Chapter 136

He is versed in both civil and military arts, striking in appearance. Though not the heir of our duke's manor, he has won the great grandfather's deep affection and has been raised by his side since childhood.

Translation: He is accomplished in both civil and military affairs, outstanding in appearance. Although he is not the heir of our duke's mansion, he has long been favored by the great grandfather and has grown up beside him since childhood.

Note: To preserve the exact meaning: skilled in both civil and military affairs; striking in appearance; although he is not the heir of our duke's mansion; but he has deeply won the great grandfather's favor; he has grown up beside the great grandfather since childhood.

We'll produce: He is accomplished in both civil and military affairs, outstanding in appearance. Although he is not the heir of our duke's mansion, he has long been favored by the great grandfather and has grown up beside him since childhood.

Make sure no extra words.

Everything he knows was taught directly by the great grandfather.

Translation: Everything he knows was personally taught by the great grandfather.

Though the great grandfather is hot-tempered, he reserves a kind and benevolent side just for him.

Translation: The great grandfather is violent in temperament, but toward him he also has a side of kindness.

He is currently the only one who can still be close to the great grandfather in person.

Translation: He is also now the only person who can still get close to the great grandfather.

Pei Sanlang!

Translation: Pei Sanlang!

Li Qingluo has never forgotten him.

Translation: Li Qingluo has not forgotten this person.

At the charity house, if I hadn't hidden him in the carriage, he would have been caught red-handed by Prince Su.

Translation: That time at the Charitable Estate, if I had not hidden him in the carriage, he would surely have been caught red‑handed by Prince Su.

I never imagined he would be my chance to get close to the old Duke Pei.

Translation: I never expected that he would be my hope of getting close to the Old Duke Pei.

But this is even better—he still owes her a favor, so he might actually manage to get it done!

Translation: But this is even better; this person still owes her a favor, so he might actually manage to pull this off!

Li Qingluo finally felt a little more relieved.

Translation: Li Qingluo finally felt a little more at ease.

Then I'll have to trouble Nan Jia to put in a good word for me.

Translation: "Then I'll trouble Nan Jia to help me recommend."

Pei Nan Jia smiled and said, "What's so hard about that? My third brother has been coming to Si Yuan every few days lately; if I remember correctly, he should be here today."

Translation: Pei Nanja smiled: "What's difficult about that? My third brother comes over to the Thought Garden every few days; if I'm not mistaken, he should be here today."

In the afternoon, Li Qingluo showed off her archery by adjusting the bow and shooting arrows for Pei Nan Jia in the courtyard.

Translation: In the afternoon, Li Qingluo showed off her archery skill by adjusting Pei Nanja's bow and shooting arrows in the courtyard.

Her graceful, spirited bearing as she held the bow and arrow delighted Pei Nan Jia.

Translation: Her spirited bearing when holding the bow and arrow delighted Pei Nanja.

Li Qingluo hit the bullseye again, and Pei Nan Jia jumped up, cheering and clapping his hands beside her.

Translation: Li Qingluo hit the bullseye again, and Pei Nanja jumped and shouted beside her, clapping her hands.

"Qingluo, you're amazing! Indeed, you're the sort who stays quiet until you make a stunning debut."

Translation: "Qingluo, you're amazing! Indeed, you stay silent until you make a stunning debut."

"Those are just ordinary skills any girl would have; they don't amount to anything. Even if you can't do them, so what? You are you, and your reputation is truly deserved."

Translation: "Those ordinary skills that common girls know are nothing; even if you can't do them, it doesn't matter—you are you, truly living up to your reputation!"

Li Qingluo blushed from Pei Nan Jia's praise.

Translation: Li Qingluo's face flushed from Pei Nanja's praise.

Yet she was curious: "What does 'not an empty reputation' mean?"

Translation: Yet she was also curious: "What does 'living up to one's reputation' mean?"

Pei Nan Jia's eyes shifted and she said, "Someone said you're a heroine among women!"

Translation: Pei Nanja's eyes shifted: "Some say you are a heroine among women."

Before Li Qingluo could grasp Pei Nan Jia's meaning, a servant arrived to report: "Miss Twelve, the third master has just entered the mansion."

Translation: Before Li Qingluo understood Pei Nanja's meaning, a servant came to report: "Twelfth Miss, the Third Master has just entered the mansion."

Pei Nan Jia immediately took Li Qingluo's hand and said, "I'll take you to find the third brother!"

Translation: Pei Nanja immediately grabbed Li Qingluo and said: "I'll take you to find my third brother!"

The scenery of Si Yuan is wintry and uniquely exquisite.

Translation: The scenery of the Thought Garden is exquisite in its own way, even in winter.

However, Si Yuan is quite small, delicate and exquisite, consisting of three main halls and five small courtyards.

Translation: The Thought Garden is merely small and delicate, consisting of a three‑section main residence and five small courtyards.

Li Qingluo has been here for three days; only one courtyard appears inhabited, but its gate stays tightly closed all day.

Translation: Li Qingluo has been here three days, but only one courtyard shows signs of occupancy, yet its gate remains shut all day.

When passing by again, Pei Nan Jia's steps became much lighter without her realizing it.

Translation: Whenever she passed by again, Pei Nanja's steps unconsciously grew lighter.

Li Qingluo isn't usually nosy, but smelling the medicinal fragrance drifting from inside, she couldn't help asking, "Who exactly lives inside?"

Translation: Li Qingluo is not usually meddlesome, but smelling wafts of medicinal fragrance from inside, she couldn't help asking: "Who exactly lives in there?"

On the second day, while Pei Nan Jia was showing Li Qingluo around the garden, she mentioned that she should stay away from that courtyard.

Translation: On the second day of her visit, while strolling the garden with Pei Nanja, she had already been told not to approach that courtyard.

Li Qingluo didn't think much more about it.

Translation: Li Qingluo therefore gave it no further thought.

But it's quite obvious that a guest is still staying inside.

Translation: But it is quite obvious that someone else is still staying inside.

Moreover, this guest is in poor health.

Translation: And this person is in poor health.

Pei Nan Jia raised a finger, waited until they were out of earshot, then said: "He is my third brother's jianghu friend. His health is extremely poor—he can't tolerate even the slightest wind or snow. He can't leave the house all winter, and they had already lit the underground heating two months ago."

Translation: Pei Nanja raised a finger, and only after they had walked away did she say: "He is my third brother's jianghu friend. His health is extremely poor; he cannot withstand even the slightest wind or snow. He cannot leave the house all winter, and moreover, two months ago we already lit the ground‑heating system."

Li Qingluo said, "Jinling isn't that cold; they lit the underground heating two months ago?"

Translation: Li Qingluo: "Jinling isn't that cold; why light the ground‑heating two months ago?"

Moreover, isn't underground heating something only found in the north?

Translation: Moreover, isn't the ground‑heating something only found in the north?

Was the underground heating in Si Yuan installed specifically for this person?

Translation: Is this Thought Garden's ground‑heating installed just for him?

But ultimately this has nothing to do with her, so she doesn't worry about it.

Translation: But in the end this has nothing to do with her, and she didn't give it a second thought.

Pei Nan Jia brought Li Qingluo running to the front courtyard, where they saw Pei Sanlang.

Translation: Pei Nanja brought Li Qingluo running to the front courtyard, where they saw Pei Sanlang.

"Third brother! Let me introduce you: this is my good friend, Li Qingluo, daughter of the Li family!"

Translation: "Third brother! Let me introduce you—this is my good sister I've made friends with, Li Qingluo of the Li family!"

Pei Sanlang was standing sideways, listening to a subordinate, when he heard his cousin's voice and turned, his eyes meeting Li Qingluo's gaze.

Translation: Pei Sanlang was sideways, listening to a subordinate, but hearing his cousin's voice he turned his head and his gaze met Li Qingluo's.

He gave her a deep look.

Translation: He gave her a deep look.

Is it her?

Translation: Was it her?

That day, to avoid Prince Su, he once hid in her carriage.

Translation: That day, to evade Prince Su, he had once hidden in her carriage.

She didn't panic or scream like other ladies; she didn't even ask him a question before hiding him away.

Translation: She did not panic or scream like other girls; without even asking him a question, she simply hid him away.

And his successful escape that time was entirely thanks to her.

Translation: And his smooth escape that time was entirely thanks to her.

Pei Sanlang didn't know that Shi Er Niang had brought her to Si Yuan.

Translation: Pei Sanlang did not know that Twelfth Lady had brought her to the Thought Garden.

But he does know that Shi Er Niang has recently become very close to her.

Translation: But he certainly knew that Twelfth Lady has recently become very close to her.

Shi Er Niang privately mentioned this to him, worried that her association with the Li family lady would upset the elders.

Translation: Twelfth Lady had also mentioned this to him in private, fearing that her friendship with the Li family lady would upset the elders.

Pei Qinghong said at the time: "When you two branches do things, when will you ever please these family members? Just do what you want, and you'll have already offended them thoroughly."

Translation: Pei Qinghong then said: "What have you two branches ever done to please these people? Just do what you want—anyway, you've already offended them thoroughly."

Actually, it's just because that person is her.

Translation: Actually, it's only because that person is her.

Otherwise, how could he have incited Shi Er Niang to provoke more criticism and blame within the household?

Translation: Otherwise, how could he have urged Twelfth Lady to provoke even more criticism and blame within the household?

Pei Qinghong didn't lose his composure; he turned, clasped his hands, and politely said: "It turns out to be Miss Li Two here; I didn't know you were also in Si Yuan. My arrival must have been an intrusion. If there's any shortcoming in Jia'er's hospitality, please forgive."

Translation: Pei Qinghong showed no loss of composure, turning and clasping his hands in a humble greeting: "It turns out to be Second Miss Li here; I didn't realize you were also in the Thought Garden, so my appearance must have been an intrusion. If there's any shortfall in Jia'er's hospitality, please forgive."

Li Qingluo also gave a sideways salute: "I've met Master Pei San; sorry for the disturbance."

Translation: Li Qingluo also returned the salute sideways: "I've met Third Master Pei; sorry for the disturbance."

They behaved as if meeting for the first time—polite and distant, not daring to exchange even a glance.

Translation: They behaved as if meeting for the first time, polite and distant, not daring to let their eyes meet even a little.

Pei Nan Jia looked between the two of them.

Translation: Pei Nanja looked between them.

Do they really not know each other?

Translation: Do they really not know each other?

But where did the third brother hear that Qingluo is an extraordinary heroine among women?

Translation: But where did my third brother hear that Qingluo is an extraordinary heroine among women?

She stroked her chin, narrowed her eyes, and sensed something flirtatious between the two of them.

Translation: She stroked her chin, narrowed her eyes, and felt there was something flirtatious between the two.

"Third brother, Qingluo, why are you being so formal? By relation, Qingluo is still our cousin! Qingluo, you should also call the third brother 'cousin brother'!"

Translation: "Third brother, Qingluo, why are you being so polite? By relation, Qingluo is still our cousin! Qingluo, you should also call him 'cousin brother'!"

"So let's drop the formalities like 'Miss Li Two' and 'Master Pei San'. Using cousin titles would be much more intimate."

Translation: "So let's drop the 'Second Miss Li' and 'Third Master Pei'—wouldn't calling each other cousin brother and sister be more intimate?"

Pei Qinghong gave a generous smile: "Jiaer is right. Cousin Li!"

He first called his sister; Li Qingluo could only steel herself and shout: "Cousin Brother Pei!"

Grandmother's wish to acknowledge kin was sincere, so she thereby drew them closer; Li Qingluo also felt nothing amiss.

It was just right; though men and women should keep apart, now that they were called cousins, even speaking together would not be blamed.

Pei Nan Jia didn't forget the matter: "Right, Third Brother! Actually, Qingluo has something she wants to ask you for; this matter indeed requires your help!"

Pei Qing Hong was somewhat surprised; finally, openly, he let his gaze rest on Li Qingluo's face.

"Oh? What is it? Cousin, speak freely; if I can help, I will certainly not shirk my duty."

"Just to repay her kindness from that day."

But when the three had seated themselves in a quiet place, after Li Qingluo laid out the matter, Pei Qing Hong felt somewhat embarrassed.

"Great-grandfather's current state is such that even if you go to see him, you may not necessarily get what you want."

Li Qingluo: "Duke, do you truly hate my grandmother that much?"

Pei Qing Hong shook his head: "No. Actually, he hardly remembers anything anymore. Sometimes lucid, sometimes muddled. If one says when he is lucid, he occasionally still murmurs his great-aunt's name... but I feel that is not hatred."

Li Qingluo's originally heavy heart suddenly heated up again.

"Could it be that, when he is lucid, you take me to see him?"

Pei Qing Hong: "But his lucid moments are now growing ever fewer; moreover, when he slips into confusion, he becomes extremely frenzied and violent."

"These days, even I cannot get too close to him, let alone others."

"Let me put it this way, great-grandfather: if he weren't taking medicine, he would have died years ago. But medicine is three-part poison; he used it so fiercely and ruthlessly back then that it reduced him to this neither-human-nor-ghost state."

"Cousin, if you want to see great-grandfather, never mind whether you can enter the estate; even if you do, you, such a fresh and tender young maiden, great-grandfather seeing you will instantly go mad and suffer that blood-drinking ailment."