The clouds rumbled as thunder and lightning criss-crossed, sawtooth strokes of lightning collided in the skies without pause and burst forth into glaring white. The ice-cold, desolate Cold Palace, in the contrast by flashes of light, was several times more prominently eerie.

“Let me out! Zhong er! My Zhong er1!” Yao Mo Xin crazily pounded on the vermilion painted wooden doors of the Cold Palace, postnatal blood dying her unadorned garment. After an entire night, her delicate body, unable to support itself any longer, fell in a pile onto the floor, her ten fingers streaked down the wooden door as she slumped, leaving ten long bloody lines.

(1) 儿 – “er” means boy but can when added on to a name is a way of endearment and is gender neutral

“What crime have I committed? What crime! Ye Hong Yi, for you to treat me this way!” Yao Mo Xin cried out with grief, tears flooded their way out of her eyes, wetting her lapel, as the cold penetrated her heart.

Just last night, she was still the high and mighty Empress of the great Chu nation, the labor pains were still vivid in her mind and that pleasant infant boy was still in her arms. She was happy to the point she didn’t know what worry was. But happiness is so brief, she didn’t even have time to react before being dragged off the phoenix couch by a group of imperial bodyguards that didn’t distinguish between right and wrong, and thrown into this dark, damp Cold Palace. Up to this moment, Yao Mo Xin still felt like this was a dream.

Iron chains clanked as the Palace doors opened, a gale violently swept up dead leaves and carried them in. Yao Mo Xin’s body abruptly trembled as she subconsciously curled up her body and closed her eyes.

“Jie jie2!” An anxious voice unexpectedly cried. When Yao Mo Xin opened her eyes, she saw Li gui fei appear in front of her, hugging an infant to her chest.

(2) 姐姐 – “jie jie” Older sister, can be used to address people not blood related

“Su Luan…… Zhong er! Hurry and hand Zhong er to me!” Yao Mo Xin ecstatically stretched her hands towards the child in Li gui fei’s3 bosom, but a piece of paper separated the two.

(3) 贵妃 – “gui fei” noble consort, 2 ranks down from empress, refer to wikipage

“Sign it!” A voice so cold it induced shivers reverberated loudly in the quiet Cold Palace. Yao Mo Xin hastily looked up, gazing at a face with a pair of strict flickering black eyes. At this moment, Yao Su Luan had already retreated to the side while hugging the infant, there was a strange spark in her eyes which flashed, then immediately disappeared.

“Hong Yi…… this…… what is this?” Yao Mo Xin looked vacantly at the man wearing the dragon robe embroidered with golden thread patterns before her, her heart suddenly turning cold. They had been husband and wife seven years and had always treated each other as honored guests, lifting the tray to eyebrow level4. She had never seen this dark and cold gaze before.

(4) Two sayings mean pretty much the same thing, they treated each other with mutual respect in the marriage.

“See for yourself!” Ye Hong Yi didn’t try to conceal the disgust in his eyes as he coldly scoffed. Yao Mo Xin held back the tears in her eyes, her ten fingers trembled as she picked up the paper.

“This qie,5 Yao Mo Xin’s private morals are harmful, they will cause disturbances to the family. To Prince Su she harbored improper intentions and the pearl fetus……” This was clearly a testimony, slandering her of having an affair, how could she sign it. One by one, teardrops sorrowfully descended, and intensified, until the tears fell like rain.

(5) 妾 – “qie” way for concubines and consorts to refer to themselves, concubine; this consort

“Everything is pure and white between this qie and Prince Su , why is Your Majesty wrongly accusing this qie?” Yao Mo Xin’s hand that was holding the paper shook uncontrollably. She looked disbelievingly at the man in front of her eye whom she had loved for seven years. With traces of tears on her face, the expression was lovely*.

*The expression was truly lovely was probably Ye Hong Yi enjoying her despair.

“As if you can even match up to the words pure and white! That night at the Water Ripple Pavilion, what great deed you two committed!” Ye Hong Yi towered above. His voice was like a cold blade, falling from above Yao Mo Xin’s head.

“Your Majesty minds that incident? But that night, Mo Xin only went to beg Prince Su to send troops after receiving Your Majesty’s secret orders, in order to save your majesty from calamity. Prince Su’s condition was to have Mo Xin accompany him and have a long talk with him, seated side by side. We did not do anything sinful……’Pah—’ Not waiting for Yao Mo Xin to finish speaking, the sound of the wind suddenly screamed next to her ear, the corner of Yao Mo Xin’s mouth dripped blood as five impressive blood-colored finger marks emerged on her face.

“Shut up! You’re saying that zhen6 is a useless thing, who sent his own woman submissively onto another man’s bed for the sake of begging for his life?” This was the thorn in Ye Hong Yi’s heart, every time it was mentioned, it caused him to lose face. At present, Ye Hong Yi gave a low growl and violently dragged Yao Mo Xin’s wrist with such ferocious strength that Yao Mo Xin felt as if she could hear her own bone dislocating. Pain, bore into her heart and pierced her bones, like an insane wave of onslaught.

(6) 朕 – “zhen” way for the king to refer to himself

“Ah—” Yao Mo Xin was in extreme pain, her lips and teeth were chattering, from her forehead immediately seeped meticulous beads of sweat.

“I’ll say it once more, sign it!” Ye Hong Yi violently flung her hand and Yao Mo Xin’s body, like a wing-torned butterfly, fell heavily down in front of that piece of paper.

“This qie never did so, and will not drag Prince Su into this false accusation……” Yao Mo Xin’s face was deathly pale, her willow eyebrows were tightly creased, every word, every sentence, resounded with strength.

“If you didn’t have any improper relationships, why would he, based on these few words from you, choose to willingly send troops to save zhen? Could it be that it didn’t occur to him, that once zhen died, he would naturally ascend to the title of Emperor!!” Ye Hong Yi spat out these words while gritting his teeth.

“Seven years as husband and wife, how many storms have we struggled through together? The battlefield campaigns, the five dragons struggle7, the chaos of Yi Xi, could it be that you don’t have any trust in Mo Xin at all?” Yao Mo Xin looked up in distress, hoping to catch tender sentiments in Ye Hong Yi’s eyes, but what entered her sight was ice-cold, sinister black eyes.

(7) 五龙夺嫡 – “five dragons struggle” refers to a story, from my skimming, basically five people wanted the throne so the royal family had a large battle in Jiang Hu, yet all the sources of dispute resulted from a girl’s odd experiences.

义熙之乱 – “Yi Xi” I might be wrong but after searching it up, it seems to be a time period from 405-418

“Seven years as husband and wife, zhen has tolerated you enough! Sign it, and zhen will leave you an intact corpse!” Ye Hong Yi’s voice seemed like that of the underworld’s devil, resounding in Yao Mo Xin’s ears. Her heart shattered. So the man whom she had staked her life to protect had felt this wronged?

“Mo Xin’s death is not worthy of pity, but Su wang8 had overcome numerous obstacles to assist you in becoming emperor. For your sake he went into bloody battles and killing fields, how can you bear to use such despicable methods to frame him……” Before Yao Mo Xin could finish her words, she saw Ye Hong Yi lift his leg violently to give her a fierce kick towards her stomach.

(8) “wang” is a suffix for a male member of the imperial family. “wang ye” is an informal way of addressing a prince or a vassal king

“Pu—” The back of Yao Mo Xin’s head fiercely struck the ground, her stomach boiled and a stinging sensation bubbled up, her throat burned as blood violently spurted out.

“Wretch! Zhen is the monarch; he is a subject, if zhen wished to kill him, why would zhen need a method!” Ye Hong Yi agitatedly thundered. But the more emotional he was, the more Yao Mo Xin knew that he had a guilty conscience.

“Your Majesty please quell your anger; why not let this qie try and convince jie jie……” At this moment, Li gui fei who had not made a sound for quite some time walked quickly to the front of Ye Hong Yi and opened her mouth, seeming heartbroken.

Silent, Ye Hong Yi’s malicious eyes spurned as he swept past Yao Mo Xin and stroded to the side.

“Jie jie, now that things have reached this stage, even if you don’t worry for yourself, shouldn’t you still think for Zhong er?” Yao Su Luan slowly crouched next to Yao Mo Xin’s body; her gentle voice, contrary to expectations, produced a cold tone.

“Let me hold Zhong er! My Zhong er!” Looking at the infant in Yao Su Luan’s bosom that was currently muttering in his sleep, Yao Mo Xin’s tears overflowed, both her hands impatiently extended towards Yao Su Luan.

“Jie jie has been clever her whole life, why did you become muddleheaded now. Think, why would His Majesty have ben gong9 carry Zhong er here? If you don’t want to sign, no one will force you. You’re willing to die to protect Su wang‘s reputation, but what will happen to Zhong er? If you don’t do as His Majesty wishes, will His Majesty treat Zhong er well?” Yao Su Luan’s cherry lips glanced pass Yao Mo Xin’s ear, as she spoke in a low voice. As she spoke, her fingers secretly gave the infant in her bosom a ruthless pinch.

(9) 本宫 – “ben gong” = Ben Gong is a way of referring to oneself, employed by an empress or a high-ranking consort when speaking to a person or an audience of lower rank or status

“Waah…… Waaah……” Suddenly, the infant started bawling loudly. To Yao Mo Xin, that sound was like having ten thousand sharp blades ruthlessly stabbing her heart, it pained her to the point she could barely breathe.

“Don’t cry! Zhong er, don’t cry!” Yao Mo Xin’s tears seemed like pearls that broke off their chain and in a turbulent rush, fell. Both hands desperately wanted to snatch back the infant, but Yao Su Luan unexpectedly stood back up.

“Jie jie, do you still not understand? Sign it!” Yao Su Luan hugged the infant, increasing the pressure in her hand. The infant, suffering pain, cried even more hysterically.

“Waah……”

“Zhong er——I’ll sign! I’ll sign——” As a mother, Yao Mo Xin could not bear the sound of the infant’s weeping any longer, her shaking blood-stained fingers reached out to pick up the paper.

“Ye Hong Yi, Mo Xin begs you, in light of the fact that we had been husband and wife for seven years, please treat Zhong er well! As for Su wang, though his achievements top everyone, he has never harbored any disloyalty. Even if Your Majesty does not care about brotherly affection, but please take into consideration, Ming Jun, these two words and spare his life……” Yao Mo Xin lifted her eyes in the direction of Ye Hong Yi, every word, every sentence, was like a sparrow crying blood, crying sorrow to the skies and grieving the earth10.

(10) 功高盖主 – “achievements top everyone” I tried my best to convey this proverb, but I think an explanation is still necessary. Basically means that his contributions are too great and causes the monarch to feel threatened by his reputation.

明君 – “Ming Jun” is referring to a wise/brilliant monarch/sovereign, basically implying that he should act as befitting of this title.

“sparrow crying blood” is actually cuckoo crying blood but I couldn’t convince myself that it didn’t totally destroy the current tone of that passage so I replaced the bird. It basically means to plaintively lament, speaking with so much sorrow that it feels as if one is dying.

His back facing Yao Mo Xin, Ye Hong Yi’s sharp eyebrows tightly wrinkled. This was what he hated most about Yao Mo Xin, in front of this woman, he seemed unable to harbor any secrets, Yao Mo Xin would always be able to clearly see through his thoughts.

“Jie jie……” Yao Su Luan deliberately glanced at the infant in her bosom as she urged.

Silently, Yao Mo Xin spread the paper onto the ground, her bloody finger furiously streaked across it and left Yao Mo Xin, these three large characters. Jun Qing11, what Mo Xin owes you in this lifetime, Mo Xin can only repay in the next lifetime.

(11) At this point I was trying to make sure this was a name and ended up spoiling the story for myself… why do I have to read so fast?? Why didn’t I just stop when I confirmed the name?? Time to forget, forget…

“Your Majesty, jie jie has signed it.” Yao Su Luan impatiently spoke, her voice betrayed an unconcealable excitement. Hearing that, Ye Hong Yi turned around and slowly walked to Yao Su Luan’s side. Yao Su Luan understood tacitly and passed the infant in her bosom to Ye Hong Yi before bending over to carefully pick up the paper and stow it away into her chest.

“Mo Xin has already done as Your Majesty wished, I beg Your Majesty to please let me hold Zhong er……” Nothing was sadder than a withered heart. Yao Mo Xin didn’t want to look at Ye Hong Yi any longer, but she could not bear parting with the child.

Just as Yao Mo Xin greedily lifted her eyes to look towards the infant, a cold light suddenly appeared in the depths of Ye Hong Yi’s eyes and he ferociously raised his hand, then heavily threw the infant onto the ground.

“Don’t——” Yao Mo Xin’s eyes widened, in a shocking speed she rushed over but was still a step too late. The infant’s face in his swaddling clothes was deathly white and colorless before her eyes. Dark red blood slowly flowed out from his mouth, below the back of his head, blood pooled into a river. Yao Mo Xin fiercely took the infant into her arms with both hands and mournfully wailed.

“Zhong er…… Zhong er ah——”

At the side, Yao Su Luan was unexpectedly shocked, but in the next second, the corner of her mouth curved into a slightly hidden arc. Yao Mo Xin, this is your retribution.

“Ye Hong Yi! You beast! He’s your son, your own blood and flesh, how could you bear to do this! How could you!” Yao Mo Xin’s tears wildly fell, both eyes, scarlet red as venus thistle, hatefully glared at Ye Hong Yi.

“You leave first.” Ye Hong Yi coldly spoke as he shot a glance at Yao Su Luan. Yao Su Luan obeyed the order and withdrew from the Cold Palace, then closed the palace doors, through the door crack, the corner of Yao Su Luan’s mouth wantonly curled into a wild smile. Yao Mo Xin, this time, you seriously are at the end of your road!

“Zhen‘s son? You’ve already signed the testimony, this child is vile spawn! It’s you and Ye Jun Qing’s vile spawn!” Dark hollowed darkness lurched in his pitch-black pupils as Ye Hong Yi stomped ruthlessly, and step by step, approached Yao Mo Xin, his body emitting a terrifying aura.

“You’re just haunted by envy! You just can’t tolerate Jun Qing, but this child is your blood! You should understand this better than anyone! How could you bear to do this! He is our child!” ‘Pah—’, just as Ye Hong Yi came near, Yao Mo Xin abruptly raised her palm, concentrating all her unwillingness and resentment and ferociously slapped Ye Hong Yi.

Ye Hong Yi was stunned for a moment. Now he licked the bloodstain at the corner of his mouth, blood-thirsty eyes like that of a wrathful beast murderously fixated on Yao Mo Xin.

“Zhen does not feel as if this slap was unexpected. From the start you were always this way, considering everyone else beneath you! No matter if it were the battlefield campaigns, the five dragons struggle, the chaos of Yi Xi! You were always able to think one step ahead of zhen! In your presence, zhen was just like a puppet! Like a useless person! As if zhen only acquired this throne because of your help, the help of a woman! Zhen hates you, from the moment you revealed the cutting edge12, zhen already hated you to death!” Ye Hong Yi’s fingers, like claws, grasped Yao Mo Xin’s snow white neck, in his pitch-black eyes was not even the slightest trace of light.

(12) Not sure what it is, it’ll probably be revealed later, but the possible alternatives are: tip(of pencil, spear etc); sharp point; spearhead; vanguard

“Those are just rumors!” Yao Mo Xin felt as if the pit of her stomach was being submerged in seawater, she felt ill to the point she was almost suffocating, but both her hands still tightly hugged the infant although he was already no longer breathing.

“Everything they said was true! If there wasn’t you! Zhen could not have possibly obtained the throne! If it weren’t for you curbing Ye Jun Qing, would he willingly acknowledge allegiance to zhen? The five dragons struggle, the chaos of Yi Xi, everytime zhen despaired and gave up hope, you were always able to think of a good plan to counterattack! This is fact!” The strength in Ye Hong Yi’s hands became increasingly greater, in his eyes ignited raging flames as if he desired to burn Yao Mo Xin alive.

“So…… great grace became grudge13! After all is said and done you just can’t tolerate Mo Xin? But everything Mo Xin did was for your sake! If there wasn’t Mo Xin, would you have today!” Yao Mo Xin’s tears bursted like a dam, her crushed throat forced out hoarse shouts of questions.

(13) I was unsure which translation to settle with and decided to search it up, chancing upon the fact that it was actually a variation of a different saying: 大恩即大仇 which means that basically, one person did a large act of grace which was so great that the second person could never repay it, so over time, such an act of grace became a sensitive topic and eventually the uncomfortableness turns to hatred and manifests into a grudge.

‘Pah—’ Both of Ye Hong Yi’s eyes abruptly turned red. He angrily lifted his hand and brutally slapped Yao Mo Xin with even greater force, causing Yao Mo Xin’s body slide back several meters. The infant in her bosom fell out of her embrace and rolled to the side.

“Zhong er!” Enduring the pain that attacked her whole body, Yao Mo Xin frenziedly rushed towards the infant, but Ye Hong Yi got there first.

“Not just cannot tolerate you! Zhen cannot tolerate this child either! Whether he is a vile spawn or not isn’t important, the important point is that his birth mother is you!” Ye Hong Yi bellowed in rage as he savagely threw the infant on the wall causing his head to crack and brains to spill out.

“Ah——Zhong er! Ye Hong Yi, you monster! Monster! In the next life Mo Xin will definitely make your corpse be torn into ten thousand pieces14! Ten thousand pieces!!” Yao Mo Xin maniacally threw herself towards the infant, making this firm resolution.

(14) It’s not just a curse, it was apparent at one time a punishment for people guilty of truly terrible crimes.

“Good! Zhen awaits your next lifetime! But in this lifetime, zhen will definitely not let you die in peace! Zhen will have you face this vile spawn’s corpse and perish slowly in the Cold Palace!” Seeing Yao Mo Xin’s insane appearance as she hugged the badly mutilated infant, a thread of pleasure flashed across the depths of Ye Hong Yi’s eyes.

Stepping out of the Cold Palace, Ye Hong Yi restrained the vehenmence in the depths of his eyes and coldly commanded Yao Su Luan.

“Lock up the palace doors. Starting today, it is prohibited to bring water or food here!” Leaving this order, Ye Hong Yi completely departed. After watching Ye Hong Yi’s figure fade from her sight, the corner of Yao Su Luan’s mouth curled slightly and she proceeded to stroll into the Cold Palace.

“Tsk, who would have thought it. His Majesty actually harbored such deep sentiment for you, and didn’t even end you with his own hands!” Yao Su Luan lifted her eyebrow as she looked towards the ground at where Yao Mo Xin was collapsed, sobbing in grief, her soft voice carrying unconcealed maliciousness.

Not paying any attention to Yao Su Luan’s mocking and ridicule, Yao Mo Xin was tightly hugging her Zhong er, heartrendingly wailing, I’m sorry! I’m sorry Zhong er! If it weren’t for mother, you wouldn’t have died so miserably! This heartless fate! Where did she go wrong? If it wasn’t due to some mistake of hers, why did she have to go through all of this!

“Then cry! Bring that lowly mother and imbecile sister of yours along to cry! Now that I think about it, it’s about time, they should be down there already waiting for Zhong er! Ah—” Yao Su Luan couldn’t hold back and bursted out laughing. She finally got rid of her eyesore and it was even to the satisfaction of everyone!

“You…… what did you say?” Yao Mo Xin abruptly lifted her gaze, her despairing eyes fixed on Yao Su Luan.

“Did I not make it clear enough? Then fine, I’ll repeat it again. It was yesterday, when you were thrown into the Cold Palace by His Majesty, my mother had already, according to plan, sent that lowly mother of yours a dose of strong poison. As for that imbecile sister of yours, I reckon by now she’s already been defiled by those daye1s in the brothels for their money’s worth.” Every word, every sentence Yao Su Luan spoke, like knells, strike and vibrated inside Yao Mo Xin’s head.

(1) 大爷 – “daye” can refer to self-centered showoffs, uncles, a term of respect for older man, basically just refers to guys, sometimes derogative, something respectful, sometimes neutral

“Yao Su Luan! I treated you well, yet you bite the hand that fed you, you heartless wretch! You…..” Yao Su Luan’s palm fiercely slapped down, interrupting Yao Mo Xin’s snarl.

“Pei2! If you treated me well you would have quietly given up the throne of the Empress, that seat is mine! Do you think a lowly life like yours, which was borne of a concubine, could ever be suited to seat on the phoenix throne! Yao Mo Xin, I’ve hated you to death since forever. Luckily, the Heavens have eyes. Even though it was a bit late, it still allowed me to get rid of you, you blight! Oh, I almost forgot to tell you, that rumor was something I had people spread; He Lian da ren was sent into prison with my accusation, otherwise what would have made you move to secretly incite the court to jointly present a petition to save him; and that night at Water Ripple Pavilion, it was also me that found all the so-called eye witnesses, and…… there’s really too much, even ben gong can’t quite keep track of them all!” Yao Su Luan egotistically flaunted her own ‘accomplishments’ and sinisterly laughed.

(2) 呸 – “Pei” Spitting sound

大人 – “da ren” Sir/Madam. A suffix used for an official or a person in authority.

本宫 – “ben gong” is a way of referring to oneself, employed by an empress or a high-ranking consort when speaking to a person or an audience of lower rank or status

“Such a black heart! I’ll kill you! Ah——” Yao Mo Xin felt her heart which was already heavily damaged from the start, right now, with a thump, shattered completely. The one who she loved enough to sacrifice her life for, Ye Hong Yi, saw her as a thorn in his eye. The one she had always indulged, Yao Su Luan, saw her as a thorn in her side. What she received in return, was that all her relatives died pitifully one by one!

Just at the moment when Yao Mo Xin flung herself towards Yao Su Luan, she was savagely struck by Yao Su Luan back onto the ground.

“Oh well, after all that’s said and done, you did give me the chance to harm you, so take this dagger as my way of repaying you! This place reeks of blood. How disgusting. The way to die, you can choose as you see fit!” Yao Su Luan flung the dagger in her sleeve in front of Yao Mo Xin, cover her nose again, then swept a final disgusted glance across Yao Mo Xin’s deathly pale face before finally leaving.

The iron chains clanged, the doors of the Cold Palace were securely closed once again. Yao Mo Xin roughly dug both hand into the ground, allow her fingers to be pierced with pain as she silently crawled towards the infant whose whole body was covered with blood.

“Zhong er, don’t be scared……no need to be scared……Mother will join you now! Mother swears, never to let anyone ever bully you again……” Blood tears flowed out the corners of Yao Mo Xin’s eyes. She tightly embraced the infant with one hand, the other hand slowly raised the dagger. In the depths of her eyes, was a blanket of pitch-black darkness.

“Ye Hong Yi! Yao Su Luan! After I die I will become definitely become a malicious spirit, and I will seek you out make you two pay for all the unfinished debts……”

Blood, bubbling and gushing out, dyed the ice-cold bricks a scarlet red. That dark red blood was just like the dark flowers that bloom in the underworld; in its tragic beauty was penetrating eeriness.

Yao Mo Xin and the infant’s corpses were tightly bound together, in this lifetime, no one can separate them again……

In the great Chu Imperial City, it is Xing Hua street that is the most popular. The streets were filled with streams of people, carriages clattered, and both sides of the street were filled with teahouses, taverns, pawn shops, workshops, row upon rows of shops. A complete scene of booming prosperity.

The entire large street gave off the impression of imposing luxury. But none dared to compare with the Fragrant Harmony Courtyard. The three-story-high building rose steeply from the ground, crowned with glazed roof tiles, blood-colored flight eaves, engravings decorated the roof beams and paintings the pillars; the colors were splendid and eye-catching.

This is where men indulge in luxury, a place dazzling with paper and gold. Huge amounts of silver are cast into the sumptuous mansions of the Fragrant Harmony Courtyard. At the door, several enchanting girls with conspicuous amounts of makeup and half-exposed fragrant shoulders continuously waved the silk handkerchiefs in their hands, their soul-suckingly coquettish glances turned many a man’s legs limp.

Inside the Fragrant Harmony Courtyard were gentle and charming colors of spring, unlimited amounts of bright colors, men with reds and blues in each arm3, in a drunken stupor. This Fragrant Harmony Courtyard that looked full of gold and jade in glorious splendor was truly the exemplification of the saying gilded on the exterior and shabby within.

(3) “red and blues in each arm” seems to be a part of it saying though no dictionary I found officially defines it. The closest I got was the whole saying seems to go like this “first embrace red, then embrace blue, accompany for a chat accompany for a night” So like escorts that also work as prostitutes…

At present, the innermost room of the Fragrant Harmony Courtyard was a complete mess.

“Waaah…… You’re bullying me…… Liu Xing save me…… it hurts……” On the bed, Yao Mo Wan’s tears spilled forth from the corners of her eyes as flailed her snow-colored lotus arms with all her might, trying to shove down the man on top of her that was pinning her body down, but in the next moment, both her hands were forcefully pressed down above her head by another man.

“You bunch of animals! Let go of the Third Miss! Scram!” The man called Liu Xing’s eyes were scarlet red. He lifted his leg to kick the hired thug that was dragging him and turned around with a sudden large stride to rush to the bed, reaching out to drag the white silk pants gongzi ge4 down to the floor, then turned to land a punch on the other vulgar man’s eye.

(4) 公子哥 – “gongzi ge”refering to a rich person who only eats, drinks, and play, a child that does not attend to one’s proper duties

“Third Miss, don’t be scared, as long as Liu Xing is here, no one is allowed to bully you!” Liu Xing used his sleeve to wipe the bloody stain below his nose. In spite of all the injuries on his body, he, just like a statue, stood straight in front of Yao Mo Wan.

“Preposterous! Attack him! Ben shao ye5 orders you to beat him to death!” The silk pants gongzi ge climbed up with difficulty, cutting a sorry figure, then pointed at Liu Xing giving this furious shout. Many hired thugs heard and at once advanced to surround Liu Xing, throwing their fists with all their might.

(5) 本少爷 – “Ben” refers to oneself, “shao ye” refers in this case to the young master of the house, other usages include son of the boss and your son (honorific).

“Don’t…… you guys don’t hit him! Liu Xing…… Waah……” Yao Mo Wan watched with fright as Liu Xing was shoved to the ground by those thugs, continuously being punched and kicked, so she recklessly rushed off the bed to try and pull away those thugs, but unexpected was fiercely kicked out of the way by one of the thugs. Her body, like a wing-torn butterfly, violently slammed into the corner of the bed. Hand, hung down limply. In the end, her breath ceased.

Everyone was preoccupied with dealing with Liu Xing. Even the white silk pants gongzi ge had joined in the ranks to beat him up, no one cared about Yao Mo Wan’s situation.

“I’ll kill you all!” Liu Xing who was beaten black and blue, upon seeing Yao Mo Wan fall to the ground, his heart felt extremely worried. He suddenly got up in a burst of insane desperation, picked up the stool next to him and ferociously swung it towards one of the thugs. The thug, caught off guard, was hit squarely by the stool and blood gushed forth.

“Such big guts for a dog! To dare to actually harm ben gongzi‘s people! Beat him to death!” The silk pants gongzi ge bellowed, outraged, and the hired thugs closed in around Liu Xing and once again merged into a mess.

“So noisy……” Yao Mo Xin, in an absent-minded moment, only felt a stab of pain from her forehead, her eyes slowly opened. Looking at the scene before her eyes, Yao Mo Xin felt an indescribable feeling, suddenly as if remembering something, both hands abruptly tightened. She looked down, yet didn’t see her Zhong er.

“Third Miss! Run! Hurry and run——” Liu Xing’s head was broken and blood was flowing. He knew himself that he could not hold on for much longer, so he shouted as if his life depended on it, hoping that Yao Mo Wan would hear.

Yao Mo Xin looked towards the voice with shock, seeing that familiar silhouette. It’s Liu Xing. She remembered clearly, in the entire Yao Xiang fu6, her mei mei was only close to this one servant. But just now he……

(6) 府 – “fu” refers to a residence and the clan that resides there; Yao Mo Xin’s paternal home is the 姚相府 “Yao Xiang fu”

“You! What did you call me?” Yao Mo Xin looked towards Liu Xing, aghast. In the next instant, she abruptly got up and ran towards the dressing table, picking up the copper mirror.

“Mo Wan…… How could it be? How is this possible!” Yao Mo Xin gripped the mirror, turning the surface as if her life depended on it, but no matter which angle she looked from, what was reflected in the mirror was her sister Yao Mo Wan’s face! Didn’t she already die? She still clearly remembered the sudden chill she felt as she stabbed that dagger into her stomach. The moment when she closed her eyes, Zhong er’s face, covered with blood, was the last thing she saw of this world.

But right now, unexpectedly, she was conscious. Not only that, but this body was clearly her own sister’s! Who could explain to her what exactly happened!

“Little girl, don’t even think of running, ben gongzi had spent a bunch of silver for you! You guys can’t you hurry up and finish dealing with this guy! Seriously disappointing!” The silk pants gongzi ge suddenly grabbed Yao Mo Wan’s hand, a wide lewd smile stretched across his perverse face.

“Third Miss! Smack him! Use the mirror to smack him! Hurry and run—” Numerous thugs, receiving the gongzi‘s command, attacked him even more cruelly. Blood, gushed out from Liu Xing’s forehead.

At this moment, Yao Mo Xin couldn’t not accept this reality. She had came back to life, and had even reincarnated into someone else’s body7! Feeling throbbing pains from her forehead, Yao Mo Xin concluded without doubt, her own sister must have knocked into the corner of the bed and lost her life to the nine springs.

(7) I just wanted to make a note about this because ‘reincarnated into someone else’s body’ is the literal translation of a chinese pronoun. What the pronoun actually means is that it refers to an occassion in which a formerly discarded or discredited idea returns in another guise. I just find it funny, maybe reincarnation stories were inspired by the literal translation of this saying?

“nine springs” refers to the chinese underworld

Fine! Since the heavens had given her this rebirth opportunity, she will properly cherish it. From now on, she is Yao Mo Wan. The one, in this entire world, who understands most, of Ye Hong Yi’s cruel dog nature, of Yao Su Luan’s poisonous scorpion heart. The Yao Mo Wan containing Yao Mo Xin and Zhong er‘s grudge that is deep as the blood seas, she is the Yao Mo Wan who swore to tear Ye Hong Yi and Yao Su Luan’s corpses into ten thousand pieces!

“Stop!” Accompanied by a ‘bang——’ sound, Yao Mo Wan’s stern voice resounded loudly. That winter-like chilling voice caused the white silk pants gongzi ge to tremble and loosen his grip.

“Third Miss…… Run……” Liu Xing’s sight was fuzzy, his whole face bloody, but still, he only worried about Yao Mo Wan’s safety.

“Tch…… Why did you become difficult all of a sudden, well being a bit difficult is good, ben gongzi just loves little chilli peppers!” The silk pants gongzi ge was only slightly startled for a moment, then started approaching again with a lewd smile, but met with Yao Mo Wan’s blood-chilling expression froze in his steps.

“I am present Empress’s blood related younger sister, the Imperial Court Prime Minister’s honorable third daughter, you guys must have ate an ambitious leopard’s gall, to dare to actually think lightly of me!” The soft and cold sound was like the voice of Asura from hell. Yao Mo Wan’s cherry lips pursed as she pressured the silk pants gongzi ge gradually.

“You……”

“Don’t tell me you guys didn’t know? The waist tablet Liu Xing dropped onto the floor has such a large ‘Yao’ character on it, it can’t be that you guys are blind? He called me Third Miss with every cry, it can’t be that you all are deaf? The entire Imperial City, if not the distinguished officials of the Imperial court, what other family servant have a waist tablet! It can’t be that you guys don’t even know this bit of common knowledge?” Yao Mo Wan’s each and every word resounded, her icy gaze pierced the silk pants gongzi ge.

“I……”

“And don’t try to hush things by killing the witnesses! This room is wide and open, how many people do you think passed by and saw ben xiao je‘s8 appearance, and how can you guys dare to guarantee that when Liu Xing came he didn’t notify the other family servants? Listen well, heal Liu Xing, otherwise you, and the rest of those trash, and your entire family can look forward to being buried together! Right now, move aside!” Yao Mo Wan’s beautiful eyes were severely cold. The gaze within those eyes seemed to contain the pressure of a death god, the silk pants gongzi ye didn’t dare to make the slightest indication of disobedience.

(8)本小姐 – again, ‘ben’ is refering to oneself “xiao je” translates most often to ‘miss’, I will be using ben xiao je and this miss interchangably. Usually ben xiao je when the tone is more authoritative I guess.

In the next second, Yao Mo Wan madly dashed out of the Fragrant Harmony Courtyard, in her ears echoed the words Yao Su Luan had spoken in the Cold Palace!

‘My mother had already, according to plan, sent that lowly mother of yours a dose of strong poison. As for that imbecile sister of yours, I reckon by now she’s already been defiled by those daye1s in the brothels for their money’s worth……’

Mother! You must hold on and wait for me! Wait for me!

Yao Xiang fu was located at the northwest corner of the city, with high ledges that rose proudly, glazed roof tiles and vermilion rafters, the two white marble lions in front of the doors were even more prestigious and awe-inspiring. At present, Yao Mo Wan rushed in directly through the fu doors while gasping for breath.

“Third Miss, it couldn’t be that there’s a dog chasing you? To run this fast?” At the fu doorway, Yao Tu, who had served as Yao fu’s steward for around twenty years now, suspiciously looked at Yao Mo Wan. Though his tone lacked politeness, it carried some warmth. Yao Mo Wan seemed to have not heard Yao Tu’s comment, only gasped for breath at the fu doors for a moment, then madly charged onward towards her own mother, Mo Li’s Bright Virtuous Pavilion.

Seeing Yao Mo Wan running into the fu as if she was throwing away her life, Yao Tu subconsciously walked out the fu doors to look around, but didn’t see any abnormalities. He couldn’t help but lower his head and sigh softly. Based on the Third Miss’s looks, if not for the problem of her intelligence, she would’ve certainly been bestowed the title of consort like Eldest Miss and Second Miss and be pampered.

She passed through the courtyard, and took a detour around the Nine Winding Song Corridors. Just as Yao Mo Wan passed through the arched doors of the Bright Virtuous Pavilion at the speed of storm, she suddenly heard the sound of an ear-piercing cry from within.

“Lao ye, you’ve gone insane! What wrong has this qie done? For you to punish this qie this way?” On the elegant, jade-colored stone floor, a still attractive and beautiful woman covered her swollen cheek with one hand, her slender red phoenix eyes disbelievingly looking at the middle aged man before her.

老爷 – “lao ye” master of the house, wives also sometimes call their husbands this way

The man wore a dark purple wide sleeved embroidered gown, his stature was pretty well proportioned, his appearance scholarly and refined, his countenance solemn with a scholar’s air, serenely distant eyes were calm and reserved, in between, the strict creases showed unconcealable rigorous schemes and deep foresight. This person was precisely great Chu’s prime minister, Yao Zhen Ting. And the one who he struck, knocking off her gold hairpin was his legal wife, Yao Su Luan’s birth mother, Dou Xiang Lan.

At this moment, Yao Zhen Ting was furious to the point of spitting thunder. Both his eyes glowered at Dou Xiang Lan as he fiercely pointed at the already breathless Mo Li on top of the bed couch and roared in a low tone.

“You malicious woman! How you usually bully Mo Li everyday, even adding slow poison into her food and drink and causing her body to be in poor health, all this lao fu could tolerate from you! But you actually poisoned her to death! As the legal wife, you are petty, vicious and narrow-minded! Lao fu can no longer tolerate you!” Yao Zhen Ting started speaking with a cold scoff, his ice-cold eyes did not contain the slightest trace of warmth.

老夫 – “lao fu” translated to old husband, way for husbands to refer to themselves

“What lao ye said is right, it was this qie that poisoned her to death! From the day that lao ye got drunk and started to pamper and visit her, a thorn started to pierce this qie’s heart! It was because this qie was benevolent, lenient, and had allowed her to give birth to Yao Mo Xin that sort of lowlife! Which caused Su Luan’s position as Empress to be snatched away! If this qie didn’t give her slow poison when she became pregnant with Yao Mo Wan, that Yao Mo Wan would definitely become a fox enchantress like her sister! Although Yao Mo Wan didn’t die as a fetus in her belly, but at least she was born as an idiot!” Dou Xiang Lan’s appearance was sinister as she glared towards the bed couch at Mo Li, shrieking hatefully.

‘Pah—‘ In midst of Dou Xiang Lan’s unrestrained deride, Yao Zhen Ting’s palm once again swept over.

“Since you’ve already admitted it, then lao fu will place righteousness before family and personally accompany you to the Ministry of Justice!” Yao Zhen Ting spoke vehemently, walking ahead with the intent to drag Dou Xiang Lan, but had his path obstructed.

“Lao ye should look at this secret report first, taking action later won’t be too late!” Dou Xiang Lan abruptly shook off Yao Zhen Ting’s palm, flinging the paper tucked in her sleeve over. Yao Zhen Ting hesitated for a moment, but in the end bent over to pick up the letter.

Looking at the letter in his hands, Yao Zhen Ting’s facial color turned more and more purple, changing at the speed of flipping through a book, until at last, with a faint frown Yao Zhen Ting tucked the letter into his sleeve. After a flash of hesitation ran through his eyes, he slowly walked towards Dou Xiang Lan and, with a small smile, reached out to help Dou Xiang Lan up.

“I’ve wronged fu ren, never would have thought Mo Xin, that ungrateful wretch, would do such an immoral thing. It’s still fu ren that thought things through most clearly, having this lowlife woman die is also good. In a while lao fu will have the steward throw her corpse into the Disorder Burial Mound so as to not irritate fu ren’s mood. Just then lao fu acted with a heavy hand, does fu ren still hurt?” Yao Zhen Ting’s finger stroked across the corner of Dou Xiang Lan’s lip, helping her wipe away the drop of blood, appearing pained and regretful as he spoke.

夫人 – “fu ren” way of saying wife, but also refers to their status as mistress of the house.

“As long as lao ye realizes his wrong, it’s good. Yao Mo Xin has already died, the seat of empress will definitely fall into my daughter, Su Luan’s hands. Henceforth, Yao fu can depend on Su Luan for their honor and reputation!” Dou Xiang Lan cast a side glance at Yao Zhen Ting, deliberately speaking with this reminder.

“Yes, yes…… fu ren must be tired, lao fu will help you back to your room to rest.” Yao Zhen Ting attentively supported Dou Xiang Lan out the door. Giving a glance at Mo Li out of the corner of his eyes, the depths of his eyes showed a thread of a sigh.

Just as Yao Zhen Ting helped Dou Xiang Lan out of the room, Yao Mo Wan suddenly dodged behind the elm tree in the corner of the courtyard to hide. Until the two disappeared from the Bright Virtuous Pavilion, only then did Yao Mo Wan run out, rushing straight into the room.

“Mother…… Daughter came too late…… mother!” Yao Mo Wan threw herself down towards the bed couch, drop after large drop of tears rolled down and dropped. Her knees bent and she dropped into a kneel on the ground, both hands tightly grasping Mo Li’s already cold fingers, she mournfully wailed.

Don’t know how long she had cried before Yao Mo Wan slowly lifted her eyes. In her desolate ice-cold pupils rolled dense hollow darkness.

“Mother…… go at peace, daughter will definitely get justice for you! All the pain that Dou Xiang Lan caused you, I will pay it back hundredfold! And that Yao Zhen Ting that doesn’t deserve to be called a husband, to be called someone’s father! Daughter swears to you, they will die miserably……” A burst of ice cold laughter suddenly sounded forth, resounding in the skies of the Bright Virtuous Pavilion, it was terrifyingly eerie as if the cry of a ghoul. The current Yao Mo Wan’s existence was like that of King Yama from the underworld, from her body to her very bones exuded chilliness.

Right at this moment, the sound of urgent footsteps suddenly came from outside the door. Yao Mo Wan’s willow brows knitted, without taking the time to think she instinctively bent over to hide below the bed couch. Before she comes up with a plan, she can’t easily show herself, otherwise she’ll end up inadvertently alerting an enemy.

“Unfold the straw mat.” Yao Tu spoke with a deep voice, his sharp gaze watching the two old servant behind him. Old servant Zi Shi obeyed the order and spread the straw mat that was tucked under his arm out evenly on the ground.

“Steward Yao, are we really going to throw Second Madam into the Disorder Burial Mound?” Old servant Chen Qiang asked doubtfully.

“Here is fifty taels of silver, you two listen carefully. Carry Second Madam out from the back door, buy a top quality coffin and bury her properly!” Yao Tu ordered in a low voice while talking out from his own chest a heavy purse.

“But lao ye……” Chen Qiang reluctantly received the silver as he spoke with a worried frown.

“Would lao ye watch what you guys do!? While Second Madam was alive she didn’t treat us badly, this is all we can do for her. Remember, be covert when you bury her.” Yao Tu exhorted.

“Then what should we write on the gravestone?” Chen Qiang asked.

“Gravestone…… Ah! Just stand a blank gravestone for now! To prevent side issues from continuing to rise.” Yao Tu gave a long sigh. When his gaze landed on the couch where Mo Li was laying, he couldn’t help but sigh.

“Eldest Miss is the current Empress, how could lao ye dare to treat Second Madam this way?” Chen Qiang and another old servant lifted Mo Li off the bed as Chen Qiang grumbled to himself.

“Hush! Just focus on the job, what are you talking so much for!” Yao Tu gave a warning, but he had already guessed a few scenarios. It can be assumed that something must have happened to Eldest Miss in the palace, otherwise, even if lao ye was just putting on an act he would still have given Second Madam a grand burial.

When the two started carrying Mo Li’s corpse out of the Bright Virtuous Pavilion, Yao Tu originally was planning to leave as well, but was suddenly shocked. He ordered Chen Qiang to leave first, turning around to tightly close the doors.

“Third Miss?” After Chen Qiang and the other servant walked pretty far away, Yao Tu then turned around to look below the bed couch, calling out softly. Beneath the bed, Yao Mo Wan knew that she had accidentally let out a sound just now, continuing to hide was already meaningless, so she crawled out from below the bed, choking with sobs.

“Steward Yao…… Waaah…… Mo Wan is scared…… Mother doesn’t want Mo Wan anymore……” Yao Mo Wan pretended to be frightened as she huddled at the corner of the bed, both hands wiping tears, appearing just like she had lost her head out of fear.

“Fuu! Third Miss, don’t cry, Second Madam just went to some place really far away, do you want to go find her?” Yao Tu’s heart ached as he crouched down next to Yao Mo Wan, in his eyes were evident pity.

“Want…… Mo Wan doesn’t want to be apart from mother……” Yao Mo Wan nodded vigorously, her tear stained face like raindrops on a pear blossom turned towards Yao Tu. In her heart though, she started to become on guard.

“Third Miss, listen carefully, right now Ting Yue is waiting for you in the firewood room. Here is the key and ten or so banknotes. Go find her, she’ll bring you to find Second Madam. Remember, you can’t let anyone find out, otherwise they’ll capture you and won’t let you go to find your mother.” Yao Tu pondered for a short moment before squeezing the firewood room’s key and the banknotes from his waist into Yao Mo Wan’s palm. Yao Tu knew clearly, if Third Miss stayed in the fu, Big Madam would definitely not let her off. He himself was slight of body and light of words, all that he could do he has done.

”slight of body and light of words” means basically, he’s not that strong either physically or with influence, aka his words are light and not many people would listen to him.

Looking at the key and banknotes in her hand, a smudge of relief streaked through Yao Mo Wan’s heart. Then she looked at Yao Tu.

“Thank you……” You will definitely receive good karma due to your kindness, Yao Mo Wan pledged to herself.

“Third Miss…… Hurry and go! Ting Yue has probably gotten anxious waiting.” Seeing the glistening tears in Yao Mo Wan’s eye, Yao Tu couldn’t help himself from wiping the tears. He, when all’s said and done, had watched Third Miss grow up from the time she was an infant, in his heart he was somewhat reluctant to part with her.

“En, then Mo Wan is going!” Yao Mo Wan knew in her heart she could not tarry, so she got up and left the Bright Virtuous Pavilion.

On the road, Yao Mo Wan meticulously avoided the servants, very soon she arrived at the firewood room in the back garden. Seeing that there was no one around, Yao Mo Wan hurriedly opened the firewood door lock. Ting Yue was a little yatou her mother had saved off the streets in the past, afterwards she had always served at her mother’s side. Perhaps because of that saving grace, Ting Yue was loyal and devoted towards her mother. This is probably also the reason Yao Tu had her find Ting Yue, Yao Mo Wan thus thought.

丫头 – “yatou” = servant girl

At precisely the moment she opened the door, Yao Mo Wan’s pupils dilated. Suddenly everything else blanked out, all she could see was Ting Yue hanged from the roof beams, her hair disheveled, the corner of her mouth dyed with blood, her entire body covered with cuts and bruises.

“Ting Yue…… Ting Yue!” Yao Mo Wan was only shocked still for a moment before she hurriedly turned to close the door securely, then carried over a stool to step onto and release Ting Yue.

“Third Miss…… Third Miss! Are you alright? That’s great! You’re alright!” When Ting Yue opened her eyes and saw Yao Mo Wan, she immediately started crying tears of joy.

“Who was it that beat you up like this?” The rim of Yao Mo Wan’s eyes were tearful as she reached out to tuck a strand of Ting Yue’s messy hair behind her ear.

“It was…… Third Miss, why would you be here? Hurry and leave! Leave from the back door! It would be terrible if you get caught by high mo mo! Hurry and go! Ah……” Ting Yue seemed to have remembered something and tired to push Mo Wan away with all her might, but because it implicated her wounds she involuntarily cried out in pain.

高嬷嬷 – “high mo mo” it translates to elderly lady, wet nurse, catholic nun. This isn’t a servant position I’m familiar with. I’m guessing wet nurse because nurses often stay in the fu to serve the child they were brought to take care of, but the fact she seems to be a highranked ‘mo mo’… I’m not sure it’s a wet nurse so I’m leaving it as ‘mo mo’ for the time being.

“I’ll bring you with me!” Yao Mo Wan resisted, not letting her tears fall as she shouldered Ting Yue up and strenuously walked out of the firewood room. Luckily, the back door was only a few meters away from the firewood room. Yao Mo Wan and Ting Yue left Yao Xiang fu without a single hindrance.

“Third Miss…… You……” Seeming to notice that Yao Mo Wan was different from how she usually was, Ting Yue spoke with suspicion.

“Let’s find an inn first, then I’ll explain to you.” Yao Mo Wan interrupted Ting Yue’s question, arduously supported Ting Yue to the closest inn to settle down, then sent one of the inn’s waiter to find a doctor to treat Ting Yue. Throughout this entire process she exhibited extraordinary precision, not the slightest trace of foolishness could be seen.