Deposed Empress General Chapter 62

When it was almost light, Zuo Canglang started to run a slight fever. There had never been any other wardens that entered, so thinking of it, someone had probably drawn them away. When Zuo Canglang opened her mouth, her voice was hoarse, "Who ordered you here?"

The warden standing outside the cell of course, did not answer, so Zuo Canglang said, "Jiang Sanyi?" Every word she spoke felt as though a flame was burning against her throat, but she still said, "His majesty doesn't intend on killing me, so if I die, he will definitely pursue the matter. Even if he doesn't pursue the matter, the generals within the army and Wen estate would also look for an explanation. At that time, will the master behind you protect you?"

That person's brow moved, but he still remained silent, and Zuo Canglang said, "Do you have person hatred against me?"

That person finally turned his head, and with a look, Zuo Canglang's pupils shrunk, "You are...... a Western Jing person!"

That person slightly smiled, and no longer spoke. Zuo Canglang's heart started beating frantically. In this lifetime, although the time had been short, but she had already brushed by death several times. But only this time, the process was long and painful.

If this person was from Western Jing, then of course he wouldn't care how Murong Yan would pursue the matters later on. He only needed to return to Western Jing, and Western Jing's emperor would definitely reward him well. And...... she also had no way of changing his opinion.

And Murong Yan wouldn't come over, as he was still in the midst of anger, so unless several days passed, he wouldn't relax his anger.

Her cell was being taken care of solely by this Western Jing warden, and every time, he would also send her meal over on time. But the bowl would coincidentally be placed in a place where she wouldn't be able to reach even if she used up all of her energy. After the time was up, he would directly remove the food.

Zuo Canglang's lips already cracked, and her wounds were all numb. Continuing like this, even if she, through sheer fortune, managed to avoid death, she would still be left with a persistent physical condition. And, how would Western Jing personnel manage to infiltrate here? Could there still be members of the royal court secretly cooperating with the Western Jing?

Right now, those that wanted her to die, and those who had such a vicious heart, could it be Jiang Sanyi?

When it was almost dawn, she managed to pass out for a little bit. After much difficulty, the day had finally dawned, and outside, the sound of footsteps reverberated, so Zuo Canglang lifted her head. Someone entered from outside. It was a small eunuch. He brought a case of medicine, and placed in in front of Zuo Canglang, saying, "General Zuo, Eunuch Wang told me to come over and take a look at you. And also to send you some medicine."

Zuo Canglang took a look at that medicine box, and then took another look at the warden that was standing not far away, saying, "Then come over and help me apply medication." The small eunuch made an affirmation, and came close, kneeling by her side, and right as he was about to apply medicine, Zuo Canglang softly said, "Listen well, I don't care who ordered you here, and I don't care for what he wants you to do. If you help me pass out a message, and have Chief Steward Wang make a personal trip, after I leave prison, the Vice Steward in the palace will be you!"

That eunuch was startled, and Zuo Canglang said, "There's no need to suspect it, as the person ordering you cannot promise you this reward, and after I die, do you really think you will have a way to live?"

That eunuch was actually also someone who could control his fright, and he didn't change his expression as he opened the medicine cabinet. His fingers brushed lightly, but didn't manage to actually touch that ointment, but only made the motions to rub it on her wound. By the side, he softly said, "General...... are these words real? But...... how can this servant trust General?"

Zuo Canglang said, "Right now, I don't have a promise token to gift you. But I am after all, Marshal Wen's wife. Could it be that the Wen Clan, is less trustworthy than your master?"

That eunuch thought it over, saying, "This servant will just send over the message, and General promises, if General gets out of this mess, to also never pursue who the master of this servant is."

Zuo Canglang said, "Then go, it must be fast. Otherwise, your path to riches is about to be destroyed."

That eunuch helped her arrange her clothes, and lifted the medicine box to leave. The warden outside seemed to be asking him something. And the two of them responded simply, and he didn't change his expression as he left the prison.

Not long after he left, Wang Yunzhao quickly rushed over, and seeing Zuo Canglang, he was also startled, "General has become so feeble, but his majesty's anger is still not soothed. How could this be good?"

Zuo Canglang, upon seeing him, practically felt that she had been resurrected, and said, "I'm begging chief steward to by all means, convince his majesty, to make a trip to the prison."

Wang Yunzhao said, "General, his majesty is currently in the middle of his anger, so how could he come? Even if he comes, based on his personality, he definitely would not release general so quickly!"

Zuo Canglang said, "Someone wants to kill me in prison."

Wang Yunzhao was stunned, "This..... this is unacceptable. Who would dare, to, in his majesty's prison, seek to harm General?"

Zuo Canglang said, "Eunuch, please speak lightly, as since they could reach there hands even into here, of course, it wouldn't be someone ordinary."

Wang Yunzhao said, "I will immediately send people to increase the guard."

Zuo Canglang shook her head, "Does Eunuch know, who here is their men? Increasing the guard would only alert them. They would make their move even faster."

Wang Yunzhao was a bit troubled, saying, "General, even if his majesty comes, you actually don't have any other external wounds, and without proof, you also can't just have him trust that your life is danger out of the blue, ah. His anger was originally not appeased, so if at that time, you all get into another fight, I'm just afraid that you would be adding fuel to the flame, ah."

Zuo Canglang pursed her lips, and Wang Yunzhao then said, "Unless......"

Zuo Canglang looked at him, and he said, "The way his majesty thinks of General, General has always known. If General is willing to treat him softly, perhaps it could appease his anger, and quickly leave here."

Zuo Canglang was deep in thought, ultimately saying, "I can still only, use this type of relationship that can never see the light of day, to remain at his side, right?"

Wang Yunzhao sighed, saying, "General, you are someone who fights on the battlefield, so how could you die to underhanded tactics? Could it be that accompanying his majesty, would not match the difficulty of the current circumstances? Additionally, this time, all the generals have offended his majesty not lightly, so in the future...... no matter if it is for young master Leng, or them, or Wen family, they would all need you, ah."

Zuo Canglang buried her head, resting her head on the thick cuffs, when Wang Yunzhao said, "If General is worried about her ladyship the queen, in the future, just don't interact much with her. As long as it is a king, which one didn't have three halls and six yards or seventy concubines? His majesty, whether inside the palace or outside, has you and her, the two of you only, so it can't be counted as betraying anyone."

Zuo Canglang smiled a bit, saying, "It's just a saying that reaches the soul from one's senses. But...... I'll listen to Chief Steward."

At this, Wang Yunzhao finally rose, saying, "This old servant will go immediately to persuade his majesty."

At that time, Murong Yan was accompanying Jiang Bilan in admiring flowers, and Qi Feng Hall's blooms were particularly beautiful. Jiang Bilan danced among the flowers, accompanied by music played by the musicians. The autumn sun was brilliant, and Murong Yan sat beneath a gazebo, enjoying wine as he admired the flowers and the beautiful woman.

Wang Yunzhao came in from outside, and lightly spoke by his ear, "Your majesty, General Zuo......"

Murong Yan frowned, and his smile gradually faded, saying, "What's the matter?"

Wang Yunzhao said, "Your majesty, this old servant just went to prison to take a look, and yesterday night, General Zuo contracted a cold, and at this time, is already unconscious. One only fears......" He carefully looked at Murong Yan's expression, saying, "One only fears, she probably can't make it."

Murong Yan's hand froze, and he turned to look at him, Wang Yunzhao said, "The truth is that the prison is quite cold and dank, and when the wardens were cleaning, they accidentally wet the general's clothes. General was originally wounded, so your majesty, how do you see it, should we order a royal doctor over to take a look?"

Murong Yan harrumphed, "What's there to see? Let her just bear it on her own." Wang Yunzhao had normally covered for her, so being a bit exaggerated was also not anything out of the norm.

Wang Yunzhao said, "This old servant is thinking, if we send a royal doctor over, even if the general, in the future, really can't make it, other people also wouldn't feel that it was your majesty's wrong......"

At this, Murong Yan finally stared at him, and Wang Yunzhao said, "Your majesty, everything this old servant has said is the truth, ah."

Murong Yan stood up, and he didn't even wave at Jiang Bilan, but turned to leave the rear court, heading towards the royal prison. Jiang Bilan coldly stood among the flowers.

Murong Yan walked very quickly, as he didn't believe Zuo Canglang would truly be that sick. But he didn't know why, he suddenly thought of back then, how Rong Jie Yu had been forced to death by the abolished queen.

He entered the royal prison, and the guards all knelt down. Murong Yan walked over to the cell where ZUo Canglang was kept. The water on Zuo Canglang, after sunrise, had slowly dried, and the warden had wiped again the salt on her body. As long as it was morning, they could make her look normal.

The warden opened the cell door, and Murong Yan walked inside, waving his hand, having the accompanying royal doctor Zhao enter. Royal Doctor Zhao had the warden temporarily remove her cuffs, and came forwards to take her pulse, a while later, saying, "Your majesty, the general indeed has contracted a cold, and the wound needs to be treated quickly......"

Murong Yan glanced at Wang Yunzhao. A cold, how serious did it sound?

He turned around, preparing to leave, and Zuo Canglang's five fingers grasped on, holding the hem of his clothes. Zuo Canglang turned around, looking down at her. Wang Yunzhao made a silent signal, and the royal doctor and the accompanying soldiers all retreated. Murong Yan said, "Aren't you super gutsy, what, can't even manage to bear a few days?"

Zuo Canglang didn't speak, and Murong Yan reached his hand out, wanting to pull away the hem of his clothes in her hand. Her five fingers gripped hard, not letting go. Murong Yan knelt down before her, coldly smiling, "What, General Zuo, is there something else you wish to instruct this king on?"

Zuo Canglang lifted her head, that handsome and cool face was just before her, and it ambulated by her ear. The one she had once longed and dreamed of, every single strand of hair. She reached out her hand, the frigid and pale fingers, rubbed past his cheek. At that time, the clothes on her had gotten wet and then dried, and had a strange scent. But her fingers were white like jade, devoid of the pallor of blood flow.

Murong Yan had thought he would be very disgusted, but he wasn't. And how would he also criticize her harshly, as back then, he had been like a bird locked up in the palace, and not long ago they had fled in a mess amidst the strong smoke and blazing flames of Daji city. He had also thought of accompanying and assisting him together, to be stuck together their whole lives, to pass over Hui Ye Garden's sands. And even more recent, was when they had stood side by side at the city gates, looking at the moon in the border city, the wind blowing past the dark rivers and lakes.

He turned his face away, and Zuo Canglang rested her forehead lightly against his shoulder, slowly burying it into his chest. She used a voice that almost couldn't be heard, "Bring me away from here." Murong Yan was stunned, and she said, "I am very cold, and very painful. Bring me away from here."

Her tears fell, falling to his shoulder, wetting his royal and extravagant cloth, a coldness that entered his heart.

He reached his hand out, slowly wrapping around her waist. The person in his embrace's forehead was resting against his chin, cold like ice, but very obedient, not avoiding his touch. He slowly understood her meaning, and then found it funny. If based on her beauty and seductive talents, she wasn't even a tenth of Jiang Bilan's level. With regards to the classical talents, whether in poetry or song, she knew nothing, and it was just that she had merely read a few military texts, and could barely be called literate.

A rough military person, an illiterate, she had thought that with mere acquiescence, that he would loosen his anger?

But he heard his own voice, in that dark and dank, the cell that didn't see the light of day. It was low and stern, "Mmm." She was begging him, putting away her sharp teeth and claws. Why would he succumb to this trade? Within this palace and outside of it, no matter what creature it was, what woman could he not have?

If the light was put out, and in the dark confines of the bed or tent, was there a difference who was in his embrace?

That's why, it was just him being soft hearted momentarily.

When the two hands were removed from the cuff, her wrist had already left a deep bloody print. Zuo Canglang had thought she would pass out, but she had remained clear headed. She couldn't stand, and two palace servants came to support her. Outside the royal prison, the light stung a bit on the eyes. Her steps were slow and weary, and taking a few steps out, she turned her head back again.

Murong Yan just stood behind her, their gazes exchanged, each silent.

In the southern palace hall, Zuo Canglang was troubled by the royal doctors the whole afternoon. The flesh at her wound was cleaned, but it stained the whole bed red. She didn't know when she lost consciousness. Perhaps she wasn't unconscious, but just asleep.

When she awoke, there were a few servants by her side. The autumn days weren't cold yet, but on her body, it was too cold. She hugged one of the women, the warmth in her palm made her have a feeling like he returned to the world of the living.

It was already very dark, and she could only lie on her stomach, not moving at all. Outside, footsteps sounded, and she lifted her face, seeing Murong Yan brushing the screen aside to enter.

"Your majesty." She called out, but didn't rise, as she couldn't really rise. Murong Yan ignored her, and directly removed his outer garb, throwing it onto a clothes rack. And then, he lifted the blanket, and got on bed. Zuo Canglang wanted to get inside to give him way, but right as she moved, the pain made her sweat.

Murong Yan lay down by her side. She wasn't wearing anything, and only had a medical bandage on her back. Murong Yan's hand reached over, and she immediately froze.

Luckily, Murong Yan didn't mess around, but only lightly touched the skin that was still okay. This type of forbidden intimacy, made him have a type of excitement that was difficult to control. Zuo Canglang didn't move, and he neared her, his lips brushing past her cheek, and then down her neck. Her neck was very long, and her hair still carried the light fragrance after she had just bathed. His throat gulped, and his breathing quickened.

Zuo Canglang's heartbeat was like a thundering drum, but all she felt was still pain. His kisses were small and long, and breathing in the confines of the darkness, made people lose their clear mindedness.

She held his hand, and thus he held her even more tightly, his palm hot to the touch.

The two were just entangled like that, when outside, Wang Yunzhao lightly called, saying, "Your majesty, the General has slept the whole day, and should eat some hot warm food. This old servant ordered people to make a bowl of soup, so I might as well order people to immediately bring it in."

At this, Murong Yan rose, and once again wore his robes, making everything orderly, he said, "Enter then."

Outside, Wang Yunzhao led a palace servant girl inside, and indeed, they had sent a bowl of Amber Lotus Soup. Murong Yan went out of the way, and the palace girl lifted the bowl of soup over beside the bed to feed her. Zuo Canglang was indeed also hungry, and didn't use the spoon, but just drank a whole mouthful.

Murong Yan watched for a while, not talking, and then slowly walked out of the Southern Palace Hall. Wang Yunzhao followed behind him, until they walked out of the hall, did he say, "On the other side, her ladyship sent people over to inquire several times. Tonight, is your majesty heading over?"

Murong Yan said, "Going. This king remembers that the storage area has a pair of Nine Ring bracelets, so put it on her, and gift it to the queen."

"Aye." Wang Yunzhao affirmed loudly, and immediately ordered people to go and retrieve them.

Qi Feng Hall, Jiang Bilan had already sent people to inquire three times. Xiao Anzi who was by the royal study, had said his majesty was not present. Ultimately, Hua Yue asked in a hurry, "His majesty isn't in the study, and is also not at Dezheng Hall, so where did he ultimately go?"

Xiao Anzi at this finally said, "I heard in the afternoon, he had taken a trip to the royal prison, and released General Zuo. And then he took a trip back to the study, but then he left already."

Hua Yue was stunned, asking, "General Zuo was released?"

Xiao Anzi took a look at her expression, saying, "Yeah, ah. I think his majesty's anger must finally be appeased."

Returning to Qi Feng Hall, Hua Yue informed the news that she had inquired. Hui Yun quickly said, "Your ladyship, his majesty released her, so it must be due to the pressure from court. Your ladyship had finally after much difficulty, finally recovered your health, so you must not make it worse through sorrow again."

Jiang Bilan smiled woefully, "Yeah, ah. I can't cry anymore. Other than this body, other than this face, what else do I still have? And I am just ruining it like so."

Her lips curved a bit, as she revealed a smile to the bronze mirror. A long time later, she lightly said, "Hua Yue, help me dress. Change into a robe that is fitting to the weather, that pink one is not bad, just choose that one."

Hui Yun and Hua Yue affirmed, and knew that their own missus had thought matters through, so they were still rather happy, "I'll help your ladyship braid your hair into a Duoma style, and guarantee that his majesty's eyes will shine upon seeing it."

Jiang Bilan nodded, and chose two additional hairpieces, a few accessories.

Jiang Bilan waited by Qi Feng Hall's gate in her full attire, and Wei Zhu, upon seeing Jiang Bilan waiting at the hall gate, her heart hurt, "Your ladyship, return first. This servant will help you wait. The moment his majesty returns, this servant will enter to inform you."

Jiang Bilan shook her head, "I will wait on my own."

Hua Yue angrily scolded, "His majesty would usually always return to the rear harem after finishing official matters, so it must be that slut seducing his majesty again, not letting him leave. She is only a servant that was born in his majesty's estate, so based on position, she is nothing more than a bed servant. She even dares to learn these foxy seductress methods!"

Jiang Bilan said, "You don't even mind that this queen is already sad enough?"

Hui Yun quickly comforted her, "This servant only feels, your ladyship doesn't even need to get angry over her. She is just a servant by birth, and currently, she is also a widow, so his majesty is unwilling to even give her a measly title......"

The master and servant were just discussing, as Murong Yan brought Wang Yunzhao back to the palace. Jiang Bilan didn't go over to greet, but rather stood by the palace gate, seeming as though she had been waiting for a long time with a single glance. Murong Yan walked forward quickly, and pulled her into his embrace, "It's windy outside, so why are you waiting here?"

Jiang Bilan was soft as if she was boneless in his embrace, "Always waiting in the palace, so my heart would get worried. I came out to take a look, and knew that your majesty would definitely pass by here when you return, which is actually soothing."

Murong Yan lightly kissed her forehead, and rubbed her hand, and feeling that it was a bit cold, he could help but pull them into his chest. "Silly, in the future, you're not allowed to wait outside. If this king is returning to the rear harem, I will head to Qi Feng Hall at the first moment. That, is the true path that I must pass by."

Jiang Bilan's brows seemed to carry a smile, and shyly said, "Really?"

Murong Yan rubbed her delicate and impressive hairpiece, her face was like a painting. He lowered his face, kissing her head, "Of course. You are this king's wife, Great Yan's queen. In this rear harem, other than you, what else could take my heart?"

Jiang Bilan slowly held his waist, as when he said these words, he was as usual, soft and compassionate, each word soothing and seductive. She tried hard to keep her smile sweet, to lift the corners of her lips, but she had a feeling like she wanted to shed tears.

That night, she could feel that Murong Yan's desire was stronger than normal. He rarely had this type of passion, but Jiang Bilan only felt despair. That woman, it was rumored she had taken a hundred military strikes, and at this time, she was injured to the point where she couldn't get off her bed.

It turns out, that only when she could not satiate him, would he seek to exert his own passion?

When Murong Yan fell asleep, she actually hadn't fallen asleep the whole night.

The next day, Murong Yan still rose before dawn, and prepared for court.

Jiang Bilan wanted to help him dress, but Murong Yan said, "It's still early. The queen should continue sleeping." Finishing, he still had Wang Yunzhao help him. Wang Yunzhao was someone used to doing these things, and quickly helped him dress properly. The two exited Qi Feng Hall, and Jiang Bilan finally got off of bed, dressing to leave.

Outside, it was a little light, but the imperial guard would patrol every hour.

Leaving Qi Feng Hall, Jiang Bilan ordered Hua Yue to find Feng Ping. Feng Ping came quickly, as he was the head of the imperial guard, and avoiding peoples' observation was very easy. Jiang Bilan waited in an empty place, and seeing him arrive, she asked, "Didn't Head of the Imperial Guard Feng say, he had a way to force that person to death?"

Feng Ping bowed to her, saying, "This subject also didn't expect, his majesty would release her so quickly. Based on his majesty's personality, he would have shut her in for half a month normally. This time, it is extremely unexpected."

Jiang Bilan said, "A single night is not enough time for you to make your move? Right now, she not only has not died, but actually managed to begin living in the palace. And his majesty still stayed in the Southern Palace Hall for half the day!"

Feng Ping said, "Your ladyship, she is after all, the Biao Qi General, so once a matter occurs, no matter what, his majesty would definitely find the perpetrator to calm the anger in the army. Even if we wish to force her to die, we should still consider the consequences. Mutually assured destruction, is ultimately not the ideal result."

Jiang Bilan said, "Then what now? What should be done now?"

Feng Ping said, "Your ladyship, be at ease. This person is cunning, but your ladyship, as the master of the rear court, there will definitely be more opportunities to take care of her."

Jiang Bilan angrily said, "You said you would help me, and you just help me this way?! Scram, I never want to see you again!"

Feng Ping came forwards two steps, "Your ladyship. Right now, she had just exited prison, so of course his majesty will take particular care, and she is personally also more alert. At this time, you definitely cannot make another move. Your ladyship must be able to hold yourself in." He stood very close, and Jiang Bilan used her hand to push him, "Go away you, ah!"

Feng Ping unwittingly held her wrist, and Jiang Bilan was stunned, using all her force to struggle. At that time, it was slightly light, and a few stars were still hanging in the sky. Her clothes carried a light fragrance. Feng Ping suddenly had a type of desire, recklessly pulling her into his embrace, but very quickly, he released his grip.

What type of person Murong Yan was, he was very clear on. Once he discovers he had this type of desire, perhaps his method of dying would be particularly entertaining.

He slowly took a step back, saying, "This subject has been discourteous. But your ladyship, please know, this subject is currently thinking of a way."

Saying thus, he cupped his hands and retreated.

Jiang Bilan only felt her wrist hurt. Feng Ping was someone born as a guard, and so his martial arts was of course not bad. His strength, especially towards a pampered woman like her, how could she take it? She felt lucky, and suddenly turned back, telling Hua Yue, "I heard that General Zuo is injured, and is also living in the Southern Palace Hall. Luckily, I am free now, so why don't we go and visit her then."

Hua Yue affirmed, and Jiang Bilan thought it over, continuing, "Have people prepare some ginseng, deer antler, etc. so that others won't feel that this queen is petty."

Hua Yue quickly ordered people to find a few medical supplements and prepared them.

Southern Palace Hall, Zuo Canglang was originally sleeping, when outside, someone called out, "Her ladyship the queen has arrived!"

Following this, some palace servants ran inside, "General, General! Her ladyship the queen has come over, quickly rise to receive her."

Zuo Canglang had no other way, but could only rise, her outer robe had been draped over her, and Jiang Bilan had already entered. She could only kneel on the ground, "Thus subject greets your ladyship the queen."

Jiang Bilan "mm'd", but didn't have her rise. Rather, she looked around, and sat on the seat by the table.

This was the first time, she used the gaze of assessing another of Murong Yan's women to assess Zuo Canglang. Thinking of Murong Yan's secret affair here last night, her heart felt like there was a venomous snake biting into her heart. She assessed that pair of bow and sword wielding hands, and thought-- did he kiss this pair of hands last night?

Did his hands also brush over ever part of her body?

She had just seduced Murong Yan, having their affair on this bed?

These thoughts, like snakes, bit at her. She slowly said, "I heard General was wounded, so this queen personally came to take a look. Has General gotten better?"

Zuo Canglang knelt on the ground, and actually, the wounds on her back entirely had not gotten better, and with her kowtow, her skin had ripped again. But she could only kneel, saying, "Reporting to your ladyship, this subject is already much better."

Hearing her voice, Jiang Bilan would feel an indescribable disgust. She said, "Then that is good. I think general will definitely recover for a while in the Southern Palace Hall, so have the people of the palace still been attentive? In a bit, this queen will assign a few people over, to avoid failing in my care, and treating General insufficiently."

Zuo Canglang kowtowed again, saying, "Thanks to your ladyship's care, the people in the Southern Palace Hall are already sufficient. So there is no need to assign more people."

With this movement, fresh blood slowly spread again, and seeped through the bandage, staining her dress. Jiang Bilan saw it, but just pretended she didn't see anything, still saying, "No need to be so courteous General, as the head of the harem, this queen should take care of these matters."

Zuo Canglang realized that she was just talking pointlessly, and the royal doctors outside were originally planning on coming over to change her medicine, but seeing that Jiang Bilan was present, they remained outside. Later, Jiang Bilan ran out of things to say, so she found a book to look through.

All the way until noon, did she finally rise, and take a glance at Zuo Canglang saying, "Look at the memory of this queen, as I have only thought to come over and talk to general, and have actually forgotten to have general rise. General, please rise."

Zuo Canglang stuggled against the ground, and with difficulty, got up. Jiang Bilan said, "The time is no longer early, so this queen will return first. Later on, I will come again to find general to talk more."

Zuo Canglang could only bow, "This subject sends off your ladyship."

When Jiang Bilan left, her back had already been soaked with blood.

TN: I find it interesting that Jiang Bilan refers to Murong Yan as "Your majesty" instead of "Big brother Yan" here. Dun dun dunnn... Also... what a beeech. This is why Chinese people say, don't piss off women or villains.