Chapter 289: with translation of chapter title

Five years ago, she carried one of Ye Qingran's children to the summit of the competition, the other was snatched away by a beast, and since this child doesn't look like the Emperor, this child must be the one Ye Qingran gave birth to later.

Translate: Five years ago, she took one of Ye Qingran's children to the Peak of Contending for the Deer, another was snatched by a ferocious beast, and since this child doesn't resemble the Emperor Sovereign, this child can only be one Ye Qingran gave birth to later.

Five years ago,

Now line 2:

Ye Qingran must have found another wild man to father this child, right?

Translate: Ye Qingran must have found another wild man to bear this child, right?

We need to keep question mark.

Line 3:

Even though it's a wild man's child, I have to admit that Ye Qingran is beautiful, and the child she bore turned out to be quite good-looking as well.

Translate: Although it's a wild man's child, we must admit Ye Qingran is beautiful, and the child she bore turned out not bad either.

Line 4:

However, a wild man's child is still a wild man's child, ultimately an illegitimate offspring that can't appear on the public stage.

Translate: However, a wild man's child is ultimately a wild man's child—after all, it's a lowly wild offspring that can't see the light of day.

However.

Line 5:

How could such a lowborn child be worthy of being held by the noble Emperor himself, let alone standing on equal footing with the equally prestigious young master?

Translate: How could such a wild offspring be worthy of being held in the arms of so noble an Emperor Sovereign, or sit on equal footing with an equally noble Young Master?

Line 6:

A strong sense of disdain flashed in Lin Xueyan's eyes.

Translate: Lin Xueyan's eyes flashed with deep disdain.

Line 7:

She also wants to have a child with the Emperor in the future; their child would surely be perfect, right? After all, the child's father is the illustrious Emperor of the summit, and the child's mother is the renowned Lin Xueyan of the Central Realm!

Translate: She also wants to have a child with the Emperor Sovereign someday; their child will surely be perfect, after all, the father is the mighty Emperor Sovereign of the Peak of Contending for the Deer, and the mother is her, Lin Xueyan, famed throughout the Central Region!

Line 8:

She dares not confront the Emperor directly. His temperament is inscrutable, and provoking him would be a costly mistake.

Translate: She dare not openly blame the Emperor Sovereign, for she cannot fathom his temperament; if she angered him, the loss would outweigh any gain.

Line 9:

However, this also indirectly shows that Ye Qingran, a femme fatale, can drive men crazy with just her looks, and even the proud Emperor cannot escape the dilemma of a hero being undone by a beauty.

Translate: However, this also reflects how Ye Qingran, this beauty that brings disaster, can drive men mad with just a face—even the proud Emperor Sovereign cannot escape the plight of heroes falling for beauty.

Line 10:

Lin Xueyan's gaze darkened.

Translate: Lin Xueyan's gaze darkened.

Line 11:

She became increasingly certain that the Emperor must not learn that Fu Qianchen's birth mother is Ye Qingran.

Translate: She grew more certain that she must not let the Emperor Sovereign know that Fu Qianchen's birth mother is Ye Qingran.

Line 12:

Otherwise, Ye Qingran would definitely leverage her child's status for personal gain!

Translate: Otherwise, Ye Qingran would surely rely on her son to gain status!

Line 13:

The Grand Elder told her that when she handed the young master over to the Emperor years ago, the Emperor openly claimed he was uninterested in the young master's birth mother and forbade his subordinates from investigating. Yet he still had several elders calculate the birth mother's astrological chart, which indicated that the birth mother was already dead.

Translate: The Grand Elder told her that when she handed the Young Master over to the Emperor Sovereign back then, the Emperor Sovereign openly said he had no interest in the Young Master's mother and forbade subordinates from investigating. Yet the Emperor Sovereign still had several elders deduce the Young Master's mother's Star Destiny Chart, which showed she was already dead.

Line 14:

She was puzzled as to why Ye Qingran, who was clearly still alive, appeared dead on the chart, but that didn't matter. As long as the Emperor firmly believed the young master's birth mother was dead, that was enough.

Translate: Although she wondered why Ye Qingran was clearly alive yet the Star Destiny Chart showed her dead, that didn't matter. As long as the Emperor Sovereign firmly believed the Young Master's mother was dead, that was enough.

Line 15:

As long as she interferes, Ye Qingran will never discover that her child is the young master of the summit.

Translate: As long as she interferes, Ye Qingran will never know her child is the Young Master of the Peak of Contending for the Deer!

Line 16:

When the Emperor grows bored with Ye Qingran and kicks her aside, she will become nothing. She will then find another chance to erase Ye Qingran from this world, and the events of five years ago will remain a secret forever!

Translate: Once the Emperor Sovereign grows tired of Ye Qingran and kicks her aside, she'll be nothing! If she finds another chance to erase Ye Qingran from this world, then what happened five years ago will forever remain a secret!

Line 17:

"Auntie, why are you smiling so sinisterly?"

Translate: "Hey Auntie, why are you smiling so sinisterly?"

Line 18:

Lin Xueyan was startled, then abruptly looked up to meet the curious little face of the demon fox.

Translate: Lin Xueyan startled, then lifted her head to meet Mo Xiaohu's curious little face.

Line 19:

You little bastard!

Translate: Little bastard!

Line 20:

Lin Xueyan jumped in fright, silently cursed the demon fox in her mind, but wore an innocent expression on her face, "Little... friend, you've got it wrong."

Translate: Lin Xueyan jumped in fright, inwardly cursing Mo Xiaohu, yet put on an innocent expression: "Little bastard... friend, you got it wrong."

Line 21:

"Is that so? But I clearly saw you smiling like the vicious stepmother from Er Gouzi's house!" The demon fox blinked its grape‑black eyes, looking utterly naive.

Translate: "Is that so? But I clearly saw you smiling just like the wicked stepmother of Ergouzi's family!" Mo Xiaohu blinked his black-grape-like eyes, looking utterly innocent.

Line 22:

Your mother is the stepmother of Er Gouzi's family!

Translate: Your mother is the wicked stepmother of Ergouzi's family!

Line 23:

A surge of anger rose in Lin Xueyan's heart.

Translate: A surge of anger rose in Lin Xueyan's heart.

Line 24:

This little scoundrel actually called her the stepmother of Er Gouzi's family!

Translate: This little bastard actually dared to call her the wicked stepmother of Ergouzi's family!

Line 25:

Just the name Er Gouzi sounds like a rustic. Lin Xueyan intends to become the Emperor's woman at the summit!

Translate: The name Ergouzi sounds like a country bumpkin at first glance. She, Lin Xueyan, is destined to become the woman of the Emperor Sovereign of the Peak of Contending for the Deer!

Line 26:

"Father, may we let this aunt accompany us out to play?"

Translate: "Father Lord, let this Auntie accompany us out to play?"

Line 27:

When Lin Xueyan heard that, her eyes lit up; the young master voluntarily asked her to join in, perhaps indicating he had begun to accept her?

Translate: Upon hearing that, Lin Xueyan's eyes lit up—the Young Master actually took the initiative to ask her to play; does this mean the Young Master has begun to accept her?

Line 28:

If the young master accepts her, isn't that another step closer to the Emperor's bed?

Translate: If the Young Master accepts her, wouldn't she be one step closer to the Emperor Sovereign's bed?

Line 29:

She hurriedly volunteered, "Your Majesty, I grew up in Xihe City, so I know all the fun spots. Please agree to the young master's request; I'll take good care of him!" As for the demon fox, it wasn't even worth her attention.

Translate: So she hurriedly volunteered, "Your Majesty, I grew up in Xiliang City—I know all the fun spots. Please let the Young Master have me; I'll look after him!" As for Mo Xiaohu, he's not even worthy of her notice.

Line 30:

Lin Xueyan flashed a self‑satisfied smile.

Translate: Lin Xueyan revealed a smile she thought was perfect.

Line 31:

"Go ahead. Don't overdo it!" Fu Hanxiu reminded her. He wasn't worried about the two kids harming Lin Xueyan, but about the child's mother getting angry.

Translate: "Go ahead. Don't play too wildly!" Fu Hanxiu cautioned. It wasn't that he feared the two little fellows would do anything to Lin Xueyan, but rather that he feared the child's mother would get angry.

Line 32:

"Alright, Father, we're off now."

Translate: "Mm-hmm, Father Lord, we're off."

Line 33:

"Goodbye, Uncle Grand Tutor!"

Translate: "Goodbye, National Master Uncle!"

Line 34:

The two kids hopped away like a pair of little rabbits, disappearing in an instant. Lin Xueyan felt both anxious and angry. She had dressed in a figure‑showing dress today to fully display her beauty to the Emperor, but she couldn't run fast; watching their backs, she could only stamp her foot in frustration.

Translate: The two little fellows bounced away like two rabbits and vanished in a puff of smoke. Lin Xueyan felt both anxious and angry. Today, to display her beauty unreservedly for the Emperor Sovereign, she wore a figure‑showing dress, making it impossible to run fast. Watching those two retreating backs, she could only stomp her feet in frustration.

Line 35:

Fu Hanxiu ordered Fu San to protect them covertly, while he disguised himself flawlessly and went to find Ye Qingran.

Translate: Fu Hanxiu ordered Fu San to secretly protect them, while he himself disguised as Wuhen and went to find Ye Qingran.

Line 36:

The demon fox and Fu Qianchen ran ahead; they exchanged a glance, both flashing malicious grins, their tiny white teeth glinting evilly in the sunlight.

Translate: Mo Xiaohu and Fu Qianchen ran ahead, exchanged a glance, and both gave a mischievous grin; in the sunlight, their little white teeth reflected an evil light.

Line 37:

Lin Xueyan's legs were hampered by her skirt, so she couldn't run fast, yet she worried about falling behind the young master; fearing the Emperor's rebuke, she forced herself to chase, looking terribly clumsy.

Translate: Lin Xueyan's legs were hindered by her skirt, so she couldn't run fast, yet she worried about falling behind the Young Master; if the Emperor Sovereign blamed her, she could only grit her teeth and chase, ending up especially embarrassed.

Line 38:

"Xiao Chen, it's so lively up ahead, with so many onlookers—must be quite a scene! Let's go check it out!"

Translate: "Xiao Chen, it's so lively up ahead—so many people watching, it must be bustling! Let's go take a look!"

Line 39:

"Sure!"

Translate: "Sure!"

Line 40:

The two glanced at Lin Xueyan behind them, then broke into a run and plunged into the crowd.

Translate: The two said that, glanced back at Lin Xueyan, kicked up their heels, and surged into the crowd.

Line 41:

Seeing the crowd, Lin Xueyan's face turned as black as a pot bottom.

Translate: Seeing so many people, Lin Xueyan's face turned as black as a pot bottom.

Line 42:

There were so many lowborn people, their clothes shabby and their appearance unclean; if she squeezed into that crowd, it would clash with her lofty status, and what if she got dirty?

Translate: With so many commoners, their clothing is so low‑class and looks unclean; if she squeezed in, it would clash utterly with her exalted status—what if she got herself dirty?

Line 43:

"It must be Ye Qingran's lowborn child who corrupted the young master! Otherwise, how could someone of his standing act so indecorously?"

Translate: "It must be Ye Qingran's wild offspring who corrupted the Young Master! Otherwise, given his status, how could he behave so improperly?"

Line 44:

Lin Xueyan mentally berated the demon fox.

Translate: In her heart, Lin Xueyan gave Mo Xiaohu a thorough scolding.

Line 45:

Nevertheless, she still feared the Emperor's scolding, yet she forced herself, unwillingly but resolutely, to squeeze in.

Translate: Still, she worried the Emperor Sovereign would reprimand her, yet she gritted her teeth and forced her way in, despite being utterly unwilling.

Line 46:

In the center of the crowd, a troupe was performing acrobatics.

Translate: In the center of the crowd, a group was performing acrobatics.

Line 47:

The current act was the chest‑crushing‑stone routine.

Translate: The act currently underway is Chest Stone Crushing.

Line 48:

Impatience filled Lin Xueyan's eyes.

Translate: Lin Xueyan's eyes were full of impatience.

Line 49:

What kind of trashy circus act is this?

Translate: What kind of trashy acrobatics is this?

Line 50:

She was accustomed to the refined performances at the summit, never having seen such vulgar stunts!

Translate: She usually watches only refined performances at the Peak of Contending for the Deer; she's never seen such vulgar acrobatics!

Line 51:

After finally locating Fu Qianchen and the demon fox, Lin Xueyan patiently asked, "Young master, do you enjoy watching this?"

Translate: Lin Xueyan finally found Fu Qianchen and Mo Xiaohu, saw they were enjoying it, and patiently asked: "Young Master, do you like watching this?"

Line 52:

Fu Qianchen didn't look at her, just nodded, "I like it! Look at that man with a huge stone on his chest while others hammer at it—doesn't it hurt?"

Translate: Fu Qianchen didn't even look at her, just nodded: "I like it! Look, that man placed such a huge stone on his chest, letting others smash it with hammers—doesn't it hurt him?"

Line 53:

"No! Because they rigged the stone!"

Translate: Lin Xueyan sneered in explanation: "No! Because they've tampered with the stone!"

Line 54:

"Is that so?"

Translate: "Is that so?"

Line 55:

A wicked gleam flickered in the demon fox's eyes.

Translate: Mo Xiaohu's eyes flickered with an evil light.

Line 56:

"Since it won't hurt, auntie, why don't you try it? You're so beautiful, it would be even more fun!"

Translate: "Since it doesn't hurt, Auntie, why don't you give it a try? You're so beautiful, it'd be even more fun!"

Line 57:

What? Let her go up?

Translate: "What? Have her go up?"

Line 58:

An unnamed fury surged in Lin Xueyan's chest.

Translate: A nameless anger surged in Lin Xueyan's chest.

Line 59:

A lowborn child even dares to have her perform the chest‑crushing‑stone act?

Translate: A wild offspring dares to have her perform Chest Stone Crushing?

Line 60:

However, she knew that Mo Xiaohu and Fu Qianchen were on good terms, and she didn't dare to show it too much.

"How could I possibly go up and perform? That's something only lowly people would do." Lin Xueyan said, giving Mo Xiaohu a sideways glance, speaking in a sarcastic tone: "Perhaps your father is just that kind of person!"