, watching him quietly. “Did you like the concubine I gave you?”

 

“Yes, thank you, Your Majesty.” Yuan Nanyu replied, his expression unfazed.

 

Chen Mu narrowed his eyes, a complex mix of emotions rising within him, and anger surged up. “You really slept with her.”

 

“What do you mean by that?” Yuan Nanyu said provocatively. “Did His Majesty send a beautiful woman to my bedroom in the middle of the night to wash clothes and clean?”

 

Chen Mu pressed his lips together. “Fine, if you like it, then it’s fine.”

 

Yuan Nanyu looked at Chen Mu with a probing gaze. He wanted to know what Chen Mu was really up to.

 

“As long as you like it, I can gather all the beautiful women and treasures in the world and give them to you. I can also arrange a match for you with a noble family, so your name will be honored. Just tell me which family you want.”

 

Yuan Nanyu’s expression changed slightly. “What are you trying to do?”

 

Chen Mu shrugged. “There’s some… discord between us, but now that the situation is settled, I’m the emperor, and you’re the subject. You don’t need to oppose me anymore.” Chen Mu gazed at Yuan Nanyu. “I can… be good to you.”

 

Yuan Nanyu almost laughed. He coldly said, “No need. I just ask that Your Majesty allow me to return to Datong.”

 

“I won’t allow you to leave!” Chen Mu suddenly said sharply.

 

Yuan Nanyu looked at him coldly.

 

Chen Mu stood up and walked in front of Yuan Nanyu. “Since I became emperor, my patience has grown worse.”

 

“So?”

 

“So stop provoking me.” Chen Mu reached out and grabbed Yuan Nanyu’s chin.

 

The two stood facing each other, almost within arm’s reach. Yuan Nanyu suddenly realized that the once slender youth was now taller than him!

 

Yuan Nanyu felt a wave of frustration and shoved Chen Mu’s hand away.

 

Chen Mu stared unblinkingly at Yuan Nanyu. “What if I said, as long as you climb into my dragon bed, I’ll let you go back to Datong? What would you do?”

 

Yuan Nanyu said coldly, “It’s late, Your Majesty should return to the palace.”

 

Chen Mu silently watched Yuan Nanyu, then suddenly slammed his hand onto the back of Yuan Nanyu’s head, pressing his lips harshly onto Yuan Nanyu’s soft pink ones, roughly kissing him.

 

Yuan Nanyu was initially shocked, then confused. By the time he regained his senses, Chen Mu’s breath had already entered his mouth, flooding his entire body.

 

Yuan Nanyu forcefully pushed Chen Mu away.

 

Chen Mu staggered back a few steps before steadying himself. He carefully licked his lips with the tip of his tongue, his eyes filled with a victorious smile. “I know you still remember.”