With many thanks to @NancyC there will be a Family Title Chart to better illustrate the relationship between all the households! I have also updated it to the post on family titles… Do check it out! 😀
Edited by Tnyhy
Chapter 76: Returning Banquet (Part 1)
Three days later, the Imperial family held a returning banquet and hundreds of civil and military officials were attending. Even though Emperor Wen Hui mentioned that it was a celebration for the monarch and officials, everyone was well aware that this returning banquet was the Emperor’s way of celebrating Shen Xin’s meritorious services.
The Shen family held huge influencing power in their hands and with such valiant military leaders like Shen Xin and Shen Qiu, if one used them well, it would be a good sword to defend Ming Qi. If one did not used them well, they could threaten the person who was sitting on that chair at any time. For the Shen family, the Imperial family of Ming Qi depended heavily on defences but when the foreign lands were unclear, the Shen family were at least safe.
As long as the Shen family does not enter the muddy waters of the fight for the heir, the Imperial family would not take any action against the Shen family within these ten years. This was something that those people in court that had brains could see. But previously Shen Miao was in love with Prince Ding which made others think that if Shen Xin were to marry his daughter to Fu Xiu Yi, the position of the Shen family in court would be at the knife-edge. But afterwards Shen Miao’s interest on Fu Xiu Yi gradually faded and the Shen family need not be caught up in the whirlwind of the fight for the heir, thus they were safe and sound. Within those next ten years, the reputation of the Formidable Grand General in Ding capital could deter a lot of people.
Early in the morning Luo Xue Yan came over to take a look at Shen Miao. In the past few days, Luo Xue Yan and Shen Xin were investigating about the events in the Shen residence but these matters were covered up very well, and even the small trivial matters could not be discovered. But despite this, Shen Xin and wife felt a lot strange and alienated from Old Shen Furen and the other two households.
Shen Miao did not tell Shen Xin and wife about the matter of Shen Qing losing her innocence, and it was impossible for Ren Wan Yun and Chen Rou Qiu to say it out on their own accord. Even the excuse for Gui Momo’s death was done anyhow, it was said that her hands and feet were unclean (aka steals stuff) and she was thrown out of the house. Ren Wan Yun thought that Shen Miao would have told the truth them but who knew that Shen Miao also used her excuse. Ren Wan Yun thus believed that Shen Miao would not make any complaints to Shen Xin and wife about any concerns and so became even more fearless than before.
“There are too little hairpins in Young Lady’s jewellery box.” Bai Lu styled Shen Miao’s hair into a long bun. Now that Shen Miao was slimmer, she lost her young appearance and was not compatible anymore with the kind of looks that she had previously used. Moreover today she needed to enter the Palace so it would probably be best to dress up more dignified. However previously Shen Miao’s jewellery was bought by Ren Wan Yun and most of them were gold and now these jewellery were used to buy Yan Mei and Shui Bi in San Fu Ban, and for Mo Qing to make arrangements with Physician Chen and hence were pawned off and spent. Now those jewellery boxes were empty.
“Did not Master carried the rewards that His Majesty bestowed yesterday?” Shuang Jiang was struck by a brainwave, “Why not let Young Lady pick something from there? The rewards from the Palace are definitely good.”
“Forget it.” Shen Miao rejected it. Those things from the Palace, which one of it was not stained by blood. Now she was not willing to wear those things on her body, as if it could infect her and made her remember all those tragic years. She thought about it and opened a jewellery box and picked a hairpin from one of the layer.
“This hairpin is really beautiful!” Bai Lu was pleasantly surprised, “When did Young Lady have such a hairpin, was it Furen who gifted it?”
Shen Miao picked up that hairpin and placed it in front of her to carefully inspect it. This was the hairpin that Xie Jing Xing exchanged after picking the real Begonia from her head during the academy examinations, in the middle of the plum blossoms forest. If it was not Bai Lu mentioning about the matter, she would have thrown it to the back of her head.
The hairpin was made of jade, from the light to dark, when it reached the part with the flower, the entire jade was sparkling with a reddish purple colour. The craftsman who did the carving was very talented as the petal of the Begonia was in full bloom, and there was a feeling of a flourishing meaning. When one touches it, there was a cool and moist texture, obviously from the finest grade of jade. For such a jade Begonia hairpin, one fear that it was valued higher than a thousand gold. Previously Shen Miao saw a lot of good stuff in the Palace so she could naturally see that this hairpin was out of the ordinary. As such, she was even more unexpectedly surprised at Xie Jing Xing to be so generous as no matter how rich the residence of the Marquis of Lin An, one would not be able to squander at such a level.
Seeing Shen Miao lost in thoughts, Bai Lu was afraid of holding up the time and reminded, “Young Lady, this hairpin looks good, this servant will put it on for you.”
Only then Shen Miao recovered herself and went accordingly with Bai Lu’s wish.
Finally Shuang Jiang put a little rouge on the cheeks before it was considered finished. Gu Yu walked over with a Lotus blue rabbit fur cloak and put it on her before smiling, “Young Lady really look very good. Furen will definitely like it when she see this.”
Outside the door, Luo Xue Yan and Shen Xin were waiting as Shen Qiu ripped the leaves apart as he said, “Mother, why not let Younger Sister go to the chests of rewards for clothes and jewelleries?”
“What do you know.” Luo Xue Yan said in a bad mood, “It is always bestowing bolts of materials, one do not see clothes being bestowed. Even if there were clothes, who would know if those Ladyships and Concubines had worn them before. I would not dare to let Jiao Jiao wear them. As for jewellery, you might as well forget about it. Jiao Jiao will wear whatever she likes and desires, it is better not to intervene.”
Shen Miao had all along liked wearing tacky clothes and this point made Luo Xue Yan’s head to ache. No matter how much Luo Xue Yan persuaded, Shen Miao was unable to abandon her love of gold and silver jewelleries and after a long period, Luo Xue Yan gotten used to the look. Luo Xue Yan was born in a family with military lineage and even though she was fiercely beautiful, her dressing went towards the heroic style and had some vibe of a heroine.
Shen Qiu stuck his tongue out and softly spoke, “If Younger Sister wear gold and glittering again this time…” He hardly finished his words when he heard the squeaking sound of the door being pushed open.
“Younger Sister, Younger Sister…” Shen Qiu opened his mouth and stared foolishly at Shen Miao speechlessly.
The young female was wearing a purple jaded silk robes, with a rabbit fur cloak over it. The velvet rabbit fur covered her neck fully, making her small face look like it was the size of only a palm. Her complexion was already fair so when she wore the dark colours like lotus blue, it would not appear dull but looked extremely distinguished. The white straight teeth were like embracing the wind and with the lovely gestures from the young female, it make her more attractive due to her calm and quiet distinguished posture, as every single movement had a touch of prestige to it.
Luo Xue Yan and Shen Xin looked at her blankly. For a brief moment, they seemed to have saw pass the young female, and were now staring at the Empress of the throne with that noble air in the Palace that even surpassed the golden crown.
It was precisely because Shen Miao had always been wearing gold and silver that now when she was dressed simpler, she had an extravagant air and that kind of calm temperament was something that they had not seen before. Luo Xue Yan unconsciously pat her chest because she was born in the Northwestern region of the desert and only came to the Ding capital after she married Shen Xin, she was mocked for being uncouth, vulgar and lacking of etiquette. Luo Xue Yan herself did secretly invited a Momo over to learn but no matter how much she learnt, she was unable to portray the kind of elegance that was in one’s bones so she gave up.
Now her daughter looked more noble and dignified than any one of the daughters from Ding capital noble families. How could she not be happy and surprised!
“Hahahaha.” It was Shen Xin that first broke the silence, he raised his head and laughed out loud several times. When he looked back at Shen Miao again, there were pride and happiness in his eyes, “Shen family has a fully grown daughter. My Jiao Jiao is now also a great beauty!” The words he use were extremely coarse which provoked a fierce stare from Luo Xue Yan. When she turned her head, she saw the few guards that Shen Qui brought back from the army were also staring blankly at Shen Miao, she could not help but felt a trace of pride before she said, “Never mind. We will head to the horse carriage first. It would not be good to be late.” Finishing, she pulled Shen Miao along and talked to her intimately.
Shen Miao was not used to be treated as a little child like this but paused when she saw Shen Xin’s and Shen Qiu’s pampering looks. In the eyes of her parents and older brother, she was still that Shen Jiao Jiao.
Luo Xue Yan noticed the Begonia hairpin in her hair and said with a smile, “Jiao Jiao’s hairpin looks really good, did you pick it?”
Shen Miao vaguely responded and intended to walk towards the door but saw that there were two carriages that stopped there.
Thank you!
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So XJX has actually given something before? 😂😂😂
Happy happy to uncover traces of affection or fascination or whatever it is so far for now. 😂😂
Out beautiful empress. 😍😍😍
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Yeap… During the exam day 😀
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Hahahaha the jade begonia hairpin… As a symbol of contract(allies) or contract(for life)?
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Whichever type of contract it is, I have made it a mission to look for any traces of special interaction already. 😂😂😂
Great schemings are fun to read but romance is even more so. In need of some romance between the 2, need more interactions please. 😂😂
#readers being desperate. 😂😂🔫🔫
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Well if you are looking for “special” interactions, then you will probably have to wait another 50-60 chapters or so.. then XJX gets a little possessive? so to speak?
I’m listening to the audiobook in Chinese so I am totally spoiling myself while I wait for the translated chapters but I wasn’t able to understand everything T_T
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She’s wearing purple AND his hair piece!! AAAAA
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Omg you have no idea how excited I am for the banquet!!!! I’m so happy my girl looks rocking, just wait for the jealous looks of stupid SQ and SY 😂😂😂
Also I really love SM’s mom, she’s so great! I hope nothing happens to her, because doesn’t SM get a stepmother? Due to the summary, that’s what I’m guessing.
Can’t wait to see everyone be in shock at SM’s rebirth 😈 and for what SM has planned for the Second Household~
Thank you for the chapter 💖💖💖
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Thanks for supporting!! Among the death of her family, SM was most affected by her mom’s death because she took her last breath in front of her… This will be elaborated in the much later chapters but it was gut retching…
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So there will be a step mother later?
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In the past life Shen Xin has a concubine…
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WHAT?? Shen Xin got a concubine??? Hopefully that won’t happen this time because hopefully the mom won’t die. I thought it had been talking about Shen Xin’s stepmother, Old Lady Shen. No step-mother for Jiao Jiao, please!
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Now with Jiao Jiao… Lets see what will happen
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Thanks for the chapter~~ I used to really resent Shen Xin and Luo Xue Yan for not being there for SM when she really needed them. But seeing them now, how they protect, dote on, and accept SM, I’m so happy.
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Should be mad at not background checking the wet nurse when their daughter grew up liking tacky things…
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Awww love this family so much! So cute :3
Eeep! *squeak of excitement..lol* can’t wait for the revenge and humiliation. Heck yeah!
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They are just so adorbs!!!
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Thanks for the chapter!! Lifted my spirits up from all the school works ╰(*´︶`*)╯♡
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Thanks for supporting!! A good novel or drama gives us an escape from reality 😛
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Is XJX gonna be in the banquet? I wanna him to see SM’s outfit and hairpiece!
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Maybe??? Hehehe…
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Ooohh such a tease!
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Uoooooooh! Hahahahhaahahahah, who knows what Shen Miao will say! XD
Thanks for the chapter!
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IKR! if she says it was lil marquis… *dies on the spot from nosebleed*
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The purple robe and hairpin is going to give XJX a surprise (hopefully). Her looks is definitely going to stun everybody. Hmpf. Thanks for the chapter.
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Thanks for supporting!! We can almost hear jaws dropping 😛
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I actually want to know XJX’s reaction after seeing SM wearing the hairpin he gave her.
Can’t wait for the banquet, I wonder what kind of drama and plays are gonna happened?
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Even though it is only part of the plan, it would be good… Worth the wait 😀
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I’ll be waiting ❤
When would the next update be, btw?
Thanks
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There will be two additional chapters this week so do expect updates on Fri and Sat! 😀
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Great 👍😏
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Thank you for the chapter
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aww.. ❤ I love her family + maidservants. ❤ if XJX is in the banquet too I bet he's gonna make an excuse to meet her and give the medicine for her burnt scar. 😀 I ship them. 😀
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He crushed the bottle of medicine already 😦
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hehe! even if he can’t give the bottle since it’s already destroyed, he better show some kind of reaction to the fact that she’s wearing the hairpin he gave her ;D
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She finally used the hairpin! >~<
Whose carriage is the other one?
Thank you for the lovely chapter (●♡∀♡))ヾ☆*。fu
..let's wait and see who'll be hooked by her beauty~
… (╬⓪益⓪) but i don't wanna see that perverted and disabled old man a.k.a prince
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Thanks for supporting!! That perv have to be there so that plan can be executed… Lets trust SM 🙂
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Two carriages must be the backstabbing relatives. Shen Miao in purple ❤ I'd love to see that!!!
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Its like her fav colour in this lifetime 😀
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Huehuehuehue is our male lead gonna see her wearing it? I wanna see his reaction T_T (probs he’s gonna be indifferent though)
Thank you for the update!
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Two carriages hmmmmm …… oh purple royal color
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Thank you!!!
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Finally! Some action again. It was too peaceful the past few chapters.
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Hahaha… Yes… Its TIME!!!
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thank you for the chappy….
took a break form working on my game design and there i see a chap… couldnt help myself, so i had to read it.. need more…
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Thanks for supporting!! There will be more tomorrow 😀
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Ah, I love purple. Wish the author would include a picture of that hairpin! cause I definitely love her description over it.
It’s quite funny reading her family’s reaction over her styling haha. Oh well, I would be surprised as well since there are a lot of significant changes that one could not overlook.
Thank you NancyC! Thanks zazajunnie for the update! /hugs/
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Thanks for supporting!! I guess anyone of us will be shocked if we see a 180 degree change to our family
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Is this a Qidian Novel? I’m only asking because I really like reading this, and lots of projects from other websites have been poached by Qidian International using copyright laws. I even heard they were going to paywall their website. I would hate for this novel to be taken down. I just want to say, thank you for doing what you have been so far. We as a community, really appreciate the translators. 🙂
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Erm… I don’t think so?
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Thank you for the chapter~
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Much I love to see XJX’s reaction, I wanna see FXY. He was looking down on her before. Now that she exudes empress’ aura. I want him to regret heheheh. You know now that she’s ignoring him and not infatuated anymore. Its odd that,
I haven’t seen her interacting with FXY at this point yet. Will there be any?
Thanks for translation!
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Thanks for supporting!! Interaction between both of them will be the minimal… And I secretly like it cause it means that he is worth nothing to her 😛
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Thank you for the chapter..
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Thank you so much!! 😘😘😘
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Thanks for supporting!!
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Ah…. I remember that scene. In the garden full of flower. 😍😍 The 1st gift from XJX. #daydream
Hemm…. I think I need to read again from the start while waiting for your translation. 🙂 😁
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SUPPORT!!! 😛
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aaah thank you 🙂
What a cliffhanger. I really want to know why the main reason XJX gives that jade to SM. Is he really very generous?
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Mmmmm… Not sure why though… The novel doesn’t say (not sure if I missed it as I usually speed read the novel)
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I love SMM’s family 🙂 thank you for the chapter!
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Thanks for supporting!! Love them too!!
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Thanks for this update.
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OMFG the whole bringing up her hairpin she got from lil marquis…. *fan-girling* ahh~! seriously! it’d be so good if he sees her wearing that pin and gets a little – thump thump – for her 😉 this couple… is going to be so fckng cute, i’m going to die when they get together. (ok, so.. super intense feelings and support for them here~)
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Lets calm down… At this moment this is just a spark of interest from XJX, it doesn’t mean anything yet. They need to go through some experiences together first 😛
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psh! skip all that fluff! they’re cute and they can’t stop me from thinking that! seriously waiting for that awesome moment….. 😉
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Thanks. Happy that SM is really living well from her bad past life.
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Thanks for supporting!! Its much better than being used and thrown away. Now she has control over her own fate
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Thanks for the chapter 😃
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I feel a need to go back to the plum orchard and reread the gifting of the hairpin. What was he thinking then? It seems the both of them were wrapped in their own schemes at the time. She warned him about him brothers…but I don’t remember why he would have given her this gift. Has he forgotten it too?
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Thanks for the chapter!
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I cant open the family title chart😟
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Thank you foto this update
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Thank you for this update
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Thanks for the chapter and thanks for the sponsors. It’s worth the wait. Gifting a hairpin is a tradition for coming of age for the girls right? If a boy gives you a pin it means he likes you, but since the pin came from XJX, it doesn’t look like it. I also think the pin was his mother’s belonging. I just don’t know why he gifted it? Hum…advance betrothal gift? Lmao, I wish. I believe that XJX will be gone from the stage for a while, and worst he’ll become estrange with his father. Meanwhile, our empress will wreck havoc to MQ empire. 😊😊😊
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Thanks for supporting!! That is usually the case of hairpins but for XJX it means differently…
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Thanks for the chapter…😘
I cant wait for the next chapter
What kind of the face that xjx make if he saw Sm wear hairpin
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You’re welcom😊
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Gaaaaaah. More more more I waaaant more *sniffs* carriage…I wonder if it’s that prince Yu and the hairpin as a fanfic lover I can almost see a plot of fanfic with that hairpin alone. Omg.😂 Thaaaaaank you so much for the update!! 😆
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Thanks for supporting!! There will be one more tomorrow!! LOL… One hairpin thrown us to disarray…
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I have a feeling very good things are about to happen.
Thank you as always
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Thanks for supporting!! Your feelings are going to come true…
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Thank you for the solid translations so far! I’m loving the story and I can’t wait to see what the savageness and humiliation..
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Thanks for supporting!!
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Hiya, just wanna ask if Shen Qiu have two names or it’s typo ? Been seeing Shen Qui since past few chapters :0
Thanks for the translation ya
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IS THERE?!?! It must be the auto correct… I will check the previous chapters and change it… Thanks for the headsup
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Alright (0w0)/
Thanks for your hard work~
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Awww… Jiao jiao still kid in her father and big bro eyes ^^
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There’s a good chance that that hairpin belonged to his mother. If that’s the case, and anyone at the palace recognizes it, wearing it could cause quite a few problems for Shen and Xie.
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Me encanta su familia n.n
Gracias por la traducción!
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Wait wait, correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t males gifting a hairpin to females in ancient China means that he is confessing his feelings/intentions?
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
XJX you sly dog~
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Thank you!
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…did you pick it?
…no, future husband gave it.
***Thank you for the translation work!***
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Thank you!😭 I really love their familial bondi g and interaction and I’m afraid I would want more, is it too much to ask for?😣
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