The Ugly Empress

—

Jiang Yu came bringing the royal physician.

The royal physician knew Xue w.a.n.g had been injured while trying to protect the Empress, naturally he didn"t dare neglect this Empress. Moreover, after the swellings and bruises on Her Majesty"s face disappeared, she looked radiant and her original beauty was shining through. The physician examined Her Majesty"s pulse, then prescribed an ointment for the new wound around her ear and said, “Your Majesty needs not worry. After the monthly period pa.s.sed, I will prescribe medicine for improving your health. For the next few days, avoid wetting the wound. Also, let the kitchen staff know not to make cold and spicy dishes.”

The wound on Teng Yun"s ear didn"t bother him, it was also so much lighter than the ones he had before on his face. After all, Teng Yun was once a military general, he was not one to fuss over minor scratches. But what made him uncomfortable was when the physician mentioned ‘monthly period".

It had been more than a month since he woke up inside this Ugly Empress" body, so of course, that period was coming again. It was only some blood, but because Teng Yun had never seen it before, this matter made him very uncomfortable and helpless.

Every time the monthly period came, Teng Yun hardly walked anywhere and could only sit still all day. This kind of thing happen to a man, it was decidedly a very horrifying experience.

But as Teng Yun thought about it more, remembering that time he was alone with Xue Junliang on the carriage; he wasn"t sure if Xue Junliang made a move on him or not. Therefore, when the physician said the monthly period was coming, Teng Yun could sigh in relief.

The royal physician told him a few more words then excused himself, not wanting to disturb Her Majesty"s rest for too long.

Jiang Yu knelt to pay respect to the Empress and said, “Your Majesty is stressed over the accident with the a.s.sa.s.sins, so His Majesty sends this old servant to stay and serve at Yunfeng Palace for a few days. If Your Majesty needs anything, please give orders to this old servant.”

Teng Yun lay back down, letting out an exhausted sigh. Jiang Yu was very perceptive; he stepped forward to cover Teng Yun with the blanket. Teng Yun was too tired to open his mouth so he only waved a hand.

Jiang Yu complied by bowing his head and stepping to the side. He had followed two generations of Xue w.a.n.g, he"d experienced many things in his life. He"d learned to notice the smallest gestures so he knew when it was appropriate for him to talk and when it wasn"t.

Teng Yun was annoyed with the original Empress" body, which was so frail. Teng Yun"s own body wasn"t so robust and st.u.r.dy, but because he"d trained in horse riding and martial arts since he was still a child, he"d developed a strong physique. When he was captured as prisoner, he"d even made Xue Junliang very surprised, because he could withstand being poisoned and tortured.

Teng Yun had a lot in his mind, but he finally fell back into sleep. After sleeping for some time, Teng Yun thought he heard some noises from outside.

His eyes blinked open. Xiu Yao came over and said, “Empress, do you need something? I will get it for you. Are you thirsty?”

Teng Yun opened his mouth to speak, but his throat felt too dry so he nodded. Xiu Yao quickly went to the table and poured water into a cup. She then handed the cup to the Empress.

Teng Yun reached a hand to take it but the hand was shaking. Xiu Yao saw it and meant to help steady Teng Yun"s hand but was stopped by Teng Yun.

Teng Yun"s eyebrow knitted slightly. No matter what body he was in now; no matter how fragile, deep inside, Teng Yun was still the Teng Country"s great general who had led troops of horse riders to war. This fact was engraved in Teng Yun"s bones, could never be erased. Being unable to hold a cup of water, it really made Teng Yun look down on himself.

Teng Yun got up and leaned against the head of the bed. Using two hands, he took the cup and held it to his lips as he drank. He spilled some of the water, wetting the blanket; but his throat no longer felt so raw.

“What happened outside?”

Xiu Yao said, “Nothing. Teng-fei has come, insisting she wants to visit you. I have tried to refuse her, but it didn"t seem to work. Right now, Head Servant Jiang Yu is dealing with her.”

[T/N : Fei (妃) means consort. Teng-fei means Imperial Consort Teng, but that would be a mouthful.]

Teng Yun rested his head against the head of the bed. He was not in the mood to see Teng Qianyi. Sure, they might be blood relatives, but they were never in a friendly relationship. Moreover, though Teng Yun never said anything, he never approved of Teng Qianyi and Teng w.a.n.g"s taboo relationship.

The noises outside had calmed down for some time and Teng Yun thought Teng Qianyi had left. But then it became noisy again, seemed like Jiang Yu was having a hard time.

Jiang Yu returned inside the gate and stopped just outside the main room"s door. He said, “Teng-fei asks for an audience.”

Teng Yun had guessed Jiang Yu couldn"t be able to stop Teng Qianyi because he already knew how her temper was like. In Teng Country, Teng Qianyi was celebrated as the number one maiden; she had both talent and exceptionally good looks. Naturally, people always flattered her. Added that she had close relationship with Teng w.a.n.g, it was inevitable her temperament grew bold and arrogant.

Teng Qianyi didn"t realize her own situation. When she was sent by Teng w.a.n.g to marry, she was no different than Teng Shang in Teng w.a.n.g"s eyes; she was a discarded person. But Teng Shang was a clever and wise so he was aware of his situation, but Teng Qianyi was not.

Teng Yun knew if he didn"t let Teng Qianyi in, there was no stopping her.

So Teng Yun reluctantly nodded to Xiu Yao, who then opened the door and went out. Her chin was slightly raised as she said in slightly haughty manner, “Her Majesty will see you.”

This was Teng Qianyi"s first time coming inside Yunfeng Palace. Xue was a prosperous country; even being burdened by war these few years, Xue was still superior than any other countries. Her Majesty the Empress" palace should not look shabby or inferior than other consorts" palaces.

Teng Qianyi looked around at the furnishing and decoration inside the residence. Compared to this, her own residence looked downright cheap and unpresentable. Bitterness welling in her heart; she was like a stranger being so far away from home and had to humbly lodge under someone else"s roof.

But Teng Qianyi did have some knowledge, and therefore her purpose of coming here; that was to seek protection under the Empress.

Xue w.a.n.g was injured while protecting the Empress; it was clear this Empress" status was extraordinary. Teng Qianyi came to Xue alone, had no relatives to back and support her up. Then her maidservant, Jiao Shui, suggested the idea that there was no other backing better than the Empress.

Jiao Shui was clever. She said that, even if Teng Qianyi wanted to compete with other consorts and wives for Xue w.a.n.g"s favors, she would never win against the Phoenix Seal, which was held in the Empress" hands. Teng Qianyi might not be able to be the most favored wive, but she could help the Empress to be one. This was the art of looking after one"s own hide.

Teng Qianyi insisted on visiting Yunfeng Palace to seek protection, otherwise her heart would not settle. People should not blame her.

—

After Xue Houyang left, Xue Junliang finally admitted he was tired. Sure, he didn"t have to use muscles to catch a.s.sa.s.sins like Xue Houyang, but he had to use his brain which was two-times more exhausting. Trying to think of ways to outwit other people every single day was taxing.

He"d sent Jiang Yu to Yunfeng Palace, there was no other servant he trusted enough to attend him, so he didn"t bother calling anyone. He returned to his inner chamber and tucked himself into bed.

Xue Junliang was always a light-sleeper. This time, he knew very well he was dreaming, but somehow he couldn"t wake up.

In the dream, he was back at the pit where he was hiding with his Empress. The other person was staring at him in astonishment and disbelieve with those eyes. Those eyes looked like two large orbs of shiny gemstones; alluring and enchanting.

He pushed the other person to the ground and gently kissed those lips, tracing the corners before continuing along the graceful curve of the other person"s neck.

The person underneath him was surprisingly quiet; silky black hair cascading down the shoulders. Those shiny eyes were still staring at him, there was even a hint of smile on those lips.

A flame ignited inside him, heating up his brain. He"d seen many beautiful women all his life, but no one made him wild with excitement like this one.

He reached out to strip the other person"s clothes, but then he heard the person chuckling, “Do you remember me?”

Xue Junliang stilled; the voice was very familiar, but it wasn"t his Empress" voice.

The person underneath him was half naked; bare shoulders exposed. The disheveled and glorious sight left Xue Junliang feeling hot and bothered.

A hand reached up to caress Xue Junliang"s neck then slipped down to his chest. The thumb had a scar.

“Teng Yun?!”

Xue Junliang woke up in a jolt; sweating profusely. He hadn"t taken off his outer robe when he lay down, so now it was soaked and felt uncomfortable.

But that wasn"t the most disturbing thing. The most disturbing thing was… That strange dream.

Xue Junliang was sure he dreamed being intimate with his Empress, but how come so suddenly she turned into a man, and that man was the person he most wanted to kill all his life.

Teng Yun was like a thorn in his side; Teng Yun was clever, loyal and sharp. He was one of a kind. In Xue Junliang"s eyes, a formidable opponent like this had to be killed as soon as possible.

But, he dreamed of being close to this man, dreamed about this man"s laying pliant under him; and his lower body had reacted…

Xue Junliang"s expression turned ugly. He called maidservants to bring him fresh clothes to change and then prepare to go to Yunfeng Palace.

When he arrived at Yunfeng Palace, Teng Qianyi was still there. His arrival made Teng Qianyi feel both happy and envious.

Everyone knelt to pay respect. Xue Junliang stepped forward to help Teng Yun up and led him back to the recliner where he urged Teng Yun to lie down. He said, “How are you? Feeling better?”

Teng Yun glanced at Teng Qianyi who was still kneeling with an unhappy expression on her face. Teng Yun could tell Xue Junliang wasn"t asking out of concern, he wanted to use the Empress" ident.i.ty to trash Teng Qianyi. But right now Teng Yun was feeling unwell, didn"t have the mood to deal with Xue Junliang"s schemes.

He nodded but said nothing.

Xue Junliang, then, glanced over at Teng Qianyi and said, “What is Teng-fei doing here?”

Teng Qianyi heard her name called and started to get up, but Jiao Shui stealthy pulled her sleeves, holding her down, so she lowered herself back on the ground and said, “Answering to Your Majesty, Chen-qie just come to visit Her Majesty the Empress.”

Jiao Shui"s movement didn"t escape Xue Junliang"s eyes. A servant that was more knowledgeable in etiquette than her mistress was indeed very rare. But then, Teng Country almost collapsed. Except for Teng Yun, Teng Country had nothing else to own.

Now that Teng Yun was dead, and Teng Shang was tied in a marriage with Xue Houyang, Xue Junliang could say he was very pleased with himself.

Speaking of Teng Yun… Xue Junliang"s face turned dark.

His dream was very strange, indeed. One was a gentle and meek Empress, the other was a G.o.d of War wearing battle armor. These two people were the total opposite of each other. What kind of a dream was it?

As Xue Junliang thought about it, he couldn"t help stealing a few glances Teng Yun"s way. Teng Yun took notice but pretended as if he didn"t.

Other than the Empress and Teng Yun both had eye-catching eyes, Xue Junliang could not find any more similarities between the two. Their difference was as the sky and earth; no connection at all.

As Xue Junliang kept staring, Teng Yun grew uncomfortable. Exasperated, he asked, “Your Majesty… Is there something wrong on my face?”

“Oh…” Xue Junliang cleared his throat and said, “No, nothing… I"m just looking at your bloodshot eyes and think you should rest some more.”

—