The Blood Crown - Side Story 2: Waning Moon (Part 9)

Side Story 2: Waning Moon (Part 9)

 

Yuan Nanyu said coldly, “The first day of the New Year.”

 

“The fifteenth,” Chen Mu replied.

 

“Keep dreaming.”

 

“The fir—”

 

Yuan Nanyu grabbed Chen Mu’s collar and snarled, “You’re still bargaining with me? The first day of the New Year. Once it’s over, you must immediately let me return to Datong, and you must swear by Empress Deyue.”

 

Chen Mu snorted heavily. “Fine. But you must also swear by your mother that you will come to offer tribute again next year.”

 

“You—”

 

“What? Is it difficult? If you don’t come, it’s defiance of the imperial decree.”

 

Yuan Nanyu gritted his teeth. “Fine.”

 

The two glared at each other in anger and reluctantly made their oaths.

 

As soon as Yuan Nanyu finished speaking, Chen Mu pressed him down. A flicker of fear flashed in Yuan Nanyu’s eyes, but he defiantly mocked, “I’m disheveled and filthy, yet you’re this desperate?”

 

Chen Mu pressed his nose against Yuan Nanyu’s and chuckled lowly. “What, are you scared? You just swore—whatever I want to do to you, I’ll do.”

 

Yuan Nanyu squinted his eyes, glaring unblinkingly at Chen Mu.

 

Chen Mu rubbed his nose against Yuan Nanyu’s cheek, then traced Yuan Nanyu’s lips with his own, as intimately as a cat grooming its companion.

 

Yuan Nanyu’s body tensed, his cheeks puffing slightly as he struggled to maintain his composure.

 

Chen Mu laughed softly. “Relax. You’re still sick, and I’m not in the mood.”

 

“Then get off me,” Yuan Nanyu said, exhaling discreetly in relief.

 

“I don’t want to.” Chen Mu escalated further, rolling onto the bed with Yuan Nanyu in his arms.

 

“If you leave the palace without permission and are discovered—”

 

“I’ll return before dawn,” Chen Mu said, settling into a comfortable position beside Yuan Nanyu. “Once you’re healed, come to the palace to spar with me.”

 

“I’m an external minister. I cannot enter the palace without permission…or stay overnight.”

 

“I’ve assigned you a task.”

 

“But the ministers—”

 

“I can’t please them in everything,” Chen Mu sneered.

 

“…”

 

Chen Mu buried his face into Yuan Nanyu’s warm neck. “Being emperor is truly stifling. Sooner or later, I will take full control of all power.”

 

Yuan Nanyu said coldly, “What’s the point of telling me this? I’m a general of the Prince of Zhenbei.”

 

“You may be Feng Ye’s general, but you’re forthright and unpretentious.” Chen Mu’s tone carried a hint of darkness. “Compared to dealing with those hypocrites, I’d rather see you act recklessly in front of me.”

 

“You seized this throne yourself. What are you complaining about now?” Yuan Nanyu retorted mockingly.

 

“The throne was mine to begin with. It was Feng Ye, that rebel, who stole it. Now, it’s simply returned to its rightful owner.” Chen Mu traced Yuan Nanyu’s cheek with his fingertips. “And you should also be mine.”

 

Yuan Nanyu turned his face away.

 

Chen Mu forcibly turned it back. “Now, you must obey me. You haven’t forgotten, have you, General Yuan?”

 

Yuan Nanyu remained silent.

 

Chen Mu wrapped his long arm around Yuan Nanyu’s waist, pulling him into his embrace. In a quiet voice, he said, “Sleep. Strangely, I can always sleep soundly when I’m with you.”

 

Yuan Nanyu looked surprised.

 

Chen Mu truly closed his eyes, his breathing steady and even. Yuan Nanyu could hear it clearly beside his ear. At first, he remained alert with his eyes open, but gradually, drowsiness began to creep in.

 

How many times had they slept in each other’s arms like this?

 

The times in the Chu camp didn’t count. Since he arrived in the capital, this was already the third time. It was impossible for someone to stay vigilant at all times—it was simply too exhausting. Thus, little by little, Chen Mu eroded his defenses, breached his boundaries, and wore down his patience, forcing him to retreat step by step. He had spent nearly three months sparring with Chen Mu, yet in the end, it was he who lost his composure first.

 

Everything Chen Mu did and said confused him more and more. What exactly was the relationship between them?

 

—

 

Yuan Nanyu, strong and healthy, recovered in just a few days. Even if he wanted to feign illness, the imperial physicians sent by Chen Mu wouldn’t help him cover it up. Helpless, he washed up and obediently entered the palace.

 

To his surprise, he didn’t meet Chen Mu immediately this time. Instead, he was arranged to wait in a side hall because Chen Mu, after morning court, had summoned several important ministers for a meeting.

 

Yuan Nanyu waited from morning until noon, at which point Sun Mo arrived.

 

Sun Mo personally brought eunuchs from the imperial kitchen to deliver lunch to Yuan Nanyu.

 

As soon as they met, Sun Mo warmly greeted him, “General Yuan, you’ve waited long. His Majesty is still busy. Allow this old servant to serve you your meal.”

 

“I dare not.” Though Yuan Nanyu didn’t fully understand palace etiquette, he knew that the emperor’s chief eunuch was someone even the empress couldn’t command lightly. “Since His Majesty is occupied, perhaps I should take my leave.”

 

“That won’t do,” Sun Mo said with a smile. “His Majesty has been delayed by important matters. Please wait a little longer, General. If you find it boring, I can bring you some Western curiosities to pass the time.”

 

“That won’t be necessary.” Yuan Nanyu sat back at the table with a stern expression. “Then I won’t stand on ceremony.” He began eating on his own.

 

Sun Mo stood by, watching him with a smile.

 

After a few bites, Yuan Nanyu felt uncomfortable under Sun Mo’s gaze. “Eunuch Sun, why don’t you join me?”

 

“This old servant dares not.” Sun Mo waved his hand. “His Majesty specially sent me to check on the General. Please, enjoy your meal.”

 

Yuan Nanyu slightly turned his body to avoid looking at Sun Mo.

 

But his ears could not be shut. Sun Mo sighed lightly. “His Majesty has truly been painstakingly considerate toward you, General. You may not know the matters of the court, and this old servant shouldn’t speak out of turn, but…”

 

Yuan Nanyu thought, Then why don’t you just shut up?

 

“But His Majesty has endured many grievances to protect you. His Majesty is so young, and everyone seeks to suppress him. Some have even tried to use you to make things difficult for him, but His Majesty has borne it all…” Sun Mo’s tone grew increasingly sorrowful, and he even wiped his eyes gently. “His Majesty has suffered so much since he was young. This old servant truly feels heartache for him.”

 

Yuan Nanyu, now too uncomfortable to eat, looked at Sun Mo expressionlessly.

 

Sun Mo dismissed the young eunuchs nearby, then leaned closer to Yuan Nanyu. “The General is a good person, upright and loyal. His Majesty has shown you great kindness; why not return it in kind?”

 

Yuan Nanyu held back his anger. “You don’t know the grievances between me and His Majesty. It’s easy for you to speak such flowery words.”

 

“No matter the grievances, they are in the past. Didn’t the General almost take His Majesty’s life? This old servant…” Sun Mo sniffled. “This old servant sees how anxious and unhappy His Majesty is, whether in court or in the harem. Only when he’s with you does he reveal his true nature. His Majesty is genuine toward you. If you also treat him sincerely, it would be a joy for everyone. But if not…what good would it do for you or the northern territories?”

 

Yuan Nanyu glared at Sun Mo, clenching his fists tightly at his sides. “Are you suggesting I sell myself for power and glory?”

 

Startled by Yuan Nanyu’s ferocity, Sun Mo faltered, his eyes shifting. “This old servant didn’t mean that…I only…admire the General and feel for His Majesty.”

 

Yuan Nanyu snorted coldly. “His Majesty commands a vast empire; he doesn’t need anyone’s pity.”

 

Sun Mo replied despondently, “In this vast empire, I fear only this old servant truly feels for His Majesty.” With that, he withdrew quietly.

 

Looking at the lavish dishes before him, Yuan Nanyu found he could no longer eat. Thinking of Sun Mo’s mournful expression, he couldn’t tell how much of it was genuine or feigned. He didn’t know whether Sun Mo had been sent by Chen Mu to persuade him or if he sought to ingratiate himself with Chen Mu.

 

Yuan Nanyu knew that Chen Mu’s reign as emperor was likely not a smooth one, but surely not as pitiable as Sun Mo made it out to be. What he couldn’t understand was why Chen Mu went to such lengths for him. If it was merely for physical pleasure, subduing him would have been effortless. Why go through so much trouble for so long?

 

The more he thought about it, the more bewildered he felt.

 

It wasn’t until dusk that Yuan Nanyu finally saw Chen Mu.

 

Palace maids were helping Chen Mu change out of his court robes. He had been busy since morning, and fatigue showed on his face, but his eyes lit up when he saw Yuan Nanyu.

 

Yuan Nanyu saluted and stood aside. After changing his clothes and dismissing the attendants, Chen Mu walked over, took Yuan Nanyu’s hand, and smiled. “Come, let’s admire the plum blossoms in the imperial garden.”

 

Chen Mu ordered the guards to clear the entire garden and had a table set for a banquet among the plum blossoms. The warm glow of the orange candles illuminated the pristine snow and the vibrant red flowers, creating a serene and exquisite scene.

 

The two reclined on a thick tiger-skin couch, with braziers keeping them warm. Not a hint of cold could be felt.

 

Chen Mu raised his cup. “This is wine brewed from green plums. Like these plum blossoms, they share the same origin but are of different kinds. The blossoms can only be admired, while the green plums are sweet and delicious, capable of being turned into fine wine. Tell me, is it better to be a blossom or a green plum?”

 

“I’m a soldier. Spare me the poetic nonsense.” Yuan Nanyu drained his cup in one gulp. “Good wine.”

 

Chen Mu burst out laughing.

 

As they drank, Chen Mu avoided mentioning any unpleasant matters. Instead, he recounted his early days in Yunnan and how he gradually grew his strength after Yan Sikong’s departure—a tale as thrilling as it was astonishing.

 

Yuan Nanyu listened intently, forgetting to argue with Chen Mu. He even began discussing past battles and their gains and losses.

 

As the two grew slightly tipsy, Chen Mu’s gaze toward Yuan Nanyu became deeper and more focused. Yuan Nanyu realized he was not unfamiliar with that look, which made him feel parched and tense.

 

“Everyone, leave,” Chen Mu commanded in a low voice.

 

The eunuchs, maids, and guards around them withdrew without a sound, their footsteps barely audible.

 

Yuan Nanyu sat up awkwardly, his heart pounding like a drum.

 

Chen Mu extended his hand. “Come here.”

 

Yuan Nanyu glanced at him sideways, his face expressionless, though a hint of unease stirred within him.

 

With a swift motion, Chen Mu flipped the low table between them to the ground and pressed Yuan Nanyu beneath him.

 

Yuan Nanyu took a deep breath, staring unwaveringly at Chen Mu.

 

Chen Mu leaned down and lightly licked Yuan Nanyu’s lips, his voice husky. “I’ve wanted you…for so long.”

 

Yuan Nanyu remained stiff, unable to utter a word.

 

Chen Mu claimed those warm lips, still carrying the fragrance of plum wine, in a fierce, fiery kiss. His tongue invaded, demanding and unrelenting.

 

The intoxicating kiss, combined with the wine, left Yuan Nanyu dizzy. He instinctively tried to resist, but Chen Mu had already seized his wrists, pinning them firmly against the fur beneath them.

 

When the kiss ended, both were slightly out of breath, their noses nearly touching as they gazed into each other’s eyes.

 

“Be honest. Have you ever thought of me?” Chen Mu asked softly. “Of our nights together?”

 

“Ridiculous,” Yuan Nanyu said coldly.

 

Chen Mu chuckled. “You don’t have to admit it. As long as you know it in your heart.”

 

Yuan Nanyu gritted his teeth, feeling utterly exposed under Chen Mu’s piercing gaze.

 

“You swore that day,” Chen Mu murmured, tracing Yuan Nanyu’s lips with a finger. “Now I’ll do as I please.”

 

“Stop dawdling like a woman,” Yuan Nanyu snapped.

 

Chen Mu laughed heartily. “You’ll soon see how ‘womanly’ I am.” With that, he tore open Yuan Nanyu’s collar.

 

That night became an indelible memory for both of them.