Chapter 331

At the same time, at the Xiao Manor, Pei Biao's arrival surprised Xiao Yichen a little.

Translation: "At the same time, at the Xiao Manor, Pei Biao's arrival surprised Xiao Yichen a bit."

Check: "At the same time, at the Xiao Manor" could be "At the same time, at the Xiao Manor". We'll keep.

After all, even though he is secretly aligned with the Crown Prince's faction, it's still clear he hasn't openly taken a side; for the Crown Prince to come over in such a swaggering manner is really inappropriate.

Translation: "After all, even though he is secretly aligned with the Eldest Prince's faction now, openly he hasn't clearly chosen a side, so for the Eldest Prince to come swaggering over like this is really inappropriate."

We need to keep meaning. "the Eldest Prince coming over in such a swaggering manner" = "the Eldest Prince coming over in such a swaggering manner". We'll translate.

Xiao Yichen had intended to claim he was busy and not at home, but Xiao Chuchu had already invited Pei Biao in ahead of him.

Translation: "Xiao Yichen had originally planned to lie and say he was busy and not at home, but Xiao Chuchu had already invited Pei Biao in ahead of him."

In Xiao Chuchu's eyes, Pei Biao is now at the peak of his influence, and the whole capital knows that the new emperor intends to replace the crown prince.

Translation: "In Xiao Chuchu's view, Pei Biao is now at the height of his power, and the matter of the new emperor wanting to replace the crown prince is known to everyone in Jingcheng."

Now that it's come to this, they must seize the opportunity!

Translation: "Since things have come to this, they must seize the opportunity!"

This is their only chance to turn things around; otherwise they'll be marginalized for life.

Translation: "Now is the only chance to turn things around; otherwise they'll be marginalized for life."

If Pei Biao becomes emperor, the Xiao family can return to their former glory, she can return to the days of getting whatever wind or rain she wants, and furthermore, once Pei Biao ascends, Pei Di becomes useless, and Mu Yanzhi of the Pei Di faction will naturally be a thorn in Pei Biao's side.

Note there is a double comma after days,, but we translate as is.

Translation: "As long as Pei Biao becomes emperor, the Xiao family can return to its peak, and she can go back to the days of having wind when she wanted wind and rain when she wanted rain; moreover, once Pei Biao rises, Pei Di becomes useless, and naturally the Mu Yuanzhi faction aligned with Pei Di will also be a thorn in Pei Biao's side."

We need to keep the double comma? Not needed.

Thinking this, Xiao Chuchu couldn't wait to see the day Mu Yanzhi would meet misfortune.

Translation: "Thinking this, Xiao Chuchu couldn't wait to see the day Mu Yuanzhi meets misfortune!"

Although he resented Xiao Yichen for taking liberties with his sister, he still treated Pei Biao with full courtesy, not neglecting him in the slightest.

Translation: "Although indulging Xiao Yichen made him slightly resent her for acting on her own, when he saw Pei Biao he still observed proper etiquette, not slackening in the slightest."

He placed his bet on Pei Biao, which also carries a sense of gambling; since it's a block, he shouldn't fear the risk.

Translation: "He had placed his bet on Pei Biao, which also carried a sense of gambling; since he was blocking, he shouldn't fear risk."

"Your Highness, your august presence graces my humble abode." Xiao Yichen welcomed Pei Biao inside.

Translation: "\"Your Highness, your gracious visit humbles my humble abode. \" Xiao Yichen welcomed Pei Biao inside."

Note: "Your Highness" we translated as "Your Highness". Could also be "Eldest Prince". But the phrase "Your Highness, your august presence graces my humble dwelling." is a formal greeting: "Your Highness, your august presence graces my humble dwelling." We'll keep as "Your Highness, your gracious visit humbles my humble abode." Good.

Pei Biao's bearing is exactly that of a heir apparent—arrogant and domineering, and in his dealings with officials he looks at them with the gaze of a future ruler assessing his subjects, distinguishing those who are capable from those who are useless.

Translation: "Pei Biao's current bearing is exactly that of a heir apparent—arrogant and domineering, and when dealing with court officials he looks at them with the eye of a future ruler assessing his subjects, distinguishing those who are useful from those who are useless."

As for Xiao Yichen, the former premier of the cabinet, Pei Biao naturally wants to win him over sincerely.

Translation: "As for Xiao Yichen, the former Senior Grand Secretary, Pei Biao naturally wanted to win him over sincerely."

He had heard a bit about Xiao Yichen's abilities; even though he was far away in Yingxu, he often heard his father mention this person, and after they later raised troops together, they could be considered to have lived under the same roof.

Translation: "He had heard a bit about Xiao Yichen's abilities; even though he himself was far away in the Infant Void realm, he often heard Father Emperor mention this person, and after they later raised troops together, they could be considered to have lived under the same roof."

However, back then he kept a low profile, while Xiao Yichen seemed to appreciate Pei Di because of his connection with Mu Yanzhi.

Translation: "But back then he kept a low profile, whereas Xiao Yichen, because of his connection with that woman Mu Yuanzhi, ended up appreciating Pei Di."

But now he thinks everyone knows they should align with him rather than with Pei Di, who is merely a pawn.

Translation: "But now he thinks everyone knows they should rally to him rather than to Pei Di, that pawn."

"How can your Xiao Manor be called a humble abode, given what you said, Sir Xiao?" Pei Biao looked around, sighed, and said: "It's just that the virtuous gain many supporters while the wicked gain few; Sir Xiao, your talent is outstanding and you have earned merit by following my father in battle, yet now you find yourself in this situation, which truly makes this prince feel uneasy."

Translation: "\"What you said, Sir Xiao, how could your Xiao Manor be a humble abode? \" Pei Biao glanced around and sighed, \"It's just that the virtuous gain many helpers while the wicked gain few. Sir Xiao, your talent is outstanding and you have achieved merit following my father emperor in battle; now reduced to this state, it truly makes this prince feel uneasy. \"

We need to keep "this prince" as "this prince". Good.

His words hit the nail on the head regarding Xiao Yichen's inner thoughts.

Translation: "His words hit exactly what Xiao Yichen had been thinking."

That's indeed the case.

Translation: "Indeed, that's the case."

Xiao Yichen achieved fame at a young age, rose smoothly through the ranks, was highly valued by the deposed emperor; even after his betrayal, he still had the common people in mind—where did he go wrong?

Translation: "Xiao Yichen achieved fame young, rose smoothly all the way, was deeply valued by the Deposed Emperor; even after defecting, he still had the common people in mind—where did he go wrong?"

Can't his achievements be exchanged for clemency for his sister?

Translation: "Couldn't his merits be exchanged for a pardon for his sister?"

The new emperor is truly chilling!

Translation: "The new emperor is truly chilling!"

Only if the Crown Prince can inherit the throne does he have a chance to turn things around, and he naturally understands this.

Translation: "Only if the Eldest Prince can inherit the great mandate does he have a chance to turn things around, and he naturally understands this."

Moreover, the idea of changing the crown prince originated with the new emperor; this cannot be blamed on this minister.

Translation: "Furthermore, the idea of changing the heir originated with the new emperor; this cannot be blamed on this minister."

"I dare not claim credit; I merely did my duty."

Translation: "\"I dare not claim credit; I have merely done my duty with devotion. \"

"Sir Xiao, you're mistaken; here it's just you, me, and Miss Chu Chu—why stand on ceremony among the three of us?" Pei Biao laughed, saying: "My purpose in coming here is surely something your keen intellect can guess, so let's not beat around the bush."

Translation: "\"Sir Xiao, your words are mistaken; here there's only you, me, and Miss Chuchu—why should we stand on ceremony among the three of us? \" Pei Biao laughed, \"As for why I've come, your intelligence surely lets you guess, so let's not beat around the bush. \"

Pei Biao's words are obvious—he doesn't want to waste time on pleasantries; he wants to get straight to the point.

Translation: "Pei Biao's words were clear—he didn't want to waste time on pleasantries, but to get straight to the point."

Thus Xiao Yichen signaled Xiao Chu Chu with his eyes to close the doors and windows tightly, then he asked: "In that case, may I ask what Your Highness would have me do?"

Translation: "Thus Xiao Yichen signaled with his eyes for Xiao Chuchu to go close the doors and windows tightly, then he asked, \"In that case, may I ask what Your Highness would have me do? \""

"I want you, Sir Xiao, to clear away obstacles for me; of course, all you need to do is lend a hand—no major military action required."

Translation: "\"I want Sir Xiao to clear away obstacles for this prince; of course, it only requires Sir Xiao to lend a slight hand—no need for major military action. \"

Xiao Yichen raised his eyebrows: "Please, Your Highness, make it clear."

Translation: "Xiao Yichen raised an eyebrow: \"I hope Your Highness will make it clear. \""

"I want you to help me get rid of Pei Di..."

Translation: "\"This prince wants you to help get rid of Pei Di—\""

At that moment, on the second floor of the tavern.

Translation: "At that moment, on the second floor of the tavern."

"Please, Princess, calm yourself." The witch doctor gestured for Mu Yanzhi not to rush to get up and leave, saying: "As a humble subject, I would never act against the crown prince."

Translation: "\"Princess, please stay calm. \" Wu Yi gestured for Mu Yuanzhi to hurry and not rush to get up and leave, \"I, as a humble subject, would certainly not be detrimental to the crown prince. \"

Mu Yanzhi sneered: "Don't think I don't know, Master Sima—you're with the Crown Prince."

Translation: "Mu Yuanzhi sneered: \"Don't think I don't know, Master Sima, you're a man of the Eldest Prince. \"

"So it's really been exposed, then?" the witch doctor said, his tone carrying a barely detectable annoyance.

Translation: "\"Has it really been exposed then? \" Wu Yi said this, his tone carrying a hard-to-detect annoyance."

But he quickly recovered his smile, saying: "It doesn't matter whose side I'm on; what matters is whom I will help."

Translation: "But he quickly recovered his smile: \"It doesn't matter whose man I am; what matters is whom I will help. \""

"Ha, could there really be a difference before and after?" Mu Yanzhi is now a bit unable to sit still.

Translation: "\"Ha, could there really be a difference between before and after? \" Mu Yuanzhi said, now a bit unable to sit still."

She doesn't know the safety of her two maidservants, and Pei Di is also in that situation!

Translation: "She didn't know whether her two maids were safe or not, and Pei Di was the same!"

And does she still have to wrangle with this strange person here?

Translation: "And yet she still had to wrangle with this weirdo here?"

"Of course they're not the same; there's a thing called defecting." The witch doctor laughed and took a sip of tea.

Translation: "\"It's naturally different; there's a thing called defecting. \" Wu Yi laughed and took a sip of tea."

At that moment, the waiter served the dishes; he was very quick, but Mu Yanzhi felt time dragging, wishing she could send the waiter away so he wouldn't interrupt their conversation.

Translation: "At that moment the waiter served the dishes, he was very hasty, but Mu Yuanzhi felt time was crawling and wished to shoo the waiter away so he wouldn't disturb their talk."

The witch doctor, however, was unhurried, showed great interest in the dishes, eagerly picked up a chopstickful and put it in his mouth, praising: "Delicious, Princess, would you like to try some?"

Translation: "Wu Yi, however, was unhurried, took great interest in the dishes, eagerly picked up a chopstickful and put it in his mouth, praising, \"Delicious, Princess, would you like a taste? \""

"I'm not in the mood to eat; hurry up and speak, or don't blame me for being rude!" Mu Yanzhi threatened.

Translation: "\"I'm not in the mood to eat; hurry up and speak, or don't blame me for being rude! \" Mu Yuanzhi threatened."

Her dignified shout would normally make officials tremble, but this Sima witch doctor remained calm and composed, as if he had seen any great storm.

Translation: "Her commanding shout would normally make court officials tremble, but this Sima Wu Yi remained completely at ease, as if he had seen any great wind and wave."

"Don't be angry, Princess; I said I would defect, so I would be helping you—oh, wait, I meant I would be helping the crown prince."

Translation: "\"Princess, don't be angry; I said I would defect, so I would be helping you, Princess—oh, no, I should say I'm helping the Crown Prince. \""

"Who exactly do you mean by 'crown prince'?" Mu Yanzhi's eyes flashed sharply.

Translation: "\"Who exactly do you mean by the Crown Prince?! \" Mu Yuanzhi's eyes flashed sharply."

"Naturally, the legitimate crown prince of our Great Zhou is the Fourth Prince." The witch doctor replied.

Translation: "\"Naturally the legitimate heir of our Great Zhou, the Fourth Prince. \" Wu Yi replied."

Mu Yanzhi remained silent, waiting for his next words.

Translation: "Mu Yuanzhi said nothing, waiting for his continuation."

"This is also why I came to see you today, Princess."

Translation: "\"This is also why I came today to see you, Princess. \""

"Ha, do you think you're credible?"

Translation: "\"Ha, do you think you're credible? \""

"Not very credible." The witch doctor shrugged, saying: "After all, I was indeed initially a member of the Crown Prince's faction, and one could even say that up until yesterday I had been his strategist, offering plans and advice."

Translation: "\"Not very credible. \" Wu Yi shrugged, \"After all, I was indeed initially a man of the Eldest Prince, and could even be said that up until yesterday I had been his strategist, offering plans and schemes. \""

He openly admitted it.

Translation: "He openly admitted it."

Mu Yanzhi hadn't expected him to speak so clearly in such a place.

Translation: "Mu Yuanzhi hadn't expected him to speak so plainly in such a place."

"Up until yesterday?"

Translation: "\"Up until yesterday? \""

"That's right, up until yesterday. Although I didn't see eye to eye with the Crown Prince, we were still in the same boat, so we just made do, like many married couples in arranged marriages—still, could we divorce? But yesterday I really couldn't go on; I felt that not separating was impossible."

Translation: "\"That's right, up until yesterday. Although I wasn't very compatible with the Eldest Prince, we were still in the same boat, so we just muddled along—like many married couples bound by alliance, what's the point of divorcing? But yesterday I really couldn't go on; I felt that not separating was impossible. \""

"..." This metaphor left Mu Yanzhi a bit tangled, not knowing what expression to put on.

Translation: "\"... \" This metaphor left Mu Yuanzhi a bit tangled, not knowing what expression to put on."

"You don't know, but it's truly never happened to be stuck with a fool."

Translation: "\"You don't know, it's truly never happened to be bored with a stupid person. \""

"I know all too well."

Translation: "\"I know all too well. \""

"Oh, so Master Jin is also a fool?"

Translation: "\"Oh, so Young Master Jin is also a stupid person? \""

I wasn't referring to him, don't stray from the topic. Mu Yuanzhi frowned and said.

Witch doctor: "Princess definitely doesn't know, the Eldest Prince yesterday gave this humble servant what order, he actually wants this humble servant to go move the Crown Prince right now."

He laughed helplessly and mockingly, "Really don't know how such a person could be favored by Lord Xiao, could it be that stupidity is contagious?"