Deposed Empress General Chapter 57

Leaving Qi Feng Hall, the night wind billowed past. Murong Yan actually wasn't even partially grumpy from being awakened fro mhis light dreams, only asking, "This time she came, is it for that group of old officials again?"

Wang Yunzhao smiled, saying, "General didn't say, but based on how this old servant sees it, in the General's heart, every thought and concern, if you search for its root, it's ultimately still for your majesty."

Murong Yan laughed coldly, saying, "If it wasn't for these people, she wouldn't even have the time to hide from this king, so why would she enter the palace multiple times to see me?"

Wang Yunzhao secretly smiled, saying, "Your majesty speaking thus, hearing it, makes this old servant's teeth fall."

Not knowing why, he really liked the feeling when Murong Yan mentioned Zuo Canglang. It made him seem like a true person, someone who could be happy and angry, and flippantly dismissive. Right now, he had also learned how to be jealous as if he had ingested vinegar. And it wasn't the continuous treatment of pure softness.

Murong Yan kicked him, but wasn't really angry, and until he stopped outside the study, and saw Zuo Canglang kneeling in the hall, did he finally say, "You may rise. It's late in the middle of the night, and there isn't anyone else around, so what are you kneeling here for."

Zuo Canglang rose, but Murong Yan didn't enter the room, saying, "The study is boring, so since beloved subject has interrupted this king's sweet dreams, then just accompany this king on a walk."

Zuo Canglang relaxed her breath, as she also didn't want to stay in a room alone with Murong Yan. The two walked around the perimeter of the palace, walking beneath the moon. Murong Yan walked in front, the summer winds lifting his black cloak, which would then fall with the breeze.

Zuo Canglang lowered her gaze, not watching him, saying, "Yesterday night, the head of the halls, official Xia came to this subject's estate, and spoke for a long time."

"Oh?" Murong Yan's expression was a bit interested, "Was it to beg for mercy for that group of old officials in court?"

Zuo Canglang said, "There was this intent."

Murong Yan was finally a bit satisfied, saying, "Didn't you typically not talk about these matters?"

Zuo Canglang naturally answered, "Previously, I didn't speak of it, because I felt that your majesty would not be interested in these minor and unimportant matters. But due to your majesty's reminder last time, this subject could only be aware of everything, and thus, inform of all matters."

Murong Yan's expression on his face froze, and a short while later, his palm smacked her head, "Still daring to poke fun of this king's pettiness?"

Zuo Canglang neither dodged nor avoided it, and just bore it, saying, "This subject doesn't dare, but this time, official Xia has submitted a scheme, and this subject believes that it is feasible, and specifically came to report it to your majesty."

Murong Yan said, "Speak."

The moonlight was like a layer of frost, and the shadows of the two grew elongated, impressed onto the palace walls. Not far ahead, was Ming Yue platform. Zuo Canglang said, "Currently, the situation is peaceful, and the matter that truly troubles your majesty, is not necessarily King Yan. King Yan is your majesty's birth father, and was also once Great Yan's ruler. No matter whom your majesty sends over, once he is unable to return to court alive, it would still be difficult for your majesty not to receive a foul reputation as one who usurped the throne and murdered his father."

If your majesty purges the court, when King Yan returns to court, he would be harmless, but these officials, each, were all, for Great Yan's development, towards the Murong Clan, people who have made contributions. Serving as officials in court for decades, even if they hadn't made any large accomplishments, they have still born through the difficult times. Your majesty's purging of these people, I'm only afraid that even though people may understand the difficult choice that your majesty has made, but it is also difficult to avoid the reputation of being cruel."

Murong Yan scoffed coldly, "Continue speaking. Zuo Canglang, if today, you don't have a perfect solution, you'd best return and copy "Hu Qian Jing" a thousand times."

Zuo Canglang was speechless, as what Wang Yunzhao has said was true. His altering of his plan to slay Murong Yuan, was actually due partially to her influence. Thus this time, when she had mentioned purging the court was also impermissible, it was difficult for him not to grow angry. Ming Yue platform was just before their eyes, and Murong Yan also began climbing it, below it, was a thousand miles illuminated by the moonlight.

Zuo Canglang could also only follow along, saying, "Official Xia came over last night, especially for dealing with this matter."

The two of them walked, one in the front, and the other in the back. After they had climbed Ming Yue platform, Zuo Canglang could no longer see his expression, but only said, "King Yan should still be near Mayi city currently. He didn't take the opportunity to retreat, which means he also has nowhere left to go. And Mayi city, borders Gu Zhu and Wu Zhong, so if he is kidnapped by Gu Zhu, of course he would be unable to return to Jinyang, and it would entirely have nothing to do with your majesty."

Murong Yan's footsteps halted, and then he continued advancing. Zuo Canglang continued saying, "Once he falls into Gu Zhu's hands, your majesty can just announce that he is now the King Father. Gu Zhu originally is worried about us, and seizing the King Father in their hands, of course they wouldn't easily release him, but they also won't slay him. The most probable thing, is that they will demand tribute from us. And your majesty only needs to occasionally send the King Father his necessities, and it would be sufficient to pay your filial duties."

Murong Yan said, "And if Gu Zhu wants us to send a ransom, to free King Father?"

Zuo Canglang said, "Gu Zhu is afraid of our attacks, so having this shield, they wouldn't easily release the hostage, so even if they demanded ransom, it would also be a sky high sum. Your majesty can head there to negotiate, and stall for time. Or ignore it entirely."

Murong Yan said, "This scheme, was it really gifted by Xia Chang You?"

Zuo Canglang said, "The leftover officials in court, although they are unwilling to harm their old ruler, but actually, in their hearts, they are still loyal to your majesty. After all, Great Yan, under your majesty's rule, not only erased its shame as a subservient state to Western Jing, but with the implementation of the new policies, the relaxation of taxes, each and every item, they still witnessed it with their eyes. As for the royal grace, they also care for what they received in the past, but ultimately, their old ruler was not necessarily a wise ruler, and they ultimately had to face the truth in their eyes, ah."

Murong Yan said, "Father King has lingered in Mayi city for a long time, but Gu Zhu still hasn't made a move. How can we cause them to capture father king without exposing anything?"

Zuo Canglang said, "The land Gu Zhu occupies right now, is Yu country's ancient land. Has your majesty forgotten, that Yu country's emperor, Daxi Cheng, the imperial uncle, Daxi Qin are still in our hands. Even if Yu country no longer even has a single ceiling tile's size worth of territory, this subject still thinks that if he wants to send a message, to have someone remind Gu Zhu's king with a few statements, it probably shouldn't cause a problem, right?"

Murong Yan finally nodded at this, saying, "These things, go and arrange them tomorrow."

In the middle of his words, he had already scaled Ming Yue platform. Zuo Canglang cupped her hands, saying, "This subject receives your order."

Murong Yan stood at the head of the stone steps, looking down, he suddenly said, "But on the day the queen was named, the assassins attacked. Beloved subject took many arrows, your blood spilling on the venue." Zuo Canglang didn't understand why he suddenly mentioned this matter, and was silent as she listened, he said, "at that time, this king thought, if one day, even your heart and my heart grew distant, then who would still be there, that this king could trust with my heart without suspicion?"

Zuo Canglang lifted her head, and all the ambivalence, suspicion of these past days, just dissipated like this. That's right, ah, if it was such the case, that the person before her eyes, would even suspect her, would guess her intents, then what meaning would she still have for her life's existence?

She lightly said, "Lord master." Her voice was light and hoarse.

Murong Yan brought her into Ming Yue Pavilion. Inside the building, there was a jade harp. He brought the harp before the window, the moonlight entering. He said, "It has been a long and sleepless night, this king will play a song for beloved subject."

Zuo Canglang's expression was a bit marvelous, but seeing that Murong Yan had already sat down, she could only drop her hands by her side, attentive.

A breeze blew past, and the moon shone upon Ming Yue platform. Murong Yan's two hands played the harp, flying across it elegantly. When the piece ended, Murong Yan asked, "This instrument is very good, and can be counted as not a disappointment. Does beloved subject know the meaning of this song?"

Zuo Canglang's expression was strange, and she turned away, saying, "This subject...... doesn't understand it."

Murong Yan was of course startled, and a long time later, he laughed as he bent over the instrument, resting on its strings.

After he finally finished laughing after a while, Zuo Canglang said, "It's late in the night, and the people are all quiet, and since the official matters are dealt with, is your majesty going to return to the palace to rest?"

Murong Yan waved his hand, saying, "Come here."

Zuo Canglang walked before him, and Murong Yan randomly grabbed a stool, having her sit before him, holding her hands, he said, "This harp has five segments, Gong, Shang, Jiao, Zheng, Yu, this harp has twelve strings, and each string has its own segment......."

He held her hand, and used her nails to pluck the harp strings. His hands were long and soft, and beneath the shadow-less moonlight, it had an aura that almost felt holy. He said, "Feel it for a moment, as every string is capable of speaking."

Zuo Canglang lightly plucked it a bit, and the string's sound wavered, at which, Murong Yan lightly said, "Don't use your arm strength, but use your fingertips...... lightly...... softly pluck at them...... every musical piece, is the exchange of words between the musician and the instrument. That's why they can feel the musician's inner thoughts."

Zuo Canglang lightly plucked the harp string, whether the instrument understood the musician, she didn't know, but the music and the moon light, actually made that scene extremely beautiful.

His voice, came from behind her ear, lightly and soft, causing a slight bit of mysterious pain. She couldn't help but lift her head, and her lips slid across his cold and beautiful face. The atmosphere was extremely romantic, and within the air, there was a type of lingering sourness.

Within this world, there were some people, whom we all know we should give up on. But then, how could we truly give up on them?

And thus, we spend our entire lives, and would rather be drawn to our deaths, just to exist in that moment when we exchange our gazes with him.

Without realizing it, the sky had begun to brighten. When it was almost time to attend morning court, Wang Yunzhao could not help but enter to rush them. Murong Yan got up, and discovered that he had actually accompanied her to play the instrument for half the night. He liked to stay by Zuo Canglang's side, because when she was by his side, she practically didn't feel like she was really there.

This made him feel at ease, as though he was there with himself, enough to forestall loneliness.

During the morning court, Jiang Sanyi's expression did not look good, as Feng Ping had sent over news, claiming that yesterday, Zuo Canglang had entered the palace late in the night, and awoken his royal highness. And Murong Yan not only didn't punish her, but actually stayed with her at Ming Yue platform, playing the harp until morning.

In court, Murong Yan also stayed silent and did not mention the case of Ming Yue platform. He only asked about the implementation of the new policies, and mentioned to increase the tests in the various localities, to allow more local talent to enter the court.

Jiang Sanyi took a glance at Zuo Canglang, his expression was dark and unstable.

After court was recessed, Zuo Canglang went to find Daxi Qin. Daxi Qin was leisurely, and currently, his only matter, was teaching Wen Yixuan and Wen Yirong.

Seeing Zuo Canglang come over, he actually invited her outside the estate gate, "General Zuo visiting my estate, would definitely make my estate rise up from the ashes."

Zuo Canglang said, "Marquis Jinyu has once again poked fun, jinxing this martial individual, who doesn't understand the classics."

Daxi Qin also laughed out loud, and no longer talked circuitously, but directly asked, "General Zuo has come over this time, was it for instructing regarding some matter?"

Zuo Canglang informed him of the matter regarding Murong Yuan, and also mentioned the matter of suggesting to Gu Zhu's king. After Daxi Qin heard the matter, he nodded his head, saying, "This isn't difficult, as long as someone sends the news, finding someone in Yu to persuade Gu Zhu king, is still possible."

Zuo Canglang cupped her hands, "Then I'll trouble Marquis Jinyu."

Daxi Qin waved his hand, saying, "A few days ago, I unwittingly got a pot of good wine, so since today, an important guest has come, why don't I invite general to enjoy it together."

Zuo Canglang was a martial person, and wasn't particularly stringent, but directly said, "Originally, good sir has dropped from a higher position, and began to teach Wen estate's youth. So no matter what, it should have been me that invited good sir. But who knew, good sir would be the one to have good wine, while I do not. Then, this little woman will not hold back."

Daxi Qin laughed out loud, and also cupped his hands, inviting her to her seat.

Murong Yan began greatly preparing for the matter of inviting Murong Yuan back to court, and also announced to the world, that after inviting Murong Yuan back, he would return power to King Yan.

Great Yan's civilians began commenting, and they were all worried, as countless people began protesting, that they were unwilling to return power to King Yan. Within court, the officials also began speaking out, as how was the court different from the market? Everyone understood, if he truly returned power to King Yan, he would definitely lose his life.

Murong Yan, this type of person, would he give up his own life, and just hand it over to someone else, having them make the decision?

Additionally, if he really intended on abdicating, then what was he doing previously when he punished the old officials?

Thus within court, all though everyone tried to stop the matter, but everyone was only really going through the motions.

A few days later, Murong Yan made Jiang Qi, official of Lang Zhong, and ordered him to bring troops to Mayi city, to escort Murong Yuan back to court.

Great Yan's peoples' moods were instantly even more worried, as the people didn't care who was actually the emperor, as long as this realm was peaceful and stable. And when Murong Yan was in power, although it was only a short period of time, but whether it was in the civil arts or in military matters, they could all see that he had the bearings of a wise ruler. Though he had dominated power, but they were still thankful that his reign had not been rife with corruption, but on the side, they would still think that he had usurped power, and it was difficult for him to shed the name of a rebel and traitor.

But when he wanted to abdicate, even more people began to remember his grace.

But no matter how the people viewed it, Jiang Qi still brought soldiers, heading out from Jinyang city, heading all the way towards Mayi city to receive Murong Yuan.

When the army was in the middle of its trip, suddenly news spread---- Gu Zhu's king had suddenly ordered soldiers, and captured Murong Yuan. Great Yan's people immediately spoke out, and Murong Yan immediately ordered a halt to trade with Gu Zhu. Gu Zhu indeed listed a heavenly sum, to have Great Yan ransom Murong Yuan.

Of course Murong Yan could not approve of it, but for the sake of not making Gu Zhu feel that capturing Murong Yuan was something that didn't have any benefit, and also for the sake of looking filial to outsiders, he ordered people to send a bundle of gold, silver, and other luxuries to Gu Zhu, to prevent Gu Zhu from treating Murong Yuan unwell.

And since Murong Yuan had been kidnapped by Gu Zhu, of course he could not lead the court again. Beneath the mutual suggestions, led by Gan Xiaoru and Jiang Sanyi, Murong Yan officially ascended the throne as King Yan. That same day, they titled Murong Yuan as King Father.

That day, the court officials were all gathered below Ming Yue platform, and it was a scene filled with people. Bi Chengjing stood there against his cane, watching distantly beneath Chang Jing Pavilion, shaking his head, sighing as he said, "You execute the thief, but the one who steals the nation becomes a ruler. This man has put in all this effort, taking each meticulous step, and not only stole the nation, but also intends on keeping a revered reputation for posterity."

His son, Bi Dongting supported his steps, saying, "Father, currently, you are already no longer in court, so these matters, just don't mention them."

If it wasn't for the sake that Murong Yan saw that he was old and aged, and didn't have anyone to take care of him, perhaps the Bi family members would, even now, still be in prison. And although he was now only a scholar, at least his life was not in danger.

Bi Chengjing slammed his cane on the ground a few times, and looked at the civilians on the street putting out lanterns with their auspicious air, saying, "For the sake of seizing the throne, he actually threw away his conscience, and watched as his own father and ruler fell to the hands of barbarians. The order and conscience has been lost, and the ruling family is shamed. It's funny that the people are all deceived by him, as there is someone so shameless in this world...... originally it was a cover up, but now he pretends to be magnanimous like Buddha. His soul has fallen into decrepit lands, but he continues to walk in the street so haughtily."

Bi Dongting looked around himself, and lightly said, "Father! There are many people on the street, so let us return earlier."

Bi Chengjing nodded, and let his oldest son help him pass through the fervently joyous people. The fireworks sounded, and the people were rejoicing, like the sound of his heart shattering.

It was also the exact day of King Yan's ascension, that Murong Yan followed convention, forgiving the world of its crimes. Within court, the old officials that had been convicted, were all released.

Regarding this, the old faction of officials all flexed their muscles. As for Gan Xiaoru and Jiang Sanyi's two factions, as well as Zuo Canglang's military officials, they began fighting back.

That night, within the public feast, murmurs abounded. The normally well dressed, and well respected old officials all drank together in a better mood. Everyone knew, that in such a event, the more happy they looked, the more they could express their loyalty to the new ruler.

Murong Yan also couldn't avoid drinking some wine. The military had Yuan Xi, Zheng Chu, Zhuge Jin as its old guard, which had all returned, as well as Wang Nan, Xu Lang, and Yuan E who were all in attendance. So he couldn't avoid drinking some wine. Especially the old officials, who would drink a lot, as well as the military old guard who still held power.

If he was slightly biased, he only feared it would cause dissatisfaction in their hearts.

Jiang Bilan was unable to drink much, and she just sat there by the phoenix seat, occasionally glancing at Zuo Canglang. Murong Yan spoke with Yuan Xi and the others, so of course Zuo Canglang would accompany the whole event, after all, she was currently the Great Head of the military, and within the military, her office was still the highest.

Murong Yan was glad that the previous court didn't cause a disruption in the army, and it was exactly because he had limited the scale of the impact. Wenqi's old subordinates and Zuo Canglang had always kept close ties, and towards her military tactics, were always supportive of them. Murong Yan's doting and trust towards her, was the stabilizing force in the military.

Yuan Xi and the others were all military folk, and military folk spoke little, and when making relations, they did so by drinking. Murong Yan would match them when they drank, and when his wine dispenser was empty, he would look about, and unwittingly grabbed Zuo Canglang's dispenser, pouring out half a cup of wine, drinking with Yuan Xi.

Jiang Bilan was stunned, her entire person freezing, a long time later, a cold feeling emanated from her, slowly wrapping around her.

The nearby serving girl, Cai Ling saw that her expression didn't look right, so she lightly called, "Your ladyship? Your ladyship? Are you feeling unwell anywhere? This servant will go and summon the royal doctor!"

Jiang Bilan grabbed her dress, and a long time later, lightly shook her head. Her face slowly paled, her lips quivering, as though she was bearing some pain. Cai Ling was scared, "Your ladyship? Don't scare this servant, ah!"

Jiang Bilan said, "Ask minister Jiang to meet with me outside the hall in Gui Hua Gazebo, and just say that it has been a long time since we last met, and I miss my relatives."

Outside the hall, it was currently deep in summer, during the eighth month, and the Osmanthus flowers were drifting about, elegant and appeasing to the eyes.

Jiang Bilan slowly left the hall, her long queen's robes dragging behind her, extravagant and eye-catching. Within the Osmanthus Gazebo, Jiang Sanyi was already waiting. Towards his own daughter, although he also had his dissatisfaction, but Jiang family, having today's success whom it depended on, he still had a measure in his heart.

Jiang Bilan slowly entered the gazebo, at her side, there was only Hui Yun and Hua Yue, the two confidantes accompanying her. Jiang Sanyi came forwards to greet, "Your majesty the queen."

Jiang Bilan's eyes were reddish, and in the deep summer of the eighth month, the mist still rose, but peoples' hearts were like desolate grass, deeply lacking affection, like an empty, cold field. Looking at his eyes, she asked, "His majesty and Zuo Canglang...... have always been together? Since before he began seizing the throne?"

Jiang Sanyi didn't avoid the question, but directly answered her, "What are you asking this for?"

Jiang Bilan clenched her teeth, "Tell me!"

Jiang Sanyi angrily answered, "Lan'er, even if they are together, what does it matter? No matter when she began getting close to his majesty, right now you are still Great Yan's queen. You're already the queen, so what else is there to be dissatisfied over? The first thing you need to do, is to strengthen your own family, and establish your own confidantes. Stabilize your position in the palace. And it is not to care about random matters, nor to investigate his majesty's past or previous happenings."

Jiang Bilan's tears fell from her eyes, "They were together since long ago, right?"

Jiang Sanyi practically answered flatly, "Yes."

Jiang Bilan covered her mouth, her tears falling on the back of her hand, "Everyone knows, only I've been kept in the dark. Stupidly believing, the love he promised."

Jiang Sanyi said, "You shouldn't have believed it from the get go. I had thought that after experiencing the matter with the abolished crown prince, at the least you would have matured a bit, but you entirely didn't understand it even a little bit. You don't understand that this position as queen, was originally a road you can advance on with no path of retreat. Those who succeed mother the world, while the failures lose their corpses with no burial place."

Jiang Bilan's face paled, "Since he already had a woman he loved, why did he rebel for me to seize power? Why did he have to draw me back to the palace? Why did he get rid of the rear harem, and give me the dream of concentrating the love for three thousand on a single person?"

Jiang Sanyi observed her coldly, "You've started thinking, this is very good! If you must have me explain everything clearly, then let us think it over. If he didn't use the excuse of the hatred sewn from the theft of his wife, the abolished crown prince and the King Father, even though they were in ten-thousand times the wrong, ultimately, they are still his ruler, his older brother! What reason could he use to rebel?"

Jiang Bilan retreated a few steps, resting against the railing of the gazebo. Jiang Sanyi said, "Since he used the act of being deeply in love to rebel, if he didn't make you queen, wouldn't he have admitted to the world that he was just an ambitious man with the heart of a wolf? Why he got rid of the rear harem, was because he originally has never loved any person, you understand, he does not love anyone, and that's why, whom he makes queen, whether the rear harem is empty or not, he entirely never cared for."

Jiang Bilan leaned against the railing, and slipped onto the ground, her dress spread. She covered her face, only two rays of moonlight penetrated through. She said, "It can't be, you're lying to me. We grew up together, and I'm only your tool for seizing power and authority! Do you believe, I will still be manipulated by you?"

Jiang Sanyi really used a very sympathetic look to look at her, "Other than me, who would single-mindedly support you? Zuo Canglang holds Great Yan's military power in her hands, and the entire Ping Du pass, Suye city, Mayi city's armies are all under her command. Within court, Yuan Xi, Xu Lang, Wang Nan, Yuan E, these men, are all her faction members.

His majesty secretly deals with her, which is only because he minds that attachment to you! If you don't believe it, you can go ahead and complain to his majesty! Once you pierce this layer of window paper, you can go ahead and see if those two will still have any cares! Right now, your only support, is his majesty's compassion. Only by using this bit of unwilling to bear, as well as your old affection, that after you give birth to a prince, and he is named crown prince, will you really have a chance of victory!"

Jiang Bilan continued to step back, as Jiang Sanyi's expression was like needles, each and every gaze stabbing at her state, "And you still treat me like an enemy! A queen that has neither father, brother, or family, alone and without aid, with an empty title as queen, what use is she?"

Beneath the blaze of the summer heat, Jiang Bilan quivered like a falling leaf. Jiang Sanyi lightly said, "Lan'er, within the fights within the royal family, love is useless."

Jiang Bilan hugged her shoulders, burying her hands between her legs. Jiang Sanyi reached out to help her up, his expression sympathetic and compassionate, "Even if I only treat you like a tool, I am still your father. In this lifetime, you might not be able to be queen your whole life, but your whole life, you can only be my daughter. Since you were born, you were tied together with me. You can choose to think that I am untrustworthy, but there isn't anyone more trustworthy than me.

Because the only person that hopes the amount you are favored never falls, is only me."

Jiang Bilan's gaze went wide, and she had long been unable to speak. Jiang Sanyi thought it over, ultimately still saying, "There is one more matter, which I have always been afraid of telling you."

Jiang Bilan lifted her head, and Jiang Sanyi stared into her eyes, "You and the abolished crown prince...... in the palace, that one time, it indeed was due to someone drugging you, but it wasn't me, and it also wasn't the abolished crown prince."

Jiang Bilan's eyes opened wide, grasping his hands tightly, asking difficultly, "What are you saying?" Her voice was quiet like a whisper, her expression like a restless ghost. Jiang Sanyi pulled his hand back, the back of his hand having been torn until streaks of blood were visible. He said, "Even if the abolished crown prince was interested in you, but as the resident heir, how could he not know the sin of seizing his own younger brother's bride? And this father, even if I had the heart to have you marry the crown prince, would I really dare, when the abolished crown prince's mother and daughter pair were in their heyday, to set him up? I did indeed go with the flow, but due to various reasons, you should think it through yourself."

Jiang Bilan stood alone in the cold breeze, as though she had lost her soul.

Jiang Sanyi bowed to her, paying his respect, and slowly retreated from the Osmanthus gazebo.

My poor child, take a clear look at your pitiful love.

TN: Apologies for the really translation that's a bit late today... As you can see, it's a pretty long chapter. Aww shizz... things just got real... dark.