Chapter 765

Zhang Xiu'er slowly shook her head, "Wuji brother, it's precisely because our identities are now special that some matters must not be let the Emperor know."

Translation: Zhang Xiuer slowly shook her head, "Wuji brother, precisely because our identities are special now, some matters must not be let the Emperor know."

But need to keep "Emperor" as Emperor. Use "Emperor". Also "Wuji brother" is Chen Wuji's nickname? He is Chen Wuji, so "Wuji brother". Use "Wuji brother". Keep "Zhang Xiuer". Use "slowly shook her head". Ensure we keep meaning.

Let's produce: Zhang Xiuer slowly shook her head, "Wuji brother, precisely because our identities are special now, some matters must not be let the Emperor know."

But "must not let the Emperor know" => "must not let the Emperor know". Could be "must not be let the Emperor know" is awkward. Better: "must not let the Emperor know". So: "some matters must not be let the Emperor know." Actually Chinese: "some matters must not be let the Emperor know" => "some matters must not be let the Emperor know". We'll phrase: "some matters must not be let the Emperor know." Might be okay.

Logically, I shouldn't still be alive in this world; this path of survival was given to me by the Emperor. He used such a condition to spare my life and my final filial duty.

Translation: "Logically I shouldn't still be alive in this world; this path of survival is granted by the Emperor. He used such a condition to spare my life and my final filial duty."

We need to keep "Emperor" as Emperor. "final filial duty" => "final filial duty". So: "Logically I shouldn't still be alive in this world; this path of survival is granted by the Emperor. He used such a condition to spare my life and my final filial duty."

I'm not saying this because I bear a grudge against Wuji brother; that matter is long over in my heart, and I've never blamed Wuji brother. I can only say that everything is self-inflicted.

Translation: "I say this not because I hold a grudge against Wuji brother; that matter is long past in my heart, and I have never blamed Wuji brother. I can only say that everything is self-inflicted."

Bringing up the past inevitably makes the atmosphere awkward.

Translation: "Bringing up old matters, the atmosphere inevitably becomes awkward."

The grudges and grievances with the Zhang family are clear-cut; everything is obvious, and from Chen Wuji's perspective, he should act this way.

Translation: "The grudges and gratitude with the Zhang family are clear-cut; everything is obvious. From Chen Wuji's standpoint, he should have done this."

But now he and Zhang Xiu'er are entangled again, each with their own position, and these past matters have become a confusing mess that can't be sorted out.

Translation: "But now he and Zhang Xiuer have become entangled again, each with their own stance, turning these past events into a muddled account that cannot be untangled."

Although Zhang Xiu'er spoke frankly, this matter remains undecided for Chen Wuji.

Translation: "Although Zhang Xiuer spoke bluntly, this matter remains undecided for Chen Wuji."

What is spoken aloud and what one truly feels may still be two different things...

Translation: "The words spoken and the true thoughts in one's heart may still be two different things…"

Chen Wuji gave a slight nod, "You're right."

Translation: "Chen Wuji gave a slight nod, 'What you say is also right.'"

As for your family's affairs, although they have caused you great harm, I am not at fault from my perspective.

Translation: "As for your family's affairs, although they have caused you great harm, from my standpoint I am not wrong."

"That's natural." Zhang Xiu'er affirmed Chen Wuji's words with a light smile, saying, "Wuji brother, long time no see—let's not dwell on these unpleasant past matters. If you have time, let me warm a pot of wine so we can chat about something else."

Translation: "That's natural." Zhang Xiuer affirmed Chen Wuji's words, smiling faintly and said, "Wuji brother, long time no see, let's not talk about these upsetting past matters. If you have free time, let me warm a pot of wine and we can chat about something else?"

"Good!" Chen Wuji gladly agreed.

Translation: "Good!" Chen Wuji readily agreed.

Zhang Xiuer lightly pressed her skirt with her bare hands, rose gracefully, asked Chen Li for a bit of advice, then fetched the utensils for warming wine.

"When you came to Zhuque City, did the Emperor give you any other small tasks to do?" Chen Wuji asked.

Zhang Xiuer shook her head, "His Majesty only ordered that, once settled in Zhuque City, I should come see Brother Wuji."

She had a bashful look in her eyes, gave a light, faint smile, and said, "It's not that the Emperor ordered it; I myself have been eager to see Brother Wuji. After being apart for so many days, my heart has been quite restless."

Chen Wuji rested one hand on the table, carefully looked at Zhang Xiuer over and over, then gave a slight smile and nodded.

She still did not mention her contact with the people of Bu Yi Alley.

Warming the wine isn't complicated; just put the wine cup in hot water and heat it.

Zhang Xiuer stared intently at the wine cup; seeing steam rise from it, she used a cloth to pad her hand and lifted the cup out.

"Oh dear!"

Zhang Xiuer suddenly let out a regretful sigh, "I actually forgot to prepare side dishes for Brother Wuji."

"You don't need to trouble yourself; I'll have someone prepare it." As soon as Chen Wuji finished speaking, the side dishes were brought out.

When Zhang Xiuer suggested warming the wine, Chen Li had already ordered someone to do it.

There were chilled beef offal that Chen Wuji liked, and besides that, horse meat and seasonal vegetable side dishes.

Seeing that the dishes were served by strong personal guards, Zhang Xiuer asked in surprise, "Brother Wuji, why haven't you selected some maidservants? Having them attend to daily life would be more convenient."

"Yes, but they can't enter this place." Chen Wuji said.

The Rui Wang Fu left by Yu Ren is fully equipped, and the maidservants are of exceptional appearance.

But Chen Li forcibly barred them from outside.

When Chen Wuji is present, approaching the vicinity of the house is prohibited.

Only when Chen Wuji is not here do they come to sweep and tidy the rooms, putting things in order.

Chen Li disapproved of Qian Fugui's investigation of these maidservants; he is personally looking into their backgrounds.

Especially those few who had frolicked with Chen Wuji in the hot spring have undergone Chen Li's very strict investigation.

Before the investigation yields results, Chen Wuji will probably find it hard to have a chance to soak in the hot spring together with them.

On this matter, Chen Li's attitude is extremely firm; even Qin Zhihong's words have no effect.

Yesterday Qin Zhihong was still complaining to Chen Wuji, saying that Su Yu and Xiao Ying had been taken away by Chen Li.

But Chen Wuji couldn't say anything about this.

When Shi Yi Shu becomes obstinate, he cannot be swayed by just a few words.

Even if he forcibly orders an end to this, within half a day Chen Li will surely summon Xu Zengyi and everyone else, giving them a collective lecture on vigilance in times of peace and on how to be a ruler.

Zhang Xiuer slightly opened her mouth, covered her lips and gave a soft giggle, "Brother Wuji, you are now the Lord of Nan Jun, commanding nearly two hundred thousand troops; you ought to be cautious."

"It's just a slight show of face." Chen Wuji said offhandedly, then reclined sideways on the couch.

Zhang Xiuer, with her red sleeve, added wine and brought it to Chen Wuji's lips.

"Slurp!"

Chen Wuji drank the cup of wine, lowered his eyelids slightly, made an expression of enjoyment, and remarked, "Today this wine tastes especially different."

Zhang Xiuer bashfully lowered her head, "If Brother Wuji likes it, I will serve him in this way."

Hiding in the inner chamber, Qin Zhihong saw this scene, her heaving chest rising and falling in anger, "My husband is truly hateful; he has never treated me with such an attitude, it makes me furious."

"Older sister, you seem... indeed not as gentle as this older sister." Lu Wanwan said softly.

Qin Zhihong's eyes widened in shock, "Am I not gentle?"

"If you try to overpower me with authority, I would definitely say you are the gentlest, but speaking honestly, indeed... I see no gentleness in you at all." Lu Wanwan said in a low voice, yet her words were very frank.

Qin Zhihong glared angrily, "I'm this beautiful, my figure is this good, and still not gentle enough?"

"Older sister, your bearing is graceful, like a celestial being, naturally beautiful; that older sister outside pales in comparison to you in appearance." Lu Wanwan said, "But gentleness and beauty seem to be two different things."

Qin Zhihong stared blankly, "Is... is that so?"

"Older sister, don't pretend to be confused; this has always been two separate matters."

Qin Zhihong silently turned her head, not wanting to speak.

She actually still thought this was one matter.

We shouldn't have driven away those teachers when we were young; it's turned into such a joke.

Chen Wuji and Zhang Xiuer chatted happily, but what slightly regretted Chen Wuji was that, regarding the topic he cared about, Zhang Xiuer consistently avoided it, not even leaking a hint.

However, as they talked, their distance grew closer.

This matter still has to start from when Chen Wuji placed me on Zhang Xiuer's thigh.

As soon as he placed me, Zhang Xiuer leaned back, and their distance instantly narrowed.

Immediately after, Chen Wuji's hand, which had been outside the skirt, smoothly slipped inside.

However, it was only limited to moving his hand left and right, forward and backward inside the skirt.

This place is a study; outside, personal guards stand like a forest, and hidden posts are all around the front and back of the house. Chen Wuji didn't dare to act openly and go any further.

"Family Head!"

Chen Li's voice suddenly rang out at the doorway.

Chen Wuji quickly pulled his hand out of Zhang Xiuer's skirt, "What's the matter?"

A scout has arrived from the front line, sent by Hu Bu Gui.

"Let him in!" Chen Wuji sat up.