Chapter 97

Chief Cheng, don't worry—the land I need isn't for farming; it's for building a house, any land will do.

Translation: "Chief Cheng, rest assured, the land I need is not for farming but for building a house; any land will do!"

We need to keep the quotes? The Chinese includes quotation marks. Should we keep them? Usually we translate the content, but we can keep the quotation marks as part of the line? The instruction: translate faithfully, not add or omit. The Chinese line includes the quotation marks as part of the text. We should preserve them in translation? Usually we translate the meaning, but we can keep the quotation marks as they are punctuation. I'd keep them: "Chief Cheng, rest assured, the land I need is not for farming but for building a house; any land will do!" But we need to include the opening and closing quotes as they were. The Chinese line starts with 「 and ends with 」. We'll replace with English double quotes? Usually we keep the same punctuation style? The instruction: render exactly what source says, same meaning, same information. The Chinese uses 「」 as quotation marks. In English we would use "". It's acceptable to convert. I'll use English double quotes.

Thus: "Chief Cheng, rest assured, the land I need is not for farming but for building a house; any land will do!"

Luo Taicing saw Cheng Yong's troubled expression and immediately guessed his thoughts, then spoke.

Translation: Luo Taiqing looked at Cheng Yong's embarrassed expression, instantly guessed his thoughts, and said:

We need to keep as one line. No extra.

But it would be best near the Wang family; the price is easy to negotiate, and if I'm satisfied, even doubling or tripling it would be no problem.

Translation: "However, it would be best near the Wang Family; the price is easy to negotiate, and if I'm satisfied, not just double but even triple would be no problem!"

Building a house, near the Wang family?

Translation: "Building a house, near the Wang Family?"

Cheng Yong's face showed even more confusion; compared to farming, he understood why Luo Taicing would think of building a house, and even came to their Tiger Head Gully.

Translation: Cheng Yong's face showed even more bewilderment; compared to farming, he understood better why Luo Taiqing would think of building a house and even come to their Hutou Gou.

Given Luo Taicing's status, how could he not know? He is the renowned Luo Elder of Qingyang County, a wealthy family with countless riches; to put it bluntly, they might not even value all the fields in Tiger Head Gully.

Translation: Given Luo Taiqing's status, how could he not know? The renowned Luo Grandee of Qingyang County, a wealthy and noble family with countless assets—frankly speaking, they might not even look upon all the fields of their Hutou Gou.

How much money can one make from farming all year round?

Translation: Over a year, how much money can farming earn?

As for building a house in Tiger Head Gully, that's pure fantasy; Tiger Head Gully has no connection with the Luo family, it's not a feng shui treasure spot, Qingyang County already has many good locations, let alone the surrounding areas, which certainly aren't lacking scenic beauty.

Translation: As for coming to Hutou Gou to build a house, that's pure fantasy; Hutou Gou has no connection with the Luo family, it's not a feng shui treasure spot, Qingyang County itself has many good locations, let alone the surrounding areas—there are certainly places with beautiful scenery.

There's absolutely no need to come to their Tiger Head Gully to build a house.

Translation: There's absolutely no need to come to their Hutou Gou to build a house.

Exactly, it's for building a house, and it must be near the Wang family; if there's no spare land near the Wangs, I can buy someone else's house, tear it down and rebuild, with the price set by them—as long as it's not excessive, I have no problem.

Translation: "Exactly, it's for building a house, and it must be near the Wang Family; if there's no spare land near the Wang Family, I can buy someone else's house, tear it down and rebuild, the price is up to them—as long as it's not excessive, I have no problem!"

Luo Taicing explained: "Chief Cheng, could you do me this favor?"

Translation: Luo Taiqing explained, "Chief Cheng, could you help me with this?"

Luo Elder, if it's just land for building a house, that's no problem at all!

Translation: "Luo Grandee, if it's just land for building a house, there's absolutely no problem!"

Cheng Yong also breathed a sigh of relief; the Wang Lin family's place isn't the center of Tiger Head Gully, the surrounding area has extra land, all of it low-quality fields with little fertility, yielding average crops.

Translation: Cheng Yong also breathed a sigh of relief; Wang Lin's household is not the central area of Hutou Gou, the surroundings have surplus land, all of it low-quality fields with little fertility, planting crops yields average harvests.

Since someone is willing to buy, naturally someone will be willing to sell, and seeing Luo Taicing's attitude, he's even willing to pay a premium, so it's certainly no problem.

Translation: If someone is willing to buy, naturally someone will be willing to sell, and seeing Luo Taiqing's attitude, he's even willing to pay a premium—so it's certainly no problem.

However.

Translation: Just that.

He still harbored doubts in his heart!

Translation: He still harbored doubts in his heart!

Cheng Yong asked: "Luo Elder, logically you look after our Tiger Head Gully, I shouldn't pry, but I must ask why you'd think of building a house in our Tiger Head Gully and specifically near the Wang family?"

Translation: Cheng Yong inquired, "Luo Grandee, logically you look after our Hutou Gou; I shouldn't meddle, but I must ask: why would you think of building a house in our Hutou Gou and also near the Wang Family?"

At that moment, a guess surfaced in his mind, but he still dared not confirm it.

Translation: At that moment, a guess surfaced in his mind, but he still dared not confirm it.

If Luo Taicing hopes to build a house near the Wang Lin family to connect with Wang Ruhai, it's nearly impossible, as the Wang Lin family has already severed ties with Wang Ruhai.

Translation: If Luo Taiqing hoped to build a house near Wang Lin's household to connect with Wang Ruhai, it would be nearly impossible, as Wang Lin's household has already severed ties with Wang Ruhai.

Whether Wang Ruhai still acknowledges the Wang Lin family is questionable, so he certainly wouldn't come to Tiger Head Gully.

Translation: Whether Wang Ruhai still acknowledges Wang Lin is itself a question, so he naturally wouldn't come to Hutou Gou again.

To avoid embarrassment!

Translation: To avoid losing face!

Luo Taicing's hope of gaining favor by being close to the water is entirely a difficult undertaking.

Translation: Luo Taiqing hoping to gain favor by being close to the water is entirely a difficult undertaking.

Naturally, it's for my son-in-law!

Translation: "Naturally, it's for my son-in-law!"

Luo Taicing chuckled, noticing Cheng Yong's doubts growing stronger in his peripheral vision, and seeing Liu Dongzhu furrow his brows, about to speak, he quickly interjected.

Translation: Luo Taiqing gave a hehe smile, in his peripheral vision saw Cheng Yong's doubts intensify, also saw Liu Dongzhu furrow her brows, about to speak, seemingly wanting to say something, he hurriedly spoke first:

Of course, I can't yet call him my son-in-law, but I believe one day he will become my son-in-law!

Translation: "Of course, for now I can't call him my son-in-law, but I believe that one day he will become my son-in-law!"

Son-in-law?

Translation: "Son-in-law?"

Cheng Yong's face instantly turned extremely strange; the only suitable man in the Wang family is Wang Ruhai, but this thought hadn't lingered three seconds in his mind before he dismissed it himself.

Translation: Cheng Yong's face instantly turned extremely strange; the only suitable man in the entire Wang Family is Wang Ruhai, but this thought hadn't lingered three seconds in his mind before he dispelled it himself.

Who let him clearly know that Wang Ruhai, despite having divorced Liu Dongzhu, has also married the prime minister's daughter, so how could he possibly take Luo Taicing's daughter as a wife, even as a concubine would be difficult.

Translation: Who let him clearly know that although Wang Ruhai had divorced Liu Dongzhu, he had also married the prime minister's daughter—how could he possibly marry Luo Taiqing's daughter, even taking her as a concubine would be difficult.

Cheng Yong caught a glimpse of Liu Dongzhu holding baby Wang Ping'an in his peripheral vision, a flash of insight crossed his mind, and he exclaimed in astonishment: "Luo Elder, you mean your son-in-law wouldn't be this child Wang Ping'an, would you?"

Translation: Cheng Yong's peripheral vision suddenly caught Liu Dongzhu holding Wang Ping'an; a flash of insight crossed his mind and vanished, and he exclaimed in astonishment, "Luo Grandee, could the son-in-law you speak of not be this child, Wang Ping'an?"

Besides this possibility, he couldn't think of anyone else in the Wang family who could be Luo Taicing's son-in-law.

Translation: Besides this possibility, he couldn't think of anyone else in the Wang Family who could be Luo Taiqing's son-in-law.

Liu Dongzhu angrily said: "Luo Elder, didn't the steward tell you clearly? My son Ping'an will not be engaged to your daughter!"

Translation: Liu Dongzhu angrily said, "Luo Grandee, didn't the housekeeper tell you clearly? Our Ping'an will not engage in a childhood engagement with your daughter!"

This matter, the third steward told me, and I also fully support letting the children interact on their own!

Translation: "This matter, the Third Steward told me, and I also fully support letting the children interact on their own!"

Luo Taicing chuckled, indifferent: "Madam Wang, you wouldn't refuse the children interacting on their own, would you? If they develop feelings, would you really go so far as to break them up?" If it were before, hearing Liu Dongzhu say this, even with his best temper, he would get angry and say anything, and would never again ally with the Wang family through marriage.

Translation: Luo Taiqing chuckled, indifferent, "Madam Wang, you surely wouldn't refuse the children interacting on their own, right? If they develop mutual affection, would you really go so far as to thwart their love?" If it were before, hearing Liu Dongzhu's words, even if he had the best temper, he would grow angry and say anything, he would not ally with the Wang Family through marriage.

His daughter, born of a concubine but still bearing the Luo name, is sought after by many families in Qingyang County; surely he doesn't fear she won't marry?

Translation: His daughter, born of a concubine but still surnamed Luo, who knows how many families in Qingyang County desire her—could he still fear she won't marry?

However.

Translation: However.

Now we know, Liu Dongzhu's newborn child has not only been valued by Daoist Xuanqing, but also highly regarded by Luo Liang and Luo Quan.

Translation: Now known, Liu Dongzhu's newborn child has not only been valued by Daoist Xuanqing, but also valued by Luo Liang and Luo Quan.

Even if he lacks talent and can't see Wang Ping'an's excellence, the fact that these individuals esteem him is enough to show that Wang Ping'an is extraordinary.

Translation: Even if he lacks talent and cannot see Wang Ping'an's excellence, the fact that these people take notice is enough to show that Wang Ping'an is extraordinary.

Under these circumstances, if he originally just had a half-hearted idea of trying his luck, he now genuinely wants to fully ally with the Wang family.

Translation: Under these circumstances, if he originally merely entertained the idea of "betting on dates with nothing to lose," he now truly wishes to fully ally with the Wang Family through marriage.

Even if they take the initiative, even if word gets out, it would damage their reputation.

Translation: Even if they take the initiative, even if it gets out and damages their reputation,

He still wants to do it!

Translation: he still wants to do this!

Their family is now wealthy and prestigious, top-notch in Qingyang County, yet he knows the adage that wealth rarely lasts three generations; to keep the Luo family prosperous generation after generation, aside from having outstanding descendants,

Translation: Their family, now a wealthy and noble household, is top-notch in Qingyang County; although the principle that wealth doesn't last three generations, he still understands it—wanting the Luo family to remain prosperous generation after generation, aside from having outstanding descendants in the clan,

they also need capable assistants!

Translation: they also need capable aides!

Furthermore, given the esteem of Daoist Xuanqing, Luo Liang, and Luo Quan for Wang Ping'an, it's possible that Wang Ping'an could help the Luo family rise even higher.

Translation: Moreover, given how Daoist Xuanqing, Luo Liang, and Luo Quan value Wang Ping'an, it's possible that Wang Ping'an could enable the Luo family to rise another level.

You have reached this point in the novel.

Translation: This novel you have reached

Such things have happened before.

Translation: Such things have indeed happened before.

He has heard countless tales of a single person attaining the Dao and bringing their chickens and dogs to heaven.

Translation: The tale of one person attaining the Dao and causing chickens and dogs to ascend to heaven, he has heard it countless times.

"Luo Elder, I would naturally never do something like breaking up a mandarin duck pair!"

Translation: "Luo Grandee, I naturally would not do anything to thwart their love!"

Liu Dongzhu took a deep breath, suppressing his complex emotions, and warned: "Just so you know, if our Ping'an doesn't unite with your daughter, it could very well affect her for life!"

Translation: Liu Dongzhu took a deep breath, suppressed her complex emotions, and warned, "Just this: if our Ping'an fails to achieve a good match with your daughter, it could very well affect her for life!"

"I trust my daughter; she will surely be able to unite with your Ping'an!"

Translation: "I believe my daughter will surely achieve a good match with your Ping'an!"

Luo Taicing's face was full of confidence.

Translation: Luo Taiqing's face was full of confidence.

He naturally understood Liu Dongzhu's meaning, but he also understood a principle: to reap rich rewards, one must invest, and there's always the risk of wasted effort.

Translation: He naturally understood Liu Dongzhu's meaning, but he also understood another principle: to reap rich rewards requires investment, and there is also the risk of futile effort.

Since his daughter bears the Luo name and enjoys the family's benefits, she too must contribute to the Luo family, and he himself is no exception.

Translation: Since his daughter bears the Luo surname and enjoys the benefits brought by the Luo family, she too must contribute to the Luo family—even he as the head of the household is no exception.

"Third steward, handle the house-building matter; you will negotiate with Chief Cheng!"

Translation: "Third Steward, handle the house-building matter; negotiate with Chief Cheng!"

Luo Taicing gave an order, then turned to Wang Lin and said: "Old brother Wang, I hope you give more thought to what I just said; once you've decided, feel free to come find me anytime—I have other business, so I'll take my leave now."

Translation: Luo Taiqing gave an order, then said to Wang Lin, "Brother Wang, I hope you give more thought to what I just said; once you've figured it out, feel free to come find me anytime—I have other business, so I'll take my leave now!"

Wang Lin said: "Luo Elder, I'll see you off!"

Translation: Wang Lin said, "Luo Grandee, I'll see you off!"

"Something's off, this is really off!"

Translation: '"Something's off, this is totally off!"'

Wang Ping'an watched Luo Taicing stride away, his face instantly turning extremely strange.

Translation: Wang Ping'an watched Luo Taiqing's briskly departing back, his face instantly turning extremely strange.

Luo Taicing coming to act as a spokesman for Luo Quan surprised him, yet it wasn't unexpected; from the spy Little Gray, he gained a rough understanding of Luo Quan and Luo Liang's schemes.

Translation: Luo Taiqing coming to act as a spokesman for Luo Quan surprised him, yet it wasn't unexpected; from the spy Little Gray, he gained a rough understanding of Luo Quan and Luo Liang's schemes.

However.

Translation: However.

Luo Taiqing said he was a guest, but it would be better to say he came to remind Xuanqing Daozhang; if he truly wanted him to take Luo Quan as his master, there was absolutely no need to buy land and build a house near his home.

Could it be they're preparing for a protracted battle?

(End of chapter)