Chapter 436: with translation of chapter title

~18 min read 3,413 words

Rong Qing Tang appears.

Upon hearing Madame Xing's words, Xue Yima's ears turned red and her face flushed, feeling the same embarrassment; as she spoke of thinking about her natal home and marrying off her daughter, it seemed she herself felt the same.

Interpretation: Because of Mrs. Xing's words, Xue Yima's face also flushed with embarrassment, feeling empathy; speaking of thinking about her natal family and marrying off her daughter, it seemed she herself was like that.

We need to produce English: "Because of Mrs. Xing's words, Xue Yima's face also flushed with embarrassment, feeling empathy; speaking of thinking about her natal family and marrying off her daughter, it seemed she herself was the same."

But we need to be concise, not add. Let's try: "Because of Mrs. Xing's words, Xue Yima's face also flushed with embarrassment, feeling empathy; speaking of thinking about her natal family and marrying off her daughter, it seemed she herself was the same."

Check: "ears red, face hot" => flushed with embarrassment; "feeling empathy"; "speaking of thinking about her natal family and marrying off her daughter"; "it seemed she herself was like that."

Ok.

But as a widow, what could she possibly think of if she couldn't rely on her natal family or marriage ties?

Translation: "But as a widow, without relying on her natal family or marriage alliances, what else could she think of?"

We need to keep the meanings: widow, natal family, marriage alliances. Good.

At that moment, staring at the stern figure in the hall, Xue Yima's fair face flickered with a hint of sadness, and she let out a soft sigh.

Translation: "At this moment, gazing at the stern figure on the hall, Xue Yima's fair face showed a hint of sorrow, and she softly sighed:"

We need to keep the meanings: hall, stern figure, gazed for a moment, her fair face showed a hint of sorrow, she softly sighed.

"Uncle Pan'er has truly encountered misfortune this time..."

Translation: "\"Uncle Pan'er is really in trouble this time... \""

Note: "Uncle Pan'er" (maybe a nickname). We'll keep it as "Uncle Pan'er".

After all, he is her own brother; besides Lady Wang, Xue Yima is surely the one most worried about Wang Ziteng's safety.

Translation: "After all, he is her own brother; aside from Lady Wang, Xue Yima should be the one most concerned about Wang Ziteng's safety!"

Check: "After all, he is her own brother"; "aside from Lady Wang present"; "Xue Yima should be considered the most concerned about Wang Ziteng's safety."

"Jia Jing said without expression:"

Translation: "Jia Jing said expressionlessly:"

"Officialdom is ever-changing, fortune hard to predict; just let it go!"

"He then turned to Madame Zhu and said:"

Translation: "Immediately, he turned his gaze to Madame Zhu and said:"

"Madame Zhu, you may go back too! Go tell everyone in the Wang household that all the family members in the mansion are resting in the rear courtyard and must not go out."

Translation: "\"Madame Zhu, you may go back as well! Go tell everyone in the Wang family that the household members are resting in the rear courtyard and must not go out. \""

"Voluntarily cooperate with the court's investigation, hand over the illicit silver; those guilty should confess sincerely and accept punishment, do not conceal or resist the law, do not transfer or hide property, otherwise you will implicate your family, and even I, the Duke, cannot save you!"

"Public is public, private is private; Jia Jing also did not want his earlier words to give Madame Zhu even a glimmer of hope."

Translation: "\"Public is public, private is private; Jia Jing also did not want his earlier words to give Madame Zhu even a sliver of hope. \""

We need to keep the saying "Public is public, private is private"; translated as: "Public is public, private is private; Jia Jing also did not want his earlier words to give Madame Zhu even a sliver of hope."

"He then ordered a few servant women to take Madame Zhu to the front courtyard's household guards to escort her back."

Translation: "Saying this, he ordered several servant women to take Madame Zhu to find the household guards in the front courtyard to escort her back."

We need to keep the meanings: servant women, household guards, front courtyard.

"Soon, only the Jia family members remained in Rong Qing Tang."

Translation: "For a moment, only the Jia family members remained in Rong Qing Tang."

"Jia Jing glanced over everyone, focusing on Grandmother and Lady Wang, then after a brief pause he warned:"

Translation: "Jia Jing's gaze swept over everyone, lingering on Jia Mu and Lady Wang for a moment, then he admonished:"

"The Wang family's affair is also a warning to our Jia family! As the saying goes, 'People's hearts are like iron, official law is like a furnace.'"

Translation: "\"The Wang family's affairs also serve as a warning to my Jia family! As the saying goes, human hearts are like iron, official law like a furnace. \""

"Now the situation in Shenjing City grows ever more severe; the court's grand plan to implement the New Policies and rectify official conduct cannot be stopped or shaken!"

"The emperor has made a firm decision; no one can shelter or indulge wrongdoing, otherwise how could the splendid laws of the Great Han Empire endure? How could the revitalized rule of the Great Han even begin?"

Translation: "\"The emperor has made a great determination; no one can shelter or indulge, connive at wrongdoing, otherwise how could the great laws of the Da Han Empire endure? How could the revitalized rule of the Da Han Empire be spoken of? \""

We need to keep the meanings: Da Han Empire, splendid laws, revitalized rule.

"If anyone lacks reverence and breaks the law, causing trouble, don't blame me for showing no favor!"

Translation: "\"If anyone lacks reverence, breaks the law and stirs up trouble, don't blame me for showing no favor when the time comes! \""

"Seeing the young man with a clear, cold gaze, everyone in the hall grew solemn and nodded in understanding."

Translation: "Seeing the young man with a clear, cold gaze, everyone in the hall looked solemn and nodded to show they understood."

"Grandmother and Lady Wang's faces suddenly shifted, their hearts shaken, and a cold sweat broke out on their backs."

Translation: "Jia Mu and Lady Wang's faces changed abruptly, their hearts shaken with fear, and a cold sweat broke out on their backs."

"Jia Jing then glanced at Tan Chun, Yingchun, Yuan Chun, and Xichun, and spoke slowly:"

Translation: "Jia Jing then glanced at Tan Chun, Yingchun, Yuan Chun, Xichun and the others, and said slowly:"

"No one should decide on the marriages of the ladies in the household without permission."

Translation: "\"Regarding the marriages of the ladies in the mansion, no one should make decisions on their own. \""

"Over the past two years, the court situation has been uncertain; the timing is not right, but I will arrange this matter later, including Yun sister, and I have already greeted the Shi family on that side."

Translation: "\"For the past two years, the court situation has been unsettled, the timing is not right; I will arrange this matter later, including Yun sister—I have already greeted the Shi family on that side! \""

We need to keep the meanings: Yun sister, Shi family.

"Seeing the young man's solemn expression, Grandmother quickly smiled and said:"

Translation: "Seeing the young man's solemn expression, Jia Mu quickly smiled and said:"

"What Jing'er says is right; since you've given instructions, we will certainly listen to you. From now on, whenever anyone comes to propose a marriage, let them go to the Dong Fu to discuss with you!"

"Jia Jing gave Grandmother's forced smile an expressionless glance, then looked away and said:"

Translation: "Jia Jing gave Jia Mu's forced-smiling old face an expressionless glance, withdrew his gaze, and said:"

"Alright then! I rushed back from the camp at dusk, still haven't eaten; I'll have something first, need to go out later, and I also have to attend the grand court assembly tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow morning's grand court assembly was a temporary notice from Emperor Jing Sheng; it seems they intend to use officials' reports and assassination matters to keep increasing pressure on the court officials."

Translation: "Tomorrow morning's grand court assembly was a temporary notice from Emperor Jing Sheng Di; it seems they intend to use the officials' reports and assassination matters to continue increasing pressure on the court officials!"

We need to keep the meanings: Jing Sheng Di, officials' reports, assassination matters, court officials, increase pressure further.

"As soon as Jia Jing said that, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed considerably."

Translation: "As Jia Jing said this, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed considerably."

"Grandmother's expression eased, her mood unconsciously relaxing a bit, and she said:"

Translation: "Jia Mu's expression eased, her mood unconsciously relaxed a bit, and she said:"

"Yuan Yang, hurry and set the meal! You all who are hungry, also eat something!"

"Because of Jia Jing's assassination attempt in the evening, they have all barely eaten anything since then."

Translation: "In the evening, due to Jia Jing's ambush, they all had hardly eaten anything up to now."

"Daiyu furrowed her feathery brows, her clear, watery bright eyes gazing at the young man with a cold expression; her gloomy brows and eyes like clouds and mist turning to rain gathered the dusky haze of deep thought, and for a moment she felt a twinge of pity."

Translation: "Daiyu frowned her feathery brows, her clear, watery eyes gazing at the cold-faced youth; her gloomy brows and eyes gathered the dusky haze of deep thought, and for a moment she felt a twinge of pity."

We need to keep the meanings: Daiyu, feathery brows, clear watery bright eyes, gloomy brows and eyes like clouds and mist turning to rain, gathered the dusky haze of deep thought, for a moment she felt a twinge of pity.

"After encountering so many things outside in one night, it's already midnight and he still hasn't eaten!"

Translation: "After encountering so many things outdoors all night, it's already midnight and she still hasn't eaten!"

"Others only see him holding great power, decisive and unquestionable, but few consider how much hardship he has endured and how much pressure he bears."

Translation: "Others only see him holding great power, decisive in speech, but few consider how many hardships he has endured, how much pressure he bears!"

"Baichai's snow‑white, pear‑blossom‑like lovely face likewise showed a tender concern; her jade teeth nibbled her rosy lips, and her lustrous, gleaming almond eyes held worry."

Translation: "Baichai's snow-white, pear-blossom-like lovely face likewise showed a pained expression; her jade teeth bit her rosy lips, and her lustrous, gleaming almond eyes held concern."

We need to keep the meanings: Baichai, snow-white pear-blossom-like lovely face, jade teeth, rosy lips, lustrous gleaming almond eyes, held concern.

"He also has to attend to court affairs and worry about the internal affairs of the four great families; one thing after another, he must be utterly exhausted."

Translation: "He must attend to court affairs and also care for the internal affairs of the four great families; one thing after another, he must be utterly exhausted……"

"It's a pity she hasn't married into the family yet; otherwise she could share some of his burden!"

Translation: "It's a pity I haven't yet married into the family; otherwise I could share his burden!"

"Feng Jie's eyes flashed, she turned to look at Ping'er behind her, and ordered:"

Translation: "Feng Jie's eyes flashed, she turned to look at Ping'er behind her, and ordered:"

"Ping'er, the Third Younger Brother has come all dusty and weary, not even having time to take off his armor; go prepare some hot water and a cloth to serve him his meal."

"Upon hearing this, Ping'er's delicate body trembled, and a blush rose on her snow‑soft, lovely face."

Translation: "Hearing this from behind, Ping'er's delicate body trembled, a blush rose on her snow‑soft, lovely face."

"Yes, Grandmother!"

"Ping'er responded, hurriedly calling a few little maids to bring a copper basin before Jia Jing; the warm water rippled faintly at the basin's edge, as if the water surface itself trembled slightly."

Translation: "Ping'er responded, hurriedly summoning several little maids to bring a bronze basin before Jia Jing; the warm water in the basin rim rippled with fine circles, as if the water surface itself trembled slightly."

"Duke, allow me to attend to your washing…"

Translation: "\"Duke, your servant will attend to washing you……\""

"Ping'er lowered her head, her voice barely audible like a mosquito, feeling embarrassed and unable to restrain her shame."

Translation: "Ping'er lowered her head, her voice like a mosquito, feeling somewhat embarrassed, unable to restrain her shame."

"Jia Jing rose, his armor not yet removed, his red cloak still draped over his shoulders, the silver plates of his armor glowing with a warm yellow light from the candlelight; seeing Ping'er's embarrassment, he spoke gently:"

Translation: "Jia Jing rose to his feet, his armor not yet removed, his red cape still draped over his shoulders, the silver plates of his armor gilded with a warm yellow glow by the candlelight; seeing Ping'er's embarrassment, he spoke gently:"

"I'll do it myself; you just need to hand me a few things."

Translation: "\"I'll do it myself; you just need to assist with a few things. \""

"Ping'er lifted her eyes to meet his deep, warm gaze, nodded slightly, and said:"

Translation: "Ping'er lifted her eyes to meet those deep, moist gazes, nodded slightly, and said:"

"Yes!"

Translation: "\"Yes! \""

"Her voice was clear and pleasant, like an oriole emerging from the valley."

Translation: "Her voice was clear and pleasant, like an oriole emerging from the valley."

"Under everyone's gaze, Jia Jing removed his cloak and took off the sword hanging at his waist."

Translation: "Under everyone's gaze, Jia Jing removed his cape and took off the sword hanging at his waist."

"He bent down, dipped his fingers into the water; the warm water soaked his knuckles, and ripples refracted tiny specks of light in the lamplight."

Translation: "Bending over, he dipped his ten fingers into the water; the warm water soaked his knuckles, and the ripples refracted tiny lights in the lamplight."

"He scooped up water, poured it over his face, washing away the dust; droplets slid down his jawline, brushed over the slight protrusion of his throat, fell into the water, producing a fine, wet sound."

Translation: "He scooped up water, covered his face with it, washing away the dust; droplets slid down his jawline, brushed over the slight prominence of his throat, fell into the basin, and made a fine, wet sound."

"At this moment, with his head bowed, a few strands of Jia Jing's hair at the nape were dampened by water, clinging to his skin; as his head tilted slightly forward, the hairs on his forehead fell loose, half covering his browbone."

Translation: "At this moment, with his head lowered, a few strands of Jia Jing's dampened hair clung to his skin at the nape; as his head tilted slightly forward, the hair at his forehead fell loose, half covering his browbone."

"The candlelight cast a chiaroscuro across his side profile—his brow in shadow, his nose bridge lit, and the line of his lips highlighted."

Translation: "The candlelight cast a chiaroscuro across his side profile—his browbone in shadow, his nose bridge lit, and the line of his lips outlined sharply by the light."

"Water droplets clung to his long lashes, trembling like dew on bamboo leaves after rain; his fair, clean skin took on a peculiar beauty, making one suddenly understand what is meant by 'a face like a jeweled crown, pure and exquisite.'"

Translation: "Water droplets also clung to his long lashes, trembling slightly like dew on bamboo leaves after rain; his fair, clean skin possessed a peculiar beauty, making one suddenly understand what is meant by \"a face like a jeweled crown, pure and exquisite. \""

"At this moment, Rong Qing Tang fell silent; all eyes, bright or dim, were fixed on the young man washing his face."

Translation: "At this moment, Rong Qing Tang fell silent; all eyes, bright or dim, were fixed on the youth washing his face."

"The water in the copper basin swayed gently, reflecting the candlelight and his lowered silhouette; the silver armor glimmered with a dim light in the candlelight, the edges of his pauldrons and armguards showing a fine layer of wear, as if they had been rubbed countless times."

Translation: "The water in the bronze basin swayed gently, reflecting the candlelight and his lowered silhouette; the silver armor gleamed with a dull glow in the candlelight, and the edges of the pauldrons and vambraces bore a fine layer of wear, as if they had been wiped countless times."

The neckline is slightly open, exposing a strip of the dark inner shirt's standing collar, pressed against the throat knot.

A blue silk rope was tied around the waist, its hanging tassel swayed faintly in the lamplight, landing on the armor plates like a graceful brushstroke, laying a gentle dividing line amid the iron hue.

Ping Er stood beside Jia Jing, holding a dry handkerchief in her hands, her eyes slightly lowered.

She had seen the world, and Lian Er Ye was one of the few handsome men in the household.

But the young man in armor standing beside her now had sword‑like eyebrows slanting into his temples, a sharply chiseled face as if carved by axe and knife, dragon‑like and phoenix‑like bearing, dignified and imposing, with a lofty demeanor, and the charisma radiating from his whole being was truly heart‑capturing.

Her fingertips curled slightly, Ping Er's gaze was dazed, as if she dared not look, yet as if she had seen something she shouldn't have; the handkerchief clutched in her hand had, unknowingly, formed a fine crease.

Feng Jie leaned against the chair back at this moment, her crimson phoenix eyes gently fixed on Jia Jing, her expression briefly stunned,

Her lips twitched slightly, as if about to tease with a remark, but she said nothing, lowered her eyelids, lifted the tea cup and topped up the water.

Li Wan sat in the corner, his gaze lingered a moment on Jia Jing's lowered profile, then shifted away as if something had burned him; his complexion turned complex, he lowered his head to adjust his cuff, and never raised his head again.

Baichai's jade‑like face showed a daze, her pearl teeth pressed her lips, and in her clear apricot eyes the profile reflected in the mist and candlelight, blurred for a moment then coming into focus, she couldn't help but gently stroke the jade pendant at her chest.

Yuan Chun, Tan Chun, Xiang Yun…

When Jia Jing stood up to take the handkerchief handed over by Ping Er, wiped his face dry, and lifted his head, the lamp shadow seemed to flicker once, then steadied again.

The scene inside Rong Qing Tang, at that instant, suddenly shifted from quiet to bustling.

Only that faint, light mist lingered in the air, not fully dissipated.

Everyone resumed low‑voice chatter with those beside them, as if the brief moment of quiet daze had never occurred…

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End of Chapter

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