Chapter 66

He sent away the eunuch on duty guarding Pei Shangling inside, then Pei Yunxi sneaked in carrying a food box.

Interpretation: He dismissed the eunuch who was on duty guarding Pei Shangling inside, then Pei Yunxi sneaked in carrying a food box.

He sent away the eunuch on duty guarding Pei Shangling inside, then Pei Yunxi sneaked in carrying a food box.

He sent away the eunuch on duty guarding Pei Shangling inside, then Pei Yunxi sneaked in carrying a food box.

We'll output: 【1】 He sent away the eunuch on duty guarding Pei Shangling inside, then Pei Yunxi sneaked in carrying a food box.

She saw that Pei Shangling could barely stay on his knees and felt delighted.

Translation: She saw Pei Shangling about to collapse from kneeling, and felt delighted.

She saw that Pei Shangling could barely stay on his knees and felt delighted.

It was right that she waited until now to come; if she had gone as soon as he arrived at the temple, it would have seemed worthless.

Translation: Indeed, it was correct for her to wait until now to come; if he had just arrived at the ancestral temple and she went then, it would seem worthless.

We need to keep meaning: "Indeed, her waiting until now to come was correct; if he had just arrived at the ancestral temple and she went then, it would seem worthless." We'll output: 【3】 Indeed, waiting until now to come was correct; if he had just arrived at the ancestral temple and she went then, it would seem worthless.

"You finally came!" Pei Shangling focused for a moment, then his eyes widened.

Translation: "You finally came!" Pei Shangling focused slightly, then suddenly widened his pupils.

We need to keep quotes. We'll output: 【4】 "You finally came!" Pei Shangling focused slightly, then suddenly widened his pupils.

It turned out he had mistaken the person; it wasn't Murong Zhizhi, but his little sister……

Translation: Actually he had mistaken her; it wasn't Mu Yuanzhi, but his little sister…

We need to keep the ellipsis. We'll output: 【5】 Actually he had mistaken her; it wasn't Mu Yuanzhi, but his little sister…

Pei Shangling gave a self‑mocking laugh; after all, only his little sister cared about him—how could that white‑eyed wolf Murong Zhizhi possibly care for him?

Translation: Pei Shangling gave a self‑mocking smile; indeed, only his little sister cared about him—how could that white‑eyed wolf Mu Yuanzhi possibly care about him?

We need to keep meaning. We'll output: 【6】 Pei Shangling gave a self‑mocking smile; indeed, only his little sister cared about him—how could that white‑eyed wolf Mu Yuanzhi possibly care about him?

She would go on to care for the second‑generation heir Gu Rongjin, and for some cheap junior who appeared out of nowhere, but she would never care about him—him, the brother who had protected her for over a decade!

Translation: She would go care for the second‑young master Gu Rongjin, go care for that cheap junior brother who came from nowhere, but would not care about him, this brother who had protected her for over ten years!

We need to keep meaning. We'll output: 【7】 She would go care for the second‑young master Gu Rongjin, go care for that cheap junior brother who came from nowhere, but would not care about him, this brother who had protected her for over ten years!

He had been kneeling here for half a day! Isn't it all because of her?

Translation: He had been kneeling here for half a day! And it's all because of her?

We'll output: 【8】 He had been kneeling here for half a day! And it's all because of her?

The more Pei Shangling thought about it, the angrier he got; the angrier he

Translation: The more Pei Shangling thought about it, the angrier he got; the angrier he got, the better his spirit became—his head didn't feel dizzy, his eyes didn't blur.

We'll output: 【9】 The more Pei Shangling thought about it, the angrier he got; the angrier he got, the better his spirit became—his head didn't feel dizzy, his eyes didn't blur.

'Ling brother?' Pei Yunxi wondered whether Pei Shangling had knelt so long he'd become dazed; his expression and tone kept shifting.

Translation: "Brother Ling?" Pei Yunxi didn't know if Pei Shangling had become muddle‑headed from kneeling too long; his expression and tone were unpredictable.

We'll output: 【10】 "Brother Ling?" Pei Yunxi didn't know if Pei Shangling had become muddle‑headed from kneeling too long; his expression and tone were unpredictable.

'Thank you, little sister—or rather, you're kind to me.' Pei Shangling was deeply touched; he took Pei Yunxi's lunch box, opened it, and found it filled with all his favorite dishes.

Translation: "Thank you, little sister, or rather, you're good to me." Pei Shangling was deeply moved; he took Pei Yunxi's food box and opened it—inside were all his favorite foods.

We'll output: 【11】 "Thank you, little sister, or rather, you're good to me." Pei Shangling was deeply moved; he took Pei Yunxi's food box and opened it—inside were all his favorite foods.

'How did you get in? If anyone sees you, it'll cause trouble.'

Translation: "How did you get in? If someone sees you, it'll be trouble!"

We'll output: 【12】 "How did you get in? If someone sees you, it'll be trouble!"

'Don't worry, Ling brother—I've diverted everyone, so no one knows I'm here.' Pei Yunxi said, 'And you're alone here with no idea how long you'll have to kneel; I'm worried you'll go hungry.'

Translation: "Brother Ling, don't worry; I drew the people away, so no one knows I came." Pei Yunxi said, "Besides, you don't know how long you'll have to kneel here alone—I was afraid you'd go hungry."

We'll output: 【13】 "Brother Ling, don't worry; I drew the people away, so no one knows I came." Pei Yunxi said, "Besides, you don't know how long you'll have to kneel here alone—I was afraid you'd go hungry."

Pei Shangling, choked with emotion, could barely swallow the food he'd just taken into his mouth.

Translation: Pei Shangling, choking up, found the food he had just put in his mouth hard to swallow for a moment.

We'll output: 【14】 Pei Shangling, choking up, found the food he had just put in his mouth hard to swallow for a moment.

He silently swore to himself that he would treat his little sister twice as kindly from now on.

Translation: He silently vowed in his heart to treat his little sister twice as well from now on.

We'll output: 【15】 He silently vowed in his heart to treat his little sister twice as well from now on.

'I have to eat fast, or else you'll be caught.'

Translation: "I have to finish eating quickly, otherwise you'll be discovered."

We'll output: 【16】 "I have to finish eating quickly, otherwise you'll be discovered."

'Take it easy, Ling brother—watch out for choking.'

Translation: "Don't rush, Brother Ling, be careful not to choke."

We'll output: 【17】 "Don't rush, Brother Ling, be careful not to choke."

Pei Shangling, still eating, snapped angrily: 'It's all my fault—I've dragged you into this today. Who would have thought Mu Yanzhi would actually go to the emperor to ask for an edict?'

Translation: Pei Shangling, while eating, snapped angrily: "It's all my fault—I dragged you into this today; who knew Mu Yuanzhi would actually go to the Father Emperor to ask for an edict!"

We'll output: 【18】 Pei Shangling, while eating, snapped angrily: "It's all my fault—I dragged you into this today; who knew Mu Yuanzhi would actually go to the Father Emperor to ask for an edict!"

He had originally intended to keep her from ever seeing that qilin.

Translation: Originally he had intended to let her never see this qilin!

We'll output: 【19】 Originally he had intended to let her never see this qilin!

Pei Yunxi upheld her guise of sensibility and kindness, saying: 'Ling brother, don't be upset—I know you're doing this for my sake, but it's all right as long as great‑grandma recovers.'

Translation: Pei Yunxi maintained her appearance of being sensible and kind, saying: "Brother Ling, don't be angry—I know you're doing this for my own good; it's fine, as long as great‑grandmother gets better."

We'll output: 【20】 Pei Yunxi maintained her appearance of being sensible and kind, saying: "Brother Ling, don't be angry—I know you're doing this for my own good; it's fine, as long as great‑grandmother gets better."

'That's different! Great‑grandma, because Mu Yanzhi is stirring up trouble, ignores you, her own blood‑related great‑grandson—it's utterly unfair!' Pei Shangling swallowed hard, choking violently.

Translation: "That's different! Great‑grandmother, because of Mu Yuanzhi stirring up trouble, ignores you, her own biological great‑grandson—it's utterly unfair!" Pei Shangling forced down a mouthful, then coughed violently.

We'll output: 【21】 "That's different! Great‑grandmother, because of Mu Yuanzhi stirring up trouble, ignores you, her own biological great‑grandson—it's utterly unfair!" Pei Shangling forced down a mouthful, then coughed violently.

Pei Yunxi quickly patted his back: 'I and Sister Yanzhi are both good great‑grandchildren of great‑grandma; she'll find out sooner or later.'

Translation: Pei Yunxi hurriedly patted his back: "I and Sister Yuanzhi are both good great‑grandchildren of the great‑grandmother; she'll find out sooner or later."

We'll output: 【22】 Pei Yunxi hurriedly patted his back: "I and Sister Yuanzhi are both good great‑grandchildren of the great‑grandmother; she'll find out sooner or later."

'If Mu Yanzhi had even a tenth of your sensibility and kindness, she'd stop being jealous and framing you.' Pei Shangling gulped his food down in a few bites, shoved the box back to Pei Yunxi, and said, 'All right, hurry up and leave before anyone sees you.'

Translation: "If Mu Yuanzhi had even a tenth of your sense and decency, she'd stop being jealous and framing you." Pei Shangling finished eating in two or three bites, shoved the food box back to Pei Yunxi, and said: "All right, hurry up and leave—don't let anyone see you."

We'll output: 【23】 "If Mu Yuanzhi had even a tenth of your sense and decency, she'd stop being jealous and framing you." Pei Shangling finished eating in two or three bites, shoved the food box back to Pei Yunxi, and said: "All right, hurry up and leave—don't let anyone see you."

'Mm!' Pei Yunxi left the ancestral temple and went straight to Consort De's palace.

Translation: "Mm!" Pei Yunxi left the ancestral temple and went straight to Consort De's Palace.

We'll output: 【24】 "Mm!" Pei Yunxi left the ancestral temple and went straight to Consort De's Palace.

After hearing Pei Yunxi's embellished account, Consort De believed Pei Shangling was suffering terribly in the ancestral temple; she could no longer sit still, went to request an audience with the emperor, but was turned away.

Translation: After hearing Pei Yunxi's embellished words, Consort De thought Pei Shangling was suffering terribly in the ancestral temple, and immediately could not stay seated; she went to request an audience with the emperor, but was denied entry.

We'll output: 【25】 After hearing Pei Yunxi's embellished words, Consort De thought Pei Shangling was suffering terribly in the ancestral temple, and immediately could not stay seated; she went to request an audience with the emperor, but was denied entry.

Gazing toward Weiyang Palace, Consort De clenched her fists.

Translation: Gazing toward Weiyang Palace, Consort De clenched her fists.

We'll output: 【26】 Gazing toward Weiyang Palace, Consort De clenched her fists.

After midnight turned into the early‑morning watch, the normally silent imperial palace was suddenly struck by a violent thunderstorm, yet Consort De showed up at Weiyang Palace just then.

Translation: After midnight passed into the early morning hours, the usually silent imperial palace was suddenly hit by a violent storm with lightning and thunder—yet Consort De came to Weiyang Palace at that very moment.

We'll output: 【27】 After midnight passed into the early morning hours, the usually silent imperial palace was suddenly hit by a violent storm with lightning and thunder—yet Consort De came to Weiyang Palace at that very moment.

'Sorry, Consort De, our master is already asleep.' The little attendant Yunzi, who had also been asleep, was awakened and felt a bit displeased.

Translation: "Sorry, Consort De, our master is already asleep." The little attendant Xiao Yunzi, who had also been asleep, was woken up and felt somewhat displeased.

We'll output: 【28】 "Sorry, Consort De, our master is already asleep." The little attendant Xiao Yunzi, who had also been asleep, was woken up and felt somewhat displeased.

Coming at this hour, she surely doesn't mean well.

Translation: Coming at this hour, she surely doesn't have good intentions.

We'll output: 【29】 Coming at this hour, she surely doesn't have good intentions.

'I'm worried her wounds haven't healed; she refuses to see me, so I'll wait here until she's willing.' Consort De came without attendants or an umbrella.

Translation: "I'm worried her wounds haven't healed; she refuses to see me, so I'll wait here until she agrees to meet." Consort De came without attendants and without an umbrella.

We'll output: 【30】 "I'm worried her wounds haven't healed; she refuses to see me, so I'll wait here until she agrees to meet." Consort De came without attendants and without an umbrella.

Yunzi offered his own umbrella, but she pushed it away.

Translation: Xiao Yunzi offered his own umbrella to her, but she pushed it away.

We'll output: 【31】 Xiao Yunzi offered his own umbrella to her, but she pushed it away.

……

We need to output the ellipsis as is. The line is just "……". We'll output: 【32】 ……

He had no choice but to go inside and report to Mu Yanzhi.

Translation: He had no choice but to go inside to report to Mu Yuanzhi.

We'll output: 【33】 He had no choice but to go inside to report to Mu Yuanzhi.

Being roused from deep sleep isn't pleasant, and Mu Yanzhi grew even more furious—Consort De's behavior was basically a threat.

Translation: Being woken from sound sleep is never pleasant; Mu Yuanzhi became even more furious—this was basically a threat from Consort De!

We'll output: 【34】 Being woken from sound sleep is never pleasant; Mu Yuanzhi became even more furious—this was basically a threat from Consort De!

If you're so capable, go stand in the rain before the emperor!

Translation: If you're capable, go stand in the rain before the emperor!

We'll output: 【35】 If you're capable, go stand in the rain before the emperor!

Do you want her to plead for Pei Shangling's release?

Translation: You want her to intercede and get Pei Shangling released?

We'll output: 【36】 You want her to intercede and get Pei Shangling released?

Surely she isn't really here just to visit the sick? She didn't come when she was ill, only after she recovered—what a devoted mother!

Translation: Surely she didn't really come just to check on her health? She didn't come when she was sick, only after she recovered—what a wonderful mother!

We'll output: 【37】 Surely she didn't really come just to check on her health? She didn't come when she was sick, only after she recovered—what a wonderful mother!

'My lady, if Consort De keeps standing in the rain she'll surely fall ill, and then she'll try to turn the tables on us,' Hongdou worried.

Translation: "Master, if Consort De keeps standing in the rain like that, she'll surely get sick, and then she'll try to turn the tables on us," Hongdou worried.

We'll output: 【38】 "Master, if Consort De keeps standing in the rain like that, she'll surely get sick, and then she'll try to turn the tables on us," Hongdou worried.

'What does her getting sick from the rain have to do with me?' Mu Yanzhi didn't want to deal with Consort De.

Translation: "What does her getting sick from standing in the rain have to do with me?" Mu Yuanzhi didn't want to deal with Consort De.

We'll output: 【39】 "What does her getting sick from standing in the rain have to do with me?" Mu Yuanzhi didn't want to deal with Consort De.

If she loves to cause trouble, let her do it!

Translation: If she loves to cause trouble, let her do it!

We'll output: 【40】 If she loves to cause trouble, let her do it!

Just as Mu Yanzhi was about to go back to sleep, she heard Pei Shangnian outside shouting at the top of his lungs: 'Ah‑Zhi sister! Please forgive Mother Consort just this once—she's genuinely worried about you!'

Translation: Just as Mu Yuanzhi was about to go back to sleep, she heard Pei Shangnian shout at the top of his voice outside: "Ah Zhi mei mei! Please forgive the mother consort just this once! She really is worried about you!"

We'll output: 【41】 Just as Mu Yuanzhi was about to go back to sleep, she heard Pei Shangnian shout at the top of his voice outside: "Ah Zhi mei mei! Please forgive the mother consort just this once! She really is worried about you!"

Tsk, one troublesome person after another!

Translation: Tch, one troublesome person after another!

We'll output: 【42】 Tch, one troublesome person after another!

The Fifth Prince, Pei Yunxi's twin brother, is a fickle, brainless weed‑on‑the‑wall who actually thinks Consort De standing in the rain outside is begging for forgiveness.

Translation: The Fifth Prince, Pei Yunxi's twin‑brother, a worthless wall‑grass type with no brains, actually thought Consort De standing in the rain outside was begging for forgiveness?

We'll output: 【43】 The Fifth Prince, Pei Yunxi's twin‑brother, a worthless wall‑grass type with no brains, actually thought Consort De standing in the rain outside was begging for forgiveness?

Ridiculous—this is either a plea or a forced palace coup!

Translation: Ridiculous—this is a plea, or more like forcing the palace!

We'll output: 【44】 Ridiculous—this is a plea, or more like forcing the palace!

'Ah‑Zhi sister! Brother Nian is kneeling for you!'

Translation: "Ah Zhi mei mei! Brother Nian has knelt down for you!"

We'll output: 【45】 "Ah Zhi mei mei! Brother Nian has knelt down for you!"

……

Output: 【46】 ……

'Master…' Hongdou looked at Mu Yanzhi, embarrassed.

Translation: "Master..." Hongdou looked at Mu Yuanzhi with difficulty.

We'll output: 【47】 "Master..." Hongdou looked at Mu Yuanzhi with difficulty.

If we ignore the outside, we don't know how long the Fifth Prince will keep shouting, and his clamor has left no peace at any palace gate.

Translation: Besides not minding the outside, who knows how long the Fifth Prince will keep shouting—his yelling has left no peace at all the palace gates!

We'll output: 【48】 Besides not minding the outside, who knows how long the Fifth Prince will keep shouting—his yelling has left no peace at all the palace gates!

Mu Yanzhi clicked her tongue: 'Forget it, let's go see.'

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi clicked her tongue, "Forget it, let's go take a look."

We'll output: 【49】 Mu Yuanzhi clicked her tongue, "Forget it, let's go take a look."

She arrived outside Weiyang Palace to find Consort De standing in the rain, drenched like a soaked chicken, unable to keep her eyes open.

Translation: She arrived outside Weiyang Palace; Consort De was standing in the rain like a soaked chicken, unable to keep her eyes open.

We'll output: 【50】 She arrived outside Weiyang Palace; Consort De was standing in the rain like a soaked chicken, unable to keep her eyes open.

And Pei Shangnian was truly kneeling on the ground.

Translation: As for Pei Shangnian, he really was kneeling on the ground.

We'll output: 【51】 As for Pei Shangnian, he really was kneeling on the ground.

This Consort De is as if she can't see her own son kneeling on the ground.

Translation: Consort De acted as if she couldn't see her own son kneeling on the ground.

We'll output: 【52】 Consort De acted as if she couldn't see her own son kneeling on the ground.

Mu Yanzhi knows that Consort De has always favored her eldest son, Pei Shangling, and later even more favored the recovered Pei Yunxi; her feelings for Pei Shangnian are far weaker than for them, though at least she feels something—unlike her attitude toward this adopted daughter.

Translation: Mu Yuanzhi knew Consort De had always favored her eldest son Pei Shangling, and later favored even more the recovered Pei Yunxi; her feelings for Pei Shangnian were nowhere near as deep as for them, but at least she felt something—unlike her attitude toward her adopted daughter.

We'll output: 【53】 Mu Yuanzhi knew Consort De had always favored her eldest son Pei Shangling, and later favored even more the recovered Pei Yunxi; her feelings for Pei Shangnian were nowhere near as deep as for them, but at least she felt something—unlike her attitude toward her adopted daughter.

'Ah‑Zhi sister! You've finally agreed to forgive Mother Consort!' Pei Shangnian jumped up joyfully and went to grab the shivering, rain‑soaked Consort De.

Translation: "Ah Zhi mei mei! You finally agree to forgive the mother consort!" Pei Shangnian jumped up joyfully and went to pull the trembling Consort De, who was shivering in the rain.

We'll output: 【54】 "Ah Zhi mei mei! You finally agree to forgive the mother consort!" Pei Shangnian jumped up joyfully and went to pull the trembling Consort De, who was shivering in the rain.

Mu Yanzhi replied, 'I haven't said anything—why are the Fifth Prince and Consort De staying up all night, coming here to stand in the rain? What's the point?'

Translation: But Mu Yuanzhi replied: "I haven't said anything—why are the Fifth Prince and Consort De staying up all night to come stand in the rain here? What's the matter?"

We'll output: 【55】 But Mu Yuanzhi replied: "I haven't said anything—why are the Fifth Prince and Consort De staying up all night to come stand in the rain here? What's the matter?"

'Fifth Prince? Consort De?' Pei Shangnian, hearing this, panicked: 'Ah‑Zhi sister!'

Translation: "The Fifth Prince? Consort De?" Pei Shangnian, hearing this, exclaimed in alarm: "Ah Zhi mei mei!"

We'll output: 【56】 "The Fifth Prince? Consort De?" Pei Shangnian, hearing this, exclaimed in alarm: "Ah Zhi mei mei!"

How can she address them so formally?

Translation: How could she address them so formally?

We'll output: 【57】 How could she address them so formally?

Upon hearing the words 'Consort De,' Consort De's body trembled; she stared at Mu Yanzhi as if suffering a great injustice, then spoke in a dazed voice:

Translation: Upon hearing the four words "Consort De", Consort De's body trembled; she stared at Mu Yuanzhi as if suffering a great injustice, then spoke hesitantly:

We'll output: 【58】 Upon hearing the four words "Consort De", Consort De's body trembled; she stared at Mu Yuanzhi as if suffering a great injustice, then spoke hesitantly:

'Ah‑Zhi, do you still remember what day today is? It's the day you first entered the palace—sixteen years ago today—when your father carried you to the mother consort's chambers and said, "From now on, you are our child."'

Translation: "\"Zhi'er, do you still remember what day this is? The day you first entered the palace—sixteen years ago today—your Father Emperor held you and brought you to the mother consort's chambers, saying, 'From now on, you are our child.'\""

We'll output: 【59】 "Zhi'er, do you still remember what day this is? The day you first entered the palace—sixteen years ago today—your Father Emperor held you and brought you to the mother consort's chambers, saying, 'From now on, you are our child.'"

She said, her hand trembling, she pulled out a piece of red cloth from her bosom, still with a strap attached—obviously a swaddling cloth.

The Virtuous Consort herself continued to recall: "Back then you were tiny, swaddled in your blankets, watching your birth mother smile…"

She held it to her heart as if it were a precious jewel, revealing a mother's kind smile.

Mu Yuanzhi only felt it was ironic—selling off familial affection at a time like this?

Can't we just let the past beauties stay buried? Must we dig them up to whip corpses and trample them?!

"I wasn't even a year old—I don't know what the Virtuous Consort said." Mu Yuanzhi said expressionlessly.

Their mother‑daughter bond had long been completely severed, and it was buried on the day her parents were laid to rest.