Chapter 305

"Mu Yuanzhi listened again, and these people started arguing again." Could also be "Mu Yuanzhi listened again; these people started arguing again." We'll keep as is.

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi listened again, and these people started arguing again.

We need to keep it as one line: 【1】 Mu Yuanzhi listened again, and these people started arguing again.

"listened again; these people started arguing again." No Chinese.

"Your Majesty, are you getting rid of the donkey after using the mill? After using Minister Xiao, you just throw him away." Could also be "Your Majesty, are you discarding the donkey after using the mill? After using Minister Xiao, you just toss him aside." We'll keep.

Translation: "Your Majesty, are you getting rid of the donkey after using the mill? After using Minister Xiao, you just throw him away."

same as 【8】.

We need to keep the quotes. So: 【2】 "Your Majesty, are you getting rid of the donkey after using the mill? After using Minister Xiao, you just throw him away."

"Minister Xiao".

"You say this, but it's Xiao Yichen who willingly exchanged his official position for his useless sister—what does that have to do with Your Majesty?" Could be "You say this, but it's Xiao Yichen who willingly traded his rank for his useless sister—what's that got to do with Your Majesty?" We'll keep.

Translation: "What you're saying is that Xiao Yichen himself willingly exchanged his official position for his useless sister; what does that have to do with Your Majesty?" Need to keep meaning.

Let's translate: "Your remark is that Xiao Yichen himself willingly traded his official post for his useless sister; what does that have to do with Your Majesty?" We'll produce: 【3】 "Your remark is that Xiao Yichen himself willingly traded his official post for his useless sister; what does that have to do with Your Majesty?"

But maybe better: "What you're saying is that Xiao Yichen himself willingly exchanged his official position for his useless sister; what does that have to do with Your Majesty?" We'll go with that.

"Exactly, Xiao Chuchu has repeatedly plotted to harm the princess, and Your Majesty has shown leniency, considering Xiao Yichen's merit in protecting the emperor." Good.

Translation: "Exactly, Xiao Chuchu has repeatedly plotted to harm the princess, and Your Majesty has shown leniency, considering Xiao Yichen's merit in protecting the emperor."

same as 【22】.

We'll output: 【4】 "Exactly, Xiao Chuchu has repeatedly plotted to harm the princess, and Your Majesty has shown leniency, considering Xiao Yichen's merit in protecting the emperor."

"Besides, Minister Xiao merely serves as a mascot—he can't fight in battle and isn't a strategist." Could be "Besides, Minister Xiao is just a mascot—he can't fight in battle and isn't a strategist." We'll keep.

Translation: "Besides, Minister Xiao merely serves as a mascot; he can't fight in battle and isn't a strategist."

We'll output: 【5】 "Besides, Minister Xiao merely serves as a mascot; he can't fight in battle and isn't a strategist."

"Exactly, Your Majesty treats all meritorious officials well; Minister Xiao should look for the cause within himself." Could be "Exactly, Your Majesty treats all meritorious officials well; Minister Xiao should look for the cause in himself." We'll keep.

Translation: "Exactly, Your Majesty treats all meritorious officials well; Minister Xiao should look for the cause in himself."

We'll output: 【6】 "Exactly, Your Majesty treats all meritorious officials well; Minister Xiao should look for the cause in himself."

"They kept arguing, only to notice Mu Yuanzhi not far away, whereupon they all scattered embarrassedly." Could be "They kept arguing, only to notice Mu Yuanzhi not far away, whereupon they all scattered in embarrassment." We'll keep.

Translation: "They kept arguing, only to notice Mu Yuanzhi not far away, and they all scattered embarrassedly."

We'll output: 【7】 They kept arguing, only to notice Mu Yuanzhi not far away, and they all scattered embarrassedly.

"Mu Yuanzhi felt a bit regretful; she wasn't there to catch them in the act, so why did they flee at the sight of her?" Could be "Mu Yuanzhi felt a bit regretful; she wasn't there to catch them in the act, so why did they run away at the sight of her?" We'll keep.

Translation: "Mu Yuanzhi felt a bit regretful; she wasn't here to catch them in the act, so why do they flee at the sight of her?"

We'll output: 【8】 Mu Yuanzhi felt a bit regretful; she wasn't here to catch them in the act, so why do they flee at the sight of her?

"Maybe she could join them for a team-building activity." Good.

Translation: "Maybe she could still join them for team-building."

We'll output: 【9】 Maybe she could still join them for team-building.

"Prince Zhuang!" Good.

Translation: "【Someone shouted,】 'Prince Zhuang!'"

We need to keep quotes. So: 【10】 "Prince Zhuang!"

"Someone shouted, and Mu Yuanzhi needed to match the title to realize that 'Prince Zhuang' referred to Pei Shangjue." Could be "Someone shouted, and Mu Yuanzhi had to match the title to realize that 'Prince Zhuang' referred to Pei Shangjue." We'll keep.

Translation: "Someone shouted that, and Mu Yuanzhi needed to match the title to realize that 'Prince Zhuang' referred to Pei Shangjue."

We'll output: 【11】 Someone shouted that, and Mu Yuanzhi needed to match the title to realize that 'Prince Zhuang' referred to Pei Shangjue.

"She felt she hadn't seen Pei Shangjue in a long time." Good.

Translation: "She felt she hadn't seen Pei Shangjue in a long time."

We'll output: 【12】 She felt she hadn't seen Pei Shangjue in a long time.

"Of course, she didn't want to see him either." Good.

Translation: "Of course, she also didn't want to see him."

We'll output: 【13】 Of course, she also didn't want to see him.

"So, Mu Yuanzhi pretended not to hear 'Prince Zhuang' and walked straight away." Good.

Translation: "So, Mu Yuanzhi pretended not to hear 'Prince Zhuang' and walked straight away."

We'll output: 【14】 So, Mu Yuanzhi pretended not to hear 'Prince Zhuang' and walked straight away.

"Ah Zhi!" Good.

Translation: "'Ah Zhi!'"

We'll output: 【15】 "Ah Zhi!"

"Pei Shangjue caught up to Mu Yuanzhi in a few strides, just as he always was—expressionless, not fond of speaking, and even after catching up he remained silent, not knowing what he intended." Could be "Pei Shangjue caught up to Mu Yuanzhi in a few strides, just as he always was—expressionless, not fond of speaking, and even after catching up he remained silent, not knowing what he intended." Good.

Translation: "Pei Shangjue caught up with Mu Yuanzhi in a few long strides; he was still expressionless and not fond of speaking, following her without a word, not knowing what he intended to do."

We'll output: 【16】 Pei Shangjue caught up with Mu Yuanzhi in a few long strides; he was still expressionless and not fond of speaking, following her without a word, not knowing what he intended to do.

"'Is something the matter?' Mu Yuanzhi asked half-heartedly." Good.

Translation: "'Anything the matter?' Mu Yuanzhi asked absentmindedly."

We'll output: 【17】 "Anything the matter?" Mu Yuanzhi asked absentmindedly.

"Naturally." Good.

Translation: "'Naturally.'"

We'll output: 【18】 "Naturally."

"Pei Shangjue's gaze fell on Mu Yuanzhi's belly; he pursed his lips before saying, 'You're pregnant—you shouldn't come to the Ministry of Works, just in case something happens...'" Good.

Translation: "Pei Shangjue's gaze fell on Mu Yuanzhi's belly; he pursed his lips before speaking: 'You're pregnant, so you shouldn't come to the Ministry of Works, just in case something happens…'"

We'll output: 【19】 Pei Shangjue's gaze fell on Mu Yuanzhi's belly; he pursed his lips before speaking: "You're pregnant, so you shouldn't come to the Ministry of Works, just in case something happens..."

"'What could happen? Pei Yunxi isn't here, and I'm safe in the Ministry of Works.' Mu Yuanzhi laughed." Good.

Translation: "'What could happen? Pei Yunxi isn't here, and I'm safe in the Ministry of Works.' Mu Yuanzhi laughed."

We'll output: 【20】 "What could happen? Pei Yunxi isn't here, and I'm safe in the Ministry of Works." Mu Yuanzhi laughed.

"Pei Shangjue didn't want to hear Pei Yunxi's name; upon hearing it, his brows furrowed tightly." Good.

Translation: "Pei Shangjue didn't want to hear Pei Yunxi's name; upon hearing it, his brows furrowed tightly."

We'll output: 【21】 Pei Shangjue didn't want to hear Pei Yunxi's name; upon hearing it, his brows furrowed tightly.

"The shameful deeds he had done and turned a blind eye to were once again placed before him as a reminder." Good.

Translation: "Those past misdeeds of his, which he had turned a blind eye to, were once again laid before him as a reminder."

We'll output: 【22】 Those past misdeeds of his, which he had turned a blind eye to, were once again laid before him as a reminder.

"'This is the Ministry of Works; there are bound to be safety hazards,' Pei Shangjue said." Good.

Translation: "'This is the Ministry of Works; there are bound to be safety hazards,' Pei Shangjue said."

We'll output: 【23】 "This is the Ministry of Works; there are bound to be safety hazards." Pei Shangjue said.

"'You came just to say these things; I've heard them, you may leave.' Mu Yuanzhi said, 'I didn't come here today to listen to this boring talk.'" Good.

Translation: "'You came to see me just to say these things; I've heard them, you may leave.' Mu Yuanzhi said, 'I didn't come here today to listen to your boring talk.'"

We'll output: 【24】 "You came to see me just to say these things; I've heard them, you may leave." Mu Yuanzhi said, "I didn't come here today to listen to your boring talk."

"'I came to see you for another matter.' That's why he had been waiting here since early morning." Good.

Translation: "'I came to see you for another matter.' That's why he had been waiting here since early morning."

We'll output: 【25】 "I came to see you for another matter." That's why he had been waiting here since early morning.

"Mu Yuanzhi had a bit of patience for Pei Shangjue—at least more than she had for other Pei family members; she didn't outright refuse to listen." Good.

Translation: "Mu Yuanzhi had a bit of patience for Pei Shangjue, at least a little more than for other Pei family members, enough that she didn't utterly refuse to listen."

We'll output: 【26】 Mu Yuanzhi had a bit of patience for Pei Shangjue, at least a little more than for other Pei family members, enough that she didn't utterly refuse to listen.

"'If you have something to say, say it quickly—I'll give you fifteen minutes.'" Good.

Translation: "'If you have something to say, say it quickly; I'll give you half an hour.'"

We'll output: 【27】 "If you have something to say, say it quickly; I'll give you half an hour."

"'I want to discuss official business with you; fifteen minutes might not be enough—would thirty minutes work?'" Good.

Translation: "Upon hearing that, Pei Shangjue's eyes brightened slightly, and he said: 'I want to discuss official business with you; half an hour might not be enough—would two hours work?'"

We'll output: 【28】 Upon hearing that, Pei Shangjue's eyes brightened slightly, and he said: "I want to discuss official business with you; half an hour might not be enough—would two hours work?"

"His expression didn't seem feigned, and his tone was quite sincere." Good.

Translation: "His expression didn't seem feigned, and his tone was very sincere."

We'll output: 【29】 His expression didn't seem feigned, and his tone was very sincere.

"Mu Yuanzhi nodded, saying, 'Since it's official business, Your Highness, please come this way.'" Good.

Translation: "Mu Yuanzhi nodded: 'Since it's official business, Prince, this way please.'"

We'll output: 【30】 Mu Yuanzhi nodded: "Since it's official business, Prince, this way please."

"She said that and stepped ahead." Good.

Translation: "She finished speaking and stepped ahead."

We'll output: 【31】 She finished speaking and stepped ahead.

"Your Highness?" Good.

Translation: "Prince?"

We'll output: 【32】 Prince?

"Pei Shangjue was taken aback by this unfamiliar form of address and slowly accepted it." Good.

Translation: "Pei Shangjue was startled by this unfamiliar address, and reluctantly came to accept it."

We'll output: 【33】 Pei Shangjue was startled by this unfamiliar address, and reluctantly came to accept it.

"'Your Highness' will do; it's better than the emotionless 'Awake Brother,' which would only make him feel worse." Good.

Translation: "'Prince' it is; it's better than the affectionless 'Awake Brother,' which would only make him feel worse."

We'll output: 【34】 "Prince" it is; it's better than the affectionless "Awake Brother," which would only make him feel worse.

"After finishing official business, they could chat a bit about personal matters." Good.

Translation: "After finishing official business, they could then chat about personal matters."

We'll output: 【35】 After finishing official business, they could then chat about personal matters.

"Thirty minutes could easily stretch to forty-five; the important thing is to seize the moment." Good.

Translation: "Two hours could easily become three; the important thing is to seize the moment."

We'll output: 【36】 Two hours could easily become three; the important thing is to seize the moment.

"Thinking this, Pei Shangjue's face brightened a little, and he stepped toward Mu Yuanzhi." Good.

Translation: "Thinking this, Pei Shangjue's face brightened a little, and he stepped toward Mu Yuanzhi."

We'll output: 【37】 Thinking this, Pei Shangjue's face brightened a little, and he stepped toward Mu Yuanzhi.

"How are thirty minutes to be measured? There's no water clock here—it's deliberate on Pei Shangjue's part." Good.

Translation: "How are two hours measured? There's no clepsydra here; it's deliberate on Pei Shangjue's part."

We'll output: 【38】 How are two hours measured? There's no clepsydra here; it's deliberate on Pei Shangjue's part.

"However, as soon as he sat down, Mu Yuanzhi brought over an hourglass." Good.

Translation: "However, just as he sat down, Mu Yuanzhi brought over an hourglass."

We'll output: 【39】 However, just as he sat down, Mu Yuanzhi brought over an hourglass.

"This is a new gadget popular in the capital lately, usable for timing; it's cheap to make and sell, so even children can have one." Good.

Translation: "This is a new gadget recently popular in Jingcheng, usable for timing; because it's low-cost and cheap to sell, even children can have one."

We'll output: 【40】 This is a new gadget recently popular in Jingcheng, usable for timing; because it's low-cost and cheap to sell, even children can have one.

"'Let's begin, Your Highness.' Mu Yuanzhi turned the hourglass over and placed it on the table." Good.

Translation: "'Let's begin, Prince.' Mu Yuanzhi flipped the hourglass and placed it on the desk."

We'll output: 【41】 "Let's begin, Prince." Mu Yuanzhi flipped the hourglass and placed it on the desk.

"Pei Shangjue's abacus fell silent; he thought it didn't matter, believing she wouldn't interrupt him while they discussed business, then he rose and left." Good.

Translation: "Pei Shangjue's abacus fell silent; he thought it didn't matter, believing she wouldn't interrupt him while they discussed business, then he rose and left."

We'll output: 【42】 Pei Shangjue's abacus fell silent; he thought it didn't matter, believing she wouldn't interrupt him while they discussed business, then he rose and left.

"'Your Majesty previously ordered the Ministry of Works to rush-produce a batch of cannons...'" Good.

Translation: "'The batch of cannons that His Majesty previously ordered the Ministry of Works to rush-produce…'"

We'll output: 【43】 "The batch of cannons that His Majesty previously ordered the Ministry of Works to rush-produce…"

"Pei Shangjue began speaking at length, presenting his design proposal and discussing its pros and cons with Mu Yuanzhi." Good.

Translation: "Pei Shangjue began to speak at length, presenting his design proposal and discussing its pros and cons with Mu Yuanzhi."

We'll output: 【44】 Pei Shangjue began to speak at length, presenting his design proposal and discussing its pros and cons with Mu Yuanzhi.

"Mu Yuanzhi took the proposal, examined it, and said, 'I'll refine it when I get back and send it to the Ministry of Works in a couple of days—it won't take much time.'" Good.

Translation: "Mu Yuanzhi took the proposal, examined it, and said: 'I'll improve it when I get back and send it to the Ministry of Works in a couple of days; it won't take much time.'"

We'll output: 【45】 Mu Yuanzhi took the proposal, examined it, and said: "I'll improve it when I get back and send it to the Ministry of Works in a couple of days; it won't take much time."

"Pe

Translation: "Pei Shangjue glanced at the hourglass beside him; one and a half hours had passed, and the time was almost up, yet they had already finished discussing official business."

We'll output: 【46】 Pei Shangjue glanced at the hourglass beside him; one and a half hours had passed, and the time was almost up, yet they had already finished discussing official business.

"He blinked unnaturally and began to stall for time, saying, 'That's fine; there's still one more thing.'" No Chinese.

Translation: "He blinked unnaturally and began to stall, saying: 'That's very good; there's still one more thing.'"

We'll output: 【47】 He blinked unnaturally and began to stall, saying: "That's very good; there's still one more thing."

"'What else is there? You don't have much time left.' Mu Yuanzhi, having gathered the design papers, said to Pei Shangjue." No Chinese.

Translation: "'What else is there? You don't have much time left.' Mu Yuanzhi, having gathered the design drawings, looked at Pei Shangjue and said."

We'll output: 【48】 "What else is there? You don't have much time left." Mu Yuanzhi, having gathered the design drawings, looked at Pei Shangjue and said.

"Pei Shangjue broke out in a nervous sweat, his mind racing, and he blurted out, 'The number of troops guarding the capital has doubled compared to before, and the previous armor is insufficient.'" No Chinese.

Translation: "Pei Shangjue broke out in a cold sweat from guilt, his mind racing, and he blurted: 'The number of soldiers guarding the capital has doubled compared to before, and the previous armor is insufficient.'"

We'll output: 【49】 Pei Shangjue broke out in a cold sweat from guilt, his mind racing, and he blurted: "The number of soldiers guarding the capital has doubled compared to before, and the previous armor is insufficient."

"'Alright, I understand.' Mu Yuanzhi replied briefly." No Chinese.

Translation: "'Alright, I understand.' Mu Yuanzhi said briefly."

We'll output: 【50】 "Alright, I understand." Mu Yuanzhi said briefly.

"Pei Shangjue furrowed his brow and added, 'Your Majesty's meaning is, could we improve it further, preferably letting you inspect it in the field?'" No Chinese.

Translation: "Pei Shangjue furrowed his brows again and said: 'His Majesty's meaning is, could we improve it further? Ideally, you'd conduct an on-site inspection.'"

We'll output: 【51】 Pei Shangjue furrowed his brows again and said: "His Majesty's meaning is, could we improve it further? Ideally, you'd conduct an on-site inspection."

"'Pei Shangjue, do you think I'm a novice?' Mu Yuanzhi laughed, saying, 'Why would I need to inspect it in the field? I already have full grasp of the situation; I can study it entirely at home.'" No Chinese.

Translation: "'Pei Shangjue, do you think I'm a newcomer?' Mu Yuanzhi laughed: 'Why would we need an on-site inspection? The situation is fully under my grasp; I can study it entirely at home.'"

We'll output: 【52】 "Pei Shangjue, do you think I'm a newcomer?" Mu Yuanzhi laughed: "Why would we need an on-site inspection? The situation is fully under my grasp; I can study it entirely at home."

"Pei Shangling unnaturally cleared his throat and said, 'I just feel that the previous batch has been in use for a long time; perhaps it's time to update the data.'" No Chinese.

Translation: "Pei Shangling cleared his throat unnaturally, masking it with: 'I just feel that the previous batch has been around for so long; perhaps it's time to update the data.'"

We'll output: 【53】 Pei Shangling cleared his throat unnaturally, masking it with: "I just feel that the previous batch has been around for so long; perhaps it's time to update the data."

"Mu Yuanzhi: 'No need.'" No Chinese.

Translation: "Mu Yuanzhi: 'Not needed.'"

We'll output: 【54】 Mu Yuanzhi: "Not needed."

"She glanced at the hourglass—exactly thirty minutes had passed." No Chinese.

Translation: "She looked at the hourglass; exactly two hours had passed."

We'll output: 【55】 She looked at the hourglass; exactly two hours had passed.

"'Official business is concluded; I take my leave.' Mu Yuanzhi rose." No Chinese.

Translation: "'Official business is concluded; farewell.' Mu Yuanzhi rose."

We'll output: 【56】 "Official business is concluded; farewell." Mu Yuanzhi rose.

"'Ah Zhi!' Pei Shangjue, unwilling to give up, rose and approached her, saying, 'It's this time already—let's have lunch together.'" No Chinese.

Translation: "'Ah Zhi!' Pei Shangjue, unwilling to give up, rose and approached: 'It's this time already; let's have lunch together.'"

We'll output: 【57】 "Ah Zhi!" Pei Shangjue, unwilling to give up, rose and approached: "It's this time already; let's have lunch together."

"'Sorry, I have an appointment.'" No Chinese.

Translation: "'Sorry, I have an appointment.'"

We'll output: 【58】 "Sorry, I have an appointment."

"Who would have thought the usually taciturn Pei Shangjue would be so talkative?" No Chinese.

Translation: "Such a talkative Pei Shangjue is truly a rare sight."

We'll output: 【59】 Such a talkative Pei Shangjue is truly a rare sight.

If it were in the past, she wouldn't know how long she could stay happy; who knows, she might even be so excited at night that she couldn't sleep.

Now she only felt annoyed.

"Who did you make plans with? I can join."

"No, I'm not familiar with them." Mu Yuanzhi politely declined.

"Not familiar?" Does that mean they're not familiar? Or that he and that person are not familiar?

Pei Shangjue still didn't have the nerve to go over; he gazed blankly at the empty room, just like his heart, empty and hollow.

In the end he could only sigh and leave dejectedly.

From then on, Mu Yuanzhi stayed in the princess's residence to study; the Deng family sent many costly tonic herbs, and she gave them all to the servants.

She also doesn't lack these now.

Later, someone from the Imperial Observatory came to say that the National Teacher invited her over.

Mu Yuanzhi glanced at the sky; it was already very late, and Gu Rongjin still hadn't returned.

She then asked the person from the Imperial Observatory: "Does the National Teacher have any urgent business summoning me?"

"The National Teacher didn't say it outright; I suppose it's not urgent." that person guessed.

"Alright, go back and tell the National Teacher that I will visit him tomorrow morning."

"It's so late; going to the Imperial Observatory now wouldn't be appropriate."

"Understood, I'll go back and report to the National Teacher right away."

"Thank you for the trouble."

"Not long after that person left, Gu Rongjin's carrier pigeon arrived; Mu Yuanzhi knew without looking that he wouldn't be coming back today."

The carrier pigeon tilted its head, waiting for Mu Yuanzhi to open the letter.