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Chapter Eighty-Five: Love Begets Hate
As the widow of the Crown Prince, and with his only child in her belly, the Crown Princess should be a noble personage whom all in the palace treated carefully and with respect. But because the rumors grew stronger as they spread, even the servants in Zhu Que Palace could not resist gossiping behind her back and then looking suspiciously at the Crown Princess’s child.
How could the Crown Princess be ignorant of what people were saying behind her back? However, she knew that she could not react to this matter at all. Because if she reacted, in the eyes of the Emperor, it meant that she was guilty.
Two days later, Qilong Emperor finally came to Zhu Que Palace to see the Crown Princess. He saw her sitting by the windowsill making baby clothes, and the gentleness in her eyes was unparalleled. The Emperor’s suspicious silently halved. “Why are you doing this yourself? Do not strain your eyes.”
“Emperor.” When the Crown Princess saw him, she wanted to get up and curtsey. Qilong Emperor softly pressed on her shoulder and said gently, “We do not need courtesies between us.”
Lin shi’s expression changed slightly, and then she said with a bitter smile, “I did not think that Emperor was still willing to come.”
“With you and zhen’s child here, how can zhen not come?” Qilong Emperor smiled as he sat down next to Lin shi. He picked up the small article that Lin shi was working on and inspected it. “Do not pay attention to the rumors outside. Just rest your mind and take care of your body.”
Lin shi said with red-rimmed eyes, “I don’t know who is at odds with qie to spread such evil rumors. Will they not rest until they force qie to die?”
“With zhen here, you do not need to be afraid.” Qilong Emperor put an arm around her shoulders and comforted gently, “Do not worry. Zhen will not allow the rumors to keep on spreading.”
“Emperor, you are so good to qie.” Lin shi smiled through her tears. She moved into Qilong Emperor’s embrace, but there was no joy in her eyes.
One day later, the news that over ten palace attendants were beaten to death for gossiping spread and caused many people to close their mouths. Even if they had suspicions, no one was tactless enough to speak them out loud.
When Hou shi heard that the Emperor had over ten palace attendants beaten to death for Lin shi, she said to Yan Bo Yi with a cold smile, “This is called true love.”
Yan Bo Yi had a dark expression and did not speak. His position in court had been affected greatly recently due to the rumors. The old emperor was probably very discontent with him right now.
Hou shi saw him act like this and couldn’t help but ask the question that had been there for a long time. “Tell me, who is really the father of the Crown Princess’ child?”
“Do not think nonsense.” Yan Bo Yi stood with slight displeasure. He said coldly, “Rest well, and do not think about useless matters.”
When Hou shi saw him leave without a glance back, her suspicions increased rather than decreased. She thought of the Crown Princess’ coolness to her, and the concubines in the fu who had features that were similar to the Crown Princess’. It was like there was a rock on her chest and she was not able to breathe.
No wonder he did all he could to make the Crown Prince unable to have a child, and then tried to do all he could to kill the Crown Prince. So it was for that woman. She had thought before that his personality was a cool one—but actually he was just warm to Lin shi, and she was a pitiful person who had the position of his wife.
He wanted the throne so much—was it so that he could possess Lin shi without any constraints?
She gripped the handkerchief in her hand. Hou shi thought for a long time before she methodically wiped the corner of her eyes. Her expression was calm to the extreme. “Someone come, send a card to Xian Wang Fu.”
When Hua Xi Wan received Hou shi’s card, she was slightly surprised. “Hou shi is actually interested in coming for a visit at a time like this. I have to say that she is someone who is skilled in enduring.”
“Sheng Junwang Fei does not have it easy.” Bai Xia put Hua Xi Wan’s hair up and then neatened the hairpins. “Mistress, are you going to see her?”
“If I do not, I will appear heartless.” Hua Xi Wan put down the card and said with a smile, “I also want to see what this husband and wife want to do.”
After Yan Jin Qiu heard that Hua Xi Wan was going to receive Hou shi, he did not say anything and only had Mu Tong order the servants to serve carefully.
He believed in Xi Wan’s skill. Just like Xi Wan trusted him and would never ask useless questions.
The next day when Hou shi came to Xian Wang Fu, Hua Xi Wan invited her to the pavilion in the middle of the lake to drink tea. Hou shi did not refuse.
Hou shi had come to this Pavilion on the Lake before. That time, Hou shi had implied that she was willing to help Xian Wang succeed the throne, but Hua Xi Wan had pretended to be clueless and moved over the topic. Coming back to this place now, Hou shi felt that she was so laughable for scheming for that man even at the expense of her own body.
Even if she put everything on the line for Yan Bo Yi, maybe she still wouldn’t be worth a pinky of Lin shi.
Hua Xi Wan felt that Hou shi was even more dark that in the past. She did not know why Hou shi had come to visit her, so she only talked about some boring topics. She had not expected Hou shi to directly state her intentions.
“Meimei, help me.”
Hua Xi Wan’s hand that held the teacup stilled. She then smiled and said, “Tang sao, what do you mean?”
“Meimei is so intelligent—how can you not know what I am saying?” Hou shi looked with a burning gaze at Hua Xi Wan.”I am not resigned.”
The smile on Hua Xi Wan’s face faded and became one of conflict. “Tang sao, you are a very intelligent woman. How can you not know that there are many matters which I cannot decide?”
Hou shi fell into a daze. “Yes, the men in the world are the same, all the same.” She had thought that Xian Wang was different towards Hua Xi Wan, but since they were all members of the Imperial Family, how could they escape the cruelty and heartlessness of the Imperial Family?
But other than Xian Wang, she could not find anyone else who could defeat Yan Bo Yi. She wanted to see him unable to achieve what he wanted, and never possess Lin shi!
Since her heart had been given to the wrong person, then she would not allow Yan Bo Yi to be happy.
“If you are willing to help me, I can tell you the secret forces that Yan Bo Yi has,” Hou shi said in a cool tone. “Who he is truly on good terms with, what secret properties he has, which spies he has arranged, and even what plans he has—I can tell you.”
Hua Xi Wan examined Hou shi carefully. Unless the other was the best actor in the world, there was no way that she could use this kind of expression and tone to say these words. But she still did not believe the other completely. “Saozi, you are joking. What Tang xiong has arranged has nothing to do with us. What is the use in my knowing such things?”
“Ha.” Hou shi smiled coldly and said, “If it wasn’t that Xian Wang is his only threat, you think that I would be willing to do this?”
Hua Xi Wan smiled upon hearing this. “If that is the case, Jiejie, why force yourself?”
“But I have to force myself to do some things.” Hou shi widened her eyes. “I want to see his hopes destroyed!”
Sometimes, the difference between love and hate was just a fine line, Hua Xi Wan couldn’t help but think when she saw Hou shi like this. Maybe when Yan Jin Qiu had people spread the rumors, it was to make Hou shi give up on Yan Bo Yi or hate him. The Emperor may not have even been the main target.
“Saozi, you cannot believe the rumors. You should not do anything because of words unrelated to you.” Hua Xi Wan sighed. “You are too excited now. When you calm down, you will not say this.”
“In the past, I was too impulsive and did those things for a man. Now I am calm.” Hou shi sipped tea with a calm expression. “I am willing to help you. I have no other request than to hope that my Hou Family will be safe when Xian Wang ascends the throne. I know my paternal family. They are not brave and are worried about trouble, so they are not willing to participate in the fight for the throne. If it was not for me, they would not be touched by these matters. Really, it is me who has dragged them in.”
Hua Xi Wan was silent. Inside, she had a new understanding of Hou shi.
“As a woman, can I not know what the person sleeping beside me thinks?” Hou shi sneered. “His heart is not on me, nor on the other women in the wang fu. In the past, I wanted to receive his true love; now I do not need it.”
Hua Xi Wan personally poured tea for Hou shi. Her opinion was not the same as Hou shi’s. Maybe Yan Bo Yi truly didn’t have any love for Hou shi, but it was unlikely that he had a lot of love for the Crown Princess, Lin shi. In Yan Bo Yi’s eyes, women were probably tools. He pursued the throne for his ambitions, and not out of love for a woman.
“These are my true words. Three days later, I will show you my sincerity.” Hou shi said this before she left Xian Wang Fu without a backward glance.
Hua Xi Wan sat in the pavilion. When she thought of Hou shi’s expression when she spoke of her paternal family, Hua Xi Wan sighed and drank the warm tea.
“What are you thinking?” Yan Jin Qiu took the cup in her hand and took a drink before sitting down next to her. “Did Hou shi say something that is of difficulty to you?”
Hua Xi Wan narrated what Hou shi had said before asking, “Do you believe her?”
Yan Jin Qiu raised an eyebrow and said idly, “I will know whether to believe her or not after she shows her sincerity.” He reached out to caress her face. “Do not burden your mind with these minor matters. It is not important if Hou shi’s words are true or not.”
Hua Xi Wan disdainfully slapped away his hand and stole her teacup back to pour herself a full cup. “If you want tea, pour it yourself. Don’t steal my cup every time.”
The servants in the pavilion: Life is so difficult seeing Wang Ye and Wang Fei being lovey-dovey every day.
Three days later, Yan Jin Qiu received a ledger. Written inside was the detailed accounts of Yan Bo Yi’s expenses, of which a huge portion was used to bribe others.
“It seems that Hou shi has truly given up on Yan Bo Yi this time.” Mu Tong saw Yan Jin Qiu was in a good mood and carefully asked, “Wang Ye, should we add to the fire?”
“It would be too much.” Yan Jin Qiu threw the ledger to the side. “Wait and see.”
“Then…”
“Wang Fei’s lunch will be ready soon.” Yan Jin Qiu waved his hand. “We will talk after eating.”
Mu Tong: I keep on feeling that Wang Ye has changed after being together with Wang Fei. This must be a wrong feeling…
In Sheng Junwang Fu, Yan Bo Yi’s expression was not good as he said, “You have gone to Xian Wang Fu again. I didn’t know that you have such a good relationship with Xian Wang Fei.”
“Didn’t you tell qie a few days ago to get closer to Xian Wang Fei?” Hou shi said with puzzlement on her face. “Xian Wang Fei is a lazy person, and does not like seeing guests. It is rare that she is willing to see qie recently. If I do not go, wouldn’t I be wasting such a good opportunity?”
Yan Bo Yi frowned upon hearing this but did not speak again.
Translator Ramblings: I wonder if Yan Bo Yi just lacks the ability to understand other people.
As always Mu Tong is clever, too bad just not clever enough. Thanks for the chapter.
O_O scary hope she is fine and gets out some how but I know that won’t happen poor Hou Shi
I hope Hou shi makes it out of this fire safely. By sending that ledger to Yan Jin Qiu, she’s taken the step on the path to no return.
Note that she asked for her family’s safety but not her own.
I respect her for that. So many characters in other novels say they want both, but it really means they want to be safe and keep their backing. You go, you treacherous, backstabbing, vengeful girl. If you can’t have the world, you can at least make sure your enemies only get a piece of it that’s 6′ x 2′ and 6′ deep.
*“With you and zhen’s child here, how can zhen not come?” Qilong Emperor smiled as he sat down next to Lin shi. He picked up the small article that Lin shi was working on and inspected it. “Do not pay attention to the rumors outside. Just rest your mind and take care of your body.”*
HE REALLY MAKES MY SKIN CRAWL. He’s a monster.
—
*When Hou shi heard that the Emperor had over ten palace attendants beaten to death for Lin shi, she said to Yan Bo Yi with a cold smile, “This is called true love.”*
YBY, I hate what you’ve turned your wife into.
—
*When Hou shi saw him leave without a glance back, her suspicions increased rather than decreased. She thought of the Crown Princess’ coolness to her, and the concubines in the fu who had features that were similar to the Crown Princess’. It was like there was a rock on her chest and she was not able to breathe.
Hua Xi Wan personally poured tea for Hou shi. Her opinion was not the same as Hou shi’s. Maybe Yan Bo Yi truly didn’t have any love for Hou shi, but it was unlikely that he had a lot of love for the Crown Princess, Lin shi. In Yan Bo Yi’s eyes, women were probably tools. He pursued the throne for his ambitions, and not out of love for a woman.*
These two paragraphs right there. One is just the perfect fuel to the fire and one is the more plausible reason for it. I doubt there’s any truth to YBY and the Princess’ affections but the surroundings don’t help him much in refuting it. If he has any sort of affections for the Princess, I think it’s more in line of her being a trophy if anything. Even that I highly doubt.
—
*Hua Xi Wan felt that Hou shi was even more dark that in the past. She did not know why Hou shi had come to visit her, so she only talked about some boring topics. She had not expected Hou shi to directly state her intentions.*
I really am sad that Hou shi became like this 🙁 I actually liked her at the start.
*“But I have to force myself to do some things.” Hou shi widened her eyes. “I want to see his hopes destroyed!”*
I’m rooting for you!
Thank you for this chapter! For some reason, your comment at the end made me laugh.
Tuesday is my new favorite day now…
Thank you so much… Muach
Lmao.. Same! Check for updates every morning, afternoon and night for the chapters haha xD
I think that’s YBY’s biggest flaw – he lacks empathy. He doesn’t need to be compassionate, YJQ also isn’t someone with compassion. But YBY fails to understand each and everyone also has their hopes and dreams, so he overlooks someone like his own wife who could go all out against him now that her dream of being loved by him was crushed.
Indeed . He thinks that since tje begining she has loved and done everything for him she wouldn’t change.
Wrong ! Hes the one that doesnt change and that is wrong ! To survive you need to adapt .
Look and Xian Wang
I hope the whole world get to know what kind of poeple YBY , Li shi and the emperor are !
Actually, he probably suspects his own wife a bit more than he always has. He has always been willing to make use of every possible advantage, thus any closeness with his wife. He would always need someone capable of running his household with apparent dignity, nobility, and possible élan. However, as soon as she miscarried and was going to have difficulty producing heirs, he got right on the stick and got two concubines. His wife has always been accommodating of his wishes, which is only what he sees as his due, being the husband-prince.
I think he simply lacks insight into other people. He tries to counter the acts by other men which he would act upon them, but never thinks beyond a relatively surface level. He’s just worse at reading women.
He is a callous man, whose only known emotional responses are to his own losses. He can cheerfully have anyone in his way murdered, possibly even doing it himself. He can rejoice in the fall of others when it improves his own standing. His self-centeredness means he discounts anybody who cannot directly affect his position.
I love those servants thought…
Thank you..
I think YBY’s blind spot is women. He miscalculates and missteps the most when it comes to women – and how others perceive him to deal with his women. And now, with another man’s woman.
Thank you for this chapter.
Yan Bo Yi is a pig head. He deserves it. Toying around poor Hou Shi. Sure…it was a plot of YJQ. But damn that crown princess is fucking disgusting. Srsly. I thought She was just manipulated to kill Hou Shi’s Baby but to think she did it intentionally. And that emperor daaaaamn😭😭😭😭
Thanks for the chapter 😆😊
Truly a thin line…whew
Welp welcom to #TeamXian
OMG the drama!! Love love love it. Can I just say, the author makes palace politics feel soo gripping. It isn’t half as interesting in other novels. When reading other novels, you’d usually go, okay you’re after the throne, we get it. But reading ETT, I actually get butterflies and goosebumps before a chapter haha. You guys are doing such a fab job translating this. Thank youuuu :*
Also, this line: “In the past, I wanted to receive his true love; now I do not need it.” This is the story of sooo many of the palace women, noble women. It’s terrible really, but inevitable that they would turn bitter and cynical after being treated with indifference.
I agree. This author writes good palace politics. Full of mystery and intrigue. TBAVW also had good palace drama. So how come the TV dramas fail to make them so gripping. I usually forward such scenes. I think of all the dramas I’ve seen only Nirvana In Fire did the palace intrigue right.
I think the reason I like this author is because here and in TBAVW, rather then getting played by others, the MC is the one manipulating others, even though sometimes its behind the scenes, we know he’s the one doing it. It gets very tiring and frustrating watching/reading the MC get manipulated again and again as it happens in other books and dramas.
Thanks for the chapters.
Oh Yan Bo Yi… You are so blind to the woman beside you :/ How could you not know she’d be beside herself with jealousy?
I don’t personally think that Yan Bo Yi doesn’t understand women so much as HXW correctly identified that he views the things around him as pawns to be moved at his will and ignores the idea that maybe he should think with his heart as well. Arguably, adding in the male dominated society and a majority of his dealings being with other mean in politics who probably hold a similar view on the value of pawns, and you end up with his personality.
Either way, i’m personally quite amused that from beginning to end Xian Wangfu has just basically been keeping a low profile and looks to be benefitting the most out of this debacle literally without needing to lift a finger. It’s not as if the Emperor and YBY are unaware of him, they just don’t seem to take him seriously. *shakes head* It’s going to be pretty amusing to see how long Xian Wangfu can ignore the fires around them. 😛
Ignorance is bliss afterall. (… or feigned ignorance. Still works apparently.)
Thanks for the chapter≧ω≦
Lol, free dog food for the servants in Xian Fu everyday :v
Thanks for the translation~
Haha my thoughts exactly! I feel bad for the servants, being forced to eat dog food almost everyday by this lovely dovey couple
–The servants in the pavilion: Life is so difficult seeing Wang Ye and Wang Fei being lovey-dovey every day.—
…The readers in the background: Life is so difficult seeing YJQ and HXW being lovey-dovey at every moment…. c(＞ω＜)ゞ
Thank you for the chapter (；・ε・)ゝ” fu
Hahaha, I quoted the same thing in my reply. I find it cute, very cute though.
This is what happens when you looked at a person and only sees a tool to be used, YBY. That person/tool, will work against you. And you’ll never see it coming.
A very thin line indeed between love and loathing. Hell hath no fury and everything…
Isn’t this really amusing : “The servants in the pavilion: Life is so difficult seeing Wang Ye and Wang Fei being lovey-dovey every day.”
lovey-dovey prince and princess making things difficult for their servants
The emperor= ewww, f’ing gross.
Yan Bo Yi is so focused on his goals that he doesn’t know of the fires brewing and emanating from Hou Shi.
Thanks for the new chapter!
Thank you for the chapter~
Translator Ramblings: I wonder if Yan Bo Yi just lacks the ability to understand other people
I’d argue he understands people just fine, since he’s managed to get as far as he has. The problem is that he doesn’t think weak people need to be factored in the equation. They will surely act as he directs. It has probably never occurred to him that a pebble in his shoe could stop his journey as surely as a boulder on the path.
Rather than not understanding other people, I think he just completely underestimates women, which makes him act stupidly with them. That’s what he gets for being a misogynistic pig.
lesson: never mistreat a woman who helped you a lot…those are the most revengeful
I feel bad for Hou shi… thank you <3
“As a woman, can I not know what the person sleeping beside me thinks?” Hou shi sneered. “His heart is not on me, nor on the other women in the wang fu. In the past, I wanted to receive his true love; now I do not need it.”
This is really makes me feel sad for Hou shi. For being in love sincerely with her husband, even tho the cause is not crown princess, but YBY seems like wont reciprocate his wife love. If YBY would be more understanding to his wife, it would be okay even with his ambitiousness 😢
And the Emperor is the worst ugh for being alright with his own action.
What hurts the most is when You have his body but not his heart. What’s worst is not having his heart, not even his body.
Women should be like MC. Love yourself more. It’s okay to bet in love. Love is a gamble. Depends on Luck and fate. If you notice that’s its already causing bad things to ur life. Preventing measure should be placed as a borderline. If you already cross the line. Rehabilitation is needed. Love yourself as in be happy. Stop making urself suffer.
Translator Ramblings: I wonder if Yan Bo Yi just lacks the ability to understand other people.
He is obviously the type that thinks himself to be clever when he is not, a frog at the bottom of the well.
YbY is too conceited to understand other people…he is too arrogant to ttry to understand his own wife, let alone other people…
Dunno how sheng junwang’s mind operates, he’s cold to everyone, buys people with money and do not dwell to much into how people think while this is the biggest weapon you can wield against your enemies. Even the emperor is smarter than him in that aspect.
Actually, I hope there’s a sequel for this novel when Hou shi reborn or transmigrated. I feel bad for her, she is too foolish and a hopeless romantic. She has potential tho, I just want to see she move on and start to love hersefl. I hope a good ending for her. And for that YBY bastard, sigh. I really want to know his inner thought and give him a big slap.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but… This chapter is named “Ch. 85” in the link, the content is from Ch. 85, but it’s named as Ch. 86 and also listed as such in the TOC. The next chapter is the proper Ch. 86…