When Teng Shang came to, he heard someone laughing outside the door, âLord Marquis, why are you standing outside and not going in?â
Xue Houyangâs voice was heard replying, âIâve only come back home for some time, you think you can poke fun at your master?â
The first voice was still laughing, âThis slave doesnât dare! Iâm just tired of watching you acting so nervous. This is your residence, your own territory. You donât have to pace aimlessly. If you want to see him, just go in already.â
Having been seen through, Xue Houyang was a bit embarrassed. Finally he forced his feet through the door.
Bypassing the separating screen, his gaze immediately collided with Teng Shangâs.
Xue Houyang was startled. Scratching his nose, he coughed once to clear his throat before saying, âMinister Shang has woken up.â
Teng Shang didnât say anything for a moment. His throat felt raw. He opened his mouth to say something but no voice came out.
Xue Houyang was looking elsewhere, so of course he didnât notice. He took it that Teng Shang said nothing out of hate to himself. The servant girl who came in behind Xue Houyang noticed and quickly poured tea into a cup which she then placed into Xue Houyangâs hand. Then she went out the door giggling.
Being laughed at, Xue Houyang felt even more embarrassed until his face was bright red. He steeled himself to finally went over to the bed, lifted Teng Shang and let him lean against himself and handed him the cup.
Teng Shang weakly took the offered cup. He barely held it before his hand shook. Luckily, Xue Houyang had quick reflex; when he caught the cup, it was still more than half-full.\n
Xue Houyangâs other hand immediately tried to wipe the spilled tea. He was about to wipe Teng Shangâs clothes before he retracted it; afraid the other person would misunderstand he wanted to take advantage, after what he did last night.
At this reaction, Teng Shang suddenly laughed.
Xue Houyang stared blankly, uncomprehending, before he took back his gaze. He held the cup to Teng Shangâs lips while avoiding touching Teng Shang anywhere else.
Teng Shang drank the tea gratefully, then said, âThank you.â
Xue Houyang put down the empty cup on the table and then shifted to put a little distance from Teng Shang. He was hesitating for a while before finally saying, âWhat are Minister Shangâs plans now?â
Teng Shang lay back on the bed and closed his eyes. He said, âWhat is it that Lord Marquis wants to say?â
âYou have showed kindness to Houyang, Houyang never intended to humiliate you.â
Xue Houyang said cautiously, âMinister Shang must have understood the situation. With the way Teng Wang treats you, itâs plain to see you cannot go back to Teng Country⌠Yesterday, when I went to the Palace, His Majesty had promised me heâd spare your life, butâŚâ
âBut what? Nothing in this world is worse than having your own family doubting you, and Iâve made bad plans before. Lord Marquis mustnât hesitate to tell me.â
Xue Houyang said, âBut you⌠have to agree to marry into my house.â\nTeng Shang immediately opened his eyes and turned his head to look at Xue Houyang, but the later was facing away from him, as if avoiding his eyes. Then Teng Shang laughed lightly before saying in a low voice, âI agree. Thank you, Lord Marquis for your kindnessâŚâ
The new consort hadnât even climbed into the dragon bed before she was thrown out of Xue Wangâs residence. This news became the source of great amusement among the residents of the Imperial Harem, including the imperial consorts.
[T/N : Iâm sure many of you have known, but I just wanted to remind you that dragon is the symbol for kings and emperors, while the phoenix is the symbol for the queens and empresses.]
Since Xue Junliang ascended the throne, he had only ever favored Defei. She was young, beautiful and also well-educated. Furthermore, Defei was also backed up by her older brother, the Great General Zuo. On the contrary, Teng Qianyi was only a foreigner, who was used to be pamperedâŚ
At the moment, Xiu Yao was doing Teng Yunâs hair, smiling all the way, âYour Majesty, youâre so lucky. His Majesty has picked your nameplate three days in a row.â
Needless to say, Teng Yun was unhappy. For any other wives, being called to Da Wangâs bed to serve him was a fortunate thing. But for Teng Yun, it was hell.
Xue Junliang enjoyed teasing Teng Yun, even after promising he wouldnât touch and force Teng Yun to do anything Teng Yun was unwilling to do. But in Teng Yunâs mind, Xue Junliang was still Xue Junliang. Sleeping on the same bed and same pillow, let alone planning to kill the man, Teng Yun couldnât even sleep.
Teng Yun hadnât slept properly in three days and itâd started to show, so Xue Junliang had summoned the royal physician to examine Teng Yun and reminded Teng Yun to rest well before attending the morning court assembly.
The royal physician felt Teng Yunâs pulse but couldnât find anything wrong. He only said that the Empressâ body was fragile but it was nothing a good bed-rest could not cure. When the physician left, Teng Yun immediately led Xiu Yao hurry back to Yunfeng Palace, fearing Xue Junliang would soon come back from the morning court and wouldnât let Teng Yun go.
Xue Junliang didnât see the Empress when he came back to his residence and knew this Empress was avoiding him, not because of fear⌠but because she disliked him, or even thought he was not worth her time.\n\nXue Junliang waved a hand while the other hand massaged his temple, âSend Marquis Wannianâs summoning placate.â
This few days, Xue Houyang had been taking care of Teng Shang. Teng Shang was supposed to live at the embassy, but because of his health heâd been staying at the Marquisâ Residence. The people in the Marquisâ Residence all treated Teng Shang kindly without discriminating his identity.
Xue Houyang didnât always come to see Teng Shang, but heâd ordered his close servant to take care of Teng Shang in his stead. Xue Houyang was afraid the other person would hate him if he showed up. After all, they were both men. Teng Shang mustâve wanted to maintain his dignity.
Xue Houyang gazed at Teng Shang from afar. Teng Shang was currently absorbed in a book in the pavilion. A servant girl came up from behind him giggling, âLord Marquis, why are you acting so sneaky?â
Xue Houyang stroked his temple and said, âLower your voice. Youâve been behaving more and more insolent.â
âLord Marquis, save your lecture for another time. You also donât have to worry over Master Teng. Da Wang send you a summoning placate!â
âThen I should go enter the Palace. Prepare my horse.â