Chapter 3: with translation of chapter title

The funeral procession gradually departed, and Gu Jiu Ling lowered her head, staring fixedly at the jade pendant clenched in her hand.

Translation: "The funeral procession gradually departed, and Gu Jiu Ling lowered her head, staring fixedly at the jade pendant clenched in her hand."

The funeral procession gradually departed, and Gu Jiu Ling lowered her head, staring fixedly at the jade pendant clenched in her hand.

We need to keep as single line.

Top-grade mutton-fat jade, carved with chi patterns symbolizing the prince's identity, with a cold "Yin" character etched on the back; the pendant had just been taken from that person's body and still retained a hint of warmth.

Translation: "Made of top-grade mutton-fat jade, it was carved with the chi pattern symbolizing the prince's status, and on the back was etched a cold 'Yin' character; the pendant had just been taken from that person's body, still retaining a hint of warmth."

It was top-grade mutton-fat jade, carved with a chi pattern symbolizing the prince's identity, and on the back etched a cold 'Yin' character; the pendant had just been removed from that person's body, still retaining a hint of warmth.

Gu Jiu Ling's heart stirred; Xiao Yin didn't seem as cold and heartless as people said.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling's heart stirred; Xiao Yin seemed not as cold-hearted and ruthless as people said."

She placed the jade pendant down, then unconsciously rested her hand on her abdomen, her brows furrowing.

Translation: "She placed the jade pendant properly, then unconsciously rested her hand on her abdomen, her brows knitting together."

At that palace banquet, her concubine sister set a trap and drugged her; she felt dazed and was dragged by several palace maids into an unused room.

Translation: "At that palace banquet, her concubine sister set a trap and drugged her; she felt dazed all over, and several palace maids dragged her into an unused room."

Later, someone burst in, tore at her clothes, pulled down the gauze curtain to cover her eyes, and then followed a shameful chaos until she completely fainted.

Translation: "Later someone else burst in, tearing at her clothes and pulling down the gauze curtain to cover her eyes, followed by a shameful chaos until she completely fainted."

The only thing she remembered was that, while struggling, her hand touched the man's scorching chest, which seemed to bear a horizontal scar.

Translation: "The only thing she somewhat remembered was that, in the struggle, her hand touched that person's scorching chest, which seemed to bear a horizontal scar."

Gu Jiu Ling drew a sharp breath; she vowed to capture that beast and seek justice for herself and her unborn child.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling drew a sharp breath; she must capture that beast and seek justice for herself and the child in her womb."

Gu Jiu Ling's carriage stopped at the gate of the Minister's residence; before she even reached the front hall, she heard waves of women's anguished cries coming from the front courtyard.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling's carriage stopped at the gate of the Gu Prime Minister's mansion; before she even reached the front hall, she heard waves of women's miserable cries coming from the front courtyard."

She hurried a few steps and saw a frail maid bound to a wooden bench in the courtyard, while the minister's lackeys raised a wooden club and struck her viciously.

Translation: "She hurried a few steps forward and saw a slender maid bound to the wooden bench in front of the courtyard, while the mansion's servants raised a wooden club and struck her viciously."

Even as the maid neared death from the beating, she held her neck high and hurled loud curses.

Translation: "Even though the maid was on the verge of being beaten to death, she stubbornly held her neck high and hurled loud curses."

"Lady Lin! You'll die a horrible death!"

Translation: "\"Lin clan! You'll die a horrible death! \"" (Note: The line is a quoted speech. We need to keep quotes? The source includes Chinese quotation marks 「」. We should translate the content, but we can keep the quotation marks as English quotes? Usually we translate the spoken line, preserving the quotes as English quotation marks. We'll output: "\"Lin clan! You'll die a horrible death! \"".

"The scheming in the palace was devised by the Second Miss! You intend to kill the Eldest Miss! I… even as a ghost I won't let you off!"

Translation: "\"The palace affair was a scheme set up by the Second Miss! You intend to kill the Eldest Miss! I… I, even as a ghost, will not let you off! \""

"This is none other than Gu Jiu Ling's senior maid, Jiu Yue—surely she doesn't intend to be so loyally protective of her mistress?"

Translation: "This was none other than Gu Jiu Ling's senior maid, Jiu Yue; could she not be so loyally protecting her master?"

"The servants had already received Lady Lin's signal; today they must beat this little slut to death."

Translation: "The servants had already received Madam Lin's signal; today they must beat this lowly slut to death."

He swung the board down hard at Jiu Yue, but suddenly his wrist was seized in an iron grip, halting the board mid‑air.

Translation: "He swung the club, bringing it down hard on Jiu Yue, but suddenly his wrist was gripped firmly, and the club halted mid-air."

The servant stumbled, quickly turned his face away, and met Gu Jiu Ling's icy, cold gaze.

Translation: "The servant startled, quickly turned his face away, and met Gu Jiu Ling's icy cold gaze."

Gu Jiu Ling's eyes sank, and she said coldly, "Stop!"

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling's brows sank, and she coldly said, \"Stop! \""

"You little beast! You dare come back?" a cold voice rebuked from the gate.

Translation: "\"You little beast! Do you dare come back again? \" a cold reprimand came from the gate."

A middle‑aged man in an indigo‑blue brocade robe stood at the gate, still suave and debonair despite his age—none other than the Prime Minister of Southern Qi, Gu Shijie.

Translation: "A middle-aged man in indigo-blue brocade robes stood at the gate, still suave and debonair despite his age—none other than the Southern Qi Prime Minister, Gu Shijie."

Lady Lin stood close beside him, her appearance gorgeous.

Translation: "Madam Lin clung close to him, her appearance gorgeous."

The Second Miss of the Gu family, Gu Nanxiang, stood demurely behind them, poised and graceful, her features fresh and lovely.

Translation: "The Gu family's Second Miss, Gu Nanxiang, stood obediently behind them, her posture proper and her features fresh and lovely."

Gu Jiu Ling lifted her gaze to the orderly family on the steps, smirking to herself— the original host's mother was nothing but a fool.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling lifted her eyes to see the whole family neatly arranged on the steps, secretly sneering, the original host's mother was nothing but a fool."

The Du family of Jiu Mu, the wealthiest clan in Southern Qi; Du Shi, the sole daughter of the Du family, had taken a fancy to a poor scholar.

Translation: "The Nine Pastures Du family, the wealthiest in Southern Qi; Du clan, as the Du family's sole daughter, had taken a fancy to a poor scholar."

Her heartless father, while rushing to the capital for the examinations, had nearly died of illness; he met her mother, who treated him, gave him money to buy books and ink, and thus he later became the third‑place laureate.

Translation: "Her heartless, unrighteous father, who had nearly died of illness while rushing to the capital for the exams, met her mother; she treated his illness, gave him silver to buy books and ink, and only then did he later become the third-place laureate."

However, Gu Shijie had long been colluding with a concubine‑born daughter of the An Guo Gong household, even secretly fathering a son with her.

Translation: "However, Gu Shijie had long been colluding with a concubine from the Duke of An Guo's mansion, even secretly bearing a son."

After Du Shi married into the family, she bore a daughter and then became pregnant with a son, only to discover that her husband kept another woman outside; the anguish made her fall ill, and she died shortly after giving birth to the son.

Translation: "After the Du clan daughter married in, she gave birth to a daughter, then became pregnant with a son, only to discover her husband kept another woman outside; she fell ill from rage, gave birth to the son, and then passed away."

Gu Jiu Ling let out a derisive snort.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling let out a derisive snort."

"Father, with you saying this, how could I dare not come back?"

Translation: "\"Father, with you saying this, how could I, your daughter, dare not come back? \""

She lifted her head and glanced over the pavilions and towers around her: "The entire Minister's residence was built with my mother's money; some outsiders raised as bastards can live here, yet I, the legitimate eldest daughter of the minister's house and the true child of the late Lady Du, am not allowed to reside?"

Translation: "She lifted her head and glanced around at the pavilions and towers: \"The entire Gu Prime Minister's mansion was built with my mother's money; some outsiders raised as wild spawn can live here, yet I, the legitimate eldest daughter of the minister's mansion, the daughter of the late Lady Du, how could I not be allowed to reside? \""

As soon as Gu Jiu Ling finished speaking, Lady Lin's face darkened; years ago she and her eldest son had secretly lived outside for several years, only moving into the Minister's residence after the old Du family patriarch had died.

Translation: "As soon as Gu Jiu Ling's words fell, the Lin clan member standing nearby instantly turned grim; years ago she and her eldest son had secretly lived outside for several years, only after that old Du family fellow died did she dare move into the Gu Prime Minister's mansion."

"Who are you calling a bastard?"

Translation: "\"Who are you calling a wild spawn? \""

"Sir! Look at what the Eldest Miss is saying—does that sound like human speech?"

Translation: "\"Sir! Look, does what the eldest miss is saying sound like human speech? \""

Lady Lin covered her mouth and burst into tears: "She herself is carrying a bastard, and now she's dragging in the Prince Rui! She has no shame, yet she comes to frame me?"

Translation: "Madam Lin covered her mouth and wept: \"She herself is pregnant with a wild spawn, and today she's dragging in the Prince Rui! Shameless! Yet she comes to scheme against me? \""

The Minister, furious, roared: "Seize her! Tie her up and beat her to death if you must—our Gu family cannot tolerate someone so shameless!"

Translation: "Gu Shangshu flew into a rage and shouted: \"Seize her! Tie her up and beat her to death if you must! My Gu family cannot tolerate someone so shameless! \""

"Heh! You've got a big mouth!" Gu Jiu Ling slowly drew the jade pendant Prince Rui had given her from her waist and said, "Prince Rui has already promised to marry me; I'd like to see who dares to lay a finger on me today."

Heh! You've got a big mouth! Gu Jiu Ling slowly drew out the jade pendant Prince Rui gave her from her waist, saying, "Prince Rui has already promised to marry me; I'd like to see who dares to lay a finger on me today."

Heh! You've got a big mouth! Gu Jiu Ling slowly took out the jade pendant Prince Rui gave her from her waist, "Prince Rui has already agreed to marry me; I'd like to see who dares to touch a single finger of mine today."

It seems there are nested quotes. We'll translate as: "\"Heh! You've got a big mouth! \" Gu Jiu Ling slowly took out the jade pendant Prince Rui gave her from her waist, \"Prince Rui has already agreed to marry me; I'd like to see who dares to touch a single finger of mine today. \"" We'll keep outer quotes for the spoken lines.

Gu Nanxiang had never seen Gu Jiu Ling so arrogant; it felt as if she had become another person, her brows knitting involuntarily and a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes.

Translation: "Gu Nanxiang had never seen Gu Jiu Ling so arrogant; it felt like she had become another person, her brows involuntarily furrowing as a hint of resentment leaked from her eyes."

As long as Gu Jiu Ling lives, she will never obtain her dowry nor surpass this elder sister.

Translation: "As long as Gu Jiu Ling doesn't die, she will never be able to claim her dowry, nor surpass this elder sister."

Gu Nanxiang couldn't help but sneer: "You keep shouting 'bastard,' 'bastard's cry'—tell me, whose bastard is the one in your belly? Do you really think Prince Rui will shelter you? You're dreaming."

Translation: "Gu Nanxiang couldn't help but sneer: \"You keep shouting 'wild spawn,' wild spawn's cry—tell me whose wild spawn is in your belly? Do you really think Prince Rui will support you? You're dreaming. \""

"The child is mine," a suddenly icy voice rang out, followed by hurried footsteps.

Translation: "\"The child is mine, \" a suddenly icy voice pierced through, followed by hurried footsteps."

A squad of dark‑clad guards bearing the imperial insignia hurried in, parting to left and right as a tall, sturdy man walked slowly forward from the center.

Translation: "A squad of dark-clothed guards bearing the imperial insignia hurried in, splitting to left and right, from whose midst a tall, sturdy man slowly walked forward."

He wore a dark‑gold robe embroidered with chi patterns, a belt of black jade and gold tightly cinched at his waist, accentuating his vigorous posture.

Translation: "His dark-gold robe embroidered with chi patterns, a black-jade gilded belt tightly bound at his waist, accentuating his vigorous posture."

His eyebrows and eyes slightly lowered, the corners of his eyes faintly lifted, adding a touch of allure; his face was perpetually suffused with a sinister chill that made onlookers feel uneasy.

Translation: "His brows and eyes slightly lowered, the corners of his eyes slightly lifted, adding a touch of allure; his face forever bore a gloomy harshness that made onlookers feel chilled."

He was none other than the esteemed Ninth Imperial Uncle, Prince Rui of Southern Qi.

Translation: "He was none other than the esteemed Ninth Imperial Uncle of Southern Qi, Prince Rui."

Prince Rui arrived suddenly, and for a moment everyone in the Minister's residence was stunned.

Translation: "Prince Rui suddenly arrived, and for a moment everyone in the Gu Prime Minister's mansion was stunned."

Prince Rui's trusted aide Ling Feng brought over a chair; Xiao Yin eased himself into it, smiling as he watched the Gu family.

Translation: "Prince Rui's confidant Ling Feng brought over a chair; Xiao Yin slowly slumped into it, smiling as he watched the Gu family."

Gu Jiu Ling was a little surprised, then her thoughts settled; it seemed the poison on Prince Rui's body was urgent, and he also didn't want anything to happen to her.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling was somewhat surprised, then her thoughts settled; it seemed the poison on Prince Rui's body was imminent, and he also did not want her to come to harm."

The Minister hurriedly led Lady Lin and the others forward to pay their respects, though his heart was filled with anxiety.

Translation: "Gu Shangshu hurriedly led Madam Lin and the others over to pay respects, though his heart was filled with great anxiety."

Gu Jiu Ling walked up to Xiao Yin, and before she could speak, she covered her mouth with a handkerchief and burst into tears.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling walked up to Xiao Yin's side; before she could speak, she covered her mouth with a handkerchief and burst into tears."

Her crying stole Lady Lin's signature move, leaving the latter somewhat at a loss.

Translation: "Her tearful outburst stole Madam Lin's signature move, leaving Madam Lin somewhat at a loss."

"Your Highness," Gu Jiu Ling pinched her thigh to force out tears and cried, "Your Highness must vindicate me!"

Translation: "\"Your Highness, \" Gu Jiu Ling pinched her thigh to force out tears and cried, \"Your Highness must vindicate me! \""

"I and Your Highness share mutual affection; unable to restrain ourselves, I have conceived your child. I don't want them all calling this child a bastard."

Translation: "\"I and Your Highness share mutual affection, unable to restrain ourselves, we have conceived our child; I don't want them all calling this child a wild spawn. \""

"Waa… how am I supposed to live like this?"

Translation: "\"Wuu… how am I supposed to live like this? \""

"Even if they insult me, that's bearable… but… Your Highness is of noble royal blood!"

Translation: "\"Their insults toward me I could bear, but… Your Highness is of royal nobility! \""

Xiao Yin gave a cough, and a hint of smile appeared in his eyes.

Translation: "Xiao Yin coughed once, a hint of smile appearing in his eyes."

"Oh? Who said my child is a bastard?"

Translation: "\"Oh? Who said my child is a wild spawn? \""

Gu Jiu Ling glanced cautiously at Gu Nanxiang, whose face underwent a drastic change.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling glanced cautiously at Gu Nanxiang, whose face underwent a drastic change."

"Your Highness… I…"

Translation: "\"Your Highness… I…\""

Before Xiao Yin could let her finish, his face darkened; he leaned back in the chair and ordered, "Someone! Slap her!"

Translation: "Xiao Yin didn't let her finish; his face darkened as he leaned back against the chair: \"Come! Slap her! \""

Gu Nanxiang was instantly stunned, Minister Gu beside her hurried forward a step and said: "Prince, my daughter is insensible, speaking nonsense, and besides, the sisters have been at odds for a moment..."

Xiao Yin stared at him coldly, and Shangshu Gu was instantly at a loss for words; his heart raced, could Xiao Yin really be standing up for that unfilial girl?

Xiao Yin lowered his eyes and slowly turned the ink‑jade ring: "She's just a lowly daughter of the Shangshu's residence, yet she dares to slander royal blood and defame my child; even a slap would be light."

"Someone! Hit!"

"Father! Father! Mother! Mother, save me!!"

The guards of Rui Wang Fu immediately forced Gu Nanxiang to kneel on the ground, a one‑foot‑wide wooden board was slammed onto Gu Nanxiang's mouth.

Gu Nanxiang let out a wretched scream, and Ms. Lin on the side only then realized the cruelty of Prince Rui in Shang Jing.

She hurriedly knelt and kowtowed, begging for mercy on behalf of her daughter.

Gu Jiu Ling timidly tugged Xiao Yin's sleeve and pointed at Ms. Lin: "Prince, she just now also called our child a bastard."

Xiao Yin's eyes flashed, the little bastard who kept pushing his luck.

He smiled: "Someone! Give Ms. Lin a slap."

"Prince!" Shangshu Gu's face turned cold as he said: "Prince, my lady, no matter what, is still the lady of the Shangshu's residence; your behavior…"

"Oh?" Gu Jiu Ling sneered and laughed, "Father, what you said is wrong."

"Lady of the Shangshu's residence? Does Ms. Lin have an imperial edict like my mother? Did His Majesty grant a marriage? Is it recognized by the official media? Has the Matchmaker Temple been officially acknowledged? Nothing, right? It's just you elevating her yourself? Is that still called a lady? In Shang Jing, which first‑rank official's wife doesn't have an imperial edict?"

"Ah, I forgot, Ms. Lin is a concubine! So what? A concubine of the Shangshu's residence can insult the royal bloodline as a bastard?"

Xiao Yin couldn't help but chuckle; this time the Princess Consort he was fighting for seemed rather interesting.

"Hit!" Xiao Yin said calmly.

"No! No! Lord, save me! Lord!!"

Immediately, Shangshu Gu's residence erupted in cries, quite a lively scene.

With Xiao Yin stepping in like this, Shangshu Gu no longer dared to deal with Gu Jiu Ling, and could only swallow his anger.

Soon, the delicate mother‑daughter pair of Ms. Lin were beaten into pig‑heads, unable even to muster the strength to shout for help.

Only then did Xiao Yin slowly rise, stretch lazily, and look at Gu Jiu Ling: "I, the Prince, will come to marry you tomorrow; remember… bring a dowry."

Gu Jiu Ling finally let out a burst of anger; not only a dowry, but mountains of gold and silver will be offered to this great lord.

She smiled brightly in response, saw Xiao Yin off, then slowly walked to Ms. Lin and her daughter, and said lightly with a smile: "When you are a person, don't speak out of turn, understand?"