Zhao Zhe became the emperor, so Shen Youqing would naturally become the empress. It was just that the formal ceremony to confer her the status of empress hadn’t occurred yet. Right now, the harem was empty. Seeing the emperor’s growing interest in Nie Sangyu, Shen Youqing had to figure out a way to solve this problem. Wen Wan was someone that had been competing with Nie Sangyu since the beginning, so she should be someone that could help her the most. 

  After hearing that Wen Wan knew a secret, Shen Youqing brought her into the palace. 

  Shen Youqing was in a pretty good mood when she knelt down before the throne. “Your Majesty.” 

  In contrast, Zhao Zhe was feeling very fretful. “What is it?” 

  “This servant went out today and saw something. This servant wants to hear what Your Majesty thinks of this incident.” Shen Youqing slightly smiled as she said, “On East Main Street, there’s a shopkeeper that forcibly married a widow that already had a child. Your Majesty, do you this matter is absurd?” 

  Zhao Zhe slightly furrowed his brow. “If a widow doesn’t have a child, it’s acceptable for her remarry. Since she had a child, how could she marry someone else even if her husband has died?” 

  “This servant agrees. If a woman has a son, it doesn’t matter if she’s a widow or a divorced woman, she shouldn’t remarry.” Shen Youqing was smiling as she gestured for Wen Wan to come forward. “Wan-er has something to report. Your Majesty, please listen carefully.” 

  Original translation is from fuyuneko dot org. If you’re reading this elsewhere, this chapter has been stolen. Please stop supporting theft. 

  Wen Wan took one step forward and fell on her knees before the throne. She kowtowed and said, “Your Majesty, this subject has been serving in the marquis’s estate this entire time and knows something. The marquis’s heir’s biological mother isn’t Xia-shi. It’s Nie Sangyu. Nie Sangyu gave birth to the marquis’s heir, Ning Jinchen, when she was his main wife.” 

  Zhao Zhe was shocked. He slapped his throne and stood up. “What did you say?” 

  Wen Wan trembled in fear. She hurriedly corrected her kneeling posture. “This subject has spoken truthfully. Your Majesty, please investigate this matter.” 

  There was a ferocious glimmer in Zhao Zhe’s eyes. He was extremely furious as he looked Wen Wan. He looked at Shen Youqing, who was next to her, and said, “Wen-shi, do you know that you’ll be guilty of deceiving the emperor if you’re telling a lie?” 

  “This subject wouldn’t dare to lie to Your Majesty.” Wen Wan clenched her jaw. “Kangyuan Junzhu also knows about this matter. Your Majesty, if you don’t believe this subject, you can go to the imperial prison and ask her.” 

  Zhao Zhe took a deep breath. He shook his sleeve and went to the imperial prison. 

  He was actually being this impulsive over Nie Sangyu? Shen Youqing almost broke her teeth with how hard she was grinding it. She waved her hand to gesture for Wen Wan to stand up. “Follow this consort!” 

  “Yes!” Wen Wan tried to look as docile as possible when she timidly followed after Shen Youqing. 

  — 

  When Zhao Zhe arrived at the imperial prison, the head jailer was already used to handing over the key to the innermost prison cell, but the emperor’s trust follower actually took the key for Kangyuan Junzhu‘s prison cell. 

  Kangyuan hadn’t been found guilty of a crime that deserved the death penalty. At most, she was only guilty of being too loyal to the deposed emperor, which made the current emperor uncomfortable. If he released her, who knows what she would urge her father, Marquis Yong’an, to do? So, he was keeping her confined for a period of time. He would decide what to do with her once she became obedient. 

  When the door to her prison cell was opened, Kangyuan silently looked at the emperor. As soon as she saw the golden robe, her tears fell. “Is it you……?” 

  She stretched her hand out wanting to touch him, but a nearby person pushed her away. 

  Zhao Zhe arrogantly looked at her said, “This emperor has something to ask you.” 

  Kangyuan was muddled-headed and didn’t immediately return to her senses. It took her a long time to realize that she was looking at Zhao Zhe’s face. When that happened, her eyes were filled with overwhelming disappointment. 

  Even as death was imminent, that person wasn’t willing to be with her, so how could he possibly be coming here to see here? She was so stupid. 

  “What question does Your Majesty have for this worthless servant?” Kangyuan scoffed. 

  Zhao Zhe pursed his lips and said in a low voice, “Someone told this emperor that Marquis Moyu’s heir, Ning Jinchen, is Nie Sangyu’s biological son. Do you know about this matter?” 

  “Someone?” Kangyuan harrumphed. “It’s Wen Wan, right? Of the people that knew about this, we’re the only two people that are still alive.” 

  Zhao Zhe’s body stiffened. The meaning of her words meant that Wen Wan wasn’t lying? 

  “Marquis Moyu has done such a good job protecting their child.” Kangyuan dreamily said, “If I had been able to become pregnant with older cousin Li’s child, it would have been great if he also protect me like that.” 

  Zhao Zhe kicked the railing on the side. It was such a loud sound that even Ji Man and Ning Yuxuan, who were further in the prison, could hear this sound. They stopped talking and looked into the blackness of the prison. 

  “Your Majesty, please calm down.” Wu Yong respectfully cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty, if you really want that woman, this subject has a way. Please keep calm.” 

  “What can you do?” It was difficult for Zhao Zhe to let go of his residual anger. “Ning Yuxuan had actually dared to lie to this emperor. He clearly hated Sangyu back then, but he stole the child back from this emperor’s hands. If it wasn’t because this emperor had been momentarily negligent because of everything that happened shortly afterwards, how could that vile spawn still be alive?” 

  Wu Yong said in a low voice, “Your Majesty, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The better the marquis hid this matter, the more convenient it’ll be for Your Majesty.” 

  “What do you mean?” Zhao Li looked back. 

  Wu Yong whispered something into the emperor’s ear for a while. Zhao Zhe’s furrowed brow slowly relaxed. His eyes even slightly brightened. “That is a good idea.” 

  Kangyuan couldn’t be bothered to try to eavesdrop on their conversation. After Zhao Li died, her mind had become muddled. Every day, she would see a mirage of Zhao Li’s face, but it wasn’t clear. 

  Perhaps, she would be able to see him once she went to the underworld. 

  “Oh, right. I still owe Nie Sangyu a secret.” Kangyuan giggled. “Just treat this as thanking her for bringing me to see older cousin Li one last time.” 

  “What is it?” Zhao Zhe raised his eyebrows and partially turned his head to look at her. 

  “Tell her to be careful.” Kangyuan grinned sinisterly. “Wen Wan hasn’t lost her memory. She’ll definitely give Nie Sangyu a hard time.”


  Chapter 426 – The wife that was with you during your tribulations (1) 

  Zhao Zhe looked at Kangyuan like she was crazy. Then, he turned around and left the prison cell. 

  He didn’t care if Wen Wan had genuinely lost her memories or not. She was just an abandoned pawn to him. 

  Kangyuan was still laughing. The echoes of her laughter spread further and further through the prison. 

  Taking Wu Yong along with him, Zhao Zhe hurriedly returned to the palace. In addition, he had a personal servant pass on Kangyuan’s message to Ji Man. 

  Ji Man was surprised when she heard this message. Wen Wan didn’t have amnesia? But, she had seen Wen Wan. If Wen Wan was only acting, then acting skills was really too high level. Wen Wan was the type of woman that wasn’t very smart. When had she transformed into someone that was this difficult to deal with? 

  In contrast, Marquis Moyu wasn’t surprised at all. After all, he knew Wen Wan much better than Ji Man did, so of course he knew that Wen Wan was pretending. It was only that he wanted to use Wen Wan to fake his loyalty to the deposed emperor, so that Zhao Li would believe him 100 percent. That was why he had allowed Wen Wan out of Qiangwei Courtyard and stay by his side. 

  But now, she was finally useless to him. His relationship with her had ended a long ago. Once the war with Zhangjun had started, he hadn’t seen her once, not even after he returned to the capital. 

  “Hey, if you’re a celestial immortal, can you see past people’s deceptions and to their real heart?” Ning Yuxuan suddenly turned his head to the side and asked her. 

  Ji Man stroked her chin and pretend to be solemn as she said, “A person’s heart is the most complicated thing. Even if I had a tool that allowed me to see through her deception, I won’t be able to understand it. It has to be personally experienced. Even if I’m a celestial immortal, I find the human heart unfathomable.” 

  Marquis Moyu nodded. That’s good. 

  It would be the best if she didn’t know about certain thoughts that he once had. 

  Inside the prison, there really wasn’t anything they couldn’t discuss. For Ji Man, it was simply because she was bored. But, for Ning Yuxuan, he was digging his heart out to share with her. 

  Except for that one last sentence to express his feelings. 

  From time to time, Ji Man would ask, “Marquis, do you love me?” 

  Ning Yuxuan shook his head. “I don’t love you. What about you?” 

  Ji Man let out a long sigh. “Me too.” 

  After that exchange, the two of them would fall into a long period of silence. Ji Man counted the time that had passed. She was probably going to be able to win the bet. Zhao Zhe wouldn’t keep them locked up for too long. And, she continued to not have any intentions of going to the inner palace. 

  This persisted until Wu Yong came to the prison one day and released Ning Yuxuan, then he turned his head and said to Ji Man, “The emperor has pardon Miss Nie’s crime. It turns out that someone else was responsible for the deposed emperor’s death.” 

  Ji Man was dumbstruck. Zhao Li had died by her hands. Now, they were saying that the murderer was someone else? 

  Who? 

  As she followed Wu Yong out of the prison, they passed Kangyuan Junzhu‘s prison cell. Someone was covering Kangyuan’s body with a white cloth. 

  Ji Man briefly froze in surprise. 

  “Marquis Yong’an’s daughter, Kangyuan Junzhu, killed the emperor’s brother. She deceived the emperor and his officials, turned her back on her country, and was an unfilial daughter. She poisoned the Yuzhen princess and killed the emperor’s younger brother with a blade. She is guilty of a most heinous crime, so much so that even her death can’t absolve her of her crime. She won’t be allowed to be buried with her ancestors and will be buried alone instead. Her relatives won’t be allowed to set up a memorial tablet or burn incense for her. May she reflect on her crimes in the afterlife and know filial piety in the next life……” 

  It was true that Kangyuan had poisoned Pengyue, but to push the crime of killing Zhao Li onto Kangyuan’s head, what a miserable ending. Ji Man gave a sigh of relief. 

  In the end, karma did its work. This woman had loved Zhao Li the most, and now they were saying she was the one that killed Zhao Li. Ji Man guessed that even in death, she wouldn’t be able to find peace. 

  Ji Man exited the imperial prison with Ning Yuxuan and Wu Yong, but then she was led away from Ning Yuxuan. 

  “Miss Ji, the emperor wants to see you,” Wu Yong said with a smile. 

  Ji Man slightly furrowed her brow, but then she knowingly smiled. “Sir Wu, this humble woman hasn’t even change my clothing or bathed……” 

  “That’s fine. You can freshen up in the palace.” Wu Yong made a “please come with me” gesture. The nearby carriages had already come to a stop. 

  Ji Man instinctively turned her head back to look at Ning Yuxuan. Someone else was leading him into another carriage. He seemed to have sense her gaze. He turned his head to look at her with a light smile and mouthed, “I won.” 

  Sure enough, the person on the throne had a follow up trick after letting them out of the imperial prison. 

  It was only to be expected that Marquis Moyu, who had been following after Zhao Zhe for the longest time, would know him the best. Ji Man finally realized that when they had made the bet, they never discussed what she would get if she won. 

  It was because Ning Yuxuan knew that it was futile to against go the emperor. It didn’t matter the exact method that Zhao Zhe would use, he would definitely find a way to get Ji Man to enter the palace. 

  He had only kept her company in prison for so long because he was worried that her days in the prison would be bad if she was left alone. 

  Ji Man sighed, turned her head back, and decided to board the carriage. 

  But then, she heard the man calling out from behind, “Wait for me.” 

  Yeah, right. Like she was going to wait for him to save her. She was better off figuring out a way to save herself instead. Going to the palace was the same as stepping into the enemies’ territory. She would be powerless there. If she didn’t have some awareness, who knows how she would die? 

  Why excuse would the emperor use to have her stay in the palace? Her crime had already been pushed onto Kangyuan. He wasn’t going to tell her to recite Buddhist scriptures in the palace for a year, right? 

  Ji Man considered this problem the entire way to the palace. When she arrived in Yushu Palace, a large group of palace servants came to help her bath and change into a new set of clothing. She had been locked up for over ten days, and her body was unbearably dirty. Ji Man had no qualms about enjoying this bath service. After that, she changed into the clothing they had brought her. 

  It was a light pinkish lavender palace dress that was paired with a greenish-blue shawl. No matter how she looked at it, it looked like something the emperor’s consort would wear. 

  Ji Man facepalmed and asked a nearby palace servant girl, “Where will I be going to see the emperor?”


  Chapter 427 – The wife that was with you during your tribulations (2) 

  The servant girl next to her answered, “Zhenyuan General recently entered the palace without prior notice, so the emperor doesn’t have the free time to see you for now. Once the emperor is free to grant Miss an audience, someone will come to show you the way. Miss, please wait here in Yushu Palace for now.” 

  Ji Man nodded and asked another question, “Where’s the empress? Can I go pay my respects to Her Majesty?” 

  The young palace servant girl shook her head. “The princess consort hasn’t been formally been promoted to empress yet. Right now, the emperor’s original princess consort is temporarily managing the harem. She’s to be referred to as Consort Shen.” 

  Ji Man continued, “Consort Shen and I are old friends. Can I go see her?” 

  The young palace servant girl shook her head again. “The emperor has ordered that you’re not allowed to see anyone else before he calls you over to see him. No one else can enter Yushu Palace either.” 

  He really did a good job with the protection measures. Ji Man inwardly sneered. These men were all the same. They forgot about their wives once they had a new love interest. At the very least, Shen Youqing had been with Zhao Zhe during his periods of glory and splendor as well as during his times of tribulations. It was one thing for him to not immediately promote Shen Youqing to empress once he ascended the throne, but he had made it worse by bringing a strange woman into the palace. 

  She had only come here to change Nie Sangyu’s fate to a happy one. She wasn’t interested at all in going from competing in the marquis’s estate to competing in the palace. 

  “Never mind then, I’ll just wait.” Ji Man walked to a bronze mirror to look at herself. She took down the dangling hair accessories as well as two golden hairpins. Her appearance looked much simpler with only one jade hairpin left in her hair. 

  A short while later, there were sounds from outside. Afterwards, the servant girl led her outside of Yushu Palace and towards Zichen Hall. 

  When they had walked halfway, someone shouted from behind them, “Stop!” 

  Ji Man’s heart slightly relaxed. When she turned her head to look, sure enough, Shen Youqing hadn’t failed to live up to her expectations. From a distance, she was coming over here with a group of palace servant girls trailing after her. She looked furious. 

  Shen Youqing clearly recognized her, but she still showed a poker face as she asked the servant girl next to Ji Man, “Who is this person? Why are you bringing her to the emperor?” 

  The palace servant girl was trembling as she knelt down and said, “Your Highness, please forgive me. The emperor ordered for this miss to be brought to him.” 

  When Shen Youqing’s gaze swept over her face, Ji Man immediately knelt down too. In a choked up voice, she said, “Consort Shen, please save me!” 

  Shen Youqing was taken aback. She had never seen a woman that was being brought to the emperor wailing like a ghost. She ordered the servants behind her to pull the other servant girl away, then strode forward in her shoes that was embroidered in golden birds. “How do you want this consort to save you?” 

  Ji Man knocked her head against the aground. Although her crying sounded wretched, there weren’t actually any tears on her face, so she didn’t dare to raise her head. “This humble woman’s heart already has someone. This one wasn’t willing to enter the palace. Who knows what kind of outcome awaits me once this one is brought to the emperor. Your Highness, please save me. Please allow this humble woman to leave the palace.” 

  Right now, Shen Youqing was in the best position to help her. As long as she bumped into her, she would have a layer of protection. 

  Sure enough, after hearing Ji Man’s words, Shen Youqing’s expression improved significantly. “Your heart already has someone?” 

  “Not only that, this humble woman was already married once before. Your Highness, you know this.” Ji Man did her best to pinch the tender flesh of her hand until she finally teared up from the pain. Then, looking very plaintive, she raised her head to look at her. “This humble woman can only hope that the emperor summoned me out a of a whim. This humble woman is hoping to go home afterwards to care for my child. Consort Shen, you have a benevolent heart, and you’re always thinking for the benefit of His Majesty. How about coming along with this humble woman to see His Majesty?” 

  Shen Youqing pursed her lips and very sympathetically helped Ji Man stand up. “Based on your words, it’s the emperor that’s acting inappropriately. Perhaps, he only summoned you to have a chat, but to have you bath in Yushu Palace first…… That’s always been a place that only an empress can go to. Since you requested for this consort to come with you to see the emperor, this consort will come with you.” 

  Ji Man quickly thanked her for her kindness. During the rest of the way there, she acted like a timid weakling. Clutching her handkerchief, she quietly murmured, “Although the marquis had divorced this humble woman, after we spent the past several days in prison together, our fate has reconnected. This one wishes to return to the marquis’s estate and continue to serve him. How could a mere woman like me be considered adequate to serve the emperor? It’s only a noble, magnanimous woman like Consort Shen that’s worthy of being by the emperor’s side.” 

  Shen Youqing slightly smiled. “You’re surprisingly sensible.” 

  “This humble woman thinks the emperor is just distracted by novelty,” Ji Man said, “Your Highness, you should persuade His Majesty to look at the big picture. After all, Shen Clan should be rewarded for helping the emperor ascend the throne. You’re one of Shen Clan’s legitimate daughters and also the emperor’s main wife. He should be promoting you to empress.” 

  Shen Youqing repeatedly nodded. Nie Sangyu truly knew how to speak well. She had said aloud everything that had been in her own heart. If it wasn’t because they were on opposing sides, she really wanted to have a good chat with her. 

  When they arrived at Zichen Hall, Zhao Zhe was waiting with a heart filled with joy. But, when the doors were opened, he was shocked to see Shen Youqing coming inside with Ji Man. 

  “Greetings, Your Majesty.” 

  “You may rise.” His expression had sunk considerably. “Qing-er, why are you here?” 

  “This humble woman met the consort on the way here. It felt like we’ve known each other for a long time. We ended up talking all the way to here.” Ji Man’s face already showed no traces of tears. Brightly smiling, she continued, “Her Highness missed the emperor, so she came here with this humble woman.” 

  Zhao Zhe was unhappy. “This emperor ordered for only you to come here. Do none of the servants understand this emperor’s words?” 

  The palace servants that were originally responsible for leading the way here had already knelt down as soon as they entered the hall. They were trembling with fear and didn’t dare to say a word. 

  Displeased, Shen Youqing retorted, “Your Majesty, are you saying it’s not appropriate for this consort to be here after you summoned Miss Nie to see you?”


  Chapter 428 – How can there be a perfect ending if I don’t marry you? (1) 

  He was a red-blooded emperor that had summoned a beauty to see him. Was there any need for his wife, who was past the prime of her beauty, to ask him this question? Zhao Zhe was feeling very annoyed. Still, Shen Youqing was his main wife, and she hadn’t given Nie Sangyu a hard time. It seemed that the two of them got along pretty well too. 

  Zhao Zhe’s thoughts turned to a different direction. If these two got along well, would it be possible that Shen Youqing wouldn’t try to stop him from adding Nie Sangyu into his harem? 

  Reality would soon prove that he was being too delusional. Even the most tolerant of wives wouldn’t be happy if their husbands took a concubine. The only big difference would be if they straightforwardly stated aloud their thoughts or not. 

  Youqing was clearly the type to voice her thoughts. As soon as she saw Zhao Zhe’s expression, she didn’t wait for his answer. Instead, she knelt down and said, “This consort was wrong. If Your Majesty wants to take Miss Nie as a consort, it’s true that it would be overstepping boundaries for this consort to be present. However, this consort’s father frequently tell this consort that a woman must follow the three obeisances and four virtues, and everyone must follow the three principles and five virtues. Miss Nie’s heart already belongs to someone, and she has a living son too. She truly wouldn’t be a suitable candidate to enter the palace.” 

  (T/N: The three obeisances are a woman must obey in turn, her father, husband, and son.) 

  Zhao Zhe was stifled into silence. His expression sunk. Seeing that he was about angrily rebuke Shen Youqing, Ji Man chuckled and said, “Consort Shen, you’re worrying about nothing. His Majesty is such a wise and valiant ruler. How could he possibly want a divorced woman like myself? Moreover, this humble woman already has an agreement with Marquis Moyu to return to his estate. Marquis Moyu has been so loyal to the emperor. So, why would the emperor put his important court official in a difficult spot?” 

  After saying this, Ji Man looked at Zhao Zhe as she said, “This humble woman guesses that emperor only summoned me here to reward me for my commendable service in opening the capital’s gate, right?” 

  After the two women had perfectly followed up each other sentiments, Zhao Zhe was left reprimanded to the point that he couldn’t say a single word. He felt extremely furious, but he could only go along with Ji Man’s words by saying, “Exactly. Qing-er, you’re overthinking things. How could this emperor…… have ideas about taking Miss Nie as a consort?” 

  The two women exhaled in relief. Shen Youqing glanced at Ji Man admiringly, then she stood up and said, “Since it’s like that, this consort was wrong. But, Your Majesty, since you weren’t planning on taking Miss Nie as a consort, why did you give her Yushu Palace? It caused this consort to misunderstand Your Majesty’s intention.” 

  If someone hadn’t come to warn her, she wouldn’t have even known that the emperor had taken Nie Sangyu out of the imperial prison. 

  Zhao Zhe insincerely smiled. “Sangyu had accomplished meritorious service for this country, but she was wrongfully locked up for so long. It’s only right that this emperor reward her with something. Don’t all women like to take baths there? That’s why this emperor rewarded her with Yushu Palace. Qing-er, if you like that Yushu Palace, you can go there too.” 

  “Thank you, Your Majesty.” Shen Youqing smiled without restraint. “Your Majesty, since you want to reward Miss Nie, and Marquis Moyu previously divorced her, this consort thinks that the best reward is to bestow them another chance at marriage. Your Majesty, what do you think of that idea?” 

  Zhao Zhe’s smile had disappeared. He pursed his lips and said, “The state of affairs in the imperial court hasn’t been settled yet. Yuxuan still has many things to do and doesn’t have time for a wedding. This matter will have to be delayed. Once there’s free time available, this emperor can bestow another marriage to him then.” 

  The corners of Ji Man’s lips twitched. Consort Shen had been too impatient. She was more of a hindrance than help. If she was going to marry Ning Yuxuan again, she could have made that decision for herself. Why did Consort Shen have to ask the emperor to bestow a marriage? Well, this was great. Now, if the emperor never bestowed a marriage to them, they couldn’t get married. If they got married before the emperor gave his approval, it would be showing blatant disrespect to the emperor. 

  Shen Youqing’s smile froze. She pursed her lips and said, “That’s good too. Your Majesty, do you have any other words you want to say to Miss Nie? Do you need this consort to withdraw first?” 

  “That’s not necessary.” Zhao Zhe took a deep breath, curved his lips up, and said, “Have Taxue personally send Miss Nie out of the palace. Qing-er, stay here. This emperor hasn’t had a good talk with you in a long time.” 

  Elated, Shen Youqing immediately voiced her assented. 

  Ji Man’s heart also relaxed. She hurriedly followed after Taxue as if she was fleeing from this place. 

  — 

  As they were walking on a path, Taxue quietly asked her, “Miss, do you not like the palace?” 

  Ji Man shook her head and said, “It’s not that I don’t like that palace. It’s just that the person I like isn’t in the palace, so for me, this palace is the same as a prison.” 

  Stunned, Taxue turned back to look at her. “Miss, you still like Marquis Moyu?” 

  “Huh?” Ji Man chuckled. Ning Yuxuan was only a character in a novel. Why would she like him? 

  “If you don’t like him, then the outside world is a prison too. Miss, why give up a splendorous cage for a simpler one?” After Taxue said this, he turned his head back and led her down a small path. 

  Ji Man was stunned by his words. She lowered her eyes and wryly laughed. 

  She hadn’t expected Taxue to be a wise person. 

  Clearly, it shouldn’t have taken them a long time to exit the palace if they were taking a direct path. However, Taxue took her on meandering route that passed by the inner palace. 

  “Aiya, wasn’t that child already sent out of the palace? Why has he come back?” Two female palace servants were holding bundles of clothing and quietly discussing as they walked on the same path as them. 

  Ji Man raised her head to look. When the two female palace servants saw them, they saluted. Then, they moved aside and stopped by the wall to wait for them to pass. When they continued walking, they continued to discuss. 

  “How could I know where that child came from? That child, Haohao, used to stay in Wangyue Building. He disappeared for a while, but he’s back again. Who knows who’s going to end up having to care of him? I only caught a glimpse of him. He’s such a cute child……” 

  Slightly pausing, Ji Man turned her head to look at those two female palace servants. They had already walked far away and disappeared around a corner of the palace.

  Chapter 429 – How can there be a perfect ending if I don’t marry you? (2) 

  “Sir Taxue,” Ji Man blankly called out to stop him, “Are they talking about Marquis Moyu’s heir?” 

  Taxue stopped walking, glanced at her, and said, “Miss, if you’re worried, you can go back and ask His Majesty. But, if you delay your departure, you won’t be able to leave the palace.” 

  Ji Man furrowed her brow. She looked at the sky to check the time. From their current location, they would be able to get to the palace’s gate before it was locked up for the night. But, if she went back…… if she went back, she wouldn’t be able to leave here. 

  She thought it over. Haohao was Marquis Moyu’s heir. Even if Zhao Zhe had lost his mind, he wouldn’t take Marquis Moyu’s heir unless he wanted to force him to rebel against him. 

  Gritting her teeth, Ji Man said, “Sir Taxue, please bring me out of the palace.” 

  Taxue deeply looked at her, but he didn’t say anything else afterwards. He brought her to the palace’s gate. 

  Ning Yuxuan was waiting at the palace’s gate for her. Seeing her coming out, he finally relaxed. He put the token for entering the palace that he had been tightly gripping into his sleeve. 

  “I thought you were going to temporarily be unable to leave the palace.” He was smiling as he looked at her. “I told you to wait for me, but it ended up being me waiting for you.” 

  Ji Man ran to his side. Her face was a bit pale. She didn’t have time to crack a joke. She resolutely asked, “Where’s Haohao?” 

  “He’s probably at home.” Ning Yuxuan furrowed his brow. “When I was recently at home before, Guibai took him out to play. That little brat, he’s been so mischievously lately. Let’s go, I’ll bring you to see him. You haven’t seen him in your current appearance before.” 

  Stretching his hand out to pull Ji Man onto the horse, Ning Yuxuan was in a pretty good mood. “Let’s go home.” 

  Ji Man was sitting in his arms and sideways on the horse. There was a double saddle on this horse, so it was much more comfortable. 

  The horse frantically galloped all the way to the marquis’s estate. From a distance, they could see several people standing outside by the entrance. Ji Man was initially thinking that she was being treated with great respect. Such a large group of people was waiting out here to welcome her back. 

  However, once they got to entrance, she found out the steward and the group of servants that he was leading had just come back from searching the streets. 

  “My lord, Guibai and the young heir haven’t returned yet.” Steward Qian was frowning as he said, “It’s already dark outside. Even if the young heir loves to play, Guibai isn’t someone that would act so irresponsibly!” 

  Ning Yuxuan’s expression sunk. Ji Man jumped down from the horse in panic. Looking at them, she asked, “Have you searched the entire capital?” 

  Riding back on his horse, Nie Qingyun returned from searching and answered her, “We asked everyone in the nearby vicinity. Everyone said that they hadn’t seen them.” His head was dripping with sweat. 

  Ji Man lowered her eyes. 

  Nie Qingyun didn’t understand why his younger sister looked so upset. After all, it was only the marquis’s heir that was missing. It wasn’t as if Haohao was her own child. 

  Dismounting from the horse, Nie Qingyun patted her shoulder and said, “I’ve already done as Steward Qian requested by doing my best to search for the heir. There’s nothing else we can do. You don’t need to feel too bad for Yuxuan. You should go and catch up with Errong.” 

  Ji Man mechanically turned around and headed inside. Why was Nie Sangyu’s life so full of frustrations and dashed hopes? She had just been about to have a blissfully perfect ending, but now something had happened to her son again. 

  If she hadn’t misheard those palace servants, then Haohao was probably in the palace. 

  — 

  Errong brought her son with her when she came to see her friend. Looking at the child that was wrapped up in swaddling clothes, Ji Man felt even worse. She forced herself to play with Errong’s child for a bit before saying that was feeling unwell and wanted to rest. 

  — 

  Ning Yuxuan had stayed outside to search for Haohao himself. By the time he returned, it was the middle of the night. 

  Ji Man was lying in bed. She was still awake. 

  “What should I do if Haohao is in the palace? Ji Man asked him. “Can you search the palace to find Haohao?” 

  Ning Yuxuan’s gaze was somewhat complicated. He lightly shook his head. “If there was conclusive evidence, I can ask the emperor for Haohao. If there’s no evidence, doing so would be considered rebelling against the emperor.” 

  Ji Man closed her eyes. “Why didn’t you sent Haohao away to a safe place?” 

  Ning Yuxuan bitterly smiled. Since the day he had brought Haohao out of the palace, he had been too focused on having Haohao meet his mother when she was dressed in a woman’s attire. Otherwise, he might grow up not even knowing his mother’s real appearance. However, right after he had dropped Haohao off at the estate, there had been a succession of events that needed his attention, so he was too busy to take care of Haohao. 

  The two of them were silent for a long time before Ning Yuxuan suddenly said, “If you think Haohao is in the palace, how about we go to the palace together tomorrow? I’ll request an audience with the emperor, and you can go ask Consort Shen if she can help us.” 

  In order to keep Nie Sangyu out of the palace, Shen Youqing would be willing to agree to any requests. Ji Man nodded. This was a good idea. 

  It was already late at night, and Ning Yuxuan seemed as if he wasn’t planning on leaving her room. He took off his outer robe and lied down next to Ji Man. Ji Man didn’t feel as if she needed to be guarded against him. She shifted a bit. This wasn’t any different from when they were in the imperial prison. There just wasn’t a railing separating them. 

  In the darkness, Ning Yuxuan softly asked her, “If I can bring Haohao out of the palace, would you…… be willing to marry me again?” 

  Ji Man nodded. “How can there be a perfect ending if I don’t marry you?” 

  No matter what Nie Sangyu’s wish was, it was definitely related to Ning Yuxuan loving her and being together with him. Once all the difficulties were resolved, Nie Sangyu’s wish should be completed, right? 

  Then, it would be time for her to go back.

  Chapter 430 – Who did you love the most in your lifetime? (1) 

  Ji Man dryly laughed. She let out a long sigh. 

  Wow, it was time to go back. It had already been such a long time since she had last heard Nie Sangyu’s voice. It was probably because she was getting closer and closer to fulfilling her wish, right? On the day that she finally fulfilled her wish, would she heard the sound of a system going “ding” as a signal? Then, the system would congratulate player Ji Man for completing the supporting female’s wish. Mission reward: return to modern-day. 

  Eventually, she wasn’t able to keep smiling. Turning her head to the side, she looked at the person lying next to her. Ning Yuxuan’s eyes were closed. 

  His throat slightly moved, and his voice was somewhat hoarse as he asked, “I won the bet we made in the imperial prison. Isn’t it about time for you to return those words to me?” 

  Ji Man blankly stared at him. “What words?” 

  He turned over. This was a person that had proven himself to be a player, a superior stallion. He stretched his hand out and brushed it over her heart. He said each word very seriously, “This. Don’t pretend that you don’t know.” 

  Feeling her heart warming up, Ji Man evaded his fingers in dismay. Slightly moving back a bit, she said, “If this is something that can be given away or taken back at will, Nie Sangyu wouldn’t have ended up with such a miserable fate.” 

  Ning Yuxuan looked at her and couldn’t resist softly laughing. “You’re usually so clever. It’s cute to occasionally see you being confused. It’s been such a long time. Do you really not have any feelings for me?” 

  Ji Man honestly nodded. “I like gentle men, so there was a few times when I was tempted. 

  “Oh?” Ning Yuxuan raised his eyes brows. 

  Ji Man continued “But, as soon as I think about the unknown number of times that your affection has been duplicated and portioned out to others, I immediately feel that your affection isn’t worth my feelings. I won’t do things that aren’t worth my effort. I just did my best to think about your bad points, and I wasn’t feel tempted.” 

  Was there such a thing? Ning Yuxuan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “I remember that you said that you like men that will only love one woman. But, how can there be a man in this world that will only have one woman for a lifetime? 

  “Exactly, that’s why I want to go back.” Ji Man curled her lip. “Although transportation and communication is very fast in my world, and it’s possible to fall in love with many people, each person is only allowed to marry one other person at a time.” 

  Ning Yuxuan froze in surprise. 

  “If we were in my world, when you wanted to marry Wen Wan back then, you would have to divorce Sangyu first. Not only that, you would have to give Nie Sangyu half of your assets,” Ji Man said with a serious expression, “If you didn’t divorce Nie Sangyu before taking Wen Wan as your concubine, then as your legal wife, Sangyu could go to her home and curse her for being shameless. If you punish Sangyu according to the household rules, it’ll be considered domestic violence, and the courts will sentence you to monetarily compensating her.” 

  Feeling somewhat dumbfounded, Marquis Moyu frowned as he asked, “How can there be a world that’s this unreasonable?” 

  “It’s a world that has equality for men and women. That’s why, no matter how wonderful the ancient world is, or how much money I have here, I want to go back.” Ji Man sighed. “Let’s go to sleep. I have to go look for Haohao tomorrow.” 

  “En.” And yet, Ning Yuxuan silently thought about Ji Man’s words for a long time before he finally closed his eyes. 

  — 

  The next day, the two of them entered the palace according to the plan. 

  Kneeling in front of Shen Youqing, Ji Man said, “Consort Shen, please help this humble woman look for my child. If my child is lost, this humble woman might not be able to enter the marquis’s household.” 

  Shen Youqing furrowed her brow. She naturally wanted to help Nie Sangyu with this matter. The further away she could send this woman, the better. However, when the emperor has asked her to stay behind to privately talk yesterday, he had already said a whole bunch of words about hoping that she could be tolerant of other women. He had also promised that he would promote her to empress as soon as possible. Zhao Zhe’s words had softened her. She had already promised that she wouldn’t publicly try to stop him again. It would be a bit improper if she were to go back on her words and help Nie Sangyu search for her child. 

  Moreover, Wen Wan had offered her words of advice yesterday. Although she could temporarily stop the emperor from doing what he wanted, she wouldn’t be able to stop him forever. Sooner or later, Nie Sangyu would be added to emperor’s harem, so why should she leave a bad impression with the emperor by helping her? It would better to slowly deal with this woman after she entered the harem. In the end, wasn’t it the empress that had the highest authority in the inner place? 

  Shen Youqing had come to terms with things. Since she couldn’t stop the emperor, then she might as well help him. This way, she could at least curry favor with him. 

  Thinking of this, Shen Youqing held Ji Man’s hand and said, “How about this? You can take a stroll around the palace with this consort. This way, you can freely look around during the walk.” 

  Ji Man was eager to find Haohao, so of course she nodded and agreed. Ning Yuxuan was in the palace too. With someone to rely on, she wasn’t scared. 

  She followed Shen Youqing from the imperial garden to the place where she had heard those two female palace servants talking yesterday. She asked the people in that area, but no one mentioned a child. Other than the deposed emperor’s imperial consorts that hadn’t been moved out yet, there currently weren’t any other consorts in the palace. One by one, Ji Man asked them without any success. 

  At the same time, Ning Yuxuan was standing in a great hall. Above him, the emperor was brilliantly smiling. “This emperor hasn’t thought of a suitable reward to bestow you for your commendable deeds yet. Marquis, how about you think of something yourself? Is there something that you want?” 

  Ning Yuxuan respectfully saluted with his hand said, “The benevolence of the emperor is as vast as the seas. This subject isn’t lacking anything right now. It’s only……” 

  Beaming, Zhao Zhe interrupted him, “Oh, right. Marquis, there probably aren’t many people left in your harem, right? This emperor remembers that there are only three women left. Isn’t it about time to replenish your harem?” 

  Ning Yuxuan furrowed his brow. “Yes, but……” 

  “Don’t worry. This emperor happens to have several women, whose fathers are officials, in my possession.” Zhao Zhe didn’t intend to give him the chance to talk at all. Still smiling, he continued, “Let’s select two of them and send them to your estate. What do you think of this emperor’s idea?”


  Chapter 431 – Who did you love the most in your lifetime? (2) 

  Ning Yuxuan took a deep breath. “Your Majesty, this subject only wants Nie Sangyu. As for the other women, Your Majesty, there’s no need to trouble yourself.” 

  He had to say everything in one breath to avoid being interrupted. 

  The great hall was quiet for a while. 

  Zhao Zhe chuckled, but his face was expressionless. “You want Nie Sangyu?” 

  Ning Yuxuan lifted his robe and knelt down. “Yes.” 

  Zhao Zhe sneered and turned his back to him as he said, “This emperor also wants Nie Sangyu. How many Sangyus does Nie Clan have?” 

  Marquis Moyu was shocked. 

  He had just…… straightforwardly said those words? 

  “If you hadn’t divorced her then, then no matter how much this emperor likes her, this emperor wouldn’t snatch away your wife,” Zhao Zhe lowly said, “But, you’ve already divorced her, so she’s marriable. You want her, this emperor also wants her. If this emperor helps you, who will help this emperor?” 

  Ning Yuxuan furrowed his brow as he looked at the emperor’s back figure. Zhao Zhe had only recently ascended the throne, and he was saying these words to an important minister. It couldn’t be that Zhao Zhe was genuinely in love with Nie Sangyu, right? 

  What should he do? No matter what, an official couldn’t compete with the emperor. Although he had power, he couldn’t defeat the emperor. If he chose to be unyielding, then he wouldn’t be able maintain his power in this country. 

  What should he choose? Did he want her or the high position and wealth that he had spent half of his life to build up? 

  Only a teenager, who was full of love, would choose the former option without hesitation and take her away to futilely live out the rest of their lives together as smoothly as possible. But, he was Marquis Moyu. He had spent half of his life competing with others. He had gone through so much public and covert disputes and schemes for power. Was he supposed to give that all up? 

  Ning Yuxuan’s gaze was somewhat complicated. Not knowing what to do next, he stayed kneeling on the ground 

  “This emperor remembers that when you married Wen Wan, you said that as long as you have her, you wouldn’t have any regrets.” Zhao Zhe turned around to look at him. “Right now, Wen Wan is still by your side, so why can’t you let go of Sangyu?” 

  This is why people should absolutely never say that their current love would be the one that they’ll love the most for the rest of their life. Life is long. It’s inevitable that you’ll be proven wrong in certain things. And so, you should wait until you’re on your deathbed to recollect your life. It’s only then that you have the qualification to discuss who was is that you loved the most for a lifetime. 

  “This subject was ignorant.” Ning Yuxuan closed his eyes and said, “Sangyu and this subject already have a child. A child can’t be without its mother. Wen Wan is this subject’s former love. Feelings change with circumstances. Now that this subject has thought it through, it’s time to let Wen Wan go, so that she can be free to live out her life.” 

  Zhao Zhe snorted. He lightly said, “You have a child with Sangyu? Marquis, you must be remembering wrong. Ning Jinchen’s mother is Xia-shi.” 

  Ning Yuxuan furrowed his brow. 

  “This fact is common knowledge. You shouldn’t try to force your child onto Sangyu.” The emperor pursed his lips and continued, “She doesn’t have any children, and you divorced her. This emperor can take her as my consort.” 

  “Your Majesty, why do you insist on putting this subject in a difficult position?” 

  Zhao Zhe raised his eyebrows. “Marquis, you should be more mindful of your words when you’re speaking to the emperor. No matter how you look at it, its you that’s putting this emperor in a difficult position by standing in the way of this emperor adding a beauty to my harem.” 

  Vexed, Ning Yuxuan wanted to stand up and confront Zhao Zhe. But, he couldn’t openly defy him. Right now, he was able to strategically oppose the emperor due to his control of the Six Ministries. Ning Mingjie and Nie Qingyun would also be willing to help him out with their military power. But, if he let himself get flustered and gave the emperor an excuse, not only would he die, everyone else would die with him. 

  “Oh, by the way, this emperor heard that Sangyu came to the palace today.” Zhao Zhe slightly smiled and said, “She seems to get along very well with Qing-er. She can stay in Qing-er‘s palace tonight.” 

  “Your Majesty!” Ning Yuxuan’s eyes were slightly red. 

  “Marquis, don’t you still have a lot of work to do?” Zhao Zhe amicably said, “You can withdraw. If you don’t finish your work, it won’t be easy for you to justify yourself if this emperor asks you about those tasks tomorrow morning in the imperial court.” 

  Tightly clenching his hand into a fist, Ning Yuxuan slowly kowtowed, then he stood up and followed a eunuch out of Zichen Hall. 

  Wu Yong came out from behind a nearby folding screen and looked at Marquis Moyu’s distant back figure. He lightly said, “Your Majesty, that was perfect. You didn’t pressure him too far or give him any breathing space.” 

  Zhao Zhe chuckled. He stroked a jade seal that was on his desk. He clicked his tongue in admiration. “She’s truly a beauty that brings disaster. Since ancient times, women have able to ruin important things. At first, this emperor didn’t believe in this saying, but now, this emperor has no choice but to believe it.” 

  Wu Yong was smiling as he respectfully cupped his hands. 

  — 

  Ji Man had searched the entire palace, but she hadn’t seen a trace of Haohao. She knew that if the emperor had deliberately hidden Haohao away, then even if she turned over the palace in her search, her efforts would be useless. 

  Seeing that it would soon be dark, Shen Youqing said, “How about staying in my palace for the night? You can continue searching in the morning.” 

  “Your Highness, thank you for your kind offer. This humble woman still wants to leave the palace.” Ji Man pursed her lips and said, “There’s someone waiting for this humble woman outside the palace.” 

  “Oh?” Shen Youqing sounded curious. “Let’s go then to see who’s waiting for you.” 

  Ji Man followed her to the palace’s gate. 

  Who else could it be? She and Ning Yuxuan had agreed that they would leave the palace together. 

  But, this time, there was no waiting for her at the palace’s gate. 

  “Ah, there’s no one here?” Shen Youqing smiled as she said, “Look, it’ll be to far for you to go back by yourself. You should come back with this consort.” 

  Where did he go? Ji Man furrowed her brow. Had he left her in the palace to stay the night? 

  Translator Ramblings: Wow. And here I was, thinking Zhao Zhe is an idiot that’s driven by his hormones and is making the same mistake as Zhao Li by kidnapping Haohao. I like that his end goal is actually to get rid of Ning Yuxuan. He wants Nie Sangyu, but he’s mostly using her as a way to get Marquis Moyu to act out. If he goads Marquis Moyu and his allies to openly rebel, it would give Zhao Zhe the perfect excuse to clean out the people that are potentially the biggest threat to him.