disdaining everybody; not caring an ounce about other people's feelings
plot; scheme; trick; design; intrigue; artifice
powerful person; influential person
thoughtless; reckless; rash; excessive; unreasonable; immoderate
right of succession; right to the throne
to be a good match (for); to stand a chance (against); to be able to compete (with); to hold one's own
to force; to compel; to coerce; to press; to impose
to knock (someone) off their feet; to knock down; to send flying; to strike; to drive away (one's sorrows, worries, etc.); to dispel
sarcastic; having a sharp tongue; having a sharp nasty tongue
different person; another person; someone else; changed man
strict observance; rigid adherence; scrupulous compliance
gilt; guilt; gilt-edged security; gilt
Ming dynasty (of China; 1368-1644)
certain reasons; certain circumstances; professional constraints; (lit.) adult matters
road; path; way; set of practices; moral education; Buddhist teachings; Taoism
latent disposition; inner feelings
to hold still; to hold in place; to calm down; to become steady (e.g. of nerves); to become fixed (e.g. of a gaze); to become glazed
to yell; to shout; to scream; to bawl
direct line; direct communication; connecting directly; through service; nonstop service
to find out; to dig up; to sniff out; to worm out; to pry out; to spy out
pregnancy; conception; gestation
along the road; at the side of the road
to catch; to capture; to grasp (e.g. meaning); to perceive; to captivate; to move (one's heart)
low tone; bass; low voice
to run about frantically trying to escape; to run this way and that to make one's escape
just made; fresh (e.g. from the oven); newly built (e.g. house); brand-new
just a handful; only a small number (of)
(verbal) abuse; denunciation; disparagement; vilification; scathing criticism
to stand on end; to bristle up; to be ruffled
charm against evil spirits; talisman; amulet
advance party; advance team; advance group; vanguard unit
no penalty; no punishment; acquittal; impunity
it was, wasn't it?; must have been; I think (it was); how might it have been?
clink; clack; feeling annoyed; being offended; being hurt
once; for a short time; briefly; (arch.) one morning
to pull up; to drag up; to increase; to raise (e.g. taxes); to withdraw; to leave; to promote (someone to a higher position)
to bring disgrace (dishonor, dishonour) on; to fling mud at; to put to shame
every person; each one; everybody
sick person; patient; invalid
empty; void; vain; fruitless; lifeless