The Ugly Empress by Yun Guo Shi Fei / 丑娘娘 by 云过是非

Chapter 6 - Ashes

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Xue Youyang nodded, then said, "Your Majesty is wise."

Xue Junliang didn't say anything for some time, only stared at the other. Xue Houyang felt a bit apprehensive, so lowered his head trying to look more respecting.

Xue Junliang reached out then patted his shoulder, smiling, "Why are we acting like strangers?"

"It's the way of a master and his subjects. This subject doesn't dare..."

"Actually," Xue Junliang said, "These few years, I've been thinking about the past... Houyang, have you never noticed? I've never once used 'Gu' in front of you, because to me you are always a younger brother."

[T/N : Gū  (孤) literally means 'this orphaned one'. It is used by kings to address themselves.]

Xue Junliang sighed, then took a few steps forward. With his back to Xue Houyang, he added, "Many things didn't turn out as I wished them to be. In the past, I also wanted this country to be peaceful and prosperous without having to suffer wars, but the past Xue Junliang was already dead. Now I'm only a tyrant who has to fight to conquer more territories and to protect his country. A hundred years from now, people would be evaluating my governance... Will you be blaming me?"

"Your Majesty..." Xue Houyang added with resolute voice, "Houyang hasn't come to the Capital City for many years, but definitely understand Your Majesty's hard works. Doesn't matter if someday Houyang will be a great general or a commoner, I will never regret having a respectable brother, I will never blame you."

Xue Junliang nodded, then smiled, "You've just come back, no need to worry over this... If it's not a trouble, will you call me Brother for once?"

People often said that accompanying a king was like accompanying a tiger. Their speech could sound deeply sincere, but whether it was truly genuine or just a sham, it was hard to tell. In the end, Xue Junliang was still a king. His words may contain sixty percent truth and forty percent lies, but he was a clever leader. He could easily touch people's heart, as well as his brother's.

Xue Houyang straightened his sleeves, knelt down on his knees and gently whispered, "Big Brother."

Then he immediately rose and turned to go.

Xue Junliang waited until the footsteps grew faint before he turned around and looked at Marquis Wannian's back.

They used to be brothers that stood together against trials and troubles. But as a king, he was destined to be a lonely bird. He could only share goals and tasks, but could no longer share a happy and peaceful life.

Because Xue Houyang had stayed by his side until today, Xue Wang wouldn't be too harsh towards him. Because Marquis Wannian's respectful acts and deeds, Xue Wang was also grateful.

May their brotherhood could last for a long, long time.

Teng Yun was still. Hearing Xue Houyang whispered 'Big Brother', his heart trembled. If his own brothers called him like that, let alone leading military troops, he would be willing to guard the borders forever.

The royal princes would never do such thing, no wonder Teng country was failing.

Teng Yun knew he had no power to reverse the situation. He was now living inside a married princess from Feng Country, he no longer had connection to Teng. Still, he was worried about Teng Shang.

Xue Junliang stayed there for some times before walking away. As he walked, he threw a brief doubtful glance at the small pavilion.

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