Chapter 1057: then title translation, then ===GLOSSARY=== with list of named entities appearing in these lines

Leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Hu Xiaotian encountered the little eunuch Yin Zheng outside; because Hu Xiaotian had a full beard, Yin Zheng couldn't recognize him at first glance, until Hu Xiaotian waved at him, then Yin Zheng realized it was him, and he hurried over with a beaming smile: "I thought who it was, turns out it's Big Brother Hu!" He said it very affectionately.

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "How have you been lately?"

Yin Zheng sighed and said, "What can I do? In the palace I'm always just a servant bringing tea and water, constantly having to watch the master's face—how can that compare to Brother Hu's carefree ease?" Saying this, he suddenly noticed Hu Xiaotian's attire, then remembered the other was still in mourning, and gave an embarrassed smile: "I had wanted to let go of the matter concerning Madame Hu, but my status simply isn't qualified enough; after thinking it over, I still didn't go to cause you trouble, and my acquaintances in the palace also had Eunuch Wang send flower wreaths."

After his mother's death, there were indeed many eunuchs in the palace who, though they didn't come in person, sent their condolences. Hu Xiaotian naturally wouldn't remember every name, and he whispered, "I appreciate it. Making a living in the palace isn't easy either."

Yin Zheng knew what Hu Xiaotian wanted from him, glanced around, saw no one paying attention, then whispered: "The Emperor has recently been quite robust, full of energy; last night he even slept with two women."

Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian really became a bit curious. Long Xuan'en, that old fellow, outwardly appears frail, yet unexpectedly he's still vigorous at his age—he can even spend a night with two women, his physique not lacking compared to youngsters. I had thought this old thing was on his last legs, his days numbered; if Yin Zheng is telling the truth, it seems he doesn't know how long he'll live. Hu Xiaotian seemed offhand and said, "You're joking, right? How old is he?"

Yin Zheng thought Hu Xiaotian didn't believe him, and anxiously said, "Heaven and earth as my conscience, I dare not utter a single false word to Brother Hu; not only last night, but recently his frequency of visiting the consorts has clearly increased compared to before. I've heard that Hong Beimo is preparing an elixir of immortality for him—could it be that the Emperor truly is beginning to return to youth?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Help me keep a close watch on his every move; if you get any news, go directly tell Shi Xuedong of the Imperial Herb Bureau—he'll have his own way to get the message to me."

Yin Zheng smiled and said, "Never mind; if there's anything, I'll just come find you directly—I can't trust anyone else."

Hu Xiaotian said, "I'm about to head for Dongliang Jun in Bei Jiang. I won't be coming back often."

Yin Zheng exclaimed, "Dongliang Jun? That's not Da Yong's territory—why go there? Going there would be like throwing a sheep into a tiger's den!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "You look down on me? Perhaps it's the tiger among sheep!" He patted Yin Zheng on the shoulder, stood up and left; after a few steps he waved and said, "Don't forget what I told you."

Shi Xuedong was lazily basking in the sun at the Imperial Herb Bureau when he suddenly felt something odd; opening his eyes, he saw a burly man with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a full beard leaning over to look at him, which startled Shi Xuedong. He jumped up from the lounge chair intending to run—this fellow's sense of danger is indeed overly strong. After taking two steps he came to his senses, turned around, and couldn't help bursting into laughter: "Brother… it's you!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled narrowly and said, "Who else could it be?"

Shi Xuedong said, "That beard of yours is enviable, mighty and imposing. Combined with your robust build and your handsome physique, tsk tsk, you're practically a deity descended to earth!"

Hu Xiaotian sighed, "Cut the flattery; I know what I look like." He then laid back on the lounge chair without ceremony.

Shi Xuedong had someone bring a stool, sat beside Hu Xiaotian, and smiled, "I've recently learned a few massage techniques from someone; Brother, would you like to try?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Sure!"

Shi Xuedong began pounding Hu Xiaotian's legs; his technique was unskilled, even clumsy. Hu Xiaotian started with his eyes closed, then opened them, gazing at the vast sky, watching the few drifting clouds, and softly said, "Brother, I suspect our sworn brotherhood wasn't sincere from the start, was it?"

Shi Xuedong laughed and said, "Back then I merely hated you; when I gave you that picture and the Three Whip Pills, I also had the idea of playing a trick on you." Times have changed, and now he doesn't shy away from speaking of these things. He sighed, "Maybe it's karma—now I've become a bona fide eunuch; I'll never touch a woman again in this life."

However, Hu Xiaotian knew Shi Xuedong was a cryptorchid patient, still retaining one testis in his body, whose secreted male hormones occasionally torment him. Hu Xiaotian said, "Brother, if I ever run into trouble someday, will you abandon me?"

Shi Xuedong shook his head and said, "You won't have any trouble; although I lack talent, I'm still a decent judge of character—you're destined to become a remarkable figure. No matter what you do, I'll help you, even if I can't offer much assistance."

Hu Xiaotian sat up straight, quietly gazing at Shi Xuedong; the successive betrayals by his father, Zhou Mo, and others have left him with a severe crisis of trust. Though his sworn brotherhood with Shi Xuedong was initially hollow, the two had shared weal and woe during their time together in the palace. This time, leaving Kangdu, Hu Xiaotian must establish a network of trusted contacts within the palace; Shi Xuedong and Yin Zheng are the key nodes of that network.

Hu Xiaotian said, "How's Uncle Shi doing lately?"

Shi Xuedong sighed, "It seems the Emperor has no intention of reemploying my father; to this day he hasn't been given even a minor post, as if he's been forgotten."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, understanding that Shi Buyi and those old officials find it hard to gain the Emperor's favor; after his father's disappearance, the old Emperor has grown increasingly suspicious. Only then did Hu Xiaotian inform Shi Xuedong of his impending departure for Dongliang Jun; hearing this, Shi Xuedong was immensely envious, and only later did he realize this was the Emperor's scheme—deliberately kicking Hu Xiaotian away from Princess Yongyang's side to isolate her and prevent her power from growing.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Dakang's fate is sealed; its fall is only a matter of time. This trip to Dongliang Jun is actually an opportunity for me—I'll do my best to gain a foothold there, so that when the state collapses, you and I brothers will have a place to take refuge."

Shi Xuedong said, "My father also said Dakang is finished; now you brothers say the same, so it's likely correct. Just go ahead with peace of mind—I'll keep an eye on things here."

While they were chatting, Yuan Fu from the Cangshuge arrived, having come specially to find Hu Xiaotian—Li Yuncong had invited Hu Xiaotian over for drinks.

Hu Xiaotian had originally planned to stay at the Imperial Herb Bureau and have a few drinks with Shi Xuedong, but since Li Yuncong sent someone to fetch him, there must be important business; Hu Xiaotian had Shi Xuedong fetch two jars of fine wine from the cellar, handed them to Yuan Fu, and went with him to the Cangshuge.

Li Yuncong sat in his room, with several small dishes already laid out on the small table—it looked as though he had prepared in advance.

Hu Xiaotian set down the two jars of wine and smiled, "Eunuch Li, your information is truly well‑informed—I just arrived at the palace, and you already have the news."

Li Yuncong gave a grating laugh and said, "The palace isn't that big; wherever a prince consort like you goes, it'll cause a stir." As he spoke, his single eye gleamed brightly.

Seeing Li Yuncong's vigor evident and his breath long and steady, Hu Xiaotian knew his earlier internal injury had mostly healed; he chuckled and said, "I'm not even married yet—what sort of prince consort am I?"

Li Yuncong said, "How could something the Emperor has decided be wrong?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "The Emperor has also gone back on his word plenty of times."

Li Yuncong curled his orchid finger, pointing his index and pinky at Hu Xiaotian, and said, "Such talk is fine to say in front of the Zajia, but if it reaches the Emperor's ears, you could be charged with contempt of court—perhaps even have your house ransacked and your clan exterminated."

Hu Xiaotian said, "I'm now a lone wanderer with nothing to lose."

Li Yuncong sighed, "Speaking of this really tugs at the heartstrings—Sir Hu truly has a heart of iron and stone; he abandoned his wife and child, took the Dakang navy fleet, and never returned. Such resolve isn't something an ordinary person could muster."

Hu Xiaotian coldly stared at Li Yuncong and said, "Eunuch Li, did you summon me just to hear this?"

Li Yuncong laughed and said, "Indeed, the prince consort is no longer as he used to be—his temper has grown much fiercer."

Hu Xiaotian said, "With no attachments, there is nothing to fear."

Li Yuncong said, "It's a pity you've fallen into a predicament; your father did this, and the Emperor has lost trust in you. This time sending you to Dongliang Jun serves two purposes: first, to guard against the Yongyang Princess's growing power; second, to marginalize you. Thereafter, if anyone wishes to harm you, they can simply pin a rebellion charge on you and send you down a road of no return."

Hu Xiaotian said, "At worst it's death—I have nothing left to fear."

Li Yuncong said, "Better to live in disgrace than die honorably; the Emperor has his own plans. The Zajia have followed the Emperor for many years—we know what he wants and what he intends to do. He cares nothing for anyone's life or death, not even the Yongyang Princess, let alone you, the future prince consort."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Then tell me—what exactly does the Emperor want?"

Li Yuncong slapped open the wine jar's mud seal; in an instant the aroma filled the air. He lifted the jar, filled the two cups on the table, picked up one, and said, "Let's drink while we talk!"

The two of them downed the cup together.

Li Yuncong said, "He's lived this long—what power and wealth hasn't he enjoyed? All he seeks is immortality! Only with eternal life could he forever remain on the throne."

Hu Xiaotian snorted and said, "Do you really believe there's such a thing as immortality in this world?"

These past few days the updates haven't been up to par; it's already the last day of the month. If you still have monthly tickets, please cast them for the Medical Union. Writing is a lengthy process, and fluctuations in condition are normal—please understand! (To be continued~^~)