Chapter 98

The meal was just about ready, and the big project of these 'artisans' in the kitchen was also finished.

Translation: "The meal was just about ready, and the big project of these 'artisans' in the kitchen was also finished."

We need to keep the quotes; the Chinese word for artisans can be rendered as "artisans" in English quotes.

Thus: "The meal was just about ready, and the big project of these 'artisans' in the kitchen was also finished."

Check: The meal was just about ready, and the big project of these artisans in the kitchen was also finished.

There were no extra tables and benches at home; the Chen family, young and old, all pitched in, moving their own belongings over and setting up a mismatched assortment of tables and benches in the courtyard.

Translation: "There were no extra tables and chairs at home, so the Chen family, young and old, all pitched in, moving their own belongings over and setting up a mismatched assortment of tables and benches in the courtyard."

There were no spare tables and benches at home; the Chen family, young and old, all sprang into action, moving their own belongings over and arranging a varied assortment of tables and benches in the courtyard.

Thus: "There were no extra tables and chairs at home, so the Chen family, young and old, all pitched in, moving their own belongings over and setting up a mismatched assortment of tables and benches in the courtyard."

Check: There were no extra tables and benches at home; the Chen family, young and old, all pitched in, moving their belongings over and setting up a mismatched assortment of tables and benches in the courtyard.

The main dishes were Dongpo pork and bamboo skewer barbecue, served with thick millet porridge.

Translation: "The main dishes were braised pork belly and bamboo skewer barbecue, served with thick millet porridge."

According to the glossary, we should use millet for the porridge; Dongpo pork refers to braised pork belly, and bamboo skewer barbecue stays as is.

The meal left hosts and guests delighted, and everyone in the clan, young and old, was very happy.

Translation: "The meal left hosts and guests delighted, and everyone in the clan, young and old, was very happy."

The meal delighted hosts and guests alike, and everyone in the clan, young and old, was very happy.

Whether it was Dongpo pork or bamboo skewer barbecue, to them it was a very surprising food.

Translation: "Whether it was Dongpo pork or bamboo skewer barbecue, to them it was a remarkably surprising food."

Whether it was Dongpo pork or bamboo skewer barbecue, to them it was a very surprising food.

Of course, more importantly, it's really delicious.

Translation: "Of course, more importantly, it was truly delicious."

It's a pity that, because of the pot, only two batches of Dongpo pork were made, so everyone didn't eat their fill and some were left wanting more.

Translation: "Unfortunately, because of the pot, only two batches of Dongpo pork were made, so everyone didn't eat their fill, leaving some wanting more."

But Dongpo pork needs time to simmer slowly, so there was no time to make more.

Translation: "But Dongpo pork needs time to simmer slowly, so there was no time to make another batch."

Chen Wuji felt deeply apologetic and could only let everyone eat more barbecue.

Translation: "Chen Wuji felt apologetic and could only have everyone eat more barbecue."

We need to use Chen Wuji from glossary.

This nearly exhausted Chen Qun and Chen Wuwei.

Translation: "This almost worked Chen Qun and Chen Wuwei to death."

We need to use Chen Qun and Chen Wuwei (pinyin). So: "This almost worked Chen Qun and Chen Wuwei to death."

The clansmen had no ceremony with Chen Wuji, so naturally they weren't formal with those two lads either, urging them on while eating.

Translation: "The clansmen weren't polite with Chen Wuji, so naturally they weren't polite with those two lads either, urging them on while eating."

The clansmen weren't polite with Chen Wuji, so naturally they weren't polite with those two lads either, urging them on as they ate.

While eating, they also eyed the cooking equipment that Chen Wuji had just brought.

Translation: "While eating, they also set their sights on the cooking equipment Chen Wuji had just brought today."

We need Chen Wuji. So: "While eating, they also set their sights on the cooking equipment Chen Wuji had just brought today."

The pot's convenience was merely its debut, and it immediately stirred the clan's hearts.

Translation: "The pot's convenience was merely its debut, and it immediately stirred the clan's hearts."

The pot's convenience was merely its debut, and it immediately stirred the clan's hearts.

Chen Wuji also frankly told everyone that this was something the goat blacksmith had made, and he had a hand in it; once further shipments arrive, they can be prioritized for everyone.

Translation: "Chen Wuji also frankly told everyone that this was something Yang Tiejiang had come up with, and he had a hand in it; once it goes into production, he'll prioritize supplying everyone."

We need Chen Wuji, Yang Tiejiang. So: "Chen Wuji also frankly told everyone that this was something Yang Tiejiang had come up with, and he had a hand in it; once it goes into production, he'll prioritize supplying everyone."

This meal and drink lasted until midnight.

Translation: "This meal and drinks lasted until midnight."

The whole clan—nineteen households, nearly a hundred people young and old—almost finished the meat Chen Wuji had bought, which was just about enough.

Translation: "The whole clan—nineteen households, nearly a hundred people young and old—almost finished the meat Chen Wuji had bought, which was just about enough."

The whole clan—nineteen households, nearly a hundred people young and old—almost finished the meat Chen Wuji had bought, which was just about enough.

But only after they left did Chen Wuji discover that the tidy kitchen was piled with sacks—some holding rice, some noodles, and some cured meat and vegetables.

Translation: "But only after they left did Chen Wuji discover a pile of sacks stacked in the freshly cleaned kitchen, some holding rice, some holding noodles, and some holding cured meat and vegetables."

We need Chen Wuji. So: "But only after they left did Chen Wuji discover a pile of sacks stacked in the freshly cleaned kitchen, some holding rice, some holding noodles, and some holding cured meat and vegetables."

Chen Wuji gazed at them for a while, feeling an indescribable emotion.

Translation: "Chen Wuji stared for a while, feeling an indescribable emotion."

We need Chen Wuji. So: "Chen Wuji stared for a while, feeling an indescribable emotion."

It was agreed that he would treat the drinks.

Translation: "It was supposed to be his treat."

But the clansmen seemed unwilling to let him handle everything alone.

Translation: "But the clansmen seemed unwilling to let him handle everything alone."

But the clansmen seemed unwilling to let him handle everything alone.

In this 'affection‑less' big family, Chen Wuji felt the depth of familial affection.

Translation: "In this 'affection‑less' big family, Chen Wuji felt the depth of familial affection."

In this "affection‑less" big family, Chen Wuji felt the depth of familial affection.

Some things are simply not meant to be done for outsiders to see.

Translation: "Some things simply don't need to be done for outsiders to see."

"Honey, gather and tidy these things up." Chen Wuji said as he stepped out of the kitchen.

Translation: "\"Honey, gather and tidy these things up. \" Chen Wuji said as he stepped out of the kitchen."

"Honey, gather and tidy these things up." Chen Wuji said as he stepped out of the kitchen.

Huo Sanniang and her companions were tidying the courtyard by the firelight.

Translation: "Huo Sanniang and the others were using the firelight to tidy the courtyard."

We need Huo Sanniang. So: "Huo Sanniang and the others were using the firelight to tidy the courtyard."

"What are we gathering?" Huo Sanniang brushed off the dust on her clothes, walked over, and asked.

Translation: "\"Gather what? \" Huo Sanniang brushed off her clothes, walked over, and asked."

We need Huo Sanniang. So: "\"Gather what? \" Huo Sanniang brushed off her clothes, walked over, and asked."

Chen Wuji pointed to the things on the kitchen floor: "The items the clansmen brought."

Translation: "Chen Wuji pointed to the things on the kitchen floor: \"The items the clansmen brought. \""

Chen Wuji pointed to the things on the kitchen floor: "The items the clansmen brought."

"When did they put these in? I didn't notice at all," Huo Sanniang exclaimed after a glance.

Translation: "\"Huh, when did they put these in? I didn't notice at all. \" Huo Sanniang glanced over, surprised."

We need Huo Sanniang. So: "\"Huh, when did they put these in? I didn't notice at all. \" Huo Sanniang glanced over, surprised."

"Who knows? I didn't notice either," Chen Wuji said, chuckling.

Translation: "\"Who knows? I didn't notice either. \" Chen Wuji said with a wry laugh."

We need Chen Wuji. So: "\"Who knows? I didn't notice either. \" Chen Wuji said with a wry laugh."

Huo Sanniang opened a sack, looked inside, and suddenly sighed, "Families differ from one another after all. I'll tidy up; you go rest."

Translation: "Huo Sanniang opened a sack, looked inside, and suddenly sighed, \"Families differ from one another after all. I'll tidy up; you go rest. \""

We need Huo Sanniang. So: "Huo Sanniang opened a sack, looked inside, and suddenly sighed, \"Families differ from one another after all. I'll tidy up; you go rest. \""

"I basically haven't done anything tonight, so I'm not tired." Chen Wuji glanced at Xue Hongdou washing the pot in the courtyard and asked softly, "Did she eat dinner?"

Translation: "\"I haven't really done much tonight, so I'm not tired. \" Chen Wuji glanced at Xue Hongdou washing the pot in the courtyard and asked softly, \"Did she eat dinner? \""

We need Chen Wuji, Xue Hongdou. So: "\"I haven't really done much tonight, so I'm not tired. \" Chen Wuji glanced at Xue Hongdou washing the pot in the courtyard and asked softly, \"Did she eat dinner? \""

"She did," Huo Sanniang laughed. "After Third Uncle talked with her that day, she started speaking to me on her own and even helped with the work. She's actually a nice girl, just burdened with too much on her mind."

Translation: "\"She did. \" Huo Sanniang laughed, \"After San Shu talked with her that day, she started speaking to me on her own and even helped me with work. She's actually a nice girl, just burdened with too much on her mind. \""

We need Huo Sanniang, San Shu. So: "\"She did. \" Huo Sanniang laughed, \"After San Shu talked with her that day, she started speaking to me on her own and even helped me with work. She's actually a nice girl, just burdened with too much on her mind. \""

Chen Wuji was unaware of these matters; for the past three days he had lain on the kang, living a life of having clothes brought to him and food fed to him, and since Huo Sanniang didn't mention extra chores, he never asked about them.

Translation: "Chen Wuji was unaware of these things; for the past three days he had lain on the kang, living a life of having clothes brought to him and food fed to him, and Huo Sanniang never mentioned the extra chores, so he never asked about them."

We need Chen Wuji, Huo Sanniang. So: "Chen Wuji was unaware of these things; for the past three days he had lain on the kang, living a life of having clothes brought to him and food fed to him, and Huo Sanniang never mentioned the extra chores, so he never asked about them."

"Honey, it's not good to think the worst of her all the time; for now it's better to keep an eye out." Chen Wuji reminded, "As long as she doesn't seek death or self‑harm, give her any work to do."

Translation: "\"Honey, it's not good to think too badly of her all the time; for now it's better to keep an eye out. \" Chen Wuji reminded, \"As long as she doesn't seek death or self‑harm, just give her any work to do. \""

"Honey, it's not good to think too badly of her all the time; for now it's better to keep an eye out." Chen Wuji reminded, "As long as she doesn't seek death or self‑harm, just give her any work to do."

Even setting aside Hongdou's personal troubles and background, the fact that she is still unfamiliar with everyone in the household means we shouldn't yet pour our hearts out to her.

Translation: "Even setting aside Xue Hongdou's tangled troubles and background, the fact that she's still unfamiliar with everyone in the household means we shouldn't yet pour our hearts out to her."

We need Xue Hongdou. So: "Even setting aside Xue Hongdou's tangled troubles and background, the fact that she's still unfamiliar with everyone in the household means we shouldn't yet pour our hearts out to her."

We should wait a few more days before making any judgments.

Translation: "We should wait a few more days before making any judgments."

Huo Sanniang gave a soft reply, then chuckled, "You Wei said the same thing—and even scared the girl."

Translation: "Huo Sanniang gave a soft reply, then suddenly chuckled, \"You Wei said the same thing, and even scared the girl. \""

We need Huo Sanniang, You Wei. So: "Huo Sanniang gave a soft reply, then suddenly chuckled, \"You Wei said the same thing, and even scared the girl. \""

"What did she do?" Chen Wuji asked.

Translation: "\"What did she do? \" Chen Wuji asked."

We need Chen Wuji. So: "\"What did she do? \" Chen Wuji asked."

"She told Hongdou her story, especially how she killed that family, and she went into such detail that the girl turned pale for a day. You haven't seen her now—whenever she sees You Wei she hides, have you?" Huo Sanniang shook her head and said.

Translation: "\"She told Hongdou her story, especially how she killed that family, and she went into such detail that the girl turned pale for a day. You haven't seen her now—whenever she sees You Wei she hides, have you? \" Huo Sanniang shook her head and said."

"She told Hongdou her story, especially how she killed that family, and she went into such detail that the girl turned pale for a day. You haven't seen her now—whenever she sees You Wei she hides, have you?" Huo Sanniang shook her head and said.

Chen Wuji chuckled.

Translation: "Chen Wuji let out a wry laugh."

We need Chen Wuji. So: "Chen Wuji let out a wry laugh."

Huo Sanniang said softly, "Wuji, I'm actually a good judge of character; I believe she's a nice girl."

Translation: "Huo Sanniang said softly, \"Wuji, I'm actually a good judge of character; I believe she's a nice girl. \""

Per the instructions, use Huo Sanniang and Chen Wuji (as Wuji); thus: "Huo Sanniang said softly, 'Wuji, I'm actually a good judge of character; I believe she's a nice girl.'"

"Yes yes yes, honey, not only is your eye for people spot‑on, your taste in husbands is even better—if you'd just listen to me at night, it'd be perfect." Chen Wuji whispered into Huo Sanniang's ear.

Translation: "\"Yes yes yes, honey, not only is your eye for people spot‑on, your taste in husbands is even better—if you'd just listen to me at night, it'd be perfect. \" Chen Wuji whispered into Huo Sanniang's ear."

"Yes yes yes, honey, not only is your eye for people spot‑on, your taste in husbands is even better—if you'd just listen to me at night, it'd be perfect." Chen Wuji whispered into Huo Sanniang's ear.

Huo Sanniang stared for a moment, then flushed red, "You scoundrel, you're up to mischief again—has your injury healed?"

Translation: "Huo Sanniang stared for a moment, then flushed red and said, \"You bastard, you're up to no good again—your injuries are healed, right? \""

We need Huo Sanniang. So: "Huo Sanniang stared for a moment, then flushed red and said, \"You bastard, you're up to no good again—your injuries are healed, right? \""

"Heh heh, it doesn't matter!" Chen Wuji said with a mischievous grin.

Translation: "\"Hehe, it doesn't matter! \" Chen Wuji said with a mischievous grin."

We need Chen Wuji. So: "\"Hehe, it doesn't matter! \" Chen Wuji said with a mischievous grin."

"I won't let you mess around…" Huo Sanniang, blushing, darted into the kitchen, shoved Chen Wuji out, and gave him a gentle but firm brush‑off.

Translation: "\"I won't let you mess around…\" Huo Sanniang, blushing, ducked into the kitchen and, as an afterthought, shoved Chen Wuji out, giving him a gentle rejection at the door."

We need Huo Sanniang, Chen Wuji. So: "\"I won't let you mess around…\" Huo Sanniang, blushing, ducked into the kitchen and, as an afterthought, shoved Chen Wuji out, giving him a gentle rejection at the door."

Chen Wuji gave a hehe laugh, and his mood instantly brightened.

Translation: "Chen Wuji gave a hehe laugh, and his mood instantly became wonderful."

We need Chen Wuji. So: "Chen Wuji gave a hehe laugh, and his mood instantly became wonderful."

Will you still be able to have your way then?

Translation: "By then, will you still get to have the final say?"

Just pull the blanket over you later and things will fall into place.

Translation: "Just pull the blanket over you later and things will naturally fall into place."

But soon he could no longer feel that wonderful feeling.

Translation: "But soon he couldn't feel wonderful anymore."

The Yuan scholar and Yuan talent left, but instead of sharing a big bed, he became a lonely bachelor.

Translation: "Yuan Jinshi and Licentiate Yuan went back, but instead of becoming a big‑blanket‑co‑sleeper, he turned into a lonely widower."

We need Yuan Jinshi, Licentiate Yuan, Big Blanket Co-sleep. So: "Yuan Jinshi and Licentiate Yuan went back, but instead of becoming a big‑blanket‑co‑sleeper, he turned into a lonely widower."

Huo Sanniang and You Wei had already gone next door to sleep with Hongdou.

Translation: "Huo Sanniang and Shen Youwei had already gone next door to sleep with Xue Hongdou."

We need Huo Sanniang, Shen Youwei, Xue Hongdou. So: "Huo Sanniang and Shen Youwei had already gone next door to sleep with Xue Hongdou."

In the face of this unjust, heartless act, Chen Wuji put on a thick‑skinned face and stormed next door to deliver a strong condemnation, but Huo Sanniang, blushing, blocked him by saying he needed to recover from his injuries.

Translation: "In the face of such unjust, heartless conduct, Chen Wuji brazenly stormed next door to deliver a strong condemnation, but Huo Sanniang, cheeks flushed, blocked him firmly on the grounds that he needed to recuperate."

We need Chen Wuji, Huo Sanniang. So: "In the face of such unjust, heartless conduct, Chen Wuji brazenly stormed next door to deliver a strong condemnation, but Huo Sanniang, cheeks flushed, blocked him firmly on the grounds that he needed to recuperate."

Chen Wuji's plea to share a big bed went unanswered, so he had to resign himself to sleeping alone on the large kang.

Translation: "Chen Wuji's plea for a big‑blanket‑co‑sleep went unanswered, so he had to honestly keep lonely watch over the great kang."

We need Chen Wuji, Big Blanket Co-sleep, Lonely Pillow Guarding Big Kang. So: "Chen Wuji's plea for a big‑blanket‑co‑sleep went unanswered, so he had to honestly keep lonely watch over the great kang."

That feeling was truly utterly empty.

Translation: "That feeling was truly emptiness itself."

Not being able to do anything enjoyable is bad enough, but he didn't even have a single thing in his hand.

Translation: "Not being able to do anything enjoyable was bad enough, but he didn't even have a trivial thing in his hand."

Young people have many sorrows, but beauty is absolutely a huge barrier.

Translation: "Young people have many sorrows, but beauty is absolutely a huge barrier."

Although Chen Wuji's body houses an old, fiery spirit, he still considers himself young.

Translation: "Although Chen Wuji's body housed an old, cunning soul, he still considered himself young."

We need Chen Wuji. So: "Although Chen Wuji's body housed an old, cunning soul, he still considered himself young."

Men, forever eighteen!

Translation: "Men, forever eighteen!"

……

Translation: "……"

We need to keep the ellipsis as is. So output: "……"

Zhang Mingyuan gently poked the oil lamp with a gold needle, making its light flicker; his own face alternated between bright and dim, making the middle‑aged man opposite feel as if sitting on pins and needles, his body hair standing on end and even fine sweat seeping from his nostrils.

Translation: "Zhang Mingyuan lightly twirled a gold needle before the flickering oil lamp, his own face alternating between light and dark, making the middle‑aged man sitting opposite feel as if seated on pins and needles, his body hair standing on end, even a fine sweat beading on his nostrils."

We need Zhang Mingyuan. So: "Zhang Mingyuan lightly twirled a gold needle before the flickering oil lamp, his own face alternating between light and dark, making the middle‑aged man sitting opposite feel as if seated on pins and needles, his body hair standing on end, even a fine sweat beading on his nostrils."

Master, this Xishan Village is definitely abnormal; this might be a bandit lair! Ordinary commoners could not possibly have such combat strength. Zhou Buping is the most ruthless among the candidates I have selected over these years; he could not possibly be easily overcome by a group of villagers. He said through gritted teeth.

Zhang Mingyuan paused, "You mean one bandit gang sent another bandit gang to the county office to collect the reward?"

"This..." the man's expression stiffened, fine beads of sweat silently seeping out on his forehead, "This might not be impossible; perhaps they deliberately confused the situation, mixing fish eyes with pearls."

Zhang Mingyuan's brow jerked up sharply, "I think you're like a pig!"

"Yes yes yes, I'm indeed as stupid as a pig!" the man hastily agreed.

Zhang Mingyuan suddenly laughed, "Don't be so nervous, it's just that a few bandits died; I don't mean to blame you, look how scared you are."

The man gave an embarrassed smile, the corner of his mouth stiff like an old piece of tree bark.

"I heard that the county magistrate's wife's birthday is coming up, right? Tomorrow carefully pick one or two gifts to send over, make sure it's grand, so he understands my feelings." Zhang Mingyuan suddenly switched to another matter.

"Yes!" the man nodded firmly.

Regardless of whether the county magistrate's wife's birthday is tomorrow, tomorrow will definitely be her memorial day.