Deposed Empress General Chapter 61

That afternoon, Jiang Sanyi was just discussing the new royal policies with Zheng Zhizhou. Although Murong Yan favored them, but that was based on the foundation of their capacity to get things done. His current policies, whether it was Gan Xiaoru nor Jiang Sanyi dared to dally on. Murong Yan, this person, some matters he could keep his eyes shut over, but the important matters, one could not defy him on.

Jiang Sanyi was just reviewing the new assignments that Zheng Zhizhou had passed him, when suddenly people reported from outside, "Sir, the palace sent news, saying that Biao Qi General, Zuo Canglang, due to being disrespectful towards his majesty, drew his majesty into a rage, and has currently been removed from her post, and thrown into prison!"

"What?" Jiang Sanyi stood up, and by his side, Zheng Zhizhou and there others could not hide their shock. Jiang Sanyi asked, "But what was the matter she offended him over?"

The reporter said, "At the time, only Chief Steward Wang was present, but nobody knew what it was for. But this event truly did happen."

Jiang Sanyi was silent for a while, saying, "I know it, you are dismissed."

His family member retreated out of the room, and Zheng Zhizhou said, "Brother-in-law, if this is true, then it is our heavenly gifted opportunity, ah!"

Jiang Sanyi said, "Why do I feel that this matter is so strange? Zuo Canglang had just used Ren Xuan in exchange for a large sum of wealth, so how would she, for no reason, offend his majesty? And based on her relationship with his majesty, she shouldn't have been thrown in prison and removed from her post for just a few words."

Chief of the Rites, Qin Muyun said, "Minister, based on how this lower official sees it, no matter what the reason, currently his majesty is of course greatly enraged, and she is trapped in a cage. This is exactly our opportunity, ah."

Jiang Sanyi said, "She has a great amount of power in the army, and even if his majesty throws her in prison, it is probably only a warning and a beating. He wouldn't really take her life."

Qin Muyun said, "It's exactly because she has a great amount of power in the military, that if the generals in the army learned of it, that she was thrown in prison...... at that time, the mess, based on his majesty's personality......"

A glint flashed through Jiang Sanyi's eyes, as he said, "He majesty will definitely understand, the army cannot allow a single person to monopolize power. Wang Yunzhao probably wouldn't let the news spread to the army so quickly, so then, we shall just arrange a few people, to send off these generals encamped outside."

That night, there was a rider that left Jinyang city, bringing news that Zuo Canglang had been thrown in prison.

Within the Yan palace, it was already deep into the night, and Jiang Bilan stood before the palace gate, watching the stars and the moon, the night gradually cooling.

Hua Yue covered her back with her cloak, saying, "Your ladyship, it is so late, so his majesty probably won't come over. Why don't you go back inside first, as it is cold at night, and if you got frost bitten, how could it be any good!"

Jiang Bilan drew her cloak tighter, saying, "No, I want to wait some more. He will come, as in the past, if he didn't come, he definitely would send someone over to my place to send word."

Hua Yue's tears almost fell, "Your ladyship, this servant will go and find Chief Steward Wang to inquire, so could you first go back inside? It is so late, so perhaps his majesty has already rested."

Jiang Bilan shook her head, saying, "I need to wait, I'm going to wait. You don't understand at all, from when we were small to when we grew up, my father had betrothed me to him, and ultimately, he rejected my marriage with him, and then, later, he approved of my marrying him, so whether it was my marriage to him or the ending of our betrothal, it was all only for Jiang family's gain. But when I met him, we were still infants, and he would secretly come to my home every day, and listen to my instruments and songs, and teach me to ride the horse. Later, there was one time when we were riding, that I fell from atop my horse, and it was him that flew over to catch me."

She raised her face to look at the moon, the light in her eyes wavering, "I fell into his embrace, and since that moment, I had thought that I would be his my whole life. No matter if he was inn ruin or power, no matter if he was successful or a failure." She turned, looking at Hua Yue, saying, "Even if we returned to Jinyang, or the moment I stood by him, arrayed in the queen's garb, what really made my heart blissful, is still my love."

"Your ladyship." Hua Yue was also carrying a sorrowful tone, "you ought not to be sad, as this servant will immediately go and take a look. His majesty will definitely come." She walked forwards, and slowly left the rear harem, and Jiang Bilan stood among the flowers and the trees, her tears falling.

The moonlight was like frost, and Feng Ping was patrolling the palace grounds, as he passed through the forest of Osmanthus flowers. At that time, it was the middle of the eighth month, and the Midautumn festival was almost here, so the grand moon was suspended in the air. He turned his head, and saw that beneath the illuminating moonlight, a beauty was hidden in the midst of the Osmanthus flowers. She was crestfallen, and her tears fell like beads, her face peerless. He slowly went forwards. Moths gathered around her shoulders, and the wind blew a few light strands of her hair, covering her eyes. There could be millions of poems that couldn't be enough to depict the scene of this night.

Feng Ping couldn't help but to stop his footsteps, and in the moment, it was as though he had encountered a fairy, with a feeling of losing himself.

He took a step back, and stepped on a fallen leaf. Jiang Bilan turned her head, and quickly wiped away the signs of her tears, "Head of imperial guard Feng."

Feng Ping lowered his gaze, and quickly calmed his breathing, coming forwards to bow, saying, "Your ladyship the queen. It is so late, so why are you here?"

Jiang Bilan took a deep breath, hiding the signs of her sorrow, "This is the path his majesty will take to return to the harem."

Feng Ping said, "If your ladyship wishes to know his majesty's movements, you could just send someone to ask the eunuchs, which would be sufficient. Why wait here?"

Jiang Bilan shook her head, saying, "I'm just going to wait here for him." The Osmanthus tree dropped some green sap, staining her beautiful dress. Feng Ping didn't know why, but he suddenly thought---- her clothes were wet.

He took a few steps forwards, saying, "Your ladyship, today his majesty, I'm guessing has gone to the royal study, so he won't go anywhere."

Jiang Bilan looked at him, "What did you say?"

Feng Ping said, "Today, Biao Qi General, Zuo Canglang, angered his majesty, and was punished with a hundred military strikes, and thrown into prison. His majesty must be entirely angry, and probably won't return to the rear court. He also won't head anywhere else."

Jiang Bilan was startled, "Zuo Canglang? For what matter did she enrage his majesty?"

Feng Ping said, "A few days ago, minister Jiang also planned on supporting a martial arts faction to aid his majesty, but Zuo Canglang was afraid that his majesty would ignore her own faction, so of course she wanted to compete for a bit."

Jiang Bilan was puzzled, saying, "Supporting a martial arts faction, what does it have to do with her faction? Aren't her people all in the army?"

Feng Ping took two steps forwards, and smelt the light fragrance on her body. It was a bit intoxicating. He said, "In the past, before his majesty ascended, he had once formed a martial arts faction, and this faction's head, listened to all of his orders."

Jiang Bilan understood, saying, "Father wanted to first eliminate this faction, right?"

Feng Ping said, "Mmm."

Jiang Bilan's expression grew lighter, and she observed Feng Ping, "In the past, I asked father, and he never told me this much. Head of the imperial guard Feng...... why are you telling me?"

Feng Ping's eyes were a bit dark, and inside, the reflection showed her, clear and light, as though he had taken a draught of spring water. He said, "As long as it is a matter your ladyship wants to know, what could it be, that this subject cannot speak of?"

Jiang Bilan was stunned, as she swore, in that moment, in the eyes of that man, she saw a sliver of intoxication of his senses. Since she was small, she had seen countless amounts of this type of gaze, and some of them were humble, some were cocky. Some were soft, and others were reckless.

When she grew tired of this type of gaze, she fell in love with the feeling she had when Murong Yan looked at her. That was obvious, as that type of soft compassion. Later, slowly, she became the crown prince's concubine, and then later, became the queen, and nobody dared to raise their faces to look at her.

She had practically forgotten this type of gaze, but in this night, it was once again resurrected.

She quickly shifted her gaze away, her face flushing red, but in the middle of the night, when things were all quiet, the moon's illumination, also prevented her from seeing things too clearly. This man, had feelings of affection towards her. She should seize the opportunity, and ask about more matters.

Not knowing why, she had suddenly began thinking this way. Thus she asked, "Is Zuo Canglang currently imprisoned in the royal prison? Did his majesty say, how she will be dealt with?"

Feng Ping said, "How does your ladyship hope his majesty will deal with her?"

Jiang Bilan lightly bit her lip, and a thought flitted past her heart, making her startled---- she wanted her to die! If she died, would Murong Yan go to Qi Feng Hall every night? Even if his heart didn't have any love, but this entire lifetime, he would still treat her closely and dotingly.

And this type of softness would only be hers this entire lifetime, entirely belonging to her! And she would have endless time, to awaken his love, and to attain his reciprocation.

She lifted her head, looking at Feng Ping. Feng Ping was also looking at her, and even though they were hidden by the dark of the night, he still hadn't come close. He just watched her quietly like this. Waiting for her answer.

Jiang Bilan said, "I dislike this person, I dislike her to the point that I don't even want to see a glimpse of her."

She ultimately still felt, death and murder, these two words were too cruel, and thus she chose a euphemism. A woman in the rear yards, a young miss of a noble house, she had also once punished her servants, and had once also been suspicious of peoples' intents, but she had never made the move to kill anyone. Last time, with Wei Zhu's death, she had found it frightening.

But this time, she only spoken, and merely omitted those two words.

Feng Ping lightly said, "Those who have incited your ladyship's anger, should naturally not exist in this world." Jiang Bilan was slightly startled, and Feng Ping continued, "She is currently a prisoner, so if your ladyship wants to deal with them, it is actually very easy."

Jiang Bilan lifted her head, and Feng Ping smiled, saying, "She received a hundred beats with military rods, so even if the imperial guard is scared of killing her, she has already received a heavy wound. The conditions in prison are extremely harsh, and his majesty will not change his mind so quickly. Your ladyship only needs to take a little bit of care of the warden...... and someone who is heavily injured, a small sickness could also easily take her life."

Jiang Bilan discovered that she was shaking, but she struggled difficultly to calm her own sense of unease, saying, "But...... this queen doesn't actually know any of the people in the royal prison."

Feng Ping said, "But your ladyship knows this subject. Isn't that right?"

Jiang Bilan stared at his eyes, "You...... can really......"

Feng Ping said, "At that time, perhaps your ladyship would not need to, in the middle of the night, stand in the middle of an empty path."

Jiang Bilan bit her lips, saying, "Then...... I await Head of the Imperial Guard Feng's news."

Feng Ping said, "This subject sends off your ladyship."

Jiang Bilan turned around, and the fragrance slowly dissipated. Her cloak was lifted by the wind, brushing past her. He reached out his hand, and only felt a cold and smooth sensation at the tips of his fingers.

In the royal study, Murong Yan buried his head into signing memorandums. Xiao Anzi entered quietly, planning on picking up the reports on the ground. He didn't even lift his head, but coldly yelled, "Scram!"

Xiao Anzi looked at Wang Yunzhao, frightened, and Wang Yunzhao only shook his head at him. He quickly retreated silently. Wang Yunzhao thought for a while, but still went over to refill the tea, saying, "Your majesty, it is so late today, so it would be better if you rest first."

Murong Yan said, "You piece of crap, still unwilling to beg for forgiveness."

Wang Yunzhao laughed, saying, "Although your majesty is angry, but in your heart, more or less, you're still thinking of General Zuo."

Murong Yan said, "This king has pampered her for too long."

Wang Yunzhao said, "Your majesty, General Zuo, this person, has also been thorough. Today, she spoke disrespectfully, but it is also because she was treating your majesty as a family member. This child, in front of her own relatives, always has to be a bit more compassionate, and although it is annoying, but it is also very cute. If towards your majesty, she hid and held everything back, then wouldn't that actually prove the distance between you?"

Murong Yan said, "Take a look at how she was today. Did she look like she had come to talk reasonably with this king?"

Wang Yunzhao said, "Didn't your majesty also give her a hundred military rod beatings. Each of those strikes, were truthfully beaten on her body. Even a rough man made of steel, would probably also not be able to bear it, ah."

Murong Yan harrumphed, "The imperial guard were all trained by her, so who would dare to beat her to death?"

Wang Yunzhao laughed as he massaged his shoulders, saying, "Your majesty has his own plan. Of course they wouldn't dare to strike with full force. It's just that even though you held back, this wound and penetrating cold, would also be unavoidable. Last time, after Ming Yue platform, the general has been coughing since then, and now, right after her wounds recovered, we also don't know what might happen in prison......"

Murong Yan said, "It's late, so this king will just rest in the study, not going anywhere. You can retreat first then."

Wang Yunzhao understood his meaning, as this was allowing him to visit her in the prison. He exited from the study, and went to the royal prison. Although it was night, but his appearance would still allow him to see people. The wardens brought him in, and he walked to the outside of the cell, and saw Zuo Canglang held in cuffs by the prison door.

The wounds hadn't been completely treated, and now her clothes had all stuck to her wounds, her back a dark stain of blood.

Wang Yunzhao lightly sighed, "General."

Zuo Canglang lifted her face, her hair falling on her face, she shifted her face, saying, "Chief steward Wang."

Wang Yunzhao saw that her lips had all cracked from thirst, and quickly ordered people to feed her water, saying, "Why must General suffer so."

Zuo Canglang said, "I have a reason why I must do so."

Wang Yunzhao said, "Just because his majesty established a Duanmu Shang? Actually, if General thinks it over, even if his majesty supports the Duanmu clan, towards young master Leng, what impact would it have? She would still be a blade in his majesty's hand, and it's just that his majesty has an extra one, that's all."

Zuo Canglang said, "No. Duanmu clan had been suppressed by Cangjian sect for too long, and once they overturn their situation, they will definitely work hard to interfere. Swallow's Nest, for all these years, the matters they have secretly undertaken, too many can't ever see the light of day. Once they bring these matters to light, Swallow's Nest and Tibetan Pavilion will all become places of danger. And Feng Ping knows Leng Feiyan. Once they expose Feiyan's identity, his majesty will not only forsake Swallow's Nest, but will definitely also forsake Feiyan. But Feiyan knows too much, so his majesty will definitely not be willing to let her spread it out."

Wang Yunzhao was immediately enlightened, "You are saying...... Duanmu clan will exterminate Swallow's Nest?"

Zuo Canglang was a bit cold, and lightly curled her body, saying, "Yes. If there wasn't Duanmu clan, his majesty probably wouldn't publicize Swallow's Nest, and slowly allow them to convert to normal business, and become a normal, orthodox sect, which would also be a possibility. But Feiyan is arrogant, and compared to her, Duanmu family is of course more useful. And they have started off being an orthodox sect."

Wang Yunzhao said, "Young master Leng is arrogant. It turns out that General knew."

Zuo Canglang said, "That's why, no matter what, I must fight for it, and cannot permit Duanmu Clan to investigate Swallow's Nest's old cases. I don't have the time to slowly persuade him anymore. Duanmu Clan already prevailed greatly in the martial arts conference, and will quickly become the martial arts world's new leader. If I use other ways to persuade, his majesty would only need to stall three to five days, and Duanmu clan would already have completely nailed down Swallow's Nest as an evil sect."

That's why, how could I not know I would enrage him. And how would I not know, that having two peoples' trust that had just recovered after much difficulty, would once again fracture?

Wang Yunzhao sighed, "General, ah. If you are left in prison, wouldn't the other generals be worried, ah? Once they are worried, they would all put forth memorandums. General, currently, Great Yan's military authority, is mostly held in your hands, and no matter if it is Yuan Xi, Xu Lang, Wang Nan, these generals, which one of them is not close to you? You are just forcing his majesty, ah."

Zuo Canglang said, "If today I take a step back, in the future, Feiyan could only act in response. As it has come to this, I can only take care of matters in front of me."

The next day, before court even began, the various military reports all arrived. Murong Yan opened each letter, his expression slowly growing dark. Each of these letters, were all letters sent by the generals, everyone of them asking for mercy on Zuo Canglang's behalf.

Chariot General Yuan Xi, Infantry Great General Zhuge Jin, Central Army General Zheng Chu...... until Zhou Xin, not a single one was kept back. And then there was Gu She Mountains' Bai Yu Sect's main sect, Yang Lianting, who had sent four consecutive reports, asking how he was.

Murong Yan threw the reports on the ground, scoffing, "These people, hmmph. Sure are good."

Wang Yunzhao was afraid to persuade, and Murong Yan just knocked all the reports onto the ground. Outside, some palace servants reported, saying Country Stabilizing Gong, Wen Xingye begged to visit. Murong Yan leaned back, resting against his chair, saying, "Have him enter."

Wen Xingye leaned against his cane, entering, struggling to kneel to pay respects, "This subject, Wen Xingye, greets your majesty."

Murong Yan looked him over coldly, and a long time later, said, "Speak then, what do you plan on saying to this king?"

He didn't let him rise, so Wen Xingye could only kneel, saying, "Responding to your majesty, I have heard that this subject's daughter-in-law, Madam Zuo of Wen clan, had offended your majesty, and this subject has especially entered the palace, to admit my faults to your majesty."

Murong Yan said, "Asking for judgment? How do you plan on asking for judgment?"

Wen Xingye said, "A daughter-in-law committing a fault, is this subject's family discipline not being strict, so I should also bear the same punishment."

"Family discipline?" Murong Yan deeply said, "if it is family discipline, this king really shouldn't falsely accuse you, as she is after all, someone who came out from this king's estate!"

Wen Xingye said, "Your majesty, no matter what, I would ask that your majesty, on the basis that she is young and does not know better, to forgive her this time."

Murong Yan said, "And if this king doesn't forgive her, then what?" Wen Xingye was stunned, and Murong Yan said, "Would these generals, tonight, also be like Bi Chengjing and that group of old bones, also gather together at Wen estate?"

Wen Xingye's expression turned, and Murong Yan said, "You're dismissed. This king's dealing with his own subject, and no matter what, he still has a measure in his mind."

Wen Xingye could only bow again respectfully, slowly retreating.

Murong Yan said, "This king sees it clearly, as for the sake of Leng Feiyan, she has tossed in all these people."

Wang Yunzhao said, "Your majesty, last night, this old servant went to see the General. She was heavily injured and feeble, but still thought of your majesty. Your majesty, why not...... first let her out and then decide."

Murong Yan scoffed, "What's the hurry? She is such an intelligent person, so for the moment, it's not like she could die. Just let her stay in prison for a few more days, which coincidentally, could also let her reflect a bit."

Wang Yunzhao stopped talking.

That afternoon, Wang Nan rushed back to Jinyang, and begged to see Murong Yan. Later, Xu Lang also rushed back, and as they were military instructors, they were close to Jinyang. They also got back quickly. Murong Yan used the reason that they had left their encampments without reason, so he also punished them each with fifty strikes of the military rod.

The two of them also didn't dare to say anything, and quietly bore it.

That night, the various reports were still arriving, and Murong Yan ordered Xiao Anzi to burn all these reports. And then, he said, "Summon Duanmu Shang."

Duanmu Shang entered the royal study, and Murong Yan's expression was already entirely calm. He half knelt on the ground, "Duanmu Shang greets your majesty."

Murong Yan said, "In a few days, Duanmu Rou will take the mantle as the head of the martial arts world."

Duanmu Shang kowtowed, "This subject received your majesty's support, so Duanmu clan will forever be grateful of your majesty's grace."

Murong Yan said, "This king called you here, to not listen to these matters." Duanmu Shang found it a bit unexpected, and Murong Yan continued, "Being in the martial arts world, have you ever heard of Tibetan Pavilion?"

Duanmu Shang's gaze had a glint in them, as Feng Ping of course had told him of the situation with Tibetan Pavilion and Swallow's Nest, so he said, "Reporting to your majesty, I have heard of it before."

Murong Yan said, "After Duanmu clan rises to power, don't touch it. And also don't plan on touching anyone inside it. This king hopes, you all can get along peacefully, and even though it is the martial arts world, you also don't necessarily have to meet at arms, right."

Duanmu Shang's heart was confused, as he had heard Feng Ping say, Murong Yan was actually dissatisfied towards the head of Swallow's Nest. But how come today, mentioning her, he intended on protecting her?

But his confusion was rendered just confusion, and he still knelt on the ground saying, "This subordinate understands."

That night, Zuo Canglang was still unconscious, and Wang Yunzhao ordered people to send over a letter, saying that Murong Yan already ordered Duanmu family. She finally relaxed her heart, as these few days, her nervous heart could finally be at ease. She rested against her cuff, only feeling pain all over her body. But what could she do about the pain, but to continue bearing it.

Right now, Murong Yan was in the midst of his anger, and his not continuing to thrash her was already considered pretty good, and she couldn't be greedier. She shut her eyes, locked up in her cuffs. Sleeping was still difficult. She could only shut her eyes.

Outside, a warden opened the cell door, and poured water inside. Normally, to awaken prisoners, they would often pour water inside, but this time, he directly poured the water onto Zuo Canglang's body.

Zuo Canglang shivered, and only felt her wound searing in pain. That water had a large quantity of salt added to it, and she shivered, her entire body curling up. And the warden that poured the water was a foreign face, standing outside the cell, practically every hour, he would pour water in once.

Her body had just recovered its body heat from the drenched clothes, before it was once again drenched in icy water. A great amount of salt melted in her wound, and she shivered, lifting her head. But that warden didn't bother looking at her eyes, only expressionless standing outside the cell, not making a sound.

Zuo Canglang suddenly understood, someone wanted to kill her!

It couldn't be Murong Yan, as there was no reason for him to eliminate her. And actually, there were many reasons that could prove that he wouldn't have that killing intent.

Who would want to kill her?

It was cold, and the drenched clothes clung to her body. The great loss of blood, the heavy wounds, made even her breathing devoid of warmth. The wound on her back already grew numb, but she carried a heavy cuff, and had nowhere to dodge. At that time, her person had already lost her dignity and stubbornness, but rather curled into a ball, her whole body shivering.

TN: Sorry for the late post. Kind of got started on it a bit late today. Next week, I'm going to be out of town, so my connection may be spotty, but I'll try to kind of be regular with the updates if I can manage it.