The Ugly Empress

Xue Junliang stared down at the prisoner on the ground and laughed cruelly, “Oh? This Seat is overconfident? You have the ability to say this Seat is overconfident? You must think you’re so modest. You are just a ridiculous, lowly guard.”

Teng Yun laughed again, closed his eyes and simply didn’t look at Xue Junliang. His expression seemed to be very disdainful, as if Xue Junliang wasn’t worth looking at. 

Xue Junliang said, “What? Do you regret something?”

Teng Yun didn’t open his eyes, but said weakly, “To die in the hands of a self opinionated Emperor like you.. of course I’m feeling regret.”

“Wonderful!” Xue Junliang sneered, “In this whole world, who else can be like me? Me who, presently, is merely one step away from grasping the entire world!”

“But this one step…” Teng Yun laughed but was cut short as he suddenly coughed out a mouthful of blood, “Unfortunately, if you take this one step… You’ll ruin all of your reputation! Xue Junliang, think about it, if Marquis Tengnan leads a rebellion from inside the prison… Instead of grasping the entire world, at that time, you’ll be surrounded and be attacked by enemies left and right. By then, will you be able to protect your land? Will you be able to protect the soldiers and the people who respect you and are willing to risk their lives for you?” 

Teng Yun finished and both hands clutched his chest as he gasped for breath. Blood was spilling freely from the corners of his mouth; almost like a small dike, soaking into the study room’s wool rug.

Xue Junliang was stunned for a moment. He never thought that someone like Teng Ying could say such things. But he was quick to shake away his surprise and said contemptuously, “Anyone can talk big. You’re just saying this only to make me withdraw my soldiers. If you still dare make insults like this, apparently I haven’t tortured you enough!”

Teng Yun felt more blood rise to his throat and he could only struggle to suppress it. His eyes lost focus and his sight had started to dim as he said, “You are not Teng Zhengxuan… You weren’t born in his era. You can only bow your head down to him…”

By this point, Teng Yun’s breath had gone so weak. Xue Junliang could vaguely hear a faint whisper, “I have never been afraid of you…”

Somewhere in the end of the prisoner’s sentence, Xue Junliang thought he heard the word ‘arrows’ but he didn’t put much thought into it, because when the prisoner mentioned Teng Zhengxuan’s name, his heart felt like it was crushed under a heavy stone.

Firstly, it reminded him of that time when the late Empress told him a lot of stories about Teng Zhengxuan. Secondly, this name was like a reminder that brought to Xue Junliang’s mind the strategies he could do to defeat the oncoming threats.

Xue Junliang looked down and saw the prisoner had fainted. He turned to Jiang Yu and slowly said, “Call the Imperial physician. If this prisoner died, the entire Imperial hospital would have to pay for his life.”

Xue Junliang’s tone made Jiang Yu tremble with fear. Since Emperor Xue started favoring the Empress, he had never spoken with such a tone. In fact, Emperor Xue’s mannerism had become somewhat warm and humane. 

But now, it seemed like Emperor Xue had gone back to how he used to be: an Emperor who was tyrannical, guarded and full of suspicions. Those characteristics were too commonly found in Kings and Emperors, and Jiang Yu was once again reminded that Emperor Xue, unfortunately, was not exempted.

Jiang Yu rushed to the Imperial hospital without delay, leaving Xue Houyang hesitating at the study room alone. In the end, Xue Houyang called a few palace servants to quickly carry the unconscious prisoner away.

Teng Ying was only a lowly prisoner; one who would soon be executed. Naturally, it was impossible for him to stay in a King’s residence. Even though Emperor Xue insisted he was to be treated by the Imperial physician, Emperor Xue would not tolerate nor pity him. Therefore, Xue Houyang ordered people to take the prisoner back to the prison.

Jiang Yu led the Imperial physicians to the prison to examine the prisoner. 

It became clear that Teng Yun’s injuries were quite severe. If it was just skin injuries and open wounds, then it was easily treatable. But in addition to those, Teng Yun also had unseen internal injuries. The prison guards weren’t aware of these internal injuries, they could only see that the prisoner was leaking blood from all over his body.

The Imperial physicians, of course, knew this person was only a prisoner. Jiang Yu only ordered them not to let him die, which in another word, was enough as long as the prisoner was breathing. The Imperial physicians only treated the prisoner’s internal injuries and didn’t even attempt to check the external ones.

———-

Teng Yun felt cold. He knew he must be suffering from a fever. After marching and fighting wars for so many years, he naturally knew the consequences of many untreated injuries and wounds. But because he was now a prisoner, Teng Yun could only endure it all silently. 

Teng Yun closed his eyes and rested his head against the prison’s damp wall. Before long, he fell asleep. He dreamed that he was back to a few years ago, when he was still fighting with Xue Houyang. He vaguely knew it was only a dream, but he could not extricate himself from it.

Everywhere he saw, there were the dead bodies and ruins of cities…

Teng Yun had a hard time drawing breaths and his lower back was in pain. He was wriggling like a caught fish, struggling to get away from the thing causing him pain, then he finally woke up from his dream.

Apparently, the one causing him pain was the prison guard kicking him and shouting, “Quit pretending to be dead! Wake up!” 

Teng Yun laboriously opened his eyes, barely sighing in relief to be free of the bad dreams. His whole body was aching and drained of strength. He was leaning against the corner of the prison. If it wasn’t for the wall supporting him, Teng Yun was sure he would be lying paralyzed on the ground at this time.

The prison guard wanted to kick him again, but a voice told him to stop. The voice was very familiar, and Teng Yun couldn’t stop himself looking up to see the voice’s owner. A few steps from him, a man stood. It was Xue Houyang.

Xue Houyang frowned with displeasure at the blood on the ground, but he also felt that the prisoner brought this to himself. He turned to the prison guard, “Can he speak?”

Ktf qglrbc uejgv cbvvfv jcv ybkfv ja atf rjwf alwf, “Yo mbegrf, bo mbegrf. Ktf Pwqfglji qtsrlmljc tjv pera mbwf jcv fzjwlcfv tlw. Lf’r jr ilnfis jr j vgjubc jcv jr ragbcu jr j alufg. Lf’r pera bqfcfv tlr fsfr, rb wjsyf tf kjrc’a oeiis jkjxf sfa.” 

Teng Yun sneered inwardly. How more awake should he be so people could deem he was awake enough?

Xue Houyang turned to look at the prisoner, wondering what sort of person this former palace guard was. He had talked so rudely to Emperor Xue, however, Emperor Xue still didn’t kill him and instead ordered the Imperial physician to examine him.

Teng Yun opened his mouth, barely had enough strength to whisper weakly, “Marquis Wannian, why do you still think so highly of Emperor Xue when he is so full of himself?”

Because Teng Yun was so weak, his voice was no louder than a whisper. Xue Houyang could not hear Teng Yun clearly so he asked the prison guard to repeat what the prisoner had said. The prison guard was closer to Teng Yun, he clearly heard what Teng Yun had said but pretended he didn’t, fearing that repeating Teng Yun’s words would get his head cut off. 

Seeing this scene only made Teng Yun laugh.

Xue Houyang noticed the prisoner laughing to himself and deduced that if he could still laugh, it meant he would not die any time soon. Xue Houyang turned back to the prison guard, “Call the Imperial physician again to check him properly. If you neglect it, you’ll regret it.”

The prison guard readily promised he would do as ordered. Still bowing and nodding, he sent Marquis Wannian out. After some time, he came back inside the prison and snorted coldly, “What bullshit! What does it matter if you die now or later? Who do you think you are for me to bother keeping you alive!”

Teng Yun closed his eyes again. This wasn’t the first time he was treated this way, he was used to it. When his whole army was defeated and captured, Teng Yun was also treated like this. The only difference was, at that time, he was shot with an arrow. If this time he was to be shot with an arrow again… 

Inside the prison, it was hard to differentiate between day and night. Teng Yun didn’t know how long or how many days had passed when suddenly the prison guard forced a glass of water into Teng Yun, saying Emperor Xue was going to interrogate Teng Yun himself.

————

Teng Yun still had no strength to walk. He was dragged to a room and pushed to the ground.

Xue Junliang stood with his back to him, a few steps away. Teng Yun knew Xue Junliang was aware that he was here, but the man didn’t turn around to look at him, instead saying, “Did the life in prison suit your taste?” 

Teng Yun smiled and said, “I have tasted a life more bitter than this… How can I be afraid of this?”

Xue Junliang said, “You still have a backbone, and dare to talk back to this Seat.”

“Because I know there’s no reason to kill me.”

“Good for you!” Xue Junliang turned and said, “You said there’s no reason to kill you? You think this Seat doesn’t want to skin you alive, doesn’t want to rip off your meat and bones? This Seat cannot wait to cut you to pieces, but maybe that kind of death would be too light for you.” 

Teng Yun wasn’t afraid by the threat at all and said, “You haven’t killed me, isn’t it because you want to hear me say the plan on how to break the enemy forces?”

“What makes you say that?” Xue Junliang stared at the prisoner. Although his body was weak and thin, the prisoner looked right back at Xue Junliang without fear.

“Do you think this Seat would listen to a fool who was so stupid as to burn Yunfeng Palace to the ground?”

Teng Yun laughed, knowing it was useless protesting against the accusation. He said, “Emperor Xue wants to grasp the entire world, but to tell you the truth, considering the current situation, it’s too ambitious for you to want to do that. At this moment, King Feng is watching for any slight disagreement between Xue Country people and would seize the opportunity to launch a large-scale attack. I am very sure you can’t win this battle.” 

Xue Junliang sneered, “Then do you know ways that will ensure this Seat to win? If you have a way, let alone sparing you death penalty, this Seat can grant you wealth and noble titles.”

Teng Yun laughed over the offers.

Xue Junliang said, “You don’t believe it?”

Teng Yun said, “I laughed, not because I don’t believe you. I was laughing at your cold-heartedness. I’ve heard rumors that Emperor Xue deeply mourned the Empress’ death. But it turns out, the Empress’ life was no more important than seizing the whole world.” 

Xue Junliang glared at Teng Yun when he heard his speech. He angrily swept all the things on the table, throwing them all on the ground. The small incense burner slammed on the ground, its lid bounced off and hit Teng Yun on the chest.

Xue Junliang’s fist was shaking but his tone was flat as he said, “You’re so smart. Everybody in this whole world is so smart. I am indeed very cold-hearted and indifferent. It was only a single woman that died, I still have thousands of other women in my Palace…”

For the first time since meeting him, Teng Yun couldn’t look Xue Junliang in the eyes properly. At this moment, Teng Yun looked away as a strange feeling filled his heart. Why did Xue Junliang suddenly get angry? And why didn’t he feel good in his heart? He could not understand, and didn’t dare explore what the feeling was. Just the thought of it, his heart was like a twisted wet cloth which left him uncomfortable.

Teng Yun tried to shift the topic, “I don’t care about wealth and noble titles. If I succeed in solving Emperor Xue’s current problem, I will only ask permission to leave the Palace.” 

Xue Junliang stood straighter, shifting back into his usual demeanor, and said, “Aren’t you so sure of yourself?”

“If I fail, then you will have a new reason to hate me and you can do whatever you want as revenge. Isn’t that right?”

Xue Junliang laughed, as if he liked the idea of having a new reason to hate this prisoner. His laugh, however, sounded quite strange.

“Fine, this Seat will take advantage of your offer and do just as you’ve said. Let’s see how much you’ll suffer before you can die.” 

Teng Yun said, “At present, King Feng is planning to send his soldiers, it’s not impossible he will launch a sneak attack tomorrow. Therefore, this lowly servant requests Your Majesty to assign people to help me.”

“Just say it. Who do you want to help you? Do you want Marquis Wannian? There is no one better than him in this country.”

Teng Yun smiled and said, “This lowly servant doesn’t dare to ask over Marquis Wannian. I heard there were Cheng Tian’s former subordinates under Your Majesty. I request those three people, plus one thousand soldiers.”

“Oh… just one thousand soldiers?” 

“It’s one thousand and three people.”

Xue Junliang stared at him and said, “This Seat still cannot understand. Where does your confidence come from?”

Teng Yun said, “I only ask for one thousand and three people, I didn’t say I’m going to defeat your enemy’s army. Even if I was so arrogant, I wouldn’t dare to lead one thousand and three people to fight with King Feng… I only plan to use these one thousand and three people to conquer Teng Country’s army. A country will have more power when the leader and the people have one same goal and mind. Only then, the country can defeat every enemy.”

“I can lend you those one thousand soldiers, but the three He brothers are only loyal to…” 

Xue Junliang’s voice trailed off for a moment, before he quickly added, “Those three are only loyal to the Empress, and their temperament quite disagreeable. They won’t be so easy to order around, so don’t complain to me later for lending them to you.”

“I have my own way to convince them.”

Xue Junliang ordered someone to call the three He brothers.

The He brothers were all still mourning, as shown by them wearing hemp clothes for filial piety and complete mourning garments. When they saw Teng Yun, they could only see Teng Ying who had set off the fire that killed their Empress and immediately stiffened in rage. They almost grabbed their swords to try killing Teng Yun but luckily the other Palace guards were quick to hold them back. 

Xue Junliang sat on the big chair and said, “The three of you are this Seat‘s most trusted guards. This Seat can still remember clearly the day the Empress spoke highly of you…”

On the day he received the news of the Empress’ death, he hadn’t shown signs of tears. But now as he was talking in front of the He brothers, his eyes turned misty and red-rimmed.

Hearing what Xue Junliang said, the He brothers were reminded of the Empress, and suddenly they started crying.

For a time, silence descended inside the study room as no one spoke. Xue Junliang paused before continuing, “This Seat is without a doubt that the three of you are all still loyal to the Empress. Now, this Teng Ying has boasted that he could conquer Teng Country’s army with only one thousand soldiers. If we kill Teng Ying now, this Seat knows it will calm down your thirst for revenge, but he said he won’t die peacefully.” 

He Zhong was angry, “He still dares wishing to die in peace?”

Xue Junliang said, “This Seat called you here because this Seat wants you to follow him and see what he would do. If he doesn’t finish this task, then he will be at your disposal.”

When the three brothers heard Xue Junliang’s promise, they swallowed down their anger. Wasn’t it good if they were to handle Teng Ying? Other people might be too soft-hearted.

Watching Xue Junliang’s acting from the side, Teng Yun snorted inwardly. How should he treat Xue Junliang? To this day, he still found Xue Junliang’s mind to be unfathomable. One moment, Xue Junliang could appear sad, and the next moment he could appear indifferent. Before today, Teng Yun could have claimed he knew Xue Junliang very well. But now, witnessing Xue Junliang’s cold-heartedness, Teng Yun felt he couldn’t be further from the truth. 

Xue Junliang said a few more words, mostly reminiscing about the past and about the Empress.

The three He brothers were simple-minded, and might not be able to understand the subtle meaning behind Xue Junliang’s speech. But Teng Yun understood very well. These words were meant to impress the He brothers, so that they would be diligent in watching Teng Yun carefully and not give any chance for Teng Yun to escape.

All the while through the speech, the three He brothers cried again and again. Sure enough, this was the difference between a monarch and a subordinate; not only was Xue Junliang’s status superior than the others, his mind was also deeper.

Finally, when everyone left, Xue Junliang sighed. Jiang Yu, who stood by his side the whole time, said, “Your Majesty… do you want to have lunch?” 

Xue Junliang didn’t answer immediately. After thinking for a long time, he said, “I have no appetite. Maybe later.”

Jiang Yu was silent for a moment and said, “Although Your Majesty didn’t say it, this old servant has been following you for many years… this old servant could still see… If Your Majesty is in sorrow, you can pour it out to this old slave…”

Xue Junliang raised an eyebrow and smiled, “How come you think this Seat is in sorrow? This Seat only talks that way for the benefit of the He brothers.”

“Your Majesty…” Jiang Yu bowed his head, “Other people don’t know you, they haven’t been following you for decades like this old servant. If I could not know how you feel, I would not still be standing here today…” 

Xue Junliang didn’t respond, his eyes were staring at nothing. Then he smiled and said, “I have lost an Empress, I have lost a talented companion. I’ve just now learned what it’s like to be in sorrow… I cannot punish Xue Yu, cannot execute Marquis Tengnan. I might be an Emperor, but I’m still nothing compared to Teng Zhengxuan.”

“Your Majesty, don’t say that,” Jiang Yu said, “Teng Zhengxuan sure was a great man, but he might not be as strong as you. His life path had been smooth and straight. If he were to encounter such a big loss like yours, he might not be able to handle it better than you. Your Majesty… even this old servant knows that expanding one’s territory is easy, but protecting it is hard.”

Jiang Yu paused before adding, “Your Majesty’s sincere feelings for the Empress… this old servant also can see it.”

———- 

Teng Yun wasn’t thrown back into the prison, instead, he was quickly granted release and given one thousand plus three soldiers.

Teng Yun was certain Xue Junliang would never let him go. Him allowing Teng Yun to do this task was just delaying the inevitable. When Teng Yun succeeded in forcing the enemy away, Xue Junliang could easily be back hating Teng Yun and eventually executing Teng Yun as a criminal.

But Teng Yun himself could not back down from this. If he didn’t do something, by the time Feng Ming launched an attack, both Feng Ming and Xue Junliang would both suffer a great deal.

Teng Yun had once led soldiers. He had seen many corpses covering the ground. He could not sit still knowing a great number of Feng and Xue soldiers would die. 

Moreover, there was no more King Teng. The King had become a Marquis Tengnan. Teng Yun thought back to a time when his loyalty had been only for his own father and that it had shifted. Now, he was doing what he could to save Xue Junliang’s life…

The soldiers assigned to Teng Yun didn’t want to accept Teng Yun’s authority and refused to obey him. But Teng Yun wasn’t concerned about people respecting or admiring him in this body. Teng Yun knew what sort of person Teng Ying was; he was a boot-licker with no valuable talent. If Teng Yun wanted something, doing hard work was the only way to achieve it.

Also, it wasn’t that Teng Yun wanted these soldiers to go to the battlefield, therefore it didn’t matter if the soldiers didn’t respect him. Instead, Teng Yun gathered everyone and went to Teng Country to repair a temple.

Hearing the order, the soldiers balked. They were all well-trained and most capable soldiers of the Imperial army, how come they have to repair a temple? This task was simply beneath them and humiliating. 

Only because of His Majesty’s decree, these soldiers didn’t have any other option than to obey Teng Yun.

That day, when Xue Junliang heard Teng Ying saying, “You are not Teng Zhengxuan… You weren’t born in his era. You can only bow down to him…” These words were like a slap in his face and secretly, Xue Junliang was stunned that this bodyguard was holding such a clever mind. Solely because of these words, Xue Junliang was reminded of a plan he could use to defend against upcoming enemies.

Hearing that Teng Ying wanted his one thousand soldiers to repair a temple, Xue Junliang was even more certain that this person was not an idiot.

Teng Ying was right, Xue Junliang was not Teng Zhengxuan. If Xue Junliang wanted Teng Country people to submit to him, he had to accede to Teng Zhengxuan. 

Teng Zhengxuan was the most beloved King of Teng, and if Xue Junliang was willing to send people to repair Teng Zhengxuan’s temple, Teng Country people’s hearts would be moved.

King Teng was cruel and ruthless. These things were known to the people of Teng. Over the years, there had been countless uprisings. King Teng had angered many people and his conduct had passed the limit of his people’s patience. If at this time, Xue Junliang showed kindness to them with a benevolent attitude, the people and the soldiers would readily accept Xue Junliang.

That was exactly what Teng Yun wanted; A thousand well-trained Xue Country soldiers to repair a temple, coupled with Xue Junliang’s Imperial edict. They didn’t have to fight a big war and would not disturb and alarm the commoners. This way, maybe then the people would be grateful and interested in joining the army, therefore expanding and strengthening it.

No wonder Teng Yun was so sure of his success. 

Teng Yun didn’t delay for a moment. King Feng might come to attack them any day. Even though Teng Yun’s body was still weak and in pain, he ordered the soldiers to start immediately.

Teng Yun wanted this task to be completed as early as possible so he could hurry to get away from here. Teng Yun had enough of things happening, he was genuinely tired and no longer could tell what was right or wrong.

Xue Junliang wrote an announcement stating that the local officials were required to help repairing the temple. Naturally, the greater the momentum, the more spectacular the event. This way, when Teng Country people saw that Xue Country was repairing the temple of their late King, they would think that Emperor Xue was a monarch who could still be virtuous and calm even in difficulties and hardship.

After writing the announcement and having people send it immediately, Xue Junliang heaved a sigh. He still could not wrap his head around this person, Teng Ying. 

A person who could plan to win a war without even moving a single weapon, was also the person who had burned Yunfeng Palace to the ground. Why?

Xue Junliang really could not understand. Even if this person and the Empress somehow had a grudge against each other, why would he listen to Teng Qianyi’s instructions? Why would he kill someone with a fire he lit himself and leave trails that could lead to him being arrested by Xue Houyang?