"You must marry! Whether you like it or not!" The harsh voice pierced through the humble room, with Lin Shi's rotund figure nearly blocking the only window, casting a shadow over everything.
"Today is the day for the General's wedding procession. Your sister is ill, so you must marry in her place!"
Chu Yao, a Michelin three-star chef from the modern world, never expected to find herself transported to this backward ancient time. What was even more unimaginable was that upon opening her eyes, she was faced with the dilemma of a forced marriage.
Once the legitimate daughter of the Chu family, her mother had passed away early, leaving her to suffer under the oppression of her stepmother, Lin Shi. Now, she was being coerced into marrying the infamous, cold-hearted general.
Time was running out; the bridal sedan was waiting outside.
Resistance was futile, and Chu Yao knew it well.
Gripping the worn, tattered copy of "Modern Magic Apocalypse" hidden in her sleeve—her only possession from the modern world—she steeled herself.
Rather than weeping and wailing, it was better to take a chance.
What was the General's mansion to her?
Chu Yao was not a soft persimmon to be squeezed at will!
As the red bridal veil was lowered, a subtle smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
"If fate has brought me here, then I shall make the best of it." Let her use the wisdom of the modern world to carve out a place for herself in this strange new realm! The sedan swayed, but rather than panicking, Chu Yao was already calculating how to navigate the situation ahead.
"Whoa—" The sedan suddenly halted.
A rough voice rang out from outside, "Who goes there?"
"Marriage procession for the General's household! Open the door immediately!" the sedan bearers called impatiently.
"Rules are rules," a man, identified as Guard Zhang, grumbled in a deep voice. "The bride must disembark, and her identity must be verified!"
The sedan curtain remained motionless.
After a moment, a soft voice came from inside, "Dear sir, I have been in the sedan for a long time and feel faint. Could you kindly allow me a moment to drink some water before I step down?"
Guard Zhang hesitated.
The bride's voice was gentle, and she hardly sounded like someone plotting mischief.
But rules were rules—if something went wrong, it would be on him.
"Someone, fetch some water!"
Soon, a cup of water was handed to the sedan curtain.
Chu Yao accepted it, casually slipping a piece of candy from her sleeve into the water. The candy, brought from the modern world, was a rare treat in this era.
"Kind sir," Chu Yao spoke again, her tone laced with gratitude, "This is holy water from my homeland, meant to ward off misfortune and bring blessings. Please, may you also enjoy its good fortune." She offered the cup.
Guard Zhang eyed the water suspiciously.
This bride seemed delicate, yet she had such peculiar items.
Still, the water smelled sweet, and there seemed to be no trickery.
He took the cup and drank it in large gulps, finishing it off quickly.
The taste…
He had never encountered such sweetness!
"Mmm..." Zhang smacked his lips, watching the bride in the sedan, his doubts gradually fading.
"Alright, alright, go on in," Zhang waved his hand with an unusually warm smile. "You're the General's wife now, no need for these little tricks anymore."
The sedan was lifted and carried into the General's mansion. Chu Yao secretly rejoiced. The first hurdle had been passed successfully!
It seemed the charm of modern candy knew no bounds, crossing time and space. As the sedan came to a halt, Chu Yao, supported by the matrons, slowly stepped out. Her veil obscured her sight, but she could feel the countless eyes upon her—some curious, some appraising, some disdainful.
Taking a deep breath, Chu Yao straightened her back.
Even though she couldn't see them, she would maintain her aura!
She, Chu Yao, was not someone to be bullied! After walking through the long corridor and arriving at the wedding hall, her heartbeat quickened.
The ancient wedding ceremony was as tedious as it was long, and Chu Yao was eager to complete the formalities and see what kind of dangerous den the General's mansion really was.
After the final rites, she was finally allowed to relax for a moment.
Seated on the bridal bed with her veil still in place, she felt no bashfulness—only a sense of challenge and anticipation for the future.
The General's mansion was even grander and more imposing than she had imagined.
She knew this was just the beginning—more challenges awaited her.
What was in store for her in the General's mansion? Would she be able to face it all? At that moment, a steady set of footsteps approached, halting just outside her door.
The door creaked open with a soft sound. 4o mini 您说: I want you to act as an English translator , spelling corrector and improver . I will speak to you in Chinese and you will translate it and answer in the corrected chapand improved version of my text , in English . I want you to replace my simplified A0- level words and sentences with more beautiful and elegant , upper level English words and sentences . Keep the meaning same , but make them more literary . I want you to only reply the correction , the improvements and nothing else , do not write explanations . The paragraph is
初入府宅险象生
沉稳的脚步声停在了门口,接着"吱呀"一声,房门被推开了.
还未等楚瑶反应过来,一个身材高大,面容严肃的中年妇人走了进来,她身后跟着几个低眉顺眼的小丫鬟.
这妇人便是将军府的管家——王嬷嬷.
她上下打量着盖着红盖头的楚瑶,眼神锐利得像鹰隼,仿佛要将她整个人都看穿.
"将军事务繁忙,今晚就不来洞房了." 王嬷嬷的声音低沉而威严,带着一股不容置疑的压迫感.
"老奴奉命前来,替将军问新娘子几个问题."
楚瑶心中一凛,这古代的规矩还真是多,洞房花烛夜还要接受审查?
她深吸一口气,努力让自己保持镇定.
"嬷嬷请问."
"新娘子家中排行如何?父母是否健在?"王嬷嬷语气冷淡,像是在审问犯人.
楚瑶心中暗暗叫苦,这问题看似简单,实则暗藏玄机.
她必须谨慎作答,否则稍有不慎就会露出马脚.
"回嬷嬷,家中排行..." 她略微停顿了一下,脑中飞速运转,盘算着该如何回答.
"怎么?新娘子连自己家中排行都记不清了?"王嬷嬷步步紧逼,语气中带着一丝嘲讽.
楚瑶眼珠一转,计上心来.
"回嬷嬷,民女在家中排行...排行老大,父母...安康." 她故意说得有些磕绊,像是因为紧张而语塞,实则是在拖延时间,思考如何编造一个完美的故事.
王嬷嬷似乎并不满意她的回答,继续追问道:"既是家中长女,那想必是知书达理,精通女红?"
楚瑶心中冷笑,知书达理?
女红?
她一个现代厨师,哪里会这些古代的玩意儿.
"民女..." 她刚想开口,却被门外一个怯生生的声音打断了.
"嬷嬷,热水准备好了." 一个小丫鬟端着热水盆走了进来,正是之前在门口迎接她的那个小桃.
王嬷嬷瞥了小桃一眼,语气不耐烦地说道:"放着吧." 然后又转向楚瑶,眼神中充满了怀疑,"新娘子,你还没回答老奴的问题呢."
楚瑶正愁找不到脱身的借口,小桃的出现正好给了她一个机会.
她故作柔弱地咳嗽了一声,"嬷嬷,民女今日舟车劳顿,身子有些不适..."
"新娘子这是怎么了?" 王嬷嬷语气中带着一丝警惕,目光紧紧地盯着楚瑶.
楚瑶微微垂下头,声音低不可闻,"许是...有些晕车..."
"晕车?" 王嬷嬷重复了一遍这个词,眼中闪过一丝疑惑.
"是啊," 楚瑶抬起头,强装镇定地说道,"民女家乡有一种说法,叫做...晕车..." 她故意把"晕车"两个字说得格外清晰,希望能引起王嬷嬷的注意,从而转移话题.
王嬷嬷果然被她的话吸引了注意力,眉头微皱,"晕车?老奴怎么从未听说过这种说法?"
楚瑶心中暗喜,看来这招有效!
她正要继续解释,却见王嬷嬷突然脸色一沉,厉声说道:"新娘子,你..."
楚瑶眼珠一转,计上心来.
"嬷嬷有所不知,民女家乡的风俗与京城大不相同.就像这家族事务管理,也分工明确,各司其职,如同这行军打仗一般,讲究排兵布阵,才能运筹帷幄之中,决胜千里之外.家中排行虽是长女,但民女更擅长的是...'后勤保障'."
王嬷嬷听得一愣一愣的,这"后勤保障"是个什么新鲜词?
她活了大半辈子,还从未听过这种说法.
楚瑶看她一脸懵,趁热打铁继续说道:"就拿这'后勤保障'来说吧,柴米油盐酱醋茶,哪一样不需要精打细算?这可比绣花之类的女红重要多了.俗话说,兵马未动,粮草先行,这治家也一样,没有稳固的'后勤',如何能支撑起一个家族的兴旺发达?"
王嬷嬷被她这一套说辞唬得一愣一愣的,竟一时找不到什么破绽.
楚瑶暗自松了口气,看来这现代管理理念还真能忽悠住古人.
就在这时,小桃端着茶杯走了进来,福了福身,说道:"嬷嬷,请用茶." 她走到楚瑶面前,作势要递茶,却不知怎的,手一抖,一杯热茶全都泼在了楚瑶的身上.
滚烫的茶水透过薄薄的喜服,瞬间浸湿了楚瑶的肌肤,一股灼热感传来.
楚瑶咬紧牙关,强忍着疼痛,心中却燃起了一股怒火.
这小桃分明是故意的!
"哎呀!奴婢该死!" 小桃惊呼一声,连忙跪在地上,不停地磕头请罪.
王嬷嬷脸色一变,厉声呵斥道:"你这丫头好生毛躁!还不快去拿干净的衣裳来!"
小桃慌慌张张地爬起来,转身跑了出去.
楚瑶看着她离去的背影,眼中闪过一丝寒光.
看来,这将军府里,还真是不太平啊.
她缓缓抬起手,轻轻抚摸着被烫红的肌肤,嘴角勾起一抹冷笑.
"想给我个下马威?哼,我可不是那么好欺负的..." 她低声呢喃,语气中带着一丝不易察觉的狠厉.
王嬷嬷看着楚瑶,眼中闪过一丝狐疑,"新娘子..."
楚瑶不动声色地深吸一口气,脑海中浮现出那本现代魔法启示录中清洁咒语的图示.
她悄悄地将手指藏在宽大的袖袍中,按照图示比划了几下,口中默念着咒语.
神奇的事情发生了,喜服上湿漉漉的茶渍竟然以肉眼可见的速度消失了,仿佛从未存在过一般.
整个过程悄无声息,快得就像一场幻觉.
小桃端着干净的衣裳回来时,看到楚瑶身上干干净净的喜服,眼睛瞪得像铜铃,嘴巴张得老大,足以塞下一个鸡蛋.
她揉了揉眼睛,怀疑自己是不是眼花了.
"这...这怎么可能?"她喃喃自语,一脸的不可置信.
王嬷嬷也注意到了楚瑶身上的变化,眼中闪过一丝惊讶,但很快便恢复了平静.
她心中虽然疑惑,但也不好再说什么.
毕竟,一个新娘子在大喜的日子里被泼了茶水,已经够倒霉的了,总不能再揪着不放.
"既然没事了,那就早些休息吧." 王嬷嬷语气缓和了一些,似乎也意识到自己刚才的态度有些过分.
"老奴告退." 说完,便带着一众丫鬟离开了房间.
小桃愣愣地站在原地,看着楚瑶,眼神中充满了不解和恐惧.
她不明白,刚才明明看到楚瑶的喜服都被茶水浸湿了,怎么一转眼就干干净净了呢?
难道...
难道她真的有什么妖术?
楚瑶看着小桃惊恐的表情,嘴角勾起一抹不易察觉的微笑.
看来,这小小的"魔法"效果还不错.
她知道,今晚的刁难只是个开始,刘姨娘肯定不会善罢甘休.
不过,她楚瑶也不是吃素的.
兵来将挡,水来土掩,她倒要看看,这将军府里,究竟还有什么妖魔鬼怪.
楚瑶缓缓走到梳妆台前,拿起梳子,一下一下地梳理着自己乌黑的长发.
"这才只是个开始..." 她低声呢喃,眼神中闪烁着自信的光芒.
"将军府,我来了..."
她放下梳子,开始整理自己的房间... ChatGPT 说: The steady sound of footsteps halted at the door, followed by the creak of the door as it was slowly pushed open.
Before Chu Yao could react, a tall, stern-looking middle-aged woman entered, followed by several demure young maids.
This woman was none other than the steward of the General's household, Madam Wang.
She scrutinized Chu Yao, still cloaked in her red bridal veil, her gaze sharp and piercing, as if attempting to see through her entirely.
"The General is occupied with pressing matters and will not join the bridal chamber tonight," Madam Wang's voice was low and commanding, tinged with an unyielding authority.
"I have been sent to ask the bride a few questions on behalf of the General."
Chu Yao's heart skipped a beat. The customs of this era were truly perplexing—she was to be questioned on her wedding night?
She took a deep breath, steeling herself to maintain composure.
"Please, Madam, do proceed with your questions."
"How do you rank among your family? Are your parents in good health?" Madam Wang asked, her tone frigid, as if interrogating a criminal.
Chu Yao inwardly groaned. The question appeared simple, but there was a hidden complexity beneath it.
She had to answer carefully, for even the slightest mistake could expose her.
"Replying to Madam Wang, I am the eldest in my family... and my parents are in good health," Chu Yao hesitated slightly, her mind racing as she deliberated on how best to answer.
"How so? The bride can't even recall her family rank?" Madam Wang pressed on relentlessly, her voice laced with mockery.
Chu Yao quickly shifted her focus, devising a plan.
"Replying to Madam Wang, I am the eldest daughter in my family, and my parents are... in good health." She deliberately stammered, as if nervous, buying herself time to think up a flawless story.
Madam Wang appeared dissatisfied with the answer, her voice growing firmer. "As the eldest daughter, I assume you are well-read and skilled in the women's arts?"
Chu Yao sneered inwardly. Well-read? Skilled in needlework?
She, a modern chef, knew nothing of such antiquated skills.
"Replying to Madam Wang..." She opened her mouth, but was interrupted by a timid voice from outside the room.
"Madam, the hot water is ready." A young maid carrying a basin of hot water entered—it was the same maid, Xiao Tao, who had greeted her earlier.
Madam Wang shot a glance at Xiao Tao, her impatience evident. "Leave it," she snapped, before turning back to Chu Yao, her gaze filled with suspicion. "Bride, you have not answered my question."
Chu Yao, still searching for an excuse to evade, saw Xiao Tao's arrival as a perfect opportunity.
She feigned weakness, coughing softly. "Madam, I've had a long and tiring journey... I don't feel well..."
"What is it, bride?" Madam Wang asked, her voice tinged with concern, her gaze fixed intently on Chu Yao.
Chu Yao lowered her head slightly, her voice barely audible. "I... I may be a little... seasick..."
"Seasick?" Madam Wang repeated the term, her expression one of confusion.
"Yes," Chu Yao raised her head, forcing herself to appear calm. "In my homeland, there's a saying... seasick..." She emphasized the word "seasick" in hopes of drawing Madam Wang's attention and diverting the conversation.
As expected, Madam Wang's interest was piqued. She furrowed her brow. "Seasick? I've never heard of such a thing."
Chu Yao smiled inwardly—this tactic was working.
She was about to explain further when Madam Wang's expression suddenly darkened, and her voice grew sharp. "Bride, you..."
Chu Yao quickly thought of a new approach.
"Madam, what you don't know is that the customs of my homeland differ greatly from those here in the capital. Just like the management of family affairs, everything is meticulously divided—each task assigned clearly, like an army in battle, where strategic planning ensures victory. Although I am the eldest daughter, my strength lies more in the... 'logistical support'."
Madam Wang was taken aback. "Logistical support?" What was this new term?
She had lived for decades and had never heard of such a phrase.
Seizing the opportunity, Chu Yao continued, "Take this 'logistical support' for example—firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea—each requires careful budgeting. This is far more important than needlework. As the saying goes, 'before the army moves, provisions must be arranged,' and so it is with managing a household—without a solid 'logistics system,' how could a family prosper?"
Madam Wang was momentarily stunned, clearly at a loss for words.
Chu Yao silently sighed in relief—modern management principles seemed to have fooled even this seasoned steward.
At that moment, Xiao Tao entered with a fresh set of clothes, bowing respectfully. "Madam, tea." She approached Chu Yao, intending to hand her the tea, but somehow, her hand trembled, and the hot tea splashed all over Chu Yao's dress.
The scalding tea soaked through the thin wedding gown, searing her skin with an intense burn.
Chu Yao gritted her teeth, suppressing the pain, but a fiery anger surged within her.
Xiao Tao had done this on purpose!
"Ah! This servant is to blame!" Xiao Tao cried, immediately kneeling and kowtowing in apology.
Madam Wang's face darkened. "You foolish girl! Hurry and fetch clean clothes!"
Xiao Tao scrambled to her feet and fled the room.
Chu Yao watched her retreating figure, her eyes gleaming with coldness.
It seemed the General's household was far from peaceful.
She slowly raised her hand, gently caressing the burned skin on her arm, a cold smile curling on her lips.
"They want to intimidate me? Hmph, I'm not so easily subdued..." she muttered softly, her tone laced with subtle venom.
Madam Wang watched Chu Yao with a flicker of suspicion. "Bride..."
Chu Yao composed herself with a deep breath, recalling the cleansing spell from her modern magic book.
She discreetly concealed her fingers beneath her voluminous sleeves and mimicked the spell's gestures, quietly chanting the incantation.
Miraculously, the tea stains vanished at an observable rate, as though they had never existed.
The entire process was silent, as swift and fleeting as a mirage.
When Xiao Tao returned with the clean clothes, she stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes wide in disbelief. Chu Yao's gown was completely dry.
She rubbed her eyes, unsure whether she had imagined it.
"This... how could this be?" she murmured, her voice filled with incredulity.
Madam Wang, noticing the change in Chu Yao's appearance, was momentarily taken aback, but quickly regained her composure.
Though she was puzzled, she refrained from commenting further.
After all, a bride had already been drenched on her wedding day—there was no need to prolong the matter.
"Well, since you're fine now, rest early," Madam Wang said, her tone softening as though realizing her earlier demeanor had been too harsh.
With that, she departed, leading the maids away.
Xiao Tao stood frozen, staring at Chu Yao, confusion and fear in her eyes.
She couldn't comprehend how Chu Yao's gown had been soaked just moments ago and now was miraculously dry.
Could it be...?
Could she possess some kind of sorcery?
Chu Yao observed Xiao Tao's expression, a faint, barely perceptible smile tugging at her lips.
It seemed the "magic" was more effective than expected.
She knew this was just the beginning—Concubine Liu would certainly not let this go.
But Chu Yao was no pushover.
She would meet every challenge head-on and discover just what other strange forces lurked within the General's household.
She slowly approached the vanity, picking up a comb and methodically brushing her long, lustrous black hair.
"This is just the beginning..." she whispered to herself, her eyes gleaming with confidence.
"General's household, here I come..."
She placed the comb down and began tidying her room. 4o mini