When Teng Shang walked out of the tea house, he saw Xue Houyang standing at the side of the street holding his horse’s reigns.

Xue Houyang also saw him and called out, “Are you going home? Or do you still want to have a walk?”

Xue Houyang purposefully waited here for Teng Shang, showing that he knew Teng Shang had gone to the tea house with Xue Yu. But he didn’t say anything, and Teng Shang didn’t comment on his knowledge about it either.

Teng Shang said, “If the Marquis does like it, would you like to have a walk with me?”

The two men walked along the market and continued along the small river. The sky was indicating a snowfall, and the water surface was already covered in a thin layer of ice.

The two men were silent the whole time, until Teng Shang opened with a laugh, “Lord Marquis doesn’t have to treat me so cautiously, or is it because I’ve saved you once? Well, you’ve saved me twice already.”

Xue Houyang opened his mouth to say something, but in the end he didn’t say it.

Teng Shang said, “I also have a heart made of flesh. You’re treating me like this makes me feel cautious, too. This way, I cannot repay your kindness because I’m not sure if I’m allowed to say things openly. There are so many things I want to tell you, but…”

Teng Shang paused. He stopped walking and turned towards the river before whispering, “Lord Marquis, be careful of Xue Yu.”

“What did he say to you?” Xue Houyang stepped forward, subconsciously wanting to hold Teng Shang’s arm, but then he retracted his own hand.

Teng Shang smiled, “Xue Yu is not a simple man. But after all, I don’t think he can do anything to turn the sky… I can only warn you, but I don’t know if Lord Marquis wants to listen.”

Xue Houyang said, “You can tell me.”

“Lord Marquis is favored by Emperor Xue, but there is a saying that accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger. If I’m not mistaken, His Majesty wants to take over Xue Yu’s military power. Seizing other people’s troops usually means wanting to incorporate those troops into one’s own power. This is like Emperor Xue’s signal… After dealing with Xue Yu, I’m afraid it won’t be long before it’s the Lord Marquis’ turn.”

Seeing Xue Houyang’s expression turned pale, Teng Shang added, “I know you won’t like listening to these, but thank you for listening anyway. I’m not saying this to create a rift between you and Emperor Xue, it’s just a heartfelt concern.”

Xue Houyang pondered for a while before slowly saying, “I understand… Other people might think Minister Shang is good at manipulating people’s mind, but Houyang will never forget Minister Shang’s kindness in saving my life that year.”

Teng Shang glanced at Xue Houyang and suddenly smiled, “Lord Marquis, you’re still thinking that you owe me for saving your life? You’ve already repaid it.”

Xue Houyang stared intently at Teng Shang’s smiling face, seemingly infatuated. Then his face heated up and he coughed, “Last time… that time happened because of Houyang’s own fault. Houyang decided that I won’t have any wild thoughts anymore. I’ll be happy if we won’t ever mention it again.”

Xue Houyang was a man used to living on the battlefield, but when it came to talking about feelings, he was too honest and straightforward. His face is naturally not as thick as Xue Junliang who had many wives and was an expert in flirting. This made Teng Shang inwardly laugh in amusement.

Teng Shang didn’t insist on discussing the matter further, instead said, “Let’s go back, it’s too cold outside.”

——–

Jiao Shui was hugging Teng Yun’s ankles and crying miserably, “Empress, this is all Jiao Shui’s fault. Jiao Shui was threatened by Teng-fei into helping her to harm you…It’s not enough even if Jiao Shui dies 10 thousand times. This servant cannot be forgiven!”

Teng Qianyi was so shocked she immediately stood up, her whole body was trembling all over as she shouted, “You lowly servant, what nonsense are you talking about?”

Xue Junliang glanced at Teng Qianyi and scolded, “Impudent.”

Jiang Yu was quick to give the order, “Push her down.”

Guards came forward and pushed Teng Qianyi back on the floor.

Jiao Shui continued as if not afraid of her own mistress, crying, “Empress, please spare this servant’s life, this servant was forced into doing the crime. Teng-fei had already had a few people killed to cover the crime, accusing them of stealing. If this servant hadn’t been serving Teng-fei for a long time, this servant would have already been dead too… This servant cannot apologize enough even if this servant were to die, but this servant is willing to die to prove my innocence.”

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But for Teng Yun, even if he might not be close with Teng Qianyi, he still considered her as a blood-relative; a family member in this Xue Country where he had no one with whom he was familiar with.

Teng Yun felt his faith had started to crumble. Teng Qianyi’s action only created a crack, but for so many years, all of his brothers had cheated and mistreated him; his father had harbored suspicions and envy towards him. Every betrayal created a crack, and those cracks had become a big fracture.

Whether it was true or not, to think that the ones who treated him so badly were his own relatives; not his enemy, Xue Junliang…

Teng Yun closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Instead of becoming calmer, his heart began to beat even more rapidly. Teng Qianyi’s action would be considered a huge offense, but the problem was; she wasn’t just implicating her own position as a consort, but also Teng Country where she came from. Based on what he knew of Xue Junliang’s cunning nature, he would definitely seize this incident as an excuse to destroy Teng Country.

Xue Junliang thought the Empress would be happy knowing she could get rid of one rival; at the very least, he thought she would be as calm and indifferent as always. But then he noticed the other person’s pale face and could not understand why she looked so.

For a time, everyone was speechless, only the sound of Jiao Shui’s sobbing could be heard. Not knowing what would be done about this case, Jiang Yu started to get anxious. In the end, he pulled up his courage and said, “Your Majesty, it’s almost time. Why don’t you… go first?”

Xue Junliang nodded, “What Jiang Yu said is reasonable. For the time being, Teng Qianyi is not allowed to go anywhere. This Seat will deal with you later. As for Jiao Shui… You’ve done good by confessing, this Seat hasn’t had any idea to whom you’ll be re-assigned, so for now you’ll follow this Seat.”

Jiao Shui’s eyes widened as she took a sharp breath. Pretending to shed one or two drops of pitiful tears, she kowtowed to thank Emperor Xue.

The trip could not be delayed any longer. Xue Yu, the Marquis Zhenjiang, had already arrived in the Palace and was waiting for Emperor Xue and the Empress, ready to leave together.

Xiu Yao supported her mistress and said, “Empress, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Teng Yun shook his head. Xue Junliang was about to climb into his carriage when he heard Xiu Yao’s question. A servant was holding the curtain open, but Xue Junliang didn’t enter his carriage, instead he turned around and said, “Empress can ride with this Seat.”

Nobody was surprised by Emperor Xue’s order. After the human-shaped puppets incident, no one could doubt Her Majesty’s importance in Emperor Xue’s eyes. She had already reached the level where Emperor Xue would believe everything she said. Maybe even if the Empress did something wrong, His Majesty would turn a blind eye.

On the way, Teng Yun’s mind turned a thousand directions. He had failed to escape. The Imperial Harem was heavily guarded, it was impossible to run without being noticed. Now, Xue Junliang would definitely use this opportunity to challenge Teng Country. Teng Yun’s heart was in a mess and he could only think of one idea. This idea was too stupid and might not necessarily feasible.

That is, to murder…

Maybe other people had no chance, but Teng Yun might be able to, because Xue Junliang had relaxed a lot of his vigilance in order to express his favor to the Empress. Even if Teng Yun could no longer use swords, he could still use sharp gold and silver jewelries. Teng Yun was well-trained in weapons and martial arts, he knew how to take a person’s life with any means available.

But Xue Junliang’s cautiousness forced Teng Yun to think maybe this idea was too stupid.

He had been Xue Junliang’s Empress for quite some time now, he felt enough was enough. He was feeling like he’d been kept in a sealed cage and it was driving him mad.

As the carriage swayed gently, Teng Yun recalled a lot of things. In his previous life, he’d been killed personally by Xue Junliang’s hands. Xue Junliang didn’t only owe Teng Yun a debt of one life, but also the lives of tens of thousands of Teng Country’s soldiers who died in their war.

Teng Yun’s breathing was a little disordered, he thought this time he would be the one to collect payment from Xue Junliang. On the battlefield, if someone killed another, then they should expect to be killed too; No one owed anyone. But the blood debt was also between the two people. Xue Junliang killed Teng Yun, it was understandable if Teng Yun did the same to him.

Xue Junliang grabbed Teng Yun’s waist, “What are you thinking so seriously?”

He said the question right in Teng Yun’s ear, startling him. Teng Yun immediately fought to calm himself.

Xue Junliang using Teng Qianyi’s case as an excuse to send troops to Teng Country, it was a sure thing to happen. If Teng Yun wanted to kill Xue Junliang, there was no other better opportunity than today. After the Ancestral Worship Ceremony, they would be camping outside for a night and then returning to the Imperial Palace the next day. The Imperial Palace has sufficient troops and very strict security, so Teng Yun could only do it this very evening.

Teng Yun didn’t answer.

When Xue Junliang saw that the other party was ignoring him, he smiled and gently pinched the other person’s earlobe before saying, “Is Aifei feeling jealous?”

Being touched by a flirting expert like Xue Junliang, Teng Yun couldn’t help shuddering in disgust. But when he thought back how he was going to kill this man, it was necessary to act more obedient and docile. He needed Xue Junliang to put his guard down in front of him.

Xue Junliang felt the person he was holding was very welcoming and didn’t even push him away like usual. This made him inevitably pleased.

“Why? You’re a little unusual today, are you really feeling jealous? Are you blaming me for taking Jiao Shui in?”

Xue Junliang’s lips were right next to Teng Yun’s ear; with every word, warm and moist breath blew in his ears.

Teng Yun said nothing as he tried his best to pretend to be obedient. Xue Junliang noted the other person’s ear had turned bright red and he suddenly felt a fire ignite in his heart. He reached out and pushed the other person onto the couch.

The couch in the carriage was very soft. Although it wasn’t big enough for two people laying on it side by side, it was enough if one person was lying on top of the other.

Pressing the other person on the couch, Xue Junliang’s hand gently caressed the other person’s cheek and sliding down his chin to his neck.

Teng Yun wanted to dodge. In the end, he only closed his eyes and lips firmly.

Xue Junliang could feel the other person’s throat was slightly trembling with tension. This little movement echoed all the way to his heart, making it feel itchy.

Xue Junliang lowered his head and gave the other person a chaste kiss on the lips. Teng Yun opened his eyes to look at Xue Junliang but didn’t push him away.

“What a strange day. You even changed your temper. Why is that? I took Jiao Shui in and you felt anxious?”

Teng Yun said nothing and just stared at the other.

Xue Junliang laughed, “Or are you willing to consummate with me now?”

Then he leaned down and kissed the other person again.

Teng Yun closed his eyes. At first, he also tightly shut his lips. Xue Junliang was still kissing him gently. Then, with his heart beating a drum in his chest, Teng Yun slowly unlocked his jaw and opened his lips.

Xue Junliang felt the other person’s lips open and immediately deepened the kiss. He was still gentle and considerate, observing the other person’s reactions, as if he really wanted to impress. If the receiving party was the real Feng Country’s Grand Princess, she would have been deeply moved by this passionate Emperor.

Teng Yun had never had a deep kiss with anyone. Naturally, he was not as comfortable as Xue Junliang; he was clumsy. He was flustered being teased by Xue Junliang like this, at first he could only feel disgust, but then his mind blanked, he couldn’t even think of anything. His two hands unconsciously clutched at Xue Junliang’s sleeves.

Teng Yun felt numb and his body turned soft under Xue Junliang’s hands. Suddenly his waist felt cold; it looked like Xue Junliang’s hand had been busy untangling Teng Yun’s belt and was now gently stroking along his waist.

Teng Yun immediately panicked, and a gasp escaped his lips loudly.

Xue Junliang rose, his thumb wiping the silver thread of saliva that both of them had not managed to swallow. Smiling, he said, “Aifei tastes so good… Unfortunately I cannot eat more of you, because then you will be uncomfortable for the rest of our journey.”

Teng Yun’s face was so red, he could squeeze blood out of it, his chest was rising and falling rapidly, and his eyes were still staring at Xue Junliang.

Xue Junliang covered the other person’s eyes with his palm and laughed, “If you keep looking at me like that, I won’t be able to hold myself back… Let’s rest for a while, we were up quite early this morning.”

He bowed down to kiss Teng Yun’s forehead and helped him rearrange his messy clothes.

Teng Yun turned to lie sideways facing the inner part of the couch, his hands clenching tightly into fists. For the rest of the journey, he could not sleep. His mind was too preoccupied.

When they arrived at their destination, Xiu Yao helped Teng Yun to get off the carriage. When she’d made sure they were alone, she giggled, “Empress, you were too loud.”

“What?” Teng Yun could not understand.

Xiu Yao’s face had turned red and she smiled, “I mean, that… You and His Majesty’s love-making… Your voice was too loud, the maidservants could even hear it from outside the carriage. Fortunately I only heard it once.”

Teng Yun’s own face turned bright red, then quickly turned pale white. Seeing the expression on his face, Xiu Yao didn’t dare to tease anymore. Xiu Yao had learned her mistress was sensitive to topics like this; she should not make such jokes.

Although Teng Yun did not speak to Xue Junliang all the way, Xue Junliang could feel the other person’s attitude was more agreeable than before. As an Emperor, Xue Junliang felt proud of himself. He was sure what had happened this morning had caused the Empress to realize her own situation. After all, which person didn’t want to monopolize the Emperor’s favor? It was definitely the greatest honor one could have.

When Emperor Xue and the Empress got off the carriage, all the officials had been waiting. The Ancestral Shrine’s stewards were also present and had stood by according to their official positions.

When Xue Junliang stepped a foot away from the carriage, the officials all knelt and prayed “Long Live the Emperor!”.

Xue Junliang warmly said, “Xue Yu, you will walk next to this Seat.”

Xue Yu’s head was still bowed. When he heard Xue Junliang’s instruction, he thanked Xue Junliang and walked at a respectable distance behind him.

Xue Yu was a smart man. How could he dare to walk side by side with Xue Junliang? He knew Xue Junliang only said that just to let people think he was an approachable Emperor.

They had walked for a few minutes when the snow started falling. The falling snow wasn’t very heavy but Jiang Yu tactfully ordered someone to fetch a warm outer robe for Emperor Xue.

Xue Junliang said, “It’s cold, take one for Marquis Zhenjiang too.”

Xue Yu thanked him. Xue Junliang said, “Does it snow often in the north?”

“Answering to Your Majesty, the snow had already started to fall a few days before Chen-di left for the capital city.”

Xue Junliang idly asked, “When it’s snowing, the road would be hard to get through, hindering the distribution of supplies. Do you have enough provisions in your region?”

“Answering to Your Majesty, the distribution of provisions has been very timely.”

“That’s great. Well, you are this Seat‘s younger brother. Although this Seat is in the Capital, this Seat has always been worrying about you; cannot bear thinking what if you and your army have no food and are starved. This Seat also knows you don’t like to ask anything from anyone, but if you have any needs or difficulties, you must immediately talk to this Seat, or at least talk to Houyang. You are the only brothers this Seat has left.”

He turned to Xue Houyang and inquired, “Is that alright?”

Suddenly being called, Xue Houyang respectfully bowed, “Yes, will do as Your Majesty ordered.”

When he heard Xue Houyang’s reply, Xue Junliang smiled gratefully. Then he turned to Xue Yu and said, “You see, this is where you’re different from Houyang.”

Xue Yu couldn’t comprehend why Xue Junliang suddenly said that. Xue Junliang continued, “You are this Seat‘s younger brother, but you’re also Marquis Zhenjiang. You hold the northern border in your hands and have great power. You might be too far away for this Seat to count on you…”

Before Xue Junliang finished speaking, Xue Yu had already knelt and said, “Chen-di doesn’t dare. Chen-di truly will do anything.”

Xue Junliang looked surprised, “Oh? Why are you kneeling? This Seat only said ‘might’, it was just a theory and not the truth. Quickly, get up.”

Xue Yu said thanks but inwardly he was aggravated. He reckoned Xue Junliang was deliberately putting him in a difficult situation but he couldn’t complain.

Xue Junliang slowly added, “You act like we’re strangers. What was this Seat talking about just now?”

He looked around but no one dared to speak, they could not figure out which mood Emperor Xue was in. Teng Yun swallowed a laugh then prompted, “Your Majesty, you were talking about ‘being too far away’.”

“Oh,” Xue Junliang nodded, “You are a Marquis, but there are many officials whose power seems stronger and grander than yours, such as those low-ranking county magistrates who like to show off. You drove from a very far-away place bringing a thousand soldiers. That is improper.”

He laughed coldly and said with a sneer, “Were you afraid This Seat would detain your soldiers and take away your power?”