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Chapter 54

Author: Rainstorm
The king came to the Zen Palace for breakfast for the first time, causing the few kitchen staff to hurriedly prepare a few extra dishes under mounting pressure.

The meal was quiet.

George didn't speak, and Jane remained silent as well. It was pointless to expect her to serve food to the king. Occasionally, she would even compete with him for the same dish.

Lily tried signaling her mistress multiple times, hoping Jane would break the ice with some conversation to lighten the mood, but Jane ignored her completely.

Suddenly, Jane spoke.

Lily, expecting something meaningful, instead heard, "Another plate of pasta."

As a martial artist, Jane had a bigger appetite than most women. When she was in the military camp among men, this was hardly noticeable, but within the palace, her eating habits were somewhat unusual.

When she requested a third plate of pasta, George finally looked up at her.

When he dined with concubines, most of them barely ate anything and often focused on serving hi
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    Lily had just posed her question when sudden realization struck."Your Majesty, Prince Richard once said that the king favors women who can ride horses. Are you organizing the polo match to help the other ladies gain his favor?"Jane replied with a calm indifference, "The king favored Lady Rosalie because she rode well. Not just anyone will do.""Your Majesty, I am a fool—then what is your reason?""Willing participants will take the bait," Jane said, her gaze serene and unfathomable, though a trace of scheming flickered in her eyes.Lily pondered for a moment. The only thing she could conclude was that her mistress was targeting Lady Helena. But what the connection could be, she couldn't figure out.-At Cloud Palace, upon learning that the king had dined in the queen's quarters that morning, Helena was both anxious and furious."That wretched woman! I don't know what trick she pulled to force the king to punish me, and now she dares to seduce him!"Clara, seeing her mistress

  • Substitute Queen's Revenge   Chapter 56

    At Zen Palace, Jane had resumed the customary morning and evening gatherings, but many concubines still claimed to be sick to avoid attending.Feigning sickness was a pretense; their true loyalty was with Helena.In the inner chamber, Lily was styling Jane's hair while voicing her indignation."Your Majesty, it's one thing for others to skip, but even Julie has sent word claiming illness. Has she forgotten it was you who secured a reward for her?"Before, she even had someone convey her willingness to copy the palace rules twenty times as a gesture of support for you. I thought she was sincere about siding with you! But now it's clear she's just another opportunist!"Jane was calmly reviewing the accounts of the inner palace and didn't even look up."Seeking advantage and avoiding harm—it's human nature."In the front hall, Jane sat in the main seat while a few concubines sat on either side.As one, the concubines stood and greeted the queen."Greetings, Your Majesty.""Sit,"

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    In Cloud Palace, Helena frowned when she heard about the matter."The queen must be mad! How dare she force me to play polo? Does she think that just because she has the gold emblem, she can do as she pleases and even command me?"If the king had not warned her just last night to stay out of trouble for the time being, she would have already made the queen suffer.-The polo match had stirred discontent, not just with Helena.After the morning assembly, several concubines gathered together, voicing their complaints."What's the point of playing polo? The queen has such strange ideas to come up with something like this.""Even if she makes it sound grand, I'm not interested. Times have changed. Nidora is strong and secure now; we no longer need women defending the city.""The queen is just throwing her weight around because she's new to power. I doubt this polo match will even happen."Meanwhile, Wilhelmina went to Serene Palace to complain."Aunt Dina, you wouldn't believe ho

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    Jane performed a curtsy in the royal study."Greetings, Your Majesty."George sat behind the desk, his gaze sharp and imposing."I'm busy with state affairs. Be quick."He had already heard about the poor turnout for the training at the riding grounds—only two concubines had shown up. He assumed Jane had come to ask him to issue a decree to compel the others.However, Jane's tone was calm as she spoke."Lady Helena's medicine for her migraines is almost used up. I've brought another bottle."George's brows furrowed. Was she here merely to deliver medicine?A trace of sternness entered his eyes."You previously said there was only one bottle left."His words carried an accusatory edge, as if he was ready to charge her with deceiving the king.Jane remained composed as she explained."I wrote to my father, asking him to keep an eye out for the traveling physician. By coincidence, the physician recently returned to the capital."George doubted her story but had no way to disp

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    The concubines gathered outside to receive the decree, each filled with a sense of foreboding.The royal servant announced, "The queen has ordered the physicians to examine all the concubines."Those who are ill will be treated. Those feigning illness to avoid training at the riding grounds will copy the palace rules fifty times and receive five strokes as punishment!'"The concubines' faces turned pale with shock and dismay. None had expected the queen to be so harsh.One by one, the physicians conducted their examinations. The results were predictable. Each concubine was punished, enduring the strokes and being assigned the writing task.Wilhelmina, however, escaped unscathed, having informed the queen dowager ahead of time and gained her protection.Some concubines, disgruntled, voiced their frustrations."What about Helena? I heard she didn't go to the riding grounds today either! Does the queen dare punish her?"The royal servant replied respectfully, "By now, the decree h

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    Helena glanced at the entrance but did not see the king.The chamberlain standing before her was drenched in cold sweat."Lady Helena, Mr. Logan said the king was exhausted during the day, retired early, and explicitly ordered that no one disturb him."Clara was shocked."You fool! Did you not make it clear to him that Lady Helena was about to be punished with the rod?!" she demanded.Helena was the king's favorite concubine, surely she wouldn't be included in the 'no one' list.Helena's face grew cold, and her gaze directed at the chamberlain was laced with a murderous glint.Useless! At such a critical moment, he couldn't even summon the king.The royal servants assigned to carry out the punishment looked at one another nervously. Finally, one stepped forward and said, "Lady Helena, forgive us!"They moved to apprehend her, but Clara shouted, "How dare you! Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?"-Thirty minutes later, Helena laid weakly on the bed inside the inner

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    Helena carried herself with an elegant air, her demeanor completely different from the weak and delicate display she had put on before the king. Her gaze towards the queen held a clear challenge."My deepest apologies for arriving late. It's all because the king was so worried about me, giving me many reminders before letting me come," she said sweetly.Jane's icy gaze remained steady and unperturbed."Inform the king that he need not worry—I will take good care of Lady Helena," Jane replied, emphasizing the word 'care.'Helena, unbothered, covered her mouth and gave a sweet chuckle."Your Majesty, have you forgotten? The king mentioned just this morning that you should rule with grace and virtue, not resort to constant punishment."With that, Helena confidently walked past Jane and settled herself under a shaded pavilion, surrounded by attendants waiting on her.The other concubines observed Helena's actions and, emboldened by her, began to imitate her behavior.The queen had

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    At the eastern side of the royal stable, George and Richard stood together, their expressions unreadable as they arrived quietly.Celine noticed them first and immediately reminded Josephine, "Hurry, greet the king."Both women approached, their voices soft and deferential."Your Majesty, your humble concubines greet you."Richard, ever composed, bowed slightly to greet them. "Your Highnesses, my respects to you both," he said.Richard's warm smile and gentle demeanor always gave an impression of easy going kindness.George's gaze lingered briefly in the direction Jane had disappeared with the horse. Then, he shifted his cold eyes to the two before him."Rise," he said curtly.Celine gracefully stepped back, moving to her position behind him, while Josephine seized the rare opportunity to speak."Your Majesty, are you here to ride as well?" she asked with hopeful eagerness.George didn't answer her. Instead, he walked past without a word, leaving her standing there awkwardly.

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    George stood there, his expression darkening, cold as the harshest winter frost. Despicably, he blamed everything on the queen.Suddenly, Jane's strong internal energy sensed his presence. Their eyes met, and she saw the disgust in his gaze.Lily followed Jane's line of sight. Seeing that it was the king, she hurriedly grabbed the robe from the bed and draped it over Jane's shoulders. She completely ignored the fact that it was only natural for a king to look at his own woman.Fortunately, the wound had just been bandaged."Greetings, Your Majesty." Lily stepped out of the bed curtains and performed a curtsy first.Jane dressed herself without greeting him. Inevitably, the movement pulled at the wound on her back, but she could endure it.George asked coldly, "The queen's fever still hasn't subsided?"Lily lowered her head. "Y-Yes."She was somewhat nervous. She had no idea when George had come. Thankfully, she and Jane hadn't said anything confidential just now. Otherwise, t

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    "Yes."If it were any ordinary person in danger, she would still step in to help.Then, Jane added, "Within my ability."Marissa had often reminded her that this life of hers belonged to her first and foremost.George cared only about that single word, 'Yes'.He couldn't quite describe what he was feeling at that moment. Helena had also risked her life for him, given her heart's blood for him, and even sacrificed years off her lifespan. By comparison, the queen had merely cured him of Thiberium poisoning and taken an arrow for him–nothing close to Helena's four years of devotion.Yet, it was the queen's actions that stirred something in his heart.Perhaps it was because Helena gave, but also demanded something in return. Whereas the queen never had…However, the gentleness in George's eyes was once again replaced by cold indifference.Who could say for certain that the queen was truly without wants? What if it was simply a strategy of retreating in order to advance?He had

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    Dina was usually kind and gentle. If not for being pushed to the limit by Wilhelmina, she would never have raised her hand.She gazed at Wilhelmina, her palm still tingling, and felt uneasy."Wilhelmina! I told you to watch your words and actions. Now look at you. You have truly disappointed me!" she scolded. "A few words from Lady Rachel were enough to make you lose your senses? Do you really think she has your best interests at heart?""She knows you are not like Rosalie, that you will never be favored by the king, and that you are easy to manipulate. That is why she wants to support you in rising to power. "But once she bears a royal son, you will be left guarding an empty title, only to be cast aside in the end! Do you understand?"Dina's words jolted Wilhelmina back to her senses. She covered the side of her face where she had been slapped and forcibly steadied her emotions."Aunt Dina, you are right. I was wrong."Upon leaving Serene Palace, Wilhelmina felt troubled.Bac

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    Lily wasn't sure whether she should announce that Jane had woken.Fortunately, at that moment, a voice came from behind the curtain. "Your Majesty, I just woke up."After hearing her speak, George lifted the curtain with one hand. His slender fingers grasped the fabric, leaving noticeable creases.Their eyes met. He gazed at the frail woman before him, his fists clenching slightly."Rest well."Beyond that cold, distant expression of concern, he said nothing more.Jane broke the tense atmosphere, supporting herself as she sat up.George frowned, stepped forward, and reached out to steady her by the waist. Unknowingly, he pressed against an old wound.Jane drew in a sharp breath and froze.George noticed her reaction. "What's wrong?"He rarely displayed such patience with her."It's nothing." Jane shook her head gently, though inwardly, she was rolling her eyes. Enduring the pain, she mustered her strength to sit up.George had no idea about the injury on her abdomen. When h

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    Wilhelmina immediately knelt on the ground, her face still showing signs of panic.Dina no longer showed her usual kindness. She sat with a solemn expression."Explain yourself. How much were you involved in tonight's events?"Wilhelmina still wanted to deny it. "Aunt Dina, I didn't–"Dina cut her off. "From the moment the rumors started, I felt something was off. They say the queen and Edward met in Serene Palace and rekindled old feelings. "But that day, Edward came to see me. I refused to meet him and had him sent away. How, then, could he have remained outside all that time? If he had left immediately, would he have met the queen at all?"The more I thought about it, the more I realised the only person who could have influence in Serene Palace was you! You were the one who falsely passed off my orders."Wilhelmina anxiously defended herself. "Aunt Dina, I–""Don't interrupt! I'm not finished!" Dina said sharply. "I initially thought you were just displeased with the queen,

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  • Substitute Queen's Revenge   Chapter 239

    "Protect His Majesty!" Karlsen shouted, standing in front of the king.George rose to his feet, overlooking everything without a trace of panic.The same could not be said for the others in the hall. Chaos erupted as people scrambled to find places to hide."Escort Lady Teressa out first!" George commanded.Hearing this, Dina felt a chill in her heart.Gloria's first thought was her daughter, but Robin forcefully pulled her away, scolding, "There are plenty of guards!"Jane was no stranger to assassination attempts. Her keen eyes scanned the hall, sensing that if this were a well-planned attack, the arrows were merely a distraction, meant to disorient. The real killing blow would come from an unexpected place.Suddenly, she saw it.A man dressed as a chamberlain was using the chaos as cover, hiding behind a pillar, a concealed dart aimed directly at the king.Jane's composure wavered for the first time. Four words flashed through her mind. 'Protect King George! Timing!'Witho

  • Substitute Queen's Revenge   Chapter 238

    Seated on the throne, George carefully read through the petition, not missing a single word. After a while, he lifted his gaze to look at Wendy.Jane lowered her gaze to maintain a respectful posture. "I have no idea who brought this petition into the palace or why it was placed inside Lady Rachel's festival gift," she said.Wilhelmina looked at Wendy in surprise. She had informed Wendy that Rachel planned to tamper with Edward's festival gift.It wasn't surprising that Wendy had interfered with the other festival gifts, causing chaos to divert suspicion from herself. That much, Wilhelmina had expected. But the petition–this was beyond her expectations.To place it inside Rachel's gift was truly a ruthless strategy. In this moment, she could only feel relieved that she hadn't made an enemy of Wendy.Though Wilhelmina had realized it much later, she still cooperated seamlessly with Wendy."Your Majesty, if you hadn't ordered us to open our festival gifts, this petition would have

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