A pretty plotty chapter.
Thank you Emma P, who proofread the earliest draft that was barely English!
Note
1. Humorous inversion of 遇强则强，遇弱则弱 or "being strong while meeting strength., and being weak when meeting weakness", meaning that someone valourous who reveal talent while meeting a worthy opponent.
2. 一寸短一寸险 lit. "an inch shorter and inch of danger". The author is actually mistaken in her usage here because the idiom is generally taken to mean that shorter blades are dangerous because they can be used sneakily. Contrasted with 一寸长一寸强 ("an inch longer, an inch stronger"), meaning that longer weapons are dangerous because they command more strength.
3. 周公之礼 euphemism meaning married couple having sex, equivalent to people "knowing each other biblically" in English. Originates in the legend that, during the Western Zhou (11th century BC), the Duke codified sexual conduct between men and women into seven steps:
The man's family hires a matchmaker to propose to the woman's family.
The man's family asks for the woman's name, and date of birth.
The man proceeds to perform divination at the ancestral shrine using the woman's name and birthdate.
The man's family send the betrothal gifts to the woman's family.
The man's family decides on a date for the ceremony, and inform the woman's family while sending along a gift.
A few days before the ceremony, the woman's family send the dowry alongside the nuptial bed to the man's home. On the wedding day, the groom in person goes to the woman's house to bring her to his home.
The man and woman strengthen their moral ties (a.k.a.) have sex.
Note that observing the ordinance of the Duke would be the only way to have sex in a moral manner. Humoristic in WKX's mouth who continues their hubby/wifey themed bantering.
4. 贼妇人translated literally. The term means whore/ slut etc. I've preserved the literal translation because it is pertinent to this chapter's title which sarcastically highlights the behaviour of two couples Li Qiufeng and The Green Temptress, and The Pink Matron and Verdant Gent. (+wkx and zzs)
5. 敬酒不吃吃罚酒 or lit. "refusing the complimentary toast only to drink the punishing forfeit". Very commonplace saying.
6. The Raw Haw Song or《生查子》 is a popular melody for which many lyrics have been composed. LQQ's version is a popular one whose theme is distant, contemplative love through the seasons. It put the emphasis on her being indeed a sentimental gal.
7. 本是同林鸟，大难临头各自飞, a colloquial phrase describing unsupportive married couple.
8. 女子痴情，男人薄幸 a very well known colloquial phrase translated literally.
+ Note that I've changed Green Gent to Verdant Gent, and will be correcting all previous chapters.
Thanks for the translation <3
Thank you so much for another chapter! 🌺