Chapter 124

Hu Xiaotian chuckled and said, "They claim the eldest son plotted to harm the second son, but I don't believe it. Brothers are like flesh and blood—how could they possibly turn on each other in such cold‑blooded fashion?"

We need translation: Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Saying the eldest son designed to frame the second son, I also don't believe it. Brothers are like limbs, flesh and blood kin, how could they possibly slaughter each other, so cold-blooded?" Keep tone.

We must not add. Use "Hu Xiaotian" as given. Use "eldest son" and "second son". Could also be "eldest young master" but we keep meaning.

Long paragraph. Need translate fully.

Let's translate:

"Wan Boping said: 'My two sons have been close since childhood. When Ting Sheng fell unconscious, Ting Chang was the most worried, rushing about; how could he possibly harm his own blood brother? It must be those two slaves maliciously framing him.' Wan Boping's tone obviously lacked confidence; he had actually suspected this matter from the start. The first to discover the second son was the eldest son Wan Ting Chang, and as for the second son's drunken fall, that was also what he said. Now thinking about it, the eldest son indeed has the greatest suspicion in this matter. If the second son died, he would become the sole heir of the Wan family's vast estate. At this moment Wan Boping's heart ached to the extreme: on one hand he hated his eldest son for being so cold-blooded and ruthless as to lay hands on his own brother; on the other hand he had to desperately cover this up, for the Wan family this is a huge scandal—brothers fighting over property, driven to the point of you die, I live. But now the trouble is that two household servants have already written confessions, and if they fall into the officials' hands there will likely be problems. Even if we could escape criminal liability, the family scandal being exposed would ultimately make us a laughingstock."

Check we kept all info. Need to ensure we didn't add. It's okay.

Hu Xiaotian said, "If I turn these two statements in, the Wan family won't have any peace for a while."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "If I submit these two confessions, I'm afraid the Wan household won't be peaceful for a while."

Seeing him pick up the two statements, Wan Boping immediately understood that Hu Xiaotian had no intention of making this public; he was waiting for Wan Boping to declare his stance.

Translation: Seeing him pick up the two confessions, Wan Boping already understood in his heart that Hu Xiaotian had no intention of publicizing this matter at all; he was waiting for Wan Boping to state his position.

Wan Boping said, "Lord Hu, to be honest, those two servants recently messed up and got a stern talking‑to from my eldest son. I never imagined they'd hold a grudge and do something like this."

Translation: Wan Boping said: "Hu Sir, to be frank, those two servants committed some mistakes a few days ago and were severely scolded by my eldest son; I never expected them to bear a grudge and do such a thing."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, "A servant's word isn't reliable." He then snatched the statements, held them over the candle, and burned them to ashes right before Wan Boping's eyes.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Such a servant's testimony is not worth relying on." He actually picked up the confessions and held them over the candle flame, burning them completely clean in front of Wan Boping.

Wan Boping watched the statements turn to ash and felt a wave of relief, realizing Hu Xiaotian wouldn't do this without motive—this peace offering had an agenda. He whispered, "I'll send you two hundred taels of gold as settlement." Thinking he'd have to spend five hundred taels on Hu Xiaotian these days, Wan Boping winced, but the situation forced him to make a gesture; this man wasn't someone easily brushed off.

Translation: Seeing the two confessions turn to ash, Wan Boping's heart instantly relaxed; he guessed Hu Xiaotian wouldn't do this for no reason, this show of goodwill must have a purpose. So he whispered: "Later I'll have someone send you two hundred taels of gold as settlement funds." Remembering that over these two days he would have to spend five hundred taels on Hu Xiaotian, Wan Boping felt a pang of pain, but given the circumstances he had to make some gesture—this fellow wasn't someone easy to deal with.

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, "Master Wan, money is just an external thing—nothing compared to feelings."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian gave a hehe laugh and said: "Wan Yuanwai, wealth is an external object; compared to feelings, it's not worth mentioning."

Wan Boping blinked, puzzled by Hu Xiaotian's remark.

Translation: Wan Boping blinked slightly, not knowing what Hu Xiaotian meant by those words.

Hu Xiaotian said, "I've just come to Qingyun; I have no relatives here, let alone friends. Though I've only just met Master Wan, I sense he's a loyal, kind elder—a trustworthy friend." He paused, then asked, "I wonder if Master Wan would be willing to befriend me?" Every successful politician needs the backing of powerful financial backers, and for Hu Xiaotian to gain a foothold in Qingyun's officialdom, securing that support is his top priority.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "I've just arrived in Qingyun; here I have no relatives, let alone friends. Although I've only recently become acquainted with Wan Yuanwai, I feel he is a loyal and kind elder, a trustworthy friend." He paused deliberately, then added: "I don't know whether Wan Yuanwai would be willing to make friends with me?" Any successful political figure's back is supported by one or more powerful financial conglomerates; Hu Xiaotian wants to establish a foothold in Qingyun's officialdom, and the primary issue to resolve is this.

Wan Boping now fully grasped that Hu Xiaotian sought his local influence, hence the friendship offer. He snatched the wine jug, filled a cup, raised it, and declared, "In my heart you are not just a friend, Lord Hu—you are my benefactor!"

Translation: At this moment Wan Boping fully understood that Hu Xiaotian wanted to leverage his local influence, hence proposing friendship. He picked up the wine jug, quickly filled a cup, raised it and said: "In my heart I not only regard Hu Sir as a friend, but also as my benefactor!"

Hu Xiaotian shared a drink with him and said, "Whether those servants' words are true, you know it in your heart, and I know it clearly. Master Wan wants family harmony; in business we seek profit through harmony; I want to benefit the region, to do solid work in Qingyun County, and only with achievements can I move forward."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian shared a drink with him and said: "Whether those two servants' words are true or not, you know in your heart, and I know clearly as well. Wan Yuanwai thinks of family harmony; in business one seeks profit through harmony; I think of benefiting one locality, wanting to do some solid work in Qingyun County, and only with achievements can one advance further."

Wan Boping smiled, "We merchants always seek mutual benefit; Lord Hu, you've done me a great favor. I will naturally spare no effort for your affairs."

Translation: Wan Boping smiled: "We merchants have always valued mutual benefit; Hu Sir, you've given me such great help. Naturally I will spare no effort for your affairs."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and added another request: "Liu Dangui of Huichun Tang is a distant relative of mine; I hope Master Wan will show leniency in his son's case."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded and then took the opportunity to make another request: "Liu Dangui of Huichun Tang is a distant relative of mine; I hope Wan Yuanwai will show leniency in his son's matter."

By now Wan Boping dared not refuse; to him Liu Kuohai was just a small fry. He nodded and said, "Lord Hu, arrange it as you see fit—I'll follow your lead."

Translation: By now Wan Boping dared not utter a refusal; in his eyes Liu Kuohai was merely a minor figure. He nodded and said: "Whatever arrangements Hu Sir makes, I will follow your wishes."

As Hu Xiaotian left, Wan Boping personally escorted him outside. Watching the carriage disappear into the moonlight, his smile slowly faded. He told his attendant Wan Changchun, "Go to Xiezhou and look into his background."

Translation: As Hu Xiaotian departed, Wan Boping personally saw him out the door. Watching the carriage recede into the moonlight, Wan Boping's smile gradually stiffened; he turned to Wan Changchun beside him and said: "Go to Xiezhou for me and investigate his background."

Wan Changchun respectfully answered, "Yes!"

Translation: Wan Changchun respectfully replied: "Yes!"

Also, find that good‑for‑nothing, bring him back, and I'll confront him face to face.

Translation: "Also. Find that good-for-nothing thing, drag him back, and I want to confront him face to face and give him a good talking-to."

Hu Xiaotian returned to the Fu Lai Inn as night deepened; Murong Feiyan was already waiting inside. Innkeeper Su Guangju heard the carriage and rushed out to greet him, only just realizing that this young guest was the newly appointed magistrate of Qingyun County, Hu Xiaotian. Su Guangju chided himself for his blindness, yet secretly delighted—this was an encounter with a benefactor.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian returned to the Fulai Inn when night was already deep; Murong Feiyan had been waiting in the inn. Innkeeper Su Guangju, hearing the carriage approach, hurried out to greet him; he had only just learned that this young lodger was actually the newly appointed County Secretary Hu Xiaotian of Qingyun County. Su Guangju blamed himself for his lack of discernment, yet couldn't help feeling a secret delight—this was meeting a noble patron.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian step down from the carriage, Su Guangju hurried forward to bow: "I am Su Guangju, blind and ignorant; I did not know you were coming, my lord—please forgive me." He gave a deep, sincere bow; though he had always been courteous, today he showed added reverence.

Translation: Seeing Hu Xiaotian alight from the carriage, Su Guangju hurried forward to make a deep bow: "This humble Su Guangju, lacking discernment, unaware of your arrival, Sir, please forgive me." He bowed low, utterly sincere; although Su Guangju had always been very courteous to Hu Xiaotian, today he clearly showed added reverence.

Hu Xiaotian laughed and patted his shoulder, saying, "Boss Su, no need to stand on ceremony—I hope you don't mind my keeping you in the dark these past days."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian smiled and patted his shoulder: "Boss Su, no need to be polite; I hope you don't mind my keeping you in the dark these days."

A voice called from afar, "Lord Hu..." It was Liu Dangui, the owner of Huichun Tang, who had been waiting in the distance. Seeing Hu Xiaotian's carriage return, he hurried over to meet him, still about a zhang away. Liu Dangui bent his knees to kneel, but Hu Xiaotian stepped forward and supported him, saying, "Shopkeeper Liu, no need for such grand ceremony."

Translation: A voice called from afar: "Hu Sir..." It was Liu Dangui, the owner of Huichun Tang, who had been waiting in the distance. Seeing Hu Xiaotian's carriage return, he hurried over to meet him; when still about a zhang away, Liu Dangui bent his knees to kneel, but Hu Xiaotian quickly stepped forward and supported him: "Boss Liu, no need for such great ceremony."

Liu Dangui, tears in his eyes, pleaded, "Please, Lord Hu, uphold justice for us commoners."

Translation: Liu Dangui, tears in his eyes, said: "Please, Hu Sir, uphold justice for us common folk."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, "No need to rush—let's go inside and talk."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed: "No need to rush; let's go inside and talk."

Having just entered the inn, before Liu Dangui could plead, Hu Xiaotian announced that the Wan family had agreed to release Liu Kuohai. He chuckled, "We could release him now, but his temper is so volatile that if we don't give him a lesson, he'll surely cause trouble later—letting him spend an extra night in jail to cool down wouldn't hurt."

Translation: Having entered the inn, before Liu Dangui could plead, Hu Xiaotian already announced that the Wan family had agreed to release Liu Kuohai; he laughed: "Actually we could release him now, but I thought: his temper is so rash, if we don't give him a lesson he'll surely cause trouble later; letting him spend another night in the cell to cool down wouldn't be bad."

Liu Dangui nodded repeatedly; hearing that the Wan family had dropped the suit, his son was free of trouble, and his gratitude overflowed.

Translation: Liu Dangui nodded repeatedly; upon learning the Wan family had withdrawn the lawsuit, his son naturally had no more trouble, and his gratitude overflowed.

Su Guangju, skilled at reading people, told Liu Dangui, "Shopkeeper Liu, Lord Hu has worked hard all day; he needs to rest early. If there's anything, we can discuss it tomorrow."

Translation: Su Guangju, adept at reading expressions, said to Liu Dangui: "Boss Liu, Hu Sir has worked hard all day today and needs to rest early; if there's anything, let's discuss it tomorrow."

Liu Dangui's concerns were settled, so he had no objections; after bidding farewell to Hu Xiaotian, he left.

Translation: Liu Dangui's concerns were settled, so he had no objections; after bidding farewell to Hu Xiaotian, he left.

After he left, Su Guangju reported to Hu Xiaotian: "Sir, the residence you asked me to find has been located—it's on Sande Alley, less than half a li from here. It was originally the home of silk merchant Xie Jinwei; Mr. Xie, having shifted his business to Xizhou, put the house up for sale. The price is twenty taels of gold, with seven rooms inside and out, plus a small courtyard front and back—quiet amidst the bustle, very nice. The Xie family has always been prosperous, and in recent years we've never heard of any misfortune befalling them."

Translation: After he left, Su Guangju reported to Hu Xiaotian: "Sir, the residence you entrusted me to find has been located—it's on Sande Alley, less than half a li from here. Originally it was the mansion of silk merchant Xie Jinwei; that merchant, having turned his business toward Xizhou, put the house up for sale. The price is twenty taels of gold; inside and out there are seven rooms, plus a small courtyard front and back, a quiet spot amidst the bustle—very nice. The Xie family has always been prosperous, and these years we've never heard of any misfortune befalling them."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "That couldn't be better."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded: "That couldn't be better."

Su Guangju said, "Lord Hu, when do you have time? I'll accompany you to view the house."

Translation: Su Guangju said: "Hu Sir, when do you have time? I'll accompany you to view the house."

Hu Xiaotian said, "How about tomorrow afternoon?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "This afternoon tomorrow."

After they agreed on a time, Hu Xiaotian returned to his room and saw Murong Feiyan sitting alone under the grape arbor in the rear courtyard, enjoying the cool. He smiled and sat beside her, saying, "Isn't it a bit lonely to enjoy the cool and moon by oneself?"

Translation: After they agreed on the time, Hu Xiaotian returned to his room, saw Murong Feiyan sitting alone under the grape arbor in the rear courtyard enjoying the cool, smiled, and sat beside her: "Isn't it a bit lonely to enjoy the cool and admire the moon all alone?"

Murong Feiyan glanced at him and said, "What benefits did you extort from the Wan household?"

Translation: Murong Feiyan glanced at him and said: "What benefits did you extort from the Wan family this time?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily and said, "In your heart, I'm never a good person." He briefly recounted what happened after going to the Wan mansion. Murong Feiyan was relieved to hear he'd persuaded the Wan family to spare Liu Kuohai, but upon hearing he'd burned both statements, her brows furrowed and she whispered, "Are you trying to let Wan Tingchang's murder plot go unpunished?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily: "In your heart I've never been a good person." He briefly recounted what happened after going to the Wan mansion; Murong Feiyan was very pleased to hear he had successfully persuaded the Wan family to release Liu Kuohai, but upon hearing that Hu Xiaotian had burned both confessions, her brows furrowed and she whispered: "Are you intending to let Wan Ting Chang's murder plot go unpunished?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "I've told you before—just relying on the servants' testimony can't topple Wan Tingchang. We've just arrived in Qingyun; there's no need to make too many enemies. Our biggest enemy right now is……"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "I've told you before, relying solely on the servants' testimony cannot convict Wan Ting Chang; we've just arrived in Qingyun, there's no need to make too many enemies, and our biggest enemy right now is..."

He had just said that when Su Guangju hurried in with a person—it was Qingyun County chief clerk Guo Shouguang. Hu Xiaotian stopped speaking and stood up.

Translation: He had just said that when Su Guangju hurried in leading a person—it was Qingyun County Chief Clerk Guo Shouguang. Hu Xiaotian thus stopped speaking and rose to his feet.

Guo Shouguang clasped his hands and said, "Lord Hu, Lord Xu has returned; he specially sent me to invite you to a gathering at the official residence."

Translation: Guo Shouguang clasped his hands and said: "Hu Sir, Magistrate Xu has returned; he specially sent me to invite you to his residence for a gathering."

Hu Xiaotian thought, "What time is it? Today's my first day on the job, and you give me the cold shoulder, toss me a soft nail, and now it's bedtime, yet you send someone to summon me to the manor for a gathering—what's going on? Do you think I'm at your beck and call?" He yawned and said, "It's too late tonight; I won't disturb Lord Xu's residence. I'll visit him first thing tomorrow morning."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian thought: "What time is it? Today's my first day on the job, you give me the cold shoulder, toss me a soft nail, and now it's already bedtime, yet you send someone to summon me to the manor for a chat—what's this? Do you think I'm at your beck and call?" He yawned and said: "It's too late today; I won't disturb Magistrate Xu's residence. I'll visit him early tomorrow morning."

Guo Shouguang moved closer to Hu Xiaotian, completely forgetting that Hu Xiaotian disliked his bad breath, and said, "Lord Hu, Lord Xu personally invited you; not going would be inappropriate, wouldn't it?"

Translation: Guo Shouguang moved closer to Hu Xiaotian, completely forgetting that Hu Xiaotian disliked his bad breath: "Hu Sir, Magistrate Xu personally invited you; not going would be improper, wouldn't it?"

Hu Xiaotian gave him a cold stare, thinking, "You're a lackey relying on others' power, and you dare to act all mighty?" He gave a hollow, insincere chuckle, then turned and went back to his room, leaving Guo Shouguang standing in the courtyard. Guo Shouguang truly hadn't expected Hu Xiaotian to refuse so bluntly, leaving no room for maneuver.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian gave him a cold glance, this lackey relying on others' power—you dare to play the tiger's might borrowing the fox's prestige? He gave a hollow, insincere heh-heh, then turned and went back to his room, leaving Guo Shouguang cooling in the courtyard; Guo Shouguang truly hadn't expected Hu Xiaotian to refuse so bluntly, leaving no room for maneuver.

Hu Xiaotian kept his word; the next morning at dawn he got up, washed up, and headed straight to the county office to see his superior, Magistrate Xu Qinglian.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian kept his word; the next day, at dawn's first light, this fellow crawled out of bed, washed up, and straight away went to the county office to pay respects to his direct superior, Magistrate Xu Qinglian.

In the Qingyun County office, only Magistrate Xu Qinglian resided there; Hu Xiaotian went straight to the back gate.

Translation: In Qingyun County's Government Office only Magistrate Xu resides; Hu Xiaotian went straight to the rear gate.

The pounding on the door woke Magistrate Xu's pleasant dream; he crawled up from his wife's round belly, squinting with sleepy eyes, and angrily shouted, "Who's knocking at the door?"

Translation: The pounding knock woke Magistrate Xu's lovely dream; this fellow crawled up from his wife's round belly, squinting with sleepy eyes, and angrily shouted: "Who's knocking at the door?"

The guard outside, Xu An, reported, "Sir, the newly appointed county magistrate Hu Xiaotian has come to pay a visit."

Translation: The outside servant Xu An reported: "Sir, the newly appointed County Secretary Hu Xiaotian has come to pay a visit."

In Xu Qinglian's heart, a nameless fire surged! and leapt up; this Hu Xiaotian is really excessive—last night I sent Chief Clerk Guo Shouguang to invite you over for a meeting, you gave me no face, this morning you came to disturb my good dream; this is utterly unreasonable—if I don't give you a little color to see, you don't know who the boss of Qingyun Xian really is? Xu Qinglian leisurely sat up from the bed, while slowly putting on his clothes, while saying: "Let him wait outside for a moment!"

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Probably a mistake: line 47 is just "div>"? We'll treat it as line content "div>" and translate accordingly? It's not Chinese; maybe it's an artifact. According to rules, we must output every 【N】 with its translation. So we need to translate line 47 as is: "div>" maybe it's HTML tag; we should translate? It's not Chinese; we should keep as is? Probably it's a stray; we should output the same "div>" as translation? But we need to translate Chinese lines; if it's not Chinese, we just output same? The instruction: translate the Chinese novel lines. If line is not Chinese, we still output something; maybe we just copy it. We'll output "【47】 div>" as translation.

Now we need to produce translations preserving meaning, not adding.

We also need to output after all 【N】 lines:

Chapter 55 【Visit】 (Part I)