Chapter 41: then title translation, then ===GLOSSARY=== with list of named entities

Holy Monk 7 (Your dragon seed won't be frozen, right?)

Although the Stone Orchid Temple is merely a small temple with only one monk, its fame in Wutong County and even the prefectural capital is known by everyone.

Check punctuation: original has commas. We'll keep natural English.

The tales of Grand Master Xuanji battling the Great White Snake for three hundred rounds have all been written into storybooks; reportedly, a theater troupe is adapting them into stage plays to be performed everywhere.

Translate: "The story of Master Xuanji's three-hundred-round battle with the Great White Snake has been written into a pulp novel; reportedly, a theater troupe is adapting it into a stage play to be performed everywhere."

We need to use our translation for Grand Master Xuanji: "Grand Master Xuanji". "Great White Snake" = "Great White Snake". "storybook" = "pulp novel" or "storybook". We'll use "storybook". "theater troupe" = "theater troupe". "stage play" = "stage play". "to be performed everywhere" = "to be performed everywhere". Let's craft:

The story of Grand Master Xuanji's three-hundred-round battle with the Great White Snake has been written into a storybook; reportedly, a theater troupe is adapting it into a stage play to be performed everywhere.

Upon hearing this, the parrot was indignant: "I want to be the star of the play too—why hasn't anyone written a story about me defeating the Great White Snake and winning a complete victory?!"

Translate: "Upon hearing this, the Parrot was utterly indignant: 'I want to be the lead in the play too—why hasn't anyone written my story of defeating the Great White Snake and winning a complete victory?!'"

We need to keep exclamation and question marks. Use "Parrot". "defeating" = "defeating". "winning a complete victory" = "winning a complete victory". We'll translate.

Upon hearing this, the Parrot was utterly indignant: "I want to be the lead in the play too—why hasn't anyone written my story of defeating the Great White Snake and winning a complete victory?!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Yuanwai twitched the corner of his mouth and said, "Parrot Immortal, this play is performed by people, and even the snake ancestor is played by people..." He then remarked rather indirectly, "No one could portray the parrot—even a child would be too big for the role."

Translate: "Upon hearing this, Yu Yuanwai's mouth twitched. 'Parrot Immortal, this play is all performed by humans, and the Snake Ancestor is also played by a person…' He said rather indirectly, 'No one can portray the Parrot—not even a child; the build is just too big.'"

We need to keep quotes. Use "Yu Yuanwai". "Parrot Immortal" = "Parrot Immortal". "Snake Ancestor" = "Snake Ancestor". "said rather indirectly" = "said rather indirectly". We'll translate.

Upon hearing this, Yu Yuanwai's mouth twitched: "Parrot Immortal, this play is all performed by humans, and the Snake Ancestor is also played by a person..." He said rather indirectly, "No one can portray the Parrot—not even a child; the build is just too big."

If this parrot were plucked and skinned, I don't know if it would weigh even half a catty; newborn babies already weigh more than that.

Translate: "If this Parrot were plucked and skinned, who knows if it would weigh even half a catty—newborn babies weigh more than that."

Note: "half a catty" = half a catty (Chinese unit). We'll keep "half a catty". Could also say "half a jin". We'll keep "half a catty". "newborn babies all weigh more than half a catty" = "newborn babies all weigh more than half a catty". We'll translate.

If this Parrot were plucked and skinned, who knows if it would weigh even half a catty—newborn babies all weigh more than half a catty.

The parrot instantly flew into a rage and went to harass the Great White Snake again.

Translate: "The Parrot instantly flew into a rage and went to harass the Great White Snake again."

The Parrot instantly flew into a rage and went to harass the Great White Snake again.

Seeing this, Yu Yuanwai felt heartbroken, wishing he had kept his mouth shut, for it only led to the snake ancestor being bullied again.

Translate: "Seeing this, Yu Yuanwai felt heartbroken; if he had known, he wouldn't have said that, causing the Snake Ancestor to be bullied again."

Seeing this, Yu Yuanwai felt heartbroken; if he had known, he wouldn't have said that, causing the Snake Ancestor to be bullied again.

The temple's pharmacy next door is extremely busy every day.

Translate: "The temple's pharmacy was swamped every day."

The temple's pharmacy was swamped every day.

"Quickly brew the fetus‑safety pill; the Grand Master said there are signs of miscarriage in a pregnant woman!"

Translate: "\"Quickly simmer the fetus-safety pill; the Grand Master said there are signs of miscarriage in a pregnant woman! \""

We need to keep quotes. Use "fetus-safety pill". "Grand Master" = "Grand Master". We'll use "Grand Master". Could also be "the Grand Master". We'll translate.

"Quickly simmer the fetus-safety pill; the Grand Master said there are signs of miscarriage in a pregnant woman!"

The servant who nominally came to pay respects to the Buddha, upon hearing this, hurriedly began skillfully gathering and decocting herbs.

Translate: "The servant nominally there to offer incense, upon hearing this, hurriedly began skillfully gathering and simmering herbs."

The servant nominally there to offer incense, upon hearing this, hurriedly began skillfully gathering and simmering herbs.

These days, what they do most efficiently is gathering and decocting herbs, so that even if the master later dismisses them, they could still find work at a drugstore.

Translate: "These days, what they do most efficiently is gathering and simmering herbs; they think that even if the master later dismisses them, they could still find work at a pharmacy."

These days, what they do most efficiently is gathering and simmering herbs; they think that even if the master later dismisses them, they could still find work at a pharmacy.

Yu Yuanwai glanced at the bustling pharmacy and muttered, "Today's patients… no, today's visitors are mostly women again; I'm practically becoming a half‑qualified infertility doctor."

Translate: "Yu Yuanwai glanced at the bustling pharmacy and muttered, 'Today's patients… no, today's visitors—why are there so many women? I'm practically becoming a half‑fertility doctor.'"

We need to keep the ellipsis and the self-correction. We'll translate.

Yu Yuanwai glanced at the bustling pharmacy and muttered, "Today's patients… no, today's visitors—why are there so many women? I'm practically becoming a half‑fertility doctor."

He even began to suspect that this place wasn't a temple at all, but merely a hillside drugstore, with the attending doctor being nothing more than a bald fellow.

Translate: "He even suspected this place wasn't a temple but a pharmacy built on the mountain, with the attending doctor merely happening to be bald."

He even suspected this place wasn't a temple but a pharmacy built on the mountain, with the attending doctor merely happening to be bald.

Jiang He was taking the pulse of a woman in her early twenties.

Translate: "Jiang He was taking the pulse of a woman in her early twenties."

Jiang He was taking the pulse of a woman in her early twenties.

The elderly woman beside her was clearly her mother‑in‑law, looking at the young woman with an expression that seemed to say she wanted to devour her.

Translate: "The elderly woman beside her was clearly her mother‑in‑law; looking at the young woman, she seemed to wish she could devour her."

The elderly woman beside her was clearly her mother‑in‑law; looking at the young woman, she seemed to wish she could devour her.

The delicate‑looking woman burst into tears, wailing, "Grand Master, I can't bear children? I've been married for four years, and my mother‑in‑law says she wants to divorce me…" The mother‑in‑law immediately raised her voice and shouted, "You're not even as good as a hen! Hens don't chase after roosters, yet they lay an egg every day, while you cling to my son and still can't conceive—you shameless little fox spirit!"

Translate: "That woman was delicate and frail; when she cried, she whined pitifully: 'Grand Master, I can't bear children? I've been married four years, and my mother‑in‑law says she'll divorce me—' The old woman immediately raised her voice and shouted angrily: 'You're not even as good as a hen! A hen never pesters a rooster, yet lays an egg every day, while you cling to my son and still can't conceive—you shameless little fox spirit!'"

「Grand Master, but I cannot bear children? I've been married for four years, and my mother-in-law says she wants to divorce me, waa waa waa…」.

Grand Master! little fox spirit!

That woman was delicate and frail; when she cried, she whined pitifully: "Grand Master, I can't bear children? I've been married four years, and my mother-in-law says she'll divorce me—" The old woman immediately raised her voice and shouted angrily: "You're not even as good as a hen! A hen never pesters a rooster, yet lays an egg every day, while you cling to my son and still can't conceive—you shameless little fox spirit!"

Upon hearing such vulgar words, Jiang He didn't even flick an eyebrow.

Translate: "Hearing such coarse words, Jiang He didn't even twitch an eyebrow."

Hearing such coarse words, Jiang He didn't even twitch an eyebrow.

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The old woman's voice was so loud that outsiders could hardly avoid hearing it; such crudeness made the waiting patients outside frown incessantly.

Translate: "The old woman's voice was so loud that outsiders could hardly help hearing it; such coarseness made the waiting patients outside frown incessantly."

The old woman's voice was so loud that outsiders could hardly help hearing it; such coarseness made the waiting patients outside frown incessantly.

Grand Master Xuanji originally only gave sermons in the Buddha hall, but with too many patients—mostly women—he set up a special consultation room for **.

"for **".

Translate: "Grand Master Xuanji originally only gave lectures in the Buddha hall, but with so many patients—mostly women—he specially set up a consultation room for **."

We need to keep the asterisks.

Grand Master Xuanji originally only gave lectures in the Buddha hall, but with so many patients—mostly women—he specially set up a consultation room for **.

The consultation area is screened off with curtains; if one speaks softly, those outside cannot hear.

Translate: "The consultation room is screened by curtains; if one speaks softly, those outside cannot hear."

The consultation room is screened by curtains; if one speaks softly, those outside cannot hear.

Ironically, the mother‑in‑law and daughter‑in‑law who came today—whether the demure, weeping daughter‑in‑law or the shrew‑like mother‑in‑law—had no idea how to be discreet, and they proceeded to put on a full‑blown drama for the waiting patients outside.

Translate: "It so happened that today's mother‑in‑law and daughter‑in‑law pair, whether the gently weeping daughter‑in‑law or the shrew‑faced mother‑in‑law, had no idea how to be low‑key, thus putting on a full‑blown mother‑in‑law drama for the waiting patients outside."

It so happened that today's mother‑in‑law and daughter‑in‑law pair, whether the gently weeping daughter‑in‑law or the shrew‑faced mother‑in‑law, had no idea how to be low‑key, thus putting on a full‑blown mother‑in‑law drama for the waiting patients outside.

Women with children instinctively covered their kids' eager eyes, fearing they might learn bad habits.

Translate: "Women with children instinctively covered their kids' eager eyes, fearing they'd learn bad habits."

Women with children instinctively covered their kids' eager eyes, fearing they'd learn bad habits.

However, before long, those women also widened their eyes and listened with great interest.

Translate: "However, after a moment, those women also widened their eyes, listening with relish."

However, after a moment, those women also widened their eyes, listening with relish.

Since the Grand Master seemed impatient as well, he told the mother‑in‑law who

Translate: "Because the Grand Master seemed impatient as well, he said to the mother‑in‑law and daughter‑in‑law who love drama: 'Your daughter‑in‑law is fine—she can bear children; call your son over!'"

Because the Grand Master seemed impatient as well, he said to the mother‑in‑law and daughter‑in‑law who love drama: "Your daughter‑in‑law is fine—she can bear children; call your son over!"

Upon hearing this, the mother-in-law couldn't help but shriek: 「What? How could my son have a problem? Having children is always a woman's duty! 」.

Translate: "Upon hearing this, the mother‑in‑law couldn't help but shriek: 'What? How could my son have a problem? Isn't childbirth solely a woman's affair?'"

Upon hearing this, the mother‑in‑law couldn't help but shriek: "What? How could my son have a problem? Isn't childbirth solely a woman's affair?"

The patients outside couldn't help but chime in: 「The Grand Master said, women are the soil, men are responsible for sowing; planting melons yields melons, planting beans yields beans. With no melons and no beans, even fertile land won't grow anything! 」.

Translate: "The patients outside couldn't help but interject: 'The Grand Master said, women are the earth, men are the sowers—plant melons, get melons; plant beans, get beans. With no melons or beans, even fertile soil won't yield anything!'"

The patients outside couldn't help but interject: "The Grand Master said, women are the earth, men are the sowers—plant melons, get melons; plant beans, get beans. With no melons or beans, even fertile soil won't yield anything!"

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Same as line 19.

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The frail daughter-in-law then blushed, as if she had taken a potent tonic, walking with confidence; it's obvious that when she returns home there will surely be a battle.

Translate: "That frail daughter‑in‑law then flushed, as if she had taken a great tonic pill, walking with confidence; it was obvious that back home there would surely be a showdown."

That frail daughter‑in‑law then flushed, as if she had taken a great tonic pill, walking with confidence; it was obvious that back home there would surely be a showdown.

The women around who are skilled in household intrigue told their daughters: 「Don't think that old woman has the upper hand; actually the young daughter-in-law hasn't suffered any loss—she has her husband's heart wrapped around her finger. 」.

Translate: "The surrounding women skilled in domestic intrigue told their daughters: 'Don't think the old woman has the upper hand; in fact the little daughter‑in‑law hasn't suffered at all—she has her husband's heart wrapped around her finger.'"

The surrounding women skilled in domestic intrigue told their daughters: "Don't think the old woman has the upper hand; in fact the little daughter‑in‑law hasn't suffered at all—she has her husband's heart wrapped around her finger."

Jiang He, his ears buzzing from the noise, couldn't help but roll his eyes, considering whether to put the Great White Snake inside the house; otherwise these people would treat his Shilan Temple as a stage, with no peace.

Translate: "Jiang He, his ears ringing from the noise, couldn't help but roll his eyes, considering whether to put the Great White Snake indoors—otherwise these people would treat his Stone Orchid Temple as a stage, with no peace."

We need to use our translation for stone orchid temple.

Jiang He, his ears ringing from the noise, couldn't help but roll his eyes, considering whether to put the Great White Snake indoors—otherwise these people would treat his Stone Orchid Temple as a stage, with no peace.

In between his busy schedule, Jiang He glanced at the waiting patients outside, suddenly recalling his earlier dream of being a lazy salted fish.

Translate: "In between his busy tasks, Jiang He stole a glance at the waiting patients outside and suddenly recalled his original salted‑fish dream."

In between his busy tasks, Jiang He stole a glance at the waiting patients outside and suddenly recalled his original salted‑fish dream.

He originally came into this world just to lie around as a salted fish, doing nothing but talk big—how did he end up like this?

Translate: "He had come to this world just to lie around as a salted fish, doing nothing but trash‑talk—how did he end up like this?"

He had come to this world just to lie around as a salted fish, doing nothing but trash‑talk—how did he end up like this?

The parrot couldn't help but squawk "ga-ga-ga", gloating; who told you not to be a fraud but a miracle doctor instead!

Translate: "The Parrot couldn't help but squawk 'ga‑ga‑ga', gloating: 'Who told you not to pose as a mystic but as a divine doctor?!'"

"ga-ga-ga"

The Parrot couldn't help but squawk "ga‑ga‑ga", gloating: "Who told you not to pose as a mystic but as a divine doctor?!"

It's so clever that the host wanting to freeload off its labor is still a century too early!

Translate: "It's so clever that the host would be a century early trying to freeload off its labor!"

It's so clever that the host would be a century early trying to freeload off its labor!

The parrot flapped its wings, went to hold a little meeting with its underlings; it's so smart, it's found substitutes, and from today onward it's liberated!

Translate: "The Parrot flapped its wings to hold a little meeting with its underlings; it's so smart it's already found substitutes, so from today onward it's liberated!"

The Parrot flapped its wings to hold a little meeting with its underlings; it's so smart it's already found substitutes, so from today onward it's liberated!

As time went on, more and more women spread good news, causing the reputation of Grand Master Xuanji, the Child-Granting Master of Shilan Temple, to spread everywhere.

Translate: "As time went on, more and more women spread good news, causing the reputation of Stone Orchid Temple's Grand Master Xuanji, the Child‑Giving Master, to spread everywhere."

We need to use our translations: Stone Orchid Temple, Grand Master Xuanji, Child‑Giving Master.

As time went on, more and more women spread good news, causing the reputation of Stone Orchid Temple's Grand Master Xuanji, the Child‑Giving Master, to spread everywhere.

More and more people came seeking children, and the villagers of Zhangjia Village recently made a small fortune.

There's a typo: "more and more" should be "more and more". We'll translate as "more and more".

Translate: "More and more people came seeking offspring, and the villagers of Zhang Family Village recently came into a little fortune."

More and more people came seeking offspring, and the villagers of Zhang Family Village recently came into a little fortune.

With many seeking children, there are plenty needing follow‑up visits, and lodging is a major problem.

Translate: "With many seeking children, quite a few needed follow‑up visits, and lodging became a major problem."

With many seeking children, quite a few needed follow‑up visits, and lodging became a major problem.

The villagers cleaned their houses and rented them out, earning daily income, and they are deeply grateful to Grand Master Xuanji.

Translate: "The villagers cleaned up their houses and rented them out, earning daily income, and they were deeply grateful to Grand Master Xuanji."

The villagers cleaned up their houses and rented them out, earning daily income, and they were deeply grateful to Grand Master Xuanji.

That cultivated parrot also became famous; this parrot, lazy and gluttonous, actually subdued the village's cats, making them watch the mountain‑bound visitors, forbidding line‑cutting—anyone who disobeys is sent to find the Great White Snake.

Translate: "That Parrot, which had attained spiritual awareness, also became famous; this lazy, gluttonous Parrot actually subdued the village cats, making them watch the mountain‑bound visitors, forbidding line‑cutting—if anyone disobeyed, they were sent to find the Great White Snake."

"lazy, gluttonous" = "lazy, gluttonous". "subdued" = "subdued". "watching the mountain‑bound visitors" = "watching the mountain‑bound visitors". "forbidding line‑cutting" = "forbidding line‑cutting". "they were sent to find the Great White Snake" = "they were sent to find the Great White Snake".

That Parrot, which had attained spiritual awareness, also became famous; this lazy, gluttonous Parrot actually subdued the village cats, making them watch the mountain‑bound visitors, forbidding line‑cutting—if anyone disobeyed, they were sent to find the Great White Snake.

With the Snake Immortal stepping forward, everyone is expected to line up obediently and cause no trouble.

Translate: "With the Snake Immortal stepping forward, everyone believed they would obediently queue up and cause no trouble."

With the Snake Immortal stepping forward, everyone believed they would obediently queue up and cause no trouble.

Zhang Goudu at the village head was almost scared to death; he had no idea his cat had also become a spirit, being driven in circles by the parrot's demonic command.

Translate: "Zhang Gou Dan at the village edge was nearly scared to death; he had no idea his own cat had also attained spiritual awareness, being driven in circles by that Parrot's demonic command."

"demonic command" = "demonic command". "driven in circles" = "driven in circles".

Zhang Gou Dan at the village edge was nearly scared to death; he had no idea his own cat had also attained spiritual awareness, being driven in circles by that Parrot's demonic command.

「Huahua? You really haven't become a spirit? 」 he repeatedly asked the little flower cat at home.

Translate: "\"Flowerflower? You really haven't attained spiritual awareness? \" he repeatedly asked his little flower cat."

We need to keep quotes.

"Flowerflower? You really haven't attained spiritual awareness?" he repeatedly asked his little flower cat.

The little flower cat meowed, pushing a fat rat toward its owner.

Translate: "The little flower cat meowed, pushing a fat rat toward its owner."

The little flower cat meowed, pushing a fat rat toward its owner.

Zhang Goudu doesn't eat rats; he stroked the cat's head: 「Huahua can catch such a big rat—amazing! Did you learn that from your demon‑senior? I don't eat rats; if possible, could you catch me a fish? 」.

Translate: "Zhang Gou Dan doesn't eat rats; he stroked its cat head and said, 'Flowerflower caught such a huge rat—amazing! Did you learn that from your demon‑senior? I don't eat rats; if possible, could you catch me a fish instead?'"

"demon‑senior" = "demon‑senior".

Zhang Gou Dan doesn't eat rats; he stroked its cat head and said, "Flowerflower caught such a huge rat—amazing! Did you learn that from your demon‑senior? I don't eat rats; if possible, could you catch me a fish instead?"

The little flower cat looked at its owner with disdain, dragging the rat to a corner to enjoy it herself.

Translate: "The little flower cat looked at its owner with contempt, dragging the rat to a corner to enjoy it alone."

The little flower cat looked at its owner with contempt, dragging the rat to a corner to enjoy it alone.

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Same notice.

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Line 50: same.

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Line 51: same.

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The emperor summoned monks and Daoists to catch ghosts in the Huangong; they are the top masters and Daoists of the capital, quite renowned among the populace. Buddhism and Daoism have always been arch‑rivals, and they almost came to blows in the Huangong.

Translate: "The emperor summoned the top monks and daoists from the capital—ranked first and second—to exorcise ghosts in the palace; they were quite renowned among the populace, and though Buddhism and Daoism have always been arch‑rivals, they almost came to blows inside the imperial palace."

We need to use Huangong for Huangong.

The emperor summoned the top monks and daoists from the capital—ranked first and second—to exorcise ghosts in the palace; they were quite renowned among the populace, and though Buddhism and Daoism have always been arch‑rivals, they almost came to blows inside the Huangong.

Line 53: notice.

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「That female ghost is actually my consort? 」 I, rarely feeling guilty, then flung the blame onto the civil and military officials, saying, 「I've said I don't want so many consorts—food and clothing are free! Yet they won't give up, stuffing their daughters, nieces, and granddaughters into my Place: Inner Palace…… as if, unless they have some connection to me, I won't reuse them. 」.

Translate: "\"That female ghost is actually my consort? \" the emperor, rare‑feeling guilty, then flung the blame onto the civil and military officials, saying, 'I've said I don't want so many consorts—food and clothing are free! Yet they won't give up, cramming their nieces and daughters into my Place: Inner Palace… as if, unless they pull some favor with me, I won't reuse them.'"

「stuffing them into my Place: Inner Palace……」.

"I" = "I". "Place: Inner Palace" = "Place: Inner Palace".

"That female ghost is actually my concubine?" The emperor, rarely feeling guilty, then shoved the blame onto the civil and military officials, saying, "I've said I don't want so many concubines, food and clothing are free! Yet they just won't give up, shoving their daughters, nieces, and granddaughters into my Place: Inner Palace... as if not pulling some strings with me means I won't rely on them."

Ping'an Gonggong stood to the side with his head lowered, wisely staying silent.

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"There are too many women; it's not my fault if I can't visit them all in time." The emperor gritted his teeth, "Who would have thought they'd be so obsessed they became ghosts? If they hadn't entered the palace that day, they could have found a suitable husband..."

As an emperor, if one doesn't want to become a foolish ruler, one must be constantly busy with state affairs from morning to night, leaving little personal time, let alone visiting the Place: Inner Palace to be with concubines.

Especially the current Emperor of Daqing, who is only interested in expanding territory; the women in the Place: Inner Palace are merely nominal, feeling empty and lonely, they tend to overthink, which easily leads to depression, and the more depressed they are, the more likely they are to die,

The emperor couldn't help but let out a long sigh; he decided to consult the empress, seeing if there was a way to send out those concubines he hadn't yet visited... well, to marry them off.

Actually he already had a vague idea in his heart; the pot of women in the Place: Inner Palace who cannot bear children is mostly his, so he doesn't waste these good years of those women.

The Emperor and the Empress discussed for most of the day; when they returned to Heavenly Bright Hall, a covert guard came in to report.

The covert guard hid in the shadows, reporting to the Emperor the information he had found.

"General Weiyuan married ten years ago and still has no son; his wife, Lady Lin, takes the blame for being childless upon herself, even putting on the appearance of a jealous woman who cannot tolerate concubines, and no one suspects that it is actually General Weiyuan who was injured somewhere on the battlefield......"

"If it weren't for the Emperor's order, General Weiyuan and his wife would not have gone to Stone Orchid Temple; now General Weiyuan's wife, Lady Lin, is already pregnant for one month."

The Emperor's breath instantly became ragged; he leaned forward slightly, "What is the reason General Weiyuan is infertile?"

"Master Xuanji said, he was first chilled then heated; this alternating cold and heat, it's no surprise the seeds don't die." The covert guard replied in a deadpan manner, repeating verbatim what Master Xuanji had said on the spot: "General Weiyuan said, in that battle eight years ago, he pursued the Jili Khan and got separated, losing consciousness in a snow pit; after being rescued, due to his cold constitution he grew fond of hot baths, each bath lasting the time it takes to finish a cup of tea; the master had him first try the temperature of his usual bath, and it is said that General Weiyuan's bathwater could be turned up a bit higher and still boil an egg."

In short, because of his cold constitution, General Weiyuan's bathwater is extremely hot when he takes a hot bath, enough to boil an egg.

The Emperor couldn't help but ponder; upon hearing the master say that, he understood—whose seeds could survive being boiled? No wonder they don't sprout.

He asked, "Since the master is a divine doctor, he must have treated General Weiyuan, right?"

"Yes, the master explicitly said that General Weiyuan's coldness is in his bones; taking hot baths is of no use, and the alternating cold and heat is harmful to his lifespan."

The covert guard did not mention that at the time General Weiyuan's wife, Lady Lin, had been frightened out of her wits, and immediately knelt to beg the master to save her husband.

Whether or not she is a jealous wife aside, the wife's deep affection indeed moved General Weiyuan greatly; the couple at that time held hands, gazed at each other, then embraced, and the master muttered under his breath, "I've eaten dog food."

The covert guard concealed his puzzlement; the master's parrot only enlists the village's cats to help maintain order among the worshippers, seemingly without involving any dogs, so why would it say it's eating dog food?

The covert guard showed no sign of it on his face, continuing to narrate blandly: "Later the master took out a silver needle and inserted it into General Weiyuan's knee; the cold at the needle's tip was like smoke, and in no time ice crystals formed, freezing the needle, so the master could only keep changing silver needles."

At that time the covert guard had entered disguised as a servant; he personally verified that the ice on the silver needle was real, and he was not exaggerating.

"At that time it was midsummer, the weather very hot; the subordinate was certain the ice crystals could not be faked... Later, for the convenience of treatment, General Weiyuan and his wife lived at the foot of the mountain for a month; after a month the master said General Weiyuan's health had greatly improved, and Lady Weiyuan conceived a month after returning to the capital."

The Emperor fell silent for a moment, "Surely a divine doctor... a holy monk!"

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At this moment, the voice of Eunuch Ping'an sounded from outside: "Your Majesty, General Weiyuan requests an audience!"

The Emperor was somewhat puzzled; what does General Weiyuan want by coming now?

Although he didn't understand, he still ordered that General Weiyuan be summoned in.

General Weiyuan is tall and broad-shouldered, sturdy as a small hill; at a glance he looks like a standard warrior, usually stern and unsmiling, his fierce, demonic appearance quite capable of intimidating people.

However, at this moment General Weiyuan grinned until his eyes narrowed to slits, and upon entering he shouted loudly, "Your Majesty, I am going to have a child!"

The Emperor felt envy, jealousy, and hatred, and only wanted to kick General Weiyuan away.

"The second branch sells vegetarian noodles, which is their skill; don't look at the first branch's booming business—they sell the stools and baskets your father painstakingly made, and without his hard work, the first branch would earn no money."

A large hand gently patted his head; the master's words were calm and tender: "So these matters have nothing to do with the stone; the stone is merely self‑preserving." He smiled and asked, "Moreover, the big tree has never had the idea of striking first, right?"

Soon, the kitchen began to fill with an enticing aroma.

Jiang He thought for a moment; he was destined to become the State Preceptor, and Stone came from a poor family—without a powerful backer, it seemed unlikely to succeed?

The eldest daughter‑in‑law immediately dared not speak, her face showing a guilty look.

The parrot flapped its wings, turning the glutinous rice cake to another direction; even if it couldn't finish it, the remaining cake—this long worm wouldn't dare to eat it!

Old Man Zhang had always been taciturn, but whenever he spoke he hit the nail on the head: "Is threatening your cousin into falsifying things really for the good of the whole family?"

Stone couldn't help but cheer, his eyes full of affection; compared to tasty meals, he indeed still preferred the master.

Old Lady Zhang tried to stay calm, but the more she spoke, the angrier she became.

Stone smiled a little shyly; his parents were not the type to praise people, and his grandparents usually only praised the big tree, but only the master would praise him until his face flushed, as if his progress were something extraordinary.

He bit his lip and continued, "I know my grandparents are listening in the corner, which is why I chose that spot to provoke the big tree into speaking his heart."

She sighed, "Big Tree, Grandma knows you don't resent Stone being able to study, but Stone's studying truly costs the family nothing—his pens and ink are bought with money his parents earn… On the contrary, the one who really spends a lot of public funds is you, Grandma dares say she has never owed the first branch anything; the deficits are all from the second branch."

"That's how it is, but I still don't feel at ease." Jiang He thought for a moment, pulled out a small notebook, "Practice according to it; nowadays the trend is for male leads who excel in both literature and martial arts."

Jiang He smiled at him: "I'm very glad; kindness needs an edge, kindness also needs a bottom line—being kind to the wicked will bring harm to the kind."

Jiang He asked again: "Was that you threatening him to say those things?"

The parrot's words, half of them uneaten, the remaining half was being stared at covetously by the great white snake.

Receiving so many worshippers and patients every day, he nearly died from overwork; other hospitals would let doctors rest, so of course he should set a rest period as well.

Old Lady Zhang's anger flared from all sides; she shouted, "Our family does have two scholars, but are our lives now worse than before?"

There are two scholars in the family; if he were gone, Big Tree would monopolize all the resources, and if he were truly abolished, even if the grandparents regenerated their anger at Big Tree, they would still choose to protect him.

The Emperor finally made up his mind: "Someone, go fetch Master Xuanji!"

Master Xuanji is the benefactor of him and his wife; the master has secured peace!

Old Lady Zhang even doubted, given the virtue of the first branch, when they, the old couple, grow old and incapacitated, will they really attend to them in their old age?

After they married, they were both in a tough spot—you had no son, so I couldn't bear children; now you have a child, yet I am still like a thousand miles of fertile land with not a single sprout.

Thus they tacitly accepted this explanation.

The first branch is nothing but a leech sucking on the old couple!

What a wonderful time to rest!

The capital and Wutong County are far apart; the turmoil of the Huangong currently does not reach Wutong County.

He harbored no ill will toward others, but he could not put himself in danger; he could only nip danger in the bud beforehand.

This year he studied hard and finally entered Class A with excellent grades, while Big Tree fell to Class B.

Zhang's eldest daughter‑in‑law came stumbling over, hugging Big Tree and weeping: "Dad, Mom, Big Tree is under too much pressure; a family with two scholars cannot afford it, and life is getting harder and harder—Big Tree is doing this for the family's sake… his grades dropped because he overthought."

Orchid Village—at this moment the Zhang household is in chaos, chickens flying and dogs jumping.

He knew the master was actually formidable, able to battle that huge white snake for three hundred rounds; surely the master is powerful—does this make him a direct disciple of the master?

If the Emperor remains heirless, who benefits most? He refuses to believe that no one wants the Emperor to stay childless.

General Weiyuan met the Emperor's unfathomable gaze and involuntarily shuddered. He dared not boast further, leaning in to whisper to the Emperor: "Your Majesty, Master Xuanji truly is a divine doctor—look, my knees used to ache faintly whenever it rained, and I couldn't sleep all night. Now even if a downpour falls from the sky, my knees stay warm and I sleep soundly through the night. I have been thinking that Your Majesty's knees might also be a bit cold; you also saw little snow‑field fighting in your youth…… I am the one whose cold damaged the seeds, Your Majesty……"

The villain also needs to excel in both literature and martial arts; otherwise how could he confront the male lead?

A few days later, on his day off from school, Shitou happily went to Stone Orchid Temple to bring the rice cakes his mother made to Grand Master Xuanzhi.

Everyone present was stunned at once.

Unlike his honest and simple parents, Shitou had wanted to convince them to split the household since he was young; he was also very scheming and observant, and ever since Dashu fell in with bad company, he had been vigilantly protecting himself.

Dashu's face turned pale; from time to time he resentfully glared at Shitou, blaming him for speaking too loudly and bringing the old lady over.

"Grand Master, actually I did something bad a couple of days ago." Shitou looked somewhat uneasy, "This is bad for my uncle's family but good for our second branch, yet I don't regret it because I truly couldn't bear it any longer."

Shitou loved eggplant, but how could a farming family have that much oil to waste? When Jiang He made this dish for the first time, Shitou almost gnawed the plate.

General Weiyuan wanted to speak but hesitated, "Your Majesty, won't your dragon lineage also be frozen? You also need a Divine Doctor Xuanzhi."

Shitou happily said, "Grand Master, I've entered Class A."

The rice cakes with brown sugar were delicious; not only did Jiang He and this Grand Master love them, but the big white snake also ate several.

Shitou sat obediently by the stove, helping to tend the fire.

Shitou nodded hesitantly.

Shitou knew Dashu blamed him; Dashu wanted him to lie to the grandparents, saying his grades had improved, and also threatened him not to ever score higher than him, otherwise he would have someone break his hand.

Old Man Zhang put down his plane, and he also witnessed the scene of Dashu threatening Shitou, even hearing it clearly.

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhang family was dissatisfied, and Dashu was even more dissatisfied.

Shitou pondered, so should he become a formidable good person who can punish evil people?

Shitou wasn't afraid of them either, standing to the side and smiling.

After just a year, his skin had turned pale, and with ample nutrition his height began to shoot up; now when he stood beside Dashu, no one said he was born inferior to Dashu—instead they said Dashu was inferior to him.

His parents were busy with business; most of the firewood sent to the Grand Master's place was chopped by him from the mountains, and although the Grand Master lacked no firewood, this wasn't a hibernating giant snake, was it? Shitou worried the giant snake would need firewood, and no amount would be enough.

He let out a long sigh, "What misfortune befalls the household!"

Back when they both went to the battlefield, the Emperor had been saved at the cost of his life by General Weiyuan, and they forged a deep bond; though in daily life they were ruler and subject, in private they interacted more like friends.

Jiang He almost choked on his saliva, "I'm a monk; a personal disciple can only be a monk."

Shitou felt regretful; he wanted to become a high official to govern for the people, not to be a monk, but he truly liked the Grand Master, so he said, "Then may I become your lay disciple?"

Shitou wrinkled his nose at the scent in the air, "What does that have to do with me? He's always sneaking out to play, never diligent in his studies—how could his grades possibly be good?"

At this moment, Shitou standing beside the old lady lowered his head slightly, as if he had done something wrong, and remained silent before her.

Jiang He drank plain tea with brown sugar rice cakes, remarking, "Indeed, setting a rest day every ten days is truly necessary."

Old Lady Zhang shot them a sideways glance and sneered, "Do you believe it? If your father hired people to sell these things, he'd make even more money."

Split the household?!

She certainly believed it; her husband often hid money, frequently went to the county to eat pig's head meat and drink a little liquor, and she still had the silver ear ornament her husband bought for her hidden in her bosom.

General Weiyuan standing nearby quickly added, "Your Majesty, why not let me go to Wutong County to escort the Grand Master to the capital? Perhaps petty villains might harm him along the way."

Shitou pursed his lips, "So I exposed his true nature before the grandparents; now our household has split, the grandparents divided things fairly, my parents are overjoyed, and henceforth every copper coin they earn will be theirs alone."

As soon as his words fell, Jiang He happily patted his head and praised, "Shitou, you're truly wonderful! Come on, let's go to the kitchen—I'll make you a celebratory dish! Shitou is excellent material for study; in just a year, I'm waiting for you to pass the child scholar examination and become a qualified scholar."

Old Lady Zhang's face turned ashen; she hadn't expected Dashu to have learned to lie, and even to threaten his brother into fabricating things for him!

Stone Orchid Temple drew huge crowds of worshippers, and Old Lady Zhang, being shrewd, had her spouse make small stools and baskets, etc., for the eldest son and his wife to sell at the mountain's foot, also peddling wooden toys and the like, and business was booming.

Jiang He said, "To reward Shitou's progress, today I'll make you oil-braised eggplant!"

The household income had increased; setting aside other matters, in terms of food they had become more generous—now they could eat meat every seven or eight days, whereas before they might not get meat for one or two months, and even then the second branch often got none.

Previously, when no one in the family engaged in business, they had no chance to discover what sort of lot the first branch was; now, compared to the diligent and down-to-earth second branch, the lazy and selfish first branch really annoyed the old couple.

Old Man Zhang had been watching coldly; seeing his spouse grow angrier the more she spoke, he suddenly blurted, "Let's split the household!"

He gave a faint smile and asked, "Is Dashu's poor performance your fault?"

Shitou didn't quite understand, but he grasped the concept of being versed in both civil and military affairs.

He dared not take risks, knowing his uncle knew the city's ruffians, and Dashu privately also made friends with several who loved to fight and brawl.

The second son's wife was skilled at making cold noodles; she and her husband Zhang Erlang set up a stall at the mountain's foot selling plain noodles, and business was excellent.

Jiang He added soybean paste, then covered the pot lid, letting the eggplant simmer inside.

Shitou said, "Of course not—that's his sincere intention! I know he truly wants to abolish me."

They are the first branch; the two elders will rely on them for support in their old age—isn't that only natural?

Shitou had studied for a year, rising from Class C to Class A, while Dashu had fallen from Class A to Class B.

After Old Lady Zhang grew angry, she became sorrowful.

She strove to defend her son, absolutely not allowing the father-in-law and mother-in-law to be disappointed in him.

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