Chapter 17

Thinking of Gu Rongjin, Mu Yuanzhi's lips curled into a smile.

Translation: Thinking of Gu Rongjin, Mu Yuanzhi's lips curled into a smile.

We need to keep as single line.

She had always been rude to him since childhood, and she didn't know why he would show her kindness.

Translation: She had always been rude to him since childhood, and she didn't know why he would show her kindness.

Mu Yuanzhi picked up the jade hairpin draft sketch pressed underneath.

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi picked up the jade hairpin draft pressed underneath.

Was he really the person who saved her from the pond?

Translation: Was he really the person who saved her from the pond?

"Master!" Xiao Nianzi rushed in, "The Second Prince sent someone to urge you, saying the special-grade arrows in the armory are insufficient."

Translation: "Master!" Xiao Nianzi ran in, "The Second Prince sent someone to urge you, saying the top-grade arrows in the armory are insufficient."

Mu Yuanzhi scoffed, "Funny, you're thinking of her now?"

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi scoffed, "So you've come to think of her?"

Mu Yuanzhi snorted, "Funny, you're thinking of her now?"

Better: Mu Yuanzhi snorted, "Funny, you're thinking of her now?"

The special-grade arrows in the armory were improved by her, capable of hiding explosives, exquisitely crafted.

Translation: The top-grade arrows in the armory, which she improved, can conceal explosives and are exquisitely crafted.

"Tell him I can't just casually go to the Ministry of Works right now; if he wants them, let the Ministry make them for him," Mu Yuanzhi waved her hand.

Translation: "Tell him I can't just go to the Ministry of Works right now; if he wants them, let the Ministry make them." Mu Yuanzhi waved her hand.

"I understand, sir!"

Translation: "Understood, servant!"

Xiao Nianzi went out and returned with someone following him—a dark guard from the Second Prince's entourage—who bowed to Mu Yuanzhi and said, "Her Highness, the Second Prince means that the Ministry of Works' staff are clumsy and incapable of making them."

Translation: Xiao Nianzi went out and returned with someone following him—a covert guard from the Second Prince's entourage—who bowed to Mu Yuanzhi: "Princess, the Second Prince means the Ministry of Works' staff are clumsy and simply cannot make them."

"Now you know they can't be made?" Mu Yuanzhi chuckled.

Translation: "Now you know they can't be made?" Mu Yuanzhi chuckled.

Previously, you ordered her never to set foot in the Ministry of Works, lest her hidden weapons hurt the poor little princess again—wasn't that effective?

Translation: Weren't you the one who previously ordered her never to enter the Ministry of Works, lest her hidden weapons hurt the poor little princess?

You thought having her designs would let you rest easy?

Translation: Did you think having her designs would let you rest easy?

Mu Yuanzhi lazily glanced at the dark guard, spread her hands, and said, "I have no materials on hand, and I can't enter the Ministry of Works—I'm unable to help."

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi lazily glanced at the covert guard, spread her hands, and said, "I have no materials and can't enter the Ministry of Works; I'm unable to help."

The dark guard was slightly surprised, seemingly not expecting Mu Yuanzhi to refuse outright; he thought this willful princess was just putting on an act, since she had always complied with the Second Prince's requests—whether it was mere arrows or even swords, spears, and cannons, she would work day and night without food or sleep to fulfill his wishes.

Translation: The covert guard was slightly surprised, seemingly not expecting Mu Yuanzhi to outright refuse; he thought this willful princess was just putting on an act, after all she had always complied with the Second Prince's requests—whether it was mere arrows or even swords, spears, and cannons, as long as he wanted them, she would work day and night without food or rest to produce them.

Even if the Second Prince merely offered a faint thanks, she would be delighted for days, telling everyone that the aloof Second Prince only spoke a few extra words to her.

Translation: Even if the Second Prince merely uttered a faint thanks, she could be happy for days, telling everyone that the aloof Second Prince only spoke a few extra words to her.

He frowned, pondered for a moment, then finally clasped his hands and said, "I'll return to report to the Second Prince; I won't disturb Your Highness any further."

Translation: He frowned, pondered for a moment, then finally clasped his hands and said, "I'll return to report to the Second Prince; I won't disturb the Princess."

As the dark guard left, Xiao Yunzi entered: "Master, the Crown Prince has arrived."

Translation: As the covert guard stepped out, Xiao Yunzi stepped in: "Master, the Crown Prince has arrived."

One after another, truly annoying!

Translation: One after another, truly annoying!

Still, Mu Yuanzhi was a bit surprised that Xiao Yunzi had blocked Pei Shangyan from entering directly.

Translation: Still, Mu Yuanzhi was a bit surprised that Xiao Yunzi had blocked Pei Shangyan from entering directly.

This usually inconspicuous servant turned out to be the most steady in her household now, yet she still dared not let her guard down, after all, the four of them had once served Pei Shangling.

Translation: This usually inconspicuous servant was actually the most steady in her palace now, yet she still dared not let her guard down, after all they had all once served Pei Shangling.

"Well done, Xiao Yunzi; keep it up—don't let just anyone in," Mu Yuanzhi praised.

Translation: "Well done, Xiao Yunzi; keep it up, don't let just anyone in." Mu Yuanzhi praised.

Xiao Nianzi lowered his head guiltily, thinking, "It's always been like this; I've followed the Fourth Prince to the former Changle Palace many times—if anyone slacked off before the princes, the master would rush to reprimand them, and she had even scolded her palace attendants for it."

Translation: Xiao Nianzi lowered his head guiltily, thinking, "It's always been like that; I've followed the Fourth Prince to the old Changle Palace many times—if anyone slacked off on the princes, the master would rush to scold them, and she had even reprimanded her palace servants for it."

The praised Xiao Yunzi remained humble, nodded silently, and asked, "Master, are you not going to see him?"

Translation: The praised Xiao Yunzi remained humble, nodded silently, and asked, "Master, are you not seeing him?"

"No."

Translation: "No."

As soon as she finished speaking, a louder voice rang out: "Little sister Zhi!"

Translation: As her words fell, a louder voice rang out: "Little sister Zhi!"

Mu Yuanzhi felt helpless; the heir apparent was about to barge in, and there was nothing she could do.

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi felt helpless; the heir apparent was about to barge in, and there was nothing she could do.

"I want to rest; Crown Prince Brother, if you have nothing else, come again tomorrow."

Translation: "I want to rest; Crown Prince, if you have nothing else, come again tomorrow."

Pei Shangyan glanced at the desk covered in drawings—this hardly looked like someone preparing to rest.

Translation: Pei Shangyan glanced at the papers covering the desk—this hardly looked like someone preparing to rest.

"Why does Little Sister Zhi always refuse to see me?!"

Translation: "Why does little sister Zhi always refuse to see me?!"

"You may step back first," Pei Shangyan waved his hand, dismissing the attendants present.

Translation: "You all step out first." Pei Shangyan waved his hand to drive the servants present away.

The two maidens, being timid, naturally dared not disobey; they glanced worriedly at Mu Yuanzhi before retreating. Xiao Nianzi and Xiao Yunzi exchanged a look, hesitated, and Pei Shangyan grew angry: "What, my palace can't even command you now?"

Translation: The two maidservants, being timid, naturally dared not disobey; they glanced worriedly at Mu Yuanzhi before retreating, while Xiao Nianzi and Xiao Yunzi exchanged a look and lingered, prompting Pei Shangyan to flare: "What, you won't even obey my orders now?"

Mu Yuanzhi didn't want to put the servants in a difficult position, so she nodded at them, and the two young eunuchs lowered their heads and withdrew.

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi didn't want the servants to be troubled; she nodded at them, and the two young eunuchs lowered their heads and withdrew.

Unable to tolerate Mu Yuanzhi's indifferent attitude, Pei Shangyan blurted out, "Is Little Sister Zhi avoiding me because of the incident at the Bureau of Astronomy the other day? I'm also worried you might be possessed by an evil spirit, which is why I'm overconcerned—I've already demoted that rumor-mongering junior official."

Translation: Unable to bear Mu Yuanzhi's indifferent attitude, Pei Shangyan blurted, "Is little sister Zhi avoiding me because of what happened at the Imperial Observatory that day? I'm also worried you might be possessed by an evil spirit, which is why I'm overconcerned—that rumor-mongering junior superintendent, I've already demoted him."

"That junior official may indeed be at fault, but Crown Prince Brother, aren't you wrong too?" Mu Yuanzhi asked with a smirk.

Translation: "That junior superintendent may be at fault, but Crown Prince, aren't you wrong too?" Mu Yuanzhi retorted amusedly.

Is he trying to claim credit from her?

Translation: Is he trying to claim credit with her?

"I was wrong; I've apologized to you—can you forgive your brother just this once?" Pei Shangyan stepped forward, reaching to take Mu Yuanzhi's hand.

Translation: "I was wrong, I've apologized; can you forgive brother just once?" Pei Shangyan stepped forward, wanting to take Mu Yuanzhi's hand.

Mu Yuanzhi skillfully dodged, saying, "I'm really tired; Crown Prince Brother, please go back."

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi skillfully dodged, "I'm really tired; Crown Prince, please go back."

You shoved her into deep water, nearly choking and drowning her, and a light, offhand apology just sweeps it away?

Translation: He had pressed her into deep water, nearly choking and drowning her, and a light apology just glosses it over?

Her life is far too cheap.

Translation: Her life is far too cheap.

You can't afford to provoke her, yet you still try to dodge!

Translation: You can't afford to provoke her, yet you can still dodge!

Pei Shangyan's handsome features flickered with conflicted doubt: "Little Sister Zhi, even if you've made up with us, you cannot agree to marry Gu Rongjin—do you not know that just half an hour ago I personally saw him go to the Red Pavilion?"

Translation: Pei Shangyan's handsome features flashed with conflicted doubt: "Little sister Zhi, even if you make up with us, you can't agree to marry Gu Rongjin—do you know that just half an hour ago I personally saw him go to the Red Fragrance Pavilion?"

If Little Sister Zhi were to marry into that family, she wouldn't know how much suffering she'd endure.

Translation: If little sister Zhi were to marry into that family, she wouldn't know how much suffering she'd endure.

"I know; he told me." Mu Yuanzhi said expressionlessly.

Translation: "I know, he told me." Mu Yuanzhi said expressionlessly.

Her words left Pei Shangyan speechless; to spite them, she acted so willfully!

Translation: Her words choked Pei Shangyan; to spite them, she was being so willful!

Pei Shangyan felt utterly helpless: "You must not marry him; a momentary impulse will make you regret it for life!"

Translation: Pei Shangyan felt helpless: "You mustn't marry him; a moment's impulse will make you regret it for life!"

"Is that so? Then, according to your thinking, Crown Prince Brother, whom should I marry?"

Translation: "Is that so? Then, according to the Crown Prince's idea, who should I marry?"

Pei Shangyan sighed, revealing the decision he had pondered for a long time: "Little Sister Zhi, I know you love Xiao Yichen deeply; if you were willing to marry him as a concubine, he..."

Translation: Pei Shangyan sighed, voicing the decision he'd pondered for a long time: "Little sister Zhi, I know you love Xiao Yichen; if you're willing to marry him as a concubine, he..."

"Pei Shangyan! You want me to marry Xiao Yichen as a concubine? Is this your so-called decision that won't lead to lifelong regret?" Mu Yuanzhi truly underestimated Pei Shangyan's depths.

Translation: "Pei Shangyan! You want me to marry Xiao Yichen as a concubine? Is this your so-called decision that won't lead to lifelong regret?" Mu Yuanzhi truly underestimated Pei Shangyan's depths.

As a child, he used to say she would choose a husband from all under heaven, that only the most outstanding man was worthy of her—now he wants her to become someone's concubine!

Translation: As a child he'd said she would choose a husband from all under heaven, only the finest man worthy of her—now he wants her to become someone's concubine!

To become Xiao Yichen's concubine, she'd also have to serve his principal wife, Pei Yunxi—is she some sort of lowly person?!

Translation: To become Xiao Yichen's concubine, she'd also have to serve his wife Pei Yunxi—what kind of lowly person is she?!

"Little Sister Zhi, don't get angry yet; my younger sister is your sister, she's kind and easy to get along with—don't generalize, don't assume the typical relationship between a principal wife and a concubine." Pei Shangyan continued trying to persuade Mu Yuanzhi.

Translation: "Little sister Zhi, don't get angry first; my younger sister is your sister, she's kind and easy to get along with—don't generalize and assume all principal wives and concubines are like that." Pei Shangyan was still trying to persuade Mu Yuanzhi.

Mu Yuanzhi chuckled: "With such a fine arrangement, do your younger sister and Xiao Yichen know about it?"

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi chuckled: "With such a fine arrangement, do your younger sister and Xiao Yichen know about it?"

"I'll go persuade them." Pei Shangyan, thinking Mu Yuanzhi had been moved, quickly assured her.

Translation: "I'll go persuade them." Pei Shangyan, thinking Mu Yuanzhi was moved, hastily assured her.

"If you like it so much, you go be his concubine yourself!" Mu Yuanzhi turned and ordered the outside attendants: "Someone, see them out!"

Translation: "If you like it so much, you go be his concubine!" Mu Yuanzhi turned and ordered the palace servants outside: "Someone, see them out!"

Her undisguised mockery and contempt ignited Pei Shangyan's true fury—after all, he is still the heir apparent, second only to the emperor and above ten thousand people!

Translation: Her undisguised mockery and contempt ignited Pei Shangyan's true anger—after all, he is still the heir apparent, second only to the emperor and above ten thousand!

Pei Shangyan's chest heaved violently, and he finally flicked his sleeves and departed.

Translation: Pei Shangyan's chest heaved violently, and he finally flicked his sleeves and left.

But just as he stepped out of the palace hall, he suddenly felt a hesitation.

Translation: But just as he stepped out of the palace hall, he suddenly felt stalled.

Pei Shangyan gazed blankly at the star-filled sky, recalling the days when he and Mu Yuanzhi lay together on the grass counting stars—clearly they had been so close, so why have they become like this?

Translation: Pei Shangyan gazed blankly at the starry sky, recalling the days when he and Mu Yuanzhi lay on the grass counting stars—they had been so close, why had they become like this?

Just like a stranger you can't even agree on half a sentence with—no, more like an enemy—Zhi meimei will get angry and chase him away after just a few words.

Pei Shangyan finally left, dispirited.

Outside Weiyang Palace, Xiao Yichen, who had come back after seeing Pei Yunxi off, saw Pei Shangyan absent-minded and asked him, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, what's wrong?"

"Yichen, I have known you for many years; there are some things I am not afraid to tell you. I want to entrust my beloved younger sisters to you; even if it means wronging Sister Zhi by making her a concubine, that is acceptable."

"If you say that to her, how would she answer?" Xiao Yichen felt a stir in his heart and asked.