Deposed Empress General Chapter 50

Qi Feng Hall, Murong Yan had already not come over for three consecutive days. Jiang Bilan ordered people to inquire, and Wang Yunzhao blocked her people, sending them back, only saying that Murong Yan was busy with military matters.

Jiang Bilan thought of the matter the last time her father had been scolded in the royal court, and was still a bit awkward. These days, he had not come over, could it be because he was still angry at her father? Thinking it over, she personally prepared a meal, making a sweet soup, to send over to Murong Yan.

But she didn't actually get to see Murong Yan, as she waited outside the study, Wang Yunzhao was extremely troubled, saying, "Your ladyship, his majesty truly has a pressing matter, so you should return first."

Jiang Bilan said, "If I cannot see him today, I will not leave."

Wang Yunzhao said, "Your ladyship."

Jiang Bilan said, "You still know that I am a ladyship, and currently, I can't even enter a royal study?"

Wang Yunzhao said, "This servant does not dare. It's just that his majesty has an order......"

Jiang Bilan brought the soup and walked forwards, Xiao Anzi and the others also too scared to stop her. She pushed open the door to the royal study, but discovered that it was entirely empty inside. She was startled, and a long time later, finally turned around to ask, "Where is his majesty?"

Wang Yunzhao dismissed the servants, and said, "Your ladyship, not hiding the truth from you, his majesty learned of Mayi city's danger, and secretly rushed to the border city. Currently, he is not within the palace. Before he left on his trip, he did not inform your ladyship, entirely because he was scared your ladyship would worry."

Jiang Bilan said, "Even though he knows the border city is dangerous, but he still personally goes, doesn't he know it would be even more dangerous?"

Wang Yunzhao said, "Your ladyship, be at ease. His majesty's thoughts are meticulous, and not something we would be able to comprehend at. As long as we abide by his orders, it will not be dangerous."

Jiang Bilan didn't know why, but she just felt uncomfortable in her heart. She also didn't continue speaking with Wang Yunzhao, but turned to return to Qi Feng Hall.

After she returned to her hall, she finally discovered why she was unhappy, as she was the queen, the matter of Murong Yan leaving the palace to head towards the border city, such an important matter, actually was not told to her. And the border city...... wasn't it where Zuo Canglang was garrisoned? She heard that a few days ago, they had just attained a victory, and Zuo Canglang continued to remain there, unwilling to return to court.

And now, he rushed there in a hurry, what did he mean?

She thought it over, but still didn't arrive at an answer. At her side, there wasn't a single person that could help her think through it, so she just left it alone. She looked at the soup she had personally made, and then at the palace where Murong Yan was no longer present, and in a moment, she felt like her heart was missing a piece from it, empty and devoid.

Mayi city, Murong Yan was in Zuo Canglang's tent. Zuo Canglang was worried that news of his presence in Mayi city would be leaked, and had him change into the clothes of a military doctor, normally keeping him in her tent. The confidantes by her side only thought that she had found some military doctor from somewhere, and didn't pay particular attention.

Murong Yan slept and at with her, and the border city was harsh to live in, the weather was frigid, and she couldn't stay in bed without rising for a long time, for fear that it would impact the army's morale, and allow the Western Jing and the enemy armies to grow suspicious. Thus she occasionally still needed to go out and make patrols. Murong Yan said, "You staying this way, how will your wounds ever heal?"

But Zuo Canglang didn't care, "After we bear these several days, after the enemy troops withdraw, it will all be good. Currently, they have lost Mayi city, so Western Jing doesn't have any settlements to the east of White Wolf lake. Passing over White Wolf lake is not easy. Once they withdraw, in the immediate two to three years, there will be worry-free peace. Additionally, since they have attacked our Yan lands three times without gains, the next time they wish to attack, they would still need to consider it in greater depth."

Murong Yan didn't speak, as he wore the military doctor's costume, and followed behind Zuo Canglang, wherever Zuo Canglang had passed by, the soldiers would all stand unwittingly straight, and even the wounded soldiers didn't shirk. After all, they had won an overwhelming victory over Western Jing, and the Yan troops' blades were currently exceedingly sharp. It was also difficult to blame Western Jing and Gu Zhu for not carelessly attacking.

Zuo Canglang would occasionally pat their shoulders, as atop their cold armor, it was all bits of ice.

Thus another ten days passed, and at this, Zuo Canglang could finally walk about. The army had entirely utilized the provisions that had taken from Mayi city to endure this month. And Western Jing had exhausted their supply, and their great army retreated to the west of White Wolf lake.

Gu Zhu also followed to retreat to Xiao Quan mountain. Mayi city's predicament was finally resolved. When the enemy armies withdrew, the weather outside was frigid, and the ground had practically turned to ice. The icicles hanging from outside the tents, were thick like a man's arms, the thinnest were the thickness of a finger. Zuo Canglang popped a piece into her hand. It was really cold, cold to the point that it made a person's fingers number. But she couldn't bear to toss it away.

Murong Yan said, "Toss it away, there are soldiers behind."

Zuo Canglang walked forwards, saying, "Right now, I am Biao Qi Great General, and you are just a random soldier at my side. Daring to use this tone to speak to me, really treating me like I don't lead my troops strictly, ah! Take your clothes off for me, and run a circle around the tent."

Murong Yan couldn't help but smile, saying, "It's not worth it, ah. Today you have me run a circle, and when I return, I'll have you run one daily." The two kept walking forwards as they teased each other. Unknowingly, they had arrived at the head of Mayi city.

Outside Mayi city, it was Ping Du pass, and the frigid White Wolf lake was like a jade belt, around it was a light green river, and then it was the endless yellow sand. At the city gate, the frigid wind blew by their faces, the sand blowing into the city, making it look even more decrepit.

At the bottom of the city, Yuan E and a few soldiers were burning bamboo, letting out the crackling noises as the fire burnt away. Lifting their heads, they saw Zuo Canglang standing at the city gate, and far away, they didn't recognize Murong Yan, only shouting loudly, "Today it is the lunar new year, come down to burn bamboo, ah!"

Zuo Canglang smiled, saying, "Nah, you all play." And then she turned her face to Murong Yan saying, "Today is New Year's, ah."

Murong Yan said, "Yeah, our General Zuo's new years celebration is not particularly good."

Zuo Canglang looked around, saying, "But at least this New Year's, the gift isn't bad."

Murong Yan said, "You've gifted me a city, and after we return to Jinyang, I will promote you to a Wei General." Wei General was Wenqi's rank. Zuo Canglang said, "I don't want to, if your majesty really wants to give a gift to this subject, if in a few years, if the world stage is settled, and this subject is still around, your majesty can just gift this subject an opportunity to retire here."

Murong Yan was startled, and atop the old city wall, the four eyes glanced at each other, a calm and pleasant exchange, suddenly turned a bit cold. At this moment, they stood shoulder to shoulder, both witnessing someone who's heart was shattered, without a future. It was as though there was a splinter, that had just unwittingly entered their hearts. There was such a moment, that he wanted to promise her the length of the sky and the timelessness of the land.

He turned his face, to look at the frozen White Wolf lake. This realm of humanity was decrepit and empty, and peoples' hearts were even weaker. And there were many divergent paths, only someone that didn't waver or change, but just continued persevering along a single path, that could arrive at its end. Along the way, no mater how beautiful the scenery was, it was still a mesmerizing obstacle.

Murong Yan, was never someone who would lose his way.

After the new year, Murong Yan first rushed back to Jinyang city, and Zuo Canglang later followed to return to the capital.

The day the army returned to Jinyang, it had just been the new month. The Spring Lantern festival was nearing, and the feeling of the end of the year hadn't dissipated yet. Murong Yan personally went to Western Hua gate to welcome the large army to enter the city, the officials all lined in two rows, the civilians all coming to await. Zuo Canglang saw the situation at the city gate, and immediately dismounted. She quickly walked before Murong Yan, kneeling, "Lord master."

Murong Yan helped her up, as though they had not met all these days, the two of them abiding by the propriety of a ruler and subject, entering the city together. Jinyang city was filled with people, and every step Zuo Canglang took was stable, not wanting anyone to be able to see her wounded state.

That night, Murong Yan prepared a feast in Nong Hua hall for the officials. Jiang Bilan wore her formal garbs, and attended the feast together with Murong Yan.

Before the royal table, the emperor and empress sat side by side. Zuo Canglang sat before a table for the military officials. Wang Yunzhao was ultimately meticulous, as all the wine in her pot was boiled water. She only drank one mouthful before stopping. At the side, some high officials came over to toast her.

Very quickly, a pot of water was finished, and Wei Tongyao and the others poured her some wine. Zuo Canglang drank one cup, and at the top, Murong Yan said, "Enough, although today is a celebration for the victory, but there should be a measure for how much wine one drinks."

Him saying thus, of course nobody dared to continue drinking with Zuo Canglang. The musicians began playing their instruments, and some palace servants demonstrated their beautiful dances, dancing. Jiang Bilan took a look at Zuo Canglang, and knew that Murong Yan purposefully shielded her, and also knew that her wounds were serious, and couldn't drink a lot. But she just felt that there was some suppressed anger in her heart.

The food felt tasteless, and she said, "I heard that General Zuo was injured?"

Zuo Canglang quickly rose, answering, "Responding to your ladyship, it was just some minor wounds, and won't get in the way of things. This subject thanks your ladyship for her concern."

Jiang Bilan said, "General has fought for the sake of the nation, and worked hard for a lot of merit. This lady has always felt especial admiration towards General, this type of hero among women. Every time I read of the poems composed regarding the border conflicts, I would always be extremely inspired."

Zuo Canglang said, "The border city and the capital, are just different experiences. Your ladyship wishes to witness the battlefield, but don't know that women in the world envy your ladyship."

Her propriety was thorough, and her words were fitting. At this, Jiang Bilan finally smiled, like a blooming flower, "People's fate, mostly is not up to themselves. But General is different, as General commands vast armies, and can dictate others' fate. I know General is a soldier, so it is difficult not to have a lot of blood spilled. But even as a combatant, you should still seek to minimize killings. General, in the battles over Hui Ye garden and Mayi city, although your accomplishments are great, but those women that were raped, the people that were harmed, has General never had a nightmare? Never dreamed of them?"

Zuo Canglang was startled, but the air within the hall was a bit awkward. But quickly, she adapted, and Zuo Canglang bowed, saying, "This general will remember your ladyship's lesson. In the future, when leading troops, will definitely minimize the loss of life."

Jiang Bilan was very satisfied, saying, "Since it is so, then tomorrow I shall organize Fa Cang temple's monks to perform a ritual for the soldiers that have perished in this battle, and call their spirits. General could also, for the sake of Hui Ye garden and Mayi city's innocents' deaths, copy a few sutras, to help them quickly escape the karmic cycle of suffering, and reincarnate."

Zuo Canglang ended up staring a bit dumbly, and all the other officials didn't speak. It was ultimately Jiang Sanyi that stood up, saying, "Your majesty is wise and powerful, her ladyship is compassionate and benevolent, and this is Great Yan's fortune. Let us all drink this cup, to celebrate Great Yan's national fortunes becoming grander."

At this, the officials all raised their cups, and drank the wine.

Jiang Bilan felt as though she had misspoke, and spoke two sentences quietly to Murong Yan, "Big brother Yan, did I say something wrong?"

Murong Yan drank a cup together with her, saying, "How could it be, Lan'er is the matriarch, and the matriarch instructing a subject, how could she be wrong."

It's just that....... very well, it's just that she lives on the battlefield, and you live inside a dream.

TN: This is the first catchup chapter, since I missed three days between 2/10 and 2/14. I hope to release this one on 2/20, and if I'm successful, I should only be 2 chapters behind my original schedule.