The Ugly Empress

When the chamberlain came with the news, Xiu Yao was unmistakably much happier than her mistress. She immediately prepared a bath and fresh clothes for Teng Yun. She also wittingly rewarded the servant for relaying the news.

Teng Yun was not excited at all. He wondered for what reason this Emperor chose the Ugly Empress for his bed partner. Sure, the Ugly Empress wasn’t as ugly as before, but still she wasn’t as pretty as many other consorts. 

In the end what exactly was Xue Junliang’s intention; Xiu Yao was so overwhelmed with joy that she didn’t bother thinking about all the reasons. Teng Yun thought the reason really was simple; Xue Junliang accepting a marriage alliance with Teng Country’s Eldest Princess was just to buy time for his soldiers to recuperate, and to show off Xue Country’s military power.

The Empress’ sole role in Xue Junliang’s plan was to pave the way. Similar to the story of stick and red date. The Emperor wanted to use the Ugly Empress to keep the new concubine in her place by giving gifts and favouring the Empress. This would also make the Empress, who was from Feng Country, feel grateful and indebted to Xue Junliang.

What a flawless plan. Pity Xue Junliang had to meet Teng Yun.

Teng Yun deliberately took a long time to bathe, his movements were neither slow nor fast as if the opportunity to sleep with Emperor Xue wasn’t something to be taken seriously. Xiu Yao, who was so happy at the beginning, gradually felt that something just wasn’t right. 

When finally Teng Yun finished bathing, Xiu Yao helped him into a fresh set of clothes. The Empress had a beautiful physique, all around enchanting appearance; even wearing simple clothing she looked dignified and poised. Xiu Yao inwardly sighed, wishing her mistress’ face would quickly heal completely. That way, Yunfeng Palace’s position in the Imperial Harem could be truly stable and secure.

Jiang Yu came in as Xiu Yao was combing Teng Yun’s hair into a bun. He said, “Your Majesty, please don’t make His Majesty wait.”

Xiu Yao started to smile apologetically and say something to make amends and also wanted to urge her Empress to hurry but before she could even say anything, Teng Yun instead said, “Letting Head Servant make a trip to Yunfeng Palace himself, I feel even more ashamed of failing His Majesty’s regards…”

Jiang Yu didn’t understand what the Empress meant, “What does Your Majesty mean?”

Jiang Yu quickly rushed back. Bowing his head lowly, he reported respectfully, “Your Majesty, the Empress said she… She said she was feeling unwell, and couldn’t serve Your Majesty tonight…”

Xue Junliang laughed when he heard it. Jiang Yu thought the Emperor must have lost his temper, yet he didn’t look even remotely angry. Instead he said, “Unexpectedly this Seat has married an Empress that can read my heart, I don’t know if that is a good or bad thing…”

He pondered for a moment then said, “Prepare my sedan chair, since the Empress is unwell, I’ll go visit her personally.”

Xiu Yao wilted like she’d been hit by a frost, “Your Majesty, why did you say that? If you… If you’re like this, don’t blame this slave servant for speaking out of turn and not seeing the seniority. If you are angry, it is still not the time to show your anger… If you’re like this, what are we going to do if right this moment His Majesty is angry?” 

Teng Yun sighed but said nothing. Poor Xiu Yao, she could be considered unlucky for being his servant. Which servant didn’t want to follow a master or mistress who were favored? If the master or mistress was favored, the servants’ status would also rise.

However, Teng Yun didn’t want to be Xue Junliang’s  Empress. He was Teng Yun. He was Teng Country’s Minister of War and a military general. His previous life had ended in Xue Junliang’s hands. He was still dreaming of the scene when the arrow pierced through his heart moments before his death.  So how could he now use this Empress’s body to serve the enemy?

Teng Yun was not stupid, he knew he had to find a way to survive, until the day he could finally escape Xue Country. But sleeping with Xue Junliang was where he drew his bottom line. Xue Junliang couldn’t touch him, even if Teng Yun had to lose everything else.

Sweating even from her hands, Xiu Yao said, “Empress, shouldn’t you go get dressed? You can just say.. just pretend and say  that you have a headache!”

As she was saying that, Xue Junliang had already reached Yunfeng Palace’s gate. Xue Junliang stepped down from his sedan chair. The servants in the palace lit the lanterns and walked all the way inside bearing the lantern.

As soon as Xue Junliang entered the main room, everyone knelt on the floor to pay respect to the Emperor. 

Xue Junliang looked around. Teng Yun was kneeling right in the middle of the room, his face bowed low so Xue Junliang couldn’t see his expression. Xue Junliang walked over to Teng Yun and helped him to stand before saying, “Why are you so polite Aifei, I heard you were sick, so I came here to visit you.”

Teng Yun was held in Xue Junliang’s arms, with one hand grabbing Teng Yun’s waist and the other holding his wrist. Teng Yun almost shuddered in disgust, but he knew he shouldn’t push Emperor Xue away, so he could only hold himself back.

Teng Yun dryly thanked for his concern.

Xue Junliang helped Teng Yun into the inner room before saying, “How is Aifei’s face these days? Do the medicines prescribed by the Imperial physician still work?” 

Teng Yun listened to Xue Junliang half-hearted concerns; every time he asked a question, Teng Yun answered equally half-heartedly.

Xue Junliang found this conversation between the two of them very intriguing. It was like him painting a gourd, while the other painting a ladle; their conversation just didn’t match up. His Empress’ manner looked very respectful but the true meaning was obvious; the Empress didn’t have any romantic feelings for him.

Emperor Xue couldn’t say that his reign for so many years had been smooth sailing, but there wasn’t any serious trouble either. Basically, people liked to listen to nice words, but Emperor Xue had come to dislike people who used flattery to gain their own benefits.

But here was someone, appearing out of nowhere. Other people always tried to flatter him, but this person didn’t even pay attention to him. This person piqued Xue Junliang’s interest. 

“Since Aifei is fine, me staying here tonight, should not disturb your rest right?”

Just as he said it, Xue Junliang saw the other party tensed up, she seemed like she was about to refuse him but immediately stopped herself. The expression was very fleeting but Xue Junliang saw it all. This person really got him even more and more intrigued.

Xue Junliang ordered the servants to bring him a Go board and its pieces, then he asked all the palace staff to go out. Surprisingly he wanted to play Go with Teng Yun.

Xue Junliang actually enjoyed playing Go, but he’d never had a good opponent to play with him. Xue Houyang would always let him win. Xue Houyang had always been inflexible if it involved a relation between a King and a subject; he would never try to beat a King even when playing Go. 

But Teng Yun didn’t feel the need to follow such social norms. After losing three rounds straight, Xue Junliang put aside his Qi pieces laughing, “Aifei’s Go skills are exquisite, this Seat if fully convinced, there is no ground to turn to anymore.”

Teng Yun lightly said, “Playing Go is also a training in cultivating moral and spiritual character. In my humble opinion, Your Majesty is not suitable for playing Go.”

“Oh?”

Xue Junliang smiled and said, “Why does Aifei think so?” 

“Your Majesty’s hostility is too overpowering,” Teng Yun said, “You focused on only one thing until you lost sight of the other and had to sacrifice your pieces.”

Xue Junliang examined the Qi board for a long time, pondering over Teng Yun’s words. Finally he said, “Seems like this Seat was too greedy.”

Teng Yun sneered in his heart and almost snorted, but he only said, “I had no intention of offending Your Majesty.”

“What are you talking about?” Xue Junliang said, “This Seat won’t blame Aifei for giving an honest opinion, this Seat will consider your good advice.” 

After three rounds of Go, Xue Junliang decided to stop playing. But the time was not yet late, he didn’t return back  and instead offered to apply Teng Yun’s medicine. After that, he let the palace staff prepare for bed.

Xue Junliang,  in addition to his tasseled crown, took off his outer garment. But he saw that Teng Yun was standing not far away, without moving.

Teng Yun said, “I won’t disturb Your Majesty’s sleep, so please accept my regards before you retire.”

Xue Junliang didn’t know whether he should cry or laugh. The Emperor went to his Empress’s room to sleep but the Empress left. Was there even such a thing? 

Teng Yun turned around to go out but Xue Junliang quickly moved forward and caught his wrist.

Seeing this scene, the palace staff all tactfully withdrew, secretly thinking that the Empress sure was very skillful in playing hard to get and this in turn had captured the Emperor’s interest.

Teng Yun was trapped in Xue Junliang’s arms. This body he was borrowing was weak, and didn’t have enough strength to break free from Xue Junliang’s hold, so Teng Yun could only subconsciously brace himself while staring guardedly at the other party.

But Teng Yun’s expression only made Xue Junliang even more amused. Like an angry kitten whose fur was all puffed up and with its claws bared. 

Xue Junliang grabbed the Empress’ waist tightly with one hand and didn’t let go, the other hand stroked her back suggestively, and said, “Doesn’t Aifei want to attend to me tonight?”

Teng Yun curtly answered, “This concubine’s appearance is very ugly, afraid of scaring Your Majesty.”

“So you’re angry with me for cold-shouldering you before.”

Teng Yun had no idea how Xue Junliang came to that conclusion, so he could only add, “It’s getting late, Your Majesty should go to sleep, you have to welcome your new bride early tomorrow morning.” 

Teng Yun was only stating the truth, but as soon as he finished the sentence he just knew the other would mistake him for being jealous.

Xue Junliang laughed, then suddenly he exerted force and held Teng Yun up in his arms and laid him on the bed.

Teng Yun was shocked and immediately tried to prop up his hands to sit up. Xue Junliang thought it’d be so much fun to tease some more, but maybe the other person might find it annoying.

So he held the Empress’ shoulders to push her back onto the bed, then said, “Don’t worry, since you’re not willing, I’m not going to force you. It is only a matter of time. Sooner or later, you will be willing in your heart.” 

Xue Junliang said that confidently, as if he was very sure of the outcome. Teng Yun didn’t bother pondering over his words; he only knew that he was currently safe this time. As he sighed in relief, he realized he had broken into a cold-sweat.

Xue Junliang reached out to pull down the curtain, then lay down beside Teng Yun, tucked in the brocade quilt and said, “Sleep.”

Teng Yun didn’t want to sleep on the same bed as Xue Junliang, but having escaped a great ordeal, he did not want to demand anything further. He scooted down to the inner side of the bed, trying to get as far away as possible from Xue Junliang.

——— 

Xue Houyang’s army set a camp on the outskirts of the Capital City and would be able to enter the capital within half a day.

The sun was about to set. By this time tomorrow, the princess will be married into Xue Country. Teng Shang watched the sunset with many emotions warring on his face, maybe he would already be dead when he entered the Capital City.

The attendant who followed him was a close confidant of King Teng. At this time, he hesitated for a moment, then suddenly knelt on the ground, “Your Excellency! Using the dark as cover, this servant begs you to please escape here!”

Teng Shang looked down at the person kneeling on the ground and smiled, “ Strange, how could you advise me to escape? Me escaping would be disloyal and treacherous.” 

The palace attendant cried, “Your Excellency’s loyalty and faithfulness is known by the whole Teng Country, but only King Teng refuses to acknowledge it. Even if you were killed in Xue Country, His Majesty would still not acknowledge… Although this old servant is greatly favoured by the King, this servant also understands Minister Shang’s loyalty for the country. Your Excellency, if you do not go now, all your hard work so far is for naught. Why suffer!”

Teng Shang sighed, “But why? The whole country knows about my loyalty, only King Teng doesn’t… Just as you said, I am also deeply indebted to the King, maybe it’s time for me to repay him.”

As the two of them were talking,  Xue Houyang suddenly walked over, making the attendant jump with fear. Did Marquis Wannian hear their conversation?

Xue Houyang’s well-defined, angular face was unreadable as he said, “We will enter the Capital City tomorrow. Minister Shang, would you mind having a drink with me?”