No, XJL has no idea. Just some of TY's reactions showed that he was concerned about Teng Sang, so that's why XJL uses Teng Sang as bait in his attempt to woo TY.
Smh... That stupid sister of TY's, not only is she making XJL wear a green hat (cheating on him), she also gets persuaded by her lover to set TY's (Empress') building on fire. It's yet another plot by TY's blood family. As advised by TY, XJL had already left capital to help out refugees from TY's home country. They're so grateful that they built shrines to him lol. XJL was making his rounds when a eunuch came over and told him the news -- that Empress!TY had burned to death...... XJL in a towering rage. TY wakes up (transmigrates) to body of a prisoner in Imperial jail getting whipped for punishment. He's not supposed to die easy because he's the 'person who murdered the Empress.' He hears some news from the jailers about death of Empress. TY is not happy that he's died at the hands of his blood relations for like the umpteenth time. Teng Sang is also p-ssed off. He was originally grateful to the Teng family because they adopted him when he was young and a beggar on the streets, but this is breaking his last straw. First it was TY (the original body) dying, then it's his friend the Empress (he doesn't know TY was the Empress) dying. Flash to XJL being very sad among the things left behind by TY (Empress), like the war plans/maps he was working on and such. Practically dead!TY (prisoner) brought in front of an angry XJL. But when he speaks, he talks about some things that only Empress knew since XJL had told him some things about his own past. XJL gets some kind of gut feeling and tells the Imperial doctors to keep him alive or else. TY's life is saved but he's covered with scars as he was in his original body -- 'kept alive' doesn't mean cosmetic makeover lel. Later, there is conversation between XJL and TY concerning the war. TY is bewildered at how XJL seems sad one moment and angry the next, but gets XJL to promise to give him some people/troops to help him out in the war. XJL still feels like something's up... so he gets the Empress' 3 close aides to tag along with TY. The aides are also super heartbroken over Empress' death. There are two side couples in the story (both BL). One is Teng Sang and his lover, the other one is about the king of this poor country sandwiched in the middle of all these fights and his general (who is also someone planted by XJL). Teng Sang and his lover don't have any more problems because Teng Sang thinks the Teng family are all slag because of what they did to TY and the Empress. The king guy (Feng-something, I'll just call him Feng) has this heartbreaking romance with the general (Zhao-something) -- for instance, Feng is the one bottoming in exchange for Zhao's expertise as general but somehow there are real feelings. Zhao gets called the king's boytoy when the situation is actually the opposite...... and later on, when Zhao's real allegiance is revealed and relationship broken off, Feng is sick (coughing up blood) but he's still king and has to do his stuff. He sends a broken qin instrument to Zhao. Admittedly, this kind of enemies-in-a-relationship thing makes TY think of XJL and him. At one point while facing off with XJL, TY's emotions run too strong for his beaten up body and he faints. Doctors examine him and explain that his injuries and his weakened heart mean that he shouldn't be angered, etc. too much or he'll really die. While unconscious, he calls XJL's name (which is huge taboo, not anyone can call Emperor by name). Doctor tries to cover for him because doing so is treason = death. But second time happens after doctor leaves. XJL is stunned because TY (as Empress) called for him the same way. XJL doesn't know what to make of this. He makes a deal with TY -- TY can help him out in exchange for living; XJL would grant him amnesty and TY would be demoted (his body is that of Teng Nan Hou? I think?). His further treatment would depend on how he conducted himself. Somehow XJL has been talking with TY more. TY is confused. LOL
TY finds out he's in Teng Nan Hou's body (name Teng Ying). He's not happy. LEL. During some party, XJL gets drunk. TY wanders away and actually falls asleep (in his tent I think). He's woken up by a drunk XJL pushing him down and kissing him. TY can't help reacting the way he did when XJL used to eat his tofu when he was in Empress' body, but this makes XJL even more enthusiastic. He calls the Empress' name, making TY surprised and realize somewhat that perhaps XJL did feel something for him. TY resisted at first, but with this name thing, TY forgets to punch him and instead they end up making out really heavily + XJL rubbing off on him and then falling asleep. Poor XJL's son walks in on them... He's confused and upset. He asks Teng Sang's lover if he'd do it with someone other than who he liked... He blurts it out to him after Teng Sang's lover says 'no.' The lover is stumped -- Emperor can have harem, after all -- so he just tells the kid to ask his father himself. XDD TY wakes up and runs away to do other stuff lol. There's another case of drunken shenanigans (BL) in the camp. Around this time, TY realizes he might have been had by XJL. XJL is a good drinker (making getting drunk very unlikely, especially since he didn't drink that night), is super cautious at parties and about his food in case of assassination attempt, and even drunk it's unlikely for XJL to sneak into a tent and do the deed with someone. He's super wary and on his guard against XJL now, not knowing what he's planning. (cough, just wants in your pants any way he can have you TY, cough) Little prince is so cutely defensive of Empress~ He glares at TY and throws a rock at him before running away. LEL. If only you knew you just threw a rock at your transmigrated mama...... XJL scolds the little prince and tells some people to punish the prince by making him write some stuff 100 times.
HOLY COW XJL MOVES FAST. After having 'slept' together, he begins process of inducting TY into his harem (marriage). TY is still shell-shocked and doing a tsukkomi over being in the Imperial Harem again after having just left it. TY didn't resist since things had come to this already. Rather than his scars being off-putting, most people at this point assumed they were tattoos. Next thing TY knows, he's sitting at a table with XJL having a meal. XJL's ambiguous attitude and gentleness makes him feel like how they were when he was Empress. Slag Teng sister (she wasn't caught) runs into them while they were taking a walk in the garden and tries to defame TY, saying he was the one who set the fire. XJL is having none of this and gets guards to punish her. TY notes that it's probably also a silent message to him that he's been too soft, having been hurt so often by slag sister's schemes. XJL suspecting in earnest now that person in Empress' body that he'd come to like is a different person and that 'Empress' is in Teng Nan Hou's body. LOL. XJL notices that food set on the table (favorites), TY's eating habits, and his intelligence are the same. TY, you've grown too used to your hubby...... Face-off between once-favored concubine and TY. XJL purposefully invited her over to see how TY would deal with her and also mentions 'that night' they had, confirming TY's fears that he was actually 100% lucid. TY frozen and about to run, but XJL grabs him and makes him sit down. XJL serves TY some food, which is huge sign of favor. Concubine tries to spill stuff on TY, only partially succeeds. XJL must want to make her cough up blood or something lol, because he then calls for people to get clothes for TY and brings him close... is spring in the air? LEL
Woah. You read so fast. I wanna know, the body MC transmigrated the second time, is he family of Teng Yun? Cousin or something? So I finally finished vol I As mentioned above, MC was excellent strategist. He often gave insight to ML. And people knew that the empress was resourceful. ML liked to see MC in action, meaning when he was full plotting in concentration. The serious face n eyes were really interesting. MC's country got annexed by ML's empire. MC never thought that a day come where his dad became Marquis instead of king n had to pay respect to him (MC in empress body) ML had youngest brother who was stationed in the border. When the late emperor passed away, he couldn't come back to mourn. Now he returned to capital in pretense to pay respect. He actually wanted to seize the throne. But he failed. ML wanted to kill him but the ministers begged him not too. After all they shared the same blood. And two people knew MC's identity. A minister who found out coz MC's hand movement when he was doing archery. TC also knew that the empress was Teng Yun coz the words he had said to him before. These words, TC taught to MC when MC was a child.
XJL reveals he totally knows TY is the 'Empress' through some tricky speech patterns. He's still hugging him and eating his tofu lol, making TY turn red and white. During a very awkward dinner composed of XJL, TY (the Empress' 'killer'), Teng Sang, and Teng Sang's hubby, XJL probes Teng Sang's reactions. Teng Sang reacts to the way TY handles a sword that XJL gave him -- TY (not necessarily Empress) had the habit of dripping a bit of blood on his blade as a kind of ceremonial thing. Their marriage gets interrupted by news of one of XJL's generals losing some battle due to entrusting army with slag leader. TY takes up the duty since marriage hasn't been formally completed yet. Some letters TY sends out to various divisions has Teng Sang shocked stiff -- he recognizes the handwriting 100%. His face when he realized it was 'Teng Ying' lol... Teng Sang's hubby was so worried he sent for a doctor. On XJL's side, he's comparing calligraphy methods too... some stuff that TY (original body) wrote vs Empress' calligraphy vs Teng Ying's (this new body's) calligraphy. Yup, he definitely knows now that TY = his Empress = 'Teng Ying.' After some confirmation with Teng Sang and his lover... Well, it came with bad news that TY is supposedly dead and that his body's missing. XJL is so angry that he was supposedly sick for a day. Then he learns that Feng got his hands on TY and that TY's not dead. Feng has conversation with TY. Apparently XJL refuses to exchange TY with 200,000 prisoners of war. TY isn't upset at all during this conversation (understanding what a good Emperor should do because he wouldn't make a different decision either) and instead asks Feng if he'd be willing to exchange all his ministers for Zhao. This makes Feng angry enough to want to kill him until a minister reminds him that would be a SUPER BAD MOVE enraging XJL to point of no return. Some kind of exchange still takes place, I think. I think they swap this other slag character with TY because of some public outcry kicked up giving Feng's side a headache. TY taken back home but was hit/grazed with a poison arrow on the way. To the royal physicians, the poison is a piece of cake. Most of their arguments are on how to treat his weak heart and stuff lol, but the conversation is making XJL's heart sink down to his stomach. Then they mention the scars. Apparently it's impossible to get rid of them all at this late stage, but they could make it fade and try their best to take it further. XJL stays with him the entire time. When TY wakes up for good (beyond occasionally waking up from healing sleep), XJL's behavior surprises TY into wondering if he knows. XJL having a headache over TY being person he killed AND likes. LOL. He doesn't want to force TY even more but also won't be able to bear it if he leaves. Family dinner with the little bun is... awkward. LOL. Little bun still doesn't know that TY is 'Empress.' TY has a conversation with Teng Sang, who reveals that he might have begun relationship with his lover a bit reluctantly but really likes him now. It's rather shocking to the low-EQ TY, who finds it surprising that two men can be in that kind of relationship and committed. Also, that he knows who TY really is. They're frightened by XJL coming in lol. TY is still wary of XJL. Meanwhile, XJL is consulting various people like Teng Sang's husband about how to woo. XJL is unhappy that TY doesn't know how he truly feels and that his feelings are sincere. But! Low-EQ TY is muddling along okay on his own even if it's slowly! He asks an aide about relationship between Feng & Zhao, who tells him that XJL is good to him and that he must really like him. It's like bombshell dropped on TY. And this stemming from XJL sending men's version of red wedding clothes rather than women's. XJL comes along and does TY's hair himself (he used to do this a lot when TY was Empress). XJL is worried there's something wrong with TY's voice, but later scene pans out and we realize (after XJL left), that TY's face is bright red. Pffft, the cuties flirting more during wedding ceremony. Well, more like a mix of XJL eating some tofu/causing TY to turn red. Teng Sang and his hubby are on the sidelines going 'mhmm, this is serious relationship' and 'let's get TY to realize his feelings.' Little prince waylays them on the way and tries to bar them from going to Empress' palace. (what a cutie, ahhhhh) TY convinces little prince into doing archery contest to see who gets their way. XJL is so gentle to TY that he chokes up a bit -- TY didn't get much love/care in his life, but first one was Teng Sang and now XJL is another. TY wins of course, so they go on their way to the marriage chamber. XJL helps TY undress while he's stiff and red the entire time. TY gets a feeling that XJL knows who he really is (you're right lel, why your EQ so bad). It's a restless night as TY is super embarrassed and keeps tossing and turning. It doesn't help that XJL reveals that he knows he's Teng Yun. They don't do anything; just XJL touching him a bit and kissing him a few times. In the morning, XJL says that he wants TY with him as himself -- i.e. as the powerhouse he is. Feng vs Zhao about to begin (since Zhao is one of XJL's top military leaders). On XJL & TY side, TY is constantly dere-dere and flustered.
More fluff as XJL arranges a medicinal bath for TY. XJL about to leave, but TY stammers that it's okay for XJL to get in too. In his black belly heart, XJL is cheering. He goes for a hug, TY is frozen and embarrassed, but he clings onto XJL even as he massages oil on his skin. At one point, it gets a bit much for him and TY bites XJL's neck. XJL just thinks: 'ah, my collar isn't going to cover that up.' LEL LOL at XJL flirting with red-faced TY in front of his scheming relative (I think it's XJL's relative -- he also has surname Xue in pinyin; seems like he's ambitious) like he doesn't know he's there for a very purposeful moment. TY also fond of little prince. His defense of little bun in front of big bun XJL has him telling him he's going to get jealous. LOL. XJL does stop when he notices he's teasing TY a bit too much. Blah blah going to skip over war and some slow-moving relationship development stuff. It's mostly XJL and TY learning to be codependent. There's also a part where the servant tells TY about Feng & Zhao's past. When young, Feng had run to his family for shelter at one point (incognito I think), but it was enough to implicate them and get all but Zhao killed. Around this time, he was recruited by XJL. As hidden agent, Zhao stayed (presumably for revenge) and rose through ranks. Feng always felt guilty towards Zhao and tried to help him, though he never told Zhao since he didn't want to be hated. Then they somehow got into a relationship. And the relationship break-up we know of course. Teng Sang gives XJL the Talk. LOL. Except he tells XJL that if he mistreats TY, he's going to persuade TY to leave him and find someone better. XJL of course swears that he'll always be good to TY. Some slight angst and fluff as XJL goes to war for real. He's reluctant to send out TY because last time, he thought TY was dead and felt like his world collapsed. They talk it out with some hand holding. <3 Blah blah war, some complications as TY faints because of poison (again). He's in a coma but news is hidden to prevent Feng from taking advantage. XJL takes to the field and appoints his son as his successor in case of death. Just when XJL arrives, TY wakes up and staggers out, but in a bad state. Royal doctor brought along says poison is not an issue (cut off that bit of flesh I think), TY fainting was because of excessive blood loss and exhaustion. XJL nurses and hugs TY, it's super cute~ And they also try to get it on but fail because TY's injured~ Poor XJL lol, he must have blue balls. XJL's fair reputation precedes him lel. Feng common people surrender without a hitch and they have clear path to the capital city. Feng and a small band of people flee the city and disperse. Projected time for entire city and country to fall is 3 months and it's hopeless anyway. Feng goes to the shores of the lake where he met Zhao, walks into the water (presumably to commit suicide). By the time Zhao gets there (he wanted to ask for clemency for Feng), Feng is unconscious and unresponsive in the water. Takeover is a victory, XJL gets one of TY's relatives (a nice one) who'd proven himself in the war to manage the country while he and TY head back home. On the way back, XJL cons TY into getting into the carriage for a change of clothes, when in reality he wants to 'eat' him...... TY absolutely doesn't want to be heard by those outside so he's constantly stifling his noises. XJL finally 'eats' TY this time lol. It's around page 90-92 in sto.cc site raws. TY also fails to keep quiet because, uh, XJL's prowess? So Feng is not dead. Zhao picked him up and managed to save him, but he's unconscious still. A lot of angst as Zhao feels that Feng won't want to see him but that he'll also go mad if he doesn't save him. Zhao was cold and shaking and afraid to even check if Feng was still alive when he pulled him out of the water. He stands outside the house while doctor goes about his work. XJL uses TY's victories to promote him to Empress position, even though he's male. Zhao tries to ask for clemency for Feng, but this of course makes XJL super, super angry. By all rules of common sense, he should be killing Feng because he's a loose end. Zhao is pretty much sentenced to death until a bunch of panicky underlings run to TY to get him to persuade XJL. TY and XJL end up having a good talk (Zhao not going to die anymore, better thank your Empress lel) and that leads to... cough, doing the deed, cough, but they get cock-blocked by another messenger. Zhao is in prison. He's freed pretty soon, but he does cry over Feng since he thought Feng was executed. He soon asks to retire from service (granted). Later conversation between XJL and TY reveals that XJL knows that TY had them both released. Last note is a sort of historian's note: Dynasty was prosperous and well-known for having a male Empress. The Empress' building was renamed later to Teng Yun Palace/Temple. THE END
I used sto.cc site, which did not have extra (if there is one). Yes, Feng is open ending from what I read. However, we can assume that Zhao & Feng were released and found each other. One of XJL's lines made me think that he partially planned their prison time as a way for them to figure out what they really wanted to do -- i.e. stop waffling over your feels and get on with your relationship already. In a way, XJL did mean to release them anyway -- he knew TY was softhearted and just sorta turned a blind eye to it when TY did do it. Plus, there was this other incriminating (?) thing that Zhao gave him that he just chucked over the battlements at the end.
I will add a few things - Teng Yun was first declared dead but his body was missing. ML was angered. He shouted. 'Find him' And he also added that, if the body wasn't found, the 200,000 member army who went to war with him will be dead. - Feng's country sent messenger, saying that they wanted Zhao as exchange to TY. But ML refused. Feng was angry. He provoked TY. 'Your emperor claims that he will kill 200,000 people if you're not found. So it's only lip service.' TY replied. 'Would you exchange your ministers with Zhao?' Feng was angered. He threatened to torture TY and ruin his face. TY wasn't afraid. It was minister of Feng's court who got afraid, thinking that if ML find out, no one could bear the consequence - when TY returned. TS went to visit him. He brought a gift, a tea box or stationery box, i'm not really sure coz mtl. When TY opened it, he saw a paper with words ' Teng Yun Feng Yue' written on it. (Does anyone knows what it means?) - it was then TY knew that TS already found out about his identity. TS said. 'I'm glad that we have this chance to see each other again. He also spoke about his relationship with XH. At first, TS only wanted to use XH but he later fell in love with XH. XH loved him first and treated him respectfully n politely all this time. TY was stunned. He didn't know that two men could stay together. TS asked. 'Do you despise me now? No. I will never do that to Uncle. - suddenly, ML came. He saw TY closed the box and ask to see it. He read the words aloud and asked if TS was the one who wrote it. He also repeated the word 'Yun Feng' which was the empress palace. Since TS married ML's younger brother, TY was his sister in law. But TY was also his nephew (even though they were not blood related actually) so ML was also his nephew in law
Was there any mention of what happened to the imperial concubine as well as MC's sister and her secret lover?
MC's sister was ignored. From the point she entered the palace, the emperor never slept with her. The imperial consort was chased out the palace. Her brother was a general. He once offended ML coz of his sister. During battle, ML sent TY to become leader. Since there would be no two tigers in one mountain, that meant consort brother had to leave n return to beijing. He later rebeled n was killed. It was one of the reasons why TY was captured. TY already won the war actually. N ML used the opportunity to make TY his empress. ML was actually suspicious of MC since long time ago. The change of personality was too great to ignore. But inner palace was guarded, there was no chance to switch person. The person who first mentioned the empress was Teng Yun to ML was actually ML's youngest brother subordinate (the one who tried to take the throne before). That make 3 person instead of 2 as i previously mentioned
Does little bun warm up to his mama's new body? Thanks @scriptor for the spoilers! And gosh you read fast!how do you do that?cookies for you
During the wedding night, the situation was really awkward. ML didn't want to force TY to do anything. So he told TY to sleep since TY must be tired after the ceremony. They slept together on the same bed. No one talked. Both couldn't sleep. The candles on the room grew darker n finally burned out. ML got up and sat. Seeing that, TY quickly closed his eyes n pretended to sleep. ML kissed his earlobe n his lips. TY tried his best to fake sleep. He didn't dare to open his eyes. Ml then said in small voice. 'Teng Yun, you don't understand...' TY was shocked. So, ML already knew the truth. ML continued while caressing TY's cheek. 'Maybe this is my retribution. This palace is built back to the original. Even the books in your study are also the same. You in my heart, even my eunuch can see it, but you, the wise n decisive general can not. Really is my retribution...' Even ML knew that he was in empress body before. MC couldn't sleep all night. The next day, ML woke up early. MC was tired due to not sleeping at all. ML told MC to get ready for court. MC could take a nap later. ML said that even after marrying ML would have him stay in the court Anyway, ML knew that Teng Yun only pretended to sleep. TY knew that ML knew he pretend sleeping so he said those words. It was easier to be done this way. TY's heart was in turmoil. ML was his enemy. ML was the one who shot an arrow to kill him. But now they were... he didn't know what to think