After Being Forced to Marry the Evil Star General

Four years later, at the turn of spring and summer, Zhao Xuan passed away.

Although his life had been recovered after the assassination, the injury was deep-rooted, and he required medicinal concoctions every day to maintain his health.

Since the crown prince was young, he could only continue to be diligent regarding politics, on his feet early in the early morning and allowing himself no rest until late at night. His health went from bad to worse, and when he finally fell ill a month ago, medicine was ineffective.

Lying on the hospital bed, Zhao Xuan still did not forget state affairs, convening with ministers to discuss policies that benefited the country and the common people every day, and rarely mentioned his own affairs.

He only said a thing or two in front of people close to him.

On this day, Zhao Xuan intentionally kept Zhao Yelan and Yan Mingting behind. After first discussing border issues with Yan Mingting, he coughed loudly and gave a wan smile: “No need to be so sad. You blocked an arrow for me before and saved my life, allowing me to live for so many years…..perhaps this is my fate, and I would have this result sooner or later.”

Zhao Yelan frowned.

“It is said that before death, a person will constantly recall his own life.” The corners of Zhao Xuan’s mouth twitched. “I’ve thought for a long time, and found that my memory is only clear after getting to know you. I don’t want to remember earlier things, they are all unbearable memories. What happened after, I don’t want to think about too closely. I feel that I was gradually addicted to the power struggle, and even nearly lost a friend who had been with me for many years.”

Zhao Yelan turned his face away. Yan Mingting walked up to him and pulled his head against his chest, patting him lightly.

Zhao Xuan looked at them and smiled. Many things were difficult to see through the fog, and you would only notice them once you were out of the game. If these two people were not in harmony, or either one of them had a rebellious heart, his country would be in chaos again. 

At this time, Sun Muyun brought the crown prince to visit. The prince was cute and clever, with a personality more stable than his age, perhaps because of the temperaments of his father and Grand Tutor. But facing his mother concubine and the General, he became a little mischievous and naughty.

Zhao Xuan touched the crown prince’s head, smiled, and said with some difficulty: “From now on, this child will be handed over to you. Please help me take care of him for a few more years.”

Zhao Yelan looked at him and seemed to know what his intentions were. He said: “This is a large matter, it had best be discussed with the other ministers……”

“No need, I’ve made up my mind. It’s just a waste of words to discuss it with them, they’re only staring at the throne under me.” Zhao Xuan coughed a few times. “Let this matter go, I only trust you now. If he’s a good-for-nothing, you must teach him a lesson for me. If he’s not cut out for it, you can replace him if you want, but I hope you can treat this mother and child kindly……”

The next day, Zhao Xuan was in good spirits and made a rare appearance at morning court. This time, he only spoke of his own affairs and nothing else, addressing the Imperial mausoleum and the specifications for the funeral.

However, in the end, he announced a decision that shocked everyone.

—Zhao Yelan was to be promoted as Regent, temporarily acting in the crown prince’s stead to handle state affairs.

This move undoubtedly set off a huge wave of public opinion among the court and the people.

There were few heirs in the harem. Other than the crown prince, there were only two princesses, all by Sun Muyun. After Zhao Xuan’s death, the throne would naturally be in the pockets of those people with aspirations.

Now Zhao Yelan, who was not part of the royal family, was given the post of Regent. It was tantamount to handing over the country to others, not to mention that Zhao Yelan was not one who was content to be idle. Who could be given this huge power and not be tempted?

However, Zhao Xuan did his best to resist all the arguments, and after proclaiming his Imperial decree, he went to the harem and had lunch with Sun Muyun. Then he took a nap in bed that afternoon, and never woke up again.

After the national funeral was held, Zhao Yelan took the seat of Regent in an orderly manner. The Crown Prince ascended the throne, and there was a chair for one of high status placed at the front of the throne room, which was Zhao Yelan’s seat.

Everyone was a bit unresponsive at first, looking at Zhao Yelan and then looking at each other. It was Yan Mingting who spoke first, asking if the Regent could organize the surplus soldiers in the capital into the Imperial Guard.

Kan Chuan then asked how the vacant official positions should be filled.

Seeing this, the other people could only slowly adapt.

The most comfortable was Yan Mingting. Usually, coming to morning court was the thing he disliked the most. He would get up early and return just in time to go to the Imperial Academy, so the two of them could only see each other at night.

Now it was different, and they could get up early together and go home together.

He stared intently at the person who was sitting at the front of the hall at this moment. His demeanor was natural and poised, quite dignified, and he remained calm in the face of other people’s difficulties. It was really hard to think that just half an hour ago, this fellow was still lying in bed, closing his eyes through the whole process of getting ready entirely through Yan Mingting’s help. He didn’t even want to walk, lying lazily on top of him and scolding him for not letting him sleep more.

Whether it was the Zhao Yelan who was willful and unbridled, or the Zhao Yelan who was lazy and coquettish, only he, Yan Mingting, could see it.

It took more than three months for Zhao Yelan to make the ministers surrender, and he also asked Yan Mingting to send troops to frighten the vassal kings who were starting to move around. Thus, he was firmly seated, and the court returned to calm.

However, there was controversy amongst the public.

Rumors came from an unknown source, saying that Zhao Yelan had wolfish ambition and coaxed the little emperor every day in order to replace him without needing a single soldier!

Yan Mingting found out as soon as the rumor spread. After all, he was now more free than Zhao Yelan.

He didn’t let the news reach Zhao Yelan’s ears, and didn’t believe that Zhao Yelan would replace the crown prince at all, but there was one thing that he kept in mind.

At night, after the two had finished enjoying themselves, Yan Mingting tapped his finger on the bridge of his nose and finally restrained himself enough to ask: “Why did Zhao Xuan ask you to be the Regent? It isn’t that his royal family has no other children. He has a fifth younger brother to the south, so it shouldn’t be your turn, ba.”

Zhao Yelan glanced at him and said: “You pig brain, no matter how distant the children of other clans of the royal family are, they have the same blood, and it would be even more difficult to compete for the throne. If there were to be a legitimate reason, then the country left for the little emperor would be taken away by others.”

“He wasn’t afraid of you taking it away?” Yan Mingting said sourly, “Or did he feel guilty toward you, and even if you took the country away, he didn’t care?”

“Why wouldn’t he care, he was just settling his affairs and making a bet.”

“Betting that you would have a conscience?”

“Betting on our relationship,” Zhao Yelan said. “In the few days before his death, do you know why he called the two of us together from time to time?”

Yan Mingting pondered: “He was envious?”

Zhao Yelan smiled helplessly: “He wanted to make sure our relationship would last forever. Only in this way could he rest assured handing the crown prince and country over to me temporarily, because as long as our relationship lasts, we will have no heirs.”

If Zhao Yelan really wanted this country, what was the use of taking it away for a few decades when he had no one to take over when he grew old? If he only wanted to enjoy power in those intervening decades, then he could enjoy it as the Regent, and had no need to be charged with conspiracy to usurp the throne.

And Zhao Xuan had continuously told Zhao Sui to listen to Zhao Yelan for the sake of the overall situation, so that the relationship between the two could be harmonious and Zhao Yelan could help the little emperor more attentively.

Plus, Zhao Xuan was far-sighted enough to give Zhao Yelan a death-exemption plate[1] without telling everyone, so that Zhao Sui would not turn against him when his wings grew stronger. This plate could save him from death, and it could also be regarded as repaying Zhao Yelan’s kindness to the Zhao royal family.

“He was dedicated after sitting on the throne and only lived comfortably for a few days.” Zhao Yelan sighed and turned his head to look at him. He found that he seemed to have gotten rid of that sort of life only after getting married. “It’s very good now, I don’t want to worry about those things like him…..”

“En, our lives should be a little more relaxed.” 

Yan Mingting picked him up and put him in bed, wrapping him tightly with a quilt and kissing his forehead.

The next day was a rest day. It was still early spring, and the weather was a bit cold. Zhao Yelan stayed in bed until noon before being pulled up by Yan Mingting.

“I heard that the market is very lively today, let’s go shopping together.”

“What is there to do?”

“You’ve been very busy recently, and you haven’t gone out with me for a long time,” Yan Mingting said rather sadly.

Zhao Yelan glanced at him, and reluctantly agreed.

Yan Mingting dressed him up thickly, and after having lunch together, cheerfully took him to the streets.

If they were going to the streets, just go to the streets, what was he doing with a basket?

What’s more, it was on Zhao Yelan’s forearm.

“What is this?” Zhao Yelan said coldly.

“We’re going to buy a lot of things, so I brought a basket to put them in.” Yan Mingting chuckled and led him to the busiest market.

When the common people saw Zhao Yelan, their expressions were a bit strange. When the rumors started these past two days, some people thought he might not be a good person, and now they looked at him with a bit of inquiry.

Zhao Yelan also noticed everyone peeking at him, but subconsciously thought that these people found his act of carrying a basket strange.

Then the common people discovered that Zhao Yelan had entered the vegetable market with Yan Mingting, and after a while, handfuls of green vegetables filled the basket, greener than Zhao Yelan’s face.

“You just came to buy these?” Zhao Yelan asked.

Everyone saw that Zhao Yelan was about to get angry, then heard the General say: “Yes, ah, I just want to eat these, let’s buy a few.”

Then Zhao Yelan held back his anger.

Really obedient, ah, the common people thought.

Not long after, Yan Mingting was drawn to a nest of chicks and squatted down to stare at them, saying with a happy smile: “You choose a few that you like.”

“What is there to choose? Won’t they all go in the pot when they grow up?” Zhao Yelan could smell the odor from a long distance away, and covered his nose with a handkerchief, giving him a few glances. “Can’t you let the servants come buy them?”

The onlookers felt that Zhao Yelan was about to lose his temper. This looked like the original treacherous official, ah, wouldn’t he be even more terrifying now that he was Regent?

“The servants’ purchases were unsatisfactory, don’t you want to pick them yourself?” Yan Mingting gestured him over. “Come and have a look, they’re very cute.”

Zhao Yelan didn’t go.

Yan Mingting held one and walked up to him: “Pet it?”

Zhao Yelan took a glance and found that it was indeed much cuter now than an adult chicken, so he touched it with a frown.

The chick: “Chirp chirp!”

“Hurry and finish buying so we can go.” Zhao Yelan just wanted to finish quickly.

“Then buy them all.” Yan Mingting picked up a basket of chicks and suddenly turned to look at him. “Have you brought any money?”

“……..” After Zhao Yelan paid the money, it really stunk to death, so he hurriedly left that place.

But Yan Mingting lagged behind, chatting with the people around him casually.

“General, why did you come to buy vegetables yourself, ah?”

“Because he wanted to go out with me. It couldn’t be helped, he’s so clingy.”

“Why isn’t Zhao-daren walking with you?”

“He’s in a hurry to go back and eat……and make steamed buns. The buns he makes for me are very delicious.”

“He can make steamed buns?”

“En, he learned specially for me!”

“Really? Which of you usually has a higher status at home?”

“Of course it’s me! If he is disobedient, I will…..” Yan Mingting waved his fist.

“Whoa! The General is mighty!”

Not a few days after, the news that Zhao Yelan and Yan Mingting went to the vegetable market together spread all over the streets and alleys. Compared with the unknown matter of whether he would seize control of the country, they were more interested in the odds and ends happening in front of them, and everyone spread the word vividly and colorfully.

When it reached Zhao Yelan’s ears, the news had become like this—

It was said that Zhao Yelan was beaten every day. He had to repair the roof tiles when the house leaked and also work in the kitchen. He served his husband and was very obedient, so he never dared condemn people. Hey, the General is truly mighty! 

He learned this from the mouth of the little emperor. When he was taking the little emperor to review memorials, he heard Zhao Sui call in a childish voice: “Taifu.” Zhao Sui was still more used to calling him by his title as the Grand Tutor.

“Taifu, it’s getting dark. If you don’t go back, aren’t you afraid of being beaten?”

Zhao Yelan: “ ? ”

“You must be working hard. You help me deal with government affairs every day, and you have to cook when you get home.” After Zhao Sui said this, he continued with some distress, “If the General really beats you, you can tell me, and I will help you vent your anger!”

When Yan Mingting came back from his work in the evening, he saw Zhao Yelan’s cold expression, and the other party asked in an interrogator’s tone: “Where did you go?”

“I w-w-w-went to drink some wine with the Minister of the Ministry of War.” Yan Mingting took the initiative to admit his mistake, “I’m sorry, the next time I drink, I will come back early!”

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Zhao Yelan narrow his eyes slightly and take out a short knife. Feeling that something was wrong, he hastened to squat down obediently, explaining in detail: “It was really just drinking, all big men and not a single girl!”

Zhao Yelan scoffed and sat lazily on the edge of the bed, playing with the dagger with the tails of his eyes slightly raised: “Let me ask you, where did the rumors come from?”

Oh, it wasn’t about the drinking. Yan Mingting heaved a sigh of relief, but didn’t dare to stand up: “They, they came from my dog mouth.”

Zhao Yelan walked in front of him and looked at him with a haughty expression, his eyes lingering on his face as he thought of ways to punish him.

Yan Mingting’s throat tightened. When he looked at him like this, he felt a little distracted, and he reached out and pulled this person onto his lap. “Madam, please take the seat of honor, you don’t have to get up early tomorrow.”

“…….” Zhao Yelan raised his eyes. “You are not allowed in my bed for three days.”

“…….” Yan Mingting suddenly picked him up and put him on the nearby table, leaning over to kiss him. “Then right here it is, ba.”

Later, this rumor that had just been spread among the people was shattered by the daily life of the General’s Mansion. The common people deeply believed that as long as Zhao Yelan was with Yan Mingting, General Yan would keep him under control and he would cause no trouble at all.

But gradually, everyone discovered that it was Yan Mingting who made more trouble. And as for who was in charge in this family, it was still up for discussion.

But that was all for later.

According to historical records, the official career of Zhao Yelan could be described as tumultuous. From a nobody to the position of Regent, he assisted the Emperor by participating in and discussing state affairs. During the decade when the old emperor changed to the new, the common people lived and worked in peace and contentment, the court recruited talented people, embankments, roads, and canals were built, taxes were reduced, and commercial channels were opened up so that all nations could come to the court.

Ten years later, he resigned from the position of regent, and Emperor Zhao Sui, whom he had personally taught, took over the country. He continued to follow his Grand Tutor’s policies and pushed the dynasty to its peak.

Apart from Zhao Yelan’s legendary official career, the aspect most discussed by later generations was his love affair with General Yan Mingting.

Although the two were both men, one civil and one military, they helped run the country and suppressed rebellions. Marrying because of an Imperial decree, they got to know each other and fell in love, never abandoning each other, and this became a good story passed down from generation to generation.

According to unofficial history, after Zhao Yelan retired, he went with Yan Mingting to travel the mountains and rivers.

Someone once saw them making tea and food in the countryside, laughing and cursing, so very happy; it was also seen that they drank fine wine and tasted delicacies high in tea houses, sharing worldly experiences.

No matter what sort of record, time constantly passed, and places constantly changed.

In this long life, it was truly difficult to find an intimate and understanding friend.

The only constant was that Zhao Yelan would always have Yan Mingting by his side.

*

T/N: That’s the end, everyone! Thank you all for reading, and I hope you enjoyed the journey! There are a whopping total of 13 extras coming up, including a 6-part alternate storyline showing what might have happened if ZYL really faked his death.

[1] A death-exemption plate (免死金牌) is a plate  bestowed by the emperor, allowing one to be exempt from the death penalty. ⮐