CH 57

Because Emperor Xue already had an Empress, even if he re-established another Empress, he would not hold a grand wedding. In particular, Teng Yun was just going to the Imperial Palace to be a consort. Xue Junliang didn’t break his promise and really granted Teng Yun as Xue Country’s Imperial Noble Consort.

It took a lot of time to rebuild Yunfeng Palace after the fire. Teng Yun lived there when he entered the Palace, but it was not as magnificent as before and some parts of the Palace were still under construction. 

Xue Junliang wanted to call Xiu Yao to serve the new imperial concubine, but Xiu Yao respectfully refused Xue Junliang, saying she would rather die than serve the new consort. Emperor Xue knew that Xiu Yao was very loyal to the late Empress, and although the Emperor could order the servant to obey his orders, he didn’t force her, so he picked several palace maids and sent them to Yunfeng Palace, among them was Jiao Shui who also knew Teng Ying.

Jiao Shui seemed a little surprised to see Teng Ying. First, because they were acquainted before when she was serving Teng Qianyi and second, because of the large and small scars on Teng Ying’s handsome face.

Although Jiao Shui knew Teng Ying, they never had any interaction, and although she thought that Teng Ying had climbed to his current position by using his usual unscrupulous ways, he still could be regarded as the Master of the Harem, and offending the Master was a big taboo.

Teng Yun didn’t expect that Emperor Xue would send Jiao Shui as his servant. The other party greeted him very politely. Teng Yun was sitting down in front of the dresser when she came over and started to comb his hair. 

They didn’t talk. Jiao Shui wanted to find a topic to please Teng Yun, so she smiled and said, “Madam, your hair is really good.”

Teng Yun did not even lift his eyelids. Although Jiao Shui thought it was a boring topic to talk about, still, she continued to say things she thought pleasing to the ears of the new concubine, but Teng Yun still did not utter even a single word. Jiao Shui touched her nose and wondered how the sword-carrying official, who liked being flattered before and basked in it, had changed his character.

Emperor Xue ordered people to hold a wedding banquet in front of Yunfeng Palace and summoned all Civil and Military officials to attend the banquet. The court officials wanted to attend as they said that it was because Teng Ying was a Marquis and could not be ignored, but most of them came to see the acceptance of a male concubine to the Imperial Harem as a source of amusement and ridicule.

Teng Yun was dressed in a bright red wedding robe. He simply didn’t wear the customary wedding attire that women wore and didn’t cover his head in a red veil. From a distance, he looked tall, handsome and bearing the demeanor of a nobleman. It was a pity that there were scars on his face, showing a bit of hostility. Even though Teng Yun’s temperament was gentle, due to these scars, he looked terrible and frightening at first glance.

Sitting quietly in the room, he heard the noises of the ministers and court officials pushing their cups and plates outside, the sound of the ministers and court officials toasting their wines, and the voice of someone urging the great Emperor to drink less for a good night.

Jiao Shui stood on one side and stayed there for an hour and a half. Everyone outside drank from dusk to dark, but they still weren’t finished and continued the merriment.

Jiao Shui was also a shrewd person. When she thought about it, she understood that although the male concubine was given a high position in the Imperial Harem, Emperor Xue had no intention of touching him.

The banquet lasted a long time. Seeing that it was getting late, the ministers advised Xue Junliang not to neglect his Noble Consort, and urged him to leave the banquet and attend to his ‘wife’. 

Xue Houyang himself was not suitable for this kind of banquet where wine poured like a small stream. As soon as he had paid his respects and stayed a little while joining the merriment, he just wanted to leave. As he was contemplating on how he would say his goodbyes, a guard came up to him, whispered a few words and handed him an envelope.

Xue Houyang was shocked for a moment. Then he raised his head and looked at Xue Junliang. He seemed to be considering whether it was appropriate to say the news he received at this time.

After thinking for a while, he finally walked over without the others noticing and said something to Xue Junliang.

Xue Junliang’s smile immediately disappeared, his eyes narrowed and motioned Xue Houyang to present the letter. 

When everyone noticed the change in the Emperor’s expression, they were all quiet, staring at each other, not knowing what had happened.

Xue Junliang unfolded the letter, only glanced at it, and laughed suddenly. He got up from his seat, and smashed the wine cup he was holding at his feet.

This sudden action shocked everyone. They didn’t know what was written in the letter, and they didn’t dare to say anything, or move at all. They hung their heads for fear of harming themselves.

Xue Junliang scanned the crowd and said with a slow sneer, “This Seat’s good general was sent to fight in Ming River!” 

Everyone immediately understood what he said. It seems that Yu Chen had lost the battle in Ming River.

Xue Junliang fixed his gaze at Xue Yu, threw the letter to him and said, “Lang Jing, who you recommended, you said he was guilty and meritorious. Now, what was the use of asking him?”

Xue Yu quickly picked up the letter.

The Official Registrar in Ming River secretly sent someone to the Capital. The letter said that ever since Yu Chen had arrived in Ming River, he was always drinking and having fun in the army. He didn’t let the soldiers work on the strategies that were ordered for them to do. When Zhang Hong attacked, he didn’t let the soldiers fight. The Xue army was beaten back for more than 20 miles. Later, he was afraid of being punished by the Commander-in Chief. He rebelled and killed the Commander, hung his head on the commander’s flag, and threatened to behead those who did not obey. He proclaimed himself as the new Commander-in-Chief. Now the army in Ming River has lost food and grains and had to be careful of being beheaded. People were already in panic. 

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Xue Yu said, “Although Lang Jing has talent and knowledge, if there is discord among the backbone of the army, there is nothing he can do. Now he has been beaten back for 20 miles. Chen-di  thinks that His Majesty should first think of a plan to retreat from the enemy. If he cuts the soldiers again, Chen-di is afraid it will be difficult for the army to rest, and Zhang Hong would see Xue Country as a laughing stock.”

Xue Junliang didn’t embarrass him any more, but said coolly, “What is your plan?”

Xue Yu was also a General who guarded the border all year round. He only paused and said, “Yu Chen is proud of his achievements by virtue of his favor. Arrogance is the great taboo of the army. In Chen-di’s opinion, if His Majesty wants to defeat Zhang Hong, His Majesty must first replace the commander.” 

He paused and continued, “Chen-di is willing to ask for order to go and share your worries for Your Majesty.”

Xue Junliang just looked at him and did not speak. Xue Yu was staring back at him with a guilty conscience. He was indeed selfish. Although Xue Junliang had released him from house arrest, he did not have any real military power. If he could go to Ming River, he could regain his military power, and besides, Lang Jing was still in Ming River.

However, Xue Junliang obviously saw through his mind at once, although Xue Junliang did not expose him.

Xue Houyang naturally heard it too. Fearing that Xue Junliang would let the tiger go back to the mountain again, he arched his hands and said, “Please Your Majesty, let this Chen-di go!” 

Xue Junliang said, “Houyang, you can’t go to Ming River. Prepare yourself. You will go to Teng in the next few days. Zhang Hong has beaten back Yu Chen. Feng Country may take the opportunity to attack Teng again and make profits from both sides.”

Xue Houyang nodded. It completely made sense. If Feng Country learned that Zhang Hong had beaten back Yu Chen for 20 miles, King Feng would certainly take this opportunity to attack Xue Country from the other side. Although Feng Country and Zhang Hong have different positions, their purposes were always the same. There was no reason not to pick things that pleased both sides.

Zhao Lu himself wanted to resign from his official position because he was ill, but he didn’t expect that a mere Zhang Hong, who had been beaten into a frightened bird by Feng Country, would be so arrogant to take over Ming River. Based on Zhao Lu’s previous temperament,  he would definitely be the first to stand up and ask for orders.

But Ming River was the border between Xue Country and Feng Country. Zhang Hong’s commander-in-chief was captured after their battle with Feng Country. Zhang Hong won’t have any choice but to stay and fight with Feng Country head-on. 

At that time, Zhao Lu felt that he had done nothing wrong when he betrayed Feng Ming. This was his purpose for so many years. It could be said that he was relieved when he left with the 10,000 elite soldiers. But at this time, when he thought about it, what he did was really too cold-blooded for Feng Ming who didn’t know anything; who was innocent from Zhao Lu’s vengeance and hatred.

No one could clearly say what was ruthless and reasonable. The last thing Zhao Lu wanted to see now was that he and Feng Ming meet in the battlefields. He wanted to resign earlier; and not engage in war anymore which could be considered as a payback for the time Feng Ming nurtured him, for training him and trusting him over the years.

Zhao Lu clenched his fist. If he avoids fighting in order not to fight with Feng Ming, and violates his own disposition, it would be cruelty to himself. As he was about to stand up and ask for orders, he heard a “squeak“; the door of Yunfeng Palace was pushed open.

Teng Yun, dressed in a man’s bright red wedding robe, with a dark red wide belt around his waist, lined within a strong and thin waist and a straight back, walked out of the Palace door. At first glance, there was a kind of heroic aura surrounding him. 

When everyone saw that the door of Yunfeng Palace had suddenly opened, and the ‘bride’ came out by himself. Everyone looked at one another and probably were wondering with similar thoughts, couldn’t the new concubine wait?

Unexpectedly, Teng Yun’s first sentence was, “Your Majesty, this Minister is willing to go.”

Xue Junliang also was stunned for a moment, and then said, “Why did Aifei come out?”

However, Teng Yun ignored Emperor Xue’s words and said to Xue Yu, “Could I please take a look at the letter in the hands of the Marquis?” 

Xue Yu hadn’t made any movements since he was released. Xue Junliang told him to do whatever he wanted, which seemed to tame him a lot. After hearing Teng Yun’s request, he raised his eyes to look at Xue Junliang, which was equal to asking Emperor Xue for instructions.

Xue Junliang nodded slightly and did not disagree. Teng Yun took the letter and read through it. In addition to the letter that the Official Registrar accused Yu Chen of being spoiled and arrogant and ignoring the Military law, there was also a crude layout map of the army camp after the army retreated 20 miles.

Teng Yun only glanced at it and said, “I’m afraid that His Majesty needs to cut off the head of the man who had set up this kind of camp.”

Holding up the camp layout map in his hand, he continued: “The campsite stretches for hundreds of miles along the Ming River, and the head and tail are far from each other. If one place is breached, it would be difficult to save oneself. Moreover, if Zhang Hong uses fire, he could burn hundreds of miles without effort. Here, even if he is not far from the Ming River, the Xue Army would be in chaos. How could they organize — putting out the fire and defeating the enemy at the same time? They would lose.” 

As soon as the Ministers heard this, they forgot who and what the new concubine was for a while. Hundreds of thousands of troops would be burned in an instant. At that time, Zhang Hong, let alone taking over Ming River, could drive straight in Xue Country, and no one could stop him.

Moreover, Feng Country had always been like a tiger and a wolf. It had been watching for a long time, ready to leap for its prey. Of course, it wouldn’t miss the opportunity to take a share of the pie. Then Xue Country would be in real danger at that time.

Of Xue Junliang’s willingness to send Yu Chen, he naturally has his reasons. First, there were not many Military Generals available in the court all the time. Second, there was De-fei in the Harem. Xue Junliang thought that Yu Chen would remember and think of his sister and would restrain himself. He didn’t expect that the man was getting worse and worse.

Teng Yun said, “Since Your Majesty has not yet stepped into Yunfeng Palace, this Minister is still a Minister. Teng Ying is willing to go and help the Emperor in his difficulties for Ming River soldiers.” 

Xue Junliang stared at Teng Yun for a long time. It seemed that he was considering whether Teng Yun’s past was really suitable for him to go for the army.

At this time, Shen Yi stood up, took a half step and said, “Your Majesty, do you remember what the traveling magician said, that although Marquis Tengnan is a man, he could help the Emperor prosper in his reign? This humble Minister thinks that what the traveling magician had said is exactly this kind of situation. Don’t wait any longer. If Zhang Hong burns the Ming River army, the common people in the frontier will be implicated. At that time, even if Your Majesty has the protection of a true Dragon, I’m afraid it will be difficult to return to heaven!”

As soon as his voice fell, it caused a ripple of commotion, and the Ministers also felt it was reasonable. Xue Junliang had seen Teng Yun’s talents and knew that he was competent, but this time, going to the battlefield, was very different from Teng Yun’s previous trip to Teng Country.

Xue Junliang pondered for a while and then said, “This Seat naturally believes in you, then… The border of Xue Country will depend on you. This Seat will wait for Teng Ying to return victorious.” 

Immediately, Xue Junliang asked people to draw up an Imperial Decree. He ordered Yu Chen to return to the Capital, honor Teng Yun as his General, and build a platform in conferring his title.

The next day, Xue Junliang, dressed in a black python robe and wearing a jade tassel crown, raised his hand motioning the servant behind him come forward. The servant respectfully stepped forward holding a brocade box in his hand.

He stretched out his hand to open the brocade box. It was the Tiger Wing Sword, encased in its sword coffin.

“As Shen Yi had said, this may be God’s will. At that time, this Seat had asked the imperial craftsman to craft a sword coffin for this precious sword, intending for it not to come out of its casing. However, I didn’t expect the Tiger Wing to be out of its scabbard again…” 

With a smile on his face, Xue Junliang pulled the Tiger Wing out of the sword coffin. With a slight movement of his wrist, he cut the knife coffin in half and then handed it to Teng Yun.

Teng Yun did not dare to dally. He held the Tiger Wing sword with both hands. All the Ministers stood far away, only to see Xue Junliang leaning forward slightly, his lips pressed against Teng Yun’s ears, as if reluctantly parting farewell.

Only Teng Yun could hear him as Xue Junliang whispered, “General Teng is going to the Ming River, and will definitely make achievements, defend the territory and open up the frontier. If you have a change of heart and decide to rebel against me… I do not want to think what would happen to such…”

Teng Yun lowered his head and didn’t care about what Xue Junliang said, but answered faintly: “Please rest assured Your Majesty, even if this Teng is not loyal to the Emperor, he won’t joke about the lives of more than hundreds of thousands of soldiers and the people in Ming River.” 

“All is good then.” Xue Junliang stretched out his hand and patted him on the shoulder. He stared at Teng Yun and was slightly stunned. Teng Yun was standing tall and straight, and with the Tiger Wing sword in his hand, he really had the style and demeanor of a great General. As far as he knew, Teng Ying had never been on the battlefield.

Teng Yun didn’t wait any longer. He just knelt down to say farewell to Emperor Xue and then stepped off the platform. After he came down, a guard handed over the reins of his horse. Teng Yun inserted the Tiger Wing sword into the scabbard on his waist, turned over and mounted the horse. With one move, he ordered his company to set up the military flag and took the soldiers to Ming River.

Xue Junliang was left standing on the high platform. Because of the strong wind, he squinted his eyes and stared at Teng Yun’s back. He could not help but remember that when Teng Yun was still alive and Xue was at war with the Teng Country, he drove to the front line to supervise the war. He stood on the high platform like this and looked at the mythical Iron General from a distance.

At that time, the Xue Generals persuaded Emperor Xue to return to the camp to watch the battle. Xue Junliang had disagreed. He thought that no matter how powerful Teng Yun was, he was nothing more than a General and a Commander. Teng Country has been rotten up and down. What was there to be afraid of when there was only one general in front of him? 

But unexpectedly, Teng Yun saw the Emperor’s banner on the high platform. He urged his horse forward and single-handedly drew his bow. An arrow broke the flagpole. The Emperor’s banner fell down and almost injured Emperor Xue.

Xue Junliang fixedly looked at the army in the distance, riding fast and getting farther away. Teng Ying’s back was already so small that he could hardly recognize him. As Xue Junliang stood there, spontaneously, there was a feeling of deja vu. It was not the image of Teng Yun out there; it was Teng Ying riding his horse, but the feeling was very similar. At that time, he watched Teng Yun urge his horse to come forward, and at this time, he watched the Xue Country’s general leaving.

——-

Teng Shang was feeling very bored in the Marquis Wannian’s residence. He had nothing to do all day. It was not difficult for Xue Houyang to ask him to enter the court. Teng Shang sometimes wondered whether Xue Houyang was careful or careless. Though careless, he could still show consideration and take care of Teng Shang everywhere. Xue Houyang was very careful in taking care of himself. So that Teng Shang, who was used to being indifferent, couldn’t help but be moved. 

Teng Shang walked around the study for a few times. He had already read all the books in Xue Houyang’s study a long time ago, so now there were not even new books to read. He picked up two more books at random, but he saw a pile of official documents on the desk. If Marquis Wannian was careful, he shouldn’t have put the military’s official documents like this. If someone with a crooked heart and ill-intention looked at them, there would be endless trouble.

Teng Shang helped himself to close the open documents; fold them up and put them aside. He couldn’t help laughing. If he had been the same self as before, he would be really interested. However, his own intentions had been completely lost. Now he didn’ t have any thoughts nor interests when he saw these official documents.

When the last document was put away, Teng Shang was immediately stunned. Underneath the last official document, there was a piece of paper on the table. The densely written characters on it seemed to be a draft. It was revised many times in circles. Some of the handwriting on it was Xue Houyang’s. Though they had not been together for a long time, he recognized it immediately. Teng Shang was also a person who worked in calligraphy and painting. He could imitate the calligraphy and painting for seven or eight points, naturally he remembered Xue Houyang’s handwriting.

However, what Teng Shang didn’t expect was that most of the handwriting on the paper was very familiar. This person’s reading and writing was taught by himself… 

Xue Houyang had returned to the residence. As usual, he would immediately look for Teng Shang, but he didn’t find him in their room, he was also not in the hall. After asking the servants, he was told that he was reading in the study room. As soon as he entered the study, he saw Teng Shang staring at the paper in a daze.

Xue Houyang came over to his side, looked at the paper and asked, “What’s the matter, My Lord? Is there anything wrong with this document?”

“No…”

Teng Shang slowly put down the document, looked up at Xue Houyang and asked, “Whose handwriting is this?” 

Xue Houyang didn’t know why he asked, but answered honestly, “It was Teng Ying’s.”

“Teng Ying…”

Teng Shang’s expression became even more strange. He opened his mouth and couldn’t speak for a long time. Xue Houyang thought he was ill. He only heard him say, “Where is Teng Ying?”

Xue Houyang said, “My Lord, have you forgotten? Teng Ying was conferred as a Xue General today. We have finished paying homage and I just saw him off to Ming River.” 

Teng Shang only said “Let’s go”, and then he didn’t speak any more. Xue Houyang really thought he was ill and asked the imperial physician to come and check his pulse.

Although Xue Houyang was worried about Teng Shang’s health, Emperor Xue was sending him to Teng to guard the border. He would go to war again soon and there could be no delay. Fortunately, the imperial physicians said that Teng Shang didn’t have any illness and that he just needed to have a rest.

After three days, Xue Houyang and Teng Shang also took their own soldiers to Teng. Xue Junliang personally sent them out of the South City Gate.

Although Teng Shang was not seriously ill, Xue Houyang was worried about his body and didn’t let him ride a horse, but instead prepared a carriage for him. 

After entering Teng border, Xue Houyang ordered the whole army to stop and have a rest. He swept his gaze and saw a small pavilion not far in front of him. Xue Houyang urged his horse to go over, thinking that he could let Teng Shang come out of the carriage and breathe fresh air as it was stuffy enough to drive all day.

Xue Houyang looked up at the plaque of the small pavilion. Such a pavilion stood on the bare border, which seemed a little desolate.

There are three words written on the plaque– Blue Blood Pavilion.

Xue Houyang stared at these three characters for a long time, he was followed by a line of Teng Country’s surrendered soldiers. Xue Junliang had given them official rewards to show the kindness of Xue Country’s people. 

Xue Houyang asked Chang Shui, “Who wrote the characters inscribed on the plaque in this pavilion?”

Chang Shui replied respectfully, “It was Teng Yun, My Lord.”

“Teng Yun?”

Xue Houyang was surprised and asked again, “Which Teng Yun?” 

Chang Shui answered, “There is only one Teng Yun in the hearts of the people of Teng. The Iron General… General Yun was loyal and was stationed on the frontier. He had been here at that time and wrote a plaque for this pavilion.”

Xue Houyang was stunned when he heard it. He remembered that when he occasionally entered the palace, he happened to see the Empress’s calligraphy. The words Blue Blood had been written, the writing was very similar to the plaque in front of him. Xue Houyang had no memory skills, and there were only two words, which could not be used to determine anything nor could it explain anything.

But Xue Houyang was not stupid. His mind would never be careless in places where he should be cautious. Previously, Xue Junliang had been asking Teng Shang about the late Empress, whether Teng Shang and the late Empress knew each other, and had tested Teng Shang several times.

Xue Houyang instructed his Official Registrar to copy the plaque and send it back to the Capital City to show to Emperor Xue. 

—–

Zaki~~ it’s getting exciting.

Ela — omgggg .. excitedddd…