Deposed Empress General Chapter 46

Within the room, a candle was lit, but the room still was darkly illuminated. Within the dark corner of the bed, Zuo Canglang held the hand that was grasping her waist without a shift in her expression, and after the servant girl had shut the door and exited, softly said, "Your majesty!"

Murong Yan said, "Mmm?"

Zuo Canglang shifted his hand away, saying, "Currently your majesty is a nation's ruler, and entering an old subject's estate in the middle of the night, I'm afraid it would be a shameful display."

Murong Yan flipped over, and lied down by her side, using his two arms as pillows, saying, "When mother consort passed, I was settled in Yang Quan Hall, and by my side, there was only Wang Yunzhao to take care of me. He was mother consort's confidante, and within the palace everyone would suppress him and make matters difficult. He would often suffer punishment, and didn't have time to care for me."

Zuo Canglang was startled, as in the past, Murong Yan practically never mentioned these matters. Of course, in the past, the two of them also hadn't lain shoulder to shoulder on a bed with the free time to talk. Murong Yan smiled, saying, "Sometimes when I was so hungry I couldn't continue, I would head to the royal kitchen to steal food. And if the servant girl sending food over, I didn't recognize, I would never dare to eat the food given. In the winter, the coal allowance was always skimped on, and all the books mother consort had hidden away, were practically all used by me to keep warm. Until now, not many inheritance items are left."

When he said these words, there was a type of calm detachment. Zuo Canglang's intent of kicking him out, slowly turned soft. Murong Yan held her hand, saying, "One time, the queen had had Wang Yunzhao beaten until he was only one breath away from death, and when the servants carried him back to my hall, I practically thought that it was already a dead person. At that time, I was seven, and sat by the side alone, sitting there for a long time, and felt that I should go to the imperial doctors' yard to grab some medicine. I used small paper to wrap all the medicine I could back. I didn't know which were useful, and it was all a mess, so I just boiled it all for him to drink."

As he said these matters, his lips actually curled into a small smile, saying, "He was also lucky, and just managed to survive it like this."

Those days of loneliness and suffering, the cold and frigid confines of the palace, he utter each word, carrying a thin trace of pain, "I left the palace at twelve to establish my own estate, and one time, I went to the orphan camp, and you were helping Yang Lianting to beg for medicine. I didn't know why, but I suddenly thought of this matter. That moment, I believe you really wanted him to continue living."

"Lord master." Zuo Canglang finally held his hand, and Murong Yan returned her grasp, saying, "I only wanted to say, the things I have done this lifetime that aren't fit for the public eye, are actually very numerous. Compared to them, secretly entering your residence today, is still rather glamorous."

Zuo Canglang, in a short period of time, could only bitterly smile. Murong Yan turned his face to face her, reaching his hand out to brush her hair from her face, lightly calling her, "Ah Zuo." That voice was low and alluring, and Zuo Canglang seemed as though she had fallen into a trance, only being able to watch as he got closer and closer, as he slowly kissed her eyebrow.

She reached her hand out to push his shoulder, so Murong Yan held that hand, lightly kissing it, the light of the candle filled the air with a mesmerizing aura, and it seemed as though all the strength in her body was sucked away, so she slowly shut her eyes.

His kisses were imprinted on her forehead and eyebrow, and his right hand wanted to unclasp her underclothes' belt, but it would never break that barrier, and finally, he still released her body, and once again calmly rested by her side, saying, "Whatever, originally you haven't rested enough as it is due to my playfulness, and if you are injured, you would need to rest for an even longer time."

Zuo Canglang bit her lip, and Murong Yan lightly moved her head, resting her against his own shoulder, shutting his eyes, and just fell asleep in this quiet. His breathing was just by her ear, making people have a type of...... illusion of longing.

In Yan palace, it was already the middle of the night. Jiang Bilan made a bowl of soup, and had Hui Yun send it to the royal study. According to Wang Yunzhao, Murong Yan was discussing matters in the study with the generals, and this late, he probably also was about to rest.

Hui Yun brought the soup over to the study, but saw that inside, it was entirely dark, and didn't seem like anyone was inside. She thought Murong Yan had already gone to sleep, and was just about to return when she ran into the eunuch assigned to the study, Xiao Anzi. She quickly came forward, "Eunuch An?"

Xiao Anzi turned his head, and seeing that it was the queen's personal servant girl, quickly paid respect, "So it is big sister Hui Yun? This night as deep and the paths are long, so how have you come here?"

Hui Yun said, "Her ladyship the queen heard that his majesty hadn't rested yet, so she especially ordered this servant to send soup over. Didn't think that I came here late, as it seems like his majesty has already rested."

Xiao Anzi said, "It's ultimately still her ladyship's heart that has longing for his majesty, but today, his majesty is not in the study. In the afternoon, he had already gone out of the palace."

Hui Yun bowed, startled, asking, "Left the palace? His majesty left the palace, was it for any matter?"

Xiao Anzi knew immediately that he had spoken too much, and said, "This servant doesn't know, as us servants, who could care about the masters' matters. But his majesty often leaves the palace to walk, to observe the travails of the people, etc."

Hui Yun thought it over, seems rational. After thanking him, she brought the soup back to Qi Feng Hall. Jiang Bilan heard that Murong Yan wasn't in the palace, and thought it also was a bit strange. But she also didn't think too much on it, and quickly went to sleep.

That day, the sun wasn't yet up, and Murong Yan already rose, still quietly leaving Wen estate.

Zuo Canglang was afraid he would be discovered by others, and sat on the bed, listening for a long time, and seeing that it truly was quiet outside, she finally lied down again. But because a person suddenly disappeared from beside her on the bed, her heart felt a little bit empty. She shut her eyes, but couldn't fall asleep again. Carefully thinking it over, she discovered that she had actually forgotten to ask him about the matter of Bi Chengjing entering prison.

Truly lust would cause mistakes, the ancients had not spoken incorrectly.

She tossed and turned, and began thinking of who the assassins this time really were. Unknowingly, the sky already brightened, and the royal doctors sent over medicine. Old madam Wen still personally took care of her, and Wen Yixuan and Wen Yirong came to pay their respects. Afterwards, they needed to head to Daxi Qin's estate to learn.

A new day, began again.

In the Yan palace, after court, Jiang Sanyi especially went to find Feng Ping. Bi Chengjing's case, Murong Yan hadn't passed to anyone to conduct the trial, and currently, the Bi family members and the construction members of Wan Pavilion were all locked up in the royal prison.

And the people were close to the palace walls, and when nobody was around, Jiang Sanyi asked, "Head of the Guard, Feng, does one know how minister Bi's case, is currently progressing?"

Feng Ping looked at him, and still revealed a bit, saying, "His majesty is personally overseeing it, but it's just that within the prison, there isn't actually anything."

Jiang Sanyi was of course pressured, as currently he was only the temporary minister, so if Bi Chengjing managed to overturn the case, he would still not have anything. He lightly said, "Bi Chengjing already entered prison for many years, but his majesty keeps on not resolving it, so Head of the Guard, Feng, knows of a possible reason?"

Feng Ping was quiet and didn't speak, and Jiang Sanyi said, "Head guard Feng, these years by his majesty's side, you actually probably didn't receive much use, right?"

Feng Ping was startled, as Jiang Sanyi had stabbed straight to a sensitive topic, and as the head of the imperial guard, it was only a fourth ranked military official. It was just that because he guarded the palace grounds, nobody dared to look lightly upon him.

But when compared to Zhou Xin and Zuo Canglang, it seemed insignificant. Especially as Zuo Canglang was so young, and already held authority over a lot of troops. He deply said, "What does official Jiang mean by this statement?"

Jiang Sanyi said, "Imperial Guard head, Feng, being in court, if one is on their own, they could only be at others' beck and call. Currently, by his majesty's side, among the military officials, there would not be room for you to breathe. But ultimately his majesty will still age, and as my child is currently the queen, and if the rear court remains devoid of consorts, as long as she gives birth to a crown prince, in the future, with the passage of times, Imperial Guard head Feng also doesn't have to stay trapped in this post. And it is only a matter of time before you are a titled Marquis or minister.

Feng Ping said, "Official Jiang's words, if it is spread to his majesty's ears, I'm only afraid that it wouldn't be good, right?"

Jiang Sanyi cupped his hands, smiling, saying, "In martial matters, I am not Imperial Guard head Feng's match, but in matters of the court, it also isn't what Imperial Guard head Feng is adept at. People in court, if they don't have support, will fall when the wind blows."

Feng Ping seemed as though he was still struggling, and Jiang Sanyi did not rush him, but a long time later, he finally asked, "What does official Jiang wish to have this official do?"

Jiang Sanyi said, "Even if his majesty finds Bi Chengjing at fault in his court proceedings, he may not open his mouth to slay him. But if this person does not die, the consequences would be dire. If Imperial Guard head Feng......" he came close to Feng Ping's ear, and lightly spoke. Feng Ping's expression slowly turned grave.

Within two days, news spread from the prisons, that Bi Chengjing had contracted the plague within the prison, and was stuck in bed. When the news spread to Wen estate, Wen Xingye's entire family was in the middle of eating a meal, but hearing this matter, no matter what, he could not sit idly, and immediately wanted to enter the palace to meet Murong Yan.

Zuo Canglang could finally stand on the ground after much difficulty, but couldn't manage to catch up to him, and only managed to say, "Don't go!"

Wen Xingye said, "Minister Bi has been an official for forty years, and has always been a clean and incorruptible official, and I have been friends with him for many years, so could I really bear to watch him at this advanced age, perish within prison?!"

As he finished speaking, he lifted his leg to leave, and Zuo Canglang finally said, "I will immediately head into the palace, you, don't go."

Wen Xingye turned to look at her saying, "Your wounds......"

Zuo Canglang shook her head, and ordered the servants to prepare her official robes, and after she wore them, entered the palace.

At this moment, Murong Yan was currently discussing matters with Gan Xiaoru and Jiang Sanyi, and Xiao Anzi was extremely respectful to invite her to wait outside the door. When high officials met with his majesty, they usually had to kneel on the ground to await. Zuo Canglang was of course also not an exception, so she knelt beneath the hallway, and as it was originally already windy outside, it didn't take long for her to begin coughing.

After the study door was opened, Gan Xiaoru and Jiang Sanyi came out together, and seeing Zuo Canglang, Jiang Sanyi was startled. Right at this moment, Wang Yunzhao came out from inside, and seeing Zuo Canglang kneeling outside, his facial expression changed, and quickly stared at Xiao Anzi.

Xiao Anzi was scared witless, as Wang Yunzhao seemed as though he was afraid Murong Yan would see this, and quickly came over to help Zuo Canglang up, smiling, he said, "Aiyo, General Zuo, you are bearing wounds on your body, so how could you kneel before the wind. This old servant will support you inside."

Zuo Canglang supported herself with his hand up, asking, "It's been many days since I attended court, and as I am a bit better today, I thought to enter the palace to take a look. Chief steward Wang, is his majesty free?"

Wang Yunzhao repeatedly said, "Free, free, general please."

Jiang Sanyi watched as Wang Yunzhao supported Zuo Canglang inside, and was lost in thought---- this person entered the palace at this time, what was she doing?

Thinking for some time, he actually turned to Gan Xiaoru and smiled as he said, "Chief steward Wang and General Zuo seem well acquainted."

Gan Xiaoru took a look at him, and his smile seemed to carry an air of mystery, but he didn't speak more, but rather, only cupped his hands, saying, "Official Jiang, after you."