The Ugly Empress

Edited-Zaki

——- 

There was fog all around.

Xue Junliang received a report from the Official Registrar that Ming River had fallen into the enemy’s hands. Xue Junliang was furious and wanted to behead the commander-in-chief, but no one was available to send at this time.

When the Commander-in-Chief heard that Emperor Xue was intending to behead him, he immediately defected to the enemy side. Some people went to the prefecture that was next to Ming River to ask for help. At this time, the governor of the prefecture said that Emperor Xue was cruel and brutal in nature. They hadn’t wanted to obey him for a long time but then the time was not right. Now the time and place was right, and in such a circumstance, how could they send reinforcements to help?

For the first time in his life, Xue Junliang broke out in a cold sweat. He hadn’t felt so frightened even when he had forcefully taken over the throne. This was a feeling he had never experienced.  It was as some people said – he felt utterly isolated and deserted. 

Xue Junliang felt the powerlessness of defeat, but at that moment the Palace Hall door opened. The Empress came and said she would go to the battlefield in person. He just remembered, in Xue country there was a resourceful Empress, only it’s a pity that the Empress was a woman. How could she go to command in a war?

The Empress laughed and said, “What do you see in me that looks like a woman?

Xue Junliang and the Empress stared at each other. The Empress was not standing far away, and was wearing white Military armor and carrying the Tiger Wing sword. He remembered this person’s appearance that he couldn’t forget all his life. It was Teng Yun……

Xue Junliang looked at Teng Yun’s back as it marched away on the expedition. Soon there was a good report. Xue’s army had beaten back the enemy’s army, but general Teng Yun was in great danger and died on the battlefield. The soldiers also presented the Tiger Wing sword without its scabbard.

He received the Tiger Wing sword and heard a click. The treasured sword broke in half in his hand for no apparent reason.

Xue Junliang was surprised. His inner clothes were already wet with sweat. He sat up fiercely. Only then did he realize that it was all a dream.

Jiang Yu was on guard in the outer room and came in when he heard the commotion, saying, “Your Majesty is frightened, the Dragon Tooth sword hanging on the wall suddenly fell down and the scabbard was smashed.”

Xue Junliang heard the sound before looking over. The Dragon Tooth sword that had been hanging not far away was really lying on the ground, the scabbard had shattered. The treasured sword was faintly emitting a faint chill. 

Jiang Yu wanted to pick up the sword and it’s broken scabbard, but Xue Junliang stopped him. Xue Junliang put on his clothes, got up and got off the bed and picked up the Dragon Tooth sword himself.

Sighing, he said, “This is not a good omen.”

Jiang Yu didn’t say anything.

Emperor Xue waved his hand, and Jiang Yu was very discerning and retreated silently. 

Xue Junliang recalled his dream just now. He had been puzzled since he had seen the memorial sent by Xue Houyang from the Teng border. If he refused to believe that the Empress and Teng Yun were one person, how could the changes of the Empress’s character afterwards, her acquaintance with Teng Shang, and the handwriting be explained?

Xue Junliang put the sword on his knee and sat until dawn.

After the morning court, Xue Junliang wanted to rest for a while. He had not slept last night, and now he felt a little sleepy, but Jiang Yu came over and said, “Your Majesty, the Marquis Wannian is back.”

Xue Junliang asked back, “Marquis Wannian?” 

He wondered why Xue Houyang came back so soon. After all, he had only been to the southern border for a few months. He then asked Jiang Yu to bring him in.

When Xue Houyang came in, he held a lot of things in his hand. He didn’t care about any etiquette and piled them directly on the table.

Xue Junliang told him to sit down and laughed, “Did a fire burn your tail?”

Xue Houyang didn’t respond to the joke and said, “Your Majesty, Chen-di found a… A remarkable thing.” 

“Oh?”

Xue Houyang scratched his head and continued: “Chen-di went to Teng Country and found these things. It’s nothing to make a fuss about. Just before Chen-di set out, Minister Teng saw a document on Chen-di’s desk and looked very surprised. At that time, Chen-di didn’t think much…”

As he was saying this, he was spreading out large and small documents of calligraphy and paintings he had brought, and said, “Only when Chen-di saw these documents, that I couldn’t help thinking more.”

Wef Aeciljcu ibbxfv ja tlw klat j rfglber ojmf jcv rjlv klat j rwlif, “Pa’r gfjiis j ragjcuf rlaejalbc abvjs. Lbesjcu lr jmaejiis defralbclcu sbeg Zlclrafg Kfcu?” 

Wef Lbesjcu’r ojmf aegcfv gfv lc fwyjggjrrwfca jcv rjlv jkxkjgvis, “Rba defralbclcu, pera …… pera atlr lr j wjaafg bo ugfja lwqbgajcmf.”

Wef Aeciljcu qlmxfv eq bcf vbmewfca jcv ibbxfv ja la. Lf ogbkcfv jcv tlr rwlif rbbc ogbhf bc tlr ojmf. Wef Lbesjcu abbx bea jcbatfg vbmewfca ogbw tlr jgwr. Pa kjr atf bcf Kfcu Vtjcu obecv bc Wef Lbesjcu’r vfrx atja vjs.

Xue Junliang took the document, lined it up with other books and texts, stood up again, took the Empress’ calligraphy from the bookcase and put them all side by side.

Xue Houyang’s eyes immediately widened and he said, “This… This… No wonder it always seemed that Teng Ying and the Empress acted in a similar manner. At that time, Chen-di… Chen-di also thought that maybe Teng Ying was afraid that His Majesty would blame him for setting fire on Yunfeng Palace, so he deliberately tried to imitate the Empress.” 

Xue Junliang narrowed his eyes and said,”Did Teng Shang have any reaction?”

Xue Houyang said, “These days Teng Shang has always been inquiring about the war in Ming River.”

Xue Junliang said, “After Teng Yun’s death, the Empress and Teng Shang became very close. Teng Shang saw your documents and began to inquire about Teng Ying’s situation. If you want to find out the truth, you may have to start with your Minister Teng.”

Seeing that Xue Houyang had an embarrassed expression, he then said, “Don’t worry, I won’t embarrass or make things difficult for Teng Shang. Since you have returned to the Capital, I will ask Teng Shang to enter the Palace since it would be a banquet for your return. I will just cautiously ask some questions… After all, it would be about my wife, isn’t it?” 

Xue Houyang also felt that this matter was too strange and did not dare to think too deeply about it again. It would be good to ask for clarification directly, so he nodded his head.

Xue Junliang told Jiang Yu to personally go to the Marquis’s residence to fetch Teng Shang, and if Teng Shang asked what it was about, just to say that Emperor Xue was intending to give a reception banquet for the Marquis Wannian’s return.

The reception banquet was just outside the Yunfeng Palace. Once shown, Teng Shang sat in his seat. Xue Junliang first asked about the recent situation of the two men, and then sighed: “These days this Seat always has been having nightmares, waking up in cold sweat everyday.  This Seat has realized that I am no longer as good as I was back then. When this Seat was young and vigorous, I did a lot of things without sparing any second thoughts, but now thinking back, I feel very regretful. For example…….”

He said that and glanced at Teng Shang, said: “For example, the matter of General Teng Yun.” 

When Teng Shang heard him say this, he couldn’t help glancing at Xue Junliang, and then averted his eyes. He didn’t know whether he had revealed any clues on his expression.

But Xue Junliang continued: “This Seat has heard that General Yun and you have always had a close relationship. I know you must resent this Seat… Unfortunately, this big mistake has been made. Now this Seat is all alone. This Seat feels really regretful when I recollect all these past events. Fortunately, this Seat now has you by my side.”

Teng Shang didn’t speak and didn’t even lift his eyelids. Xue Junliang couldn’t figure out what was going on in his mind.

——– 

Zhao Lu hurriedly brushed aside the maidservant who was blocking him, hurried in and bowed down:  “Your Majesty, Ming River sent someone to send an urgent report. The Xue Army had defeated Zhang Hong three times, but the traitor Yu Chen defected and took refuge in the enemy camp. The army was scattered and the camp was lost. Assistant General Lang Jing and the Official Registrar Zhang Mo, sent an urgent request for reinforcements…..”

He paused and then continued, “Feng Country’s Qi Zijie arrived with his army. The three way army repelled Zhang Hong’s army back. Feng Country offered Zhang Hong and Yu Chen’s heads as a peace offering.”

Teng Shang’s back stiffened as he listened and interjected, “What about Teng …… Teng Ying?”

Zhao Lu was silent for a moment. Everyone felt their hearts thumping in anxiety. They didn’t feel good. They only heard Zhao Lu say: “According to the report from the enemy prisoners, General Teng Ying met the ambush of the traitor Yu Chen head-on and stayed back to block them from pursuing the escaping Xue army. When dealing with the rebels… He died of exhaustion.” 

“Sir?”

Xue Houyang’s heart sank. Suddenly, Teng Shang stood up fiercely, his body shook and nearly fell. Xue Houyang hurried forward to hold him, but Teng Shang’s tears flowed down like an unbroken thread.

Xue Houyang has never seen him cry. He knew that although Teng Shang had been a Civil Minister for many years, his Martial Arts were not weak. Being in the court for years, he had long developed a “heart of stone” – happiness or sadness or anger would never show on his face. But now…….

Xue Junliang took a look at Teng Shang and immediately understood everything — anymore tests were just useless. Now Teng Shang’s reaction has explained everything. The thorn in his flesh that he once pierced with an arrow through his heart, the only woman who had moved his heart, and Marquis Tengnan, who had been appreciated deeply by him, were all the same person ……… 

Xue Junliang held onto the stone table and couldn’t speak for a long time. He had seen Teng Yun’s demeanor on the battlefield when they were still enemies at that time. During those times, Xue Junliang had thought that he was indeed an Iron General. No wonder someone said Teng Yun was the Bloody Asura on the battlefield. The words “Died due to exhaustion” hovered and circled in his mind. Xue Junliang could not imagine what these words represented. His mind was full of Teng Yun covered in blood.

Jiang Yu felt that Emperor Xue was not in the right state of mind and whispered, “Your Majesty? Your Majesty, take care of the Royal body.”

Xue Junliang raised his hand to indicate that he didn’t need help. Then he stretched out his hand and covered his eyes as if to restrain something. After half a second, he slowly asked, “Where’s the body?”

“It hasn’t been found yet,” Zhao Lu replied. 

“Hasn’t been found?”

Xue Junliang seemed to be suddenly furious. With his hand he smashed the wine pot that was on the stone table on the ground, and said, “Find it! If you can’t find it soon, then bury Zhang Hong’s 200,000 soldiers alive in place of this Seat’s General!”

This move of Emperor Xue not only surprised Zhao Lu, but even Xue Houyang and Teng Shang seemed to be stunned for a moment. Perhaps they thought Xue Junliang’s move was just a play. After all, though the General was dead, the news from Ming River was actually a  good report.  Zhang Hong was beheaded, the 200,000 troops left alive were turned into captives, even Feng Country had taken the opportunity to seek peace.

Even Xue Junliang didn’t know what he was angry or sad about. A wave of frustration hit his heart like a flood. He had just learned that the person he admired and valued was the one to whom he had wanted to give his heart, but all this was immediately extinguished. It seemed like a blow to the head, it hurt so much that Xue Junliang almost collapsed for a split second…….. 

——

Some Ministers suggested that the prisoner should be killed immediately, or else there would be endless trouble. This man could stop Yu Chen’s elite soldiers by himself. He could not be underestimated. Even if he woke up and surrendered, it would be disastrous.

Feng Ming couldn’t pay attention for a moment. After all, this man’s strategy and bravery on the battlefield was clearly seen by the people across Ming River. If Feng Ming wanted to conquer the world, he must have this kind of talent by his side.

Lu Shichen, who had been locked up in Marquis Tengnan’s residence when he was in Xue Country, knew that this person was loyal and honest. At that time, he didn’t harm himself. And now Marquis Tengnan was a captive here and Lu Shichen couldn’t bear to bite the hand that had fed him. 

Feng Ming ordered Lu Shichen to bring the captive back to the house and save his life first.

The Royal Physician came over several times and told Minister Lu that Teng Yun was okay, but he was suffering from heart disease and should not be overworked. Although there were many injuries on Teng Yun’s body, they were not too deep. There were no injuries to the bones and would be able to recuperate well. Lu Shichen finally could put down his worries and then sent several attentive servants to take care of Teng Yun.

Teng Yun did not know how long he slept. His dreams were dark and the enemy tide was never ending. Teng Yun was tired and wanted to wake up quickly. He knew he was dreaming but he couldn’t wake up from this nightmare.

Just when he could no longer use his strength, a cold arrow was suddenly shot and pierced his heart. Teng Yun didn’t feel pain, but his heart suddenly surged with a feeling of sadness. A man in a black Python robe emerged from the mass of darkness, holding a dragon scale longbow in his hand, smiled and said to him, “General Yun, it’s been a long time.” 

When Teng Yun woke up, he saw several figures in front of him, seemingly busy. Several maidservants were talking about some wound that had opened and how they had requested the physician to come over.

Lu Shichen came with the physician, who re-dressed the wound. During this period, Teng Yun kept his eyes open and looked at the top of the bed without saying a word or looking at anyone.

After the physician left, Lu Shichen came over to see the situation. However, when Teng Yun’s eyes were red, he immediately panicked and said, “This, this…… This General Teng, does your wound hurt a lot? Shall I call the Royal Physician to prescribe some medication for the pain?”

Teng Yun heard him say this and was surprised to find that his sideburns were wet. Did he cry unconsciously just now? 

Teng Yun chuckled and said, “Court Minister Lu… I didn’t expect us to meet again. It seems the situation has reversed now.”

Seeing that he could still laugh, Lu Shichen seemed to realize there were no serious issues and said, “You should take care of your body first.”

After a pause, he added, “Zhang Hong and Yu Chen are dead.”

Teng Yun smiled again, nodded, and didn’t speak again. 

Lu Shichen couldn’t bear to persuade him to surrender now, so he withdrew and let him rest.

Feng Ming sent an envoy to Xue Country carrying the heads of Zhang Hong and Yu Chen, but Emperor Xue was in rage. In order to live, Yu Chen’s men confessed that someone had provoked Yu Chen that Emperor Xue had wanted to kill Yu Chen and this is why Yu Chen was afraid to come back to the Xue Capital and defected to Zhang Hong. The person who provoked Yu Chen was actually someone from Feng Country. So Xue Junliang did not accept Feng Ming’s peace offering but wanted to implicate Feng Country as well.

Feng Ming was furious when he received the news. Some court officials said that it would be better to kill Marquis Tengnan, and then formally start a war with Xue country. Others said that Marquis Tengnan could not be killed. Emperor Xue was already furious because he thought Marquis Tengnan was dead, and threatened to bury Zhang Hong’s 200,000 troops alive. If Feng country really killed Marquis Tengnan, it would be a fight to the death.

Marquis Tengnan could not be killed and could not be kept. Lu Shichen said, “The king might as well use Marquis Tengnan as a bargaining chip for peace talks with Xue country.” 

Qi Zijie also agreed with Lu Shichen’s suggestion and said, “Marquis Tengnan cannot stay in Feng country. Although Teng Ying is a rare talent, if Emperor Xue finds out, he would certainly blame the King, leading to unnecessary trouble. If the King just returns Marquis Tengnan to Xue country early and offers to make peace, then Emperor Xue would put down his guard.”

Feng Ming listened and froze for a moment, seeming to be thinking about something. He just smiled and nodded, “This is a good idea, since Emperor Xue values the Marquis Tengnan so much, I think he will not disagree.”

Xue Junliang was unwell for a day and didn’t attend the morning court the next day. When he went to the court again, some ministers who didn’t properly judge his mood immediately reported the good news about Ming River. They were immediately dismissed by Xue Junliang. Only then did they realize that Marquis Tengnan had died in the battle. It was no wonder Emperor Xue was unhappy.

Xue Junliang again sent people to the Peach Blossom Pond to look for the body, but the body still could not be found. Only the Tiger Wing Sword was brought back. The Tiger Wing and the Dragon Tooth Swords now hung side by side in Emperor Xue’s bedchambers. Xue Junliang would sometimes dream of Teng Yun and then wake up with clothes drenched in sweat. He would then walk to the two swords and keep looking at them for a long time. It was not known what he was thinking. 

Jiang Yu did not know the actual reason and could only be anxious in vain.

Feng Country kept sending envoys one after another, all of them came to offer peace. By this time Xue Junliang had already become impatient and said that if one more envoy of Feng country dared to set foot on the Xue country, then their hands and feet would be surely cut off.

This day another ambassador came, Xue Junliang sneered and ordered someone to capture him and cut off his hands and feet. The envoy said that if Emperor Xue cut him, he would surely blame himself.

Xue Junliang asked someone to bring the envoy up. The envoy was frightened into a cold sweat and shakily presented the report to Emperor Xue. 

Xue Junliang was not overtly interested. He just glanced at it, but then abruptly stood up and violently knocked over the penholder beside the desk.

The audience did not know why Emperor Xue had lost his temper, but they saw Xue Junliang walk over and stare at the envoy before asking in a cold voice: “Is it true that the Marquis Tengnan is still alive?”

The envoy said, “It is true. This Foreign Minister would not dare to deceive Emperor Xue!”

Xue Junliang couldn’t suppress the feeling of happiness in his heart. He once thought that if the body couldn’t be found then there was still a glimmer of hope, but this hope was too slim. There were many soldiers who died on the battlefield and their bodies couldn’t be found and they would never come back. 

Xue Junliang did not dare to have any extravagant hopes, but he did not expect that such an unimaginable hope would really fall from the sky one day, which made him – Emperor Xue – who had always been calm and poised, dizzy with happiness. It was almost like climbing to the throne for the first time. If so many people were not present, he would really laugh out loud in happiness.

After having rejoiced in his heart, Xue Junliang settled down and looked again at the document delivered. He suddenly sneered and handed the document to Zhao Lu. Zhao Lu was puzzled as to why the document was given to him to read when Marquis Wannian was present in the court.

But when he read it, he finally understood. The document stated clearly that King Feng had saved a Military General when he had sent his troops in aid and the person saved was actually Teng Ying who was the Xue army’s Commander-in-Chief. Now they would like to offer peace by sending Teng Ying back but on the condition that the traitor Zhao Lu is sent back to Feng country in exchange.

Zhao Lu could not help but smile bitterly for a moment, and then said, “But it’s …… Your Majesty’s decision.” 

The envoy soon returned to Feng country and said that Emperor Xue did not agree to this exchange. If Feng country had offered peace in good faith then they would return Marquis Tengnan. Zhao Lu was a person from Xue country and his unique skills could not be handed over to Feng country.

Feng Ming just smiled and said to Teng Yun, “You see, you are nothing more than that in Xue Junliang’s eyes. He had said he wouldn’t hesitate to bury the 200,000 soldiers alive for you. But now it’s only Zhao Lu but he didn’t agree to the exchange.”

Teng Yun didn’t speak immediately. He was silent for a while before he slowly opened his mouth. He seemed a little weak and said with a smile: “if I were Emperor Xue, I wouldn’t exchange either.”

Feng Ming said with a smile, “I heard that Emperor Xue wants to accept you as his Imperial Concubine, and it seems that you have a good relationship. He is cold hearted to this point. You don’t blame him, do you?” 

Teng Yun said, “Not so …… King Feng might as well think about it, if it were you, would you be willing to use the important Minister of the court, to exchange for General Zhao Lu?”

Feng Ming was stunned and sneered, “Is Zhao Lu such an important person that would warrant me to exchange an important Minister of the court?”

Teng Yun only said lightly, “Zhao Lu is an important minister under Emperor Xue. If you exchange Ministers for Ministers, wouldn’t you lose the hearts of the people… There’s nothing wrong with Emperor Xue refusing this exchange.”