Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage: Chapter 42

April 10, 2017 By in CNovel, Translation Tags: , 137 Comments

My apologies for the delay in posting!!! Forgotten to change the dates for this post… Sorry!!!!

Edited by Tnyhy & Larkspur (Updated 30th May 2022)

Chapter 42: Challenge Her!

One song of Shen Yue made the listeners drunk and stupefied. Females that had superior qin skills would be loved everywhere and especially so if the female was pretty. At least, on the male side of the banquet, Grade One students were too young but the youths of Grade Two and Three paid a lot of attention over to this side. Even though in Guang Wen Tang, Qin Qing’s beauty ranked first, she had a proud temperament and was not as gentle and pleasing as Shen Yue.

“This older sister of yours plays exceedingly well.” Feng An Ning reluctantly said, “I do not know from where she hired her qin teacher. Tomorrow, I will also ask Mother to find me a famous qin teacher for lessons.”

They were all at the young age where their desire to compete was the highest. Just like when Shen Miao just became the Empress, she took everything with ease except for Fu Xiu Yi’s heart that she controlled tightly. As long as Fu Xiu Yi gave a good expression to another female, she would start to worry. Moreover, with all the truth and fiction in the Inner Palace, one would privately trip and backstab others. She had the temperament of returning the grudges that she received immediately and therefore offended quite a number of people. Presently, this temperament of hers had not changed, but she would not use methods that would hurt herself.

“Speaking of which, Second Young Lady of Shen family is a rarely seen beauty with talents.” Everyone loves beauty and Prince Zhou felt amazed by Shen Yue, yet he only said, “What a pity.”

Even though others might not have understood what there was to pity, it was not possible that the few princes present did not understand. Shen Yue was born charming with infinite talents and to have such a beautiful and eloquent person as a partner, it would perhaps be one of the greatest thing in life. Unfortunately, she did not crawl out of Shen Furen’s womb and was not the daughter of the Shen family’s First Household but of the Third Household.

Unfortunately, Shen Xin who had military power in his hands, had such an idiot like Shen Miao for a daughter. Even though she looked a little different today, one’s impression was not something that could be changed overnight. They believed that Shen Miao was being guided by someone behind the scenes and was still the idiot who did not know anything else.

After Gao Yan stepped down from the stage, Pei Lang gradually calmed down. Such a situation was his first encounter in this life. Even though he did not understand it, he did his utmost to relieve his anxieties. At the moment when he heard Prince Zhuo’s words, he could not help but look at the purple clad young lady at the female side of the banquet.

She held a chess piece while being immersed in her thoughts. Even though they were separated by a distance and he could not see her eyes, he could feel that that those eyes were filled with careful examination and deep intent as if it was like the time when Shen Miao was looking at him. How could such a person be an idiot?

But people would not change overnight, unless it was Shen Miao who had put on an act of being silly and stupid. Why would she do so?

Even someone as intelligent as him could not gauge what was going on. 

The female group’s ‘selection’ ended with the completion of Shen Yue’s ‘Singing to the Moon’. Shen Yue naturally had gotten first rank, but today she did not feel happy because of this and felt some embarrassment instead.

She glanced at Shen Miao and saw she was engrossed in her chess game and did not even look at her. She knew that Shen Miao had no skills in the four scholarly arts and would know nothing about chess. To look so serious today, it was only to deliberately pull her face down. Chen Rou Qiu took note of her expressions and warned her in a whisper, “Yue-er, you have forgotten yourself.”

Chen Rou Qiu’s expectation for her daughter was that regardless of the situation she must remain calm. Whether she was truly calm or had to act it out, she must always let others see a calm image. When a female had a calm appearance, her temperament would be superior but if one was flustered, one would not have the bearings of an aristocratic family. In all fairness, Chen Rou Qiu’s method of teaching females was indeed good, and she herself did very well. Unfortunately, Shen Yue was still somewhat young, had yet to experience failure and thus did not understand how to endure silently.

Hearing Chen Rou Qiu’s warning, Shen Yue slightly retracted the anger on her face. The servant at her side served her a cup of tea, “May Young Lady drink a sip of tea to freshen your throat.”

Shen Yue took the tea over and looked at the servant. The servant smiled at her, she understood in her heart before the smile on her face became somewhat real. She said, “It is somewhat warm. I am very interested in the next ‘challenge’ category.”

Because Shen Qing had gotten first rank in ‘chess’, her mood was much more pleasant as she smiled, “This year there will not be any differentiation between genders or grades, so the challenges should be more intense.”

It goes without saying that the ‘challenge’ round was the most anticipated of the three. This was because, in the ‘drawing lots’ round, one may not draw the best, in the ‘selection’ round one will pick their best skill to perform. Thus, in the ‘challenge’ round there would always be two people competing against each other on their best abilities. Because females tend to be friendly outwardly, they had to portray an indifferent expression to show that they did not value the results of this round. But the males were different. Youths would like to compare with others to determine ranking of one another and at this age where they were at their most competitive, it would always be the most intense during the yearly ‘challenge’ round.

In this year’s ‘challenge’ round, regardless of female or male, irrespective of Grade Two or Three, all the students could do it together. As long as one wants to challenge another, they could do so. Even though it could be said that male and female could challenge one another, there were most likely no such instances.

There were indeed no challenges this year in the literary topics thus the highlight fell naturally on the military topics.

This practically isolated the possibility for female involvement. Even though there was no shortage of daughters of the military with martial arts skills, but when compared to their male counterparts, there was a huge variance and thus one would not be successful. 

And yet one was surprised to see that from the male side of the banquet, Cai Ling stood up first and went up the stage.

The examiner asked him what area he was challenging, he pointed to the slip of paper that indicated arrow shooting and said, “Shooting arrows from a distance.”

It was evident to everyone. This overlord, Cai Lin, was ignorant in literary matters but was considered outstanding in military skills. In that, his shooting skill was the best as he could shoot his targets every single time and was even ranked first in last year’s academy examinations on arrow shooting.

Who was he going to challenge today? In the audience, there was no one who was more outstanding than him in shooting arrows from a distance.

Cai Lin craned his neck and suddenly his hand pointed towards the female side of the banquet.

When everyone saw that he was pointing towards the female side of the banquet and not the male side, they were shocked. When they finally saw clearly who he was pointing at, their jaws dropped and even discussions came to a halt.

He also intentionally shouted out loud, “I want to challenge her, Shen Miao!”

That purple clad young female who was immersed in the chess game raised her head and looked straight at the person on stage with clear bright eyes. Her expression did not seem to fluctuate and there were no mistakes in her actions as if this earth-shattering sentence was just a casual greeting that she need not answer.

Chen Rou Xiu frowned. She had taught Shen Yue wholeheartedly, but Shen Miao seemed to be the one to have learnt to maintain one’s composure instead.

In the distant pavilion, the handsome youth who was leisurely drinking tea suddenly spurted it all out and there was a trace of surprise in his otherwise frivolous expression, “Is that boy from the Cai family crazy?”

Shen Miao stood up. On the chess game on the table, the black pieces spread across the entire board and were approaching her.

The first pawn had been dispatched.

She picked up a white piece and placed it down. The black pieces were swallowed and she chicly tossed them into the bamboo basket.

“Accepted.” She responded.

137 responses

  4. OMGGGGGGGG!!!!! I legit want to scream!!!! I wasn’t expecting archery!!!! I know SM doesn’t know much martial arts, but I can definitely bet that our little empress is proficient in shooting arrows hehehe 😈 I’m sure she picked up some skills from her days in the battlefield, can’t wait to see her completely crush this stupid admirer and truly, TRULY make everyone realize she’s not an idiot or talentless. To make everyone shut their mouths and be amazed at the lovely treasure our little empress is✨

    I’m so excited ahhh!! Btw, the one who spit out his tea at the end was XJX or his friend? I’m guessing his friend but idk…

    Thank you very much for this chapter, and you were right, I was definitely shocked by this chapter 😉💖

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Yes!!! Even though there was guesses that it could be archery but everyone was like nope… Females cannot compete in that… No one even thought that it was on the list!!! Freaking amazed at the author for surprising us 😛

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  8. “Accepted.”
    –this is getting exciting…. although I hope she points the arrow to Cai Lin’s head or any part of his body, just giving a scare.

    Thank you for the chapter (๑･`◡´･๑) fufu

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  10. Lol… This guy isn’t using his head. He shouldn’t have challenged her due to 2 points:

    1. SM is female. Challenging her shows you are a brute who doesn’t care much for the fairer sex. It doesn’t matter if the school rules allow it, during those times, gender equality isn’t a thing yet, your actions turn against you.
    2. Dude. That’s a famous general’s daughter. To actually challenge someone from a militaristic line to a duel on military skills, you are insane. Regardless of her being female who supposedly shouldn’t have military skills of the same level, it’s a point to consider.

    Now I know CL is an idiot who doesn’t think much of our little empress, but without the chivalry, if he gets beat, I wonder how he’ll ever be able to raise his head out in public ever again.

    And it seems this is also a part of SM’s plans. And her expression!!! Everyone’s an idiot if they still think she’s an idiot at this point. Remaining calm despite adversary is also a skill you know, something their oh-so-great Yue cnt even act out. Such a sore loser SY is…

    I could just imagine the look she had when she accepted the challenge. Fufufu.

    Go little empress!!! And while you are at it, maybe you can pull an arrow on him…

    Though of course you can’t since that would make it look like you have bad aiming skills. Still there’s merit to the idea if you succeed hitting him, since regardless of whetjer or not you pierce him with an arrow, you’d still make enemies.

    Fufufufu…

    —

    Thanks for the chapter!!!
    Can’t wait to see everyone’s faces when CL eats dirt!!! Hah!

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    • Thanks for supporting!!!
      My thoughts are exactly like yours (but u definitely phrase it better)!!! I think when u read how SM tackle the situation with Cai Lin, you will laugh and be impress with her!!! I cannot wait to read your comments on it!!!

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    • Yeah… Its a lose-lose situation for Cai Lin (that dumb dumb).
      He wins = He bully a female = Not a gentleman
      He loses = He LOSES to a female = Such a weakling
      I still don’t understand why he doesn’t see it that way *roll eyes*

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  14. This fool he has really dug a hole for himself….. he is just a pawn that our empress expected to step up and which she destroyed……. So excited… that our empress is going to make everyone drop their jaws in shock ……

    Thanks for the translation 😊

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  15. Oh the end was awesome!! With the image of the chess opposing with the reality increased the suspense to a new level.

    Thank you for your hard work!! Waiting to see how the arrogant boy will shame himself ahahaah

    Liked by 1 person

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  16. Oh…Nooooooo…….!!!! Another cliffhanger….. I think who spit out the tea is XJX friend…. Is XJX is still there…??? Is he going to help her by any means??? Most importantly is her her archery skill good??! I think she learnt it when she was held as hostage in foreign country inorder to survive….
    Thanks for the update….

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    • Its XJX!!!! As long as its indicated “handsome youth” its usually XJX… Hehe… The author loves XJX soooo much. Everytime he makes an appearance, she will adorable scream or be super excited in her notes
      Thanks for supporting!!!

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  21. Hello its my first time leaving a comment here

    But i do love this story..
    Always get back on my reading list to makesure i’m not missing any new chapters..

    Will wait for more…
    And absolutely will leave comment too.

    And yep.. Goooo shen miao 🤘🤘🤘

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  23. Thanks for the hard work 😊 Translator and editor?
    Yey! We’re gonna see how awesome our MC is.
    Cai Lin was said to be the best among his peers when shooting arrows, then if Shen Mao wins over him ( which really happened), it literally means her skills were the best even among the boys. 😈😈😈😈
    I’m not only sorry for Cai Lin, but also for those boys who’s present in the competition. Their soaring egos will be thrash and step on by Shen Mao.

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  25. Of course it’s next chapter. ;P I really can’t wait. I wonder what she’ll say and do. I thought she’d try to keep a low profile but so far she keeps being pushed to the spotlight.

    Thank you for the chapter!

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  28. Wait did she already know that he was gonna challenge her ? that’s why she was so calm.
    Cause earlier it was said that many challenged her in her earlier life to make fun of her.

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  29. Could you please not call it chess? From the way it’s written what they are playing is Go or Weiji in chinese. And there is a really signivicant difference between the two games. Even the goal is different.

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    • Yes from the way it is written it is Go/Wei Qi but the novel mention is Qi (Chess) and she is playing Zhan Qi (War Chess) thus I use chess instead of Wei Qi or Go. Chinese ancient chess is always Wei Qi, so I tot it would be alright to put it as chess. 🙂

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  39. This guy is crazy!!!
    I get it that he wanted avenge his love but not through archery!!!!
    1st of all if he wins (which I doubt that’s gonna happen) there would be no point. Because
    1- he’s the best in it
    2- SM is a female
    If SM does lose, sooooo what??? Therebis nothing to be embarrassed about if she did even if she does not know how to draw!!!! So what???!

    In comparison if he loses. OMG THE SHAME!!!!!!!

    If he wanted revenge he should have challenged her in painting with a specific topic(since they r so sure she cheated). He might be bad at it but at least he can prove that she is not a real artist and someone just helped her.

    Well… if he did. We all know the truth so… not gonna work either

    Thank you for the chapter

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    • EXACTLY!!! He is such a dummy to even suggest to challenge SM and choose this topic… Its a lose-lose situation for him, no matter how it is cut.. *Roll eyes* Dummy!!!
      Thanks for supporting!!!

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  42. Hi !!
    New reader who just caught up ! Thank you for the translations !!
    I love this work, the words flow so naturally and the imagery is epic !!
    Can’t wait to see Cai boy’s shame on display ! 😂😂

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Hi!!! Welcome to play!!!
      The author is good at hooking the reader into the story and making us care for the main characters (and most of the good side characters). Hope to see more of your comments in the future 🙂

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  44. Aaa~ now I cant wait to see whats next! Qill Shen Miao win and embarass that idiot blockhead? Or will she use some strategy to overturn it?? Its exciting. And I need more romance timeXD thank you

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  46. Why did the author make the chapters so short! The suspense is reallly high. I have to admit though, people immediately thinking there’s someone guiding her is annoying. Her cunningness and ability come from no one else but herself in her current life, with no guiding or supporting her. I think there’s two outcomes that are likely to happen:

    A. Shen Miao somehow makes a fool of him onstage, by using the fact that he challenged a female in ARCHERY, despite Shen Miao not having sufficient or existing arrow shooting skills.
    B. Shen Miao is pretty dang good at shooting arrows because of her experience from the past life with war and conflict (I suppose the only problem here would be if she had the strength to perform the arrow techniques).

    Either way, Cai Lin is going to severely regret challenging the protagonist until, as novels say, his “intestines turn green”. I can’t wait to see what happens next. Thanks for the chapter!

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Oh my… You are very close to the story!!! I think the author will still surprise you though… Do drop your comments as the story unfolds, would really love to read and pick your minds on it 😛
      Thanks for supporting!!!

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  49. On one hand, I want SM to win the archery completion. But on the other hand, I want her to shoot that guy in the butt. Which would probably result in her being disqualified. Lol. Thanks for the chapter!

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