Chapter 61

In the first month, after Lu Ba'er ate the red and green silk sweet cake, her stomach hurt. Grandma calculated the days and it had been about nine months; everyone in the household was on edge, fearing Lu Ba'er would go into labor. Any negligence by the servants would incur Master Xie's displeasure. Consequently, the servants had a hard time year after year; at the slightest rustle at night they would immediately get up and wait in the inner courtyard.

Let's produce: "In the first lunar month, after Lu Bao'er finished eating the red and green silk sweet cake, her stomach hurt. Granny calculated the days; it had already been nine months, and everyone in the household was on edge this month, fearing Lu Bao'er would give birth. Any oversight by the servants would incur Xie Junling's displeasure. Thus, the servants had a hard time year after year; at the slightest rustle of wind or grass at night, they would immediately rise and wait in the inner courtyard."

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Lu Ba'er's stomach began to cramp; fortunately, Xie Junling was on leave and could stay by her side. His gaze never left her; seeing her brow furrow slightly, he knew something was wrong and hurriedly called Grandma: "Grandma, come see Ba'er."

Translate: "Lu Bao'er's stomach began to act up; fortunately, Xie Junling was on his annual leave and could stay by her side. Xie Junling's gaze constantly followed Lu Bao'er; seeing her brow slightly furrowed, he knew something was wrong and hurriedly called Granny: 'Granny, come look at Bao'er.'"

Seeing the situation, Grandma realized something was off, quickly summoned several midwives, and helped Lu Ba'er to the birthing room. Xie Junling wanted to follow her inside, but the midwives hurriedly blocked him outside, advising: "Sir, you cannot bear to see a woman's bloody discharge; it would affect your fortune."

Translate: "Granny took one look at the situation and knew it was not good; she quickly summoned several midwives and helped Lu Bao'er to the birthing room. Xie Junling wanted to follow her in, but the midwives hurriedly blocked him outside, advising: 'Sir, you cannot bear to see a woman's bloody discharge; it will affect your fortune.'"

Xie Junling didn't care whether the bloody discharge would affect his official career; at this moment Lu Ba'er was the most important. He put on a stern face and said: "Move aside."

Translate: "Xie Junling didn't care whether the bloody discharge would affect his official career; at this moment, Lu Bao'er was the most important. He put on a stern face and said: 'Make way.'"

Another midwife, seeing that Xie Junling could not be persuaded, tried another tactic: "Even if you, sir, enter the birthing room, you wouldn't be of much help; you'd just get in the way. When they see your expression, the other women wouldn't dare exert themselves, which would actually be hindering rather than helping."

Translate: "Another midwife, seeing that Xie Junling was impossible to dissuade, came up with another idea: 'Even if you, sir, enter the birthing room, you won't be of much help; you'll just be in the way. When they see your expression, the other women won't dare to exert themselves—wouldn't that be hindering instead of helping?'"

That made some sense; matters of the trade are naturally handled by experts, and Xie Junling, flustered, pressed his lips together and said: "If that's the case, please go in quickly to check on the lady."

Translate: "That actually made some sense; matters of the trade are naturally handled by experts, and Xie Junling had become flustered. He pressed his lips together and said: 'If that's the case, then please go in quickly to check on the lady.'"

"Ah, rest assured, we three have delivered babies for all the official wives in the capital; I wouldn't dare say more, but we certainly know more than those from the countryside." The midwife said this to Xie Junling, then called the other two sisters into the birthing room. They had leisure to chat with Xie Junling outside only because Lu Ba'er was still a short time away from delivery.

Translate: "'Ah, you can rest assured; in this capital, the official wives of all families have us three to deliver their babies—I won't speak of others, but we certainly know more than those country midwives.' The midwife said this to Xie Junling, then called the other two sisters into the birthing room. They had leisure to chat with Xie Junling outside the birthing room only because they saw that Lu Bao'er was still a little while away from giving birth."

Grandma went to the stove to simmer ginseng soup, and Old Lady Su also had someone send over a piece of premium century-old ginseng, saying that when Lu Ba'er felt weak and lacking strength, she could slice a piece and hold it in her mouth to sustain her breath.

Translate: "Granny went to the stove to simmer ginseng soup, and Old Lady Su also had someone send over a piece of top-quality century-old ginseng, saying that when Lu Bao'er felt weak and lacking strength, she could slice a piece and hold it in her mouth to revive her vital energy."

Childbirth is like a woman stepping half a foot into the gates of hell; no detail can be overlooked. Xie Junling stood outside the birthing room, occasionally hearing Lu Ba'er's anguished cries, thinking that even a tiny bamboo splinter prick to her finger could bring tears to her eyes—now just how much suffering must she endure in giving birth?

Translate: "Childbirth is like a woman stepping half a foot into the gates of hell; no step can be taken lightly. Xie Junling stood outside the birthing room, from time to time hearing Lu Bao'er's anguished cries, thinking that even a bamboo prick to her fingertip could bring tears to her eyes—just how great a suffering must she endure now?"

Thinking this, Xie Junling felt deep reluctance; he even regretted wanting a child. Perhaps both Lu Ba'er and Xie Junling are ill-fated, having grown up without elders; he is aloof and unfeeling, never having desired offspring, and his family could be present or absent—only Lu Ba'er is dear to him, and he wishes to stay with her for life. Lu Ba'er, however, longs for a lively, harmonious household; she feels the home is too quiet and wishes to have a child with Xie Junling so the family can be lively and bustling together. This is also why Lu Ba'er cherishes the child in her womb—it is hers and Xie Junling's, inheriting the best traits of both, and whether boy or girl will be exceedingly lovely.

Translate: "Thinking this, Xie Junling felt deep reluctance. He even regretted wanting a child. Perhaps both Lu Bao'er and Xie Junling were ill-fated souls, having grown up without elders; like him, aloof and unfeeling, he had never desired offspring, and his family could have been absent or present—only Lu Bao'er was dear to him, and he only wished to stay with her for a lifetime. Lu Bao'er was different; she liked the picture of a harmonious family, feeling the household was too quiet, and wanted to have a child of hers and Xie Junling's to make it lively and bustling. This was also why Lu Bao'er cherished the child in her womb—it was hers and Xie Junling's, inheriting the best of both, whether boy or girl, would be extremely handsome."

Xie Junling recalled that a few days earlier Lu Ba'er had asked whether he preferred a boy or a girl; he replied that both were fine, but if he had to choose, he would want a legitimate son, so that the family line could continue and Lu Ba'er would need to bear fewer children. However, a son constantly circling Lu Ba'er would also annoy him somewhat. He is extremely selfish, even wanting to taste the jealousy toward his son. Thinking this way, he also considered that a daughter would be nice—a daughter is a warm little padded jacket, resembling Lu Ba'er, who would call him 'father' all day, warming his heart.

Translate: "Xie Junling recalled that a few days earlier Lu Bao'er had asked him whether he preferred a boy or a girl; he had said boys and girls were both fine, but if he had to speak frankly, then he would want a legitimate son—this way, a line would be continued and Lu Bao'er could bear fewer children. Yet a son tagging along after Lu Bao'er all day also annoyed him somewhat. He was extremely selfish, even wanting to taste the jealousy over a son. Thinking this way, he also felt a daughter would be nice: a daughter is a thoughtful little padded jacket, resembling Lu Bao'er, and would call him 'father' all day, warming his heart."

While Xie Junling indulged in idle thoughts, Lu Ba'er suffered in the birthing room. She knew childbirth would be painful, but not to this extent. She lay on the bed, her lower parts soaked; her consciousness began to wander, and she clenched her teeth to keep from fainting. Seeing this, Grandma hurriedly gave her a slice of ginseng. Having known Lu Ba'er for years, Grandma regarded her almost as a junior; her heart ached terribly, and she gently wiped Lu Ba'er's sweat‑damp forehead again and again, saying: "Lady, hold on a little longer; once you get past this, you'll be fine."

Translate: "While Xie Junling wandered in his thoughts, Lu Bao'er suffered in the birthing room. She knew childbirth was painful, but not to this extent. She lay on the couch, her lower half soaked; her consciousness was somewhat scattered, and she gritted her teeth to keep from fainting. Seeing this, Granny hurriedly fed her a slice of ginseng. Having spent these years with Lu Bao'er, Granny had come to regard her somewhat as a junior; now her heart ached terribly, and she gently stroked Lu Bao'er's sweat-dampened forehead again and again, saying: 'Lady, endure a little longer; once you pass this hurdle, you'll be fine.'"

Lu Ba'er could no longer bear it; she cried out in anguish, her whole body feeling as if her heart and lungs were being torn apart, wishing she didn't have to bear this child. Yet she must endure; she cannot faint, for many who faint never wake again.

Translate: "Lu Bao'er could no longer bear it; she cried out in anguish, her whole body feeling as if her heart and lungs were torn apart, wishing she did not have to bear this child. Yet she had to endure; she could not faint, for many who fainted never woke again."

This is her and Xie Junling's first child; she had bought many clothes for the baby, imagining him calling her mother. But she cannot simply faint now. If she fainted and failed to survive this ordeal while the baby was born, would she let the child call another woman mother? That's a pleasant thought, but Lu Ba'er would never hand her child over to anyone.

Translate: "This was her and Xie Junling's first child; she had bought many clothes for the baby, imagining him calling her mother. But she could not just faint like that. If she fainted and failed to survive this ordeal while the baby was born, would she let her child call another woman mother? That's a lovely thought, but Lu Bao'er would never entrust her child to anyone else."

She wandered in her thoughts, striking here and there, moaning incessantly. Xie Junling had been waiting outside for a full hour; his palms were drenched in sweat, he could not even drink tea, and his shirt was soaked. Unable to bear it any longer, he strode straight into the birthing room; the midwives, seeing him arrive, were all startled.

Translate: "She let her thoughts run wild, hammering here and pounding there, moaning incessantly. Xie Junling had been waiting outside for a full shichen, his palms slick with sweat, unable to drink tea, soaking his collar. He could no longer bear it and strode straight into the birthing room; seeing him come, the midwives all jumped in fright."

Xie Junling, however, swept a sharp glance over them and coldly said: "Do your jobs properly!"

Translate: "Xie Junling, however, swept them with a sharp glance and coldly said: 'Do your jobs properly!'"

Though Xie Junling is young, his official authority is formidable; the others shrank back and dared not speak. Seizing the moment, Xie Junling sat beside Lu Ba'er, took her hand, and accompanied her: "Ba'er, be good, endure a little longer; it will be over soon."

Translate: "Don't let Xie Junling's youth fool you—his official aura was full force; the others shrank their necks and dared not speak another word. Seizing the moment, Xie Junling sat beside Lu Bao'er, took her hand, and accompanied her: 'Bao'er, be good, endure a little longer; it will be all right soon.'"

Xie Junling's heart and eyes were full of pity; he is usually extremely proud, when has he ever spoken so softly and gently to coax her? Seeing him lower himself, Lu Ba'er appears dignified and imposing, which is rather touching.

Translate: "Xie Junling's heart and eyes were full of pity; he was usually extremely arrogant—when had he ever spoken so softly and gently to coax her? Seeing him bow low and act humble, Lu Bao'er appeared majestic and dignified, which was rather interesting."

Lu Ba'er wanted to tease him, but she couldn't even lift the corners of her mouth. After a few moments, a spasm gripped her abdomen, her face twisted, and she broke out in sweat again. Xie Junling quickly fetched a warm cloth to wipe her face, feeling distressed, and said: "After this child is born, I will never have another."

Translate: "Lu Bao'er wanted to tease him, but she couldn't even lift the corner of her mouth. After a few moments, a spasm gripped her abdomen, her face twisted, and she broke out in another sweat. Xie Junling hastily fetched a warm cloth to wipe her face, feeling distressed as he said: 'After this child is born, I'll never have another.'"

His childish remark made Grandma a little teary. In fact, Grandma also knows that Xie Junling treats Lu Ba'er well; her usual disapproval of him is merely the feeling of "one's own cabbage being rooted by a pig." She feels great reluctance, but now it seems this pig is at least gentle and attentive—at least toward Lu Ba'er there is nothing to complain about.

Translate: "His childish remark made Granny's eyes well up. Granny actually knew Xie Junling treated Lu Bao'er well; ordinarily finding him displeasing was merely the feeling of 'one's own cabbage being arched by a pig,' and she felt deep reluctance, but now it seemed this pig was also gentle and attentive—at least toward Lu Bao'er, there was nothing to complain about."

Lu Ba'er wanted to respond to Xie Junling, but at this moment she was straining and could not utter a word. Her labor so far has been relatively smooth; after only three or four hours the baby was born. If the delivery were difficult, one would have to wait a whole day, which would be life‑threatening.

Translate: "Lu Bao'er wanted to respond to Xie Junling, but at this moment she was straining with all her might and could not utter a word. Her delivery this time was relatively smooth; after only three or four shichen, the baby was born. If it had been a difficult labor, one would have to wait a whole day—that would be life-threatening."

The baby's cry rang loud; the midwife, seeing it was a little lord, hurriedly sought a reward: "Congratulations, sir, it's a son! Thanks to your presence, the child was able to arrive so swiftly."

Translate: "The baby's cry rang out loud and clear; the midwife saw it was a little lord and hurriedly sought a reward: 'Congratulations, sir, it's a son! Thanks to your presence, the baby was able to arrive so swiftly.'"

Xie Junling showed no interest; the midwife had originally wanted to bring the baby over for him to see, but he waved her off: "Just born, it looks like a red monkey—what's there to look at?"

Translate: "Xie Junling lacked interest; the midwife had originally wanted to bring the baby over for him to look at, but he waved his hand and refused: 'Just born, it looks like a red monkey—what's there to see?'"

All he could think about now was how Lu Ba'er had suffered and how to comfort her. Xie Junling helped wipe her hands and face; Grandma assisted with cleaning, and he also fetched postpartum hemostatic medicine for Lu Ba'er. Proper care during the confinement period is essential to avoid leaving lasting ailments.

Translate: "All he could think about now was how Lu Bao'er had suffered and how to comfort her. Xie Junling helped her wipe her hands and face; the rest was tidied up by Granny, who also brought postpartum hemostatic medicine for Lu Bao'er. The confinement period must be well cared for, so as not to leave lasting ailments."

Upon hearing of Lu Ba'er's delivery, Old Lady Su hurried over, delighted to learn it was her great‑grandson, unable to stop smiling. Who doesn't love a legitimate son? A son is fine, but it pains her granddaughter to have endured such great suffering.

Translate: "Upon hearing of Lu Bao'er's childbirth, Old Lady Su hurried over; she knew it was her great-grandchild and could not stop smiling. Who doesn't like a legitimate son? Having a son is fine, but it caused her granddaughter great suffering."

Seeing Xie Junling sitting at the bedside attending to Lu Ba'er, Old Lady Su was extremely pleased; she then withdrew so as not to disturb the young couple. She specially made a trip to the palace to ask the Emperor to bestow a character—this was her great‑grandchild, naturally the most noble. The Emperor, advanced in

Seeing Xie Junling sitting at the bedside attending to Lu Bao'er, Old Lady Su was extremely pleased; she then withdrew so as not to disturb the young couple. She specially made a trip to the palace to ask the Emperor to bestow a character—this was her great-grandchild, naturally the most noble. The Emperor, advanced in years, also enjoyed such occasions of adding to the family; moreover, his cousin's sister had made a request of him, and he thereupon brushed out the character meaning 'cautious' and presented it to the Xie household.

Jin means cautious. It expresses the hope that the child will act steadily, avoid rashness, speak carefully and act prudently, so that his whole life will be free of mistakes. The character is good, and the name is good as well. No matter how obscure this name may be, Xie Junling considers it excellent. It is certainly better than giving him the character 'Jin' (brocade), which would imply his son is wealthy and noble—a notion that feels somewhat strange. As an official, one's rank and fortune are granted by the emperor; what more wealth and status could one desire?

Translate: "'Jin' means 'cautious'; that is, we hope the child will act steadily, avoid frivolity, speak prudently and act discreetly, so that his whole life will be free of mistakes. The character is good, and the name is good. No matter how unobtrusive this name may be, Xie Junling considers it excellent. It is certainly better than granting him the character 'Jin' (brocade), which would imply his son's wealth and rank, leaving a strange aftertaste. As an official, one's fortunes are granted by the Emperor—what is there to lust after wealth and rank?"

Xie Junling thanks the emperor for his great favor; now everyone in the capital knows that Lu Bao'er has good fortune, having borne a son in one go, and even received an imperial name bestowal—what a glorious honor!

Translate: "Xie Junling thanked the Emperor for his grace; now everyone in the capital knows Lu Bao'er is fortunate—she obtained a son at once and even received an imperial name—what a splendid favor!"

Old Lady Su adores this great-grandson, constantly calling 'Jin'er, Jin'er' all day, but Xie Junling just doesn't take to this son. Thinking of how he made Lu Bao'er suffer so much, his anger flares. It leaves the old lady bewildered—what man wouldn't love his eldest son? Yet Xie Junling is simply odd.

Translate: "Old Lady Su loved this great-grandchild most, calling all day 'Little Jin, Little Jin,' but Xie Junling simply took a dislike to this son. Thinking that he had caused Lu Bao'er to endure such suffering made his anger flare up indiscriminately. This even left Granny bewildered—what master of a household would not love his legitimate son? Yet Xie Junling is an oddity."

Lu Bao'er slept a while; when she opened her eyes again, she weakly said, 'Bring the child over so I can see him.'

Translate: "Lu Bao'er slept a while; when she opened her eyes again, her breath weak, she said: 'Bring the child over so I can see him.'"

Xie Junling waited up all night for her to wake, but when Lu Bao'er opened her eyes, she didn't speak to him; instead she asked for the child. Unable to hold back, he said, 'I guarded you all night as your husband, but I didn't guard the child.'

Translate: "Xie Junling had waited for her to wake up all night, but when Lu Bao'er opened her eyes, she did not speak to him; instead she demanded the child. Unable to hold back, he said with jealousy: 'As your husband, I guarded you through the night, yet the child did not keep watch.'"

What he means is that the credit for the hard work goes to him, not to that little brat.

Translate: "The implication was that the hard work and merit were his, not that little brat's."

Lu Bao'er pursed her lips and smiled: 'I know; during childbirth, it was my husband who stayed by my side. I have always kept his kindness in my heart, and just now I even dreamed of him in my sleep.'

Translate: "Lu Bao'er pressed her lips and smiled: 'I know; during childbirth, it was my husband who stayed by my side. I have always kept his kindness in my heart, and just now I even dreamed of him in my sleep.'"

Such words warmed Xie Junling's heart, and he no longer held it against her. The wet nurse in the household had already been arranged; at this moment she brought the child over and placed him beside Lu Bao'er. The newborn's face was reddish, his features a bit scrunched up, really not good-looking.

Translate: "Such words warmed Xie Junling's heart, and he no longer quarreled with her. The wet nurse in the household had long been prepared; now she brought Little Jin over and placed him beside Lu Bao'er. The newborn's face was reddish, his features somewhat scrunched up—really not good-looking."

Lu Bao'er hadn't expected that after ten months of pregnancy she would give birth to such an ugly little thing; she felt a chill for a moment. Xie Junling frowned and said, 'In what way does this child resemble either of us?'

Translate: "Lu Bao'er also hadn't expected that after ten months of pregnancy she would give birth to such an ugly thing; for a moment she felt chilly. Xie Junling frowned and said: 'In what way does this child resemble us?'"

Lu Bao'er had been wondering the same thing; the young couple stared at each other, and for a moment neither spoke.

Translate: "Lu Bao'er had been wondering the same thing; the young couple stared at each other, and for a while neither spoke."

Grandma loved the little master most; seeing Lu Bao'er and Xie Junling not understanding (i. e., not being perceptive), she became upset, stepped forward, took the child, and said: 'The child hasn't grown into his features yet, so naturally he doesn't look good. In my view, this is the best-looking newborn boy; in half a month, once his features unfold, he'll be handsome.'

Translate: "Granny loved the young master most; seeing Lu Bao'er and Xie Junling not understanding, her anger flared, she stepped forward, picked up Little Jin, and said: 'The child hasn't unfolded yet, so naturally he's not good-looking. In my view, this is the best-looking newborn boy among those just born; in half a month, when his features open up, he will become handsome.'"

Lu Bao'er hadn't yet experienced Grandma's protectiveness toward the child; at this moment she gave an embarrassed smile and said, 'Grandma's words do make some sense.'

Translate: "Lu Bao'er had not yet experienced Granny's protectiveness of the young master; she gave an embarrassed smile: 'Granny's words do make some sense.'"

Lu Bao'er, lacking strength, did not allow visitors during her confinement; only her close friend Ye Qiying came to see her once, gave her advice on what to prepare for the postpartum period, and also praised that the child looked handsome.

Translate: "Lu Bao'er lacked strength; during her confinement she would not allow visitors. Only her close friend Ye Qiying came to see her once, pointing out some things to prepare for the confinement period, and she also praised Little Jin for his good looks."

Originally they planned to hold the baby's full-month celebration, but Xie Junling, fearing that Lu Bao'er would have to go out to receive guests then, stubbornly postponed the feast until two months later, letting Lu Bao'er complete a full two months of confinement before allowing her to go out.

Translate: "Originally they planned to hold Little Jin's full-month celebration, but Xie Junling feared that by then Lu Bao'er would have to go out to receive guests, so he stubbornly postponed the banquet until two months later, allowing Lu Bao'er to complete a full two months of confinement before permitting her to go out and about."

Upon learning of this, Old Lady Su also felt helpless. She felt sorry for Lu Bao'er and also for her well-behaved great-grandson, torn between the two, and could only bestow many treasures upon the child on the full-month day as a congratulatory gift.

Translate: "Upon learning of this, Old Lady Su also felt helpless; she pitied Lu Bao'er on one hand and her well-behaved great-grandchild on the other, torn between them, and could only bestow many treasures upon Little Jin on the full-month day as a congratulatory gift."

By the time the baby's full-month feast was held, all the visiting ladies knew about this situation. They envied Lu Bao'er's good fortune, having a considerate husband who, in order to help her recover during her postpartum period, could even delay the firstborn son's full-month celebration.

Translate: "When Little Jin's full-month banquet finally took place, all the visiting ladies knew the circumstances. They envied Lu Bao'er's fortune—having a considerate husband who, to nurture her health during confinement, could even delay the eldest son's full-month feast."

Two months was enough for the child to open his eyes and for his features to become a little more defined. A baby's skin is smooth and delicate; at this point he no longer looks like a scrunched-up monkey, having a bit of childlike cuteness, and judging by his eyes, he resembles Xie Junling.

Translate: "Two months were enough for the child to open his eyes and for his features to unfold somewhat. A baby's skin is smooth and delicate; at this point he no longer resembled a wrinkled monkey, having a touch of childlike cuteness, and from his eyes he looked like Xie Junling."

The child has a good temperament, not prone to crying or fussing; give him a little toy and he'll stay content all day, which delights Old Lady Su. She constantly praises how well-behaved Jin'er is, fussing over him, and even Master Fu can't help coming to see the child, praising Lu Bao'er for raising him so well.

Translate: "The child had a good temperament, not fond of crying or fussing; give him a little toy and he could stay occupied all day, which amazed Old Lady Su. Every day she exclaimed that Little Jin was well-behaved, circling him here and there; even Master Fu could not help coming to look at Little Jin, praising Lu Bao'er for raising the child so well."

The three uncles of the Fu family were genuinely puzzled; when their own children were born, it seemed Old Lady Su and Master Fu weren't that excited either? Even the two elders who usually didn't care about their grandchildren found it novel to dote on that great-grandson. So the three uncles also came to see what sort of divine being this child was; seeing his red lips and white teeth, they found him quite interesting, and thus couldn't resist buying some little toys to play with him. It's really good.

Translate: "Meanwhile, the three uncles of the Fu family were truly perplexed—when their own children were born, did Old Lady Su and Master Fu not seem so excited? The two elders who didn't even care about their grandchildren found it novel to surround that great-grandchild. Thus the three uncles also came to see what sort of divine being Little Jin was; seeing this lad with red lips and white teeth, still rather interesting, they likewise could not resist buying some small toys to play with him. What was that? Truly fragrant."

Seeing people coming and going all day in the manor, Xie Junling's face darkened considerably. He does somewhat dislike his eldest son, but that son is still his, after all—what's the point of outsiders constantly circling around his son?

Translate: "Xie Junling saw people coming and going in the mansion all day, and his face darkened considerably. He did feel some aversion to his own eldest son, but after all, that was his son—what did it matter if outsiders constantly circled around him?"

But this way, Lu Bao'er ended up being monopolized by him. Thinking of this, Xie Junling's expression softened considerably.

Translate: "However, this had the effect of Lu Bao'er being monopolized by him. Thinking of this, Xie Junling's expression softened considerably."

What's a son? As long as I have a wife, that's enough. Whoever wants to look can look.

Translate: "What is a son? Having a wife is enough. Let whoever wants to look, look."

Xie Junling clung to Lu Bao'er all day, leaving her no time to spend with the child. Lu Bao'er thought, 'Is this post at the Ministry of Justice a sinecure? How does Xie Junling have free time all day?'

Translate: "Xie Junling clung to Lu Bao'er all day, depriving her of any time to accompany Little Jin. Lu Bao'er wondered: Is the Dali Temple a sinecure? How does Xie Junling have free time all day?"

In fact, Xie Junling handles cases with high efficiency, always able to pinpoint the crux of the matter. His colleagues might spend three days on a case, but he settles it in a day. However, Xie Junling's speed does not mean others work fast too. Previously, everyone could leisurely steal a moment to sip tea or play a game of chess, but now, with Xie Junling watching over them, as soon as he finishes a matter, his subordinates must immediately go investigate the case, cross-examine testimonies, and retry it. Pull one thread and the whole body moves; the entire Ministry of Justice has become busy, with not a moment of leisure left. The emperor praises the Ministry of Justice incessantly, yet its officials suffer terribly. Moreover, the Minister of Justice, who is invariably upright and impartial, upon encountering a subordinate like Xie Junling, feels enlightened; he fully delegates authority to Xie Junling to handle affairs, only offering decisions on major matters. The superior tolerates Xie Junling, while coworkers dare to be angry but dare not speak. Thus, Xie Junling is like a mouse dropping in a pot of porridge, stirring the whole pot so that no one can find peace. His diligence may be diligence, but dragging his colleagues down—what kind of hero is that?

Translate: "In fact, Xie Junling's case-handling efficiency was high; he could always spot the crux of a problem at a glance. While his colleagues spent three days on a case, he resolved it in a day. But Xie Junling's speed does not mean others are quick too. Previously, everyone still had leisure to steal a quarter hour for a pot of tea or a game of chess; now, with Xie Junling watching over them, as soon as he finished a matter, the subordinates would immediately go investigate the case, cross-examine testimonies, and retry it. Pull one thread and the whole body moves; the entire Dali Temple became busy, with not a moment of idle time. The Emperor praised the Dali Tribunal incessantly, yet its officials suffered terribly. Moreover, the President of the Dali Temple, being upright and impartial, upon encountering such a subordinate as Xie Junling, felt enlightened; he fully entrusted Xie Junling with handling affairs, only giving some decisions on major issues. The superior indulged Xie Junling, while peers dared to be angry but not speak out. Thus Xie Junling is like a mouse dropping in a pot of porridge, stirring the whole pot so that no one can find peace. His diligence is his diligence—dragging his colleagues down, what kind of hero is that?"

No one knew that Xie Junling just wanted to finish his duties early so he could leave work and go home as soon as possible, his wife and children on the warm kang.