Chapter 1419

Herdan laughed loudly and said: "Competition is competition, but the choice isn't in our hands. Although we all want to become the princess's consort, it's naturally her freedom whom she chooses; a true man shouldn't spoil harmony over a woman." Before he finished speaking, Mengya poked him from the side; his remark was indeed somewhat impolite.

"Heerden laughed loudly and said: 'Competition is competition, but the right to choose is not in our hands. Although we all want to become the prince consort, the princess choosing whom she likes is naturally her freedom; a real man cannot spoil harmony over a woman.' He hadn't finished speaking when Mengya poked him from the side. His remark was indeed somewhat impolite."

We need to ensure we didn't add extra. Let's produce a concise translation.

"Heerden laughed loudly and said: 'Competition is competition, but the right to choose is not in our hands. Although we all want to become the prince consort, the princess choosing whom she likes is naturally her freedom; a real man cannot spoil harmony over a woman.' He hadn't finished speaking when Mengya poked him from the side. His remark was indeed somewhat impolite."

He hadn't finished speaking when Mengya poked him from the side.

Yang Longyue smiled slightly, silently cursing the barbarians for their rudeness; however, in his view, those who accomplish great deeds also shouldn't place too much importance on women—Herdan's words were rough but sound.

Translation: "Yang Longyue smiled faintly, inwardly cursing the barbarians for their rudeness, but in his view, those who accomplish great deeds should not regard women too highly; Heerden's words were rough but reasonable."

Barbarians are rude; those who accomplish great deeds also cannot regard women too heavily; Heerden's words are rough but the principle is sound.

Thus: "Yang Longyue smiled faintly, inwardly cursing the barbarians for their rudeness, but in his view, those who accomplish great deeds should not regard women too highly; Heerden's words were rough but reasonable."

Yang Longyue gave a slight smile, inwardly cursing the barbarians for their rudeness, but in his view, those who accomplish great things cannot place too much importance on women; Her Dan's words were crude but his reasoning was sound.

Xu Muzhi said: "Just being able to gather here in Fragrant City is already a great blessing; no matter whom the princess ultimately chooses, it will not harm our friendship."

Translation: "Xu Mubai said: 'Being able to gather here in Fragrant City is already a great fortune; no matter whom the princess ultimately chooses, it will not harm our friendship.'"

Fragrant City

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Exactly what you said, cousin!" He had always been on guard against Xu Muzhi; although Xu Muzhi pretended to be an innocent little white rabbit unfamiliar with the world, beneath his graceful gentleman's exterior lay unfathomable scheming. Last time at the Moon-Obtaining Pavilion he had intended to poison me; if not for Ji Feihua's timely intervention, perhaps I would have fallen victim to his plot.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian laughed: 'Cousin, you're absolutely right!' He had always been on guard against Xu Mubai; although Xu Mubai pretended to be an innocent little white rabbit unfamiliar with the world, beneath his graceful gentleman's exterior lay unfathomable scheming. At the Deyue Lou last time, he had intended to poison me; if not for Ji Feihua's timely intervention, perhaps I would have fallen victim to his plot."

Moon-Obtaining Pavilion

Thus: "... At the Moon-Obtaining Pavilion last time, he had intended to poison me; if not for Ji Feihua's timely intervention, perhaps I would have fallen victim to his plot."

Mengya said: "It would be best if you could have such breadth of mind; a man should be able to take up and let go, otherwise I will look down on you."

Translation: "Mengya said: 'It would be best if you had such breadth of mind; a man should be able to take up and let go, otherwise I will look down on you.'"

Prince Fu Yang Longyue said: "I agree with Princess Mengya's remark, but I don't know which of them in her heart has the best chance to become her consort."

Translation: "Prince Fu Yang Longyue said: 'I agree with Princess Mengya's words, but I wonder whom the princess considers most likely to become her prince consort.'"

Mengya said: "No need to ask; of course it's my elder brother!"

Translation: "Mengya said: 'No need to ask; naturally it's my elder brother!'"

Hearing her say that, Zhao Wusheng's lips curled with a faint smile. Though they were far apart, he never expected Mengya to have noticed him; she glared at him fiercely and said: "What are you laughing at? What's so funny?"

Translation: "Hearing this, Zhao Wusheng's lips curled with a faint smile; although they had been far apart, he hadn't expected Mengya to notice, and she glared at him fiercely, saying: 'What are you smiling at? What's there to laugh about?'"

Zhao Wusheng said: "This face I was born with isn't meant to mock you."

Translation: "Zhao Wusheng said: 'This face I was born with isn't deliberately smiling at you.'"

Mengya gritted her teeth: "You cut my sword last time and I still haven't settled the score with you."

Translation: "Mengya gritted her teeth and said: 'You haven't settled the account for cutting my blade last time.'"

Zhao Wusheng said: "Swords are blind; in a sparring match, not to mention blade injuries, even if there are casualties, they cannot be controlled."

Translation: "Zhao Wusheng said: 'Swords are blind; in a sparring match, not to mention blade damage, even if people are injured or killed, it cannot be controlled.'"

Mengya said: "Are you really that skilled? Dare to spar with me again using the same weapon this time?"

Translation: "Mengya said: 'Are you really that skilled? Dare to spar with me again as before, this time using the same weapons.'"

Hu Xiaotian was about to intervene when Herdan clapped his hands and said: "Great! You two can practice; it'll give us a few drinks to liven things up!"

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian was about to intervene when Heerden clapped and said: 'Great! Let the two of you exchange a few moves; it'll give us some drinks to liven things up!'"

Zhao Wusheng showed a difficult expression; a good man does not fight a woman, and he also saw that Mengya was not to be provoked. If he lost, it would be fine to say so, but if he won, given her temperament she would surely pester him endlessly.

Zhao Wusheng showed a difficult expression; a good man does not fight a woman, and he also saw that Mengya was not to be provoked. If he lost, it would be fine to say so, but if he won, given her temperament she would surely pester him endlessly.

We need to keep meaning. Let's produce: "Zhao Wusheng showed a difficult expression; a good man does not fight a woman, and he also saw that Mengya was not to be provoked. If he lost, it would be fine to say so, but if he won, given her temperament she would surely pester him endlessly."

Prince Fu Yang Longyue also said: "General Zhao, accompany the princess for two moves!"

Translation: "Prince Fu Yang Longyue also said: 'General Zhao, just accompany the princess for two moves!'"

Zhao Wusheng looked at Hu Xiaotian with some difficulty.

Translation: "Zhao Wusheng looked somewhat embarrassed toward Hu Xiaotian."

Hu Xiaotian nodded at him and said: "I think we're all friends; swords are blind, so please don't harm our friendship. Here's what we'll do, Wusheng: fetch two bamboo sticks."

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian nodded at him and said: 'I think we're all friends; swords are blind, so please don't harm our harmony. How about this, Wusheng, you fetch two bamboo sticks.'"

Upon hearing that, Zhao Wusheng immediately brightened; it was still Hu Xiaotian who had many ideas. He promptly had someone shave two bamboo sticks to use as swords for their practice bout.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Zhao Wusheng immediately brightened; Hu Xiaotian really had many ideas. He at once had someone shave two bamboo sticks to use as swords for the sparring."

Mengya and Zhao Wusheng stood facing each other; Zhao Wusheng clasped his fists in salute and smiled, saying: "I hope Princess Mengya will go easy on me…" Before he finished, Mengya—swish! —a bamboo stick shot toward his head. Though it was just a bamboo stick, wielded with full force it was still imposing; Zhao Wusheng stepped back and began to counterattack. The two clacked away there lively, and everyone just watched it as a show.

Mengya and Zhao Wusheng stood facing each other; Zhao Wusheng clasped his fists in salute and smiled, saying: "I hope Princess Mengya will go easy on me…" Before he finished, Mengya—swish! —a bamboo stick shot toward his head. Though it was just a bamboo stick, wielded with full force it was still imposing; Zhao Wusheng stepped back and began to counterattack. The two clacked away there lively, and everyone just watched it as a show.

We need to keep meaning. Let's produce: "Mengya and Zhao Wusheng stood facing each other; Zhao Wusheng clasped his fists in salute and smiled, saying: 'I hope Princess Mengya will go easy on me…' Before he finished, Mengya—swish! —a bamboo stick shot toward his head. Though it was just a bamboo stick, wielded with full force it was still imposing; Zhao Wusheng stepped back and began to counterattack. The two clacked away there lively, and everyone just watched it as a show."

Herdan seemingly casually said: "Big Brother Hu, where have you been these two days? Outside, rumors say you were kidnapped by a gang of beggars."

Translation: "Heerden seemed offhand and said: 'Big Brother Hu, where have you been these past two days? Outside, rumors say you were seized by a gang of beggars.'"

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily: "Don't hide it from you—I've been trying every way to do public relations these past two days; otherwise how could I have reappeared on the candidate list?" Although what he said was a lie, it sounded reasonable, and everyone laughed along.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily: 'Don't hide it from you—I've been trying every way to do PR these past two days; otherwise how could I have reappeared on the candidate list?' Although his words were false, they sounded reasonable, and everyone laughed along."

At that moment, Zhao Wusheng exclaimed "Aiya!" and slipped, falling to the ground—but he had no heart to continue fighting, decided to let Mengya win, since there was nothing shameful about it, and deliberately pretended to step on empty air, plummeting with a thud to the ground.

Translation: "At that moment, Zhao Wusheng exclaimed 'aiya!' and slipped, falling to the ground—but he had no heart to continue fighting, decided to let Mengya win, since there was nothing shameful about it, and deliberately pretended to step on empty air, plummeting with a thud to the ground."

At that moment, Zhao Wusheng exclaimed 'Aiya!' and slipped, falling to the ground—but he had no heart to continue fighting, decided to let Mengya win, since there was nothing shameful about it, and deliberately pretended to step on empty air, plummeting with a thud to the ground.

Compared to Zhao Wusheng's defeat, Mengya's reaction was even more surprising. Seeing Zhao Wusheng stumble and fall, her first reaction was not to rush forward and stab him, but to throw away her bamboo stick, rush over, and ask anxiously: "Zhao Wusheng, are you alright?" As a woman of foreign stock, she was unrestrained and had no concept of gender separation; she rushed forward and embraced his shoulders. Feeling her embrace at close range, the usually open-hearted and heroic Zhao Wusheng found himself momentarily breathless, his face flushing red with embarrassment.

Translation: "Compared to Zhao Wusheng's defeat, Mengya's reaction was even more surprising. Seeing Zhao Wusheng accidentally fall, her first reaction was not to rush forward and strike him with a blow, but to throw away her bamboo stick, rush forward, and ask anxiously: 'Zhao Wusheng, are you alright?' As a free-spirited foreign woman, she had no concept of gender separation; she rushed forward and embraced his shoulders. Feeling her embrace at close range, the usually open-hearted and heroic Zhao Wusheng also felt his heroic spirit wilt, his face flushing with embarrassment."

We need to keep meaning. Let's produce: "Compared to Zhao Wusheng's defeat, Mengya's reaction was even more surprising. Seeing Zhao Wusheng accidentally fall, her first reaction was not to rush forward and strike him with a blow, but to throw away her bamboo stick, rush forward, and ask anxiously: 'Zhao Wusheng, are you alright?' As a free-spirited foreign woman, she had no concept of gender separation; she rushed forward and embraced his shoulders. Feeling her embrace at close range, the usually open-hearted and heroic Zhao Wusheng also felt his heroic spirit wilt, his face flushing with embarrassment."

Observant people could see that Mengya's feelings for Zhao Wusheng were extraordinary; the corners of her mouth hinted at a smile that could be felt but not put into words. Herdan stared, dumbfounded, forgetting to drink the cup he had raised.

Translation: "Anyone with discernment could see that Mengya's feelings for Zhao Wusheng were out of the ordinary, the corners of their mouths betraying a smile that could be felt but not described; Heerden stared dumbfounded, forgetting to drink the cup he had raised."

Hu Xiaotian laughed, raising his cup toward Herdan and said: "One smile dispels grudges; I think their reconciliation has been resolved."

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian laughed, raising his cup to Heerden and said: 'One smile dispels grudges; I think their reconciliation has been resolved.'"

Herdan laughed somewhat forcedly: "Best if it's resolved, best if it's resolved..." At that moment he realized his sister seemed to have taken a liking to Zhao Wusheng, which was not good for him; although Zhao Wusheng's martial skills and appearance were not bad, he was not of royal lineage, and moreover he was not a member of their tribe.

Translation: "Heerden forced a laugh: 'Better resolved, better resolved…' Only then did he realize his sister seemed to have taken a liking to Zhao Wusheng, which was not good for him; although Zhao Wusheng's martial skill and appearance were not bad, after all he was not of royal lineage, and he was not of their tribe."

That evening's banquet went fairly smoothly; Prince Fu Yang Longyue stayed until everyone else had left, then Hu Xiaotian invited him to the pavilion in the garden for tea.

Translation: "That day's banquet ended fairly satisfactorily; Prince Fu Yang Longyue stayed until the others had left, after which Hu Xiaotian invited him to the pavilion in the courtyard for tea."

Yang Longyue asked: "I heard you entered the palace today, brother?"

Translation: "Yang Longyue said: 'I heard you entered the palace today, Brother?'"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "The empress dowager summoned me to the palace and personally told me that I have been reinstated on the list of one hundred candidates."

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: 'The Empress Dowager summoned me into the palace and personally told me that I had been reinstated on the list of one hundred candidates.'"

Yang Longyue laughed: "That couldn't be better." His smile, however, looked somewhat unnatural.

Translation: "Yang Longyue laughed: 'That could not be better.' His smile, however, looked somewhat unnatural."

Hu Xiaotian knew he had something on his mind; he set his teacup on the table and said softly: "Big Brother, if you have anything on your mind, speak freely."

Hu Xiaotian knew he had something on his mind, setting his teacup on the table, he said softly: "Big Brother, if you have anything to say, speak freely."

Yang Longyue asked: "Why did the empress dowager suddenly change her mind?"

Translation: "Yang Longyue said: 'Why did the Empress Dowager suddenly change her mind?'"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I went to see Master Lan, who intervened and resolved this difficulty for me."

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian said: 'I went to find Mr. Lan, who stepped in to help me resolve this problem.'"

Yang Longyue asked: "What conditions did you agree to?"

Translation: "Yang Longyue said: 'What terms did you agree to, Brother?'"

Hu Xiaotian chuckled; Yang Longyue obviously had doubts about him, which is understandable given how sudden everything changed. Even facing Yang Longyue, he couldn't tell the truth, since his sworn brotherhood with Yang Longyue was merely a matter of convenience, and Yang Longyue's motive in befriending him was also to use him.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily; Yang Longyue obviously suspected him, which is understandable given how sudden the change was—even facing Yang Longyue he could not tell the truth, after all his sworn brotherhood with Yang Longyue was merely a matter of interest, and Yang Longyue's purpose in befriending him was also to use him."

Hu Xiaotian said: "He wants to cooperate with me."

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian said: 'He wants to cooperate with me.'"

Yang Longyue pursed his lips, his expression growing solemn; Hu Xiaotian laughed and asked: "Big Brother, do you not trust me?"

Translation: "Yang Longyue pressed his lips, his expression somewhat grave; Hu Xiaotian smiled and asked: 'Big Brother, do you not trust me?'"

Yang Longyue sighed: "It's not that I don't trust you, brother; it's that I don't trust myself. Perhaps I overestimate my abilities—with my current strength I simply cannot shake the empress dowager's rule."

Translation: "Yang Longyue sighed: 'It's not that I don't trust you, Brother; it's that I don't trust myself—perhaps I overestimate my abilities, for with my present strength I cannot possibly shake the Empress Dowager's rule.'"

Hu Xiaotian stood up, patted his shoulder, and said: "Let me tell you some good news: Master Lan's ambitions are great, and he does not even consider the throne of Tianxiang Kingdom worth his attention."

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian stood, patted his shoulder, and said: 'Let me tell you some good news: Mr. Lan's ambitions are great, and he does not have his eyes on the throne of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom.'"

Yang Longyue, full of bewilderment, said: "You mean...?"

Translation: "Yang Longyue, full of bewilderment, said: 'You mean…'"

Hu Xiaotian said: "What he seeks should be the whole world, big brother! I want you to help me with something."

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian said: 'What he likely seeks is the whole world, Big Brother! I want you to help me with one thing.'"

Yang Longyue said: "Just tell me what you need, brother; if I can do it, I will."

Translation: "Yang Longyue said: 'Just speak up, Brother; if I can do it, I will.'"

Help me find a map of the Green Shadow Pavilion.

Note: This line starts with a quotation mark, no speaker indicated. Likely Hu Xiaotian speaking. We'll translate as: "'Help me find a map of the Green Shadow Pavilion.'"

Yang Longyue nodded; this posed no difficulty for him. It seemed Hu Xiaotian had prepared for the worst case—if he weren't selected, he would seize the princess outright.

Translation: "Yang Longyue nodded; this was not difficult for him. It seemed Hu Xiaotian had prepared for the worst case—if he were not selected, he would directly move to abduct the princess."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Help me investigate the details of the Sword-Washing Mountain Villa, and also look into the connections between the Beggars' Sect and the Jinling Xu family."

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian said: 'Help me investigate the details of the Sword-washing Mountain Manor, and also look closely into the connections between the Beggar Sect and the Jinling Xu family.'"

Yang Longyue asked: "How does this relate to the selection of a consort?"

Translation: "Yang Longyue said: 'What does this have to do with the selection of a prince consort?'"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Your greatest worry is Master Lan; if we can prove he intends to rebel, the empress dowager's authority will be undermined. Since we cannot find evidence directly, we must work indirectly."

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian said: 'Your greatest hidden trouble is Mr. Lan; if we could prove he intends to rebel, the Empress Dowager's prestige would be affected. Since we cannot find evidence head-on, we must approach from the side.'"

Yang Longyue asked: "How will you prove that the Beggars' Sect and the Xu family are problematic?"

Translation: "Yang Longyue said: 'How would you prove that the Beggar Sect and the Xu family have problems?'"

Hu Xiaotian said meaningfully: "No need to prove they have problems—'to accuse one needs no excuse.' I have a plan; I wish to share it with you, big brother..."

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian said with deep meaning: 'No need to prove they have problems; to accuse someone, one need not lack an excuse! I have a plan, which I wish to share with Big Brother…'"

Women's intuition is often remarkably accurate; Long Xi Yue's premonition has finally been confirmed.

Translation: "A woman's intuition is often extremely accurate; Long Xi Yue's premonition has finally been proven correct."

Long Xuanjiao gazed at her calm, unchanged expression and said softly: "Hu Xiaotian has arrived!"

Translation: "Long Xuanjiao gazed at her calm-as-ever expression and softly said: 'Hu Xiaotian has come!'"

Long Xi Yue nodded, showing no excitement, no joy, not a flicker of emotion; she firmly believed this day would come, that Hu Xiaotian would not forget her, and if there is anyone in this world worth waiting for, he is the only one. Long Xi Yue is outwardly gentle but inwardly strong; the more adversity she faces, the more her resilience shows.

Translation: "Long Xi Yue nodded, showing no excitement, no joy, not a trace of emotional change; she firmly believed this day would eventually come, that Hu Xiaotian would not forget her, and if there is anyone in this world worth waiting for, he is the only one. Long Xi Yue is outwardly gentle but inwardly strong; the more adversity she faces, the more her fortitude shows."

Long Xuanjiao, somewhat surprised, said: "Upon hearing this news, you don't seem the slightest bit happy."

Translation: "Long Xuanjiao, somewhat surprised, said: 'Upon hearing this news, you don't seem the slightest bit happy.'"

Long Xi Yue replied calmly: "He will come to find me sooner or later."

Translation: "Long Xi Yue said calmly: 'He will surely come to find me sooner or later.'"

Long Xuanjiao laughed heartily: "So confident? Then why has he taken so long to come? If it weren't for the empress dowager's public announcement this time of selecting a consort, he wouldn't know when to show up. A talent like him actually isn't lacking in women around him." Perhaps because Hu Xiaotian disrespected her, Long Xuanjiao vented her pent-up frustration onto Long Xi Yue; seeing Long Xi Yue remain ever more composed, she wanted to provoke her, even if it meant seeing her shed tears in her presence.

However, Long Xi Yue's continued composure only disappointed her further: "He surely has his own difficulties."

We'll translate: "Long Xuanjiao laughed heartily: 'So full of confidence? Then why did he take so long to come? If it weren't for me, the dowager, this time opening the prince-consort selection to the world, he wouldn't know when he'd show up; a youthful talent like him certainly isn't lacking women around him.' Perhaps because Hu Xiaotian had been disrespectful to her, Long Xuanjiao vented her pent-up anger on Long Xi Yue; seeing Long Xi Yue remain ever more composed, she only wanted to provoke her, even if it meant seeing her shed tears before her eyes."

We need to keep meaning. Let's produce: "Long Xuanjiao laughed heartily: 'So full of confidence? Then why did he take so long to come? If it weren't for me, the dowager, this time opening the prince-consort selection to the world, he wouldn't know when he'd show up; a youthful talent like him certainly isn't lacking women around him.' Perhaps because Hu Xiaotian had been disrespectful to her, Long Xuanjiao vented her pent-up anger on Long Xi Yue; seeing Long Xi Yue remain ever more composed, she only wanted to provoke her, even if it meant seeing her shed tears before her eyes."

Yet Long Xi Yue's demeanor still let her down: "He must have his own difficulties."

Translation: "Yet Long Xi Yue's behavior still disappointed her: 'He must have his own difficulties.'"

Long Xuanjiao said: "What if he never comes to find you?"

Translation: "Long Xuanjiao said: 'What if he never comes to find you?'"

Long Xuanjiao said softly: "Wait! Until the day I die!"

Translation: "Long Xuanjiao whispered: 'Wait! Until the day I die!'"

What if he dies?

Translation: "'What if he dies?'"

"I will accompany him."

Long Xuan Jiao's emotions inexplicably suddenly became agitated: "Even if he comes, you still cannot get your wish!"

Long Xi Yue glanced at her indifferently: "You can choose someone else; I can choose death!"

Long Xuan Jiao felt her niece's power for the first time, she clenched her fists, her whole body began to tremble, the scene before her eyes was so familiar, familiar to the point that it was like seeing her younger self, once upon a time she too had been that young, that passionate, could sacrifice everything for love, yet all that once-familiar suddenly became so strange, making her feel it was beyond reach, Long Xuan Jiao didn't know what was happening to her, she suddenly felt like crying.

The long wait, the long torment, when she was waiting she only felt the pain within, not realizing the happiness within, but when the wait of over twenty years finally bore fruit, she only then discovered that everything began to turn out not as beautiful as she had imagined—was it she who had changed, or he who had changed? Or perhaps it was the world that changed over time? (To be continued~^~)