Chapter 538

Translation: When Zhao Lang uttered the word "cousin," Gu Jiu Ling's expression shifted slightly and she raised her voice: "She's an orphan—where did a cousin come from?"

Translation: "The two words 'cousin' came out of Zhao Lang's mouth, and Gu Jiu Ling's complexion slightly changed; she couldn't help raising her voice: 'She's an orphan—where did a cousin come from?'"

We need to keep it concise, not add extra. Let's produce: "The two words 'cousin' came out of Zhao Lang's mouth, Gu Jiu Ling's complexion slightly changed, and she couldn't help raising her voice: 'She's an orphan—where did a cousin come from?'"

Check: we kept all info.

Translation: A flash of annoyance crossed Zhao Lang's face: "Although Jinzhi hasn't changed her name, she is nevertheless the biological daughter of General An and the eldest legitimate daughter of the An family."

Translation: "A flicker of annoyance crossed Zhao Lang's face: 'Although Jinzhi hasn't changed her name, she is after all General An's biological daughter and the eldest legitimate daughter of the An family.'"

Translation: We should retain "An family" as the translation; we haven't finalized it yet, but we'll translate it as "An family". Since there's no glossary entry for "An family", we'll treat it as meaning "An family". For consistency, we'll list "An family" in the glossary and use "An family" in the translation.

Line: "A flicker of annoyance crossed Zhao Lang's face: 'Although Jinzhi hasn't changed her name, she is after all General An's biological daughter and the eldest legitimate daughter of the An family.'"

Translation: Gu Jiu Ling's expression darkened as she waited for Zhao Lang to continue.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling's face darkened, and she waited for Zhao Lang to continue."

Translation: Zhao Lang paused, then continued: "My parents went to Long West to mourn a death; Jinzhi is pregnant, so she naturally couldn't go, given the long distance—traveling far isn't suitable for a pregnant woman. My mother even specially instructed me to find a few ladies to keep Jinzhi company."

Translation: "Zhao Lang paused, then continued: 'My parents went to Longxi to mourn a death; Jinzhi, being pregnant, naturally couldn't go, for the journey was far and arduous travel unsuitable for a pregnant woman, and my mother specially told me I could find a few ladies to keep Jinzhi company.'"

We need to keep "Long West" as "Long West". We'll use "Long West". Also "to mourn a death" means "to mourn a death". We'll keep as "to mourn a death". Could also be "to attend a funeral". We'll keep literal.

Translation: Originally we wanted to send her to your Rui Wang Fu, after all she came from the Rui Wang Fu and was accustomed to living in your Wangfu.

Translation: "'Originally we wanted to send her to your Prince Rui's mansion, after all she came from that mansion and was accustomed to living in your manor.'"

We need to keep "Rui Wang Fu" as "Rui Wang Fu" (glossary). We need to keep "Wangfu" as "Wangfu". So: "'Originally we wanted to send her to your Rui Wang Fu, after all she came from the Rui Wang Fu and was accustomed to living in your Wangfu.'"

Translation: But note: "come to your Rui Wang Fu" maybe; we'll translate as "send her to your Rui Wang Fu".

Translation: But at that time the court situation changed, and you and the Prince Rui actually went to Jiangnan, so the matter was dropped.

Translation: "'But at that time the court situation changed, and you and Prince Rui actually went to Jiangnan, and the matter was dropped.'"

【36】

Translation: Just then, the An family sent over a lady named Chen Yi Yi.

Translation: "'Just then the An family sent over a lady named Chen Yi Yi.'"

Translation: Just then the An family sent over a lady named Chen Yi Yi.

Translation: "Hmm, go on," Gu Jiu Ling said lightly.

Translation: "'Hmm, go on,' Gu Jiu Ling said lightly."

Translation: At this point, Zhao Lang brought up that name, furrowed his brow, and said slowly: "Our General's Manor is full of rough people; back then the An family sent over such a person, and I wasn't very keen on it."

Translation: "At this point Zhao Lang brought up that name, his brows furrowed, and he said slowly: 'Our General's manor is full of rough people; when the An family sent over such a person, I was not very willing.'"

We need "General's Manor" as "General's Manor". We'll use "General's Manor". Also "An family" as "An family". So: "... when the An family sent over such a person, I was not very willing."

Translation: After all, the General's Manor has few connections, and we couldn't withstand Old Lady An repeatedly sending people over, even personally writing letters—just short of paying a visit in person.

Translation: "'After all, the General's manor has few connections, and we couldn't withstand Old Lady An repeatedly sending people over, even writing letters herself, just short of paying a visit in person.'"

We need "Old Lady An" as "Old Lady An". So: "... couldn't withstand Old Lady An repeatedly sending people over..."

Translation: "Which Old Lady An?" Gu Jiu Ling furrowed her brow.

Translation: "'Which Old Lady An?' Gu Jiu Ling's brows furrowed."

Translation: After all, General An was Xiao Yin's lifesaver, Xiao Yin's brother who shared life and death, and Xiao Yin had often mentioned the An family members in her ear.

Translation: "After all, General An was Xiao Yin's lifesaver, Xiao Yin's brother who shared life and death, and Xiao Yin had often mentioned the An family members in her ear."

【62】

Translation: Back then, General An was the legitimate son of the An family, born to the principal wife of Old Master An.

Translation: "Back then, General An was the legitimate son of the An family, born to the principal wife of Old Master An."

【67】

Translation: But later the principal wife passed away, and Old Master An remarried, having two sons: An Cheng Ren and An Cheng Gui.

Translation: "But later the principal wife passed away, and Old Master An remarried, having two sons: An Cheng Ren and An Cheng Gui."

【72】

Translation: Later, General An and Su San Niang secretly developed feelings; considering Su San Niang's unsuitable status, the An family completely broke with their eldest legitimate son.

Translation: "Later, General An and Su San Niang secretly developed feelings; considering Su San Niang's unsuitable status, the An family completely broke with their eldest legitimate son."

【77】

Translation: In his anger, Old Master An directly stripped General An of his legitimate son status, and General An never returned home again.

Translation: "In his anger, Old Master An directly stripped General An of his legitimate son status, and General An never returned home again."

【82】

Translation: Later, it was Xiao Yin who sent General An's remains into the An family's ancestral tomb.

Translation: "Later, it was Xiao Yin who sent General An's remains into the An family's ancestral tomb."

【87】

Translation: Moreover, it was only thanks to Xiao Yin's fierce methods that General An's legitimate son status in the An family was preserved.

Translation: "Moreover, it was only thanks to Xiao Yin's fierce methods that General An's legitimate son status in the An family was preserved."

【92】

Translation: Even though An Cheng Ren and An Cheng Gui later actually controlled the An family's authority, they still lacked the title of legitimate son.

Translation: "Even though An Cheng Ren and An Cheng Gui later actually controlled the An family's authority, they still lacked the title of legitimate son."

【97】

Translation: By now Old Lady An had long been dead, so how did another Old Lady An suddenly appear?

Translation: "By now Old Lady An had long been dead, so how did another Old Lady An suddenly appear?"

【102】

Translation: Suddenly Gu Jiu Ling realized this was probably referring to the woman Old Master An remarried.

Translation: "Suddenly Gu Jiu Ling realized this was probably referring to the woman Old Master An remarried."

【107】

Translation: Regarding this second Old Lady An, in Shang Jing she had once caused a scandal; although she was a remarriage, she had actually been carrying on an affair with Old Master An, and even before marrying into the mansion she was already pregnant with An Cheng Ren.

Translation: "Regarding this second Old Lady An, in Shang Jing she had once caused a scandal; although she was a remarriage, she had actually been carrying on an affair with Old Master An, and even before marrying into the mansion she was already pregnant with An Cheng Ren."

【112】

Translation: When Zhao Lang mentioned this Old Lady An, his expression wasn't great, and he coldly laughed: "This is Chen Yi Yi, who is said to be the daughter of the An family's grandaunt."

Translation: "When Zhao Lang mentioned this Old Lady An, his expression wasn't great either, and he coldly laughed: 'This is precisely Chen Yi Yi, who is said to be the daughter of the An family's grandaunt.'"

【117】

Translation: "I've also heard of the An family; although it's a clan, it has long since declined to a pitiful state—even the An family's legitimate daughter didn't marry into a good household, but instead married a minor official in Jing Cheng."

Translation: "'I've also heard of the An family; although it's a clan, it has long since declined to a pitiful state—even the An family's legitimate daughter didn't marry into a good household, but instead married a minor official in Jing Cheng.'"

【122】

Translation: "She gave birth to a daughter named Chen Yi Yi; this originally had nothing to do with me, but Old Lady An directly sent Chen Yi Yi to the General's Manor."

Translation: "'She gave birth to a daughter named Chen Yi Yi; this matter originally had nothing to do with me, but Old Lady An directly sent Chen Yi Yi to the General's manor.'"

【127】

Translation: "Supposedly to keep Jinzhi company and lift her spirits, and to look after her health."

Translation: "'Supposedly to keep Jinzhi company and lift her spirits, and to look after her health.'"

【132】

Translation: "Actually there's no need for her to look after Jinzhi; when my mother was around, that was true care for Jinzhi, but Chen Yi Yi, upon arriving, would daily pluck her eyebrows and paint her lips, spouting nonsense." www.

Note there is "www." at end; we must keep it as part of line? The line ends with "www." We'll include it.

Translation: "'Actually there's no need for her to look after Jinzhi; when my mother was around, that was true care for Jinzhi, but Chen Yi Yi, upon arriving, would daily pluck her eyebrows and paint her lips, spouting nonsense.' www."

Translation: "Actually there's no need for her to look after Jinzhi; when my mother was around, that was true care for Jinzhi, but Chen Yi Yi, upon arriving, would daily pluck her eyebrows and paint her lips, spouting nonsense." www.

"Our General's Manor must have the best food, clothing, and daily provisions; Jinzhi is also mild‑tempered, I at the time wanted to lose my temper, but Jinzhi advised me out of family consideration—we simply can't just drive her away."

Translation: "'As for food, clothing, and daily necessities, they had to be the best in our General's Manor; Jinzhi also has a gentle temperament, and I initially wanted to flare up, but Jinzhi advised me out of familial consideration, saying we couldn't just drive her away.'"

【144】

"I shouldn't have listened to Jinzhi back then; I kept this disaster."

Translation: "'I shouldn't have listened to Jinzhi then, leaving this calamity behind.'"

【150】

Translation: "'Hmm, a calamity?' Gu Jiu Ling lifted her gaze and stared fixedly at Zhao Lang before her."

"Gu Jiu Ling seemed to have guessed something, staring coldly at Zhao Lang: 'She wouldn't be trying to hook up with you, would she?'"

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling seemed to have guessed something, and she coldly looked at Zhao Lang: 'She wouldn't be trying to hook up with you, would she?'"

【157】

Translation: "As soon as Gu Jiu Ling's words fell, Zhao Lang's face instantly darkened, and he gritted his teeth: 'I don't know my own weight; back then I feared Jinzhi would get angry, she was pregnant, and besides being from the An family, I didn't want to say these things to Jinzhi.'"

"... besides being from the An family, I didn't want to say these things to Jinzhi."

【162】

Translation: "'Who would have thought she would become increasingly unruly in our General's Manor?'"

"... increasingly unruly in our General's Manor?"

【167】

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling snorted: 'I'll go to your General's Manor for a visit, just to see which immortal is so mighty as to dare break ground on Jinzhi's head.'"

"... to see which immortal is so mighty as to dare break ground on Jinzhi's head."

【172】

Translation: "Zhao Lang, at this point somewhat puzzled, looked at Gu Jiu Ling and said: 'What do you mean, Princess Consort? Could it be that this time Jinzhi's mishap has other causes?'"

"'What do you mean, Princess Consort? Could it be that this time Jinzhi's mishap has other causes?'"

【176】

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling looked at him and snorted: 'What do you think?'"

"The fox spirit the An family sent has arrived at your General's Manor—how could it not make a splash?"

【180】

"'The fox spirit the An family sent over has arrived at your General's Manor—how could it not cause a splash?'"

【183】

"Zhao Lang's face instantly darkened; he turned and headed outside, but Gu Jiu Ling called out to stop him."

Translation: "Zhao Lang's face instantly darkened, he turned and walked outward, but Gu Jiu Ling called out to stop his steps."

【190】

Translation: "'What can you, a man, possibly do by going? You threw Jinzhi into the inner quarters of the former dynasty and kept company with such a woman—no trouble would be strange.'"

"... you threw Jinzhi into the inner quarters of the former dynasty..."

【195】

Translation: "'Matters of the inner quarters should be handled by our inner-quarters women; you come back with me, and when necessary you must also exert the prestige of General Zhao.'"

"... you must also exert the prestige of General Zhao."

【200】

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling had been suspicious from the start; logically, Jinzhi shouldn't have prematurely delivered this early, so she must have encountered something."

"... logically, Jinzhi shouldn't have prematurely delivered this early..."

【205】

Translation: "Jinzhi is a kind-hearted, simple person, even a bit foolish."

"Jinzhi is a kind-hearted, simple person, even a bit foolish."

【210】

Translation: "Those spirits must pay a price."

"Those evil spirits must pay a price."

【215】

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling arrived at the General's Manor by carriage."

"Gu Jiu Ling arrived at the General's Manor by carriage."

【220】

Translation: "The General's Manor had long fallen into chaos; the lady of the house's life or death is unknown, and the master and mistress have gone to the countryside to mourn a death, not returning anytime soon."

"... the master and mistress have gone to the countryside to mourn a death..."

【225】

Translation: "There isn't even a steward in the manor, and now everything's in disarray."

"There isn't even a steward in the manor, and now everything's in disarray."

【230】

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling looked at the disorderly servants all around, secretly shook her head, and Zhao Lang knew that, though he commanded troops in battle, his own household was indeed a mess."

We need maybe "commanded troops in battle" as "commanded troops in battle". We'll keep.

【235】

Translation: "Moreover, Jinzhi's methods aren't harsh, and she's somewhat lax."

"Moreover, Jinzhi's methods aren't harsh, and she's somewhat lax."

【240】

Translation: "She steadied her steps, then entered the General's Manor; unexpectedly, as she just stepped inside, a young woman in a pink dress, florid and lively, came walking toward her."

"... she entered the General's Manor; unexpectedly, as she just stepped inside, a young woman in a pink dress, florid and lively, came walking toward her."

【244】

Translation: "She looked about seventeen or eighteen, yet she was extremely alluring, with tender skin and a face like peach blossoms."

"Those eyes, if not for Gu Jiu Ling knowing the truth, one might think they belonged to a young maiden who had leapt out to welcome her husband back."

Translation: "Those eyes, if Gu Jiu Ling weren't in the know, she might have thought they belonged to a young wife who had popped out to greet her husband's return."

【250】

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling's brows furrowed."

"Upon meeting Gu Jiu Ling's gaze, the woman startled and her steps halted."

Translation: "Upon meeting Gu Jiu Ling's gaze, the woman startled, her steps stopping right there."

【257】

Translation: "She snorted coldly: 'My reputation in Shang Jing isn't great; whoever provokes me won't die but will lose a layer of skin.'"

"... My reputation in Shang Jing isn't great..."

We need to output lines in that exact order.

Translation: "This woman had just been looking at Zhao Lang, and didn't notice that someone was following behind him."

Gu Jiu Ling laughed loudly and said: "Yo, which fairy sister is this?"