Chapter 320

Gu Jiu Ling's steps halted there; she heard her own footsteps, and Xiao Yin turned to look at her.

Gu Jiu Ling's steps halted there; she heard her own footsteps, and Xiao Yin turned to look at her.

Thus: "Gu Jiu Ling's steps halted there, she heard Gu Jiu Ling's footsteps, and Xiao Yin turned around to look over."

We need to keep single line.

Let's produce: "Gu Jiu Ling's steps halted there, she heard Gu Jiu Ling's footsteps, and Xiao Yin turned to look over."

She heard Gu Jiu Ling's footsteps.

Thus line 1 translation: "Gu Jiu Ling's steps halted there, she heard Gu Jiu Ling's footsteps, and Xiao Yin turned to look over."

Today he specially instructed the maids who comb Gu Jiu Ling's hair: when styling her hair, don't make it too elaborate; keep it simple.

Translation: "Today he specially instructed the maids who comb Gu Jiu Ling's hair, when combing Gu Jiu Ling's hair, not to make the hairstyle too complicated, just keep it simple."

We need to keep meaning: "Today he specially ordered the maids who comb Gu Jiu Ling's hair: when combing Gu Jiu Ling's hair, don't make the hairstyle too elaborate, just keep it simple."

We'll produce: "Today he specially ordered the maids who comb Gu Jiu Ling's hair: when combing Gu Jiu Ling's hair, do not make the hairstyle too elaborate, just keep it simple."

This time, Gu Jiu Ling's belly was already quite big; she wore a sky-blue dress embroidered with plum blossoms, over which she draped a gray-fur cloak. The hood half-covered her lovely face, revealing a pointed chin, adding a touch of graceful charm.

Translation: "This time Gu Jiu Ling's belly was already big, she wore a sky-blue dress embroidered with plum blossoms, over which she draped a gray-fur cloak; the hood covered half of her pretty face, revealing a pointed chin, adding a touch of grace."

We need to keep meaning: "This time Gu Jiu Ling's belly was already big, she wore a sky-blue dress embroidered with plum patterns, over which she wore a gray-fur cloak; the hood covered half of her pretty face, revealing a pointed chin, adding a touch of grace."

We'll produce: "This time Gu Jiu Ling's belly was already big, she wore a sky-blue dress embroidered with plum patterns, over which she wore a gray-fur cloak; the hood covered half of her pretty face, revealing a pointed chin, adding a touch of grace."

She lifted her head and looked at him; her clear, bright eyes resembled the little fox he had hunted in the wilderness that winter.

Translation: "This time she lifted her head to look at him, those clear bright eyes were exactly like the little fox he had caught in the wild that winter."

We'll produce: "This time she lifted her head to look at him, those clear bright eyes were exactly like the little fox he had caught in the wild that winter."

Even now, Xiao Yin wonders how this fox spirit, Gu Jiu Ling, managed to conquer him.

Translation: "Even now Xiao Yin still wonders how this fox spirit Gu Jiu Ling managed to conquer him."

We'll produce: "Even now Xiao Yin still wonders how this fox spirit Gu Jiu Ling managed to conquer him."

Even though he bears a deep, bloody grudge, the moment he sees her his heart races uncontrollably.

Translation: "Even though he bears a deep bloody hatred, at the instant he sees her, his heart still uncontrollably speeds up."

We'll produce: "Even though he bears a deep bloody hatred, at the instant he sees her, his heart still uncontrollably speeds up."

She really is a fox spirit!

Translation: "She really is a fox spirit!"

We'll produce: "She really is a fox spirit!"

Gu Jiu Ling watched Xiao Yin staring blankly at her, and her brows furrowed slightly.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling watched Xiao Yin's dumbfounded stare at her, and her brows slightly furrowed."

We'll produce: "Gu Jiu Ling watched Xiao Yin's dumbfounded stare at her, and her brows slightly furrowed."

What's with pretending to be deep? Late-arriving affection is worth less than a dog; if you've got the guts, don't lock me up…

Translation: "What pretended deep feeling, late-arriving deep feeling is worse than a dog's, if you have the ability don't lock me up…"

We need to keep meaning: "Putting on deep feelings, late-arriving deep feelings are worse than a dog's; if you have the ability, don't lock me up…"

We'll produce: "Putting on deep feelings, late-arriving deep feelings are worse than a dog's; if you have the ability, don't lock me up…"

Gu Jiu Ling cursed inwardly, but on the surface she seemed a bit timid; she's still a little scared after slapping that old rascal Xiao Yin, wondering if she really angered him and he'll have her corpse destroyed and erased.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling cursed inwardly, but on the surface she was a bit timid; she still feels a bit frightened to this day, having slapped that old rascal Xiao Yin, wondering if she really angered that person, who might then destroy her corpse and erase traces."

We'll produce: "Gu Jiu Ling cursed inwardly, but on the surface she was a bit timid; she still feels a bit frightened to this day, having slapped that old rascal Xiao Yin, wondering if she really angered that person, who might then destroy her corpse and erase traces."

After all, Xiao Yin is a professional remarrier; even if she died, he could still marry another high-born lady.

Translation: "After all, Xiao Yin is a professional remarrier; even if she dies, he can still marry another noble lady."

We'll produce: "After all, Xiao Yin is a professional remarrier; even if she dies, he can still marry another noble lady."

Even though Xiao Yin was so miserable he still managed to get a wife, the current Ninth Imperial Uncle is a genuine powerhouse in the capital, and moreover a diamond bachelor—rich, handsome, and influential.

Translation: "Before, even though Xiao Yin was so miserable he could still get a wife; now the Ninth Imperial Uncle is truly a powerful force in Shang Jing, and moreover a diamond-eligible bachelor, rich, handsome, and powerful, an oppa."

We need to keep meaning: "Before, even though Xiao Yin was so miserable he could still get a wife; now the Ninth Imperial Uncle is truly a powerful force in Shang Jing, and moreover a diamond-eligible bachelor, rich, handsome, and powerful, an oppa."

We'll produce: "Before, even though Xiao Yin was so miserable he could still get a wife; now the Ninth Imperial Uncle is truly a powerful force in Shang Jing, and moreover a diamond-eligible bachelor, rich, handsome, and powerful, an oppa."

To those young ladies in the capital, he probably has a deadly allure.

Translation: "For those young ladies in Shang Jing, he probably has a deadly attraction."

We'll produce: "For those young ladies in Shang Jing, he probably has a deadly attraction."

If it weren't for lack of appeal, that woman called whatever Ying-gu would be attacking her, the original spouse, like a madwoman.

Translation: "If it weren't for lack of attraction, that woman called Ying Gu would be attacking her like a madwoman, this original wife."

We'll produce: "If it weren't for lack of attraction, that woman called Ying Gu would be attacking her like a madwoman, this original wife."

Thinking of this, Gu Jiu Ling felt her heart grow heavier and colder; she averted her gaze from Xiao Yin and moved to the side.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling, thinking of this, felt her heart grow ever heavier and colder; she averted her gaze from Xiao Yin and moved to the side."

We'll produce: "Gu Jiu Ling, thinking of this, felt her heart grow ever heavier and colder; she averted her gaze from Xiao Yin and moved to the side."

Xiao Yin furrowed his brows sharply, as if to say, "You don't even want to see me?"

Translation: "Xiao Yin's brows furrowed fiercely, just like that unwilling to see him?"

We'll produce: "Xiao Yin's brows furrowed fiercely, just like that unwilling to see him?"

He instantly felt a surge of anger and walked toward Gu Jiu Ling.

Translation: "He instantly felt his heart flare with anger, and walked toward Gu Jiu Ling."

We'll produce: "He instantly felt his heart flare with anger, and walked toward Gu Jiu Ling."

Lately, the person who's been tormented the most is him, Xiao Yin, yet she still wants to pick a fight with him—though she's usually obedient, why is she being so stubborn now?

Translation: "These days the person tormented the most is him, Xiao Yin, yet she still wants to cause trouble with him; a usually obedient maid, how has she become so stubborn?"

We'll produce: "These days the person tormented the most is him, Xiao Yin, yet she still wants to cause trouble with him; a usually obedient maid, how has she become so stubborn?"

Gu Jiu Ling saw Xiao Yin's furious aura, instinctively stepped back, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his embrace.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling saw Xiao Yin's menacing aura, instinctively stepped back, but her wrist was seized by Xiao Yin, who pulled her into his embrace."

We'll produce: "Gu Jiu Ling saw Xiao Yin's menacing aura, instinctively stepped back, but her wrist was seized by Xiao Yin, who pulled her into his embrace."

Her belly almost bumped into him, but he supported it with just the right amount of care.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling's belly almost bumped into him, but he supported it with a measured hand."

We'll produce: "Gu Jiu Ling's belly almost bumped into him, but he supported it with a measured hand."

Gu Jiu Ling lifted her eyes and stared fixedly at Xiao Yin; her gaze was sharp, an expression he had never seen from her before.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling lifted her eyes and stared fixedly at Xiao Yin; that gaze was very sharp, an expression Xiao Yin had never seen before."

We'll produce: "Gu Jiu Ling lifted her eyes and stared fixedly at Xiao Yin; that gaze was very sharp, an expression Xiao Yin had never seen before."

He suddenly felt a pang of panic, yet this woman had already slapped him before—and as a Ninth Imperial Uncle of Southern Qi, he had never been slapped to the face.

Translation: "He inexplicably felt a pang of panic, but this woman had already slapped him; after all, he is the Ninth Imperial Uncle of Southern Qi, and has never been slapped in the face before."

We'll produce: "He inexplicably felt a pang of panic, but this woman had already slapped him; after all, he is the Ninth Imperial Uncle of Southern Qi, and has never been slapped in the face before."

He can't regain his face anytime soon, and he doesn't want to give her a pleasant look—indulging her? Day after day!

Translation: "This face cannot be regained for a while, and he doesn't want to give her a good look, indulging her? Day after day!"

We'll produce: "This face cannot be regained for a while, and he doesn't want to give her a good look, indulging her? Day after day!"

Xiao Yin seized Gu Jiu Ling and brought her straight to the carriage, then helped her aboard.

Translation: "Xiao Yin directly grabbed Gu Jiu Ling and brought her to the carriage, then immediately helped her onto it."

We'll produce: "Xiao Yin directly grabbed Gu Jiu Ling and brought her to the carriage, then immediately helped her onto it."

Both harbored a bit of awkwardness, riding in silence all the way to the east gate of the palace city.

Translation: "Both harbored a bit of awkwardness, they rode in silence all the way to the east gate of the palace city."

Both harbored a bit of awkwardness, they rode in silence all the way to the east gate of the palace city.

By now, carriages of aristocratic families had begun to arrive one after another; the Deer Cry Banquet is a feast personally granted by the emperor to the top scholars of the spring imperial examinations.

Translation: "By now, carriages of aristocratic families had gradually stopped one after another; the Deer Cry Banquet is a feast personally granted by the Emperor to the top scorers of the spring examinations."

We'll produce: "By now, carriages of aristocratic families had gradually stopped one after another; the Deer Cry Banquet is a feast personally granted by the Emperor to the top scorers of the spring examinations."

It's not just about the meal; it's purely an honor, especially since this year's top three are all unmarried young talents.

Translation: "It's not just for that meal; it's purely an honor, especially this year the top three are all unmarried young talents."

We'll produce: "It's not just for that meal; it's purely an honor, especially this year the top three are all unmarried young talents."

Lin Jingyuan, the heir apparent of the An'guo Duke's mansion, needless to say, possesses distinguished status.

Translation: "Lin Jingyuan, the heir apparent of the Duke of An Guo's residence, needless to say his status and position."

We'll produce: "Lin Jingyuan, the heir apparent of the Duke of An Guo's residence, needless to say his status and position."

Li Hechen, the eldest son of the scholarly Li family, whose lineage produced an empress, is naturally a first-rate noble gentleman in both talent and appearance.

Translation: "Li Hechen, the eldest son of the scholarly Li family, whose clan has produced an empress, is naturally a first-rate noble young man in talent and appearance."

We'll produce: "Li Hechen, the eldest son of the scholarly Li family, whose clan has produced an empress, is naturally a first-rate noble young man in talent and appearance."

The noble young women of the capital practically glued their eyes to these two; matching the list with a husband is also a possibility.

Translation: "The noble ladies of Shang Jing almost fixed their gazes on these two; marrying from the list is also practiced."

We'll produce: "The noble ladies of Shang Jing almost fixed their gazes on these two; marrying from the list is also practiced."

Moreover, several high-ranking successful candidates were also invited to the palace banquet, making it even more lively.

Translation: "Furthermore, some of the higher-ranked presented scholars who passed the exam were also invited to the palace banquet, making it even more lively."

We'll produce: "Furthermore, some of the higher-ranked presented scholars who passed the exam were also invited to the palace banquet, making it even more lively."

The entire palace banquet buzzed with activity—noble ladies seeking husbands, princes seeking talent, and high officials looking for protégés and allies.

Translation: "The whole palace banquet was bustling, with noble young women seeking husbands, princes seeking talent, and those high officials seeking disciples and followers."

We'll produce: "The whole palace banquet was bustling, with noble young women seeking husbands, princes seeking talent, and those high officials seeking disciples and followers."

Everyone's cups clinked, making for a lively scene.

Translation: "Everyone's cups clashed, it was extremely lively."

We'll produce: "Everyone's cups clashed, it was extremely lively."

Only the gray-clad youth with a burn-scarred face and a slight limp seemed to be shunned by everyone.

Translation: "Only that gray-clad youth, whose face bears burn scars and walks with a slight limp, seems to be shunned by everyone."

We'll produce: "Only that gray-clad youth, whose face bears burn scars and walks with a slight limp, seems to be shunned by everyone."

Even though Emperor Longqing holds Gu Kang in high regard, he is ultimately a discard of the Gu family, unworthy of notice by the great clans.

Translation: "Even though Emperor Longqing values Gu Kang highly, after all he is a waste discarded by the Gu family, not worthy of the eyes of the great clans."

We'll produce: "Even though Emperor Longqing values Gu Kang highly, after all he is a waste discarded by the Gu family, not worthy of the eyes of the great clans."

He used to be a notorious playboy in the capital, but after barely surviving a fire that ruined his face, the women find him frightening.

Translation: "Before, he was a notorious playboy in Shang Jing; later, a fire nearly burned him to death, ruining his face, and those women felt afraid just looking at him."

We'll produce: "Before, he was a notorious playboy in Shang Jing; later, a fire nearly burned him to death, ruining his face, and those women felt afraid just looking at him."

His fellow students envy and resent him even more—a worthless nobody they looked down on has become the top scholar, which is basically a slap in the face to all of them.

Translation: "His fellow students even more envied and resented Gu Kang; a waste they looked down on actually became a top scholar, which is literally a slap in the face to all of them."

We'll produce: "His fellow students even more envied and resented Gu Kang; a waste they looked down on actually became a top scholar, which is literally a slap in the face to all of them."

Yet this very person now sits quietly, his expression stern and austere, making people feel a bit afraid just looking at him.

Translation: "Yet this person, at this moment sitting quietly there with a stern and austere expression, actually makes people feel somewhat afraid."

We'll produce: "Yet this person, at this moment sitting quietly there with a stern and austere expression, actually makes people feel somewhat afraid."

Gu Jiu Ling sat for a while, then excused herself saying she felt heavy and went out for some fresh air.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling sat for a while, then excused herself saying her body felt heavy and went out to get some air."

We'll produce: "Gu Jiu Ling sat for a while, then excused herself saying her body felt heavy and went out to get some air."

Not long after, Gu Kang caught up with her, and Gu Jiu Ling brought him into a vacant side room.

Translation: "Not long after, Gu Kang caught up, and Gu Jiu Ling brought him into an idle side room."

We'll produce: "Not long after, Gu Kang caught up, and Gu Jiu Ling brought him into an idle side room."

Finally, the brother and sister met in this setting.

Translation: "Finally, the sister and brother met in this setting."

We'll produce: "Finally, the sister and brother met in this setting."

"What on earth is going on? What did the emperor say to you in the palace?"

Translation: ""What on earth is going on? What did the Emperor say to you in the palace?""

We'll produce: ""What on earth is going on? What did the Emperor say to you in the palace?""

Gu Jiu Ling has been dazed all along; she had thought Gu Kang would fail the exam, but instead he entered the palace once and emerged as the top scholar.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling has been dazed until now; she originally thought Gu Kang would fail the exam, but after entering the palace once, he actually became a top scholar."

We'll produce: "Gu Jiu Ling has been dazed until now; she originally thought Gu Kang would fail the exam, but after entering the palace once, he actually became a top scholar."

Others think this is a tremendous blessing and honor, but Gu Jiu Ling does not see it that way.

Translation: "Others think this is a great blessing and honor, but Gu Jiu Ling does not see it that way."

We'll produce: "Others think this is a great blessing and honor, but Gu Jiu Ling does not see it that way."

When things go awry there must be something uncanny; Gu Jiu Ling, through Xiao Yin these days, has seen that the character of that old scoundrel Emperor Longqing is utterly without lower limit.

When things go awry there must be something uncanny; Gu Jiu Ling, through Xiao Yin these days, has seen that the character of that old scoundrel Emperor Longqing is utterly without lower limit.

We'll produce: "When things go awry there must be something uncanny; Gu Jiu Ling, through Xiao Yin these days, has seen that the character of that old scoundrel Emperor Longqing is utterly without lower limit."

She now urgently wants to know what Gu Kang has actually gone through.

Translation: "She now urgently wants to know what Gu Kang has actually experienced."

We'll produce: "She now urgently wants to know what Gu Kang has actually experienced."

Gu Kang drew a deep breath, knowing that his chances to meet his elder sister in the future are slim, since his status makes it improper to get too close to the Prince of Rui's household.

Translation: "Gu Kang drew a deep breath, knowing that his chances to meet his elder sister in the future are also few, after all his status is not suitable for getting too close to the Rui Wang Fu."

We'll produce: "Gu Kang drew a deep breath, knowing that his chances to meet his elder sister in the future are also few, after all his status is not suitable for getting too close to the Rui Wang Fu."

He lifted his gaze to his elder sister: "His Majesty mentioned our maternal grandfather."

Translation: "He lifted his eyes to look at his elder sister: "The Emperor mentioned our maternal grandfather.""

We'll produce: "He lifted his eyes to look at his elder sister: "The Emperor mentioned our maternal grandfather.""

Gu Jiu Ling's heart skipped a beat; her maternal grandfather has always been a strange figure.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling's heart gave a slight jump; her maternal grandfather has always been a strange existence."

We'll produce: "Gu Jiu Ling's heart gave a slight jump; her maternal grandfather has always been a strange existence."

She still doesn't know why her maternal grandfather abandoned everything to go to the Western Rong, nor about that mysterious dragon vein—there's not a clue to be found.

Translation: "She still does not know why her maternal grandfather abandoned everything to go to the Western Rong, nor about that mysterious dragon vein, to this day there is not a clue."

We'll produce: "She still does not know why her maternal grandfather abandoned everything to go to the Western Rong, nor about that mysterious dragon vein, to this day there is not a clue."

Now Gu Kang says the emperor brought up their maternal grandfather; why would he mention him in Gu Kang's presence?

Translation: "Now Gu Kang says Emperor Longqing mentioned the maternal grandfather; why would he bring it up in front of Gu Kang?"

We'll produce: "Now Gu Kang says Emperor Longqing mentioned the maternal grandfather; why would he bring it up in front of Gu Kang?"

Gu Kang looked at Gu Jiu Ling and said, "Elder sister, our maternal grandfather is a blade in the emperor's hand—and so am I!"

Translation: "Gu Kang looked at Gu Jiu Ling and said: "Elder sister, our maternal grandfather is a blade in the Emperor's hand! I am the same!""

We'll produce: "Gu Kang looked at Gu Jiu Ling and said: "Elder sister, our maternal grandfather is a blade in the Emperor's hand! I am the same!""

Gu Jiu Ling's face changed slightly as she fixed her stare on Gu Kang's face.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling's face instantly changed slightly, she stared fixedly at Gu Kang's face."

We'll produce: "Gu Jiu Ling's face instantly changed slightly, she stared fixedly at Gu Kang's face."

She had only heard that during Emperor Longqing's struggle for the throne, their maternal grandfather earned merit from the dragon, and when the emperor ascended, he was ennobled as a Southern Qi merchant, after which the Du family became rich enough to rival a nation.

Translation: "She had only heard that when Emperor Longqing seized the throne, her maternal grandfather, having contributed from the dragon, was ennobled by Emperor Longqing as Southern Qi Royal Merchant upon his accession, after which the Du family became rich enough to rival a nation."

We'll produce: "She had only heard that when Emperor Longqing seized the throne, her maternal grandfather, having contributed from the dragon, was ennobled by Emperor Longqing as Southern Qi Royal Merchant upon his accession, after which the Du family became rich enough to rival a nation."

Although they came from a merchant background, no aristocrat in the capital dared to challenge them.

Translation: "Although coming from a merchant background, the nobles of Shang Jing dare not touch his sharp edge."

We'll produce: "Although coming from a merchant background, the nobles of Shang Jing dare not touch his sharp edge."

They even pushed his son-in-law, Gu Shijie, all the way to the position of prime minister, while other clans dare not utter a single word of opposition.

Translation: "Even pushing his son-in-law Gu Shijie all the way to the position of Prime Minister, the other clans dare not utter a single word of opposition."

We'll produce: "Even pushing his son-in-law Gu Shijie all the way to the position of Prime Minister, the other clans dare not utter a single word of opposition."

Gu Jiu Ling previously didn't realize what sort of scoundrel Emperor Longqing was; these days she's figured it out, and thinking that her maternal grandfather was used by such a person makes her feel uneasy.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling previously did not know what kind of trash Emperor Longqing was; these days she has figured it out, and thinking that her maternal grandfather was used by such a person makes her feel uneasy."

We'll produce: "Gu Jiu Ling previously did not know what kind of trash Emperor Longqing was; these days she has figured it out, and thinking that her maternal grandfather was used by such a person makes her feel uneasy."

Now, seeing her own brother—whom she helped raise—serving as Emperor Longqing's hound, Gu Jiu Ling feels thoroughly uncomfortable.

Translation: "Now looking at her own brother, whom she herself helped grow, who has also become Emperor Longqing's hound, Gu Jiu Ling really feels uncomfortable."

We'll produce: "Now looking at her own brother, whom she herself helped grow, who has also become Emperor Longqing's hound, Gu Jiu Ling really feels uncomfortable."

"You'd be better off not being a top scholar at all!"

Translation: ""You top scholar would be better off not being one!""

We'll produce: ""You top scholar would be better off not being one!""

Gu Jiu Ling's rebuke, Gu Kang slowly lowered their head, collected themselves, gave a bitter smile and said: "Elder sister, if a knife loses its sharpness and thus its value, what will become of it?"

Gu Jiu Ling's brows furrowed fiercely.

Gu Kang looked at her and said: "I am the emperor's blade; the emperor has ordered me to act against the eight great clans."

Gu Jiu Ling was momentarily speechless, staring fixedly at her battered brother before her, and suddenly realized—this blade—was extremely sharp!