Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage: Chapter 43

April 13, 2017 By in CNovel, Translation Tags: , 126 Comments

Thanks to donors there will be 2 additional chapters this week!!! Stay tune for update on Fri and Sat!!!

Please note I will be off on a biz trip next week but the posts will be release on scheduled. The only bad news is that I will not be able to schedule in additional releases if the donations comes in on Monday, since I most likely do not have access to WP from then onwards. If we hit the amount on Sun, then I can schedule the additional chapters in before I fly off, else it would be brought over to the following week. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.

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

Chapter 43: Life and Death Agreement

The wind during autumn was usually elegant and fresh, but at this moment because of the tense atmosphere, even the flowery fragrance became stronger…

Shen Yue covered her mouth and said sounding surprised, “This… Fifth Younger Sister is a female, why would any young lady accept this challenge?”

“Exactly.” Chen Rou Qiu also worriedly said, “Fifth Lady, you must not force yourself. Even though Eldest Brother-in-law is a general, you all along do not have knowledge of these stuff.”

Chen Rou Qiu’s words were said cleverly to get what she desired, to say that Shen Xin was a General but Shen Miao, as his daughter, did not know archery. The reason females did not like playing with knives and handling spears might be somewhat justified because of not knowing military skills. But if one does not have knowledge in military and literary skills, then one would be quite terrible. Moreover, everyone knew that Shen Miao had no knowledge in the four scholarly arts and to add on by saying that she was not good at military skills, this demoted her reputation to nothing and one would also slight Shen Xin’s household.

“But… The rules for this challenge cannot be changed.” Shen Qing looked anxious but her voice had a tone that was rejoicing in Shen Miao’s misfortune, “Once an opponent is picked, no matter what the topic, one must complete the challenge. But everyone always picks an outstanding person to compete against. Could it be possible that Fifth Younger Sister has a hidden skill, else why would Cai Lin pick you out?”

Her words were somewhat piercing, but not only did Ren Wan Yun not stop her, she smiled, “Eldest daughter is saying nonsense. How would Fifth Lady know how to play with knives and handle spears? Fifth Lady, if you do not wish to go up on stage to compete,  Second Shen will personally speak to the academy examiners. You are still young and considering Eldest Brother-in-law’s face, they would not make things difficult for you.”

Even though Ren Wan Yun’s words sounded as if she was rescuing her lovingly, if one were to think very carefully, it would not be the case. After all, in the academy examinations, there was no one that was an exception. For Shen Miao to be a precedent, most likely the residents of the Ding capital would start to talk. Moreover, to use Shen Xin’s reputation, it might sound to others that Shen Xin used his meritorious efforts to gain privileges. After all, one would conform to the views of the majority and other than the advantage of having a good identity, there were lots of disadvantages as well.

And she would never allow anyone to say anything ‘bad’ about Shen Xin.

“Thanking Second Shen, it is not required.” She stood up in the female side of the banquet and slowly walked towards the stage. The entire arena quietened down and one could clearly hear the young lady’s voice as it set off a wave in the arena.

“I comply to this fight.”

Cai Lin vision faltered. The reason he did this was nothing more than wanting to vent it for Shen Yue. In the military topic, it would always be a misfortune for a male to challenge a female. But he was used to being a scoundrel and would most likely be scolded by his own parents upon return. However, thinking of being able to vent it out for Shen Yue, delighted Cai Ling from the bottom of his heart. He thought that it would be good if Shen Miao did not dare to accept this challenge, then he would ruthlessly ridicule her.

But one could not imagine that Shen Miao actually accepted the challenge. Not only that, she was portraying such a calm and magnanimous demeanour. Watching that purple clad person slowly walk up the stage, Cai Lin’s heart felt strange.

It was as if she had no fear.

But how could that be possible? Shen Miao did not know archery and he knew it better than anyone. For someone who had never practiced martial arts, naturally, they would be ignorant of it. Shen Miao could possibly not even know how to properly hold a bow, and in the face of something that one was not good at and had never tried before, anyone would panic.

She could actually keep up the act to such a point?

Just as Cai Lin was pondering, he suddenly felt a pair of eyes on him. He turned and met with Shen Yue’s eyes from the female side of the banquet. When Shen Yue saw him looking over, she felt embarrassed and lowered her head. Cai Lin’s heart was captivated by that one scene.

Every youth’s heart has a lovely dream of being a hero saving a beauty. As of now, in Cai Lin’s eyes, he was that hero who stood out on behalf of the beauty and as for Shen Miao, she was that evil and ugly villain.

Regardless of whether she accepted or declined this challenge, he would definitely make Shen Miao lose all of her face, and her embarrassment would be in full view of everyone.

This was to make her not run rampant in front of Shen Yue again!

Generally speaking, the topic on ‘challenging’ was that the person who challenged would set the rules and also dictate on how the challenge would be carried out, and the person who was challenged could only accept it. So, because no one knew how it would develop, every year this round would attract the highest amount of attention.

Shen Miao walked up the stage.

The chief examiner of the academy examinations was in a somewhat difficult situation. Shen Miao was after all a delicate little young lady. It was justifiable for female and male to challenge each other in the literary topics, but for military ones, it was feared that Cai Lin was deliberately making a fool out of her.

“Today’s play is extremely good.” Prince Zhou clapped his hands, seemingly showing his interest, “I am Afraid that the reputation of Shen Family’s First Household would fall a thousand Zhang (1 zhang = 10 feet).”

Prince Jing shook his head and sighed, “General Shen‘s good reputation was gained in the battlefield, but his daughter is failing to live up to expectations.” In Prince Jing’s heart it was not only that she failed to live up to expectations but was also actually very silly. It was obvious that it would be wrong for her to either accept or decline the challenge, and with that kind of attitude whatever followed would be even more laughable.

Cai Lin’s lips complacently curled up, “This year I have thought up of an interesting rule since it would be boring to follow the usual rules. The archery challenge this year would be for us to shoot at one another. You put a fruit on top of your head and I will shoot at you with an arrow, after which I will put one on my head and you shoot at me. How about it?”

When those words were said, the entire arena went into an uproar!

That examiner jumped in shock. This could result in death. Shen Miao was ultimately Shen Xin’s daughter and if anything happened to her, when Shen Xin returned at the end of the year, who would be able to handle him if he were to look into it?

He quickly said, “Student Cai…”

Cai Lin waved his hand, “Teacher, Guang Wen Tang does not prioritise specifically for anyone. It is the case for previous regulations for the challenger to define the rules. So Why? A dignified Grand General’s daughter is such a timid younger generation?”

Shen Yue lowered her head and covered her tilted lips. Feng An Ning frowned but did not know what to do.

“His words are not wrong.” The voice was somewhat hoarse but it was from Prince Yu who had kept his eyes closed all the time. There was a trace of an eccentric smile on his grim face as he said, “Naturally, there was no argument that rules are meant to be fixed specifically for anyone. Is it possible that in the battlefield, because the enemy is strong, General Shen would temporarily flee? If so, then it is understandable.” Finishing, he himself found it funny and started laughing.

Shen Miao’s eyes suddenly sharpened.

These people’s words were all mocking Shen Xin and they really thought that she was the weakness of the First Household of the Shen family. Before the anger that was accumulated finally burst forth, she looked at Cai Lin who was enjoying this good play and swept her eyes across the people in the banquet who were mocking.

The Shen Miao that was reborn could tolerate, but the mistress of the Inner Palace, Empress Shen had a temperament of seeking revenge for the smallest grievance.

She coldly said, “My father fights in bloody battles in foreign lands to guard families and defend the country so that the Chrysanthemum Banquet like today’s can be held and students can compete.” There was a flash of mockery in her eyes, “The win in today’s competition does not mean anything. The outstanding people are the ones that have killed on the battlefield. As for the rules you set, why would I not dare?”

Everyone blanked out for a moment.

“Why would I not dare? With your exquisite archery skills, you will naturally be able to shoot the fruits, whereas my archery skills are not up to par. If the arrow goes sideways, the person that would fear for their life is you.”

She smiled lightly as her voice seemed to have flown from afar but was as loud as thunder to everyone.

“In this case, sign a life and death agreement. Whether injured or dead, the consequences will be at our own peril.”

“Cai Ling, do you dare?”

126 responses

  5. Of course he dares… Dares not! Ha! I can’t wait to see when what they expect to happens turns into a glorifying moment for our protagonist. 😄
    Thanks for the chapter! ❤️❤️❤️

    Liked by 4 people

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  7. ohohohoo yahoooo \o/ “Cai Lin, do you dare?”
    If he deliberately doesn’t hit the fruits, his reputation as someone good in shooting will go down down down~ even if he would say it’s out of pity. This is a challenge after all.

    Thank you for the chapter o(○｀ω´○)9 fufufu
    ..i’m excited to see her playing with the arrow

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  8. Hahaha thats true. Good one Shen Miao. If he accidentally kill or hurt shen miao.. he would be in deep trouble and lost face. if Shen Miao accidentally hurt him… he cant do anything as no one expect her to be good and the suggestion came from him.

    Liked by 3 people

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  10. when he face her I promise he will see death in her eyes.(:

    boy, you mess with the wrong queen.

    thank you for the wonderful chapter, please update quickly…

    Liked by 1 person

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  11. I can’t believe he thought of such a contest knowing she couldn’t shoot. didn’t he once consider himself as her target? How could he? This boy is seriously lacking in brains! Tsk, tsk. It can’t be helped.

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  12. “In this case, sign a life and death agreement. Whether injured or dead, the consequences will be at our own peril.”
    “Cai Ling, do you dare?

    So true if the empress doesn’t know archery it’s going to be CL who died after all ….is he a fool to suggest this or is he planing to play the first round and injure her??? But this will only humiliate him……really he is a person who speaks before he thinks……

    I think may be he’ll miss the target and our empress will still not move but instead block the arrow and for her turn she’ll shoot on target but CL wouldn’t be able to stand and will move causing history get hurt / humiliated or both……..

    I am so excited thinking about what’ll happen next… Thanks for the translation 😊

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    • CL has no brains to even think about that possibility. I don’t expect everyone to be able to think many steps ahead but he cannot even think even 1 step ahead… Well… Serve him right for being a fool 😛

      Thanks for supporting!!!

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  14. *sigh….* again a cliff…..!!!Really can’t believe such a stupid person can exist… I want him to accept that challenge…..And thus let her shoot straight in to his empty brain….!!!👍
    Thanks for the update☺

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  18. He thinks she cannot shoot, so it’s surprising that he’d come up with something so suicidal unless he was sure she’d back out of it. Perhaps that is what he wants her to do. Regardless, the next chapter will be an interesting one, unless of course it is filled with dialogue. Pleeeeeeease more action and less talk just for the next chapter because I’m dying to know what would happen!! Thank you for the chapter. 🙂

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  19. WAHAHAHAHA.
    Seriously, this CL is very very stupid. I can’t stress it any more than that. He’s digging his own grave deeper the more he talks, trying to look cool for the woman who doesn’t even set him in her sights as anything other than a love struck fool to be used and discarded when no longer needed.

    SM’s displaying her cunning for all to see and yet it doesn’t seem like they even notice. Truly pitiful how stupid the people they think to be wise are…

    And this imperial family is too much. To condemn SM is fine but to target SX reputation via her has no merit. Why do it? For fun? And have they ever thought how the entire situation would turn out if the military powers they condemn right now were to turn their backs and rebel? Soldiers have a tendency to be more loyal to the people who risk their life alongside them rather than a dictator who does nothing but bark from behind. If something happens, chances are these soldiers would stand by SX rather than the imperial family. It may not be a hundred percent guarantee, but chances are it would happen. Isn’t that the reason they are trying to bring down these deeply rooted influential aristocratic families down?

    I wanna see XJX reaction upon these things. This is a good play to enjoy after all, he knows SM is more than what the eye can originally see.

    And her relatives, really ruthless, but after saying such statements… Looking down on her and implying that she is nothing more than a waste of breathing space in the Shen manor… How embarassing it would be to be proven wrong. And to think they are supposedly the ones who taught her things, to have her grow in their care and not know her talents and capabilities, do they not think their reputation would be dragged down the gutter. In the first place, as the ones who guided her to grow, having her end up learning nothing, people do not find it suspicious? Alas, the masses are blind, to not see conspiracies right before their eyes… All their talents are useless if they cannot even use their brains right.

    But I guess one does not intend to dig deeper if the issue before them does not affect them personally. Still in the ancient times with all the scheming as part of their daily routine, overthinking helps. And to read between the lines at all times, keeping an eye out for potentials… *sigh*

    —

    Thanks for the update!!!
    Im excited, seeing how the competition would be. CL giving her leave to shoot him dead, fufufu. And he can’t even shoot her purposely, cuz apart from sucking in archery, it would be clear as crystal that if he did it, it would be on purpose.

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    • You were on the spot about it he masses being foolish…. I really feel that maybe they know and think the main lead is even more foolish for not being strong and being led around by them…. and feel that it’s a good play to watch…. sigh I really want to see how their reaction will be when she sits on the throne above them all…

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    • YES!!! I cannot stand the Imperial family at all. Their purpose to target her was to push SX’s good name in the capital and in the public minds, then it would be easier for them to get rid of SX. Just make up a justifiable reason to tip the cup and the public will support the imperial family in getting rid of SX. Even worst if the soldiers are loyal to SX, it would be a charge of rebellion… I hate them…

      I think you would love the next few chapters… Its going to be an exciting ride!!!

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  21. “Cai Ling, do you dare?”
    Gahhh! Our Empress ends the chapter with another amazing quote😤😤

    Hnhn😏 Take that ya idiots. Ya dare mock the prides of Shen family’s First Household. Be burn by the words of Empress Shen Miao and her mocking gaze😬

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  23. HAHAHA!!!!! Do you dare, huh Cai Lin?!!! The Empress is speaking to you!! No backing out. Go shame yourself to death (gives a saccharine sweet smile)
    MEET YOUR DOOM BOY!!!! MUAHAHAHAHA!!!!

    *Bows to the other readers*
    “I’m sorry. I go way too into my sadistic evil reader character XD”

    Thanks for translating~

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  28. I’m sorry but the author went too far. This whole challenge thing is becoming ridiculous. Especially that last part lost all sense of realism. The fact that the challenger is choosing the topic already doesn’t make much sense, but fine, it is supposed to be an honor system (though for some reason some characters easily throw their “face” even though they supposedly care more about it than their life). Then you have the fact that according to the society and era depicted females aren’t supposed to participate in military challenges at all (clearly shown in the 1st round when they drew lots). The last part where he proposes that they shoot at each other and the judge agrees just made me greatly disappointed in the story and the author. First off, who is Cai Lin and who is the Di daughter of general Shen?! If anything happens to her even by accident his whole family would be ruined this farce would have been stopped by his relatives long ago. Just like how earlier even for Shen Yue he didn’t want to offend the Su family due to their ties to the Xie family but he doesn’t care about offending the Shen family?! Even if nothing happens to her, if general Shen didn’t do anything to retaliate when he comes back and hears about it I’d call BS. Anyways, I’m really disappointed with this chapter…

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    • Well… Cai Lin view SM as an easy target since she has been like this all the time and also those students are around younger than 17, where they are young and they do not think before they act and most of the time do not fear anything. The adults would definitely write this off as kids doing what kids do

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    • You are using your personal perceptions to see all this instead of looking into the mindset of the characters.

      Cai Lin its a love-struck buffon, he is young and as such recklessness tends to be more common. Besides he has seen Shen Miao being dumb and a fool, so he thinks she is an easy target.
      He doesnt have the insight we readers enjoy.

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      • For some reason the love sickness didn’t kick in when it was the Su family kids making comments regarding Shen Yue and SM. He was afraid to even speak up! All because the Su family is friends with Xie family! Yet, he is unafraid of pointing a bow and arrow directly at the Di daughter of the Shen family who has equal status to the Xie family?!

        Look the author has full rights to create their own world including customs, characters and setting, however, he has to be consistent with the rules he himself come up with. Here the author is contradicting his own story on multiple fronts. Even then, I could accept everything up until the last part where they agree to shoot essentially at each other.

        Anyways, I apologize for the rant but I just really hate when a good story suddenly starts to go off track for no particular reason. Let’s hope this is just a small bump in an otherwise smooth road.

        Liked by 1 person

  29. As I was reading this I only thought…[Why is that guy so damn stupid. Stap digging your own grave for a bitch that doesn’t deserve it!]

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  31. I swear, this author rocks at building up the tension!!! I was internally screaming when SM was speaking at the end and I when I read the last line I was so shocked, like in a good way. I was just so astounded at how powerful her words were – I could perfectly​ imagine the scene ahhh, so good. I swear if XJX doesn’t fall in love with her now, or at least gains some sort of interest in her, he has no eyes lmao!

    Just what a queen! Can’t wait to see our little empress trounce on him !! I really hope she wins, or she might just scare him??? Lmao.

    Thank you for this chapter!!! 💖✨

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  32. SM is too cunning, she learned a lot from her previous life. CL on the other hand is burying himself in a sinkhole, no chance of survival. He’s too da*n blindly in love with SY.

    Thank you guys for the hard work 😘😘😘

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  39. Thank you….
    What a chapter….that CL is so unbelievably stupid…..challenging a girl who everybody knows as someone weak and with no outstanding capability..And not even respecting her father the great general

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  40. wow…
    oh god..
    my god.

    she is awesome 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
    i can not wait for more …
    kyaaa you go girl 💪💪💪..

    thank you so much translator and people who take part on it.

    this is an awesome novel you guys choose.

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  46. Thank you for the chapter Zazajunnie.. You don’t know how grateful I am to you for introducing this novel to me.. Ehmm..actually I already finished reading this novel couple days ago with those ‘word butchered’ called translation machine :D..
    Do you know how much time I need to read this novel? A week.. A week of headache, uncertainty, and by the third days I almost give up.. Really that machine almost kill me. If not because I would like to know how the story end, probably I already threw away my phone far far away..
    I’m more than happy when I know the ending.. Because this novel is so magnificent. The idea, the plot, and everything on this novel were really good. So fellow readers you won’t regret at all to follow this story to the end..
    Once again thank you so much Translator-sama.. Wish you always have a good health and many sponsors 😉, so you could translate this novel to the end.. Keep a good work Zazajunnie, fighting..

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    • Awww… Thanks for supporting!!! (Editor @Tnyhy also put in lots of effort in correcting all my spelling and grammar mistakes… Thanks!!!) Now that you know the ending, you can now follow it and understand the meaning behind all the chinese proverbs as I am sure the machine translation will butcher it sooooooo badly that it doesn’t make any sense at all 😛

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  47. Thanks for the chapter!

    Ahahaha, Cai Lin, Cai Lin, you are riding the tiger.

    He challenged her to archery believing she knew nothing and would back out and lose face. She instead chose to accept. To make her back down further, he threw out another rule to frighten her into backing down. He never thought she’d take up the challenge, that is why he dared to throw out such a ridiculous rule. He thought she would be cowed at the thought of having arrows shot at her, and bend, but instead she accepted. Now, between being near the target of someone who is good at archery, and being near the target of someone who is bad at archery… which is worse? The one who will be shot at, by someone who they have never seen practice archery, is him.

    He graciously dug his own grave for Shen Miao. As an upstanding young lady, she shall courteously oblige.

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  49. Yeah, I was gonna say that this stipulation he made was stupid. You’d really entrust your life to someone you KNOW sucks at archery??? The apple on your head… one accidental miss and it’s game over for you. Why would he even think to make this the requirement? And if he misses to purposefully kill/wound our almighty empress, wouldn’t that just showcase his terrible aim?
    Not a smart idea.

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    • Its really stupid of him to bet his life on this challenge. It is like giving others an opportunity to take your life. Even if the person is not SM, it would be giving the other contender the chance to end his life… Such a dumb dumb

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