I see you all guess correctly who the spy is. Excellent, guys. XD
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Teng Yun slept very well. It might be because of his tense nerves these last few days, he actually fell into deep sleep.
All the time Teng Yun was sleeping, Xue Junliang moved to the warm room to review some official reports, also to reply Zhao Lu's letter before ordering Jiang Yu to re-send it.
When he came back to the couch, Xue Junliang found the Empress was still asleep. He then ordered the royal physician to send another jar of soothing balm to Yunfeng Palace.
Without waking the Empress, Xue Junliang made a maidservant go find him a blanket which he used to cover the Empress. Although the soft couch was very comfortable, if someone slept on it all night with only a cloak, they would surely catch a cold.
Teng Yun woke up disoriented and realized in alarm that he had actually fallen asleep; a very sound sleep at that.
Jiang Yu stood beside him, as if he'd been waiting for him to wake up. He said, "Empress, you woke up? Da Wang had already gone to attend the morning court, he said to inform Your Majesty not to go back yet and to have breakfast with Da Wang."
As Teng Yun got up, a line of palace maidservants came inside to help him freshen up and change his clothes. Because he slept for a long time, Teng Yun's head was still a bit groggy, so he just let the servants fuss over him.
These maidservants were Xue Junliang's close and trusted servants, naturally they understood what kind of style that Xue Wang liked. They combed the Empress' hair into a regal and sweet-looking hairstyle, adorned her person with simple yet elegant jewelries.
Xue Junliang wasn't gone for too long and soon came back. At the morning court assembly, there were not much to discuss; mostly it was about the marriage with Teng Wang's daughter, also about the necessity to be on guard against Feng Ming.
Feng Ming had always been known to be vicious and ambitious; he had many cunning tricks on his sleeves. That was why the court officials felt the need to be more cautious. However, they didn't know that Xue Junliang was prepared. He had put a loyal and well-trained subject inside Feng Country. The spy was deeply loved by Feng Wang, even managed to make the king bow down to him.
Xue Junliang was very proud of his own accomplishments. His two enemies, Teng Wang and Feng Wang; one was a coward, one was a big trouble. Teng Country right now could be considered finished, there was only an empty shell left there. Feng Country, on the other hand, was now completely under Marquis Zhulu's reign, it was no longer a threat for Xue Junliang.
When Xue Junliang came back to his residence, Jiang Yu immediately prepared the meal. Teng Yun silently accompanied Xue Junliang for breakfast; from start to finish he never said anything. This made Xue Wang very confused.
People said that women's heart were difficult to read, and he wholeheartedly agreed, especially this Ugly Empress' heart. Even Xue Junliang, who had come as winner in every battle he had, couldn't understand what she was thinking.
After the meal, Xue Junliang called people to prepare a jade carriage, and personally put on a cloak for Teng Yun. Today was the day Marquis Wannian, Xue Houyang's departure to the border. Officially, he was to personally welcome Da Wang's awaited new consort, but in fact, he was delegated because Xue Junliang wanted to scare Teng Shang.
Xue Junliang helped Teng Yun as they climbed the capital city tower, Marquis Wannian, Xue Houyang followed a little behind them.
Under the city gate stood five thousand soldiers. They were all Xue Houyang's loyal and personal army. They uniformly wore silver armors, each holding the rein of a big horse. Seen from the high tower, the ground looked like it was covered in white snow.
Previously, Xue Houyang only took two or three thousand soldiers to battle, but this time he was taking five thousand elite troops with him to welcome the new bride's envoy.
The soldiers all kneel down in unison towards the city tower, shouting 'Long Live the King'.
Teng Yun's expression didn't change, but inwardly he was shocked. Such soldiers, such force; Teng Yun definitely would've admired and envied the commander who lead this troop. But these soldiers were not his own, they were his enemy's army.
Xue Junliang waved his sleeve slightly, indicating everyone to stand up. The carpet of white armors and red hats moved uniformly, no one was slower nor quicker than the other.
"Aifei, what do you think of these soldiers?"
Suddenly Teng Yun was called. He knew Xue Junliang was showing off his military forces, but his current identity was that of a noble from Feng Country, and an Empress of the Inner Palace; this kind of demonstration would be a first for the original Empress.
Therefore, in neither cold nor excited voice, Teng Yun said, "I'm merely a woman, I don't understand this kind of thing."
What he said unexpectedly made Xue Junliang very satisfied. In fact, which king didn't like having a gentle and agreeable woman as an empress; a woman who would readily praise his own accomplishments and never contradict him.
Xue Junliang stretched an arm. Jiang Yu came forward carrying a tray covered in red cloth, two cups of wine placed on it.
Xue Junliang took one cup, then Jiang Yu moved to present the other cup to Marquis Wannian who stood a little behind Xue Junliang.
Xue Junliang didn't speak, instead held his wine cup with both hands a little raised, then he directed his cup towards Xue Houyang for a quick second before immediately redirecting it to the soldiers under the city tower.
As one, the soldiers bowed. Xue Junliang drank his wine in one gulp, then smashed the cup on the floor next to his feet. Xue Houyang and all the soldiers also drank their wine; their cups smashed on the ground with a loud noise.
Xue Houyang, holding his helmet, stepped down from the tower and hopped onto his horse. The troops set off with him on the lead.
Such was true example of a well-trained and powerful military force; an glimpse of Xue Wang's authority. Today, Teng Yun saw it himself, how a king raised his people's spirit and morale without saying a single word.
What king didn't want to boost his people's spirit and build a strong country? But those kings often forgot one thing; that was to give trust and honor to each one of their countrymen and soldiers. Whether those were given sincerely or falsely, it didn't matter, because then the subjects would always repay it by folds.
And today, Xue Junliang showed how he did it, by his slight bow and his raised wine-cup.
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Xue Houyang and his troops marched directly to their destination. In fact, they didn't go very far; after only a few days they'd arrived. The soldiers set a camp and waited for Teng Shang's entourage.
Three days later, Teng Shang arrived at the intersection. Xue Houyang already had his five thousand soldiers stood by. The lines upon lines of five thousand armors and red hats that his soldiers wore made such a magnificent sight.
Xue Houyang himself sat on his horse; behind him the border-city gate was opened wide.
Teng Shang rode on a horse, the princess's sedan chair followed after him. From a distance away, he saw a person stood in front of the gate. He'd heard that Marquis Wannian, Xue Houyang was to personally escort the new bride. He'd also heard that this person was an outstanding man, but he'd never had the chance to meet the man in person. Finally seeing him here at this time, Teng Shang was a bit surprised.
Teng Shang, wearing a blue official robe, came down from his horse's back once he got close to Xue Houyang. He cupped both his hands in salute and smiled, "Marquis Wannian came personally for the princess, it is a great honor."
Teng Shang's manner and speech was calm and collected, as if not afraid of Xue Houyang's show of power.
Xue Houyang laughed, then hopped down from his horse before saying, "Lord Minister, you're mistaken there. Houyang came here today as Xue Wang's delegation to especially welcome you."
Teng Shang kept his eyesight on the ground and didn't answer. He already knew Xue Houyang saying those words was actually for the princess to hear, also because among this entourage from Teng Country, there surely was Teng Wang's spy. Marquis Wannian welcoming Teng Shang instead of the princess, wasn't it to imply that Teng Shang had a deep relationship with Xue Country?
Teng Shang chuckled wryly. The master wanted the subject die, the subject would not just obediently die. At the very least, this troops of horse-riders should accompany him to his grave...
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"Empress... stop pacing. You're giving this slave a headache."
Xiu Yao watched as her mistress paced back and forth, again and again. She thought her mistress was anxious because today Da Wang hadn't invited Her Majesty to his residence, also because the imminent arrival of the new consort.
The latter was true, because as soon as Teng Country's princess entered the capital city, as soon as Teng Shang entered the capital city, Teng Shang wouldn't live for much longer. Teng Yun couldn't stay still because of worrying over Teng Shang's life.
He'd tried finding a reason to convince Xue Wang not to kill Teng Shang, but he couldn't find one convincing enough. In this country, Teng Shang was like a thorn that had to be pulled out as quickly as possible.
Unless Teng Shang surrendered.
However, Teng Yun knew very well; just like himself, Teng Shang had vowed to sacrifice his own life for his home country. He would never lay down his pride and honor and surrender.
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Rui Xue hurriedly exited Feng Ming's residence, and on her way she ran into Zhao Lu who had just come out of the morning court.
Rui Xue greeted Zhao Lu, then said, "Master, Da Wang said he missed you, won't you come over to see him?"
Zhao Lu frowned in annoyance, but the frown quickly disappear as Rui Xue, without other people noticing, had slipped a piece of paper into his hand.
Zhao Lu said, "You're supposed to attend to him, not reporting to me about such small matter... Just tell Da Wang, I also want to see him but I am too busy."
Rui Xue nodded, then she seemed wanting to add something but stopped herself.
Zhao Lu said, "What is it?"
Rui Xue said, "Master... I know it's not my place to say this, but Da Wang... It's been a half-month since you visited him, since then Da Wang hasn't got out of his bed, he also refuses to call for the royal physician..."
Zhao Lu snorted, "Didn't you say it wasn't your place to say this? If there's no more to say, just go then. "
"Yes..." Rui Xue bit her lips, "I understand."
Looking at Marquis Zhulu's retreating back, Rui Xue hesitated for a moment then turned to go to the royal hospital. After asking for an ointment for swelling and bleeding, she went back to Feng Wang's residence.
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Zhao Lu went out of the palace and returned to his own residence where he unfold the note. It was Xue Junliang's reply; instructing him to create a discord between Feng Ming and Minister Zuo.
Minister Zuo, though already old, could still be considered a loyal and talented subject. Xue Junliang intended to recruit the minister, so he and Zhao Lu had to work as a team; Zhao Lu was to force Minister Zuo to resign from court, then Xue Wang would take him in and play hero.
Zhao Lu burned the paper with the fire from a candle, then he opened the window to dispel the smell of burnt paper.
He stood by the window, hands leaning on the windowsill, staring at the pond outside. Suddenly he sighed; the cold and grim mask on his face changed into a mellow one.
Zhao Lu originally lived in Xue Country. At that time, Feng Wang had just died, and one of his imperial son rebelled and created chaos. The Crown Prince, Feng Ming was forced to fled the country. He hid among a family of hunters and accidentally caused another family to their death.
Even until today, Feng Ming didn't know that they were Zhao Lu's family. Later, Zhao Lu was picked up by Xue Junliang and placed in Feng Country's military barrack as a spy. That was how he came to this day.
Zhao Lu had been orphaned for 30 years. Right now, Feng Ming was completely wrapped in Zhao Lu's fingers, but Zhao Lu still wasn't able to let go of his resentment. He still wanted to trample all over Feng Ming's feelings. Everytime he saw Feng Ming silently suffering and enduring, Zhao Lu felt like he'd delivered his payback, like he hadn't spent years of effort in vain.
However, he also felt uncomfortable inside his heart. And nobody knew why.
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