Deposed Empress General Chapter 65

The fifteenth of the first month, it happened to be the Spring Lantern Festival.

After the palace feast, Murong Yan brought all the court officials to Ming Yue platform. He had prepared many sky lanterns. It could also be counted as the ruler having fun alongside the subjects. Jiang Bilan accompanied by Murong Yan's side, lighting the lanterns with her firestick. Murong Yan lightly supported her hand, and the two helped each other together, letting loose that lantern.

The sky lantern rose into the sky, and flew through the night, like a new star. The masses all called out their blessings of ten thousand years, and some people began igniting the fireworks. The fire and smoke rose into the sky, illuminating the land.

Zuo Canglang wasn't interested in any of this, and if it wasn't for the presence of all the court officials, she probably also wouldn't have attended at the tall platform in such a cold night. When the court officials all got close to Murong Yan, she stood in front of the white jade railing of Ming Yue platform's railing, looking down.

In the darkness of the wintry night, of course there wasn't a particularly beautiful scene, as there were only distant torches, and it was still dark.

She was just quietly there, when suddenly someone came by her side, asking, "General isn't releasing lanterns, so what are you looking at here?"

Zuo Canglang turned her head, and saw Daxi Qin standing behind her, smiling at her. She said, "Didn't Marquis Jinyu also not release any lanterns? And haven't you also come here?"

Daxi Qin said, "Everyone wrote their various wishes on the sky lanterns, hoping that they will reach the heavens. I'm just the subject from a collapsed nation, and I also don't have any particular wishes, so thus, I also don't need to release any lanterns. But General is not yet twenty, and as a young and aspirational youth, you could still release a lantern. Someone who takes the military route and fights in battle, it would be good to even wish for safety."

Saying thus, he slowly lit a lantern, and Zuo Canglang said, "Hearing good sir say these words, it seems rather reasonable." Daxi Qin passed the firestick over, and Zuo Canglang knelt, slowly lighting the core of the lantern. Daxi Qin wore a light green robe, and his left hand held up the lantern. As the breeze came by, there was a few traces of the wind chilling one's bones.

Murong Yan was being congratulated by all the court officials, and by his ears, there were only auspicious words. He turned his head, and saw Zuo Canglang and Daxi Qin standing side by side in front of the jade railing, lightly speaking, while also releasing sky lanterns. Not knowing why, he suddenly felt a bit unhappy.

"Marquis Jinyu, I heard that you have composed some excellent poems, and seeing as this is such a nice evening, I would ask that Marquis Jinyu gift us with a poem, to celebrate the hy." He lazily said.

Daxi Qin quickly came over, and stood before the officials, and he really did come up with a poem for the platform. The content of the poem, Zuo Canglang didn't bother listening to. Anyways, it wasn't like she could understand it. But the gaze that Murong Yan spared her, she understood.

This type of short exchange of gazes, it was just a fleeting thing, but those who had alternative thoughts still noticed it. Jiang Bilan and Jiang Sanyi also exchanged gazes, one was reminding the other, while the other one held hatred.

When it was almost midnight, the gathering was dismissed. The court officials all left the palace in small groups of two's and three's. Zuo Canglang was just preparing to leave, when Wang Yunzhao suddenly came over, lightly saying, "His majesty ordered to have general await at Qing Quan Hall."

Zuo Canglang was stunned, but Wang Yunzhao already ordered a eunuch, to on one hand, lead her with a lantern, pretending to send her out of the palace, but secretly separating her from the other court officials.

It was cold and quiet inside Qing Quan hall, and the palace servant ignited the candle, and quietly left. Zuo Canglang stood before the lamp, and reached her hand out to touch that flame. The wind blew by, and that flame wavered, leaving a trail of smoke on her finger.

Behind her, footsteps sounded, and she didn't turn back to look, knowing who had come. Murong Yan walked behind her, reaching his hands out, wrapping them around her waist, saying, "What are you thinking about?"

Zuo Canglang didn't answer his question, but rather asked, "Today it is the Spring Lantern Festival, so doesn't your majesty need to stay with her ladyship the queen?"

Murong Yan said, "I already sent someone to send word, and will head over there later."

Zuo Canglang worriedly said, "Your majesty is truly busy with official duties." Her tone was a bit cold, with a few degrees of sarcasm.

Murong Yan said, "General is also not free, as today, if you didn't stay at Qing Quan hall, would you have gone to Marquis Jinyu's estate?" Zuo Canglang was angry to the point that she couldn't even say a word, but rather reached her hand out, plucking his hands away. Murong Yan was unguarded, saying, "What, did I press against general's sore spot?"

Zuo Canglang said, "Who's estate I stay overnight at, should be my dead husband's matter, so it won't require your majesty's concern."

Murong Yan suddenly lifted her, and walked forwards a few steps, putting her onto the bed, and with a flap of his sleeve, he put out the candle. The room was filled with darkness, and he removed his belt, coming onto her. Zuo Canglang reached her foot out to kick him, but finally still held onto him. She let him dominate her, entering her.

This type of recklessness that ignored their positions, could there also be a bit, that was because of concern? She didn't ask, as whether the answer was yes or no, she couldn't avoid feeling hurt.

Right as they were deep in love-making, suddenly there was a messy noise outside, and Zuo Canglang just struggled to rise, when Murong Yan was currently in the depths of fervor, and neither cared nor minded.

Suddenly, a palace servant rushed to the door, and loudly announced, "Your majesty, your majesty, her ladyship the queen said there was some pressing matter, and begged to see your majesty!" Murong Yan's movements stopped, and he suddenly got up, grabbing some clothes and threw them on. Outside, Jiang Bilan's voice already sounded out, "Big brother Yan! Big brother Yan!"

The sound of the footsteps had already entered the outer court, and Zuo Canglang flipped off the bed, picking up her clothes from the ground. Murong Yan directly opened the window, and held her shoulder, tossing her out the window.

There was a pond outside the window.

The cold pond water immediately surrounded that warm body, and Zuo Canglang didn't react in time, before sinking to the bottom of the pond. The bead screen rattled, and Jiang Bilan entered. Murong Yan kicked Zuo Canglang's clothes, which were on the ground under the bed. Jiang Bilan rushed in, and ran into his embrace.

Murong Yan lightly rubbed her back, "What's the matter? In the middle of the night, why did you suddenly come here?" He held her soft body, his forehead creased, "your hands are so cold, what happened?"

Jiang Bilan buried her head in his chest, crying until she almost couldn't talk, "I had a dream, where big brother Yan disappeared, and it was all rebels around, so I was very scared." Murong Yan lifted her up, and softly said, "It was only a dream, that's all. Isn't this king still over here and well? Stop crying."

Jiang Bilan took a deep breath, saying, "It's already so late, so why did you not come to my hall, but rather rested over in this remote hall?"

Murong Yan said, "After I finished dealing with the memorandums, I thought that you had probably already rested, and didn't want to disturb your rest, so I didn't head over."

Jiang Bilan hugged his chest, saying, "Your majesty not comming, how could this subject wife sleep well?"

Murong Yan said, "Saying thus, sounds like it is this king's fault."

On the one hand, he spoke, while on the other hand, he stepped out of the Southern Palace Hall. Wang Yunzhao quickly rushed over. Murong Yan also stared him down momentarily, not saying anything else.

Wang Yunzhao wiped off his sweat, as the old palace servant feared that there were associates of the abolished crown prince, but now, most of the palace servants were newly arrived servants, and really weren't as attentive. When encountering matters, when he was not around, they would always make a mess. They had actually just let Jiang Bilan break in like this!

He quickly returned to Qing Quan Hall, and all the palace servants all knelt on the ground. Wang Yunzhao didn't have time to bother with them, and quickly entered the chamber. It was empty inside, but the window was open. This......

No wonder his majesty's expression looked so bad. He quickly saw that outside the window was a pond. Right now it was the first month, so it was still very cold. He was also afraid that the servants would hear, so he lightly called out, "General Zuo? General Zuo?"

The water rippled, and someone stuck their head out. Wang Yunzhao quickly waved at her, "General Zuo, the people have already left. Come up first."

Zuo Canglang's voice kept shaking, "Throw some clothes down here." Wang Yunzhao quickly threw clothes down. Zuo Canglang wrapped herself in it before jumping up. Wang Yunzhao didn't find her clothes around, so it was her who spoke out first, "under the bed?"

Wang Yunzhao sighed and looked, ad right when he was about to take them out, Zuo Canglang asked, "Even if you retrieve them, could I still wear them?"

Her voice was so calm it was frightening. Wang Yunzhao quickly had people send over clean clothes. Turning around, he saw Zuo Canglang's face, which was a bit pale, her hair was still dripping water. She was bare-footed, and draped herself in the outer robe, her back drenched with water. He lowered his eyes, afraid to look, "This subject will have people boil some hot water for general, and as this day is very cold, to avoid getting frostbite."

Zuo Canglang turned around, her gaze cold, "I've already been frozen." Wang Yunzhao swallowed his words, and she continued softly, "What does it have to do with you, that I'm actually throwing a tantrum at you."

Wang Yunzhao lightly sighed, "General's heart is stifled, this old servant knows. Even if General wants to curse a few words, this old servant won't take it personally. As a servant, ah, since his highness was young, until now, what unsightly words haven't I heard before? But, it's alright if general spews a few angry words here with this old servant, but no matter what, you cannot speak them before his majesty. General, we are subjects, so suffering a bit is unavoidable. His majesty...... no matter how close his majesty is, he ultimately is still his majesty......"

Zuo Canglang took a deep breath, lightly saying, "I know." She took the clothes from Wang Yunzhao's hands, and Wang Yunzhao turned around, but then heard her softly say, "I just don't know, how I've come to this."

Wang Yunzhao turned back, and saw her hugging the clothes, sitting on the ground, her two hands covering her face, her tears just falling.

Within Qi Feng Hall, Jiang Bilan fell asleep crying. Murong Yan watched over her, and seeing that jade like small face was filled with tears. They were endless tears that he couldn't finish wiping away, filling one with worry. He rose and walked out. Wang Yunzhao walked in from outside, and Murong Yan looked over. Wang Yunzhao nodded, and softly said, "Already left."

Murong Yan didn't sleep in Qi Feng Hall, but when he left the hall, he finally chuckled, saying, "Was she sad?"

Wang Yunzhao also softly responded, "Perhaps she is pretty sad this time." Murong Yan didn't talk, and he carefully asked, "Why not...... grant her some item, to calm her a bit?"

Murong Yan shook his head, "You really don't know how to calm women."

Wang Yunzhao was a bit flabbergasted, "At least this entire lifetime, this old servant doesn't need to calm women."

Murong Yan smiled, "Mmm, don't know whether that is your fortune or misfortune."

WIthin Qi Feng Hall, Jiang Bilan slowly opened her eyes, and by her side, the servant girl Hui Yun and Hua Yue came forward to serve her. She softly asked, "Did that slut leave?"

Hua Yue said, "She left, and I heard that when she left, she was drenched with water, like a chicken that had fallen into a pot of soup."

Jiang Bilan's eyes filled with cruelty, and Hui Yun said, "She deserved it, marrying a dead person, and being unable to bear her loneliness, she came over to seduce his majesty. She totally doesn't know what shame is." Hua Yue increased the heat in the brazier, saying, "Isn't it so, still tiring out her ladyship in such a cold day to make this trip."

Jiang Bilan wanted to speak, but suddenly felt an uncomfortable feeling in her chest, only feeling things were mysteriously oily and disgusting. Hui Yun saw that her expression didn't look right, and quickly came over to support her, "Your ladyship?"

Jiang Bilan pushed her away, saying, "This queen seems like I have caught a cold, so summon a doctor over."

Hua Yue acknowledged the order and quickly ordered someone to find a royal doctor.

The royal doctor came quickly, and Jiang Bilan was resting in the bed, letting the other person take her pulse. She had originally thought that it was just a cold, and that taking some medicine would be enough. Who knew that the royal doctor took the pulse for a long time, his brows creasing, as though there was something difficult to speak of.

Jiang Bilan saw his expression, and asked, "Is there something wrong with this queen?"

The royal doctor quickly rose and knelt down, saying, "Reporting to your majesty the queen, it is true that your ladyship has contracted a cold, but your ladyship's pulse is not the normal one. Based on this pulse measure, it is soft and has a background beat. Your ladyship this...... is a pregnancy pulse."

Hui Yun and Hua Yue, upon hearing it, were all joyous. Jiang Bilan also looked happy, but later on, she saw the royal doctor's expression, and said, "This queen is pregnant, but based on your expression, there is no joy. What else have you not said?"

The royal doctor was worried, and said, "Your ladyship, this subject has words he wants to speak, but...... does not dare."

Jiang Bilan's expression turned stern, saying, "Ask."

The royal doctor was silent for a bit, finally saying, "This subject dares to ask your ladyship, a short while previously, had......" he stuttered, and Jiang Bilan was running out of patience, saying, "Speak, no matter what you ask, this queen will not blame you for it."

The royal doctor finally stubbornly said, "Did your ladyship experience an abortion previously?"

Jiang Bilan's expression slowly fell, asking, "What did you say?"

The royal doctor immediately kowtowed, saying, "Your ladyship forgive me, your ladyship forgive me!"

Jiang Bilan said, "Finish your words."

The royal doctor said, "Although your ladyship is pregnant, but your body has not recovered. This pregnancy...... based on this subject's suggestion, this pregnancy cannot be kept. Otherwise, as it grows larger, it will grow increasingly harmful to your ladyship. If you are even a bit inattentive, perhaps not only the child cannot be kept, but your ladyship would also......"

Jiang Bilan's right hand tightly gripped the blanket, saying, "You are saying, this queen cannot keep this child?"

The royal doctor said, "Your ladyship, your ladyship is so young, and as long as you take care of your body, why would you fear being unable to give birth? If because of a child, you harm your ladyship's royal body, then it is a matter that is only a loss. Your ladyship should rethink matters, ah."

Jiang Bilan's right hand slowly loosened, the expression on her face was rather calm. She said, "What is your name?"

The royal doctor kowtowed, "Reporting to your ladyship, this subject is surnamed Hai, named Hai Yun."

Jiang Bilan said, "How many years have you been in the palace, and what is your current duty?"

The royal doctor was scared, saying, "Reporting to your ladyship, this subject has entered the palace for six years, and am assistant to royal doctor Cheng."

Jiang Bilan said, "Tomorrow, I will report to his majesty, to make you Head Royal Doctor."

Hai Yun was shocked, and lifted his head to look at her. Jiang Bilan said, "But you need to know, a person's mouth, what words should be said, and what words should not be said. If you were not careful and misspoke, I'm only afraid in the future, you would not have the opportunity to speak."

Hai Yun immediately kowtowed, "Your ladyship's favor, Hai Yun will remember. In the future, I will do whatever is requested, and serve your ladyship."

Jiang Bilan nodded, and then asked, "This child, this queen truly cannot keep?"

Hai Yun said, "It is extremely dangerous, so it is safer not to keep it."

Jiang Bilan was silent for a while, saying, "You're dismissed first. This queen will consider it."

Hai Yun bowed, and his heart still felt a bit worried. Jiang Bilan was currently the queen, so she definitely did not have a reason for secretly seeking an abortion. If this matter had occurred, there was only one possibility, and it was that the child was not Murong Yan's. Knowing this secret, would he still have the opportunity to live?

But the next day, the eunuch came forward to issue the edict, making him head of the royal doctors.

Hai Yun suddenly understood, he had attained such an opportunity.

And since that day, after Zuo Canglang left court, she never entered the palace. Murong Yan also didn't summon her for many days. The things that happened that day, the two of them just ignored it, and never mentioned it.

Today, during the morning court, Gu Zhu sent an emissary over, asking for the King Father, Murong Yuan's tribute. Some subjects mentioned whether they should recall Murong Yuan back to court. But they only mentioned it in passing, and as the old officials had all been removed, the sole remaining Xia Chang You, had already turned into a caged bird. Who would bother with the life or death of the past ruler?

After court was dismissed, Zuo Canglang left the palace. Yuan Xi coincidentally came back to receive new orders, and immediately chased after her, "General, there's nothing wrong with you, right?" Zuo Canglang turned around, and she massaged her head, "It looks like you're pretty tired."

Zuo Canglang shook her head, saying, "I'm fine."

Yuan Xi stood in place, and took a while saying, "This old man Yuan is a rough person, and you all, always taking the roundabout way, I don't understand. But if there is anything troubling you, just speak it out. Anything less than a execution worthy crime, at the very least, it could still be discussed."

Zuo Canglang lifted her head, pressing her hand onto his shoulder, "Mmm." Then she turned to leave, and Yuan Xi chased two steps after her, before stopping again. What was there to "mmm" about? You still didn't say what it was, ah.

Zuo Canglang returned to Wen estate, and the atmosphere in Wen estate was a bit strange. She stopped her steps, and saw that Wang Yunzhao led a guard, with the palace servants guarding the estate gate. Zuo Canglang stopped her steps, and Wang Yunzhao came forward, "General Zuo, you've finally returned. After court was recessed, his majesty immediately came over to visit Country Stabilizing Gong."

Zuo Canglang "mmm'd" and said, "Then I won't bother them."

Wang Yunzhao quickly stopped her, "General! At the very least, you should still enter and ask them a bit, right?"

Zuo Canglang entered the inner court, and Wen Xingye was sitting with Murong Yan. The servants were watching by the left and right. Wen Yixuan and Wen Yirong looked over, standing by Old Sir Wen's side. Zuo Canglang entered and knelt, "This subject Zuo Canglang greets your majesty, ten thousand blessings on your majesty."

Murong Yan laughed, "Rise then. In front of the elders, you're actually a lot more respectful, allowing this king to also witness it."

Zuo Canglang rose, and sat at a side seat. Old Sir Wen courteously said, "Ah ZUo is someone who came out of your majesty's estate, and thus is more relaxed around your majesty. Seeing you, she should really abide by family courtesy."

Murong Yan smiled, "She's been pampered too much, tiring out Country Stabilizing Gong, so asking Country Stabilizing Gong to be more lax."

Wen Xingye respectfully said, "Your majesty is jinxing this old man. After Qi'er passed, this old man had suffered the pain of my disabilities, and all the matters of the estate, were all managed by this child. Although she is a daughter-in-law, but she is not much different from a daughter."

Murong Yan nodded, "Speaking of it, after she came to Wen estate, it seems like she has grown more mature. Causing trouble before this king is not permissible, as a single wrong word or wrong action, and her head will fall, and there would be no regrets then."

Wen Xingye laughed, "This child in her maternal family, before her two elders, is never like this."

Murong Yan agreed, and afterwards rose, "Very well, this king won't bother Country Stabilizing Gong anymore. You've grown old, so you should take more care of yourself. If there is anything lacking, directly send someone to enter the palace to inform this king."

Wen Xingye rose, and knelt, "This old man is a useless one, and doesn't dare to bother your majesty."

Murong Yan helped him up, and turned to leave. Wen Xingye sent him out the whole way. Murong Yan lifted his hand, signaling them to stay behind. Zuo Canglang followed behind Wen Xingye, and Murong Yan took a look at her before turning to leave.

The corner of Zuo Canglang's eyes felt a bit pained, and a certain light illuminated his back, slowly disappearing in the distance. You like your Jiang Bilan, so then you should just like her properly. Why did you also have to come, why did you also have to say these uncertain words? Why did you also have to leave your scent behind, using the thing I desire the most to tempt me, to make me sad?

Leaving Wen estate, Wang Yunzhao followed behind Murong Yan, jogging the whole way, "Your majesty, the carriage is before us." Murong Yan looked around at the environment, signaling that it was fine, "We're not taking the carriage. Let's walk, and take a look at the situation among the people."

Wang Yunzhao waved his hand, and the black garbed guards behind all scattered, hiding among the high walls. Wang Yunzhao was puzzled, "Your majesty especially came to Wen estate, was it only for seeing General Zuo?"

Murong Yan laughed, "What are you in a rush for? Couldn't you see that she was still in the middle of her anger?"

Wang Yunzhao sighed, "That's true, as General is a martial individual, and had always been fast to love and hate. I'm only afraid that she can't take this type of small stifling."

Murong Yan's steps walked before a small stall. He picked up a jade pendant, looking at it. It was a street stall, so its quality of course, couldn't be particularly good. Towards this item, he looked at it before putting it down, laughing, "No matter if it is a martial individual or a scholarly individual, they still need to understand their own identity. She is a subject, and Lan'er is the queen, her lady mother. As a subject, in front of her lady mother, she should naturally be acquiescent, so what stifling is there to speak of?"

Wang Yunzhao was stumped saying, "What your majesty said is true. I think general probably can also understand it."

Murong Yan laughed, and suddenly saw something that was tooth shaped, together it had the faint scent of jade, so he pulled it over to take a look. Wang Yunzhao spoke at the side, "Master, this seems like an ancient item."

Murong Yan nodded, "It is probably stolen from a tomb. It is not bad, right?"

Wang Yunzhao didn't speak, before the street vendor already reached his thumb over, "This great sir, you look like a man of much attainment, and your also dressed well, so I had thought it was some rich young master living away from home. Who would have known that you also have such broad insight. Your eyes are truly accurate! This is an item from Western Zhou! This type of item, can truly be considered a priceless treasure......."

Wang Yunzhao shut his mouth, wanting to say that your capacity at boasting and making a sell was much better than mine. Murong Yan smiled, "How much is it?"

The vendor reached his hand out, "Five hundred pieces of silver."

Murong Yan said, "One hundred and twenty pieces."

The vendor spoke again, "One hundred and fifty pieces."

Murong Yan said, "One hundred twenty pieces."

The vendor muttered, "Based on the way you are dressed, you don't seem like someone who cares about money."

Murong Yan laughed, "It's just that I don't like to waste money." One piece of money required one piece of effort, and in a trade, saving money was still beneficial.

Leaving the jade stall, Murong Yan dangled the jade in his hand, and Wang Yunzhao asked, "This item, the queen is dressed really well, and probably wouldn't wear it. Is your majesty intending on gifting it to the general?" Murong Yan held the jade in his hand, only laughing. Wang Yunzhao asked, "Should I order someone to send it to Wen estate?"

Murong Yan turned his head to look at her, a long time later, saying, "Wang Yunzhao, have you ever fed a dog before?"

Wang Yunzhao was puzzled, saying, "This...... in the past, when her ladyship Rong was around, this old servant had once fed a puppy." But what does this have to do with anything?

Murong Yan said, "There is a technique towards feeding a dog. You cannot feed it until it is full in one sitting, otherwise, it would think that it is easy to fill its stomach, and thus, be useless. And you would also pamper it until it grew arrogant. You need to mix feeding and nourishing it on one end, while disciplining and teaching it on the other side, so that you can maintain its wild nature to be useful to you, and also to let it understand that it should work for its master. How a dog's loyalty is, is not up to how good you were to it, but is rather dependent on the fact that everytime you are good to it, that you make it something it can never forget."

TN: Yup, Murong Yan did just treat Zuo Canglang as a dog. Harsh. But somewhere along the way, Zuo Canglang is just as worthy of blame. Have some g-da*n self respect. Also, when I saw Jiang Bilan's antics as I was translating this, I kind of felt like puking. Yuck.