The Ugly Empress

Xue Junliang walked into the main hall unhurriedly, and then sat down. After everyone paid his respects, Xue Junliang pretended to be surprised and said: "What's the matter, my son, I haven't seen you for many years, but now he looks haggard. It must be a big blow. I have long heard that the son has always been a filial son, but now I see that his reputation is indeed well-deserved, let's be sad and obedient."

Xue Junliang's words were wrong before and then mentioned later, which made people feel weird, a little yin and yang, Xue Changjing hurriedly followed his words, with a sincere and fearful expression on his face.

King Xue didn't mention hereditary matters at first, but only asked Xue Changjing how he was, how the people in the fief were like, and how old Xue Changjing was.

Xue Junliang said with a smile: "Although when the uncle was alive, Gu and him didn't often meet, but Gu has a very deep affection for the emperor. Unexpectedly, Chang Jing, you still don't have a regular wife. Wouldn't it make the uncle feel disappointed? Now you are having a hard time Come to the capital once, Gu also has nothing to reward you, how about helping you find a wife who is worthy of you?"

Xue Changjing stood at the bottom and wiped his sweat. He didn't know if King Xue had heard that he was obsessed with men. When Marquis Zheng'an was still alive, he knew that he liked men, but he also married a few concubines, so he couldn't control it. , and finally no matter.

Among the courtiers, Teng Yun, Xue Houyang, and the others knew Xue Changjing's nature for a long time, and when they heard Xue Junliang say this, they knew that a good show was about to come.

As expected, Xue Junliang lived up to everyone's expectations, and said with an inscrutable smile: "A few days ago, Lord Feng mentioned the matter of marriage with Gu, and the only duke that Gu could think of was Houyang, but the daughters of the Nine Dukes of Fengguo all It's golden branches and jade leaves, Houyang is too thoughtful, afraid of being neglected, I didn't expect that Chang Jing didn't get married, so this would be the best, Gu will personally propose marriage for you now."

Xue Changjing was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat. The daughter of Fengguo Jiugong was spoiled and spoiled. If the husband who married him didn't touch her, wouldn't he look down on Fengguo's deeds and start a war between the two countries?

Before Xue Changjing could say anything, Xue Houyang stood up and said with a smile: "My brother also thinks this is very good. I'm used to messing around in the battlefield, so I'm afraid I'll neglect the princess."

Xue Junliang said: "This matter is very good, Chang Jing, if you have no objection, then it's settled."

Xue Changjing wanted to refute, but when he saw Xue Junliang's half-smile, he couldn't help but think of the stick blame before, his whole body ached again, and finally he was too scared to speak.

Xue Junliang nodded, "Then it's settled... Well, there's one more thing I want to mention."

He said, paused, and said with a smile: "Before Zhang Hong's bandits invaded Mingshui, Teng Qing was not allowed to lead the battle. Now that Zhang Hong has been executed and all the bandits have been captured, Teng Qing must be rewarded."

Hearing him mentioning himself, Teng Yun took half a step forward, bowed his head and said: "My minister is terrified, Your Majesty has fallen in love with the wrong one."

Xue Junliang said with a smile: "Don't be modest. Since Teng Qing has returned in triumph, then of course you can't let go of what happened before. Taifu Shen is right, Teng Qing's destiny is to help orphans, why not take advantage of Chang Jing's big wedding , and also brought Teng Qing into the palace."

Teng Yun was stunned for a moment, opened his eyes wide and raised his eyes to look at Xue Junliang. Xue Junliang's expression didn't seem to be playing tricks, but he was a man after all, and Teng Yun still felt uncomfortable when he was said so in front of everyone. .

Xue Changjing immediately cast a clear look, and instantly understood why he was beaten, it turned out that he touched someone who shouldn't be.

Teng Yun naturally noticed Xue Changjing's gaze, there was understanding and ridicule in that gaze, his hands clenched into fists involuntarily, Teng Yun did not speak.

Seeing Xue Changjing's gaze, Xue Junliang squinted his eyes. Now he couldn't help but pay attention to Teng Yun's feelings. At this time, seeing Teng Yun was uncomfortable, and his heart was also uncomfortable, and his mouth seemed a little out of control.

Said: "Gu's actions can be regarded as following God's will. After all, not only one person has mentioned this matter with Gu. If any love Qing has objections, he can raise it now. Gu is not an arbitrary person, right? In fact, there is one thing, I have changed my mind a little bit. Everyone has seen Teng Qing's accomplishments and achievements. I just thought that if I take him into the palace, it seems that I have wronged him a little more. Why not like this... Since Teng Qing is talented, and I don't know what you think about letting him be the master of the three palaces for a dignitary who has made many military exploits?"

As soon as Xue Junliang's words came out, everyone was a little surprised and looked around one after another, as if to see who would be the first to stand up to object, but after a long time, no one stood up, at most they were whispering below.

Teng Yun frowned. He couldn't understand what King Xue was thinking. If he wanted to imprison himself, it would have been a very shameful way to make a noble concubine before. Fuck, let him be the queen.

Xue Changjing even looked at Teng Yun frequently, as if he wanted to find out what made Teng Yun different, or what made King Xue fascinated. I'm afraid it's not as simple as this face. If he didn't have scars on his face, Seems to be okay.

In the end, Shen Yi stood up and said: "Tengnan Hou has both talent and talent, and he is indeed the best candidate for the queen. I also believe that with the talent of Lord Hou, he can be invincible even in the battlefield, let alone the Sangong... just this This matter is quite cumbersome, and it cannot be done overnight, Your Majesty might as well ask Prince Zheng'an Hou to select a portrait first, so that he can reply to the Lord."

How could Xue Junliang not be able to tell that Shen Yi was planning to delay the attack, but he didn't care. In fact, Xue Junliang was secretly startled after he finished speaking. Even if the person in front of him was someone he cared about, he was also the one he wanted to kill with all his heart. He underestimated Teng Yun's position in his heart, and at the same time overestimated his calmness.

Xue Junliang nodded and said: "Teacher Shen's words are also quite reasonable, so let's leave this matter alone. Later, Prince Zheng'an Hou will go to choose a portrait. After choosing a good day and auspicious day, we will marry the princess of Fengguo."

After the court broke up, Xue Junliang wanted to keep Teng Yun, but he didn't know what to say to the other party, he would be embarrassed if he didn't say anything, so he simply didn't speak, but Xue Houyang stayed and asked to see King Xue.

Xue Houyang said: "I know that this matter should not be discussed by my younger brother, it's just difficult for the world, why does your majesty suddenly want to make Marquis Teng Nan as queen?"

Xue Junliang sighed and said, "Then why don't you marry anymore?"

"This……"

Xue Houyang scratched his face uncomfortably, and said: "The younger brother treats Mr. Teng sincerely, so...so naturally he can't marry again, and he doesn't want to marry again."

"Do you think Teng Shang will be wronged if you marry again?"

"Actually, I feel that this is not a matter of being wronged or not... After all, Mr. Teng is a man, and sometimes he is stronger than my brother. I just think... If he really has the heart, he must treat each other sincerely. Why? Can accommodate others."

Xue Junliang listened quietly to what he was saying, looking forward, not knowing what he was looking at. After a long time, Xue Houyang even felt that he was in a daze, so Xue Junliang looked back and said with a smile: "Listen to what you said, Better than ten years of reading."

"Your Majesty... don't make fun of my younger brother."

"I'm not making fun of you," Xue Junliang said, "I've also thought about this matter carefully. If I accept Marquis Teng Nan as the imperial concubine and the queen is empty, how can I want someone else to be the queen?"

"Your Majesty, you..."

Xue Houyang said half of what he said in surprise, but suddenly stopped, as if he felt that he should not continue.

Xue Junliang nodded, as if affirming what Xue Houyang hadn't said.

Xue Houyang was even more astonished, his heart was more confused than threads, he went out of the hall, and met Teng Yun who came out from the military plane, he was a little flustered, he hesitated and held hands with Teng Yun.

Teng Yun was baffled by Xue Houyang's reaction. The two of them went out on the same road, but Xue Houyang said that there was something important to do and let Teng Yun go first. Seeing Teng Yun's back walking away, Xue Houyang let out a sigh, feeling more and more unbelievable After all, this is none of my business, Teng Yun and Xue Junliang should be in a hurry.

Xue Houyang wandered around the palace for a while, thinking that Teng Yun should go far away, so he left the palace and went back to the mansion directly. He wanted to talk to someone about many things in his heart, and of course this person must be Teng Shang.

Xue Houyang returned to the mansion in a hurry, got off his horse and asked his servants to take him away, threw the cloak to the servants, and asked casually, "Where is Mr. Teng?"

"Mr. Teng is in the backyard..."

Before the maidservant finished speaking, Xue Houyang strode towards the backyard. The maidservant looked at Lord Hou in a hurry, but did not continue. In fact, she wanted to say, "Mr. .”

"Sir! I..."

Xue Houyang yelled all the way, but before he could finish his yelling, he saw Teng Shang sitting at the stone table in the backyard, and there was a person sitting beside him. Although there were some scars on his face, it seemed scary at first glance, but carefully It looked like a man with a bit of refined temperament.

Xue Houyang's words were stuck in his neck immediately, he almost choked to death, he went up to say hello, "Teng Nanhou is here, but the servant didn't tell me, he's being negligent."

Seeing his reckless appearance and thinking of his calmness and maturity in the court, Teng Yun couldn't help laughing, and said: "I took the liberty to bother Lord Hou, please don't blame me."

"No, no, no..." Xue Houyang said while shaking his hands: "You talk to Mr. Teng, I will go ahead and not disturb you."

Teng Shang said, "Has Lord Hou had lunch?"

Xue Houyang shook his head and said, "Not yet."

"In that case, let's go together."

Xue Houyang nodded when he heard Teng Shang invited him to have a meal, and then Teng Shang asked again: "Is Marquis Teng Nan staying too?"

Teng Yun smiled and said, "If it's convenient."

So the three of them set up lunch around the small stone table. The Wannian Hou Mansion never paid much attention to these things, and there were no servants to serve meals. Xue Houyang felt that he couldn't swallow the meal surrounded by others.

Teng Yun and Teng Shang had a very happy conversation. The two people had many similarities in their preferences and styles. Naturally, they had something to say. Xue Houyang didn't talk to him or interrupt him. Not bad either.

Seeing Teng Shang smiling at Teng Yun, Xue Houyang thought to himself, because Teng Nanhou is actually Teng Shang's nephew in his bones, thinking about it this way, the taste seems to be relieved.

Xue Houyang considers himself a rough man. Although he was born in the Forbidden Palace and is proficient in reading, he can't help being sour and fake, and likes to go straight. Teng Shang is just the opposite. Teng Shang has the charm of a literati. He is polite and not overbearing, very similar to Teng Yun's elegance.

This made Xue Houyang feel like an outsider...

The two chatted all afternoon, Teng Yun left in the evening, Teng Shang kept him for dinner, Teng Yun smiled as if he knew it well, and just said: "Don't bother me anymore."

After Teng Yun left, Teng Shang suddenly said, "King Xue must have said something in court today, right?"

"Ah... Sir, you heard about it too?"

"No, I'm in the mansion, the rumors don't spread so fast, I just noticed it."

Teng Shang said with a smile: "Master Hou, do you know that although he is not as old as me, I also watched him grow up. He only talks so much when he has something on his mind."

Xue Houyang sighed: "Mr. knows him very well."

Then he said: "During the early court today, King Xue said that he would also take Tengnanhou into the palace while Zheng'anhou's son was getting married."

Teng Shang didn't react too much, but said: "It seems that my guess is not far from ten."

Xue Houyang said: "There is still something to say, sir must not guess."

"Oh?"

"Your Majesty wants to take Marquis Tengnan into the palace and make him a queen."

Teng Shang was surprised for a moment, but immediately smiled knowingly, "Although it is unexpected, it is indeed reasonable."

"Within reason?"

Xue Houyang said: "I went to the court to meet King Xue. Although the King did not admit it verbally, it seems that he is sincere to Teng Nanhou..."

"Sincerely..."

Teng Shang smiled, "Maybe, but the emperor is passionate, which concubine is not sincere? The key is to know how long this sincerity can last, whether it is ten days, one month, or one year... ten years... "

Xue Houyang shook his head, he didn't know either.

After Zheng'an Hou Shizi had chosen the portrait, Xue Junliang ordered to go to Fengguo to welcome the princess. Naturally, this matter could not be left on Zhao Lu's head. If Zhao Lu was sent, wouldn't it be to provoke a war between the two countries?

Moreover, Fengguo wanted to make peace, so he naturally wanted to protect his princess from coming over safely. Xue Junliang didn't have to worry too much, so he sent Zhao Tong to meet him.

When Zhao Tong arrived in Fengguo, Fengguo naturally couldn't neglect, and sent the prime minister to host a banquet to entertain the envoys.

Although Zhao Tong had heard about Lu Shichen's coronation, it had been some time in the past. He thought he could see Lu Shichen at this banquet, and wanted to ridicule him. Come here, it can be regarded as giving Xue Guo enough face, but he didn't see Lu Shichen.

Zhao Tongtong inquired, only to find out that Lu Shichen is still Bai Ding alone, and the prime minister's mansion is vacant, so he found a small house in the capital to live in.

Of course Zhao Tong knew that Lu Shichen was innocent, and he had a straightforward character, so he didn't understand the twists and turns. Although Feng Ming also trusted Lu Shichen, he was afraid of discord among the public and could not use him.

Asking someone to find out where Lu Shichen lived temporarily, Zhao Tong thought about paying a visit, maybe he could lure this person to Xue Guolai. If Teng Nanhou and Lang Jing couldn't persuade him to surrender, if he could succeed, he would certainly make people look at him differently.

It was only when he inquired about the place that he was a little surprised. The land in the capital is not cheap, and Lu Shichen has always been a man of few things. He couldn't afford a good house, so he temporarily lived in a side room because of intercession.

The courtyard was abandoned by a large family with a large gate, and there are small side doors for entering and exiting. Even if it is abandoned, you cannot use the main entrance.

Lu Shichen was a little thin, but not depressed. There were a lot of books spread out on his desk, with a lot of circled annotations.

When Lu Shichen saw Zhao Tong, he didn't react. He just looked at the book and said, "I heard that the general came to pick up the princess, but I didn't expect the general to come here. It's so glorious."

After he finished speaking, he did not give Zhao Tong time to speak, and said again: "If the general is here to persuade you to surrender, forgive me for speaking bluntly, so you don't need to waste your words, lest the villain's bluntness will displease the general."

Zhao Tong stared at him for a long time, and then said: "Even if you are stuck here, you are not willing to go to Xue Guo to show your ambition?"

"Perhaps there are many people in this world who would wrongly appreciate me, but Lu Shichen has been studying since he was a child, and he knows that he must not forget his roots in life. He has never repaid the king's great kindness. Unless he does not serve the country, Lu Shichen will not give up."

Zhao Tong laughed and said, "That's a good point, unless there is no Fengguo."

Lu Shichen heard the voice of his words, and said with a smile: "I dare to ask, if Xue Guo is gone, what will the general do?"

He said without waiting for Zhao Tong to reply, "The general and I must have the same thoughts here."

Zhao Tong nodded, paused for a while, and then said: "You have been studying since childhood, and I have been practicing martial arts since childhood, and I am arrogant and upright. Now you are so downcast, it is my sin, although I don't think there is any regret for this, after all, the way is different. They are conspiring with each other, but I appreciate your nature, even if I owe you once in private, if we meet in battle in the future, I will definitely forgive you once."

"The general is so full of words, the future is still variable."

Zhao Tong said "not necessarily" with a smile, shook his hand, and went straight out.

Feng Ming didn't see Zhao Tong because he had a grudge in his heart. The princess set out with the army, and Feng Ming boarded the sentry tower by the Ming River and took a look from a distance.

The princess set off from Fengguo, Xue Junliang had already started making preparations for Xue Changjing's marriage, and once again mentioned the matter of making Teng Yun his queen, Shen Yi was planning to delay for a while, but this time Xue Junliang did not let Shen Yi succeed.

Everyone was deadlocked, Shen Yi was sweating anxiously, and looked at Teng Yun frequently.

Teng Yun didn't understand what Xue Junliang meant in his heart. Xue Junliang never said anything, and his attitude towards him was very strange, sometimes cold and sometimes hot, sometimes caring and sometimes alienated. Although Xue Houyang knew it in his heart, he felt that he was an outsider, so it was hard to say. However, Teng Shang didn't want to tell Teng Yun, because he was afraid that he would pierce the layer of paper, but instead helped Xue Junliang, so Teng Yun naturally didn't know.

In the end, Teng Yun stood up and said, "I'm a reckless man, I'm used to the battlefield, I'm afraid I've broken the rules."

Xue Junliang's expression was not good, because he knew that Teng Yun didn't understand his feelings, thinking that he was still tricking him.

Shen Yi went down to beg Lang Jing, and said several good things, but Lang Jing didn't go to see him, so Shen Yi could only say: "Think about it, if you persuade the king, it's a good thing, the king is acting out of emotion for a while, and in the future I must regret it, you have dissuaded me now, and I will definitely remember your credit, and I will be able to talk about anything in the future!"

Lang Jing just entered the palace, and only said one sentence. Although Xue Junliang's face was always grim, he didn't say anything about Li Hou, and still made Teng Yun the noble concubine.

Lang Jing said: "Whether your majesty's move is wise or not, you can know if you think about it carefully. If your majesty insists on doing this, I'm afraid he hates Tengnanhou deeply, and wants to get rid of Tengnanhou for being on the tip of the sword, and then quickly."