Chapter 367

Xiao Wei has been hiding in the Third Prince's mansion these days, feeling exceptionally gloomy.

Translation: Xiao Wei has been hiding in the Third Prince's Manor these days, feeling exceptionally gloomy.

feeling exceptionally gloomy

His mother secretly colluded with the Deputy General of the Duan family army, whom he most respected, and that general's master, Chen Fu'an, leaving him utterly bewildered.

Translation: His mother actually colluded in secret with the Deputy General of the Duan Family Army, whom he most respected, and his teacher Chen Fu'an, leaving him utterly dazed.

His mother secretly colluded with the Deputy General of the Duan family army, whom he most respected, and that general's master, Chen Fu'an.

We'll produce: His mother secretly colluded with the Deputy General of the Duan Family Army, whom he most respected, and his teacher Chen Fu'an, leaving him completely dazed.

Even now, the scene of his father using a knife to chop his mother's corpse into minced meat remains vivid in his mind.

Translation: Even now, the scene of his father using a knife to chop his mother's corpse into minced meat remains vivid in his mind.

The scene of his father using a knife to chop his mother's corpse into minced meat remains vivid to this day.

These days, due to his health, Xiao Wei also avoided public appearances, not wanting misfortune to keep finding him, and a murderous aura had already built up in his heart.

Translation: These days, because of his health, Xiao Wei also avoided public appearances, fearing repeated misfortunes, and a murderous aura had built up in his chest.

Because of his health, Xiao Wei also stayed out of public view these days, not wanting misfortune to keep finding him, and a murderous aura had already built up in his heart.

At this time, Xiao Wei was not as irritable as before, and had somewhat restrained himself.

Translation: At this moment, Xiao Wei was not as hot-tempered as before, and had slightly restrained himself.

But he was accustomed to being arrogant and domineering; now, being schemed against repeatedly, his heart was on the verge of exploding with rage, yet he had no way to vent it.

Translation: But he was accustomed to arrogance and domineering behavior; now, after being schemed against repeatedly, his heart was on the verge of rage, yet he had no way to vent it.

Normally, he could only take out his frustration on the servants in his own prince's mansion.

Translation: Usually he could only take it out on the servants in his own prince's manor.

This time, he just kicked the maidservant who served him, sending her sprawling to the ground.

Translation: This time he just kicked the servant girl attending him, sending her to the ground.

The maid was kicked because she was a little slow while fanning him.

Translation: The maid had merely been a little slow in fanning him, and so he kicked her.

Xiao Wei had just risen and was about to leave the door to go to the pavilion for a few drinks when the steward stopped him.

Translation: Xiao Wei had just risen to leave for the flower hall to have a few drinks when the steward stopped him.

"What's up? Did someone bring you a letter?"

Translation: "What's up? Anyone sending you a letter?"

These days, his Third Prince's mansion was almost deserted, with no visitors except a few cousins from the Duan family who gathered to drink; there were no other guests.

Translation: These days his Third Prince's Manor was almost deserted, with no visitors except a few cousins from the Duan Family who gathered to drink; there were no other guests.

Now the steward's mysterious demeanor didn't seem like it was from his cousins delivering a letter; his face darkened: "What's the meaning? Who sent the letter?"

Translation: Now the steward's mysterious demeanor made it seem unlikely that his Duan cousins had sent the message; his face darkened: "What's the meaning? Who sent the letter?"

Everyone in the Third Prince's mansion had been living in fear and anxiety; after the Third Prince encountered trouble and became a eunuch, he turned extremely violent.

Translation: Everyone in the Third Prince's Manor had been living in fear ever since the Third Prince met with misfortune and became a eunuch, turning extremely violent.

This time, the steward's voice trembled as he carefully held up the letter to the Third Prince and whispered: "Report, my lord, two little beggars brought this letter, knocked on the door saying that Princess Changping had business at the Photography Pavilion in the suburbs, and asked Your Highness to go there."

Translation: This time the steward's voice trembled as he hastily held the letter up to the Third Prince and whispered: "Reporting to my lord, two little beggars brought this letter, knocked on the door saying Princess Changping had business at the Reflection Pavilion in the suburbs, and asked Your Highness to go there."

"I thought they were just some clueless beggars coming to cause trouble at our prince's mansion, so I drove them away."

Translation: "I originally thought they were just some clueless beggars coming to cause trouble at our prince's manor, so I drove them away."

"I didn't expect those two little beggars to come back with a letter; this time they left the letter on the stone platform at the gate and vanished without a trace."

Translation: "I didn't expect those two beggars to return with the letter; this time they left the letter on the stone platform by the gate and vanished without a trace."

"Upon hearing it involved Princess Changping, I dared not delay, I took in the letter, and didn't expect to find beside it Princess Changping's hairpin and jade pendant; Your Highness, please take a look."

Translation: "Upon hearing it involved Princess Changping, I dared not neglect it, collected the letter, and didn't expect to find beside it the princess's hairpin and jade pendant—Your Highness, please look."

Xiao Wei furrowed his brows tightly and quickly took the letter and jade pendant from the steward.

Translation: Xiao Wei frowned deeply and quickly took the letter and jade pendant handed over by the steward.

That jade pendant was exactly his sister's personal item; he never expected it to be here, and his heart sank instantly.

Translation: That jade pendant was exactly his sister's personal item; he never expected it to be here, and his heart sank at once.

The frustration and anger he had been bottling up could no longer be contained, especially concerning Princess Changping.

Translation: The repressed resentment he had been holding inside could no longer be contained toward Princess Changping.

Although Princess Changping is young and unaware, she also understands the importance and urgency of matters.

Translation: Princess Changping may be clueless, but she also understands the urgency of matters.

This time, Princess Fuching is covered in sores, her illness is beyond cure, so she must be the one to go through the marriage alliance.

Translation: This time Princess Fuqing's face was covered in sores, her illness terminal, and she could only go through a marriage alliance.

His uncle and maternal grandfather have a plan to send Princess Changping to the Northern Di.

Translation: His maternal uncle and grandfather had a plan to send Princess Changping to Bei Di.

If they could gain the support of the Northern Di's great prince, then in this predicament there would be nothing to fear.

Translation: If they could later gain the support of the Bei Di crown prince, nothing in this predicament would be frightening.

Unexpectedly, at this critical juncture, Princess Changping actually went to the Photography Pavilion in the suburbs.

Translation: Unexpectedly, at this critical juncture, Princess Changping actually went to the Reflection Pavilion in the suburbs.

Xiao Wei's heart sank, he turned and strode toward the door, shouting angrily as he walked: "What are you still asking about?"

Translation: Xiao Wei's heart sank, he turned and strode toward the door, shouting as he walked: "Still asking what I'm doing?"

Steward Zhang dared not delay, he prepared the horses, Xiao Wei mounted up; although his health is poor, he was once a renowned martial general known throughout the land.

Translation: Steward Zhang dared not delay, readied the horses, Xiao Wei mounted, and although his health was poor, he had once been a famed general known across the land.

He also summoned a few trusted guards from the mansion, then headed for the suburbs.

Translation: He also selected a few trusted guards from the manor, then headed for the suburbs.

Xiao Wei's horse charged through the bustling streets, knocking over street vendors who stumbled back, a sight witnessed by Gu Kang sitting in the second-floor teahouse.

Translation: Xiao Wei's horse charged through the bustling street, knocking over stalls as it passed, and Gu Kang, seated in the two-story tea house, watched the vendors stumble backward.

Gu Kang ordered a pot of Bi Luo Chun tea and a handful of five-spice melon seeds, cracking them while watching the lively scenery outside.

Translation: Gu Kang ordered a pot of Bi Luo Chun tea and a handful of five-spice melon seeds, cracking them while gazing at the prosperous scenery outside.

Gu Kang curled his lips in a sneer.

Translation: Gu Kang curled his lip in mockery.

Steward Zhang stood beside him, bowed, and whispered to Gu Kang's ear: "My lord, I have already ordered those two little beggars to deliver the jade pendant along with them; it seems the Third Prince has received the jade and the letter, and is likely heading to the suburbs."

Translation: Steward Zhang stood beside him, bowed, and whispered into Gu Kang's ear: "My lord, I have already ordered those two beggars to send the jade pendant along, and it seems the Third Prince has received the pendant and letter; he is likely heading to the suburbs."

"Is the artisan who carved the jade pendant reliable?" Gu Kang asked slowly.

Translation: "Is the artisan who carved the jade pendant reliable?" Gu Kang asked slowly.

Steward Zhang quickly replied in a low voice: "That person never forgets what they see."

Translation: Steward Zhang quickly replied with a low laugh: "That person never forgets what they see."

"When he was young, he received a favor from our Old Master Du; in the jade stone business, he owed a large sum from gambling on stones, and it was our Old Master Du who advanced this life-saving loan, which he is now repaying to us."

Translation: "When he was young, he received a favor from our Old Master Du; in the jade stone trade he owed a huge sum from gambling on stones, and it was our family's elder who advanced this life-saving debt, which now counts as his repayment to us."

"Princess Changping often appears in public; many noble ladies have seen her and her jade pendant, but I worry that relying on just one person's one-sided description could lead to many variations in the steps."

Translation: "Princess Changping often appears in public, and many aristocratic ladies have seen her and her jade pendant; I also worry that relying on just one person's one-sided description will complicate the procedure."

"After consulting several people and gathering information, the carved jade pendant can be made so realistic that it's indistinguishable from the genuine article."

Translation: "After inquiring with several people, once the jade pendant is carved, it can pass as genuine."

Gu Kang nodded, lifted the white porcelain teacup, and took a gentle sip: "In this world, true and false have no fixed boundaries; the false can become true, and the true can be made false."

Translation: Gu Kang nodded, lifted the white porcelain teacup, took a light sip, and said: "In this world, truth and falsehood have no fixed measure—false can become true, and true can be made false."

Steward Zhang found himself unable to respond; lately, Second Master Gu seemed like a completely different person, and even when he spoke, they couldn't understand him.

Translation: Steward Zhang found himself unable to respond; lately Second Master Gu seemed like a completely different person, and even his words were incomprehensible to them.

He gathered himself and whispered low: "Second Master, I wonder whether this time Gu Sheng will..."

Translation: He gathered himself and whispered low: "Second Master, I wonder whether Cheng will…"

"Hah!" Gu Kang gave a soft laugh, a chill flashing in his brows and eyes: "He is surely doomed to die."

Translation: "Hah!" Gu Cheng gave a light chuckle, a chill flashing in his eyes: "He is surely doomed."

"Go prepare the incense and candles; I want to go pay my respects at my mother's grave."

Translation: "Go prepare the incense and candles; I want to pay my respects at my mother's grave."

Steward Zhang's smile gradually faded as he recalled the deceased former lady, his heart feeling heavy.

Translation: Steward Zhang's smile gradually faded as he recalled the deceased lady of many years ago, his heart feeling heavy.

Back when the eldest miss had not yet married, they all served by her side.

Translation: Back when the eldest miss had not yet married, they all served by her side.

At that time he was still an outsider barred from the inner courtyard; he only ever caught distant glimpses of the Du family's eldest miss, and couldn't help but marvel that such a beautiful, gentle woman existed in the world.

Translation: At that time he was still an outer-court attendant unable to enter the inner courtyard; whenever he caught a distant glimpse of the Du family's eldest miss, he couldn't help marvelling at how beautiful and gentle a woman could be in this world.

He also wondered which man could be so fortunate as to marry the Du family's sole daughter; not only is she lovely, gentle, and virtuous, but even the vast Du family estate could be brought into her husband's household.

Translation: He also wondered which man could be so fortunate as to marry the Du family's only daughter—not only is she lovely, kind, gentle, and virtuous, but even the Du family's vast estate could be brought along to her husband's household.

Whoever marries the Du family's only daughter would be the utmost bliss in the world; sadly, the eldest miss met a bad match, marrying that beast Gu Shijie, and was harmed to the point of losing her life.

Translation: Whoever married the Du family's sole daughter would be the utmost bliss in the world; alas, the eldest miss met a bad match, wedding Gu Shijie that beast, and was harmed to the point of losing her life.

Fortunately, Second Master Gu has now had a change of heart; the eldest miss, Gu Jiu Ling, has also become the consort of the Prince Rui, alas...

Translation: Fortunately, Second Master Gu has now had a change of heart, and the eldest miss Gu Jiu Ling has also become the Princess Consort of Rui—alas…

Steward Zhang, thinking back, felt a sour ache in his heart; although the second young master had indeed avenged the eldest miss by scheming to kill Gu Cheng, a person cannot be brought back to life.

Translation: Steward Zhang mused, feeling a sour ache, that although the eldest miss has met misfortune, the Second Young Master certainly avenged her by scheming to kill Gu Cheng, yet the dead cannot be revived.

He also hoped that the Princess Rui, in another world, could reunite with her mother, that the mother and daughter might be reborn into a good family and not suffer such hardship again.

Translation: He also hoped that the Princess Consort of Rui could, in another world, reunite with her mother, that mother and daughter might be reborn into a good family, and not suffer such agony again.

Steward Zhang quickly turned and withdrew; shortly thereafter he had prepared the incense and candles, and followed Second Master Gu by carriage to the outskirts to the grave of Du Qingning.

Translation: Steward Zhang hurriedly withdrew, soon prepared the incense and candles, and followed Second Master Gu by carriage to Du Qingning's grave in the suburbs.

Another group, under Xiao Wei's leadership, rushed straight to the Photography Pavilion in the suburbs.

Translation: Another group, however, headed straight for the Reflection Pavilion in the suburbs under Xiao Wei's lead.

Upon arriving at the Photography Pavilion, Xiao Wei saw two carriages parked at the entrance.

Translation: Xiao Wei arrived at the Reflection Pavilion and saw two carriages parked at the entrance.

The proprietor of the Photography Pavilion heard a sudden rush of hoofbeats and his heart skipped.

Translation: The proprietor of the Reflection Pavilion heard the urgent hoofbeats and his heart skipped.

The teahouse had been rented out by Master Gu the Elder; logically there should be no other guests, so who are these people?

Translation: The tavern had been bought out by Eldest Master Gu; logically there should be no other patrons, so who were these people?

He hurried forward, only to find it was the living King of Hell from the capital, Xiao Wei; he turned pale with fright, had just stepped forward to offer a smile before speaking, when Xiao Wei kicked him over.

Translation: He hurried forward, only to find it was the Living Yama of Shang Jing, Xiao Wei, whose face turned pale as he stepped up to smile and speak—before he could say anything, Xiao Wei kicked him down.

"Drag him away and tie him up!"

Translation: "Drag him away and tie him up!"

Xiao Wei then strode straight into the Photography Pavilion.

Translation: Xiao Wei then strode straight into the Reflection Pavilion.