Chapter 236

Xu Fengyi calmed down after hearing her husband say they had already sent people to rescue; she actually understood that the situation had come to this point, and being anxious would be useless—now all she could do was wait patiently. Calming herself, she thought of the court's changes and couldn't help worrying about her husband's fate, and she whispered: "Head of the household, since things have already happened, worrying is useless; no matter if the sky falls, I'll stand with you—whether we live or die, we have nothing to fear."

Let's break: "Xu Fengyi heard her husband say that people had already been sent to rescue, and only then did she calm down. In fact, she also understood that the situation had reached this point; even being anxious was useless. Now the only thing they could do was wait patiently. Calming down, she thought of the changes in the court, and couldn't help but start worrying about her husband's fate. She whispered: 'Master of the house, since things have already happened, worrying is useless. Anyway, even if the sky falls, I'll stand with you. Whether we live or die, we have nothing to fear.'"

We need to keep the quoted speech with Chinese quotes? We'll use English quotes.

We must not add explanation. Keep concise.

Let's produce: "【1】 Xu Fengyi heard her husband say that people had already been sent to rescue, and only then did she calm down. In fact, she also understood that the situation had reached this point; even being anxious was useless. Now the only thing they could do was wait patiently. Calming down, she thought of the changes in the court, and couldn't help but start worrying about her husband's fate. She whispered: 'Master of the house, since things have already happened, worrying is useless. Anyway, even if the sky falls, I'll stand with you. Whether we live or die, we have nothing to fear.'"

Check for any omitted content: The original had "。." double period after waiting; we omitted extra dot but it's okay as not adding content? Might be considered omitting punctuation but not content. Probably fine.

Huwu Wei gave a faint smile, reached out and took his wife's hand. Over the years he had never enjoyed any good times; life has ** and will have low valleys. As for today's situation, he had already prepared himself mentally, but what he worried about most was still his son—only his son was his greatest concern.

Translate: "Hu Buwei smiled faintly, took his wife's hand. These years he had never enjoyed any good days; life has highs and lows. As for today's situation, he had already prepared himself mentally, but what he worried about most was still his son—only his son was his greatest concern."

Life has ** and will have low valleys.

Thus: "【2】 Hu Buwei smiled faintly, took his wife's hand. These years he had never enjoyed any good days; life has ** will have low valleys. As for today's situation, he had already prepared himself mentally, but what he worried about most was still his son—only his son was his greatest concern."

Just as the two sat in silence, a servant suddenly arrived with a report: it was Liang Da Zhuang rushing back from Western Sichuan.

Translate: "Just as the two sat in silence, a servant suddenly reported that Liang Da Zhuang had rushed back from Xichuan."

Indeed, Liang Da Zhuang had not dared to delay these days, for Xiao Tian had specially instructed him to deliver the letter as quickly as possible; Liang Da Zhuang traveled through wind and rain, braving the stars and moon, racing all the way to the capital.

Translate: "Speaking of Liang Da Zhuang, these days he indeed dared not delay, because Hu Xiaotian had specially instructed him to deliver this letter as quickly as possible. Liang Da Zhuang traveled wind and rain, journeyed day and night, and raced all the way to the capital."

Upon returning to the Secretary's residence, he didn't even have time to drink a sip of water before going to see the master and his wife.

Translate: "Returning to the Minister's residence, he didn't even have time to drink a sip of water before going to see the master and his wife."

Hu Wu Wei left the room and went to the adjacent study; Xu Feng Yi, concerned about her son, followed him out. She said, "Da Zhuang, hurry up and get up—did Xiao Tian not come back with you?"

Translate: "Hu Buwei left the room and went to the adjacent study. Xu Fengyi, concerned about their son, also came out. She said: 'Liang Da Zhuang, hurry up—did Xiao Tian not return with you?'"

Liang Da Zhuang stood, shook his head, and said, "The young master is serving as an official in Qing Yun, full of authority and busy with affairs; he can't leave, so he sent me back first to report to the master and mistress that all is well."

Translate: "Liang Da Zhuang stood up, shook his head, and said: 'The young master is an official in Azure Cloud, mighty and imposing; with many affairs keeping him busy, he can't leave, so he asked me to return first to report safety to the master and his wife.'"

Hu Wu Wei asked, "Is that all you're back for—to report safety?"

Translate: "Hu Buwei said: 'Is it just to have you return for safety?'"

Liang Da Zhuang then remembered the most important thing; he hurriedly pulled from his inner garment the letter that Xiao Tian had asked him to deliver to Hu Wu Wei. He had come all this distance just to deliver that letter, not knowing why it was so important, but since the young master had ordered it, he did his best, personally handing the letter to the master, thus fulfilling his task satisfactorily.

Translate: "Liang Da Zhuang then remembered the most important matter, hurriedly took from his inner clothing the letter that Hu Xiaotian had asked him to deliver to Hu Buwei. He had traveled a thousand li just to deliver this letter; Liang Da Zhuang didn't know why the letter was so important, but since the young master had ordered it, he must do his best. He personally delivered the letter into the master's hands, thus fulfilling his task satisfactorily."

Hu Wu Wei did not rush to open the letter, and with a calm expression asked, "Is Xiao Tian still getting along well in Qing Yun?"

Translate: "Hu Buwei did not rush to open the letter, and with a calm expression asked: 'Is Xiao Tian getting along well in Azure Cloud?'"

Liang Da Zhuang eagerly nodded, saying, "Indeed, he's doing very well; the young master is truly capable—he has brought all those Qing Yun officials into line and even treats illnesses. He's earned a lot of silver, and being by his side is wonderful." Xu Feng Yi then asked a few more questions about Xiao Tian's recent situation, after which she let Liang Da Zhuang go rest and eat.

Translate: "Liang Da Zhuang nodded eagerly: 'Yes, he's doing very well. The young master is truly capable—he has brought those Azure Cloud officials into line, and even treats people's illnesses. He has earned a lot of silver; being by his side is wonderful.' Xu Fengyi then asked a few more about Xiao Tian's recent situation, after which she let Liang Da Zhuang go rest and eat."

After Liang Da Zhuang left, Hu Wu Wei tore open the letter and pulled out two sheets: one was a rubbing of the vermilion‑seal iron charter, the other a family letter from Xiao Tian. Hu Wu Wei first read the family letter, then handed it to his wife. He carefully examined the rubbing, looking at it over and over, then nodded and said, "This kid actually found the vermilion‑seal iron charter!"

Translate: "After Liang Da Zhuang left, Hu Buwei tore open the letter and pulled out two sheets: one was a rubbing of the Vermillion Script Iron Charter, the other a family letter from Hu Xiaotian. Hu Buwei read the family letter first, then handed it to his wife. He carefully examined the rubbing, looking over it repeatedly, then nodded and said: 'This kid actually found the Vermillion Script Iron Charter!'"

Upon hearing the four words "vermilion‑seal iron charter," Xu Feng Yi was instantly overjoyed and exclaimed, "Xiao Tian has found it—doesn't that mean our Hu family can escape disaster?"

Translate: "Upon hearing the four words 'Vermillion Script Iron Charter,' Xu Fengyi was instantly overjoyed. She exclaimed delightedly: 'Xiao Tian found it—doesn't that mean our Hu family can escape disaster?'"

Hu Wu Wei held the rubbing over the candle flame and burned it, shaking his head and said, "Do you still think the vermilion‑seal iron charter is some kind of immunity medal? What our ancestors left behind is not a treasure but a trouble. In fact, it was already lost in my father's generation; what he gave me was a counterfeit. The sovereign orders the minister to die; the minister cannot avoid death. If the new ruler truly wants to kill me, producing this would be of no use—he would certainly not spare my life because of this heirloom passed down through generations. However, if we were to lose the vermilion‑seal iron charter and he found out, ten‑out‑ten ** will be a capital crime."

Translate: "Hu Buwei held the rubbing over the candle flame and burned it, shaking his head: 'You still think the Vermillion Script Iron Charter is really a death‑exempting gold medal? The thing our ancestors left behind is not a treasure but a trouble. In fact, it was already lost in my father's generation; what he gave me was a forgery. The sovereign orders the minister to die; the minister cannot avoid death. If the new ruler truly wants to kill me, even if I produce this, what good would it do? He would certainly not spare my life because of this heirloom passed down through generations. But if we lose the Vermillion Script Iron Charter and he finds out, there is a nine‑in‑ten chance it will be a capital crime.'…"

ten‑out‑ten ** will be a capital crime.

Xu Feng Yi sighed and said, "If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have bothered with this useless junk."

Translate: "Xu Fengyi sighed and said: 'If I had known, I shouldn't have wanted this useless broken thing.'"

Hu Wu Wei said, "How could I refuse a gift bestowed by the emperor? I had always thought the vermilion‑seal iron charter was lost, never imagining it was still in the hands of our own Hu family; that Xiao Tian could find such a thing is quite a coincidence. I don't worry about the charter—so long as Xiao Tian is safe, that's all that matters."

Translate: "Hu Buwei said: 'The Emperor bestowed this upon you—how could I dare refuse it? I had always thought the Vermillion Script Iron Charter was lost, but I never expected it to still be in the hands of someone from our Hu family. Xiao Tian being able to find such a thing is also a fortunate coincidence. I don't worry about the Vermillion Script Iron Charter; as long as Xiao Tian is safe, that's enough.'"

Xu Feng Yi nodded glumly.

Translate: "Xu Fengyi nodded glumly."

Hu Wu Wei comforted her, saying, "You just heard what Da Zhuang said. Xiao Tian is remarkably clever and capable; even if he encounters danger, he will surely turn misfortune into fortune."

Translate: "Hu Buwei comforted her: 'You just heard what Liang Da Zhuang said. Xiao Tian is so clever and capable; even if he encounters danger, he will surely turn misfortune into fortune.'"

Xu Feng Yi, tears in her eyes, said, "Wu Wei… we have only this one son; I don't ask for him to be rich and noble. As long as he lives, promise me—you must promise me…"

Translate: "Xu Fengyi said through tears: 'Buwei… we have only this one son. I don't ask for him to be rich and noble; as long as he lives, promise me, you must promise me…'"

Hu Wu Wei opened his arms and drew Xu Feng Yi into his embrace; his eyes grew moist, his Adam's apple moved a few times, and after finally gaining control of his emotions, he spoke in a low voice: "I promise you."

Translate: "Hu Buwei spread his arms and pulled Xu Fengyi into his embrace; his eyes also grew a little moist, his Adam's apple moved a few times, and finally he succeeded in controlling his emotion, his voice low: 'I promise you…'"

Escaping under Li Honghan's watch is no easy feat; when the wine was half‑strong, Xiao Tian stood up and said, "Gentlemen, excuse me for a moment."

Translate: "Trying to escape under Li Honghan's watch was no easy task. When the wine was half‑done, Hu Xiaotian stood up and said: 'Two elder brothers, I must excuse myself for a moment.'"

Note: The quote ends with an extra quote; we keep as is.

Li Honghan's deep eyes remained clear; although he had drunk quite a bit, he showed no sign of intoxication and smiled, asking, "Where are you going, Xiao Tian?"

Translate: "Li Honghan's deep eyes remained clear; although he had drunk quite a lot, he showed no sign of intoxication, and he smiled: 'Where are you going, Xiao Tian?'"

Xiao Tian laughed and said, "When nature calls, one must answer—I suddenly have to urinate."

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian laughed: 'When nature calls, I suddenly have to urinate.'"

Huo Ge and Li Honghan laughed together; Huo Ge waved his hand and said, "Go ahead, come back and we'll keep drinking."

Translate: "Huo Ge and Li Honghan laughed together; Huo Ge waved his hand and said: 'Go ahead, come back and we'll keep drinking.'"

Xiao Tian rose and left the room; Li Honghan did not try to stop him, but silently watched his retreating back, wondering what was on his mind.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian stood and left; Li Honghan did not try to stop him, but silently watched his back, wondering what he was thinking."

As soon as Xiao Tian stepped outside, two guards followed him like shadows.

Translate: "As soon as Hu Xiaotian went out, two guards followed him like shadows."

Xiao Tian smiled and said, "Gentlemen, I'm going to relieve myself—no need to trouble you."

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian smiled: 'Brothers, I'm going to urinate; no need to trouble you.'"

One of them replied, "General Li ordered us to stay at the young master's side at all times to protect him."

Translate: "One of them said: 'General Li ordered us to stay at the young master's side at all times to protect him.'"

Xiao Tian cursed silently, "Protect me? Rubbish! They're just watching me." He knew refusing would be useless, so he let the two follow him. Upon reaching the privy, he noticed that even while he was urinating, the guards stared at him unblinkingly—clearly Li Honghan had long suspected him and kept a constant watch. Xiao Tian shifted slightly and said, "Gentlemen, you also need to go; there's no need to stare at me, even though I'm somewhat handsome."

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian cursed inwardly, 'Protect me? Bullshit! They're just watching me.' He knew refusing was useless, so he let the two follow him. Arriving at the latrine, he noticed that while he was urinating, the two stared at him without blinking. It seemed Li Honghan had long suspected him, constantly on guard. Hu Xiaotian turned sideways and said: 'You two also need to go; there's no need to stare at me, even though I'm a bit more handsome.'"

The two stern-faced guards wanted to laugh at Xiao Tian's remark, but knowing it was inappropriate, they suppressed their amusement, their faces turning red from holding it in.

Translate: "The two cold‑faced guards heard Hu Xiaotian say this and wanted to laugh, but knowing it was inappropriate, they suppressed their smiles, their faces turning red from holding back."

After finishing, Xiao Tian shuddered, sighed, "Ah, that feels great—nothing in life beats this." Seeing no chance to escape, he had no choice but to return to the room.

Translate: "After Hu Xiaotian finished urinating, he suddenly shivered and sighed: 'Refreshing! Really refreshing—nothing in life beats this.' Seeing no chance to escape, he had to return to the room."

That night, while drinking with the two men until late, Xiao Tian pretended to be seven‑tenths drunk when he was actually only three‑tenths.

Translate: "That night, drinking with the two until deep into the night, Hu Xiaotian pretended to be seven‑tenths drunk when he was only three‑tenths."

Supported by the two guards, he boarded the carriage.

Translate: "Supported by the two guards, he boarded the carriage."

Li Honghan then got into the carriage; Xiao Tian, his breath reeking of wine, narrowed his eyes and belched at Li Honghan.

Translate: "Li Honghan then got into the carriage; Hu Xiaotian's breath reeked of alcohol, he narrowed his eyes and belched at Li Honghan."

The wave of alcohol made Li Honghan involuntarily frown.

Translate: "The wave of alcohol smell made Li Honghan involuntarily frown."

Xiao Tian said, "Big brother Li… thank you for your hospitality… uh…" and belched again.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian said: 'Li big brother… thank you for your hospitality… uh…' and belched again."

Li Honghan shifted to the side, casually lifted the carriage curtain, breathed in the cool outside air, and said softly, "We're all family—no need for formalities."

Translate: "Li Honghan shifted to the side, casually lifted the carriage curtain, breathed in the outside cool air, and said softly: 'We're all family; why be so polite?'"

Xiao Tian chuckled, "Big brother's right—we're family. Once I marry Wuyou in the future, we'll be one household; you'll be my brother‑in‑law… hehe."

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian chuckled: 'Big brother's right… we're family; once I marry Wuyou in the future, we'll be one household… you'll be my brother‑in‑law… hehe…'"

Li Honghan also laughed, his bright eyes gleaming in the darkness: "Xiao Tian, I can tell you're not happy today."

Translate: "Li Honghan also laughed, his bright eyes gleaming in the darkness: 'Xiao Tian, I can see you're not happy today.'"

Xiao Tian nodded and said, "A bit… the imperial succession is changing; the old emperor has passed the throne to the… great prince…, my father offended him… I'm worried… that he will take revenge…"

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian nodded: 'A bit. The imperial succession is changing; the old emperor is passing the throne to… the Crown Prince… My father has offended him… I'm worried… he might take revenge…'…"

That reason sounded plausible, and Li Honghan said, "Xiao Tian, I've captured Long Ye Fang—you won't blame me for that, will you?"

Translate: "That reason was understandable; Li Honghan said: 'Xiao Tian, I captured Long Ye Fang—you won't blame me, will you?'"

Xiao Tian laughed, "What relation does he have to me? I'm your brother‑in‑law; he's the emperor's son. How could such imperial kin pay attention to me? Of course I'm closer to you, Big Brother Li."

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian laughed: 'What relation does he have to me? I'm your brother‑in‑law, he's the emperor's son—how could such imperial kin pay attention to me? Of course I'm closer to you, Big Brother Li.'"

He seemed emboldened by the drink, slipped his arm around Li Honghan's neck, rested his head on his shoulder, and said, "Brother! From now on I'll call you brother—will you call me brother‑in‑law?"

Translate: "He seemed a little drunk, reached out and hooked his arm around Li Honghan's neck, resting his head on Li Honghan's shoulder: 'Brother! From now on I'll call you brother… will you call me brother‑in‑law?'"

Li Honghan thought he was truly drunk, tried not to laugh, gently broke free of his arm, and said, "Xiao Tian, you and my sister aren't even married yet."

Translate: "Li Honghan thought he was really drunk, couldn't help wanting to laugh, gently broke free of his arm and said: 'Xiao Tian, brother, you and my sister aren't married yet.'"

Xiao Tian said, "In the future Wuyou will be a princess—I'll practically be a prince‑consort… hahaha." He laughed, then slumped his head onto Li Honghan's shoulder; Li Honghan tried to shift him, only to discover the man had already fallen asleep, emitting a soft snore.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian said: 'Later Wuyou will be a princess, so won't I become a prince consort… haha…' That fellow laughed and laughed, then slumped his head onto Li Honghan's shoulder; Li Honghan tried to move his head away, only to find the guy already asleep, letting out a soft snore."

Returning to the traveling palace, Li Honghan had the two guards help the drunken Xiao Tian into the room. Xiao Tian lay on the bed, tossed and turned a few times, and soon began snoring loudly.

Translate: "Returning to the temporary palace, Li Honghan had the two guards help the drunken Hu Xiaotian into the room. Hu Xiaotian lay on the bed, tossed a few times, and soon began snoring loudly."

Li Honghan gazed at Xiao Tian on the bed; the smile on his lips faded, he signaled his men to extinguish the candles and stepped outside.

Translate: "Li Honghan gazed at Hu Xiaotian on the bed, the smile at the corner of his mouth fading; he signaled his subordinates to extinguish the candles and went outside."

Moonlight like water illuminated the palace courtyard as brightly as day. Li Honghan entered the courtyard, paused, and said in a low voice, "You two must not leave his side for a moment; if anything goes wrong, I will hold you responsible."

Translate: "Moonlight like water illuminated the temporary palace's courtyard as bright as day. Li Honghan came to the courtyard, stopped, and said softly: 'You two must watch him without leaving his side; if anything goes wrong, I will hold you responsible.'"

"Yes!" the two guards replied in unison, bowing their heads.

Translate: "'Yes!' The two guards bowed their heads in unison."

Xiao Tian lay in bed, tossing and turning; the turn of events exceeded his expectations. If he couldn't escape quickly, he feared he would be coerced into going to West Province. The Li family certainly didn't keep him just to make him a son‑in‑law; they intended to use him as a bargaining chip to force his father to comply with their wishes.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian lay in bed tossing and turning; the turn of events exceeded his expectations. If he couldn't escape quickly, he feared he would be coerced into going to Xizhou. The Li family keeping him there certainly wasn't just to make him a son‑in‑law; they intended to use him as a bargaining chip to threaten his father into complying with their wishes."

Li Honghan, being shrewd, sent two capable assistants to watch him closely, hoping to prevent any escape under their noses—but that was no easy task. Although Qin Yutong had left him a human‑skin mask, the traveling palace is heavily guarded outside; he could not simply don the mask and walk out openly.

Translate: "Li Honghan, being shrewd, had sent two capable men to watch him without leaving his side, hoping to prevent escape under their noses—really not easy. Although Qin Yutong had left him a human‑skin mask, this is the temporary palace; outside the guards are tight, so he couldn't simply put on the mask and walk out openly."

Although Xiao Tian's physique is decent, his martial arts are rudimentary at best; he could not possibly silently take down the two experts outside. Only now did he realize the value of martial training: if he manages to escape this time alive, he will certainly seek a renowned master to study diligently, not aiming to be invincible under heaven, but at least to gain the ability to flee danger when needed.

Translate: "Although Hu Xiaotian's physique was decent, his martial arts were sparse and ordinary; he could not possibly knock out the two experts outside without anyone noticing. Only now did he realize the benefit of martial arts: if he managed to escape this time, he would certainly seek a renowned master to study diligently, not aiming to be invincible under heaven, but at least to have the ability to survive when in dire straits."

Hu Xiaotian took out the Violent Rain Pear Blossom Needle that Ande Quan had given him—an item he had never been willing to use. Even though the Violent Rain Pear Blossom Needle possesses limitless power and he could successfully place it outside the door against two guards, other guards remained stationed, so escaping the palace could not be guaranteed. After thinking it over, Hu Xiaotian realized there was only one way.