Deposed Empress General Chapter 60

After Feng Ping and Duanmu Shang left the royal study, Wang Yunzhao came forward to refill the tea, and smiled, saying, "This Duanmu family's news is actually very fast, as this old servant had just sent out Head of Imperial Guard Feng's orders, when today, Duanmu Shang immediately brought Cang Tianqi's head over."

Murong Yan glanced at him, saying, "You wish to remind this king, that between him and Feng Ping, there is probably some trade taking place?"

Wang Yunzhao said, "How would your majesty need this old servant's reminder. This old servant only feels that, this Duanmu family of course can be used by your majesty, but at the very least, young master Leng was raised personally by your majesty. After all...... he's not one that has had long ties, ah."

Murong Yan smiled a bit, but didn't plan on continuing this topic, but only asked, "On Lan'er's side, what did the royal doctor say?"

Since the feast last time in the palace, Jiang Bilan had been sick, and going back and forth, the royal doctor had prescribed many prescriptions, but had seen no effect. Wang Yunzhao quickly said, "The royal doctor said that it is just that she has too many worries, and that it is not serious. Her ladyship's body is weak, so it is unavoidable that she would take longer to recuperate."

Murong Yan frowned, "Worries? Currently, whether inside the palace or outside, what could make her worry excessively?"

Wang Yunzhao didn't speak, but Murong Yan said, "Let's head over to visit her."

These days, as long as court wasn't busy, he pretty much stayed at Qi Feng Hall. Wang Yunzhao also didn't find it extraordinary, and quickly followed along.

Zuo Canglang had made a trip to Mayi City, as Ren Xuan had stayed in Great Yan for a long time. Jiang Sanyi's faction's intent, was just to directly execute him, to demonstrate the strength of Great Yan's army. Zuo Canglang didn't agree, and so he ordered people to head to Western Jing, to spread news of the matter. Ren Xuan was a senior commander in Western Jing, and still had a bit of fame.

Previously, Western Jing's emperor originally didn't agree on spending a large some of money to ransom him, as the price Great Yan asked for was really not low. Currently, though, the situation grew increasingly dire, and he couldn't worsen his army's morale, and his peoples' morale. He had no other way, but to clench his teeth, and spend a large amount of wealth to ransom Ren Xuan.

Western Jing sent emissaries over, and this time, it was different from the past, when they had been the ruling state, with its haughtiness as it rebuked its vassal states. Murong Yan directly prevented him from entering Jinyang city, since the matter was being handled by Zuo Canglang anyways, and pawned the matter off to her.

Zuo Canglang brought Ren Xuan to Mayi city, and the two sides exchanged wealth and prisoners of war. When they were leaving, Ren Xuan turned his head, saying, "Next time we meet on the battlefield, it won't be this easy."

Zuo Canglang smiled, saying, "Calling it easy, it turned out to be easy, as I am only nineteen this year, but General is almost forty. As long as I live well, General will sooner or later lose without a fight, ah."

Ren Xuan's face turned purple, and a long time later, he finally smiled bitterly, saying, "If in the future....... Great Yan does not allow you to continue existing, come to Western Jing to find me."

Zuo Canglang wasn't one who would be beaten by words, and so, she said, "These words are also what I was just about to tell General. If in the future, Western Jing falls, General can come to Yan country, and my family's majesty will naturally not mistreat General."

Western Jing's emissary was enraged, and just as he was about to speak, Ren Xuan signaled him to stop. As they were leaving, he took another glance at Zuo Canglang, saying, "This time it is this man Ren who had been careless, but we will definitely meet again. General, take care."

He seriously bowed, and Zuo Canglang cupped her hands respectfully, "Take care."

Beneath Mayi city, he took a hundred steps, and then turned back. He saw that atop the city wall, Zuo Canglang's white clothes and light armor, her light cloak rippling in the air, strong and stern.

Ren Xuan returned towards Western Jing, and Zuo Canglang sent all the gold, silver, precious stones, as well as silks back to Jinyang city. Yuan Xi escorted them, and the two of them rested in the old tea tavern by the old road. They heard people discussing, "This time, in the grand martial arts conference, it was actually Duanmu family's people that prevailed, and Cangjian Sect's several hundred years of history, ah, was just ruined like this."

Yuan Xi and the others all didn't care about the matters in the martial arts world, but Zuo Canglang suddenly asked, "This good sir, did you say that this year's martial arts conference, it was Duanmu family that won?"

That person originally didn't plan on speaking, but when he turned around and saw that it was a member of the government, he still respectfully said, "You several officials are also interested in the matters of the martial arts world? Yesterday at the martial arts conference, Cangjian Sect didn't have any attendees, and Duanmu Family's Clan hand, Duanmu Rou prevailed, so it seems like the title of number one in the martial arts world, must belong to Duanmu family."

Zuo Canglang said, "Other than Duanmu family, did no other experts participate?"

That person said, "There were, and there are many experts in the martial arts world, but other than Cangjian sect, who could still defeat Duanmu Rou?"

Zuo Canglang no longer bothered asking, and Yuan Xi said, "Within the martial arts world, in which year did they not slay each other? What are you caring about this matter for?"

Zuo Canglang said, "Don't mind me, but first send these items back to Jinyang, as I have some matters to attend to, and will follow you later." Saying thus, she left the tavern, alone.

Yuan Xi also couldn't stop her, but only had the time to call out, "Be careful, ah!"

Zuo Canglang held the signet of Swallow's Nest---- that Swallow Badge of pure gold, and when she found one of Swallow's Nest's meeting areas, she wanted to contact Leng Feiyan. But she was unsuccessful. Even the members of Swallow's Nest didn't know where she had gone.

Zuo Canglang then followed to search Duanmu family, but learned that Jiang Sanyi's younger son, Jiang Yi had gone to visit. Afterwards, there was Duanmu Shang accompany Feng Ping to enter the palace to meet his majesty.

Zuo Canglang didn't regroup with Yuan Xi, but directly returned to Jinyang city.

At that time, Murong Yan was at Qi Feng Hall, accompanying Jiang Bilan. Jiang Bilan's body remained weak, not recovering. Murong Yan had prepared medicine, and was feeding her personally. Outside, Wang Yunzhao came to report, "Your majesty, General Zuo is asking to meet outside the palace."

Jiang Bilan's body froze, and Murong Yan said, "Counting the days, it is about time for her to return. Tell her, if there isn't any other matter, to return first. We'll speak during tomorrow's morning court."

Wang Yunzhao was a bit scared, but still affirmed. He turned around and left Qi Feng Hall, and towards Zuo Canglang, said, "General, his majesty wants you to return to your estate first, and will discuss matters during morning court."

Zuo Canglang said, "I have pressing matters, which I need to immediately report to his majesty, so would eunuch please ask him again for me."

Wang Yunzhao said, "General...... her ladyship is currently sick, how about......."

Zuo Canglang said, "It's a very pressing matter, I'll trouble chief steward then."

Wang Yunzhao could only once again head to Jiang Bilan's hall, saying, "Your majesty, the general said it is a very pressing matter, which she needs to directly report to your majesty."

Murong Yan thought it over, and finally, passed the medicine to a servant girl by his side, Cai Ling, saying, "I'll go out and take a look, and I'll come over afterwards. Drink the medicine first."

When he said these words, his tone was very careful, his eyes filled with concern. Jiang Bilan had a type of feeling where she wanted to cry. She lightly nodded, "Big brother Yan......"

Murong Yan pat the back of her hand, and rose to leave. The bed screen was lifted before it was put down again, and the tears in Jiang Bilan's eyes finally fell. If what father said was true, then have you ever loved me?

Even if it was for a moment or just a bit, did you ever love me?

Murong Yan left Qi Feng Hall, and saw that Zuo Canglang was just outside the palace, saying, "Rise then, what is the matter that you are in such a rush?"

Zuo Canglang said, "Yesterday, at the martial arts conference, this subject heard, Duanmu family's head, seized the top spot. It is very probably that they will replace Cangjian sect, and lead Great Yan's martial arts world."

Murong Yan said, "This king has never bothered with the matters of the martial arts world, which isn't a matter you didn't know about."

Zuo Canglang said, "If your majesty didn't care about the matters of the martial arts world, why would Duanmu Shang come to beg to see your majesty?"

Murong Yan was immediately a bit unhappy, saying, "You and I haven't met in many days, and after much difficulty, we have finally met, and you just plan on using this tone to interrogate me?"

Zuo Canglang said, "Currently, your majesty's foundation is already stable, and it is the perfect time for Swallow's Nest to leave the shadows, to wash its hands and become a public faction. But Swallow's Nest's power is filled with a lot of rabble, and if Duanmu family rises, they definitely would be unwilling to allow them to become proper members of the martial arts world. Your majesty meeting with Duanmu family's people at this time, and also allowing Duanmu family to unite the martial arts world, this subject truly does not understand."

Murong Yan's expression slowly fell, saying, "As a Biao Qi General, it seems like you are bothering with too many things. How this king acts, must I answer everything to you?"

Zuo Canglang was stunned, and Murong Yan said, "Since this king ascended, I have been to doting towards you, resulting in you to slowly forget the positions of ruler and subject in your mind. Thus you dared to charge into the palace, this type of angry interrogation of this king. Not to mention it being on a matter that is absolutely unrelated to you."

At the side, Wang Yunzhao saw that things were turning ugly, and quickly said, "Your majesty........"

Murong Yan deeply said, "Shut up!"

Thus he immediately got scared of saying anything, and Murong Yan looked again at Zuo Canglang, saying, "Come, men, Biao Qi General Zuo Canglang has been disrespectful and failed to abide by propriety, which is great disrespect. Immediately remove her military assignments, and imprison her in prison to await punishment!"

The imperial guard at his side were all greatly stunned, and for a while, nobody moved, until Murong Yan said, "This king has said an order, can you all not hear?"

At this, soldiers finally quickly came forwards, and bound Zuo Canglang. Wang Yunzhao quickly said, "General......" He knew that right now Murong Yan was in the middle of anger, and if Zuo Canglang didn't immediately kneel and admit her wrongs as well as beg for forgiveness, he would definitely not end matters here. He also could definitely not end matters here.

But Zuo Canglang only struggled out of the imperial guard, a long time later, saying, "Your majesty, right now, have we also arrived at the stage where we will break down the bridge after crossing it?"

Murong Yan was immediately incensed, "Rubbish! Come, men, drag her away for this king, and beat her heavily with a hundred hits of military rods!"

A hundred strikes with military rods, if they really beat her heavily, it would definitely beat anyone to death. But the imperial guard still went through the motions, as nobody dared to beat Zuo Canglang to death. The first few strikes were still heavy, but the later ones still slowly grew light. This was, after all, still a doted subject of his majesty's before she had entered the palace, and suddenly, in a moment, she had turned into a convict. The change was too drastic.

Zuo Canglang bore a hundred strikes, her mouth ended up filled with blood, but she never begged for mercy, but rather clenched her teeth, bearing it.

Murong Yan ordered people to lock her up, and threw her into the imperial prison. The news practically spread immediately, and the court was in chaos.

The royal prison was always the place to imprison the political prisoners, and inside, it was filled with former royal relatives, traitors, and criminal officials. Zuo Canglang was dragged inside by soldiers, and was tossed into a narrow and small cell.

Even if the imperial guard held back a bit, they still beat her until her skin was split and her flesh was torn. She spat out the blood in her mouth, and some royal wardens came to lock her in cuffs. Once the cuffs were locked on her, she would not be able to stand up, or sit down. She turned her head, wiping the blood on her face away. Not long later, someone who looked like a doctor came over, carrying a medicine box, running a bit inside, saying, "General, Chief Steward Wang ordered this small one to take a look at your wounds."

Zuo Canglang said, "No need, I can't die!"

The doctor also didn't bother with her, but only had the wardens open the cell door and looked at her back. Its surface was a blurry scene of blood and flesh. The conditions in the prison were also lacking, and he was also afraid of being discovered, so only quickly helped her staunch the bleeding.

Right as her wound was being treated, outside, suddenly an old warden came in saying, "His majesty said, this prisoner committed the grave crime of being extremely disrespectful, so no one is allowed to visit. You better leave immediately!"

That doctor took another look at Zuo Canglang, quickly saying, "Chief steward Wang said, his majesty is currently just in the depths of anger, so General must definitely act softly, and say a few appeasing words. At the least, it would also give him a platform to deescalate the situation, ah."

Zuo Canglang didn't speak, and the warden said, "Let's go, don't make matters difficult for us."

That doctor could only quickly leave. The prison doors were finally locked, and in the cell, there was only a single ray of sunlight.

TN: I'm kind of annoyed at Zuo Canglang, too. It seems like she's also someone who's lost self-consciousness/all reservations of respecting the queen. Honestly, at this point in time, I kind of wish all the characters in this book would just all die in a fire. For one thing, it's like, they all care so much only because Zuo Canglang is a woman. If it was a male general, Jiang Bilan wouldn't necessarily look at it as a competition for her favor, but may be more rational in seeing it as an actually potential national matter. The same concept generally applies to most of the characters in this book. It's kind of like, if your concern is really about Zuo Canglang potentially bearing an heir and interjecting her power, there are less destructive ways- i.e. make her barren or issue a secret edict via Murong Yan so that her descendants can't possibly ascend the throne. That way, you keep a useful military general, while actually addressing the concerns with succession. It's also a huge huge face palm, because as the sole queen in the rear harem, she has almost boundless power. All the palace servants/eunuchs are at her beck and call (since she controls palace punishments, food, assignments, as well as salaries). So she could easily have had them used for ascertaining how much of a real threat Zuo Canglang was to her concerns as opposed to being a little bitch and stuck in her perceptions of that threat. I kind of also feel like, Murong Yan is angry at Zuo Canglang's question, because it seems like she doesn't trust him. It also feels like his response to Zuo Canglang's concerns are also quite rational-- she is minding too much stuff, wherein she is practically usurping his agency.

In a way, I feel like his punishment of Zuo Canglang is actually a way to protect Leng Feiyan. Right now, Duanmu family is out in the open. If they suddenly fall right after rising, to a nobody, I think everyone would know that Leng Feiyan's forces are under his control, which actually exposes her to danger. By punishing Zuo Canglang, she can kind of hide the matter that it involved Leng Feiyan, and publicly, pretend it was just about Zuo Canglang being disrespectful. I also think the punishment is necessary, since right now, Murong Yan knows five things- 1) Feng Ping has secret ties to Jiang Sanyi. 2) Feng Ping has secret ties to Duanmu Shang. 3) Feng Ping is in charge of the imperial guard, who hold massive sway over the palace. 4) Based on Zuo Canglang's report, Jiang Sanyi probably has ties to Duanmu Shang, too. Remember, that it was Feng Ping, and not Jiang Sanyi that brought Duanmu Shang into court, but it also turned out to be Jiang Sanyi that had sent his younger son to see Duanmu family. This had all taken place, right after Feng Ping had gotten the order to get rid of Cangjian sect. So he has to act in public a certain way, to avoid inciting a negative reaction from the imperial guard. The fifth matter, is that Leng Feiyan's faction might already be in a precarious position or a wasted piece, because Feng Ping knew the in's and out's out Murong Yan's organization.

What do you all think? Anyone else have any other guesses/speculations?