On the day of Teng Shang and Xue Houyangâs wedding, Xue Junliangâs messenger bearing the news of Teng Shangâs betrothal arrived at Teng Country. By this time, the news could be considered late; it was all said and done.
At first, Teng Wang thought Xue Junliangâs messenger came to bring Teng Yunâs ashes, because he knew it was impossible for Teng Shang to be sent back here. But even in his dreams, Teng Wang would never have expected Xue Countryâs messenger came to offer their congratulations.
It wasnât only Teng Wang; all the court officials present were shocked, too. If Teng Shang was marrying a Xue Countryâs Princess, then it would be understandable. But currently, in Xue Country there was no princesses nor grand princesses.
Teng Shang was actually the one to be the wife?
The messenger offered congratulations on Teng Shangâs betrothal, but in fact, it was more like a warning. Teng Wang didnât get angry over it. After all, Teng was a country in name only. Moreover, Teng Wang had a daughter clutched in Xue Junliangâs hands; officially she was now an imperial consort, but Teng Wang knew she was held as a hostage.
Xue Houyang drowned himself in alcohol. Heâd drunk a lot of wine as if stalling going back to his room. Some of the court officials thought Xue Houyang didnât want to see his new wife, which was understandable given the new wife was a man. But some them actually thought Xue Houyang was lucky. This marriage was made happen as a prove of Xue Houyangâs authority.
Based on these two reasons, people after people would approach Xue Houyang to offer him a toast.
In the end, Xue Houyang was dragged back to his room.
When they opened the door, they saw Teng Shang sitting on the bed, wearing a groomâs wedding attire. They had thought Teng Shang would wear a bridal veil, but by the way Teng Shang looked, people who didnât know would think Teng Shang was the groom instead; a very handsome groom at that.
Everyone laughed and teased merrily but no one dared staying there too long. This part of a wedding was the awkward part. People had no idea how the wedding night would proceed from here, but they thought better to not get involved. Eventually, they all went out and closed the door behind them.
Xue Houyang staggered his way to the bed, then stood with a hand leaning on it. Touching one of the dates scattered on the bed, he sobered a little. He turned his head, his eyes searching for Teng Shang.
[T/N : On a wedding, the friends and family will spread some red dates on the new coupleâd bed, to express âgood luck and hurry have babiesâ. Thanks, Soo-Chu! XD. Here. ]
As soon as he laid his gaze on Teng Shang, he took it back so fast he swayed on his feet.\n
Xue Houyang cleared his throat, then said, âItâs already late. Minister Shang, you should rest. I⊠Iâll sleep in the guest room.â
He turned to go but before he opened the door, he was stopped by Teng Shang saying, âI know Lord Marquis sleeping in the guest room out of consideration for me, but other people wouldnât think so. Theyâll think itâs inappropriate.â
Xue Houyang paused. Maybe he wasnât so sober after all, his reactions were sluggish. Nodding his head, he said, âYouâre right⊠I didnât think about that. Then Iâll sleep on the floor.â
Xue Houyang was so honest, making Teng Shang smiled and said, âLord Marquis, you seem to be quite drunk, how come you want to sleep on the floor? Itâll be troublesome if you catch a cold.â
Xue Houyang stared at that smile and suddenly felt his throat tightened. Swallowing to relieve his dry throat, he turned his gaze away.
Teng Shang said, âThis bed is big enough for two men, we can sleep together. But if youâre suspicious of me, itâs okay.â
Feeling his head started to spin, Xue Houyang finally slipped into the bed beside Teng Shang. The candles were still lit, casting dusky light across the room. The atmosphere felt surreal to Xue Houyang.
âMinister Shang⊠Do you, perhaps, blame me for this situation?â Xue Houyang himself didnât know where he got the courage to finally say the question troubling his mind for all this time.
Teng Shang inwardly sighed. How could he blame him? Xue Houyang was the one trying to save Teng Shang. The one with impure motives, the one who took advantage of Xue Houyang, was Teng Shang himself.
Teng Shang smiled, âNo⊠I am very grateful to you. But, Lord Marquis, how come you get drunk in front of a stranger? Arenât you afraid Iâll kill you while youâre vulnerable?â
âI⊠Honestly, I didnât even think about that.â
âThank you, Marquis, for your trust in me. I really⊠Really feel ashamed.â
Just as he finished saying, Teng Shang heard the person next to him breathing evenly; seemed to have fallen asleep so quickly.
Teng Shang sighed again. Xue Houyang wasnât someone who would easily lower his guard around strangers. On the battlefield, he always had to stay alert and ready for a life-threatening battle. But he should know there was always an enemy smarter than him, so he could never ignore the possibility of danger being close to him at all times.
But now, it could only be said that for Xue Houyang, Teng Shang was very special. And that Teng Shang had grasped that fact and skillfully used it to his own benefit.\nIn other peopleâs point of view, Teng Shang was the one who suffered a great loss and most humiliating insult. But, just as Xue Junliang had said, everything wasnât like as it seemed.
Facing such unguarded Xue Houyang, Teng Shang should really start do something. Teng Shang and Teng Yun were the same; both were the great generals of Teng. At this time, Teng Yun was dead. Xue Houyang was alive. If Teng Shang wanted Teng to become a strong country, Xue Houyang must definitely die.
[T/N : Interruption! I need to correct Jiang Yuâs gender. Jiang Yu is a man. I donât know why I assumed he was an old woman until, like, yesterday. LOL. Sorry, Jiang Yu. He must have been so frustrated all this time. LOL.]
Xue Junliangâs residence was still brightly lit and the man himself was still reviewing reports. Jiang Yu said, âYour Majesty⊠forgive this old servant for talking too much, but donât you think we should send some imperial guards for Marquis Wannian?â
Xue Junliang smiled and said, âWhy? You fear Teng Shang will kill Marquis Wannian?â
Xue Junliang didnât even look remotely worried, Jiang Yu couldnât help saying, âIt seems like this old servant is more worried than Your Majesty.â
Xue Junliang said, âIt does. The reason why Teng Shang is still respected by people was because he is still feigning benevolence. False benevolence is still benevolence. Otherwise, based on Teng Shangâs capabilities, the current Teng Wang would have been held by a different person.â
Then Xue Junliang suddenly thought of something. He put down his writing brush and asked, âHow is the Empress today?â
âAnswering Your Majesty. Her Majesty is feeling unwell today. The royal hospital has sent someone to examine her.â
âEn⊠Anything else?â
âAndâŠâ Jiang Yu racked his brain, âI heard from the palace maids serving at Yunfeng Palace that Her Majesty seems unhappy these days, her mood is low and she has no appetite.â
âThis⊠This old servant doesnât know. This old servant doesnât dare presuming what is in Her Majestyâs mind.â
âOhâŠâ Xue Junliang responded; without revealing what he was thinking.\n\nAs she found her mistress looking very calm and collected, Xiu Yao got even more worried.
Other wives and consorts would be clamoring to inquire after His Majestyâs preferences and who was sleeping with His Majesty, or even occasionally visited each other to share gossips and talk about their feelings. But her mistress did no one of the above. When His Majesty came, she wasnât even happy. Let alone trying to win over other peopleâs hearts, all the Empress asked was news about Teng Shang.
If Xiu Yao hadnât been following the Empress for a long time, sheâd have thought the Empress was in love with Teng Shang. After all, Teng Shang was talented and famous, it was inevitable heâd attract many admirers.
Xue Junliang did call Defei to come, but he didnât intent to sleep with her. When Defei entered Xue Wangâs residence, she hadnât stepped into the inner room before she was stopped by Jiang Yu saying His Majesty hadnât finished reviewing the reports, so please Your Ladyship wait outside.
Defei waited for a long time before Jiang Yu informed her His Majesty was very busy working on official duties and had to disappoint Her Ladyship. Defei was rewarded with some gifts and invited to stay the night, then allowed to leave early the next morning.
Defei was called to serve His Majesty, had spent a long time to dress herself, then when she came she didnât even see His Majesty. Anger and indignation burned in her heart but she had to force a jolly smile and kneel to express her gratitude.
The next day, when she was back to her residence, Defei could no longer stay still. She didnât know where to vent her anger. The Empress used to be her outlet; after all, Defei had been the most favored consort. But now, it was different. Now, the Empress was favored. The Empress also had her hands on the Phoenix Seal. Defei didnât dare touch the Empress lest she invited calamity upon herself.
Every day, Defei was on edge worrying if the Empress would retaliate for what Defei did to her previously. It was another reason Defei should not provoke the Empress.
However, she could not hold her anger back so she set her target on the new consort, Teng Qianyi.
Teng Qianyi used to be a pampered princess. She was newly married and didnât know the rules around the Imperial Harem. She didnât come and pay respect to other consortsâ residence and only sent her closest maidservant to greet the Empress. The other consorts obviously didnât like Teng Qianyi.
The day after Xue Houyang and Teng Shangâs wedding, they had to enter the Imperial Palace to have tea with the senior member of the royal family. Xue Junliang had to attend the morning court assembly so he sent Jiang Yu to invite the Empress.
Teng Shang entered the Palace together with Xue Houyang, but could not follow into the court hall. He was told to wait at the side hall until Xue Wang was free.
After waiting for a long time, a palace servant came to invite Teng Shang in. At this time, Teng Yun just arrived and met Teng Shang right at the entrance.