Chapter 318

Extra: The Rowdy Neighbor Song Three

Extra: The Rowdy Neighbor Song Three

Consort Zhang and Nie Jinxuan are both shrewd people. I hadn't thought of it before, but a slight hint made me understand right away.

Translation: "Zhang Guifei and Nie Jinxuan are both shrewd people. Earlier I hadn't thought of it, but a slight hint made me understand immediately."

I hadn't thought of it before, but a slight hint made me understand right away.

We'll produce: "Zhang Guifei and Nie Jinxuan are both shrewd people. I hadn't thought of it before, but a slight hint made me understand right away."

As for Jingwen Jin, she certainly didn't want to get involved in the mess at Prince Gong's mansion. She's not idle, and besides, this is ultimately Prince Gong's affair; as an outsider she truly has no right to meddle. Moreover, as Consort Zhang said, Yin Fengxuan is a good‑for‑nothing, wandering around all day, and his brain is just a blockhead. For someone so clueless, she really doesn't have the energy to manage him.

Translation: "As for Jin Jingwen, she naturally didn't want to meddle in the Gong Wangfu's messy affairs! She wasn't idle, and besides, this was ultimately the Gong Wangfu's business; as an outsider she truly had no right to point fingers. Moreover, as Zhang Guifei said, Yin Fengxuan is a good-for-nothing, idling about all day, his brain is a blockhead, and for someone so clueless, she certainly wouldn't waste her time managing him."

We need to keep tone. Let's produce: "As for Jin Jingwen, she naturally didn't want to meddle in the Gong Wangfu's messy affairs! She wasn't idle, and besides, this was ultimately the Gong Wangfu's business; as an outsider she truly had no right to point fingers. Moreover, as Zhang Guifei said, Yin Fengxuan is a good-for-nothing, idling about all day, his brain is a blockhead, and for someone so clueless, she certainly wouldn't waste her time managing him."

So upon hearing this, Jingwen Jin was instantly dumbfounded.

Translation: "So upon hearing this, Jin Jingwen was instantly dumbfounded!"

Holy crap! No way!

Translation: "Holy shit! No way!"

I came to file a complaint, not to wipe that bastard's ass!

Translation: "I came to file a complaint, not to wipe that bastard's ass!"

Jingwen Jin felt upset, but at this moment it was awkward to bluntly say she wouldn't get involved. So after collecting herself a bit, she pursed her lips and spoke somewhat tactfully.

Translation: "Jin Jingwen felt depressed, but at this moment it was awkward to outright say she wouldn't get involved. So after composing herself slightly, she pursed her lips and then spoke somewhat tactfully."

"Your Ladyship the Noble Consort, this matter might be inappropriate, after all Prince Gong is a royal relative and nobility, while I am merely a servant girl; any praise I receive is due to the Emperor, Sister Jinxuan, and your favor. Therefore, having me handle this would be…"

Translation: "\"Senior Consort, this probably isn't appropriate, after all Prince Gong is a royal relative, a noble of the heavenly lineage, while Jingwen is merely a subject lady; her speaking up is only due to the favor of the Emperor, Elder Sister Nie Jinxuan, and your own high regard. So letting Jingwen handle this matter…\""

We need to keep quotes. We'll keep the Chinese quotation marks? We'll replace with English quotes.

"Besides, even if we step back, even if I were willing, this is still clearly a private matter of Prince Gong's household; if I interfered without cause, I'd fear inviting gossip. And even Prince Gong himself would probably…"

Translation: "\"Besides, even if we step back, even if Jingwen were willing, this matter is clearly a private affair of Prince Gong's household; if she interfered, lacking a proper reason, she'd surely invite outside gossip. And even Prince Gong himself would likely…\""

Jingwen Jin may not be old, but she is smart. Speaking honestly, even if she wanted to intervene, it wouldn't be appropriate. After all, no matter how reckless Yin Fengxuan is, he remains the emperor's beloved brother, a person of high status. If she meddles lightly it accomplishes nothing; if she meddles heavily she'll surely offend someone. Thus, she cannot agree to get involved in this matter.

Translation: "Jin Jingwen isn't old, but she's smart. Speaking honestly, even if she wanted to intervene, it wouldn't be easy to get involved. After all, no matter how reckless Yin Fengxuan is, he's still the emperor's own younger brother, his status is noble. Handling it lightly would accomplish nothing; handling it heavily would surely offend someone. Therefore, no matter how you calculate it, she cannot agree!"

What Jingwen Jin thought wasn't without reason. However, since she is quite close to Nie Jinxuan and Consort Zhang, her refusal sounded overly roundabout, which wasn't good. So she instead spoke plainly.

Translation: "Jin Jingwen's thoughts weren't unreasonable. But since she's become quite close with Nie Jinxuan and Zhang Guifei, putting her refusal in such a roundabout way would be counterproductive. So she instead laid things out plainly."

As for Jingwen Jin's concerns and thoughts, Consort Zhang and Nie Jinxuan naturally understood as well. Upon hearing her, Nie Jinxuan remained silent, merely smiling and glancing toward Consort Zhang. Before Consort Zhang could speak, the opposing Yun Princess Chen Yan'er interjected.

Translation: "As for Jin Jingwen's concerns and thoughts, Zhang Guifei and Nie Jinxuan naturally understood as well, so upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan said nothing, merely smiling and glancing toward Zhang Guifei beside her; before Zhang Guifei could speak, the opposite Princess Consort Yun Chen Yan'er interjected with a line."

"Jingwen, hearing you say that makes me feel more distant. And what's this about nobility? Yes, the Sixth Prince is noble, but so what? We don't treat you as an outsider! Besides, although I didn't decide this matter, if I were to speak up, I think your idea of Shu Yun is good! Moreover, this really needs you; nobody else could handle it."

Translation: "\"Jingwen, hearing you say this makes me feel more and more distant. What's with all this 'heavenly nobility' talk? Yes, the Sixth Prince is heavenly nobility, but so what? We don't consider you an outsider! Besides, although I didn't decide this matter myself, if we're being honest, I think Shui Yun's idea is not bad! And frankly, this matter really needs you; no one else could handle it. \""

This woman Chen Yan'er is quite interesting! Her mind isn't exceptionally sharp, but she's a straightforward type who dares to love and hate. When she first met Zhen Xiao Lian, she felt Zhen Xiao Lian treated her well, so even though she knew Zhen Xiao Lian sometimes used her, she was willing to speak up for her and attack Nie Jinxuan. But after learning how vicious Zhen Xiao Lian actually was, a single thought made her wish to grind Zhen Xiao Lian to ashes and scatter them… In short, she's the type who repays a little respect with massive vengeance. But if you truly betray her, she'll certainly drag you down with her, even if it means her own body is shattered.

This woman Chen Yan'er is quite interesting! Her mind isn't exceptionally sharp, but she's a straightforward type who dares to love and hate. When she first met Zhen Xiao Lian, she thought Zhen Xiao Lian treated her well, so even though she knew Zhen Xiao Lian sometimes used her, she was willing to speak up for her and attack Nie Jinxuan. But after learning how vicious Zhen Xiao Lian actually was, a single thought made her wish to grind Zhen Xiao Lian to ashes and scatter them… In short, she's the type who repays a little respect with massive vengeance. But if you truly betray her, she'll certainly drag you down with her, even if it means her own body is shattered.

So, after entering with Nie Jinxuan and the others, Chen Yan'er was no longer the type to hold back; upon hearing Jingwen Jin say that, she immediately jumped in.

Translation: "So ever since she walked in with Nie Jinxuan and the others, Chen Yan'er hasn't been the type to hold back; thus hearing Jin Jingwen say this, she immediately blurted out without thinking!"

Although Chen Yan'er's remark was blunt, upon reflection it's also correct. Consider that Jingwen Jin's past deeds aren't known to outsiders, but everyone present—especially Consort Zhang and Nie Jinxuan—knows the truth. Though Jingwen Jin appears frank and even a bit careless on the surface, she is actually perceptive and shrewd, and most importantly, she dares to act. Thus, looking across the capital, there really is no one more suitable than Jingwen Jin.

Translation: "Although Chen Yan'er's words were blunt, upon reflection they are also correct. Consider this: Jin Jingwen's past deeds are unknown to outsiders, but everyone present here knows the score, especially Zhang Guifei and Nie Jinxuan. Though Jin Jingwen appears frank and even a bit carefree on the surface, she is actually perceptive and scheming, and more importantly, she dares to act! Thinking this way, scanning the capital, there really is no one more suitable than Jin Jingwen!"

Thus, Chen Yan'er's interjection not only didn't annoy anyone, it actually earned everyone's agreement. Consort Zhang then raised her eyebrows with a smile and said to Jingwen Jin:

Translation: "Thus, Chen Yan'er's meddling not only didn't annoy anyone, it actually earned everyone's approval. Zhang Guifei even raised her eyebrows in a smile and then said to Jin Jingwen:"

"Look, look, I hadn't even spoken yet and someone already chimed in! So Jingwen, don't refuse! Also, Jingwen, you should know that my speaking up like this shows I have confidence in you. Of course, I understand your concerns, but I truly have no other option now, so please just help me out…"

Translation: "\"Look, look, I hadn't even spoken yet and someone already spoke up! So Jingwen, don't refuse! Besides, Jingwen, you should know that I'm able to say this because I have high hopes for you. Of course, I understand your concerns, but I truly have no other option now, so please just help me out…\""

……

Translation: "……"

Having said that, Consort Zhang left Jingwen Jin little room to object, even if she was unwilling. Nevertheless, Jingwen Jin extracted a few promises, had Nie Jinxuan inform Yin Fengzhan, said a few more words, and then left.

Translation: "After Zhang Guifei put it that way, even if Jin Jingwen was unwilling, she couldn't well say more. Even so, she extracted a few guarantees, had Nie Jinxuan inform Yin Fengzhan, then said a few more words and left."

Jingwen Jin had come intending to file a complaint. She had thought that even if she couldn't move out, she could at least have Consort Zhang discipline her son properly, but she never imagined it would end up like this!

Translation: "Jin Jingwen had come with the intention of filing a complaint. She had thought that even if she couldn't move out, she at least wanted Zhang Guifei to properly discipline her son, but she never imagined it would end up like this!"

Mary next door!

Translation: "Mary next door!"

I came to the palace to find someone to clean up that pile of crap, but somehow it ended up on me!

Translation: "I came into the palace looking for someone to clean up that pile of shit, yet somehow it ended up on me?!"

Jingwen Jin was utterly vexed, her little face falling. But after a moment's thought, realizing things were as they were, she could only grit her teeth and press on.

Translation: "Jin Jingwen was extremely upset, her little face fell. But after a second thought, since things are now like this, she could only grit her teeth and press on!"

Jingwen Jin is a very pragmatic person, so after a brief bout of regret she started thinking about how she would clean up that pile of feces next door, plus his broken shoes and rotten socks. But before she could even devise a plan—or even figure out how to approach the neighbor about the mess—the pile of crap showed up at her door first!

Translation: "Jin Jingwen is a very pragmatic person, so after only a brief bout of regret she began thinking about how she would later clean up that pile of shit next door, plus those torn shoes and ragged socks in his yard! But before she could even figure out a plan, or even how to approach that pile of shit next door about it, the pile of shit showed up at her door first!"

Yin Fengxuan has been feeling somewhat depressed lately, and the reason is rather infuriating: he suddenly realized that the people around him have actually improved!

Translation: "Yin Fengxuan has been feeling somewhat depressed lately, and the reason for his depression is rather pitiful: he suddenly discovered that the people around him had actually improved!"

Of course, not everyone has improved—just a few scattered individuals—but even so, this notorious little tyrant of the capital is still quite dissatisfied!

Translation: "Of course, not everyone had improved, just a few scattered individuals, but even so, this famous little tyrant of the capital was still quite dissatisfied!"

Our pigtail-wearing imperial father has seven sons in total; aside from the youngest, an underage potato, there are six. Since the palace coup three years ago, Crown Prince Yin Fenghan ascended the throne but died shortly after, and the second prince killed himself in prison. Counting myself, that leaves only four of us.

Translation: "His father, the emperor who wears his hair in a braid, has seven sons in total; aside from the youngest, an underage little potato, there are only six. Since the palace coup three years ago, the Crown Prince Yin FengHan died shortly after taking the throne, and the Second Prince killed himself in the heavenly prison. Counting that, plus himself, only four remain!"

Among these four brothers, the fourth brother, who grew up wearing the same pants as me, became emperor—he's either busy with state affairs or constantly accompanying his empress, so naturally he has no time for me. The fifth brother has always been an oddity among the royalty, wanting to wander about whenever he can, refusing to be a carefree prince and instead insisting on being a wandering martial hero. And since three years ago, when he met some whip‑wielding fiery lass in a mountain ravine, he's basically vanished from sight.

Translation: "Among these four brothers, the Fourth Prince, who grew up wearing the same pants as him, became emperor and spends all his time either busy with state affairs or circling around his empress wife—needless to say, he has no time to attend to him. The Fifth Prince, from childhood, has been an oddity of the imperial family, always wanting to wander off on cloud‑roaming adventures instead of properly being a carefree prince, insisting on becoming a wandering martial hero! And since who knows when he met a whip‑wielding fiery lass in some mountain gully three years ago, he's basically vanished from sight!"

Doing the math, only the third brother, Yin Fengjin, remains. Although he grew up alongside the detested crown prince, he has now largely reformed. Moreover, with brothers now limited to just him, there's no one else for him to rely on.

Translation: "That leaves only the Third Prince, Yin Fengjin. Although this Third Prince used to hang out with the detested Crown Prince, he has now basically reformed. Moreover, since he's the only brother left, there's no one for him to pick on."

Yin Fengxuan may be uncouth, but his nature is still pure. He embodies the spirit of brothers who fight tigers together and fathers and sons who go to war side by side. Moreover, the third brother isn't a vegetarian either; like the fourth brother he's a wife‑man, unable to visit brothels, but they can still find other pastimes to enjoy together… Who would have thought that after the fourth brother took the throne, this guy would also become ambitious, occasionally going out on imperial envoy tours? I initially thought he was just causing trouble, but later I realized he's actually quite effective at it!

Translation: "Yin Fengxuan may be eccentric, but his nature is still pure. He inherently believes in brothers who fight tigers together and fathers and sons who go to war side by side. Moreover, the Third Prince isn't a vegetarian either; like the Fourth Prince he's a wife‑slave who can't visit brothels, but they can still find other fun to have together… Who would have thought that after the Fourth Prince ascended the throne, this guy actually became proactive, occasionally taking an imperial envoy's title to go out and tour the capital? I initially thought he was just causing trouble, but later discovered he was actually doing quite well!"

Now Yin Fengxuan felt a bit uneasy, but it didn't matter—even if his brothers abandoned him, he still had his master, the Fifth Imperial Uncle, keeping him company, so he thought it wasn't too bad. But he never expected that, ever since the Fifth Imperial Uncle took in an adopted daughter recently, he'd completely changed! Every time Yin Fengxuan went to see him, the uncle would mutter:

Oh dear, things are different now that I have a daughter—I can't go on messing around, or else I'll embarrass my daughter in front of her in-laws!

The Fifth Imperial Uncle's words were righteous and noble! But hearing them, Yin Fengxuan felt utterly terrible.

Holy shit!

This is all wrong! Fifth Imperial Uncle, what are you trying to do?!

Yin Fengxuan was dumbfounded, and couldn't help thinking to himself, 'Fifth Imperial Uncle, do you even have the words "lose face" in your dictionary? After all these years, are you sure you're saying this now just to mess with me?'

But no matter what Yin Fengxuan thought, that was the reality. And the Fifth Imperial Uncle really did restrain himself a lot. Yet this left Yin Fengxuan feeling utterly depressed.

The royal brothers are out of the picture, and even my master the Fifth Imperial Uncle won't come out… Damn it, how the hell am I supposed to have a good time with you guys now?!

Of course, aside from those royal connections, he still had some fair-weather friends, but even so, they couldn't make up for the emptiness in Yin Fengxuan's heart.

……

And if that were all, it would be fine. I don't know what's been going on lately, but the women in the Houyuaner have been making a nonstop fuss, each turning into a little vixen, pulling out their little tricks. At first Yin Fengxuan thought it was not bad, but after seeing it for a while, it's always the same few things, and he started to feel bored! And that boredom brought the gloom back.

But even though he had been feeling depressed and bored to excess, Yin Fengxuan never expected something like this to happen in his own Houyuaner.

As it turned out, the woman who died today was named Lv Ping, a concubine who had just been brought into the Houyuaner. She came from a humble family, but she was quite attractive, and Yin Fengxuan had taken a liking to her not long ago. However, he later discovered that this little minx was unsettled at home, fluttering her eyes at anyone for no reason, and on top of that she had taken a new lover outside, so he had cast her out of his mind.

Brothers are like limbs, women like clothes—that's always been Yin Fengxuan's rule of conduct! Even so, when it came to clothes, he wouldn't go to extremes; at worst he'd just keep them in the Houyuaner… But he never imagined that only a few days had passed—this early this morning, while he was still asleep, someone came in to tell him that Lv Ping had died!

Died?!

Damn it! Is this for real?!

For a moment Yin Fengxuan was dazed, then he hastily put on his clothes and ran to the West Garden. As soon as he arrived and looked up…… My goodness! Lv Ping was hanging there, swaying from the tree, her face deathly pale, her clothes disheveled—she clearly had no breath left!

Now Yin Fengxuan felt completely awful. Although he had seen dead people before, and even wielded a knife to slash people during the palace coup, that was ultimately different. So seeing Lv Ping's swaying corpse right now, he only felt his legs go weak, and he stood there dumbfounded, not knowing what to do.

And just as Yin Fengxuan's confusion peaked, a lion's roar suddenly came from the neighboring wall, and before he could even regain his senses, a shoe flew and smacked him in the face!

Holy shit!

This time Yin Fengxuan was really fuming!

Although he hadn't caught the earlier words, he had heard the line 'Old lady, I'm not done with you!' Yin Fengxuan glared upward, only to find no one on the wall. He then grabbed the steward and demanded an explanation, learning that the one who had roared at him like a lion was none other than the newly moved-in neighbor, the fourth miss of the Jin family, Jin Jingwen—who was also the former Qionghua Princess!

……

Actually, Yin Fengxuan knew very little about Jin Jingwen. All he knew was that she was from the Jin family; during the exile she had fled and managed to save her life, then, through sheer luck, she met the Prince and Princess of Tiancheng's Xuanwang, became their adopted daughter, and obtained a princess title! As for what Jin Jingwen did later when she came to Dongling and in the palace, he had no idea.

Of course, saying this is a bit strange. Yin Fengxuan has always liked beautiful women. Except for a few special ones—like his sister-in-law the Empress, whose upright aura could knock him flat—he basically takes everything that comes his way. Even if he can't touch them, just looking is nice. And Jin Jingwen, by all accounts, is a real beauty, but for some reason, even though he's seen her a few times, the only impressions he has are those two encounters, and they weren't very deep.

As for the Jin family moving in next door to his Wangfu, Yin Fengxuan had heard about it before, but he had never paid it much mind. Only after being loudly berated by Jin Jingwen today and having a shoe thrown at his face did it finally dawn on him!

As for the Jin family moving next door to his own Wangfu, Yin Fengxuan had heard about it before, but he never took it seriously—until today, when Jin Jingwen yelled at him violently and even threw a shoe at his face, did he finally realize it fully!

Now, Yin Fengxuan's anger also flared up!

Damn it!

You dare to call me an old lady to my face and not say anything, and then you even dare to talk big to me, saying it's not over?!

Just saying it's not over would be bad enough, but you even dare to throw a broken shoe at your own face?!

Yin Fengxuan felt he had lost face. In a flash of anger, he actually forgot to take down the duckweed that had been hanging and swaying on the tree for who knows how long, and he didn't even notice the shoe that had struck his face, which was the duckweed's. He then rushed out of the Wangfu in a flustered manner, turned a corner, and kicked the Jin family's main gate.

But by then, Jin Jingwen had already gone to the palace to lodge a complaint ahead of him. The Jin family's gate was opened by a newly hired doorman; upon opening the door and seeing the visitor, he found it was that annoying spoiled Prince from next door, and he was also startled. Moreover, without waiting for the doorman to speak, the furious Yin Fengxuan had already kicked open the gate and stormed in.

Yin Fengxuan came holding in his anger. But after wandering around the Jin family residence like a whirlwind, he found that Jin Jingwen was not there. Fortunately, the Jin family's steward Liang Xu was perceptive; seeing that things were not good, he beforehand had a reliable servant take Jin Liangyu out the back, to avoid being caught by this little ancestor Yin Fengxuan and causing trouble.

So, after wandering around the Jin residence and finding neither Jin Jingwen nor anyone in charge, Yin Fengxuan's anger flared up again. He immediately had someone bring a chair and sat at the front hall entrance, determined to wait for Jin Jingwen's return and settle the score with her.

So when Jin Jingwen returned, as soon as she entered the residence, she saw Yin Fengxuan sitting there like an elder, fuming. Her pretty face instantly fell, and she walked straight over to him.

At that moment, perhaps hearing the commotion, Yin Fengxuan also looked up, and upon seeing that Jin Jingwen had returned, he let out a cold snort and then stared at her, saying:

"Miss Jin, you really have guts, daring to throw a shoe at this Prince's face... heh, I think you're tired of living!"

……

Yin Fengxuan's words carried weight and were quite impactful!

Of course, if it had been back when he first came over, Yin Fengxuan's pig‑shit‑for‑brains would never have thought of this. But after waiting for Jin Jingwen at the Jin residence for so long, with all that extra time, even if he were denser, he would have worked out the wording, and now that he's spoken it, the effect is naturally not bad.

So upon hearing this, the steward Liang Xu beside him suddenly panicked. After all, what Yin Fengxuan said was true—assaulting a royal relative could cost one's head. But who would have thought that, just as Jin Jingwen walked through the gate, she merely glanced at Yin Fengxuan coldly and then let out a cold snort.

"Throwing a shoe at your face? Heh, fine, Your Highness, you say I threw that shoe at your face?"