The Ugly Empress Volume 1 Chapter 6

Chapter 06 – Ashes

Xue Youyang nodded, then said, “Your Majesty is wise.”

Xue Junliang didn't say anything for some time, only stared at the other. Xue Houyang felt a bit apprehensive, so lowered his head trying to look more respecting.

Xue Junliang reached out then patted his shoulder, smiling, “Why are we acting like strangers?”

“It's the way of a master and his subjects. This subject doesn't dare…”

“Actually,” Xue Junliang said, “These few years, I've been thinking about the past… Houyang, have you never noticed? I've never once used ‘Gu' in front of you, because to me you are always a younger brother.”

Xue Junliang sighed, then took a few steps forward. With his back to Xue Houyang, he added, “Many things didn't turn out as I wished them to be. In the past, I also wanted this country to be peaceful and prosperous without having to suffer wars, but the past Xue Junliang was already dead. Now I'm only a tyrant who has to fight to conquer more territories and to protect his country. A hundred years from now, people would be evaluating my governance… Will you be blaming me?”

“Your Majesty…” Xue Houyang added with resolute voice, “Houyang hasn't come to the Capital City for many years, but I definitely understand Your Majesty's hard works. Doesn't matter if someday Houyang will be a great general or a commoner, I will never regret having a respectable brother, I will never blame you.”

Xue Junliang nodded, then smiled, “You've just come back, no need to worry over this… If it's not a trouble, will you call me Brother for once?”

People often said that accompanying a king was like accompanying a tiger. Their speech could sound deeply sincere, but whether it was truly genuine or just a sham, it was hard to tell. In the end, Xue Junliang was still a king. His words may contain sixty percent truth and forty percent lies, but he was a clever leader. He could easily touch people's heart, as well as his brother's.

Xue Houyang straightened his sleeves, knelt down on his knees and gently whispered, “Big Brother.”

Then he immediately rose and turned to go.

Xue Junliang waited until the footsteps grew faint before he turned around and looked at Marquis Wannian's back.

They used to be brothers that stood together against trials and troubles. But as a king, he was destined to be a lonely bird. He could only share goals and tasks, but could no longer share a happy and peaceful life.

Because Xue Houyang had stayed by his side until today, Xue w.a.n.g wouldn't be too harsh towards him. Because Marquis Wannian's respectful acts and deeds, Xue w.a.n.g was also grateful.

May their brotherhood could last for a long, long time.

Teng Yun was still. Hearing Xue Houyang whispered ‘Big Brother', his heart trembled. If his own brothers called him like that, let alone leading military troops, he would be willing to guard the borders forever.

The royal princes would never do such thing, no wonder Teng country was failing.

Teng Yun knew he had no power to reverse the situation. He was now living inside a married princess from Feng Country, he no longer had connection to Teng. Still, he was worried about Teng Shang.

Xue Junliang stayed there for some times before walking away. As he walked, he threw a brief doubtful glance at the small pavilion.

—

As soon as he returned, Xue Junliang immediately ordered Jiang Yu to inform his chancellors to write a letter, then to send the letter to Teng Country.

The chancellors were satisfied with the first letter they wrote, but Xue Junliang waved his hand and ordered them to rewrite it.

The final result was a slimy letter. Each sentence was so sweetly flattering, as if Xue w.a.n.g and Teng Shang were old acquaintances. The letter also discussed whether Teng Yun's ashes should be sent back to Teng Country, but Xue w.a.n.g was afraid it would be disrespectful to Great General Yun, therefore requesting Minister Shang to come to Xue.

At first, the chancellors didn't understand what Xue Junliang's intention was, but they dared not question him. After reading the final letter, they immediately understood the hidden meanings.

The messenger was quick to arrive and ask for Teng Shang. After entering the court hall and paying respect directly to Teng w.a.n.g, the messenger requested Teng Shang to personally open the letter.

Teng w.a.n.g's face darkened like he was being slapped. This act implied as if Teng Shang was the true ruler of Teng.

Teng Shang and Teng w.a.n.g were of the same generation. Because of his meritorious deeds and achievements, Teng Shang was adopted as a son by the previous king and treated like Teng w.a.n.g's younger brother. At that time, Teng Shang was still young, only five years older than Teng Yun.

[T/N : I think ‘the same generation' means they could be cousins.]

When Teng Shang was appointed as a minister, Teng w.a.n.g took the chance to seize all his military power so he could no longer lead troops. He was now only a civilian official.

Teng Shang certainly knew what was in Teng w.a.n.g's head right at this moment, but other than Teng Yun he didn't care about anything else, so he took the letter.

At a glance, the letter clearly stated the word ‘ashes'. All of a sudden, Teng Shang's world was crumbling. His hands trembled so hard the letter fell to the ground.

Teng Shang's throat was drying, while his eyes tearing. He and Teng Yun were not related by blood, but they had similar goals that they often discussed. In this multi-parties court, it was rare to have someone he could share deep friends.h.i.+p and supports.

And now… Teng Yun was dead, leaving himself alone.

Teng w.a.n.g saw Teng Shang's face turned ghastly pale, to he ordered the steward to pa.s.s the letter. A quick read later he was shocked. Teng Yun was his son, was Teng Country's heartbeat. With civil war occupying Teng Country these ten years, they had come to depend solely on Teng Yun to protect their border.

And now, Teng w.a.n.g lost a son, but he knew he also lost the last person who could save his life.

From above the court hall a desperate cry was heard. Teng w.a.n.g couldn't withstand the blow and had fainted. People called for the royal physicians, while also mourning loudly for the pa.s.sing of Sixth Prince, Teng Yun.

As soon as Teng Shang arrived at his residence, he received Da w.a.n.g's decree. He was to ride to Xue this instance to bring back Sixth Prince's ashes, also to escort Eldest Royal Princess for forming a marriage alliance with Xue Country.

[Apparently every w.a.n.g was called Da w.a.n.g, it wasn't only Xue w.a.n.g. So from what I understand, ‘Da w.a.n.g' means ‘Sire'. Apologies in advance if you see more corrections in the future, I learn as I translate.]

Teng Shang didn't refuse and accepted the order. He knew Teng w.a.n.g was fearing his position and power, after all he wasn't originally a Teng, he was a mere marquis who had been granted the surname.

At this moment, after getting rid of Teng Shang, Teng w.a.n.g didn't know what else to do. Half of him wished Teng Shang could somehow turn the situation for the better, but half of him despised Teng Shang.

In fact, Xue Junliang wasn't gambling. He already knew Teng w.a.n.g would definitely send Teng Shang to Xue. It was a gamble that he bounded to win, because he already knew of Teng w.a.n.g's suspicious nature. No matter which angle did he see this fact from, he was sure Teng w.a.n.g would send Minister Shang away so he could breathe easier.

—

Teng Yun was upset these few days. Ever since he gathered that Xue Junliang had sent a messenger to Teng, his heart had been beating like crazy. At times like this, the Little Crown Prince still had the gall to provoke him.

To Xue Pei, this Ugly Empress was merely a lowly woman. Although the Empress had pointed out a logical and reasonable strategy, he still thought it was something that was generally written on papers. Every time he was countered by Teng Yun, he was even more fired up to pick at the Empress.

Today, Xue Pei insisted to his so-called mother on practicing riding a horse and shooting arrows. The little crown prince learned horse-riding since childhood, so he was pretty good at it. Though he was still very young, could only pulled a light bow, his aiming was good. So he was considered accomplished.

Teng Yun didn't have the mood to entertain him, but as the crown prince kept pestering him, he finally took the light bow. The bow really wasn't that big, even Teng Yun could pull it with ease.

Teng Yun stabilized his posture, took the arrow and pulled the bow. He squinted his eyes slightly, these days he'd been having trouble focusing. He released the arrow and it took a flight.

Then from his side, Xue Pei laughed out loud and said, “As expected, knowing the theory isn't the same as knowing the art of war. If we were on a battlefield, you'd be shooting at your own commander!”

Teng Yun glanced at him, then took three more arrows.

Xue Pei laughed some more, he was especially happy, “Three arrows? If you can shoot those accurately, I will be your servant. A man keeps to his words.” He patted his chest, as proud as an adult.

Teng Yun didn't answered, he pulled the arrows and closed his eyes. He recalled many things from his previous life; his home country, his loyal friend Teng Shang, his spilled blood when he was slashed by a sword. When he opened his eyes, they were burning.

“Zap!”

Three arrows shot one after another, then Xue Pei gaped at the three arrows now stood firmly in the middle of the target.

Xue Junliang arrived just in time to see Teng Yun released the arrows. That wintry-cold gaze was so similar to the one he'd seen not too long ago…

—