Deposed Empress General Chapter 43

The night was cool like water, and within Yan palace, it was entirely quiet. But Jiang family was actually illuminated with lamp light. Originally, in the palace, news spread that Murong Yan had gone to Jiang Bilan's residence in the night, so Jiang Sanyi and his wife were extremely happy. But later, when they learned that Murong Yan only ate dinner with Jiang Bilan, and didn't stay the night, the entire family started feeling uneasy again.

Jiang Sanyi inquired several times, but didn't receive any accurate information. Additionally, recently, Murong Yan also had not mentioned the matter of naming a queen in court.

Jiang Sanyi didn't have a position, and could not attend court, so everything had to rely on his old attendants and friends to inform him. Madam Zheng said, "Old sir, it's no use for us to just wait here like this without doing anything. Lan'er originally with the abolished crown prince....... and now she also doesn't have neither name nor recognition to live in the palace. If this keeps on going at this rate, how could it be good!"

Jiang Sanyi waved his hand, "I know!"

The husband and wife were just discussing the matter when a eunuch entered. It was Murong Yan announcing that he planned on heading to the hunting ground to hunt, and was summoning Jiang Sanyi to accompany him.

Madam Zheng quickly welcomed the eunuch into the living room to bring out tea, personally helping Jiang Sanyi to change into formal garb, saying, "Old sir, you have to remember to inquire on behalf of Lan'er. Our Jiang family, currently is all relying on her!"

Jiang Sanyi was impatient, "Talking too much, how could I not personally worry over it?"

Murong Yan brought the court officials all along to the hunting ground, and Jiang Sanyi took a single look, and only saw that Jiang Bilan was also wearing red hunting attire, following behind Murong Yan. The court officials all had accompanied, and he took a look, and saw the ones closest to him were Feng Ping, Zuo Canglang, Bi Chengjing, Zhou Xin, and Gan Xiaoru, these people.

The military officials mostly outside didn't need mentioning, as among the civil officials, with one look, he knew that it was Gan Xiaoru's faction that was closer to Murong Yan.

He had just arrived at the hunting grounds, when Murong Yan smiled, saying, "Beloved subject Jiang, I remember, that you managed the stables, and your skill in archery and horsemanship is not below that of the military officials. Today, you must return from the hunt with a good yield."

Jiang Sanyi busily cupped his hands, saying yes, and then quickly glanced momentarily at his own daughter, and saw that she was following behind the youthful ruler, looking like a match made in heaven, covered by a screen of pearl beads. Speaking of it, it was also strange, as back in the past, how did he not see that this little guy was so filled with leadership capabilities and noble?

The hunting ground was for use by the Yan royal family, and was to the east of Jinyang city, at Pan Long pass. Murong Yan and Jiang Bilan orriginally came as just the two of them, and Jiang Bilan shot two consecutive arrows, but missed her prety with both shots. After all, she was a rear court woman, and didn't have much strength.

Murong Yan held her soft and supple hands, pulling her onto his own horse, his two hands wrapped around her waist, and drew a bow together with her. Jiang Bilan was entirely startled, and her face blushed in embarrassment, hiding in his embrace, too embarrassed to even take a look at where here arrow landed after it was loosed.

Bi Cheng Jing and the other old officials all silently shook their heads, as everyone was all awaiting Murong Yan to officially announce his decision to make Jiang Bilan his queen, for the sake of opposing it. Even if Murong Yan did not mention this matter, currently, he still publicly brought Jiang Bilan out, and had this type of loving intimacy, so they were just afraid that his mind had already been made.

Zuo Canglang, although escorting in the rear, but Jiang Bilan's laughter was like a tingling bell, but she actually didn't look in that direction. Pan Long pass's hunting prey, mostly were privately raised, and seeing people, they didn't avoid them, and entirely lacked the wildness of nature. This type of hunting, for a military official, was practically child's play, and there wasn't much entertainment in it.

Additionally, Murong Yan was riding with his beloved, and their speed could not be fast. She rode her horse slowly, meandering about. Murong Yan would occasionally look back, and seeing that she was all lazy, said, "General Zuo today is distracted, could it be that you despise this one for not hitting the target?"

By the side, the high officials all laughed out loud, and Zuo Canglang quickly cupped her hands, saying, "Responding to your majesty, this subject does not dare."

Murong Yan said, "Speaking of it, back when marshal Wen attacked Wu Zhong, he had once attained a godly bow, named Nine Dragons' Tongue. Marshal Wen had gifted this bow to father king, and currently, it is still stored within the palace. Today, as general Zuo finds this king petty, I shall bring it out, as the top prize. Today, the one who hunts the most, will be gifted this bow."

As he said this, everyone was still a bit playful, as who knew, just based on horse archery, here, nobody was Zuo Canglang's match. His saying these words, was practically just gifting it to her. After all, this was still an item left behind by marshal Wen, so nobody would say anything.

Zuo Canglang was speechless, and cupped her hands, saying, "Thanks your majesty."

Murong Yan said, "Take a look, just going ahead and thanking the gift here, is practically not putting any of my Great Yan's military or civil officials in your eye. You all also have to work hard, so that you are not taken lightly by our general Zuo."

Of course the court officials all cheered, and instantly, the scene got a lot more lively.

Zuo Canglang was still somewhat interested in the Nine Dragons' Tongue, so she also wasn't forgiving, pursuing the prety within the light grass and the forested areas.

Not long later, the sun was hanging in midair. Jiang Bilan was drenched in sweat, her clothes soaked. This type of weather, for her, was too hot. Murong Yan said, "You're also tired, so return to the camp first. After the hunt is over, I will head over to meet you."

Jiang Bilan, seemingly unable to part with him, finally released her hand, saying, "I will await your majesty."

Murong Yan said, "In the future, when there is only the two of us around, you don't need to call me your majesty."

Jiang Bilan raised her make up covered face. It was impossible for her to claim that she was not moved. When Murong Yan was in dire straits, her father didn't hold back on making him look bad. He had never responded in anger. Later when she married the abolished crown prince to become a secondary concubine, and Wei Ji was the main consort, but now, he still treated her with their childhood intimacy.

She held the hem of his robe with her hand, and seeing that everyone was still around, she couldn't do anything else, but only drifted her eyes like autumn streams, "Big brother Yan......"

Murong Yan lightly pulled her into his embrace, and pat her back, saying some sweat and comforting words.

After sending Jiang Bilan back to the camp, he rode his horse forwards, suddenly saying, "General Zuo, since Nine Dragons' Tongue is the prize, this king also has the right to compete for it. Don't be too confident so early, ah!"

Zuo Canglang was startled, and Murong Yan had already drawn his bow, and immediately, a wild deer fell to the ground. Since the past, whenever the king went on a hunt, the accompanying guards would all bring some special arrows that had the king's mark. The large number of prey they shot, would all be counted as the king's prey.

This was also the meaning that you would not have any glory on your face when facing the ruler.

Currently, Murong Yan had previously already been hunting, and with this added to it, if she wanted to win, it wouldn't be easy.

She frowned, and actually really became serious.

The two of them rode on their horses through the mountains and the wilderness, but not knowing since when, they had slowly grown distant from the army camp. Wang Yunzhao and the others actually didn't manage to keep up.

Zuo Canglang shot a scorpion, and when she turned, she saw that Murong Yan had followed behind her. Their gazes were exchanged, and Zuo Canglang unconsciously moved her gaze. Nobody spoke, and the mood suddenly became awkward. She turned her horse to continue, but her ears could not help but keep track of his horse's foot beats.

Murong Yan dismounted, and in a small pool of spring water, washed his hands, saying, "Slow down, and be careful of your legs. I don't want a general with broken legs." Zuo Canglang jumped off her horse, but didn't head over, and Murong Yan wiped his face and hands, asking, "What are you staying so far away from me for? Do I eat people? Come here."

She finally walked slowly over, and Murong Yan lifted his hand, using his wet silk handkerchief to wipe the sweat on her face and the dust away. With the cool sensation, Zuo Canglang could not help but retreat a step. Murong Yan slowly wiped her face clean, saying, "What are you hiding for, like a spotted cat."

Zuo Canglang thus only stood there and didn't move. The trees and the grasses were silent, and there was only passing emptiness. He was standing so close like that, she could see her own reflection in his two eyes. Murong Yan said, "I know, you want to pretend that nothing ever happened before. But take a look at yourself, and then take a look at how we are interacting now. Ah Zuo, some matters are done once they're done, and even if you wanted to pretend that it had never happened, what use would it be?"

Zuo Canglang was shaking, but other than pretending that nothing had happened, what could I do? She said, "That year, before Changjing pavilion, miss Jiang invited your majesty to head over to meet her. Your majesty said, she could choose not to come, but you could not but wait. Your majesty has journeyed the whole way until arriving here today, but you are still willing to do things for the greater righteousness, and make miss Jiang queen. Your majesty's feelings towards miss Jiang, is a dream that this subject admires for my whole life."

Murong Yan was startled, and Zuo Canglang said, "In this whole world, who would not be willing to have a romantic partner such as your majesty, seeking life to avoid death, and staying by one's side for a whole lifetime? I understand what your majesty means, as your majesty wants to remind this subject not to care about reputation, and in the future, our interactions can avoid others' eyes and ears. But your majesty, this subject has never cared for reputation, and also does not believe that I should maintain my purity for any single person. This subject is only not willing, to make oneself become the only stain between your majesty and miss Jiang. This subject cannot, personally pollute my own aspirations, to dishonor my own idols."

Her eyes finally carried tears, but slowly, stepped back, knelling onto the ground, saying, "This subject is willing to use everything that this one has, to assist your majesty to attain his live, his wants, his longing, his hopes, everything."

Murong Yan looked down from high above, for a moment, deep in thought. A long time later, he reached his hand out, helping her up, his right hand exerting a bit of force, pressing her against his shoulders, saying, "Silly child......." his right hand lightly pat her hair, and he lightly said another, "Silly child."

Within the camping grounds of the hunting area, Jiang Bilan only felt bored. By her side, there was only a servant girl named Wei Zhu following her. It was someone she had been used to serving her back when she was in Jiang family, and currently, seeing that she was dizzy, Wei Zhu said, "Miss, rest first, as I will go immediately to go and find an imperial doctor!"

Jiang Bilan nodded, as she was not only dizzy, but also felt anemic, and her stomach was even more filled with pain and a desire to puke. She covered her mouth, wanting to puke, but didn't manage to puke anything out. Wei Zhu wanted to leave, but suddenly, thinking of something, she turned around to ask, "Miss, you...... how long has it been since your period came?"

Jiang Bilan was startled, asking, "What are you asking this for?"

Wei Zhu grew worried, and quietly said, "Miss! You couldn't possibly have......."

Jiang Bilan was startled, as though she thought of something, and immediately paled, saying, "My period....... indeed hasn't come in two months."

Wei Zhu said, "Then we cannot invite the imperial doctor. Miss, first bear with it a bit, and in the night, I will go and invite madam to enter the palace. We will find madam to come up with a plan."

Jiang Bilan's heart was filled with unsettledness, and didn't wait for Murong Yan to return, but quickly ordered Feng Ping to order people to escort her back to the palace. Feng Ping knew that Murong Yan treated her differently, and was afraid of performing a disservice, so he immediately assigned a portion of the imperial guard, and sent her back to the palace.

Wei Zhu immediately went to invite madam Zheng, and currently, although Jiang family still hadn't had any members in the imperial court, but Murong Yan was still afraid that Jiang Bilan would not be comfortable in the palace, so he had especially granted her mother, madam Zheng, to normally enter the palace.

Madam Zheng, at home, was like an ant being cooked on a stove, as she was always awaiting news of her husband. Now that Wei Zhu sent someone to pass a message, she immediately entered the palace.

Jiang Bilan rested on the bed, her expression bad, and although madam Zheng wasn't familiar with the medical arts, but ultimately she had given birth to four sons and daughters, and at this time, by just asking the symptoms, she immediately responded that it was not good. In an instant, she began cursing the abolished crown prince for his uselessness, and also began worrying about the present.

Jiang Bilan, seeing that it was almost time for her to be named queen, and at this time, if news of her pregnancy was spread, wouldn't Jiang family pretty much have put in all that effort for nothing?

Madam Zheng's forehead was covered in sweat, and shaking, asked, "Seeing things this way, the child is only two months old. When did you and his majesty consummate your relationship? Perhaps it is still possible......."

Jiang Bilan's face paled, "He....... he...... he and I still haven't done it." Madam Zheng hated that her daughter was so useless, "You've been back to the palace for so many days, so how have you not properly put in the effort!"

Jiang Bilan was already worried, saying, "I've kept him, but it seemed like since he had returned, he had been extremely busy. This type of matter, how could I......"

Madam Zheng was ultimately her mother, and said, "Enough, now that it has come to this, we can only think of a solution." Jiang Bilan held her hand, her palm entirely sweaty, "Mother, he....... would he want my child?"

Madam Zheng used an expression as if she was looking at a fool to gaze at her, "My child, ah. He is the king now! You're bearing the abolished crown prince's child, and you still want to become queen! Your child would become his first heir! And that would mean it's probable for him to become the future crown prince! Tell me whether or not he would want to keep this child?!"

Jiang Bilan's lips quivered, "But the matter of my marriage to big brother crown prince, he knew of! Since he knew...... perhaps......"

Madam Zheng pushed her aside, "No matter what, you must first return to the estate to live there a few days."

Jiang Bilan asked, "Can I live until....... after I give birth?"

Madam Zheng was so angry she couldn't say a single word, and turned to leave.

Midnight, Murong Yan returned to the palace. When Wang Yunzhao helped him change his clothes, he discovered that a white silk handkerchief in his sleeve was still wet, and couldn't help but say, "Your majesty, this type of thing, how could you directly put it in your sleeve? Right now, you are strong and youthful, but if you got older......"

Although he was a servant, but ultimately, he still helped raise Murong Yan since he was young until he became an adult. Sometimes when speaking to him, he couldn't help but carry some of an elder's concern. Murong Yan was also startled, as that silk handkerchief, Zuo Canglang had also used before. He actually didn't find anything off about it, and had just put it into his chest pocket flippantly.

Turns out that at that time, when that silly child had, with a serious face, said, "this subject is willing to use everything I have, to assist your majesty to gain your love, you desires, your longing, your hope, and everything," he had been distracted?

He was stumped, but he didn't linger on it, only asking, "Lan'er returned to the palace early, could it be that her body was feeling unwell? Did she summon an imperial doctor to take a look?"

Wang Yunzhao respectfully said, "Responding to your majesty, a moment ago, when returning to the palace, this old servant already ordered an imperial doctor over, but heard that it was just that miss Jiang was bored, and was in the middle of resting, so the imperial doctor didn't manage to meet her."

Murong Yan nodded, "Go, let's head over there to take a look."

Qi Feng Hall, when Murong Yan came, it was ten past midnight. Jiang Bilan and Madam Zheng rushed to the gate to receive him, and just as they were about to kneel, Murong Yan said, "No need." With a hand supporting Jiang Bilan, he turned to speak to Madam Zheng, "Jiang family's old estate, this king has always ordered people to properly take care of, but it's just that ultimately, I am busy with matters, and haven't been able to personally visit. Madam has returned home for all these years, are things still as expected?"

Madam Zheng graciously said, "Reporting to your majesty, everything is good within the estate. Even the old servants and the horses are still good, without a single piece missing. Every time this little servant wife and the old sir mentions this matter, we cannot help but be thankful towards your majesty's royal grace." Murong Yan nodded, and Madam Zheng busily said, "Your majesty, this little subject wife's parents and siblings are all old, and currently, has been missing Lan'er. So this subject bride dares to ask, to have your majesty allow Lan'er to return home to live here for a few days?"

Murong Yan said, "Lan'er has lived in the palace for so long, so the matter of missing her family members is natural. Thus, you might as well return to live with your mother for a few days."

Jiang Bilan knelt to thank his grace, and Murong Yan also didn't stay at Qi Feng hall to eat, but only said that he would avoid bothering the reunion of mother and daughter.

When he exited Qi Feng hall, Wang Yunzhao quietly said, "Rationally speaking, official Jiang should have worked hard to keep miss Jiang living in the palace, so why would he, after a few short days, want to bring her back?"

Murong Yan glanced at him, saying, "Recently, you've had a few excessive words."

Wang Yunzhao hurriedly smacked his own mouth, "This old servant, in front of your majesty, still says whatever one thinks of."

Murong Yan said, "Jiang Sanyi, when doing things, has his own measure, so we don't need to pay attention to it."

Jiang Bilan followed Madam Zheng home, and Madam Zheng informed Jiang Sanyi of this matter. Jiang Sanyi asked, "This matter, other than you, does anyone else know of?"

Jiang Bilan said, "None others, only my personal servant girl, Wei Zhu."

Jiang Sanyi turned to speak to Madam Zheng, saying, "Did Wei Zhu also return?" Madam Zheng nodded, as since Jiang Bilan had returned, could she possibly have still stayed by herself in the palace? Jiang Sanyi said, "Have her come to take care of Lan'er, until Lan'er's body has completely recovered. Other than that, don't have her have dealings with anyone else."

Madam Zheng nodded, and Jiang Bilan asked, "Father, then what about my child?" Jiang Sanyi old told her two words, "Abort it!"

Jiang Bilan was stunned, her two eyes welling up with tears, "Father, this is your grandson."

Jiang Sanyi held her shoulders, lightly saying, "Lan'er, right now, everyone in this family's life is resting on your shoulders! Do you know that this child will bring to our Jiang estate, the catastrophe of extermination?!"

Jiang Bilan shook her head, "Father, he is also the descendant of the Murong family."

Jiang Sanyi's patience was finally exhausted, "Shut up! This is just a bastard! Do you think Murong Yan would still be able to swallow his anger over this?"

Jiang Bilan cried out, "I can go and ask him! If he can't swallow his anger, it's enough for him to just not wed me! Is this my fault? Was it my fault to marry big brother crown prince? It was you all forcing me, what have I done wrong?!"

Jiang Sanyi angrily lashed out, "Shut up! You still don't find it embarrassing enough?! Must you really make a scene until everyone in this estate all knows of this matter?!"

Jiang Bilan turned around and ran out, and Jiang Sanyi came forward a few steps and grabbed her arm, dragging her back to her room, tossing her harshly on the bed. "No matter how much a man loves you, they would still care about this type of matter! If you keep this child, it would just be a thorn in his eye stabbed into his heart! Even if for the sake of his reputation, he promises this matter, in the future, how will you have Murong Yan interact with the child?! Today you might not understand, but in the future, you will thank me! You will understand that everything your father has done, is all for your good!"

Jiang Bilan struggled, "Having me marry the crown prince was also for my good?"

Jiang Sanyi angrily shouted, "That is because you two had done such a shameful matter!!"

Jiang Bilan cried bitterly, "It was you all who drugged me, you all who were evil, shameless!"

Jiang Sanyi didn't want to keep talking, and ordered Madam Zheng to secretly find a doctor, to prepare medicine. Jiang Bilan was unwilling to drink it no matter what, so Jiang Sanyi dragged her up from the bed, and used his foot to kick her stomach.

Jiang Bilan instantly held onto her stomach, falling to the ground, pale. Madam Zheng screamed out, "Lan'er!"

Jiang Bilan held her stomach, curling up in the corner of the room, her gaze petrified and filled with despair.

Jiang Sanyi dragged Madam Zheng, angrily yelling, "Think it through clearly on your own!" And left angrily, shutting the door.

Jiang Bilan sat for a long time, until her body slowly began bleeding. She reached her hands out to feel it, and the blood stained her hand. It hurt, extremely painfully.

She cried out loudly, and fell by the door, trying to open the door, she discovered that it had already been locked.

This wasn't real, this must be a dream, it must be a nightmare. She hit the door, "Father, mother!"

Her bloodstained hand prints were slowly stamped on the door, she cried out in a frenzy.

No, this was not a dream. This was real.

Jar monre, arxok torbmanbcvu.

Of course, Jiang Sanyi didn't lock her in for long, and not long later, already sent in an old servant to serve her. Jiang Bilan's two lips were slightly open, staring at them blankly. Madam Zheng sat by the bedside, preparing to feed her medicine. "Lan'er, don't hate your father. We are all doing this for your good. He...... take a look at these days, his hair, has already gone mostly white."

Jiang Bilan's gaze lingered on her, as if she didn't know this person, looking her up and down. She smiled, her face pale like a one year old pottery doll. "In the past, you taught me painting, and I didn't want to learn, so you used the rod to repeatedly spank me. You said, you did everything for my good. And then, you taught me to play instruments, but I was not good, so you didn't let me eat, I kept practicing, until my fingers bled. You said it was all for my good. Then I practiced dance, singing, embroidery, and you all always said everything was for my good."

Madam Zheng sighed, holding her hands, "My child, mother knows that you have suffered a lot. But have you thought before, what this was all for? We also, for the sake that the person you would marry would be a dragon among men, and not a common person! You've suffered these types of suffering, ultimately, are you going to give it all up for a child?"

Jiang Bilan peeled her hand away, "I found my husband, and I love him. But you all wanted me to marry the crown prince, and even drugged me!"

Madam Zheng said, "We didn't drug you! Perhaps it was the crown prince that had done it, but your father did not know! Think it over, at the time, the crown prince's faction was strong, and even if your father had the intent, did he have the courage to frame the crown prince?!"

Jiang Bilan shut her eyes, her tears falling, "You all just want me to become queen, I know."

Madam Zheng pat her hand, saying, "As long as your understand, it's good. The phoenix seat for mothering the world, without difficulty and sacrifices, how could you ascend it?"

Jiang Bilan laughed coldly, "I know. I'm tired, you can leave."

Madam Zheng still wanted to say more, but seeing her shut her eyes, she could only leave. The sound of the door shutting echoed in, and Jiang Bilan opened her eyes, staring up at the pink drapes over her bed that were illuminated by the moonlight.

She was a daughter of the Jiang family, and the meaning of a Jiang family's daughter's existence, was for seeking a capable man that could attract the family's attention, to stabilize their own position.

As for whether or not they would be fortunate, heh, who cared?

Jiang Bilan began anticipating the day she would be crowned queen, as this type of family, she didn't want to stay for even a moment. Murong Yan was actually very busy, as Great Yan's agriculture, was far behind that of the surrounding nations. It was mostly still hunting and gathering. And by the sea, they were fishermen.

He ordered people to head to the countries that were more advanced in agriculture, and invited some citizens who had been farmers for generations, and secretly brought seeds back, preparing to improve Great Yan's agricultural villages and practices.

Due to the climate and environment, he had recently been constantly trying out farming methods, and Jiang Bilan hadn't seen him.

Atop this imperial court, Murong Yan gifted the godly bow, Nine Dragons' Tongue to Zuo Canglang. Zuo Canglang truly loved this bow, as the attraction of a divine weapon, as long as someone was a practitioner of the martial arts, they could not reject its draw. She held that bow, and immediately began feeling its meaning, she hated that she couldn't immediately rush to the practice grounds.

Murong Yan purposefully didn't give her the chance, as right after court was over, he ordered all the court officials to accompany him to the farmlands to maintain the fields, and every day, under the excuse of exercise, he actually managed to save a lot on labor costs.

With Murong Yan present, everyone seemed more energetic, but with the beating of the sun rising in the sky, a field wasn't something that was developed quickly.

Zuo Canglang brought some grass ash over to spread it over, and not long later, was covered in sweat. Murong Yan softly said, "I called you over to help boost morale, but did you plan on changing professions to become a day laborer, ah?"

Zuo Canglang felt aggrieved, it's not enough that I work hard? Murong Yan reached his fingers out, making a movement as if he was going to stab her eyes out. "Still daring to stare me down. There are so many men around, so how can the heavy lifting end up in your hands? If there are any more problems with your wound, then you should go and find land on your own to go and die in. Scram, and stay by the sidelines!"

Zuo Canglang asked, "Then what did lord master call me over for? Why not free me to head to the practice grounds to try out my bow!"

Murong Yan said, "The court is too far away, so I kept feeling that it had been quite a few days since I saw you, so I called you over to take a look."

Zuo Canglang was startled. His gaze pierced her, but it also passed by her, looking towards somewhere else.

Jiang Sanyi was also weeding the land, and occasionally his gaze would drift. He saw that Murong Yan was speaking with Zuo Canglang. He was slightly startled---- at the time Zuo Canglang had just picked up some stacks of grass ash, so of course her body wasn't particularly clean. But Murong Yan was that close to her.

And, the position Wang Yunzhao was standing in, whether intentionally or not, was blocking everyone's line of sight.