CH 20

On the day Teng Shang, Minister of Teng country, married Xue Houyang, the messenger sent by Xue Junliang also arrived at the Teng Country bearing the news of Teng Shang’s betrothal. But it was simply an “act first ask permission later” kind of situation. 

At first, King Teng thought Xue Junliang’s messenger came to bring Teng Yun’s ashes, because he knew Teng Shang might have been already executed and would not be able to return back. But even in his wildest dreams, King Teng would never have expected that Xue Country’s messenger had come to offer congratulations on the happy nuptials.

It wasn’t only King Teng; all the court officials present were shocked too. If Teng Shang was marrying a Xue Country’s Princess, then it would be understandable. But currently, in Xue Country there are no princesses nor grand princesses that their minister Shang could have married.

Teng Shang was actually the one to be the wife?

The messenger offered congratulations on Teng Shang’s betrothal, but in fact, it was more like a warning. Teng Wang didn’t dare to kill the messenger in his fit of rage. After all, Teng was a country in name only. 

Moreover, Teng Wang had a daughter clutched in Xue Junliang’s hands; officially she was now an Imperial concubine, but King Teng knew she was just a hostage.

——-

Xue Houyang drowned himself in alcohol. He had drunk a lot of wine and was hesitating to go back to his room. Some of the court officials thought Xue Houyang didn’t want to see his new wife, which was understandable given the new wife was a man. But some of them actually thought Xue Houyang was lucky. This marriage was made to happen as a proof of Xue Houyang’s authority.

Based on these two reasons, waves of people approached Xue Houyang, and kept offering  him toasts.

In the end, Xue Houyang was coaxed back to his room.

When they opened the door, they saw Teng Shang sitting on a chair next to the bed, wearing a groom’s wedding attire. They had thought Teng Shang would wear a bridal veil, but by the way Teng Shang looked, people who didn’t know the actual story would think Teng Shang was the groom instead; a very handsome groom at that.

Everyone laughed and teased merrily but no one dared staying there too long. This part of a wedding was the awkward part. People had no idea how the wedding night would proceed from here, but they thought better to not get involved. Eventually, they all went out and closed the door behind them.

Xue Houyang staggered his way to the bed, then stood with a hand leaning on it. Touching one of the dates scattered on the bed, he sobered a little. He turned his head, his eyes searching for Teng Shang’s figure. 

As soon as he laid his gaze on Teng Shang, he took it back as if it burnt him, holding the edge of the bed to stabilize his swaying feet.

Xue Houyang coughed to clear his throat, then said, “It’s already late. Minister Shang, you should rest. I… I’ll sleep in the guest room tonight.”

He turned to go but before he opened the door, he was stopped by Teng Shang who said , “I know Marquis has good intentions but he is too naive and doesn’t consider the implication of his actions and what the others would think.  They’ll think it’s inappropriate.”

Xue Houyang paused. The wine he had drunk was still coursing strongly in his body and his reactions were sluggish. Nodding his head, he said, “You’re right… I didn’t think about that. Then I’ll sleep on the floor.” 

Xue Houyang’s naive expression made Teng Shang laugh suddenly. He said , “Lord Marquis, you seem to be quite drunk, how will you sleep on the floor with just one quilt? It’ll be troublesome if you catch a cold.”

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Feeling his head started to spin, Xue Houyang finally slipped into the bed beside Teng Shang. 

The candles were still lit, casting flickering light across the room. The atmosphere felt surreal to Xue Houyang.

“Minister Shang… Minister Shang, do you, perhaps, blame me for this situation?” Xue Houyang himself didn’t know where he got the courage to finally ask the question that had been troubling his mind for all this time.

Teng Shang inwardly sighed. How could he blame Xue Houyang? After all, he was the one trying to save Teng Shang. The one with impure motives, the one who took advantage of Xue Houyang, was Teng Shang himself.

Teng Shang smiled, “No… This Teng is very grateful to Marquis. But, Lord Marquis, you are so drunk. Aren’t you afraid that I, a person with a different surname, would kill you while you’re vulnerable?” 

“I… Honestly, I didn’t even think about that.”

“Thank you, Marquis, for your trust in me. This Teng really… Really does not feel deserving of your trust.”

Just as he finished saying, Teng Shang heard the person next to him breathing evenly; seemed to be fast asleep.

Teng Shang sighed again. Xue Houyang wasn’t someone who would easily lower his guard around strangers. On the battlefield, he always had to stay alert and ready for life-threatening battles at any time. But he should know, there was always an enemy smarter than him, so he could never ignore the possibility of danger being close to him at all times. 

But now, it could only be said that for Xue Houyang, Teng Shang was very special. And that Teng Shang had grasped that fact and skillfully used it to his own benefit.

In other people’s point of view, Teng Shang was the one who suffered a great loss and most humiliating insult. But, just as Xue Junliang had said, it was impossible to judge who would suffer heavier loss.

Facing such unguarded Xue Houyang, Teng Shang should indeed strike him to death. After all, Teng Shang and Teng Yun were similar; both were the Great Generals of Teng. At this time, Teng Yun was dead. Xue Houyang was alive. If Teng Shang wanted Teng country’s position to strengthen, then, Xue Houyang must definitely die.

——- 

Xue Junliang’s residence was still brightly lit and the man himself was still reviewing reports.

Jiang Yu said, “Your Majesty… forgive this old servant for talking too much, but don’t you think  it would be appropriate to send some Imperial guards to protect Marquis Wannian?”

Xue Junliang smiled and said, “Why guards? Do you fear Teng Shang will assassinate Marquis Wannian?”

Xue Junliang didn’t even look remotely worried or anxious, Jiang Yu couldn’t help saying, “It seems like this old servant was overly worried.” 

Xue Junliang said, “Indeed. The reason why Teng Shang is still respected by people is because he can fake his benevolence. False benevolence is still benevolence. Otherwise, based on Teng Shang’s capabilities, the current position of Teng King would have long changed hands.”

After he finished, Xue Junliang suddenly thought of something. He put down his writing brush and asked, “How is the Empress today?”

“Replying to Your Majesty. Her Majesty seemed to be unwell today. The Imperial Hospital had sent someone to examine her.”

“En… Anything else?” 

“And…” Jiang Yu tried to recall and think and finally said, “Also, I heard from the palace maids serving at Yunfeng Palace that Her Majesty seems unhappy these days, her mood is low and the dishes made by the kitchen failed to evoke her appetite.”

“Do you know why?”

“This… This old servant doesn’t know. This old servant doesn’t dare presume to speculate Her Majesty’s mind.”

“Oh…” Xue Junliang responded; without revealing what he was thinking. 

After a few moments, Jiang Yu realized Emperor Xue was no longer reviewing the reports. So he said, “Your Majesty, would you like someone to accompany you tonight?”

Xue Junliang thought for a moment before saying, “Let Defei come over.”

“Yes.”

——— 

Teng Yun stood by the window. It was very dark outside but he could still see the small pond behind the hall, under the moonlight. The trees were all withered and bare. In summer, the inner garden inside the Imperial Harem was very vast and magnificent but very solemn. In the winter, it only looked mournful.

Teng Yun was just simply thinking about Teng Shang. After all, today was Teng Shang’s wedding day. With Xue Junliang himself acting as the wedding officiant, three kowtows and nine salutations were indispensable. So Teng Yun wasn’t in a good mood.

Teng Shang had dedicated more-than-thirty years of his life doing many things for Teng Country; his sincere heart had been worn down. He might have become a liar and a hypocrite, but still he’d worked hard for Teng. The country was where he placed all his lifetime wishes on.

Teng Yun didn’t know how he survived, when he remembered those days of his captivity. He was locked in a prison cell; watching as his subordinates were beaten, tortured and bled to their deaths. At that time, all Teng Yun felt was despair. Who would have thought that he’d be alive today; that he’d have to be living like this. 

After Marquis Wannian’s wedding, Xue Houyang would escort Teng Yun to visit Feng Country. This was an excellent opportunity to escape. But Teng Shang would not go with them, so what could Teng Yun do to help Teng Shang?

Teng Yun was still thinking about the matter when Xiu Yao opened the door to report, “Empress, His Majesty has called Defei to accompany him tonight.”

“En.”

Xiu Yao wilted, “Empress, don’t just say ‘en’. It must be that you look pale these days, His Majesty hadn’t felt happy when looking at you. Tomorrow, I’m going to dress you well and make you look pretty.” 

She hesitated for a second before adding, “Maybe once His Majesty is pleased, maybe you won’t have to go to Feng Country.”

Teng Yun stepped away from the window, sat down and said, “Be mindful of your speech. If people hear you, you’ll get into trouble.”

Xiu Yao nodded, “Oh! This servant knows she is wrong.”

When she saw her Mistress was looking very calm and collected, Xiu Yao got even more worried. Other wives and consorts were desperately inquiring about His Majesty’s preferences and who was sleeping with His Majesty, or even occasionally visiting each other to share gossip and talk about their feelings. But her mistress did nothing of the above. When His Majesty came to visit, she wasn’t even happy. Forget even trying to win over other people’s hearts, all the Empress asked was news about Teng Shang. 

If Xiu Yao hadn’t been following the Empress for a long time, she’d have thought the Empress was in love with Teng Shang. After all, Teng Shang was talented and famous, it was inevitable he’d attract many admirers.

——–

Xue Junliang did call Defei to come, but he didn’t intend to let her serve him in bed. When Defei entered Xue Wang’s residence, before she had stepped into the inner room, she was stopped by Jiang Yu saying His Majesty hadn’t finished reviewing the reports and had asked Her Ladyship to wait outside.

Defei waited all night before Jiang Yu informed her that His Majesty was very busy working on official duties. Since it had not been easy for Her Ladyship, His Majesty had rewarded Defei with some gifts and invited her to stay the night and she was allowed to leave early the next morning. 

Defei was called to serve His Majesty, so she had spent a long time dressing herself. But when she came she didn’t even get to see His Majesty. Anger and indignation burned in her heart but she had to force a happy smile and kneel to express her gratitude.

The next day, when she went back to her residence, Defei could no longer stay still. She didn’t know where to vent her anger. The Empress used to be her outlet; after all, though Defei didn’t have the Phoenix Seal, she had been the most favored consort. But now, it was different. Now, the Empress was favored. The Empress also had her hands on the Phoenix Seal. Defei didn’t dare touch the Empress lest she invited calamity upon herself.

Every day, Defei was on edge, worrying that the Empress would retaliate for what Defei had done to her previously. It was another reason why Defei should not provoke the Empress.

However, she could not hold her anger back so she set her target on the new consort, Teng Qianyi. 

Teng Qianyi used to be a pampered princess. She is now newly married and didn’t know the rules around the Imperial Harem. She didn’t come and pay respect to other consorts’ residence and only sent her closest maidservant to greet the Empress. The other consorts obviously didn’t like Teng Qianyi.

——-

The day after Xue Houyang and Teng Shang’s wedding, they had to enter the Imperial Palace to have tea with the Emperor. Xue Junliang had to attend the morning court so he sent Jiang Yu to invite the Empress.

Teng Shang entered the Palace together with Xue Houyang, but could not follow into the court hall. He could only wait at the side hall until Emperor Xue was free to have tea. 

After waiting for a long time, a palace servant came to invite Teng Shang in. At this time, Teng Yun had also just arrived from the Imperial Harem and met Teng Shang right at the entrance.