The Ugly Empress

Xue Junliang nodded, his hand touched his neck and coughed slightly as he said, “Jiang Yu, go and serve tea to Marquis Zhenjiang first. Teng Ying and this Seat will go and change our clothes.”

Jiang Yu did not notice the marks on Emperor Xue’s neck until he saw his hand movement. He felt even more aggrieved and complained in his heart. The little Marquis dared to compete with this lowly servant in serving Emperor Xue and he was given this really hard chore of entertaining the other temperamental Xue instead. 

Xue Junliang naturally knew that Jiang Yu could deal with Xue Yu, so he happily took Teng Yun to the inner hall. He had to take advantage of this chance to attend and to dally with Teng Yun. Although Teng Yun was almost invincible on the battlefield, in this kind of situation, there was nothing he could do about it, as his body kept betraying him.

Xue Junliang finally finished changing Teng Yun’s clothes; very contentedly. Xue Yu had been waiting outside of the study hall for more than an hour. He had drunk three cups of tea and already wanted to vomit as he looked at the cup of tea that Jiang Yu refilled for the fourth time.

Xue Junliang also finished changing his own clothes and smiled at Teng Yun, “Let’s go and meet Xue Yu.”

Teng Yun hesitated for a moment, “I’m afraid it’s inappropriate. This lowly subject still…” 

Xue Junliang interrupted him, “This Seat asked Xue Yu to come into the Palace for personal matters, so it is alright if you are there with me.”

When the two arrived at the warm pavilion of the study hall, Xue Junliang asked a servant to call on Xue Yu to come inside. Jiang Yu was finally relieved to see someone coming, as he was really beginning to be afraid that Xue Yu would lose his temper and smash the cup.

Xue Yu knew in his heart that Xue Junliang was purposefully making him wait, wanting to affirm his own hold of power. He followed the Palace servant to the warm pavilion with a black face.

When Xue Junliang saw Xue Yu coming in, he smiled gently and said, “You’re here. Jiang Yu, get a seat for the guest.”

After saying this, he turned to Teng Yun, “Come and sit here.” He patted the open space next to him.

Teng Yun lowered his head, “This lowly subject dares not.”

Xue Junliang suddenly smiled, “Oh, you dare not? Didn’t you bite me on the spring pool just now? You could dare at that time?”

Teng Yun’s face burst into flames, his head subconsciously raised and stared at Xue Junliang. 

Xue Junliang was pierced by Teng Yun’s gaze and his heart bloomed beautifully as he returned the look with a smile.

On the side, Xue Yu who was listening to their flirting, felt his anger rising up. Unfortunately he could not show it, he could just sit and endure. After a while, during which the two were still staring intently at each other; one was throwing a killing look, while the other was accepting with a smile, he coughed and indicated that he was still there; finally breaking off the heated atmosphere.

Xue Junliang suddenly looked at Xue Yu, with a stunned expression as if he was surprised there was another person in the room with them, and said, “Marquis Zhenjiang has been waiting for a long time. This Seat just forgot about it.”

“This is what Chen-di should do.” 

“Oh…”

Xue Junliang showed an expression of thinking deeply and then said with a smile, “By the way, there must be something important for Marquis Zhenjiang to come to the Palace?”

Xue Yu took a deep breath, unable to swallow his anger or spit it out, he really wanted to spit out fire, but still respectfully said: “Your Majesty manages everything every day. You must have forgotten that it was Your Majesty who asked Chen-di to hand-in his name plaque into the Palace.

“Really?” Xue Junliang asked Jiang Yu. 

Jiang Yu had to compensate and said with a smile, “Your Majesty… Yes.”

Xue Junliang rubbed his temples with his fingers, as if he was thinking again, “It seems that this Seat really asked you to enter the Palace… Ah, this Seat remembered now, I really have forgotten… This Seat just wanted to listen to what you honestly wanted to say; your innermost thoughts and feelings.”

“My innermost thoughts and feelings?”

Xue Yu was surprised and said with a smile, “Chen-di is really stupid. I really don’t understand what Your Majesty means.” 

Xue Junliang smiled and said, “I still remember. When we were kids, you seemed much smaller than this Seat, weren’t you?”

Xue Yu nodded, “Indeed, Chen-di was the smallest. Naturally, he is much smaller than His Majesty.”

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Xue Yu heard Xue Junliang saying something about good sesame seeds and rotten millet. He was really getting confused now and didn’t know what tricks and traps Xue Junliang was planning for him. His mind was still trying to figure out what Xue Junliang really wanted, so he just smiled and nodded with an unknown attitude. 

“This Seat has attached great importance to Lang Jing, and really values his talents, but Lang Jing has always been loyal to you, and this Seat can’t force him, right? I once told Lang Jing a joke and asked him: If it had been this Seat and not you that saved him that time, would he have been loyal to me? Guess what Lang Jing said? He said that everything is variable, because Xue Yu attaches great importance to love and righteousness, so he could move Lang Jing–a man with a heart of stone– but this Seat can’t move him. This Seat can use people without doubt, but is also very determined not to trust them… Lang Jing’s words were very pertinent, indeed.”

Xue Yu didn’t say anything. He didn’t know what to say.

Xue Junliang continued: “I have said so much, I just want to tell everyone that although many people don’t like this Seat, and thought I’m exceptionally cruel, and even if they had rebelled, as long as they had survived, this Seat won’t hold it against them. Although as a monarch, I might not trust anyone, this Seat can be sure of employing people… This is what this Seat says in his heart, what about you?”

As he said this, he glanced at Teng Yun and smiled, “I almost forgot that there is such a person I want to give trust to. Of course, this Seat also wants to receive the same trust.” 

Teng Yun didn’t dare to turn his head to look at Xue Junliang, but he could feel Xue Junliang’s eyes staring at him intently. His hand suddenly became hot and was gently held by Xue Junliang.

Teng Yun quickly looked up to glance at Xue Yu.

Xue Yu’s head was lowered and seemed to be thinking deeply about something. Obviously, he wasn’t paying any attention to Xue Junliang’s small movements.

Xue Yu was silent for a while. 

Xue Junliang said with a smile, “Why? Is this Seat’s words very thought-provoking? If Marquis Zhenjiang has thought about it for a while now, it’s your turn to say something to this Seat.”

Xue Yu paused and said, “Since Your Majesty had spoken things from his heart, Chen-di should also do so, but please let the Palace servants retreat for a while, Chen-di is afraid that if Chen-di says something unpleasant, outsiders would hear about it and make Chen-di a laughing stock.”

Xue Junliang waved his hand, and Jiang Yu led the Palace servants out of the hall. Teng Yun stood up from his seat and was about to leave as well, but Xue Junliang caught his hand, held his hand tight and said with a smile, “Where is Teng Ying going? Do you still think you are an outsider?”

Teng Yun’s hand was gripped by him and it seemed that his fingers were burning. Xue Junliang was always serious when listening to him, but why did he always smile when he looked at him? Teng Yun could not understand what he was feeling, making him extremely uncomfortable. 

He had to sit down again.

Xue Yu started to speak, “As Your Majesty said, Chen-di was indulged by the former Emperor and his brothers ever since he was born. It can be said that there have been no unpleasant things that have happened to him in 20 years. Only, Chen-di refused to obey Your Majesty and set out and made great achievements and accumulated power. Chen-di felt that he was no worse than Your Majesty, but because he was too young and lacked experience, Your Majesty could become an Emperor and Chen-di just remained a General all his life. Chen-di refused to accept this.”

He spoke in a calm tone and didn’t look at Xue Junliang. It’s as if he was not saying these things to Xue Junliang. Teng Yun glanced at Xue Junliang’s face and it was as if his heart was dangling on a string.

Xue Yu continued: “Chen-di has never been convinced. When Lang Jing became Chen-di’s advisor, he often advised me that the time was not ripe. Chen-di always wondered, when would the time be right, when could I be certain? Now I understand Lang Jing’s words. Maybe he meant that the time would never be right for Chen-di. Chen-di has always been proud and has high self-esteem, but I don’t want to be a frog at the bottom of the well. Although Chen-di admires Your Majesty’s wisdom and methods, I still do not accept it… Does Your Majesty know why? Because of Your Majesty’s unfeelingness. Chen-di is also an heir of the Emperor. Chen-di would rather die than give his dignity to Your Majesty and let Your Majesty abuse and trample at will. Perhaps Your Majesty feels that not killing a traitor is a kindness, and the whole world would remember your kindness, but for Chen-di, there is only more resentment. Your Majesty will never know for the rest of his life the despair of being locked in a room with not a single window.” 

Xue Junliang also did not get angry at all, his tone was very calm as he said, “So …… now that we are talking about it. What are your grievances and resentments? You can bring it up and of course, if it is in the power of this Seat, then this Seat will grant you. They all say that an Emperor is above all people, but there are also things that cannot be given, such as the throne, such as military power…”

Xue Yu said, “I dare not expect this. I only hope that Your Majesty can remove the spies and give Chen-di his dignity.”

Xue Junliang nodded and said with a smile, “Is that it?”

“That’s it.” 

Xue Junliang said, “It seems that you don’t want much… Come back to Morning Court tomorrow.”

Xue Yu was stunned for a moment, and then his face finally changed somewhat. He seemed excited and forbearing as he said, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Xue Junliang said, “Don’t thank me. It is Lang Jing who should be thanked, even this Seat is moved by his loyalty to you. I hope you and Lang Jing can be loyal to the Xue Country together. Your talents are obvious to all. ”

Xue Yu thanked him and retired soon. 

Only then did Xue Junliang brazenly hold Teng Yun’s hand and said with a smile, “How about it?”

Teng Yun said, “Your Majesty means to persuade Marquis Zhenjiang with only the words you have spoken just now?”

Xue Junliang let out a laugh, holding Teng Yun’s hand up and placing it on his lips for a quick and fleeting kiss, laughing, “Exactly.”

“Your Majesty is so sure that Marquis Zhenjiang is not just pretending to surrender?” 

“Positive.”

Xue Junliang paused and said, “Xue Yu does not yet have such a mind. If he was intelligent enough to pretend to surrender then that day during his rebellion, he would have already taken over the throne and became the Emperor. Xue Yu is impulsive and easily moved, and this is why he was able to convince a sycophant like Lang Jing and that’s also the reason I was able to take advantage of it.”

Teng Yun was silent for a moment, then said, “Your Majesty has said too much today.”

Xue Junliang laughed: “What are you afraid of? Now it’s just you and me, and there are no outsiders …… Does Teng Ying treat me as an outsider? Isn’t that too heartbreaking.” 

Teng Yun looked at his sad expression and couldn’t help shivering. The Emperor who has always been high and mighty; such an expression was really not suitable.

Xue Junliang suddenly remembered something. He said: “Tomorrow I will marry off Xue Changjing, and the military power he inherited will be received. I’ve been thinking for a long time about who to give these powers to and it seems that no one is appropriate. Today, after I have spoken to Xue Yu, I feel I have to give him something to sweeten the deal. I’ll give him some of the military power that has been retrieved but I am not assured fully. So I want Teng Ying and Xue Yu to take charge of Marquis Zheng An’s Military powers together. What do you think, Teng Ying?”

Teng Yun said, “Although it’s easy to take over Marquis Zheng An’s military power, I’m afraid it’s not easy to get the soldiers to obey.”

“That’s the reason I am sending Teng Ying, isn’t it?” 

Teng Yun froze for a moment and then said, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness.”

“I’ve witnessed your talents…”

Speaking till here, he paused for a moment as if he was reminiscing. Xue Junliang was indeed reminiscing. He thought of things a long time ago, seeing Teng Yun’s demeanor on the battlefield. He couldn’t help but smile and said, “I will be most assured to leave this matter with you, especially I believe you can also handle Xue Yu.”

“Yes… this lowly subject will live up to your trust.” 

Xue Junliang smiled, “You don’t have to be so formal with me, perhaps you can’t drop your guard now, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time ……”

After all, in this world, no one else could let Teng Yun really show his ambition and style like Xue Junliang, and no one could trust and reuse Teng Yun so much.

“Don’t think that Marquis Zheng An’s army is a small number. They are all elite soldiers who have been strictly trained. Although it is difficult to make such soldiers obedient, once they are obedient, they will swear their allegiance until death…”

Xue Junliang said, “By the way, I will allocate the three He brothers to you to help you train elite soldiers. After all, they were once great soldiers who have been on the battlefield and have some experience.” 

Teng Yun said: “I’m afraid… I’m afraid the Prince won’t let people go. Aren’t the three He brothers serving in the Prince’s Palace?”

Xue Junliang smiled and said, “Xue Pei likes to bully the weak and is afraid of tough people. If you treat him well, he will obey.”

“The Crown Prince is actually intelligent and clever, just has a child’s heart. When he grows older he will naturally behave better.”

After Teng Yun said this, he saw Xue Junliang smiling even more and looking at himself with a special meaning, saying, “So soon, you are already standing up for him? Teng Ying, you’re so kind to the Crown Prince, that I feel somewhat very jealous. What should I do?” 

“Your Majesty…”

Teng Yun stood up with a ‘whoosh’ and stepped aside.

Xue Junliang didn’t tease him any more. When one knows to stop when the going is good only then they would get good results.

The next day, Xue Junliang needed to officiate the wedding for the Eldest Prince of Marquis Zheng An. The princess of Feng Country had already been received into the Palace. Although Xue Changjing didn’t want to marry, he couldn’t violate the Emperor’s decree, and Xue Changjing knew that sooner or later he would need to marry a woman. 

Because Teng Yun was the Noble Imperial Consort, there was no higher status than him in the Imperial Harem. In addition, Xue Junliang was very attentive to him, so he would naturally be attending the banquet.

Teng Yun looked at the scene and suddenly thought of the scene when Teng Qianyi came to the Palace for the marriage alliance. No matter who was wisest, in the end, the two countries owed too much to Xue Junliang and Feng Ming.

Xue Junliang wore clothes that were more cumbersome than usual. The bride had arrived at the Palace and waited quietly, leaving Xue Changjing outside for the toasting.

Xue Junliang saw that Xue Changjing was so drunk that he couldn’t even stand still. He said with a smile: “Changjing, you are younger than this Seat. This Seat has always treated you as his own brother. Now that you have become a family, this Seat’s heart is finally put at rest. When you return, you will inherit my uncle’s title.” 

Xue Changjing’s purpose in coming to Capital City was to inherit the hereditary title. Hearing this, he was so happy that he seemed to have lost his sense of direction. He finally became a Marquis from being the Eldest prince.

Xue Junliang had an expression of worry as he said, “Alas… Although Marquis Zheng An was away at the frontier, he has always been close to this Seat. Now that he is gone, this Seat feels very uncomfortable and feels that he should do something for him. Changjing’s marriage is barely counted as doing something. This Seat has another idea……”

He said with a smile, “The second thing this Seat could do for the Marquis Zheng An is to …… take good care of his children, I heard that the Marquis Zheng An has many children. Changjing, how many brothers do you have?”

Xue Changjing didn’t understand what Xue Junliang meant. He said foolishly, “Replying to Your Majesty, four younger brothers.” 

“Oh… Well,” Xue Junliang nodded, “Since Changjing will be inheriting my uncle’s title, this Seat should also take care of others… Well, how about this… This seat will divide the soldiers of Marquis Zheng An into five and give them to you five brothers? What do you think?”

Xue Changjing didn’t pay attention, and his mind was dizzy after drinking too much wine. At first, he giggled, but immediately his face became wrong, and he waited for Xue Junliang with his eyes wide open in disbelief, saying, “Your Majesty … this, this …”

“What? Does Changjing think something is wrong?”

Xue Junliang said with a smile that was not really a smile: “Our Xue country puts benevolence, righteousness and filial piety as the first priority. Brothers should take good care of each other. Our ancestors also made a law that no one in my family can kill each other. We, the younger generation, should follow our ancestors’ teachings, and share some things with our younger brothers. Is that not right? 

Teng Yun saw Xue Junliang’s wily old fox look as he bluffed to Xue Changjing. He couldn’t help laughing and adding fuel to the flame and said, “I think the new Marquis is very happy.”

Xue Junliang nodded and said, “Today is a great day. What military power is too fierce. Changjing, don’t drink too much, Changjing, don’t drink too much. It is a rare night. Go and accompany the princess. Your bride is the Princess of Feng Country. Don’ t neglect her.”

When Xue Changjing heard these words, his head was in a cold sweat. Not only was his military power distributed, but he was now told that if he dared to neglect the Princess, he would be held accountable if Feng Country comes for war!

They didn’t drink much wine, and Xue Junliang let Xue Changjing into the bridal chamber. There were people singing festive songs outside the bridal chamber, and there were maids waiting on the Marquis and the Princess to drink the nuptial wine. 

Xue Junliang had already sent someone to draw up the Imperial edict. Just when he told Xue Changjing about the division of the military power, he immediately sent the Imperial edict to the frontier. Before Xue Changjing was even back to the frontier, he had already divided the military power. To be honest, Xue Changjing was only a Marquis in name without any actual power.

Xue Junliang ordered someone to send out the Imperial edict overnight. This matter was settled for the time being. He drank some wine and enjoyed the night breeze comfortably in the garden. Seeing the pavilion not far away, he suddenly thought back about that banquet. He remembered Teng Yun sleeping in this place and he himself had acted like a drunk and taken advantage of Teng Yun.

At that time, Xue Junliang didn’t know that originally, this Teng Ying was Teng Yun, who had a great relationship with himself. At that time, he only wanted to get rid of this talented eyesore, and didn’t think too much. Now, when he thought about it, he suddenly felt that he was both smart and also very confused.

Teng Yun went back to Yunfeng Palace when Xue Junliang was sending someone to deliver the Imperial edict. However, because he felt a bit hot after drinking wine, he went to the garden to cool down. Rui Xue followed him and said with a smile: “Master, isn’t that His Majesty? No wonder His Majesty treats you so carefully. I dare say that the Master and His Majesty have a linked heart.” 

Teng Yun wanted to reprimand her for talking nonsense, but when he looked up, he saw Xue Junliang standing in the small pavilion, staring at the pavilion’s fence, seemingly thinking about something.

Teng Yun did not know why, but the scene of that night suddenly popped up in his head, himself pressed by Xue Junliang on the stone floor of the small pavilion ……

The wine seemed to make his hot blood even more hot and steaming, which made Teng Yun dizzy. Rui Xue said, “Master, are you not going over?”

Teng Yun shook his head. “Maybe Emperor Xue is thinking about something. Don’t disturb him.” 

He said and turned to go. This place always reminds him of too many embarrassing things.

But unexpectedly, Xue Junliang really seemed to be connected to him by heart and turned to look this way. He saw Teng Yun had turned to leave. He said with a smile: “Teng Ying hasn’t gone back to rest?”