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v5c11: Wu Zeitian

🕑 Added 2024-05-26 03:28:06 +0000 UTC

Comments

Kali Smith

I keep coming back to read this and the previous chapter! Love some good viciousness disguised as helpful and now Lady Wu….much anticipation of more viciousness.

Melanie Me

Are we ever going to learn The Lord Magistrate's name?

James Faulkner

Tftc!

Victor Segura

Man, Wu Zetian is one of my favorite chinese Emperors. While the story of torture was more than likely exagerated as propaganda, Emperors using torture and secret police is like standard for any ruler of the era. She was an amazing statecraft, her reign was incredibly peacefully, Zhou (as she renamed it) flourished, civilians were happy and safe-ish and she lowered tremendously the corruption in court, down to creating an actual functional meritocracy. I hope that in Beware, she is not only remembered as the Torture Empress, like FGO did so dirty to her. Also, what was she Empress of? The Azure Hill only had (forgotten) their only Emperor, and I doubt that the Phoenix Emperor would tolerate any country claiming that title. So she should have been alive before even the demon wars, over 6000 years ago, shouldn't her? Before even the Tyrant of the Crucible and the emergence of the Mist? Or was she an Emperor of one of the mist zones, and was so legendary that her name resounded for millenia as an empress?

Alex Rahr

I had the impression Lady Wu wanted to aim Meiling and thereby Jin at the problem. Also some information warfare, but she can probably do that by letter.

Randall Brynsvold

So, now that Meiling and Jin are being aimed at the Wu family, presumably in Pale Moon Lake City and not Grass Sea City, these are a few of my current ponderings: 1) Will TLM and Lady Wu, with a cultivator escort, visit their son in Grass Sea City? (The cultivators can be residents of Fa Ram, in beast or human form.) Or is Lady Wu (with or without TLM) going to confront her family in person? 2) Is the provincial government going to approve (or perhaps *greatly* approve) of the Wu family's chastisement? Someone from that organization allowed The Special Inspector to round up the slavery ring and quickly appointed him to act as Magistrate. Someone from that organization also quickly approved Lu Ri's and TLM's postal plans. Will Lu Ri find one or more kindred spirits in Pale Moon Lake City?

Gray Code

Ah, I was wondering about that. Got a bit confused when recently re-reading book 3, because I'd remembered Xinling as part of Grey Water from the RR Book 5 chapters.

Aune

I wonder how her courtesy name sounds to her ears, when she became an actual tortured princess.

WonderBread459

It’s tough to say whether the TLM and Lady Wu know Lu Ri is “Master Scribe”. Lu Ri certainly wouldn’t lie to someone he considers a dear friend and colleague, but he also has a habit of omitting details like these because “you never asked”. The fact that TLM are aware of the plum blossom’s shadow is likely because of their talks with the Guan siblings.

Kreylix

“Fun fact” -lol

EmmieCurls

@JohnDJones Yes please. Pi Pa is a glorious terror in her own right

linkhyrule5

Also lol that casual mention that the Lord Magistrate can, in fact, cut arrows out of the air.

linkhyrule5

I realize this isn't really a world of narrative causality, but I still want to point and laugh at the lady who saw *Wu Zetian* married to *Zhuge Liang* and thought "that looks like an easy target!"

Randall Brynsvold

The only ones that "know" that Lu Ri is the Master Scribe are Rags and Xiulan, as far as we know. If TLM knew, he and Lady Wu would have gone to Lu RI for confirmation about their son instead of waiting for the report from Xiulan and Tigu.

litalmexy

Kinda wish i could heart this twice

Travis Holley

Machismo throughout the ages. Of course they had to be twice as or more vicious than the men they succeeded. If they showed anything that would appear to be weakness, they'd have enemies beating down their door immediately simply for being "women"

Pyro Hawk

Well, we've had the revolution in the Cultivator Sects for the local area, we're seeing the revolution in the Commoners rolling out thanks to the tractors and all sorts of other developments that have been brewing up. It was about time we see whatever revolution was coming for the Nobility.

Laura H

I watched the documentary on Empress Wu that was referenced here in the comments (thanks, whoever that was!), and archeological evidence uncovered In recent years shows that a lot of what has been said about her was from the patriarchy that hated her and wanted to destroy her image after her death. Meanwhile, she did a lot of good and helped make the Tang dynasty rich and powerful, although she had to stay ruthless to maintain her power. She was a lot more complex than she's been given credit for, ultimately, but she wasn't 100% evil after all. Only partially -- but probably no mooore so than any of the other ruler anywhere in the world at that time!

Laura H

Wow, Drakenclaw, you have a marvelously evil mind! I hope you give CF some ideas. Heh heh heh... 🤣

Gremlin Jack

It seems a common theme, that every ruling empress of China was a raging c*** . I remember two off the top of my head, and both of them were responsible for drastically shortened life expectancies among the members of their own court.

Alex Ingraham

I'm soooo excited to see what Lady Wu and Meimei will concoct!! Slightly terrified, true, but suuuper excited 😈😈😈

Alex Ingraham

It's going to be delightfully sadistic! 🫣🥰

BigBro Bluesman

(@Nicholas Grey) Alright now that makes way more sense thanks for the info

mag28

You don't know how bad I want human form Pi pa(and Chun ki too) that group would fuck up a whole city

D J Meigs

Wasn’t sure where I was going with this, but I had fun being TLM for a little bit 😂

D J Meigs

Dear son, Your mother and I recently enjoyed tea with my student’s daughter. She regaled us with tales of her recent travels. One tale in particular couldn’t help but grab my attention for its protagonist bore the same name as you. Ours is a common name of course but it is still quite the coincidence isn’t it? It was a story of remarkable courage and ingenuity. Where good deeds are rewarded with the goodwill of good people. And heroes and flowers, and flowers that are heroes, gathered around a central figure to take down evil doers. And the whole time I pictured you in my head because of the name. It is the fanciful vagaries of a father of course to imagine my son as a hero of the people. And far be it from me to wish you anything but a peaceful time in the capital, but I do wish you a little adventure and good friends! Like the man in Rou Tigu’s story. Do not worry about causing a little trouble. That is the prerogative of youth. I do believe your mother would enjoy hearing of such and offering advice. Now that she is fully recovered she finds herself often with a surplus of energy. Why she has become bored enough to want to contact her sister! I reminded her that they always ended up fighting and the thought seemed to delight her. Setting herself to get you out of some minor trouble would thrill her. She even talks of dragging her student into it, truly she can be quite terrifying, it reminds me of when I first met her. I would recommend steering clear of Grass Sea City however. As proud of him as his parents must be, the man in charge there seems to be quite the magnet for trouble. A trait I thankfully did not pass on to you! Know that I am proud of you whatever you are doing and that I look forward to meeting the man you are becoming in the near future. You’re father, TLM

ItWasIDIO!!

👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 & with the truth revealed a Mother's Wrath Unleashed

Mikah Burdette

I love waking up to a new chapter ❤️

Just A Dude

Lady Wu mentioned giving/selling information on the clan to the PBS, so it's certainly not impossible that she knows, but it's not been confirmed.

Some guy

Also, it's noteworthy that the accounts of torture were likely added after the fact. Slander of female rulers is sadly common (I mean, it's common for all rulers, but especially female rulers - like the stupid Catherine the Great horse story). The Smithsonian had a pretty good article around a decade back: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-demonization-of-empress-wu-20743091/

Lena

The first female Emperor of China ever!

Demian Buckle

Thank you for the Chapter.

Kat

Oh yes! Can’t WAIT to see the absolute DESPAIR that will rain down upon the Wu family ❤️

Kat

Hail!

Drakenclaw

Oh no. Meiling is a faithful Wife. She would follow her good Husband's desire and give you a second chance. After dousing you in a vicious itching powder that lasts one and half a day. Of course she paralyzed you for one whole day so you can't scratch. But as she is merciful, she put an antidote in front of you. When you were still paralyzed. But at least as soon as that wears of you can get rid of the terrible itch. Then you will just have to deal with the constant vomiting that lasts for one additional day. From both ends of course. You knew it would do that to you, but that was still better than the itch. After you endured the side effects of the antidote you are ready for your second chance. You are also 100% bald and now neon pink, but that should fade in a few months.

Orims

Lady Wu knows very well as we had a chapter from her perspective in an earlier book where she was thinking that Meiling's character was scary, and now she intends to unleash it on some assholes😂. Can't wait

leopard eye

I meant his identity as master scribe though. The plum blossom shadow would be very invested in casing the maximum amount of damage if their boss suggested it.

John D Jones

@ Featherweight They wish it was Jin. Jin doesn't like violence or deception. Jin would go to the Wu family and tell them "This ends here and now. Or else." Jin believes that everybody gets one. Meiling, on the other hand, is a "no second chances" kind of girl for the most part.

John D Jones

TLM is Jin's teacher, so Jin has certainly told TLM that Lu Ri is fairly high up in the Cloudy Sword Sect, though not an Elder of it. That said, TLM has interacted quite a bit with Lu Ri and knows that Lu Ri is a scrupulously honest person who conducts himself in a forthright and honorable manner. Meiling is many thing, but when it comes to protecting/avenging those for whom cares, scrupulous and honorable aren't among them. Girl plays the dirtiest if you mess with her and hers.

Sebastian Osterbrink

The CPE incorporated or conquered multiple kingdoms and other empires when it was expanding. Plus legends from before the empire existed

Marta Barańska

Brilliant! I can't wait to see lady Wu and Meiling plotting the downfall of the Wu family 😈

Beggar of Freedom

Divines bless your kind heart!

Idan tal

This chapter was unbelievably entertaining. Beautiful 🤩

blackshadow111

Does make me wonder hos Zeitian exists in this world's history. Haven't there been only two Empresses in the CPE?

Trevor Mergen

Thanks!

amin johari

Wait a minute... I know I've heard of a story like this involving mortals with female cultivators. Are you putting the Special Inspector in a 'Duke of Mount Deer' situation? Bwahahahaha!

Bunny Waffles

That has seemed to be his vibe. And considering the escapades his son has gotten up to, it is apparently genetic.

Nicholas Grey

That's not her actual name. "Courtesy names" are... weird - they're bestowed at adulthood, usually at 20 for men, and at marriage for women. So her mother didn't name an innocent child that, the name was bestowed after Lady Wu had firmly established her personality. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtesy_name

Paul S.

Great chapter!

leopard eye

Married to Amberly Vail.

Featherweight

White water sect was a change made for the edited releases so that is correct now.

Featherweight

Oh they goofed, now Jin is going to have to go frown sternly at the Wu clan.

leopard eye

Does the Lord magistra know the other identiteit of his new friend Lu Ri. I can totally picture him just not seeing any reason to mention it.

John D Jones

@ Randall Brynsvold It's not like Jin is going to tell TLM "Be careful. Meimei is a terrifying angel of vengeance." TLM probably thinks of Meiling as "that cute freckled girl who cured my wife and married Rou Jin." I think Lady Wu Zeitian knows, because she's Meiling's teacher. Okay, new thought and wishlist. Lady Wu, Meiling and human form Pi Pa take a little "girls' trip" to wear the Wu clan is to deliver the message that no one fucks with Lady Wu's son without suffering terrible consequences.

Laura H

Thanks for yet another fun chapter. I had an evil grin on my face the whole time I read it! And as a mother, I totally understand how Lady Wu was briefly so upset about their son not telling them the truth. Kids have a way of hurting you more in "protecting" you than if they'd just been up front from the beginning! And I am very much looking forward to the two women's scheming and the karma that results!

Awesomepossum15

Ever since the Special Inspector became the acting ruler of Green Grass City and thought "I hope my parents don't find out about this," I've had a mental image of TLM showing up on the back of a dragon with a squad of skilled and trustworthy scribes to help sort out the mess. Wa Shi was glad to help of course, after Jin mentioned the big city must have some interesting food options.

Seaspike

Gods, the joy and laughter. Great chapter.

Seaspike

"Emotional Damage!"

Old Dog

As always, thank you for the chapter. This chapter had many chuckles, thank you.

mhaj58

I remember when Meimei healed Lady Wu, man have we come a long way. I’m looking forward to seeing her family in its entirety

Harish

Corrections: i) White Water Sect -> Grey Water Sect ii) take care of everything., -> take care of everything.", Review: Lady Wu is far more badass than I even made her in my head. You, my friend, have a talent for creating awesome moments out of unassuming characters. Oh, the aftermath is going to be glorious. ALL HAIL LADY WU ZEITIAN

Randall Brynsvold

Before Jin became his student, TLM thought Meiling was gentle and pure and Jin was a menace. I hope he has a more realistic understanding of both of their personalities now.

Skittlemiester

The more I learn about the Lord Magistrate the more I believe that he’s Beware of Chicken’s Commisar Cain from Warhammer 40k.

Angel

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve gotten a big, shit-eating grin on my face when your characters go all badass. Long live Empress Wu!!

Elias A Rosado

She was also the only successful and legitimate female ruler of China, who apparently single-handled uplifted China’s game in multiple ways

StarBat

It probably has a funny event behind it. Like dragging out long unwanted courtships and making them increasingly unlpeasant while still remaining particularly unblemished by association.

Samuel Wang

Inb4 they send a message too their son via recording crystal. Delivered on private, a slap in the face and a "You're breaking your mother's heart!"

JohnJohn2195

This is what wanted to see so much

William Mileham

Ha! You named Lady Wu after *her*!? That's awesome

BargleNawdleZouss

Thank you Mistress! May I have another?!?

John D Jones

Oh yes. The Wu clan has fucked around. Now they're about to find out. And Lady Wu isn't fucking around about that either. I'm not sure TLM quite grasps how dangerous and terrifying Meiling can be. Jin is more "powerful" than she is, but there's a lot of stuff Jin isn't willing to do to someone that Meiling absolutely is willing to do.

BigBro Bluesman

2 weeks..and who the fuck names there daughter that?! I mean in general that's just horrible if that's your inspiration!?

Cyrus McEnnis

Ah, yes, the Lord Magistrates Wife. Truly a paragon of virtue, a wonder to behold.

Randall Norman Pick

Well, that's it for the Wu Clan. Everything after this is just body disposal.

Patrick Gould

Tftc amazing as always!

Kat Wilton

Oh, our lovely Lady Wu is PISSED OFF!!!! It's really going to be delightful watching the Wu Clan *find out* {eeeeeeeevil grin} #FAFO

WarStrider72

Fifty Shades of Woe with Lady Wu..... Zeitan!

Benjamin Lawton

Fun little side-fact: Besides the Torture Empress part, "Lady Wu" was also the (only known) name of the mother of Sun Ce and Sun Quan, of The Three Kingdoms fame.

Martin Toder

yaaass, queen!

Aki_Iokua18

I’m single and childless, but I don’t think it’s wrong to say that it’s every parents’ fervent desire to know that their child is walking a good path. I can’t wait to see their reunion full of tears, “you fool”s and “we’re so proud of you”s. And karma. Hopefully something Shen Yu’d appreciate.

Corwin Amber

'Whatever she descided' descided -> decided

Keliana Tayler

New wombo-combo power duo unlocked: Lady Wu Zeitan and Venomous Hong Meiling.

Artman

Seems most female rulers back then made a point of proving they could be just as brutal as anyone else. TFTC

Chris Warner

TFTC. I look foward to the grand lady wu ruining all those in her path

WarStrider72

Tigu: Yes, multiple women seem to be pining for your son Lady Wu: MULTIPLE!?? Lord Magistrate: playaa!

Gg

Crazy coincidence I just watched a documentary on wu zeitan on YouTube

Sean Ulrich

This made my stomach go all tingly in anticipation for the upcoming karma!

Briar

Yesssss thank you!!!

WarStrider72

EMPRESS Wu Zeitan?!!!

WarStrider72

Thanks for the chapter boss!


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