Teng Shang didnât know the Empress was Teng Yun, so of course he felt nothing when he saw her. He greeted the Empress, and that was that. Only Teng Yun felt uncomfortable.
The two of them entered the main hall together. Jiang Yu shook his head. By His Majestyâs attitude, Jiang Yu could guess His Majesty was thinking there was another man in the Empressâ heart. Although Teng Shang and Her Majesty didnât know each other, by these several encounters, Jiang Yu could clearly see His Majesty was very antagonistic towards Teng Shang.
After all, Jiang Yu had also heard what Teng Qianyi had said.
Jiang Yu meant to support this well-behaved Empress, but he was also powerless. The Empressâ appearance had become so much better in a short time, it was inevitable sheâd attract rumors and slanders.
Xue Junliang saw the Empress and Teng Shang came in together and his heart began feeling upset. He, as the king, often said he would deeply love all and every one of his wives and consorts. But in reality, it was a lie, because he, like any other kings, had this one common flaw. He was the highest ruler; everything under the sky was his, including this one wife.
Xue Junliang invited Teng Yun to sit next to him. Smiling, he said, âHow come you two entered together?â
Teng Yun said, âWe just met at the door.â
Xue Junliang kept smiling as he glanced at Jiang Yu. Jiang Yu promptly nodded once, indicating that it was so and the Empress was telling the truth.
Xue Houyangâs character was simple and honest, but he and Xue Wang had always been close since they were children. He was the one who knew Xue Wang the most. Watching Xue Junliangâs smile, Xue Houyang couldnât help being nervous. He racked his brain trying to find a way to tell Teng Shang to be cautious; to not do anything that might make Xue Wang suspicious. Because that would be very dangerous.
Xue Countryâs former king had passed away, Xue Junliang and Xue Houyangâs mother also passed away early. Xue Wang was the senior of the two brothers, therefore Xue Houyang and Teng Shang would pour tea for Xue Wang and the Empress.
After having tea, Xue Junliang didnât insist the new couple should stay. He talked a few things then let them go back.
Xue Junliang didnât mention Teng Shang anymore, instead said, âI have a bit of a free time. Go for a walk with me?â
Jiang Yu was very perceptive. He immediately ordered servants to bring over two fur cloaks, which he then helped Xue Wang into one. Xue Junliang personally helped Teng Yun to put on the other cloak.
Xue Junliang led them walk around with no specific destination in mind. A group of maidservants followed behind; carrying some wine and fruit plates.
Xue Junliang said, âMarquis Wannianâs wedding is all wrapped up, we could no longer delay preparing for Aifeiâs visitation to Feng Country. What time do you think you want to go?â
âWhenever Your Majesty deems appropriate.â\n
Xue Junliang nodded. At once, his mood was lighter because of the Empressâ answer. Yet, that wasnât the answer he was waiting for. He was waiting for the Empress to say honestly what she wanted. If she said she didnât want to go, Xue Junliang would not allow her to go.
On the other hand, Teng Yun was waiting for Xue Junliang to allow him to goâŠ
[T/N : LOL. These twoâs minds were always the complete opposite.]
Xue Junliang said, âAifei seems to be down lately, is it because the pain on your face has recurred?â
Teng Yun kept his gaze on the ground, trying to look respectful as he said, âChen-qie just feel a little under the weather. The pain on my face is now a lot better.â
Xue Junliang smiled and said, âIf itâs better, then itâs good.â
He reached a hand out to lift Teng Yunâs chin, staring at the otherâs face with eyes slightly squinted, âAifei looks more and more stunning.â
Teng Yun fought the urge to slap Xue Junliangâs hand and said nothing.
Xue Junliang waited and waited for a reaction before he had to add, âI have heard that Aifei and Feng Wang are twins. You must look very similar to each other.â
Teng Yun had never seen Feng Wang, had no idea how he looked like. He could only answer vaguely, âYes.â
Xue Junliang said, âThen tell me stories about your childhood.â
Teng Yun felt his heart dropped to his stomach. Was Xue Wang starting to find him suspicious that he asked Teng Yun to tell him stories about his childhood?
âAnswering Your Majesty,â Teng Yun said evasively, âTruth is, the everyday life in a royal household is relatively monotonous, Chen-qie doesnât want to make you bored.â
Xue Junliang looked as if remembering something as he sat inside a small pavilion. The maidservants followed inside to put the wine and the fruit plates on the table then before retreating.
Xue Junliang beckoned Teng Yun to sit, then he continued, âI was an ignorant child, had always thought that all my brothers and sisters were not enough; not lively enough and not close enough⊠When I got older I finally understood, we were not close, not because there were not many siblings⊠But because there were too many.â\nXue Junliang wryly laughed, âNow I only have Houyang, but I feel complete.â
As Teng Yun listened, he thought Xue Junliang might be only telling lies, but he also knew that, just as Xue Junliang had said, Teng Yunâs family was also like that.
The parent was wary of his own sons, fearing the princes who were outstanding would snatch away his throne. The older he got, the more he was afraid. The more capable the princes were, he quickly sent them out to do tasks. Even after sending the princes away, he would be afraid the princes would gather too much military powers and rebel.
The princes themselves would form groups. If one person didnât join any group, the other would be suspicious and then drove him away. The princes would also try to win over as many officials as possible by marrying their daughters.
Teng Yun had lived for twenty-nine years. It should be impossible that he had no wife and children. But when he died, indeed, he didnât even have a wife.
[T/N : There! Teng Yun was twenty nine. You canât know how happy I was reading this sentence. LOL]
Most of the princesâ wives were all daughters of influential families; young ladies from wealthy families who were spoiled and pampered since childhood. Their husbands could only come see them once in every ten years, and when the husbands did occasionally come home, before one month passed, theyâd have to go again for war.
With the head of the families always away from home, those wives might as well be widows.
When Teng Yun won a war and was allowed to come home for the first time, his wife cried and asked him to let her go. Out of good intentions, Teng Yun sent her back to her paternal family.
Teng Yun was unhappy at that time. Later, he was captured and killed. The iron-fisted great general didnât even leave a son behind when he died. He had no one to collect his ashes, no one to guard his funeral hall.
Xue Junliang had been watching the Empressâ face all the time, and knew she was moved by his own speech. He thought the Empress was not happy in Feng Country.
Xue Junliang had heard that Feng Wang was vicious, merciless and disagreeable. The Grand Princess, Feng Yun, had offended Feng Wang once. As a punishment, she was sent away to marry. The Grand Princessâ offence was actually very simple; she opposed Feng Wangâs relationship with Marquis Zhulu.
Xue Junliang had said so much, yet the Empress hadnât uttered a single word. Since she was so unhappy when she still lived in Feng, why didnât she just say she wanted to stay here? Xue Junliang usually couldnât stand people who hid their feeling for fear offending others. There were many women in his harem; without this one woman, he still had many.
Xue Junliang said, âIf Aifei misses your hometown, then I can understand. But preparing for your journey will need some time. You are still Xue Countryâs Empress, your journey should be arranged properly.â
After Xue Houyang and Teng Shangâs wedding, there were no more out-of-ordinary business other than Xue Houyang leaving his residence early and came back very late.\n\n[T/N : Huh?]
Teng Shang knew this weird Empress was the type that would not say anything as long as she wasnât required to speak. He could not understand what she meant by her speech. The more he thought about it, he found it even weirder. The Empress was a Feng Countryâs Grand Princess, while he himself was from Teng Country; it should be impossible for them to have anything to do with each other.
Even weirder was that, a few days ago, Xue Houyang had warned him to stay away from the Empress.
On the other side of the Palace, Xue Junliang was listening to Jiang Yuâs report. Calmly, he put his writing brush down and asked, âWhat do you think the Empressâ meaning in inviting Teng Shang?â
Jiang Yu said, âThis old servant is unknowledgeable, cannot know whatâs Her Majestyâs intention.â
Early the next morning, the Empressâ entourage was to depart. Xue Wang would personally send her off.
Xue Junliang climbed into the carriage with the help of a servant. Then he reached out a hand to help Teng Yun up. Although he was merely helping the Empress, people who saw it thought it was Her Majestyâs honor to have Da Wang bent his waist and bowed his head slightly for her.
The carriage was very large. Inside, there was a soft couch which was very large, too. It was big enough for five or six people lying together.
Xue Junliang and Teng Yun sat side-by-side in silence. Xue Junliangâs eyes were closed as if he was taking a rest.
The ride was very steady; only swayed a few times. After some time riding, the carriage stopped and they could hear Jiang Yuâs voice from outside, âYour Majesty, we have arrived at Shili Pavilion.â
Xue Junliang opened his eyes and lifted the curtain. Immediately, someone placed a low stool for Xue Junliang to come down.
Not far from the carriage, a huge pavilion sat; in its front, there were a group of officials kneeling on the ground and a horse-station.
The snow was falling, covering the ground with a thin layer of white. It made the Shili Pavilion looked even more magnificent.