Chapter 67: with translation of chapter title

At that moment, A Heng had already been knocked out outside by a hand strike.

Translation: At this moment, Ah Heng had already been knocked unconscious by a hand chop outside.

Listening to the noises inside, Xiao Jingyuan shut his eyes, slowly tightening the hand hidden in his sleeve, then stepped over the screen and walked in.

Translation: Hearing the sounds from inside, Xiao Jingyuan closed his eyes, the hand hidden in his sleeve slowly clenched, and he then strode past the screen and walked in.

He's trained in martial arts, so if he wishes to remain unseen, he can easily achieve that.

Translation: He was a martial artist; if he didn't want others to notice his presence, he could easily do so.

Her cheeks took on a light flush from the steam, her small nose tip beaded with fine sweat, her elegant brows knotted, her black hair cascading like a waterfall immersed in the water, a few wet strands sticking to her pale neck, rising and falling slightly with each breath.

Translation: The woman's cheeks were flushed faintly red by the steam, her petite nose tip covered with fine sweat, her delicate brows tightly furrowed, her black hair like a waterfall soaked in water, a few strands of wet hair sticking to her fair neck, rising and falling slightly with her breath.

This sight seemed to confirm a guess.

Translation: This appearance seemed to confirm some suspicion.

Xiao Jingyuan's face was cold, his eyes downcast as he fixed his gaze on her face; an inexplicable fire rose in his chest, his temples throbbing with visible veins, he wished he could do something to her!

Translation: Xiao Jingyuan wore a cold expression, lowering his gaze to fix on her face; an unnamed fire rose inexplicably in his chest, veins bulging at his temples, he wished he could do something to her!

He leaned forward, bracing his fingers on the tub's edge until they whitened from pressure, his thin lips pressed into a tight, straight line from anger, even slightly turned down.

Translation: He bent over, fingers braced on the rim of the tub, exerting force until his fingertips whitened, his thin lips pressed into a straight line from anger, even slightly downturned.

He believed he had already grown indifferent, yet upon learning that Shen Shuangning's spring dream featured another man, he could not accept it.

Translation: He thought he had long become indifferent, but when he learned that Shen Shuangning's spring dream actually involved another man, he momentarily could not accept it.

But soon, his anger was forcibly quelled by reason, turning into sorrow in the depths of his eyes.

Translation: But soon, his chest-full of anger was forcibly suppressed by reason, turning into a sorrow deep in his eyes.

His eyes remained locked on Shen Shuangning's face, never wavering.

Translation: And his eyes remained fixed on Shen Shuangning's face without the slightest shift.

Perhaps the man's stare was too scorching, making Shen Shuangning's lashes flutter as if she might wake.

Translation: Perhaps the man's gaze was too scorching; Shen Shuangning's eyelashes trembled slightly, as if she were about to wake.

Xiao Jingyuan saw this, rose to his feet, and left without delay.

Translation: Seeing this, Xiao Jingyuan straightened up and did not linger.

After leaving the items to be delivered outside, he went straight away; his back view looked somewhat embarrassed.

Translation: After leaving the items to be delivered outside, he promptly departed, his retreating look appearing somewhat embarrassed.

Xie Lin had received Shen Shuangning's letter three days prior.

Translation: Xie Lin had received Shen Shuangning's letter three days prior.

What he had experienced happened to overlap somewhat with Shen Shuangning's dream, yet it was also quite different.

Translation: And what he had experienced happened to coincide somewhat with Shen Shuangning's dream, though it was also quite different.

Indeed, the female leader of Black Wind Stronghold had taken a liking to Xie Lin, even plotting to capture him and bring him to the stronghold to force a marriage, but this was all part of Xie Lin's anti-bandit scheme.

Translation: Xie Lin was indeed taken a fancy to by the female chieftain of Black Wind Stronghold, who even schemed to capture him and bring him to the stronghold to force a wedding, but this was all part of Xie Lin's bandit-suppression plan.

This stage was the "beautiful man" ploy.

Translation: This link was the handsome-man scheme.

At that moment, when he received Shen Shuangning's letter from the scout, he was inside Black Wind Stronghold.

Translation: At that time, when he received Shen Shuangning's letter from the scout, he was inside Black Wind Stronghold.

Xie Lin didn't expect Shen Shuangning to send him a letter.

Translation: Xie Lin never expected Shen Shuangning to write him a letter.

He couldn't wait to open it.

Translation: He eagerly tore it open.

She asked if his injuries were serious, whether he was suffering from acclimatization issues, if he had gained or lost weight, told him to take care in everything and not to overexert himself, and mentioned a few things about her life in the capital; that was all.

Translation: In the letter she asked whether his injury was serious, if he was suffering from unfamiliar climate, whether he had gained or lost weight, urged him to be careful in all matters and not to overexert himself, and mentioned a few things about her affairs in the capital; that was all.

Seeing the mundane words of concern in the letter, he wished he could tear each character apart and examine it over and over.

Translation: Looking at the utterly ordinary words of concern on the letter, he wished he could dissect each character and examine it countless times.

She was concerned about him, missing him.

Translation: She was worried about him, missing him.

Understanding this, Xie Lin felt a hint of sweetness in his heart, his mouth curving into a smile unbidden, and even his wounds no longer hurt.

Translation: Realizing this, Xie Lin felt a hint of sweetness in his heart, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curling into a smile, and his wounds no longer felt painful.

So he picked up his brush, pondered for a long time, wanting to say many things, but didn't know how to begin.

Translation: Thus he took up his brush, pondered for a long time, wanting to express countless words, yet did not know how to begin.

He went through countless sheets of paper before finally writing a reply; after thinking it over, he also sent along his own waist sash.

Translation: After wasting who knows how many sheets of letter paper, he finally finished a reply, then thought it over and also sent along his own waist sash.

The letter Xiao Jingyuan left behind was exactly Xie Lin's reply to her, along with Xie Lin's personal belonging.

Translation: And the letter left by Xiao Jingyuan was precisely Xie Lin's reply to her, together with Xie Lin's personal item.

Soon after Xiao Jingyuan departed, Shen Shuangning awoke.

Translation: Not long after Xiao Jingyuan left, Shen Shuangning woke up.

She called A Heng a few times from within, but got no answer.

Translation: She called for Ah Heng a few times inside, but received no response for a while.

The water had cooled a bit, so Shen Shuangning had to come out alone, take the middle garment from the warming rack, put it on, and then leave.

Translation: The water had also grown somewhat cool, so Shen Shuangning had no choice but to come out alone, put on the middle garment from the warming rack, and then went out.

The side hall was silent.

Translation: The side hall was quiet.

Seeing A Heng unconscious on the couch, her face changed instantly and she rushed over.

Translation: Upon seeing Ah Heng unconscious on the couch, her complexion suddenly changed, and she hurried over.

"A Heng, A Heng?!" Shen Shuangning anxiously shook A Heng's shoulders.

Translation: "Ah Heng, Ah Heng?!" Shen Shuangning anxiously shook Ah Heng's shoulders.

After a moment, A Heng gradually regained consciousness, she slowly sat up and rubbed her slightly sore neck.

Translation: After a moment, Ah Heng gradually came to, she slowly sat up, and used her hand to press on her somewhat sore neck.

She then realized what had happened and immediately looked at the young lady with a tense expression.

Translation: Immediately realizing what had happened, she at once looked toward the young lady, her expression tense.

"Miss, are you okay?!"

Translation: "Miss, are you all right?!"

Shen Shuangning hurriedly said, "I'm fine; how did you faint? What exactly happened?"

Translation: Shen Shuangning quickly replied, "I'm fine; how did you faint, what exactly happened?"

A Heng got up from the bed, spat, and said, "Someone just came in; I was ambushed! Damn bastard!"

Translation: Ah Heng rose from the couch, spat, and said, "Someone just came in; I was ambushed! Damn bastard!"

Hearing that an outsider had come in, Shen Shuangning's expression changed slightly; she had indeed been bathing just then.

Translation: Upon hearing that an outsider had entered, Shen Shuangning's expression shifted slightly; she had indeed been bathing just then!

"Did you manage to see who it was?"

Translation: "Did you get a clear look at who it was?"

A Heng shook his head and picked up the knife that had fallen to the floor.

Translation: Ah Heng shook his head, picking up the knife that had fallen to the ground.

At that moment she sensed something wrong, only managing to draw her knife, but before she could make any further move she was knocked out, so she didn't even get to see the bastard's face!

Translation: At that moment she sensed something amiss, only managing to draw her knife before she could make any further move, she was struck unconscious, so much so that she didn't even get to see that bastard's face!

Damn it!!

Translation: Damn it!!

The two palace maids were also knocked out; after being revived, they too had no idea what had happened.

Translation: And those two palace maids were also knocked unconscious; after they were roused, they too knew nothing.

The palace maid worriedly asked, "Should we tell the princess about this?"

Translation: The palace maid asked fearfully, "Should we report this to the princess?"

To be honest, they had served in Chang Le Palace for a long time, but this was the first time they had encountered anything like this!

Translation: To be honest, they had served in Chang Le Gong for so long, yet this was the first time they'd encountered such a thing!

Shen Shuangning paused, then said, "First let's see if anything is missing."

Translation: Shen Shuangning pondered for a moment, then said, "First let's see if anything is missing."

The intruder went to great lengths to get in but didn't hurt anyone; could it be theft?

Translation: The other party went to great trouble to get in, yet harmed no one; could it be theft?

Before long, A Heng came over holding something.

Translation: Not long after, Ah Heng came over holding something.

"Miss, I saw this on the table."

Translation: "Miss, I saw this on the table."

A Heng held the letter in one hand and a deer‑skin waist sash in the other.

Translation: Ah Heng held the letter in one hand and a deer-skin waist sash in the other.

Shen Shuangning leaned against the soft couch, opened it and saw it was Xie Lin's letter; the solemn suspicion on her face instantly turned into delight.

Translation: Shen Shuangning leaned against the soft couch, opened it to see it was Xie Lin's letter, and the solemn suspicion on her face instantly turned into delight.

Indeed, they were thinking of each other; he had just been thinking of him when the letter arrived.

Translation: Indeed, hearts in sync; he had just been thinking of him, and the letter arrived.

It appears that person was only there to deliver the letter; she really ought to thank him.

Translation: It seems that person merely came to deliver the letter; she truly ought to thank him.

Shen Shuangning's gloom over the day had largely lifted.

Translation: Shen Shuangning's day-long gloom had largely dissipated.

She composed her expression and told the two palace maids, "Don't let the princess know about tonight's events; just pretend nothing happened, understood?"

Translation: She composed her expression and told the two palace maids, "Don't let the princess hear about tonight's affair; just act as if nothing happened, understood?"

The two palace maids nodded repeatedly; frankly, this was also their fault, and since the young lady didn't want to pursue it, they were all relieved and grateful.

Translation: The two maids nodded repeatedly; frankly, this was also their fault, and since the young lady doesn't want to pursue it, they're all thanking heaven and earth!

Strangely, although the woman before them is only two years older than the princess and also a boudoir lady, sometimes the aura she gives off is nothing like a young girl's; just look at now, she is quite intimidating.

Translation: Funny enough, the woman before them is only two years older than the princess, also a lady of the boudoir, yet sometimes the aura she exudes is nothing like a girl's—just like now, she's rather intimidating.

The palace maid now held Shen Shuangning in even greater esteem.

Translation: The palace maid inwardly revered Shen Shuangning even more.

After the palace maid left, only Aheng remained by her side.

Turns out it was someone delivering a letter...... Aheng couldn't help complaining, "Knocking them out was enough, but why didn't you spare me either? It hurts to death."

Aheng thought, "It must be that annoying Qing Feng beside Young Master Xiao!"

Shen Shuangning said nothing, just sitting by the candlelight looking at the letter in her hand, her gaze gentle, she examined it carefully, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

Xie Lin was fine, so she finally felt relieved.

Aheng however asked, bewildered, "Why did the Young Marquis bring a waist belt?"

Shen Shuangning picked up the deerskin waist belt, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Untie the waist jade belt, send someone to return it to the wife.

When a man on campaign gives a woman a waist belt, it is an act between husband and wife, using an intimate object to convey longing.

Shen Shuangning explained it to Aheng, who, upon understanding, flew into a rage.

"How could the Young Marquis take advantage of the Miss! He's not even the son-in-law!"

Shen Shuangning quickly covered her mouth, "Shh! Keep it down!"

But that expression clearly showed she was enjoying it.

Xiao Jingyuan did not leave.

He stood on the tree outside the side hall, his already dark robes nearly blending with the night.

His hearing and eyesight were exceptionally sharp.

Suddenly feeling a loss of interest, he turned and left.

As Shen Shuangning lay back on the bed, she couldn't help thinking that she had smelled a familiar scent while bathing earlier.

She then promptly snuffed out that thought.

It absolutely could not be Xiao Jingyuan.

For such a trivial matter, there's no need for Young Master Xiao to personally make the trip, and since he dislikes her so much, he certainly wouldn't come.

The next day, upon seeing Shen Shuangning, Princess Jingyu clearly noticed her mood had improved, so on the way to Shu Zhai she proactively asked if she had any good news.

Shen Shuangning naturally wouldn't tell her the reason, brushing it off with a vague answer.

They were almost at Shu Zhai when, in the distance, she spotted a rather familiar figure.

The man wore a dark blue brocade robe, tall and upright, his demeanor cool and clear, bamboo shadows casting a faint shade upon him.

Shen Shuangning never expected that the person giving the princess a lesson would be her own elder brother; after a moment's thought she understood.

The old scholars of the Hanlin Academy surely thought giving the princess a lesson was child's play, so they all made excuses not to come, and this duty naturally fell to the young Shen Xiuci.

While at the Imperial Academy, Shen Xiuci stood out from his peers, being a favored disciple of Master Kongsun; his learning was excellent, and His Majesty felt reassured.

And since Shen Xiuci wished to pursue an official career, he naturally could not disappoint the Emperor; if he could educate the princess well, that would also count as merit.

In the palace, with many people and watchful eyes, one must speak and act carefully; today Shen Xiuci is their instructor, not Shen Shuangning's brother.

Shen Shuangning politely called out "Sir," but secretly winked at him.

Shen Xiuci gave a slight nod, saying nothing more.

Princess Jingyu, eager to perform well, obediently greeted, "Hello, Sir."

Shen Xiuci returned the salute with clasped hands: "Your Highness, please be seated."

Shen Xiuci had thought His Majesty merely wanted the little princess to study, and that she herself was unwilling, but he saw that Princess Jingyu was quite earnest, answering questions without perfunctoriness.

Seeing this, Shen Xiuci also became a bit more serious.

After an hour, the lesson ended; Shen Xiuci left Princess Jingyu a problem, and she remained seated, pen in hand, scribbling something with a swish-swish-swish.

Taking this opportunity, Shen Xiuci pulled Shen Shuangning aside and said solemnly, "Do you know that His Majesty still intends to test the princess's archery?"

Shen Shuangning's brow twitched: "What? Isn't it just studying?"

Shen Xiuci said, "I only received the news yesterday; in a month, the princess of the Jurchen State will come to Liang, and His Majesty has now decided that the princess should study the Six Arts precisely for this reason."

In the Jurchen State, women are held in highest esteem, all exceptionally outstanding; women who outshine men, and that princess is the finest among them.

Shen Shuangning didn't ask why the Jurchen princess was coming; she only frowned and said, "In a month, what can one possibly learn? The princess can't endure hardship, so her archery will at best be superficial."

Shen Xiuci looked at her without speaking.

Shen Shuangning suddenly had a bad premonition, her eyes widening: "His Majesty had me accompany her in study—surely he won't make me take the test, will he?!"