Chapter 1453

Long Xi Yue's visit took Murong Feiyan by surprise, though she had also guessed why Long Xi Yue had come.

Translation: Long Xi Yue's visit surprised Murong Feiyan a little, but she also guessed the purpose of Long Xi Yue's visit this time.

Note: "a little surprised" means "a little surprised". We'll keep.

Long Xi Yue said, "I came here specially to say goodbye to you, sister."

Translation: Long Xi Yue said: "I came this time specially to bid farewell to elder sister."

Murong Feiyan smiled and said, "Congratulations, Princess, on finally getting your wish, and I wish you and Lord Hu a lifelong union, growing old together." Though she spoke lightly, she felt a hint of bitterness inside.

Translation: Murong Feiyan smiled and said: "Congratulations, Princess, on finally achieving your wish, and I also wish you and Lord Hu a lifelong union, a hundred years of harmony." Although spoken lightly, her heart felt a bit sour.

Note: "胡公子" = Lord Hu (Hu Xiaotian). We'll use "Lord Hu". Could also be "Young Master Hu". But we have Hu Xiaotian as name; but "胡公子" is a title. We'll translate as "Lord Hu". It's okay.

Long Xi Yue said, "There's no need for us to say these things. Over the years, if it weren't for your care, I don't know how I would have managed."

Translation: Long Xi Yue said: "Between us, why bother saying these words? These past years, without your care, I wouldn't know how to have endured."

Murong Feiyan said, "Princess, good people are rewarded; I haven't really done anything to help."

Translation: Murong Feiyan said: "Your Highness, good people are rewarded; I really haven't helped much."

Long Xi Yue said, "Honestly, it was Xiao Tian who sent me; he was worried you wouldn't see him, so he asked me to pass along a message."

Translation: Long Xi Yue said: "Don't blame me for saying this, it was Xiao Tian who asked me to come over; he worries you won't see him, so he asked me to convey a matter for him."

Murong Feiyan didn't speak; she actually understood what Long Xi Yue wanted to say, and of course she knew Xiao Tian's feelings. Deep down, she had never truly blamed him.

Translation: Murong Feiyan remained silent; actually, Long Xi Yue knew what she wanted to say, and how could she not know Hu Xiaotian's feelings? Deep down, she had never truly blamed Hu Xiaotian.

Long Xi Yue reached out her slender hand and took Murong Feiyan's hand, saying, "Sister, come back with us. Though Tianxiang Kingdom is lovely, it's not truly our home. In Xiao Tian's heart, there is no favoritism; you and I are equally important to him."

Translation: Long Xi Yue extended her hand and grasped Murong Feiyan's delicate hand, saying: "Elder sister, come back with us; although Heaven Fragrance Kingdom is nice, it is ultimately not our home. In Xiao Tian's heart, there is absolutely no partiality; you and I are equally important to him."

Note: The term likely a typo for a word meaning slender hand; we will translate it as "slender hand". Alternatively we could just say "her hand". We'll keep "her hand". Actually the term maybe means "slender hand". We'll translate as "her slender hand". But we should not add words not in source? The source says the term. We'll translate as "slender hand". It's okay.

Murong Feiyan bit her lip and asked, "Princess, you couldn't possibly be even a little jealous, could you?"

Translation: Murong Feiyan bit her cherry lip and said: "Princess, surely your heart holds not even a trace of jealousy?"

Long Xi Yue smiled warmly and said, "Why would I be jealous? Liking someone doesn't mean you have to own them completely. From the moment I met him, I knew he was carefree and unrestrained; having chosen him, I must accept all of him. Besides, you knew him before I did, and from him I've heard about the things you've done for him, which deeply moved me. If he ever lets you down, I won't let him get away with it."

Translation: Long Xi Yue smiled gently: "Why would I be jealous? Liking someone doesn't require possessing them completely; from the moment I met him, I knew he was a carefree, unrestrained nature. Having chosen him, I must accept all of him. Moreover, you knew him before I did; I have heard from him about the things you once did for him, which moves me deeply. If he ever fails you, I will never let him off."

Note: The phrase translates to "moreover". We'll keep.

Looking at the gentle and kind Long Xi Yue, Murong Feiyan felt moved; she tightened her hold on Long Xi Yue's hand and said, "Princess, you are so gentle and kind. If I were a man, I would also choose you."

Translation: Gazing at the gentle and kind Long Xi Yue, Murong Feiyan felt a surge of emotion; she tightened her grip on Long Xi Yue's hand and said: "Princess, you are so gentle and kind. If I were a man, I would also choose you."

Long Xi Yue's cheeks flushed; she lowered her head a bit, feeling embarrassed, and whispered, "Feiyan sister, I understand your feelings. Please agree to come back with us. Don't be angry with him—he hasn't come to rescue us in ages. He also has his own difficulties; please forgive him. If not, I'll have him come in person to apologize."

Translation: Long Xi Yue's pretty face flushed crimson; she lowered her head slightly, embarrassed, and whispered softly: "Feiyan elder sister, I can understand your thoughts. Please promise to come back with us, alright? Don't be angry with him—he hasn't come to rescue us for so long. He also has unavoidable difficulties; please forgive him. If not, I will have him come personally to apologize to you."

Murong Feiyan shook her head and smiled: "Princess, I've never actually blamed him; even if I'm angry, it's only at myself, not that I refuse to go with you. I just have things to take care of and can't leave."

Translation: Murong Feiyan shook her head and laughed: "Princess, actually I never blamed him; even if I were angry, I would only be angry with myself, not unwilling to go with you. Rather, I still have matters to attend to and cannot leave."

Long Xi Yue, confused, asked: "What is it?"

Translation: Long Xi Yue, somewhat puzzled, asked: "What matter?"

Murong Feiyan said: "It's a personal matter; please excuse me for not elaborating."

Translation: Murong Feiyan said: "My private affairs; please excuse me from speaking plainly."

Since she had said that, Long Xi Yue didn't feel right to press further.

Translation: Since she had put it that way, Long Xi Yue also did not feel comfortable pressing further.

Murong Feiyan gave Long Xi Yue a pre-written letter and said: "Could you please deliver this letter to him? Once he reads it, he'll understand."

Translation: Murong Feiyan handed over a letter already written to Long Xi Yue, saying: "Please trouble the Princess to deliver this letter to him; after he reads it, he will naturally understand."

The next morning, Hu Xiaotian and his companions slipped out of Piaoxiang City and headed west. After reading Murong Feiyan's letter, he finally understood: it wasn't that she didn't want to leave with him; she was held back by ties, still having concerns in Tianxiang Kingdom. That concern was Su Yujin. Though Murong Feiyan never said it outright, the letter made it clear that no one was stopping her. If she wanted to go, she could leave at any time, as before, and still can.

Translation: The next morning, Hu Xiaotian's party quietly departed from Floating Fragrance City, heading west all the way. After reading the letter Murong Feiyan gave him, he finally understood: it was not that Murong Feiyan did not wish to leave with him. Rather, Murong Feiyan had ties binding her; she still had concerns in Heaven Fragrance Kingdom. This concern was Su Yujin; although Murong Feiyan never stated it outright, the meaning in the letter made it clear, and no one stopped her. If she wished to leave, she could do so at any time—this had been true in the past and remains so now.

Long Xi Yue today dressed in male clothing, wearing black silken armor underneath, and rode alongside Hu Xiaotian. She finally broke free and returned home with her beloved; her joy was beyond words, yet she still thought of Murong Feiyan, who had chosen to stay in Piaoxiang City. After leaving the city, she couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Tian, what did she say in the letter?"

Translation: Today Long Xi Yue changed into male attire, wearing a Black Silkworm Armor inside, and rode side by side with Hu Xiaotian; at last she escaped confinement and returned to her homeland with her beloved, her joy indescribable. Yet she still worried about Murong Feiyan, who chose to stay in Floating Fragrance City; after leaving the city she could not help but ask: "Xiao Tian, what did she say in the letter?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "He didn't say much—just that her legs are her own, and she can leave whenever she wishes."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "She didn't say much—just that her legs are her own, and she may leave whenever she wishes."

Long Xi Yue blinked, half believing and half doubting.

Translation: Long Xi Yue blinked her eyes, half-believing, half-doubting.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Don't worry, I believe she can certainly take care of herself." He instinctively turned his gaze; the western gate tower of Piaoxiang City was already blurry in his vision, and he seemed to see Murong Feiyan's figure standing on the tower, keeping watch.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "No need to worry; I believe she can certainly take care of herself." He instinctively turned his gaze back; the West Gate Tower of Floating Fragrance City already blurred in his vision, and he seemed to see Murong Feiyan's silhouette standing guard on the tower.

Hu Xiaotian wasn't mistaken; at that moment Murong Feiyan stood on the western gate tower, watching the distant figure that had become a dark speck on the horizon, tears glistening in her beautiful eyes. She still couldn't leave, because her mother had asked her to keep her company,

Translation: Hu Xiaotian was not mistaken; at this moment Murong Feiyan stood upon the West Gate Tower, gazing at the distant figure that had become a black dot on the horizon, her beautiful eyes glistening with tears. She could not leave yet, because her mother had asked her to keep her company,

From behind came Su Yujin's emotionless voice: "I guessed you'd be here."

Translation: Behind her rose Su Yujin's emotionless voice: "I had guessed you would be here."

Murong Feiyan nodded: "Everyone says the higher you stand, the farther you see; I want to see myself clearly."

Translation: Murong Feiyan nodded: "Everyone says the higher you stand, the farther you see; I want to see myself clearly."

Su Yujin said: "Those involved are confused; those on the outside see clearly. Many people spend their whole lives unable to see themselves." Her gaze grew bewildered; she wasn't directing this at Murong Feiyan—she was speaking about herself.

Translation: Su Yujin said: "Those involved are confused; onlookers see clearly. Many spend their whole lives unable to see themselves clearly." Her gaze grew wistful; this remark was not aimed at Murong Feiyan but at herself.

Murong Feiyan said: "Actually, things are pretty good now; at least there aren't so many worries."

Translation: Murong Feiyan said: "Actually, things are quite good now—at least there aren't so many worries."

Su Yujin said: "The hardest thing to fathom is the character for 'love'; who knows how many people in this world have been deceived by it."

Translation: Su Yujin said: "The hardest thing to fathom in this world is the character for 'love'; who knows how many people have been deceived by it."

Murong Feiyan asked: "Back then, did he hurt you badly?"

Translation: Murong Feiyan asked: "Back then, did he wound you very seriously?"

Su Yujin's face darkened, and she coldly said: "What does that have to do with you?"

Translation: Su Yujin's face darkened, and she coldly replied: "What does that have to do with you?"

Murong Feiyan sighed: "I often wonder what it would be like if you two met."

Translation: Murong Feiyan sighed: "I often wonder what it would be like if you two were to meet."

Su Yujin said: "As long as one lives, it's inevitable to have a chance to meet." She reached out and gently patted Murong Feiyan's shoulder: "Don't waste time on idle fantasies; his departure might actually be a good thing for you, and your abduction was bound to happen because of him."

Translation: Su Yujin said: "As long as one lives, it's inevitable to have a chance to meet." She reached out and lightly patted Murong Feiyan's shoulder: "Don't indulge in idle fantasies; his departure may not be a bad thing for you, and your abduction was certainly because of him."

Murong Feiyan's brows furrowed slightly, her lovely eyes filled with confusion; she didn't understand why she was so certain.

Translation: Murong Feiyan's delicate brows furrowed slightly, her beautiful eyes filled with puzzlement; she did not understand why she had come to such a conclusion.

Su Yujin said: "Your release came after he went to find Hu Buwei; I suspect this matter is most likely the doing of Hu Buwei."

Translation: Su Yujin said: "Your release came after he went to look for Hu Buwei; I believe this matter is almost certainly Hu Buwei's doing."

Murong Feiyan bit her lip and said: "I don't understand how there could be such a cruel father in the world."

Translation: Murong Feiyan bit her cherry lip and said: "I don't understand—how could there be such a cruel father in the world?"

Su Yujin gave a cold snort and said: "Your father is no different."

Translation: Su Yujin snorted coldly: "Isn't your father the same?"

The Dakang imperial palace.

Translation: Dakang Imperial Palace.

Quan De'an cautiously approached Qiqi; Qiqi gently set down the memorial she held, lifted her head, and her phoenix eyes swept over Quan De'an's face. Her gaze, sharpened by cultivation, grew ever sharper, giving even someone of Quan De'an's stature the illusion of being seen through at a glance. Involuntarily lowering his head a bit more, he respectfully said: "Old servant pays his respects to the Princess."

Translation: Quan De'an cautiously approached Qiqi's presence; Qiqi lightly set down the memorial in her hand, lifted her head, and her phoenix eyes swept over Quan De'an's face. Her gaze, honed through cultivation, grew ever sharper, giving even someone of Quan De'an's cultivation the illusion of being seen through at a glance. Her head involuntarily lowered a bit more, and she respectfully said: "Old servant pays respects to Your Highness, the Princess."

Qiqi asked: "Any news?"

Translation: Qiqi asked: "Any news?"

Quan De'an made an affirmative sound, his expression showing some difficulty.

Translation: Quan De'an grunted, his expression showing some embarrassment.

Qiqi stood up and walked slowly toward the outer gate; Quan De'an followed step by step behind her.

Translation: Qiqi rose to her feet and walked slowly toward the outer gate; Quan De'an followed step by step behind her.

Outside, the sky was overcast with dark clouds, the autumn wind bleak; a violent storm was about to break. Quan De'an draped a white fox fur cloak over her shoulders; Qiqi tightened her collar, and in her clear, water-like eyes a reflection of the gloomy clouds appeared: "Speak!"

Translation: Outside, dark clouds gathered thickly, the autumn wind bleak, a violent storm imminent. Quan De'an draped a white fox fur over her shoulders; Qiqi tightened her collar, and in her clear, water-like eyes a reflection of the gloomy clouds appeared: "Speak!"

Quan De'an said: "Just received the news: Hu Xiaotian has become the prince consort of Tianxiang Kingdom." He said it all in one breath, then glanced at Qiqi's expression with the corner of his eye.

Translation: Quan De'an said: "Just now I received the news that Hu Xiaotian has become the Prince Consort of Heaven Fragrance Kingdom." He said it all in one breath, then glanced at Qiqi's expression with the corner of his eye.

Qiqi had already turned her back, lifted her head to gaze at the overcast sky, and said: "I am asking you about the affiliation of Red Wood River."

Qiqi had already turned her back, lifted her head to gaze at the overcast sky, and said: "I am asking you about the affiliation of Red Wood River."

Quan De'an said: "The king of Tianxiang Kingdom gave Red Wood River as a dowry to Hu Xiaotian; moreover, Hu Xiaotian and Tianxiang Kingdom have already signed a mutual defense alliance."

Translation: Quan De'an said: "The King of Heaven Fragrance Kingdom bestowed Red Wood River as a dowry to Hu Xiaotian; moreover, Hu Xiaotian and Heaven Fragrance Kingdom have signed a mutual defense alliance."

Qiqi said: "I never expected him to reach an agreement with Tianxiang Kingdom so quickly."

Translation: Qiqi said: "I never expected that in such a short time he would already have reached an agreement with Heaven Fragrance Kingdom."

Quan De'an said: "I heard he

Translation: Quan De'an said: "I heard he saved the lives of the Heaven Fragrance Kingdom Queen Dowager and the King." He had long witnessed Hu Xiaotian's medical skill; his own right leg had been severed by Hu Xiaotian. This fellow truly deserves the title of miraculous doctor, bearing the demeanor of the legendary Ghost Doctor Fu Xiao from years past, even surpassing it.

Qiqi said, "He was already quite capable, and his luck is even better than most people's." She stepped forward a few paces, her eyes turning to the sky again, and murmured, "It looks like it's going to rain again, but at least this year's harvest is good."

Translation: Qiqi said: "He was already quite capable, and his luck is better than most people's." She took a few steps forward, her gaze once again turned to the sky, murmuring: "The sky looks like it's about to rain again; fortunately this year's harvest is good."

Quan De'an said, "Your Highness, you are blessed with great fortune and your virtue shines upon the land; thus we shall enjoy harmonious weather and a prosperous, tranquil realm."

Translation: Quan De'an said: "Your Highness, blessed with boundless fortune and shining virtue over the divine land, naturally the winds will be timely and rains harmonious, the state peaceful and the people prosperous."

Qiqi gave a faint smile and said, "Your kind words keep getting better and better."

Translation: Qiqi smiled faintly: "Father-in-law's auspicious words keep getting better."

Quan De'an laughed and said, "Everything I say is the truth."

Translation: Quan De'an laughed: "What this servant says are all facts."

Qiqi asked, "What recent movements have there been from Chancellor Zhou and Imperial Tutor Wen?"

Translation: Qiqi asked: "What movements have there been recently from Chancellor Zhou and Grand Tutor Wen?"

Quan De'an respectfully replied, "They too are diligent and conscientious." He paused, then added, "No one is mentioning the emperor's affairs anymore."

Translation: Quan De'an respectfully replied: "They too can be considered diligent and responsible..." He paused, then added: "No one mentions the Emperor's affairs anymore."

Qiqi has long proclaimed to the outside world that Lord Long Xuan'en is gravely ill, without formally announcing his death; although there are many rumors among the populace, without an imperial edict these rumors cannot be confirmed.

Translation: Qiqi had long proclaimed to the outside world that Long Xuan'en was gravely ill, never formally announcing his death; although rumors abounded among the populace, without an imperial edict from the royal house, those rumors could not be confirmed.

At that moment, a young eunuch approached, bowed, and reported, "Your Imperial Highness Princess, Mr. Hong of the Bureau of Heavenly Secrets has arrived."

Translation: At this moment a young eunuch approached, bowed, and reported: "Your Highness, Princess of a Thousand Years, Mr. Hong of the Heaven's Secret Bureau has arrived."

Qiqi nodded and said, "Let him in." She glanced at Quan De'an, who immediately understood, bowed, and withdrew.

Translation: Qiqi nodded and said: "Let him in." Her gaze flicked to Quan De'an, who immediately understood, bowed in salute, and withdrew.

Hong Beimo has recently been working at the imperial mausoleum construction site, never appearing in the capital, let alone seeing Qiqi; if it weren't for Qiqi specially sending someone to summon him, he would not have come back on his own.

Translation: Hong Beimo has recently been stationed at the Imperial Mausoleum construction site, not appearing in the imperial capital; moreover, he hardly ever meets Qiqi. If it were not for Qiqi specially sending someone to summon him, he would not voluntarily return.

Upon arriving before Qiqi, he bowed respectfully and said, "Your servant pays his respects, Princess."

Translation: Upon arriving before Qiqi, he performed a respectful salute and said: "Your servant pays respects to Your Highness, the Princess."

Qiqi said, "Mr. Hong, you've been very busy lately; I haven't seen you return to the capital. Are you also planning to step back from your duties at the Bureau of Heavenly Secrets?"

Translation: Qiqi said: "Mr. Hong, you've been busy lately—I haven't seen you return to the capital. Are you planning to relinquish your duties at the Heaven's Secret Bureau?"

Hong Beimo laughed and said, "The princess must be blaming this humble official."

Qiqi said: "It's not exactly a complaint; you're always elusive, like a dragon whose head you see but never its tail. Over the past three months I've already given you 100,000 taels of gold, yet you now say you want to add another 150,000 taels—do you really think Dakang's treasury is endless?"

Hong Beimo said: "Your Highness should understand my difficulties; the imperial mausoleum has reached a critical stage, and naturally it's time to test our manpower and resources."

Qiqi said: "I've only ever listened to you speak; I've never actually seen it myself."

Hong Beimo said: "Your Highness, you may come see it anytime you wish, but this matter must be kept secret; under no circumstances should we arouse anyone's suspicion."

Qiqi chuckled: "You've been building this imperial mausoleum for decades; even the Emperor, with his good nature, can't wait any longer—are you going to make me wait like him until my hair turns gray?"

Hong Beimo said: "Your Highness, rest assured; I will do my utmost, and as long as everything goes smoothly, it will definitely not exceed two years."

Qiqi said: "It's best to let things take their natural course; although I've never actually seen any reincarnation tower, I also know what you're doing." The light in her beautiful eyes suddenly turned sharp.

Hong Beimo, under her gaze, couldn't help but feel a tremor in his heart; this little girl is truly formidable, her martial arts are ordinary and sparse, yet why does she make me feel such pressure? (To be continued~^~)