Chapter 171

Li Qingluo said, "Exactly. I heard that the Liu family's midwife, who deliberately switched my baby years ago, has died in prison. Rumor has it her death was suspicious—she might have been tortured or poisoned."

We need to keep it concise but faithful. Use Li Qingluo: "By the way, I heard that the midwife who deliberately swapped me back then in the Liu family has already died in prison; rumors say her death was suspicious, as if she suffered severe punishment, or as if she died of poison."

Make sure it's one line.

Recently officials have been making several trips to the Liu household. When you go to visit your close friends there, don't forget to pass along my greetings—after all, the bond between our families isn't something that can be dismissed in a day.

Translation: "Recently the authorities have been running to the Liu family several times; when you go to the Liu family to visit your good sisters, don't forget to also pass along my regards, after all the affinity between our two families isn't something that can be dismissed in a day."

We need to keep it one line.

As Li Qingluo spoke, her gaze slowly swept over Pan Li and the others.

Translation: Li Qingluo said this, and her gaze slowly fell upon Pan Li and the others.

Make sure to keep "Li Qingluo" as per glossary.

Pan Li sprang up with a "whoosh": "Li Qingluo, you—you're going too far!"

We need to render the sound effect as a "whoosh". So: Pan Li jumped up with a "whoosh": "Li Qingluo, you, you're going too far!"

But we need to keep the sound effect as English sound word: maybe "Whoosh—". Use "Whoosh—". So: Pan Li sprang up with a "Whoosh—": "Li Qingluo, you, you're going too far!"

"What lowly status does Liu Qinzhu have now? After the disgusting things she's done, we're no longer on the same path—we despise her and can't even bring ourselves to see her!"

Translation: "What lowly status does Liu Qinzhu have now? She's done those disgusting things; we long ago ceased to be on the same path as her—disdain is still too kind, how could we possibly go see her!?"

We need to keep punctuation.

"Besides, we don't care how that old poisonous woman died!"

Translation: "Besides, how that old poisonous woman died is none of our concern!"

Li Qingluo curled her lips into a smile: "Is that so? Pan Li, remember what you said today—I'm not the only one who heard it."

Translation: Li Qingluo curled her lips in a smile: "Is that so? Pan Li, remember what you said today—it wasn't just me who heard it."

Pan Li suddenly trembled all over.

Translation: Pan Li suddenly trembled all over.

She—she, what does she mean by that?

Translation: She, she—what did she mean by that?

She suddenly felt a prickling sensation on her back, as if someone were staring at her intently.

Translation: She only felt a sudden prickling at her back, as if someone was staring at her intently.

Before Pan Li could turn around, she heard a familiar voice: "Pan, Li! I never imagined you'd be this kind of person!"

Translation: Before Pan Li could turn her head, she heard a familiar voice: "Pan, Li! I never expected you to be this kind of person!"

Pan Li turned pale as she turned her head, seeing Liu Qinzhu dressed in plain white clothes, no makeup, with only a white jade hairpin as adornment.

Translation: Pan Li turned her head, pale-faced, and saw Liu Qinzhu dressed in plain clothes, no makeup, with only a white jade hairpin as adornment.

She swayed as if a gust of wind might knock her over, standing there pitifully in the cold wind.

Translation: She seemed as if a gust of wind could blow her over, standing pitifully in the cold wind.

Her eyes filled with tears, she looked at Pan Li with a mixture of resentment and sorrow—her once closest confidante.

Translation: Her eyes filled with tears, she gazed at Pan Li with resentment and sorrow—this girl who had once been her closest bosom friend.

She never imagined that Liu Qinzhu would betray her so openly, both behind her back and to her face!

Translation: It seemed she never imagined that now she would also be stabbed in the back, in front of others!

Liu Qinzhu seemed utterly heartbroken, swaying on the spot as if she might collapse.

Translation: Liu Qinzhu seemed to have her heart utterly broken, swaying on the verge of collapse as she wobbled in place a few times.

It had long been rumored that Liu Qinzhu had lost her voice.

Translation: It had long been heard that Liu Qinzhu's voice was ruined.

Although she appeared frail, when she spoke her voice was hoarse and hard to listen to, making it difficult to tell whether she was male or female, which clashed strangely with her appearance.

Translation: But although she is so frail, the sound she makes when she opens her mouth is hoarse and unpleasant, indistinguishable between male and female, which, combined with that face, feels truly discordant and strange.

Everyone's faces showed strange expressions, yet she remained lost in her grief: "We've known each other for over a decade, playing together since childhood—we were the closest of confidantes. I never thought you would treat me like this!"

Translation: Everyone's faces were strange, yet she remained immersed in her own grief: "We've known each other for over ten years, playing together since childhood; we were the closest of confidantes. I never expected you to treat me like this now!"

Pan Li screamed as if she had seen a ghost: "How can you possibly be here?!"

Translation: Pan Li screamed as if seeing a ghost: "How can you still come here?"

It's no wonder Pan Li is so shocked.

Translation: No wonder Pan Li is so surprised.

Once the noble eldest daughter of the general's manor, she had her origins exposed overnight, and her reputation fell like filth.

Translation: Once the golden, noble eldest daughter of the General's Manor, once her background was exposed, she became as despised as mud, her reputation ruined.

After being expelled from the general's manor, she returned to her impoverished home—how could she possibly attend a gathering of Jinling's noble ladies now?

Translation: After being expelled from the General's Manor and returning to her impoverished home, how could she possibly still attend a gathering of Jinling's noble ladies?

"It was I who brought her here! Do you have any objections?"

Translation: "It was this palace that brought her here! What, do you have any objections?"

A graceful, slender woman with an icy, unmatched beauty stepped forward from behind.

Translation: A woman with a graceful, slender figure and icy, unmatched beauty walked forward from behind.

She was followed by four senior maids, and Queer whispered, "Miss, these maids all seem skilled."

Translation: Behind her followed four senior maidservants; Que'er whispered, "Miss, these maids all seem skilled."

Li Qingluo observed the woman without changing her expression; seeing all the other ladies immediately drop to their knees, she also rose to her feet.

Translation: Li Qingluo assessed the woman she was seeing for the first time without changing her expression; seeing all the ladies beside her immediately drop to their knees, she also rose.

"Greetings, Princess Qin Yu!"

Translation: "Greetings, Princess Qin Yu!"

"Princess Qin Yu?!"

Translation: Princess Qin Yu!?

"She is Princess Qin Yu?!"

Translation: She is Princess Qin Yu!?

Although Li Qingluo had never seen her before, she had heard her name in her previous life!

Translation: Although Li Qingluo had never seen her before, she had already heard her name in her previous life!

Among the noble ladies of Jinling today, she is renowned as the foremost.

Translation: Among the noble ladies of Jinling today, she is the foremost, unmatched in reputation.

It is said that her literary and artistic talents rival those of men; she is skilled in horseback riding and archery, and excels at music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

Translation: It is said that her literary talent is not inferior to a man's; she is proficient in horseback riding and archery, and in music, chess, calligraphy and painting she excels at each.

Most striking of all is her appearance.

Translation: The most astonishing thing about her is her appearance.

Her beauty is unparalleled, a national treasure.

Translation: Stunningly beautiful, a national treasure.

She is a princess of the state of Chu, and her mother is the current emperor's paternal aunt.

Translation: She is a princess of the Great Chu state; her birth mother is the current emperor's paternal aunt.

When Princess Qin Yu's mother married into Chu, she gave birth to Qin Yu, but sadly, when Qin Yu was four, her mother fell ill and passed away.

Translation: When the mother of Princess Qin Yu married into Great Chu, she gave birth to Qin Yu; unfortunately, at age four Qin Yu fell ill and passed away.

Qin Yu cried and fussed constantly, and she herself fell ill as well.

Translation: Qin Yu cried and fussed all day, and also fell ill.

At that time, the Liang kingdom's Princess Yue, the consort of the Prince of Su, happened to be returning home to visit her family.

Translation: At that time, it so happened that the Liang Empress Dowager Yue, who was returning to the country to visit her parents, appeared.

She was also the mother of the Prince of Su.

Translation: The Empress Dowager Yue is none other than the mother of Prince Su.

She too was a Chu princess who had been sent in marriage to Liang, and it was said that she once enjoyed supreme favor in the Liang palace.

Translation: She too was a princess of Great Chu; after marrying into Liang through a marriage alliance, it is said that she once enjoyed supreme favor throughout the Liang harem.

Spring nights are short and the sun rises high; from then on the king ceased holding early court.

Translation: Spring nights are short, the sun rises high; from then on the king no longer holds early court.

At the time, the populace constantly shouted this saying, and some rumors claimed she would be a calamitous enchantress who would bring ruin to the state.

Translation: At that time the common folk shouted this every day, and some spread rumors that she would be a calamitous seductress who would bring disaster to the state and people.

Yet when the Princess Yue embraced Qin Yu, the latter seemed to have found her mother and stopped crying and fussing altogether.

Translation: Yet when Empress Dowager Yue embraced Princess Qin Yu, the princess seemed to have seen her own mother, and thereafter she stopped crying and fussing.

Later, Princess Yue personally cared for her, and Qin Yu gradually recovered.

Translation: Later, it was Empress Dowager Yue who personally cared for her, and Qin Yu gradually recovered.

When Princess Yue returned to Liang, somehow she persuaded her brother to bring Qin Yu back to Liang as well.

Translation: When Empress Dowager Yue returned to Liang, somehow she persuaded her brother to bring Qin Yu back to Liang as well.

From then on, the Chu princess Qin Yu remained in Liang.

Translation: From then on, the Chu princess Qin Yu remained in Liang.

Initially, Princess Qin Yu lived beside Princess Yue in the palace, accompanying the Prince of Su; after Princess Yue's death, she moved out of the palace together with the Prince of Su.

Translation: Initially Princess Qin Yu lived in the palace beside Empress Dowager Yue, accompanying Prince Su; after the empress dowager's death, she moved out of the imperial palace together with Prince Su.

It is said that she now resides in a princess's mansion adjacent to the Prince of Su's residence.

Translation: It is said that she now resides in a princess's mansion beside Prince Su's residence.

Although she is a foreign princess, the Liang emperor never regarded her as an outsider; since her arrival in Liang, he has continued to grant her the same princess treatment she enjoyed in Chu.

Translation: Although she is a foreign princess, the Liang emperor has never treated her as an outsider; since her arrival in Liang, he has continually allowed her to enjoy the same princess treatment she had in Chu.

Moreover, the emperor now dotes on her as if she were his own daughter.

Translation: Even the emperor now dotes on her greatly, as if she were his own biological daughter.

The Liang emperor also instructs his subjects to show respect to Princess Qin Yu as they would to a native princess, without any breach of etiquette.

Translation: The Liang emperor also has the Liang people treat Princess Qin Yu with respect, as if she were a native princess, and not be rude.

Gradually, thanks to her own excellence, Princess Qin Yu has earned countless accolades in both Chu and Liang.

Translation: Gradually, combined with Princess Qin Yu's own excellence, she has garnered countless beautiful reputations in both Chu and Liang.

Although she occasionally returns to Chu, she spends most of her time residing in Liang.

Translation: Although she now often returns to Chu, she spends more time residing in Liang.

Through her own efforts, she has become a princess shared by both states, and she has built a bridge of peace between them.

Translation: By her own efforts she has become a princess shared by the two states, and she has also built a bridge of peace between them.

It is said that the Prince of Su has delayed his marriage because he is waiting for Princess Qin Yu.

Translation: It is said that Prince Su has delayed settling on a marriage because he is waiting for Princess Qin Yu.

Li Qingluo had heard of Princess Qin Yu's reputation in her previous life; upon seeing her grace and beauty today, she thought, "Indeed, the fame is not undeserved."

Translation: In her previous life Li Qingluo had already heard of Princess Qin Yu's fame; upon seeing her today, her bearing and beauty made her think: indeed the reputation is not undeserved.

Together with the Prince of Su, they truly are a match of talent and beauty—a perfect pair ordained by heaven.

Translation: Together with Prince Su, they are truly a match of talent and beauty, a heavenly ordained couple.

Princess Qin Yu raised her hand, signaling everyone to rise.

Translation: Princess Qin Yu raised her hand, signaling everyone to rise.

Then she walked straight up to Princess Nanping and warmly took her hand: "Princess Nanping, I just happened to return yesterday and caught your horse‑riding gathering; I hope you don't mind my uninvited coming."

"Do you still remember? When you were eight, I once saw you."

"Princess Qin Yu affectionately tapped Princess South Screen's nose, but Princess South Screen awkwardly dodged."

"She reluctantly said: 'I don't remember, but I know you. According to seniority, I should call you aunt, although it's not exactly proper.'"

"Facing South Screen's coldness and ridicule, Qin Yu didn't care much."

"She smiled and said: 'You can just call me Qin Yu. I'm only three or four years older than you.'"

"South Screen: 'Oh, Qin Yu.'"

"Her lack of courtesy actually made Qin Yu quite happy."

"Others exchanged glances, thinking: 'Why exactly did Princess Qin Yu come today? And why did she bring Liu Qingzhu?'"

"Liu Qingzhu's reputation is like that; how could Princess Qin Yu still bring her to such an occasion, isn't she afraid of losing face?"

"This Liu Qingzhu really is thick-skinned; after such an incident she should just die, not to mention dying would preserve her face, yet she still has the nerve to show up and wander about."

"Many noblewomen present felt ashamed and indignant, wishing to leave immediately, utterly unwilling to be in the same occasion as her."

"Seeing everyone's expressions, Princess Qin Yu then said: 'It's already hard enough for women in the world; why make things difficult for her?'"

"'Even if she did some over-the-line things, the matter of her identity being swapped for a thousand gold back then was not something she could control, nor was it her fault. Now her maternal grandmother has already passed away, which can be considered as atoning with her death.'"

"'She is currently in mourning; the Fourth Imperial Cousin pities her and has already taken her into Prince Yun's Mansion.'"

"'Today, I, the palace, have also been entrusted by the Fourth Imperial Cousin to bring her out to relax; everyone, please don't make things difficult for her over past matters, okay?'"

"Princess Qin Yu said these words amiably, yet it startled everyone greatly."

"Has Prince Yun already taken Liu Qingzhu into his mansion?"

"Does Your Highness truly feel such deep affection for her?"

"She just recently caused the death of Your Highness's offspring, yet Your Highness can overlook it?"

"This Liu Qingzhu really is capable!"

"Having committed such a grave mistake, she actually manages to induce Prince Yun to do such absurd things!"

"Now she can even enter Prince Yun's Mansion while in mourning; perhaps she has already bewitched Your Highness to the point of losing his mind?"

"Even though Princess Qin Yu spoke a few words for Liu Qingzhu, most of the young ladies still dare not agree with this."

"Although she was innocent in having her identity swapped back then, she originally was of low status, yet she passed herself off as the legitimate eldest daughter of the Jiangjun Fu for years, taking all the benefits; to the original bloodline of the Jiangjun Fu, is it just a matter of an old woman dying and that's it?"

"When everyone imagines this happening to themselves, if they were also swapped with a commoner's identity, they could never forgive it in their hearts."

"The crowd chattered; Liu Qingzhu stood alone at the side, biting her lip tightly and lowering her head."

"The grievances she has suffered these days truly have become more than she can bear."

"That day, after leaving the Jiangjun Fu, although she was taken away by Prince Yun's guards, she did not immediately see Prince Yun's person."

"In the private residence, after several days, her injuries had mostly healed, and then Prince Yun arrived leisurely."

"As soon as he saw her, Prince Yun gave her a cold shoulder."

"Look at your Jiangjun Fu, you've done a good deed this time! You got me scolded in front of the imperial father, and my face is about to be lost because of you!"

"Knowing Prince Yun was angry, Liu Qingzhu hurriedly took off her clothes and clung to Prince Yun."

"Your Highness, no matter what, let Zhu'er serve you once more..."

"Now she is so thin that her waist can be encircled with one hand, her face no bigger than a palm, looking frail and easy to bully."

"But the parts that should be soft are still soft."

"I don't know where she learned her seductive tricks; after a few moves, Prince Yun could no longer restrain himself, rolling with her onto the bed."

"Afterward, Liu Qingzhu picked up her clothes, intending to sneak away, but Prince Yun grabbed her."

"'Where are you going? Did I let you leave?'"

"Liu Qingzhu turned and knelt on the ground, looking ashamed: 'It's Zhu'er's ill fortune, always implicating Your Highness in the emperor's reprimand. So just now… I will consider it as having fulfilled myself and Your Highness's final dream; after it's over… Zhu'er should also depart.'"

"Upon hearing this, Prince Yun sat up."

"What did you say? Li Qingzhu, you need to make it clear!"

"Liu Qingzhu wept and gave a bleak smile: 'Your Highness, Zhu'er no longer bears the surname Li. That day, after Zhu'er and Your Highness gave in to our feelings… returning to the Jiangjun Fu, Zhu'er ought to have died.'"

"'But Zhu'er cannot bear to part with Your Highness! So Zhu'er clung to life in a disgraceful way… Now, everyone in the Jiangjun Fu resents me, despises me to the extreme… Zhu'er has already been expelled from the household, Your Highness, don't you know?'"

"Prince Yun certainly knows!"

"This matter is what angers him the most!"

"What he initially valued, although there was also affection for Li Qingzhu, he also had intentions to win over the Jiangjun Fu behind her; otherwise, when Li Kechuan broke into his private residence before, he would have had to punish the entire clan!"

"But now she has been expelled from the Jiangjun Fu like this; isn't all that effort wasted?"