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<h5 class="has-text-align-center wp-block-heading" id="arc-3-story-line">ARC 3 STORY LINE</h5>\n\nDisclaimer: This is an MTL translation that has been edited to make the story flow smoothly which may cause the translation to not be 100% accurate. The Chinese novel: Abused Female Lead And Beautiful Villainess is not owned by me. This is only a fan translation by Idiot Goggle Translations.\n
Chapter 15.2\n
âYour Highness, you are really amoral.â Shen Wanâs eyes were full of laughter, âbut such a royal is what this one admires.â\n
He Qingning looked at Shen Wan and couldnât help, but get near. The two were very close, almost a palmâs width apart. With a soft voice, âIs it only admiration?â\n
Shen Wan: â188, the little princess she⌠sheâs teasing me ah ah ah ah!â\n
[188 sighed and replied: âThen hurry up and tease her back.â]\n
Disgusting!\n
She doesnât have to call him out just to feed him dog food every time something like this happens.\n
âOf course not.â\n
With a flip in her heart, He Qingning asked immediately, âThen what else is there?â In this moment, would she possibly hear what she wanted from Shen Wanâs mouth? Though the other woman never hid it. It was the look in her gaze. When she saw her naked, she almost gave in to her impulse of holding Shen Wanâs hand and pouring out her heartâs desire.\n
But it is not allowed in this time.\n
It is even more inappropriate to ask father emperor to let them marry.\n
She should not think about this despite wanting to express her thoughts to her father. When everything is in place and she has control over the world, she will confess to Wanwan. At that point, sheâll be the supreme ruler and no one would dare object to it.\n
He Qingning curved her beautiful eyebrows and didnât move her sight for a moment. They sat opposite each other, their faces were very close, and they could clearly see each otherâs subtle expression.\n
Shen Wan: Of course I really like the little princess.\n
Shen Wanâs eyes shone bright, holding on to He Qingningâs wrist. It made her a little nervous.\n
âItâs worship!â When Shen Wan said these two words, He Qingning was taken aback, âWorship?â\n
âYes, worship!â Shen Wan put on a demure face, âYour Highness did ask me to serve you.â\n
âAnd nothing else?â After looking forward to this for so long, it was actually just worship. He Qingning could still see the unabashed desire in Shen Wanâs eyes and her heart rejoiced. Maybe Shen Wan was more reserved. They are both women, so she may be too shy to speak of things like this in the open.\n
188: Reserved⌠reserved???\n
He Qingning took Shen Wanâs small hand and patted it gently, âI understand everything. I wonât embarrass you anymore.â\n
Shen Wan: What did the little princess need to understand?\n
âWith your nature, I didnât expect you to have such a shy and reserved side.â\n
Shen Wan: I have never been reserved. As for being shy, are people with a face comparable to a city wall like her ever been considered shy?\n
âI wonât let you down.â This time He Qingning said this very seriously, âYouâre willing to break through brambles and thorns for me and your hands have been stained with blood. In the future, we can be beside each other in peace. I swear it.â\n
This person, she has set her mind.\n
No matter who she is, where she comes from, and what secrets she has, she took a fancy to her. Now she is He Qingningâs person. Her nature is too loose. If He Qingning stayed as a princess, she was afraid that, by merely being in this small position, it wonât be enough to hold onto her. She would not want to restrain her either. If she owned the rivers and the mountains, Shen Wan will not be able to escape from the palm of her hand. Where would she escape to when all of the land is hers?\n
Shen Wan: â188, the little princess confessed to me. Although it was particularly subtle, I understood it. Iâm so happy, ah. Then again, she said that I was shy and reserved. Maybe I misunderstood something.â\n
[188 in a robotic voice with no inflection likely used when dealing with low intelligence situations: âSo when are you going to bang her?â]\n
Shen Wan: â188, youâre infected by a virus again. Once this world is done with, I will send you back to the headquarters to kill that virus.â\n
188: God fucking virus! Heâs fine.\n
Shen Wan: âFrom today on, I am the little princessâ person. Iâm so happy that Iâll die.â\n
After confessing her heart out, He Qingning gazed at Shen Wanâs eyes brazenly. Seeing that there were still bits of food at the corners of Shen Wanâs mouth, she gently wiped it away with her handkerchief.\n
âYour Highness, you said that you will raise me as the one above tens of thousands. You must not forget.â Shen Wan looked at He Qingning eagerly. Donât give her everything just because sheâs her person now. My brothers still have to settle accounts.\n
The corners of her lips quirked in a smile and He Qingning said, âI will not forget. You have been my biggest supporter. I promise that you will stand above ten thousands of people.â\n
âThatâs good. After all, I gave up my quiet days for this. I followed you as you wander every day. If it comes to nothing, I will be furious.\n
âIn this life, Iâve been counting on being a high official whose name will go down in history.â\n
In her head, Shen Wan was already thinking of herself and He Qingning standing together in court; He Qingning at the top and she below. In the scene, they worked together to deal with the old foxes in court. The kind of situation where a wife and her wife joined forces to take control of power. Itâs exciting just thinking about it, ah.\n
He Qingning fell into deep thought after hearing Shen Wanâs words. Did she still want to keep up a front? What fun is there with those old foxes? But seeing Shen Wan looking forward to it, she decided to think about the issue properly. She had never thought to bind Shen Wan. Maybe a passing thought, but she couldnât bear it. All she wanted to do was to expand her reach of the world so that Shen Wan will stay by her side no matter where she went.\n
The guards always felt that there was something not quite right between their princess and her fierce companion. The atmosphere was too intimate, but because they were women they didnât doubt anything. In their hearts, they believed He Qingning valued her more because of Shen Wanâs strength.\n
Since the emperorâs warning, some courtiers with Si Shi in their pockets did not dare send people to assassinate He Qingning hastily. The emperor they had today is an emperor who walked the path of blood and is not a simple man. They feared that if there was any movement from them, the emperor will immediately take hold of their hair braid<sup>1</sup> and the people underneath them will help themselves to the coming blessing.\n
Although there were still people observing and eager to find a chance to kill He Qingning, but the people they sent have never returned. After a few more attempts, they no longer dared to send people anymore. Drenched with cold sweat, they wondered whether the emperor had sent an expert to secretly protect He Qingning.\n
Due to He Xiyanâs actions, the princes were worried. They believed that the reason why He Xiyan was able to compete with them was because of He Qingningâs support. If He Qingning died on the road, He Xiyan would lose an important asset.\n
He Qingning has aroused the common peopleâs anger and there were many who were displeased by this. Those who were sent to kill her may have been arranged by a courtier. So they involved themselves in it, like fishing in troubled waters,<sup>2</sup> to help them resolve the situation with He Qingning. Wouldnât that be a wonderful thing? No matter how much their father suspected them, he wouldnât be able to doubt them.\n
But He Xiyanâs methods were very severe. He sees through people every time and theyâll be caught, causing a lot of casualties. As a result, the struggle between several parties has become more intense.\n
When He Qingning beheaded corrupt officials along her path, the Imperial City had already set off a state of bloodshed, and He Xiyan and his many rivals were left with competing in deep and hot water.\n
The emperor stood on the sidelines with no intention of stopping it. He knew everything going on and only watched them fight. The more intense the battle between his sons, the more things are exposed. He mastered privately pulling a lot of hair braids. He will only intervene once it gets too dire and life threatening.\n
Two years passed. He Qingning travelled to countless places and the fights between the princes still did not stop. The only difference is to their power base; all of which took a great loss. There were also several who the emperor directly disqualified and put in place because the things they have done were too deplorable.\n
Those who still have the qualifications at present are prince He Xiyan and the fifth prince. It must be said that He Xiyan is indeed able to greatly endure. With his own efforts, he brought down so many of his brothers. In reality, he was no longer as beautiful on the surface. In order to deal with his brothers who wanted him dead, he also paid a heavy price.\n
If it werenât for the huge losses, he would have already made a move on the fifth prince. But the fifth prince was relatively low-key and he canât find any fault with him at the moment, so heâs unable to make the first move.\n
He Qingning accomplished many things outside the palace and the entire Xiyun Kingdom already knew the great name of Her Royal Highness Princess Qingning. Anyone who has heard about Princess Qingning knows what she has done. This is a different kind princess. One who is not comfortable with just resting in the palace and enjoying the benefits, but one who is willing to help the little people; address their grievances, overturn a case, or punish corrupt officials who take advantage of the peopleâs blood and sweat.\n
He Qingningâs prestige has reached an incredible level. It was also because of the emperorâs attitude that she continued to dare so. During this period, she and the emperor corresponded. With the emperor, she had nothing to hide except her thoughts about Shen Wan. After all, with her status, if she wanted to ascend to the top, she must have the support of her father.\n
Hearing that Princess Qingning is going back to the palace, many people were reluctant. In nearly three years, despite He Qingning travelling to many places, there are still many that have not been visited. Although the people were disappointed and unwilling, they could understand that she had done more than enough.\n
All the officials in the court heard the emperor happily announce that He Qingning was finally coming back. Everyoneâs complexion changed drastically before finally lowering their head with a bitter smile. Coming back just to come back, can she even be stopped?\n
Sometimes they really want to ask out loud: Your Majesty, even if you favor the princess, you shouldnât be pampering her like this, right? What kind of spoiled has she become?\n
But they didnât dare.\n
Because of what He Qingning did, whoever stands and speaks up is likely to be pinned by their political opponents as someone associated with the corrupt officials. Over the years, some of their colleagues have been careless and had been caught red handed. The emperor was happy enough to send people to raid their homes when the evidence was so overwhelming.\n
As for sending people to kill He Qingning so she will never return to the Imperial City?\n
Forget it.\n
Send who, huh? Their men did painstaking cultivation for more than ten years and after all that it turns out they were all still shit. They even invested a lot of money on them.\n
Later, when they examined the bodies, they learned that all of those who are dead were killed by a single blow to the face.\n
Thinking of this, they all shivered. How much thirst for blood did the emperor have and what kind of professionals did he send to protect Her Highness Princess Qingning. It showed how much the emperor really wanted to punish those local officials.\n
Before they knew it, they viciously discovered that Princess Qingning had been travelling to key places in the Xiyun Kingdom for nearly three years. Every time she arrived, the local governor there would be replaced with another person. The resulting replacement would be a person not under their wing. All of them have been transferred from other places, are not well known, stubborn as a mule,<sup>3</sup> and couldnât be won over.<sup>4</sup> In the past, they were easily swayed, but now they were harder to crack.\n
He Qingningâs journey back to the Imperial City was much smoother than expected.\n
The emperor sent He Xiyan and the fifth prince to personally welcome her back into the palace. Shen Wan, still wearing her indifferent face, was standing rigged beside He Qingning.\n
He Xiyan froze when he saw Shen Wan.\n
Over the past three years, Shen Wanâs appearance has changed a lot. In other words, she has grown up. Her childish and youthful appearance has faded. Coupled with her cold and indifferent face, she wouldnât need a mask to hide any appearance similar to what she had before. People who had known her previously would only feel a slight resemblance to someone familiar and would never think she was that same person.\n
âThird brother, whatâs the matter with you?â He Qingningâs eyebrows showed her displeasure. Wanwan was her person.\n
She was particularly uncomfortable with the way He Xiyan stared at Shen Wan. Especially now that she remembered Shen Wan used to be He Xiyanâs wife. The jealousy in her heart was bursting at the seams. At the same time, she was glad. It was fortunate that she had snatched Shen Wan first.\n
He Xiyan came back to his senses, although still looking at Shen Wanâs face from time to time, âIs this Qingningâs personal maid?â\n
âShe is my bodyguard.â He Qingning said, âOver the course of my journey, countless men have died in her hands. Third brother, if you fancy someone else, Iâll be able to give them to you, but this person is off limits.â He Qingning paused. âBesides, isnât third brother in love with a concubine you have on the side, Lady Shen? If you end up always staring at my bodyguard, youâll have to be careful that Lady Shen doesnât suffer a broken heart.â\n
âI didnât mean anything by it. I just think that she looks like familiar.â\n
He Qingning raised an eyebrow lightly, âLike who?â\n
On the side, the fifth prince could not help but take a look at the expressionless Shen Wan. His only thought about her is that she was a woman with a beautiful appearance and a cold personality. He tried to recall every woman whoâs had contact with He Xiyan, but he did not remember who this woman could have looked like.\n
He Xiyan was stunned by He Qingningâs question. Like who?\n
In his mind, he remembered the woman who lost her life because of him. He hurriedly shook his head. How could he think of Shen Wan.\n
But this woman, she really did look like Shen Wan. Only when he boarded the carriage did his gaze withdraw from Shen Wanâs body.\n
After getting into their own carriage, He Qingning grabbed Shen Wanâs hand, âI think third brother has ill intentions.â\n
âYour Highness is right. He is not a good person.â\n
When He Qingning saw Shen Wan, she no longer cared about He Xiyan and fell into a much better mood. Still, she didnât feel at ease and continued to tell her, âFrom now on, stick beside me and stay close. Donât leave yourself alone and ignore third brother. If he approaches you, donât be afraid to tell him that I forbade you from taking orders from anyone.â\n
âWell, I only listen to you, Your Highness.â\n
The smile on He Qingningâs face blossomed, âMen are all philanderers. Theyâre half-hearted. They see someone and suddenly theyâre in love. He once loved Shen Shi very much, but now his eyes are on you. It can be seen that he is someone without conviction and is prone to changing his heart easily. Donât be fooled by his appearance.â\n
âNo, I wonât. Am I not Her Highnessâ person now? Even if he gave me thousands of gold and silver, I would not go along with him.â Shen Wan comforted.\n
He Qingning heard the mention of gold and silver and suddenly became alert again. She quickly said, âLetâs go back to the palace first. Later on, you can have your pick of any treasure in my mansion. Whatever you take a liking to is yours.â\n
Shen Wan: She did fancy a treasure. Since Her Highness said that it was up to her, then sheâll pick Her Highness as hers. Her Highness is the treasure she fancies.\n
After He Qingning returned to the palace, there was no considerable reward from the emperor despite everyone expecting so. She huddled in the palace every day, staying home, and keeping a low profile.\n
Seeing this happen, the fifth prince, who was apathetic on the surface, also couldnât keep still.\n
The only two people who are still eligible are he and He Xiyan. The emperor is not honoring He Qingning right now. Is it possible that the favor will go to the crown prince once he is chosen? Judging from the current situation, he is no match for He Xiyan. After all, He Qingning is his right hand woman. He had a hunch that the day when the emperor declares the crown prince was coming soon.\n
âYour Highness, are we going to just sit in the palace and wait?â Shen Wan sat on a stool by a round table. At her feet was the little hen who occasionally cooed and pecked at the grain of food. On the round table, there were also various rare treasures of all kinds.\n
This is what the little princess was afraid of, that because of this she would be tempted by He Xiyan, so they went back to the palace and searched for things for her to play with.\n
Every day she held a variety of cherished treasures to play with, but she had been a little tired of this and would rather beat up some assassins instead.\n
He Qingning curved her lips in a smile, âDonât worry. It will be soon.â\n
âYour Highness, you have a plan?â\n
He Qingning didnât refute this and nodded with a smile, âFifth brother will no longer be able to hold back. He will act soon. Third brother is waiting on fifth brother to make the first move, but this is not the result I want. I did not think to help fifth brother ascend the thrown since I want to sit on that seat too.\n
From the moment she realized what she knew in her mind, she was even more eager to take control of this great power. Only with power in hand would she get what she wants and protect the people she wants to protect.\n
Shen Wan was curious, âYour Highness, what is your plan? Tell me.â\n
âI wonât tell you right now. Take advantage of this time and have a good rest. When everything settles down, you will be busy.â\n
Canât we be busy right now?\n
We can be busy getting married.\n
He Qingning reached out and touched Shen Wanâs small, pointed face, âFor all these years, youâve suffered for me.â\n
âI wasnât suffering.â\n
He Qingningâs eyes were full of meaning. She gently pressed on her cheek, stood, then moved in front of Shen Wan. She leaned over until they faced each other.\n
âThen you should enjoy the glory and wealth next, Wanwan, and leave the rest to me.â\n
Shen Wan: That would be really great!\n
âWhatever you desire, I will give to you.â He Qingning said as her soft lips fell on the corner of Shen Wanâs lips in a gentle kiss. âBe good and walk the little hen in the courtyard.â\n
Shen Wan: â188, the little princess is really energetic today. Iâm a little flustered.â\n
188: Sorry, your 188 is dead.\n
âSomething will be happening shortly. Something that seems incomprehensible, but donât panic, Wanwan. Believe me.â\n
Shen Wan: Believe, believe, ah I believe you.\n
As soon as He Qingning left, Shen Wan happily jumped on the bed and giddily rolled on it several times. She was crazy ecstatic that she felt like fainting.\n
<hr class="wp-block-separator">\nâReally, you didnât hear wrong?â He Xiyan was shocked and his face incredulous, âFather, how could heâŚâ\n
âMy lord, it is true that our people canât be planted too deeply, but it was pure coincidence that we heard the news yesterday evening.â\n
He Xiyanâs expression was vicious and the pen in his hand was broken in half. He slapped it on its case with a bang. It spooked the people below him and they buried their heads lower. âI understand. Leave.â\n
âFather emperor, you really are too good of a parent to Qingning. You have played us for fools.â\n
Three days later, Shen Wan got up early in the morning and heard that He Qingning was poisoned.\n
For a moment, she panicked. Immediately after, she remembered what He Qingning said to her before and quickly calmed down. With a subdued face, she hurriedly went to He Qingningâs mansion.\n
The little princess is too naughty and she really wants to beat her ass! !\n
šT/N: âPull on their braidâ sounded like a Chinese version of âCaught red handedâ or âCaught in the actâ. \n
²T/N: âFishing in troubled watersâ means âto take advantage of the situationâ.\n
ÂłT/N:Â The expression here is actually âNo access to oil and saltâ but I changed it to itâs meaning which is âa person who does not listen to advice or solicitationâ otherwise known as being a stubborn ass.\n
â´T/N:Â I also changed the expression âhard bones that could not be pulledâ to itâs meaning which is âa person who would not be wooed, seduced, or swayedâ. Basically a man who canât be moved by being bribed.\n
T/N:Â <s>I didnât proofread this because I basically rushed this within a day, so tell me if you notice any spelling errors or grammatical bullshit.</s> I proofread this, but if you still see any spelling or grammatical bullshit, tell me.\n
T/N2:Â Procrastination will kill me one day.\n
T/N3:Â You cannot believe how many sentences did not make sense in this chapter. Notice ÂłT/N and â´T/N. That shit did not make sense at all. If I didnât have baidu as a Chinese wiki, I would have been staring at my computer screen for hours trying to figure out what the fuck salt and oil and how hard bones can be pulled had to do with any of the things going on. \n
Anyway, I had to bullshit my way through some of the things the MTL couldnât translate well or couldnât find the meaning of. I will keep yall ignorant as to which parts, so you donât notice anything wrong with it.\n
T/N4: I had the new Mulan movieâs theme song on repeat while I edited everything. That means 14 hours of the same song over and over. \n