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Chapter 55

Author: Rainstorm
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
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    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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    By the time the concubines rushed out, the king had already left. They were filled with regret. They shouldn't have been lazy—otherwise, they might have seen him.Opportunities to see the king were too rare.When everyone had rushed out, only Helena remained where she was. She wasn't as desperate as the others.If she wanted to see the king, she could do so anytime.Josephine couldn't keep a secret and eagerly spread the news. Word traveled quickly, growing more exaggerated with every retelling. For the concubines who rarely saw the king, this sparked jealousy.Rather than sitting idly in their chambers, it was better to try their luck at the royal stable.The next day, before the scheduled practice time, the concubines all flocked to the royal stable.However, for several days in a row, the king never showed up again.The concubines were disheartened."Josephine was just lucky. Who can guarantee we'd be as fortunate to see the king?""Exactly. The king doesn't come to the ro

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    Jane suddenly realized that the contract had a major flaw, but she couldn't let George have the final say. She immediately spoke up."Your Majesty, the contract doesn't mention–""What does it not mention?" George cut her off, feigning ignorance.Jane refused to let him play dumb on such an important matter. Her expression turned serious as she took a step back and bowed respectfully."Your Majesty, to me, you will always be the sovereign. Since the contract states the reason for my continued stay in the palace and has already been signed, please forgive me for being unable to regard you as my true husband."Her words were measured, leaving no room for misunderstanding.George gazed at her deeply. A few moments later, his expression turned indifferent."I also find it difficult to see you as my wife, Commander Morris. This is nothing more than a charade to deceive outsiders. Surely, you know how to play along?"Jane stood still for a moment before nodding slightly. "Yes, I unde

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    Suddenly, a large shadow loomed over Jane. She looked up and saw George standing before her, his gaze cold and indifferent."I'll give you one year to sort out these matters." His tone was distant. "For the next year, you will remain in the palace as my queen. First, to make up for your negligence as queen over the past year. "Second, given the extent of Jocelyn's disruption, you concealed the matter and failed to report it, practically aiding and abetting her. Thus, you must bear the consequences until the situation stabilizes."Do you have any objections?"Jane was speechless.Another year in the palace?The disapproval she instinctively showed only fueled the fire inside George, making his expression even sterner. His gaze turned sharp."Moreover, I will pardon the offense of deceiving the king by the Foster and Morris families. "Commander Morris, in regards to your concealed identity and the marriage substitution with Wendy, there's no way Kennedy was the only one aware.

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