若不是贪慕虚荣 奢求圣宠
“If that court actress hadn't been so vain, craving His Majesty's favor,”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
那个女伶
“If that court actress hadn't been so vain, craving His Majesty's favor,”
若不是 贪慕虚荣 奢求圣宠
“If that court actress hadn't been so vain, craving His Majesty's favor,”
“would she have believed that a little money”
Direct spoken expression in this communicative setting.
For entertainers and low-ranking court figures, winning imperial favor (Shengchong) was the sole pathway to power, leaving them highly susceptible to con artists.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
vain; coveting superficial glory or status
A set idiomatic phrase used to critically describe someone obsessed with wealth, fame, or hollow status.
to demand extravagantly; to harbor unrealistic hopes for
Used to describe longing for something far beyond one's station or reasonable reach.
VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
Parallel Spoken Cinema Scenes (语义近邻切片)
“It was your greed for vanity.”
“If I were truly greedy, I could've earned much more than this.”
“I'm not that kind of shallow, vain woman.”
“They're greedy for power and beautiful women.”
“coveting wealth and glory,”
“You'll stop at nothing to win the Emperor's favor!”