The Ugly Empress

Edited by Zaki

When Teng Yun and his party arrived at the fief, they rested for a day. The next day Xue Changjing tried his best to host a banquet for Teng Yun and Teng Shang. 

The three He brothers should have gone to the banquet with them, but He Zhong refused saying, “We rough people are not used to your fakeness and sour jealousy.”

Xue Changjing had just become the Marquis and hence naturally was very accommodating.

The previous night, Teng Yun had already told them how to talk if they wanted to make a request to the Marquis. He Zhong added, “If the Marquis doesn’t mind, could the Generals go to the military camp and watch around?”

Xue Changjing naturally agreed. Anyway, the three He brothers looked big and thick, and they were not very eye-catching. 

So Xue Changjing asked one of his followers to take his small seal and take the three He brothers to the barracks, while he took Teng Yun and his party to the banquet.

The banquet was very grand, but Xue Changjing hadn’t contributed anything to the preparation. It had been already prepared by the other sons of Marquis Zheng An earlier. However, because Xue Changjing was the Eldest son, the legitimate son, he naturally inherited the title of Marquis. At first, he humbly asked Teng Yun to sit in the highest seat which Teng Yun declined. Then Xue Changjing sat in that position.

The share of military power for the other brothers was larger than Xue Changjing. But because their names were not as famous, they couldn’t sit on the main seat. Naturally, they were not happy.

These people have long heard that Teng Yun was the famous Marquis Tengnan and the new Imperial Noble Consort of Emperor Xue. When they thought of Xue Changjing’s homosexuality, they would naturally think about something. Their gazes at Teng Yun were also full of different meanings.

Teng Yun knew what they meant, but he pretended not to see as he smiled and said, “When I was in the capital, I often heard that Marquis Zheng An ruled the army strictly and was diligent and thrifty. Emperor Xue often took Marquis Zheng An as an example and let all officials learn from him.”

Xue Changjing thought Teng Yun was being polite and also spoke a few sentences modestly. But the others who were listening to this comment, their faces turned a bit green. It was very obvious that Teng Yun was mocking at their great pomp and show.

Teng Yun said, “Emperor Xue has always attached great importance to brotherhood. When I set out, the Emperor asked me to bring a message to the brothers, asking the  brothers to live in harmony, so as not to be laughed at.”

Several people quickly nodded. In fact, in their hearts, no one was pleasing to the eye. 

Just when they had two drinks, one of Xue Changjing’s attendants hurried in. Xue Changjing saw his reckless behaviour and shouted, “You’ve bumped into all the Lords. Watch your head!”

The long time retainer knelt down and kowtowed. He seemed very worried. Then he whispered a few words in Xue Changjing’s ears whose face also changed.

He arched his hand and smiled, “I’m really sorry, there is something at home, you guys drink first, I’ll go check it out.”

After he said that, he hurried away with his long-time attendant. 

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The man sneered, “What Princess, to tell you the truth, my brother raises a lot of male favourites at his residence and does what adults naturally know. There are so many lawless people who rely on my brother’s favor all day, which makes the Marquis’ residence a mess… the Princess has now married over, humph, for sure she will suffer indignities.”

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But he knew in his heart that Xue Changjing might be in such a hurry to go back because of these problems.

Even after three rounds of wine had been drunk, Xue Changjing hadn’t returned. Everyone had eaten and drank a lot of wine and were ready to disperse. Teng Yun said, “It’s still early now. It’s better to go to the military camp and see the policies of Marquis Zheng An.”

Teng Yun spoke thus, and the people did not dare to refuse, so they led Teng Yun and Teng Shang to the barracks.

The group of people arrived at the gate of the barracks, and saw only two soldiers guarding the gate. The soldier was a little frightened when he saw Teng Yun and his party. 

Teng Yun smiled and said, “It’s so lively inside.”

The soldier answered back, “Just now an envoy from the Capital came to the camp, and the soldiers wanted to compete with the envoy. They are all inside.”

The group went inside. There were indeed a lot of people on the training ground. There was a tall figure on the middle platform – it was obvious that it was He Zhong. He Zhong dodged the attack of a soldier and threw the man off the stage with a flick of his hand. There were sighs and cheers from the people watching from below..

He Zhong hadn’t had any fighting exercises for a long time. At this time, he was very happy to play with the soldiers. He reached out and wiped his sweat. As soon as he looked up, he saw Teng Yun and Teng Shang under the platform. 

Teng Yun took the lead and walked over, smiling, “It seems that you and the soldiers here have become quite close.”

He Zhong came to the bottom of the military camp. Now that Teng Yun has come, someone would take Teng Yun around to see the whole picture of the camp.

Although there were not many soldiers in the camp, they were well-organized, and their food expenses were sufficient. Teng Yun noted this down silently.

After going back, Teng Shang said, “I’m afraid it’s not easy if you want to take back the military power, but you have to start with the discord between the Marquis Zheng An brothers.” 

Teng Yun nodded and said, “I think so as well.”

While speaking, someone came over. It was a spy sent by Teng Yun. He reported that it was really because of the Princess that the Marquis Zheng An hurried back to the house from the banquet.

Xue Changjing’s residence housed quite a few favourite men. Although they had no reputation, usually they were reckless and their numbers were many. Since the old Marquis was seriously ill, they had become even more lawless. Later, Xue Changjing went to the Capital City to receive his title. They were naturally unhappy when they heard that the Eldest son had married a Princess in the Capital.

When the Princess first arrived at the Marquis Mansion, Xue Changjing was too busy  entertaining the envoys that he forgot to beat a few people to make them treat the Princess carefully. 

Several of these men thought that the Marquis didn’t care about the Princess at all, and Feng country was so far away that there were only two or three maidservants around the Princess. There was no one to rely on. Hence they became presumptuous and inevitably caused problems for the Princess directly or indirectly.

The Princess was spoiled in Feng Country. The Nine Marquis held great power on Military forces and hence no one dared not to give face to the Nine Marquis’ daughter.

Now the Princess was bullied and immediately became angry. She heard about her husband’s previous deeds. How could she bear this insult and hence in anger she secretly ran away with her maid.

Xue Changjing ran back to the mansion just to find the Princess. He couldn’t search for her in an open manner. If Teng Yun knew about it and informed Xue Junliang, then the crime would be too big and the punishment would be great. 

Teng Yun and Teng Shang couldn’t help glancing at each other when they heard the spy’s reply. They didn’t think the situation was very good. Feng Ming must have married the Princess because he must have put people around the Princess so as to find a reason to send troops. After all, sending troops should be justified. But no one expected that the Princess would not tolerate and immediately run away just after marriage.

Teng Yun couldn’t sit still after hearing the news and wanted to go back to the Capital City to report this information, but the military power from Marquis Zheng An needed to be retrieved. Feng was a big country. If there was a war, more troops were definitely needed. If Marquis Zheng An’s troops were not taken back, it would be difficult to do one’s best due to internal strife.

Teng Shang could not help shaking his head when he saw Teng Yun’s restlessness. He sighed thinking that  Xue Junliang really had such great ability. He said, “It doesn’t matter if only I am left to receive the troops. In these two days you’ve already seen that Xue Changjing has no authority or prestige.”

Teng Yun didn’t speak. Teng Shang paused for a moment and continued: “If Emperor Xue sends you to Ming River, you can recommend Teng Xin to be sent as vanguard. Teng Xin has been under house arrest outside the suburbs of the Capital City since he was captured. He is an ambitious man. As long as he is entrusted with an important task, he will work hard.” 

Teng Yun nodded, “I’m entrusting this task to my uncle.”

Teng Shang said, “There is no hurry to go back now immediately. If you leave in a hurry then Xue Changjing would be suspicious. Let someone send you a false report that Emperor Xue is asking for your return urgently. Then it wouldn’t be late for you to go.”

Teng Yun answered in affirmative. In the afternoon, Xue Changjing came over as a courtesy and said he wanted to make amends. In fact, he also was trying to please Teng Yun to avoid Teng Yun’s suspicion. Unfortunately, Teng Yun already knew the information he was trying to hide.

At this time, a guard came over and knelt on the ground and said that there was an emergency in the Capital City, Marquis Tengnan needed to return to the Capital City to deal with it immediately. 

In fact, Xue Changjing was happy to have him leave and didn’t suspect anything. He ordered men and horses for Teng Yun and prepared a pile of gold and silver to please Teng Yun.

Teng Yun naturally accepted it and asked his men to seal the box and send it back as expenses.

The group of people hurried to the Capital. When approaching the Capital, Teng Yun suddenly remembered Teng Shang’s words. If the two countries go to war, Xue country did not lack strategists and capable soldiers, the only thing missing was the General who could act as the vanguard.

The three He brothers were brave and good at fighting, but their temperament was irritable, and not suitable for being the vanguard, but Teng Xin was different. Teng Xin had always been calm and decisive. If King Teng had not pushed him to a dead end, he would have remained as a Crown Prince and served his country all his life. 

Although Teng Yun and Teng Xin were not born by the same mother and their friendship was not too deep, Teng Xin’s personality and ability was well known.

As soon as Teng Yun’s team approached the Capital, Xue Junliang got the news. He didn’t expect Teng Yun to return so soon, but the person who reported said that Marquis Tengnan looked like he was in a hurry and had travelled very lightly.

Xue Junliang immediately guessed seven or eight points. He himself ordered someone to go out of the city to pick up Teng Yun, but soon someone came to report that Marquis Tengnan suddenly changed his direction and travelled 10 miles from the Capital and went Southeast.

——- 

In the Southeast of the suburbs, there was a courtyard that was initially used by the Emperors of Xue for hunting or excursions. However, later, a better courtyard was built and this place was abandoned and gradually turned into a place of confinement afterwards.

There were many high ranking Ministers who could not be killed, they would be imprisoned here. Teng Xin had lived in the courtyard since King Teng paid allegiance to Xue country.

Although there were many guards in the courtyard, people were not allowed to enter. Teng Yun went to the place and entered the gate smoothly.

The courtyard was somewhat lonesome, because there were very few subordinates serving here. Just after noon, the sun was very warm. Teng Yun didn’t need to ask anyone where Teng Xin was. He saw a man sitting on a rattan chair, basking in the sun with his eyes closed in the yard. 

There were no servants in the yard at this time. A small teapot and two cups were placed on the small table, already filled with tea.

Teng Xin said with a smile: “Marquis Tengnan is here. The conditions are a bit shabby, please don’t get offended.”

Teng Yun walked over and sat down opposite him. The rattan chair was hard and the workmanship was very rough. Teng Xin then opened his eyes and pushed the tea cup on the table, gesturing for Teng Yun to drink tea.

Teng Yun picked up the teacup, the tea was obviously cold, and said, “You knew I would come?” 

“I didn’t know.”

Teng Xin said bluntly, “It’s just that I’ve been waiting for the Marquis.”

He paused, stood up, and said, “Although the days here are also very leisurely, doing nothing but eating and sleeping, this is not what I expected.”

“Then what is that you expect?” 

“Lead soldiers, train soldiers…”

Teng Yun nodded and said, “If that is your heart’s desire, I will give a recommendation to the Emperor that you should do it.”

Teng Xin’s indifferent eyes suddenly flashed a glimmer of brilliance and said, “If Teng Xin can go out of this secluded courtyard, he will remember Lord Marquis’ great kindness.”

Before Teng Yun had time to say more, he heard someone laugh and said, “There is no need for a recommendation. It’s decided.” 

A group of people came in from the courtyard’s pendant door, and the person in lead was none other than Xue Junliang.