Edited by Zaki & Elanor

At the top of the Main Hall, Xue Junliang had long ordered a beaded curtain to be set up, after all, the appearance of the Inner Palace’s Empress was not something that everyone was allowed to see.

Marquis Wannian, Xue Houyang, was Xue Junliang’s younger brother from the same mother, and the two of them have always had a close relationship. Since Xue Junliang’s ascension to the throne, all of his other brothers had either been eliminated or distanced, leaving only one younger brother who was then granted a title, Marquis Wannian.

When the prince was still young, a wandering fortune-teller once had foretold that Xue Houyang’s character was ruthless and that he would bring disaster someday.

Xue Houyang was still very young when he has conferred a title, and had yet to build any achievements and merits. Naturally, many people were dissatisfied with him, and consequently, he was often bullied. Added with what the fortune-teller had once said, even more people joined in to bully Xue Houyang.

However, Xue Junliang had never doubted his younger brother even once, and had always been very trusting of him. Young Xue Houyang may have looked naive, but he was a member of the royal family, so inevitably he had learned to observe people surrounding him. He knew Xue Junliang had always treated him with kindness because he himself would never compete for the throne against Xue Junliang. For Xue Houyang, such precious brotherly love was very rare and uncommon in the Imperial Palace.

Three months after he was conferred a title, Xue Houyang went out for war. He left the capital city for almost seven to eight years, and had not returned back even once during this time.

Many officials petitioned Emperor Xue, suggesting him to call Xue Houyang back to the capital. After all, the Marquis was outside for far too long and it was possible he was cultivating his own followers and power.

Every time they suggested this, Xue Junliang merely smiled and told them that if this Seat couldn’t trust his own younger brother, then who else would he be able to trust?

Xue Houyang returned to the capital city and surprisingly, even though he had been away for so long, he still felt a little bit nostalgic and emotional.

On top of the Main Hall, the Civil and Military officials were standing on both sides. After unloading his weapons outside the hall, Xue Houyang strode in wearing full armour and bowed down.

The Marquis didn’t care about his life at all. It seemed as if he would go crazy at the sight of blood.

This time, Xue Houyang came back to the capital city after successfully defeating Teng Country, naturally, such a meritorious act had to be rewarded with a promotion in title. But if he was to be promoted again, his achievements would be too high and it would be difficult to avoid criticism.

Xue Junliang got up and personally came over to Xue Houyang and raised him up from his kneeling position. During the whole court session, though there were many rewards awarded, there was no mention of promoting Xue Houyang’s title. He also invited Xue Houyang for lunch in the Palace.

Although Teng Yun never said a word, he couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Xue Junliang was really a hypocrite and villain; on the surface, he treated his brother affectionately, but who knew if he wasn’t using Xue Houyang for his own gain.

As he thought this, Teng Yun couldn’t help but sigh. He had been in battles outside the country for ten years, and in those ten years, Teng Country had also been suffering civil unrest. Among his own brothers, there were always ones who plotted rebellion, there were always usurpers. Many of the court officials, ministers and noblemen must have fled the country, too.

Perhaps it was actually a good thing for an Emperor to be detached and be a bit fickle in affection, after all, a country was built on a pile of bones.

After the court assembly, the young crown prince Xue Pie was also called to dine together with them. Unexpectedly, despite Xue Pei’s temperament, both he and Xue Houyang got along quite well.

When Teng Yun returned to Yunfeng Palace, Xiu Yao had already been waiting anxiously. She asked, “Empress, how was it?”

“How else should it be?”

His words did not dampen Xiu Yao’s excitement at all. She then added, “Your Majesty, today the kitchen made some very delicious dishes, would you like to have lunch in the garden?”

Teng Yun didn’t refute her good intentions. He was also bored staying inside his room all day, so a walk in the garden would be a good idea.

Xiu Yao prepared the meals in a small pavilion. The scenery from the pavilion was very nice; one side was facing the waters, while lush green plants and flowers surrounded the other sides of the pavilion. Xiu Yao waited on Teng Yun with an exuberant mood, chattering away endlessly.

Halfway through the meal, they saw Xue Junliang and Xue Houyang coming from the sidewalk. They were walking leisurely, a group of palace maids following them a little distance away. The brothers seemed to be discussing something.

Teng Yun knew he shouldn’t be eavesdropping and should avoid this situation, but he also knew that the topic Emperor Xue and Marquis Wannian were discussing, must be something he really wanted to hear and know about.

Xiu Yao considered withdrawing as well. She looked to her mistress, but found the Empress didn’t move.

When the brothers walked closer, Teng Yun heard Xue Houyang say, “Although Teng Yun is dead, we should still be cautious about Teng Country’s Teng Shang.”

“You make a reasonable point,” Xue Junliang added with a laugh, “I heard Teng Shang treated Teng Yun very well, is that so?”

Xue Houyang thought for a moment, then said, “I’ve heard something similar as well.”

Xue Junliang chuckled and said, “I heard that Teng Shang was originally a Marquis with a different surname, then was bestowed with the royal surname. Later, as he achieved more and more merits, King Teng grew dissatisfied and suspicious with his increasing fame.”

“Yes.”

Xue Houyang didn’t understand what Emperor Xue meant by bringing up this fact, so inevitably he compared this with himself and his heart began to palpitate. To be honest, he had returned from the war and felt that his temperament was untrue. He didn’t dare to look up at Xue Junliang. He feared, just like Teng Shang, he’d be discarded as well, despite being loyal all his life.

Xue Junliang glanced at him and seemed to understand what Xue Houyang was thinking, but he didn’t point it out. Instead, he continued, “I plan to send an envoy to the Teng country. The envoy would only see Teng Shang and report that Emperor Xue intends to return Teng Country’s Sixth Prince, Great General Yun’s ashes. What do you think?”

Xue Houyang came to an abrupt stop in shock; he finally understood. This was an excellent way to create a drift between King Teng and Teng Shang. With King Teng’s suspicious nature, if Xue Country’s envoy only wanted to see Teng Shang, he would be even more wary and suspicious and send Minister Shang away. Teng Country then would have no one else to lead their troops, and therefore vulnerable to attack.

Teng Yun felt like he’d been hit on his head; hands and feet turned cold. King Teng was his own father, how could he not know that Father was suspicious of Minister Shang? He and Teng Shang weren’t even blood-related, but he always considered Teng Shang as his family. After hearing the trap designed for Teng Shang, he felt helpless.

Xiu Yao saw her Empress was distracted and lost in thought. So, she didn’t dare make a sound and could only pull at the Empress’ sleeves.

At the tug on his sleeve, Teng Yun came to himself but his hands were still trembling uncontrollably. Xue Junliang hadn’t finished talking and continued as an afterthought.

“There is more than just that.” Xue Junliang smiled smugly and with an air of ease, he said, “How could I let Teng people take General Yun’s ashes so easily? If Teng Shang wants to get Teng Yun’s ashes, he’d have to come over in person.”

Xue Houyang pondered for a moment, “But… Is Your Majesty really sure that Teng Shang will come? It’s like asking him to walk willingly into a trap, Teng Shang is not so shallow.”

Xue Junliang was unmoved, he faintly said, “I’m betting on people’s hearts.