Chapter 488: with translation of chapter title

"I don't know any Zhang Xiuer; I have no idea whom the Deputy Commander is referring to." No Chinese.

Translation: "I don't know any Zhang Xiu'er; I have no idea whom Deputy Commander is referring to."

Our line: "But we need to use the glossary: Zhang Xiuer. So use Zhang Xiuer. Also 'Deputy Commander' refers to Deputy Commander Chen? Actually the glossary states: Deputy Commander Chen → Deputy Commander Chen. However the line says 'Deputy Commander says what person?' without specifying Chen. It could be a generic deputy commander. We have the glossary for Deputy Commander Chen, but the line does not contain Chen. Should we translate it as 'Deputy Commander'? Since the glossary provides the exact English for Deputy Commander Chen but not for a generic deputy commander, we should translate the meaning: 'Deputy Commander'. Use lower case? Probably 'Deputy Commander'. Keep as is."

Thus: "I don't know any Zhang Xiuer; I have no idea whom the Deputy Commander is referring to."

"Gu Nianqing remained calm, as if the name Zhang Xiuer was utterly unfamiliar to her." No Chinese.

Translation: "Gu Nianqing's expression remained calm, as if the name Zhang Xiuer was utterly unfamiliar to her ears."

Use Gu Nianqing from glossary. Zhang Xiuer.

"Chen Wujie stared at her with an oppressive gaze, 'But the way you unconsciously lift the corner of your mouth when you speak is exactly the same as hers. Do you really think two people in the world could be identical?'" No Chinese.

Translation: "Chen Wuji's gaze carried oppression, fixed tightly on her. 'But the way you unconsciously curl the corner of your mouth when you speak is exactly the same as hers. Do you think there could be two people in the world who are identical?'"

Need to keep quotes? We'll keep as is.

"'You must be mistaken, my lord; the world is vast and full of wonders.' Gu Nianqing lowered her eyes slightly, facing Chen Wujie's gaze without panic, yet avoiding direct eye contact, merely fixing her eyes on the ground before her." No Chinese.

Translation: "'You must be mistaken, sir; the world is vast, and nothing is strange.' Gu Nianqing lowered her eyes slightly, facing Chen Wuji's gaze without panic, yet without meeting it directly, merely staring at the ground before her."

"After a pause, she spoke softly, 'If I ever get the chance, I would love to meet this sister, to see whether she truly looks exactly like you say I do, and perhaps we could really become sisters.'" No Chinese.

Translation: "After a pause, she spoke softly: 'If I get the chance, I would very much like to meet this sister, to see whether she truly looks exactly like you say I do, and perhaps we could really become sisters.'"

"Chen Wujie chuckled lightly, 'The chances of you two meeting are slim, but I will strive to make this interesting thing happen. That girl is kind-hearted, though her fate is unfortunate; if she could have a sister, that too would be a kind of happiness.'" No Chinese.

Translation: "Chen Wuji gave a faint smile: 'The chance for you two to meet is probably slim, but I will strive to make this interesting thing happen. That girl is kind-hearted, though her fate is unfortunate; if she could have a sister, that would also be a kind of happiness.'"

"'I thank you first, my lord!' Gu Nianqing bowed slightly." No Chinese.

Translation: "'I thank you first, sir, for your kindness!' Gu Nianqing bowed slightly."

"Despite Gu Nianqing's refusal to admit it, Chen Wujie still believed she was Zhang Xiuer." No Chinese.

Translation: "Although Gu Nianqing refuses to admit it no matter what, Chen Wuji still believes she is Zhang Xiuer."

"It cannot be denied that there are indeed people in this world who look very much alike." No Chinese.

Translation: "It cannot be denied that there are indeed people in this world who look very alike."

"In his previous life, during that highly connected internet era, such occurrences were common." No Chinese.

Translation: "In his previous life, during that era of advanced internet, such things were common."

"But it is merely a resemblance, not an exact match." No Chinese.

Translation: "But it is merely similar, not exactly the same."

"Even twins cannot be completely identical, let alone two strangers." No Chinese.

Translation: "Even twins cannot be completely identical, let alone two strangers."

"Chen Wujie and Zhang Xiuer have had considerable interaction; although he does not fully understand her, he knows quite a bit, and that sense of familiarity cannot be erased simply by Gu Nianqing's denial." No Chinese.

Translation: "Chen Wuji and Zhang Xiuer have had considerable interaction; although he does not fully understand her, he knows quite a bit, and that familiar feeling cannot be concealed by Gu Nianqing's denial."

"'How have you been lately, Miss Gu?' Chen Wujie asked gently." No Chinese.

Translation: "'How have you been lately, Miss Gu?' Chen Wuji asked gently."

"Gu Nianqing's expression flickered slightly; after a moment of silence she said, 'Quiet and natural, I'd say it's not bad.'" No Chinese.

Translation: "Gu Nianqing's expression flickered with surprise; after a moment of silence she said, 'Quiet and natural, I'd say it's not bad.'"

"'That's good enough; you're far better than the Zhang Xiuer I know.' Chen Wujie nodded." No Chinese.

Translation: "'Not bad is good; you are far better than the Zhang Xiuer I know.' Chen Wuji nodded."

"If she refuses to admit it, so be it; perhaps the truth behind this matter is not what he wishes to see." No Chinese.

Translation: "If she won't admit it, then she won't; perhaps the answer behind this matter is not what he wishes to see."

"After the Zhang family affair was settled, Zhang Xiuer and her family were secretly escorted by the Imperial City Guard to the capital." No Chinese.

Translation: "After the Zhang family affair was settled, Zhang Xiuer and her family were secretly escorted by the Imperial City Department to the capital."

"Having met Zhang Xiuer once, Chen Wujie once asked Qin Zhansong to look after her more closely, to do his best to protect her life and avoid implicating her in Zhang Mingyuan's affairs." No Chinese.

Translation: "Having met Zhang Xiuer once, Chen Wuji had once asked Qin Zhanshou to look after her more closely, to do his best to preserve her life and avoid implicating her with Zhang Mingyuan."

Note: Need to translate Qin Zhanshou? Not in glossary; it's a name, should be pinyin? It's a person's name, so we keep pinyin: Qin Zhanshou. Similarly Zhang Mingyuan.

"Afterward, Qin Zhansong said that Zhang Xiuer had been spared, her life was no longer in danger, but she would be exiled." No Chinese.

Translation: "Afterward, Qin Zhanshou said that Zhang Xiuer had been spared, her life was no longer in danger, but she would be exiled."

"As to where she would be exiled, Qin Zhansong never mentioned it again." No Chinese.

Translation: "As to where she would be exiled, Qin Zhanshou never mentioned it again."

"Yunan is truly far from the capital; even the Imperial City Guard finds it difficult to exchange information." No Chinese.

Translation: "Yunan is really far from the capital; even the Imperial City Department finds it not easy to exchange messages."

"The problem must lie here." No Chinese.

Translation: "The problem must lie here."

"Let's go ask Qin Zhansong; perhaps then the mystery will become clear." No Chinese.

Translation: "Going back to ask Qin Zhanshou might make the mystery clear."

"Gu Nianqing gave a light, faint smile, natural yet tinged with a hint of bitterness, which flashed and vanished quickly, soon concealed lightly in her brows and eyes." No Chinese.

Translation: "Gu Nianqing gave a light, shallow smile; natural yet hinting at a bit of bitterness, but this flickered and vanished quickly, soon lightly concealed in her brows and eyes."

"She turned around, glanced at the somewhat grim scene nearby, and politely asked, 'May I inquire, sir, what has happened here? Do you need me to do anything?'" No Chinese.

Translation: "She turned and glanced at the rather grim scene around her, then politely asked, 'May I ask, sir, what has happened here? Do you need me to do something?'"

"'Just watch.' Chen Wujie waved his hand, 'By the way, what is your role here?'" No Chinese.

Translation: "'Just watch.' Chen Wuji waved his hand. 'By the way, what are you doing here?'"

"'I am the manager of this place.'" No Chinese.

Translation: "'I am the shopkeeper here.'"

"Chen Wujie: ……" No Chinese (just ellipsis).

Translation: "Chen Wuji: ……"

"He suddenly had a feeling as if he had given the dog... what?" No Chinese.

He suddenly had a feeling as if he had given the dog something.

Gu Nianqing is the manager here; Lord Xiao Zong actually likes her!

Translation: "Gu Nianqing is the shopkeeper here, and the person Lord Xiao Zong likes turns out to be her!"

We need to produce English without Chinese. Let's craft: "Note: according to the glossary, Xiao Zong translates to Lord Xiao Zong." That still has Xiao Zong which is fine (pinyin). No Chinese characters. So: "Note: according to the glossary, Xiao Zong translates to Lord Xiao Zong."

"What the heck is going on?" No Chinese.

Translation: "What on earth is going on?"

"'You're thirty years old?' Chen Wujie asked with a bitter smile." No Chinese.

Translation: "'Are you thirty?' Chen Wuji asked with a wry smile."

"He really is convinced; with that face, who could tell she's thirty?" No Chinese.

Translation: "He really was convinced; who could tell from this face that she is thirty?"

"'I am indeed thirty, my lord; why are you suddenly interested in my age?' Gu Nianqing glanced quickly at Chen Wujie, her clear black-and-white eyes trembling slightly." No Chinese.

Translation: "'I am indeed thirty, sir; why are you suddenly interested in my age?' Gu Nianqing glanced quickly at Chen Wuji, her clear black-and-white pupils trembling slightly."

"Chen Wujie weakly pinched his forehead, 'That old fool pestering you, wanting to talk love and affection, is my father-in-law. After all this back and forth, we two are indeed quite fated; I just don't know… whether this is good or bad.'" No Chinese.

Translation: "Chen Wuji weakly pinched his forehead, 'That old fool who keeps pestering you, wanting to talk love and affection, is my father-in-law. After all these twists and turns, we two really do have some fate, but I don't know... whether this is good or bad.'"

"Considering their past interactions, it seems not to be a good thing." No Chinese.

Translation: "As for their past interactions, it seems not to be a good thing."

"But fate, when spoken of, is just this strange." No Chinese.

Translation: "But fate speaks in just this strange way."

"If it weren't for Xiao Yuji's persistent coaxing, Chen Wujie would absolutely not be able to come here today." No Chinese.

Translation: "If it weren't for Xiao Yuji's soft and hard persuasion, Chen Wuji would absolutely not have come here today."

"Note: according to the glossary, Xiao Yuji translates to Xiao Yuji." No Chinese.

"If he hadn't come here, and these two incidents hadn't occurred, even if they were in the same city, Chen Wujie might never have known that an old acquaintance of hers lived right under his nose." No Chinese.

Translation: "If he hadn't come here, if these two things hadn't happened, even if he were in the same city, Chen Wuji might never have known that an old acquaintance of hers lived right under his nose."

"But it is precisely this series of coincidences that has allowed them to meet again in this way." No Chinese.

Translation: "But it is precisely these successive coincidences that have allowed them to meet again in this way."

"Gu Nianqing slightly opened her mouth, and after a moment she asked with a hint of jealousy, 'Deputy Commander Chen, are you married?'" No Chinese.

Translation: "Gu Nianqing's mouth opened slightly; after a long while she asked, tinged with a hint of jealousy, 'Deputy Commander Chen, are you married?'"

"Note: according to the glossary, Deputy Commander Chen translates to Deputy Commander Chen." No Chinese.

"'Not yet; he is my future father-in-law.' Chen Wujie looked at Gu Nianqing with amusement, deliberately saying, 'But isn't your focus a bit off?'" No Chinese.

Translation: "'Not yet; he is my future father-in-law.' Chen Wuji looked at Gu Nianqing with interest, deliberately saying, 'But is your focus a bit off?'"

"'Lord Xiao is just being wishful; I don't need to care about this. On the contrary, Deputy Commander Chen being married at this age makes me a little surprised, hence my question.' Gu Nianqing's expression was calm, but her words were full of holes." No Chinese.

Translation: "'That Lord Xiao is merely being one-sided; I don't need to care about this. On the contrary, Deputy Commander Chen being married at his age surprises me a little, which is why I asked.' Gu Nianqing's expression was calm, but her words were full of holes."

"Chen Wujie had already reached adulthood; getting married is perfectly reasonable, not surprising." No Chinese.

Translation: "Chen Wuji had already reached adulthood; getting married is quite reasonable, not surprising."

"Gu Nianqing, or perhaps Zhang Xiuer, has a stubborn mouth, but her act lacks the right timing." No Chinese.

Translation: "Gu Nianqing, or perhaps Zhang Xiuer, has a stubborn mouth, but her act is not quite timed right."

"'It seems I should speak less, lest I cause you trouble again.' Chen Wujie leaned in slightly and spoke to Gu Nianqing in a very low voice." No Chinese.

Translation: "'It seems I should speak less, lest I bring you more trouble.' Chen Wuji leaned in slightly and spoke to Gu Nianqing in a very low voice."

"Gu Nianqing's expression flickered; she pursed her lips slightly and then gave Chen Wujie a look that was somewhere between annoyance and anger." No Chinese.

Translation: "Gu Nianqing's expression flickered with surprise; she pursed her lips slightly, then gave Chen Wuji a glance that was both annoyed and angry."

"Chen Wujie chuckled; with that look, there was no need to say anything further." No Chinese.

Translation: "Chen Wuji chuckled; with that look, no further words were needed."

"She is Zhang Xiuer." No Chinese.

Translation: "She is Zhang Xiuer."

"She changed her name and surname to come here; there must be another reason." No Chinese.

Translation: "She changed her name and surname to come here; there must be another reason."

"Let's go ask Qin Zhansong; if even he doesn

Translation: "Go ask Qin Zhanshou; if even he doesn't know, then let her explain herself."

My lord, why not move your carriage to the front courtyard? It's empty there, so you can attend to business without interruption. Gu Nianqing edged closer to Chen Wujian, bowed slightly, and slipped something into his sleeve.

Translation: "'Sir, would you like to move to the front courtyard? No one there would disturb your official duties.' As she spoke, Gu Nianqing shifted slightly toward Chen Wuji, bowed slightly, and slipped something into his sleeve."

She turned her back to everyone, and from behind nothing seemed amiss; it looked like she had merely bent down to say a few words to Chen Wujian, and that was it.

Translation: "She had her back to everyone; from behind nothing seemed unusual, as if she had merely leaned in to say a sentence to Chen Wuji—nothing more."

Chen Wujian, expression unchanged, picked up something soft in his hand, like a handkerchief, and waved it away, saying, "No need, it's fine here. If these brats aren't honest, I'll feed them to your fish."

Translation: "Chen Wuji silently took in the soft-feeling object, like a handkerchief, and waved his hand calmly: 'No need; it's fine here. If those boys aren't honest, I plan to feed them to your fish.'"

"My lord, your killing intent is immense; might I ask you to spare them a different fate?" Gu Nianqing lowered her eyelids, the corner of her mouth twitching.

Translation: "'Sir, your killing intent is immense; may I ask you to give them a different fate?' Gu Nianqing drooped her eyelids, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly."

This young lady is now clearly done pretending.

Translation: "This young lady now clearly has no intention of pretending anymore."

"No way!" Chen Wujian shook his head. "You don't know how hateful these guys are. I've, by hook or by crook, subdued half of the river state's tyrant by force, and these brats actually dare to mock me to my face. Honestly, it's been ages since anyone dared speak to me like that."

Translation: "'No way!' Chen Wuji shook his head. 'You don't know how hateful these guys are; I have, by force, subdued half of the bandits of Hezhou, yet these brats dare to get in my face and mock me. Honestly, it's been a long time since anyone dared speak to me like that.'"

If I don't feed them to the fish, I won't be able to calm my anger.

Translation: "'If I don't feed them to the fish, I can't vent this anger!'"

Gu Nianqing silently stepped back half a step. "In that case, I won't get in the way of your official duties; I, a mere Qinglou shopkeeper, speaking like this seems a bit abrupt—please don't blame me, sir."

She spoke very politely, but that faint smile at the corner of her mouth was clearly reflected in Chen Wuji's eyes.