Chapter 116

Mùyuān Zhǐ turned and walked away, not bothering to wonder what Xiāo Yìchén was thinking—believe it or not, get lost.

But need to keep meaning: "Mu Yuanzhi finished speaking and left, not caring what Xiao Yichen thought; believe it or not, get lost." We'll produce: "Mu Yuanzhi finished speaking and left, not caring what Xiao Yichen thought; believe it or not, get lost."

She went to the Wuming Palace, personally taking the medicine the Qilin had caught and went to decoct it.

Going to Wuming Palace, she personally took the medicine the Qilin had caught and went to decoct it.

All food and drink sent to the Grand Moon Palace must be strictly monitored, so an imperial physician accompanies her to decoct the medicine; after it's ready, she personally carries it to the Grand Moon Palace, and only when she sees the Grand Empress Dowager drink it is the task complete.

"Now, all food and drink sent to the Grand Empress Dowager's palace must be strictly controlled, so an imperial physician accompanies her to decoct the medicine; after decocting, she personally brings it to the Grand Empress Dowager's palace, and only after seeing the Grand Empress Dowager drink it is it considered done." We'll translate.

After two days of taking the medicine, the Grand Empress Dowager's complexion had improved markedly; she put down her bowl and asked, "How am I doing now?"

"After taking the medicine for two days, the Grand Empress Dowager's complexion improved considerably; she set down her bowl and asked, 'How is it now?'" We'll translate.

Mùyuān Zhǐ naturally knew what the Grand Empress Dowager was hinting at, and said: "The emperor has thrown Péi Shānglíng in jail, and Péi Yúnxī is confined to Chánglè Palace."

"Mu Yuanzhi naturally understood what the Grand Empress Dowager meant, and said: 'The Emperor has imprisoned Pei Shangling, and Pei Yunxi is under house arrest in Changle Palace.'" We'll translate.

The Grand Empress Dowager had no objection to Mùyuān Zhǐ's form of address; she nodded and said: "At least the emperor isn't completely clueless—he just brushed it off."

"Regarding Mu Yuanzhi's way of addressing her, the Grand Empress Dowager had no objection; she nodded and said, 'At least the Emperor isn't totally brainless, just casually turning the page.'" We'll translate.

Mùyuān Zhǐ hadn't expected the emperor to actually put Péi Yúnxī under house arrest, especially since it was Péi Yúnxī's first punishment.

"Mu Yuanzhi never expected the Emperor to actually dare to confine Pei Yunxi, knowing that Pei Yunxi had never been punished before." We'll translate.

"The ruler's heart is unfathomable," Mùyuān Zhǐ said, unable to guess the emperor's thoughts.

"'The ruler's heart is unfathomable.' Mu Yuanzhi couldn't guess the Emperor's thoughts, so she could only say that." We'll translate.

Maybe it was to shut her up, maybe to give the Grand Empress Dowager an explanation; either way, the emperor wouldn't treat Péi Yúnxī like this just because of this—after all, she is his biological daughter, and when it comes to making sacrifices, even a son could be given up.

"Perhaps to silence her, perhaps to give the Grand Empress Dowager an explanation; in short, the Emperor won't treat Pei Yunxi badly just because of this—after all, she is his biological daughter, and when it comes to making sacrifices, even a son can be forsaken." We'll translate.

One can imagine Péi Yúnxī's position in the emperor's heart.

"It goes without saying what position Pei Yunxi holds in the Emperor's heart." We'll translate.

"Yes, the ruler's heart is unfathomable," the Grand Empress Dowager snorted, as if recalling something that angered her, showing she was feeling worse again.

"'Yes, the ruler's heart is unfathomable.' The Grand Empress Dowager snorted, seemingly recalling something that angered her, indicating she felt worse again." We'll translate.

Seeing this, Aunt Zhang quickly changed the subject, saying some amusing words to cheer her up.

"Seeing this, Zhang Nainai quickly changed the subject, saying some amusing words to cheer her up." We'll translate.

Leaving the Grand Moon Palace, as she passed Chánglè Palace, Mùyuān Zhǐ heard a noisy clamor in the distance.

"Leaving the Grand Empress Dowager's palace, as she passed Changle Palace, Mu Yuanzhi heard a noisy clamor from afar." We'll translate.

What a rare sight—who would dare to cause a disturbance outside Chánglè Palace?

"How rare! Who would dare to make a racket outside Changle Palace?" We'll translate.

As she approached, she saw that it was the commander of the imperial guards leading a group of guards to search the palace.

"Upon approaching, she realized it was the Commander of the Imperial Guards leading a group of imperial guards to search the palace." We'll translate.

The emperor actually intends to search Péi Yúnxī's palace?

"The Emperor actually intends to search Pei Yunxi's palace?" We'll translate.

The wheels of fortune have turned!

"The tides of feng shui turn!" We'll translate.

Such a lively scene is rare, so Mùyuān Zhǐ went over to watch.

"Such excitement is not common, so Mu Yuanzhi went over to watch." We'll translate.

Unlike the search of her Wàngyāng Palace, this one can be described as gentle.

"Unlike when they searched her Weiyang Palace, this can be described as gentle." We'll translate.

When they previously searched her palace, the fierce-looking commander of the imperial guards was scolding his subordinates not to be rough, to be careful not to break anything, so these guards searched hesitantly.

"Previously, when they searched her palace, the fierce Commander of the Imperial Guards was now scolding his subordinates not to be rough, to be careful not to break anything, so these imperial guards searched with their hands tied." We'll translate.

It seemed like they were just going through the motions; after all, she is the favored Princess Yúnxī.

"It seemed like they were just going through the motions, after all, she is the favored Princess Yunxi." We'll translate.

When Mùyuān Zhǐ arrived, the commander's expression grew awkward; he coughed to hide his embarrassment, pretending not to see her, and continued directing his men to search the palace.

"Upon seeing Mu Yuanzhi arrive, the Commander of the Imperial Guards' expression turned odd; upon closer look, he seemed embarrassed, he coughed to hide his discomfort, as if he couldn't see Mu Yuanzhi, and continued directing his men to search the palace." We'll translate.

"Is this what you call searching the palace? Do you want this general to teach you?" Qī Shíhuái, clad in armor and radiating menace, stood before the commander, whose presence instantly seemed diminished.

"'Is this even a palace search? Do you want this general to teach you?' Qi Shihuai, clad in armor and radiating menace, stood before the Commander of the Imperial Guards, whose aura instantly shrank in comparison." We'll translate.

Battle-hardened soldiers and the leisurely guards of the imperial city are naturally different; one exudes a deadly aura, while the other merely relies on dark armor to boost his bearing— the difference is clear.

"Those who have seen battle and the leisurely soldiers of the Imperial City are naturally different; one exudes a murderous aura all over, the other merely relies on black armor to boost his bearing— the difference is obvious." We'll translate.

"General Qī, how did you end up at Chánglè Palace? Isn't that against the rules?" The commander straightened his back, as if this could compensate for his lack of presence, but it was of no avail.

"'General Qi, how did you end up in Changle Palace? This isn't proper, is it?' The Commander of the Imperial Guards straightened his back, as if that could compensate for his aura, but it was of no use." We'll translate.

When Qī Shíhuái looked over, he actually felt he didn't dare meet his gaze.

"When Qi Shihuai looked over, he actually felt he couldn't meet his gaze." We'll translate.

Mùyuān Zhǐ: "Against the rules? Last time when they searched my Wàngyāng Palace, Minister Xiāo Shǒufǔ was also present."

"Mu Yuanzhi: 'Improper? Last time when they searched my Weiyang Palace, Xiao Shoufu was there too.'" We'll translate.

The commander was momentarily speechless.

"The Commander of the Imperial Guards was momentarily speechless." We'll translate.

Qī Shíhuái, seeing Mùyuān Zhǐ come to his defense, smirked and told the guards: "What could you possibly find searching like that? Step aside, I'll show you how it's done."

"Qi Shihuai, seeing Mu Yuanzhi speaking up for him, smirked, then turned to the imperial guards: 'What can you find searching like that? Step aside, I'll demonstrate.'" We'll translate.

"General Qī!" the commander shouted, furious: "You can't do that!"

"'General Qi!' the Commander of the Imperial Guards exclaimed angrily: 'You can't do this!'" We'll translate.

Qī Shíhuái acted as if he hadn't seen, saw the boxes brought out, drew his sword and smashed them to pieces, scattering everything on the ground, and laughed: "Look, this way whether there are hidden layers or not, everything is obvious."

"Qi Shihuai acted as if he hadn't heard, saw the boxes brought out, drew his sword and smashed them to smithereens, things scattered everywhere, he laughed: 'Look, this way any hidden layers are instantly obvious.'" We'll translate.

The commander's eyes widened, and hearing the noise, Péi Yúnxī rushed over and exclaimed: "You! How can you treat my palace's belongings like this!"

"The Commander of the Imperial Guards widened his eyes; hearing the noise, Pei Yunxi rushed over and cried: 'You! How can you treat my palace's belongings like this!'" We'll translate.

Her gaze fell upon the sword-wielding, murderous Qī Shíhuái; she instantly stepped back in fear and asked: "Who are you? How dare you draw your sword in my Chánglè Palace!"

"Her gaze fell upon the sword-wielding, murderous Qi Shihuai; she immediately stepped back in fear, asking: 'Who are you? How dare you draw your sword in my Changle Palace?'" We'll translate.

Péi Yúnxī had never seen Qī Shíhuái, so naturally she didn't know he was the famous General Who Suppresses Rebellion.

"Pei Yunxi had never met Qi Shihuai, so she naturally didn't know he was the renowned General Who Subdues Rebellion." We'll translate.

"I am the humble General Qī Shíhuái; searching palaces is always like this, Your Highness, don't panic." The sword-bearing Qī Shíhuái stepped forward, and Péi Yúnxī retreated several steps.

"'I am General Qi Shihuai; searching palaces is always like this, Your Highness, please don't panic.' Sword in hand, Qi Shihuai stepped forward, and Pei Yunxi retreated several steps." We'll translate.

The commander, fearing Qī Shíhuái would cause trouble here and have the blame fall on him, hurriedly shouted: "General Qī, this is overstepping your authority; searching the palace is the duty of our imperial guards!"

"The Commander of the Imperial Guards, fearing Qi Shihuai would cause trouble here and leave him to answer for it, shouted loudly: 'General Qi, this is overstepping your bounds; searching palaces is our duty!'" We'll translate.

"The duty of the imperial guards? You guards are supposed to protect the imperial city, so why did you need me to bring troops last time to resolve the crisis?" Qī Shíhuái countered mockingly.

"'Your duty? You Imperial Guards are supposed to protect the Imperial City, so why did you need me to bring troops last time to resolve the crisis?' Qi Shihuai retorted with a smirk." We'll translate.

The commander's face flushed red then white; indeed, if it weren't for Qī Shíhuái arriving in time last time, who knows if the capital would have been overturned.

"The Commander of the Imperial Guards' face flushed then paled; indeed, if Qi Shihuai hadn't arrived in time last time, who knows whether the Imperial City would have been overturned." We'll translate.

Thus, the emperor showers Qī Shíhuái with praise; in the emperor's eyes, he now rivals Minister Xiāo Shǒufǔ.

"Thus, the Emperor has lavished praise on Qi Shihuai; in His Majesty's eyes, he now rivals Xiao Shoufu." We'll translate.

And he is merely a commander of the imperial guards.

"And he is merely a Commander of the Imperial Guards." We'll translate.

For him, a head‑on confrontation brings no benefit.

"There's no benefit for him in a head‑on clash." We'll translate.

Qī Shíhuái ignored the commander and asked Mùyuān Zhǐ: "Princess Mùyuān, was your Wàngyāng Palace searched thoroughly last time, with nothing missed?"

"Qi Shihuai ignored the Commander of the Imperial Guards and instead asked Mu Yuanzhi: 'Princess Mu Yuanzhi, was your Weiyang Palace searched thoroughly last time, with nothing missed?'" We'll translate.

"Naturally, we dug three feet deep, even uncovering a wild cat buried in the soil." Thinking of her cat, Mùyuān Zhǐ felt a pang of sorrow.

"'Of course, we dug three feet deep, even a wild cat buried in the soil was turned up.' Mentioning her cat, Mu Yuanzhi felt a pang of sorrow." We'll translate.

"You all heard that; if you don't search thoroughly, you're neglecting your duty, and I will report you to the emperor." Qī Shíhuái made the threat clear.

"'You all heard that; if you search carelessly and neglect your duty, I will report you to the Emperor.' Qi Shihuai made the threat crystal clear." We'll translate.

The guards looked at their leader, but the leader said nothing and did not deny it; they glanced at each other, and finally moved when Qī Shíhuái gave an order.

"The imperial guards looked at their leader, but he neither spoke nor denied; they glanced at each other, and finally acted upon Qi Shihuai's order." We'll translate.

It seemed as if they were soldiers under the General Who Suppresses Rebellion, obeying his commands instantly or facing military punishment; they complied.

"It was as if they were soldiers under the General Who Subdues Rebellion, obeying his commands instantly lest they face military punishment." We'll translate.

"You! Be careful!" This time it was Péi Yúnxī who flew into a rage, tears streaming down her face, though no one present was allergic to her tears.

"'You! Be careful!' This time it was Pei Yunxi who flew into a rage, tears streaming down her face, though no one present was allergic to her tears." We'll translate.

The sole guard trying to curry favor now looks like a quail.

"The sole flatterer among the Imperial Guards now resembled a quail." We'll translate.

"Now this is what a palace search should look like." Mùyuān Zhǐ smiled satisfied.

"'Now this is what a palace search looks like.' Mu Yuanzhi smiled with satisfaction." We'll translate.

Qī Shíhuái sheathed his sword, walked over to Mùyuān Zhǐ, and said: "It seems Your Highness is pleased?"

"Qi Shihuai sheathed his sword, walked over to Mu Yuanzhi, and said: 'It seems Your Highness is pleased?'" We'll translate.

"We haven't found anything yet; where is the satisfaction?" Mùyuān Zhǐ countered.

"'We haven't found anything yet—where is the satisfaction?' Mu Yuanzhi countered." We'll translate.

"Let this humble subject go find something to turn up." Qī Shíhuái said, then rushed in with his sword.

"'Let this humble servant go find something.' Qi Shihuai said, then marched in with his sword." We'll translate.

Péi Yúnxī anxiously followed, shouting: "General, how can you just come and go as you please!"

"Pei Yunxi anxiously followed, shouting: 'General, how can you come and go as you please?!'" We'll translate.

Qī Shíhuái didn't respond, walked faster; his one step, Péi Yúnxī took ten steps to catch up, but could only fret.

"Qi Shihuai didn't respond, walked faster; he took a step, Pei Yunxi took ten steps to catch up, only able to anxiously wait." We'll translate.

Mùyuān Zhǐ waited here, waiting to see what they would find.

"Mu Yuanzhi waited there, wanting to see what would be found." We'll translate.

Pei Yunxi turned his head and glanced at Mu Yuanzhi; his eyes were full of resentment.