CH 52

Xue Houyang felt his head was about to explode because of this little ancestor, Xue Pei. He really didn’t know how to explain it. In particular, the little prince was so young. There were three thousand beauties in the Imperial Harem. How could the Emperor only favor one person and especially when the other person was already dead.

Xue Houyang’s mind finally brightened up with an idea and he hurriedly said: “This question …… the Crown Prince might as well ask High Mentor Shen, High Mentor is very knowledgeable, and naturally …… he can naturally dispel the Crown Prince’s doubts.”

Xue Pei listened to his Imperial Uncle stumbling over his words, but did not question much, he really ran away to ask his High Mentor …… 

Teng Yun returned to the table and complained that he was not feeling very good. He said that he had no capacity to hold his alcohol and retired first. Of course, people did not see Emperor Xue and no one stopped him.

Teng Yun went out of the Palace. The servants of the Marquis’ residence had prepared a carriage outside the Imperial Palace and were waiting for their master to return from the banquet. Sitting in the carriage, Teng Yun breathed out a sigh of relief. Surprisingly, there was an illusion of escape.

Just as he got off the carriage, a servant girl ran over, panicked: “Master, you should go quickly and see Mr. Lu, the guards at the gate have been knocked out!”

Teng Yun was surprised, could it be that Lu Shichen had escaped? He was a weak scholar, how could he have injured his guards and escaped? Could it be that someone from Feng Country had come to help him escape?

At such thoughts, he quickened his steps. He couldn’t care about the sticky feeling on his body. Sure enough, the bodyguards in the small yard were all unconscious. No one had dared to enter the house rashly, and the door was still closed.

Teng Yun walked over and pushed open the door of the room with one hand. He heard the sound of someone breathing heavily. It seemed that Lu Shichen was still there and hadn’t run away. He went around the screen and immediately froze.

The table in the room had collapsed, the floor was scattered with food and broken plates, Lu Shichen was standing against a corner with his clothes dishevelled, and there was another man on the bed.

The man was naked, and the lower part of his body was obviously quite unrestrained. His face was extremely red as it was bloodshot, but his hands were tied back, so he could not break free. He was panting in confusion and rubbing against the bed. 

And this woeful man was none other than Zhao Tong ……

Teng Yun was also thin-skinned. He immediately turned his face away and stopped looking, he just said, “Minister Lu, what’s going on?!”

Lu Shichen’s throat rolled for a long time before he said in a trembling voice: “I… I… how do I know what’s going on…?”

Teng Yun saw that Zhao Tong was a bit disoriented and noticed the dagger that had fallen to one side. He could approximately guess the entire situation. This kind of dirty tricks also does not look like Lu Shichen’s work 

Teng Yun called someone to send Zhao Tong back. Lu Shichen was relieved. He quickly wiped the sweat on his forehead with his sleeves and almost sat down on the ground.

Zhao Tong, of course, was tied by Lu Shichen. If it were not for the fact that  Zhao Tong was totally disoriented and had lost his mind, Lu Shichen wouldn’t be so capable ……

The servants came in and were dumbfounded, but rushed to carry Zhao Tuan away. After serving in Marquis’ residence for so long, they naturally knew what to see and what not to see.

The maidservants picked up the smashed things on the ground and rearranged the table. Food was scattered on the floor, and she couldn’t see how much food had been eaten. This was Lu Shichen’s only comfort. 

Teng Yun also thinking that Lu Shichen wasn’t able to eat, so he asked the cook to make another set of dishes and put them on the table. Lu Shichen seemed to be reborn after the disaster. He devoured the food; of course, only after Teng Yun left. He would never eat like that in front of Xue people, he would rather starve to death.

Teng Yun didn’t have much strength to take care of what Zhao Tong did at this time and asked someone to send him back. He also specially mentioned that  Zhao Lu should not know about this incident about Zhao Tong.  Zhao Tong was a relatively simple man and it looked like he was caught up in momentary anger due to his inebriated state. If Zhao Lu knew, Zhao Tong would be dealt with according to the military law. Although Zhao Tong deserved to be punished and should learn from his mistakes, he still couldn’t bear to watch Zhao Tong beheaded. After all, he was also a great general.

He ordered someone to fetch water, and Teng Yun washed away the dirt on his body. The hot water relieved his fatigue and slowly relaxed. Just as soon as he relaxed, his mind involuntarily started thinking about things that were unspeakable and difficult to talk about……..

Although Teng Yun was thin-skinned, when he thought about what happened with Xue Junliang after calming down, it seemed as if there was something wrong. 

There was no need to mention but Xue Junliang had always been a good drinker, he could hold his alcohol well. And he really had not drunk too much this time. Even if Emperor Xue was drunk, he would never lose his sense so much that he would recklessly do such things in a pavilion that was open on all sides.

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Also, Xue Junliang hadn’t really entered him just then. He had just called the Empress’ name and asked him to put his legs together so that he could relieve himself. At that time, Xue Junliang even cared about Teng Yun’s feelings and helped him find release. When one really thought about it, how could Xue Junliang call a woman’s name to relieve a man? 

Teng Yun thought this much and suddenly felt that even the warm water could not help with the chills he felt just now. His body trembled. All the evidence pointed that Xue Junliang was not drunk at all.

Even though Xue Junliang was smart and insightful enough to grab the opportunities, it was impossible for him to not know who he was. So there was only one possibility for using such an approach with him.

Xue Junliang deliberately let the Palace staff see for themselves the debauchery between Marquis Tengnan and the Emperor. No one would dare slander the Emperor. After all, everyone knew that Emperor Xue loved the late Empress very much. So everyone would redirect their focus on Teng Yun and make him a laughing stock and spread slanderous rumours about him.

Teng Yun slapped the water hard, and the water splashed on his face, but he only felt bitterly cold. It turned out that Xue Junliang couldn’t find a way to move himself, and had begun to use other tactics to spoil his reputation. 

Teng Yun covered his eyes and sneered, the Emperor’s mind was really deep, not someone like him could guess.

The next day after morning court, Xue Junliang deliberately retained Teng Yun. Teng Yun didn’t know what Xue Junliang had in mind. He could only tell himself that the Emperor was unfathomable and he could be caught in a trap if he wasn’t careful.

Xue Junliang prepared the chariot but he didn’t say where he was going. He said with a smile, “I’m going to take Teng Ying to a place. The journey is not short. Why don’t you also sit up?”

Teng Yun stood to the side with his head lowered. It was a great honor to be able to ride with the Emperor. Teng Yun didn’t think he deserved such a special honor. 

“Thank you, Your Majesty, it’s just that since ancient times, there have been differences between rulers and ministers. This servant does not dare break the rules lest it provokes unnecessary gossip.”

Seeing that he did not take the bait, Xue Junliang did not force himself and said with a smile, “You are really cautious.”

After saying that, he asked Jiang Yu to order the departure. Teng Yun just followed the Imperial carriage. They had not even gone a few steps when they ran into the Crown Prince. The young Prince saw Teng Yun and then looked at Xue Junliang. His face was a little red. He soon raised his face and glared at Teng Yun fiercely.

Then took out a handful of small stones from his arms, and threw them at Teng Yun, and immediately turned around and ran away, and soon disappeared. 

Everyone was stunned. Teng Yun was hit by the stones, which was not painful, but it was puzzling. Teng Yun could say that he understood the little Prince Xue Pei very well. After all, Xue Pei was really very close to himself, when he was the Empress. The little Prince was very mature, behaved moderately with proper manners. Only when he got angry would he lose his temper in such a way.

Xue Junliang said “Making trouble!” and then said, “How did the High Mentor teach the Crown Prince? Jiang Yu, go and tell Shen Yi that the Crown Prince is not allowed to leave school without copying books a hundred times today.”

“Yes…”

Jiang Yu answered and went to find Shen Yi. 

Xue Junliang then asked people to depart. They went out of the Palace; it was to visit none other than Marquis Zhenjiang.

The Maquis’ residence was surrounded by heavy troops. The guards were wearing long halberds and armor. No one dared to approach the residence. Everyone knew that this was due to revolting against the Emperor

Everyone crowded into the residence. The residence was in a sorry state of affairs as there was no one to take care of it. The flowers were dead and the weeds had taken over the garden, so much that there was no place to keep the feet down. The lanterns in the long corridors had a layer of ash on them and cobwebs could be seen in the corners.

Teng Yun understood everything at the first sight of the mansion. Teng Yun and Xue Yu were at the same level. Xue Junliang had brought him here to beat around the mountain to scare the tiger and let him see the result of rebelling and disloyalty. 

In fact Marquis Tengnan could not be considered the same as Xue Yu. After all, his last name was not Xue. Due to the ancestral edict that stated that the Imperial family could not kill each other, else they would be removed from the family tree, was the only reason Xue Yu was still alive even after committing such a grave crime. If Teng Yun makes a grave mistake, he would be for sure, killed immediately.

The Marquis built another row of small houses in the side yard. These houses had no windows, three sides were sealed, only one door was open, and the door was still bolted with a chain.

Xue Junliang ordered someone to open the lock. A bodyguard pushed the door open. At this time, the light shone in and the room was much brighter.

There was a man lying on the bed in the corner, it was none other than Xue Yu. 

Xue Yu had wasted away so much that he was only skin and bones. His hair was unkempt. He lay on his back on the bed and stared at the roof. As soon as the door opened, he was stabbed by the light and suddenly closed his eyes. After a long period of time, he looked at the light.

Xue Junliang said: “Why does the Marquis of Zhenjiang look like this? This Seat asked you to treat the Marquis well, is this how you serve him?”

When the guards heard that Emperor Xue sounded angry, they hurriedly knelt on the ground and kowtowed, saying, “Your Majesty spare our life, Your Majesty spare our life! It’s not that the generals did not serve the Marquis with dedication, it’s just that …… just the Marquis seems to be a bit mentally unwell. The physician visited him and said that Marquis  was depressed and his mind was a bit deranged. The meals sent to him often are not eaten but instead they are smashed all over the floor.”

Teng Yun listened and looked at Xue Yu. The man’s eyes were really in a trance-like state.  If anyone was locked in a dark room for such a long time, they would be the same. He couldn’t help but feel a bit uncomfortable in his heart. Xue Yu could not die and this current state was worse than death. Slowly wearing him down mentally, until nothing was left of his former self. 

Xue Junliang was looking for this type of expression on Teng Yun’s face and said, “Teng Ying also can’t bear this scene. This Seat is even more sad. After all, he is this Seat’s own brother. How can this Seat bear to see him like this…”

Teng Yun looked at Xue Junliang, this glance made Xue Junliang’s heart tremble. He always felt this kind of look moved his heart, but Xue Junliang did not want to admit that this kind of disappointment, despair, sadness in Teng Ying’s eyes, could make him regret what he had done.

Xue Junliang felt that as an Emperor he had no choice. As a Ruler of a country, he had to endure and be tyrannical when the situation demanded it. If Xue Yu had not rebelled he would not have punished him so. Let alone blood relatives, no one would have the heart to punish ordinary people like this.

When Jiang Yu came in, he saw this scene. It looked like no one dared to even breathe lest they came in harm’s way. 

Jiang Yu stepped forward, lowered his voice, trying to make himself look more respectful and humble, he said, “Your Majesty… There is a man who calls himself Lang Jing outside the residence, requesting for an audience.”

Just as his words fell, Xue Yu, who was lying on the bed, seemed to have a flicker in his eyes.

Xue Junliang laughed, “Oh, Lang Jing? I heard that Lang Jing is Shen Yi’s senior brother, and Shen Yi claims that he is not as talented as this Lang Jing.”

Jiang Yu added, “The man who calls himself Lang Jing also said that if the Emperor did not grant him an audience, then requested to convey that he could persuade Lu Shichen to surrender.” 

Xue Junliang raised his eyebrows. “This is a person who cannot really be told to go away without being seen. Ask him in. ”

Jiang Yu quickly went out. After a while, he came in with a man.

Lang Jing’s face was still cold and expressionless. He seemed as if he was seeing through the world and his appearance was as if he had no concern for the mundane things of the world. His gaze just swept through Xue Yu who was on the bed and turned his gaze towards Xue Junliang and bowed his head and said, “This sinner Lang Jing pays respect to Your Majesty.”

Xue Junliang said with a smile, “Sinner? I don’t know what crime you have committed?” 

Lang Jing said, “Instigating the Marquis to revolt against the Emperor, would this be considered a big enough crime?”

“Big enough.”

Xue Junliang nodded, still smiling, “Then I can only say that you have too much guts, you don’t know to run for your life at such a time, what are you running back for?”

Lang Jing sneered and said, “This sinner had escaped, but Your Majesty’s chess is better. This sinner had no choice but to come back.” 

Xue Junliang said, “This Seat’s brother has such a loyal follower as you, this Seat is really happy for him.”

“Your Majesty is serious…”

Lang Jing had been speaking indifferently without much expression, only then did he say, “This sinner is willing to first go and convince Lu Shichen.”

“What are your conditions?” 

Lang Jing said, “This sinner shamelessly hopes that His Majesty will withdraw the troops from Marquis Zhenjiang’s residence”

Xue Junliang laughed out loud and suddenly turned his head to Teng Yun and said, “It was your job to persuade Lu Shichen to surrender and now he wants to compete with you for the credit, and also wants me to withdraw my troops, Teng Ying, do you think it is reasonable?”

Teng Yun did not immediately answer, and only after a pause, he said, “This servant feels that I am not as talented as Mr. Lang, and cannot fully convince Lu Shichen.”

Xue Junliang didn’t get angry, but looked at Teng Yun with an ambiguous look and said with a smile: “Well… Since you can’t persuade him to surrender, you should be punished but how could this Seat bear to punish you for such small things? Then let’s give Lang Jing a chance. If Lang Jing can persuade Lu Shichen, this Seat will withdraw the army and forgive Xue Yu the big crime of committing a rebellion.” 

Lang Jing’s expression loosened for a moment, which almost looked like a deep sigh of relief. Then he said, “This sinner has watched the stars at night. Lu Shichen is a Wenqu star descending on earth. One should not act rashly before the time is right. Tomorrow during the zishi period, this sinner will go to the Marquis Tengnan’s residence to persuade him to surrender….. This sinner beg’s to stay here today and take care of the Lord.”

Xue Junliang waved his hand and didn’t seem to take it seriously. “Just stay if you like.”

Then he walked outside the door. As soon as he was about to cross the threshold to go out, he paused, turned back and said with a smile: “Lang Jing, Lu Shichen is a Wenqu star that has descended to earth. Then in your opinion, what star is this Seat?”

Lang Jing paused for a moment, as if he were trying to figure out something. He said, “Your Majesty’s Dragon Qi is a sign of Bairui. This sinner has seen the Changgeng in the West.  Nothing is better than Your Majesty. Taibai is the Lord of Killing and Destroying. After all, the world belongs to Your Majesty. Why should there be a hurry?” 

These words touched into Xue Junliang’s heart and he couldn’t help but look at Lang Jing with appreciation. Although he looked like he didn’t deal with human warfare and mundane human lives, he knew when to enter and when to retreat. He knew that people had to bow their heads under the eaves.

“It’s just that……”

Lang Jing deliberately paused for a moment, glanced at Teng Yun, and then turned to look at Emperor Xue, said:  “Although Taibai can defeat the Gods, it is too violent. Since ancient times, too much violence would lose the hearts of the people……..Yu Shun had a virtuous Empress, beautiful and outstanding, but His Majesty has no one around, no one to persuade.”

Xue Junliang looked at Lang Jing and his eyes were more and more appreciative of this person. It seemed that this man was really good at understanding people’s hearts, so he asked: “Then you say, who should be around this Seat?” 

Lang Jing lowered his head and said, “As soon as this sinner entered the door, they knew that Tengnan Marquis’ fate is Lord of water and it will certainly bring prosperity to His Majesty. It is only…. Only a pity that Marquis Tengnan was born as a man.”

Xue Junliang was waiting for his words. He really didn’t expect that just by showing a little of his mind, Lang Jing would cleanly see through him right at the first meeting. Also he knew what to say and do, to bring the tide to his favour.

That’s right! Xue Junliang had always wanted to suppress Teng Yun, but couldn’t find a reason. Even if he had a good opportunity, Teng Yun could easily fend off his method and would not give him a chance to suppress him. If he really used, “failure to persuade Lu Shichen to surrender” as the reason to suppress Marquis Tengnan, then in the eyes of the others Emperor Xue would look stingly and intolerant.

Xue Junliang had a plan in mind. If Marquis Tengnan was included in the harem, then harem concubines could not be involved in politics. No matter how strong and capable he was, he couldn’t turn the sky. He had been laying out his plan these days. Unexpectedly, Lang Jing appeared and helped him a lot. 

Of course, he knew that Lang Jing complied to play along and followed his words in order for him to stay and take care of Xue Yu. But that was no big deal. As long as the goal was achieved, Xue Junliang didn’t care what method he used.

Teng Yun listened to them talking and he was stunned, he stood there– almost like a stone statue. It turned out that Xue Junliang really wanted to take this route. This was indeed a good way to suppress him. This would also immediately explain the drunken behavior of Emperor Xue at the night of his Birthday banquet.

Teng Yun did not anticipate this turn of fate. He had just left the harem, and now he was going to be stuffed into the backyard again.

Xue Junliang returned to the palace with Teng Yun. This time, Teng Yun was asked to return in the chariot together. Teng Yun did not refuse. Now this situation was inevitable. How else could he refuse? 

Xue Junliang was very satisfied with Teng Yun’s performance. When he arrived at the palace, he let Jiang Yu summon all the ministers into the Palace. He took Teng Yun’s hand by himself, and told everyone what Lang Jing said, ready to pick an auspicious day and marry Marquis Tengnan into the palace.

Xue Houyang couldn’t calm down for a long time. His Majesty had always disapproved of himself and Teng Shang. How come in a blink of an eye, his relationship had gotten so much better with the Marquis Tengnan? Was it possible that what he saw that day was not drunken recklessness?

Shen Yi listened and with a little thought, he understood everything. He was secretly amazed. This chess move could be considered as one of the best.

In order to express his deep love for Teng Yun, Xue Junliang also dismissed the beautiful women in Zhuxiu Palace who were preparing for the Triennial Selection. He gave them money for carriages and horses, and asked them to return home. 

It didn’t take long for the news to spread; Emperor Xue was marrying a man, and the other party was Marquis Tengnan. Although there were inevitably several male concubines in the Emperor’s harem, this kind of marriage was very rare. Moreover, the other party was also a high-ranking official, and so the sensation was inevitable.

Teng Yun usually did not have any arrogance, and many people had seen him, especially since he was in the army for a long time. The scar on his face impressed many people. Although it was not too ugly, at first glance, it looked like a tattoo design that was done wrong.

Privately, it was rumoured that Xue country had lost on Ugly Empress and got a new Ugly Empress.