T/N: translated this awhile back just for fun, thought I would post it. not planning to continue, TTDFD is more than enough work for me.
闭门思过分为两个部分，一个是闭门，一个是思过。
Going into seclusion to reflect is divided into two parts: one, going into seclusion; two, reflecting.
没有人会傻到去要求纪小离思过，所以她被罚了就是闭门——除了去王妃处请安，只能待在自己的院子里。
No one would be foolish enough to ask Ji Xiaoli to reflect, so she was actually just punished with seclusion. Other than going to pay her respects at wangfei ’s residence, she could only stay in her own courtyard.
她的院子叫做嫏环轩，是个两进两出的幽静院落，离王妃住的南华院不远，每日除了请安时，王妃总还要过来个一两次探望闭门的小丫头。
Her courtyard was called Langhuan Pavillion. It was a quiet courtyard with two layers and two exits[1]. The Nanhua Court that wangfei stayed in was not far. Every day, aside from morning greetings, wangfei still had to come once or twice to visit this little girl who was in seclusion.
起先两天小丫头也不高兴来着，每天晨起都要长吁短叹两声，不过也就叹了两天，第三天开始她就忘记了，一门心思的在院子里折腾。
In the first two days, the little girl was unhappy. Every morning when she woke up, she would sigh twice, once long and once short. However, she only sighed for two days. On the third day onwards, she forgot about it, setting her heart on causing trouble in the courtyard.
小丫头就喜欢玩，而且玩什么都高高兴兴的：哥哥们休沐时带她去外头，漫山遍野的挖奇奇怪怪的野花野草，蹲在水边一个下午捕一种透明的小虾；没人带她出去，待在王府里玩她也很高兴，寻常女儿家放各种纤细美丽的风筝，她却要扎一个几倍大的，纪西特意给她弄来了军用的龙骨，那风筝结实又飞的极高，几个小厮拖着线轴都差点被扯上天去。
The little girl just liked playing, moreover, she would be happy playing anything. Her older brothers would bring her out on their breaks[2], they would dig out strange wild flowers and plants as far as the eyes can see, squat by the waters for a whole afternoon to catch a type of transparent little prawn. Now no one is bringing her out, but she was still happy to play in the royal residence (wangfu). Usually, young ladies would fly all sorts of exquisite and beautiful kites, but she wanted one that was a few times larger. Ji Xi purposely brought a keel[3]used in the military for her. That kite was sturdy and could fly extremely high. The little manservants holding the kite spool were almost pulled up to the sky.
现在被关在她自己的一亩三分地里，她仍然玩的很欢，王妃过去时，她正带着两个小丫鬟趴在地上生火。
Now being confined to her own little piece of land, she still played very happily. When wangfei went over, she was lying on the ground with two little servant girls, trying to light a fire.
王妃见她玩的高兴，没有扰她。待火升起来了，她兴高采烈的跑过来，王妃接过奶妈手里的湿帕子细细擦拭她脸上的灰。擦干净那张莹白细腻的小脸，王妃柔声的问她：“刚才那是在做什么呢？看你蹭的这一脸的灰。”
Wangfei saw that she was playing happily and did not disturb her. When the fire was lit, she ran over in high spirits. Wangfei took a wet handkerchief from the wet nurse and carefully wiped away the ash on her face. After cleaning that white and exquisite little face, wangfei asked her gently, “What were you doing just now? Look at your face full of ash.”
“纪西哥哥给我做了孔明灯，一会儿我们放灯玩儿！母亲有什么心愿？写在灯上放上天去，神仙会保佑母亲心愿得偿！”女孩子忙活的额头冒了汗，双颊红粉粉的，像朵正要抽花骨朵的芍药。王妃这几日因为公主生气的事情心中一直难安，此时望着小女孩花骨朵般健康红润的小脸，总算愁眉微展。
“Older Brother Ji Xi made a sky lantern for me. In a little white, we’re going to light it and play! What wishes does Mother have? Write them on the lantern and send it to the sky, the gods will bless Mother’s wishes for them to be fulfilled!” The girl’s forehead was sweating from her exertion, her cheeks rosy, like a peony about to bud. These few days, wangfei had felt uneasy due to the princess’s anger. When gazing at the little girl’s healthy and rosy little face that was like a flower bud, her frown eased a little.
伸指点了点小丫头的额头，王妃温柔的笑着说：“母亲希望你乖乖的，平平安安、生活如意。”
Her finger poked at the little girl’s forehead, wangfei smiled gently and said, “Mother wishes that you will be obedient, remain safe and sound and live life as you wish.”
此时还是暮春时节，这会儿太阳已经快要落山了，余晖金灿灿的压着嫏环轩高高的院墙，斜斜的投了一块在正堂的青石砖上，有种安宁如梦的味道。
It was the evening spring time now, the sun was setting soon, the golden bright and dazzling twilight pressing on Langhuan Pavilion’s courtyard walls, the light cast obliquely on a bluestone brick in the main hall. The atmosphere was tranquil and dreamy.
小离在这安宁如梦里笑的心满意足。王妃纤细干净的手指抚过她汗气微湿的鬓，轻声说：“小离，母亲告诉过你多少次了：不要去公主娘娘院子里惹事。还有，纪西纪北都大了，不能再像小时候似得成天和他们疯在一处。可你怎么就是不听话呢？”
Xiaoli smiled contentedly in this tranquil and dreamlike atmosphere. Wangfei’sclean and slim fingers caressed her temples damp with sweat. She said softly, “Xiaoli, how many times has Mother told you, don’t go and cause trouble at Princess niangniang’s courtyard. Also, Ji Xi and Ji Bei are older now, you cannot play with them all day long like you did in the past. But why are you always so disobedient?”
纪小离有些委屈的分辨：“我没有去公主娘娘的院子，是小白它自己来找我的……”说着见王妃脸色一变，她不敢再刺激纤弱的养母，扁了扁嘴，不说话了。
Ji Xiaoli explained with grievance, “I did not go to Princess niangniang’s courtyard. Little White Snake came to find me on its own…” As she spoke, she saw wangfei’sexpression change. She did not dare to aggravate her fragile adopted mother again and pressed her lips shut and stopped speaking.
王妃将她的小姑娘搂在怀里，轻声叹着气说：“下个月你可就十五了……可怎么办才好？”
Wangfei drew her little lady into her embrace and said with a quiet sigh, “You will be fifteen next month... what should we do?”
夜国的女孩年满十五就要办簪发礼了，到时候会请一位主宾为女孩梳头簪钗，行了簪发礼就意味着这个女孩是大姑娘了，可以嫁人了。
The girls of Ye country had to go through a coming of age ceremony[4]once they turn 15. When the time comes, they will invite a guest of honour to comb her hair and adorn it with a hairpin. After the coming of age ceremony, it would mean that that girl was an adult lady and could marry.
可是她的小离还这样懵懂天真，三天两头惹的公主大发雷霆，外头哪能一点都不知道呢？养在镇南王府这样显赫的门第，却至今一个上门说媒求亲的都没有。
But her Xiaoli was still so ignorant and innocent, frequently driving the Princess into a terrible rage. How could it remain unknown to the outside? Being raised in the Zhennan royal mansion that had an illustrious status, yet not a single person had come to propose marriage.
王妃很发愁。
Wangfei was very angry.
但小离一听这话像是小狗听到了肉骨头落地的声音，“蹭”的就从王妃怀里支起身，两只眼睛亮亮的发着光：“我十五岁了？国师大人给的锦囊是不是可以打开了？”
However when Xiaoli heard this, she was like a puppy who heard the sound of a piece of bone hitting the floor. She stood up from wangfei’s embrace, her eyes shining, “I am 15 years old? Then can the brocade purse the Grand Tutor gave me be opened already?”
王妃笑了，点了点她额头：“这个你倒记得牢。”
Wangfei smiled and poked her forehead, “You are able remember this clearly instead.”
小丫头搂着王妃脖子高兴的说：“我一直记着呢！那里头一定有修仙的法子！”
The little girl wrapped her arms around her mother’s neck and said happily, “I always remembered it! There must be a cultivation method in it!”
“修仙有什么好？母亲只希望你少闯祸，平平安安到老。”王妃搂着她，拍着她的背，“你是女孩子，嫁一个对你好的人才是好归宿。”
“What is good about cultivating? Mother just wishes that you would cause less trouble and live safely until you’re old.” Wangfei hugged her and patted her back, “You’re a girl, marrying a person that is good to you is the important thing.”
“嗯……就像母亲嫁给爹爹？”
“En… Just like how Mother married Father?”
拍着她背的手微微一顿，王妃语气里带着小离不熟悉的惆怅之意：“王爷……确实是有情有义之人……”
The hand patting her back paused briefly. Wangfei’s tone carried a melancholic feeling unfamiliar to Xiaoli, “Wangye… is indeed a loyal person…”
隔着半座镇南王府，晚晴院里也正说起下个月的簪发礼。
Separated by half of the Zhennan royal residence, those in Wanqing Courtyard were also talking about next month’s coming of age ceremony.
艳阳不满纪霆不痛不痒的处置，纪霆又忙于军务连着几日歇在书房，她更生气。
Yan Yang was dissatisfied with Ji Ting’s perfunctory handling of the matter. Moreover Ji Ting was busy with military affairs and slept in the study room for a few days, thus she was even angrier.
齐嬷嬷劝她：“好在那丫头眼看就要十五，迟早要嫁人的。南华院那位翻不出什么幺蛾子，王爷不过是看她孤弱，膝下除了纪南就是那个野丫头，这才会维护那野丫头几分，您何必为此置气呢？”
Qi momo advised her, “The good thing is that girl is turning 15 soon, she has to marry out sooner or later. That person in Nanhua Courtyard is unable to play any tricks. Wangye merely sees that she is weak and alone. Aside from Ji Nan, she only has that wild girl, that’s why he would protect that wild girl a little. Why would you get angry because of this?”
艳阳听了直冷笑：“是呢！她孤弱良善，那野丫头心思单纯，这府里就我一人心思狠辣、机关算尽！”
Yan Yang heard this and immediately laughed coldly, “That’s right! She is weak and kind, that wild girl is innocent and naïve. In this residence only I alone am ruthless and scheming!”
齐嬷嬷从小奶大她，对她的心思最清楚不过，也不多说，只说：“若真是这样，咱们大夜第一神将真是昏庸无能、识人不清了！”
Qi momohad nursed her since young, she understood her thoughts best. She did not speak too much and only said, “In that case, our Ye country’s first Godly General is muddleheaded and incompetent, unable to judge people clearly!”
这话以退为进，说得巧妙。大夜第一美丽的长公主殿下微微一怔，悄然红了双颊。
These words advanced through retreat, it was cleverly spoken. Ye country’s top beauty, Her Highness the Princess was briefly startled, her cheeks quietly flushed red.
世人都道纪霆对王妃一往情深，可若真是那样，她的三个儿子是哪里来的呢？若她真是心思狠辣机关算尽之人，那与她生育三子又默许托付中馈的男人，成什么了？
Everyone knew that Ji Ting had deep feelings towards wangfei. However, if that was really the case, then where did her 3 sons come from? If she really was a ruthless and scheming person, then what would that make the man who had 3 sons with her and tacitly accepted her as a wife?
艳阳的心情一下子转阴为晴。
Yan Yang’s mood brightened in an instant.
齐嬷嬷看得分明，趁机劝：“别再为这丫头与王爷起争执了，赶紧想法子把她嫁出去，断了少爷们的念想，好叫他们专心习武打仗，您掌着这府中与王爷的心……您顺心如意的日子就在眼前了！”
Qi momo saw this clearly and took this opportunity to advise, “Don’t argue with wangye because of this girl. Quickly think of a way to marry her off and put an end to the young masters’ distraction[5] so that they will concentrate on learning martial arts and warfare. You will be able to have this residence and wangye’s heart in the palm of your hand… Your happy days of living as you wish is right before you!”
艳阳靠在软枕堆里轻叹了口气，“说得容易啊，可也不知道姐姐是个什么意思？上回王爷提过纪南的婚事，我看她当时那神色，并不怎么愿意将小离嫁与纪南。”
Yan Yang leaned on a pile of soft pillows and sighed lightly, “It is easy to say, but who knows what older sister wants? Last time, when wangye mentioned Ji Nan’s marriage, I saw her expression at that time, she does not seem that willing to marry Xiaoli to Ji Nan.”
“那是自然，谁会要那么个小孤女当儿媳？”齐嬷嬷笑着说。
“That is natural. Who would want that that little orphan girl to be their daughter-in-law?” Qi momo said laughing.
艳阳摇摇头，“我倒觉得她是真心为那野丫头筹谋，那丫头虽然痴蠢，可女孩家一辈子就指着丈夫过，纪南毕竟……”差点说漏了嘴，艳阳连忙打住，扶了扶头上的步摇，咬着唇不说话了。
Yan Yang shook her head, “I actually feel that she is sincerely looking out for that wild girl. Even though that girl is stupid, but a girl’s whole life is dependent on their husband. After all, Ji Nan…” She almost let it slip. Yan Yang quickly stopped herself. She held the hairpin on her head, bit her lips and stopped speaking.
齐嬷嬷是知道纪南身上那个惊天大秘密的，自然知道哪怕是对纪小离来说，纪南也非良嫁，想想那王妃多么疼爱自己唯一的骨肉，却竟然没有毫不犹豫的牺牲了养女，心肠真是正直良善的了。
Qi momo knew about Ji Nan’s alarming great secret, naturally she also knew that even for Ji Xiaoli, Ji Nan was also not a good match. Thinking about that wangfei who loved her only flesh and blood so dearly, yet she actually did not sacrifice her adopted daughter, her heart really was upright and good.
“既然这样，公主不如想个法子把她嫁到外头去？”
“In that case, why don’t Princess think of a way to marry her out?”
“谁会娶她？！”艳阳翻了个白眼。
“Who would marry her?!” Yan Yang rolled her eyes.
“镇南王府的养女，想娶的人可多得是，只不过都听闻公主您素来不喜那丫头，谁也不敢与您作对，这才半个求亲的人家都没有呀！”
“The Zhennan royal residence’s adopted daughter, those that wish to marry her are many. Only they all heard that Princes you always did not like that girl, no one dares to oppose you, that’s why there isn’t a single family come to propose marriage!”
艳阳被她说的“噗嗤”笑出来，倚在那儿想了想，半眯着眼睛轻叩桌子，“给我递牌子去！明日是母后吃斋的日子，我要进宫！”
Yan Yang burst out laughing at her words. She leaned back and thought about it, her eyes half closed, she lightly rapped the table, “Send my edict plate[6] out! Tomorrow is the day Imperial Mother abstains from meat. I want to enter the palace!”
“您是要去求太后娘娘赐婚？”
“You want to ask Empress Dowager niangniang to bestow a marriage?”
“赐什么婚啊，谁耐烦给她找婆家！本宫去求母后为她簪发，她身份贵重了，自然有人求上门，到时候慢慢挑就是了！”艳阳快活的说。
“Bestow what marriage, who has the patience to find in-laws for her! I am going to ask Imperial Mother to conduct her coming of age ceremony. Her status is high and lofty, naturally there will be people coming to propose marriage. When the time comes we can just slowly pick!” Yan Yang said cheerfully.
嫏环轩的天黑下来，纪西纪北也到了，一只偌大的孔明灯放在院中地上，三个少年男女正说说笑笑的往上面提笔写字作画，丝毫不知此刻正有人决断他们的命运。
In Langhuan Pavilion, the sky had turned dark. Ji Xi and Ji Bei have also arrived. A large sky lantern was placed on the around in the courtyard. The three young men and women were talking and laughing while writing and drawing on the lantern, completely unaware that at this moment someone was deciding their fates.
纪北霸了两面灯，画了一副……写实画，他的枪法好，画工却懒得很，只勉强认得出来两个人骑在马背上，后头跟着大大小小一串黑墨蛋蛋。小离认了半天，指着问他：“是马儿一边跑一边拉屎吗？”
Ji Bei hogged two sides of the lantern, he drew a… freehand drawing. His marksmanship was good, but his drawing skills were extremely lazy. With difficulty, one would be able to recognise two people riding horses, following behind them were a string of large and small black circles. Xiaoli looked at it for a long time, before pointing and asking him, “Are the horses running and defecating at the same time?”
沉浸在对未来生活美好向往里的纪北一下子黑了脸，扔了笔就去拽她头上的嫩黄色丝带。小离捂着脑袋逃，纪西把她护了在身后，瞪了纪北一眼，纪北怏怏的跑了，小离从他身后伸出头来笑嘻嘻的问：“二哥，你写了什么？”
Immersed in thoughts of a beautiful future, Ji Bei’s face turned black. He threw down his pen and pulled at the light yellow ribbon in her hair. Xiaoli covered her head and ran away. Ji Xi shielded her behind him and glared at Ji Bei. Ji Bei quickly ran away. Xiaoli stuck her head out from behind Ji Xi’s back and asked happily, “Second Older Brother, what are you writing?”
纪西勾着嘴角看了她一眼，把她带到他的那面灯壁前。
Ji Xi looked at her with his lips hooked up. He brought her to his side of the lantern.
白色的棉纸上，风骨傲然的柳体情意宛然：“自去自来梁上燕、相亲相近水中鸥。”
On the white cotton paper, the vigorous and lofty Liu calligraphy[7] expressed, “Swallows on the bridge coming and going, gulls in the water chasing each other.”
小离歪着头盯着那两句看，纪西就目光柔柔的看着她，直到她转头问：“二哥想变成鸟？”
Xiaoli tilted her head and stared at those two sentences. Ji Xi merely looked at her with a gentle gaze until she turned around to ask, “Second Brother wishes to turn into a bird?”
一旁燃着的火堆光亮印在纪西英俊的脸庞上，一腔深情、对牛弹琴。
The light from bonfire at the side was imprinted on Ji Xi’s handsome face. A chest full of deep emotions, playing the lute to a cow.
他无奈的叹了口气，揉了揉小姑娘懵懂的脸，柔声问她：“小笨蛋……你许了什么愿？”
He helplessly sighed and rubbed the little lady’s confused face, asking gently, “Little dummy… what did you wish for?”
小离兴冲冲的拉他去看：一共六面灯壁，她涂满了其中的三面。第一面上是她替王妃娘娘画的，小丫头手工好，画画也不赖，寥寥几笔把自己圆圆的脸蛋画的形神俱备，虽是黑墨也看得出来身上穿戴的是凤冠霞帔。
Xiaoli excitedly pulled him to see: On the six sided lantern, she scribbled on three sides. On the first side, she drew it for wangfei niangniang. The little girl’s handwork was good, her drawing skills were not bad either. In a few strokes, she had drawn her own round face in a lifelike manner. Even though it was black ink, he could tell that she was wearing wedding clothes.
纪西含着笑看了她一眼。
Ji Xi looked at her with a smile.
第二面上有一座大房子，骑着马的纪霆手握大刀，后头东西南北四个儿子或站或跳，好一副将门虎子习武图！美艳的艳阳公主与王妃娘娘相扶着手，和平友好的在一旁看着他们。
On the second side, there was a large house. Ji Ting was riding a horse and holding a big sabre in his hand. Behind him were his four sons Dong, Xi, Nan, Bei (West, East, South, North), standing or jumping. A good drawing of a general practicing martial arts with his tiger sons! The beautiful Princess Yan Yang and wangfei niangniang were arm in arm, amicably looking on at the side.
纪西看得心头温暖，问她：“怎么少了一个人？你自己呢？”
小离笑眯眯的拉着他来到第三面灯壁前，那是她自己向神仙许的愿望：山峦河川之上云雾蒸腾，云之上有女子衣袂飘飘，御风而行。
Xiaoli smiled and pulled him in front of the third side of the lantern. This is her own wish to the gods: On top of mountains and rivers, the misty clouds hung in the air. Above the clouds, there was a female, her clothes floating in the air, she was walking against the wind.
“真是个傻丫头。”纪西叹了口气。
“Really a silly girl.” Ji Xi sighed.
还是前面两幅好，凤冠霞帔的她，嫁进美满幸福的家。
The previous drawing was still better. Her, in marriage clothing, marrying into a happy and blissful family.
纪西心想：我虽不是神仙，定竭尽所能如你所愿。
Ji Xi thought: Even though I am not a god, I will definitely do all I can to fulfil your wish.
嫏环轩中涂画孔明灯那会儿，紫霞山的峭壁上临风站着一个黑衣男子。
During the time they were drawing on the sky lantern in Langhuan Pavilion, a man dressed in black stood against the wind on a cliff on Zixia Mountain.
远处的高山终于吞噬最后一丝光明，他一跃而下。
The tall mountain in the distance finally swallowed the last bit of light. He descended in one leap.
那峭壁下有一处人迹罕至的山谷，谷中有一片寒潭，深九丈，潭眼通往幽冥九层，潭水极寒极阴，许多孤魂野鬼聚集在这寒潭四周，吸食阴寒之气为生。
Below that cliff, there was a deserted valley. Within the valley, there was a cold pond, 90 feet deep, leading to the 9 layers of the netherworld. The pond water was extremely cold and extremely Yin, many lonely souls and wild ghosts gathered around this cold pond, absorbing the cold Yin energy to live.
这种地方不要说活人，连山中野物都不敢踏足，所以当一袭黑色冰绸宽袍的年轻男人从峭壁上翩然而下、蜻蜓点水掠过寒潭时，整个谷的孤魂野鬼都呆滞了一张张鬼脸。
In this type of place, don’t mention living people, even the wild animals in the mountain did not dare approach. Therefore, when a young man in a black ice-silk wide-robes suddenly flew down from the cliff and flit across the cold pond like a dragonfly, all the spirits and ghosts in the valley stared blankly.
短暂的静默之后，妖鬼们齐齐发出尖声喧哗，兴奋的啸叫着向他扑去。
After a short silence, the demon spirits made a racket in sharp voices all at once, excitedly hissing and shouting while rushing towards him.
铺天盖地的妖鬼之气腾起，眼看那男子就要被噬咬的骨血无存，突然妖鬼们发出比方才更加尖厉的惨叫，冲在最前面的几只刚靠近了那面如寒冰的男人一丈以内，在众鬼目睽睽之下化作一道极淡的烟气，瞬间消失无影……及时逃跑的虽然捡回一条鬼命，却也被那男子周身的寒冰之气损伤了许多年的道行。
The all-encompassing energy of the demon spirits soared up. That man seemed like he was about to be bitten till nothing was left. Suddenly, the demon spirits let out screams that were even sharper than before. The few that were in front only reached about 10 feet away from that man whose face was as cold as ice, the ghosts present witnessed them turning into extremely faint smoke, in an instant, they disappeared without a shadow… Although those that managed to escape managed to retain their lives, but they had been injured by the ice cold energy surrounding that man, losing many years of cultivation.
满谷的妖物乱窜，陈遇白冷峻的面容却没有一丝波动，事实上，他自始至终连个正眼都没给这满坑满谷的魑魅魍魉。越过寒潭，他缓缓向潭边蓍草地走去，黑色冰绸长袍缓缓拂过地面，刚成妖几十年的青草精吓得现了原形，来不及躲开那冰冷的黑色，青翠的身体瞬时枯萎。
The monsters in the valley fled in disarray. However, Chen Yubai’s cold and stern face was unchanging. To be honest, from the start to end, he had not even looked directly at the ghosts and demons in this valley. Crossing the pond, he slowly walked across the yarrow grass by the pond. His black cold-silk long robes slowly brushed across the ground. The grass that had just turned a demon a couple decades ago was so frightened, it turned back into its true appearance. Unable to escape that cold black colour in time, its green body instantly withered.
妖气弥漫的阴森谷底，年轻的国师轻袍缓带徐徐而行，三丈以内，鬼魅绝迹。
Demonic energy pervaded the eerie valley floor. The young Grand Tutor in light and loose clothing walked slowly, demons within 30 feet were eradicated.
他停在了潭边的蓍草地前。
He stopped in front of the yarrow meadow by the pond.
细滑柔嫩的蓍草在微风里怯怯的舒展，像小女孩纤细的腰肢，陈遇白静静站了会儿，散尽周身寒气，连眉目都舒展了几分，才缓缓的弯腰去捧摘。
The smooth and tender yarrow grass unfurled timidly in the breeze, like the slim waist of a young girl. Chen Yubai stood there quietly for a while, dispersing the cold air around him. His features even smoothed out a little, before he slowly bent his waist to harvest it.
蓍草是上古天神遗落凡间的物种之一，用于占卜可使得卦辞格外精准，但是蓍草生长不易，又多有灵性，寻常人的浊气触之即死，世间存活的已是极少，此地这片蓍草吸食寒潭的阴寒之气，已修得精魄，更是难得一见的极品。
Yarrow grass is one of the things that the deities had left behind in the secular world in ancient times. When used in divination, it can make one’s interpretation of the divinatory triagrams to be especially accurate. However, yarrow grass did not grow easily and had a lot of spirituality. It would die if an ordinary person’s impure energy came into contact with it. There are very few surviving in the world. The patch of marrow grass here had absorbed the cold pond’s cold Yin energy and had cultivated into a spirit already, it was an even rarer top quality object.
小心的将蓍草收进丝囊，陈遇白提气纵身，在峭壁上几个起落，眨眼间便翻上了山顶。
Carefully keeping the yarrow grass into his silk purse, Chen Yubai gathered his energy and leapt up, jumping along the cliff, in a blink of an eye, he had flipped himself over the mountain peak.
此时月牙刚刚爬上来，羞涩朦胧的悬在半空里，陈遇白在月下崖顶站定，比溶溶月光更近的是一盏孔明灯，在夜风里无声无息的向山顶飘近。恐人间烟火污了蓍草的灵气，他挥袖弹指，那盏灯“嗤”的灭了火跌下来，落他脚边。
At the moment, the crescent moon had just climbed into the sky, hanging mid-air shyly, its light dim. Chen Yubai stopped at the top of the precipice under the moon. Even nearer to the moonlight was a sky lantern. In the night breeze, it drifted silently towards the mountain peak. Afraid that the smoke and flame from the human world would contaminate the yarrow grass’s spiritual energy, he waved his sleeves and in a flash, that lantern was extinguished and fell down, landing beside his feet.
借着清冷月光，灯壁上寥寥几笔绘就的女子容貌令年轻的国师微微皱了皱眉。
Borrowing the cold moonlight, the few brushstrokes illustrating a girl’s appearance made the young Grand Tutor frown slightly.
这张呆蠢的团子脸，有点眼熟。
This foolish round face was a little familiar.
他轻轻一挥袖，那灯无风自动在地上滚了几圈，让他轻易将六面灯壁看了个全。
He waved his sleeves lightly. Without any wind, that lantern rolled a few times on the ground by itself, allowing him to easily see all six sides of the lantern.
原来是一个呆蠢女人嫁进一户人家，闹的一家人不得安生，阖家刀剑相向，女子被休弃，心情如从云端跌落地上，哭着骑着马回娘家去了。
So it was a foolish woman who married into a family, causing trouble till the family had no peaceful days, the whole family took up arms against each other, that woman was abandoned, her feelings like she had fallen to the ground from the clouds, she had ridden a horse back to her maternal family crying.
回娘家的那面画被他击下时破了一个洞，只见马上一个人背着似乎是行囊，大概行囊破了，身后东西掉了一路。
A hole had been torn by him when he attacked the lantern in scene of returning to her maternal family. He could only see a person riding the horse seemed to be carrying a traveling bag. It should be that the traveling bag had been torn, so her things had fallen on the ground along the road.
最后那两句诗真是将这呆蠢女子的凄惨一生解释的淋漓尽致了：自来自去的除了她还有梁上燕，相亲相近的只有水中鸥没有她。
The final poem vividly described this foolish girl’s miserable life: Aside from herself, the swallows on the bridge came and went, only the gulls in the water chased each other without her.
陈遇白扯了扯嘴角，心情没来由的一阵愉悦。
Chen Yubai lips twitched, for no reason, he felt a burst of delight.
作者有话要说：小离是大夜十一年年初出生的，纪南是年尾，按年级纪南该叫她姐姐，但是按智商实在叫不出口。之前我看过一本书似乎是地方志，家中同辈同年的男女，女孩儿稍大几个月也可以称作妹妹，但是时日太久我忘记确切形容了，有同学知道的话欢迎提醒。先叫着妹妹吧，大家推敲认证不妥的话，到了纸书时我再改。The author has something to say: Xiaoli was born at the start of the 11thyear of the Ye Dynasty. Jinan was born at the end of the year. According to age, Ji Nan should call her older sister, but according to IQ, he really cannot bring himself to call her that. Previously I read a local history book, among children of the same age and generation, the girl can be called younger sister even if she is older by a few months. But it was too long ago, I forgot the exact description. If anyone knows they are welcome to remind me. Let’s call her younger sister first, if everyone concludes that it is inappropriate after thinking it over, I will change it when publishing the paper copy.[1]两进两出: two in and two out – can mean two doors in and two doors out – but I saw an explanation the word 进can mean the number of layers a courtyard has.
[2]休沐: rest and bathe – every 5-10 days officials would have one rest & bath day. (lol I guess people didn’t shower as often back then…?)
[3]龙骨: literally "dragon bone". Keel is the lengthwise timber or steel structure along the base of a ship.
[4]簪发礼: literally hairpin hair ceremony
[5]念想: this actual means the act of missing someone and thinking about them constantly.
[6]When joined together perfectly with its matching half, proves the bearer's identity. Edict plates were used to send urgent documents and messages, under imperial orders.
Bronze Edict Plate with Western Xia characters
[7]柳体: calligraphic style of Liu Gongquan
T/N: translated this awhile back just for fun, thought I would post it. not planning to continue, TTDFD is more than enough work for me.
闭门思过分为两个部分，一个是闭门，一个是思过。
Going into seclusion to reflect is divided into two parts: one, going into seclusion; two, reflecting.
没有人会傻到去要求纪小离思过，所以她被罚了就是闭门——除了去王妃处请安，只能待在自己的院子里。
No one would be foolish enough to ask Ji Xiaoli to reflect, so she was actually just punished with seclusion. Other than going to pay her respects at wangfei ’s residence, she could only stay in her own courtyard.
她的院子叫做嫏环轩，是个两进两出的幽静院落，离王妃住的南华院不远，每日除了请安时，王妃总还要过来个一两次探望闭门的小丫头。
Her courtyard was called Langhuan Pavillion. It was a quiet courtyard with two layers and two exits[1]. The Nanhua Court that wangfei stayed in was not far. Every day, aside from morning greetings, wangfei still had to come once or twice to visit this little girl who was in seclusion.
起先两天小丫头也不高兴来着，每天晨起都要长吁短叹两声，不过也就叹了两天，第三天开始她就忘记了，一门心思的在院子里折腾。
In the first two days, the little girl was unhappy. Every morning when she woke up, she would sigh twice, once long and once short. However, she only sighed for two days. On the third day onwards, she forgot about it, setting her heart on causing trouble in the courtyard.
小丫头就喜欢玩，而且玩什么都高高兴兴的：哥哥们休沐时带她去外头，漫山遍野的挖奇奇怪怪的野花野草，蹲在水边一个下午捕一种透明的小虾；没人带她出去，待在王府里玩她也很高兴，寻常女儿家放各种纤细美丽的风筝，她却要扎一个几倍大的，纪西特意给她弄来了军用的龙骨，那风筝结实又飞的极高，几个小厮拖着线轴都差点被扯上天去。
The little girl just liked playing, moreover, she would be happy playing anything. Her older brothers would bring her out on their breaks[2], they would dig out strange wild flowers and plants as far as the eyes can see, squat by the waters for a whole afternoon to catch a type of transparent little prawn. Now no one is bringing her out, but she was still happy to play in the royal residence (wangfu). Usually, young ladies would fly all sorts of exquisite and beautiful kites, but she wanted one that was a few times larger. Ji Xi purposely brought a keel[3]used in the military for her. That kite was sturdy and could fly extremely high. The little manservants holding the kite spool were almost pulled up to the sky.
现在被关在她自己的一亩三分地里，她仍然玩的很欢，王妃过去时，她正带着两个小丫鬟趴在地上生火。
Now being confined to her own little piece of land, she still played very happily. When wangfei went over, she was lying on the ground with two little servant girls, trying to light a fire.
王妃见她玩的高兴，没有扰她。待火升起来了，她兴高采烈的跑过来，王妃接过奶妈手里的湿帕子细细擦拭她脸上的灰。擦干净那张莹白细腻的小脸，王妃柔声的问她：“刚才那是在做什么呢？看你蹭的这一脸的灰。”
Wangfei saw that she was playing happily and did not disturb her. When the fire was lit, she ran over in high spirits. Wangfei took a wet handkerchief from the wet nurse and carefully wiped away the ash on her face. After cleaning that white and exquisite little face, wangfei asked her gently, “What were you doing just now? Look at your face full of ash.”
“纪西哥哥给我做了孔明灯，一会儿我们放灯玩儿！母亲有什么心愿？写在灯上放上天去，神仙会保佑母亲心愿得偿！”女孩子忙活的额头冒了汗，双颊红粉粉的，像朵正要抽花骨朵的芍药。王妃这几日因为公主生气的事情心中一直难安，此时望着小女孩花骨朵般健康红润的小脸，总算愁眉微展。
“Older Brother Ji Xi made a sky lantern for me. In a little white, we’re going to light it and play! What wishes does Mother have? Write them on the lantern and send it to the sky, the gods will bless Mother’s wishes for them to be fulfilled!” The girl’s forehead was sweating from her exertion, her cheeks rosy, like a peony about to bud. These few days, wangfei had felt uneasy due to the princess’s anger. When gazing at the little girl’s healthy and rosy little face that was like a flower bud, her frown eased a little.
伸指点了点小丫头的额头，王妃温柔的笑着说：“母亲希望你乖乖的，平平安安、生活如意。”
Her finger poked at the little girl’s forehead, wangfei smiled gently and said, “Mother wishes that you will be obedient, remain safe and sound and live life as you wish.”
此时还是暮春时节，这会儿太阳已经快要落山了，余晖金灿灿的压着嫏环轩高高的院墙，斜斜的投了一块在正堂的青石砖上，有种安宁如梦的味道。
It was the evening spring time now, the sun was setting soon, the golden bright and dazzling twilight pressing on Langhuan Pavilion’s courtyard walls, the light cast obliquely on a bluestone brick in the main hall. The atmosphere was tranquil and dreamy.
小离在这安宁如梦里笑的心满意足。王妃纤细干净的手指抚过她汗气微湿的鬓，轻声说：“小离，母亲告诉过你多少次了：不要去公主娘娘院子里惹事。还有，纪西纪北都大了，不能再像小时候似得成天和他们疯在一处。可你怎么就是不听话呢？”
Xiaoli smiled contentedly in this tranquil and dreamlike atmosphere. Wangfei’sclean and slim fingers caressed her temples damp with sweat. She said softly, “Xiaoli, how many times has Mother told you, don’t go and cause trouble at Princess niangniang’s courtyard. Also, Ji Xi and Ji Bei are older now, you cannot play with them all day long like you did in the past. But why are you always so disobedient?”
纪小离有些委屈的分辨：“我没有去公主娘娘的院子，是小白它自己来找我的……”说着见王妃脸色一变，她不敢再刺激纤弱的养母，扁了扁嘴，不说话了。
Ji Xiaoli explained with grievance, “I did not go to Princess niangniang’s courtyard. Little White Snake came to find me on its own…” As she spoke, she saw wangfei’sexpression change. She did not dare to aggravate her fragile adopted mother again and pressed her lips shut and stopped speaking.
王妃将她的小姑娘搂在怀里，轻声叹着气说：“下个月你可就十五了……可怎么办才好？”
Wangfei drew her little lady into her embrace and said with a quiet sigh, “You will be fifteen next month... what should we do?”
夜国的女孩年满十五就要办簪发礼了，到时候会请一位主宾为女孩梳头簪钗，行了簪发礼就意味着这个女孩是大姑娘了，可以嫁人了。
The girls of Ye country had to go through a coming of age ceremony[4]once they turn 15. When the time comes, they will invite a guest of honour to comb her hair and adorn it with a hairpin. After the coming of age ceremony, it would mean that that girl was an adult lady and could marry.
可是她的小离还这样懵懂天真，三天两头惹的公主大发雷霆，外头哪能一点都不知道呢？养在镇南王府这样显赫的门第，却至今一个上门说媒求亲的都没有。
But her Xiaoli was still so ignorant and innocent, frequently driving the Princess into a terrible rage. How could it remain unknown to the outside? Being raised in the Zhennan royal mansion that had an illustrious status, yet not a single person had come to propose marriage.
王妃很发愁。
Wangfei was very angry.
但小离一听这话像是小狗听到了肉骨头落地的声音，“蹭”的就从王妃怀里支起身，两只眼睛亮亮的发着光：“我十五岁了？国师大人给的锦囊是不是可以打开了？”
However when Xiaoli heard this, she was like a puppy who heard the sound of a piece of bone hitting the floor. She stood up from wangfei’s embrace, her eyes shining, “I am 15 years old? Then can the brocade purse the Grand Tutor gave me be opened already?”
王妃笑了，点了点她额头：“这个你倒记得牢。”
Wangfei smiled and poked her forehead, “You are able remember this clearly instead.”
小丫头搂着王妃脖子高兴的说：“我一直记着呢！那里头一定有修仙的法子！”
The little girl wrapped her arms around her mother’s neck and said happily, “I always remembered it! There must be a cultivation method in it!”
“修仙有什么好？母亲只希望你少闯祸，平平安安到老。”王妃搂着她，拍着她的背，“你是女孩子，嫁一个对你好的人才是好归宿。”
“What is good about cultivating? Mother just wishes that you would cause less trouble and live safely until you’re old.” Wangfei hugged her and patted her back, “You’re a girl, marrying a person that is good to you is the important thing.”
“嗯……就像母亲嫁给爹爹？”
“En… Just like how Mother married Father?”
拍着她背的手微微一顿，王妃语气里带着小离不熟悉的惆怅之意：“王爷……确实是有情有义之人……”
The hand patting her back paused briefly. Wangfei’s tone carried a melancholic feeling unfamiliar to Xiaoli, “Wangye… is indeed a loyal person…”
隔着半座镇南王府，晚晴院里也正说起下个月的簪发礼。
Separated by half of the Zhennan royal residence, those in Wanqing Courtyard were also talking about next month’s coming of age ceremony.
艳阳不满纪霆不痛不痒的处置，纪霆又忙于军务连着几日歇在书房，她更生气。
Yan Yang was dissatisfied with Ji Ting’s perfunctory handling of the matter. Moreover Ji Ting was busy with military affairs and slept in the study room for a few days, thus she was even angrier.
齐嬷嬷劝她：“好在那丫头眼看就要十五，迟早要嫁人的。南华院那位翻不出什么幺蛾子，王爷不过是看她孤弱，膝下除了纪南就是那个野丫头，这才会维护那野丫头几分，您何必为此置气呢？”
Qi momo advised her, “The good thing is that girl is turning 15 soon, she has to marry out sooner or later. That person in Nanhua Courtyard is unable to play any tricks. Wangye merely sees that she is weak and alone. Aside from Ji Nan, she only has that wild girl, that’s why he would protect that wild girl a little. Why would you get angry because of this?”
艳阳听了直冷笑：“是呢！她孤弱良善，那野丫头心思单纯，这府里就我一人心思狠辣、机关算尽！”
Yan Yang heard this and immediately laughed coldly, “That’s right! She is weak and kind, that wild girl is innocent and naïve. In this residence only I alone am ruthless and scheming!”
齐嬷嬷从小奶大她，对她的心思最清楚不过，也不多说，只说：“若真是这样，咱们大夜第一神将真是昏庸无能、识人不清了！”
Qi momohad nursed her since young, she understood her thoughts best. She did not speak too much and only said, “In that case, our Ye country’s first Godly General is muddleheaded and incompetent, unable to judge people clearly!”
这话以退为进，说得巧妙。大夜第一美丽的长公主殿下微微一怔，悄然红了双颊。
These words advanced through retreat, it was cleverly spoken. Ye country’s top beauty, Her Highness the Princess was briefly startled, her cheeks quietly flushed red.
世人都道纪霆对王妃一往情深，可若真是那样，她的三个儿子是哪里来的呢？若她真是心思狠辣机关算尽之人，那与她生育三子又默许托付中馈的男人，成什么了？
Everyone knew that Ji Ting had deep feelings towards wangfei. However, if that was really the case, then where did her 3 sons come from? If she really was a ruthless and scheming person, then what would that make the man who had 3 sons with her and tacitly accepted her as a wife?
艳阳的心情一下子转阴为晴。
Yan Yang’s mood brightened in an instant.
齐嬷嬷看得分明，趁机劝：“别再为这丫头与王爷起争执了，赶紧想法子把她嫁出去，断了少爷们的念想，好叫他们专心习武打仗，您掌着这府中与王爷的心……您顺心如意的日子就在眼前了！”
Qi momo saw this clearly and took this opportunity to advise, “Don’t argue with wangye because of this girl. Quickly think of a way to marry her off and put an end to the young masters’ distraction[5] so that they will concentrate on learning martial arts and warfare. You will be able to have this residence and wangye’s heart in the palm of your hand… Your happy days of living as you wish is right before you!”
艳阳靠在软枕堆里轻叹了口气，“说得容易啊，可也不知道姐姐是个什么意思？上回王爷提过纪南的婚事，我看她当时那神色，并不怎么愿意将小离嫁与纪南。”
Yan Yang leaned on a pile of soft pillows and sighed lightly, “It is easy to say, but who knows what older sister wants? Last time, when wangye mentioned Ji Nan’s marriage, I saw her expression at that time, she does not seem that willing to marry Xiaoli to Ji Nan.”
“那是自然，谁会要那么个小孤女当儿媳？”齐嬷嬷笑着说。
“That is natural. Who would want that that little orphan girl to be their daughter-in-law?” Qi momo said laughing.
艳阳摇摇头，“我倒觉得她是真心为那野丫头筹谋，那丫头虽然痴蠢，可女孩家一辈子就指着丈夫过，纪南毕竟……”差点说漏了嘴，艳阳连忙打住，扶了扶头上的步摇，咬着唇不说话了。
Yan Yang shook her head, “I actually feel that she is sincerely looking out for that wild girl. Even though that girl is stupid, but a girl’s whole life is dependent on their husband. After all, Ji Nan…” She almost let it slip. Yan Yang quickly stopped herself. She held the hairpin on her head, bit her lips and stopped speaking.
齐嬷嬷是知道纪南身上那个惊天大秘密的，自然知道哪怕是对纪小离来说，纪南也非良嫁，想想那王妃多么疼爱自己唯一的骨肉，却竟然没有毫不犹豫的牺牲了养女，心肠真是正直良善的了。
Qi momo knew about Ji Nan’s alarming great secret, naturally she also knew that even for Ji Xiaoli, Ji Nan was also not a good match. Thinking about that wangfei who loved her only flesh and blood so dearly, yet she actually did not sacrifice her adopted daughter, her heart really was upright and good.
“既然这样，公主不如想个法子把她嫁到外头去？”
“In that case, why don’t Princess think of a way to marry her out?”
“谁会娶她？！”艳阳翻了个白眼。
“Who would marry her?!” Yan Yang rolled her eyes.
“镇南王府的养女，想娶的人可多得是，只不过都听闻公主您素来不喜那丫头，谁也不敢与您作对，这才半个求亲的人家都没有呀！”
“The Zhennan royal residence’s adopted daughter, those that wish to marry her are many. Only they all heard that Princes you always did not like that girl, no one dares to oppose you, that’s why there isn’t a single family come to propose marriage!”
艳阳被她说的“噗嗤”笑出来，倚在那儿想了想，半眯着眼睛轻叩桌子，“给我递牌子去！明日是母后吃斋的日子，我要进宫！”
Yan Yang burst out laughing at her words. She leaned back and thought about it, her eyes half closed, she lightly rapped the table, “Send my edict plate[6] out! Tomorrow is the day Imperial Mother abstains from meat. I want to enter the palace!”
“您是要去求太后娘娘赐婚？”
“You want to ask Empress Dowager niangniang to bestow a marriage?”
“赐什么婚啊，谁耐烦给她找婆家！本宫去求母后为她簪发，她身份贵重了，自然有人求上门，到时候慢慢挑就是了！”艳阳快活的说。
“Bestow what marriage, who has the patience to find in-laws for her! I am going to ask Imperial Mother to conduct her coming of age ceremony. Her status is high and lofty, naturally there will be people coming to propose marriage. When the time comes we can just slowly pick!” Yan Yang said cheerfully.
嫏环轩的天黑下来，纪西纪北也到了，一只偌大的孔明灯放在院中地上，三个少年男女正说说笑笑的往上面提笔写字作画，丝毫不知此刻正有人决断他们的命运。
In Langhuan Pavilion, the sky had turned dark. Ji Xi and Ji Bei have also arrived. A large sky lantern was placed on the around in the courtyard. The three young men and women were talking and laughing while writing and drawing on the lantern, completely unaware that at this moment someone was deciding their fates.
纪北霸了两面灯，画了一副……写实画，他的枪法好，画工却懒得很，只勉强认得出来两个人骑在马背上，后头跟着大大小小一串黑墨蛋蛋。小离认了半天，指着问他：“是马儿一边跑一边拉屎吗？”
Ji Bei hogged two sides of the lantern, he drew a… freehand drawing. His marksmanship was good, but his drawing skills were extremely lazy. With difficulty, one would be able to recognise two people riding horses, following behind them were a string of large and small black circles. Xiaoli looked at it for a long time, before pointing and asking him, “Are the horses running and defecating at the same time?”
沉浸在对未来生活美好向往里的纪北一下子黑了脸，扔了笔就去拽她头上的嫩黄色丝带。小离捂着脑袋逃，纪西把她护了在身后，瞪了纪北一眼，纪北怏怏的跑了，小离从他身后伸出头来笑嘻嘻的问：“二哥，你写了什么？”
Immersed in thoughts of a beautiful future, Ji Bei’s face turned black. He threw down his pen and pulled at the light yellow ribbon in her hair. Xiaoli covered her head and ran away. Ji Xi shielded her behind him and glared at Ji Bei. Ji Bei quickly ran away. Xiaoli stuck her head out from behind Ji Xi’s back and asked happily, “Second Older Brother, what are you writing?”
纪西勾着嘴角看了她一眼，把她带到他的那面灯壁前。
Ji Xi looked at her with his lips hooked up. He brought her to his side of the lantern.
白色的棉纸上，风骨傲然的柳体情意宛然：“自去自来梁上燕、相亲相近水中鸥。”
On the white cotton paper, the vigorous and lofty Liu calligraphy[7] expressed, “Swallows on the bridge coming and going, gulls in the water chasing each other.”
小离歪着头盯着那两句看，纪西就目光柔柔的看着她，直到她转头问：“二哥想变成鸟？”
Xiaoli tilted her head and stared at those two sentences. Ji Xi merely looked at her with a gentle gaze until she turned around to ask, “Second Brother wishes to turn into a bird?”
一旁燃着的火堆光亮印在纪西英俊的脸庞上，一腔深情、对牛弹琴。
The light from bonfire at the side was imprinted on Ji Xi’s handsome face. A chest full of deep emotions, playing the lute to a cow.
他无奈的叹了口气，揉了揉小姑娘懵懂的脸，柔声问她：“小笨蛋……你许了什么愿？”
He helplessly sighed and rubbed the little lady’s confused face, asking gently, “Little dummy… what did you wish for?”
小离兴冲冲的拉他去看：一共六面灯壁，她涂满了其中的三面。第一面上是她替王妃娘娘画的，小丫头手工好，画画也不赖，寥寥几笔把自己圆圆的脸蛋画的形神俱备，虽是黑墨也看得出来身上穿戴的是凤冠霞帔。
Xiaoli excitedly pulled him to see: On the six sided lantern, she scribbled on three sides. On the first side, she drew it for wangfei niangniang. The little girl’s handwork was good, her drawing skills were not bad either. In a few strokes, she had drawn her own round face in a lifelike manner. Even though it was black ink, he could tell that she was wearing wedding clothes.
纪西含着笑看了她一眼。
Ji Xi looked at her with a smile.
第二面上有一座大房子，骑着马的纪霆手握大刀，后头东西南北四个儿子或站或跳，好一副将门虎子习武图！美艳的艳阳公主与王妃娘娘相扶着手，和平友好的在一旁看着他们。
On the second side, there was a large house. Ji Ting was riding a horse and holding a big sabre in his hand. Behind him were his four sons Dong, Xi, Nan, Bei (West, East, South, North), standing or jumping. A good drawing of a general practicing martial arts with his tiger sons! The beautiful Princess Yan Yang and wangfei niangniang were arm in arm, amicably looking on at the side.
纪西看得心头温暖，问她：“怎么少了一个人？你自己呢？”
小离笑眯眯的拉着他来到第三面灯壁前，那是她自己向神仙许的愿望：山峦河川之上云雾蒸腾，云之上有女子衣袂飘飘，御风而行。
Xiaoli smiled and pulled him in front of the third side of the lantern. This is her own wish to the gods: On top of mountains and rivers, the misty clouds hung in the air. Above the clouds, there was a female, her clothes floating in the air, she was walking against the wind.
“真是个傻丫头。”纪西叹了口气。
“Really a silly girl.” Ji Xi sighed.
还是前面两幅好，凤冠霞帔的她，嫁进美满幸福的家。
The previous drawing was still better. Her, in marriage clothing, marrying into a happy and blissful family.
纪西心想：我虽不是神仙，定竭尽所能如你所愿。
Ji Xi thought: Even though I am not a god, I will definitely do all I can to fulfil your wish.
嫏环轩中涂画孔明灯那会儿，紫霞山的峭壁上临风站着一个黑衣男子。
During the time they were drawing on the sky lantern in Langhuan Pavilion, a man dressed in black stood against the wind on a cliff on Zixia Mountain.
远处的高山终于吞噬最后一丝光明，他一跃而下。
The tall mountain in the distance finally swallowed the last bit of light. He descended in one leap.
那峭壁下有一处人迹罕至的山谷，谷中有一片寒潭，深九丈，潭眼通往幽冥九层，潭水极寒极阴，许多孤魂野鬼聚集在这寒潭四周，吸食阴寒之气为生。
Below that cliff, there was a deserted valley. Within the valley, there was a cold pond, 90 feet deep, leading to the 9 layers of the netherworld. The pond water was extremely cold and extremely Yin, many lonely souls and wild ghosts gathered around this cold pond, absorbing the cold Yin energy to live.
这种地方不要说活人，连山中野物都不敢踏足，所以当一袭黑色冰绸宽袍的年轻男人从峭壁上翩然而下、蜻蜓点水掠过寒潭时，整个谷的孤魂野鬼都呆滞了一张张鬼脸。
In this type of place, don’t mention living people, even the wild animals in the mountain did not dare approach. Therefore, when a young man in a black ice-silk wide-robes suddenly flew down from the cliff and flit across the cold pond like a dragonfly, all the spirits and ghosts in the valley stared blankly.
短暂的静默之后，妖鬼们齐齐发出尖声喧哗，兴奋的啸叫着向他扑去。
After a short silence, the demon spirits made a racket in sharp voices all at once, excitedly hissing and shouting while rushing towards him.
铺天盖地的妖鬼之气腾起，眼看那男子就要被噬咬的骨血无存，突然妖鬼们发出比方才更加尖厉的惨叫，冲在最前面的几只刚靠近了那面如寒冰的男人一丈以内，在众鬼目睽睽之下化作一道极淡的烟气，瞬间消失无影……及时逃跑的虽然捡回一条鬼命，却也被那男子周身的寒冰之气损伤了许多年的道行。
The all-encompassing energy of the demon spirits soared up. That man seemed like he was about to be bitten till nothing was left. Suddenly, the demon spirits let out screams that were even sharper than before. The few that were in front only reached about 10 feet away from that man whose face was as cold as ice, the ghosts present witnessed them turning into extremely faint smoke, in an instant, they disappeared without a shadow… Although those that managed to escape managed to retain their lives, but they had been injured by the ice cold energy surrounding that man, losing many years of cultivation.
满谷的妖物乱窜，陈遇白冷峻的面容却没有一丝波动，事实上，他自始至终连个正眼都没给这满坑满谷的魑魅魍魉。越过寒潭，他缓缓向潭边蓍草地走去，黑色冰绸长袍缓缓拂过地面，刚成妖几十年的青草精吓得现了原形，来不及躲开那冰冷的黑色，青翠的身体瞬时枯萎。
The monsters in the valley fled in disarray. However, Chen Yubai’s cold and stern face was unchanging. To be honest, from the start to end, he had not even looked directly at the ghosts and demons in this valley. Crossing the pond, he slowly walked across the yarrow grass by the pond. His black cold-silk long robes slowly brushed across the ground. The grass that had just turned a demon a couple decades ago was so frightened, it turned back into its true appearance. Unable to escape that cold black colour in time, its green body instantly withered.
妖气弥漫的阴森谷底，年轻的国师轻袍缓带徐徐而行，三丈以内，鬼魅绝迹。
Demonic energy pervaded the eerie valley floor. The young Grand Tutor in light and loose clothing walked slowly, demons within 30 feet were eradicated.
他停在了潭边的蓍草地前。
He stopped in front of the yarrow meadow by the pond.
细滑柔嫩的蓍草在微风里怯怯的舒展，像小女孩纤细的腰肢，陈遇白静静站了会儿，散尽周身寒气，连眉目都舒展了几分，才缓缓的弯腰去捧摘。
The smooth and tender yarrow grass unfurled timidly in the breeze, like the slim waist of a young girl. Chen Yubai stood there quietly for a while, dispersing the cold air around him. His features even smoothed out a little, before he slowly bent his waist to harvest it.
蓍草是上古天神遗落凡间的物种之一，用于占卜可使得卦辞格外精准，但是蓍草生长不易，又多有灵性，寻常人的浊气触之即死，世间存活的已是极少，此地这片蓍草吸食寒潭的阴寒之气，已修得精魄，更是难得一见的极品。
Yarrow grass is one of the things that the deities had left behind in the secular world in ancient times. When used in divination, it can make one’s interpretation of the divinatory triagrams to be especially accurate. However, yarrow grass did not grow easily and had a lot of spirituality. It would die if an ordinary person’s impure energy came into contact with it. There are very few surviving in the world. The patch of marrow grass here had absorbed the cold pond’s cold Yin energy and had cultivated into a spirit already, it was an even rarer top quality object.
小心的将蓍草收进丝囊，陈遇白提气纵身，在峭壁上几个起落，眨眼间便翻上了山顶。
Carefully keeping the yarrow grass into his silk purse, Chen Yubai gathered his energy and leapt up, jumping along the cliff, in a blink of an eye, he had flipped himself over the mountain peak.
此时月牙刚刚爬上来，羞涩朦胧的悬在半空里，陈遇白在月下崖顶站定，比溶溶月光更近的是一盏孔明灯，在夜风里无声无息的向山顶飘近。恐人间烟火污了蓍草的灵气，他挥袖弹指，那盏灯“嗤”的灭了火跌下来，落他脚边。
At the moment, the crescent moon had just climbed into the sky, hanging mid-air shyly, its light dim. Chen Yubai stopped at the top of the precipice under the moon. Even nearer to the moonlight was a sky lantern. In the night breeze, it drifted silently towards the mountain peak. Afraid that the smoke and flame from the human world would contaminate the yarrow grass’s spiritual energy, he waved his sleeves and in a flash, that lantern was extinguished and fell down, landing beside his feet.
借着清冷月光，灯壁上寥寥几笔绘就的女子容貌令年轻的国师微微皱了皱眉。
Borrowing the cold moonlight, the few brushstrokes illustrating a girl’s appearance made the young Grand Tutor frown slightly.
这张呆蠢的团子脸，有点眼熟。
This foolish round face was a little familiar.
他轻轻一挥袖，那灯无风自动在地上滚了几圈，让他轻易将六面灯壁看了个全。
He waved his sleeves lightly. Without any wind, that lantern rolled a few times on the ground by itself, allowing him to easily see all six sides of the lantern.
原来是一个呆蠢女人嫁进一户人家，闹的一家人不得安生，阖家刀剑相向，女子被休弃，心情如从云端跌落地上，哭着骑着马回娘家去了。
So it was a foolish woman who married into a family, causing trouble till the family had no peaceful days, the whole family took up arms against each other, that woman was abandoned, her feelings like she had fallen to the ground from the clouds, she had ridden a horse back to her maternal family crying.
回娘家的那面画被他击下时破了一个洞，只见马上一个人背着似乎是行囊，大概行囊破了，身后东西掉了一路。
A hole had been torn by him when he attacked the lantern in scene of returning to her maternal family. He could only see a person riding the horse seemed to be carrying a traveling bag. It should be that the traveling bag had been torn, so her things had fallen on the ground along the road.
最后那两句诗真是将这呆蠢女子的凄惨一生解释的淋漓尽致了：自来自去的除了她还有梁上燕，相亲相近的只有水中鸥没有她。
The final poem vividly described this foolish girl’s miserable life: Aside from herself, the swallows on the bridge came and went, only the gulls in the water chased each other without her.
陈遇白扯了扯嘴角，心情没来由的一阵愉悦。
Chen Yubai lips twitched, for no reason, he felt a burst of delight.
作者有话要说：小离是大夜十一年年初出生的，纪南是年尾，按年级纪南该叫她姐姐，但是按智商实在叫不出口。之前我看过一本书似乎是地方志，家中同辈同年的男女，女孩儿稍大几个月也可以称作妹妹，但是时日太久我忘记确切形容了，有同学知道的话欢迎提醒。先叫着妹妹吧，大家推敲认证不妥的话，到了纸书时我再改。The author has something to say: Xiaoli was born at the start of the 11thyear of the Ye Dynasty. Jinan was born at the end of the year. According to age, Ji Nan should call her older sister, but according to IQ, he really cannot bring himself to call her that. Previously I read a local history book, among children of the same age and generation, the girl can be called younger sister even if she is older by a few months. But it was too long ago, I forgot the exact description. If anyone knows they are welcome to remind me. Let’s call her younger sister first, if everyone concludes that it is inappropriate after thinking it over, I will change it when publishing the paper copy.[1]两进两出: two in and two out – can mean two doors in and two doors out – but I saw an explanation the word 进can mean the number of layers a courtyard has.
[2]休沐: rest and bathe – every 5-10 days officials would have one rest & bath day. (lol I guess people didn’t shower as often back then…?)
[3]龙骨: literally "dragon bone". Keel is the lengthwise timber or steel structure along the base of a ship.
[4]簪发礼: literally hairpin hair ceremony
[5]念想: this actual means the act of missing someone and thinking about them constantly.
[6]When joined together perfectly with its matching half, proves the bearer's identity. Edict plates were used to send urgent documents and messages, under imperial orders.
Bronze Edict Plate with Western Xia characters
[7]柳体: calligraphic style of Liu Gongquan
