Deposed Empress General Chapter 44

From the day they began testing the soil, Jiang Sanyi began taking note of Zuo Canglang.

Today, it was Gan Xiaoru's birthday, and the court officials mostly came to Gan estate to congratulate him. Although Jiang Sanyi was currently not in court, but he couldn't choose not to go to Gan estate. He knew that Gan Xiaoru was Murong Yan's confidante, but calling him a confidante, it was not entirely accurate.

Gan Xiaoru's faction seemed more like Murong Yan's sycophants, for as long as they could gain his majesty's joy in a matter, they did not care about the consequences. That's why, as long as Murong Yan gave them a glance, they could immediately become intelligent and wise, capable of competing and arguing with Bi Chengjing's faction.

Towards him, Jiang Sanyi was still extremely courteous, as currently, the matter of crowning Jiang Bilan as queen, Murong Yan still hadn't officially mentioned. If he really wanted to mention it, the court officials would definitely object to it. They would probably still need this person's assistance. Although he still had personal connections in court, but after all, currently, he wasn't in a position of power, and these people weren't particularly useful.

That's why, today, Jiang Sanyi also prepared an extravagant present to congratulate his birthday.

Right when he had arrived outside the estate, Gan Xiaoru had come forward to invite him in. "Big brother Jiang, this one is just a small official, but managed to move older brother, this little brother is really embarrassed at receiving your graceful attendance." Before he had even finished speaking, people already came forwards, to help him enter. Jiang Sanyi although he said he didn't dare, but he still entered the estate with him.

The two had just entered, when outside, another loud voice announced, "Wen estate, Country Stabilizing Gong has come to congratulate your birthday!"

Gan Xiaoru was startled, and quickly told Jiang Sanyi, "Big brother Jiang, please first enter and have a seat, as this little brother will come and accompany you momentarily."

Jiang Sanyi one one hand went to his seat, and on the other hand, was observing the outside of the estate. Indeed, Gan Xiaoru had quickly gone over to receive the guest. And the whole way, he helped seat Country Establishing Gong, Wen Xingye by his own seat. Jiang Sanyi scoffed, and in an unimpressed tone, asked, "Big brother Gan didn't invite general Zuo over? Why don't I see her attending the feast today?"

Gan Xiaoru smiled bitterly, saying, "How could this little brother manage to invite general Zuo, as Country Establishing Gong and the various officials, being able to come over, this little brother's humble abode is already a great event."

Jiang Sanyi glanced at Country Establishing Gong, Wen Xingye, as though he had some thoughts. Based on past precedent, no matter how Murong Yan awarded the Wen family, it was all unnecessary. The Wen family had served Murong Yuan, and back then, Wenqi went out of Ping Du pass, dying at the hands of Western Jing. If one was to really search for the reason, of course it was because he had lost Suye city, and had failed Murong Yuan's trust.

Murong Yan could not possibly trust Wenqi's old subordinates with their loyalty to him, but currently, the Wen Xingye who was originally supposed to be bored at home, even Gan Xiaoru, this type of high confidante official needed to give way to him.

Why was this?

The whole Wen family, the only one that was still in court, was only Zuo Canglang. What other reason could it be?

Gan Xiaoru, as a rank one official, when he was celebrating his birthday, even Bi Chengjing would come and offer gifts, and Zuo Canglang, as a mere first-ranked military official, when she said she wasn't attending, she actually ended up not attending. And Gan Xiaoru actually didn't dare to have any dissatisfaction, who could possibly be supporting her from behind?

After returning from Gan Xiaoru's estate, Jiang Sanyi told Madam Zheng, "Prepare a good gift, as I want to make a trip to Wen estate."

Madam Zheng didn't understand, "Wen estate? Old sir, currently Wen estate only has Old Sir Wen. Marshal Wen already perished, and you were also someone who followed king Yan, so at this time, shouldn't you not have much interactions with them?"

Jiang Sanyi said, "What do you know? I've always mistaken one matter! Quickly go and prepare, I need to ginseng or some deer antlers."

Madam Zheng assented, and brought servants to prepare it.

The next day, Jiang Sanyi arrived at Wen estate.

At that time, Wen Xingye was currently watering flowers, and seeing him come over, found it a bit unexpected. "Official Jiang, how come you have the time to come over?"

Jiang Sanyi quickly bowed, saying, "Old Sir Wen, originally I long should have come over to pay respects, but as I had just returned, my estate had a lot of matters to attend to, and I couldn't ever find the time to leave much. Now, right as I have finished with matters, I have rushed over here. So I'm asking you not to blame me for my lapse."

Wen Xingye said, "Official Jiang, what are you saying, please enter the hall to have tea."

Jiang Sanyi sat in the hall, and looked left and right, asking, "General Zuo isn't in the estate?"

Wen Xingye said, "A few days ago, thanks to his majesty, she received a bow, and now, she has probably gone off to go hunting with someone. Young child, ultimately how could she stay in the estate."

Jiang Sanyi smiled, saying, "General Zuo is a busy person, how could she be compared to me and Country Establishing Gong. Thinking of it, we are all King Yan's old officials, and originally we all wanted to be loyal to the ruler, so that we would not waste our lives. But how would we know that we would come to a time when we would have lost our ruler."

Wen Xingye was also a bit awkward, saying, "How not? The old reign fell to ruin, but the wind still blows through, and with the flow of the spring winds, another year passes. This land heh......"

Jiang Sanyi said, "The land is still here, but we are at home being bored now."

Wen Xingye said, "Official Jiang, where do these words come from? His majesty's love towards your daughter is deep and does not need words, so Official Jiang will be greatly depended on sooner or later. Official Jiang's future is boundless, so how could you be compared to this old man, being bored in the same way?"

Jiang Sanyi chuckled, saying, "Country Establishing Gong speaking this way is making fun, as my child is only a weak woman, so how could she compare to your daughter-in-law, General Zuo, being so capable in battle? It's also difficult to blame his majesty for being gracious towards General Zuo, as at such a young age, she could have attained so many combat merits."

Wen Xingye said, "Although Ah Zuo is intelligent, she is nevertheless young. In the future in court, she will still need official Jiang to give her many pointers."

Jiang Sanyi continuously stated that he didn't dare, and carefully watching his expression, it didn't seem like he knew of the matter. The two of them sat for a while longer, and then he rose and said his goodbyes.

Leaving Wen estate, Jiang Sanyi slowly stabilized his mood. If Wen Xingye didn't know of the relationship between Murong Yan and Zuo Canglang, then it meant that Murong Yan probably didn't have the intention of making it public. Otherwise, based on his personality, the first one that would know of it would be Wen Xingye.

Wen Xingye was particularly concerned about his familial reputation, and if he knew of the matter, a moment ago, when he had mentioned the matter, his facial expression would definitely not have looked good.

If Murong Yan didn't plan on making it public, then even if the two of them had private interactions, based on Zuo Canglang's care for Madam Wen's position in public, she should probably not threaten his own daughter's position as queen.

His heart gradually found a stable foundation, and when he returned to his estate, he went to take another look at Jiang Bilan. Jiang Bilan was still unwilling to speak with him, but he also didn't care, but only asked Madam Zheng, "What did the doctor say?"

Madam Zheng quietly said, "There is nothing big left to worry over, it's only that she still needs to recover for a few days, so that at least she can wait until it is thoroughly cleaned out, to avoid raising suspicions among others."

Jiang Sanyi nodded, saying, "The royal doctors in the palace have high medical skill, so it is better to be careful. Don't leave any evidence for others."

Madam Zheng nodded, and after leaving the room, Jiang Sanyi continued, "Since Lan'er's body is already fine, we cannot keep Wei Zhu, this servant girl."

Madam Zheng was startled, and immediately understood his meaning. Jiang Sanyi said, "Think of a way to solve this matter, and it must be done cleanly."

The next day, Wei Zhu died in the Jiang family well. In a large estate, a servant girl dying, nobody would notice. Only Jiang Bilan, after awaking, discovered that the servant girl that had always served her had disappeared. She asked Madam Zheng, and Madam Zheng only said, "She returned to her old home, as she is of age, and should be getting married."

Jiang Bilan had originally believed it, when at the side, Jiang Sanyi said, "She died."

Jiang Bilan opened her eyes wide, "Died? But she was still fine yesterday......"

Madam Zheng said, "Old sir!" Jiang Sanyi seriously said, "Once you are crowned queen, you will truly take control of the rear court. Based on your current naivety and stupidity, how could you stably sit in the position as queen?"

Jiang Bilan said, "You killed her?"

Jiang Sanyi said, "Yes."

Jiang Bilan slowly retreated to the corner of the bed, her ten fingers tightly clenching her blanket. "Just because she knew that I had the abolished crown prince's child?"

Jiang Sanyi said, "Yes."

Jiang Bilan said, "Father. Why didn't you kill me? Yes, you still have to keep me, for helping Jiang family to seek a stable support. Right?"

Jiang Sanyi harrumphed coldly, and turned, leaving the room.

At the end of the eighth month, the summer was slowly coming to a close.

Murong Yan officially announced to crown Jiang Bilan as queen. If he had mentioned the matter two months earlier, the court officials would of course have all formed a crowd to object, but after the position sat empty for two months, everyone was already prepared in their hearts. Currently, only the Central Righteous faction of old officials still opposed the matter.

Bi Chengjing came out, saying, "Your majesty, Madam Jiang is ultimately the abolished crown prince's assigned secondary consort, and has had the relationship of husband of wife, and your crowning a wife that has a husband as queen, where are you leaving Great Yan's reputation?"

The other members of the Central Righteous faction also came out to support him, "Your majesty, since antiquity, how important has a woman's purity been? Currently, your crowning of Madam Jiang as queen, wouldn't it let the barbaric tribes and other nations make fun of Great Yan?"

Actually everyone already knew his mind was made up, and that opposing now was pointless. But, Bao Zhengshu still came out, saying, "Your majesty, since antiquity, the ruling family's reputation has been important. If...... if your majesty must crown Madam Jiang as queen, you could change her name and her family...... at the least, it also wouldn't draw peoples' gossip, ah!"

The imperial court was serious and quiet, Murong Yan said in a deep voice, "Madam Jiang's marriage to the abolished crown prince, was forced by circumstance. The abolished crown prince lost his virtue, but what matter does it have to do with her? I am crowning her as queen, exactly because I value her dignity and virtue. Towards this matter, my mind is set, and we don't need to discuss it more."

That afternoon, the edict to crown the queen was sent to Jiang estate. Jiang Sanyi and Madam Zheng looked at each other, the stone hanging over their hearts finally falling.

The day the queen was to be crowned, the autumn was already present. Great Yan's southern recesses, yellow flowers covered the land. Beneath the ritual alter, the hundreds of civil and military officials were separated on the two sides. Jiang Bilan was wearing the royal garb, the sunlight illuminating the phoenix crown atop her head, her long sleeved phoenix robe glimmering. Upon it was sewn patterns of golden dragons and phoenixes. With each movement, her hairpieces would dance. The extravagant attire covered up the pale and wasted complexion on her face, the fortune and glory caused her brilliance to draw peoples' gazes.

Murong Yan especially constructed for her the Ming Yue platform, which was high up, some twenty meters in the air, covered in white jade, with a straight walk up it, able to gaze at the moon. This was the only platform constructed by Murong Yan since he had ascended the throne, and became a historical reference for subsequent rulers to talk about loving couples.

Murong Yan led her hand, walking up the stone path, that jade hand held in his palm, soft as though it had no bones. The light breeze blew past, and beneath their feet, a red rug covered the ground, Jiang Bilan's dress brushing over it. Murong Yan slightly held back, helping her lift her dress.

Beneath the platform, all the officials all observed this. Actually before this, practically everyone did not believe, this person had risen up in rebellion in anger, and towards his own father king and royal older brother, had brought troops to threaten them, only for the sake of a woman.

But in this moment, suddenly everyone began believing, he had risen in rebellion, in large part, for love.

In the north, there are beauties, that had in the past caused the fall of cities. The legendary ones that caused the fall of cities and the loss of countries, were not anything more than this, right?

Murong Yan walked forwards step by step, stepping over the white jade entrance, ascending to the top of the Mingyue Pavilion. The beauty's skin would sometimes slide over the back of his hand, soft and cool. He slowly turned his body, and the many subjects at the bottom of the platform all bowed, calling out ten-thousand years, ten-thousand years, ten-thousand ten-thousand years.

Murong Yan's gaze swept over the masses, and stopped momentarily in the center of the crowd, that person wore an military official's garb, and along with the mass of subjects had bowed on obeisance. His gaze only lingered momentarily, before loudly saying, "The many subjects may rise."

The officials all called out ten thousand years again, before slowly rising.

Murong Yan was just about to speak when he suddenly heard the platform behind him making the sound of machinery closing! He quickly turned his head, and practically in the next moment, shielded Jiang Bilan behind him. Twenty meters above, on the high platform, before Mingyue Pavilion, suddenly twenty some arrows flew out!

The imperial guard atop the platform all quickly fell, and Murong Yan quickly unsheathed a blade, blocking some arrows. Below, the situation immediately fell into chaos, and someone yelled loudly, "There are assassins, protect the king, protect the king!"

Zhou Xin and Feng Ping immediately paled, as the two of them were responsible for the security for this ceremony this time. And with this type of thing happening, it was a death sentence.

The two of them quickly went forwards, and Murong Yan having to block many arrows, of course was struggling. Additionally, Jiang Bilan was fully clothed in ceremonial garb, and couldn't move about well, so she was practically dragging him down. At this time, another hail of arrows shot over, and Jiang Bilan was immediately frightened, her hair instantly messy!

Murong Yan furrowed his brow, but suddenly from behind, someone came forward. He didn't turn back, but knew that it must be Zuo Canglang. Since some unknown time, only she could come this quickly. And only she, would come this quickly.

Indeed, once that person advanced, she immediately helped him block another flurry of arrows, he seriously said, "Capture a live one, as I want to know which person dares to have the gall!"

Zuo Canglang stood behind him, her bow drawn with arrows prepped, firing a flurry of arrows, immediately slaying the assassin's that didn't hide quickly enough. The assassins quickly discovered that her archery was shocking, and immediately changed their target to her. Jiang Bilan was still in the midst of chaos, entirely not knowing what she had done wrong. Zuo Canglang didn't turn back, but only said one phrase, "Leave here."

Jiang Bilan shook her head, "No! Big brother Yan, I want to stay here to accompany you!"

Murong Yan's lips held a smile, but if you are here, you will only hold me back. At this time, I still really prefer this person by my side staying back to accompany me. But...... very well, but I will accept your intention. This life, I will weave a dream with silks for you, to protect the ruler from destruction, to protect the ruler from bitterness, to protect the ruler from sorrow and sadness.

The rain of arrows grew even more concentrated, as the enemies had realized Zuo Canglang's archery was extremely masterful, they began hiding inside the pavilion.

Murong Yan said, "Cover me, I'm heading over."

Zuo Canglang hurriedly said, "Lord master! Wait for the imperial guard!"

Before the jade steps, the imperial guard was already hurriedly rushing over. Murong Yan still didn't speak, and suddenly, from the pavilion, seven people came out, seven swords simultaneously stabbed towards him, fast like shimmering light! Jiang Bilan screamed out, as a woman that had been sheltered in the rear court, how had she seen this type of dangerous situation? She unwittingly hid behind Murong Yan.

These seven people weren't normal assassins, as the seven swords were fast like flowing light, and Murong Yan was still held back by Jiang Bilan, unable to dodge or avoid the blows. Seeing that the sword blades were nearing, he could practically feel that killing intent emanating off of that cold blade. And the more frightening thing was, this seven sword formation, was a compound formation of several steps. Once one sword was successful, the subsequent swords could not be avoided.

He frowned, but by his side, suddenly a shadow flew by, and Zuo Canglang had used her bow to stop the first sword, and using only a little strength, the subsequent three swords also missed their mark. But the formation was unbroken, and the remaining three swords saw red, and slowly all stabbed into her body.

This was the first time Zuo Canglang felt that before experts, she was useless, as she couldn't avoid the blows. One didn't need to point out that at this moment, she didn't have any other weapons on her, as even if she did, she still would not have any hope of victory.

This frightening sword formation, who exactly were these assassins?

In the short blink of an eye, she could only hurriedly avoid danger, as with only the activation of the formation, she had suffered three stabs. Her wounds kept bleeding, but she didn't retreat, only facing the second wave of the formation. Murong Yan just stood there behind her, her shoulder pressed against his chest.

Her blood seeped out, staining onto his body. In a short moment, already drenching his clothes. But she never thought of retreating, exactly because he was behind her, so she could only neither die nor rest.

It was just that with this small monetary shielding, the imperial guard behind them had rushed over. The seven assassins, despite how high their martial capabilities were, they still had no way of resisting the imperial guard. Zhou Xin ordered the unleashing of arrows, forcing the seven of them into the pavilion. The imperial guard surrounded Mingyue pavilion.

Assassinating here, was risky. This pavilion, in a radius of a hundred feet, once it was surrounded, there was no escape via the heavens nor the earth.

Zuo Canglang only felt a wave of dizziness, as she hadn't paid attention to the wounds on her body, and had not staunched the bleeding from various parts of her body. By the side, Wang Yunzhao loudly yelled, "General Zuo is injured, quickly, summon the royal doctors!"

But that voice was also blurry, so she just knelt down, and only coughed, before blood gushed forth again. Murong Yan reached his hand out, pressing onto her wound. That blood stained his hand, but didn't cause one to be disgusted. All the way until the royal doctors rushed over, did she hand Zuo Canglang over. And then he rose.

At this time, atop the platform and below it, it had fallen into chaos, and the officials were all in chaos. Murong Yan helped Jiang Bilan up, helping her once again arrange her hair, and then picking up her hair ornament that had fallen to the ground, personally helping her put it on. Jiang Bilan's heart was still in shock, "Big brother Yan, are you okay?"

Murong Yan shook his head, helping her stand up, telling the disoriented officials by the side, "Continue."

"What......" The court official practically thought he had gone insane, but in a moment, he immediately understood, and loudly announced the order of crowning the queen. The court officials all gathered, startled, but all quickly recovered, quickly standing together.

The rites official read the order, and all the officials all went to press the seal on the edict, and the ritual for crowning the queen was complex. But after all, Wang Yunzhao was a thorough person, and he had prepared meticulously. Very quickly, people were once again orderly.

Murong Yan stood before Mingyue Pavilion, atop the platform, standing side-by-side with his beloved. It was only that the place on his chest that had been stained with blood, was a little bit cold. He turned his head, and saw that the royal doctor had already helped staunch Zuo Canglang's bleeding. He wanted to call someone to carry her down, but she rejected it. The royal doctor could only help her, step by step, slowly descending the tall stairway.

On her purple court robes, the bloodstain wasn't actually conspicuous, as if it was a water stain.

Jiang Bilan felt like she was dreaming, as before her, the court officials were all bowing, and this crowd of people kept calling out ten-thousand years. She lifted her gaze, her most beloved man was just by her side. Murong Yan held her thin and elegant hands, standing by her side, looking down from the platform. Birds would eventually land on the ground, and comets would fly past the sky, and beneath the platform, the masses bowed to their authority.

"In the future, you are Great Yan's queen." His five fingers tightly held her, "Murong Yan's wife."

Jiang Bilan lowered her eyes, tears slowly filling her eyes. "Big brother Yan, I don't care about what Great Yan's queen." She sniffled her nose, her jade like face lightly smiling, her face blooming like the spring flowers of the third month. She smiled, saying, "But I like being Murong Yan's wife."

The two of them exchanged gazes, their affection deep. Mingyue was a tall building, and passing lights would grace it. Facing towards the southwest, it rested in the embrace of the ruler.

That day, Jiang Bilan officially began living in the Phoenix hall, becoming Great Yan's queen. At this time, Murong Yan had not gotten a wife nor a concubine, and within the whole Yan palace, there was not a single consort. Even if there was this type of glory, the Great Yan's ruler, had promised that even with three thousand temptations, he would only marry one person to accompany him.

That night, the red lanterns shone from up high. The ruler and the queen's new wedding, an auspicious celebration spread through the city.

Jiang Bilan, by the side in a red wedding dress, hugged Murong Yan's waist, lightly saying, "Big brother Yan, hug me tightly, as I am very afraid that I'm only dreaming."

Murong Yan tightly hugged her, his strength hurting her a little bit. She held back her tears, but also smiled, "Big brother Yan, even if it is just a dream, I don't want to wake up. I will just be this way, dying to drunkenness in this dream, drunk off the joy of being in your embrace."

But Murong Yan's gaze was alert, as the fresh red shadow flitted past his eyes, as he smiled, "Silly words." After he finished speaking, he once again hugged her in his embrace, "very well, just perish to your drunkenness in my embrace."

Within the beautiful confines, their shadows became two.

All the way until midnight, Feng Ping and Zhou Xin returned to receive their punishment, just kneeling outside the palace gate. Murong Yan rose, and Wang Yunzhao came forwards to help him dress, Jiang Bilan opened her sleeping eyes, asking, "It's so late, so must you go to meet them?"

Murong Yan said, "I wish to interrogate the assassins. Go to sleep first."

Jiang Bilan nodded, and raised her gaze to look at him, and seeing that he had yet to put on his belt, could not help but blush. Murong Yan lightly kissed her face, and then slightly frowned. Jiang Bilan's makeup on her face, of course it was a very fine type, carrying some light fragrance, making those around her always smell it a bit. But actually, he didn't like it.

Thus he took some steps out of Qi Feng hall, and the moonlight was like sleet on the ground.

Wang Yunzhao originally led Murong Yan towards the outside of the palace, where Feng Ping (and Zhou Xin) the two of them were, when he was unguarded, Murong Yan suddenly asked, "How is Ah Zuo?"

Wang Yunzhao was startled, hurriedly saying, "The royal doctor has already checked her over, and said that the other wounds are not serious, only the one close to her lungs is somewhat dangerous. Currently, the royal doctors are all watching over at Wen estate."

Murong Yan turned to look at him, saying "Wen estate?"

Wang Yunzhao's heart was frightened, saying, "Your majesty......" Murong Yan said, "You're really getting better at taking care of matters."

Wang Yunzhao quickly knelt, saying, "Your majesty, General Zuo has never liked being served by servants, and in the Southern Palace Hall, there also isn't a thorough servant girl to serve. This servant only thought, if she is at Wen estate, at the least, there would still be old lady Wen......"

Murong Yan seriously said, "Thus you are saying, that you have been the chief steward for all these days, but in the palace, you actually couldn't find a reliable servant girl?"

"Your majesty, please forgive my failures!" Wang Yunzhao knelt on the ground, and Murong Yan harrumphed coldly, heading out of the palace. Zhou Xin and Feng Ping all knelt outside the palace walls, and Murong Yan walked by their sides, ignoring them, directly heading to Wen estate. It took Wang Yunzhao a long time to catch up.

He visited late at night, and Wen estate was still quickly disrupted, but Murong Yan only said a, "Everyone rise, no need for excessive propriety." And without stopping, directly entered Zuo Canglang's room. She was still sleeping, her hair covering half the pillow. Some servants sent in a lantern, and Murong Yan sat by the bed, asking a few of the royal doctors, "How is it?"

The head royal doctor, Royal Doctor Zhao, said, "Reporting to your majesty, the general's wounds are all not dangerous anymore, but it's just that she lost a lot of blood. So she still needs to recover for a time."

Murong Yan held Zuo Canglang's hand, and everyone's expression suddenly turned a bit strange, especially Wen Xingye and his wife. Wang Yunzhao quickly also reached his hand out to check Zuo Canglang's forehead, saying, "Your majesty, it seems as though the general isn't actually feverish, and had just after much difficulty, finally fallen asleep, so it's better to leave it to the royal doctors to look after."

Murong Yan "mmm'd," and without a trace, released her hand.

Zuo Canglang had probably drank some medicine, as her sleep was particularly deep, not waking at all. Murong Yan stood up, and turned to speak to the Wen family members, "Since General Zuo's wounds are stable, I am at ease. You all should take careful care, and if there is anything you need, you can find Wang Yunzhao to prepare it."

Wen Xingye and the others assented, and when he stepped out of Wen estate, suddenly said, "Have Zhou Xin and Feng Ping interrogate the assassins overnight! Get a result, and the two of them will attain a merit to warrant their faults, but if they can't get a result, they also don't need to come to ask for punishment anymore."

Wang Yunzhao said, "Yes!"