Only 1 additional chapter this week!
As this post is up rather last min, it is not yet edited yet… Once it is done, the post will be updated again.
Edited by Tnyhy
Chapter 41: Servant
Up on stage, Gao Yan finally finish reading ‘Circulation of Law’.
At the beginning the surroundings were silent before whispered discussion erupted. The students did not understood the meaning behind the essay but found that the words and citations were gorgeous. But the Darens sitting at the male side of the banquet understood the depth, and even though this essay seems inconsequential it could inadvertently point out the loopholes in Ming Qi’s laws and made clever suggestions on what changes to make. For a student, this was somewhat inconceivable.
The examiners on the stage did not expect that Gao Yan was someone who hid his real knowledge. But rules were meant to be kept thus when they were suspicious of a student performance, they would be tested, just like Shen Miao’s painting before. In all fairness, this ‘Circulation of Law’ was much superior than Shen Miao’s painting as it was literally well written and practical. The examiner questioned, “As per the essay that was read out, Ming Qi’s laws covers a wide scope and as for the sub categories, what kind of breakdown should there be?”
Gao Yan’s heart jump for joy. Other than that ‘Circulation of Law’ in the manuscript, there was also a question which was exactly the same as what the examiner had asked. He was really grateful to the person who helped him by writing this manuscript, and thought to reward some more money in the future. Therefore he calmly raised his head and answered accordingly to the manuscript, “It is divided in three portion. Merchants’ portion, officials’ portion and commoners’ portion should respectively…”
Off the stage, Historian Adviser Jing was grinning from ear to ear. To reach his position in the official circle, he only relied on the Emperor’s support and his wide network. As for real abilities, he did not have any. It was good that he had a Gao Jing, a good son who could help him to deal with a lot of matters at his young age. Now with his second son who had displayed such unusual improvements in talents, he had to go to his ancestral hall to burn two big incense stick as offerings.
Gao Jing was smarter than his father and did not believe that his own younger brother could possess such wisdom. To be this eloquent even with the examiner’s question, it could not be that he was able to bribe even the examiners. Thus, Gao Jing was unable to understand at all.
Pei Lang picked the teacup on the table to take a sip but his hand was somewhat trembling. He did not know why, but every sentence that Gao Yan spoke felt as if was imprinted in his mind. That kind of familiarity made him feel ridiculous and the anxiety in his heart could not be quelled.
Su Ming Lang took a short nap and upon waking up he saw the people around him staring at Gao Yan with a look of appreciation. He tugged Master Su’s sleeves and asked, “Father, is what he spoke really good?”
“A highly-talented youth.” Father Su directly commented.
Su Ming Lang pouted as if it was incomprehensible. After turning around and not seeing Su Ming Feng’s figure, he asked, “Why is Oldest Brother not back?”
Master Su lightly coughed, “Now that your Eldest Brother is weak, it is actually with great reservations that he came today. So let him rest for a while more.”
Fu Xiu Yi heard the commotion there and glanced at Master Su. Seeing that Master Su was not even changing his expression when mentioning Su Ming Feng, he then moved his sight back thoughtfully.
In any case, Gao Yan has fought today’s battle very beautifully and as for the questions that the examiners posed, he could answer them naturally and thus dispelled the suspicion in everyone’s heart. Needless to say, he naturally had gotten a ‘first rank’. Ranking was only the second thing as from this day onwards when one mentions about Historian Adviser Jing, other than Gao Jing, everyone would know that he had a highly talented second son.
Gao Yan stepped down the stage complacently. This round of ‘selecting’ ended like this and it was now the turn of the ‘selecting’ category for the female group.
Feng An Ning did not go up the stage as she had already won first rank in ‘qin’, and since she had already gotten the qin in the ‘drawing lots’ category and was not particularly gifted in other areas, there was no need to go up on stage. Shen Qing chose chess as she was good in calculation which was a slight advantage when playing chess. As expected for Shen Yue, she chose ‘qin’.
Shen Yue had always loved things that could highlight her refined appearance and because Chen Rou Xiu has good qin skills and could also compose some music and lyrics, Shen Yue then learned these skills well. Every year she would rank first and it was during this time that everyone would be able to listen and appreciate her qin’s abilities.
In the female group, once there was Shen Yue in there, the others would not pick the ‘qin’ category and disgrace themselves. Shen Qing naturally also put in a lot of hard work and had gotten the first rank in the ‘chess’ category.
After going around, it was time for ‘qin’ and the audience started to discuss again.
Shen Yue went up the stage and washed her hands in incense. She was born with an air of gracefulness and a gentle appearance which was truly moving. With a light smile on her lips, she really had an appearance of a little fairy.
The piece she played was ‘Singing to the Moon’.
‘Singing to the Moon’ was an extremely difficult piece and was about a distant traveller who was missing their homeland and loved ones. The beginning was gentle and wistful, followed by intense sadness before making one sob at the end. This piece tested the skills and talents of the player and was also an emotional piece.
In the last lifetime, Shen Yue also made use of this piece to gain the limelight and for a period of time no one was second to her. As compared to Shen Miao who was much lower than her, it was even more unbearable. Now to think about it, every time Shen Yue gained a favourable reputation, it was stepping on Shen Miao’s sorry situation to climb up.
Shen Miao looked towards the young lady on the stage.
Shen Yue had started. As she plucked the qin’s strings, it was as if the strings had spirits of their own, spreading their ethereal sound under her soft and gentle hands to everyone’s ears. Her fingers on the qin’s strings were like butterflies weaving through the sea of flowers, each turn was well coordinated with nature.
Feng An Ning bit her lips. Even if she did not liked Shen Yue, she had to admit that Shen Yue’s qin skills were outstanding. Upon comparison, the piece she played to get ‘first rank’ was very clumsy.
This was a piece of missing one’s loved ones and homeland but it made Shen Miao to clench her fists.
Even if she lived her life again, those who were dead cannot be resurrected. Wan Yu and Fu Ming would no longer appear. Shen Yue’s song was like a resentful knell. When one heard it, not only there was no comfort, it was filled with blood enmity.
Cai Lin ran out of the banquet as he was thinking of getting closer to the stage so that he can look at every single expression of his beloved. He was drunk in the beautiful qin sounds when suddenly someone’s conversation interrupted.
“Second Young Lady is truly unlucky. She has never gotten second place before and the first position was unexpectedly won by Fifth Young Lady with tricks.” The one talking was a slender servant, which Cai Lin recognised as Shen Yue’s personal maid, so he involuntarily looked over.
“That’s not only it. In addition, Fifth Young Lady did not even want to participate in the ‘selecting’ category and it’s obvious that she is setting herself against Second Young Lady.” The other servant said.
“Ai. Unfortunately our Second Young Lady is good-hearted and have suffered a heap of anger from Fifth Young Lady. It was not because of Fifth Young Lady reliance on First Master that she could treat Second Young Lady like this? Second Young Lady is truly pitiful. She has prepared for so long but was robbed of the fruit without any reason.”
“If only someone was able to help Second Young Lady to vent it out. For example… Calling Fifth Young Lady to the stage during the ‘challenging’ category?”
“What nonsense you speak about.” The other person interrupted her words, “Everyone knows that Fifth Young Lady has no knowledge of the four scholarly arts. If they were to pick Fifth Young Lady, it would be akin to lowering their position. I see that it is not possible for the female group. But If someone on the male group were to challenge her, that would then be venting for Second Young Lady.”
The conversation gradually softened and Cai Lin’s eyes moved. Looking at Shen Yue on the stage, he had an idea in his mind.
Thank you for the chapter.
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Pffft— seriously? These people really love diggin their own gravea don’t they? 😂😂
Thanks for the chapter!
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Thanks for supporting!!! SM don’t need to go to them to take revenge… They just come to her 😛
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Thank you very much for the update…So he is going to challenge her….! I wonder in which category??! Chess??!
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Thanks for supporting!!! Something no one will expect 😛
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Oh! I hope he is not going to challenge her with quin or something like that( since he is a guy)… It can’t be horse riding or archery…(because those thigs exclusively belongs to men’s category) i wish it should be something like discussion on war strategies…!! Anyway am dying to know what it will be??!!!☺
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It is something shocking… And nothing belong exclusively to the male category *wink*
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Thank you so much!! 😘😘😘. Can’t wait for next chapter.
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Thanks for supporting!!
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Be prepare to get rekt! Muwahahahaha!
Thank you for the chapter!
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Our empress is so amazing!!! She even knows the questions asked during the exam and answers when she was still a fool in her 1st life…Again she is awesome!!!
Thanks for the chapter!!! 😀
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Yeap, I honestly think she is not at all a fool in her past lifetime, just that there was no one to guide her correctly… She is naturally smart!!!
Thanks for supporting!!
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The teacher was probably asked the same question and answered right, thus she copied that 😀 but it’s actually a real virtue to remember all that XD I don’t even remember what i had during college and that wasn’t so long ago hahaha
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It would be his honor to lower his position to SM’s level 😛
Thank you for the chapter d(=^・ω・^=)b fufu
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Thanks for supporting!!! I like your way of thinking!!
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Thank you for the chapter. 🙂
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Thanks for supporting!!
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Thank youuuuuuu😀 when the next chapter will be update?
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Thanks for supporting!!! Next chapter will be on Monday… Stay tuned…
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Ugh… stupid side characters!!! Thank you!!
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Well… Some stupid ppl needs to be punished 😛
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Cai Lin sheep mode activated baaah, straight to slaugtherhouse.
Good chops!
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Anyone want a side of Lamb chops? 😛
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Thanks for the update 😘
Can’t wait for the next chapter 😍
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Thanks for supporting!!! Just a few more days to go
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That poor lovesick fool is going to get what is c
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Coming for him… how dare he think abt challenging our empress..
I think Fu Xi Yu understood what is happening in Master Su’s place…. I hope our empress can continue to help her new friends aka future supporters to live safely
Thanks for the translation again😊
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Gee I just hope that these friend-supporters don’t turn on her….I think it’s best if she doesn’t put her complete trust in them, or always consider the possibility of betrayal to prepare for it.
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Yeah @Perpetual Red what I actually meant was that she needs to keep them safe coz they are her first line of defence….. after all the wave of the imperial betrayal will first hit them… so if they remain safe our empress will still be in the safe zone….. Also I feel that since they are XJX’s friend’s and the little dumpling ‘s family… they’ll naturally become her supporters in the future
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He made a wrong choice to like SY and be lead around by her 😛
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Yes, Cai Lin! Do it!!! Challenge Shen Miao and go die of humiliation! Ahhh. . . I can’t wait for Shen Miao to beat his sorry ass!!
Thanks for translating~
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LOL!!!! YES!!! Our SM will give him a well deserving smackdown! Thanks for supporting 🙂
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Thanks for the chapter. Idiot Cai Lin, causing trouble when it not needed. Oh well.. It would just help Shen Miao. Though I feel so mad thinking of one evil and good for nothing plot after another coming for our empress.
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Thanks for supporting!!! Our Empress is tough… This is nothing to her!!! 🙂
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And there he goes. Haha Someone predicted that this would happen in the last chapter, I think. But what a coincidence, for that specific conversation to be heard by him.Pfft. He’s such an idiot he doesn’t even notice he’s being manipulated. xP But I can’t wait for the good show we’ll be getting next chapter. Definitely going to be interesting.
Thank you for the chapter!
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Yes it would definitely be good!!! I love to read this part of the exams arc. Its more exciting than the painting portion 😛
Tbh, I think if I were to live in that era, most likely I would be like him, manipulated and die without knowing who was the mastermind.. lol
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That guy is seriously lacking in brains…
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Yeap… That guy is all brains and no brains
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Thank you for the chapter~
Their schemes will actually be helping Shen Miao, mwahahahaha
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Btw, the Xie Marquis did not appear, even if he said he would…
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Hasn’t appeared YET. He definitely wouldn’t pass up such a precious and once-in-a-lifetime chance you know.
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Soon… Soon, XJX will step in 😛
Thanks for supporting!
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Lol. This guy is gonna dig his own grave. This is seriously a trap set by his own beloved, and he’s walk into it not knowing he’s walking towards his own humiliation.
What glory would there be for a guy to challenge a woman? Even if it’s for the one he likes, he’s too blinded that he can’t even see that. And that he’d most definitely be defeated even, duble that shame. And our little empress would get further recognition for this. 😈😈😈
Did XJX compete? Did he? Did he? Did he?
Going straight to women selection after the meales without showing his turn, it’s as if he didn’t compete. Or is it by different grades?
—
Thanks for the update…
Sponsors~ 😘😘😘
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Crush ’em all like the bug they are!!!!!
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Lol. I see lots of typos in almost all of my comments… Ahh… Pardon, but you get what I mean… XDDDD
I find it hard to type on my phone and my thumb’s in too much of a hurry to press “post” that I forget to check for typos. Ahahahaha.
😆😆😆.
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So ungentlemanly… He still tried to dress like one but his actions are like that! I would not say if XJX will compete or not… U would need to stay tune 😛
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stupid thing! easily manipulated person! i’m disgusted at cai lin lowering himself to this level even bullying girls…..aye he’s a love blinded idiot just he wait shen miao is gonna crush him under her foot until he realizes he is a good for nothing fool
Thank you for the chapter!~
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Yeap… He is an idiot to be even used by Shen Yue… Hope he learn through this difficult lesson. 😛 Thanks for supporting!
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Thank you for chapter 🙂 I can’t wait for person who will humiliate himself by challenging Shen Miao
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Yeap… Take the popcorn out and watch the show of SM’s smackdown 😛
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Was it military arts?, views in politics? Or martial arts? Can’t wait 😖😖😖😖
Thank you again for the hard work 😍
Thanks sponsors 😘
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Thanks for supporting and thanking the sponsors too!!!
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“Su Ming Lang took a short nap and upon waking up he saw the people around him staring at [Gao Jing] with a look of appreciation.”
Suppose to be Gao Yan no? Author’s mistake?
Thanks for the chapter!
Poor Cai Lin. He fell for She Yue. He’s basically digging his own grave ne~
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Seems like it, I just changed it to Gao Yan. Thanks for supporting!!
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… I need that names and relationships chart wahh.
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Grr the more those shallow minded people shit talk about our MC the more I want to punch them. But I have to bear with it because I know they’ll get their just deserts. Thanks for the chapter!
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Yes, our SM will deliver a punch like no other. Thanks for supporting!
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Thanks so much for the chapter!! Really…can Cai Lin be any more manipulated.
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Thanks for supporting!!! Let see how ‘smart’ his plans are 😛
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Gao Jing was smarter than his father and did not “believed” that his own younger brother could possess such wisdom > believe
Thus, Gao “Jin” was unable to understand at all > Jing
Thanks for the chapter desu~
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Updated! Thanks for spotting that and supporting!
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Omgggg this is getting exciting!!! I’m glad her plan with GY went well, but I stilñ can’t believe she remembers it so clearly. Goes to show you just how smart and talented our little empress really is lol!
And now….SY’s admirer is going to challenge SM. I truly wonder what it will be….you said it would be something unexpected, so I truly hope it has to do with war strategies or something like that, since there is no way CL will challenge her in the four scholarly arts lol.
Can’t wait to see her shine!!! Thank you for your hard work!!! 💖 ✨
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YES!!! Our Empress is already smart and talented in the beginning, its just that those relatives of hers led her the wrong way. So irritating!!!
Thanks for supporting and hope that you will be shocked by what would happen next! 😛
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Thx for the hard work!
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Thanks for supporting!
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Uhhhh….. if I didn’t know better, I’d say this is a trap…. but I’m not even sure if I’m wrong or right lol
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You will know in a couple of chapters time 🙂
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Be careful what you wish for.
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Cai Lin would know soon 😛
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Around what chapter is it? >w<
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Next chapter onwards. It would span for a number of chapters
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Thanks for the chapter!
orz… can you be anymore blatant?
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Oooh Cai Lin, prepare to be BURNED. He’s probably going to challenge her in either some male-oriented subject such as politics or military strategies. Maybe chess, if he has some skill for it. Challenging her in chess would probably seem less unfair to the audience since Shen Miao (is that I how I spell her name? dunno) had been playing chess during the time that she wasn’t participating. In other words, for most of her time in the Chrysanthemum event.
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One thing is for sure… Cai Lin will be burned… MUHAHAHA
You will be shocked at the challenge 😛
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*cue another incoming showdown I will make sure not to miss*
“What are you doing in the kitchen?” Asked my flat mate.
“Heating some caramel popcorn, anyone wants some?” I replied.
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Can I have some?!?! 😛
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Thanks for the chapter. I look forward to this next ‘duel’. That poor boy won’t know what hit him I guess.
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Thanks for supporting!!! Yeap… Its so exciting!!!
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Aii, I can smell the rodent stink of idiocy erupting from the smoke coming out off Cai Lin’s ears… *sigh*
I can’t even… 😩💨
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Only with idiots like him, we will have shows to watch 😛
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Thanks for the chapter! =)
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Thanks for supporting!!
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Challenge SM then find out & suffer at her strength.
Thanks
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YES!!! Thanks for supporting!!!
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Thank you for the chapter~ 💗
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Aiya~ tsk, tsk, tsk, this hopeless lover boy is gonna be used. Sigh… Welp if he is willing to fall for the trap then let him. Since he dares to have the courage to go up against Shen Miao, then I hope he will be ready for the consequences of his actions… Hahaha, can’t wait to see what happens. 😄
Thanks for the update!!! ❤️❤️❤️
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Thanks for supporting!!! Since he fell for such a female then he has to accept the consequences (manipulation and embarrassment)
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Just stay tuned for the next thrill, but I can not tell what its coming.
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Thank you for the chapter. 🙂
SM is the best, so, Let them suffer and dig their own grave deeper.
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For some reason I don’t like Cai Lin…
Thanks for the chapter♡
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Thanks for supporting!!
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Tsk tsk tsk. They really love setting themselves to be crushed by SM don’t they? Oh well its all good cause then our girl will be able to enjoy her revenge to the fullest.
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Somebody is about to make an ass out of himself!! ٩(๛ ˘ ³˘)۶
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Idiots hope he gets slapped
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While obviously 2nd and 3rd are dislikable am I the only one who detests her parents for having leaving her for the wolves? Like how stupid could they be, their daughter doesn’t dress well, hasn’t learnt anything a young lady should, most of their servants have been replaced. How could they not see their daughter is being lead astray by scheming women! It’s like they don’t care at all. I mean I understand her father because the military is his duty but there is no reason that her mother should always follow her father and leave her daughter to grow up alone. Heartless. If I was her I wouldn’t care about the destruction of the Shen family and would be completely indifferent to the deaths of people who couldn’t be bothered to raise their own child.
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We haven’t met her mother yet. It’s quite possible that she’s just as ignorant of politics as her husband. As such, she’d be inclined to believe whatever lies the second and third house told her, especially since her own daughter would be backing them up. Though I do wonder why she doesn’t talk to the MC’s handmaidens. Or, if she does, why they don’t tell her the truth about what’s going on. Or, if they do, why she chooses not to listen. After all, if she didn’t trust them, then why would she leave them by her daughter’s side? I tend to assume that the second and third houses work really hard to keep them from being able to talk to her, but we won’t really know until her parents come home.
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Wow. If he can’t even see through that then it’s no wonder he met a bad end in the original timeline.
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This guys is such and idiot and is going to be beaten so badly
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Can’t wait for Cai Lin to get wrecked. I hope he gets humiliate in front of everyone.
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Ugh, way too easy to manipulate!! He won’t even stop and think before doing something to humiliate Shen Miao, but then why would he? He clearly doesn’t think that she can do anything to retaliate back. Plus it’ll make his lil crush happy?? Oh yeah, bring on the defeat of Shen Miao!!
Let’s wait and see, how she’s gonna need with this one!! You can’t blame her for using him if he’s just gonna serve himself up like that!!
Thank you to the translator, editor and donors for the chapters!! I’m loving this, but now I’m really wanting her to step it up and show a beat down!!
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