Synopsis and Starting Chapter Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4 Part1
Chapter 4 Part2
Chapter 5 Part1
Chapter 5 Part2
Chapter 6 Part1
Chapter 6 Part2
Chapter 7
Chapter 7 (2)
Chapter 8
Chapter 8 (2)
Chapter 9
Chapter 9 (2)
Chapter 10
Chapter 10 Part2
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 12 Part1
Chapter 13 Part1
Chapter 13 Part2
Chapter 14 Part1
Chapter 14 Part2
Chapter 15
Chapter 16 Part1
Chapter 16 Part2
Chapter 17 Part1
Chapter 17 Part2
Chapter 18
Chapter 19 Part1
Chapter 19 Part2
Chapter 20 Part1
Chapter 20 Part2
Chapter 21 Part1
Chapter 21 Part2
Chapter 22 Part1
Chapter 22 Part2
Chapter 23 Part1
Chapter 23 Part2
Chapter 24 Part1
Chapter 24 Part2
Chapter 25 Part1
Chapter 25 Part2
Chapter 26 Part1
Chapter 26 Part2
Chapter 27
Chapter 28 Part1
Chapter 28 Part2
Chapter 29 Part1
Chapter 29 Part2
Chapter 30 Part1
Chapter 30 Part2
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66 Part1
Chapter 66 Part2
Chapter 67 Part1
Chapter 67 Part2
Chapter 68 Part1
Chapter 68 Part2
Chapter 69 Part1
Chapter 69 Part2
Chapter 70 Part1
Chapter 70 Part2
Chapter 71.1
Chapter 71.2
Chapter 72.1
Chapter 72.2
Chapter 73
Chapter 74.1
Chapter 74.2
Chapter 75.1
Chapter 75.2
Chapter 76
Chapter 77.1
Chapter 77.2
Chapter 78.1
Chapter 78.2
Chapter 79.1
Chapter 80.1
Chapter 80.2
Chapter 81.1
Chapter 81.2
Chapter 82
Chapter 83.1
Chapter 83.2
Chapter 84.1
Chapter 84.2
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87.1
Chapter 87.2
Chapter 88.1
Chapter 88.2
Chapter 89
Chapter 90.1
Chapter 90.2
Chapter 91.1
Chapter 91.2
Chapter 92.1
Chapter 92.2
Chapter 93.1
Chapter 93.2
Chapter 94.1
Chapter 94.2
Chapter 95.1 - Male Brothel (Part I)
Chapter 95.2 - Male Brothel (Part Ii)
Chapter 96.1 - Xuan Li’S Scheme (Part I)
Chapter 96.2 - Xuan Li’S Scheme (Part Ii)
Chapter 97.1 - Imperial Cosort Chen (Part I)
Chapter 97.2 - Imperial Cosort Chen (Part Ii)
Chapter 98.1
Chapter 98.2 - Choosing A Consort (Part Ii)
Chapter 99.1 - : The Virtuous Empress Dowager (Part I)
Chapter 99.2 - Empress Dowager Yi De (Part Ii)
Chapter 100 - Reincarnation
Chapter 101 - Rejecting The Marriage
Chapter 102.1 - A Turning Point (Part I)
Chapter 102.2 - A Turning Point (Part Ii)
Chapter 103.1 - Bidding Farewell (Part I)
Chapter 103.2 - Bidding Farewell (Part Ii)
Chapter 105.1 - A Startling Change (Part I)
Chapter 105.2 - A Startling Change (Part Ii)
Chapter 106 - A Night Visit To The Jiang Fu
Chapter 107 - Happy Occasions
Chapter 108 - Borrowing A Knife To Kill
Chapter 109.1 - An Unexpected Turn Of Events (Part I)
Chapter 109.2 - An Unexpected Turn Of Events (Part Ii)
Chapter 110..2 - Dong Yinger (Part Ii)
Chapter 110.1 - Dong Yinger (Part I)
Chapter 111.1 - Slander (Part I)
Chapter 111.2 - Slander (Part Ii)
Chapter 112.1 - Frantic (Part I)
Chapter 112.2 - Frantic (Part Ii)
Chapter 113.1 - Confidential Matters (Part I)
Chapter 113.2 - Confidential Matters (Part Ii)
Chapter 114.1 - The Pure
Chapter 114.2 - The Pure
Chapter 115.1 - The Lecherous Prince (Part I)
Chapter 115.2 - The Lecherous Prince (Part Ii)
Chapter 116.1 - The Concerns Held In Grand Tutor Liu’S Heart
Chapter 116.2 - The Concerns Held In Grand Tutor Liu’S Heart
Chapter 117 - A So
Chapter 118 - A Trap
Chapter 119 - His Heartache
Chapter 120 - Harassing Him
Chapter 121 - Xuan You’S Fate
Chapter 122 - Simultaneous Action
Chapter 123 - The Grand Preceptor’S Help
Chapter 124
Chapter 125 - Xiao Shao’S Concern
Chapter 126 - An Omen Of National Calamity
Chapter 127 - The Woman In Power Kills The Monarch
Chapter 128 - The Shadows Within The Fu
Chapter 129 - Old Jiang Madame
Chapter 130
Chapter 131 - Taking Action
Chapter 132 - The Li Family’S Downfall
Chapter 133 - Second Yiniang’S Death
Chapter 134 - Misunderstanding
Chapter 135 - Meeting Pei’Er Again
Chapter 136 - The Golden Chrysanthemum Banquet
Chapter 137 - A Scheme Within The Forest
Chapter 138 - Lured In By The Mistress Of Misfortune
Chapter 139 - To Expose A Scandal
Chapter 140 - The Xia Family In Chaos
Chapter 141 - Xiao Shao Is Injured
Chapter 142 - Shielding Xiao Shao
Chapter 143 - A Beauty Emerges From A Bath
Chapter 144 - Xuan Lang’S Probing
Chapter 145 - Xiao Shao Proposes Marriage
Chapter 146 - : A Graceful Lady, The Perfect Match For A Gentleman
Chapter 147 - Angst
Chapter 148 - Kiss
Chapter 149 - Their Own Attitudes
Chapter 150 - Xiao Shao Made A Move
Chapter 151
Chapter 152
Chapter 153
Chapter 154
Chapter 155
Chapter 156
Chapter 157
Chapter 158
Chapter 159
Chapter 160 : Exciting News
Chapter 161
Chapter 162
Chapter 163
Chapter 164
Chapter 165
Chapter 166
Chapter 167
Chapter 168
Chapter 169
Chapter 170
Chapter 171
Chapter 172
Chapter 173
Chapter 174
Chapter 175
Chapter 176
Chapter 177
Chapter 178
Chapter 179
Chapter 180
Chapter 181
Chapter 182
Chapter 183
Chapter 184
Chapter 185
Chapter 1: The End Of The World Is Approaching
Chapter 2: Finding Money
Chapter 3: Scanning And Refitting
Chapter 4: Refitting
Chapter 5: The Final Preparations
Chapter 6: Doomsday
Chapter 7: To Be Line Jumpers Requires Capabilities
Chapter 8: Driving Against The Traffic
Chapter 9: The Minibus Was Surrounded By Zombies
Chapter 10: Escape!
Chapter 11: The Freeway Entrance
Chapter 12: The Day Of Parting
Chapter 13: Leaving The Freeway
Chapter 14: A Road Leading Up The Mountain
Chapter 15: The Mobile Hotel
Chapter 16: A Roaring At Night
Chapter 17: The Mcv Has Broken Down
Chapter 18: Weapon
Chapter 19: Air Cannon
Chapter 20: The Mcv’S Evolution
Chapter 21: Waste Is The Biggest Crime
Chapter 22: Bumping All The Way
Chapter 23: Upgrading The Fuel Tank
Chapter 24: This Is Not A Minibus, It Is A Sports Car
Chapter 25: The Wild Guys
Chapter 26: The Crazy Minibus
Chapter 27: Big Mess
Chapter 28: Are You Kidding?
Chapter 29: She Was Overwhelmed By Curiosity
Chapter 30: The Future Is Unknown
Chapter 31: The Mysterious Leader
Chapter 32: Get Off Immediately!
Chapter 33: Be Tormented!
Chapter 34: 'Brother Yu'
Chapter 35: Punish Evil On The Spot
Chapter 36: Keep Him Alive
Chapter 37: Drifting?
Chapter 38: The Enraged Jiang Liushi
Chapter 39: Heavy Truck
Chapter 40: Mutant Energy
Chapter 41: Everything Is Ready
Chapter 42: Humiliation And Bitterness
Chapter 43: Inexplicable Actions
Chapter 44: Two Choices
Chapter 45: Departure
Chapter 46: Railway Station
Chapter 47: Nanjing City
Chapter 48: Xiao Ying, I’M Coming!
Chapter 49: Wait For Me
Chapter 50: Are You The Boss?
Chapter 51: Am I Like Pikachu?
Chapter 52: It’S Time To Go
Chapter 53: Jiang Zhuying’S Base
Chapter 54: Giving Special Favor
Chapter 55: Picking Up Mutant Meat
Chapter 56: Going To Satellite Town
Chapter 57: Battle Prowess
Chapter 58: Zhang Hai’S Ability
Chapter 59: Predicament
Chapter 60: The Mutant Dog
Chapter 61: Perfect Cooperation
Chapter 62: Two Mutant Nuclei
Chapter 63: Rare Materials
Chapter 64: Iridium’S Location
Chapter 65: Special Metals Company
Chapter 66: Special Longsword
Chapter 67: The General Situation
Chapter 68: Jiang Liushi’S Expectations
Chapter 69: Destination: Jinling University!
Chapter 70: Stirring Up Trouble
Chapter 71: The New Weapon’S Power
Chapter 72: I Want To Take A Bath
Chapter 73: Killing Jiang Liushi
Chapter 74: Iridium Crucible
Chapter 75: Somebody Is Coming
Chapter 76: Bleeding Wolves
Chapter 77: Devouring Ability
Chapter 78: Building The Lab
Chapter 79: Biological Laboratory
Chapter 80: Jiang Liushi’S Choice
Chapter 81: Do You Have A Gun?
Chapter 82: Sharpshooting Lessons
Chapter 83: Are You A Professional Shooter?
Chapter 84: Rushing Out Of The Warehouse
Chapter 85: He Was Observant And Alert
Chapter 86: Retreat!
Chapter 87: Blood Wolf’S Extraordinary Ability
Chapter 88: Blood Wolf’S Counterattack
Chapter 89: Nowhere To Go
Chapter 90: Blind Spot
Chapter 91: Second Evolution
Chapter 92: Humanoid Forklift
Chapter 93: Blood Wolf’S Base
Chapter 94: Simplicity
Chapter 95: New Functions
Chapter 96: Harvest
Chapter 97: Reselling
Chapter 98: Humanoid Charger
Chapter 99: Mechanical Refitting
Chapter 100: Critical Materials
Chapter 101: What Are You Looking For?
Chapter 102: Reaping What You Sow
Chapter 103: Practice
Chapter 104: Black Market
Chapter 105: Assistant
Chapter 106: Final Form
Chapter 107: Arrival At The Black Market
Chapter 108: Ying
Chapter 109: Enter Into The Black Market
Chapter 110: Shameless Merchant
Chapter 111: Top Paranormal
Chapter 112: Drive Here
Chapter 113: At Loggerheads
Chapter 114: What Do You Have?
Chapter 115: Eye-Opener
Chapter 116: Type 95 Family Of Weapons
Chapter 117: Bargaining
Chapter 118: Unexpected
Chapter 119: Ran Xiyu
Chapter 120: Leopard House
Chapter 121: Extra-Heavy Truck
Chapter 122: Asking Jiang Liushi For Help
Chapter 123: Removing Ill Fortune
Chapter 124: Humanoid Tyrannosaurus
Chapter 125: Running Away?
Chapter 126: To Pursue, Or Not To Pursue?
Chapter 127: Personalized Refitting
Chapter 128: Moving Fortress
Chapter 129: Mining Truck’S Whereabouts
Chapter 130: Going Back?
Chapter 131: Bai Pinghai
Chapter 132: Flushing The Rabbit
Chapter 133: Heaven-Daring
Chapter 134: The Death
Chapter 135: Mechanical Monster
Chapter 136: Losing Face Altogether
Chapter 137: Upside Down
Chapter 138: Get Out!
Chapter 139: Evolutionary Crystal
Chapter 140: No Corpse!
Chapter 141: Struggle!
Chapter 142: Unexpected Gross Profit
Chapter 143: Upgrading The Storing Space
Chapter 144: Blood Vessel
Chapter 145: Configuring The Gene Evolution Liquid
Chapter 146: Hard To Choose
Chapter 147: Leaving For Jinling
Chapter 148: Intangibly Dangerous
Chapter 149: Advancing Bravely
Chapter 150: Was It The Same Mutant Boa?
Chapter 151: No Discord, No Concord
Chapter 152: Farewell, My Dear Compatriot
Chapter 153: Level-2 Mutant Nucleus
Chapter 154: Rise In Price
Chapter 155: The Key To Evolution
Chapter 156: Breaking A World Record
Chapter 157: Jinling Port
Chapter 158: Scanning The Mining Truck
Chapter 159: Leaving For Shenhai Island
Chapter 160: Launching The Mcv’S Second Form
Chapter 161: Falling Ill
Chapter 162: Give It A Try?
Chapter 163: Spiritual Special Ability
Chapter 164: Cry For Help
Chapter 165: What Do You Want To Do?
Chapter 166: Arrival At The First District Of Shenhai Island
Chapter 167: Check-In The First District Of Shenhai Island
Chapter 168: Humanoid Telephone
Chapter 169: Luxurious Coffee House
Chapter 170: Long Time No See
Chapter 171: Invitation
Chapter 172: Trading Hall
Chapter 173: Diesel
Chapter 174: No Interest
Chapter 175: Privilege
Chapter 176: The World Is Small
Chapter 177: Say It Again!
Chapter 178: Get Out By Yourselves Or Not?
Chapter 179: For Some Extra Gains
Chapter 180: Local Tyrant
Chapter 181: Cheating!
Chapter 182: Shouldn'T Provoke
Chapter 183: ‘Viper’
Chapter 184: Mutant Zombies
Chapter 185: One Can’T Avoid One’S Enemy
Chapter 186: Leaving The City
Chapter 187: It Was Just An Accident
Chapter 188: The Approaching Zombies
Chapter 189: Fight With Eachapter Other
Chapter 190: Borrowing A Gun
Chapter 191: Commiting Suicide?
Chapter 192: Zombies Were Defeated
Chapter 193: Every Shot Tells
Chapter 194: Level-1 Mutant Zombie
Chapter 195: Was It A Zombie?
Chapter 196: Regenerating A Severed Body Part
Chapter 197: Blood Nucleus
Chapter 198: Using ‘Borrow’ As A Pretext?
Chapter 199: Murdering A Person With A Borrowed Knife
Chapter 200: The Mantis Stalking The Cicada
Chapter 201: Have Dim Eyesight
Chapter 202: Dreadful Opponent
Chapter 203: Tongnan City
Chapter 204: Struck By Zombies
Chapter 205: Converging Attack
Chapter 206: Strike Back
Chapter 207: Unconditional Surrender
Chapter 208: Last Warning
Chapter 209: Don’T Offend Jiang
Chapter 210: Returning To Shenhai Island
Chapter 211: Tide Of Zombies
Chapter 212: Pickets
Chapter 213: Drumstick Gun
Chapter 214: Offending Chu Chongshan
Chapter 215: Visitor
Chapter 216: The Old General
Chapter 217: Exorbitant Price
Chapter 218: Eagle
Chapter 219: Ready! Set! Go!
Chapter 220: Directing A Battle
Chapter 221: Vision And Feeling
Chapter 222: Ran Xiyu’S Special Ability
Chapter 223: Surrounded By Zombies
Chapter 224: Driving Into The Distance
Chapter 225: A Female Zombie
Chapter 226: Approaching Danger
Chapter 227: Mysterious Ability
Chapter 228: Getting Through The Siege
Chapter 229: Men Cannot Be Judged By Their Looks
Chapter 230: Radical Zone
Chapter 231: Abandoned Nuclear Power Station
Chapter 232: Rescue Team!
Chapter 233: Rescue
Chapter 234: Meeting Again
Chapter 235: Accident
Chapter 236: Psychic Monster
Chapter 237: Hypnosis
Chapter 238: Wake Up
Chapter 239: Li Yuxin’S Change
Chapter 240: Dream And Reality
Chapter 241: Don’T Disturb Her
Chapter 242: Great Change
Chapter 243: In Imminent Danger
Chapter 244: Request
Chapter 245: Upgrade Program
Chapter 246: Urgent Task
Chapter 247: Leaving Shenhai Island
Chapter 248: Special Paranormal
Chapter 249: Scream At Night
Chapter 250: Who Are You?
Chapter 251: Fending For Herself
Chapter 252: Hidden Danger
Chapter 253: Returning To Jiangbei
Chapter 254: Accident
Chapter 255: Opening A Path
Chapter 256: Not An Ordinary Excavator
Chapter 257: Ye County
Chapter 258: Who Are You!?
Chapter 259: Looking For Someone
Chapter 260: Uninvited Guests
Chapter 261: Going Home
Chapter 262: It'S A Pity
Chapter 263: I Was Forced
Chapter 264: Enlightenment
Chapter 265: Encounter
Chapter 266: Driving Thousands Of Miles
Chapter 267: Pulling The Trigger
Chapter 268: Wormhole
Chapter 269: Military Order
Chapter 270: Slipping Into The Enemy Lines
Chapter 271: Iron Tyrannosaurus
Chapter 272: Meeting Again
Chapter 273: How Will You Leave?
Chapter 274: Digging His Own Grave
Chapter 275: Suffer Severely From Jiang Liushi
Chapter 276: Trouble
Chapter 277: On The Way
Chapter 278: Did You Get On Well With Eachapter Other
Chapter 279: What Can You Do?
Chapter 280: Star City
Chapter 281: Blind-Shooting
Chapter 282: Stand Still
Chapter 283: Deliver To Home
Chapter 284: Star City Base
Chapter 285: Riding On Someone’S Coattails
Chapter 286: You Can Try
Chapter 287: Don’T Bother
Chapter 288: Deliberate Provocation
Chapter 289: Seckill
Chapter 290: Go Beyond Their Depth
Chapter 291: A Stranger
Chapter 292: Why Don’T You Change The World?
Chapter 293: Starseed Fluctuation
Chapter 294: Fallen City
Chapter 295: In The Dark World
Chapter 296: Pay Back The Money
Chapter 297: Jiang Can’T Avoid His Enemy
Chapter 298: Lei She (1)
Chapter 299: Lei She (2)
Chapter 300: Diamond Cut Diamond
Chapter 301: Great Jiang Liushi
Chapter 302: A Slight Error In Thought
Chapter 303: Hong Yue
Chapter 304: Disappearing Special Energy
Chapter 305: Chance Encounter
Chapter 306: Killing Intent
Chapter 307: Eyeballs
Chapter 308: "Restaurant"
Chapter 309: Fate
Chapter 310: Mental Confrontation
Chapter 311: Hand Tearing Living People
Chapter 312: A Special Zombie
Chapter 313: People In Cages
Chapter 314: Ling
Chapter 315: I Can’T Say It Anymore
Chapter 316: Unexpected News
Chapter 317: Yes, You Are Right
Chapter 318: Tank
Chapter 319: Her Soul Was Damned
Chapter 320: Like A Moth To The Flame
Chapter 321: Mutual Destruction? Wrong!
Chapter 322: Leakage Of Electricity?
Chapter 323: Inconceivable
Chapter 324: Invitation
Chapter 325: Not Necessary
Chapter 326: You, Get Out
Chapter 327: Salute!
Chapter 328: Coincidence
Chapter 329: Imminent Death
Chapter 330: Pleasant Surprise
Chapter 331: Is This Your Special Ability?
Chapter 332: Setting Off
Chapter 333: Small Town
Chapter 334: Survivors
Chapter 335: Just Driving
Chapter 336: Cutting Off Your Escape Route!
Chapter 337: Approaching Zombies
Chapter 338: Vain Hope
Chapter 339: Rushing Into The Zombies
Chapter 340: Come After Me!
Chapter 341: Perfect Evasion
Chapter 342: Hang On To Your Hat
Chapter 343: Special Hobby
Chapter 344: Northern Area Of Jiangsu
Chapter 345: Business
Chapter 346: Entering The County
Chapter 347: Xiang Xuehai
Chapter 348: This Is Help?
Chapter 349: Afraid They Would Not Come
Chapter 350: You Don’T Have The Chance
Chapter 351: Bloodstained Picture
Chapter 352: Torrential Rain
Chapter 353: Military Camp
Chapter 354: I Will Carry You On My Back
Chapter 355: Change!
Chapter 356: An Accident
Chapter 357: I Surrender
Chapter 358: Incinerate
Chapter 359: Surrounded
Chapter 360: Danger Is Coming
Chapter 361: Torrential Flood
Chapter 362: Sweet Kiss
Chapter 363: New Route
Chapter 364: Return To Wu Shui County
Chapter 365: Outsiders
Chapter 366: Cooperation
Chapter 367: Meeting
Chapter 368: Hidden Adversaries
Chapter 369: Awe
Chapter 370: City Gate
Chapter 371: A Life And Death Struggle
Chapter 372: Mutant Zombie
Chapter 373: Difficulties
Chapter 374: Water Monsters
Chapter 375: Predicament
Chapter 376: We Are Friends, Right?
Chapter 377: Strengthen Ability
Chapter 378: Setting Off!
Chapter 379: Chance Encounter
Chapter 380: Walking Into A Trap
Chapter 381: Stealth Missile Boat
Chapter 382: The Mcv'S Third Form
Chapter 383: Pincer Attack
Chapter 384: Soldiering On
Chapter 385: Return
Chapter 386: Mcv: Damaged
Chapter 387: Explosion
Chapter 388: I Care About You
Chapter 389: Promise
Chapter 390: Energy Laboratory
Chapter 391: Evolutionary Crystal
Chapter 392: A Strange Team
Chapter 393: Robbing
Chapter 394: Ups And Downs In Life
Chapter 395: Forbidden Zone
Chapter 396: Inside And Outside Of The High Wall
Chapter 397: I Want Τo Dο Business With You
Chapter 398: Hidden Evolution Project
Chapter 399: Alien Plant Energy
Chapter 400: Swagger Off
Chapter 401: Ran Yunsha
Chapter 402: Slipping Into
Chapter 403: Toxin Squad
Chapter 404: Go Up Directly
Chapter 405: Swollen With Arrogance
Chapter 406: As Mad As A Marchapter Hare
Chapter 407: Failing To Seal The Deal
Chapter 408: Follow Me
Chapter 409: Unexpected Outcome
Chapter 410: Entering The Forbidden Zone
Chapter 411: Future Direction Of Evolution
Chapter 412: Abrupt Change
Chapter 413: Mouse Running After The Cat
Chapter 414: Feed Sight On
Chapter 415: Jiang Zhuying Is In Danger
Chapter 416: A Light In The Darkness
Chapter 417: Special Mutant Beasts
Chapter 418: Girl’S Weakness
Chapter 419: Guiding Fee
Chapter 420: Marching Into The City
Chapter 421: Xiayuan Safety Area
Chapter 422: Underground Trading Market
Chapter 423: Acquaintances Meet Eachapter Other
Chapter 424: Wilderness Order
Chapter 425: Chapter 426 One Powerful Paranormal
Chapter 426: Receiving Assignments
Chapter 427: Losing Face
Chapter 428: Chapter 429 Ran Xiyu’S Thoughts
Chapter 429: Ambush
Chapter 430: Die With Your Boots On
Chapter 431: Strength Of A Level-2 Paranormal
Chapter 432: Do You Want To Make A Deal?
Chapter 433: Only Strong Enemies Deserve My Attention
Chapter 434: Trump Card
Chapter 435: Special Discoveries In The Nest
Chapter 436: Mutant Queen Ant'S Egg
Chapter 437: Abnormal Phenomena Of Jiang Liushi
Chapter 438: Evolution
Chapter 439: Speak Of The Devil
Chapter 440: Honeycomb Arena
Chapter 441: Wasp War
Chapter 442: Invitation
Chapter 443: Accident
Chapter 444: Visiting Li Yuxin
Chapter 445: Meeting
Chapter 446: Bad Luck
Chapter 447: Eagle
Chapter 448: Head To The Beast Nest
Chapter 449: Risk Lives
Chapter 450: Troublesome Things
Chapter 451: Dangerous Lunatics
Chapter 452: Frontal Attack
Chapter 453: What Qualifications Do You Have To Compete With Me?
Chapter 454: True To Lu Changfei’S Name
Chapter 455: Fierce Mother Beast
Chapter 456: Your Battle Was Awesome
Chapter 457: Braising Luoluo
Chapter 461: Pleasant Surprises
Chapter 462: Lu Changfei'S Invitation
Chapter 462.1 - Important Information
Chapter 462.2 - Not Giving Li Yinqiang Face
Chapter 462.3 - Accident
Chapter 463: Returning To The Safe Area
Chapter 464: Nobody Is Allowed To Enter
Chapter 465: Suffering Wrongly
Chapter 466: Seeking Help
Chapter 467: Someone Is Coming
Chapter 468: Puppet Attack
Chapter 469: Hospital
Chapter 470: Open The Door!
Chapter 471: Stupefying Scenes
Chapter 472: Violence Aesthetics
Chapter 473: Jiang Liushi’S Requirements
Chapter 474: A Life-Saving Straw
Chapter 475: Jiang Zhuying Regains Consciousness!
Chapter 476: Brother, I Can Protect You Now
Chapter 477: Luoluo, The Cute And Crafty Beast
Chapter 478: Extraordinary Luoluo
Chapter 479: Just Passing Through
Chapter 480: Excellent Minibus And Pretty Girls
Chapter 481: Ambush
Chapter 482: A Clown
Chapter 483: Jiangning City
Chapter 484: Fishing In Troubled Waters
Chapter 485: Are You Making Fun Of Me?
Chapter 486: Steady As A Rock
Chapter 487: Prompt Decision
Chapter 488: Trading Market
Chapter 489: Vip Room
Chapter 490: No Manners
Chapter 491: I Am The Rule!
Chapter 492: Dwarf
Chapter 493: Waiting For The Highest Bid
Chapter 494: Lu Tianyu
Chapter 495: I Happen To Need Something
Chapter 496: I Am Innocent!
Chapter 497: World Full Of Surprises
Chapter 498: Sheer Fantasy
Chapter 499: Blueprint
Chapter 500: Jiangning Safety Zone
Chapter 501: Small World
Chapter 502: Times Have Changed
Chapter 503: Starseed'S Warning!
Chapter 504: Shockwave
Chapter 505: Looming Danger
Chapter 506: Accident
Chapter 507: Honeycomb
Chapter 508: Doomsday'S Reappearance
Chapter 509: Unknown
Chapter 510: Lies Must Be Exposed
Chapter 511: Longing
Chapter 512: Sneaking Inside
Chapter 513: Betrayal
Chapter 514: Black Hole
Chapter 515: Meeting
Chapter 516: Wang Shiqi
Chapter 517: Danger
Chapter 518: Materials
Chapter 519: Strength Limits Imagination
Chapter 520: Condition
Chapter 521: Black Light
Chapter 522: Regular Army
Chapter 523: Charge!
Chapter 524: Delivered Energy
Chapter 525: Wan Yiling
Chapter 526: Crazed Absorbtion
Chapter 527: Determination!
Chapter 528: Have You Considered?
Chapter 529: What Qualification Do You Have?
Chapter 530: A New Favorable Turn
Chapter 531: Conspiracy
Chapter 532: Coveting Jiang Liushi’S Minibus
Chapter 533: Hope
Chapter 534: Black Cloud Of Destruction
Chapter 535: Dealt With It?
Chapter 536: Mysterious Group
Chapter 537: Taking Action!
Chapter 538: Hell Gate
Chapter 539: Snatched From The Jaws Of Death
Chapter 540: Core
Chapter 541: I Must Kill You
Chapter 542: An Impasse?
Chapter 543: Broken Legs
Chapter 544 - Shadow World
Chapter 545 - Human Touch
Chapter 546 - Real Mcv
Chapter 547 - Shi Ying
Chapter 548 - Whereabouts
Chapter 549 - Reward For Jiang Liushi’S Arrest
Chapter 550 - Coming Across Survivors
Chapter 551 - Steel City
Chapter 552 - Biting The Hook
Chapter 553 - Testing The Tour Bus
Chapter 554 - Stop!
Chapter 555 - Giving Three Thick Ears
Chapter 556 - I Don’T Mind Bullying You
Chapter 557 - Extravagant Lifestyle
Chapter 558 - Relief Troops
Chapter 559 - Hunting Together
Chapter 560 - Inescapable
Chapter 561 - Crisis
Chapter 562 - Warning Sign
Chapter 563 - Humanoid Gas Bomb
Chapter 564 - Centesimate
Chapter 565 - Qionghai City
Chapter 566 - Heaven-Daring
Chapter 567 - Free Guide
Chapter 568 - A Man Plans To Searchapter For One Piece
Chapter 569 - Old Account
Chapter 570 - Good Sensation
Chapter 571 - Dripping Fresh Blood
Chapter 572 - The Sense Of Bleeding
Chapter 573 - Appetizer
Chapter 574 - ‘Weapon’
Chapter 575 - Caught By Surprise
Chapter 576 - Buzzkill
Chapter 577 - Cruel Measures
Chapter 578 - Group Of Zombies
Chapter 579 - Infected People
Chapter 580 - Blue Liquid
Chapter 581 - Revisiting The Old Haunt
Chapter 582 - Shen Hai
Chapter 583 - He Lu
Chapter 584 - Reunion
Chapter 585 - Old Members
Chapter 586 - What Can You Do To Me?
Chapter 587 - Bitter Enough
Chapter 588 - Shen Hai'S Headquarters
Chapter 589 - Mighty Psychic Paranormal
Chapter 590 - Genesis
Chapter 591 - Blue Sprites’ Queen
Chapter 592 - Burning
Chapter 593 - Battling Shen Hai
Chapter 594 - Flash In The Dark
Chapter 595 - Infected Jiang Liushi
Chapter 596 - Xiang Xuehai’S Decision
Chapter 597 - Weapon'S Whereabouts
Chapter 598 - The Evolution Of Jiang Liushi
Chapter 599 - Half-Asleep And Half-Awake
Chapter 600 - Devil And White Rabbit
Chapter 601 - The Changes Of Jiang Liushi (I)
Chapter 602 - The Changes Of Jiang Liushi (Ii)
Chapter 603 - Traveling To Japan
Chapter 604 - Railgun
Chapter 605 - Sword Club
Chapter 606 - Jiang Zhuying’S Nickname
Chapter 607 - Sword Club'S Safety Zone
Chapter 608 - Mysterious Girl
Chapter 609 - Jiang Cheng
Chapter 610 - Strange Beast
Chapter 611 - Weapon'S Origin
Chapter 612 - Secret
Chapter 613 - Black Rubik’S Cube
Chapter 614 - Long Teng City
Chapter 615 - Fierce Humanoid Beast
Chapter 616 - Bola
Chapter 617 - Kamikaze Beasts
Chapter 618 - World Of Warcraft (Wow)
Chapter 619 - Shock And Awe
Chapter 620 - Evolution Again
Chapter 621 - A Reasonable Price
Chapter 622 - Bringing The Fight To The Headquarters
Chapter 623 - Tsukuyomi
Chapter 624 - Relic'S Sword
Chapter 625 - Fierce Attack
Chapter 626 - The Sword Club'S Fall
Chapter 627 - Military Base
Chapter 628 - Night Metropolis
Chapter 629 - Invitation
Chapter 630 - Celebration Party
Chapter 631 - Candidate
Chapter 632 - Fruit Ninja
Chapter 633 - Special Team
Chapter 634 - The Wages Of Sin Is Death
Chapter 635 - Honest Businessman
Chapter 636 - Doll-Like Girl
Chapter 637 - Don'T Make Reckless Remarks
Chapter 638 - Manor
Chapter 639 - Killing Machine
Chapter 640 - Level-3 Mutant Zombie
Chapter 641 - Fighting Shen Kui
Chapter 642 - Head-On Confrontation
Chapter 643 - Black Rubik’S Cube - Acquired!
Chapter 644 - Shen Kui’S Death
Chapter 645 - Metal Essence
Chapter 646 - Relic Island
Chapter 647 - Ultimate Source
Chapter 648 - Cruel Angel
Chapter 649 - Cliff Tension
Chapter 650
Chapter 651
Chapter 652
Chapter 653
Chapter 654
Chapter 655
Chapter 656
Chapter 657
Chapter 658
Chapter 659
Chapter 660
Chapter 661
Chapter 662
Chapter 663
Chapter 664
Chapter 665
Chapter 666
Chapter 667
Chapter 668
Chapter 669
Chapter 670
Chapter 671
Chapter 672
Chapter 673
Chapter 674
Chapter 675
Chapter 676
Chapter 677
Chapter 678
Chapter 679
Chapter 680
Chapter 681
Chapter 682
Chapter 683
Chapter 684
Chapter 685
Chapter 686
Chapter 687
Chapter 688
Chapter 689
Chapter 690
Chapter 186
Chapter 187
Chapter 188
Chapter 189
Chapter 190
Chapter 191
Chapter 192
Chapter 193
Chapter 194
Chapter 195
Chapter 196
Chapter 197
Chapter 198
Chapter 199
Chapter 200
Chapter 201
Chapter 202
Chapter 205
Chapter 206
Chapter 207
Categories Genre: Adult, All, Drama, Historical, Josei, Ongoing, Romance Status: Ongoing Alternative names: 重生之嫡女祸妃, ______
Total Chapters in book: 955
Estimated words: 1761558 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 8808(@200wpm)___ 7046(@250wpm)___ 5872(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 1761558 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 8808(@200wpm)___ 7046(@250wpm)___ 5872(@300wpm)
______
LIST OF LAST 10 CHAPTERS:
Page No. 955 Page No. 954 Page No. 953 Page No. 952 Page No. 951 Page No. 950 Page No. 949 Page No. 948 Page No. 947 Page No. 946 Page No. 945 Chapter 159
Chapter 159 : Conferred Marriage
In a private room within Dong Feng Lou, Xiao Shao, Mo Cong and Xia Qing were seated together. Looking travel-worn, Mo Cong seemed to have just rushed in from an errand because as soon as he entered, he had immediately plonked himself on to a chair and without any hesitation, lifted the tea pot, poured himself a cup and gulped it down in one motion. It was only after he had drunk his fill that he took a breath before addressing Xiao Shao, “Third Brother, it has all been arranged. Everything has been prepared on Xuan Li’s side too. This time there will not be any issues, you only have to wait to carry your beloved home.”
Xia Qing was absolutely confused as he listened and anxiously asked, “What do you mean by ‘carrying his beloved’? Has Third Brother got someone special in his heart, which family’s young lady? And what has it got to do with Xuan Li?”
“You’re such a dimwit.” Mo Cong rapped him(XQ) on his head, “Not only have you not shown any concern for our Third Brother’s life, you aren’t even aware that our Third Brother has finally been enlightened. Although it’s a pity that while the falling leaves are yearning for love, the heartless brook ripples on[1]. Meaning, his lady is very cold so Third Brother is searching for ways to improve and endear himself. However, this young lady is rather beautiful, and her eldest brother has some military troops under him, so it’s no wonder that Xuan Li also has his sights on her. Thus Third Brother is unsettled on account of beauty[2], and is intent on tripping up Xuan Li.”
[1] 落花有意,流水无情 (luò huā yǒu yì,liú shuǐ wú qíng) – this phrase is from a poem from the Ming dynasty by Feng Menglong, published in 1627 in his compilation of vernacular short stories “Stories to Awaken the World.” It refers to the affections between a couple, it refers to twist turns between the two parties wherein one party has deep affections yet the other party does not have these intentions. In the matters of love and marriage, this has similarities to unrequited longing, secretly being in love with another, one-sided lovesickness, and one’s own wishful thinking.
[2] 冲冠一怒为红颜 (chong guan yi nu wei hong yan) – this phrase is from a poem, 圆圆曲 (yuan yuan qu) written early in the Qing dynasty, which chronicles the historical events at that time, with the relationship between General Wu Sangui and his concubine Chen Yuanyuan forming the narrative backbone of the poem. The idea is that Wu Sangui betrayed the Ming dynasty to the Manchus (thus giving rise to the Qing dynasty) because Chen Yuanyuan had been seized. (There are doubts as to whether the events in the poem are true.)
Whilst Mo Cong spoke sarcastically, Xiao Shao continued to savour his tea in silence, without taking any of his snarkiness to heart. In fact, he was slightly distracted, but it was hard to fathom what he was thinking about.
Then, finally, Xia Qing grasped the full content of the news and hollered exaggeratedly, “WHAT?! Who has caused Third Brother to fall into this one-sided love; to be turned away at the door? Seventh Brother, don’t lie to me.”
What kind of person was Xiao Shao? When he was younger and had ridden on horseback down the streets of the capital, his way had always been paved with fragrance – the young ladies among the bystanders had willingly flung their scented sachets and silk flowers at him. Naturally, the end result was that Xiao Shao’s mount always possessed a floral scent. Later, when he had gone to Mt. Jianan as a disciple, there were countless young ladies, all with ulterior motives, who loudly insisted that they wished to go to Mt. Jianan to be disciples. This, naturally, was impossible. At the foot of Mt. Jianan was a defensive array created by Teacher Ba Qi himself. Therefore, a person trying to enter would be in grave danger. At that time, many young, unmarried daughters from noble families, banking on Xiao Shao’s protective feelings for the fairer sex, deliberately ‘charged’ into the array, but Xiao Shao never paid them the slightest attention. Thus, for no good reason, they brought trouble to Xiao Shao’s fellow disciples who had to clean up his mess[3]. At that time, Xia Qing and Mo Cong were still young, and they had to spend most of their time each day hunting in all directions for such people.
[3] 擦屁股 (ca pi gu) – lit. wipe one’s bottom.
And yet, hunting was not the problem. It was because once ‘caught’, the eyes of the ladies who looked at them were so disappointed that this became the nightmare of every Mt. Jianan disciple – it was truly too damaging to their self-respect.
In reality, among their band of disciples, there was no lack of handsome young men. However, Xiao Shao was highly accomplished despite his youth, and possessed a natural grace and detached air which lent him a unique charm. This, when compared with the other youngsters, caused him to stand out like a crane among crows. When all the youngsters were pursuing beautiful girls, only Xiao Shao remained motionless, a picture of exceptional refinement. In their private discussions, the other disciples gossiped that in future Xiao Shao was destined to become a monk in a Shaolin Temple.
So who knew that Mo Cong would drop such a bombshell today, giving Xia Qing a rude shock. There was also an indescribable feeling in his heart; perhaps it was because he had never imagined that the person who was almost god-like to him would finally step off his pedestal. And even hit a wall. Even though this baby-face youth(XQ) was pure-hearted, he could not help feeling the tiniest bit of schadenfreude. It was indeed true that the heavens were fair – what goes around, comes around.
“Yes, you saw her yourself today.” When Mo Cong saw Xia Qing’s expression, he knew exactly what he was thinking. With a mischievous smile, he said, “It was the person who escaped calamity because of your help in performing an autopsy, Hong’an Junzhu. You saw her, the one who was being framed.”
“It was her!” Xia Qing was dumbstruck. He thought of that young lady in Golden Throne Hall, whose prison garb did not diminish her gracious bearing. She possessed a natural beauty and charm, and it was only her unperturbed expression that caused him to feel slightly fearful. Xia Qing pondered briefly before saying, in all seriousness, “So, Third Brother likes the beautiful and charming type. I understand now. I’ll write to Fourth Brother by and by and tell him about it.”
Mo Cong rolled his eyes. The fact that Xiao Shao liked a girl was truly going to be known by everyone now, and he wondered what Teacher Ba Qi’s expression would be when he found out. He looked at Xiao Shao and his previously bantering manner vanished. Gravely, he said, “After the marriage has been conferred, you’ll be leading an attack against Tian Jin at the border?”
…
“Yes.” Xiao Shao lowered his eyes as he said, “At that time, you will be in charge of handling matters in the capital so you must be careful.”
“Xuan Li will definitely be manipulating events from behind the scenes.” Mo Cong muttered, “Even if you make arrangements, he has an advantage in the capital. How will you divide your 300,000 Jinyi guards?”
“A hundred thousand will come with me as the main force. A hundred thousand will carry on as usual, and the final hundred thousand will stay in the capital.” Xiao Shao continued, “Xirong is restless, and I fear that they will attack from both the front and the rear to box us in. Xuan Li is definitely on the move, and he will seize this opportunity to take action.” He paused, then said, “You are in the capital, help me to protect her.” ‘Her’ naturally referred to Jiang Ruan. Mo Cong was not entirely sure what he was feeling at the moment, so he simply replied, “I know. You have to be careful, too.”
“Xirong, South Xinjiang, Tian Jin, as well as the traitors within the imperial court… This time, we won’t be able to catch all of them in the same net, and there will be more incidents in future. I have already written to recall Qi Si; the two of you will stay in the capital. After I leave, there will probably be a flurry of activity in the imperial court, and you must render what assistance you can. Leaving Xuan Li alone is for the purpose of ‘fishing’, but if he really goes berserk, just kill him.” A faint sliver of cruelty showed itself in Xiao Shao’s face momentarily as he said, “If anything bad happens, I will take responsibility.”
Xia Qing was taken aback. “What are you all talking about, why can’t I understand anything?”
“Fifth Brother Xia, you should stay in the capital as well. Today, you entered the palace, so it is unlikely that you can escape Xuan Li’s attention. It is not safe for you to return to Jinling at the moment. If you stay in the capital, at least there will be people to protect you; I will assign troops to you. With you here, you can also help me to look after Jiang Ruan,” Xiao Shao said as he looked at Xia Qing.
“Ah?” Xia Qing rubbed his nose before saying, “I’m a renowned genius doctor, not your fu’s doctor. How can I only treat one person? Moreover, why would Eighth Prince pay attention to me? I merely performed an autopsy, and I’m upright and frank . . .”
When he saw that Xia Qing was not going to stop talking, Mo Cong said, “Shut up. If you really want to die, then go back to Jinling now. Third Brother is only thinking of what’s good for you. When the time comes, if you die in some dubious manner, don’t say that none of us cared about our fellow disciples.”
Xia Qing was a pure-hearted medical idiot. When he heard Mo Cong speaking to him this way, he immediately fell silent before muttering obediently, “I was just speaking casually; I will listen to Third Brother.”
* * *
And so, like a bolt from the blue, there was a turnaround in the case of Jiang Ruan’s being charged with murder. The appearance of the Crown Prince and Thirteenth Prince had changed the situation for the better, and the Jinling Divine Physician had unearthed everything that was fishy. In the end, the imperial trial had raised many suspicious points, Jiang Ruan had been proven to be innocent, and Fourth Prince, Xuan Lang, was now the prime murder suspect.
A few days later, the Emperor called for another imperial trial but, for some unknown reason, Xuan Lang voluntarily admitted his crimes. In addition, investigators from the Ministry of Justice had really found proof, both human testimony and material evidence, so how could Xuan Lang deny it? He was immediately thrown into sky prison, and everyone was making guesses as to the severity of the charge and the subsequent punishment. When all was said and done, Princess He Yi had been doted upon considerably by the Emperor, and Imperial Consort Shu would not allow her own daughter to die under such tragic circumstances in vain. She would spare no effort to bring about Xuan Lang’s death.
However, before the judgement could be handed down, Xuan Lang committed suicide in sky prison. He had used poison, and since sky prison was heavily guarded, it was not possible that someone had killed him to silence him. Since Xuan Lang’s death was so unexpected, people were, unsurprisingly, suspicious. Nevertheless, no matter how suspicious the situation looked, Xuan Lang was already dead, and without proof, the case could only be dropped. In a fit of temper, the Emperor expunged Xuan Lang from the imperial book of records and demoted him to the status of a mere commoner, so that he could not gain entrance to the imperial tomb even in death.
On the second day after the news of Xuan Lang’s death, Imperial Consort Xian hung herself in the palace. Ultimately, this mother-son pair met death together, and immediately set off a considerable storm. Because of his feelings towards Xuan Lang, the Emperor also viewed Imperial Consort Xian’s suicide negatively, and looked for an excuse to get Imperial Consort Xian’s family to take her body. In the end though, as he reflected on the good number of years Imperial Consort Xian had kept him company in the palace, the Emperor decided to allow her and Xuan Lang to be buried together.
Imperial Consort Xian’s death seemed to deal a huge blow to Imperial Consort Shu as Princess He Yi was dead, and of the original four concubines in the palace who virtually controlled the wind and the waves, only Imperial Consort Shu and Imperial Consort De remained. Imperial Consort De still had Xuan Hua by her side, but Imperial Consort Shu had no children. Moreover, at the imperial trial that day, Xuan Pei’s words had stirred up ill-feeling in the Emperor towards Imperial Consort Shu. She clearly felt that, in recent days, the Emperor had already begun to keep her at a distance, whether intentionally or not. If this continued, then it would not be long before she lost his favour completely. Imperial Consort Shu was someone who knew how to behave in a delicate situation. Since there was nothing for her to cherish in the palace, and the likelihood was high that she would end up like Imperial Consort Chen and Imperial Consort Xian sooner or later, she might as well seek permission to leave the palace and become a nun to pray for Princess He Yi.
The Emperor said nothing. Therefore, Imperial Consort Shu left the palace the next day and entered a temple to begin her life of devotion, immediately vowing that she would never again, in her lifetime, enter the palace. Empress Dowager Yi De, feeling kindly towards her, conferred the name ‘Qing Hong’ on her. However, these are all matters for future stories.
In the previous dynasty, everyone in the imperial harem had been intricately bound to one another. Thus, Fourth Prince’s fall from grace had disrupted the equilibrium which had existed for the past few decades. Now, of the four imperial consorts, three positions were empty, and only Imperial Consort De remained. The Empress momentarily experienced a surge in popularity, and Imperial Consort De became even more careful, such that it was near impossible to detect any faults. Even so, the balance in the palace had to be maintained, and so, the Emperor had already begun the process of selecting suitable candidates from among the newest batch of beautiful ladies who had entered the palace
Each of these ladies knew that this was a rare opportunity, so they focussed all their efforts on trying to gain the Emperor’s favour. As they were itching to secure this opportunity to soar high, the long hours they spent dressing up daily were justified. Today, the ladies were gathered in conversation, and the topic was Princess He Yi.
The young miss of Assistant Minister Wang’s family was sixteen this year, the year girls came of age. She could be said to be daintily beautiful, and played the pipa very well. As she was eating dianxin, she said, “The palace in recent days has become increasingly colder; the eunuchs and palace maids are all going around with faces which are a fright to behold.” By nature, she was someone who liked a bit of excitement, and since the atmosphere in the palace was fraught with tension, this had naturally dampened her spirits.
Another lady patted her hand and handed her a cup of tea while saying, “Wang Jiejie, don’t say such things. Be careful, or you might be overheard.” She lowered her voice to whisper, “I’ve heard that the Emperor has not been in a good mood these past few days. He’s always angry, and everyone takes extra care with what they do and say.”
Miss Wang eyed the lady opposite her, sighed, and said, “I know, but it’s so suffocating for people our age to be stuck in the palace.”
The young lady opposite her wore a light yellow dress with a tapered skirt, which set off her willowy beauty. She was none other than Jiang Dan. Jiang Dan smiled as she said, “We are much more fortunate than those people. At the very least, we still have our lives. Take for example Fourth Prince, a few days ago. So what if he was a descendant of the imperial family? In the end, his status could not preserve his life. The imperial family’s riches and honour harbour great danger.”
Fear immediately appeared on Miss Wang’s face. She patted her chest and said, “Yes, the second I think of this situation, I feel cold all over. As you say, Fourth Prince was His Majesty’s flesh and blood, his own son, but he invoked the wrath of His Majesty, and he’s gone. We are nothing in comparison to Fourth Prince, and if we committed even the smallest error, we would be executed without a proper burial. The imperial family’s riches and honour – I dare not seek them.”
Jiang Dan patted her hand and murmured a few words of consolation, but laughter glinted in her eyes. Assistant Minister Wang was neither important nor insignificant in the imperial court. Although he seemed unremarkable, his wife’s maiden family had the backing of Left Commandant[4] fu, and Miss Wang was generously provided for. What’s more, she was a natural beauty, and she played the pipa very well. If she were really chosen to be an imperial consort, it would not be difficult for her to win his favour. She was, therefore, a strong rival within the palace for Jiang Dan.
[4] 左尉 (zuo wei) – Left Commandant. It usually refers to the Commandant or the person in charge of the public security of one the bigger counties/provinces of the dynasty (perhaps closer to the capital).
What a pity, though . . . Jiang Dan’s eyes brightened momentarily. Although Miss Wang was exceptionally blessed, she was a dunce; she believed whatever she heard. With the slightest instigation, Miss Wang totally believed Jiang Dan’s words. At present, all she had done was to suggest that the palace was a dangerous place. In future, Miss Wang would be increasingly nervous in front of the Emperor. The Emperor would never like a woman who was constantly nervous and high-strung; this kind of woman was completely not to any man’s liking. If the Emperor was made unhappy by Miss Wang, how could she ever gain favour within the palace?
Jiang Dan’s thoughts and emotions were in a whirl, but she maintained a soft and gentle smile. Frank and plain-speaking Miss Wang pulled her hand and said, “You’re such a good meimei, you’re so affectionate. You’re the only one who treats me with sincerity in this palace.”
Hardly had she said this when yet another of the beautiful ladies, Miss Li, entered the room. She walked over to the table and sat next to it, and said, in a rather indignant tone, “Hey, have you heard? The Empress Dowager has conferred a marriage on Jinying Wang.
“Jinying Wang?” Miss Li’s words immediately drew the beautiful ladies from all directions to surround her, each of them surveying her intently as they asked, “Is it that rebel, Xiao Shao, Jinying Wang?”
Even though they had said ‘rebel’, it was easy to see from their expressions that romantic thoughts were floating around these beautiful ladies’ heads. It was as if the mere mention of his name was enough to captivate these ladies, heart and soul. It was only natural, for this elegant and outstanding, graceful yet desolate young man was the main character in the springtime dreams of innumerable daughters of the Great Jin dynasty. Even though they had entered the palace to become the Emperor’s women, they would always cherish a wisp of the magnificent fantasy of their innocent younger days.
“Exactly.” Miss Li said, “Then, do you all know who the Empress Dowager has conferred on him in marriage?”
Everyone shook their heads. Miss Wang said, “Jinying Wang is unsurpassed in looks, so the person Empress Dowager confers on him in marriage must be fairy-like. Let me guess, is it Miss Yao from the Governor of Binhai fu?”
Miss Yao had a good background, good looks, good moral character, good talent; she was truly one in a million. If anyone in the Great Jin could match Xiao Shao, it would be this ethereal, fairy-like person.
Miss Li shook her head. She could not help the sourness of her tone when she said, “It’s not her. The person Empress Dowager has conferred on Jinying Wang in marriage is the Jiang family’s eldest di daughter, the present Hong’an Junzhu, Jiang Ruan!”
The minute these words issued forth, every single person was struck dumb, transfixed where they stood. Even Dong Yinger, who was sitting at a distance with her embroidery, could not stop her hands from jerking. Immediately, a bead of blood formed on her index finger. She slowly put her finger to her mouth and sucked away the blood, while her eyes unconsciously drifted towards the person who had spoken.
Jiang Dan frowned. Somewhat tentatively, she said, “This . . . how could my eldest sister suddenly be conferred in marriage to Jinying Wang?”
“Who knows?” Miss Li eyed Jiang Dan with annoyance, as if venting her anger towards Jiang Ruan on Jiang Dan, and said, “Although she is a junzhu, in the end, the title is hers because Empress Dowager bestowed it on her; she is not truly a member of the imperial family. Moreover, the only thing she has going for her is that her looks are above average. However, she has the face of a vixen, and she is not at all a dignified and virtuous person. I don’t know what Empress Dowager was thinking of, to pass over the perfectly suitable Miss Yao and choose Eldest Miss Jiang.”
Jiang Dan rolled her eyes; the unpleasantness in Miss Li’s words was plain to all. In truth, it was not only Miss Li who was unhappy, everyone who was seated there was more or less dissatisfied with Jiang Ruan. People always felt that if they could not attain the person they desired, then no one else should be allowed to attain them. If other people succeeded, then it was only because their conditions were much better than one’s own. However, among those seated there, there were those whose status and family background were not inferior to Jiang Ruan’s, and there were also those whose talents in the four arts[5] were not inferior to Jiang Ruan’s. Yet, none of them had been chosen to be the Jinying Wangfei. How could their bitter envy be any less than it was?
[5] 琴棋书画 (qin qi shu hua) – lit. zither, chess, calligraphy, painting. Collectively known as the ‘four arts’, the accomplishments of an educated person.
One should know that once he (XS) took his position, Jinying Wang was the true master of Jinying Wangfu. These past years, although Jinying Wang had been called a rebel, he had actually been blessed by the imperial family, and his honour, status, and power were immeasurable. The wealth and fame Jinying Wangfu represented would give anyone a golden lustre. Who was not green with envy? Moreover, Xiao Shao himself was not bad. A good-looking husband, whose family’s wealth was equivalent to that of a nation’s, without in-laws, self-possessed, illustrious, huge, refined, these are sought after in the dreams of all women. Then how could Jiang Ruan, with neither morality nor capability, become the mistress of Jinying Wangfu?
“Jinying Wang is such a brilliant and handsome person, of course Da Jiejie would like him. But . . . why would Empress Dowager suddenly confer this marriage?” Jiang Dan asked timidly. “I have never heard Da Jiejie speak of this before.”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone’s gaze was full of speculation. What method had Jiang Ruan used to garner the favour of Empress Dowager Yi De, such that she would personally ask the Emperor to confer the title of Hong’an Junzhu on Jiang Ruan? It was not impossible that Jiang Ruan would, of her own accord, ask Empress Dowager Yi De to confer a marriage on Xiao Shao. The more everyone thought about it, the more likely it became; Jiang Ruan must have taken a fancy to Xiao Shao’s talents and good looks, as well as the riches of Jinying Wangfu, then taken the initiative to mention the matter to Empress Dowager Yi De, resulting in the bestowal of marriage. However, it was such a pity that Xiao Shao, that peerless talent, would be matched with such a woman who was all looks and no substance.
“Truly no sense of honour,” Miss Li said angrily. “There are really such shameless people in the world.”
“What a pity,” said Miss Wang. “I wonder what Xiao Wangye thought when he found out about this fated marriage.”
“What opinion can be had? The good cabbage has been snatched up by pigs, what a human tragedy,” another young lady said with regret.
Jiang Dan lowered her head, but the fists hidden within her sleeves were tightly clenched, and a dark light gleamed in her eyes.
Total Chapters in book: 955
Estimated words: 1761558 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 8808(@200wpm)___ 7046(@250wpm)___ 5872(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 1761558 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 8808(@200wpm)___ 7046(@250wpm)___ 5872(@300wpm)
______