Chapter 511: with translation of chapter title

The soldier replied: "His Majesty is in the imperial tent."

"Who else is in the tent?"

"Only Prince Ning."

Several people dismounted, Xiao Ze and Xiao Ran brought a man into Xiao Jieyun's large tent, knelt and paid respects: "Your subjects greet Father Emperor!"

But we need to keep exact terms: Xiao Ze, Xiao Ran, Xiao Jieyun, Father Emperor (Father Emperor). Use glossary: Father Emperor is given as Father Emperor → Father Emperor. So use that.

Thus: Several people dismounted, Xiao Ze and Xiao Ran brought a man into Xiao Jieyun's large tent, knelt and paid respects: "Your subjects greet Father Emperor!"

The man knelt on one knee: "Former Jiangnan Region City Guard Camp commander Zhao Tieshan, kowtows to Your Majesty!"

But we need to keep "陛下" as His Majesty. So: "Former Jiangnan Region City Guard Camp commander Zhao Tieshan, kowtows to Your Majesty!"

He turned to Xiao Yuanhang: "Prince Ning! This subordinate has arrived!"

Xiao Yuanhang looked at this former subordinate of his, smiled slightly: "Tieshan, long time no see."

The emperor slightly nodded: "Please rise, everyone sit. Zhao Tieshan, I sent you from Jingcheng to Jiangnan Region three years ago, right?"

"Yes! Three years and five months."

The three sat down.

Xiao Yuanhang looked at their dust-covered selves: "Seventh Prince and Ninth Prince, you've worked hard on this trip."

Xiao Ran said: "I actually think going out for a walk is nice; being cooped up here is stifling. How about Tuan Tuan?"

"She's playing in the Main Camp."

Zhao Tieshan upon hearing: "Is the Little Princess also here?"

Xiao Yuanhang nodded.

Zhao Tieshan recalled when dealing with Shen Wanjin in Jiangzhou, he gave a thumbs up: "This Little Princess is quite extraordinary!"

"For such a complicated case in Jiangzhou City, she, a little child, could actually venture into the tiger's den together with the Third Young Master and Ninth Prince; truly impressive."

Xiao Yuanhang smiled proudly, his face beaming: "You don't even look to see whose daughter she is!"

Xiao Ran stood up: "Father Emperor, I want to go see Tuan Tuan; let Seventh Prince and Guard Zhao talk with you."

Xiao Ze gave him a sideways glance: "You sure run fast; I also wanted to go see Tuan Tuan."

Xiao Jieyun nodded, Xiao Ran laughed at Xiao Ze, then bowed and took his leave.

Upon leaving the large tent, he asked the guard at the door: "Where is the Little Princess?"

The guard replied: "Just now he went toward the Training Ground."

Xiao Ran rushed to the Training Ground, from afar he heard Tuan Tuan's clear laughter, hurried over: "Little punk! Look who's here!"

Xiao Er, Lu Qi, Zhang Wu'an, and the soldiers all paid respects: "Greetings, Ninth Prince!"

Xiao Jin timidly said: "Ninth Prince!"

Xiao Ran waved his hand, squatted down, and opened his arms toward Tuan Tuan.

Tuan Tuan ran over on her short legs: "Ninth Prince! Where did you and Third Elder Brother go? Old Uncle said Imperial Uncle sent you out, but you didn't bring me!"

Xiao Ran scooped her up: "Missed me? Or is it more fun to go out together? Seventh Prince is as boring as an old fogey."

Tuan Tuan wrapped her arms around his neck: "Third Elder Brother is back too? He's certainly not an old fogey; my disciple is!"

"Alright, he isn't. Seventh Prince is in Father Emperor's tent. By the way, when we left, Eunuch Cheng fell ill from maladaptation to the local environment; how is he now?"

Tuan Tuan stroked his hair: "Old Uncle is better now! No more coughing!"

"However, the doctor said we're too noisy; Old Uncle needs to rest quietly, not letting us disturb him, and we can only keep him company after he fully recovers."

Xiao Ran looked at Xiao Jin, who had just hit the bullseye again and jumped up high, and Gongsun Yue cheering nearby: "That's noisy enough."

Tuan Tuan pouted: "Not at all!"

Xiao Ran hurriedly soothed: "Yes yes, it's them who are noisy; our Tuan Tuan certainly isn't!"

Tuan Tuan's brows relaxed and eyes smiled.

"Ninth Prince, you and Third Elder Brother have been out so long—what did you do?"

Xiao Ran's smile froze.

But facing Tuan Tuan, he didn't say more: "Thanks to the Canal Gang's help, we went around southward to see if anyone would send troops to help us."

Xiao Er and Lu Qi, hearing that, turned to look at him, but upon seeing his expression, their hearts sank.

If the two princes had truly summoned reinforcements, they wouldn't look like this now.

"Tuan Tuan, do you know who's come?"

"Who is it?"

"The Zhao Tieshan who helped us capture Shen Wanjin in Jiangzhou."

Tuan Tuan tilted her little head, thought: "Oh! I remember, it's him! Is he willing to help us?"

Xiao Ran nodded: "Yes! He resigned his office and came with us."

Tuan Tuan clapped her little hands: "Great! Now there's one more person to help!"

Xiao Ran let out a soft sigh: "Too bad, nobody else is willing."

"They all know there will be a major battle in Jingcheng, and they're just waiting to see the final outcome; nobody wants to take unnecessary risks."

Tuan Tuan, however, didn't mind: "Ninth Prince, isn't it also great to have one more person?"

Xiao Ran kissed her cheek: "Tuan Tuan is right! It's definitely better than having no one at all. You really have no worries at all, Ninth Prince is envious!"

Tuan Tuan proudly shook her little head: "Of course! Even if we're few, the villains won't win! Rest assured, Ninth Prince!"

Xiao Er, Lu Qi, Zhang Wu'an, and the others all gave a knowing smile: "Yeah, how could Ni Ze possibly win?"

Xiao Ran pinched Tuan Tuan's cheek: "Quickly tell Ninth Prince, what did you play while I was away?"

Xiao Jin at the side interjected: "Ninth Prince, Tuan Tuan taught me to play with mud, it's so fun!"

Xiao Ran stared: "Mud?"

Tuan Tuan nodded vigorously: "Ninth Prince, are you tired? If not, would you like to come play with us?"

Xiao Ran had just come back running all the way, indeed somewhat tired.

Xiao Ran had just come back running all the way, indeed somewhat tired.

But looking at Tuan Tuan in my arms, those clear big eyes blinking at me, my heart instantly softened—how could I let the little one be disappointed?

Ninth brother isn't tired—let's go! Take me to see how you play in the mud!

The group headed for the Bitter Water Well.

At the same moment, Cheng Ru'an walked to Xiao Ningxun's tent flap and softly called, "Xun Er?"

Old Lady Liu behind her said, "Third Young Master doesn't seem to be inside; shall I go look for him?"

Cheng Ru'an shook her head: "No need, give me the soup; I'll go in and put it down for him, then check if his bedding is sufficient."

Upon hearing this, Old Lady Liu handed her the clay jar she was holding: "Let this old servant go instead, lest you get scalded."

Cheng Ru'an said nothing, lightly took it, and Old Lady Liu lifted the tent curtain.

"You wait outside."

"Yes."

A moment later, Cheng Ru'an slowly came out and looked around.

Old Lady Liu found it strange: "Your Highness, what are you looking for?"

Cheng Ru'an asked, "Where is Tuan Tuan?"

Old Lady Liu looked around: "The young lady has recently liked to play near the Bitter Water Well; could she have gone there?"

Cheng Ru'an nodded: "I'll go check; it'll get dark soon, go back and see how the dinner you made for Tuan Tuan turned out."

Old Lady Liu hesitated a moment, but since we're all in the Main Camp, it's fine: "Yes." She turned and left.

Cheng Ru'an murmured, "Bitter Water Well? Great."

She slowly approached and arrived at the edge of the Bitter Water Well.

The three little ones and Xiao Ran, who had been squatting on the ground kneading mud together, all lifted their heads in unison.

Tuan Tuan happily lunged forward, and as she was about to reach her mother's side, she raised her little hands high: "Ya! Mama! My hands are all muddy—I can't hug you!"

Xiao Er and Lu Qi bowed and said, "Greetings, Princess Consort."

Cheng Ru'an smiled and nodded: "It's fine, go on playing; Mama misses you, come out and see what you're doing."

Tuan Tuan shouted, "Mama, wait for me!"

"We're done shaping it! Mama, you can throw a stone into that well—it makes a lovely sound!"

Cheng Ru'an laughed, "All right, Mama, give it a try." She squatted down, picked up a stone, walked to the well's edge, and tossed it in.

"Thud!" came a reverberation from inside the well.

She chuckled, "Indeed, it sounds lovely—this well is truly deep."

Her gaze was deep, and she murmured to herself, "The deeper, the better."

"Right?" Tuan Tuan happily lowered her head and continued playing.

Cheng Ru'an stood alone at the well's edge, her back to everyone, pulled something from her bosom, and threw it into the well.