Chapter 56: with translation of chapter title

If we go by that person's earlier words, then......

Translation: If following that person's earlier words, then...... (The Chinese ends with ellipsis). We need to preserve ellipsis. So: If following that person's earlier words, then...... (maybe "If following that person's earlier words, then......").

But we need to be natural:... -> English, no Chinese, skip.

Labour, movement, union, sameness?

These are four characters maybe meaning "labor, move, unite, same?" Probably they are words: "Labor, move, unite, same?" Keep punctuation. Translation: "Labor, move, unite, same?" Keep commas and question mark.

Chinu narrowed eyes, recalling the four characters in mind.

Translation: Chinu narrowed his eyes... -> English, skip.

Although I don't know why it's phrased this way, but given their day-and-night spying on this woman's secret, they also gradually could understand her thinking.

We need to use pronouns according to guide?... -> English, skip.

they also gradually could understand her thinking.

Yes.

Translation: "Yes."

I can't guess what comes next, but I can understand.

Translation: "Cannot guess the next step, but can understand."

Although this woman has extraordinary talent in many areas, she obviously lacks much common sense.

Translation: "Although this woman has extraordinary talent in many areas, she is clearly lacking in much common sense."

For example, not understanding how the officials who have lingered for millennia in the imperial hall operate, they think a single indenture contract can trap the other party......

Translation: "For example, not understanding how the bureaucrats who have lingered for thousands of years atop the imperial halls operate and circulate, merely thinking that a single indenture contract could trap the other party......"

We need to keep ellipsis.

Although buying and selling status now passes official inspection, a trace remains on the public record.

Translation: "Nowadays, although buying and selling identities requires official verification, the verification will leave a trace."

But honestly, if someone truly wants to escape, who still cares about the indenture contract?

Translation: "But speaking honestly, if one truly wants to flee, who still cares about an indenture contract?"

As long as they have money, they can relocate, regain identity, and get a new public certificate— for people like them, how could this not be as easy as turning over one's hand?

Translation: "As long as there is money, changing places to regain identity, obtaining a new verification, for people like them, how could it not be as easy as turning over one's hand?"

Nowadays, it's nothing more than temporarily saving face.

Translation: "Nowadays, it is merely a temporary loss of face."

"Yes, but......"

Translation: "\"But, but...... \""

Chinu couldn't care less; Chen Weifang wants to speak but holds back, then wants to speak again— their expression is a rare bewilderment:

Translation: "Chinu was completely indifferent, Chen Weifang wanted to speak but stopped, stopped then wanted to speak again, her expression a rare bewilderment:"

We need to keep colon at end.

"I want face!"

Translation: "\"I want face! \"" (or "I want face!"). Keep exclamation.

"Chinu: "......""

Translation: "Chinu: \"...... \""

Whether to speak or not, normally you don't see that I want face.

Translation: "Should I say it or not? Usually I didn't notice you wanting face."

Court officials can be poisoned; is it too late to say these things now?

Translation: "Imperial Court officials can be poisoned to death; is it too late to say these things now?"

The disdain on the friend's face is too obvious; although they say nothing, it seems they've already said everything clearly.

Translation: "The contempt on the friends' faces was all too obvious; although they didn't speak, it seemed they had already said everything cleanly."

Chen Weifang now can't keep composure, standing up and pacing around the table:

Translation: "Chen Weifang, at this moment also unable to maintain composure, stood up and paced around the table:"

"Don't think I can't tell! You all want to sign the indenture contract; surely most of you initially used false identities?"

Translation: "\"Don't think I can't tell! You all willingly sign indenture contracts; surely most of you started with false identities? \""

"I guess, I guess...... The young emperor must have fallen here only after hiding their name and identity long ago; otherwise they would have been caught by Yuan Lang ages ago; and you, for years, have been eager to shed the name and identity of Chinu."

Translation: "\"I guess, I guess...... The Young Emperor could have ended up here only after having long concealed his name and identity; otherwise he would have been caught by Yuan Lang long ago. And you, all these years you have been eager to discard the name and identity of Chinu. \""

"You can all fake things; what can I do? My parents, while alive, all hoped I would rise above others!"

Translation: "\"You all can falsify things; what am I to do? My parents, while alive, certainly hoped I would rise above others! \""

So at first they said, this is absolutely an unacceptable condition.

So at first they said, this is absolutely an unacceptable condition.

They and people like Chinu have never concealed their ruthlessness, nor their desire for the Wise Lord, for fame and profit.

They and people like Chinu have never concealed their ruthlessness, nor their desire for the Wise Lord, for fame and profit.

However, they differ from Chinu in a significant way.

However, they differ from Chinu in a significant way.

That is, they can endure the world's contempt toward them, but cannot endure, after a hundred years in the underworld, their parents asking them:

That is, they can endure the world's contempt toward them, but cannot endure, after a hundred years in the underworld, their parents asking them:

"A-Fang, your parents told you to read the sages' books; how could you sell yourself into slavery?"

We need to keep quotes. Translation: "\"Afang, your parents told you to study the sages' books; how did you end up selling yourself into slavery? \""

"This isn't a joke, is it?"

Translation: "Isn't this a joke!"

Chen Weifang is filled with anguish and shame for failing to uphold their integrity in later years.

Translation: "Chen Weifang was full of grief and indignation, as well as shame for not preserving her integrity in later years."

In this moment, they determined one thing——

In this moment, they determined one thing——

That young lady who climbs through the window at the slightest disagreement is truly their calamity.

That young lady who climbs through the window at the slightest disagreement is truly his calamity.

Before meeting her, their days in the past thirty-seven years, even if encountering demotion, could all be considered a smooth path!

Before meeting them, the first thirty‑seven years of their life, even though they had suffered demotions, were all smooth sailing.

Chen Weifang paced around the desk nonstop, turning left three times, right three times:

Chen Weifang walked around the desk nonstop, turning left three times, right three times:

Translation: "Chen Weifang kept pacing around the desk, three circles left, three circles right:"

"If you hadn't signed earlier, I could have refused outright; but now that you all have signed, I find it hard to refuse......"

Translation: "\"If you hadn't signed earlier, I would have had grounds to refuse; but now that you all have signed, I find it hard to decline...... \""

"But if you sign, then afterward I will have no face to face my ancestors......"

Translation: "\"But if I sign, from now on I will have no face to meet my ancestors...... \""

"But if you don't sign, then if you later rebel without bringing me, what should I do......"

Translation: "\"But if I don't sign, if you later rebel without taking me, what then...... \""

"My high office, my generous stipend, my riches and delicacies......"

Translation: "\"My high office, my generous stipend, my yellow intestines and mixed offerings...... \""

They paced faster and more urgently, Chinu grew annoyed from being circled, and the temperament that had gradually become broad-minded and peaceful from taking medicine these past days once again became impatient.

They paced faster and more urgently, Chinu grew annoyed from being circled, and the temperament that had gradually become broad‑minded and peaceful from taking medicine these past days once again became impatient.

Chinu frowned, their already gloomy brows and eyes deepening further.

Translation: "Chinu frowned, their originally gloomy brows and eyes becoming even more profound."

"...... Sooner or later I'll give you three cuts and six wounds."

Translation: "\"...... Sooner or later I'll give you three cuts and six holes. \""

Chen Weifang was somewhat reluctant, but after pondering for a long time, they still ended up sitting back at the desk feeling dejected.

Translation: "Chen Weifang was somewhat unwilling, but after prolonged deliberation, still somewhat listlessly sat back behind the desk:"

"Wait until next time."

Translation: "\"Wait until next time. \""

"Anyway, if that female lord wants to contend for the world, they definitely need a place to build their base; as long as they don't abandon Shang City, I, as a chief clerk in the county office, will still have an opportunity next time."

Translation: "\"In any case, if that female lead wants to contend for the world, she must have a place to build her fortune; as long as I do not abandon Cang Cheng, serving as Chief Clerk in the Xian Xie, I will have another chance next time. \""

If the other party again sees their talent, then perhaps next time the initiative will be in their hands, and there will be no need to speak of any 'indenture contract'.

If the other party again sees their talent, then perhaps next time the initiative will be in their hands, and there will be no need to speak of any 'indenture contract'.

However, if we talk about this......

Translation: "However, if speaking of this......"

Now thinking about it, the last time they came to seek them seemed to be the best opportunity.

Now thinking about it, the last time they came to seek them seemed to be the best opportunity.

Those people at that time kept addressing them as 'Mr.', full of respect......

Translation: "At that time they respectfully addressed them as 'sir' repeatedly, full of reverence......"

Chen Weifang covered their face, wiped away a nonexistent bitter tear, then casually said:

Translation: "Chen Weifang covered their face, wiped away a nonexistent bitter tear, then casually said:"

"You once served three masters; now you can all not abandon the female lord...... I definitely can too, it's just a matter of being later."

Translation: "\"You once served three masters in the past; now you can all abandon the female lead...... I certainly can as well, it's just a matter of being later. \""

They are not the least bit upset, absolutely not!

They are not the least bit upset, absolutely not!

Chen Weifang sighed, picked up the pen, preparing to continue official duties, but before they could put pen to paper, they felt a chilling, yin-filled aura from the person beside them.

Chen Weifang sighed, picked up the pen, preparing to continue official duties, but before they could put pen to paper, they felt a chilling, yin‑filled aura from the person beside them.

In a breath, the ink fell, a dot landed on the xuan paper.

Translation: "In a single breath, ink fell, a drop landing on the xuan paper."

Chen Weifang gradually eased their expression of deep hatred and grudge, after pondering for a long time, then they cautiously asked:

Translation: "Chen Weifang gradually eased their expression of deep hatred, after pondering for a long time, then cautiously asked:"

"You haven't yet told the female lord about past events, have you?"

Translation: "\"You haven't, have you, still not told the female lead about past events? \""

Chinu's brows and eyes still full of gloom, they let out a cold laugh.

Translation: "Chinu's brows and eyes remained grim, they let out a cold laugh."

"I already told you, I don't acknowledge her as lord; why bring up old matters?"

Translation: "\"I already told you, I have not acknowledged her as master; why bring up old matters? \""

The fresh proclamation is pure and spotless; the handwriting is elegant and dignified.

Translation: "The fresh xuan paper is pure and unblemished, the brushwork elegant and dignified."

But once the ink stain falls, there is no room for change.

Translation: "But once the ink stain falls, there is no room for change."

Chen Weifang stared at the irredeemable ink stain, then simply re‑inked her brush and, stroke by stroke, traced over the former lines, wiping away every trace of the past.

The earlier laughter and noise have already passed.

This scholar, reminiscent of Gu Yue, has regained his composure and lightness between his brows.

"Such matters are better done early, not late."

"Otherwise, once the female lead stabilizes her foundation, she will eventually learn of your past."

Chinu did not sneer this time; he crossed his arms, leaned against the cold, hard blue‑brick wall of the study, with a few strands of black hair falling over his cheek.

Sunlight streamed through the window, a golden slash cutting across his pallid cheek, carving stark light and shadow along his nose bone and jawline; his brows and eyes drooped, his lips a faint, moist hue, adding a hint of mysterious allure.

Chinu only said:

"What I mean is, it's unnecessary."

"I know my own abilities; even if I acknowledge her as my lord, even if she knows I abandoned the Young Emperor, once served Ashina of the Northern Dynasty, then turned to the False Dynasty, and later rebelled against it—before she gains the world, she would never dare abandon me."

A few brief words summed up his years of tumult.

Earlier, when he mentioned to Du Shanü that he had designs on He Lian Bo Bo of the Northern Dynasty, it was not idle talk.

The reason is that he has already seen three emperors—

the Young Emperor, Ashina, and Yuan Lang.

He chose three, betrayed three.

But in the end, he realized that the person closest to the Wise Lord was still the Young Emperor he had once deemed mediocre, ordinary, and whom he resented.

That is naturally a laughable matter.

Nevertheless, he still believes in his own talent, that he can assist the Wise Lord in gaining the world.

And only he can do it.

Before this, no matter how unruly he was, his lord could only endure him.

As for the saying "when the birds are gone, the good bow is stored"……

Actually, it doesn't really matter.

After all, who would remember a slave who doesn't even have a proper name?

Chinu lowered his eyes; Chen Weifang crossed out all the strokes, thereby covering all the blemishes, before picking up the brush again:

"Saner, you misunderstood this time."

"What I mean is, if you had said it earlier, they would have been prepared in their hearts."

"The world is vast; you will come to know this—no matter how miserable you are, how recklessly you act and commit mistakes, someone will always love you."

?? Huang Chang Ti Kou: a special burial system, which can be understood as a grand, elaborate interment. Its users are mainly emperors and their consorts, as well as ministers specially permitted by the emperor.

Well, Afang's greatest dream is to seek the Wise Lord! To become a favored minister! And to join Chinu in wicked scheming!