The Ugly Empress

Teng Yun received a notice  from Marquis Wannian’s residence informing the intention to visit the sick. He  thought it was Xue Houyang who wanted to go through the motions. After all, Teng Yun’s identity was also a high Marquis. Although his position was not as high as Marquis Wannian, he was also a Court Minister. Many Ministers had already come to visit the residence these days.

However, Teng Yun didn’t expect that it was not Xue Houyang, but Teng Shang alone who came to visit. 

Xue Houyang came with Teng Shang, but he didn’t enter the residence. He stopped at the door and just passed the gifts to Teng Shang and didn’t go in.

Teng Yun was recuperating well these days and his spirit was much better. The most important thing was that he already could feel sensations in his right hand. It was due to the fact that Emperor Xue had asked the Imperial Physician to come every day to check on him and also sent Jiang Yu to bring some supplements to add to his meals. Teng Yun was allowed to take a five-day rest from Court work.

Teng Shang could see that he was looking much better than the last time he had seen him in Ming River that day, so his heart was put at ease.

Teng Yun didn’t know that the other party already knew his true identity. He politely let Teng Shang into the hall and ordered the maidservants to serve him good tea. 

Teng Shang asked the head maidservant to give Teng Yun his gift.

Teng Yun politely received it, thanked Teng Shang and put it aside.

Teng Shang smiled and said, “Don’t you want to open it?”

It was a bit rude to open a gift in front of the guest, but since the other party had asked for him to, Teng Yun opened the brocade box, which was actually the Four Treasures of a Scholar.

When Teng Shang first taught Teng Yun to read, the first gift he gave him was also the Four Treasures of a Scholar.

Suddenly, Teng Yun was stunned.

There was a piece of paper under the inkstone. When he read what was written on it, Teng Yun suddenly stood up. He looked up in shock and stared at Teng Shang.

Eight words were written on the paper, penetrating through the back of the paper and into the wood– Fly to the misty sky and shift, soar to the clouds, rise like a Phoenix. 

Teng Shang was still smiling and said, “Lord Marquis, what do you think about the words written by this Teng? Does it catch your discerning eye?”

Teng Yun held the paper in shock and stared at him for a long time without even blinking his eyes.

Teng Shang sighed and continued to say, “Are you getting better?”

Teng Yun paused again, then nodded and said, “I don’t know… I don’t know how Sir saw through it.” 

Teng Shang’s face changed, smiled and said, “I saw your handwriting on a draft in Marquis Wannian’s study, and I knew it at that time… I’m afraid this matter is not only known to me, even Marquis Wannian, who has always been careless, also realized this. I’m not sure about Emperor Xue, but he has tested me several times.”

Teng Yun lowered his eyes. No wonder Xue Junliang was so attentive these days, but Teng Yun didn’t expect Xue Junliang to know the relationship between the Empress and him, which made him even more sure that Emperor Xue knew he was Teng Yun and found a way to scheme against himself.

Teng Yun said, “I have caused you so much trouble.”

Teng Shang said, “No, seriously, I’m very happy. I never dared to think that one day we could sit down and talk once again.” 

Teng Yun was afraid of Xue Junliang’s eyes and ears in the residence, so he sent the maidservants to retire early and then continued: “I got you into trouble. If it wasn’t… You wouldn’t have to come to Xue Country, let alone…”

Teng Shang listened to Teng Yun’s halting words– and understood that he was talking about when he was to pick up Teng Yun’s ashes and escort Teng Qianyi to marry the Emperor. Then he was left to marry Xue Houyang.

“There is one thing I don’t intend to hide from you, so I want to tell you.”

Teng Shang didn’t wait for his reply and continued, “No matter what you think of me in the future… You don’t have to blame yourself. In fact, I actually haven’t done anything for you. Now, in Marquis Wannian’s residence, in my heart, I am willing to stay.” 

Teng Yun looked at Teng Shang with his widened eyes, as if he had heard him wrong.

Teng Shang continued: “At first, I really wanted to use Xue Houyang to enter the Marquis Wannian’s residence, but later… this Teng couldn’t help feeling that the Marquis is a kind-hearted man. I admired him, but now, I’m afraid that this level of admiration has changed and even I can’t stop it myself.”

Teng Yun understood this, but was even more shocked, because in his heart, he had never considered what feelings these two men could have. At the beginning, when Teng Shang married Xue Houyang as a male wife, Teng Yun only regarded it as humiliation.

“You…” 

Teng Yun’s heart was in a mess. He didn’t know what to say. It would be totally impossible to say that he disliked Teng Shang because of this matter. After all, Teng Shang was his close relative, but he didn’t know how to react for a while.

Teng Shang again said with a smile, “I have been loyal for half my life, but my country is gone. Maybe you will look down on me from now on, but I have made up my mind.”

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Xue Junliang walked in, in plain clothes, followed by only two attendants. Jiang Yu was not even with him.

Teng Yun’s heart panicked. He suddenly turned back and quickly covered the brocade box. This small gesture naturally had not escaped Xue Junliang’s attention. 

Xue Junliang walked forward on his own and the two knelt down to say their respect.

Xue Junliang smiled and helped Teng Yun up and asked Teng Shang to rise, “No need to be formal. How is Teng Ying’s body?”

Teng Yun retracted his hand without any trace and took a step back. He thought of what Teng Shang said just now. Xue Junliang probably already knew that he was Teng Yun, so he became more alert and said, “Answering back to Your Majesty, I am much better.”

Xue Junliang looked at the distance between the two, raised his eyebrows, then sat on the top chair and said with a smile: “Well… Teng Ying’s body has gotten much better after leaving the Palace. It seems that he was restless and doesn’t feel comfortable in the Palace.” 

“This lowly subject doesn’t dare to take liberty.”

Xue Junliang just said, “Sit down.”

Then he glanced at Teng Shang standing on one side and said with a smile: “Teng Shang is also here… When this Seat entered the residence, he saw Houyang wandering outside the residence. It turned out that it was you who came to visit the sick.”

Teng Shang was a little stunned. When he came in, Xue Houyang said that he would send someone to pick him up. He didn’t expect that the other party would not leave and had been wandering outside. Teng Shang didn’t know how he felt. Xue Houyang was kind-hearted, and was so considerate of Teng Shang. He was afraid that if they went in together, Teng Shang and Teng Yun couldn’t talk easily. 

Xue Junliang said after a while, “Teng Shang, sit down too. Don’t stand.”

Xue Junliang seemed to be the master of Marquis Tengnan’s residence. He smiled and asked about Teng Yun’s situation, what kind of food he liked, if he liked the dishes and supplements that he had sent and what the imperial doctor had ordered.

Although Teng Yun answered fluently, his heart was hanging in the air in anxiety. He didn’t know if he had said anything wrong, lest Emperor Xue would suddenly find fault.

Teng Shang saw the interaction between them. He had already opened up about his own feelings with Xue Houyang. Naturally, he was more sensitive to this kind of thing. Emperor Xue’s words and deeds made him a little suspicious, but it was obvious that Teng Yun hadn’t noticed anything. 

Teng Shang didn’t intend to tell Teng Yun anything. After all, he couldn’t know whether Xue Junliang’s mind was on a whim or if he just wanted to tease at all. It looks good now.

Xue Junliang’s concern was beaten back by Teng Yun. Xue Junliang should have been annoyed, but now he only felt powerless. It turned out that his sincerity and false intentions were almost the same in the other person’s eyes…..

When Xue Junliang came in, he had actually seen the brocade box on the tea table. Teng Yun deliberately closed the brocade box, which attracted Xue Junliang’s attention even more. After a few decent words, he finally set his eyes on it and said with a smile: “What is this?”

As he spoke, he opened the brocade box and put the paper with words on it on the top. Teng Yun’s heart gave a “thump”, but thought maybe he couldn’t find it. After all, it’s just two lines of a poem. 

Xue Junliang picked it up, smiled and read, “Fly to the misty sky and shift, soar to the clouds, and rise like a Phoenix.“

Then he took a look at Teng Shang. The other party looked very calm, no sign of any nervousness.

“This was written by Mr. Teng? Houyang has always praised your talent and learning with this Seat, and your calligraphy is also very good.”

After he finished speaking, he paused, then pointed to two of the words and said, “Yun Feng. Isn’t this the name of Yunfeng Palace?” 

Teng Yun thought he was being sarcastic when he mentioned Yunfeng Palace, so he didn’t say anything.

Xue Junliang knew that he had to proceed step by step and didn’t stay any longer. He just said, “Come to the Morning Court after you’re fully recovered. I have not seen Teng Ying in the past few days, I am really worried about him. There are still many important things waiting to be discussed with you .”

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness.”

Teng Yun knelt down to thank him, but was stopped by Xue Junliang and said, “Don’t kneel. This Seat will go back to the Palace now. You can continue to talk and reminisce about the past.” 

He didn’t know whether Xue Junliang intentionally did it or not, but when he said the word “reminisce”, he paused a little; which made Teng Yun suddenly feel uneasy. But on second thought, Teng Shang and Teng Ying could also be said to be old friends. There was nothing wrong with talking and reminiscing about the past.

Teng Shang knew that Xue Houyang was waiting for him outside, so he also stood up, told Teng Yun to rest, and left.

Two days later, Teng Yun was fully rested, so he went to attend the Morning Court.

Now that Feng Country requested for peace, Zhang Hong’s troops were completely defeated again. There were no big matters to be dealt with, so the Ministers began to worry about Emperor Xue’s harem once again. 

Since the death of the Empress, the Phoenix Seal of the Imperial Harem should have fallen into the hands of the Imperial Noble Consort. However, Emperor Xue did not have an Imperial Noble Consort. The only Imperial Noble Consort was still a man. Moreover, he went to join the military to command the army without completing the noble consort ceremony. There were only two Imperial Concubines with special identities.

Teng Qianyi had already entered the Cold Palace a long time ago, and De-fei was implicated because of her brother. Although she cried out day and night that she didn’t know anything about her brother’s treachery and hoped that Emperor Xue would spare her this time, it was a pity that Xue Junliang was furious at that time and didn’t show her any mercy. She was demoted from her position as an imperial concubine and was moved out of her Palace.

So now it seemed that there was no one in charge of the Phoenix Seal and the Harem had no Mistress. Although Emperor Xue didn’t intend to have more children, he couldn’t just leave the Harem in the current state.

Xue Junliang said, “This Seat misses the Empress and is unable to steel my heart to establish another Empress.” 

The Court Ministers didn’t know whether what Emperor Xue said was true or not, but when the Empress was alive, she was indeed loved by thousands of people, and was pampered and favored by Emperor Xue, so it was hard for everyone to say anything.

Xue Junliang was silent for a while and said, “However, this Seat really needs someone to take charge of the Phoenix Seal.”

Teng Yun, who was standing below, couldn’t help but sneer when he heard his words. One moment he still missed his wife, but the next moment he was being hypocritical and saying he needed someone for the position.

Teng Yun was suddenly taken aback when he was thinking about this. What did taking another Noble Consort or an Empress have to do with him? Why should he felt it was unfair? Maybe it was because he used to be the Empress… 

At this thought, Teng Yun’s face suddenly turned red. He really didn’t know what messy thoughts he was thinking about.

Then Xue Junliang said at this time, “Actually, this Seat has an Imperial Noble Consort. Have everyone forgotten Ai-qing?”

Teng Yun was still caught up in his own thoughts, when he noticed that everyone was looking at him. When he looked up, Xue Junliang was also staring at himself.

Xue Junliang then said, “Last time when I received him as a Noble Consort, before this Seat could complete the ceremony, Teng Ying had to leave to take the lead in the battle. Now he has returned in victory. Let’s have a banquet another day.” 

Teng Yun raised his head to look at Xue Junliang, but didn’t say anything in the end.

Although the Ministers had some objections; because of Teng Yun’s presence, no one stood up to speak. After the Morning Court broke up, some of the Ministers asked to see Xue Junliang. Mostly saying that the Phoenix Seal could not be given to a man.

Xue Junliang received several memorials one after another, all of which advised him not to give the Phoenix Seal to a man. Looking at the memorials, Xue Junliang sighed. He really didn’t mean to make it difficult for Teng Yun. If he really accepted Teng Yun, then he would undoubtedly be in charge of the Phoenix Seal. This is tantamount to pushing Teng Yun to the top of the wave and becoming the target of public criticism.

Xue Junliang considered it for a long time, and felt that if Teng Yun was placed in the Harem, he would be too talented. If he annexed Feng Country in the future, he would definitely send Teng Yun to battle. 

As he thought of Teng Yun going to the battlefield, he felt very upset. He got up and decided to take a walk outside. With no consciousness of where his feet were taking him, he walked to the gate of Yunfeng Palace and looked up at the plaque and couldn’t help laughing. ‘Soaring in the clouds, rising like a Phoenix’, was talking about Teng Yun.

He went in, and there was a map in the teahouse next to the main hall. Jiang Yu knew that Xue Junliang missed the Empress, so he ordered the workmen to rebuild it. After the reconstruction, the layout was restored to its original state. There was no difference, even the books on the bookshelf.

Xue Junliang sighed as he looked at the map, and Jiang Yu whispered, “Your Majesty, do you miss the Empress again?”

Even if he acquiesced, Xue Junliang didn’t say anything, then he suddenly said, “Jiang Yu, what could you say to this Seat to make others feel that this Seat really wants to be good to him?” 

After hearing this, Jiang Yu became excited and his heart immediately turned around. It was the first time he heard that King Xue was worried about this kind of problem.

Jiang Yu smiled and said, “This question… This old slave is stupid, but Your Majesty, you can ask Marquis Wannian to enter the Palace. As far as this old slave knows, the relationship between Marquis Wannian and Mr. Teng has not always been very strong, but now they seem to be very good.”

Xue Junliang coughed and said coldly, “Does this Seat mean this kind of feeling? What are you thinking all day? This Seat is thinking about national affairs.”

Jiang Yu thought he was really currying favor by saying the right thing, so he knelt down and kowtowed and said, “This old slave is damned, This old slave knows it’s wrongdoing…” 

Xue Junliang coughed again and said, “Since you know you are wrong, you will call Marquis Wannian into the palace.”

He added, “I have military plans to discuss with him.”

Jiang Yu realized that he had not curried favor, but instead had touched a sore point, so he didn’t dare to say more and went on to send a messenger to Marquis Wannian’s residence.

Xue Houyang didn’t know why Emperor Xue was looking for him. The messenger said, “Listening to Steward Jiang, it’s about military plans, Lord Marquis!” 

Xue Houyang thought it was probably about King Feng doing something tricky. After all, everyone knew that the two countries, Xue and Feng, were just on a temporary truce.

Wearing his official court clothes, he rushed to the Palace.

He saw Xue Junliang sitting leisurely in the garden drinking tea.

Xue Junliang said, “Jiang Yu, speak for this Seat.” 

Jiang Yu thought, what am I going to talk about? I don't know anything!

Seeing that he hadn’t moved for a long time, Xue Junliang put the tea bowl on the table and said, “Say it.”

Jiang Yu was very anxious for a while, so he said casually, “What can I do to make others feel that I really want to be good to him?”

Xue Houyang clearly heard what he said, but he didn’t understand what he meant. He could only say, “What?” 

Xue Junliang waved his hand and asked Jiang Yu to retreat. He seemed to dislike his stupidity and said slowly: “I came to ask you… How are you getting along with Teng Shang now? The Nine Marquises of Feng Country have sent portraits of their daughters and are just waiting for you to choose a daughter so that you can get married soon.”

When Xue Houyang entered the Palace, he never thought about this matter, it turned out that this was the problem. He immediately knelt down and said, “Your Majesty, Chen-di will not marry again.”

“Oh… You say that every time. You’ve made up your mind and won’t change it?”

“No more changes.” 

Xue Junliang spoke windingly and other topics before reaching the main point and said, “What about Teng Shang? Is he thinking the same as you?”

“If it had been before, I wasn’t sure, but now I’m sure.”

Xue Junliang took a sip of tea and said, “Oh… How did you make Teng Shang change his mind? I have to admire you.”

Xue Houyang not only giggled when he heard this sentence, but also said, “Chen-di… Chen-di didn’t do anything.” 

This sentence immediately made Xue Junliang want to throw away the tea bowl. He had spoken so winded and in circles for such a long time and as a result, he got back this sentence as a response, but Xue Houyang didn’t seem to be false.

———

Teng Yun was heading back to his residence after the Morning Court, when his carriage suddenly stopped. He lifted the curtain and saw Xue Yu riding a horse, standing not far in front with a smile and said, “I wonder if Marquis Tengnan has time, how about going for a drink?”

“Isn’t Lang Jing there? If Lang Jing had followed, he wouldn’t think it’s a good thing for the Marquis to invite me to drink.” 

When Xue Yu heard of the word “Lang Jing”, his face became a little ugly and said, “Won’t the Marquis accept my invitation?”

“I accept, naturally, I appreciate it of course.”

Teng Yun said while looking aside and said, “Here is okay bah.”

With that, Teng Yun got off the carriage, Xue Yu also got off his horse and they entered the restaurant side by side. Teng Yun left the servants outside and didn’t let anyone follow. 

Xue Yu just asked Teng Yun about his health when they were seated down. After drinking two cups of wine, he smiled and said, “Today, I could see what the Emperor brother means and he wants to make you an Imperial Noble Consort. I should congratulate you, shouldn’t I?”

Teng Yun knew that there was nothing good for him to find himself. He said, “The Emperor’s mind is not something we can guess as courtiers. If we do our part well, it’s enough not to exceed the moment, isn’t it?”

Xue Yu sneered, “Lord Marquis’s eloquence is better than mine, I really sigh at being inferior.”

“You are too modest.” 

Xue Yu filled the wine again and said, “Actually, I’m not looking for Lord Marquis just to have a drink with him today.”

Teng Yun said: “Otherwise, I wouldn’t choose to be in this kind of compartment with you today. If you have something to say, please say it directly.”

Xue Yu listened to him cheerfully. Just when he was about to speak, he heard two soft sounds of “click”, and the door of the compartment was pushed open.

Xue Yu had specifically ordered not to be disturbed, so when someone suddenly came in, he was ready to be angry and lash out, but it was Lang Jing who came. 

Lang Jing walked over and said, “My Lord.”

Xue Yu sneered, “Lord Lang, how busy is the Military Office today? It is rare for you to be able to get out of the Palace?”

Lang Jing didn’t care about Xue Yu’s strange appearance of Yin and Yang. His face was still calm, as he said: “Emperor Xue heard that the Lord invited Marquis Tengnan for a drink here and ordered Lang Jing to come and invite Marquis Tengnan back to the Palace.