Chapter 495

The battle ended in a very short time.

Translation: The battle ended in a very short time.

However, the two biggest fish got away.

Translation: However, the two biggest fish got away.

Seeing the situation was not good, Jia Wentao somehow slipped away with Zhu Zaidao.

Translation: Jia Wentao saw the situation was wrong, and at some point he had already slipped away with Zhu Zaidao.

"Without a doubt, go yourself to the Commander of Yangdu and tell him what just happened, then have him immediately lead men to the Jia and Zhu residences, demanding a swift and decisive strike, so as not to panic the nearby populace." Chen Wujie flicked the blood from his blade and ordered Chen Wuyi.

We need to keep quotes. The Chinese line includes quotes. We'll translate preserving quotes.

Thus: "No doubt, you personally go to the Sheep Commandant's place, tell him what just happened, let him immediately take people to the Jia and Zhu families, to settle it quickly and decisively, don't let the nearby populace panic." Chen Wuji flicked the fresh blood from his knife blade, and ordered Chen Wuyi.

But we need to ensure we keep the quote marks as in original? Usually we keep English quotes. We'll use double quotes.

"Also, remember to remind him that the Jia family has over three thousand able-bodied men, enough to put up a fight; do not be careless—when a lion hunts a rabbit, it must use its full strength."

Translation: "Also, remember to remind him that the Jia family has over three thousand Young Strongmen, enough to put up a fight; don't be careless—when a lion fights a rabbit, it must use its full strength."

"Yes!" Chen Wuyi received the order and departed.

Translation: "Yes!" Chen Wuyi accepted the order and left.

Chen Wujie then turned his attention to the two sons abandoned by Jia Wentao and the several members of the Zhu clan; the fight was over, yet these kids lay there steady and unmoving.

Translation: Chen Wuji then turned his attention to the two sons abandoned by Jia Wentao, as well as Zhu Ji and a few others; the fight was over, but these kids still lay there steady and unmoving.

Yet at this moment they bore none of their former arrogance; each face was filled with panic and unease, like a small rabbit that had suffered a terrible fright, trembling down to their pores.

Translation: But now they had none of their previous arrogance; each face was filled with panic and unease, like a small rabbit that had suffered a great fright, trembling all over, even their pores shaking.

Before they saw blood, they mocked Chen Wujie for having no money and thought he was unworthy to compete with them over romantic rivals; but after witnessing what had just occurred, Chen Wujie appeared to them like a god or demon, his stature instantly looming so large that they lacked even the courage to look up at him.

Translation: Before they saw blood, they mocked Chen Wuji for having no silver in his pocket and being unworthy to compete with them out of jealousy; but after witnessing what just happened, in their eyes Chen Wuji seemed like a demon or god, his stature instantly towering so that they lacked even the courage to look up at him.

"Make them write out their family's crimes, fifty items each; those who don't write enough will be drowned!" Chen Wujie had no interest in chatting further, issued the cold order, and turned to enter the side courtyard.

Translation: "Make them write their families' indictments, fifty items each; those who can't write enough will be drowned!" Chen Wuji had no interest in chatting with them any longer, coldly issuing the order before turning and heading into the side courtyard.

"Miss Gu, may I have a cup of tea with you?"

Translation: "Miss Gu, may I have a cup of tea with you?"

Gu Nianqing hurried after him with small steps, saying, "It is an honor for our Peach Blossom Pavilion; please, sir, this way."

Translation: Gu Nianqing hurried after him with small steps, "It's an honor for our Taohua Yuan, please follow me, sir."

Under Gu Nianqing's guidance, Chen Wujie entered the small courtyard and took his seat in the tea room.

Translation: Under Gu Nianqing's guidance, Chen Wuji entered the side courtyard and took a seat in the tea room.

This is indeed a brothel, but its overall decoration is elegant and simple, more like a tea garden, or a place where literati hold poetry gatherings.

Note: There is a typo in the original text; the intended sentence is "This is indeed a brothel, but its overall decoration is elegant and simple, more like a tea garden, or a place where literati hold poetry gatherings."

Gu Nianqing brought over a small burning clay stove, placed a little charcoal inside, set the teapot on top, and poured in clear water.

Translation: Gu Nianqing brought over a small burning clay stove, put a little charcoal inside, placed the teapot on it, and poured in fresh water.

Chen Wujie leaned back on a couch identical to the large heated brick bed, quietly watching her busy herself.

Translation: Chen Wuji leaned sideways on a couch just like a large heated brick bed, quietly watching her busy work.

"I will impose on you tonight," he suddenly said.

Translation: "I'll trouble you tonight." He suddenly said.

Gu Nianqing's expression flickered slightly, "Sir, are you planning to stay the night?"

Translation: Gu Nianqing's expression flickered slightly, "Sir, are you planning to stay the night?"

"Is that not allowed?"

Translation: "Is that not allowed?"

"Of course it's possible; I would never dare to disappoint your wishes." Gu Nianqing felt a bit flustered, she nervously pursed her lips and softly asked, "If Miss Su is the head courtesan of my establishment, she ought to be groomed today, but given the circumstances we cannot continue as planned; perhaps I should have her come keep you company."

Translation: "Of course it's fine; I wouldn't dare to displease your wishes." Gu Nianqing was a bit flustered; she nervously pursed her lips and asked softly, "Ruo Su is the head courtesan of my shop; she was supposed to do her makeup today, but given the situation she can't continue, so I'll have her come keep you company."

"Can't you?" Chen Wujie asked Gu Nianqing with a steady gaze.

Translation: "You can't?" Chen Wuji asked her indifferently, staring at her.

"I... I am aging and losing my charm, I fear..." Gu Nianqing swallowed nervously, "Although I look young, I am actually quite old, and I worry I may not serve you well."

Translation: "I... I'm old and faded, I'm afraid..." Gu Nianqing nervously swallowed, "Although I look young, I am indeed old, and I fear I cannot serve you well."

Chen Wujie smiled, "What difficulty could there be? I should be able to help you now."

Translation: Chen Wuji smiled, "What's the trouble? I should be able to help you now."

Gu Nianqing lowered her head and fell silent.

Translation: Gu Nianqing lowered her head and fell silent.

Chen Wujie composed himself and said seriously, "Actually, given our relationship, meeting now is truly a bit awkward; your family's decline, and your parents... are directly connected to me."

Translation: Chen Wuji composed himself and said seriously, "Actually, between us two, meeting now is indeed a bit awkward; your family's decline, and your parents... are directly related to me."

"However, given the circumstances at that time, if I had done nothing I would have died, and your father would have crushed me like an ant; even an ant struggles to survive, so I could not remain indifferent."

Translation: "But given the situation back then, if I had done nothing, I would have died, and your father would have crushed me like stepping on an ant; even ants struggle to survive, so I couldn't just stand by."

"Your hatred is understandable, but here you and your parents are on separate paths; as for how you view and think about it, I will listen to your opinion."

Translation: "It's understandable that you hate them, but here, you and your parents are always on opposite sides. As for how exactly to view and think about it, I'll listen to you."

Gu Nianqing slowly shook her head, "It's not hatred, nor do I hate them; they brought it upon themselves."

Translation: Gu Nianqing slowly shook her head, "It's not really hatred, nor do I hate them; they brought it upon themselves."

"Sir, I am Gu Nianqing; you have mistaken me for someone else—I don't know what you're talking about, and between us there seems to be little trouble."

Translation: "Sir, I am Gu Nianqing; you have mistaken the person. I don't know what you're talking about; between us, there doesn't seem to be that much trouble."

Chen Wujie looked around and said, "Outside right now are all my men."

Translation: Chen Wuji looked around and said, "Outside right now are all my people."

"I know." Gu Nianqing gave a slight nod, "If you understood what I just said, that's enough."

Translation: "I know." Gu Nianqing gave a slight nod, "What I just said, you just need to understand it, sir."

Chen Wujie naturally understood.

Translation: Chen Wuji naturally understood.

That was his reply to those words.

Translation: That was his answer to those words.

Yet he did not understand: if everyone outside is his own people, why does Zhang Xuer continue to disguise herself?

Translation: But what he didn't understand was, since outside are all his people now, why does Zhang Xiuer still need to keep up the disguise?

Could it be that the people behind Zhang Xuer are able to infiltrate his tight guard and eavesdrop on their conversation?

Translation: Could it be that the people behind Zhang Xiuer are able to infiltrate his tight guard and eavesdrop on their conversation?

"No one can approach this courtyard now; if you have something to say, feel free to speak boldly. I cannot help you with your family's affairs, and from my standpoint I would not help either; all I could do back then was to secure a way for you to survive." Chen Wujie said softly.

Translation: "No one can approach this courtyard now; if you have something to say, feel free to speak up boldly. I can't help with your family's affairs, and from my standpoint I wouldn't help either; the most I could do back then was to secure you a way to survive." Chen Wuji said softly.

"Today is different from the past; although I am still not very capable, in Hezhou I still have some ability—at the very least, I can guarantee that no one can force you to do anything."

Translation: "Today is different from before; although I'm still not very capable, in Hezhou I do have some ability—at least I can guarantee that no one can force you to do anything."

Gu Nianqing shook her head, "Actually, no one is forcing me; it's just..."

Translation: Gu Nianqing shook her head, "Actually, no one is forcing me; it's just..."

She gave a bitter smile and then helplessly said, "I knew meeting you would surely bring trouble; trying to keep up the disguise may be difficult. All right, I am Zhang Xuer, Brother Wujie, long time no see!".

Translation: She gave a bitter laugh, then helplessly said, "I knew meeting you would surely bring trouble; wanting to keep the disguise may be difficult. All right, I am Zhang Xiuer, Brother Wuji, long time no see!"

Chen Wujie gave a knowing smile, "Long time no see."

Translation: Chen Wuji gave a knowing smile, "Long time no see."

"I have been in Hezhou under the guise of Gu Nianqing for some days now; as for what I am actually doing and my purpose, Brother Wujie, I truly cannot tell you." Zhang Xuer said softly.

Translation: "I have been in Hezhou under the identity of Gu Nianqing for some days now; as for what exactly I'm doing and my purpose, Brother Wuji, I really can't tell you." Zhang Xiuer said softly.

"I can assure you that I will not do anything harmful to Brother Wujie; behind this matter lie many deep and complex factors, and I hope Brother Wujie can forgive me."

Translation: "What I can guarantee is that I won't do anything harmful to Brother Wuji; behind this matter lie many deep factors, and I hope Brother Wuji can forgive me."

"As for my family's affairs, I had already figured it out when the incident occurred; I do not blame Brother Wujie. I cannot blame anyone else; it is entirely their own doing."

Translation: "As for my family's affairs, I had already figured it out when the incident happened; I don't blame Brother Wuji. I can't blame anyone else; it's entirely their own fault."

"In fact, I ought to blame my parents; their actions have also saddled me with the infamy of betraying the nation and forsaking my ancestors, yet they gave me life, and even if they were wrong, I as their daughter cannot hold a grudge."

Translation: "Actually, I should blame my parents; they caused me to bear the infamy of treason and betraying my ancestors, but they gave me life and raised me; even if they were wrong, I, as their daughter, cannot hold a grudge."

Chen Wujie nodded, "If you have something you cannot speak of, I won't press further, as long as you are not being coerced. Then let's talk about what you can share—for instance, how did a lady of noble birth like you come to manage a brothel?"

Translation: Chen Wuji nodded, "If you have something hard to say, I won't press further, as long as you're not being coerced. Then let's talk about something you can share—for example, how did a lady from a noble family end up becoming the madam of a brothel?"

If nothing unexpected occurs, Zhang Xuer's appearance in Hezhou should be related to the emperor in the capital.

Translation: If nothing unexpected happens, Zhang Xiuer's appearance in Hezhou should be related to His Majesty the Emperor in the Capital.

The Imperial City Guard are his true henchmen; Zhang Xuer was secretly escorted by them to the capital, and after only a few months she arrived here.

Translation: The Imperial City Department is his true trusted aide; Zhang Xiuer was then secretly escorted by the Imperial City Department to the Capital, and after only a few months she arrived here.

Besides that, Chen Wujie really cannot think of anyone else who would make such an arrangement.

Translation: Besides that, Chen Wuji really can't think of anyone else who would make such an arrangement.

In Zhang Xuer's speech there is always a sense that she bears a great mission.

Translation: In Zhang Xiuer's words there is always a sense that she bears a great mission.

This attitude makes it even more obvious.

Translation: This attitude makes it even more obvious.

It appears that besides the Imperial City Guard, the emperor also has another corps of trusted aides.

Translation: It seems that besides the Imperial City Department, the old emperor also has another group of trusted aides.

Chen Wujie suspects that his earlier feeling was correct.

Translation: Chen Wuji suspects his earlier feeling was correct.

The emperor has already placed his pieces around him.

Translation: The emperor has already placed his pieces around him.

I just don't know what he means by doing this, nor what his purpose is.

Translation: I just don't know what he means by doing this, nor what his purpose is.

In court, contending with those aristocratic power brokers, I repeatedly suffered crushing defeats; but handling these matters, I'm actually quite adept.