Chapter 34

Mu Zhiyan pretended to be asleep, not wanting to deal with Pei Shangyan.

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi pretended to be asleep, not wanting to deal with Pei Shangyan.

pretended to be asleep, not wanting to deal with.

After waiting a moment with no response, Pei Shangyan left glumly.

Translation: After waiting a moment with no response, Pei Shangyan left glumly.

After returning to the Eastern Palace, he immediately sent someone to deliver many precious medicinal herbs to Mu Zhiyan.

Translation: After returning to the Eastern Palace, he immediately sent someone to deliver many precious medicinal herbs to Mu Yuanzhi.

He knew she needed these, and she would surely accept them, which would also put his mind at ease a little.

Translation: He knew she would need them and would surely accept them, which would set his mind at ease a little.

"We in the Weiyang Palace don't lack these medicinal herbs at all; the Grand Empress Dowager has already sent plenty. If the Crown Prince truly cared, he should send us a gold wound medicine containing goldthread gentian." Hongdou, who was organizing the list, muttered.

Translation: "Weiyang Palace hardly lacks these medicinal herbs; the Grand Empress Dowager has sent plenty. If the Crown Prince were thoughtful, he'd send gold wound medicine with gold dragon gall herb." Hongdou, who was organizing the list, muttered.

Hongdou, who was organizing the list, muttered.

Since learning that Pei Shangyan chose to save Pei Yunxi and abandoned his own master, the servants of the Weiyang Palace have felt no goodwill toward this Crown Prince.

Translation: Since learning that Pei Shangyan chose to save Pei Yunxi and abandon his own master, the servants of Weiyang Palace have felt no goodwill toward this Crown Prince.

"That's still better than nothing; we shouldn't refuse it." Linglong agreed with Hongdou's words, but since the master needs to make medicine, more medicinal ingredients are always better.

Translation: "That's still better than nothing; we shouldn't refuse it." Linglong agreed with Hongdou's words, but since the master needed to make medicine, more herbs were naturally better.

Xiao Nianzi: "It's better than the Second Prince actually having people move the entire Ministry of Works storeroom to our Weiyang Palace—how urgent must he be for those top‑grade arrows, while our master is still ill!"

Translation: Xiao Nianzi said: "At least it's better than the Second Prince having people haul the entire Ministry of Works storehouse to our Weiyang Palace—how desperate he is for those top-grade arrows, while our master is still ill!"

Earlier, when they wouldn't let the master go to the Ministry of Works, why didn't the Second Prince have things moved over for the master to study?

Translation: When they previously wouldn't let the master go to the Ministry of Works, why didn't the Second Prince have things brought over for the master to study?

Everyone is only looking out for themselves.

Translation: One or two, they only look out for themselves.

"Keep your voices down when you say these things; the master will be unhappy if he hears them," Xiao Yunzi reminded.

Translation: "Keep your voices down when you say these things; the master will be unhappy if she hears." Xiao Yunzi reminded them.

Only then did the few of them lower their voices, hastily glancing at the sleeping chamber, afraid that if the master heard them he would be needlessly annoyed.

Translation: Only then did the few people lower their voices, hastily glancing at the sleeping quarters, fearful that the master would hear and be needlessly annoyed.

Adequate sleep is most important for a patient; resting well helps the illness heal faster.

Translation: Adequate sleep is most important for a patient; rest well, and the illness will improve faster.

Half a month later, Mu Zhiyan had mostly recovered; thanks to an order from the Grand Empress Dowager during this period forbidding others from coming to disturb her, she was able to rest properly.

Translation: Half a month later, Mu Yuanzhi had mostly recovered; thanks to the Grand Empress Dowager's order during this period forbidding others to come and disturb her, she was able to rest properly.

Today the senior physician came to take her pulse, beaming with joy as he congratulated her: "Your Highness, your recovery is excellent; I can return to the emperor, so he won't have to worry all day."

Translation: Today the senior physician came to take her pulse, beaming with joy as he congratulated her: "Princess, your recovery is excellent; this old official can report to Your Majesty, sparing him constant worry."

"Thank you for your trouble," Mu Zhiyan replied with a faint smile.

Translation: "Thank you for the trouble." Mu Yuanzhi gave a faint smile.

The emperor hardly worries about her at all—he only came once. She didn't want to deal with him, so she pretended to sleep; later the Grand Empress Dowager issued an order forbidding disturbances, so he simply stopped coming.

Translation: The Emperor hardly worried about her at all—he'd only visited once; she didn't want to deal with it, so she simply pretended to sleep. Later, when the Grand Empress Dowager ordered no disturbances, he stopped coming altogether.

"I'll take my leave now, sir."

Translation: "This old official will take his leave first."

"Take care."

Translation: "Take care."

After walking a few steps, the senior physician turned back and said: "Your Highness, you should go outside more often to relax; staying cooped up in the palace all day can make even a healthy person fall ill."

Translation: After walking a few steps, the senior physician turned back and said: "Your Highness, you should go out more to relax; staying cooped up in the sleeping palace all day will make even a healthy person ill."

"I understand, thank you for your concern."

Translation: "I understand, thank you for your concern."

"You're too kind, Your Highness," the senior physician said after giving his advice, then left with a smile.

Translation: "You're too polite, Princess." After giving his advice, the senior physician departed with a smile.

The senior physician is right—stuck in the palace all day, one would grow moldy. Seeing the nice weather, Mu Zhiyan planned to go to Shanglin Park; rather than walking in the imperial palace where she might run into unpleasant people at any moment, she preferred to take a carriage to the more distant Shanglin Park, at least under normal circumstances they wouldn't go there.

Translation: The senior physician was right—staying holed up in the sleeping palace all day would make anyone moldy. Seeing the weather was fine, Mu Yuanzhi planned to go to Shanglin Park; rather than stroll in the Imperial Palace and constantly run into unpleasant people, she preferred to take a carriage to the farther Shanglin Park, at least under normal circumstances they wouldn't go there.

However, today is clearly not one of those normal circumstances.

Translation: However, today was clearly not one of those normal circumstances.

Upon arriving, Mu Zhiyan learned that today Consort De had invited a group of noble ladies and gentlemen to go boating on Zhuque Lake, including the Xiao Yichen siblings, and moreover, Pei Shangling and Pei Yunxi were also present.

Translation: Upon arriving, Mu Yuanzhi learned that Consort De had invited a crowd of noble ladies and gentlemen to go boating on Vermilion Bird Lake, including the Xiao Yichen siblings, and moreover, Pei Shangling and Pei Yunxi were also present.

How annoying!

Translation: How annoying!

Mu Zhiyan's mood darkened instantly; she turned to leave, and her attendant Hongdou pretended not to notice, following her.

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi's mood darkened instantly; she turned to leave, and her attendant Hongdou pretended not to see, following her.

"Zhi'er!"

Translation: "Zhi'er!"

Consort De suddenly called out to stop Mu Zhiyan, her tone full of delight.

Translation: Consort De suddenly called out to stop Mu Yuanzhi, her tone full of delight.

She had visited the Weiyang Palace several times, and each time her daughter was asleep, so she knew her daughter didn't want to see her, which left her feeling cold-hearted.

Translation: She had visited Weiyang Palace several times to see her daughter, but each time the daughter was asleep, so she knew the daughter didn't want to see her, and she couldn't help feeling hurt.

This child only thinks of her own hurt and grievance, completely disregarding her feelings as a mother; Xi'er is her own daughter, and she merely treats her a little better—is that worth holding a grudge for so long?

Translation: This child only thinks of her own wounded resentment, completely disregarding her feelings as a mother; Xi'er is her biological daughter, she merely treats Xi'er a little better—is that worth holding a grudge over for so long?

But after all, she is the daughter she raised for over ten years; seeing her face, she can't help but feel a softening in her heart.

Translation: But after all, she's the daughter she raised for over ten years; seeing her face, her heart inevitably softens.

Since she's able to come to Shanglin Park, she must be getting better.

Translation: Being able to come to Shanglin Park must mean her illness has improved.

Hearing Consort De call her, Mu Zhiyan could only stop; at that moment Consort De had already come over, taken her hand, examined her for a while, and then sighed softly: "You've grown thin."

Translation: Hearing Consort De call her, Mu Yuanzhi could only stop her steps; at that moment, Consort De had already come over, taken her hand, examined her for a while, and softly sighed: "You've grown thin."

"With constant illness and injury, it's natural to lose weight," Mu Zhiyan replied lightly.

Translation: "With constant illness and injury, it's natural to be thin." Mu Yuanzhi replied lightly.

Her indifference instantly made Consort De's eyes redden.

Translation: Her indifference instantly made Consort De's eyes redden.

Having become so distant, can mother and daughter ever return to how they were before?

Translation: So estranged, can mother and daughter ever return to how they were before?

Pei Shangling, who had originally come to see whether Mu Zhiyan had recovered, upon seeing his mother's red‑rimmed eyes standing there, instantly flew into a rage: "Mu Zhiyan! What are you doing, bullying my mother?!"

Translation: Pei Shangling, who had intended to come over to see if Mu Yuanzhi was better, upon seeing his mother consort standing with red eyes, instantly flew into a rage: "Mu Yuanzhi! What are you doing, bullying Mother Consort?!"

"No, Ling'er, don't speak like that about your sister," Consort De said, stepping in front of Pei Shangling, fearing that his hot‑tempered son might strike his sister in front of everyone.

Translation: "No, Ling'er, don't speak like that about your younger sister." Consort De blocked Pei Shangling, fearing his hot-tempered son might strike his sister in front of everyone.

Mu Zhiyan didn't want to explain, nor did she want to share the same air with them; she said she had something to do and turned away.

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi didn't want to explain, nor did she want to share the same air with them; she said she had something to do and turned away.

"What could you possibly have to do? The weather is so lovely today—why not go boating together with your mother? When you were little, you loved to insist on going boating with your mother and your brother Ling." As she said this, Consort De's face couldn't hide her smile.

Translation: "What could you possibly have to do? The weather's so nice—how about boating together with Mother Consort? When you were little, you loved to insist on boating with Mother Consort and your Brother Ling." As she said this, Consort De's face couldn't hide a smile.

"She's my daughter, whom I raised; of course I know her temperament—just a little coaxing will do."

Translation: This daughter of hers, raised by her, she of course knows her temperament; a little coaxing will do.

"Besides, your father is right over there—why not go over and pay your respects?" Consort De gestured for Mu Zhiyan to look downstream on the lake.

Translation: "Besides, your Father Emperor is right over there—why not go over and pay your respects?" Consort De gestured for Mu Yuanzhi to look downstream of the lake.

Following Consort De's indication, Mu Zhiyan indeed saw downstream the fluttering banners, the black gilt nine‑dragon emblem representing the emperor's authority shining brightly in the sunlight.

Translation: Following Consort De's gesture, Mu Yuanzhang indeed saw the downstream banners fluttering; the black gilt nine-dragon symbolizing the Emperor's majesty shone brilliantly in the sunlight.

The emperor knows she has come; she really can't just turn and leave.

Translation: The Emperor knew she had come; she really couldn't just turn and leave.

So she had no choice but to board the boat.

Translation: So she had no choice but to board the boat.

With her added, the boat became overloaded, so Consort De had to move to the neighboring boat carrying the other consorts; as she put it, this boat was left for the young people.

Translation: With her added, the boat was overloaded; Consort De had to go to the neighboring boat carrying the other consorts, saying, as she put it, this boat was left for the young people.

Once aboard, Mu Zhiyan ignored everyone, acting as if she couldn't see them.

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi boarded the boat, ignoring everyone as if they were invisible.

Seeing Mu Zhiyan ignore them, Thus line: Xiao Chuchu became displeased and immediately walked over: "Yo, I thought someone was ignoring people—turns out it's Princess Zhiyan. Is it because you can't stand to see people that you've shrunk away?"

Translation: Seeing Mu Yuanzhi ignore them, Thus line: Xiao Chuchu became displeased and immediately approached: "Well, I thought someone was ignoring people, but it turns out it's Princess Yuanzhi—why, are you shrinking away because you can't stand to see people?"

"Red Bean, what dog is barking? It's so noisy." Mu Zhiyan rubbed her temples, as if she really had been disturbed by the noise.

Translation: "Hongdou, what dog is barking? It's so noisy." Mu Yuanzhi rubbed her temples, as if she were truly bothered by the noise.

"Sounds like it's a dog kept by the Xiao prime minister's household," Hongdou replied.

Translation: "Sounds like it's a dog kept by Prime Minister Xiao's household." Hongdou replied.

"Servant!" Thus line: Xiao Chuchu, furious, raised her hand to strike Hongdou.

Translation: "Servant!" Thus line: Xiao Chuchu, furious, raised her hand to strike Hongdou.

Hongdou wasn't afraid; it was just a slap—she'd hit if she wanted, as long as the master was pleased.

Translation: Hongdou wasn't afraid; it was just a slap—if she hit, she hit, as long as the master was pleased.

However, before her slap could land, her arm was seized from behind; she was about to curse, but upon looking back saw it was her own brother, and she exploded: "Brother, why are you stopping me? This servant's insolent—I can't even discipline her!"

Translation: However, before her slap could land, her arm was seized from behind; she was about to curse, but upon turning around saw it was her own older brother, and she exploded: "Brother, why are you stopping me? This servant's impertinent—I ought to discipline her!"

"And what about you, insulting the princess—what should be done about that?" Xiao Yichen furrowed his brows, though the force in his grip loosened.

Translation: "And what about you, speaking impertinently to the Princess—what should be done?" Xiao Yichen furrowed his brows, though the force in his hand eased.

Thus line: Xiao Chuchu angrily shook off Xiao Yichen's hand, glaring and snorting: "I didn't say anything wrong—Princess Zhiyan was kidnapped by two burly men for a night; who knows what she did?"

Translation: Thus line: Xiao Chuchu angrily shook off Xiao Yichen's hand, glaring and snorting: "I didn't say anything wrong—Mu Yuanzhi was kidnapped by two thugs for a night; who knows what she did?"

Her voice was neither loud nor soft—just enough for everyone on the boat to hear. Originally, everyone had only vague rumors about this matter, but since the Xiao prime minister himself is involved and his sister says this, it's certainly intriguing.

Translation: Her volume was just right for everyone on the boat to hear; originally everyone had only baseless speculation about this matter, but since Prime Minister Xiao himself is involved and his sister says this, it's quite thought-provoking.

Was Princess Zhiyan truly abducted by thieves for a night?

Translation: Was Mu Yuanzhi truly abducted by thieves for a night?

Will a young beautiful girl who fell into the hands of kidnappers really be returned intact?