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Chapter Eighty-Three: Moves
Ning Wang and Yan Jin Qiu exchanged courtesies before they entered Chao Yang Hall one after the other. Those who were mindful saw this and couldn’t help but think, did this Ning Wang want to push Xian Wang to the throne? But looking at Xian Wang, he didn’t seem to want to accept Ning Wang’s favor?
There were those who then took a look at Sheng Junwang’s expression. This person had the same expression as usual, a straight face, and they found it boring. The younger people who were usually lectured by their elders and compared to Yan Bo Yi always felt terrible when they saw Yan Bo Yi’s serious face.
Some young people were the “other children” whom elders liked to mention. If they got a say, this Yan Bo Yi was a fake gentleman. He was said to respect his wife, but there were many concubines in his fu. They didn’t know how he wasn’t embarrassed to be praised so.
After the people were seated, a taijian came to clap and open the way. Everyone stood up again to welcome the Emperor and Empress.
The Empress walked next to the Emperor dressed in a dress of the hundred birds paying respect to the phoenix. Hua Xi Wan saw that every one of her steps was steady and that the phoenix gold hairpins in her hair swayed rhythmically yet the sway was almost the same with every step.
“Rise.”
After the Emperor and Empress were seated, they stood up. Hua Xi Wan listened to an official of the Ministry of Rites recite a birthday speech that the Emperor had written for the Empress. The general meaning was the Empress was good, the Empress was wonderful, the Empress was virtuous.
After the speech, the Emperor and Empress sent up three cups of wine in tribute to the heaven and earth. Then they drank a cup to each other before everyone toasted them. After a whole bout of ceremony, they could finally sit on their seats to drink, eat and watch performances. However, they had to pay attention to their manners.
Hua Xi Wan used her handkerchief to cover her mouth and said in a small voice by Yan Jin Qiu’s ear, “How come the Empress Dowager did not come today?”
Yan Jin Qiu picked up a pickled duck tongue for her with a calm expression. “The Empress Dowager is not feeling well and is resting in the palace.”
Hearing this, Hua Xi Wan became silent. In past years, even if the Empress Dowager did not feel well, she would still show herself at the Empress’ birthday feast before leaving. Hua Xi Wan hadn’t expected the Empress Dowager to not even attend this time. She hadn’t heard any news that the Empress Dowager had been unwell before this. This… the Empress Dowager was purposefully humiliating the Empress. A few days ago, the Emperor had the Imperial Guard surround the Fang Family, and now he had written a speech for her before reciting it in front of so many people. Their lovey-dovey really wasn’t well-concealed.
However, were the Emperor and Empress really so much in love or just pretending for other people?
There was nothing good about this banquet. Hua Xi Wan was too lazy to watch the Emperor and Empress act. She leaned against Yan Jin Qiu to use him as concealment and avoided having to talk. Just as the banquet was about to finish, something happened.
Originally, while the banquet had been slightly fake, it had appeared well on the surface. But if a taijian suddenly fainted and died at the banquet, then it was not good.
Even though the taijian’s corpse had been quickly carried out, it was not an auspicious omen for such a thing to occur on the Empress’s birthday. Also, who died suddenly and without cause? Was this a warning from the heavens?
Hua Xi Wan had heard of a situation like this in her past life. The doctor said that this was due to a problem of the blood vessels in the brain and heart. But the people here did not know, so it was easier for them to categorize it as something supernatural.
The one who felt that this was the worst thing to occur was probably the Empress. Even though Hua Xi Wan could not see much emotion on the Empress’s face, as a woman, Hua Xi Wan was sure that the Empress was feeling displeased now.
Princess Rui He walked out of Chao Yang Hall with a dark expression because the taijian who just died had been serving her. It would be hard for anyone who encountered such a situation where a person suddenly fell down and died. The servants behind her had their heads by their shoulders and were afraid that she would vent her temper on them.
“Don’t you find this suspicious? Why was it the taijian who served Princess Rui He that died suddenly?”
“Is it retribution? Did you hear that rumor?”
“Which one?”
“Rui He Fuma died without justice, and Princess Rui He possibly…”
The day after the banquet, rumors spread outside. The general meaning was that Rui He Fuma had died unjustly and was taking revenge on Princess Rui He.
When Hua Xi Wan heard these rumors, she was speechless. Regardless of whether it had been the princess who killed Rui He Fuma, even if she did, the person on whom he would exact vengeance was Princess Rui He. What was the use in killing a taijian?
Not two days later, the rumors changed. The general meaning was that this was a warning against the Empress. The heavens were discontent with the Empress, therefore such an unfortunate matter occurred at her birthday banquet.
Then there were officials who accused the Empress’ paternal family of disgraceful conduct, and considering the warning from the heavens, the Empress did not have the virtues to be the empress.
In a few short days, a very simple matter suddenly became related to the matter of deposing the Empress. Hua Xi Wan felt that, without a mastermind, how could it develop so?
She was not the only one. Even Yan Jin Qiu hadn’t thought that it would develop like this. After he discussed it with his advisors, there was no result, but he decided not to act.
For him, a sonless empress was better than an empress who might have a child and was favored. If Empress Fang was deposed, the Emperor would definitely marry a new empress. That would not be good.
At night after he and Hua Xi Wan ate together, and the two were chatting inside their comfortable blankets, Hua Xi Wan said, “I heard that many people were asking the Emperor to depose the Empress. Is that true?”
Yan Jin Qiu nodded.
“Is it the Emperor who wants to depose the Empress?” Hua Xi Wan frowned. “If the Emperor did not think this, he would have pushed the matter down when the first official spoke up. Why would he allow this matter to develop?”
Yan Jin Qiu laughed lightly. “Who knows—maybe.”
In Zhu Que Palace, the Empress and the Crown Princess sat facing each other. Because her pregnancy had progressed, the swelling of the Crown Princess’ belly had grown. The Crown Princess who had always been careful and timid in front of the Empress started to become casual.
“Why has Mother Emperor come to find this subject?” The Crown Princess was holding a small article of clothing in her hand as she looked with a smile at the Empress. “What do you think of this clothing?”
The Empress said with a cold smile, “What did you do?”
“Mother-Empress, what are you saying? What did this subject do?” The Crown Princess smiled brightly, and her index finger moved on the cloth. “This subject doesn’t understand what you are saying.”
“Only you know if you understand or not,” the Empress said with a cold smile. “You are too young to fight against me!”
“Haha.” The Crown Princess covered the smile on her face and laughed. She laughed until the Empress’ expression turned impatient before she stopped. “This is so wondrous. You want to keep the child and eliminate the mother—am I not allowed to fight back?”
In the eyes of other people, the Emperor and Empress were the most noble couple in the world, but in her eyes, they were the most disgusting pair. One had taken her innocence while she had been drunk, and another treated her like she was something to be molded. Even if she was something pliable, she still had her personality.
She had not lived enough; she did not want to die.
“Good, very good.” Hearing this, the Empress said gravely, “I want to see what you can do!” After saying this, the Empress turned to leave.
The Crown Princess covered her stomach and suddenly shouted in pain, “Someone come, come!”
To deal with the Empress, she didn’t need to use any skill.
Translator Ramblings: The empress forgot that the child is more important than her right now.
Wow. It really was the Emperor.
Pity that person.
*Princess Rui He walked out of Chao Yang Hall with a dark expression because the taijian who just died had been serving her. It would be hard for anyone who encountered such a situation where a person suddenly fell down and died. The servants behind her had their heads by their shoulders and were afraid that she would vent her temper on them.*
This is bad timing for her. She was actually laying low already. Poor Princess Rui He. Though I don’t really have much pity for her.
—
*However, were the Emperor and Empress really so much in love or just pretending for other people?*
I’ll treat this as sarcasm.
—
*Not two days later, the rumors changed. The general meaning was that this was a warning against the Empress. The heavens were discontent with the Empress, therefore such an unfortunate matter occurred at her birthday banquet.*
“Is it the Emperor who wants to depose the Empress?” Hua Xi Wan frowned. “If the Emperor did not think this, he would have pushed the matter down when the first official spoke up. Why would he allow this matter to develop?”*
I didn’t think it was him but I wouldn’t put it past this evil monster to do just that.
—
*“Haha.” The Crown Princess covered the smile on her face and laughed. She laughed until the Empress’ expression turned impatient before she stopped. “This is so wondrous. You want to keep the child and eliminate the mother—am I not allowed to fight back?”
In the eyes of other people, the Emperor and Empress were the most noble couple in the world, but in her eyes, they were the most disgusting pair. One had taken her innocence while she had been drunk, and another treated her like she was something to be molded. Even if she was something pliable, she still had her personality.*
That Empress is done. After this, she has no more future. More than her downfall though, I want to see the Emperor suffer. I can’t even begin to describe how much I hate him right now. Sadly, I also don’t see much of a future for the Crown Princess. No good tidings all around.
Thank you for this chapter! Can’t wait to read more of what happens next week.
“In the eyes of other people, the Emperor and Empress were the most noble couple in the world, but in her eyes, they were the most disgusting pair. One had taken her innocence while she had been drunk, and another treated her like she was something to be molded. Even if she was something pliable, she still had her personality.”
Wtf what did she imply?!
1) That the emperor took her virginity? Then that means it was before she married the crown prince or the crown prince never really slept with her??? That’s very unlikely
2) that the emperor raped her while she was drunk and thus ‘forcing her to cheat on her husband’ ? This must have happened while the crown prince was still roaming around…and to get in one shot pregnant… This smells like a conspiracy. And I guess this didn’t only happened one time, the emperor seemed to be confident that she was pregnant when he locked up the crown prince.
The empress, I don’t despise her. I only pity her, she became what she is now because of her husband and the throne. Him being such an asshole, her family being such a burden and to survive in all that… She had to become ruthless.
The empress dowager is such a scumbag, what she had done is not to survive but is for her own selfishness.
The difference between between the empress and the empress dowager ist that the empress does the things to protect herself und those important to her. If they betray her will be merciless. The empress dowager is different, she now wants to soar higher and schemed for a long time to fulfill her desires
I thought it happened only one time.
I don’t think anyone in the Imperial family is worth pitying. At least not once they’ve been around long enough (and the empress definately has been).
Remember the later part? “something to be molded” I believe this means that the Empress specifically chose the Crown Princess for her son because she could be easily manipulated and thought to be submissive to him. Remember also that just a chapter before the Empress was lamenting her loss of innocence? What do you think THAT entails?
Just to reiterate, I’m not trying to defend anyone’s position in here, Literally everyone in the Imperial Family has done something worth condemning. I just don’t think it’s really fair/accurate to think better of one party without realizing the other party has done equally terrible things in the past.
This kind of includes extended family members like Yan Jin Qu and Yan Bo Yi btw, at absolute minimum, they’ve both shown a propensity to kill in order to get ahead, and one doesn’t end up on the throne (at least in these feudal CN culture based times) without drowning in a sea of blood on the way up *shrugs*
I think the younger wives of the princes (The Crown Princess & even Bo Yi’s wife) are worth pitying. Technically they are not the Imperial Family, but adjacent.
You have to understand where the Empress Dowager is coming from. She is no different from the Empress and it goes both ways. The only real difference is that the Empress Dowager is older and has to plan differently compared to when she was the age of the Empress.
One of the reasons why the Empress was so protective of her son, that vile Crown Prince, is the same issue with the Empress Dowager playing her pieces right to ensure she stays snugly where she is coz that’s how the Imperial family has worked in her time.
Both their mistakes were that they forgot that they weren’t the only ones playing the game. ED had YJQ in her plans, Empress had her son, YBY had himself, YJQ had his reputation. So far, it’s YJQ winning the game only coz he’s letting the others mess with each other and sits back to watch. Meanwhile, YBY thinks himself so smart that thinks he’s the only real, possible heir to the throne.
Maybe the crown princess’ family has a history of being very fertile? . I know my family is very fertile. We are 5 children and my mom and dad were trying for 2. The rest were *cough* mistakes *cough*. My grandma is the same. 6 children from her -_-
PS: Just speculation cuz that’s all I can think off
My grandmother has 12 brothers and sisters, all from a single marriage.
Fertile? I’m pretty sure I’m 25% rabbit…
Thank you for the hard work. Post-weekend is not so blue when I remember I have something to look forward to.
A truly scary family. >_< No mercy whatsoever.
Thanks for the mass release!
wow! a triple update! thank you! poor empress. e.
Meh, she deserved it.
Thank you for this chapter
Aye. There goes the empress. Looks like everything is about to explode. I hope the emperor would push the empress to the limit so that she’ll go kamikaze and drag down the emperor by revealing everything.
Even if the officials know of the emperor ‘great deeds’, since no one dared to say anything, then they wouldn’t do anything. But if all is reveal, then its a different story.
I can’t see any other ending beside the emperor going coocoo and do a naked run.
Ughh, i’m done with the emperor. How many more chapters until he went to hell already? Such a disgusting garbage.
Did emperor suffered enough later? I hope so..
Thank you for the updates..
Hmm, and now we move to full on court politics.(okay we were dancing around it for a while, but mostly HXW wasn’t directly involved so we get watered down parts of it)
Emperor probably find Empress an eyesore at the moment and doesn’t require her to be around much, I find it quite interesting that they seemed to collude 2 chapters back on trying to smoke out the “enemy” and then finding “none”, The Emperor decided to get rid of her first. … Granted I’m not sure how much was “discussed” and how much was just handed down for the Empress to deal with.
Looking like the Emperor wants to elevate Crown Princess to Empress? … At least that’s what I guess.
Either way, the whole royal family is a mess and I’m glad I’m not related to them. @_@;
I wonder how is he planningen to that ? Since its like incest. I’am site that nobody would accept it as the was his sons5 wife… but wait remember Yang Guifei ? She was the consort of Prince Li ( or what wat bis name ) and Chen emperor Taizong saw her he took her as the highest ranked consort below the empress. And what about empress Wu Zetian , it was the same . So since they succeded that means he can also ? Aaaah I wonder how the story will progress ! Can’t wait till next week monday of thuyrsday 😖
Hmm… That’s kind of the part I’m a bit stuck on. I’m sure the Empress being deposed has some positive effects for the Emperor or else he wouldn’t get rid of her, but I’m unable to think of what that positive effect is.
I suppose he could drag up her status if the baby in her ends up being male? perhaps? as a way to strengthen the baby’s claim on the throne in the future?
If the child is male, there is no real reason to marry again. If the child is female, he will want an heir. The Empress is not going to be having another son in this lifetime, so another woman makes sense. Apparently only in the Tang dynasty did an Emperor marry his son’s wife, as well as the only ever Empress regnant marrying her dead husband’s son. So, unless this is set in the Tang Dynasty (I don’t think so, but I could be wrong), the people would frown mightily upon marrying your son’s wife. Your son’s wife is effectively your daughter, and that sort of relationship with your daughter is a big no. Even then.
Stand and fight, our princess! You deserve our support over those two old crones!
Damn. Imperial families are srsly disgusting bleh 🤢
I just love how HXW and YJQ are just seemingly nonchalant about things but I guess, that crown princess does want some revenge…aaaah…but how could the emperor do that to his son’s wife? I mean the Palace doesn’t seem to be lacking with concubines for the emperor. 😐
THAAAAANK YOH SO MUCH FOR THE CHAPTER!!
Awesome…so much suspense. I am curious with what happen next. Thank you for the chapter 🙂
Thanks again. Remember in the last chapter – “Which kind of person could cuckold her son yet she did not dare to voice it?” – quite frankly, if the Empress had thought of this first (ie. someone else sleeping with her daughter in law to get her pregnant because the Crown Prince was infertile) – she would have done it. Now, she’s mad that the Emperor stepped in and did it? This is a bit like complaining you didn’t get the office promotion when you didn’t put in the work. Although, the imperial family is one office I would avoid!
The thing is that it has to do with blood. If the empress has another man sleep with her daughter-in-law, her blood wouldn’t actually make it onto the throne as the grandchild would not be related to her. For the emperor, it is a child of his blood and he wants it to be his son. Otherwise, he could just adopt from the wider Imperial Family.
Indeed – but having a child (blood related or not) would be the most important. That skanky Empress can tell people it was her son’s child and they would have to believe her. Time for the Flaming Arrow of Justice to hit the harem. Conveniently while the Crown Princess is out for a walk or some thing . . .
I feel sorry for all of them, but that’s palace life, i suppose. It would be helpful if the Emperor wasn’t such a fucking dog, though. The women around him are the ones who seem to suffer the most.
Thanks for the three chapters translator-sama..
Thank you for this chapter! Can’t wait to read more of what happens next week.
Ahahaa this scum..when she was drunk! Poor thing couldn’t do a thing to protect her own life. But it seems our crown Princess isn’t all that subservient? Emperor’s gotta have triggered this situation in some way..is he inciting CP against Empress so she can fight back? I mean he has no use for Empress now. But CP could still have her uses.
<3 <3 yes more!!! ;p thank you <3 <3
So… the Emperor raped his daughter-in-law.
This imperial grandson isn’t even a grandson… he’s a son. My head hurts thinking about how messed up this all is.
Mm, the crown princess can even make it appear to the emperor that the empress is acting against her earlier than expected, then this empress is done for. However, keeping the crown princess is also not good for the emperor.
ayy ayy
Thank you for the chapter ∑(⌒◇⌒；) fu
That’s right. She’s definitely not going to last much longer than it takes to deliver a baby or die trying.
As for the empress – wave goodbye to the mean lady. ( ´_ゝ｀)ﾉ
Thank you for the chapter~
Thanks for the chapter!
I’m so addicted to this story, can’t wait to know what’s gonna happen with each character.
It’s weird how I used to think “Yay! Three chapters a week! I’m blessed!”
But now it’s “Noooo! Why not four? How about five? Let’s make it ten!”
All jokes aside, I can’t thank you all enough for bringing us this story. It’s become one of my favorite Chinese novels to date.
Thanks for the updates 😊
Now is the time to bid Empress Fang farewell…not that she will really fare well because she is a walking corpse. I’m sure the emperor will get rid of her because as a previous poster had commented, “The empress had become an eyesore.” There is no use for her and without a strong paternal family to support her, she will be toppled from her position. Sad but true in the battles of the imperial family.
Once Empress Fang is disposed then there is no need to get rid of the Crown Princess immediately and it will look suspicious that members of the imperial family are dropping like flies. The emperor can marry a younger empress and sire more heirs. He had already gotten two women pregnant within a year so obviously he is able. It was most likely the ploys of the harem (Empress and maybe the Dowager Empress) that caused him to only have 2 children that survived to adulthood. As for the little one in CP’s belly, the child might not be born if contenders to the throne have their way. Please YJQ don’t harm the baby!! Otherwise, you might earn the dislike of your beloved Wangfei.
YJQ: (flings his wide sleeves and a gentle smile with hidden daggers) The despicable one is not bengwang. Look to the other wangfu. ….(glances speculatively)…Mu Tong, capture this person for questioning …
Quite: Crap!! (escapes with Lightness Kung fu) Need to learn not get involved with these ruthless royals…(wipes away the sweat on the brows)…almost lost my little life 😓
Sorry for the long post. Didn’t realize how lengthy it had become. Waiting for the next chapters. Goodbye for now >_<
looks like the empress is definitely at a disadvantage…can never win a fight against a pregnant woman
Compared to the lovey-dovey of the MCs, this “The general meaning was the Empress was good, the Empress was wonderful, the Empress was virtuous.” is so laughable. I know it said “general meaning” but honestly, I could see the Minster of Rites reading these words verbatim with a straight face…and all the crowd putting on a show that it was the best speech ever written.
Thanks for the chapter!
So glad that the Crown Princess is fighting back! Thank you <3
The women in this novel are so pitiful… even Lin Ping Xianzhu, a woman foolishly in love with a lusty good-for-nothing.
The only woman I can’t symphatize with is Min Huai Junzhu, I can’t really take her seriously, even though her circumstances are much like Xian Wang’s blood related sister. Also considering the women who are infatuated with the two faced ML, I just can’t pity them when HXW deals with them. They deserve it.
Zhang Shi probably tops the list of the women I abhor in 8TT. She deserved all what came to her. Even Princess Rui He, is much better than her although she’s no saint either.
Sigh
None of people in the royal family is good person, some do evils cos thwey are evil by nature, some do evil things for their own survival. YJQ is just as ruthless but he is still the best to inherit the throne for the same reason ED had mentioned before.
He still has a certain level of benevolence and know to appreciate those who deserve it, he still has emotion for people who are good to him.
He also think about how the commoners live.
If the crown prince has such conduct and the other candidate is so unfeeling like YBY, who doesn’t even have a slightest care for his own wife who is so good, then… it is good that Xian wang has the ambition to fight for the throne.
Otherwise the country will fall into chaos and noone has a good life.