Chapter 507

A phoenix palanquin sped along the imperial road.

Translation: A phoenix palanquin sped along the imperial road.

A phoenix palanquin sped along the imperial road.

Princess Jìngshèng was like a madwoman, her hair disheveled, as she personally drove the phoenix palanquin, frantically whipping the three azure phoenixes pulling it, screaming hysterically and charging straight ahead all the way to the imperial city.

Translation: Princess Jingcheng was like a madwoman, hair disheveled, personally driving the phoenix palanquin, desperately whipping the three azure qilin pulling it with a long whip, screaming hysterically, charging straight ahead all the way to the imperial city.

Check: 'azure phoenix' is a mythical bird, often translated as azure phoenix or azure qilin? In context, it's pulling the carriage, likely a mythical bird. We'll translate as 'azure phoenix'. So:... whipping the three azure phoenixes pulling it.

Thus: Princess Jingcheng was like a madwoman, hair disheveled, personally driving the phoenix palanquin, desperately whipping the three azure phoenixes pulling it with a long whip, screaming hysterically, charging straight ahead all the way to the imperial city.

Before the imperial city gates, several guards blocked the phoenix palanquin; before they could even speak, Princess Jìngshèng lashed out with her whip, striking them on the head and face, beating the guards until they were covered in blood and rolling on the ground.

Translation: Before the imperial city gates, a few guards blocked the phoenix palanquin; before they could even speak, Princess Jingcheng swung her long whip, striking them head-on, beating the guards until they were covered in blood and rolling on the ground.

includes "Princess Jìngshèng". Good.

Translation: "Your Majesty, summon Princess Jingcheng for an audience." After Princess Jingcheng had vented hysterically for a while, a pallid, clean-shaven old eunuch stepped on a gust of clear wind, floated out from the inner halls of the palace, and shouted from afar, thereby saving the lives of several guards.

includes "eunuch". Good.

includes "Princess Jìngshèng". Good.

Translation: "I'll remember you!" Princess Jingcheng pointed at the blood-soaked guards, snarled, then leapt from the phoenix palanquin and ran in angrily.

includes "Princess Jìngshèng". Good.

Translation: The old eunuch watched the frantic princess, then looked at the guards gasping on the ground, sighed lightly, waved his hand, and the many guards who had been silent as cicadas surged forward with a clamor, helping up their unlucky comrades and carrying them to a nearby barracks for treatment.

Check: the guards were silent as cicadas, then surged forward with a clamor, helping up several unlucky comrades and carrying them to a nearby barracks for treatment.

The eunuch muttered under his breath: "Back in the day, even a noble prince wouldn't dare cause a ruckus at the imperial gate—yet this mere princess, already married off, dares to whip the imperial guards like this… this Great Jin…"

Translation: The old eunuch muttered under his breath: "Back in the day… even a noble prince wouldn't dare cause a ruckus at the imperial city gates; sigh, a mere princess who's already married out dares to whip the imperial guards so severely—this Great Jin…"

The eunuch warily glanced around, finally swallowing the words 'want to play' back into his belly.

Translation: The old eunuch warily glanced around, finally swallowing the words "want to play" back into his belly.

Having spent his whole life in the Great Jin palace, the eunuch was an old sparrow who had weathered many storms; he knew what could be said and what could not. He shook his head, a gentle breeze swirling at his feet, and hurried after Princess Jìngshèng.

Translation: Having spent his whole life in the Great Jin imperial palace, he was like an old sparrow that had weathered great storms; the old eunuch knew what could be said and what could not. He shook his head, a clear wind swirling at his feet, and quickly pursued Princess Jingcheng.

Within An'yang City, a prohibition prevents flight.

Translation: Within Anyang City, there is a prohibition; flight is impossible.

The restriction inside the imperial city is even stricter than that in An'yang: not only is flying forbidden, but even running slightly faster than normal subjects one to immense pressure, and if one's speed exceeds a preset limit, the great formation will immediately suppress and attack.

Translation: The prohibition inside the imperial city is even stricter than that in Anyang City—not to mention flying, even if one's running speed is just a bit faster, they will suffer immense pressure; if running speed exceeds a certain preset limit, it will directly trigger the great formation's suppression and attack.

Princess Jìngshèng could only run a little faster than a person's full sprint, gritting her teeth and panting 'hee‑hee' as she dashed all the way into the deepest part of the palace, arriving at the Hall of Nurturing the Heart where Sima Xian usually studied.

Translation: Princess Jingcheng could only move at a speed slightly faster than a person's full sprint, gritting her teeth, puffing "huff-huff" as she panted, she sprinted all the way deep into the imperial palace to the Hall of Nurturing the Heart where Sima Xian usually studied.

The Lord of the Wenhua Hall of Great Jin, Gu Haoran, who oversees the royal four arts, together with several of Sima Xian's close retainers, were in the Hall of Nurturing the Heart.

Translation: The Grand Master of the Wenhua Hall of Great Jin, Gu Haoran, who oversees the royal four arts, together with several of Sima Xian's close retainers, were in the Hall of Nurturing the Heart.

Check: the Lord of the Wenhua Hall of Great Jin, Gu Haoran, who oversees the royal four arts, together with several of Sima Xian's close retainers, were in the Hall of Nurturing the Heart.

Gu Haoran didn't know where he had obtained an ancient scroll depicting a majestic ten‑thousand‑mile landscape of misty clouds; Sima Xian, together with a few officials and several high‑ranking eunuchs, stood beside the desk, holding their breath as they admired the scroll.

Translation: Gu Haoran had somehow acquired an ancient scroll depicting a majestic ten‑thousand‑li landscape of misty rivers and mountains; Sima Xian, along with several ministers and a few high‑status eunuchs, stood beside the desk, holding their breath as they admired the scroll.

"It's the master's hand, the master's hand," Sima Xian sighed sincerely. "What a pity, what a pity—such a fine work, yet the signature has been gnawed away by rats… truly, I don't even know which master created this piece."

Translation: "A master's hand, a master's hand." Sima Xian sighed sincerely: "What a pity, what a pity—such a fine work, yet the signature has been gnawed by rats… truly… I don't even know which master created this great work."

The scroll is about seventy‑to‑eighty percent intact; the main body of the painting is largely complete, but the signature and several appraisal and collection seals are damaged. Although the work is grand and a masterpiece, we cannot yet determine which ancient master created it.

Translation: The scroll is about seventy‑to‑eighty percent intact; the main body of the painting is largely complete, only the signature and some appraisal and collection seals are considerably damaged. Although the painting is grand and a masterpiece, for the moment we cannot tell which ancient master created it.

However, this also sparked the interest of Sima Xian and his companions.

Translation: However, this also piqued the interest of Sima Xian and the others.

For Sima Xian, researching such ancient paintings suits his taste; being able to determine a painting's origin and lineage is far more enjoyable than scheming with civil and military officials at court.

Translation: For Sima Xian, such research on ancient paintings suits his taste; being able to trace the provenance of a painting is far more enjoyable than wrangling with civil and military officials at court.

Especially… what affairs at court still require Sima Xian's attention nowadays?

Translation: Especially… what matters at court these days still need his attention?

In the war against Great Wu, all strategic planning was handed over to Linghu Qingqing; with seventy percent of the generals' commands and eighty percent of the Great Jin divine state's armies under the Linghu clan's control, Sima Xian had no room to voice an opinion in this conflict.

Translation: The war against Great Wu, all strategic planning, has been handed over to Linghu Qingqing. With seven-tenths of the command authority in her hands, and roughly eighty percent of the Great Jin Divine State's army under the Linghu clan's control, in this war Sima Xian finds himself with no room to voice an opinion.

After much difficulty, a figure named Huo Xiong appeared, and Sima Xian intended to let him unleash his divine power in the southwest, letting him accumulate merit and gain a share of military influence…

Translation: After much difficulty, a figure named Huo Xiong appeared; Sima Xian even prepared to let Huo Xiong unleash his divine might in the southwest, letting him accumulate merit and gain a foothold of power in the military…

The Linghu clan, unwilling to wait, moved swiftly, replacing Huo Xiong with Linghu Song and sending Huo Xiong straight back from the front lines.

Translation: The Linghu clan's forces, unable to wait, moved directly, using Linghu Song to replace Huo Xiong, sending Huo Xiong straight back from the front lines.

Speaking of these matters brings tears to one's eyes.

Translation: Speaking of these matters brings tears to one's eyes.

Sima Xian, unwilling to overthink, immersed himself completely in the scroll's atmosphere; through those refined, ancient brushstrokes he felt as if he were communing soul‑to‑soul with the unknown master, grasping some of the fleeting thoughts that arose when the master put brush to paper.

Translation: Sima Xian couldn't be bothered to think further; he immersed himself completely in the painting's atmosphere, and through those refined, ancient brushstrokes he felt as if he were communing soul‑to‑soul with that unknown master, grasping some scattered thoughts of the master when the brush touched the paper.

"This master is certainly not of our Great Jin; his brushwork is so mighty that he must be a native of the savage southern lands of Great Wu." Sima Xian narrowed his eyes in contemplation, then reached out and lightly tapped the desk before him.

Translation: "This master is certainly not of our Great Jin; with such mighty brushwork he must be a native of the savage, perilous lands of southeastern Great Wu." Sima Xian narrowed his eyes in contemplation, then reached out and lightly tapped the desk before him.

Gu Haoran and the others frowned, staring fixedly at the scroll without uttering a word.

Translation: Gu Haoran and the others furrowed their brows, staring intently at the scroll without a word.

With a boom, the doors of the Hall of Nurturing the Heart were kicked open by Princess Jìngshèng, who rushed in like a blazing flame and immediately flung herself at Sima Xian's feet, bursting into loud sobs.

Translation: With a boom, the doors of the Hall of Nurturing the Heart were kicked open by Princess Jingcheng, who rushed in like a blazing flame and immediately threw herself at Sima Xian's feet, wailing loudly.

Sima Xian's eyes twitched violently several times.

Translation: Sima Xian's eyes twitched violently several times.

He raised a hand to his forehead and said, "Jìngshèng, um, um, I just heard… you caused a disturbance at the palace gate? Hey, hey, what's the big deal? Why are you crying? Did Zhao Xiong bully you? Or what?"

Translation: He raised his hand, patted his forehead, and said: "Jingcheng, uh, uh, I just heard… you caused a disturbance at the palace gates? Well, what's the big deal? Uh, why are you crying? Did Zhao Xiong bully you? Or what?"

Princess Jìngshèng's eyes darted, and she cried out loudly, "Your Majesty, the Duke of Yu…"

Translation: Princess Jingcheng's eyes rolled, and she cried out loudly: "Your Majesty, the Duke of Yuzhou…"

Sima Xian's face darkened at once as he looked at Princess Jìngshèng and said slowly, "Yu Prefecture refers to the Duke of Yu's domain… Jìngshèng, why are you crying? Is someone bullying you? Or what?"

Translation: Sima Xian's face darkened instantly; he looked at Princess Jingcheng and said slowly: "Yuzhou refers to the Yuzhou of the Duke of Yuzhou… Jingcheng, why are you crying? Uh, has someone bullied you? Or what?"

Princess Jìngshèng immediately abandoned the idea of accusing Wu Tie before Sima Xian, screaming hysterically, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you must uphold justice for me… does An'yang City still have any law?"

Translation: Princess Jingcheng immediately abandoned the idea of telling Sima Xian about Wu Tie's offense, and screamed hysterically: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you must uphold justice for me… Does Anyang City still have any law?"

Princess Jìngshèng wept as the elite troops directly under the Ministry of War, at the gate of her residence, slaughtered all her trusted followers—elders and children alike—leaving heads and corpses piled everywhere, then marched off without even collecting the remains.

Translation: Princess Jingcheng wept, saying that the elite troops directly under the Ministry of War, at the gate of her residence, had slaughtered all her close allies and their families, piling heads and corpses everywhere, then marched off without even collecting the remains.

"Are they still soldiers of Great Jin? They brazenly raid merchant guilds, brazenly loot and exterminate families, brazenly kill in the streets… Oh, Your Majesty, how can they act this way?"

Translation: "Are they still soldiers of Great Jin? They brazenly loot merchant guilds, brazenly ransack and exterminate families, brazenly kill in the streets… Oh, Your Majesty, how can they act this way?"

Princess Jìngshèng wept until her face was soaked with tears, gasping for breath to the point of nearly fainting.

Translation: Princess Jingcheng cried until her face was soaked with tears, gasping for breath, nearly fainting.

Sima Xian's complexion was grim.

Translation: Sima Xian's complexion was grim.

He recalled the proposal made by Linghu Qingqing at court to severely punish profiteers in order to replenish military supplies, using martial law to requisition their goods.

Translation: He recalled the proposal Linghu Qingqing had made at court—to severely crack down on profiteers to compensate for military supplies and equipment, and to requisition their goods under military law.

Sima Xian had originally thought this was a minor matter.

Translation: Sima Xian originally thought this was a minor matter.

In fact, for the vast Great Jin divine state, this really is just a small matter.

Translation: In fact, for the vast Great Jin Divine State, this really is just a small matter.

A few profiteers—eliminate them and they're gone; as long as the producers remain, why worry about finding replacements?

Translation: A few profiteers—eliminate them, and it's done; as long as the populace producing resources remains, who worries about not finding replacements?

But now it seems this matter is not simple.

Translation: But now it seems this matter is not simple.

Is Linghu Qingqing targeting Princess Jìngshèng?

Translation: Is Linghu Qingqing targeting Princess Jingcheng?

Although the entire civil and military establishment unanimously labels Sima Xian a fool—and the greatest fool in Great Jin history—he is not stupid.

Translation: Although the entire civil and military establishment unanimously regards Sima Xian as a fool, indeed the greatest fool in Great Jin Divine State's history, he is not stupid.

Staring fixedly at Princess Jìngshèng, Sima Xian asked in a cold voice, "You—how did you offend the Left Minister?"

Translation: Staring straight at Princess Jingcheng, Sima Xian asked coldly: "You, how did you offend the Left Minister?"

Princess Jìngshèng stared blankly at Sima Xian and said, "My palace… how could I possibly have offended the Left Minister?"

Translation: Princess Jingcheng stared blankly at Sima Xian: "My palace… how could I possibly have offended the Left Minister?"

Princess Jìngshèng carefully reviewed everything she had done over the past half year—no, she had not provoked that old fellow Linghu Qingqing; indeed, she usually kept well clear of the western military offices of the palace and never went near them.

Translation: Princess Jingcheng carefully reviewed what she had done over the past half year—no, she had not provoked that old fogey Linghu Qingqing. In fact, she usually avoided the western military district of the imperial palace, never wandering near it.

How could she possibly have offended Linghu Qingqing?

Translation: How could she possibly have offended Linghu Qingqing?

"Well, that's truly strange," Sima Xian said coldly. "This matter was proposed by the Left Minister in court, the Right Minister did not object, and our Great Jin and Great Wu must fully prepare supplies and military resources for all‑out war."

Translation: "That really is strange," Sima Xian said coldly. "This matter was proposed by the Left Minister in court, the Right Minister did not object, and for our Great Jin and Great Wu to go to full‑scale war, all supplies and military provisions must be fully prepared."

"Furthermore, the Left Minister's proposal to reestablish the Three Gardens' Imperial Guards and the Twelve Guards' Imperial Guards is a matter of state, yet the enormous consumption of resources means those profiteers, who habitually break the law, are nothing less than national pests."

Translation: "Moreover, the Left Minister's proposal to reestablish the Three Palaces' Imperial Guards and the Twelve Divisions' Imperial Guards is a matter of state importance, yet at once… such enormous resource consumption means those profiteers, who habitually commit unlawful acts, are each a great pest to the nation."

"Therefore, I also agree—let us use this opportunity to properly punish certain people."

Translation: "Therefore, I also agreed, using this opportunity to properly punish certain people."

"I never expected… the Left Minister's first strike would fall on you," Sima Xian sighed. "Well, I'll speak with him later—at the very least, let's not make things so bloody."

Translation: "I never expected… the Left Minister's first strike would fall upon you?" Sima Xian let out a soft sigh: "Well, later I'll speak with the Left Minister. At the very least, let's not make it so bloody."

Sima Xian frowned and asked, "You really haven't offended the Left Minister?"

Translation: Sima Xian frowned: "You really haven't offended the Left Minister?"

Sima Xian still understands Linghu Qingqing to some extent; his steady, ruthless nature makes it hard to believe he would drag thousands of men, women, old and young to Princess Jìngshèng's gate just to behead them.

Translation: Sima Xian still understands Linghu Qingqing fairly well; she acts steadily and shrewdly, so having her escort thousands of men, women, old and young to Princess Jingcheng's gate to be beheaded is nothing like something she would do.

Princess Jìngshèng must have gravely offended that old man.

Translation: Princess Jingcheng must have gravely offended that old fogey.

But what exactly did Princess Jìngshèng do?

Translation: But what exactly did Princess Jingcheng do?

In the Nine‑Winding Stream Hall, within the Three Ministries Hall, Sima Wuyou sat quietly in a small study, faint threads of spiritual light emanating from his body, a tiny spiritual cloud hovering above his head that bore the Great Jin divine state's imperial jade seal.

Translation: In the Nine‑Winding Stream Hall, within the Three Ministries Hall, Sima Wuyou sat quietly in a small study, faint threads of spiritual light emanating from his whole body, a tiny spiritual cloud hovering above his head, upon which rested the imperial jade seal of the Great Jin Divine State.

From Sima Wuyou's nostrils two clear, water‑like streams flowed in and out like dragons; each breath made his aura more elusive and mysterious, more sacred and solemn.

Translation: From Sima Wuyou's nostrils, two clear streams of water‑like qi flowed like flood dragons, continually entering and exiting; each time, his aura became more elusive and mysterious, more sacred and solemn.

The Shangqing Lingbao Sutra—an ancient forbidden art—after losing the imperial jade seal, Sima Wuyou dared not wield even a trace of magical power for nearly six thousand years, nor mobilize any potency. During that time he could only rely on the vast resources of the Great Jin imperial family, silently polishing and nurturing his divine embryo, laying a foundation that became extraordinarily solid and heavy.

Translation: The "Shangqing Lingbao Scripture," an ancient forbidden art—after losing the imperial jade seal, Sima Wuyou dared not unleash even a trace of spiritual power for nearly six thousand years, nor mobilize any potency. Over those six thousand years, Sima Wuyou could only, using the vast resources of the Great Jin imperial lineage, silently temper and nurture his divine embryo, laying a foundation extremely solid and heavy.

After millennia of accumulation, a brief period of renewed practice saw Sima Wuyou's progress leap by leaps and bounds; his magical abilities surged rapidly, astonishing him and even stirring a hint of fear.

Translation: After millennia of accumulation, a brief few days of renewed practice saw Sima Wuyou's progress leap a thousand miles per day; his magical power and abilities surged rapidly, an efficiency that astonished even him, bordering on fear.

"Indeed, extraordinary……" Sima Wuyou halted the circulation of his cultivation technique; two clear streams of qi shot back into his nostrils, spiritual clouds above his head swirled gently, enveloping the jade seal and withdrawing into his heavenly spirit.

Is there, what's the matter? Sima Wuyou asked lightly.

Mr. Li gently pushed the door open and entered: "From the Hall of the Forbidden Demon, the news that came back…… Princess Jingcheng has suffered a loss."

Sima Wuyou raised his eyebrows, was startled for a moment, then laughed.

"Interesting, the cause and effect, explain in detail."

Mr. Li spoke with extreme conciseness, quickly recounting the cause and effect in full.

He looked at Sima Wuyou and said softly: "Around the Left Minister, defenses are tight; the details of many matters are unclear…… but the matter originated from the Silver Fish of the Solitary Moon Dwelling, there is no doubt about that."

Sima Wuyou gave a strange laugh: "Good, good, good, very good, Linghu Qingqing, this is an old tree sprouting."

Shaking his head, Sima Wuyou said calmly: "But it is also to be expected. Having received the Heavenly God's Edict, he is likely about to cross that step. From mortal to incarnate as a divine spirit, hey, a wavering state of mind is an inevitable heart tribulation…… heart tribulation, heart tribulation, this tribulation cannot be let him pass so easily."

Sima Wuyou narrowed his eyes and said softly: "The Linghu clan and the Gongsun clan, for several successive generations, have produced beings of the divine realm. This is excessive, not good, not good. As a subject, one must have the bearing of a subject; if subjects become too strong, overpowering the monarch, that is bad for everyone."

Mr. Li looked solemnly at Sima Wuyou: "According to the judgment of the attendants of the Secret Pavilion, Linghu Qingqing likely harbors disloyal intent."

Sima Wuyou smiled gently: "This is obvious; otherwise, after Virtuous Child ascended the throne, why would he bit by bit weaken the imperial Forbidden Army to this extent? Disloyal intent…… everyone has it."

"Moreover, Linghu Qingqing, and the entire Linghu clan—if they were truly steadfast loyalists, how could it ever be their turn to become great? The vast Divine State of Great Jin is such a colossal entity; how many aristocratic families could possibly replace it?"

Sima Wuyou said lightly: "However, now is not the time to turn hostile, now is not……"

Turning his body, gazing at the clear water outside the window, Sima Wuyou said softly: "The Linghu clan, no problem…… the Gongsun clan, no problem…… those martial houses, those civil officials, all no problem…… the true……"

After pondering for a while, Sima Wuyou laughed: "That Princess Jingcheng, her temperament is extremely bad, even her morals are utterly awful. However, the saying goes that only villains and women are hard to raise…… Princess Jingcheng is both a villain and a first-rate willful woman, and though she thinks herself clever, she is actually quite foolish."

"Such a woman, being arrogant, overbearing, and acting without sense, is quite normal, isn't it?"

"I, am in need of such a person."

"Create some opportunities for her; she isn't lacking in lovers, right? Besides those civil officials like Ma Xiangru, she also has not a few lovers among the military commanders, right?"

"Just find those she has bewitched, bewitched to the point of darkness, the Three Gardens Forbidden Army and the Twelve Guards Forbidden Army, give them good posts. Issue orders to Sima Zhi: give them real authority, give them elite troops and strong generals, give them weapons and supplies, so they can quickly form combat strength."

"Du Song, that kid, isn't he skilled at dealing with women? Let him unleash his true abilities, let him bewitch Princess Jingcheng, make her even more deranged." Sima Wuyou said coldly: "Princess Jingcheng is good, truly good, she has fabricated such a perfect excuse, very good, very good, six thousand years ago I suffered a loss."

"Six thousand years later, we continue." Sima Wuyou smiled extremely…… deep and dangerous.

"Six thousand years later, we continue."

"Linghu Qingqing, six thousand years ago, your state of mind was flawless, without flaw. Six thousand later, you actually stirred your heart for a woman…… then I will surely have you die!"