Chapter 270

Soon, the Duan family spoke up, saying that this Jade Auntie was the long-lost daughter of a minor official from the borderlands.

Translation: "Soon, the Duan family spoke up, saying this Jade Auntie was the long-lost daughter of a minor official from the borderlands."

Check: 'Soon' = Soon. 'the Duan family spoke up' = the Duan family spoke up. 'This Jade Auntie is the long-lost daughter of a minor official from the borderlands.' = This Jade Auntie is the long-lost daughter of a minor official from the borderlands.

We'll keep as: "Soon, the Duan family spoke up, saying this Jade Auntie was the long-lost daughter of a minor official from the borderlands."

Soon after, the minor official who had suddenly been entrusted with a daughter transformed his fortunes, was promoted to a capital post, and quickly relocated to Shang Jing.

Translation: "Then the minor official who had suddenly been given a daughter was promoted to a capital post and soon moved to Shang Jing."

We need to use Shang Jing for Shang Jing.

The Duan family immediately held a recognition banquet for the Wang-surnamed minor official and Miss Red Jade; Red Jade finally gained her own name, Wang Yu, and shortly thereafter the Third Prince's manor elevated her rank, making her Lady Jade, and she was appointed as a concubine of the Third Prince.

Translation: "The Duan family immediately held a recognition banquet for the Wang-surnamed minor official and Miss Red Jade; Red Jade finally gained the name Wang Yu, and the Third Prince's manor promptly elevated her rank to Lady Jade, making her a concubine of the Third Prince."

We need to keep 'Wang-surnamed minor official' as 'Wang-surnamed minor official'. 'Miss Red Jade' as 'Miss Red Jade'. 'Wang Yu' as 'Wang Yu'. 'Third Prince's manor' as 'Third Prince's manor'. 'Lady Jade' as 'Lady Jade'. 'concubine of the Third Prince' as 'concubine of the Third Prince'. Good.

The people of Shang Jing sighed in amazement at life's unpredictability: a nameless girl once sold into the Prince Rui's manor by a slave trader has now, through her son, risen in status and transformed into a concubine of the Third Prince's manor.

Translation: "The people of Shang Jing sighed, lamenting the fickleness of life: a nameless maid sold into Prince Rui's manor had, thanks to her son, suddenly become a concubine in the Third Prince's manor."

In the Peach Blossom Pavilion of Prince Rui's manor, Gu Jiu ling looked at Xiao Yin, who was sitting opposite eating hot pot.

Translation: "In the Peach Blossom Pavilion of Prince Rui's manor, Gu Jiu Ling looked across at Xiao Yin, who was sitting opposite eating hot pot."

We need to use Prince Rui's manor glossary. Peach Blossom Pavilion glossary.

Xiao Yin loved eating hot pot in the Peach Blossom Pavilion, feeling that the rising heat quickly dispelled his body's chill, warming his whole heart.

Translation: "Xiao Yin loved eating hot pot in the Peach Blossom Pavilion, feeling the rising heat quickly dispel his body's chill, his whole heart growing warm."

However, Xiao Yin's face was grim at this moment; even the heat of the hot pot could not dispel the waves of cold seeping from his body.

Translation: "But Xiao Yin's face was grim at the moment; even the hot pot's heat could not dispel the chill seeping from him."

Gu Jiu ling understood what he was angry about, and she placed a piece of frozen tofu into his bowl with her chopsticks.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling knew what he was angry about, and she placed a chopstickful of frozen tofu into his bowl."

The matter of Red Jade's unborn child is something none of us could have predicted.

Translation: "\"No one could have predicted the matter of Red Jade's unborn child. \""

We need to keep quotes? The Chinese line includes quotation marks. We should keep them? The instruction: translate faithfully, keep punctuation. So we keep the Chinese quotation marks? Usually we replace with English quotes. We'll use English double quotes.

Thus: "\"No one could have predicted the matter of Red Jade's unborn child. \""

Originally, Consort Duan had given all those women in the Third Prince's manor infertility drugs; who could have imagined that the Third Prince's playfulness would actually result in a child?

Translation: "\"Originally Consort Duan had given those women in the Third Prince's manor infertility drugs; who could have thought the Third Prince's playfulness would actually produce a child. \""

Now the Duan family seems to have risen from the dead.

Translation: "\"Now the Duan family may have risen from the dead. \""

Xiao Yin furrowed his brows fiercely, biting into the frozen tofu, feeling as if he were chewing on Xiao Wei, with a hint of ruthlessness.

Translation: "Xiao Yin frowned fiercely, biting the frozen tofu in his mouth, feeling as if he were chewing on Xiao Wei, with a hint of ruthlessness."

After a long while, he let out a cold chuckle: 'Whether the child can survive is another matter.'

Translation: "After a long while he let out a cold laugh: \"Whether the child can survive is another matter. \""

Gu Jiu ling's heart skipped a beat, realizing he intended to act against the child in Red Jade's womb.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling's heart jumped slightly; she realized he intended to act against the child in Red Jade's womb."

She sighed inwardly; the child is innocent, but this is a life-or-death struggle in the Southern Qi court, where no one can retreat a step, or else face a dead end.

Translation: "She sighed silently; the child was innocent, but this was a life‑or‑death struggle in the Southern Qi court—no one could step back, or else it would be a dead end."

She also couldn't very well speak from a modern perspective, having suddenly been thrust into this era, which naturally has its own rules, and she cannot interfere.

Translation: "She also couldn't speak from a modern standpoint, having suddenly arrived in this era; this era naturally has its own rules, and she could not interfere."

All she could do was silently pick up a chopstick of udon noodles and place them in Xiao Yin's bowl.

Translation: "She could only silently pick up a chopstickful of udon noodles and place them in Xiao Yin's bowl."

"Eat up; once you're full, your mood will improve."

Translation: "\"Eat up; once you're full, your mood will improve. \""

"If you want to move against the Duan family, the head of the Southern Qi's eight great clans, you'll need some time; these forces can't be eliminated quickly."

Translation: "\"If you want to move against the Duan family, the head of the Southern Qi Eight Great Clans, you'll need some time—these forces can't be eliminated overnight. \""

"Hmm," Xiao Yin, after being persuaded by Gu Jiu ling a few times, finally relaxed his expression, lifted his gaze to her, rubbed the stiffness from his face, and a dazzling, handsome smile blossomed.

Translation: "\"Hmm, \" Xiao Yin, persuaded by a few words from Gu Jiu Ling, finally relaxed his expression, lifted his gaze to her, rubbed the stiffness from his face, and a brilliant, dazzling smile broke across his handsome features."

Naturally handsome and charming, even a single smile from him could leave people stunned.

Translation: "Naturally handsome and charming, even a single smile could leave people stunned."

Gu Jiu ling was dazzled by his smile and instinctively looked away.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling's eyes were dazzled by his smile, and she instinctively looked away."

Suddenly, Ling Feng's voice came from outside.

Translation: "Suddenly Ling Feng's voice came from outside."

"My lord!"

Translation: "\"Prince! \""

Xiao Yin understood that Ling Feng had a report to make; he set down his utensils, looked at Gu Jiu ling, and said, "I have to go out; please try not to leave the manor these days, as outside is not peaceful."

Translation: "Xiao Yin knew Ling Feng had something to report; he set down his chopsticks, looked at Gu Jiu Ling, and said, \"I have business outside—please try not to leave the manor these days; it's not peaceful out there. \""

Gu Jiu ling nodded; recently, the conflict between Xiao Yin and the Duan family's side had escalated to a fever pitch.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling nodded; the feud between Xiao Yin and the Duan family had recently reached white‑hot intensity."

Last time, Xiao Yin's single move had dealt the Duan family a heavy blow, but unfortunately, Red Jade and her unborn child remained a variable.

Translation: "Last time Xiao Yin's single move crippled half of the Duan family's strength—unfortunately, the wildcard of Red Jade and her unborn child remained."

Xiao Yin worried that the Duan family might retaliate, naturally fearing that someone would again provoke him by threatening his bottom line, which now is Gu Jiu ling.

Translation: "Xiao Yin worried the Duan family would retaliate; naturally he feared someone would test his bottom line again, and his bottom line now was Gu Jiu Ling."

This time, he had stationed over a hundred secret guards around Gu Jiu ling—more protection than even the imperial consorts receive individually.

Translation: "This time he had stationed over a hundred dark guards around Gu Jiu Ling—more than the personal protection afforded to any lady in the palace."

Xiao Yin simply feared that those scoundrels would target his most cherished weakness.

Translation: "Xiao Yin simply feared that those scoundrels would strike at his most cherished weak point."

He rose to leave, but Gu Jiu ling gently tugged at his sleeve.

Translation: "He rose to leave, but Gu Jiu Ling lightly grabbed his arm."

He quickly turned to look at Gu Jiu ling, who rose onto her tiptoes and used a handkerchief to dry the sweat on his forehead.

Translation: "He hurriedly turned to look at her; Gu Jiu Ling rose on tiptoe and used a handkerchief to dry the sweat on his forehead."

"Put on your cloak before going out; what if you catch a chill from the wind?"

Translation: "\"Put on your cloak before you go out—what if you catch a chill from the wind? \""

A flicker of tenderness crossed Xiao Yin's eyes as he pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly and softly laughing, "Thank you for your concern, my wife; I know my limits."

Translation: "A tender smile flickered in Xiao Yin's eyes as he pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly and whispering, \"Thank you for your concern, my wife; I know my limits. \""

Having donned his cloak, he turned and walked out of the Peach Blossom Pavilion.

Translation: "Having donned his cloak, he turned and walked out of the Peach Blossom Pavilion."

Ling Feng followed behind Xiao Yin toward the study in the Eastern Garden, his expression stern yet tinged with excitement.

Translation: "Ling Feng followed behind Xiao Yin toward the study in the East Garden, his expression stern, his eyes flashing with a hint of excitement."

"My lord, we have uncovered some clues about the ringleader behind the creation of the Seven Killing Valley."

Translation: "\"My lord, we've uncovered some leads on the mastermind behind the Qi Sha Gu affair. \""

Xiao Yin's steps halted instantly; he turned away, staring fixedly at Ling Feng, his eyes blazing as if they could scorch everything.

Translation: "Xiao Yin's steps halted there; he turned his face away, locking a fierce gaze on Ling Feng, his eyes almost blazing enough to scorch everything."

"What did you say?"

Translation: "\"What did you say? \""

Even the usually steady Xiao Yin's face changed dramatically upon hearing this news.

Translation: "Even the steady Xiao Yin's expression changed drastically upon hearing the news."

Seven years have passed, exactly seven years, and he has been investigating which damned scoundrels sold him and his brothers out completely back then.

Translation: "Seven years have passed—exactly seven—and he has been investigating which damned scoundrels sold him and his brothers out cleanly back then."

He had waited so long he was almost dying of grief, yet he was determined to give his brothers justice.

Translation: "He had waited so long he was almost dying of grief, yet he was determined to give his brothers justice."

Not a single person on his list will escape; if he does not exterminate those beasts root and branch, he is not Xiao Yin—he bears their name!

Translation: "Not a single name on his list will escape; if he doesn't exterminate that pack of beasts root and branch, he isn't Xiao Yin—he might as well bear their surname!"

Ling Feng was about to speak when Xiao Yin raised his hand to stop him.

Translation: "Ling Feng was about to speak when Xiao Yin raised a hand to stop him."

"Speak back in the Eastern Garden!"

Translation: "\"Speak in the East Garden! \""

Indeed, the closer we get to this moment, the more cautious he must be—extra cautious.

Translation: "Indeed, the closer we get to this moment, the more cautious he must be—extra cautious."

The members of the eight great clans have already sensed what Xiao Yin intends to do, making every step forward a difficult struggle.

Translation: "The members of the Eight Great Clans have already sensed what Xiao Yin intends to do; now every step forward is a struggle."

He must not only oppose the Longqing Emperor, but also the eight great clans that have long dominated the Southern Qi lands, for Xiao Yin's endeavors aim to overturn the world.

Translation: "He must not only oppose Emperor Longqing, but also the Eight Great Clans that have long dominated Southern Qi's lands; what Xiao Yin aims to do is overturn the heavens."

Master and servant returned to the study in the Eastern Garden; although extra guards were posted outside, the atmosphere inside had become extremely tense.

Translation: "Master and servant returned to the study in the East Garden; extra guards were posted outside, yet the tension inside the room reached its peak."

Ling Feng knew the lord and lady shared deep affection, so he would not normally disturb their private time, but this time the information he uncovered was too important.

Translation: "Ling Feng knew the prince and princess consort were deeply devoted, so he would not normally disturb their private time—but this time the information he had uncovered was too important."

Upon hearing this, his heart sank.

Translation: "Merely hearing this made his heart sink."

"My lord, please review!"

Translation: "\"My lord, please have a look! \""

Ling Feng handed two land registers to Xiao Yin, who opened them and glanced over, then said slowly, "His Majesty eight years ago conducted a nationwide household land survey, re-measuring the land."

Translation: "Ling Feng handed two land registers to Xiao Yin, who opened the one in his hand and said, \"His Majesty conducted a nationwide household land survey eight years ago, re‑measuring the fields. \""

"Back when I fought the Northern Di for years, provisions dwindled; that was bad enough, but even the grain rations failed to arrive, leaving many soldiers hungry on the battlefield—what kind of state is this?"

Translation: "\"Back when I fought the Bei Di for years, provisions dwindled—bad enough, but even the grain rations failed to arrive, leaving countless soldiers hungry on the battlefield; what sort of state is this? \""

"I therefore consulted His Majesty about conducting a nationwide household land survey to determine exactly how much surplus grain Southern Qi has, a matter vital to the nation's livelihood."

Translation: "\"So I consulted His Majesty about a nationwide household survey to determine exactly how much surplus grain Southern Qi possesses—a matter vital to the state and the people. \""

"Thus His Majesty issued the fish-scale registers, re-measuring the land; the result of this survey was alarming—fully half of the country's land now lies in the hands of the eight great clans…"

Translation: "\"Thus His Majesty issued the Fish Scale Register, re‑measuring the land; the survey showed that, astonishingly, half of the nation's land now lies in the hands of the Eight Great Clans... \""

"Hmph! I naturally am not pleased; I have fought and bled on the front lines for the common people, not for you lot of scoundrels, yet here we have these land registers."

Translation: "\"Hmph! I'm naturally displeased—I've fought and bled on the front lines for the common folk, not for your lot of scoundrels, yet here we have these land registers. \""

"Nevertheless, quite a bit was uncovered…" Xiao Yin muttered sarcastically, picking up the other register Ling Feng had brought; as he opened the first page, his expression suddenly changed dramatically.

Translation: "\"Still, quite a bit was uncovered…\" Xiao Yin muttered sarcastically, picking up the other register Ling Feng had brought; as he opened the first page, his expression suddenly shifted."