The Girl Who Struggled Through Palace Intrigues to Become the Empress - Chapter 23: Song Zhao Stays Over

“It was never meant to be a simple game. After all, Gods don't play games. They play with the lives of people.”

Hikari, the VRMMORPG created by the leading tech companies of the world was launched in 2069.

The game soon grew big and started controlling major sections of the world. It became something more than just a game.

Zack was someone who was stuck with an unfortunate artifact that only allowed him to heal himself.

But when he died inside the game, the same artifact lead to him being able to move back in time.

Armed with the knowledge and experience, Zack will rise again and get the title of the weapons master.

The one who wields the strongest weapons in both the game and real life.

The Reticent Blade is, first and foremost, a wuxia novel, meaning that the world and its character’s powers and abilities are more grounded. Instead of cultivators who can soar through the heavens and shatter planets, you will find martial artists who can still perform superhuman feats but not so fantastical as to tear through space or achieve immortality.The world of The Reticent Blade is one of medieval China, loosely based upon the time period of the Ming Dynasty. It is a time of chaos and strife, where war and death are rampant. We follow the intertwining story of several protagonists and antagonists as they navigate the chaotic times, unraveling the threads that connect the past, the present, and the future of the world.The Reticent Blade is a story of heroism, love, revenge, and cruelty.The Reticent Blade is a story of both the righteousness and vileness of the jianghu.

People all say that the fourth daughter of the Marquis of Jing’an is really lucky. She is favored in the palace, has heirs and has a good family background. That is really a great thing! In fact, Shen Chuliu himself didn’t know how he got to this point.

It was like this at first. The concubine next to her was playing the piano and dancing. Shen Chuliu said that I was not a performer.

The concubine next to her was writing poems and painting, and Shen Chuliu said that I didn’t want to take the imperial examination. People laughed at her and said she was not favored. She smiled slightly and said, “I have a family background.”

The emperor really has no choice. If the concubine doesn’t come to please her, he still has to see her! Who said someone’s mother’s family is really awesome? Shen Chuliu really didn’t care. Those bastard relatives liked him so much that he started to let himself go as soon as he entered the palace.

It feels good to let go for a while, and it feels good to keep letting go. As a human being, the most important thing is to be comfortable. If you are too frustrated, even the emperor will not be able to use it!

- Description from novelbuddy

(CONTAINS R18+ CONTENT)Enemies to lovers- checkSlow burn- checkA cute naughty dog- checkSpice? (The author is keeping her mouth zipped)No third-party breakup or misunderstanding. But there are lots of banter and witty comebacks.(The story is planned to be around 200 chapters. No drag)Mu YirenI never imagined I'd be faking a relationship with my biggest enemy—the untamed, ridiculously charming Feng Junjie, known throughout the city as the “golden boy” of business and a billionaire playboy with a reputation for breaking hearts. But when he dangles a life-changing offer in front of me, the kind that could secure my inheritance, I find myself agreeing to be his “girlfriend.”But the thing is….. What if I start seeing the real him?Pretending to be Junjie’s devoted partner is like walking on a razor's edge. He’s everything I can’t stand—sexy, cocky, and devilish, and yet a sweetheart by heart that leaves me flustered by his actions. I know better than to fall for a man like him; my mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s has convinced me to never fall in love. But Junjie isn't just any man. Beneath his easygoing charm is an intensity that leaves me breathless, and he knows exactly how to crack through the walls I have built around me, awakening a passion I never felt before.JUNJIEI need my life back. A sorry attempt at love had me question everything and forced me away from my brothers. Since my ‘ex best friend’s’ constant accusations had gotten out of control, I might as well pretend to date someone and shut her mouth.My definition of a fake date- Beautiful, sexy, tempting…..umm…. insufferable, annoying, and with a mouth that won’t stop running.The mouth with red lipstick. The mouth I want to….This arrangement was supposed to be simple: fake dating, clear boundaries, no feelings. But the more he plays the role of her devoted partner, the more the lines between fake and real start to blur. And now, he’s no longer sure where the act ends and his true feelings begin.The catch? Mu Yiren doesn’t believe in love. And she certainly doesn’t believe a man like Feng Junjie is capable of anything but heartbreak.But Feng has never been one to follow the rules. Boundaries? He’s about to break them. Deals? They were made to be rewritten.He’s going all in, and this time, he’s not playing pretend.*******“Are you saying you'd let any man get this close?”“ABSOLUTELY NO!” The words burst out of me, too quick, too honest. His smirk deepens.“Tell me, if I leave you like this, all wound up and aching, will you be sneaking off to use one of your little toys?”“Yes,”“Tell me, were you waiting for me to initiate something this past week?” he tugs my shorts more and kisses my navel.My heart hammers and my voice comes out shaky. “N-No.” I won't give him the satisfaction of knowing he's right.He chuckles darkly. “Wrong answer. Let's try again.”****