Chapter 1929

The spring wind once again turns the banks of Jiangnan green; winter departs, spring arrives, and Kangdu is once again bathed in misty rain. The Zhenhai King's mansion is decorated with lanterns and banners, brimming with joy, yet King Hu Xiaotian of Zhenhai is due to return to Kangdu in just two days, and the mansion is actively preparing to welcome its master.

Translate: "Spring wind again greens the Jiangnan shore; winter departs, spring arrives, and Kangdu once again basks in the misty rain. The Zhenhai Wang Fu is decked with lights and banners, full of joy, yet it is because Prince Hu Xiaotian of Zhenhai will return to Kangdu in two days, and the mansion is actively preparing to welcome its master."

King of Zhenhai Hu Xiaotian

Thus line: "Spring wind again greens the Jiangnan shore; winter departs, spring arrives, and Kangdu once again basks in the misty rain. The Zhenhai Wang Fu is decked with lights and banners, full of joy, yet it is because King of Zhenhai Hu Xiaotian will return to Kangdu in two days, and the mansion is actively preparing to welcome its master."

two days

Consort Long Xi Yue is not currently in the palace; she went to the imperial palace early this morning and, together with Princess Yongyang Qiqi, took a boat ride on the Jade Pool, enjoying the delightful spring scenery along its banks.

Translate: "Consort Long Xi Yue is not currently in the mansion; she went to the palace early this morning and, together with Yongyang Princess Qiqi, took a boat ride on the Jade Pool to enjoy the pleasant spring scenery along its banks."

Consort Long Xi Yue

Flowers bloom in vivid color, the grass is lush green, the misty rain moistens the hues and softens every outline into a poetic haze; on such a rainy day, boating on the lake feels like sailing into an exquisite landscape painting.

Translate: "Fresh flowers bloom in splendor, grass is lush green, the hazy misty rain moistens the colors and makes every outline hazy and poetic; on such a misty day, boating on the lake feels like sailing into an exquisite landscape painting."

Qiqi and Long Xi Yue stand side by side at the bow, without umbrellas, quietly enjoying the tingling sensation of fine rain striking their skin; their delicate, supple skin is moistened with vapor, appearing ever more watery and tender, like two exquisite blossoms of the understanding flower blooming in the mortal world.

Translate: "Qiqi and Long Xi Yue stand side by side at the bow, without anyone holding an umbrella for them, quietly enjoying the tingling sensation of fine rain striking their skin; their delicate, supple skin is full of moisture, appearing ever more watery and tender, like two exquisite blossoms of the speech-flower blooming in the mortal world."

delicate, supple skin

Long Xi Yue sighed, "After the Jade Pool's reconstruction, the scenery here surpasses that of the past."

Translate: "Long Xi Yue sighed, 'After the Jade Pool's reconstruction, the scenery here surpasses that of the past.'"

Qiqi said, "I had people find the original designs drawn by the military sage Zhuge Yun Chun, along with his discarded drafts; after combining them, we rebuilt it. Although it cannot match the sage's former ingenuity, its appearance is far more pleasing to the eye."

Translate: "Qiqi said, 'I had people find the original drawings designed by the Military Sage Zhuge Yun Chun of the past, as well as his discarded drafts; after combining them, we rebuilt it. Although it cannot match the profundity the Military Sage once had, its appearance is far more pleasing to the eye.'"

The military sage Zhuge Yun Chun originally built Ethereal Mountain and Jade Pool chiefly to conceal the inner Dragon Spirit Sacred Realm; as for the exterior, he was not skilled in garden design, so most of the landscaping was done by other artisans. The original plans and drafts that Qiqi referred to pertain only to the outward appearance, and Zhuge Yun Chun would certainly not have carelessly stored the inner Dragon Spirit Sacred Realm within the imperial palace. Since the construction of Ethereal Mountain and Jade Pool began over a hundred years ago, changing times have shifted aesthetics considerably. Qiqi had artisans rebuild upon the original foundation, making many alterations; the biggest change was demolishing the Spiritual Heaven Palace on Ethereal Mountain while retaining the Cloud Temple. Inside the Cloud Temple remains only the portrait of her mother, Ling Jiazi. After the Spiritual Heaven Palace was torn down, Ethereal Mountain has no residents and has become entirely a place for her to commemorate her deceased mother.

Translate: "When the Military Sage Zhuge Yun Chun initially built Ethereal Mountain and the Jade Pool, his main purpose was to conceal the internal Long Ling Shengjing; as for the exterior, he was not skilled in garden design, so most of the landscape planning was done by other artisans. The original drawings and drafts that Qiqi referred to were limited to the exterior as well, and Zhuge Yun Chun would certainly not have casually stored the internal Long Ling Shengjing within the imperial palace. Since the construction of Ethereal Mountain and the Jade Pool began over a hundred years ago, changing times have greatly altered aesthetics; Qiqi had artisans rebuild upon the original foundation and carry out many modifications, the biggest of which was dismantling the Spiritual Heaven Palace on Ethereal Mountain while retaining the Cloud Temple. Inside the Cloud Temple, only a portrait of her mother, Ling Jiazi, remains; after the Spiritual Heaven Palace was torn down, Ethereal Mountain has no residents and has completely become a place for her to commemorate her deceased mother."

Check terms: Ethereal Mountain, Jade Pool, Long Ling Shengjing, Spiritual Heaven Palace, Cloud Temple, Ling Jiazi

Long Xi Yue lifted her gaze to behold Ethereal Mountain; between its two azure dragons, a silvery waterfall plunges straight down. Because of the rain, the waterfall's flow has increased considerably, yet the most wondrous thing is that such a massive cascade, falling from a height into the Jade Pool, produces hardly any sound—this is thanks to the ingenious design of old, which preserves the waterfall's grand spectacle while minimizing the noise created by the drop.

Translate: "Long Xi Yue raised her head to gaze at Ethereal Mountain; between its two azure dragons, a silvery waterfall cascades straight down. Due to the rain, the waterfall's flow has increased considerably, yet the most wondrous thing is that such a massive waterfall, falling from a height into the Jade Pool, produces hardly any sound—this benefits from the clever design of old, which preserves the waterfall's grand spectacle while eliminating as much noise as possible from the drop."

Although they behold the same view before them, their inner thoughts are quite different.

Translate: "Although they behold the same view before them, what each thinks in their heart is not the same."

Long Xi Yue said, "The prince will return in just two days!"

Translate: "Long Xi Yue said, 'The Prince will return in these two days!'"

Qiqi put on an air of nonchalance, saying "Oh!" but inside she felt a surge of emotion. Although Hu Xiaotian has not yet returned, the news that he intends to use the Yulang Kingdom as a betrothal gift to propose to her has spread everywhere. Drawing a breath of moist air, she said, "Auntie will soon see him; she must be thrilled, right?"

Translate: "Qiqi put on an air of nonchalance, saying 'Oh!' but inside a surge of ripples arose. Although Hu Xiaotian hasn't returned yet, the news that he will use Yulang Kingdom as a betrothal gift to propose to her has spread everywhere. Taking a breath of damp air, she said, 'Auntie will soon see him; she must be feeling very excited, right?'"

Yulang Kingdom as a betrothal gift

Long Xi Yue smiled and said, "But he is not returning for me this time." Gazing at Qiqi's vague, ethereal eyes, she whispered softly, "He has come back solely to propose to you."

Translate: "Long Xi Yue smiled and said, 'But this time he is not returning for me.' Gazing at Qiqi's vague, ethereal eyes, she whispered, 'He has come back this time specifically to propose to you.'"

vague, ethereal eyes

Qiqi showed no sign of joy; instead she softly sighed and said, "He always has an ulterior motive for everything he does, and not everyone in this world is willing to be deceived by him."

Translate: "Qiqi showed no joy, instead softly sighing, 'He always has a purpose for everything he does, and not everyone in this world is willing to be deceived by him.'"

Long Xi Yue said, "I am a lazy person; I cannot be bothered to consider others' motives, nor to wonder whether he will deceive me. Perhaps that is why he even finds it too much trouble to lie to me." She laughed as she spoke.

Translate: "Long Xi Yue said, 'I am a very lazy person; I cannot be bothered to consider others' motives, nor whether he will deceive me. Perhaps that is why he even finds it too much trouble to deceive me!' Upon saying this, she herself laughed."

Qiqi truly admires Long Xi Yue's open-mindedness; knowing her as she does, she is neither lazy nor foolish, and in fact far smarter than most people—otherwise how could she control the world's largest gang, the Beggars' Sect? How else could she have subdued the unruly Hu Xiaotian, making him utterly devoted? How else could she have risked coming to Kangdu at a critical moment, merely to mediate between herself and Hu Xiaotian and increase their mutual trust?

Translate: "Qiqi truly admires Long Xi Yue's open-mindedness; based on her understanding of Long Xi Yue, she is neither lazy nor stupid, and furthermore she is far smarter than most people—otherwise how could she control the world's largest gang, the Beggar Sect? Otherwise how could she have subdued the unruly Hu Xiaotian into utter obedience? Otherwise how could she have risked coming to Kangdu at the most critical moment, merely to mediate between herself and Hu Xiaotian and increase their mutual trust?"

Qiqi sometimes finds herself wondering, if she were Hu Xiaotian, which would she choose between herself and Long Xi Yue? After much thought, she concludes that if she were Hu Xiaotian, she too would choose Long Xi Yue, for most men favor obedient women, and this woman is not only gentle and kind but also possesses the courage and resolve to sacrifice for him at crucial moments. The more a woman exhibits these traits, the more easily she arouses a man's protectiveness and sense of duty; perhaps Long Xi Yue realized this even earlier than Qiqi.

Translate: "Qiqi sometimes finds herself unconsciously thinking, 'If I were Hu Xiaotian, which would I choose between myself and Long Xi Yue?' After much thought, if I were Hu Xiaotian, I would also choose Long Xi Yue, for most men like obedient women, and this woman is not only gentle and kind but also has the courage and responsibility to sacrifice for me at crucial moments. The more a woman is like this, the more easily she arouses a man's protectiveness and sense of duty; perhaps Long Xi Yue saw this even earlier than I did."

Qiqi asked, "You really have no jealousy at all?"

Translate: "Qiqi said, 'You really have no jealousy?'"

Long Xi Yue nodded and said, "Liking someone is not about possession but about giving; in fact, I am already quite content with everything I have today."

Translate: "Long Xi Yue nodded and said, 'Liking someone is not about possession but about giving; in fact, I am already quite content with having everything I have today.'"

Qiqi said, "But I am not satisfied!" After saying that, she added, "I am still very jealous! I have no tolerance for others!"

Wait original: "I am still very jealous! I have no tolerance for others!" Actually line: "Qiqi said, 'But I am not satisfied!' After saying that, she added, 'I am still very jealous! I have no tolerance for others!'"

Translate: "Qiqi said, 'But I am not content!' After saying that, she added, 'I am also very jealous! I have no capacity to tolerate others!'"

Long Xi Yue laughed.

Translate: "Long Xi Yue laughed."

Qiqi furrowed her brows and said, "You actually can still laugh? Aren't you worried that I might act against you?"

Translate: "Qiqi furrowed her brows: 'How can you still laugh? Aren't you worried that I might act against you?'"

Long Xi Yue shook her head.

Translate: "Long Xi Yue shook her head."

"Aren't you worried that one day, as your beauty fades, he will grow tired of you and change his heart?"

Translate: "'Aren't you worried that one day, as your beauty fades with age, he will grow tired of the old and seek the new, and his heart will change?'"

Long Xi Yue still shook her head.

Translate: "Long Xi Yue still shook her head."

Qiqi sighed and said, "Someone like you being alive to this day is practically a miracle."

Translate: "Qiqi sighed, 'Someone like you being able to survive to this day is practically a miracle.'"

Long Xi Yue said, "I promised Xiao Tian that I would not let him be hurt, so I must protect myself well; therefore no one should even think of harming me. Likewise, I value Xiao Tian more than my own life, so anyone who dares to harm him will find me unwilling to agree."

Translate: "Long Xi Yue said, 'I promised Xiao Tian that I would not let him be hurt, so I must protect myself well; therefore no one should even think of harming me. Likewise, I regard Xiao Tian as more important than my own life, so anyone who dares to harm him will find me unwilling to agree.'"

Xiao Tian

Qiqi turned her head in surprise, seeing for the first time a bone‑chilling chill flash in Long Xi Yue's gentle, water‑like eyes—an expression she had never seen in Long Xi Yue's gaze before. Qiqi even felt a little afraid; her eyes fell upon the gentle ripples of the Jade Pool's surface—water at its softest, yet capable of carrying a boat or overturning it—and she suddenly understood the principle.

Translate: "Qiqi turned her head in surprise, seeing for the first time a bone-chilling coldness flash in Long Xi Yue's gentle, water-like eyes—an expression she had never seen in Long Xi Yue's eyes before. Qiqi even felt a little afraid; her gaze fell upon the gentle, rippling surface of the Jade Pool—water at its softest, yet water can carry a boat and also capsize it! She suddenly understood the principle therein."

Long Xi Yue said, "The reason I advise you to marry Xiao Tian is simple: you can assist him, you like him, he likes you, and most importantly, you can never defeat him—this has been true in the past, remains true now, and will always be true; therefore you had better not do anything foolish." As she spoke, she lightly stroked Qiqi's hair, dampened by the fine rain, and Qiqi suddenly felt a chill at the back of her neck. She had always thought Long Xi Yue lived in the clouds, unaware of the world's warmth and coldness, of people's treacherous hearts, but she never imagined that Long Xi Yue had already seen through everything.

Translate: "Long Xi Yue said, 'The reason I advise you to marry Xiao Tian is actually quite simple: because you can help him, because you like him and he likes you, and most importantly, you cannot defeat him—this was true in the past, remains true now, and will always be true; therefore you had better not do anything foolish.' As she spoke, she lightly stroked Qiqi's rain-dampened silken hair, and Qiqi suddenly felt a chill at the back of her neck. She had always thought Long Xi Yue lived in the clouds, unaware of the world's fickleness and treacherous hearts, but she never imagined that Long Xi Yue had already seen through everything."

Qiqi said, "People used to say that girls look outward, but now I truly understand the meaning of that saying: for a man, one can abandon one's ancestors and treat one's country and lands as mere dust."

Translate: "Qiqi said, 'People used to say that a woman looks outward; now I truly understand the meaning of that saying—for the sake of a man, one can discard one's ancestors and regard one's country and mountains as dust.'"

Long Xi Yue said, "The throne is merely a symbol; it does not matter who sits upon it—what matters is who can bring peace and prosperity to the nation. Throughout history, wars have never ceased, and has there ever been a war in which the people did not pay for the ambitions of the warmongers?" Feeling a little tired, she yawned lazily and asked, "Are you inviting me to go out on the lake for a spring outing, or to discuss national affairs?"

Translate: "Long Xi Yue said, 'The throne is merely a symbol; who sits on it is not important, but who can achieve peace and prosperity for the nation is what matters. Throughout history, wars have never ceased, and which war has not been the common people paying for the ambitions of warmongers?' Feeling a bit tired, she yawned lazily and said, 'Are you inviting me to go boating and enjoy the spring, or to discuss affairs of state?'"

Qiqi said, "If you hadn't brought him up, I wouldn't have said all that."

Translate: "Qiqi said, 'If you hadn't brought him up, I wouldn't have said so much.'"

Long Xi Yue smiled gently and said, "There's something I'm curious about: if he proposes to you, will you accept or refuse?"

Translate: "Long Xi Yue smiled gently and said, 'There's something I'm curious about: if he proposes to you, will you accept or refuse?'"

Qiqi said, "You're not him, so I have no need to answer."

Translate: "Qiqi said, 'You are not him, so I have no need to answer.'"

Hu Xiaotian's return to Kangdu this time is far grander than before, with a retinue of over a thousand people. Among them are Huo Shengnan, who led the army that conquered the Yulang Kingdom, and several capable officers formerly under Yuwen Chong. They are heading to Kangdu to receive imperial appointments and rewards. Zhu Ge Guanqi also accompanies Hu Xiaotian; his purpose in coming to Kangdu is to personally inspect the Dragon Spirit Sacred Realm and the Seven‑Treasure Glazed Pagoda. Besides them, Qin Yutong also travels incognito—not to accompany Hu Xiaotian, but because her belly has begun to swell. According to the date of conception, she should be ten months pregnant, yet the months do not match, making it appear as if she is only about five months along. Hu Xiaotian worries about this, having finally managed to fire a shot, afraid that it might turn into a misfire midway. Qin Yutong, however, is completely candid, telling him that due to her constitution her pregnancy may last longer, and he therefore worries that she might be like Ling Jiazi, who carried a child for seven years before giving birth to Qiqi. Fortunately, Qin Yutong's belly has already begun to show signs of growth, and according to her calculations, her delivery date may be at year's end, which would still be about two years away.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian's return to Kangdu this time is far more imposing than before, with a retinue of over a thousand people, including Huo Shengnan, who led the army that conquered Yulang Kingdom, and several capable officers formerly under Weichi Chong's command. They are heading to Kangdu to receive imperial appointments and generous rewards, and Zhuge Guanqi is also accompanying Hu Xiaotian; his purpose in coming to Kangdu this time is to personally inspect the Long Ling Shengjing and the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda. Besides them, Qin Yutong also travels incognito, not to accompany Hu Xiaotian but because her belly has begun to swell. According to the date of conception, she should be ten months pregnant, yet the months do not match, resembling a normal five‑month pregnancy. Hu Xiaotian worries about this, having finally managed to fire a shot, fearing it might turn into a misfire midway. Qin Yutong, however, is very candid, telling him that due to her constitution her gestation period might be relatively longer; Hu Xiaotian thus also worries that she might be like Ling Jiazi, who carried a child for seven years before giving birth to Qiqi. Fortunately, Qin Yutong's belly has already begun to show some size, and according to her calculation, her delivery date may be at year's end, which would mean two years from now."

Check: "having finally managed to fire a shot" idiom meaning "to finally have success" maybe "to finally fire a shot". We'll translate as "having finally managed to fire a shot". "misfire" misfire. Good.

Qin Yutong had not intended to return to Kangdu, but after learning that her father had fallen seriously ill, and worried about his condition, she decided to accompany Hu Xiaotian back.

Translate: "Qin Yutong originally did not want to return to Kangdu, but having recently learned that her father fell seriously ill, and out of concern for his condition, she decided to accompany Hu Xiaotian back."

Along the way, Hu Xiaotian naturally grew close to Huo Shengnan, but the general's wife showed no sign of pregnancy, which puzzled Hu Xiaotian. In his leisure

Translate: "On this journey Hu Xiaotian naturally grows close to Huo Shengnan, but the great general's belly still shows no movement, which leaves Hu Xiaotian deeply puzzled. In his leisure he asks Qin Yutong about the mysteries of the Heaven‑Man Myriad Images Diagram; according to her, the diagram works only for descendants of those bearing the Mandate of Heaven like herself, and even she cannot fathom why Hu Xiaotian can make her conceive while failing to do so for Huo Shengnan, Long Xi Yue and others."

Although Hu Xiaotian feels regret, there's nothing he can do for now; it seems nothing in this world is perfect. Right now, the only people likely to bear his child, aside from Qin Yuetong, are Ji Feihua and Qiqi.

Translate: "Although Hu Xiaotian feels regret, there is presently no solution; it seems nothing in this world is perfect, and at present the only ones likely to bear his offspring besides Qin Yutong are Ji Feihua and Qiqi."

Ten li from Kangdu's city gate, they saw the locals welcoming them along the way; even Hu Xiaotian himself hadn't expected it, his reputation had risen considerably during this period, and the reason was Long Xi Yue's covert scheming, plus the beggar gang spreading Hu Xiaotian's benevolence everywhere—now not only the people of Dakang but almost all the suffering common folk under heaven had come to regard Hu Xiaotian as their savior. This conquest of Lan Territory further pushed Hu Xiaotian's reputation to a new high point; Dakang had not heard such uplifting news for a long time.