Deposed Empress General Chapter 68

After he finished applying medicine, Zuo Canglang still hadn't awakened. Zhao Zi-En said, "Your majesty, right now the general probably has to sleep for a while. Why doesn't your majesty head back over later then."

Jiang Bilan had never left, so she had come over, originally wishing to remind Murong Yan, that the matter that he had personally carried Zuo Canglang into the palace, had already been known by others. This was equivalent to slapping the face of her ladyship the queen. After all, it hadn't even been ten days since she lost her child.

But even if she personally came over to the South Palace Hall, Murong Yan hadn't had any sense of debt towards her. He was as though he had seen her on a normal day, his face carrying a smile, his voice soft and comforting. But he just, in front of her face, directly applied medicine to her.

Jiang Bilan lightly bit her lip, her heart being covered with discomfort.

Currently, hearing Zhao Zi-En speaking this way, she quickly said, "The general needs to rest, so how about this subject wife and your majesty both leave." She practically had a begging tone, as Zuo Canglang had after all just harmed her child for a few days, and now, Murong Yan was watching over her here, so what prestige did he leave her, this queen?

But Murong Yan didn't even lift his head, but only lightly said, "This king will accompany her for a bit longer. If the queen has matters to attend to, you can go ahead and leave first then."

Jiang Bilan felt as though she had been showered with cold water, and her whole body slowly turned cold. And Murong Yan just randomly picked up a small sleeve knife, and slowly helped Zuo Canglang clip her nails. His movements were very light, very comforting, and Jiang Bilan slowly retreated. She wasn't allowed any more words, she understood his meaning-- he wanted to pierce this final barrier. He wanted her to clearly know his relationship with Zuo Canglang!

This had always been, the promise he had left her as well as the dream. Put it another way, it was his care for her dignity and respect. But after today, this had all been reduced to rubble.

But even so, what could she do? She was the queen, and could only accept it. She quietly watched him, watching him attentively clip that woman's nails, and then using a whetstone to slowly sharpen the knife until it was smooth. He was such a person, always doing this type of thing, every movement and action was so aesthetically pleasing, romantic and single-minded, as if he was treating the only person he loved in this lifetime.

That peacefulness was enough to make any woman sink into it, but currently, she was just an outsider. She could only collapse, or stay silent. She slowly bowed away, "This subject wife...... will retreat." Every word carried her tears. But Murong Yan didn't turn back, but only waved his hand, "Then go."

Zuo Canglang slept until close to midnight, and when she awoke, she practically sat straight up. Murong Yan just sat by the bedside, his hands holding a scroll of military tactics. Seeing her awake, he said, "What are you being all startled for?"

As he spoke, he reached his hand over, but Zuo Canglang quickly retreated into the bed. Murong Yan's brow furrowed, "Come here!"

She only retreated, until she had nowhere left to retreat, but she didn't have any intention of coming over. Murong Yan stood up, and said, "Since you are not willing to come over," he jumped over, onto her, and then he finished his statement, "Then this king can only go over there."

Zuo Canglang used her strength to push him away, but Murong Yan held her hands, lightly speaking, "Luckily, this king had the foresight, and first removed your claws. Seeing as how this side of my face already has a scratch on it, if the right side of my face also gets a scratch on it, then tomorrow, in morning court, I don't know how to explain it."

Zuo Canglang didn't even listen to his words, but just screamed out. She truly made a lot of noise, so Murong Yan lowered his face, shutting her mouth with a kiss, but her teeth bit, and the scent of blood immediately spread out. Murong Yan harrumphed, but he didn't retreat, slowly entangling with her lips. Then he lightly pat her back, waiting for her to calm down. She hadn't eaten for so many days, so she couldn't stay noisy for long.

After she finally lost her strength, he said, "Want to eat something? You slept half the day, so you should be hungry."

She didn't speak, but shut her eyes panting. Murong Yan didn't wait for her answer, but summoned a palace servant to bring her a bowl of soup. Zuo Canglang was ultimately hungry, and was attracted by the scent. Murong Yan brought over the soup, and slowly fed her. But she only ate one mouthful, before she turned her head, and puked it all out onto the ground.

And then she just continued to heave dryly. Murong Yan was stunned, and smelled that soup, but he didn't find anything off about it. So he just ordered someone to summon the royal doctor.

Zhao Zi-En came over in the deep night, and after taking her pulse again, he was also clueless. Afterwards, when it was changed with white porridge, she finally ingested some.

This type of ruckus, lasted a while, and the night grew darker. Wang Yunzhao quietly said, "Your majesty, why don't you....... return to the palace to rest then?"

Murong Yan said, "Tonight, this king will just rest here." Wang Yunzhao was stunned, and opened his mouth, but was ultimately afraid to say anything say. After all, Zuo Canglang still held the identity as Madam Wen. So him acting so brazenly, if Country Stabilizing Gong and the others learned of it, how should they explain it?

Murong Yan seemed as though he knew what he was thinking of, and said, "What, as if there are palace servants that will speak carelessly?"

Wang Yunzhao quickly said, "Reporting to your majesty, the Southern Palace Hall's servants are all old servants, so their lips are tight."

Murong Yan nodded, and as the matter was settled, signaled him to leave.

Zuo Canglang fell in and out of consciousness the whole night, and did not sleep soundly the whole night. Murong Yan also didn't sleep, but just sat by her bedside, reading for half the night. Occasionally, she would be conscious, so he would pat her, and lightly comfort her. This happened until she finally fell asleep.

When he was being soft, he had boundless patience and care.

Within Qi Feng Hall, Jiang Bilan didn't manage to wait until his arrival. The sky gradually lightened, and she sat alone for the whole night. Murong Yan hadn't even ordered someone over to inform her, and hadn't even made such an effort.

Had he had finally, stopped pretending to have strong affection with the queen?

A teardrop slid down her face, it was warm and burning.

The next day, in the army, Yuan Xi and the others immediately received news, claiming that Zuo Canglang had already been released, and was temporarily living in the palace. Everyone all relaxed their breath, as no matter what, this time, it had seen like it was once again fear without danger. But Wen Xingye had received an unpleasant piece of news.

Currently, he didn't participate in court, so if he wanted to know something, he could only ask others. Within the army, those that could attend court were not many in numbers, and those that could, would often not be present at Jinyang. Only Xia Chang You, could he often see, and with whom he still had some ties.

Currently, Zuo Canglang had been thrown in prison again, so he could only go often to Xia Chang You to inquire. Xia Chang You previous stayed silent, but after Zuo Canglang was released, he actually stuttered a lot.

Wen Xingye, upon seeing the situation, got worried, "Brother Xia! I was just asking about my daughter-in-law's condition, so you are just hiding it like this, could something have happened to her?"

Xia Chang You quickly said, "Brother Wen, please don't misunderstand. Currently, General Zuo is in the palace, and his majesty treats her...... like in the past. There's nothing, there's nothing."

Wen Xingye partially believed it, while also staying suspicious. A while later, he said, "Brother Xia, Official Xia. Currently, I am already old, and in court, I have no ties, so some things, if even you are unwilling to tell me, I would probably never learn of them my whole life."

Xia Chang You was troubled, and only said, "Brother Wen! This...... is also truly not anything, it's just that......" he paused, and thinking over his words, it wasn't good to continue.

Wen Xingye said, "Do you have to have me kneel to beg you?" Saying this, he lifted his robe, and prepared to kneel. Xia Chang You actually was a honorable person, so how could he bear to let him kneel, so he quickly stopped him, saying, "Brother Wen. Since it is so, this brother will not hide it from you. Recently, this little brother heard a rumor. But, it is only a rumor, and has no proof, so don't take it personally."

Wen Xingye cupped his hands, saying, "Brother, please speak."

Xia Chang You stuttered as he said, "It's rumored, that when General Zuo left prison, she was personally carried by his majesty the whole trip, and rode in the ruler's carriage alongside him into the palace." Wen Xingye was stunned, and Xia Chang You clenched his teeth, saying, "When they returned to the palace, his majesty let her stay in the Southern Palace Hall. And he has personally stayed by her side, fed her medicine, and it's rumored that even when her majesty the queen went over....... he had still not handed her over to others."

Wen Xingye was stunned, and slowly, his face turned from red to white. His right hand gripped his cane tightly, the back of his hand grew purple, and Xia Chang You quickly said, "I have also only heard the rumor, so perhaps it is only the rumors made up by others, so it cannot be taken seriously."

Wen Xingye slowly cupped his hands, and thanked him. Without speaking more, he turned, leaving the estate. Xia Chang You was afraid something would happen, so he chased him to the gate, but only saw him leaning on his cane, the wind blowing his stray hair, his steps slow.

Zuo Canglang rested in the Southern Palace Hall for a few days, and slowly recovered her senses, but between her words, she no longer had her past fluency. Even when she was sleeping, she would still be frowning. After Murong Yan finished court, he practically would stay at the Southern Palace Hall, and Jiang Bilan wanted to enter several times, but each time, he had been blocked outside by Wang Yunzhao.

Finally one day, she came over when Murong Yan was attending court, but was still stopped outside by the servants at the Southern Palace Hall. Jiang Bilan angrily shouted, "What nerve! This queen is the master of the rear court, and if I wish to enter, do you all dare to stop me?!"

The servants knelt towards the ground, but nobody gave way, only saying, "Reporting to your ladyship the queen, his majesty issued an edict, that the general's body has not yet recovered, and needs to rest. So anyone that comes is not allowed inside. Including......" at the end, the voice finally grow small, but it was still audible, "including your ladyship."

Jiang Bilan retreated a step, and Hui Yun supported her, saying, "Your ladyship, since his majesty has ordered as such, then your ladyship, it would be better not to draw his majesty's ire."

Jiang Bilan supported her shoulder, but stood there, a long time later, she said, "Let's return then."

Di Lianzhong was still at Mayi city. Right now, it was very awkward for him, to lead his own defeated troops. As they couldn't attack, and retreating didn't require his oversight either. Mayi City still had Zhuge Jin garrisoning it. But Murong Yan didn't order his withdrawal, so he didn't dare to abandon his post.

For a few consecutive days, Jinyang didn't have any royal orders arriving, and he knew that Murong Yan was covering for him. After all, this time it was him, as the Military Chief making war, and fighting to this stage, he truly was ashamed. But he also had his own difficulties, as after all, he didn't have any confidantes in the army, and the generals didn't trust him enough.

Additionally, the enemy's generals understood the Yan troops really well. If he fell into a trap, he practically had no chance of returning.

And Mayi City, Zhuge Jin and the others saw enough of a joke being made. The old soldiers all pointed and laughed from behind, not just once, but some people quietly discussed that if it was General Zuo, what would have happened. He was both ashamed and angry, but he couldn't do anything.

For many days, the hatred in his heart had accumulated. Could it be that if Zuo Canglang really made a move, she could definitely take Xiao Quan Mountain?

But not knowing why, he suddenly also hoped she would also be defeated, and return empty handed. Thus, would everyone stop using this type of gaze to assess this military chief? Even if he had never met Zuo Canglang before, the hatred was still budding in his heart, growing into a forest.

Zuo Canglang slowly recovered, but some of the problems caused by her illness became chronic problems for her. She couldn't touch anything that had a scent to it, even if it was fish or shrimp, the cold scent of it, once she encountered it, she would vomit. No matter what, it couldn't be controlled.

She also contracted a stomach illness. After being imprisoned twice, and have suffered many combat wounds, and rushing her treatment, her body was no longer as healthy as it used to be. Every time the weather changed, her wounds would inflame painfully. But luckily, she was young, and so she could bear it.

This day, it was the beginning of the fourth month, and outside, the spring weather was just right. Zhao Zi-En said, "General's body has gotten better, so why not go out and take a walk, and soak up some sun?"

Zuo Canglang's mood wasn't good, and this was something he noticed. But just being kept inside the hall all day, how could it improve?

Zuo Canglang nodded, as she wasn't someone who behaved as she wished, and wasn't willing to hide in this cold palace on her own to mope. She slowly exited the South Palace Hall, and a palace servant, Ke Qing accompanied her, walking about inside the palace. The fourth month, and the begonias were in bloom. She walked slowly in the sea of flowers, and in the distance, someone walked towards her under the escort of palace servants.

It was Jiang Bilan.

Zuo Canglang slowly knelt, "Good evening to your highness the queen."

Jiang Bilan stood in front of her, saying, "We haven't met in a few days. Looks like general is already fine." Zuo Canglang didn't speak, as she ultimately was still unwilling to bicker with her. Thus even if she knew that she had secretly made a move, she would still give way.

You have to know, that back then, in the large street of Jinyang, when her small feet passed by behind him, the moment Murong Yan had glanced back...... had once been, countless times, her nightmare.

This woman, she had been born inside of a noble family, and was a rich daughter. She was born naturally beautiful, excelling in go, music, literature, and the arts. He had twisted and turned, doing everything for the sake of his beloved. He was every woman's dream.

She was also her dream.

But now, even if she gotten to the point where she had been impoverished and envious, she still remained silent. After all, if it wasn't for her, this woman's love, would be complete and flawless in this lifetime.

Jiang Bilan saw that she was silent, and laughed, saying, "But general has also stayed long enough in the palace. I'm only afraid that the time you have spent with his majesty, is even more than this queen here. General has stomped all over Wen estate's reputation."

Zuo Canglang ignored her, but the palace servant girl behind her, Ke Qing suddenly said, "Your ladyship, his majesty said, General's two knees have chronic problems, and is unfitting for her to remain kneeling for long. Why doesn't your ladyship just let the general rise, then." Saying thus, she helped Zuo Canglang up, but Jiang Bilan angrily said, "Where did this trashy servant get such nerve? In front of this queen, is there room for you to speak? Come, men, slap her!!"

Behind her, Hui Yun came forwards, and grabbing Ke Qing, she immediately slapped her left and right.

She wasn't merciful at all, and the red marks on Ke Qing's face grew increasingly apparent. Finally, her lips began bleeding. Zuo Canglang didn't turn back at all, not even sparing it a glance. Jiang Bilan saw that her expression was unmoved, and thought that she was probably not familiar with this servant girl, and thus signaled Hui Yun to stop.

In public, she still didn't dare to do anything to Zuo Canglang. She could only slowly pass by her side, saying, "General, remember, my child's life, will not be lost for nothing."

Zuo Canglang finally turned back, staring into her eyes, "Why your ladyship the queen's unborn child would lose its life, is also something this subject has always been suspicious of."

Jiang Bilan shifted her gaze, and harrumphed coldly, leaving quickly.

Ke Qing finally went forward to help Zuo Canglang. Zuo Canglang saw her bloody lips, and softly sighed, "She is after all the queen. You still have to survive in the palace in the future, so why do you anger her?"

Ke Qing said, "General is a peerless hero! So how could you be subjected to humiliation by this type of woman? Even if I throw this life away, I still have to stand up for justice!"

Zuo Canglang smiled, saying, "Peerless hero?"

Ke Qing's eyes immediately grew starry, saying, "I heard quite a few of general's stories! General fought Western Jing, and twice, won massive victories, and pillaged their cities. It really helped Great Yan exert a lot of suppressed anger for all these years."

Zuo Canglang slowly walked forwards, saying, "In this world, there is no deserved massacre. Claiming that it comes from the people, is only to produce an excuse. For the combatants, prestige and strategy, are all types of sins."

Ke Qing followed behind her, saying, "But General has slain enemies for the sake of protection the family and for the nation, ah! Of course this is righteous, ah!"

Zuo Canglang said, "For the sake of protecting our own family and nation, we destroyed someone else's family and nation. On the field of battle, there is no righteousness, just as there is no right or wrong."

Ke Qing was stunned, and Zuo Canglang said, "Return then. Look at that wound on your lips, and yet, you still have so much to say."

Returning to the South Palace Hall, Zuo Canglang especially had Zhao Zi-En personally apply medicine for Ke Qing. She actually wasn't hurt seriously, after all, Hui Yun was but a girl, and how serious could a few slaps get? It's was just that, a young girl's face was smooth and tender, and the imprints on the face would still frighten others.

Zuo Canglang was by her side, and after Zhao Zi-En helped her care for her wound, said, "I cannot continue living in the palace for long, so after I leave, perhaps you will be troubled by others."

Ke Qing quickly knelt down, saying, "If general is willing, I am willing to stay at general's side, to serve general!"

Zuo Canglang said, "If I enter and leave Jinyang, how could I bring along a servant girl? I will speak with chief steward Wang, to see if he can change your job into the royal study to serve. There, it is in his majesty's presence, so it should be able to protect your safety."

Ke Qing immediately kowtowed, her forehead tapping the ground, saying, "This servant is willing to follow general, so would general please approve it!" Saying thus, she continued to kowtow.

Zuo Canglang thought for a while, finally still saying, "Rise then."

In the night, when Murong Yan came over again, she had informed him of this matter. Of course Murong Yan would not mind, as it was just a servant girl. With the wave of his hand, he gifted her to her.

TN: I think with this release, I'm caught up with my original schedule again. Yay! A-yippee. The last two chapters have been really painful. I originally wanted to translate this novel because of the angst, as I had listened to an older version of the radio drama on Ximalaya. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a link to a posting of the original version of this novel, thus I have settled on the translation of the new version. A lot of it, so far, has been a lot less angsty. In the original novel, the title made more sense, as she was actually empress. But Murong Yan's first act as emperor was basically to remove her from being empress, and returning her to a position as general. The old version's angst is real, in that a lot of the torturous aspect of listening to it was that, you could kind of see Murong Yan actually ruining Zuo Canglang as a person. E.G. In the past two chapters, there's the scene where she's puking and vomiting. In the original novel, IIRC, she was so traumatized, she basically stopped eating. And she was basically wasting away, so Murong Yan had to find a way to force her to eat, through which he basically tried delving into the mystical/magical arts to try and brainwash her so that she didn't have all her memories of torture. In the end, basically Zuo Canglang dies because she had actually retained all her memories, and Murong Yan basically failed to live up to his promises towards her for the last time. In the new version, when I peeked at the ending, it was drastically different, so it's left kind of vague. However, in many respects, dear readers, you are probably going to be spared from the real gut wrenching aspects. Though, in the new version, many shadows of the old are still visible.