Edited by Zaki

~~~~

Xue Junliang’s smile froze on his face as he helped up Shen Yi from the ground and said, “What did you say?”

Shen Yi gritted his teeth and said with great difficulty, “Your Majesty, my condolences.”

The veins on Xue Junliang’s hands almost popped up with the force of his restraint. Suddenly he pushed Shen Yi away and swept away the things on the table in his anger.

Plates and bowls of offerings all fell to the floor and broke to pieces, making a lot of noise. People from outside looked in but did not dare to come inside.

Xue Junliang laughed coldly, “Aren’t you a wise and brilliant adviser? The Empress convinced me to come here and save your people, yet you can’t even protect and bless her?”

Shen Yi knelt on the ground and watched Xue Junliang speak to the memorial tablet. He couldn’t help saying, “Your Majesty …”

Xue Junliang did not let him finish his sentence: “How did the Empress pass away? Is it Xue Yu?”

Shen Yi lowered his gaze and didn’t immediately answer. Any person with a discerning eye could easily see that Xue Yu was indeed behind this incident. But right now, Emperor Xue was consumed with rage. Shen Yi was afraid if he answered carelessly, Emperor Xue might order Xue Yu to be killed in his fit of rage.

In the eyes of commoners, Emperor Xue and Xue Yu were brothers and it was an outrageous thing for brothers to point blades at each other.  Even if Xue Junliang was truly justified in this case, he would lose people’s respect due to it.

Xue Junliang noted Shen Yi’s intention and his heart had a clear understanding. He didn’t say anything more. He went straight out of the small temple, leaving only the phrase “Back to the Palace”.

—-

Teng Yun could only vaguely hear Xiu Yao’s panicked screams, but his head was so heavy that he couldn’t think about anything at all. He was drowsy and just wanted to sleep.

He felt as if there was something burning around him, and his breathing became difficult, and finally he could only fall into darkness.

When he was aware again, he felt all of his internal organs were hurting. Pain radiated from every inch of his skin and he couldn’t even move one single finger.

Teng Yun struggled to open his eyes slowly, his face was hot and painful. His head felt as if it was being hit by a hammer repeatedly. He realized he was hung up and tied, and both arms seemed to be dislocated.

Just as he succeeded in opening his eyes, he heard a swish of the lashing whip with a ‘pop’ sound. The whip struck his face and Teng Yun’s face was so hot and painful that he could barely open his eyes.

For a moment, Teng Yun wondered if he had a long dream, a ridiculous dream in which he’d turned into someone’s Empress. As an Empress, he’d helped someone defeat his enemies. And when Teng Yun woke up from the dream, someone was wielding a whip, just like those days when he was in captivity and tortured mercilessly.

His body was already skinned and split, without an inch of intact skin.

A prison guard was whipping Teng Yun, and the other one, who looked like the leader, was sitting on the side drinking and watching the show. One of the prison guards said: “Beat him hard, but don’t knock him out again. Our superiors instructed us to beat him halfway to death, and then allow him a minute of rest. He should not be allowed to die easily.  If he dies easily, we will be buried with him!”

Another prison guard said, “What grave crime has this fellow committed?”

The previous prison guard who spoke first laughed, “You haven’t heard? Such a big thing happened and yet you didn’t know? He had murdered Her Majesty the Empress, set fire to Yunfeng Palace and almost burned the entire Imperial Palace. I heard a palace servant say that at her last moment, the Empress’ end was quite miserable. The Emperor is very angry.”

When Teng Yun heard the conversation, he instantly opened his eyes wide and tried to move. The prison guard mistook it as if he was trying to escape, so he whipped Teng Yun again a few times.

“This kind of crime deserves a beheading! A low-level guard like him? Impossible! Are you sure there was no mastermind behind him?”

The first prison guard mysteriously said, “I know, right? This Teng Ying is just a moron. He was just someone else’s pawn. I heard the mastermind behind the murder was actually Teng-fei! Teng-fei was jealous that the Empress received a lot of favour from the Emperor. Just because of jealousy she conspired to burn a person alive, tsk! The women in the Palace really can do anything!”

“This is outrageous!”

“Yeah, it is. His Majesty is extremely angry. He has ordered both Teng-fei and Marquis Tengnan to be arrested and confined.”

As Teng Yun listened, he didn’t know what he felt in his heart. Apparently that ridiculous dream was not a dream after all. He had been burned alive inside Yunfeng Palace, and was once again plotted against by his own close relatives. This time it was Teng Ying who started the fire that killed him.

The prison guard were chatting happily, they had been ordered not to kill the prisoner but to leave the prisoner just barely alive.

—–

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Teng Qianyi didn’t even realize she had been deliberately tricked by Lang Jing from the beginning and used as a pawn in Xue Yu’s schemes.

When Xue Junliang arrived at the Palace, he threw Teng Qianyi into the Cold Palace. He then ordered Xue Houyang to capture Marquis Tengnan and bring him to the capital to be imprisoned, but after all this was done his mood still could not calm down.

Xue Junliang was clever. He could put two and two together and concluded Xue Yu and Marquis Tengnan had colluded together. If not for Xue Yu’s rebellion, the Empress would not have died.

The court officials all pleaded with Emperor Xue. The previous Emperor had decreed that his descendants should not kill each other.

Xue Yu was captured and was already disgraced. He didn’t care more. Anyway, there was nothing more terrible than death. He even asked someone to send a message to Xue Junliang, saying that he was waiting for the Emperor to kill himself. He wanted to see Emperor Xue’s deadly skills with his own eyes.

Xue Houyang thought to persuade Xue Junliang, but Xue Junliang refused an audience. Xue Houyang helplessly asked Teng Shang’s advice.

However, Teng Shang’s mood was not so good. Xue Houyang thought it might be because Marquis Tengnan was arrested. He tried to comfort Teng Shang, “Marquis Tengnan is still a marquis. If he says he is completely ignorant of this matter, he might only receive light punishment. Teng-fei, on the other hand…”

After hearing this, Teng Shang sneered and said, “I once thought that I would be loyal to King Teng all my life to repay the grace of the former Emperor. It’s a pity… Unfortunately, the Heavens allowed me to do something unfaithful and unjust.”

His eyes were actually a little red. Teng Shang always had a strong nature, and would not easily show feelings and thoughts, but today, Teng Shang seemed to have a hard time controlling his emotions.

On that day, he escorted Xue Yu to the mansion, and then entered the palace. He never imagined that it was the Yunfeng palace that had caught fire. The fire had been extinguished.  The maidservant who had always been beside the Empress, Xiu Yao was kneeling on the ground amongst Yunfeng Palace’s ruins, bawling her eyes out until she almost fainted.

Teng Shang’s heart was cold in dread. Later, Xue Houyang sent someone to bring an urgent message to Emperor Xue that the Empress had passed away.

King Teng’s conduct over the years had left Teng Shang’s feeling bitter and cold. The only reason he was still striving to be loyal to Teng Country was because Teng Zhengxuan had adopted him when he was at his lowest and had taught him to be a good man.

Teng Shang wanted to repay Teng Zhengxuan by being loyal to Teng Country, but Teng Shang had only been rewarded with oppression and mistreatment. Teng Yun’s unexpected return was Teng Shang’s last consolation.

But now, Teng Yun was dead; burned to death inside the Yunfeng Palace. Teng Shang felt like his whole world was crumbling; the despair almost annihilating him.

Xue Houyang didn’t know what had he said that made Teng Shang answer like that. Teng Shang took a deep breath and tried to rein in his feelings. He said to Xue Houyang, “I’m afraid I cannot help Lord Marquis in this. If you ask this Teng, I’ll only think of ways of letting Emperor Xue kill Xue Yu.”

Xue Houyang froze, then understood, it turned out that the news of the Empress’s death had given him such a big blow, Xue Houyang although simple-minded, but more or less saw that something was wrong.

Even if the Empress had vast knowledge in military theories and strategies, and could often discuss these things with Teng Shang, the two people’s identities were too different and they weren’t even from the same country. But their familiarity with each other indicated that they knew each other. Emperor Xue suspected this and naturally Xue Houyang had his own suspicions.

Xue Houyang didn’t know how to comfort Teng Shang. In the end he suggested Teng Shang have some rest and then he himself went into the Palace to counsel the Emperor.

——

Xue Junliang sat alone in the warm pavilion of the study room. He’d sent Jiang Yu and the other attendants out. His gaze was fixed at the country’s defense map spread out at the wall in front of him. He recalled that the Empress had used this map to point out strategies about sending troops and transporting army provisions.

Today, Yunfeng Palace has become a ruin…

Xue Junliang swallowed hard against the lump in his throat. He leaned back and rested his head against the back of his chair.  He did not expect that he would be so hung up, so attached, so sad about any one person in his life.

The person he cared about was dead, but he, as the sovereign, could not punish the one who caused the death. He couldn’t kill the culprit. He couldn’t even touch Xue Yu, nor sentence a severe punishment for Xue Yu. If he did, his people would condemn him as a tyrannical ruler…….

Xue Junliang stood and slowly walked over to the map. With his hand, he gently traced the transportation route which passed deep into a remote and difficult terrain. Smiling to himself, he said, “These few days when I was in Teng, I have heard and seen many things. They were all exactly as you described to me. You sure were very capable; you knew things about a place miles away from the Palace.”

Xue Junliang sighed tersely, the hand tracing the map was slightly trembling. He chuckled, “You actually went away like this, you sure were resourceful, leaving me so many mysteries ……”

Jiang Yu stood outside the study room. It was way past the time for a meal, but Jiang Yu didn’t dare to bother the Emperor. He could only stand outside the warm pavilion, and from time to time he would sigh deeply.

When Xue Houyang came, Jiang Yu said, “Lord Marquis, maybe it would be better if you come again some other day. His Majesty… His Majesty is grieving and not in the right mood to hear any counsel.”

Jiang Yu hoarsely added, “Lord Marquis, you must have already seen… How His Majesty felt towards the Empress… though His Majesty doesn’t say anything, but this old servant knows… This servant knows His Majesty’s heart is very sad.”

Xue Houyang was aware of this, but he couldn’t bear seeing His Majesty like this. Xue Houyang was about to leave when they heard Xue Junliang calling Jiang Yu in.

Jiang Yu soon came out. When Xue Houyang asked, it turned out that His Majesty wanted to personally interrogate Teng Ying himself.

—–

Xue Country’s Empress had passed away. This matter, naturally, could not be concealed from Feng Country. Moreover, the Empress didn’t die of illness; instead she was murdered by Xue Country’s imperial consort, Teng-fei.

How could Feng Ming pass up such an excellent opportunity, but some officials reasoned that,  because Xue Junliang only recently annexed Teng Country, fighting against Xue Country would be akin to fighting against two countries at the same time.

Lu Shichen said, “This lowly subject thinks there is no better time to move troops than this. Although Emperor Xue had claimed Teng Country, the two countries had been at war for so many years. Naturally, the military and the civilian’s hearts were divided. It would be impossible for Emperor Xue to forcefully mobilize Teng Country’s army so soon. Moreover, Xue Country’s capital city had only recently endured a rebellion. Its foundation must have suffered damages. This is truly a great opportunity… just…”

Feng Ming thought Lu Shichen’s reasons made sense. When going to war, it was essential that all the country’s citizens had one same heart and goal. As long as the country had the same determination, it wasn’t impossible said country could withstand a great deal of attack. On the contrary, when the soldiers’ hearts were divided, it didn’t matter even if there were a great number of soldiers. They would only be like a sheet of loose sands; unable to cooperate and act as one.

However, when Feng Ming realized Lu Shichen still had some doubts, he said, “Minister Lu, please directly say what you want to say.”

“It’s just that… A war consumes a great deal of manpower and resources. Whether we will acquire victory or defeat, the ones who suffer hardships and torments the most were the commoner. Ming River hasn’t yet recovered from the flood. If His Majesty sends troops right now, I’m afraid it will cause complaints.”

Feng Ming pondered over it. Zhao Lu was standing at the front line of the court, but he was silent from the beginning. Feng Ming called him and asked his opinion.

Zhao Lu just said, “I will follow the King’s decisions.”

Feng Ming hadn’t made a decision by the time he dismissed the court assembly. Mobilizing troops wasn’t a matter that could be decided in one day; it had to be considered again and again.

After the court, Feng Ming ordered Rui Xue to stop Zhao Lu. Rui Xue laughed as she said, “Master, His Majesty is looking for you. He’s complaining that you haven’t come to see him for several days.”

Zhao Lu glanced at Rui Xue. He didn’t smile, only said, “Do you know that Emperor Xue has annexed Teng Country and King Teng has subordinated under the Emperor?”

“Of course, I do. This servant also knows that King Teng is now in prison.”

Zhao Lu said, “Then you also know that now that Teng Country is gone , there is only Feng and Xue Countries’ confrontation left.”

Rui Xue stilled and was silent for a long time. Then she muttered, “But… This…”

Zhao Lu sighed and said, “After so many years, the time is already so near.”

Marquis Zhulu left Rui Xue, who was standing still in shock, and went to Feng Ming’s residence.

Feng Ming was wearing apricot-colored robes. He didn’t look as glamorous as he did before, but his attire accentuated his masculine charm more and more.

Since returning from the Ming River, Feng Ming and Zhao Lu’s relationship had grown closer and deeper. Zhao Lu would often stay the night at Feng Ming’s residence. The court officials who originally thought Marquis Zhulu had fallen out of favor, turned around like a weathercock and began to flock around the Marquis once again to curry his favor.

Since Xue Junliang conquered Teng Country, Zhao Lu had been preoccupied with worries. As a result, he spent less and less time at King Feng’s residence. Now with Teng out of the way, there were Xue and Feng left. It was only a matter of time before the two countries clashed.

Feng Ming used to wear women’s clothing in order to please Zhao Lu, and now he’d decided he didn’t want to do that anymore just for Zhao Lu. But unexpectedly, Zhao Lu’s attitude towards Feng Ming changed. Zhao Lu treated Feng Ming very nicely, it was the complete opposite of how he used to be before. Maybe it was because they suffered hardship together during the Ming River incident.

But Feng Ming didn’t know that this wasn’t going to last forever.

Because Zhao Lu hadn’t been visiting Feng Ming in the Palace for several days, Zhao Lu’s abnormalities were not noticed. Zhao Lu stayed in the Palace that night

Feng Ming smiled and said to him, “If we attack Xue, who do you think is the best person to send?”

Zhao Lu did not expect the other party would mention this. He was also most afraid to mention this. He pondered for a while and said: “At this moment, I can not think of who would be competent for this task.”

Feng Ming nodded and said, “The people I trust the most around me, are you and Minister Lu. Minister Lu is like my mentor, and you…”

Feng Ming paused. Then he raised his head and gently rubbed Zhao Lu’s earlobe with his lips. Smiling, he said, “Naturally, I always trust your judgment, so I’m thinking of sending you.”

Hearing this, Zhao Lu closed his eyes and his hold on Feng Ming’s waist tightened more fiercely. The more Feng Ming trusted him, the more Zhao Lu’s heart felt uncomfortable.

Feng Ming opened his lips to add something but then Zhao Lu turned him over and pressed him onto the bed. Pressing Feng Ming’s body with his, Zhao Lu lowered his head and kissed Feng Ming’s lips. From there, Zhao Lu traced kisses on Feng Ming’s neck and all the way down. Every kiss was demanding and frenzied and devout, as if Zhao Lu had gone mad.

They had just finished one round. These past few days, Feng Ming was exhausted due to considering the matters about Xue Country. Therefore, when Zhao Lu coaxed him for a second round more fiercely than the previous, Feng Ming immediately passed out and fell asleep.

Zhao Lu embraced the sleeping Feng Ming, covered him with the quilt, buried his face into the crook of his shoulder. He sighed lightly and said in his heart: “You trust me now, I do not know how much you will hate me later, just like I hated you back then.”

Zhao Lu knew that if he was sent to lead troops, he would cross the border and never return to Feng Country.

—–

Teng Yun was beaten until he passed out again, and the prison guard concluded that though this prisoner was an Imperial Guard, he was just an empty frame.

It was true that Teng Ying didn’t have any skill. He knew nothing about and never practiced martial arts. Physically, he was weak. Also, since he was captured, he did not have any meals.  Therefore, naturally his body could not endure being beaten like this.

The prison guard was going to use water to wake the fainted Teng Ying. At this time, someone came and said Emperor Xue wanted to personally interrogate the prisoner, and took Teng Ying away who was still unconscious. Since the prisoner was unconscious it was good, they could drag him away without struggle.

Xue Junliang looked down at the paralyzed person on the ground. The man’s whole body was covered in cuts and bruises Xue Junliang almost could not recognize him. When he first met Teng Ying, Xue Junliang noted this man was handsome and had an unrestrained elegance; he was also well-mannered. But now, Xue Junliang only felt disappointment and anger when he saw this person.

Xue Junliang, ignored the blood dripping on the floor of the warm pavilion of the study room. He walked over with his hands behind his back, lightly kicked the man’s face.

Teng Yun felt cold all over. Saliva choked his mouth and nose. He came back to consciousness violently. When he tried to blink his eyes open, he saw Xue Junliang looking down with cold indifference.

Jiang Yu ordered the guards to bring water to douse the prisoner awake, and could only shake his head.

Teng Yun’s face was covered in blood. When he was doused with water, he immediately lost the little bit of vision he had regained. He had no more strength to open his eyes; could only drop his head on the floor and gasp for air.

Xue Junliang let out a laugh, his voice without a trace of emotion, said: “Are you not very powerful? With someone backing you up, you even plotted to kill the Empress. You have a lot of guts. Do you think you have suffered? Don’t worry, this is just the beginning. This Seat will not let you die so easily, I have ways to let you know that begging for death is also an extravagant hope ……”

As he said that, Xue Junliang suddenly recalled that day of the Ancestor Worship Ceremony. The Empress had tried to assassinate him and he had said these exact same words to her. At that time, he said it because he knew he could not kill the Empress. But then, he started trusting the Empress deeply. And now she was truly dead, but he was grieving her death and still could not let her go.

Teng Yun’s eyes also opened at this sentence. He tried to say something, but his throat felt so raw and painful and he had lost his voice. He could not form a complete sentence; only a low and short laugh.

Teng Yun thought maybe it was because he’d killed too many people in his previous lifetime that Heavens had to cast him into a game like this.

Xue Junliang saw the man’s smile and he frowned. He was about to lash out in anger when Jiang Yu came in to report, “Your Majesty, Marquis Wannian requests an audience, says there is a report from the border station.”

Only then did Xue Junliang walk back and sit down, and did not let anyone drag Teng Yun out, but only instructed Jiang Yu to summon Xue Houyang in.

As soon as Xue Houyang came in, he smelled a strong odor of blood. Someone was lying paralyzed on the floor to the side and Emperor Xue was sitting on his chair; completely unaffected by the situation.

Xue Houyang just frowned and wordlessly handed the report to Jiang Yu, who presented it to Xue Junliang with respectful hands.

The report explained that there seemed to be a growing activity around Xue and Feng Countries’ borders. King Feng had intensified the military recruitment and training; his intention could not be more obvious.

Xue Junliang was so infuriated. He fiercely threw the report to the floor and snorted coldly, “Apparently, King Feng has become too overconfident. Teng Country’s military troops are already in this Seat’s hands. Did King Feng want to strike a stone with eggs?”

Xue Houyang wanted to remind Xue Junliang that this was not the best time to utilize Teng Country’s troops. Teng Country’s soldiers might still be loyal to Teng and had not completely surrendered to Xue. Moreover, at this time, Xue Junliang had arrested and put Marquis Tengnan in prison. The people of Teng must be quite frightened; afraid a disaster was going to befall them as well.

When the people’s hearts were still unstable like this, it was not wise to send troops.

However, Xue Houyang also knew Xue Junliang was not in the right state of mind to listen to anyone.  He was thinking of a way to offer his opinion when he heard a hoarse laughter. The laughter was as rough as a dry tree bark but it wasn’t difficult to hear the contempt in it.

Xue Junliang angrily walked over to the prisoner and said, “A prisoner trodden so low on the ground is still in the position to laugh so freely. This Seat really admires you.”

Teng Yun’s throat was raw. He opened and closed his mouth several times before he could barely make a sound, “I’m laughing at you… So muddleheaded… and incompetent, yet you dare to say someone is striking a stone with egg… So overconfident!”