Chapter 205
Cheng Ru'an bowed: "I have met Sir Song. Come, Tuan Tuan, bow to Sir Song."
Translation: Cheng Ru'an performed a salute: "I have met Sir Song. Come, Tuan Tuan, give Sir Song a salute."
The line 【6】 is actually a comment, but we need to output translation for the Chinese line? There is no Chinese line after 【6】; it's just commentary. However the instruction says "These lines still contain untranslated Chinese." So maybe the lines with numbers are the Chinese lines; the commentary lines are not part of the items. But the prompt includes numbers like 【6】, 【10】, 【17】, 【27】, 【32】, 【39】, 【47】, 【57】, 【62】, etc. Those appear to be commentary lines that are not Chinese lines but explanations. However they are presented as separate lines with numbers. The instruction says "Translate each FULLY into natural English. Output EXACTLY one line per item as: 【N】
But we need to keep the quoted speech exactly as per meaning. Let's produce: Cheng Ru'an bowed: "I have met Sir Song. Come, Tuan Tuan, bow to Sir Song."
I have met Sir Song. Come, Tuan Tuan, bow to Sir Song.
Thus: Cheng Ru'an bowed: "I have met Sir Song. Come, Tuan Tuan, bow to Sir Song."
Tuan Tuan ran over, calling, "Grandfather Song!"
Translation: Tuan Tuan ran over: "Grandfather Song!"
comment about 【13】.
Song Jingxian waved his hand and said, "He's just a child; no need for excessive politeness."
Translation: Song Jingxian waved his hand: "Just a child, no need for many formalities."
We'll translate: Song Jingxian waved his hand: "Just a child, no need for many formalities."
He rubbed Tuan Tuan's head and asked, "Princess, did you come to see me today?"
Translation: He patted Tuan Tuan's little head: "Princess, are you today coming to see this old man?"
comment about 【23】.
Tuan Tuan nodded, pulled a flow pearl from her little pouch, held it up high, and said, "Grandfather Song, you gave me a jade pendant—I'm here to return the favor."
Translation: Tuan Tuan nodded, took out a flow pearl from her small sachet, held it high: "Grandfather Song, you gave me the jade pendant; I am here to return the gift!"
comment about 【28】.
Thus: Tuan Tuan nodded, took out a flow pearl from her small sachet, held it high: "Grandfather Song, you gave me the jade pendant; I am here to return the gift!"
This is what the Daoist priest grandfather gave me!
Translation: "This is what the Taoist Priest grandfather gave me!"
comment about 【35】.
Song Jingxian took it and examined it closely: "Isn't this the Star Constellation Flow Pearl belonging to the Temple Master of Xuanqiong Temple, True Person Xuanqing? He actually gave this to the Princess?"
Translation: Song Jingxian took it, examined it closely: "Isn't this the Star Constellation Flow Pearl of the Temple Master of Xuanqiong Temple, True Person Xuanqing? He actually gave this to the Princess?"
Song Jingxian took it, examined it closely: "Isn't this the Star Constellation Flow Pearl of the Temple Master of Xuanqiong Temple, True Person Xuanqing? He actually gave this to the Princess?"
"Yes!" Tuan Tuan's eyes sparkled as she asked, "Grandfather Song, do you like it?"
comment about 【45】.
We need to keep the punctuation as close as possible. We'll output: "Yes!" Tuan Tuan's eyes sparkled: "Grandfather Song, do you like it?"
Song Jingxian laughed heartily: "I like it! I really like it!"
Translation: Song Jingxian laughed heartily: "Like it! This old man likes it very much!"
Tuan Tuan beamed, turning to her mother: "Mother! Grandfather Song likes the bead I gave him!"
Translation: Tuan Tuan became happy, looking toward her mother: "Mother! Grandfather Song likes the bead I sent!"
comment about 【53】.
Cheng Ru'an smiled and said, "Sir Song, just call my daughter Tuan Tuan; there's no need to call her Princess. You are the benefactor of Yuanheng; in your presence, she cannot bear such an honorific."
Translation: Cheng Ru'an smiled and said: "Sir Song, just call my little daughter Tuan Tuan; no need to call her Princess. You are the benefactor's teacher of Yuan Heng; in your presence, she cannot bear such an honorific."
comment about 【58】.
Thus: Cheng Ru'an smiled and said: "Sir Song, just call my little daughter Tuan Tuan; no need to call her Princess. You are the kind teacher of Yuan Heng; in your presence, she cannot bear such an honorific."
Tuan Tuan immediately agreed, "Yes! Grandfather Song, just call me Tuan Tuan!"
Translation: Tuan Tuan immediately echoed: "Yes! Grandfather Song, call me Tuan Tuan!"
Song Jingxian's eyes twinkled even more: "Good! Tuan Tuan!"
Translation: Song Jingxian's eyes smiled deeper: "All right! Tuan Tuan!"
"Eh!" Tuan Tuan replied crisply and loudly, causing both Cheng Ru'an and Song Jingxian to laugh.
Translation: "Eh!" Tuan Tuan responded crisply and loudly, and Cheng Ru'an and Song Jingxian both laughed.
comment about 【71】.
Thus: "Eh!" Tuan Tuan responded crisply and loudly, and Cheng Ru'an and Song Jingxian both laughed.
Song Jingxian ordered, "Go summon Shujun and Zhulin, and tell them a little guest has come to the mansion to keep them company."
Translation: Song Jingxian ordered: "Go summon Shujun and Zhulin, and say that a little guest has come to the mansion to keep them company."
Song Jingxian ordered: "Go summon Shujun and Zhulin, and say that a little guest has come to the mansion to keep them company."
A moment later, the curtain gave a soft rustle.
Translation: After a moment, the curtain rustled lightly.
We'll translate: After a moment, the curtain rustled lightly.
The first to enter was a girl in a pink ruqun, about thirteen or fourteen, with delicate features and a calm presence.
Translation: First to enter was a girl wearing a pink ruqun, about thirteen or fourteen years old, with delicate brows and eyes, and a tranquil demeanor.
We'll translate: First to enter was a girl wearing a pink ruqun, about thirteen or fourteen years old, with delicate brows and eyes, and a tranquil demeanor.
She approached Song Jingxian, gave a modest bow, and said, "Grandfather."
Translation: She walked up to Song Jingxian and gave a slight bow: "Grandfather."
Right after, a boy in a treasure-blue shirt, about four or five, sturdy and vigorous, rushed in, grabbed Song Jingxian's leg, and lifted his round, chubby face, shouting, "Grandfather!"
Translation: Immediately after, a boy in a treasure-blue small shirt, about four or five years old, sturdy and vigorous, rushed in, grabbed Song Jingxian's leg, and lifted his round chubby face: "Grandfather!"
Immediately after, a boy in a treasure-blue small shirt, about four or five years old, sturdy and vigorous, rushed in, grabbed Song Jingxian's leg, and lifted his round chubby face: "Grandfather!"
He immediately spotted Tuan Tuan standing nearby, let go, and patter-pat-pat ran up to her, tilting his little head: "Who are you?"
Translation: He instantly spotted Tuan Tuan standing to the side, let go, and patter-pat-pat ran to Tuan Tuan's front, tilting his little head: "Who are you?"
He instantly spotted Tuan Tuan standing to the side, let go, and patter-pat-pat ran to Tuan Tuan's front, tilting his little head: "Who are you?"
What a cute little brother! And that older sister is pretty too!
Translation: This little brother is so cute! That older sister is also pretty!
We'll translate: This little brother is so cute! That older sister is also pretty!
Tuan Tuan looked at him, copied his head tilt, and said, "I'm Tuan Tuan. Who are you?"
Translation: Tuan Tuan looked at him, imitated his head tilt: "I'm Tuan Tuan, and you?"
We'll translate: Tuan Tuan looked at him, imitated his head tilt: "I'm Tuan Tuan, and you?"
"I'm Song Zhulin! Zhu for bamboo, Lin for rain!" The little guy puffed out his chest proudly: "My courtyard has a wooden horse and a singing cicada—want to come see?"
Translation: "I'm Song Zhulin! Zhu for bamboo, Lin for rain!" The little guy puffed out his chest, very proud: "My courtyard has a wooden horse, and a cicada that sings! Do you want to come see?"
"I'm Song Zhulin! Zhu for bamboo, Lin for rain!" The little guy puffed out his chest proudly: "My courtyard has a wooden horse and a singing cicada—want to come see?"
"Yes!" Tuan Tuan exclaimed happily, now she has a little playmate to play with!
Translation: "Yes!" Tuan Tuan was very happy, now having a little playmate to play with!
We'll translate: "Yes!" Tuan Tuan was very happy, now having a little playmate to play with!
Seeing his granddaughter looking at him, Song Jingxian said, "This is Princess Consort Ning."
Translation: Seeing his granddaughter looking at him, Song Jingxian said: "This is Princess Consort Ning."
Song Shujun glanced at the two overly familiar little beans, gave a faint smile, bowed to Cheng Ru'an with proper decorum, and said, "Shujun has met Princess Consort Ning."
Translation: Song Shujun looked at the two overly familiar little beans, smiled faintly, gave Cheng Ru'an a salute, her demeanor proper: "Shujun has met Princess Consort Ning."
Song Shujun looked at the two overly familiar little beans, gave a faint smile, bowed to Cheng Ru'an with proper decorum, and said, "Shujun has met Princess Consort Ning."
Cheng Ru'an gave a discreet nod, remarking that her manners befitted the granddaughter of an imperial tutor: "Please rise, no need for excessive ceremony."
Translation: Cheng Ru'an secretly nodded, this bearing and speech, befitting the Imperial Teacher's granddaughter: "Please rise, no need for many formalities."
We'll translate: Cheng Ru'an secretly nodded, this bearing and speech, befitting the Imperial Teacher's granddaughter: "Please rise, no need for many formalities."
Song Shujun gently took Tuan Tuan's hand and said, "Come with me, little sister; I'll show you the way."
Translation: Song Shujun gently took Tuan Tuan's little hand: "Little sister, come with me; older sister will take you there."
We'll translate: Song Shujun gently took Tuan Tuan's little hand: "Little sister, come with me; older sister will take you there."
Tuan Tuan looked at her mother, waved her hand like a little grown-up, and said, "Mom, you can go back now—I'll stay here and play with them."
Translation: Tuan Tuan looked at her mother, waving her hand like a little adult: "Mother, you go back first! I'll play with them here!"
We'll translate: Tuan Tuan looked at her mother, waving her hand like a little adult: "Mother, you go back first! I'll play with them here!"
Song Jingxian nodded with a smile: "Don't worry, let the children play freely for a while; once they've had their fun, I'll send someone to take Tuan Tuan back to the prince's mansion."
Translation: Song Jingxian nodded with a smile: "Rest assured, let the children be free for a moment; when they've had their fill, this old man will send someone to return Tuan Tuan to the Prince's Mansion."
We'll translate: Song Jingxian nodded with a smile: "Rest assured, let the children be free for a moment; when they've had their fill, this old man will send someone to return Tuan Tuan to the Prince's Mansion."
Cheng Ru'an said her goodbyes and departed.
Translation: Cheng Ru'an bade farewell and left.
Song Jingxian looked at the three children and said, "Go ahead and play."
Translation: Song Jingxian looked at the three children: "Go play on your own."
A servant rushed in, saying, "Sir, Marquis Jinghai Zhou Jinghua has brought his son Zhou Jing'an to request an audience."
Translation: The servant hurried in: "Sir, Marquis Jinghai Zhou Jinghua brings his son Zhou Jing'an to request an audience."
The servant hurried in: "Sir, Marquis Jinghai Zhou Jinghua brings his son Zhou Jing'an to request an audience."
Song Jingxian furrowed his brows and said, "Jun'er, take them to the rear courtyard."
Translation: Song Jingxian frowned slightly: "Jun'er, take them to the rear courtyard."
"Yes, grandfather," Song Shujun replied, taking the two Xiao Tuanzi toward the rear.
Translation: "Yes, grandfather." Song Shujun took the two little dumplings and walked toward the rear.
"Yes, grandfather," Song Shujun replied, taking the two Xiao Tuanzi toward the rear.
Song Zhulin proudly brought out his little wooden horse and singing cicada.
Translation: Song Zhulin proudly brought out his own wooden horse and singing cicada,
We'll translate: Song Zhulin proudly brought out his own wooden horse and singing cicada,
Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up, and the two little beans soon were playing together in a tangle.
Translation: Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up at the sight, and the two little beans quickly played together in a group.
We'll translate: Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up at the sight, and the two little beans quickly played together in a group.
Song Shujun sat aside, quietly watching them with a gentle smile.
Translation: Song Shujun sat to the side, quietly watching them, the corners of her mouth bearing a gentle smile.
We'll translate: Song Shujun sat to the side, quietly watching them, the corners of her mouth bearing a gentle smile.
Just a moment later, Song Shujun's personal maid Hua Ping rushed in, lowering her voice: "Miss, it's terrible! The Zhou father and son have come today to ask the old man for your hand in marriage."
Translation: But just a moment later, Song Shujun's personal maid Hua Ping hurried in, lowering her voice: "Miss, it's terrible! The Zhou father and son have come today to ask the old man for your hand in marriage!"
Just a moment later, Song Shujun's personal maid Hua Ping rushed in, lowering her voice: "Miss, it's terrible! The Zhou father and son have come today to ask the old man for your hand in marriage."
"What?" Song Shujun clenched the handkerchief in her hand and asked, "Is the Marquis Jinghai here to propose?"
Translation: "What?" Song Shujun clenched the handkerchief in her hand tightly: "Is the Marquis Jinghai here to propose marriage?"
We'll translate: "What?" Song Shujun clenched the handkerchief in her hand tightly: "Is the Marquis Jinghai here to propose marriage?"
Tuan Tuan lifted her head to look at Song Shujun, her little brows furrowed, and said, "Shujun sister, Zhou Jing'an is not a good person!"
Translation: Tuan Tuan lifted her head to look at Song Shujun, her little brows furrowed tightly: "Shujun older sister, that Zhou Jing'an is not a good person!"
We'll translate: Tuan Tuan lifted her head to look at Song Shujun, her little brows furrowed tightly: "Shujun older sister, that Zhou Jing'an is not a good person!"
He's terrible! He harmed Chasing Wind and scolded people in the Guozijian—you can't marry him!
Translation: "He's so bad! He harmed Chasing Wind, and he scolded people in the Guozijian; you cannot marry him!"
He's terrible! He harmed Chasing Wind and scolded people in the Guozijian—you can't marry him!
Song Shujun gently rubbed Tuan Tuan's hair and said, "Tuan Tuan is still young; you wouldn't understand."
Translation: Song Shujun gently rubbed Tuan Tuan's hair: "Tuan Tuan is still young; you don't understand."
We'll translate: Song Shujun gently rubbed Tuan Tuan's hair: "Tuan Tuan is still young; you don't understand."
Marriage has always been decided by parents' commands and matchmakers' words; if grandfather agrees, I must obey.
Translation: "Marriage matters have always been decided by parents' orders and matchmakers' words. If grandfather agrees, I can only obey."
We'll translate: "Marriage matters have always been decided by parents' orders and matchmakers' words. If grandfather agrees, I can only obey."
"That won't do!" Song Zhulin jumped up, exclaiming, "Tuan Tuan says he's not a good person! Sister, how could you marry a scoundrel? No way—absolutely not!"
Translation: "That won't do!" Song Zhulin jumped up upon hearing: "Tuan Tuan says he's not a good person! Older sister, how could you marry a scoundrel? No! Absolutely not!"
We'll translate: "That won't do!" Song Zhulin jumped up upon hearing: "Tuan Tuan says he's not a good person! Older sister, how could you marry a scoundrel? No! Absolutely not!"
Tuan Tuan rolled her eyes, tugged at Song Shujun's sleeve, and asked, "Shujun sister, shall we sneak a look?"
Translation: Tuan Tuan rolled her eyes, tugging at Song Shujun's sleeve: "Shujun older sister, shall we sneak a look?"
We'll translate: Tuan Tuan rolled her eyes, tugging at Song Shujun's sleeve: "Shujun older sister, shall we sneak a look?"
Song Zhulin immediately agreed: "Yes! Let's go look together! If they try to force grandfather to agree, I'll... I'll whack them with my wooden horse!"
Translation: Song Zhulin immediately echoed: "Yes! Let's go look together! If they insist grandfather agrees, I will, I will hit them with my wooden horse!"
We'll translate: Song Zhulin immediately echoed: "Yes! Let's go look together! If they insist grandfather agrees, I will, I will hit them with my wooden horse!"
Song Shujun was reluctant, but seeing her brother and Tuan Tuan's worried faces, and truly fearing grandfather might agree to the marriage, she thought it over and nodded: "All right, let's sneak a peek."
Translation: Song Shujun was originally unwilling to do so, but seeing her brother and Tuan Tuan, these two worried little faces for her, and indeed worrying that grandfather would agree to this marriage, after thinking, she still nodded: "All right, then let's sneak a look."
We'll translate: Song Shujun was originally unwilling to do so, but seeing her brother and Tuan Tuan, these two worried little faces for her, and indeed worrying that grandfather would agree to this marriage, after thinking, she still nodded: "All right, then let's sneak a look."
She led the two little ones around the corridor to a warm pavilion at the side of the front hall.
Translation: She took the two little ones, winding past the corridor, arriving at the warm pavilion at the side of the front hall.
We'll translate: She took the two little ones, winding past the corridor, arriving at the warm pavilion at the side of the front hall.
The warm pavilion and the front hall were separated only by a huge sandalwood carved openwork screen; through its intricate gaps, one could clearly see the scene in the front hall and faintly hear the sounds.
The three lowered their bodies, held their breath, and furtively glanced over.
Inside the front hall, Song Jingxian sat upright in the chief seat, his expression calm.
Zhou Jinhua was speaking at length: "I have long heard that Miss Shu Jun possesses a virtuous nature and orchid-like heart, her bearing is proper, she excels in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and furthermore her gentle disposition, learned and reasonable, makes her a paragon of noble ladies."
"My son mentions her every time, filled with admiration, only lamenting that we have no fortune to meet her."
"Although he has some youthful vigor, his talents are sharp and his character upright; if we could obtain such an excellent daughter-in-law, it would be a three-lifetime blessing for our Zhou family!"
"Although our Jinghai Marquis's manor dare not claim wealth rivaling a nation, in Jingcheng we are still of some standing; if we could become allied by marriage with the Song Duke's residence, it would surely be a celebrated match!"
Zhou Jing'an stood behind his father, dressed entirely in white, his posture straight, his demeanor respectful, fully showing humility and gentleness.
Tuan Tuan puffed out her cheeks in anger: "Sister! You must never trust his appearance; he is clearly a scoundrel!"
Song Zhulin clenched her small fists upon hearing that.
Song Jingxian spoke slowly: "Marquis, you overpraise her. Shu Jun is still young; I old man would like to keep her a few more years to enjoy her presence at my knees. As for the marriage, let's not rush it."
Zhou Jinhua's smile remained unchanged, as if he had anticipated it: "Lord Song cherishes his granddaughter; this marquis understands. But such an excellent match still needs to be settled early."
"I, the Jinghai Marquis Manor, sincerely seek marriage, willing to offer half of the manor's property as betrothal, only asking Lord Song to fulfill my son's single‑minded devotion."
Zhou Jing'an stepped forward, bowed with a salute, his tone sincere: "I, the junior, have long admired Miss Shu Jun; if I may have my wish fulfilled, I will surely cherish and love her, and in this life I will never disappoint her."
Song Jingxian watched them father and son, saying nothing, and did not respond.
Behind the screen, Tuan Tuan couldn't see Song Jingxian's face, thinking he had been persuaded, he suddenly became anxious and shouted loudly: "If you want to marry my sister, what will happen to your family now?"
End of Chapter
