Chapter 188

Gu Jiu Ling stared fixedly at Tuo Ba Yu as he began to undress before her, never imagining that her rescue would turn into him behaving like a rogue.

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling stared fixedly at Tuo Ba Yu, who was beginning to loosen his clothes in front of her, never expecting that saving someone would end up with him playing the rogue.

She stared fixedly at Tuo Ba Yu as he began to loosen his clothes before her, never expecting that saving someone would turn into him acting like a rogue.

Her hand slowly slid to the dagger concealed in her sleeve—a dagger Xiao Yin had given her for protection—and it finally proved useful.

Translation: Her hand slowly moved toward the dagger hidden in her sleeve, a dagger Xiao Yin had given her for self-defense, which now came in handy.

Though Tuo Ba Yu was behaving like a rogue, his face wore a solemn expression, as if he were defending a dissertation.

Translation: Although Tuo Ba Yu was acting like a rogue, his expression was solemn, as if he were attending a thesis defense.

The blend of sensuality and sternness in one person left Gu Jiu Ling with a disorienting, almost schizophrenic sense of déjà vu.

Translation: Sensuality and sternness appeared simultaneously on one person, giving Gu Jiu Ling a feeling of split-personality déjà vu.

She watched coldly as Tuo Ba Yu unfastened his outer robe and then his inner garment, revealing a slim yet well-formed chest.

Translation: She coldly watched Tuo Ba Yu undo his outer robe, then his inner garment, revealing a chest that, though slender, was quite well-built.

Tuo Ba Yu's frame looks scrawny clothed but reveals a perfect male model's build when undressed; yet what drew Gu Jiu Ling's attention more than his physique was the ferocious scar slicing across his chest.

Translation: Tuo Ba Yu's build was the type that looks scrawny clothed but muscular when naked, a perfect male model physique; yet what attracted Gu Jiu Ling more than his physique was the ferocious knife scar running across his entire chest.

He slightly turned his side, revealing a red scorpion tattoo on his lean waist.

Translation: He slightly turned his side, revealing a red scorpion tattoo on his lean waist.

Tuo Ba Yu noticed Gu Jiu Ling's gaze lingering on his chest and had to remind her not to keep staring at the scar; he wanted her to see the scorpion tattoo instead.

Translation: Tuo Ba Yu noticed Gu Jiu Ling's gaze seemed more interested in his chest, and had to remind her not to keep focusing on the scar on his chest; what he wanted her to see was the scorpion.

Princess, look!

Translation: "Princess Consort, look!"

Gu Jiu Ling's thoughts snapped back to focus; she glanced at the scorpion tattoo on Tuo Ba Yu's waist and inhaled sharply.

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling's thoughts were jerked back to the point, she looked at the scorpion tattoo on Tuo Ba Yu's waist, and instantly sucked in a breath.

"Red Scorpion?" Gu Jiu Ling blurted, staring at Tuo Ba Yu in disbelief.

Translation: "Red Scorpion?" Gu Jiu Ling almost blurted out, looking at Tuo Ba Yu in disbelief.

The mysterious Red Scorpion force has been a legendary and ruthless presence in Southern Qi and across the continent for years.

Translation: The Red Scorpion, this mysterious force, has been a legendary and brutal presence in Southern Qi these years, and indeed across the whole continent.

Its origins and composition are unknown, it is neither wholly good nor evil, and the terrifying acts it has committed in recent years have made its name known throughout the land.

Translation: It is said that this force's origins are unknown, its composition unknown, neither wholly good nor evil; just the terrifying deeds it has produced in recent years are enough to make the organization notorious across the continent.

"The Xirong emperor was assassinated."

Translation: "The Emperor of Xirong was assassinated."

"The Northern Di heir fell into the water."

Translation: "The heir of Bei Di fell into the water."

"The Nanzhao state's national preceptor was slaughtered..."

Translation: "The National Preceptor of Nanzhao was slaughtered..."

This organization either does nothing, or when it acts, it overturns other nations' fates in earth‑shattering ways.

Translation: This organization either does nothing, or when it acts it overturns another nation's fate—earth-shattering deeds.

Members of the Red Scorpion organization tattoo a black scorpion somewhere on their bodies, while their leader bears a red scorpion tattoo.

Translation: It is also heard that members of the Red Scorpion organization tattoo a black scorpion somewhere on their bodies, while their leader bears a red scorpion tattoo.

People have long rumored that the Red Scorpion leader has a greenish, fanged face, is utterly repulsive, and even eats children—a major pervert.

Translation: People have long rumored that the Red Scorpion's leader has a greenish face and fangs, extremely disgusting, and even eats children—a major pervert.

Gu Jiu Ling stared in astonishment at the jade‑like, elegant man before her, unable to imagine him being linked to an organization like the Red Scorpion.

Translation: This time Gu Jiu Ling stared in astonishment at the man before her, with jade-like bones and icy skin, a suave and elegant gentleman, and could not imagine him being linked to an organization like the Red Scorpion.

Tuo Ba Yu glanced at the stunned Gu Jiu Ling, slowly redressed himself piece by piece, neat and proper, then looked at her and smiled, saying, "How about it? Can we now discuss terms, Princess?"

Translation: Tuo Ba Yu glanced at the already dumbfounded Gu Jiu Ling, slowly put his clothes back on piece by piece, neat and proper, then looked at her and smiled: "How about it? Can we now discuss terms with the Princess Consort?"

After a long while, Gu Jiu Ling finally caught her breath and said, "We can talk; how do you want to talk?"

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling finally managed to catch her breath after a long while and said: "We can talk; how do you want to talk?"

Tuo Ba Yu's lips curled slightly, his purple eyes flashing with a dangerous light, like an elegant leopard in the dark night.

Translation: Tuo Ba Yu's lips curled slightly, his purple eyes flashing with a dangerous light, like an elegant leopard in the dark night.

He stared steadily at Gu Jiu Ling and said softly, "Let's talk about our child."

Translation: He stared at Gu Jiu Ling and slowly said: "Let's talk about our child."

Gu Jiu Ling suddenly lifted her gaze, locking onto the smiling man before her, her beautiful clear eyes narrowing.

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling suddenly lifted her eyes, staring fixedly at the smiling man before her; her beautiful, clear eyes gradually narrowed.

Tuo Ba Yu picked up the teacup on the table, poured two cups, handed one to Gu Jiu Ling, and said, "These days Xiao Yin has been investigating the palace banquet from a few months ago."

Translation: Tuo Ba Yu picked up the teacup on the table, poured two cups of tea, handed one to Gu Jiu Ling, and said: "These days Xiao Yin has been investigating the palace banquet from a few months ago inside the palace."

"Actually he's already found out it was me, and even secretly sent people to kill me; unfortunately, aside from Xiao Yin facing me personally, those people couldn't kill me."

Translation: "Actually he has already found out it was me, and even secretly sent people to kill me; unfortunately, aside from Xiao Yin personally facing me in a duel, those people could not kill me at all."

"I'm also puzzled as to why Xiao Yin suddenly brought up that matter; back then, in the rear building of the imperial garden, who exactly bullied the eldest Miss Gu?"

Translation: "I am also puzzled as to why Xiao Yin suddenly brought up that matter; back then, in the house behind the imperial garden, who exactly bullied the eldest daughter of the Gu family?"

"Forget it!" Tuo Ba Yu sighed, "I'll just admit it; after all, I'm afraid that if I say it out loud you'll despise me, hate me, and maybe never forgive me."

Translation: "Forget it!" Tuo Ba Yu sighed, "I might as well admit it, after all I'm worried that if I say it out loud you will despise me, hate me, and perhaps never forgive me for the rest of your life."

"But the child in your womb is after all mine; I can't just..."

Translation: "But the child in your belly is after all mine, I cannot just..."

"Crash!"

Translation: "Clatter!"

Gu Jiu Ling slapped the teacup Tuo Ba Yu had handed over, sending it flying and shattering.

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling slapped the teacup Tuo Ba Yu had handed over, sending it flying and shattering.

The atmosphere inside the carriage cabin grew so tense it was hard to breathe.

Translation: The atmosphere inside the carriage cabin became so stagnant that it was hard to breathe.

Tuo Ba Yu's hand froze in midair, then he lifted another teacup, lowered his head to drink, and said slowly, "Back then at the palace banquet I was framed and forced to take a drug I shouldn't have; you know how potent that sort of illicit drug is—you yourself were affected too, right?"

Translation: Tuo Ba Yu's hand froze in midair, then he picked up another teacup, lowered his head and drank, saying softly: "Back then at the palace banquet I was framed and made to take a drug I shouldn't have; you know how potent those low-grade drugs are—you yourself were affected too, weren't you?"

"Ha! How funny—we were both set up!"

Translation: "Ha! How funny, we were both set up!"

"The one who harmed me was a spy sent by the Northern Di, someone from my royal brother's faction, who didn't want me to live; after all, my presence is somewhat of a threat to him."

Translation: "The one who harmed me was a spy sent by Bei Di, a person of my royal elder brother, who did not want me to live, after all my presence is also somewhat of a threat to him."

"They wanted me to lose control after drinking, preferably causing a scandal in the harem; I resisted the drug's effects, stumbled out of the banquet area, and didn't intend to rush into your room."

Translation: "They wanted me to lose control after drinking, preferably causing some scandal in the harem; I resisted the drug's effects, stumbled out of the banquet site, not intending to rush into your room."

Tuo Ba Yu's expression even carried a hint of guilt and nostalgia; Gu Jiu Ling raised her hand and struck him hard.

Translation: Tuo Ba Yu's expression even carried a hint of guilt and nostalgia; Gu Jiu Ling raised her hand and slapped him hard.

Tuo Ba Yu's other teacup was also knocked over; he chuckled softly, "Really disobedient—can't even drink tea properly!"

Translation: Tuo Ba Yu's other teacup was also knocked over; he chuckled lowly: "Really disobedient, can't even drink tea properly!"

Gu Jiu Ling snorted, "Your Highness the Hostage truly knows how to spin a tale—it almost sounds real; I don't know what you hope to gain by fabricating this story about me."

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling snorted coldly: "Your Highness the Hostage Prince sure can spin a tale, sounding almost true; I don't know what you aim to gain by fabricating this story for me."

"Besides, I am now the principal consort of the Prince Rui's mansion; aren't you afraid Xiao Yin will have you killed?"

Translation: "Besides, I am now the principal consort of the Prince Rui's mansion; aren't you afraid Xiao Yin will have you killed?"

Gu Jiu Ling's slap was a bit harsh, sending Tuo Ba Yu's cheek to the side and leaving a red mark on his pale face.

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling's slap landed a bit hard, Tuo Ba Yu's cheek was pushed to the side, leaving a red mark on his pale skin.

He wasn't annoyed; instead he pressed his tongue to his cheek, looked at Gu Jiu Ling with a slightly mischievous smile, and asked, "What are you angry about, Princess?"

Translation: He wasn't annoyed, instead he pressed his tongue against his cheek, looked at Gu Jiu Ling with a slightly mischievous smile, and asked: "What is the Princess Consort angry about?"

"If you had no doubts about me, Princess, why would you have Xiao Yin investigate me?"

Translation: "If the Princess Consort harbors no suspicion of me, why would she have Xiao Yin investigate my affairs?"

"That day I was indeed in the imperial garden; I was indeed set up, and I indeed had an improper involvement with you, Princess."

Translation: "That day I was indeed in the imperial garden, I was indeed set up, and I indeed had an improper entanglement with the Princess Consort!"

"Now I've figured it out—whether my reputation is good or bad doesn't matter; I can't stand by while my child calls someone else father."

Translation: "Now I've figured it out; whether my reputation is good or bad doesn't matter, I cannot stand by and watch my child call someone else father."

Gu Jiu Ling's aura gradually turned dangerous; she suddenly drew the dagger from her hand and stabbed fiercely, but it struck his shoulder.

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling's aura gradually turned dangerous; she suddenly drew the dagger from her hand and stabbed fiercely, only to hit his shoulder.

She threw her whole body onto Tuo Ba Yu, the dagger in her hand piercing his flesh, her gaze locked on his face as his brows furrowed.

Translation: She flung herself onto Tuo Ba Yu, the dagger in her hand piercing his flesh, her gaze locked on his face as her brows furrowed.

"You're looking for death!"

Translation: "You're asking for death!"

"I'm not seeking death; I'm seeking a way to live!" Tuo Ba Yu, without even furrowing his brow, stared steadily at her and said, "A path for both of us to survive."

Translation: "I'm not seeking death; I'm seeking a way to live!" Tuo Ba Yu frowned not at all, stared steadily at her, and said: "A path of survival for both of us."

Gu Jiu Ling's expression was full of resentment; she had searched for this person for so long, finally caught him, but now she couldn't kill him, leaving her feeling especially stifled and anguished.

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling's expression was full of resentment; she had sought this person for so long, finally caught him, yet now she could not kill him, leaving her feeling especially stifled and anguished.

Tuo Ba Yu perfectly struck all her vital points; she had actually suspected him initially, but his feeling toward her was simply too weak.

Translation: Tuo Ba Yu perfectly struck all her vital points; she had actually suspected him back then, but the feeling he gave her was really too weak.

A man who could be blown over by a level‑two wind while walking actually did such a thing; she could hardly believe it until he stopped hiding his talent in the polo match and even exposed the scar on his chest, at which point Gu Jiu Ling began to suspect and sent people to investigate.

Translation: A man who could be blown over by a level-two wind while walking actually did such a thing; she found it hard to believe, until he stopped hiding his talent in the polo match and even exposed the scar on his chest, at which point Gu Jiu Ling had already begun to suspect and sent people to investigate.

As a result, this kid himself came forward willingly and even revealed his true identity, leaving Gu Jiu Ling unable to take it in for a while.

Translation: As a result, this kid himself came forward voluntarily and even revealed his true identity, something Gu Jiu Ling could not take in at once.

The smell of blood slowly spread, filling the space between them, and both sides grew increasingly tense, swords drawn and bows taut.

Translation: "'The smell of blood gradually spread, filling the space between them, as both sides grew increasingly tense and ready to clash."

Note: The line includes curly quotes and a stray period? We'll translate as is.

Tuo Ba Yu focused his gaze on Gu Jiu Ling and said, "Sorry, I let you bear so much; this time I've come to apologize and to make amends."

Translation: Tuo Ba Yu focused his gaze on Gu Jiu Ling and said: "Sorry, I've let you bear so much; this time I've come to apologize and to make amends."