Chapter 18

She was furious and yelled at me. Pei Shangyan rubbed his brow, "I also momentarily lost my senses; forget it, just pretend I never said that."

She was furious and yelled at me. Pei Shangyan rubbed his brow, "I also momentarily lost my senses; forget it, just pretend I never said that."

"She was furious and yelled at me." Pei Shangyan rubbed his brow, "I just slipped up for a moment; forget it, pretend I never said anything."

But need to keep meaning exactly. Let's produce: "She was really angry and yelled at me." Pei Shangyan rubbed his brow, "I just slipped up for a moment; forget it, just pretend I never said anything."

She was furious and yelled at me.

Pei Shangyan rubbed his brow, "I also momentarily lost my senses; forget it, just pretend I never said that."

We'll output: 【1】 "She was really angry and yelled at me." Pei Shangyan rubbed his brow, "I just slipped up for a moment; forget it, just pretend I never said anything."

She was furious and yelled at me.

He patted Xiao Yichen on the shoulder and walked away.

He patted Xiao Yichen's shoulder and left. Use Xiao Yichen.

He patted Xiao Yichen's shoulder and walked away.

Xiao Yichen didn't respond, just pondering something to himself.

Xiao Yichen didn't answer, just pondering something.

【3】 Xiao Yichen didn't answer, lost in thought.

Until a signal flare rose on the horizon in the distance.

Until a signal flare lit up the horizon in the distance.

【4】 Until a signal flare rose on the distant horizon.

Something happened?!

Something happened?!

【5】 Something happened?!

His eyes turned cold as he vanished into the night.

His eyes turned cold, and he vanished into the night.

【6】 His eyes narrowed, and he disappeared into the night.

That day, Mu Yanzhi spent the whole day holed up in the Weiyang Palace, tinkering with her designs; when the development of a new secret weapon hit a snag, she started making other little gadgets to seek inspiration.

That day, Mu Yuanzhi stayed all day in Weiyang Palace tinkering with her drawings; the development of a new concealed weapon hit a key step, so she made some other little gadgets to seek inspiration.

We need to use Mu Yuanzhi, Weiyang Palace.

【7】 That day, Mu Yuanzhi stayed all day in Weiyang Palace tinkering with her drawings; the development of a new concealed weapon hit a key step, so she made some other little gadgets to seek inspiration.

"What an exquisite teapot!" Hongdou's eyes lit up: "My lord, you're a genius! How does this little figure walk on its own?"

"Wow, such a unique teapot!" Hongdou's eyes lit up: "Master, you're a genius! How does this little figure walk by itself?"

【8】 "What a unique teapot!" Hongdou's eyes lit up: "Master, you're a genius! How does this little figure walk by itself?"

Mu Yanzhi raised her eyebrows proudly, gesturing for Hongdou to look at the teapot's base: "There's a mechanism inside—when the tea flows back in, it drives the little figure to walk, allowing it to move on its own across the table."

Mu Yuanzhi raised her brows proudly, gesturing for Hongdou to look at the teapot's base: "There's a mechanism inside; the tea flowing back drives this little figure, letting it move on its own across the desk."

【9】 Mu Yuanzhi raised her brows proudly, gesturing for Hongdou to look at the teapot's base: "There's a mechanism inside; the tea flowing back drives this little figure, letting it move on its own across the desk."

Hongdou stared unblinking as the little figure stopped before her, then poured herself tea; the most amazing part was that after filling it to eight-tenths full, the figure stopped and returned to its original position.

Hongdou stared unblinking as the little figure stopped before her, then poured her tea; the most amazing part was that after it poured to eight-tenths full, the figure stopped and returned to its original spot.

【10】 Hongdou stared unblinking as the little figure stopped before her, then poured her tea; the most amazing part was that after it poured to eight-tenths full, the figure stopped and returned to its original spot.

"Amazing!" she exclaimed in awe.

"How impressive!" she exclaimed in awe.

【11】 "How impressive!" she exclaimed in awe.

Mu Yanzhi packed up the newly finished automatic teapot into a brocade box and told Hongdou: "My great-grandmother's birthday is coming up; go deliver this gift for me."

Mu Yuanzhi satisfied, packed the newly made automatic teapot into a brocade box, and told Hongdou: "My great-grandmother's birthday is coming up; go deliver this gift for me."

【12】 Mu Yuanzhi packed the newly made automatic teapot into a brocade box and told Hongdou, "My great-grandmother's birthday is coming up; go deliver this gift for me."

As usual, my great-grandmother doesn't hold a banquet.

As usual, the great-grandmother does not hold a banquet.

【13】 As usual, the great-grandmother does not hold a banquet.

"I'll go right away."

"I'll go right away, servant."

【14】 "I'll go right away."

"The palace guard is especially tight today; Hongdou probably can't get into the Yue Moon Palace's area," said Linglong, carrying in pastries.

"The palace guards are especially tight today; Hongdou probably can't get into the Changle Palace area," said Linglong, carrying in pastries.

【15】 "The palace guards are especially tight today; Hongdou probably can't get into the Changle Palace area," said Linglong, carrying in pastries.

Mu Yanzhi asked curiously: "What's going on?"

Mu Yuanzhi asked curiously: "What happened?"

【16】 Mu Yuanzhi asked curiously, "What happened?"

Linglong said: "I heard that last night the Minister of Justice's residence caught fire, and the entire family of four perished!"

Linglong said: "I heard it's because last night the Minister of Justice's residence caught fire, and the minister's family of four all died!"

【17】 Linglong said, "I heard it's because last night the Minister of Justice's residence caught fire, and the minister's family of four all died!"

"Does Father suspect arson?" Mu Yanzhi asked again.

"Does Father Emperor suspect arson?" Mu Yuanzhi asked again.

【18】 "Does Father Emperor suspect arson?" Mu Yuanzhi asked again.

Linglong: "It seems Minister Xiao suspects it, and the cabinet has taken over the case."

Linglong: "It seems Senior Minister Xiao suspects it, and the Cabinet has taken over the case."

【19】 Linglong: "It seems Senior Minister Xiao suspects it, and the Cabinet has taken over the case."

Mu Yanzhi nodded; the palace tightened its guard, and the Grand Empress Dowager's quarters were surely even more heavily guarded.

Mu Yuanzhi nodded; the palace tightened its guard, and surely the Grand Empress Dowager's quarters are even more strictly guarded.

【20】 Mu Yuanzhi nodded; the palace tightened its guard, and surely the Grand Empress Dowager's quarters are even more strictly guarded.

"It's fine, my lord; let me go—I have a way!" Xiao Nianzi volunteered.

"It's fine, Master; let me go, I have a way!" Xiao Nianzi volunteered.

【21】 "It's fine, Master; let me go, I have a way!" Xiao Nianzi volunteered.

He knew that his lord had no support at the palace gates; if not for the Grand Empress Dowager's attendant Zhang Mama stepping in last time, the Weiyang Palace might have been neglected for who knows how long—so currying favor with the Grand Empress Dowager was naturally the best option.

He knew the Master had no support at the palace gates; if not for the last time when the Grand Empress Dowager's attendant Zhang Mama stepped in, their Weiyang Palace might have been neglected even longer—getting close to the Grand Empress Dowager is naturally the best!

【22】 He knew the Master had no support at the palace gates; if not for the last time when the Grand Empress Dowager's attendant Zhang Mama stepped in, their Weiyang Palace might have been neglected even longer—getting close to the Grand Empress Dowager is naturally the best!

"Go, and be careful." Mu Yanzhi handed the brocade box to Xiao Nianzi.

"Go, be careful." Mu Yuanzhi handed the brocade box to Xiao Nianzi.

【23】 "Go, be careful." Mu Yuanzhi handed the brocade box to Xiao Nianzi.

"My lord, rest assured!"

"Don't worry, Master!"

【24】 "Don't worry, Master!"

Xiao Nianzi lived up to the trust, sneaking into the Yue Moon Palace's area and handing the box to Zhang Mama.

Xiao Nianzi didn't disappoint; he smoothly slipped into the Changle Palace area and handed the brocade box to Zhang Mama.

【25】 Xiao Nianzi didn't disappoint; he smoothly slipped into the Changle Palace area and handed the brocade box to Zhang Mama.

The Grand Empress Dowager glanced at the box, continued burning incense, and asked without much interest: "What is this—some rare medicinal herb or expensive jewel?"

The Grand Empress Dowager glanced at the brocade box, continued burning incense, and asked without much interest: "Is this some rare medicinal herb or expensive jewel?"

【26】 The Grand Empress Dowager glanced at the brocade box, continued burning incense, and asked without much interest, "Is this some rare medicinal herb or expensive jewel?"

Zhang Mama shook her head upon opening the box: "Your Majesty, it's a strange teapot."

Zhang Mama, opening the brocade box, shook her head: "In reply to the Grand Empress Dowager, it's a strange teapot."

【27】 Zhang Mama, opening the brocade box, shook her head: "In reply to the Grand Empress Dowager, it's a strange teapot."

"A teapot?" The Grand Empress Dowager turned away after finishing her incense, her eyes growing more curious.

"A teapot?" The Grand Empress Dowager, having finished her incense, turned around, her eyes gaining a bit of curiosity.

【28】 "A teapot?" The Grand Empress Dowager, having finished her incense, turned around, her eyes gaining a bit of curiosity.

The maid peeked in and laughed: "This little figurine is utterly adorable!"

A maid peeked in and laughed: "This little figurine is so cute!"

【29】 A maid peeked in and laughed, "This little figurine is so cute!"

Zhang Mama pulled out the inner spread of paper, unfolded it skeptically: "An automatic teapot?"

Zhang Mama pulled out the paper inside, unfolded it skeptically: "An automatic teapot?"

【30】 Zhang Mama pulled out the paper inside, unfolded it skeptically: "An automatic teapot?"

"What does that mean—could it move on its own?" the maid exclaimed, curious: "I've heard Princess Yanzhi excels at such things; it must be a curious novelty!"

"What does that mean—could it move on its own?" the maid exclaimed curiously, "I've heard Princess Mu Yuanzhi excels at these things; it must be a rare novelty!"

【31】 "What does that mean—could it move on its own?" the maid exclaimed curiously, "I've heard Princess Mu Yuanzhi excels at these things; it must be a rare novelty!"

The Grand Empress Dowager came over, picked up the teapot, rare smile forming on her lips, yet said: "Not exactly proper business."

The Grand Empress Dowager came over, picked up the teapot, rarely showing a smile, yet said: "Not attending to proper duties."

【32】 The Grand Empress Dowager came over, picked up the teapot, rarely showing a smile, yet said, "Not attending to proper duties."

The maid, deft with her hands, quickly figured out how to use the teapot from the instructions; she stared as it rotated and moved, the figurine automatically pouring tea, and exclaimed excitedly to the Grand Empress Dowager: "Your Majesty, look quickly—it's amazing!"

The maid, handy, quickly figured out how to use the teapot from the instructions; she stared as it rotated and moved, the figurine automatically pouring tea, and excitedly told the Grand Empress Dowager: "Your Highness, look! It's amazing!"

【33】 The maid, handy, quickly figured out how to use the teapot from the instructions; she stared as it rotated and moved, the figurine automatically pouring tea, and excitedly told the Grand Empress Dowager, "Your Highness, look! It's amazing!"

The Grand Empress Dowager's smile, which almost split her ears, was quickly suppressed; she coughed lightly before saying: "Not bad, at least she meant well."

The Grand Empress Dowager's smile, almost splitting her ears, was quickly suppressed; she coughed lightly before saying: "Not bad, at least she meant well."

【34】 The Grand Empress Dowager's smile, almost splitting her ears, was quickly suppressed; she coughed lightly before saying, "Not bad, at least she meant well."

"Princess Yanzhi really is inventive." Zhang Mama, who hadn't seen the Grand Empress Dowager this pleased in a long time, felt her affection for Mu Yanzhi soar to unprecedented heights.

"This Princess Mu Yuanzhi really is original." Zhang Mama, who hadn't seen the Grand Empress Dowager this happy in a long time, felt her affection for Mu Yuanzhi reach an unprecedented high.

【35】 "This Princess Mu Yuanzhi really is original." Zhang Mama, who hadn't seen the Grand Empress Dowager this happy in a long time, felt her affection for Mu Yuanzhi reach an unprecedented high.

Unlike those who only send thousand-year ginseng and ten-thousand-year agate, this young lady actually puts thought into her gifts.

Unlike those who only send thousand-year ginseng and ten-thousand-year agate, this girl puts thought into her gifts.

【36】 Unlike those who only send thousand-year ginseng and ten-thousand-year agate, this girl puts thought into her gifts.

She knew the Grand Empress Dowager wouldn't say it outright, but in fact she couldn't put the teapot down.

She knows the Grand Empress Dowager doesn't say it, but actually loves this teapot and can't put it down.

【37】 She knows the Grand Empress Dowager doesn't say it, but actually loves this teapot and can't put it down.

Zhang Mama glanced at the corner where yesterday's glass Buddhist beads, sent by Yunxi's messenger, were piled up—clearly inferior.

Zhang Mama glanced at the corner where the glass Buddhist prayer beads sent yesterday by Pei Yunxi's messenger were piled, and immediately judged the superiority.

【38】 Zhang Mama glanced at the corner where the glass Buddhist prayer beads sent yesterday by Pei Yunxi's messenger were piled, and immediately judged the superiority.

I don't know how those people's eyes work, but even they could be dazzled by that little princess.

Who knows how those outsiders' eyes are grown; even they could be dazzled by that little princess.

【39】 Who knows how those outsiders' eyes are grown; even they could be dazzled by that little princess.

In the Weiyang Palace, after dinner, Mu Yanzhi was about to go out for a walk when she heard a commotion outside the sleeping quarters.

Weiyang Palace—Mu Yuanzhi had finished dinner and was about to go out for a walk when she heard a commotion outside the sleeping quarters.

【40】 Weiyang Palace—Mu Yuanzhi had finished dinner and was about to go out for a walk when she heard a commotion outside the sleeping quarters.

"What's going on outside?"

"What's going on outside?"

【41】 "What's going on outside?"

Hongdou rushed in, flustered: "My lord, a troop of imperial guards has surrounded our Weiyang Palace!"

Hongdou rushed in panic: "Master, a group of imperial guards has surrounded our Weiyang Palace!"

【42】 Hongdou rushed in panic, "Master, a group of imperial guards has surrounded our Weiyang Palace!"

What?!

"What?!"

【43】 "What?!"

Mu Yanzhi didn't hesitate and headed outside.

Mu Yuanzhi didn't hesitate and headed out.

【44】 Mu Yuanzhi didn't hesitate and headed out.

Rows of imperial guards brandished roaring torches; these elite capital warriors, each tall and sturdy, swords at their sides, formed a human wall that tightly encircled the Weiyang Palace inside and out, as if a single order would send them charging in.

A mass of imperial guards held up blazing torches; these elite capital warriors, each tall and sturdy, wielding swords with fierce aura, surrounded Weiyang Palace inside and out like a human wall, as if a single order would send them charging in!

【45】 A mass of imperial guards held up blazing torches; these elite capital warriors, each tall and sturdy, wielding swords with fierce aura, surrounded Weiyang Palace inside and out like a human wall, as if a single order would send them charging in!

Xiao Nianzi and Linglong, unused to such a scene, stood at a loss in the courtyard; only Xiao Yunzi shouted sternly: "How dare you! This is the Weiyang Palace—what are you doing?!"

Xiao Nianzi and Linglong, unfamiliar with such a scene, were at a loss in the courtyard; only Xiao Yunzi shouted in a low voice: "Bold! This is Weiyang Palace—what are you doing?!"

【46】 Xiao Nianzi and Linglong, unfamiliar with such a scene, were at a loss in the courtyard; only Xiao Yunzi shouted in a low voice, "Bold! This is Weiyang Palace—what are you doing?!"

"When did it become your turn to speak, slave?" the commander of the black-iron-armored guards strode in, the clatter of his armor sending a chill through the air.

"When did it become your turn to speak, servant?" the commander of the black-iron-armored imperial guards strode in, the sound of his armor grating and colliding sending chills.

【47】 "When did it become your turn to speak, servant?" the commander of the black-iron-armored imperial guards strode in, the sound of his armor grating and colliding sending chills.

Xiao Yunzi pressed his lips together; though panicked inside, he kept telling himself he couldn't let the Weiyang Palace lose face.

Xiao Yunzi pressed his lips; even though he panicked inside, he kept telling himself not to lose face for Weiyang Palace.

【48】 Xiao Yunzi pressed his lips; even though he panicked inside, he kept telling himself not to lose face for Weiyang Palace.

"If he can't speak, can I?" Mu Yanzhi stepped slowly from the hall, her every move in the night breeze exuding innate nobility, her cold voice carrying a sharp edge.

"He can't speak, but can this princess speak?" Mu Yuanzhi stepped slowly out of the hall, walking in the night breeze, her every gesture bearing innate nobility, her cold voice hiding a sharp edge.

【49】 "He can't speak, but can this princess speak?" Mu Yuanzhi stepped slowly out of the hall, walking in the night breeze, her every gesture bearing innate nobility, her cold voice hiding a sharp edge.

The guard commander instinctively stepped back, but then pressed forward, giving a casual bow and saying without much respect: "Your Highness, please calm your anger; we are here under orders."

The guard commander instinctively stepped back, but then immediately tried to cover up by moving forward; he made a casual bow, not very respectful: "Your Highness the Princess, please calm your anger; we are here under orders."

【50】 The guard commander instinctively stepped back, but then immediately tried to cover up by moving forward; he made a casual bow, not very respectful: "Your Highness the Princess, please calm your anger; we are here under orders."

With Mu Yanzhi as their backbone, the two maids and the little eunuch straightened their backs, mustered their courage, and stood guard beside her like protectors; Xiao Nianzi, following Xiao Yunzi's example, boldly demanded: "Whose orders are you following?!"

With Mu Yuanzhi as their backbone, the two maids and the little eunuch straightened their backs, mustered their aura, and guarded her side like protectors; Xiao Nianzi also followed Xiao Yunzi's example, boldly asking: "Whose orders?!"

【51】 With Mu Yuanzhi as their backbone, the two maids and the little eunuch straightened their backs, mustered their aura, and guarded her side like protectors; Xiao Nianzi also followed Xiao Yunzi's example, boldly asking: "Whose orders?!"

"Naturally, it's the imperial command!" a booming voice rang out as the guard commander made way; Pei Shangling strode forward with imposing presence, followed closely by Pei Yunxi, and accompanied by Xiao Yichen.

"Naturally, it's the imperial command!" a loud voice rang out; as the guard commander made way, Pei Shangling strode in with fierce aura, followed closely by Pei Yunxi, and also Xiao Yichen came along.

【52】 "Naturally, it's the imperial command!" a loud voice rang out; as the guard commander made way, Pei Shangling strode in with fierce aura, followed closely by Pei Yunxi, and also Xiao Yichen came along.

Mu Yanzhi realized what was going on—again, Pei Yunxi was up to mischief.

Mu Yuanzhi figured it out—again, Pei Yunxi was up to mischief.

【53】 Mu Yuanzhi figured it out—again, Pei Yunxi was up to mischief.

Pei Shangling stood with hands behind his back, radiating arrogance: "Search!"

Pei Shangling stood with hands behind back, arrogantly domineering: "Search!"

【54】 Pei Shangling stood with hands behind back, arrogantly domineering: "Search!"

"Hold on!" Mu Yanzhi met Pei Shangling's aggressive gaze without flinching: "There ought to be a reason to search the palace; I can't obey just because of an imperial decree!"

"Wait!" Mu Yuanzhi met Pei Shangling's aggressive gaze without flinching: "There must be a reason to search the palace; just because of an imperial order to search my Weiyang Palace, I cannot obey!"

【55】 "Wait!" Mu Yuanzhi met Pei Shangling's aggressive gaze without flinching: "There must be a reason to search the palace; just because of an imperial order to search my Weiyang Palace, I cannot obey!"

Pei Shangling grew impatient: "This is for your own good—last night the Minister of Justice's residence was set ablaze by vandals, the whole capital is on lockdown, and my younger sister supposedly saw assassins sneaking into your Weiyang Palace; to avoid danger, just step aside."

Pei Shangling was impatient: "This is also for your own good—last night the Minister of Justice's residence was set ablaze by thieves, the whole capital is on lockdown, and my younger sister just happened to see an assassin sneak into your Weiyang Palace; to avoid danger, just step aside willingly."

【56】 Pei Shangling was impatient: "This is also for your own good—last night the Minister of Justice's residence was set ablaze by thieves, the whole capital is on lockdown, and my younger sister just happened to see an assassin sneak into your Weiyang Palace; to avoid danger, just step aside willingly."

"Changle Palace and Weiyang Palace are worlds apart—how could my sister just happen to see assassins sneaking

"Changle Palace and Weiyang Palace are opposite directions; how could my younger sister just happen to see an assassin sneak in?" Mu Yuanzhi scoffed.

【57】 "Changle Palace and Weiyang Palace are opposite directions; how could my younger sister just happen to see an assassin sneak in?" Mu Yuanzhi scoffed.

Pei Yunxi's face was full of worry, she said anxiously, "Sister Yuanzhi, I know you have a misunderstanding about me, but this is a matter of life and death—you must not take it lightly!"