Chapter 108

Hidden in the palace, Nang Yu's idea suddenly reminded Zhou Shuo; it seemed indeed so. Xinzheng had just been occupied and was under citywide martial law, making everywhere unsafe. Yet the palace was different: despite being heavily guarded, there's a saying that the most dangerous place is the safest.

Translate:

"Hidden in the palace, Nong Yu's idea suddenly reminded Zhou Shuo; it seemed indeed so, now this New Zheng has just been occupied, the city is under martial law, everywhere inside is not very safe, but this palace is different, although the palace is heavily guarded, there is a saying: the most dangerous place is the safest place."

We need to keep same information, not add. Let's produce concise but faithful.

Potential translation: "Hidden in the palace, Nong Yu's idea suddenly reminded Zhou Shuo; it seemed indeed so, now New Zheng has just been occupied, the city is under martial law, everywhere inside is not very safe, but this palace is different—although heavily guarded, there is a saying: the most dangerous place is the safest place."

Check we didn't add. Good.

'Do you know any place where we can hide someone?' Zhou Shuo looked at Nang Yu. Hiding directly in the palace is a good idea, but we need to find a sufficiently safe spot; otherwise this dangerous place will become deadly even faster.

Translate:

"Do you know of any place where one can hide a person?" Zhou Shuo looked at Nong Yu; the idea of hiding directly in the palace is good, but we must find a sufficiently safe gap, otherwise this dangerous place will become deadly even faster.

will become deadly even faster

'Go to the cold palace.' Hu Meiren and Nang Yu helped their sister, immediately thinking of the secluded spot in the palace.

Translate:

"Go to the Cold Palace." Hu Meiren and Nong Yu helped sister up, the first thing that came to mind was a secluded spot in the palace.

sister

'No, go to the Hall of Incense.' Nang Yu rebutted her aunt's suggestion; the secluded spot might not be free of inspection—only a secluded spot inside the palace would do.

Translate:

"No, go to the Hall of Incense." Nong Yu rebutted her aunt's suggestion; the secluded spot might still be searched, only a secluded spot inside this palace would do.

aunt

'First go to the Hall of Incense, then to the cold palace to assess the situation.' Zhou Shuo looked at the two women, made an instant decision, but said we'll see how things go; it's also a pity his soul power isn't enough to open the Cosmos Bag on his own—otherwise he could simply stuff people into the bag and carry them away.

Translate:

"First go to the Hall of Incense, then to the Cold Palace, to see the situation." Zhou Shuo looked at the two women who gave the hint, instantly made a decision, but still see how things go; it's also a pity his soul power is insufficient to open the Cosmos Bag alone, otherwise he could just stuff people into the bag and carry them.

soul power Cosmos Bag

Although he felt regret, Zhou Shuo, using the void illusion, could come and go unhindered, taking Nang Yu, Lady Hu, and Hu Meiren from the Han king's bedroom straight to the Hall of Incense. This was where Zhou Shuo had once attached his thought to a snake‑eagle, and where Nang Yu had once eavesdropped on a talk between the Blood‑Clad Marquis and Lady Mingzhu, leading to her capture.

Translate:

"Although he felt regret, Zhou Shuo, relying on the Void Illusion, was likewise unhindered in coming and going, taking Nong Yu, Madam Hu, and Hu Meiren together out of the Han King's bedchamber, heading straight for the Hall of Incense; this Hall of Incense is where Zhou Shuo once attached his thought to a Snake-Eagle and came, and Nong Yu once eavesdropped on the Marquis Blood-Cloth and Madam Mingzhu's conversation here and was caught."

attached his thought to a Snake-Eagle

The Hall of Incense was originally a palace for storing medicines, specially for Lady Mingzhu to prepare medicinal herbs for the Han king's health. When Zhou Shuo entered again, all the large medicine cabinets had been overturned and the stored medicines had vanished—likely requisitioned by the Qin army, as treating battlefield casualties requires large amounts of medicine.

Translate:

"The Hall of Incense was a palace for storing medicines, specially for Madam Mingzhu to prepare health-tonic medicinal herbs for the Han King; when Zhou Shuo entered again, all the large medicine cabinets had been overturned, the various medicines once stored there had vanished, presumably requisitioned by the Qin army, as treating wounded on the battlefield requires large amounts of medicine."

medicinal herbs

Although the place was in ruins and deserted, there were no Qin troops guarding the palace's vicinity, making it unusually quiet. Zhou Shuo hid the three women there, stayed himself, and projected his thoughts as a dark wind to carefully search the palace interior for Princess Honglian's whereabouts.

Translate:

"Although it was a desolate wreck, there were no Qin troops guarding the palace vicinity, making it especially quiet; Zhou Shuo simply hid the three women here, then he himself did not leave, but guarded them while sending his thought forth as a dark wind to carefully search the entire palace interior, seeking the trace of Princess Red Lotus."

sending his thought forth as a dark wind

Moreover, as a plot character with strong vitality, Zhou Shuo swept his thoughts through the palace and quickly found Princess Honglian's trail. Besides her, he also discovered two unexpected figures: Lady Mingzhu, whom the Han king wished to see, and Yan Lingji, an acquaintance he had once saved. Although it's unclear how these three ended up together, they survived the turmoil, albeit somewhat disheveled, proving their luck was good.

Translate:

"It is also because the plot characters have strong vitality; Zhou Shuo, with a flip of his thought, searched the palace and quickly found Red Lotus's trace; besides Red Lotus, he also discovered two unexpected figures: one is the Madam Mingzhu the Han King wishes to see, the other is an acquaintance of sorts, Yanling Ji, whom he once saved; although he does not know how these three came together, their survival in the turmoil, albeit somewhat disheveled, shows their luck is not bad."

We need to keep "plot characters" as "plot characters". Good.

After locating the target, Zhou Shuo immediately took the three women Nang Yu away from the Hall of Incense Pavilion and rushed to Hong Lian's hiding place; it was also a coincidence, as the place where these three women were hiding he had been before—it was the old site of Zheng Palace where he once played together with Han Fei and Zi Nu; the cold palace that Lady Hu mentioned.

Translate:

"After locating the target, Zhou Shuo immediately took Nong Yu and the three women away from the Hall of Incense Pavilion, rushing to Red Lotus's hiding place; it is also a coincidence, for the place where these three women hide is one he has visited before—the old Zheng Palace ruins where he once played with Han Fei and Zi Nü, the Cold Palace mentioned by Hu Meiren."

We need to keep "Hall of Incense Pavilion" as "Hall of Incense Pavilion". Good.

When he saw Hong Lian again, her slightly baby‑fat face had already slimmed down, while the other two hardly spoke, because they didn't really know Zhou Shuo; the last time he saved Yan Ling Ji, he acted with his soul attached to a Divine Eagle; although they were strangers, they both absolutely welcomed his helping hand.

Translate:

"When Red Lotus was seen again, her slightly baby-fat face had slimmed down, while the other two hardly spoke, because they did not really know Zhou Shuo; when he previously saved Yanling Ji, he acted with his soul attached to a Divine Eagle, and though unacquainted, both absolutely welcomed his outstretched hand."

We need to keep "soul attached to a Divine Eagle" as "soul attached to a Divine Eagle". Good.

"I want to return to my father king's side." Compared to the attitudes of either Lady Ming Zhu or Yan Ling Ji accepting aid, the gaunt‑faced Hong Lian firmly made this request to Zhou Shuo.

Translate:

"I want to return to my father king's side." Compared to the attitudes of Madam Mingzhu and Yanling Ji accepting aid, the thin-faced Red Lotus firmly demanded of Zhou Shuo.

We need to keep "father king" as "father king". Good.

"Hong Lian, why are you doing this again?" Clad in a purple fish‑tail skirt stained with dust, her fair face also tinged with gray, Lady Ming Zhu turned her gaze away from Lady Hu and Zhou Shuo, looking at Hong Lian with some pity, wanting to persuade her.

Translate:

"Red Lotus, why do you do this to yourself?" Clad in a purple fish-tail skirt stained with dust, her fair face also bearing some gray, Madam Mingzhu turned her gaze from Hu Meiren and Zhou Shuo to look at Red Lotus with some pity, intending to persuade.

We need to keep "clad in a purple fish-tail skirt" as "clad in a purple fish-tail skirt". Good.

"I want to return to my father king's side; Han is already gone, but I want to be by my father king's side—this is my own decision, I have no regrets." Hong Lian interrupted Lady Ming Zhu's persuasion, then glanced at Lady Hu, whom she used to dislike; these two are her stepmothers in relation, and she bears no resentment toward their idea and act of abandoning Han to flee, but she also has her own decision.

Translate:

"I want to return to my father king's side; Han is gone, but I want to be by my father king's side—this is my own decision, I have no regrets." Red Lotus interrupted Madam Mingzhu's persuasion, then glanced at Hu Meiren, whom she formerly disliked; regarding their relationship, they are her stepmothers, and she does not resent their idea and act of abandoning Han to flee, but she also has her own decision.

We need to keep "stepmothers" as "stepmothers". Good.

"If you want to go back, I have no objection, but we have to wait until I heal you and settle the score with Brother Wei Zhuang before we talk further." Zhou Shuo looked at the princess, no longer as mischievous and willful as before, shrugged his shoulders slightly, and said, "It's fine for a girl to have her own ideas, but we still need to finish my business first."

Translate:

"If you want to go back, I have no objection, but we must wait until I heal you and settle the score with Brother Wei Zhuang before speaking further." Zhou Shuo looked at the princess, no longer as mischievous and willful as before, shrugged his shoulders slightly; a girl having her own mind is fine, but we must wait for my affairs to finish first.

We need to keep "score" as "score". Good.

"Okay." Hong Lian showed little reaction, merely nodding her head slightly.

Translate:

"Okay." Red Lotus showed little reaction, merely lowering her head slightly.

"How tender‑hearted, but alas, she is already cold in body and heart!" Yan Ling Ji lifted a spark with her fingertip, first glancing at Zhou Shuo from the corner of her eye, then looking at the former little princess, and let out a soft, giggling laugh.

Translate:

"Really tender-hearted, but alas, they are already cold in body and mind!" Yanling Ji lifted a spark with her fingertip, first glanced at Zhou Shuo with the corner of her eye, then looked at the former little princess, giggling as she laughed.

We need to keep "tender-hearted" as "tender-hearted". Good.

"……" Zhou Shuo tilted his head, looking at the giggling girl, and raised his eyebrows.

Translate:

"……" Zhou Shuo tilted his head at the giggling girl, raising his eyebrows.

"You should warm her cold body and mind with fiery passion." Yan Ling Ji looked at Zhou Shuo's gaze, seemingly responding by raising her eyebrows, the flame between her fingers swirling; faced with her offhand remark, Lady Ming Zhu straightened her posture slightly, and the five fingers beneath her sleeve curled slightly.

Translate:

"You should use fiery passion to warm her cold body and mind." Yanling Ji looked at Zhou Shuo's gaze, responding as if by raising her eyebrows, the spark between her fingers turning, facing her offhand remark, Madam Mingzhu straightened her body slightly, the five fingers beneath her sleeve curling slightly.

We need to keep "fiery passion" as "fiery passion". Good.

"Like this?" Zhou Shuo looked at the enchantress who was raising her eyebrows to hint at him, relaxed his gaze slightly, and with a hiss, the flame in her hand suddenly seemed to be doused with oil, shooting up high; frightened, she stepped back, while Lady Ming Zhu also gathered her composure, her graceful body tensing.

Translate:

"Like this?" Zhou Shuo looked at the enchantress who raised her eyebrows to hint at him, loosening his gaze slightly, with a hiss, the flame in her hand suddenly seemed doused in oil, shooting up high, startling her to step back, while Madam Mingzhu also gathered her spirits, her graceful body tensing.

We need to keep "enchantress" as "enchantress". Good.

"Flame Charm Technique, you……" Yan Ling Ji was frightened by the flame in her hand and retreated two steps, looking at Zhou Shuo with doubtful eyes; she felt that the method he used was the same as hers, but how did he learn it?

Translate:

"Flame Charm Technique, you……" Yanling Ji was frightened by the flame in her hand, retreating two steps, looking at Zhou Shuo with doubtful eyes, she felt his method was the same as hers, but how did he learn it?

We need to keep "Flame Charm Technique" as "Flame Charm Technique". Good.

"Wasn't it you who taught me?" Zhou Shuo looked at the doubtful enchantress, couldn't help but grin, smiling very smugly.

Translate:

"Wasn't it you who taught me?" Zhou Shuo looked at the doubtful enchantress, involuntarily grinning, smiling very smugly.

"Are you… that bird?" Yan Ling Ji looked at Zhou Shuo, and instantly something came to mind; in her life's journey, some things leave a deep impression.

Translate:

"You are, that bird?" Yanling Ji looked at Zhou Shuo, instantly thinking of something; in her life's journey, some things leave a deep impression.

We need to keep "that bird" as "that bird". Good.

"I'm not a bird; let me introduce myself properly—I am Zhou Shuo, the Hall Master of Fangsheng Hall, uh, Lady Ming Zhu, nice to meet you." Zhou Shuo looked at the sharp‑memory Yan Ling Ji, bowed slightly, then nodded at the wary Lady Ming Zhu as a greeting, leaving the stunning woman a bit unable to react; she glanced at Yan Ling Ji, then at Zhou Shuo, not understanding what the two had experienced together.

Translate:

"I am not a bird; let me introduce myself properly—I am Zhou Shuo, Hall Master of Fangsheng Hall, uh, Madam Mingzhu, hello." Zhou Shuo looked at the well-remembered Yanling Ji, bowed slightly, then nodded to the wary Madam Mingzhu as a greeting, leaving the stunning woman somewhat unable to react, glancing at Yanling Ji and then at Zhou Shuo, not understanding what the two have experienced together.

We need to keep "Hall Master of Fangsheng Hall" as "Hall Master of Fangsheng Hall". Good.

"We six women and you one man—you can't possibly leave us with no defenses at all, can you?" Yan Ling Ji sized up Zhou Shuo upon their formal meeting, somewhat surprised and also a bit complaining, yet her tone held a touch of ease; Zhou Shuo, being an old acquaintance, could reassure her a little, after all she had been rescued once before and didn't mind a second rescue.

Translate:

"We six women, you one man, you can't possibly leave us with no defenses at all?" Yanling Ji sized up Zhou Shuo upon their formal meeting, somewhat unexpected, also carrying some complaint, yet her tone had a hint of ease; Zhou Shuo being an acquaintance can reassure her somewhat, after all she was rescued once, so she doesn't mind a second time.

We need to keep "six women" as "six women". Good.

"If I really wanted to hold a grudge over these things, I could have killed you just now, but the fact that you're still alive is truly beyond my expectations." Zhou Shuo looked at the familiarly toned Yan Ling Ji, couldn't help but roll his eyes; if it weren't for the fact that you're an old acquaintance, just now I wouldn't have merely warned you—I would have killed you outright.

Translate:

"If I really cared about these, I could have killed you just now, but that you're alive now is truly beyond my expectation." Zhou Shuo looked at the familiarly toned Yanling Ji, involuntarily rolling his eyes; were it not for past acquaintance, he would have not warned but killed her outright.

We need to keep "familiarly toned" as "familiarly toned". Good.

"Forget it, let's not talk about that; now that I've gathered you all together, my task is done." Seeing Yan Ling Ji's eyes narrow slightly, Zhou Shuo quickly stopped her from speaking further; his goal was Nang Yu and Hong Lian, the others being incidental and unexpected, especially Lady Ming Zhu and Yan Ling Ji—he had thought that with the demise of Bai Yi Fei and Tian Ze, these two women would also die, but the reality turned out exactly the opposite.

Translate:

"Forget it, let's not talk about these; in this situation, having found you all, my task is complete." Seeing Yanling Ji's eyes narrow slightly, Zhou Shuo quickly stopped her from speaking further; his targets are Nong Yu and Red Lotus, others are incidental and unexpected, especially Madam Mingzhu and Yanling Ji; he had thought that with the demise of Bai Yifei and Tian Ze, these two women would also die, but the result turned out exactly the opposite.

We need to keep "eyes narrow slightly" as "eyes narrow slightly". Good.

The two women not only survived, but also gathered together and endured the Qin's conquest of Han war; the story among them is quite remarkable, yet Zhou Shuo also has no intention of inquiring further. What he plans to do next is to arrange matters for Nang Yu well, treat Hong Lian's illness, and then find a way out for his own followers amidst the forthcoming great upheaval.

Translate:

"The two women not only survived but also gathered together, enduring the Qin's conquest of Han war; the story among them is wonderful, but Zhou Shuo also does not intend to inquire further; what he will do next is to arrange Nong Yu well, treat Red Lotus, and find an exit for his followers in the forthcoming great upheaval."

We need to keep "Qin's conquest of Han war" as "Qin's conquest of Han war". Good.

The war of Qin's annihilation of the six states is destined to be long and vast, with many deaths; Zhou Shuo merely showing a sad expression is enough, cannot be more—given his position, if he obstructed Qin's unification of the world, he would betray his history lessons; if he aided Qin in conquering the world, he would betray his political lessons; thus he compromises, still making money quietly in the martial world.

Translate:

The war of Qin annihilating the six states is destined to be long and vast, many will die; Zhou Shuo merely showing a sad expression is enough, cannot be more, given his position, if he obstructed Qin's unification of the world, he would betray his history lessons; if he aided Qin in conquering the world, he would betray his political lessons; thus he compromises, still making money quietly in the martial world.

We need to keep "still making money quietly in the martial world" as "still making money quietly in the martial world". Good.

Thus translation: "The war of Qin annihilating the six states is destined to be long and vast, many will die; Zhou Shuo merely showing a sad expression is enough, cannot be more, given his position, if he obstructed Qin's unification of the world, he would betray his history lessons; if he aided Qin in conquering the world, he would betray his political lessons; thus he compromises, still making money quietly in the martial world."

While Zhou Shuo was lost in thought, the disappearance of the six women caused no disturbance in Xinzheng City; after the Qin army confirmed the situation was stable, they began to lift martial law and posted numerous notices in Xinzheng City, proclaiming policies to the people of Han and striving to restore production order.

Translate:

"At the same time Zhou Shuo was pondering, the disappearance of the six women caused no disturbance in New Zheng City; after the Qin army confirmed the situation stable, they began to lift martial law, and posted notices throughout New Zheng City, proclaiming policies to the Han populace, striving to restore productive order."

We need to keep "lift martial law" as "lift martial law". Good.

After Shang Yang's reforms, Qin implemented the garrison-and-farm system, imposing a state monopoly on land and periodically allocating fields for cultivation. Upon taking control of Han, Qin made the small landowners feel threatened, yet unexpectedly, Qin's decrees included, besides household land allocation, the order commoners self-cultivate fields, meaning landowners report their land to the authorities and regularly pay taxes, thereby having their land ownership recognized—this also signified Qin's acknowledgment of private land ownership.

Translate:

"After Qin's Shang Yang reforms, they implemented the garrison-and-farm system, imposing a state monopoly on land, periodically allocating fields for cultivation; upon taking over Han, the small landowners of Han felt threatened, but unexpectedly, Qin's issued orders, besides the household land allocation, also included the 'commoners self-cultivate fields' command, meaning landowners report land to the authorities and periodically pay taxes, thus land ownership would be recognized, which also means Qin acknowledges private land ownership."

We need to keep "garrison-and-farm system" as "garrison-and-farm system". "state monopoly on land" as "state monopoly on land". "household land allocation" as "household land allocation". "commoners self-cultivate fields" as "commoners self-cultivate fields". Good.

The acknowledgment of private land ownership, together with the household land allocation edict, allowed Qin's regime to be quickly accepted by Han's small landowners and the populace; there was no alternative, since the common people cared only about their own vested interests regardless of whether they were Han or Qin, and Qin's laws undoubtedly guaranteed those interests.

Translate:

"The acknowledgment of private land ownership, together with the household land allocation edict, allowed Qin's regime to be swiftly accepted by Han's small landowners and commoners, for commoners care not whether they are Han or Qin, only about their own vested interests, and Qin's edict undoubtedly guarantees those interests."

We need to keep "household land allocation edict" as "household land allocation edict". Good.

Aside from land-related laws, Qin also issued a series of incentive policies: diligent cultivators were exempt from corvée labor, and whoever contributed a thousand shi of grain could be granted a first-rank nobility title, plus encouragement for breeding draft oxen, etc. Relying on these policies, Qin's regime swiftly gained the approval of the lower strata of society, and Han's former military forces were smoothly incorporated.

Translate:

"Besides land-related laws, Qin also issued a series of incentive policies: diligent cultivators are exempt from corvée, paying a thousand shi of grain earns a first-rank nobility, plus encouraging livestock breeding, etc.; relying on these policies, Qin's regime quickly gained recognition from the lower strata of society, and Han's former troops also smoothly accepted incorporation."

We need to keep "a thousand shi of grain" as "a thousand shi of grain". "first-rank nobility" as "first-rank nobility". Good.

With the regime's stability, the martial law in Xinzheng was relaxed further; perhaps out of consideration for public opinion, Qin did not persecute Han's nobles and officials, merely stripping them of their privileges, and then gradually released them—only the royal family remained imprisoned in the Han palace.

Translate:

"The regime's stability allowed New Zheng's martial law to relax further; perhaps out of consideration for public opinion, Qin did not persecute Han's nobility, merely stripping them of their privileges, then gradually releasing them, with only the royal family imprisoned in Han Palace."

We need to keep "privileges" as "privileges". Good.

While Qin was pacifying and annexing Han, Zhou Shuo also used the Immortal Capital Jade Pendant in his hand to treat Hong Lian; the process went much more smoothly than imagined, the special condition of the poisonous human constitution on her body disappeared, and afterwards, according to her request, Zhou Shuo sent her back to Han Palace to accompany her father the king; as for the two former favored concubines of the King of Han, Lady Hu and Lady Mingzhu, both refused to return to Han Palace, and Zhou Shuo could not force them.