Chapter 194: with translation of chapter title

Pei Shangling shook off Consort De's hand.

Translation: Pei Shangling shook off Virtuous Consort's hand.

But need to keep exact meaning: "Pei Shangling shook off Virtuous Consort's hand." Good.

Consort De was flung aside, stumbling, she opened and closed her mouth in disbelief, and only after a long while did she regain her voice: "Ling'er, Xi'er is your blood sister! For an outsider you'd ignore your own sister?!"

Translation: Virtuous Consort was flung back a step, she opened and closed her mouth in disbelief, and only after a long while found her voice: "Ah Ling, Ah Xi is your blood sister! For an outsider you ignore your own sister?!"

We need to keep the interjection meaning she opened and closed her mouth; we will translate it as 'she opened and closed her mouth'.

She didn't care that she was outside the Xuanshi Palace, with so many palace servants and guards watching, she shouted and screamed like a shrew, utterly lacking any decorum.

Translation: She didn't care that she was outside Xuanshi Hall, with so many palace maids and guards watching, she shouted and screamed like a shrew, utterly lacking any decorum.

We need to keep the phrase meaning 'utterly lacking any decorum'; we will translate it as 'utterly lacking any decorum'.

"My only sister is Ah Zhi." Pei Shangling paid no more attention and stepped into the Xuanshi Palace.

Translation: "My only sister is Ah Zhi." Pei Shangling paid no more attention, lifted her foot and entered Xuanshi Hall.

We need to keep the name Ah Zhi; we will keep it as Ah Zhi.

The door shut immediately, locking the unwilling Consort De outside.

Translation: The door shut immediately, locking the unwilling Virtuous Consort outside.

What should we do? What will happen to her Ah Xi?!

Translation: What should be done? How will my Ah Xi fare?!

We need to keep the exclamation marks. We'll translate as: "What should be done? How will my Ah Xi fare?!"

Consort De raised a ruckus outside, and the emperor inside naturally heard; his expression grew darker, sending another wave of alarm and anxiety through Pei Yunxi.

Translation: Virtuous Consort raised a ruckus outside, the Son of Heaven inside naturally heard, his expression grew darker, making Pei Yunxi feel another pang of alarm and anxiety.

We need to keep the phrase meaning alarm and anxiety; we will translate it as 'another pang of alarm and anxiety'.

At that moment the three princes walked past her, glancing at her casually; the strangeness in their eyes made Pei Yunxi's heart sink again to the depths.

Translation: At that moment the three princes walked past her, they glanced at her casually, the unfamiliarity in their eyes made Pei Yunxi's heart sink anew to the bottom of the valley.

We need to keep the term referring to the three princes; we will translate it as 'the three princes'.

They were not acting on impulse; they truly disregarded sibling bonds.

Translation: They were not acting on impulse; they truly disregarded sibling bonds.

Even seeing her forehead split and bleed did not move them in the slightest.

Translation: Even seeing her forehead split and bleed left them unmoved.

We need to keep the phrase meaning forehead split and bleed; we will translate it as 'forehead split and bleed'.

Pei Yunxi was puzzled; she simply did not understand.

Translation: Pei Yunxi was puzzled, she simply did not understand.

Even blood ties cannot outweigh this outsider, Mu Yuanzhi?

Translation: Is even blood thicker than blood not enough to outweigh this outsider, Mu Yuanzhi?

We need to keep the phrase meaning blood ties; we will translate it as 'Even blood ties can't compare to this outsider, Mu Yuanzhi?'.

Are familial feelings all fake? Only constant companionship is real?

Translation: Are familial feelings all fake? Only constant companionship is real?

Just thinking about this made Pei Yunxi hate even more.

Translation: Thinking of this, Pei Yunxi hated even more.

All of this should have been hers; why did Mu Yuanzhi snatch it away and refuse to give it back?

Translation: All this should have been hers; why did Mu Yuanzhi snatch it away and not return it?

If she hadn't gotten lost, how could this have fallen to a mere general's daughter like Mu Yuanzhi?!

Translation: If she hadn't gotten lost, how could a mere general's daughter like Mu Yuanzhi ever get all this?

We need to keep the phrase meaning mere general's daughter; we will translate it as 'mere general's daughter'.

Pei Yunxi's resentful gaze followed the three of them until they stood beside Ah Zhi, each pair of eyes seeming to want to grow onto her.

Translation: Pei Yunxi's venomous gaze followed the three as they walked, until they stood beside Mu Yuanzhi, their eyes seeming to want to grow onto her.

The fire of jealousy in her heart was about to consume her!

Translation: The fire of jealousy in her heart was about to burn her up!

"Father!" Pei Shangyan spoke first: "Since little … Ah Zhi sister has returned, this matter should be settled and justice done for her!"

Translation: "Father Emperor!" Pei Shangyan spoke first: "Since little Ah Zhi has returned, this matter should be settled and justice done for her!"

We need to keep the ellipsis in 'little … Ah Zhi sister'; we will translate it as 'little … Ah Zhi sister'.

Thus: "Since little Ah Zhi sister has returned, this matter should be settled and justice done for her!"

"I concur, your subject." The usually silent Pei Shangjue immediately echoed.

Translation: "I subject agree." The usually silent Pei Shangjue immediately echoed.

Better: "I subject concur." But we can say "I concur." We'll keep.

Pei Shangling said: "I, your subject, believe this case should have long been handed to the Imperial Court of Justice for judgment."

Translation: Pei Shangling: "I subject believe this case should have long been handed to the Imperial Court of Justice for trial."

We need to keep the term Imperial Court of Justice; we will use Imperial Court of Justice.

One or two of them are so worked up, aren't they afraid the Father Emperor will rebel? Pei Yunxi snorted inwardly.

Translation: One or two getting so worked up, aren't they afraid the Father Emperor will rebel? Pei Yunxi snorted inwardly.

We need to keep the phrase meaning Father Emperor will rebel; we will translate it as 'Father Emperor will rebel'.

She furtively glanced at the emperor, whose expression remained inscrutable; her heart felt like a jolting carriage, lurching back and forth.

Translation: She again furtively glanced at the Son of Heaven; seeing his expression still inscrutable, her heart felt like a jolting carriage, lurching back and forth.

The emperor did not answer them, turning his gaze to Ah Zhi: "Ah Zhi, what do you think? I am waiting for your decision."

Translation: The Son of Heaven didn't answer them, turning his gaze to Mu Yuanzhi: "Ah Zhi, what do you think? I am waiting for your decision."

He asked Ah Zhi without any emotion or sense of pressure.

Translation: He asked Mu Yuanzhi, without any emotion or sense of pressure.

It seemed like just an ordinary inquiry.

Translation: It seemed like just an ordinary inquiry.

Ah Zhi naturally did not want to miss this great opportunity; she steadied herself, met the emperor's gaze, and said: "I, your subject, believe that if the Son of Heaven breaks the law he should be punished like a commoner; Pei Yunxi has repeatedly harmed me, this time caught red‑handed, with no chance of denial, so she should first be confined to Eternal Lane and then the Imperial Court of Justice shall thoroughly investigate this matter."

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi naturally did not want to pass up this great opportunity; she steadied herself, met the Son of Heaven's gaze, and said: "I subject believe the Son of Heaven, if he breaks the law, should be punished like a commoner; Pei Yunxi has repeatedly harmed me, this time caught red-handed, there is no possible denial—she should first be confined to Eternal Lane, then the Imperial Court of Justice shall thoroughly investigate this matter."

We need to keep the phrase meaning the Son of Heaven, if he breaks the law, should be punished like a commoner; we will translate it as 'the Son of Heaven

We need to keep "has repeatedly harmed me". We'll translate as "has repeatedly harmed me". Good.

We need to keep "caught red-handed". We'll translate as "caught red-handed". Good.

We need to keep "should first be confined to Eternal Lane". We'll translate as "should first be confined to Eternal Lane". Good.

We need to keep "then the Imperial Court of Justice shall thoroughly investigate this matter". We'll translate as "then the Imperial Court of Justice shall thoroughly investigate this matter". Good.

Locked up in Eternal Lane?! Pei Yunxi, upon hearing this, instantly looked nervously at the emperor.

Translation: Confined to Eternal Lane?! Upon hearing, Pei Yunxi instantly tensed and looked toward the Son of Heaven.

How could she possibly go to such a spooky place as Eternal Lane?

Translation: How could she possibly go to that ghastly place, Eternal Lane?

She is the emperor's beloved daughter, his very own daughter!

Translation: She is the Son of Heaven's beloved daughter, his own child!

"Sister! When have I repeatedly harmed you? Don't take this chance to spout nonsense!" Pei Yunxi protested, her eyes red.

Translation: "Elder sister! When have I repeatedly harmed you? You can't just spout nonsense to take advantage of this!" Pei Yunxi protested, eyes red.

We need to keep "repeatedly". We'll translate as "repeatedly". Good.

Mu Yanzhi let out a cold snort: "Little sister, your memory is terrible; let me help you recall."

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi gave a cold snort: "Your memory is poor; let me help you recall, sister."

Pei Yunxi pressed her lips, her eyes darting nervously.

Translation: Pei Yunxi pressed her lips, her eyes darting anxiously.

"First, shortly after you returned to the palace, you framed me for hurting you with a hidden weapon. Second, you killed the emperor's birthday gift—dew droplets—threw them into my chambers to frame me, tampered with the Ministry of Works' gloves to make me explode, hired people during the Lantern Festival to kidnap me, and locked me up with a foolish man."

Translation: "First, shortly after you returned to the palace, you framed me for hurting you with a hidden weapon; second, you killed the Father Emperor's birthday gift I received—dew droplets—and threw them into my palace to frame me, you tampered with the Ministry of Works' gloves to make me explode, you hired people during the Lantern Festival to kidnap me, locking me up with a foolish man."

We need to keep "dew droplets". We'll translate as "dew droplets". Good.

We need to keep "tampered with the Ministry of Works' gloves to make me explode". We'll translate as "tampered with the Ministry of Works' gloves to make me explode". Good.

We need to keep "hired people during the Lantern Festival to kidnap me". We'll translate as "hired people during the Lantern Festival to kidnap me". Good.

We need to keep "locking me up with a foolish man". We'll translate as "locking me up with a foolish man". Good.

"You bought Southern Border red spiders to poison me, but due to your negligence you got bitten by the spider yourself, then you tried to exchange blood to take my life, and so on; you also poisoned my great‑grandmother to frame the Third Prince—your crimes are piled high with ironclad evidence—and yet you still dare to argue?"

Translation: "You bought Southern Border red spiders to poison me, but due to negligence you got bitten yourself, then you tried to take my life by exchanging blood, and so on; you also placed gu poison on my great‑grandmother to frame the Third Prince, your crimes are piled high with ironclad evidence, yet you still want to quibble?"

We need to keep "Southern Border red spiders". We'll translate as "Southern Border red spiders". Good.

We need to keep "exchanging blood". We'll translate as "exchanging blood". Good.

We need to keep "great‑grandmother". We'll translate as "great‑grandmother". Good.

We need to keep "Third Prince". We'll translate as "Third Prince". Good.

We need to keep "crimes are piled high with ironclad evidence". We'll translate as "crimes are piled high with ironclad evidence". Good.

With each retelling by Mu Yanzhi, everyone's heart clenched a little tighter—except Pei Yunxi's.

Translation: Each time Mu Yuanzhi recounted these, everyone's hearts tightened a little more—except Pei Yunxi's.

At the time, everyone ignored these obvious injuries, never doubted them, and even firmly sided with Pei Yunxi, becoming her accomplices.

Translation: These obvious injuries were overlooked by everyone at the time, never questioned, and they even firmly stood by Pei Yunxi as accomplices.

"What ironclad evidence? It's all just your baseless imagination, sister!" Pei Yunxi naturally denied any claim lacking evidence.

Translation: "What ironclad evidence? It's all just your baseless imagination, sister!" For things without evidence, Pei Yunxi naturally refused to admit them.

"Enough! I didn't give you leave to speak!" the emperor angrily slammed the imperial desk.

Translation: "Enough! I didn't give you leave to speak!" the Son of Heaven angrily slammed the imperial desk.

We need to keep "imperial desk". We'll translate as "imperial desk". Good.

Pei Yunxi, frightened, shut her mouth.

Translation: Pei Yunxi shut her mouth in fright.

Now the emperor scolding her is just everyday fare.

Translation: The Father Emperor yelling at her has become routine!

Anyway, she won't admit to anything without evidence.

Translation: Anyway, she won't admit to anything lacking evidence.

"Whether she did it or not, a thorough investigation by the Ministry of Justice will reveal the truth," Xiao Yichen interjected.

Translation: "Whether she did it or not, the Imperial Court of Justice's thorough investigation will reveal it." Xiao Yichen added coldly.

"Brother Dust, do you agree as well? Do you think I should be confined to Eternal Lane? I'm carrying the Xiao family's bloodline!" Pei Yunxi flew into a rage.

Translation: "Brother Dust, do you agree too? Do you also think I should be locked up in Eternal Lane? I am carrying the Xiao family's flesh and blood!" Pei Yunxi flew into a rage.

We need to keep "Brother Dust". We'll translate as "Brother Dust". Good.

Thus we will translate: "Brother Dust, do you agree too? Do you also think I should be locked up in Eternal Lane? I am carrying the Xiao family's flesh and blood!" Pei Yunxi flew into a rage.

She had no choice but to play this card.

Translation: She had no choice but to lay this card on the table.

She wanted to remind Xiao Yichen, and these muddle‑headed folks, that their close relatives are pregnant!

Translation: She wanted to remind Xiao Yichen, to remind these muddle‑headed people, that their closest kin is a pregnant woman!

Mu Yanzhi knew Pei Yunxi would never hesitate to use the child in her womb as a bargaining chip.

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi knew Pei Yunxi would never pass up using the child in her womb as a bargaining chip.

She wanted to see just how far this bargaining chip could go.

Translation: She wanted to see just how far this chip could go.

If we can't completely overthrow Pei Yunxi this time, there won't be a next chance.

Translation: If she cannot completely overthrow Pei Yunxi this time, there will be no next chance.

Even solid evidence can be overturned; there won't be another opportunity like this. She can't defeat Pei Yunxi through legal means, so she must find another way.

Translation: Even solid evidence can be overturned; thereafter such an opportunity won't arise again, she cannot defeat Pei Yunxi with law alone, so she must find another way.

Hearing this, Xiao Yichen's disgust deepened: "You know how this child came about; our Xiao family line doesn't need a murderer to continue."

Translation: Xiao Yichen's disgust deepened at her words: "You know how this child came to be; our Xiao lineage needs no murderer to continue it."

Even before the emperor, Xiao Yichen spoke without mercy; each word pierced Pei Yunxi's heart, leaving it full of wounds.

Translation: Even in the Son of Heaven's presence, Xiao Yichen spoke without mercy, each word striking Pei Yunxi's heart, leaving it riddled with holes.

Pei Yunxi couldn't bear it; she covered her face and wept bitterly, her grief tearing her apart, yet no one comforted her.

Translation: Pei Yunxi could bear it no more; she covered her face and wept, her grief tearing her apart, yet no one comforted her.

In the hall, only her sobs echoed; the more she cried, the more lost and anxious she became, until she couldn't help but sneak a glance at her brothers and the emperor's expressions.

Translation: In the hall only her sobs echoed; the more she cried, the more lost and anxious she became, finally unable to resist sneaking a glance at her brothers' and the Father Emperor's expressions.

Pei Shangjue remained expressionless, Pei Shangyan's face showed firmness, Pei Shangling's face stayed grim and terrifying; none of them showed a shred of pity.

Translation: Pei Shangjue remained expressionless, Pei Shangyan's face showed firm resolve, Pei Shangling's visage stayed grimly dark, and they held not a shred of pity.

The emperor then said, "There are plenty of grandmothers in Eternal Lane; it won't interfere with your pregnancy."

Translation: Then the Son of Heaven spoke: "There are plenty of grannies in Eternal Lane; it won't affect your pregnancy."

The emperor's words sounded like a death sentence for Pei Yunxi.

Translation: The Son of Heaven's words amounted to a death sentence for Pei Yunxi.

Pregnant in Eternal Lane?! What a huge joke!

Translation: Pregnancy in Eternal Lane?! What a huge joke!

Pei Yunxi laughed aloud: "Father, are you really so ruthless as to want to wipe out Ah Xi entirely?"

Translation: Pei Yunxi laughed aloud: "Father Emperor, do you really intend to be so ruthless as to exterminate my Ah Xi?"

We need to keep "Ah Xi". We'll translate as "Ah Xi". Good.

She is, after all, his biological daughter!

He didn't adopt Mu Yuanzhi just because he wanted a daughter, did he? She is truly his biological daughter!

Even a vicious tiger wouldn't eat its own cub!

"Impudence!" the Emperor flew into a rage, "Even now you still don't think you're wrong? You say I'm exterminating you down to the last?!"

"Isn't that so? Father Emperor, don't you know what kind of damned place Eternal Lane is?!" And what's the difference between that and sending her to die?!

The Emperor narrowed his eyes and said, "When you slandered Zhi'er, causing her to be locked up in Eternal Lane, did you ever think about what kind of place Eternal Lane is?"

Pei Yunxi was speechless.

Mu Yuanzhi sneered inwardly, saying it as if he himself were blameless.