Chapter 36

Actually the lake isn't deep; the water level was deliberately kept at a certain height for the convenience of nobles boating, so anyone who fell in could stand up on their own.

Translation: Actually the lake isn't deep; it was deliberately kept at a certain level for the convenience of nobles boating, so anyone who fell in could simply stand up.

We need to keep it concise but faithful. Let's produce: Actually the lake isn't deep; it was deliberately kept at a certain level for the convenience of nobles boating, so anyone who fell in could simply stand up.

The nobles were boating, deliberately keeping the water at a certain level, so that anyone who fell in could stand up on their own.

Ok.

Pei Yunxi had been struggling instinctively, but then realized she could simply stand up; however, her head and face were covered in mud, making her look like a miserable, drenched chicken.

Translation: Pei Yunxi had been struggling instinctively, but then realized she could stand up directly; however, her head and face were covered in mud, making her look like a miserable, muddy chicken.

Her head and face were covered in mud, making her look like a miserable, drenched chicken.

Better: but her head and face were covered in mud, making her look like a miserable, drenched chicken.

Mu Yuanzhi was equally soaked through, though she hadn't gotten any mud on her; the wind chilling her wet clothes made her already unrecovered body feel even worse, and she shivered uncontrollably.

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi was equally soaked, though she hadn't gotten mud on her; however, the wind chilled her wet clothes, adding to her already unrecovered body, making her shiver violently from the cold.

Her body, which hadn't recovered, suffered further chill.

Thus: Mu Yuanzhi was equally soaked, though she hadn't gotten mud on her; however, the wind chilled her wet clothes, adding to her already unrecovered body, making her shiver violently from the cold.

"Wu… wu… wu… So cold! Ling‑gege, Chen‑gege!" Pei Yunxi cried out to Pei Shangling and Xiao Yichen, who were frantically pulling her up from the boat's edge with all their hands.

Translation: "Wuu… so cold! Ling-gege, Chen-gege!" Pei Yunxi cried out to Pei Shangling and Xiao Yichen, who had been pulling her up from the boat's edge with all their hands.

who had been pulling her up from the boat's edge with all their hands.

She also didn't know how she had fallen into the water, her eyes darting between Mu Yuanzhi and Pei Yunxi without leaving a trace.

Translation: She also didn't know how she had fallen into the water, her eyes darting between Mu Yuanzhi and Pei Yunxi without leaving a trace.

Her eyes darted between Mu Yuanzhi and Pei Yunxi.

Thus: She also didn't know how she had fallen into the water, her eyes darting between Mu Yuanzhi and Pei Yunxi.

It must be Mu Yuanzhi—she'd drag her down as a cushion even if she fell in the water!

Translation: It must have been Mu Yuanzhi—she'd drag her down as a cushion even if she fell in the water!

Surely it was Mu Yuanzhi—she'd drag her down as a cushion even if she fell in the water!

Indeed, it was Mu Yuanzhi who pulled Pei Yunxi up—she's just giving herself a chance to play the pure‑white lotus. Look, those two men feel so sorry for her!

Translation: Indeed, it was Mu Yuanzhi who pulled Pei Yunxi up—she's just giving herself a chance to play the white lotus! Look, those two men feel so sorry for her!

She's just giving herself a chance to play the white lotus.

Thus: Indeed, it was Mu Yuanzhi who pulled Pei Yunxi up—she's just giving herself a chance to play the white lotus! Look, those two men feel so sorry for her!

After being pulled up by Hongdou, Mu Yuanzhi began imitating Pei Yunxi's usual sweet talk: "Little sister Chu Chu, even if you still resent me in your heart, you shouldn't also push Yunxi‑meimei into the water!"

Translation: After Hongdou pulled her up, Mu Yuanzhi began imitating Pei Yunxi's usual sweet‑talk: "Chuchu sister, even if you hold a grudge against me in your heart, you shouldn't drag Yunxi sister into the water as well!"

Imitating Pei Yunxi's usual sweet talk.

Thus: After Hongdou pulled her up, Mu Yuanzhi began imitating Pei Yunxi's usual sweet talk: "Chuchu sister, even if you hold a grudge against me in your heart, you shouldn't drag Yunxi sister into the water as well!"

Everyone's gaze on the boat was fixed on Xiao Chu Chu.

Translation: Everyone on the boat turned their gaze to Xiao Chuchu.

Everyone knows Xiao Chu Chu's temperament; what just happened could easily have left her nursing a grudge and waiting for a chance to get back at Mu Yuanzhi.

Translation: Everyone knows Xiao Chuchu's temperament; what just happened could easily have left her nursing a grudge and waiting for a chance to retaliate against Mu Yuanzhi.

But Pei Yunxi had already pleaded for her—would Xiao Chu Chu really hate every sister‑in‑law indiscriminately? How unreasonable!

Translation: But Pei Yunxi had just pleaded for her—would Xiao Chuchu really hate every sister‑in‑law indiscriminately? How unreasonable!

"I—I didn't! I didn't push Yunxi!" Xiao Chu Chu waved her hands frantically.

Translation: "I, I didn't! I didn't push Yunxi!" Xiao Chuchu waved her hands frantically.

Her future sister‑in‑law had just helped her—how could she possibly push her!

Translation: Her future sister‑in‑law had just helped her—how could she possibly push her!

"Oh, then you're admitting you pushed my master!" Hongdou shouted angrily.

Translation: "Oh, then you're admitting you pushed my master!" Hongdou snapped angrily.

That was something Mu Yuanzhi had wanted to say, but all that came out were coughs; Xiao Yichen then noticed, took off his own cloak, and draped it over her, saying, "You're still sick—don't catch a chill."

Translation: That was something Mu Yuanzhi had wanted to say, but when she opened her mouth she only coughed; Xiao Yichen then noticed, took off his own cloak, and draped it over her: "You're still sick—don't catch a chill."

Pei Yunxi's eyes went wide—she'd also fallen in the water and caught a chill, so why didn't Chen‑gege give her his cloak!

Translation: Pei Yunxi's eyes went wide—she'd also fallen in the water and felt the chill, so why didn't Brother Chen give her his cloak!

Just as she was thinking that, she suddenly felt warm—it was Pei Shangling giving her his cloak.

Translation: Just as she was thinking that, she suddenly felt warm—Pei Shangling had given her his cloak.

Yet Pei Yunxi still wasn't satisfied—brother is brother; how could he compare to Chen‑gege!

Translation: Yet Pei Yunxi still felt unsatisfied—brother is brother; how could he compare to Brother Chen!

Mu Yuanzhi was indeed freezing; even wrapped tightly in the cloak she was still shivering uncontrollably, and at that moment she didn't care whose cloak it was.

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi was indeed freezing; even wrapped tightly in the cloak she was still cold, shivering uncontrollably, and at this point she didn't care whose cloak it was.

Xiao Chu Chu glared venomously at Hongdou: "You low‑born servant, spitting blood at people!"

Translation: Xiao Chuchu glared venomously at Hongdou: "You low‑born servant, daring to spatter blood on people!"

"What are you all arguing about?!"

Translation: "What's all this shouting about?!"

A solemn voice cut through the argument; everyone turned to see the emperor standing with his hands behind his back.

Translation: A dignified voice cut through the argument; everyone turned toward the sound and saw the Emperor standing with his hands behind his back!

The boat had already docked, alarming the emperor.

Translation: The boat had already docked, alarming the Emperor.

Everyone fell silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to breathe.

Translation: Everyone fell silent as cold cicadas, not daring to breathe.

"Xiao'er, what's wrong with you?!" The Consort De, who had already come ashore to accompany the emperor, rushed over in a panic, heartbroken as she looked at Pei Yunxi: "What happened? How could you just fall into the water for no reason?"

Translation: "What's wrong with you, Xier?!" the Virtuous Consort, who had already come ashore to accompany the Emperor, rushed over anxiously, heart‑broken as she looked at Pei Yunxi: "What happened to you? How could you just fall into the water for no reason?"

She said, having glanced at Mu Yuanzhi either intentionally or not.

Translation: She said this while glancing, intentionally or not, at Mu Yuanzhi.

"I don't know either… Mother, Xiao'er is cold…" She truly didn't know how she had fallen in; it felt as if someone had tugged her skirt, but she couldn't see who, and before she could react she was already in the water.

Translation: "I don't know… Mother Consort, Xier is cold…" She truly didn't know how she had fallen into the water; it felt as if someone had tugged her skirt, but she couldn't see who, and before she could react she was already in the water.

Just that one word "cold" broke the Consort De's heart; she couldn't even attend to the shivering, coughing Mu Yuanzhi beside her, instead pulling Pei Yunxi close to ask after her warmth.

Translation: Just her saying she was cold broke the Virtuous Consort's heart; she couldn't even spare a thought for Mu Yuanzhi, who was shivering and coughing nearby, as she lovingly pulled Pei Yunxi close to ask after her warmth.

The emperor looked at the trembling Mu Yuanzhi, his gaze sharp: "What's going on, Yuanzhi? How did the two of you end up falling into the lake together?"

Translation: The Emperor looked at the trembling Mu Yuanzhi, his gaze like a torch: "What's going on, Yuanzhi? How did the two of you end up falling into the lake together?"

Mu Yuanzhi was freezing to death; Hongdou spoke for her: "Your Majesty, this should be asked of Miss Xiao—she's the one who knocked the two princesses into the lake!"

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi was freezing to death; Hongdou spoke for her: "Your Majesty, this should be asked of Miss Xiao—she's the one who knocked the two princesses into the lake!"

Xiao Chu Chu turned pale with fright; even before the emperor had looked at her, her legs went weak and she stammered in her defense: "I didn't do it—Hongdou was mistaken."

Translation: Xiao Chuchu's face turned pale with fright; even before the Emperor looked at her, her legs went weak and she stammered in her defense: "I didn't do it, Miss Hongdou is mistaken."

Pei Yunxi could hardly admit Hongdou's claim, since she was to marry into the Xiao family and needed to get along with Xiao Chu Chu in the future; therefore, even if she suspected that Xiao Chu Chu had deliberately done this to get back at Mu Yuanzhi, she still pleaded: "Your Majesty, Chu Chu certainly didn't do it on purpose to hit elder sister…"

Translation: Pei Yunxi could hardly admit Hongdou's claim, since she was to marry into the Xiao Family and would need to get along with Xiao Chuchu in the future; even if she suspected that all this was Xiao Chuchu's scheming revenge against Mu Yuanzhi, she still spoke up for her: "Father Emperor, Chuchu certainly didn't intentionally bump elder sister……"

But before she could finish, Mu Yuanzhi, coughing to catch her breath, interrupted louder: "Your younger sister is right—perhaps Miss Xiao accidentally bumped into me, and because I lost my balance I pulled the young minister down with me into the lake."

Translation: But before she could finish, Mu Yuanzhi, whose cough had eased, interrupted more loudly: "Younger sister is right—it's possible Miss Xiao accidentally bumped me, and I lost my footing, dragging Younger Brother down into the lake with me."

Mu Yuanzhi knew that Pei Yunxi would claim Xiao Chu Chu hadn't meant to hit her, which was why she'd dragged Pei Yunxi into the water with her; by acting first, she made any later protest from Pei Yunxi look bad and even risked dragging Xiao Chu Chu in as well.

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi knew Pei Yunxi would say Xiao Chuchu hadn't meant to hit her, which is why she'd dragged Pei Yunxi into the water with her—she struck first, so that if Pei Yunxi argued later it would look bad and might even pull Xiao Chuchu in as well.

Pei Yunxi certainly didn't want to become enemies with Xiao Chu Chu.

Translation: Pei Yunxi certainly didn't want to become enemies with Xiao Chuchu.

"Is that right, Yunxi?" the emperor still wanted to hear it from her own lips.

Translation: "Is that so, Yunxi?" the Emperor still wanted to hear it from her directly.

Pei Yunxi nodded reluctantly: "Yes, Father."

Translation: Pei Yunxi nodded reluctantly: "Yes, Father Emperor."

The emperor grasped Pei Yunxi's icy cold hand, feeling deep pity as he wrapped her tighter in the cloak; then, in an instant, he turned a stern gaze to Xiao Aiqing: "Such recklessness, causing the two princesses to fall into the water—you ought to discipline your younger sister properly!"

Translation: The Emperor gripped Pei Yunxi's icy cold hand, feeling great pity as he tightened her cloak, then instantly turned his stern gaze to Beloved Minister Xiao: "So reckless, causing the two princesses to fall into the lake—Beloved Minister Xiao, you ought to discipline your younger sister properly!"

Xiao Yichen hurriedly bowed with clasped fists: "Please calm your anger, Your Majesty; I will certainly discipline her, and punish her…"

Translation: Xiao Yichen hurriedly bowed and pleaded: "Please calm your anger, Your Majesty; I will certainly discipline her, punish her……"

Pei Yunxi, fearful that a harsh punishment on Xiao Chu Chu would breed resentment toward her, hurriedly grabbed the emperor's hand: "Your Majesty, I don't blame Chu Chu—she didn't do it on purpose; please don't let the Grand Chancellor punish her too severely, alright?"

Translation: Pei Yunxi feared that if Xiao Chuchu were punished severely she'd bear a grudge against her, so she hurriedly grabbed the Emperor's hand: "Father Emperor, I don't blame Chuchu; it wasn't intentional—please don't let the Chief Minister punish her too harshly, alright?"

"Since it wasn't intentional, and the princess has also pleaded for her, let's not punish him too severely—just send him home to copy scriptures under house arrest." Having said that, the emperor turned away and ordered someone to summon the imperial physician at once.

Translation: "Since it wasn't intentional, and the princess has interceded, Beloved Minister, don't punish him too severely—take him back to confine him and make him copy sutras." Having said that, the Emperor stopped looking at them and ordered someone to hurry and summon the Imperial Physician.

Xiao Chu Chu, still shaken, thanked him, but her hatred for Mu Yuanzhi burned fiercer than ever.

Translation: Xiao Chuchu, heart still racing, gave thanks, but her hatred for Mu Yuanzhi in her heart was greater than ever before.

"Just wait, Mu Yuanzhi—I'll make sure you don't have an easy time!"

Translation: "Just wait, Mu Yuanzhi—I'll definitely not let you have an easy time!"

She glanced over at Mu Yuanzhi and saw her brother again going over to ask after her warmth, which made her fury explode.

Translation: She turned her gaze to Mu Yuanzhi and saw her brother‑in‑law again going over to ask after her warmth, which made her furious to the point of distraction!

From her perspective, Mu Yuanzhi looked as if she were leaning into Xiao Yichen's embrace.

Translation: From her angle, Mu Yuanzhi looked as if she were leaning into Xiao Yichen's embrace.

What tricks did Mu Yuanzhi use to seduce her brother? Could it be some kind of poisonous curse?

Translation: What tricks did Mu Yuanzhi use to lure her brother‑in‑law? Could it be poison?

This woman has always been deceitful, skilled at making poisons—using a curse wouldn't be surprising; she ought to warn Xiao'er properly from now on.

Translation: This woman has always been deceitful, skilled at making poison; using poison wouldn't be strange, so she ought to remind Xier properly later!

No one noticed a man hidden in the shadows on a boat that had quietly come ashore.

Translation: No one noticed a man hidden in the shadows on a boat that had quietly docked.

As soon as Gu Rongjin learned that Mu Yuanzhi had accidentally fallen into the water, he ordered the boat to come over; seeing she was unharmed, he relaxed.

Translation: As soon as Gu Rongjin learned that Mu Yuanzhi had accidentally fallen into the water, he ordered the boat to come over; seeing she was unharmed, he felt relieved.

"Set sail."

Translation: "Set sail."

He didn't go ashore, but instead ordered the boatman to set sail.

Translation: He didn't go ashore, but instead ordered the boatman to set sail.

The boatman was puzzled—just moments ago the heir apparent had ordered him to nonstop speed the fast boat over, and now that they'd docked he was told to turn the boat around and go back.

Translation: The boatman was puzzled—just moments ago the Heir Apparent had ordered him to nonstop speed the fast boat over, and now that they'd docked he wanted to turn the boat around again.

What's the point of all this trouble?

Translation: What pointless trouble?

Gu Rongjin turned back into the cabin, but the scene kept replaying in his mind.

Translation: Gu Rongjin turned back into the cabin, but a certain scene kept flashing in his mind.

She really still can't let go of Xiao Yichen, can she?

Translation: She really still can't let go of Xiao Yichen, can she?

How could feelings built over many years simply be turned off?

Translation: How could feelings built over many years be simply cast aside?

Gu Rongjin poured himself a drink alone; the usually sweet peach‑blossom wine now tasted bland and uninteresting.

Translation: Gu Rongjin poured himself a drink alone; the entry‑level sweet peach blossom wine now tasted utterly bland.

"Stop! Turn the boat back around!"

Translation: "Stop! Turn the boat back around!"

Boatman: …

Translation: Boatman: ……

"Okay, young master."

Hurry up, be sharp!

... Understood, young master!