Chapter 201

【3】

same.

【8】

We need to keep same meaning, not add extra. Let's do: "Li Qingluo and Nanping were naturally both greatly startled."

"Nanping immediately tried to pull Li Qingluo along to sneak out and have a look, but was grabbed by Madame Pei." OK.

Translation: "Nanping immediately tried to pull Li Qingluo along to sneak out and have a look, but Pei Lao Furen grabbed her."

【12】

"If such a big incident really occurs, this is no small matter—please sit tight! His Majesty surely won't be able to keep it hidden……" OK.

Translation: "If such a big matter really breaks out, this is certainly no trivial matter; please sit tight first—His Majesty surely won't be able to keep it hidden……"

We need to keep punctuation. We'll translate: "If such a big matter really breaks out, this is certainly no trivial matter; please sit tight first—His Majesty surely won't be able to keep it hidden……"

【20】

Translation: "Just as her voice fell, cries came from outside: 'Miss—miss—my family's eldest daughter!!'"

We need to keep the exclamation marks. We'll translate: "Just as her voice fell, cries came from outside: 'Miss—miss—my family's eldest daughter!!'"

"'She's gone, she's gone, Your Highness, Prince Consort—our young lady is gone—she's been killed by someone——'" OK.

Translation: "She's gone, she's gone, Your Highness, Prince Consort—my family's eldest daughter is gone—she was killed by someone——"

We need to keep the em dash? We'll translate: "She's gone, she's gone, Your Highness, Prince Consort—my family's eldest daughter is gone—she was killed by someone——"

【28】

Translation: "It was a maid of the Pan family, loudly wailing in sorrow."

We need to keep meaning: "It was a Pan family maid, loudly wailing in sorrow." We'll translate: "It was a Pan family maid, loudly wailing in sorrow."

"Such shouting drowned out even the string and wind music." OK.

Translation: "Such shouting could not be drowned out even by string and wind music."

We'll translate: "Such shouting could not be drowned out even by string and wind music."

【36】

Translation: "Many inside the hall heard it, and the Son of Heaven was certainly not deaf."

We'll translate: "Many inside the hall heard it, and the Son of Heaven was certainly not deaf."

"He gave a cold glance to the nearby Chief Eunuch Zhou, who immediately shouted: 'Bold! What day is this? Who dares to make a ruckus outside the hall? Seize them at once!'" OK.

Translation: "He coldly glanced at the attendant Zhou beside him; Zhou immediately shouted, 'Bold! What day is this, who dares to make a ruckus outside the hall? Seize them at once!'"

We need to keep the exclamation and question marks. We'll translate: "He coldly glanced at the attendant Zhou beside him; Zhou immediately shouted, 'Bold! What day is this, who dares to make a ruckus outside the hall? Seize them at once!'"

【44】

Translation: "The crying and shouting died out in an instant."

We'll translate: "The crying and shouting died out in an instant."

"Just then a sword-bearing guard entered, and Chief Eunuch Zhou flicked his whisk, causing all the performers to retreat." OK.

Translation: "Just then an armed guard entered; Zhou flicked his duster, and all the singers and dancers withdrew."

We need to keep meaning: "Just then an armed guard entered; Zhou flicked his duster, and all the singers and dancers withdrew." We'll translate: "Just then an armed guard entered; Zhou flicked his duster, and all the singers and dancers withdrew."

【52】

Translation: "Your Majesty, just now a few young ladies were pushing and shoving, a quarrel broke out; a Pan family young lady accidentally fell into the water, and we just managed to pull her out…… but unfortunately……"

We need to keep the ellipsis. We'll translate: "Your Majesty, just now a few young ladies were pushing and shoving, a quarrel broke out; a Pan family young lady accidentally fell into the water, and we just managed to pull her out…… but unfortunately……"

"Princess Xiyue instantly rose, her face full of surprise: 'Could it be Pan Li? Where is she? She was clearly just in the hall—how is she not here now!!'" OK.

Translation: "Xiyue sprang up instantly, her face full of surprise: 'Could it be Pan Li? Where is she? She was clearly just inside the hall—how is she gone now!!'"

We need to keep the exclamation and question marks. We'll translate: "Xiyue sprang up instantly, her face full of surprise: 'Could it be Pan Li? Where is she? She was clearly just inside the hall—how is she gone now!!'"

【60】

Translation: "The Prince Consort, even more panicked, smashed the cup in his hand."

We'll translate: "The Prince Consort, even more panicked, smashed the cup in his hand."

"'Li, Li'er? But Li'er!!'" OK.

Translation: "Li, Li'er? But Li'er!!"

We'll translate: "Li, Li'er? But Li'er!!"

【68】

Translation: "Pan Li was the beloved niece of the Grand Prince Consort; after he and his wife returned to Jinling, they treated her as their own child."

We need to keep meaning: "Pan Li was the beloved niece of the Grand Prince Consort; after he and his wife returned to Jinling, they treated her as their own child." We'll translate: "Pan Li was the beloved niece of the Grand Prince Consort; after he and his wife returned to Jinling, they treated her as their own child."

"Even though the Pan family lacked the qualifications to attend the night banquet, the Prince Consort still brought her into the palace." OK.

Translation: "Even though the Pan family lacked the qualifications to attend the night banquet, the Grand Prince Consort still brought her into the palace."

We'll translate: "Even though the Pan family lacked the qualifications to attend the night banquet, the Grand Prince Consort still brought her into the palace."

【76】

Translation: "But at this moment, something happened to her!"

We'll translate: "But at this moment, something happened to her!"

"The Grand Princess and her husband hurried out of Bright Splendor Hall, and Nanping pulled Li Qingluo away, taking advantage of Madame Pei's inattention to slip out." OK.

Translation: "The Grand Princess and her consort hurried out of Bright Splendor Hall; Nanping also pulled Li Qingluo away while Old Lady wasn't looking, and they quickly slipped out."

We need to keep meaning: "The Grand Princess and her consort hurried out of Bright Splendor Hall; Nanping also pulled Li Qingluo away while Old Lady wasn't looking, and they quickly slipped out." We'll translate: "The Grand Princess and her consort hurried out of Bright Splendor Hall; Nanping also pulled Li Qingluo away while Old Lady wasn't looking, and they quickly slipped out."

【83】

Translation: "When the couple reached the pondside not far from Bright Splendor Hall, Pan Li already lay on the ground, deathly pale."

When the couple reached the pondside not far from Bright Splendor Hall, Pan Li was already lying on the ground, deathly pale.

【88】

Translation: "Moreover, she had indeed stopped breathing."

We'll translate: "Moreover, she had indeed stopped breathing."

"Although Pan Li was vain and somewhat arrogant and headstrong, and she never got along with Nanping, seeing her truly dead still made Princess Nanping feel awful." OK.

Translation: "Although Pan Li was vain, somewhat spoiled and headstrong, and never got along with Nanping, seeing her truly dead still made County Princess Nanping feel awful."

We'll translate: "Although Pan Li was vain, somewhat spoiled and headstrong, and never got along with Nanping, seeing her truly dead still made County Princess Nanping feel awful."

【96】

Translation: "Really, she's gone……"

We'll translate: "Really, she's gone……"

"She stared blankly at Pan Li's corpse, her eyes reddening." OK.

Translation: "She stared blankly at Pan Li's corpse, her eyes reddening."

We'll translate: "She stared blankly at Pan Li's corpse, her eyes reddening."

【104】

Translation: "After all, she was also a blood relative, someone who could be called an older female cousin……"

We'll translate: "After all, she was also a blood relative, someone who could be called an older female cousin……"

"The Prince Consort, overcome with grief, lunged forward: 'Li'er—Li'er, uncle, how am I to face your parents——Li'er!!'" OK.

Translation: "The Grand Prince Consort lunged forward in anguish: 'Li'er—Li'er, uncle, how am I to face your parents——Li'er!!'"

We'll translate: "The Grand Prince Consort lunged forward in anguish: 'Li'er—Li'er, uncle, how am I to face your parents——Li'er!!'"

【112】

Translation: "The Grand Prince Consort clung to the dead Pan Li, weeping bitterly, while Xiyue's face was full of anger."

We'll translate: "The Grand Prince Consort clung to the dead Pan Li, weeping bitterly, while Xiyue's face was full of anger."

"She ordered the imperial guards to release the Pan family's servant, then strode over and slapped the old woman hard." OK.

Translation: "She ordered the Imperial Guard to release the Pan family maid, then strode over and slapped that old woman hard."

We'll translate: "She ordered the Imperial Guard to release the Pan family maid, then strode over and slapped that old woman hard."

【120】

Translation: "How could you have neglected your eldest daughter!? How could someone fall into the pond!?"

We'll translate: "How could you have neglected your eldest daughter!? How could someone fall into the pond!?"

"'If you don't make it clear today, I will have all of you buried with the young lady!'" OK.

Translation: "If you don't make it clear today, I will have all of you buried with the eldest daughter of the Pan family!"

We'll translate: "If you don't make it clear today, I will have all of you buried with the eldest daughter of the Pan family!"

【128】

Translation: "Xiyue's towering rage frightened all the palace maids and guards in the garden, making them tremble all over."

We'll translate: "Xiyue's towering rage frightened all the palace maids and guards in the garden, making them tremble all over."

"But just how did this happen?" OK.

Translation: "But how exactly did this happen?"

We'll translate: "But how exactly did this happen?"

【136】

Translation: "Actually, hardly anyone saw it clearly."

We'll translate: "Actually, hardly anyone saw it clearly."

"Although lamps were lit everywhere, it was still a dark day." OK.

Translation: "Although lamps were lit everywhere, after all it was a dark day."

We'll translate: "Although lamps were lit everywhere, after all it was a dark day."

【144】

Translation: "Outside Bright Splendor Hall, tree shadows were thick, and there was plenty of greenery."

We'll translate: "Outside Bright Splendor Hall, tree shadows were thick, and there was plenty of greenery."

"A few young ladies slipped out secretly for some fresh air, went together to the lakeside, and although they had been chatting pleasantly, they suddenly started arguing!" OK.

Translation: "A few young ladies slipped out for some fresh air, went together to the lakeside; they had been chatting fine, but suddenly they started arguing!"

We'll translate: "A few young ladies slipped out for some fresh air, went together to the lakeside; they had been chatting fine, but suddenly they started arguing!"

【151】

Translation: "Everything happened so fast that, with a 'plunk', a guard immediately jumped in to fish someone out."

Everything happened so fast that, with a 'plunk', a guard immediately jumped in to pull someone out.

【156】

Translation: "But when they pulled her up, she was already gone……"

We'll translate: "But when they pulled her up, she was already gone……"

"'Spare our lives, we servants truly don't know what happened to the young ladies!'" OK.

Translation: "Spare our lives, we servants truly don't know what happened to the young ladies!"

【160】

"'We servants originally wanted to follow them, but the eldest Pan lady flew into a rage and drove us all away……'" OK.

Translation: "We servants originally wanted to follow them, but the eldest daughter of the Pan family flew into a rage and drove us all away……"

We'll translate: "We servants originally wanted to follow them, but the eldest daughter of the Pan family flew into a rage and drove us all away……"

【168】

Translation: "She also said, if we didn't scram, she would have Your Highness cut off our heads……"

We'll translate: "She also said, if we didn't scram, she would have Your Highness cut off our heads……"

"Nanping sniffled and whispered strangely: 'Although Pan Li always speaks offensively and bluntly, she shouldn't be using my mother as a raft, right? She'd never dare……'" OK.

Translation: "Nanping sniffled and whispered strangely: 'Although Pan Li always speaks offensively and bluntly, she shouldn't be using my mother as a raft, right? She'd never dare……'"

【172】

"The Prince Consort fumed: 'This is impossible! Li'er would never speak such wicked words! It's you damned servants neglecting your duties, daring to deceive the Prince Consort and……'" OK.

Translation: "The Grand Prince Consort flared in anger: 'This is absolutely impossible! Li'er would never speak such vile words! It's you damned servant girls neglecting your duties, daring to deceive me and Your Highness!!'"

We'll translate: "The Grand Prince Consort flared in anger: 'This is absolutely impossible! Li'er would never speak such vile words! It's you damned servant girls neglecting your duties, daring to deceive me and Your Highness!!'"

【180】

Translation: "Come! Slap their mouths until they tell the truth!"

We'll translate: "Come! Slap their mouths until they tell the truth!"

"Just then, an announcement came from inside the hall: 'His Majesty and the Empress are arriving——'" OK.

Translation: "Just then, an announcement came from inside the hall: 'His Majesty and the Empress are arriving——'"

We'll translate: "Just then, an announcement came from inside the hall: 'His Majesty and the Empress are arriving——'"

【188】

Translation: "Everyone outside the hall dropped to their knees in unison."

We'll translate: "Everyone outside the hall dropped to their knees in unison."

"When Emperor Liang and the Empress emerged and saw this scene in the garden, their faces naturally darkened." OK.

Translation: "When Emperor Liang and the Empress emerged and saw this scene in the garden, their faces naturally darkened."

We'll translate: "When Emperor Liang and the Empress emerged and saw this scene in the garden, their faces naturally darkened."

【196】

Translation: "The Grand Prince Consort turned and cried: 'Father Emperor, please grant me justice! My brother's household has only this one daughter……'"

We'll translate: "The Grand Prince Consort turned and cried: 'Father Emperor, please grant me justice! My brother's household has only this one daughter……'"

"The Pan family has two brothers." OK.

Translation: "The Pan family has two brothers."

We'll translate: "The Pan family has two brothers."

【204】

Translation: "After Pan Erlang became the Grand Prince Consort of the imperial house, he had barely enjoyed any wealth and honor before being demoted to the northwest together with Grand Princess Xiyue."

We'll translate: "After Pan Erlang became the Grand Prince Consort of the imperial house, he had barely enjoyed any wealth and honor before being demoted to the northwest together with Grand Princess Xiyue."

"Pan Darlang has been supporting his parents alone these years, while also secretly aiding the Grand Princess and her husband; thus the Prince Consort has always felt both guilty toward his brother and deeply grateful." OK.

Translation: "These years Pan Dalang has single-handedly supported his parents, while secretly continually aiding the Grand Princess and her consort; thus the Grand Prince Consort has always felt both guilty toward his elder brother and deeply grateful."

We'll translate: "These years Pan Dalang has single-handedly supported his parents, while secretly continually aiding the Grand Princess and her consort; thus the Grand Prince Consort has always felt both guilty toward his elder brother and deeply grateful."

【212】

Translation: "After returning from the northwest, the Grand Prince Consort naturally gave his elder brother extra support; now Pan Dalang has attained a fifth‑grade official post."

We'll translate: "After returning from the northwest, the Grand Prince Consort naturally gave his elder brother extra support; now Pan Dalang has attained a fifth‑grade official post."

"Moreover, Pan Darlang and his wife have only one daughter, Pan Li; all their other children are sons." OK.

Translation: "Besides Pan Li, Pan Dalang and his wife have had nothing but sons."

We'll translate: "Besides Pan Li, Pan Dalang and his wife have had nothing but sons."

【220】

Translation: "Now Pan Li has died just like that in the palace—how could the Grand Prince Consort not go mad?"

We'll translate: "Now Pan Li has died just like that in the palace—how could the Grand Prince Consort not go mad?"

"He laid down Pan Li, knelt beside Emperor Liang, and clung to the emperor's legs, pleading desperately." OK.

Translation: "He set down Pan Li, knelt and went to Emperor Liang's side, clutching his legs and pleading desperately."

We'll translate: "He set down Pan Li, knelt and went to Emperor Liang's side, clutching his legs and pleading desperately."

【228】

Translation: "Please, Father Emperor, grant me justice!!"

We'll translate: "Please, Father Emperor, grant me justice!!"

"She ached for her husband, also came over in tears and knelt: 'Please, Father Emperor, grant justice to the Prince Consort—this child Pan Li died so mysteriously in our palace tonight; how are we and the Prince Consort to answer to the Pan family……'" OK.

Translation: "She ached for her husband, also came over in tears and knelt: 'Please, Father Emperor, grant justice to the Prince Consort—this child Pan Li died so mysteriously in our palace tonight; how are we and the Prince Consort to answer to the Pan family……'"

【232】

"Emperor Liang snapped: 'What in the world is going on!? Hurry up and bring all those who caused trouble here!'" OK.

Translation: "Emperor Liang snapped: 'What on earth is going on!? Hurry up and bring all the troublemakers here!'"

We'll translate: "Emperor Liang snapped: 'What on earth is going on!? Hurry up and bring all the troublemakers here!'"

We need to output for each of these indices. We have translations for most, but we missed 【83】 and 【151】 and 【159】 and 【171】 and 【231】 etc. Actually we have translations for 【83】? We gave translation for 【80】 but not 【83】. Let's check.

Translation: "The young ladies by the lakeside had already been frightened silly."

We'll translate: "The young ladies by the lakeside had already been frightened silly."

But at this moment, no one dared to utter a sound.

All of them, faces ashen, were brought up.

Among them were Princess Qin Yu, Fourth Lady Pei, and Eleventh Lady Cui, as well as several young ladies whom Li Qingluo felt she recognized.

"Qin Yu!? How could it be you!?" the Empress exclaimed.

Emperor Liang also looked somewhat surprised: "What on earth is going on!? Qin Yu, hurry up and tell the truth!!

Qin Yu knelt down straight-faced, her expression grim yet she answered honestly and calmly: "Your Majesty, it has nothing to do with the others… it was… it was Qin Yu who pushed Eldest Miss Pan into the water.

She uttered not a word of excuse, nor did she intend to defend herself.

In that light, she turned out to be someone who dares to act and take responsibility.

Her answer made Li Qingluo, deep down, involuntarily view her with new respect, to a certain extent.

This Qin Yu really is no ordinary person.

***【Whoosh——】 turned her head and glared at Qin Yu.

Her eyes held not only bewilderment but were filled with surging anger and killing intent: "It's you——? Why are you!?

"Qin Yu, I have always valued you so highly, treating you as someone trustworthy—why would you harm Pan Li's life——?

Qin Yu looked at Xiyue***, candidly: "She insulted me first, but no matter what, I, Qin Yu, accidentally killed someone today and will not shirk this responsibility!

As her words fell, Pan Li, who had been lying on the icy ground and was already seemingly dead, suddenly sucked in a sharp breath!

Immediately with a 'wah', she opened her mouth, turned her head, and spat out all the water in her belly!

Pan Li opened her eyes, after regaining consciousness, she looked around in terror at everyone present!

"I—I how did I end up here… someone, someone wants to kill me——

Such a sudden change left the nearby people dumbfounded with fright.

Then came a palace attendant's startled cry: "Ah!!!! Fraud, fraud, fraud, a corpse fraud!!??

"Ghost, ghost, it's a ghost!!

Those nearby all fled in fright, until Chief Eunuch Zhou shouted angrily: "What's the commotion? The Son of Heaven is here—where did these demons and monsters come from to act wildly in the imperial palace!?

Nanping, frightened, threw her arms around Li Qingluo in a tight embrace.

"She—she isn't dead!?

Li Qingluo also couldn't make sense of it, so she could only continue watching together with Nanping.

Only the Prince Consort was unafraid; he rushed over joyfully and helped Pan Li to her feet.

"Li'er, you're not dead? You really aren't dead! Wonderful, wonderful! As long as you're alive, that's good, child… Second Uncle still thought you…

The Prince Consort wiped his tears excitedly; upon meeting Pan Li's bewildered, somewhat shrinking and fearful gaze, he also concluded she was just frightened silly.

"Quickly summon the imperial physician, have someone come and examine Li'er at once! Perhaps she's just lost her soul from fright……

Seeing that the person was truly not dead, the surroundings instantly erupted into a noisy clamor.

"She's actually not dead? This is too strange—wasn't it said she had stopped breathing?

"Yes. Perhaps it's because she wasn't given prompt treatment—originally it was just a mouthful of water stuck there.

"Just now the Prince Consort held her and shook her a few times—could that be why she spat out that mouthful of water?

"As long as she's not dead, it's fine; otherwise, tonight these young ladies from various families would surely not escape responsibility.

"Then Princess Qin Yu wouldn't be off the hook, would she?

"She is a princess of both states; His Majesty would naturally not hold her accountable for a major crime.

Indeed, seeing that Pan Li was still alive, Emperor Liang seemed to have his earlier anger dissipate considerably.

"Although no life was lost, tonight's affair was truly a mess!

He glared at Qin Yu once, then turned to look at the Empress beside him: "Empress, you who mother the realm, today's disturbance involves all the daughters of the honored officials present. Since that is the case, this domestic matter shall be left to you to handle!

At the mention of domestic affairs, everyone present except the *** couple, and the other officials involved, all breathed a sigh of relief.

The Empress bowed her head: "Yes, Your Majesty.

"Although Eldest Miss Pan didn't die, I believe that Princess Qin Yu's today's reckless conduct truly endangered a life, and she indeed deserves punishment.

Emperor Liang: "She is a princess of Liang and Chu; Empress, what punishment do you deem fitting?

The Empress: "Your Majesty, Princess Qin Yu has been steady and magnanimous since childhood, never having committed a mistake like today's impropriety.

"For the sake of peace between the two states, she has toiled for years traveling between them; for a young lady like her, losing the tranquil leisure of a lady's quarters is hardly not a sacrifice and grievance.

"Whenever there are natural or man‑made disasters, she never misses acts of charity such as porridge distribution and cloth giving; calling her a heroine of the two states' women is no exaggeration.

Emperor Liang: "But we cannot offset today's fault with her past merits! Since she has erred, it is an error.

"Even the Son of Heaven, when he breaks the law, shares the guilt of commoners—how could she be exempted because of her achievements?

The Empress: "Then let us punish her… by sending her to the outer palace's secondary residence, confining her to reflect for three months; also have her copy the Female Precepts one hundred times, and make a solemn apology and compensation to Eldest Miss Pan.

"As for all the other young ladies from various families who participated in this affair—those who failed to advise Princess Qin Yu, who stood by coldly, whose virtue is lacking—let them each be sent home to undergo confinement and reflection. Have them copy the Female Precepts twenty times, and likewise make an apology and compensation to Eldest Miss Pan.

"Your Majesty, I have handled it thus; I do not know whether this is appropriate.