Chapter 345

Qi Shihuai really admires Gu Rongjin—what time is it, and he's still here being jealous?

Qi Shihuai really admires Gu Rongjin—what time is it, and he's still here being jealous?

We must not add extra info. We'll produce: "Qi Shihuai really admires Gu Rongjin—what time is it, and he's still here eating vinegar?" Ensure we keep the meaning.

What time is it, and he's still here being jealous?

Now we need to output as 【1】 translation.

Gu Rongjin shrugged. 'I don't know—I haven't seen him, and I doubt there's any news.'

Translation: "Gu Rongjin shrugged, 'I don't know, I haven't seen him, probably no news either.'" We'll keep quotes.

Mu Yuanzhi said, 'He kidnapped Fan Shi in order to drag Pei Shangjue into trouble.'

Mu Yuanzhi said, 'He kidnapped Fan Shi, intending to drag Pei Shangjue into trouble.'

Qi Shihuai said, 'Over at Pei Shangjue's place, the Prince Zhuang's mansion has had people watching him nonstop, and the emperor has summoned Pei Shangjue to the palace—so he's basically under surveillance.'

Translation: "As for Pei Shangjue, the Prince Zhuang's Manor has had someone monitoring him around the clock, and Pei Shangjue has also been invited by His Majesty to stay in the palace, effectively putting him under surveillance." Qi Shihuai said.

We need to keep the quote marks and attribution.

Mu Yuanzhi asked, 'And the former emperor—what does His Majesty intend to do with him?'

Translation: "Mu Yuanzhi: 'What about the Deposed Emperor? How does His Majesty plan to deal with him?'"

Qi Shihuai said, 'The Ministry of Justice is looking into it, but even if they turn up something, the emperor won't act against the former emperor—after all, the former emperor hasn't actually done anything, he's still the emperor's own brother, so it's better not to kill him than to kill him.'

Translation: "Qi Shihuai: 'The Imperial Court of Justice is investigating, but even if they find something, His Majesty won't do anything to the Deposed Emperor, after all the Deposed Emperor hasn't taken any action, his status is special, he's still His Majesty's blood brother, not killing him is better than killing him.'"

Mu Yuanzhi realized that the new emperor hadn't come to the throne through the usual succession, despite the Grand Empress Dowager's edict.

Translation: "Mu Yuanzhi understands, after all the new emperor didn't inherit the throne through normal procedure, although the Grand Empress Dowager issued a gracious edict."

But the former emperor keeps stirring up trouble, making things very hard for the new emperor.

Translation: "But the Deposed Emperor keeps causing trouble, really making it hard for the new emperor."

Pei Shangyan, being as dense as wood, is also getting caught up in this lofty scheme.

Translation: "Pei Shangyan, this blockhead, is also actually doing this kind of grandiose dream."

It's hard enough to have peace in the world, yet they insist on causing chaos!

Translation: "Peace is hard to come by, yet they insist on stirring up trouble!"

They really won't let them have a moment's peace.

Translation: "They really don't let them have a moment of peace."

Gu Rongjin asked, 'What about the other princes and dukes—is there really any fool who'd join in this?'

Translation: "Gu Rongjin: 'What about the other princes and dukes? Is there no fool who'd dance along with this?'"

Qi Shihuai said with confidence, 'Pei Shangling defected to us from the start, while Pei Shanghua and Pei Shangnian are mere fence-sitters—they look down on everyone except Pei Shangjue, and they probably aren't trying to win over anyone else anymore. Our priority is to find Fan Shi; the capital is locked down, so even ordinary citizens can't come and go, and Pei Shangyan won't be able to escape even if he grew wings.'

Qi Shihuai said with confidence, 'Pei Shangling defected to us from the start, while Pei Shanghua and Pei Shangnian are mere fence-sitters—they look down on everyone except Pei Shangjue, and they probably aren't trying to win over anyone else anymore. Our priority is to find Fan Shi; the capital is locked down, so even ordinary citizens can't come and go, and Pei Shangyan won't be able to escape even if he grew wings.'

Pei Shanghua and Pei Shangnian are mere fence-sitters; they look down on everyone except Pei Shangjue, they look down on everyone except Pei Shangjue.

Let's translate: "Pei Shangling defected to us from the start, Pei Shanghua and Pei Shangnian, such fence-sitters, they also look down on them, except for Pei Shangjue, they also look down on them, except for Pei Shangjue, they probably don't want to win over anyone else now, the focus is to find Fan Shi, Jingcheng is now under lockdown, even ordinary people can't enter or leave, Pei Shangyan can't fly even with wings!" Qi Shihuai said confidently.

We need to keep the repetition.

We'll translate: "Pei Shangling defected to us from the start, Pei Shanghua and Pei Shangnian, such fence-sitters, they also look down on them, except for Pei Shangjue, they also look down on them, except for Pei Shangjue, they probably don't want to win over anyone else now, the focus is to find Fan Shi, Jingcheng is now under lockdown, even ordinary people can't enter or leave, Pei Shangyan can't fly even with wings!" Qi Shihuai said confidently.

Gu Rongjin said, 'You've said all that and you're still here drinking tea? Go search already!'

Translation: "Gu Rongjin: 'You've said all that, and you're still here drinking tea? Hurry up and go search!'"

Qi Shihuai said, 'Even a hanged man needs to catch his breath—I'm not just dropping by for a cup of tea; you could just drag off some lazy worker.'

Translation: "Even a hanged man needs to catch his breath—I'm not just passing by your place to ask for a cup of tea, right? I could just drag off some lazy slacker." Qi Shihuai said.

We need to keep the tone.

Gu Rongjin pointed at himself and said, 'Are you talking about me? Do you have the nerve? Didn't the emperor put you in full charge?'

Translation: "'You mean me?' Gu Rongjin pointed at himself, 'How dare you? His Majesty didn't entrust you with full responsibility?'"

Qi Shihuai laughed, 'Being in full charge means I can order anyone around to do what I say.'

Translation: "'Being in full charge means I can order anyone to listen to me.'" Qi Shihuai laughed.

Gu Rongjin: '……You've got plenty of twisted logic……'

Translation: "Gu Rongjin: '...... You have quite a few fallacious arguments......'"

Mu Yuanzhi said, 'Rongjin, this is important—you should look for it together with General Qi.'

Translation: "'Rongjin, this is important, you go look together with General Qi.'" Mu Yuanzhi said.

Note: "General Qi" is "General Qi". We need to translate "General Qi" as "General Qi". Since it's a rank + surname. We'll translate as "General Qi". We'll need to include "General Qi" as a title? It's a rank. We'll include in glossary maybe. But we already have "Grand General". "General Qi" is a specific person: Qi Shihuai is a general. We'll translate as "General Qi". We'll need to add to glossary? It's a named entity: a person with title. We'll include "General Qi". However we already have "Qi Shihuai" as the person's name. The title "General Qi" is a way to refer to him. Should we include both? The instruction says list every named entity/coined term. "General Qi" is a named entity (a title + surname). We'll include it.

But we need to see if we used "General Qi" in translation. Yes line 19: "you go look together with General Qi". So we need to include "General Qi" in glossary.

Gu Rongjin sighed, 'Well, since you, my daughter-in-law, say so, there's nothing I can do,' and got up.

Translation: "'Well, since you, the daughter-in-law, said that, there's nothing to be done.'" Gu Rongjin had to get up.

I really am impressed with you—now even the emperor can't get you to come, right?

Translation: "'I really am convinced by you—now even His Majesty can't summon you, right?'"

Don't come here waving a chicken feather like it's a command arrow!

Translation: "'Don't come at me with a chicken feather as an order!'"

Let's go—there's no time to lose; the city is locked down for just three days, and the emperor has issued a strict order.

Translation: "'Let's go, no delay, the city lockdown is limited to three days, His Majesty issued a death order.'"

Three days isn't enough to search the entire capital for someone—you might as well give up being a rebel general.

Translation: "'Three days isn't enough to search the whole Jingcheng, you, this rebel-subduing general, might as well quit.'"

They bickered as they walked, and after they left, Lady Deng asked to see her.

Translation: "The two bickered as they walked, and after they left, Deng Shi requested an audience."

Normally Mu Yuanzhi would refuse to see her, but since Lady Deng was the last person to have seen Fan Shi, she let her in.

Translation: "Normally, Mu Yuanzhi would definitely not see her, but Deng Shi was the last person to have seen Fan Shi before, so she still let Deng Shi in."

Lady Deng lugged big and small packages, happily entering the General's mansion, confident that Mu Yuanzhi would see her this time, so she also brought the new gifts.

Translation: "Deng Shi carried big and small packages, happily entered the Grand General's Manor, she was certain Mu Yuanzhi would see her this time, so she also brought the new gifts."

'Zhi'er, long time no see,' Lady Deng thought, not daring to call herself 'mother' for fear of upsetting her daughter.

Translation: "'Zhi'er, long time no see.' Deng Shi dared not call herself mother again, fearing her daughter would be unhappy, so she could only shout it in her heart."

Mu Yuanzhi said, 'Please have a seat.'

Translation: "Mu Yuanzhi: 'Please have a seat.'"

A maid came over, took Lady Deng's gifts, recorded them, and locked them away in a cabinet.

Translation: "The maid came over, took Deng Shi's gifts, and then recorded and locked them in the cabinet."

Lady Deng didn't realize this; she only thought her gifts had been accepted and was pleased.

Translation: "Naturally, Deng Shi didn't know; she only thought her gifts had been accepted, and she was happy."

Mu Yuanzhi didn't worry about any misunderstanding and got straight to the point: 'Do you have any news about Fan Shi?'

Translation: "Mu Yuanzhi didn't care whether she had a misunderstanding, and got straight to the point: 'Do you have any news about Fan Shi?'"

'Yes,' Lady Deng nodded, feeling a bit hurt by Mu Yuanzhi's cool attitude, but she steeled herself and said, 'I'm the last person who saw Fan Shi; I have a favor to ask of you.'

Translation: "'Yes!' Deng Shi nodded, feeling a bit hurt by Mu Yuanzhi's indifferent attitude, but she steeled herself and said, 'I'm the last person who saw Fan Shi, I have a favor to ask of her.'"

Lady Deng didn't say what it was; she didn't know whether Mu Yuanzhi realized that some of Fan Shi's gifts were mixed with hers, but she kept her composure.

Translation: "Deng Shi didn't say what it was, she didn't know whether Mu Yuanzhi knew that some of Fan Shi's gifts were mixed with hers, but she remained composed."

Mu Yuanzhi asked, 'Then what?'

Translation: "Mu Yuanzhi: 'Then what?'"

Then I left through the side gate and saw a carriage parked outside the Prince Zhuang's mansion—I recognized the driver of those two carriages!

Translation: "'Then I left, I went out through the side gate, and saw a carriage parked outside the Prince Zhuang's Manor, I recognized the coachmen of those two carriages!'"

Lady Deng hadn't even told this to the Ministry of Justice junior official who came to question her, because she wanted to use this clue to see her daughter; if she spoke, she'd have no excuse to come.

Translation: "This matter, Deng Shi hadn't even told the Deputy Minister of the Imperial Court of Justice who came to interrogate her, because she wanted to bring this clue to see her daughter; if she spoke, she'd have no excuse to come!"

Seeing her daughter after so long, Lady Deng's heart was overjoyed—words can't express how happy she was.

Translation: "Having not seen her daughter for a long time, Deng Shi's heart was overjoyed."

Her daughter, who had given birth to twins, was just as beautiful as before, in good health, and clearly well cared for in the General's mansion.

Translation: "The daughter who had given birth to a pair of twins, her appearance was no worse than before, her complexion was good, it was clear she was being well nurtured in the Grand General's Manor."

That put her mind at ease considerably.

Translation: "This, she also felt much more relieved."

If she could see her two little grandsons, that would be even better! Lady Deng thought.

Translation: "If she could see her two young grandsons, that would be even better! Deng Shi thought to herself."

Mu Yuanzhi raised an eyebrow and said, 'Tell me in detail!'

Translation: "Mu Yuanzhi raised an eyebrow: 'Tell me in detail!'"

'Can I see the twins?' Lady Deng asked, pushing her luck, her eyes full of hope.

Translation: "'Can I see the twins?' Deng Shi asked, pushing her luck, her eyes full of hope."

'If you won't tell me, maybe I could tell the Ministry of Justice instead.' Mu Yuanzhi wasn't about to be intimidated.

Translation: "'If you don't tell me, maybe I could tell the Imperial Court of Justice instead.' Mu Yuanzhi wouldn't tolerate such a threat."

Give her an inch and she'll take a mile—won't you just be led by the nose?

Translation: "Indulging her pushiness, wouldn't that just be letting her lead you by the nose?"

Lady Deng pursed her lips and said, 'That driver is from Yongche Workshop; I've looked him up, so I know him—his name is Uncle Da Li. That day he was wearing a hat, but I recognize his back view; it's very distinctive—he has uneven shoulders and unusually broad shoulders, so I won't mistake him.'

Translation: "Deng Shi pursed her lips and still said, 'That coachman is from Forever Carriage Workshop; I've looked him up and recognize him, his name is Da Li Shu, that day he was wearing a hat, but I recognized his back—very distinctive, he has uneven shoulders and extraordinarily broad shoulders, I wouldn't mistake him!'"

Mu Yuanzhi thought that having this driver's whereabouts might help them find the person sooner.

Translation: "Mu Yuanzhi thought, having the coachman's whereabouts, maybe they could find the person faster!"

Seeing Mu Yuanzhi rise, Lady Deng asked, 'Zhi'er, are you going to go look for him yourself? That's dangerous!'

Translation: "Seeing Mu Yuanzhi stand up, Deng Shi curiously asked, 'Zhi'er, are you going to personally go look for him? It's dangerous!'"

At least let Gu Rongjin go?

Translation: "At least let Gu Rongjin go, too?"

'I know my limits—I won't trouble you with worry. You should worry about your own affairs; you're the mother of Pei Shangling.' Mu Yuanzhi said.

Translation: "'I have my own measure, no need for you to worry; you should worry about your own self—you're the mother of Pei Shangling.'" Mu Yuanzhi said.

'Zhi'er, are you worried about me?' Lady Deng was overjoyed.

Translation: "'Zhi'er, are you concerned about me?' Deng Shi was overjoyed!"

'Don't get ideas— as payment for giving me the clue, I'll remind you of this, and if something happens to you, it'll just add to my husband's workload.' Mu Yuanzhi said while walking.

Translation: "'Don't get sentimental, as payment for you giving me the clue, I'll remind you of this, and if something happens to you, it'll also increase my husband's workload.'" Mu Yuanzhi said while walking.

Lady Deng didn't care about all that—anyway, that sentence was just her showing concern for her.

Translation: "Deng Shi couldn't care less about all that; anyway, this sentence was just her caring about her!"

'I understand, I'll be careful!' Lady Deng laughed.

Translation: "'I know, I'll be careful!' Deng Shi laughed."

She watched Mu Yuanzhi's retreating figure and happily went back.

Translation: "She watched Mu Yuanzhi's departing figure, and went home happily."

Mu Yuanzhi took a few palace guards and went to Yongche Workshop to look for people; Yongche Workshop isn't a famous carriage shop in the capital—its number and quality of carriages are average, not top-notch, and its remote location means business is just so-so.

Translation: "Mu Yuanzhi brought a few manor guards and went to Forever Carriage Workshop to look for people; Forever Carriage Workshop is a not-so-famous carriage workshop in Jingcheng, the number and quality of carriages are decent, but they're not top-notch, plus the location is remote, business is so-so."

She had never been to a place like this before; previously, there were dedicated carriages at the palace gates and the princess's mansion, but the General's mansion's carriages needed her to personally arrange them—yet she had never gone to a carriage workshop, leaving it to the steward.

Translation: "This was also her first time coming to such a place; previously, at the palace gate she had exclusive carriages, the Princess's Manor also did, but the Grand General's Manor's carriages needed her to personally decide, yet she had never been to a carriage workshop, leaving it all to the steward."

When the workshop staff saw a lady adorned in pearls and jewels arrive, they warmly came over to greet her: 'Madam, is there anything we can help you with?'

Translation: "The workshop staff saw a richly adorned noblewoman arrive, warmly came over to greet her: 'Madam, is there anything I can help you with?'"

The boss himself came over to inquire, his tone very enthusiastic; he subtly sized up Mu Yuanzhi's attire and felt that the lady looked a bit familiar, as if he had seen her somewhere before.

Translation: "The boss himself came over to inquire, his tone very enthusiastic, he glanced at Mu Yuanzhi's attire without a trace, and felt the lady looked a bit familiar, as if he'd seen her somewhere before."

"I want to find a reliable carriage driver." Mu Yuanzhi glanced at the carriage yard, then continued: "I heard Uncle Li is the best around here?"