The Ugly Empress

Xue Houyang’s head snapped up to stare at Xue Junliang; his expression grave. Suddenly he dropped down to the ground on both his knees. 

Xue Junliang noticed Xue Houyang’s change in facial expressions – an almost battle-ready look, but still, he amiably asked, “Houyang, what is it? Why are you suddenly so courteous and giving me such a big salute?”

Xue Houyang lowered his head and said in a muffled voice, “His Majesty doesn’t know who that person is. If he did, he would surely condemn this Chen di of sin.”

“Really?” Xue Junliang smiled and tried to pull Xue Houyang to stand. “How about you tell me first, then I’ll decide whether it is so serious or not?”

Xue Houyang didn’t get up but just hung his head down. Just now, when he heard Emperor Xue’s willingness to bestow him a marriage, his heart soared in joy, with a burst of excitement. If he and Teng Shang were to marry, Teng Shang would not have to die. But Xue Houyang wasn’t sure if Teng Shang would accept him willingly. 

After all, which man would be willing to marry another man? Although it was common for royalties and noblemen to have secret male lovers, there never was a male wife because it was still considered a big taboo and shameful. Moreover, the other person was a minister from Teng Country, a younger brother of Teng King.

Moreover, if Xue Junliang came to know that it was Teng Shang they’d been talking about, he would probably retract his words.

Xue Houyang knew it was impossible, but couldn’t help but hold on to a glimmer of hope. Finally, he said, “Houyang doesn’t dare to get up… Chen di doesn’t deserve to ask anything from Your Majesty. Also, Chen di doesn’t think that person would return my feelings.”

Xue Junliang’s smile was still good-natured and amiable. “Which family’s young lady is it? Is Xue Junliang’s younger brother afraid of not being worthy of her?”

“Not a young lady…” Xue Houyang finally gritted his teeth and determinedly said, “It’s Teng Shang.”

“Teng Shang…”

Xue Junliang didn’t have any great reaction, he just repeated the name lightly. 

Xue Houyang didn’t hear him speak for quite a while, he kowtowed and said, “Chen di deserves a death sentence! Your Majesty, please punish me!” 

“What death sentence?” Xue Junliang reached out to pull the other person to stand. “Though you went to the battlefields for many years, I can still understand what kind of person you are. Seeing you braving yourself to say this to me, I can realize your feelings for that person must be real and very deep…”

Xue Houyang trembled, never could he have thought that Emperor Xue wouldn’t punish him. Yet he didn’t dare to look up.

Then Xue Junliang continued by saying, “And how does Teng Shang feel? Does he return your feelings or are they unrequited?…… By the way, didn’t I hear my brother say that he did something wrong to that person…….. ” Xue Junliang laughed teasingly, still joking.

Embarrassment was written all over Xue Houyang’s face. Scratching his head again, he said, “Your Majesty… Your Majesty, Let’s not talk about it anymore.” 

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Xue Junliang let out a sigh, then smiled. “Every word carries weight, what’s more from a monarch… But I have to say in advance, whether Teng Shang agrees or not, it all depends on yourself.” 

Xue Houyang knelt once more and kowtowed. “Thanking the Emperor for his grace.”

“Go, then. Ask for Teng Shang’s agreement. When you’ve solved this matter, I’ll personally administer your wedding.”

—

Teng Shang hadn’t even left the Palace when he was stopped by a palace maid. This maid was Teng Qianyi’s personal servant, Jiao Shui. 

Jiao Shui said, “Your Excellency, please wait. The Princess invites Your Excellency to meet her, she said she has something to discuss.”

Teng Shang was feeling unwell and wanted to quickly get out of the Palace. Moreover, his relationship with Teng Qianyi was not that close, he didn’t think there was anything they could be discussing, so he said, “I’m afraid it’s not appropriate… The Princess is already married and is now a Xue Country’s Imperial Consort. Teng Shang is only a foreign country’s minister, if I go to Her Ladyship’s residence, I’m afraid it’ll attract people’s criticism.”

Jiao Shui smiled. “Your Excellency need not worry too much. The Princess has something urgent to discuss in person. This matter, the Princess has already anticipated and specially invited Your Excellency to come to the side garden.”

Jiao Shui’s argument left no place for Teng Shang to refuse, so he could only endure his slight discomfort and follow Jiao Shui. 

The side flower garden was about half the size of the main garden, but it had a small bridge over the flowing stream, the pavilion wasn’t so magnificent yet still had its own uniqueness. Many concubines of the Imperial Harem often came here for a walk.

Teng Qianyi sat inside a small pavilion across the stream. When she saw Teng Shang, she immediately stood. She seemed pale and dispirited, as if she’d been crying. She said, “Imperial Uncle, you came.”

Teng Shang stopped at the pavilion’s stone step and said, “Your Ladyship has summoned this subject, what seems to be the matter?”

When she saw Teng Shang didn’t come in, Teng Qianyi simply sat back on her chair. Rubbing her eyes, she sobbed. “Qianyi has travelled over a thousand miles to marry into Xue Country. As a stranger in a strange land, Qianyi can only ask Imperial Uncle to listen and let me pour my heart out… Imperial Uncle might not have heard yet, but last night… Last night, Emperor Xue didn’t stay at Qianyi’s residence. He never once set foot inside my palace’s gate.” 

She cried to the point of choking. “Qianyi doesn’t dare think too highly of my own status, but Emperor Xue’s treatment of me is too cruel.”

Teng Shang simply hung his head low. A cold breeze blew by as if trying to bite into his bones. From some unspeakable place in his behind, some equally unspeakable liquid trickled down, slowly running down his thighs. Added with Teng Qianyi’s interminable wailing, Teng Shang’s head started to throb.

—

The new consort had only just entered the Palace gate, naturally her every move was watched. The second she expressed her intention to summon Teng Shang; the immediate next second, Teng Yun caught the news. 

Teng Yun listened as Xiu Yao reported that Teng Shang was now in the side garden. Teng Yun’s first thought was that he wanted to see Teng Shang, but then he thought it was improper. Teng Shang didn’t know about Teng Yun’s current identity and appearance. If suddenly they were to meet face to face, Teng Yun was sure it would be awkward.

Teng Qianyi was also there, so it would be difficult to talk openly.

Teng Yun paced around in his room, completing two full laps of the room, before deciding he’d just go and see Teng Shang. Teng Yun hadn’t seen his Imperial Uncle for so many years, so he really wanted to see him.

Xiu Yao was happy to follow Teng Yun. She was very happy that the new consort was meeting a foreign country’s minister in the flower garden. Being able to catch other consort’s flaws and faults, she was more than happy. 

Xiu Yao deliberately arranged many palace maids to follow her mistress out, after all this was no ordinary occasion. The mistress who ruled the Imperial Harem should never be compared to a mere consort from a foreign country!

It seemed like Xiu Yao had forgotten that her own mistress was also a foreigner…

A group of people entering the side garden was easily seen from the small pavilion a little distance from the entrance. Jiao Shui was the first to see them. She immediately warned, “Princess, not good. Someone is coming.”

Teng Yun, like any other man, didn’t like dressing up excessively. But Xiu Yao had taken charge of freshening and dressing him up according to the rules, so even when he wore plain clothes, people could still easily see his status as the Empress. 

Teng Qianyi started to panic, but Jiao Shui said, “Princess, don’t worry. This is the first day since you’re married, it’s natural that you want to meet your family member.”

Teng Qianyi felt that Jiao Shui was right. She stood, straightened her dress then bowed. “Qianyi pays respect to Your Majesty the Empress.”

Teng Yun’s eyes never once went to her; he just raised a hand, motioning for her to get up.  

Teng Shang had lost a lot of weight. When Teng Yun first departed for battle, Teng Shang had still looked very young, but now he looked a lot older. Teng Shang had changed so much, as if he’d had many things weighing on his mind. 

Teng Shang bowed and said, “This subject from Teng Country greets Your Majesty, the Empress.”

Seeing Teng Shang bowing and saluting with his hands, Teng Yun’s heart was bitter and sad. They might as well be strangers now.

Teng Yun had always considered Teng Shang as his closest relative, the one who’d personally taught him literature and military knowledge.

When Teng Yun’s life ended in Xue Junliang’s hands, he’d already been away from his hometown for ten years. His corpse remained in Xue Country, and now he somehow ended up inside a woman’s body. There were so many things he wished to tell Teng Shang. Now, Teng Shang was right in front of him, yet he couldn’t tell anything. 

Teng Yun had always been invincible. He always thought he was strong enough that nobody could beat him even if his blood was spilt and his head was severed. However, now he understood that people could not be without feelings. Teng Yun himself was vulnerable in front of his family.

Enduring the bitterness in the corners of his eyes, Teng Yun said coldly, “No need to be so courteous.”

Teng Shang had been very respectful since the beginning, hence he hadn’t yet looked up. But when it was finally appropriate for him to look up, he couldn’t help thinking this stranger’s gaze was very familiar. But Teng Yun and this Empress were two totally different persons.

Teng Shang lowered his hands. When he straightened up, his head was spinning and his stance unsteady, as if a harsh wind was blowing through his ears. 

Just as Teng Qianyi cried in alarm, Teng Shang fell to the ground.

Teng Yun was shocked and stepped forward to help Teng Shang, but his hand that had just stretched out, immediately retracted. It’d be better if he didn’t help Teng Shang; if he helped, he might invite more trouble.

Right at this time, Xue Houyang suddenly rushed out and grabbed Teng Shang off the ground. Holding Teng Shang tightly in his embrace, Xue Houyang felt Teng Shang’s forehead.

Teng Yun was confused by Xue Houyang’s perturbed expression, but he(Teng Yun) quickly came to his senses. “Xiu Yao, call for the royal physician.” 

“Yes.” Xiu Yao was somewhat unwilling to go, she wanted to stay and enjoy watching a bustling scene, but she also thought that her mistress calling for the royal physician was a good move. This way people could see that her mistress was treating the new consort’s family with kindness.

But then Xue Houyang had already lifted Teng Shang in his arms and said, “No need for the trouble. This brother-in-law will come back another day to properly pay respect to the Imperial Sister-in-law. Please, excuse me.” After he finished speaking, he rushed away; taking Teng Shang with him.

—

The news that the new consort had complained to another person, about the Emperor not staying on her wedding night, soon travelled to Xue Junliang’s ears. 

Xue Junliang was the kind of person who would always exchange a good deed with rewards. This matter should be taken care of accordingly.

Sure enough, today Xue Junliang picked Teng Qianyi’s nameplate.

Teng Qianyi was excited, and at the same time was afraid Emperor Xue would tell her off for complaining to someone, so she thought of a way to divert Xue Junliang’s attention.

Pouring a cup of wine for Xue Junliang to loosen him up, she casually said, “Today, Chen Qie met the Empress in the side garden. Your Majesty… Does the Empress and my Imperial Uncle know each other?” 

Xue Junliang, of course, knew that Teng Qianyi was up to something. Gently fiddling with her hair, he smiled. “I don’t think they know each other.”

Nestling against Xue Junliang’s embrace, she brightly said, “Aiya, then it’s weird, Chen Qie almost thought they were old acquaintances.”

Xue Junliang laughed and pushed the other person away saying, “Seems like Aifei doesn’t know. A gossiping wife is what bores me the most.”

Then he raised his voice saying, “Jiang Yu, send Her Ladyship back to her residence.”