The Ugly Empress Vol.1 Ch.08

Chapter 08 – Applying Medicine

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When Teng Yun received the invitation for a meal, he was informed that Xue Junliang had ordered delicious dishes to be prepared, and was now waiting for the Empress.

Xiu Yao had insisted he had to be dressed to the ninth, his hair styled with the newest hairdo. The original Empress’ figure was actually very beautiful; her jet-black hair was thick as cloud, soft and smooth as silk; her waist was slender and graceful. Only her face looked terrible.

If seen from behind alone, she could provoke the onlookers into daydreams.

The Ugly Empress Vol.1 Ch.07

Chapter 07 – Taking a New Wife

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Teng Yun and Xue Pei heard someone clapping, they turned and saw Xue Junliang coming over laughing, “Empress is actually a female hero, I’ve been underestimating you.”

Then he turned to address Xue Pei, “So you’ll be serving her now?”

Xue Pei had no way of escaping it, with an embarrassed expression on his face, he said with a small voice, “I will.”

The Ugly Empress Vol.1 Ch.06

Chapter 06 – Ashes

Xue Youyang nodded, then said, “Your Majesty is wise.”

Xue Junliang didn’t say anything for some time, only stared at the other. Xue Houyang felt a bit apprehensive, so lowered his head trying to look more respecting.

Xue Junliang reached out then patted his shoulder, smiling, “Why are we acting like strangers?”

“It’s the way of a master and his subjects. This subject doesn’t dare…”

The Ugly Empress Vol.1 Ch.05

Chapter 05 – Gambling

At the top of the court hall, Xue Junliang had ordered a bead curtain to be set up, after all an Inner Palace’s Empress’ face wasn’t something that everyone was allowed to see.

Marquis Wannian, Xue Houyang was Xue Junliang’s younger brother from the same mother, and the two of them had always been very close. Since Xue Junliang’s ascension to the throne, all of his other brothers had either been eliminated or distanced, leaving only one younger brother who was then granted a title, Marquis Wannian.

The Ugly Empress Vol.1 Ch.04

I’d decided to put the tag ‘gender-bender‘ on the details page. Maybe I won’t be getting many readers (compared to when I worked on My Wangfei), but I’m more concerned that people won’t feel tricked.

I wasn’t keen on gender-bender either, but in this novel, I’ve never felt bothered by it. The author still writes Teng Yun as a man. Teng Yun is still a ‘he’, and never even once he is called a ‘she’ unless the author refers to the real empress whose body Teng Yun borrows.

I’ve tried my best to stick to the author’s writing style, but I’m worried that I don’t do a good job of it. That’s why I’m relieved that at least one reader commented that they don’t find the gender-bender too obvious.

I really, truly hope you guys enjoy reading this novel. So, enough ranting, here’s chapter 4.

The Ugly Empress Vol.1 Ch.03

Chapter 03 – Consummation

Although Xue Junliang didn’t spoil him, the Crown Prince was still Xue Wang’s only son so he was always pampered. Naturally he grew up feeling he was above most people. An arrogant child being told that he was uneducated by an ugly woman, of course he got angry.

The Little Crown Prince was about trike back when they heard a chuckle. A man in black robes approached from a distance, followed by many attendants.

The Ugly Empress Vol.1 Ch.02

This novel’s original title is 丑娘娘 (chou niang niang)’. Niangniang (娘娘) is used for palace women : queens, empresses and imperial concubines. For an Empress or Queen it could mean ‘Her Majesty’.  I translate ‘Niangnang’ directly into ‘Empress’.

Here’s chapter 2, enjoy!

The Ugly Empress Vol.1 Ch.01

Chapter 01 – An Ugly Empress

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Xue Country had a famously ugly empress.

The Ugly Empress’ surname was Feng– a Feng Country’s royal surname. She was Feng Country’s current ruler’s blood sister. She was sent to Xue Country for one purpose– diplomatic marriage.

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