Chapter 672: They're just jealous of me! That's why they're harming me!

Po Feng: "Give me a hug."

Leng Dian: "I'll hug you for a bit, Little Highness likes me the most."

Po Feng: "Clearly you like me. I'm more handsome than all of you!"

Leng Dian and Zhui Yu: "Pah! Shameless!"

The three were arguing incessantly.

Li Qingluo stepped forward and stretched out a hand: "Fangfang? Come here, Mother?"

Fangfang immediately lunged into the Empress's embrace.

"Ah…… Mother……"

Little Fangfang hurriedly lay on the Empress's shoulder, pressing her little face against the Empress's neck.

Li Qingluo laughed, turned, and placed Fangfang beside Duan Rongshi, then sat down.

Zhui Yu and the two others were all wearing disappointed expressions.

The Little Highness still likes Mother the most, after all.

Li Qingluo saw their three like that and found it amusing: "After we finish the main business later, you can each take turns slowly playing with her."

"If you don't sit down now, the food will get cold."

Zhui Yu muttered softly: "We don't dare to sit with Your Majesty and the Empress..."

"It's just the three of us... This is clearly a Hongmen banquet..."

Duan Rongshi glared at him: "You're the one who talks too much?"

"All sit down!"

"Since the master has spoken, how dare the three of them dawdle?"

They hurriedly all sat down, yet still dared not move their chopsticks.

The three brothers shoved and jostled each other, making small motions incessantly.

Duan Rongshi saw this, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.

Meanwhile, Zhui Yu and the two others opposite them were all startled inside.

"Is the Highness laughing because of them?"

"This is a sight never seen before!"

"So what does the Highness intend with today's banquet?"

The three all felt unease rising in their hearts.

Duan Rongshi held his wine cup and spoke slowly: "You have been by my side for nearly twenty years. Although I am your lord, these years I have also regarded you as my closest and most trusted persons."

"Therefore, starting tomorrow, I will assign you the most arduous tasks."

"From now on, you will each go your separate ways, no longer staying by my side."

Upon hearing this, the three were all greatly startled.

"Your Majesty?!"

The three all scrambled to their feet, then with a "plop" they all knelt down.

"Your Majesty, you cannot abandon us! We three swear to protect you for life and death!"

"We three have been favored by Your Majesty; although we have protected you these years, how have you not also protected us?"

"You helped our families avenge their grudges, you helped us start anew, and you never truly treated us as slaves; rather, you are like brothers to us, showing us affection and righteousness."

"Without Your Majesty, there would be no us today. We do not wish to be separated from Your Majesty; we only want to be Your Majesty's lifelong guards."

"Your Majesty, please don't do this; we... we only wish to stay by Your Majesty's side."

Li Qingluo's eyes turned red, she hugged Fangfang and turned away.

However, Duan Rongshi still said word by word: "Under heaven, there is no banquet that does not end."

"Since I have come to this day, I must safeguard the hard-won peace of the world."

"Will you not help me?"

"Help?"

"Your Majesty actually used the word 'help'?"

Po Feng: "Your Majesty, if there is any task you need us three to accomplish, please just give the order. We are terrified; how dare we accept Your Majesty's single word 'help'?"

Leng Dian: "Yes, Your Majesty, just order us to do whatever you wish; as long as you don't cast us aside."

Zhui Yu cried so hard she was about to faint.

She could not even speak.

She could only keep shrugging her shoulders and wiping her nose.

Li Qingluo could not bear it any longer and said: "Your Majesty has not abandoned you."

"But from now on you cannot stay together all day as before, because you each have important matters to guard and attend to."

"Because you are valued and trusted, that is why Your Majesty has chosen you."

"Stop being sentimental; you will always be Your Majesty's guards."

The three still couldn't believe it: "Really?"

Duan Rongshi shook his head helplessly: "Why would the Empress deceive you?"

Zhui Yu swept her arm across, then hurriedly asked between sobs: "Your Majesty, you said, what do you want us to do... we would go through fire and water..."

Duan Rongshi looked at Po Feng: "I want you, forever to be the lord of Mantuo City."

"Commanding the fifty-thousand-strong army, stationed here."

"In my stead, guard this pass well."

Po Feng wore a look of shock and disbelief: "Your Majesty, we had clearly agreed before that it was only temporary..."

Duan Rongshi: "I think you're doing a decent job as city lord."

Translation: Duan Rongshi: "I think you're doing a not bad job as city lord."

Leng Dian lives up to his name—he's always been rather cold.

Duan Rongshi: "Leng Dian, you will stay and guard Nan'an."

On my behalf, guard the whole southern frontier—can you do it?

Translation: "Po Feng, you should also start a family and establish a career."

We need to keep the quote marks? The source includes quotes around the whole line? Actually line 62 is just the spoken line without speaker tag. So we output: "Po Feng, you should also start a family and establish a career."

Leng Dian sat down, feeling very upset.

Translation: "Don't let Leng Dian throw you too far behind."

Zhui Yu?

Translation: Leng Dian's face flushed slightly: "Your Majesty, please don't joke......"

We need to keep the ellipsis as in source: "……". We'll translate as "......" maybe keep same? We'll use "......". So: Leng Dian's face flushed slightly: "Your Majesty, please don't joke......"

Originally I planned to let you be a great general of the Beitu army, which isn't too far from the imperial city...

Translation: Leng Dian lives up to his name, always been rather cold-hearted.

Madam, Your Majesty, is this really true?

Translation: But today, he also became rabbit-eyed.

Hahaha, I haven't been exiled, have I?

Translation: Duan Rongshi: "Leng Dian, you will guard South Peace."

They are no longer the Emperor's closest personal guards, yet they are still being granted official titles and ranks just the same.

Translation: "Being Prince Consort to Zong Zheng Xingyao, and also serving as the commander I left guarding the 30,000-strong army in South Peace."

Both Po Feng and Leng Dian couldn't help but grit their teeth in anger.

Translation: "For me, guard the whole Southern Border well. Can you do it?"

After Li Qiongluo and Duan Rongshi exchanged a glance, both felt deep sympathy for him.

Translation: Leng Dian understood Duan Rongshi's meaning.

The next day, he couldn't even get out of bed.

Translation: He went from shock to reluctantly accepting: "Subordinate...... obey."

And with Zhui Yu, they have gradually regained the easy familiarity of childhood, speaking and acting much more openly.

Translation: Although being a prince consort, he is not reluctant.

It's not just because I'm old and still lack someone who understands my feelings; otherwise last night I wouldn't have been schemed against by those two scoundrels!

Translation: But Your Majesty's intention is that he won't return to South Peace?

Wouldn't that mean I'd have to completely leave His Majesty for the rest of my life?

Translation: Then wouldn't I have to be forever separated from Your Majesty?

Cold Electric sat down, feeling very upset.

Translation: Leng Dian sat down, feeling very sad.

When it was Zhui Yu's turn, he was already trembling with fear, not daring to meet his master's gaze.

Translation: When it was Zhui Yu's turn, he was already trembling with fear, not daring to meet his master's gaze.

It seemed that if he avoided eye contact, this matter wouldn't come his way.

Translation: As if, by not making eye contact, this matter wouldn't come to him.

His dodgy, evasive behavior made Li Qingluo find it funny.

Translation: His evasive demeanor made Li Qingluo find it amusing.

"Zhui Yu?"

Translation: "Zhui Yu?"

"You don't want to know where you're supposed to go?"

Translation: "You don't want to know where you're assigned?"

Zhui Yu waved his hand and shook his head: "I, your subordinate, don't want to know."

Translation: Zhui Yu waved his hand and shook his head: "Subordinate doesn't want to know."

"I don't want to be a city lord, nor a prince consort, nor a commander; I'd rather be a lowly guard."

Translation: "Subordinate doesn't want to be a city lord, nor a prince consort, nor a commander; subordinate would rather be a minor guard."

"Your Ladyship, please just..."

Translation: "Madam, please just......"

Li Qingluo: "Ah, then forget it."

Translation: Li Qingluo: "Ah, then forget it."

"Originally I planned to make you a great general of the Northern Map Army; it's not too far from the imperial city..."

Translation: "Originally planning to let you be the Great General of the Northern Map Army, not too far from the imperial city......"

"That would also count as having a future."

Translation: "Also counts as having a future......"

Zhui Yu lifted his head in ecstasy.

Translation: Zhui Yu joyfully lifted his head.

"Really?"

Translation: "Really?"

"Your Ladyship, Your Majesty, is this really true?"

Translation: "Madam, Your Majesty, is this really true?"

"I, your subordinate, can really command the Northern Map Army?!"

Translation: "Subordinate really can be commander of the Northern Map Army!?"

"The Northern Map Army in front of the imperial city?!"

Translation: "That Northern Map Army in front of the imperial city!?"

"Then wouldn't I, your subordinate, be the person closest to His Majesty and Your Ladyship? I could still attend court daily to see His Majesty, and at any time visit Your Ladyship and the young lord; that would still count as serving you."

Translation: "Then wouldn't subordinate be the person closest to Your Majesty and Madam? Subordinate could also see Your Majesty daily at court, and at any time go see Madam and the Little Highness, still counting as serving before you?"

"Hahaha, I, your subordinate, haven't been exiled?"

Translation: "Hahaha, subordinate hasn't been exiled?"

Zhui Yu was very satisfied with the outcome.

Translation: Zhui Yu is very satisfied with his own outcome.

Po Feng and Cold Electric, however, looked at him as if he were an idiot.

Translation: Po Feng and Leng Dian, however, looked at him as if he were an idiot.

What difference is there between him and them?

Translation: What difference is there between him and them?

They are no longer the most intimate, personal guards before His Majesty, yet they are still similarly ennobled and appointed as generals?

Translation: They are no longer the closest, most personal guards before Your Majesty, nor are they any different from being appointed officials and granted generalships?

However, he is indeed hateful!

Translation: However, he is indeed hateful!

He can actually see His Majesty and Your Ladyship often!

Translation: He can actually frequently see Your Majesty and Madam!

It must be because he usually sweet-talks too much, which is why he gets such treatment!

Translation: It must be that he usually is too good at sweet talk, thus receiving such treatment!

Po Feng and Cold Electric both couldn't help but grit their teeth angrily.

Translation: Po Feng and Leng Dian both couldn't help but grit their teeth angrily.

And in their hearts they decided that later they would definitely give him a beating, otherwise they couldn't vent this resentment.

Translation: And in their hearts they decided that later they must give him a good beating, otherwise it would be hard to vent this resentment in their chests.

However, Zhui Yu had not yet realized the impending danger.

Translation: However, Zhui Yu has not yet realized the impending danger.

He was still grinning, raising his wine cup to toast the two masters.

Translation: He was still grinning, raising his wine cup to toast the two masters.

After Li Qingluo and Duan Rongshi exchanged a glance, their eyes were filled with deep sympathy for him.

Translation: After Li Qingluo and Duan Rongshi exchanged a glance, both felt deep sympathy for him.

Zhui Yu, take care of yourself.

Translation: Zhui Yu, take care of yourself.

The result was that Zhui Yu was made dead drunk.

Translation: The result was, Zhui Yu was made dead drunk.

On his way back, he was also beaten while covered with a blanket.

Translation: Going back, he was also beaten while covered with a blanket.

The next day, he couldn't even get out of bed.

Translation: The next day, he couldn't even get out of bed.

After Lan Ting found out, she went to see him.

Translation: Lan Ting, after finding out, went to see him.

"Cousin, why are you always drunk? You can't hold your liquor; you don't even know to drink less."

Translation: "Cousin, why do you always get drunk? Your alcohol tolerance is poor, and you don't know to drink less."

Now Lan Ting, after learning some martial arts from Grandma Zheng, speaks much louder.

Translation: These days, Lan Ting, after learning some martial arts from Zheng Mama, speaks much louder.

And with Zhui Yu, they gradually regained the childhood familiarity, speaking and acting much more openly.

Translation: And with Zhui Yu, they gradually regained the childhood familiarity, speaking and acting much more openly.

Zhui Yu looked ashamed.

Translation: Zhui Yu's face full of shame.

"Ah, I fell for their scheme due to my carelessness!"

Translation: "Ah, I carelessly fell into their two-person scheme!"

"They're just jealous of me, that's why they harmed me."

Translation: "They are just jealous of me, that's why they harmed me."

"It's not just because I'm old and still don't have someone who understands my cold and heat; otherwise last night I wouldn't have been schemed against by those two bad guys!"

Translation: "Or isn't it because I'm already old, yet still lack someone who knows warmth and cold? Otherwise last night I wouldn't have been secretly schemed against by those two bad guys!"

"Lan Ting: 'Cousin, are you still thinking about that bird maiden?'"

Translation: Lan Ting: "Cousin, are you still thinking about that Miss Que'er?"

Lan Ting, who had heard the rumors, sighed and shook her head pityingly at Zhui Yu.

Translation: Lan Ting, who had heard the rumors, sighed with a face of pity and shook his head at Zhui Yu.

"Her baby is already four months old; you should quickly give up that thought!"

Translation: "Her baby is already four months old; you'd better completely give up this thought!"

Now we need to output each line with 【N】 prefix and translation.

Now we need to produce the glossary list after all lines.

We need to list every name that appears in these lines, using the exact English forms from glossary where provided, and for others we need to provide the English translation we decided.

We must output in the format:

"Po Feng, you should also settle down and start a career."

"Don't let Leng Dian leave you too far behind."

Leng Dian's face flushed slightly: "Your Highness, please don't joke..."

Leng Dian lives up to his name, always being rather cold-hearted.

But today, he also became rabbit-eyed.

Duan Rongshi: "Leng Dian, you will stay and guard Nan'an."

"Being the consort of Zongzheng Xingyao, and also serving as the commander-in-chief of the 30,000 troops I have left to guard Nan'an."

"Guard the entire southern border for me. Can you do it?"

Leng Dian understood Duan Rongshi's meaning.

He went from shock to gradually having to accept it reluctantly: "Subordinate... I obey."

Although being a consort, he does not feel reluctant.

But Your Highness's intention is that he will not return to Nan'an?

Then wouldn't he have to be forever completely separated from Your Highness?

Leng Dian sat down, feeling very sad.

When it was Zhui Yu's turn, he was already trembling with fear, not daring to meet his master's eyes.

As if, by not making eye contact, this matter would not come to him.

His evasive, dodgy manner made Li Qingluo find it amusing.

"Zhui Yu?"

"Don't you want to know where you are being assigned?"

Zhui Yu waved his hand and shook his head: "Subordinate does not want to know."

"Subordinate does not want to be a city lord, nor a consort, nor a commander; subordinate would rather be a lowly guard."

"Your Ladyship, please..."

Li Qingluo: "Ah, then forget it."

"Originally I planned to let you be the Great General of the Bei Tu Army, which isn't too far from the imperial city..."

"That would also count as having a future..."

Zhui Yu lifted his head in ecstatic joy.

"Really?"

"Your Ladyship, Your Highness, is this really true?"

"Subordinate really can command the Bei Tu Army!?"

"The Bei Tu Army in front of the imperial city!?"

"Then wouldn't subordinate be the person closest to Your Highness and Your Ladyship? Subordinate could also attend court daily to see Your Highness, and at any time visit Your Ladyship and the young prince, still counting as serving before you."

"Hahaha, subordinate hasn't been exiled?"

Zhui Yu was very satisfied with his own outcome.

Po Feng and Leng Dian, however, looked at him as if he were an idiot.

What difference is there between him and them?

They are no longer the closest, most personal guards before Your Highness, yet they are still similarly granted official titles and military ranks.

However, he is indeed hateful!

He can actually frequently see Your Highness and Your Ladyship!

It must be that he usually is too smooth-talking, which is why he receives such treatment!

Po Feng and Leng Dian both couldn't help but grit their teeth fiercely.

And in their hearts they decided that later they must give him a severe beating, otherwise it would be really hard to vent this resentment in their chests.

However, Zhui Yu had not yet realized the impending danger.

He was still grinning, raising his wine cup to toast the two masters.

After Li Qingluo and Duan Rongshi exchanged a glance, their eyes both held deep sympathy for him.

Zhui Yu, take care of yourself.

The result was that Zhui Yu was made dead drunk.

Upon returning, he was also beaten while covered with a blanket.

The next day, he couldn't even get out of bed.

Lan Ting, after finding out, went to see him.

"Cousin brother, why are you always drunk? Your alcohol tolerance is poor, and you don't know to drink less."

These days, Lan Ting, after learning some martial arts from Zheng Mama, speaks much louder.

And with Zhui Yu, she has gradually regained the childhood familiarity, her speech and conduct becoming much more open.

Zhui Yu's face was full of shame.

"Ah, I was careless and fell into their two-person scheme!"

"They are just jealous of me, that's why they harmed me."

"Besides, it's not because I'm already of a certain age yet still lack someone who knows my cold and hot? Otherwise last night I wouldn't have been secretly schemed against by those two bad guys!"

Lan Ting: "Cousin brother, are you still thinking about that Que'er lady?"

Lan Ting, who had heard some rumors, sighed with a face of pity and shook his head at Zhui Yu.

"That lady's baby is already four months old; you should quickly cut off this thought completely!"

Lan Ting also felt regret for Zhui Yu.

Clearly, your older cousin is better-looking than that Sha San.

But she still felt that the older cousin should look ahead; with his prospects and looks, he is qualified to marry a princess.

Have you heard that Leng Dian married the princess?

Lan Ting said while helping Zhui Yu tidy the bedding and sheets.

"Quickly find me a proper sister-in-law, then I won't have to worry about your big matters."

Zhui Yu raised his head, his gaze deep: "What sister-in-law?"

"Do you not know that my delays to this day are all because of you?"

Lan Ting was startled.

"Older cousin, don't scare me!"

Zhui Yu flared up: "Why would I scare you?!"

"We have been engaged since childhood!"

"I really… really liked Que'er before, but later it was also because I couldn't let go of our engagement and couldn't ignore you, so I had a misunderstanding with her and missed out."

"Now I have completely let go of her, and finally I have waited for your return."

"Are you not planning to take responsibility for me?"

"What Lan Ting, such an ugly name!"

"You are Miao'er! My younger female cousin, my future wife, Su Miao'er!!"

"Lan… oh no, Su Miao'er's face turned red from his teasing."

"But, but I am not pure…"

"You not despising me already makes me grateful; how could I deserve you?"

Zhui Yu, eyes red, pulled her close to himself.

"Your past, which you couldn't control, is not a reason for me to blame you."

"Besides, you have suffered so much; my heart aches for you, how could I despise you?"

"Miao'er, it's you! If you don't despise the older cousin's heart that once left… let's get married."

"We should have started a family long ago."

"This also fulfills our families' promise; our parents in the underworld… can finally rest in peace."

Mentioning parents, Su Miao'er's tears fell in a rush.

She originally intended never to think about marriage again in this life.

Even if she still remembered that she was supposed to marry the older cousin when she grew up.

But she is now a broken body; even if she returns to the older cousin's side, how dare she dream that this could still have an outcome?

So she herself never brought it up!

She even planned to personally find a good match for the older cousin.

No, she is not worthy of the older cousin; no matter how much she says, she cannot delay him.

If someday others learn of her past, the older cousin will become everyone's laughingstock, becoming his blemish.

She must never repay kindness with enmity…

"You're confused."

"Don't mention this matter again."

"It doesn't count; the engagement was already null and void!"

Su Miao'er ruthlessly shoved Zhui Yu away, then turned and ran.

Zhui Yu hurriedly got up and gave chase……

In the blink of an eye, three months passed.

The 300,000-strong army that went on the western campaign now, under the leadership of the Da Chu Emperor Duan Rongshi and Empress Li Qingluo, has 200,000 returning triumphantly to DaLiang.

Upon entering Jinling, it was the scorching June.

All of Jinling was suffused with the fresh fragrance of blooming lotuses.

And after several years of turmoil, Jinling finally once again welcomed the dawn of peace…