Chapter 377: with translation of chapter title

The old granny knew her identity and was naturally very happy.

Translation: "The old granny knew her identity, and was naturally very happy."

The old granny knew her identity and was naturally very happy.

Naturally very happy.

We'll output: 【1】 The old granny knew her identity and was naturally very happy.

But we need to keep each translation on a single line after 【N】. So "【1】 The old granny knew her identity and was naturally very happy."

old granny

She grabbed Li Qingluo's hand and repeatedly patted it, saying, "Miss, you've made it hard for this old servant to find you, but I've finally run into you."

Translation: "She took Li Qingluo's hand and kept patting it, saying, 'Miss, I've been looking hard for you; I've finally found you.'"

We need to keep quotes. Use double quotes? The source uses Chinese quotes 「」. We'll use English double quotes. Keep punctuation.

Thus: 【2】 She took Li Qingluo's hand and kept patting it, saying, "Miss, I've been looking hard for you; I've finally found you."

I've been looking hard for you.

Thus: 【2】 She took Li Qingluo's hand and kept patting it, saying, "Miss, I've been looking hard for you; I've finally found you."

Li Qingluo looked embarrassed: "Granny, let's hurry over then."

Translation: "Li Qingluo blushed: 'Granny, let's hurry over then.'"

Li Qingluo looked embarrassed: "Granny, let's hurry over then."

Thus: 【3】 Li Qinglo looked embarrassed: "Granny, let's hurry over then."

But we need to keep the name exactly: Li Qingluo (from glossary). So "Li Qingluo looked embarrassed: 'Granny, let's hurry over then.'"

On their way to the Empress Dowager's palace, the old granny took the opportunity to introduce herself, saying that everyone in the palace called her Aunt Fang.

Translation: "On the way to the Empress Dowager's residence, the old granny took the chance to introduce herself, saying that everyone in the palace called her Aunt Fang."

The Empress Dowager met Aunt Fang in the palace.

【4】 On the way to the Empress Dowager's palace, the old granny took the chance to introduce herself, saying that everyone in the palace called her Aunt Fang.

Li Qingluo also called her affectionately: "Aunt Fang, has my grandmother gotten drunk?"

Translation: "Li Qingluo also greeted her warmly: 'Aunt Fang, did my grandmother get drunk?'"

Thus: 【5】 Li Qingluo also greeted her warmly: "Aunt Fang, did my grandmother get drunk?"

"She has never behaved improperly from drinking before; I don't know why this happened."

Translation: "'She has never lost composure from drinking before; I don't know why this happened.'"

Thus: 【6】 "She has never lost composure from drinking before; I don't know why this happened."

Aunt Fang said: "Miss Li, don't worry; Old General Xiu Li just hasn't seen the Empress Dowager in a long while. They caught up, got carried away, and had a couple extra drinks."

Translation: "Aunt Fang said: 'Miss Li, don't worry; Old General Xiu Li just hasn't seen the Empress Dowager in a long while. They caught up over drinks and simply had a couple extra cups.'"

Old General Xiu Li and the Empress Dowager simply had a couple extra cups.

Thus: 【7】 Aunt Fang said: "Miss Li, don't worry; Old General Xiu Li just hasn't seen the Empress Dowager in a long while. They caught up over drinks and simply had a couple extra cups."

Just a couple extra drinks, that's all?

Translation: "Just a couple extra cups, that's all?"

Thus: 【8】 Just a couple extra cups, that's all?

Li Qingluo has witnessed her grandmother's drinking capacity.

Translation: "Li Qingluo had seen her grandmother's drinking capacity."

Thus: 【9】 Li Qingluo had seen her grandmother's drinking capacity.

Even Prince Su, Duan Rong, couldn't outdrink her.

Translation: "Even Prince Su Duan Rongshi couldn't outdrink her."

Thus: 【10】 Even Prince Su Duan Rongshi couldn't outdrink her.

Either this liquor is really strong, or Grandmother got so caught up she forgot herself.

Translation: "Either this liquor is really strong, or my grandmother drank herself into oblivion."

Thus: 【11】 Either this liquor is really strong, or my grandmother drank herself into oblivion.

But what surprised Li Qingluo even more was that her grandmother and the Empress Dowager were actually so close.

Translation: "But what surprised Li Qingluo even more was that her grandmother and the Empress Dowager were actually so close."

Thus: 【12】 But what surprised Li Qingluo even more was that her grandmother and the Empress Dowager were actually so close.

"Miss Li, don't be nervous."

Translation: "'Miss Li, don't be nervous.'"

Thus: 【13】 "Miss Li, don't be nervous."

"When the Empress Dowager first entered the Eastern Palace as crown princess, Old General Xiu Li was still a child."

Translation: "'When the Empress Dowager first entered the Eastern Palace as crown princess, Old General Xiu Li was still a child.'"

Thus: 【14】 "When the Empress Dowager first entered the Eastern Palace as crown princess, Old General Xiu Li was still a child."

"But even then, your grandmother was already the most uniquely spirited young lady in all of Jinling."

Translation: "'But even then, your grandmother was already the most uniquely spirited young lady in all of Jinling City.'"

Thus: 【15】 "But even then, your grandmother was already the most uniquely spirited young lady in all of Jinling City."

"Back then, your grandmother was greatly favored by the Taizu Emperor and Taizu Empress, and they often summoned her to the palace to play."

Translation: "'Back then, your grandmother was greatly favored by the Founding Emperor and Founding Empress Dowager, who often summoned her to the palace to play.'"

Thus: 【16】 "Back then, your grandmother was greatly favored by the Founding Emperor and Founding Empress Dowager, who often summoned her to the palace to play."

"I heard that as a child, your grandmother would jump around in the imperial palace and often run onto the roof to fetch bird nests."

Translation: "'I heard that as a child, your grandmother would jump around in the imperial palace and often run onto the roof to fetch bird nests.'"

Thus: 【17】 "I heard that as a child, your grandmother would jump around in the imperial palace and often run onto the roof to fetch bird nests."

"She often caused trouble, giving her parents—the founding duke of the Pei Dukedom—constant headaches, and they frequently went to the palace to apologize."

Translation: "'She often caused trouble, giving her parents—the founding duke of the Pei Dukedom—no end of headaches, and they frequently went to the palace to apologize.'"

The founding duke of the Pei Dukedom went to the palace to apologize.

Thus: 【18】 "She often caused trouble, giving her parents—the founding duke of the Pei Dukedom—no end of headaches, and they frequently went to the palace to apologize."

"But in the end, no one could really bring themselves to scold your grandmother."

Translation: "'But in the end, no one could really bring themselves to scold your grandmother.'"

Thus: 【19】 "But in the end, no one could really bring themselves to scold your grandmother."

"Later, as your grandmother grew older, her temperament became much steadier."

Translation: "'Later, as your grandmother grew older, her temperament became much steadier.'"

Thus: 【20】 "Later, as your grandmother grew older, her temperament became much steadier."

"Although she remained free-spirited and unrestrained, her effortless grace and open-minded generosity truly made her the shining star of Jinling back then."

Translation: "'Although she remained carefree and unrestrained, her graceful ease and broad-mindedness truly made the whole of Jinling shine back then.'"

Thus: 【21】 "Although she remained carefree and unrestrained, her graceful ease and broad-mindedness truly made the whole of Jinling shine back then."

"I still remember that when I entered the Eastern Palace late, at the same age as your grandmother, His Majesty had already been born in the Eastern Palace."

Translation: "'I still remember that when I entered the Eastern Palace late, at the same age as your grandmother, His Majesty had already been born in the Eastern Palace.'"

Thus: 【22】 "I still remember that when I entered the Eastern Palace late, at the same age as your grandmother, His Majesty had already been born in the Eastern Palace."

"Your grandmother even went to the Eastern Palace to hold His Majesty."

Translation: "'Your grandmother even went to the Eastern Palace to hold His Majesty.'"

Thus: 【23】 "Your grandmother even went to the Eastern Palace to hold His Majesty."

"So the Empress Dowager can be said to have watched Old General Xiu Li grow up."

Translation: "'So the Empress Dowager can be said to have watched Old General Xiu Li grow up.'"

Thus: 【24】 "So the Empress Dowager can be said to have watched Old General Xiu Li grow up."

"The Empress Dowager used to say that your grandmother loved wielding swords and spears from childhood, and indeed she went off to defend the country. She was the finest example among young women, a pity she married and—"

Translation: "'The Empress Dowager used to say that your grandmother loved martial arts from childhood, and indeed she went on to defend home and country. She was once the finest example among young ladies, a pity she married, and then—'"

Thus: 【25】 "The Empress Dowager used to say that your grandmother loved martial arts from childhood, and indeed she went on to defend home and country. She was once the finest example among young ladies, a pity she married, and then—"

Aunt Fang laughed and didn't finish the sentence.

Translation: "Aunt Fang laughed and didn't finish the sentence."

Thus: 【26】 Aunt Fang laughed and didn't finish the sentence.

Li Qingluo, however, knew the rest of that sentence in her heart: "And she married a non-human?"

Translation: "Li Qingluo knew the rest of the sentence in her heart: 'and married a non-human?'"

Thus: 【27】 Li Qingluo knew the rest of the sentence in her heart: "and married a non-human?"

Back then, I don't know how my grandmother managed to be so dazzling.

Translation: "Back then, I don't know how my grandmother was so radiant."

Thus: 【28】 Back then, I don't know how my grandmother was so radiant.

Too bad she married into the Li family, this miserable nest.

Translation: "Too bad she married into the Li family, this miserable nest."

Thus: 【29】 Too bad she married into the Li family, this miserable nest.

I heard from Granny Deng that when my grandfather was still a youth, his looks were indeed the most handsome among all the young men in Jinling.

Translation: "I heard from Granny Deng that when my grandfather was a youth, his looks were indeed the finest among all young men in Jinling City."

Thus: 【30】 I heard from Granny Deng that when my grandfather was a youth, his looks were indeed the finest among all young men in Jinling City.

At that time, he would blush the moment he saw my grandmother.

Translation: "At that time, he would blush the moment he saw my grandmother."

Thus: 【31】 At that time, he would blush the moment he saw my grandmother.

He could barely speak, stammering.

Translation: "He could barely speak without stammering."

Thus: 【32】 He could barely speak without stammering.

And my grandmother at first merely thought he was good-looking.

Translation: "And my grandmother at first merely thought he was good-looking."

Thus: 【33】 And my grandmother at first merely thought he was good-looking.

After all, they were mismatched in status; the Li family was just a minor household, and my grandfather's father died as nothing more than a low-ranking officer.

Translation: "After all, they were mismatched in status; the Li family was just a minor household, and my grandfather's father died as nothing more than a low-ranking officer."

He is a low-ranking officer.

【34】 After all, they were mismatched in status; the Li family was just a minor household, and my grandfather's father died as nothing more than a low-ranking officer.

Later, after they went to the battlefield together, they experienced many bonds of life-and-death camaraderie.

Later, after they went to the battlefield together, they experienced many bonds of life-and-death camaraderie.

Thus: 【35】 Later, after they went to the battlefield together, they experienced many bonds of life-and-death camaraderie.

Afterwards, before my grandfather could even speak, my grandmother asked him: "Are you going to marry me or not?"

Translation: "Even later, before my grandfather could speak, my grandmother asked him straight out: 'Will you marry me or not?'"

Thus: 【36】 Even later, before my grandfather could speak, my grandmother asked him straight out: "Will you marry me or not?"

My grandmother's character was frank and uninhibited; ordinary young men couldn't resist her direct enthusiasm.

Translation: "My grandmother's character was frank and carefree; no ordinary young man could resist her such direct enthusiasm."

Thus: 【37】 My grandmother's character was frank and carefree; no ordinary young man could resist her such direct enthusiasm.

Although the Pei family initially opposed this match, they could not stop my grandmother's stubborn determination.

Translation: "Although the Pei family initially opposed this match, they could not stop my grandmother's stubborn resolve."

Thus: 【38】 Although the Pei family initially opposed this match, they could not stop my grandmother's stubborn resolve.

Later, my grandmother suffered a utter defeat.

Translation: "Later, my grandmother suffered a utter defeat."

Thus: 【39】 Later, my grandmother suffered a utter defeat.

She resolved never to see her grandfather again for the rest of her life, unable to forgive him as punishment.

Translation: "She resolved never to see her grandfather again for the rest of her life, unable to forgive him as punishment."

Thus: 【40】 She resolved never to see her grandfather again for the rest of her life, unable to forgive him as punishment.

What a pity.

Translation: "What a pity."

Thus: 【41】 What a pity.

All of this was merely her inner pride and regret over her choice, tormenting herself.

Translation: "All of this was merely her inner pride and regret over her choice, a self-inflicted torment."

Thus: 【42】 All of this was merely her inner pride and regret over her choice, a self-inflicted torment.

She herself knew full well that she was utterly defeated, left with nothing but her pride.

Translation: "She herself knew all too well that she was utterly defeated, left with nothing but her pride."

Thus: 【43】 She herself knew all too well that she was utterly defeated, left with nothing but her pride.

In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the Empress Dowager's palace.

Translation: "In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the Empress Dowager's palace."

Thus: 【44】 In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the Empress Dowager's palace.

Li Qingluo followed Aunt Fang into the palace.

Translation: "Li Qingluo followed Aunt Fang into the palace."

Thus: 【45】 Li Qingluo followed Aunt Fang into the palace.

She kept her eyes lowered, walked straight forward, knelt, and paid her respects.

Translation: "She kept her eyes lowered, walked straight forward, knelt, and paid her respects."

Thus: 【46】 She kept her eyes lowered, walked straight forward, knelt, and paid her respects.

"Commoner Li Qingluo pays respects to the Empress Dowager. Long live the Empress Dowager, long long live—"

Translation: "'Commoner Li Qingluo pays respects to the Empress Dowager. Long live the Empress Dowager, long long live—'"

Long live the Empress Dowager, long long live—

Thus: 【47】 "Commoner Li Qingluo pays respects to the Empress Dowager. Long live the Empress Dowager, long long live—"

"I pay respects to the Princess. Long live the Princess, long long live—"

Translation: "'Paying respects to the Princess. Long live the Princess, long long live—'"

Thus: 【48】 "Paying respects to the Princess. Long live the Princess, long long live—"

Princess Xiyue the Elder was also present.

Translation: "Princess Xiyue was also present."

Thus: 【49】 Princess Xiyue was also present.

Upon seeing Li Qingluo arrive, her eyes involuntarily deepened.

Translation: "Upon seeing Li Qingluo arrive, her eyes involuntarily deepened."

Thus: 【50】 Upon seeing Li Qingluo arrive, her eyes involuntarily deepened.

"Grandmother Empress, look, this Li family girl is growing so lovely and spirited!"

Translation: "'Grand Empress Dowager, look, this Li family girl is so lovely!'"

Thus: 【51】 "Grand Empress Dowager, look, this Li family girl is so lovely!"

"Indeed, Old General Xiu Li knows how to raise a person; in less than a year, she's turned this little girl into something like a little fairy."

Translation: "'Indeed, Old General Xiu Li knows how to raise a person; in just under a year, she's nurtured this little girl into something like a little fairy.'"

Thus: 【52】 "Indeed, Old General Xiu Li knows how to raise a person; in just under a year, she's nurtured this little girl into something like a little fairy."

"Indeed. I remember that when Xiu Xiu was young, she was always rough and tough, loving to fight and kill with no sense of decorum."

Translation: "A kind voice spoke: 'Indeed. I remember that Xiu Xiu, when young, was always rough and tough, loving to fight and kill all day with no sense of decorum.'"

Thus: 【53】 A kind voice spoke: "Indeed. I remember that Xiu Xiu, when young, was always rough and tough, loving to fight and kill all day with no sense of decorum."

"Nor did she care for the usual rouges and powders that girls like."

Translation: "'She also didn't like the rouge and powder that ordinary girls favor.'"

Thus: 【54】 "She also didn't like the rouge and powder that ordinary girls favor."

"Back then, the Taizu Emperor even wanted to marry you off to the Prince of Kang's household; you and the Kang Prince's heir were quite the lovelorn pair."

Translation: "'Back then, the Founding Emperor even wanted to marry you off to Prince Kang's mansion. You and the Prince Kang's heir were once a pair of lovelorn rivals.'"

Thus: 【55】 "Back then, the Founding Emperor even wanted to marry you off to Prince Kang's mansion. You and the Prince Kang's heir were once a pair of lovelorn rivals."

"Too bad, later that Li family brat snatched you away."

Translation: "'Too bad, later that Li family brat snatched you away.'"

Thus: 【56】 "Too bad, later that Li family brat snatched you away."

"Otherwise—"

Translation: "'Otherwise—'"

Thus: 【57】 "Otherwise—"

The voice of the elderly Lady Pei, trembling, interjected: "Empress Dowager, it's been decades already; please don't bring it up."

Translation: "Pei Lao Furen's fearful voice interjected: 'Empress Dowager, it's been decades already; please don't bring it up.'"

Thus: 【58】 Pei Lao Furen's fearful voice interjected: "Empress Dowager, it's been decades already; please don't bring it up."

The Empress Dowager burst out laughing.

Translation: "The Empress Dowager laughed 'hahaha'."

Thus: 【59】 The Empress Dowager laughed "hahaha".

What are you afraid of?

"The Kang family went to their fief; these years they have rarely returned."

"The Kang family's descendants are not in the court either; no one hears them."

Pei Lao Furen broke out in a sweat.

"My old minister's granddaughter is still here."

The empress dowager only just realized: "Yes, yes, yes. Come, lift your head so this old woman can take a look."

Li Qingluo slowly lifted her head, her gaze downcast, not daring to meet the empress dowager's eyes directly.

The empress dowager gave a slight nod: "You look like her, and also like that Li family boy."

Pei Lao Furen: "Can't you not mention him?"

The empress dowager laughed again: "Yes, yes, I've spoiled the fun. How about I punish myself with a cup?"

Li Qingluo came to Pei Lao Furen's side, seeing that the drinks were not yet over.

She had intended to persuade them to drink, but instead the palace attendants beside the empress dowager came over and filled her cup to the brim.

Pei Lao Furen knew her precious little one could only handle a little alcohol.

One cup and she'd be down.

Not even thunder could wake her.

She lifted her head, intending to beg for mercy, but saw the empress dowager staring at them with a half-smile.

This is wine bestowed by the empress dowager; Li Qingluo cannot refuse to drink it.

Pei Lao Furen pinched Li Qingluo's small hand under the table: "Drink up, with grandmother here, just take a small sip."

Li Qingluo could only steel herself and really only took a tiny sip.

The empress dowager then stopped looking at the grandmother and granddaughter, turning her head to speak with Princess Xiyue.

Soon after, the empress dowager said she was tired and ordered everyone in the hall to disperse.

Li Qingluo supported her somewhat dizzy head as she rose; when bidding farewell to the empress dowager, she clearly felt a venomous gaze upon her, as if it were scrutinizing her without restraint.

When she lifted her head, however, she saw only deep coldness lurking beneath the empress dowager's kindly visage.

In the blink of an eye, the empress dowager had returned to her usual kindly old-lady appearance.

It seemed as if that gaze had merely been Li Qingluo's dizzy illusion.

Supported by Zheng Mama, Li Qingluo followed her grandmother out of the hall.

Before the grandmother and granddaughter had even left the empress dowager's palace garden, they ran into Jing Guiren and her two cousins coming toward them.

Pei Liandu, Pei Shiniang

Li Qingluo and her grandmother knelt to greet: "We pay our respects to Jing Guiren. Young mistress, may you have myriad blessings and golden peace."

Pei Zixuan slowly walked up to Li Qingluo and Pei Lao Furen.

She said nothing, merely coldly staring at the old and young on the ground.

Pei Liandu's eyes showed gleeful smugness.

She coldly thought: "You grandmother and granddaughter aren't so arrogant, are you? This afternoon, in the little courtyard where you're staying, you practically wanted to trample the entire Pei family underfoot and humiliate them!"

Even before the young mistress, shouldn't you be kneeling like a dog?

Pei Liandu blurted out, stirring the pot: "Fifth Sister, it's her."

"First she humiliated the great-aunt in the little courtyard, then she ignored your orders, not putting you or our whole Pei family in her sight at all."

Pei Lao Furen lifted her head, gazing coldly at Pei Liandu.

Pei Liandu couldn't help but flinch.

Pei Zixuan: "Could she be wrong?"

"I've heard that you, Pei Lao Furen and Miss Li, you grandmother and granddaughter have teamed up today to not only curse my father and mother with a torrent of abuse, but even to lay hands on them!"

"Old Lady, is this how you raise your granddaughter?"

"Your Xiuli Jiangjun Fu truly has excellent family traditions and fine rules!"

"Since that's the case, I, the palace, sentence you grandmother and granddaughter to kneel here for one hour to atone for the great crime of disrespecting the palace!"

Li Qingluo slowly lifted her head: "Young mistress, are you saying that your Pei family can, relying on your status, be the first to humiliate others, while others must not strike back or talk back?"

"Or do you, Young Mistress Jing, yourself think that those beside the empress dowager are less noble than your sixth sister, so commoners should defy the empress dowager's orders, first go see you, Young Mistress, before being considered respectful?"

"It turns out, in your eyes, Young Mistress, the empress dowager is actually less noble than you."

Pei Zixuan's eyes flickered with panic.

She had no idea how this matter suddenly involved the empress dowager.

She first glanced at Pei Liandu.

Pei Liandu spread her hands, indicating it wasn't so.

Although Pei Zixuan sensed something was off, she felt even more that this was nothing but Li Qingluo's sophistry.

How could this girl have survived the Pei family's dungeon and even gotten tangled up with Prince Su? What good could she be?

She immediately hardened her gaze and shouted sternly: "What nonsense are you spouting? When have I, the palace, ever defied and disrespected the empress dowager as you claim?"

"How dare you slander the palace? Watch me not tear your mouth to shreds!"

"Furthermore, the palace's admonitions—you actually dare to twist words and use sophistry to overwhelm the palace!"

"Someone, go slap her mouth!"

"Hit her hard—"

The granny behind Pei Zixuan rolled up her sleeves and was about to step forward.

The smugness in Pei Liandu and Pei Shiniang's eyes had deepened into intense excitement.

Li Qingluo was the first to straighten up, firmly blocking her grandmother behind her.

Then she fixed her gaze on Pei Zixuan's eyes, her pupils like icy blades.

It even made the enraged Noble Lady Jing feel a sharp shock in her heart.

However, Pei Lao Furen's "Hold it—" had not even been spoken.

From behind came another rebuke: "Noble Lady Jing, you really are putting on a grand display of power!"

"This is the Empress Dowager's palace; it cannot allow you to act presumptuously here!"