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

Chapter 26 - Witchcraft

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Xue Yu was the Late King's youngest son, several years younger than the youngest of his older brothers. When his older brothers all fought for the throne, Xue Yu could be said to be still innocent and naive, as he was still locked up in the study room to learn.

Later, when Xue Junliang ascended the throne, there was a small and insignificant city at the northern border that often caused troubles, and he sent Xue Yu there to handle it.

After subduing the troublesome city, Xue Yu didn't come back to claim a seat at the Imperial Court, instead insisted he'd stay guarding the northern border. This was his way of staying out of trouble because at this time, Xue Junliang was in the process of eliminating his opposing parties. Xue Yu was in a remote place, had little to no military power and was still very young, therefore Xue Junliang let him be.

Xue Junliang never forgot about Xue Yu; letting this one younger brother go was a one time generosity, but as was his nature as a king, deep beneath his generosity buried a suspicion; the little tiger he'd let go had grown and was now a crouching tiger, there would be a day the tiger would pose a threat.

[T/N : Crouching tiger (卧虎, wò hǔ) figuratively means a major figure in hiding.]

These past years, as Xue Junliang dealt with wars on every sides, Xue Yu had also cultivated a lot of his own military power in the border. Perhaps his power had grown quite ripe now, or perhaps he was just missing the Late King, that he informed he was coming to the capital city to pay respect to the Late King.

As soon as Xue Houyang received the news, he wondered to himself why there was so many troubles happening. The assassination case hadn't yet been solved and now came Marquis Zhenjiang.

When Xue Houyang entered the Palace, Xue Junliang was feeding the fish in a small pond.

Xue Houyang presented the news report, Xue Junliang took it and promptly threw it into the pond without even looking at it first. At once, the piece of paper was drenched in water and then started to sink. The fish vying for food were startled, so was Xue Houyang. But on Xue Junliang's face there was not a single trace of anger.

Xue Junliang laughed, "The border is only a small piece of land, he doesn't want it so he wishes to come home... I'm going to welcome him and hold an Ancestral Worship Ceremony."

When Xue Houyang listened to Xue Junliang's words, he could finally let go of his anxiousness because he knew Xue Junliang had heard the news and already had a plan, that was why Xue Junliang could act so calm.

Xue Junliang's calm and collected demeanor was actually mostly for show. Inwardly he thought it'd be better to be prepared. He ordered the reinforcement of security all around the Imperial Palace, and the Palace Guards would be personally picked by Xue Houyang.

Because of this matter, Xue Houyang was able to delay his departure to the border even longer.

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After the strange dream, Xue Junliang rarely went to Yunfeng Palace, but he still came there whenever it was time for meal, just like usual. This made people who originally thought Her Majesty the Empress was no longer favored, ate back their words.

Her Majesty's face was now fully healed, there were no longer traces of bruises and scars. She still had a small scar near her ear, but  she got this one because she wasn't being careful and it didn't even look that obvious. If anything, the scar made people who saw it feel charmed by her frailty.

Teng Yun was reading a book in the tea room. Xiu Yao came in to refill his tea and serve him some snacks made by the kitchen staff. Then she went out, but not long after, she came back in to change the incense.