Chapter 220: Southward Gazing at Gui River

He spoke of it casually.

Therefore, at first, Ouyang Yan didn't even realize what had happened.

He too rarely saw so many gems, and was instantly dazzled.

"Where did you get all these gems? How could there even be something about Leitie in them... huh?"

"Wait! Leitie? Moving?"

Outsiders don't know how formidable Leitie is, but they do!

Most of the implements drawn by Du Shanü's own hand were personally forged by this person!

Formerly, Leitie forged Yuanrong crossbows in the workshop outside the city, supplying the several dozen individuals in the manor who were nominally militia but actually death warriors for their drills.

Cang Cheng alone consumes the grain and salt of two cities, yet weapons and troops remain firmly in their hands.

If Dun Cheng wants something, it can only be drawn from the rear camp of Cang Cheng, and must always pass under their eyes...

Now half the troops have been withdrawn, the treasury is bare, and they still want to take the workshops?

What kind of reasoning is this?!

Now Chinu and the Wife Master have become an item; who doesn't know about their long-term residence in Dun Cheng?

Could it be that she's been dazzled by Chinu, thinking Cang Cheng is no longer useful, and preparing to promote Dun Cheng?

How could this be allowed!

Is this a loss of weapons?

Clearly it's a loss of military authority!

What's a mere Dun Cheng, how can it be spoken of in the same breath as Cang Cheng?

Ouyang Yan's heart was greatly shaken, and for a moment he didn't notice that a cold-faced young man of similar age behind him also darkened his expression.

Ouyang Yan spoke repeatedly, hoping Du Shanü would withdraw her intention.

"Relocation is a major undertaking, let alone the workshop built by the water; if we must relocate, we not only have to halt work, find a new place, rebuild the water-powered mill, and it will be costly and delay the schedule..."

"For each day delayed, the arsenal may lose a weapon, and your future strength to contend for the world will weaken by a point."

Ouyang Yan, having managed Cang Cheng's affairs for some time, now appears capable, speaking fluently and persuasively, showing some propriety.

Tonight, the city is quiet, the deep courtyard tranquil at night.

Perhaps because Du Shanü remained silent, he also did not reveal a trace of his thoughts.

Ouyang Yan's heart could not settle; after thinking repeatedly, he finally added a probing remark.

"In my view, it would be better to let the workshop stay."

"Old clothes aren't as good as new, old friends aren't as good as old acquaintances... You may now be fond of wildflowers and grass, but sooner or later you'll have a time to settle your heart; there's no need to rush the decision now."

Wildflowers and grass

Time to settle one's heart

Every word and sentence drilled into Du Shanü's ears; in that instant, the first thing that popped into her mind was not the two words "absurd".

But rather, it was the stunning flash of color at the corner of Chinu's eyes when he is emotionally moved.

Chinu...

Chinu truly is, quite handsome.

He has a bad temper, so even in bed he is rough and violent; rather than say it's simple pleasure, it's more like he fears dying tomorrow, so he seizes the moment, wanting to pull her into a mutual ecstasy that ends in mutual destruction.

Du Shanü loves to play, though she is less spirited than Chinu; yet each time she lays down her arms, seeing Chinu's intoxicated look, her playful spirit returns.

Chinu is foolish, never knowing moderation; he insists on turning day and night upside down before he will relent.

Yet Chinu is also extraordinarily clever, scheming wholeheartedly for her; if not for his earlier plea to Afang to give it her all, and for him to forge an edict to cover for her...

Let alone her now peacefully counting the cities day by day; she fears she would have long ago been scattered in bits along the roadside, feeding dogs.

Of course, perhaps it wouldn't be so dire.

But this path is hard to tread; one misstep and she could easily fall into an abyss of no return; going alone, it surely won't be good.

And the reason she has made it this far is entirely because...

He is good, and Afang is good.

Although Afang is somewhat biased and has her own little schemes.

But Afang understands the bigger picture, has always been sincere toward her, exhausting herself to run and defend the city for her, all the way from Cang Cheng to Dun Cheng.

Even with so many people left in Cang Cheng, they still can't match the usefulness of Afang alone.

As for Chinu, there's no need to say more.

All this way for her, he has been nearly covered in wounds.

He endured humiliation everywhere, just so she could step on him to rise higher, and lift her up a bit more...

Such a person, in others' eyes, is merely 'wildflowers and grass'?

Then what scene would their so-called 'settling the heart' be?

Let her, like countless founding monarchs, ascend the throne, take in a vast harem, suspect and slaughter meritorious officials...

After a hundred years, recalling the beloved she once forced to die, would she inscribe a line: 【Southward gazing at Gui River, weeping for my departed】?

Does Chinu deserve only a single word 'old friend' for his whole life?

Where in the world could such reasoning exist?

"If Leitie doesn't go, I will go."

The city sinks into night's stillness, lights flicker out.

When Du Shanü spoke again, she only had a short sentence:

"If you all truly respect the Young Emperor as your lord, then you need not come see me anymore."

"I will set off for Dun Cheng immediately; from now on, Cang Cheng will be left to you to manipulate..."

However, let me say the unpleasant words up front: when I go this time, I and the Young Emperor will no longer be husband and wife; if one day you dare to be my enemy and we meet on the battlefield, you will not be able to protect your lord—

We need to keep the opening quote? The Chinese line includes opening quote 「 and then text, ends with em dash? Actually line ends with 「... ——". We'll translate preserving punctuation? Probably we keep the quote marks? The instruction: translate faithfully, not add or omit. So we should keep the Chinese punctuation? Usually we translate to English punctuation. But we must not add or omit meaning. The Chinese line includes 「 at start and —— at end. We'll translate content and keep the quote marks? The instruction says output translation; we can use English quotation marks. But we must not add explanatory words. I'd keep the opening 「 as " and closing? Actually line ends with —— (em dash) no closing quote. We'll reflect that: start with " and end with —? Might be okay. Safer: keep the Chinese quote marks? But they said translate to English. I'll use English double quotes at start and end with em dash.

Thus: "However, let me say the unpleasant words up front: when I go this time, I and the Young Emperor will no longer be husband and wife; if one day you dare to be my enemy and we meet on the battlefield, you will not be able to protect your lord—"

But need to keep meaning exactly. Let's translate sentence by sentence.

Original: However, let me say the unpleasant words up front: when I go this time, I and the Young Emperor will no longer be husband and wife; if one day you dare to be my enemy and we meet on the battlefield, you will not be able to protect your lord—

Breakdown: However, let me say the unpleasant words up front,

when I go this time,

I and the Young Emperor will no longer be husband and wife,

if one day you dare to be my enemy,

when we meet on the battlefield,

you will not be able to protect your lord—

We'll produce: "However, let me say the unpleasant words up front: when I go this time, I and the Young Emperor will no longer be husband and wife; if one day you dare to be my enemy and we meet on the battlefield, you will not be able to protect your lord—"

Make sure to keep the em dash at end.

I might also not hesitate to strike."

I might also not hesitate to strike

These words were extremely harsh; not only did Ouyang Yan and Yu Lue finally change expression in alarm, but even the many servants who had followed from Dun City to this place all realized something was wrong...

Translation: These words were spoken extremely harshly; not to mention Ouyang Yan and Yu Lve finally changed expression wildly, and even the servants who followed from Dun Cheng to this place all realized something was wrong...... We need to keep ellipsis. Use... maybe three dots. Keep the Chinese ellipsis? We'll use....

Thus: These words were spoken extremely harshly; not to mention Ouyang Yan and Yu Lve finally changed expression wildly, and even the servants who followed from Dun Cheng to this place all realized something was wrong...

Earlier they said it was just delivering a box, but they didn't say the situation would be this serious!!

Translation: Earlier they said it was just delivering a box, but they also didn't say the situation would be this serious?! Keep punctuation:?! We'll translate: Earlier they said it was just delivering a box, but they also didn't say the situation would be this serious?!

Yu Lue stepped forward, his composed, solemn face growing extremely grim; he was clearly about to speak, but Ouyang Yan beat him to it.

Translation: Yu Lve stepped forward, his composed and solemn face showing an extremely grave expression, clearly about to speak, but Ouyang Yan got ahead of him.

Ouyang Yan waved his hand, signaling the servants moving the box to retreat; when he spoke again, his voice had obviously changed tone.

Translation: Ouyang Yan waved his hand to signal the servants moving the box to retreat; when he spoke again, his voice obviously changed tone:

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Translation: "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"Before, you indulged in the beauty of that foolish slave, and we never said anything; now we merely offered a word of advice—why are you so furious?"

Translation: "Before, you were indulged in Chinu's beauty; we never said anything extra, but now we merely gave a word of advice—why are you so angry?"

"The Young Emperor is truly your match; a mere foolish slave is not worth the dignity you give him—what could possibly deserve your..."

Translation: "The Young Emperor and you are a good match; as for Chinu, just a nobody, giving you a little face is enough—what is there worth your......"

Note the ellipsis at end.

He failed to notice the sudden chill in the atmosphere, continuing to chatter on, listing pros and cons to himself, completely unaware of the cold intent gathering in Du Shanu's eyes.

Translation: He did not notice the surrounding atmosphere suddenly turning cold; he continued to chatter on, obliviously weighing the pros and cons, completely unaware of the layers of chill settling in Du Shanü's eyes.

Du Shanu said nothing, her fingertips already touching the hidden Zhongyong crossbow at her waist.

Translation: Du Shanü remained silent, her fingertips already touching the hidden Yuanrong crossbow at her waist.

She moved swiftly and decisively, without a hint of hesitation—raising her hand, drawing the bow, and pulling the trigger in one fluid motion.

Translation: Her motion was swift and decisive, without a hint of hesitation—raising her hand, drawing the string, pulling the trigger in one fluid motion.

The fierce arrow shot out; Yu Lue's face changed, he stepped forward and grabbed Ouyang Yan's shoulder; in the next instant, the arrow whizzed past Ouyang Yan's neck.

Translation: The fierce arrow shot out, Yu Lve's expression changed, he stepped forward and grabbed Ouyang Yan's shoulder; in the next instant, the arrow whizzed past Ouyang Yan's neck—

"Whoosh!"

Translation: "Whoosh!"

In the next instant, tiny beads of blood seeped from Ouyang Yan's neck, forming a thin line, and the icy arrow wind made his skin go numb.

Translation: In the next instant, tiny beads of blood seeped out along Ouyang Yan's neck skin, drawing a faint line; the icy arrow wind made his flesh go numb.

Ouyang Yan's words were cut off abruptly; his whole body tensed suddenly, and his back was instantly drenched in cold sweat.

Translation: Ouyang Yan's voice cut off abruptly, his whole body stiffened violently, and his back was instantly drenched in cold sweat.

A great fear washed over him, his legs trembling slightly, until he finally realized who stood before him...

Translation: A great fear swept over him, his legs trembled slightly, and he finally came to his senses— the person before him...

This time, it seems they really mean it!

Translation: This time, it seems for real!

Du Shanu's anger had been burning all along; now that she had loosed the crossbow, it actually calmed down.

Translation: Du Shanü's anger had been burning all along; now that the crossbow had been fired, it actually calmed down.

The world seemed dim; she curled her lip in a cold smile, scorning this place:

Translation: The heavens and earth dim; she curled her lip in a cold smile, scorning this place:

"I understand, I understand everything..."

Translation: "I understand, I understand......"

"It turns out I was too lenient with you before."

Translation: "It turns out I gave you too many pleasant expressions before."

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