Chapter 127

line: "Gu Jiu Leng coldly glared at the arrogant and overbearing Bei Di princess opposite her, gritted her teeth and thought she might as well just grab a couple; the Landscape and Scenery Map was merely a pretense, but the real key had already ended up in her hands." No Chinese.

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling coldly stared at the arrogant and domineering Bei Di Princess opposite her, gritting her teeth she thought to just drag in two random people as filler; the Landscape and Scenery Map was merely a pretense, and in truth the real crucial item had already fallen into her hands.

We need to keep it concise but faithful. Let's produce: "Gu Jiu Ling coldly stared at the arrogant and domineering Bei Di Princess opposite her, gritting her teeth she thought to just drag in two random people as filler; the Landscape and Scenery Map was merely a pretense, and in truth the real crucial item had already fallen into her hands."

line: "Check for any missing: "the Landscape and Scenery Map was merely a pretense" -> "the Landscape and Scenery Map was merely a pretense". Good." Contains English only.

line: "She really has no other option now; at worst, she could just hand the Du family's token over to Tuoba Heng to use as coffin lining." No Chinese.

Translation: She really had no other choice now; at worst she'd give the Du family's patriarch token to Tuoba Heng to line his coffin!

line: "Check: "to line a coffin" means to line a coffin (like to use as coffin lining). We'll translate as "to line his coffin". Good." English only.

line: "The atmosphere grew increasingly tense and solemn, and, to everyone's surprise, a person slowly stood up on the platform." English.

Translation: The atmosphere grew increasingly tense and solemn, when unexpectedly a person slowly rose to their feet on the viewing platform.

line: "The atmosphere grew increasingly tense and solemn, and, to everyone's surprise, a person slowly rose to their feet on the viewing platform." English.

line: "Clad in light purple‑trimmed dark crown prince's regular attire and a white jade seven‑beam crown, he stood there, his whole body exuding a hint of dignified authority." English.

Translation: Wearing a light purple‑trimmed dark crown prince's regular attire and a white jade seven‑beam crown, merely standing there he exuded a faint aura of majesty and nobility.

line: "Check: "light purple‑trimmed dark crown prince's regular attire" maybe "light purple‑trimmed dark crown prince's regular attire". We'll keep." English.

line: "Father, I haven't played polo in ages; I'm ready to jump into the fray now!" English.

Translation: "Father, I haven't played polo in a long time; I now wish to take the field for a match!"

line: "After paying his respects to Emperor Longqing, he turned and walked over to Gu Jiu Leng's side, where attendants quickly draped the red sash over Crown Prince Xiao Ting." English.

Translation: After bowing to Emperor Longqing, he turned and walked toward Gu Jiu Ling's side, while the palace attendants hurriedly draped a red vest over Crown Prince Xiao Ting's body.

line: "In an instant, everyone was stunned—wasn't the crown prince previously on terrible terms with the Gu family's eldest daughter?" English.

Translation: In an instant everyone stared dumbfounded—hadn't the Crown Prince previously had a very ugly falling out with the Gu family's eldest daughter?

line: "The crown prince personally annulled Gu Jiu Leng's engagement in public, and she was sent back to the Gu family, heartbroken and weeping, vomiting blood uncontrollably, to the point of losing her senses." English.

Translation: The Crown Prince himself had publicly annulled Gu Jiu Ling's engagement, and because of this she was sent back to the Gu family, where she grieved, wept, vomited blood incessantly, and even lost her clarity of mind.

line: "Gu Jiu Leng once followed the crown prince, willingly debasing herself and doing all sorts of outrageous things; now she's actually helping him out of a bind—could old feelings be rekindling?" English.

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling had once followed the Crown Prince, willingly debasing herself and doing all sorts of outrageous things; now he actually came to her rescue—could old feelings have been rekindled?

line: "Even if it tried to reignite, it just wouldn't catch fire!" English.

Translation: Even if it tried to reignite, it couldn't catch fire!

line: "After all, Crown Prince Xiao Ting has always loathed this woman, and besides, facing a pregnant woman, how could the dignified crown prince possibly bring himself to speak ill of her?" English.

Translation: After all, Crown Prince Xiao Ting had truly loathed this woman before, and besides, facing a pregnant woman, how could the majestic Crown Prince possibly bring himself to speak harshly?

line: "Everyone watched as the crown prince humbly put on the red sash and then walked over to Gu Jiu Leng." English.

Translation: Everyone watched as the Crown Prince humbly donned the red vest and walked over to stand before Gu Jiu Ling.

line: "Xiao Yin, already on horseback, held back; his polo stick never swung, or else Xiao Ting's head could have burst open." English.

Translation: Xiao Yin, already seated on his horse, held back; had he not restrained himself, the blow from his polo stick could have split Xiao Ting's skull open.

line: "Forget it; now is the time to make use of people, so he'll just bear it for now." English.

Translation: Forget it; now is the time to employ people, so he'll endure for now.

line: "That kid Xiao Ting—I've seen him play polo before, and his skills are not bad." English.

Translation: That brat Xiao Ting—I've seen him play polo before, and his skill is not bad.

line: "Later, to cultivate a steady and elegant image, Xiao Ting rarely played polo anymore, so only those familiar with him ever saw him play." English.

Translation: Later, to cultivate a steady and elegant image, Xiao Ting rarely played polo anymore, so aside from those familiar with him, few ever saw the Crown Prince at the game.

line: "Gu Jiu Leng was also surprised that Xiao Ting would come to her rescue; their grudge had already been set, and it's the kind that can't really be resolved." English.

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling was also surprised that Xiao Ting would come to her aid; their grudge had already been forged, an irreconcilable enmity.

line: "Xiao Ting bowed his fists to Gu Jiu Leng and said coldly, "Today I'm repaying your past kindness to me; after all, the token is something Old Master Du carried with him

Translation: Xiao Ting clasped his fists toward Gu Jiu Ling and said coldly, "Today I'm merely repaying your past kindness to me—after all, the token is Patriarch Du's personal item, and it's unsightly for it to fall into Bei Di hands."

Gu Jiu Leng blinked, wondering if the sun was rising from the southwest; she felt Xiao Ting was acting strangely at the moment.

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling blinked, wondering if the sun had risen from the southwest—she felt Xiao Ting was acting strangely at the moment.

Xiao Ting seemed unwilling to talk much with her in front of so many people, given that their past affairs had been the talk of the town and looked quite bad.

Translation: Xiao Ting likewise seemed unwilling to linger in conversation before the crowd, given how their past affair had been noisily spread about, making things quite unsightly.

By doing this now, he's actively seeking reconciliation, and he doesn't care about saving face.

Translation: By doing this he was actively signaling a desire for reconciliation, even at the cost of his own dignity.

Gu Jiu Leng, feeling complex, wanted to thank him, but before she could speak, Xiao Ting looked at her and coldly laughed, saying, "Besides, you don't need to overthink it—I'm not trying to make nice; I just pity you immensely. Even keeping a dog under my protection would be a bother, let alone the fact that you once followed me and did many things—both privately and publicly, I ought to step in."

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling, feeling complex, wanted to thank him, but before she could speak, Xiao Ting looked at her and coldly laughed, "Besides, you needn't overthink it—I'm not extending an olive branch; I merely pity you to the extreme. Even keeping a dog would require my protection, let alone the fact that you once followed me, doing many things, and both privately and publicly I ought to step in."

The words of thanks in Gu Jiu Leng's mouth were forced back, and she coldly laughed, saying, "Your Highness, your benevolence is noted; I'll remember this favor."

Translation: The words of gratitude Gu Jiu Ling wanted to say were forced back down her throat as she coldly laughed, "Crown Prince, your benevolence is noted—I'll remember this favor."

Xiao Ting collected himself, still wanting to say something, but Gu Jiu Leng had already put on a stern face and ignored him.

Translation: Xiao Ting gathered his thoughts, wanting to say more, but Gu Jiu Ling had already put on a stern face and ignored him.

He also found it boring, turned and mounted his horse, and a low, gloomy voice came from nearby: "Thanks for your trouble, nephew."

Translation: He also found it boring, turned and mounted his horse, when a low, gloomy voice came from beside him: "Thank you, worthy nephew."

Only then did Xiao Ting realize he had been so focused on talking to Gu Jiu Leng that his muddled mind had somehow ended up leaning against Ninth Uncle, leaving him feeling a bit embarrassed.

Translation: Only then did Xiao Ting realize he had been chatting with Gu Jiu Ling, his mind in a muddle, and that he had inadvertently leaned against the Ninth Imperial Uncle, leaving him somewhat embarrassed.

Uncle, your words are too heavy; to stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder with you is an honor for your nephew!

Translation: "Imperial Uncle, your words weigh heavily; to stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder with you is my honor!"

Xiao Yin lifted his gaze to the northern platform where Emperor Longqing sat and coldly laughed, saying, "Your Majesty, I truly don't understand—aren't you afraid of offending your father? Or has his place in your heart already diminished?"

Translation: Xiao Yin lifted his gaze to Emperor Longqing seated on the northern platform and coldly laughed, "I truly don't understand—aren't you afraid of offending your father? Or has his place in your heart already diminished?"

Xiao Ting's eyes flashed, a hint of killing intent crossing his gaze as he locked onto Xiao Yin.

Translation: Xiao Ting's eyes flashed, a hint of killing intent crossing his gaze as he locked onto Xiao Yin.

Yes, ever since the last time he hid under Lady Ruoxi's bed in the Pavilion of Fragrant Red, he suddenly felt that his father's proclaimed deep affection for the empress was nothing but a joke.

Translation: Indeed, ever since hiding beneath Miss Ruoxi's bed in the Joyful Red Pavilion last time, he suddenly felt that his father's proclaimed deep affection for the empress was nothing but a joke.

He also finally realized that his father's supposed refusal to appoint an empress was merely a worry that the Duan family would grow too powerful—nothing more than keeping Lady Duan as a concubine while balancing the other clans.

Translation: He also finally realized that his father's refusal to appoint an empress was merely a fear of the Duan clan growing too powerful—nothing more than keeping Consort Duan on a string while balancing the other families.

Alas, the Li family, once a renowned scholarly clan that shook the world, now sees even his maternal grandfather relocating from the capital to Jiangnan to establish and lecture at an academy, all to avoid arousing the emperor's suspicion.

Translation: Poor the Li family—once a renowned scholarly clan famed throughout the world—now, to avoid arousing the emperor's suspicion, his maternal grandfather had even relocated from Shang Jing to Jiangnan to establish an academy and lecture there.

His maternal uncle also resigned his post at the Hanlin Academy, solely to avoid the emperor suspecting the crown prince—and he finds it utterly miserable.

Translation: His maternal uncle also resigned his post at the Hanlin Academy, solely to avoid the emperor's suspicion of him as crown prince, and he truly felt miserable.

The Li family's students are spread all over the world, yet they're so hidebound that they've insisted on keeping his nephew alone in the capital, this den of tigers and wolves, just to make a name for him.

Translation: The Li family's students spread across the world, yet they were so hidebound that, for the sake of reputation, they alone left this nephew of theirs in Shang Jing—a den of tigers and wolves.

However, the Li family has indeed accumulated many connections for the crown prince, and scholars worldwide still hold a favorable impression of him.

We need to include the period. The line ends with a period? In source: "After all, the Li family has accumulated many connections for the crown prince, and scholars worldwide still hold a favorable impression of him." Yes.

Translation: Nevertheless, the Li family had nonetheless accumulated many connections for the Crown Prince, and scholars throughout the realm still held a favorable impression of him.

The crown prince, usually conventional, is today openly defying his father for the first time; although he feels a bit apprehensive, he inexplicably feels exhilarated.

Translation: The Crown Prince had always been conventional, but today marked his first public defiance of his father; although he felt a hint of apprehension, he inexplicably felt exhilarated.

Upon thinking of this, Xiao Ting's face broke into a smile: "Ninth Uncle, instead of worrying for your nephew, you should think about how to beat the opponent—you haven't lifted a pole in seven years; who knows if you can still swing it? Besides, you're getting up there in years."

Translation: Upon thinking of this, Xiao Ting's lips twitched with a smile: "Imperial Uncle, instead of worrying for me, you'd do better to consider how to defeat the opposition—you haven't lifted a polo stick in seven years; I don't know if you can still swing it, given your age."

Xiao Yin swallowed his anger, wondering if this was a mockery of his age or something else.

Translation: Xiao Yin swallowed his anger, wondering whether this was a mockery of his old age or something else.

You little brat, today I'll let you see just how formidable my ninth uncle is!

Translation: "You little brat, today I'll let you witness the might of your Ninth Lord!"

"Kid, don't pull any sneaky tricks to mess things up, or I'll kill you!" Xiao Yin spurred his horse into the arena, lifted his head, and glared at the obviously changed‑faced Tuoba Heng opposite.

Translation: "Kid, don't pull any underhanded tricks to cause trouble, or I'll kill you!" Xiao Yin spurred his horse into the field, lifted his head, and fixed his gaze on the conspicuously pallid Tuoba Heng opposite.

Now the Southern Qi crown prince himself has taken the field, the atmosphere growing increasingly tense and excited, while Tuoba Heng feels somewhat displeased.

Translation: Now that the Southern Qi Crown Prince had taken the field himself, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense and excited, while Tuoba Heng felt somewhat displeased.

One must bear in mind that if anyone accidentally injures Emperor Longqing's son in the field, it would be a serious problem; he had inquired beforehand and learned that the crown prince and Gu Jiu Leng are mortal enemies, so why would he step in to help her? Is this crown prince ill?

Translation: One must know that if he accidentally injured Emperor Longqing's son in the field, it would be troublesome; having inquired beforehand, he learned that the Crown Prince and Gu Jiu Ling were mortal enemies, so why would he step in to help her? Is this Crown Prince ill?

As Gu Nanxiang sat in the Gu family's flower arbor, the moment she saw the crown prince approach Gu Jiu Leng, her heart clenched tightly, then she collapsed heavily onto the cold ground, even being stepped on, gasping in pain.

Translation: As Gu Nanxiang sat beneath the Gu family's floral canopy, the instant she saw the Crown Prince approach Gu Jiu Ling, her heart clenched tightly, then she collapsed heavily onto the cold ground, even being stepped on, gasping in pain.

She had always thought Xiao Ting disliked Gu Jiu Leng, so…

Translation: She had always believed Xiao Ting disliked Gu Jiu Ling—could it be…

A flicker of hatred welled up in her eyes, her hands clenched into fists—too bad she's about to be lifted into the Marquis of An Guo's residence, after which she may never get another chance.

Translation: A flicker of hatred rose in her eyes, her hands clenched into fists—alas, she was about to be carried into the Duke of Guo's residence, after which she feared she would never get another chance.

Xiao Yin lifted his head and shouted at Tuoba Heng, "We nine on our side are more than enough to handle you—let's begin!"

Translation: Xiao Yin lifted his gaze toward Tuoba Heng and declared loudly, "We nine on our side are more than enough to handle you—let's begin!"

Tuoba Heng never expected Xiao Yin to be so arrogant, starting a match without even having enough people—how outrageous!

Translation: Tuoba Heng hadn't expected Xiao Yin to be so arrogant—he couldn't even muster enough people, yet he wanted to start the match; how presumptuous!

Yet he wouldn't let him have his way, laughing, "If you can't muster enough people, just admit defeat! Besides, Southern Qi's rules call for ten per side facing off—what do you say?"

Translation: He, however, would not indulge him, laughing, "If you can't round up enough people, just admit defeat! After all, Southern Qi's rule is that each side fields ten men—what do you say?"

How shameless can you be?

Translation: "That's utterly shameless, isn't it?"

Yeah! What kind of people are you? Not having enough people is your own fault!

Translation: "Yeah! What kind of people are you? It's your fault you can't muster enough!"

What? Does not having enough people count as a loss? Who gave you the nerve?

Translation: "How so? Does lacking people mean you lose? Who gave you the nerve?"

The surrounding crowd instantly erupted in a chorus of jeers.

Translation: The surrounding crowd immediately erupted in a chorus of jeers.

Princess, I'm willing to give it a try!" Suddenly Zuo Feichen strode slowly into the arena, regardless of whether Gu Jiu Leng consented.

Translation: "\"Princess Consort, I volunteer to give it a try! \" Suddenly Zuo Feichen strode onto the field, regardless of whether Gu Jiu Ling consented."

His appearance made the surrounding crowd gasp in unison.

Translation: Upon his appearance, the surrounding spectators drew in sharp breaths one after another.

Isn't Zuo Feichen a doctor who treats illnesses? When does he play polo?

Translation: "\"Isn't Zuo Feichen a doctor who treats illnesses? When did he start playing polo? \""

All one needs to see is him mounting his horse and donning the final red sash.

Translation: All one saw was him flipping onto his horse and donning the final red vest.