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nWithered leaves danced within the ice-cold wind of the night. Accompanying them were the mournful cries of a woman.

nA court eunuch watched the no-longer-beautiful Wanyi Qian, an insincere smile on his face. “Wanyi Qian, please be on your way.”

nIn a stiff manner, she looked at that snow-white piece of silk, shaking her head again and again as she recoiled from it. She didn’t want to die, was afraid of dying. Wanted to live, live in a lofty and noble fashion!

nBut the court eunuchs would not tolerate her struggling. They approached her in large strides and wound the white silk around her neck. In a normal tone, one of them said, “When you reincarnate into your next life, don’t commit wicked deeds again. Farewell.”

nFifteen minutes later, the eunuch that was the leader of the group saw the other eunuchs exit the room. And he knew that the matter had already been settled. He waved, indicating for the Daoist priest behind him to go in. “Don’t forget to cleanse the area splendidly.”

nThe Daoist priest nodded. He swung the horsetail whisk in his hand, entering the room without a word.

n“Once the cleansing is finished, drag the corpse out. His Majesty has sent out a decree: This person will be buried in the rites of a gengyi. We don’t need to trouble ourselves.”

nA ninth-rank gengyi. Although a person of that position might appear to have some standing at first glance, in reality, such a person could not even compare to a palace maid with some status. This Wanyi Qian could be considered to have lost her head. In the entire harem, who wasn’t aware that the emperor placed much importance on Consort Zhao? Yet, she just had to scheme against said woman. She didn’t have many connections and wasn’t smart either, yet threw away her life like that. It really didn’t deserve any pity.

nOne hour later, court eunuchs carried Wanyi Qian outside the room. The leading eunuch wiped his hands. Said to the little eunuch behind him, “Let’s go. I still have to report to Gao-gonggong.”

nQianzheng Palace was brightly lit. After Feng Jin heard Gao Dezhong’s report, he said flatly, “Since the matter has already been settled, there’s no need in mentioning it anymore. Have people watch over Xihe Palace properly. We want Consort Zhao and Our child to be well.”

nGao Dezhong accepted the order and withdrew. Once he stepped foot outside the main hall, a wave of relief washed over him. He had a sinking suspicion that he had heard something he shouldn’t have.

nWanyi Qian’s death caused the imperial concubines to grow much more well-behaved. When Zhuang Laoayan was eight months pregnant, the weather had gradually warmed. She could not eat things that were too cold, and could only have people place basins of ice at the corners of the rooms. Not to mention, have palace maids incessantly fan her to alleviate her irritation from the heat.

nImperial physicians would come to examine her pulse three times a day. Her unborn child was doing extremely well; Zhuang Laoyan did not worry. However, the fetus would kick too hard, sometimes causing her pain. It was very inconvenient for her to sleep during the night, especially when it was hot. She would find it hard to breathe, and as a result, her temper grew worse and worse.

nIt was rare for it to rain. The next day, the weather grew much cooler and more refreshing. Using the hand of Yunxi as support, Zhuang Laoyan took a stroll in the imperial gardens. In the end, she caught sight of Noble Imperial Concubine Yan and Xiuyi Su quarreling in a pavilion, and she herself was even mentioned.

nBecause Zhuang Laoyan’s temper was poor these days, she sneered. “You two are in a good mood. Since you have opinions about this palace, why not say it in front of this palace?”

nNever had the two of them expected the eight-month-pregnant Zhuang Laoyan to appear here. At once, their complexions changed and they dropped to a kneel with a bang. They knew that even the empress had to give Zhuang Laoyan some face now, much less the two of them, who had already lost the emperor’s favor.

n“Oh? Why aren’t you speaking?” Zhuang Laoyan fanned herself with the fan in her hand. Sat down next to the stone table. Her voice proved cold as she said, “What’s this about this palace clinging to His Majesty every day using my pregnancy as an excuse? Xiuyi Su, were these words grievances against His Majesty and this palace?”

nVoice trembling, Xiuyi Su said, “This concubine doesn’t dare.” Without Noble Consort Shu’s protection, she wasn’t as brave as she had been before, despite her temper still being as bad as in the past. Her current appearance caused Zhuang Laoyan to recall how she had looked down on everyone previously.

nAfter casting her a glance, Zhuang Laoyan shifted her gaze to Noble Imperial Concubine Yan. “A noble imperial concubine like you dares talk back to a xiuyi. Who gave you this courage?” Ever since Noble Consort Shu’s influence fell, Xiuyi Su’s days in the harem grew difficult. Nowadays, even Noble Imperial Concubine Yan made things hard for her on purpose. It was clear what kind of life Xiuyi Su had now.

nTo which Noble Imperial Concubine Yan blurted, “Your Highness, please see clearly. It was because Xiuyi Su’s words had been impertinent toward your honored self that this concubine quarreled with her.”

n“Oh?” Zhuang Laoyan paused in fanning herself. Then she smiled. “This palace wasn’t aware that Noble Imperial Concubine Yan cares about this palace so much.”

nTranslated by Sleepchaser at https:

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/sleepchaser.wordpress.com

/ If you read it anywhere else besides Sleepchaser’s wordpress, that copy was stolen.

nBiting her lip, Noble Imperial Concubine Yan dared not defend herself. They had never shared a good relationship in the past. It was to the point that when Zhuang Laoyan’s influence had fallen, she had hit the other woman while she was down. Now that Zhuang Laoyan had said such words, she genuinely could not refute her.

nAll of a sudden, the smile on Zhuang Laoyan’s face retreated like the tides of a sea. “Servants, Noble Imperial Concubine Yan and Xiuyi Su do not respect the hierarchical distinction between superior and subordinate. Slap them thirty times.”

n“Yes!” Tingzhu stepped forward from behind her, leading a few palace maids. Regardless of how the two imperial concubines struggled, the palace maids slapped their faces with much force.

nListening to melodious slaps, Zhuang Laoyan suddenly called to mind the following: It seemed that when she had first arrived in this world, her body’s original owner had been punished to slaps by the former Jieyu Ma. Now, everyone who had made things difficult for the original owner had already become old news in the harem. I wonder if anyone would try to cause problems for me in the future?

nShe averted her gaze from Xiuyi Su and Noble Imperial Concubine Yan. Using Yunxi’s hand for support, she slowly rose to her feet. Left the pavilion. She gazed at a fluttering butterfly far away and stroked her abdomen. At that moment, laughter spilled from her lips. In this world, there was at least one person who truly lived because of her.

nPerhaps imperial concubines and the emperor could share genuine feelings. But the majority was merely fake. Zhuang Laoyan did not know how much Feng Jin truly felt for her. Despite this, there was one thing she needed to be grateful toward him for. And that was that he spared no effort in protecting the child in her womb. Otherwise, even if she possessed countless schemes, there was no way she could protect her child.

n“His Majesty has arrived!”

nZhuang Laoyan looked back. And she caught sight of Feng Jin approaching her. She turned her head and saw that Tingzhu and several other servants had stopped in their tracks. A smile on her lips, she said, “Why has Your Majesty come?”

n“We were just passing through,” said Feng Jin, supporting her. He glanced at the people kneeling in the pavilion. “What offense have Xiuyi Su and Noble Imperial Concubine Yan committed?”

n“Just a while ago, when this concubine came here, this concubine heard the two of them quarreling. They even mentioned that this concubine used my pregnancy to cling to Your Majesty. This concubine was so angry and had the servants slap them.” Zhuang Laoyan’s expression proved poor. “Never had this concubine expected Your Majesty to come here.”

n“Since that is the case, then you servants can keep slapping them,” said Feng Jin, looking at the pavilion with a detached gaze. He reached for Zhuang Laoyan’s hand and slowly moved forward. “Laoyan, how do you feel about the empress?”

nNever had Zhuang Laoyan imagined Feng Jin to utter such words. Caught in a daze, she looked at his serene expression. A good while passed before she said, “The empress is just in her conduct. She manages the imperial harem extremely well.”

nA long period of silence later, Feng Jin released her hand. Clasped his hands behind his back. “We understand.”

nZhuang Laoyan fanned herself with the circular fan in her hand. Smiled. “Your Majesty is of the same opinion.” This man was inconstant in affection. However, he wasn’t so heartless to the point of not being human.

nAfter Feng Jin had heard Zhuang Laoyan talking so bluntly for the first time, he felt somewhat surprised. He gazed at this smiling woman, emotions matchless in how complicated they were. Yet, he also felt unspeakably relaxed. “She married Us at fifteen years old. In the blink of an eye, more than ten years have passed.”

nZhuang Laoyan looked down, her line of sight aiming at the circular fan in her hand. On the fan was a picture that depicted a beauty leaning and sitting on a parapet. Although she wore splendid clothes and beautiful hairpins, she cut a lonely figure. “Her Majesty the empress is impeccable,” said Zhuang Laoyan. Then she looked up at Feng Jin.

nTheir gazes met. In the end, Feng Jin looked away first. Once more, he held her hand. Sighed. “We will accompany you back to your palace. It will grow warmer soon.”

nIn the eleventh year of the Chengxuan Era, Emperor Chengxuan seized some property from the empress’ paternal family, the Zhao family, and demoted them to commoners. This was due to them committing many large crimes. However, on account of the love shared between the emperor and empress, the Zhao family were not beheaded, and instead were sent away to serve a penal sentence in the frontier. Emperor Chengxuan even famously said that after three generations, the Zhao family could participate in the imperial examinations again.

nNext release is Saturday, Aug 21, 2021.

nFor those of you interested in advanced chapters, there are two chapters remaining this month! If you pledge a tier that gives 3 chapters now, you’re basically my suga daddi. Click here for August 2021’s release schedule.

nAs a heads up, due to my eye condition from earlier, I’m a bit behind on stock, so potential patrons to tiers that give 4 chapters on on October 2021 beware. There may not be any bonus chapters that month. Regular advanced chapters not affected. Read this post for more information.

nAnother IMPORTANT Patreon announcement!!

nThe last chapter scheduled for August 2021 is chapter 115. Since there are only 121 chapters total (including extras), ALL TJOAIC TIERS WILL BE DELETED AFTER SEPTEMBER 2021. Please note that even if I delete a tier, as long as you do not delete your pledge (which is something entirely different), Patreon will continue charging you the pledge amount every month!

nFurthermore, after September 2021, all double-novel tiers will be discontinued

/re-purposed, but NOT deleted. I’m still thinking of what to do with those tiers in the future. Patrons of double-novel tiers, please delete your pledge by the end of September 2021, or else Patreon will keep charging you every month, and I will assume that you are simply donating to me.

nI will send out an announcement post on Patreon in the coming days regarding this. And I will continue to post this announcement at the end of every chapter until then, to avoid any misunderstandings.

nIf you like this novel, please rate

/review

/add this novel to your reading list on NU!

nThirty-fifth chapter of The Times Spent in Pretense is out! You can read it here. It’s weekly now!

nBy the way, I have a new BL novel project, with my own summary below:

nBy the emperor’s decree, Fu Ming is to marry Jin Yi and become his male wife. The initial reception is cold. Can the two sort things out between them, the winter departing and the snow thawing?

nIf you’re interested, you can find it here.

nAlso, plugging me and my friends’ website focused on BL! Click here if you’re interested.

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