Deposed Empress General Chapter 51

The feast slowly continued, and Jiang Bilan received from her servant, Hui Yue, a message on a strip of paper, having her meet outside in a gazebo outside the hall. It was Jiang Sanyi's handwriting. Jiang Bilan thought it over, and still went out to meet him.

Within the gazebo, Jiang Sanyi said, "Do you really know what the situation is right now, and you, as the nation's mother, your General has returned triumphantly, and you have her think over her own faults."

Jiang Bilan said, "Since you know that I am the nation's mother, you're also speaking to me this way."

Jiang Sanyi scoffed, "Lan'er, you are dumber than I imagined." Jiang Bilan angrily glared at him, and Jiang Sanyi said, "If you want to look for your death step by step, the Jiang family is not going to accompany you. If you keep going on like this, I will suggest your younger sister, Bi Yao, to enter the palace to accompany his majesty."

Jiang Bilan was finally angry, "What did you say?"

Jiang Sanyi said, "Think it over clearly."

Jiang Bilan said, "It was you criticizing her in court, and I only reminded her with two statements...... If it wasn't for your being my father, with our unbroken ties as kin, why would I bother with the matters in court!"

Jiang Sanyi said, "Who did you think I criticize her for?"

Jiang Bilan was stunned, "What are you saying?"

Jiang Sanyi said, "Right now, in court, the Wen clan's old subordinates are already held in her command, and with each battle, she has attained victory. Even to the extent that she is compared to Wenqi, winning great victories in her return like back then, and his majesty must have some award, but her title has already reached a rank-one Biao Qi Great General, so if she continues to ascend, she would be a Wei General. An eighteen year old rank-one general, within the court, she had saved Bi Chengjing's life, so although the Bi family is keeping their mouths shut, but against us, they have already become blood enemies. But towards her, they can only be thankful for saving their lives."

Jiang Bilan's expression grew increasingly complex, and Jiang Sanyi said, "Think it over, once she enters the palace, even if she was just a consort, and when the time comes, your position as empress would only be like a paper pot. In the future, between your child and her child, who will the army choose to support?"

Jiang Bilan said, "But why would she enter the palace, isn't she Wenqi's wife?" Saying thus, her expression slowly changed, saying, "You are saying, his majesty has an affair with her."

Jiang Sanyi didn't speak, and Jiang Bilan said, "It's not possible. Big brother Yan treats me with such strong and deep ties, besides back then he had made Zuo Canglang as Wenqi's official wife, and he personally approved of it. If he had an affair with Zuo Canglang, how would he agree for her to marry a dead person's plaque?"

Jiang Sanyi said, "I've already spoken my fill, you can think of your own way."

Saying thus, he turned to leave. Jiang Bilan stood in her spot, still finding it funny. If Murong Yan had Zuo Canglang in his heart, why would he rise up in rebellion in anger, and ignoring the danger, personally head to Fang city to receive her over? And why would he even ignore all the officials' objections, and still make her his queen?

She slowly walked to the center of the palace, and recalled the small details that had transpired after she returned to Murong Yan's side. The way Murong Yan treated her, could be described as attentive and caring. Within the palace, as long as she opened her mouth, he would not deny her anything. He had never opposed her wants.

If one were to say he had another woman in his heart, how was this possible?

She returned to the feast, but couldn't help but look at Zuo Canglang. Zuo Canglang spoke quietly with Yuan Xi, and Yuan Xi would start slapping his leg. At that time, they guarded around Yi river, and for the sake of guarding against Western Jing's invasion, Zuo Canglang also led them to ambush Xiao Ji city, and avoid Mayi city's battle.

He had a face full of frustration, and Zuo Canglang smiled, "Surrounded by strong enemies, and yet you're still unhappy that there wouldn't be battles to fight."

Saying thus, she looked around, and seeing that Wang Yunzhao and Murong Yan were both missing, she picked up his wine pot, and drank directly from it. Yuan Xi quickly took it back, "Chief steward Wang instructed, not to let you drink wine" before turning around and calling a palace servant, still pouring her more water.

That night, Murong Yan ordered Zuo Canglang to stay the night in the Southern Palace Hall. Jiang Bilan's heart thumped, as she didn't want to think of Jiang Sanyi's words, but those words ultimately still was like a sharp needle, buried in her heart, so she said, "Madam Wen has been fighting outside for a long time, and hasn't returned to her estate in a long time to take a look. Why doesn't your majesty let her return to her estate, and be reunited with her family members?"

Murong Yan said, "She is wounded, and the border city is bitter and cold, so she can recover for a bit in the palace and be taken care of by the royal doctors."

Jiang Bilan said, "But if she returns to Wen estate, the royal doctors can also go over there, ah."

Murong Yan took a look at her, saying, "It's already dark, so leaving tomorrow is also not late, Wang Yunzhao." Wang Yunzhao affirmed with his voice, and also didn't wait for him to speak, but immediately ordered people to lead Zuo Canglang to the South palace hall.

The smile on Jiang Bilan's face, unwittingly disappeared - for Zuo Canglang, Murong Yan had personally gone to the border city, at that time, the border city was in dire danger, and he personally went by himself over, taking such a large risk, facing what type of danger?

These years, it had always been Zuo Canglang accompanying by his side, and between the two of them could a relationship that couldn't be spoken of really exist?

She was just thinking this way, but Murong Yan held her hand, saying, "It's been many days since we've seen each other, and Lan'er is a bit distracted." This caused Jiang Bilan to immediately recover her senses, and seeing his gaze, holding a depth and comforting softness, she pursed her lips, lowering her face, "You left without speaking, and as I am your wife, Great Yan's queen, why were you unwilling to tell me anything?"

Murong Yan lightly brushed away her hair, saying, "These few years have caused you to be unsettled and away from home, and I didn't want to make you worried. Lan'er, in the future, I want to forever raise you in a home without worries, henceforth, the suffering of humanity would have nothing to do with you."

Jiang Bilan observed his eyes, as when he spoke these words, each word caused her eyes to slowly grow wet, "Big brother Yan."

Murong Yan pulled her into his embrace, lightly patting her back, saying, "The ancients all said that things are different after a new wedding, and tonight, as there is a beautiful scene, must the queen stand here to speak with me." Jiang Bilan's eyes still had a bit of tears, but her lips couldn't help but reveal a smile. Murong Yan hugged her, lifting her up, and slowly walked past the flowers and the trees lining the path.

The winter flowers that hadn't fallen, lightly brushed past her hair, leaving behind a trail of light fragrances.

With a whole night of loving, Jiang Bilan wanted to open her mouth several times to ask about Zuo Canglang, but she didn't know how she should broach the topic. These days, he had been at the border city, and what had he done with Zuo Canglang?

Even though obviously her heart was filled with softness and sweet honey, but whenever she thought of him possibly having this type of wild action with another woman, her heart felt as if it was stabbed by a needle.

The next day, the monk from Fa Chang temple followed Jiang Bilan's order, and came to perform a ritual. Jiang Bilan thought it over, and told Hui Yun, "Since General Zuo is just in the palace, just call her over to accompany me, to make prayers together."

Hui Yun affirmed and left, and not long later, Zuo Canglang already walked over with large steps. She wore the robes of a rank-one military official, a purple robe upon her, seeming exceedingly strong and steadfast. Jiang Bilan just looked at her this whole while, and as she walked quickly, in the span of a few steps, she had already come before her, and then she knelt, "Your ladyship, the Queen."

Jiang Bilan took a deep breath, saying, "General Zuo has come. Coincidentally, the monks have already finished preparations so General can accompany me together to read the sutras and make prayers, and send off the lost spirits."

"This subject obeys your order." Zuo Canglang looked around, and knelt behind her on a mat, the monks beginning to read the sutras. Jiang Bilan also gave her a piece of a sutra. Within the hall, an arrangement had been made for the deceased soldiers, filled with spiritual seals. The sound of candles filled the hall, not dissipating.

Zuo Canglang wasn't someone who could be familiar with this type of place, and only felt her temple beating painfully. But she didn't have any other way, and could only follow along, repeating the sutras. This type of ceremony, one had to kneel for four to six hours, and was even more painful to bear than charging enemies.

While the monks were doing the ritual, Jiang Bilan suddenly said, "Speaking of it, General hasn't, after returning, visited your parents, right?"

Zuo Canglang was startled - what parents did I have - then thinking of the two elders in Wen family, she suddenly recovered, and lightly said, "Reporting to your ladyship, yesterday I entered the palace in a rush, and haven't yet had the opportunity to pay respects to my two parents."

Jiang Bilan said, "It's all his majesty's fault, only awkwardly keeping Madam Wen in the palace to recover from her wounds stubbornly."

Zuo Canglang was startled, although she had the identity of Wenqi's wife, but the people beside Murong Yan, had never used this identity to call her. Currently, Jiang Bilan had suddenly spoken this way, what did she mean by it?

Jiang Bilan spoke quietly, "But Wen family's two elders are ultimately not General's blood relatives, so it is also difficult to blame General for not placing importance, but General, people cannot forget their source. If it wasn't for Country Stabilizing Gong, right now, you would still only be one of Marshal Wen's concubines, and even if you currently are in a high position, and busy with military matters, you ultimately still should find some time to return to take a look. Marshal Wen is already deceased, so you even more should treat the two elders with filial piety."

Zuo Canglang didn't understand what she meant, only saying, "Thank your ladyship for your reminder."

Jiang Bilan said, "The two elders in the family are already old, and Country Stabilizing Gong also has many battle wounds, but do you know what medicines Old Sir uses and what foods the two children like? Even if you personally made them a bowl of soup, I think their hearts would still be warmed. I've heard, last time, Marshal Wen's oldest's son, due to being disrespectful towards you, Country Stabilizing Gong had beat him. And you only stood by the side, and didn't help treat him. General, peoples' hearts are made of flesh, so how could you treat General Wen's orphans so?"

Zuo Canglang could only rise to kneel, saying, "Your ladyship's lessons are right, this subject has failings."

Jiang Bilan said, "General is a martial practitioner, and not having sufficient care in the rear court can be explained. General staying outside, and commonly staying in the palace, could also cause gossip among strangers."

Zuo Canglang slightly understood her meaning, saying, "This subject understands." Jiang Bilan only felt that a fist had hit her face, as she seemed as though she didn't even want to stay around her even for a bit, while Zuo Canglang really didn't know what to say to her. Everything Jiang Bilan wanted her to do, she had felt like it was opening the door to a new world.

Jiang Bilan still wanted to speak, when outside, people announced, "His majesty has arrived."

Everyone rushed to stop humming the sutras, and Jiang Bilan also rushed to receive him.

Murong Yan walked in from outside, his hands supporting Jiang Bilan. He only took a glance at Zuo Canglang before saying, "You all may rise."

Zuo Canglang stood up, and Murong Yan led Jiang Bilan, and they sat down together. She dismissed the servants and Murong Yan said, "There are a lot of busy official work, so I also could not care for beloved subject, so I'm not sure if subject is still comfortable with living in this side palace."

This type of moderated but also distant relationship, was a ruler facing his subordinate's normal attitude. Of course, it was also towards a particularly trusted subject.

Zuo Canglang respectfully responded, "Reporting to your majesty, everything is all good." Murong Yan smiled, "Beloved subject has a wound, so you do not need to stand. Come men, offer a seat."

Zuo Canglang lifted her head and took a look at Murong Yan. And then she lowered her face, Murong Yan said, "Reading sutras and making prayers, is also something that comes from the heart. Subject Zuo is carrying a wound, so it's enough to have the intent." He knew what Zuo Canglang feared the most-- these boring and inane things. But ultimately, Jiang Bilan was the queen, and she had put in the effort to prepare all of this, so he still had to give her some face. Thus he only came after dismissing court.

Zuo Canglang said, "Reporting to your majesty, since this subject had returned to Jinyang city, I haven't yet had the time to pay respects to the two elders in the estate, so I'm asking your majesty to permit this subject to return to the estate to recover, to avoid the two elders from the family missing me."

Murong Yan was slightly startled, and glanced at Jiang Bilan. Jiang Bilan also looked at him. He smiled, saying, "Beloved subject has a filial heart, which is great, thus, you can return to your estate."

Zuo Canglang thanked his grace, and rose to retreat, leaving the palace and returning to her estate.

Jiang Bilan took a look at Murong Yan's expression, and he was also looking at her. Within his black and dark eyes, there was the reflection of her countenance. But in that moment, she discovered that she actually couldn't tell his joy nor anger. She carefully recollected, and suddenly her heart was startled - for as long as they had known each other, she had practically never seen his joy nor anger.