Chapter 24

Xu Zhengying smiled beside him and said, "I told you, when everyone exchanges poetry it's a gentleman's friendship—how could they turn hostile? It must be a misunderstanding." He secretly praised the Qiu brothers for still knowing the times.

Translation: Xu Zhengying smiled beside him and said, "I told you, when everyone exchanges poetry, it's a gentleman's friendship—how could they become hostile? It must be a misunderstanding." He secretly praised the Qiu brothers for being sensible.

Xu Zhengying smiled beside him and said, "I told you, when everyone exchanges poetry, it's a gentleman's friendship—how could they become hostile? It must be a misunderstanding." He secretly praised the Qiu brothers for still knowing the times.

Now that things have come to this, Murong Feiyan has instead become a meddlesome person. She could naturally see clearly what exactly happened, but the scene was one where one party was willing to strike and the other willing to suffer. Even if she took them all back to the Capital Prefecture, in the end her superiors could only blame herself for being meddlesome.

Translation: Now that things have come to this, Murong Feiyan has instead become a meddlesome person; she could clearly see what had happened, but the scene was one willing to strike and one willing to endure—even if she took them all back to the Capital Prefecture, her superiors could only blame her for being meddlesome.

Now that things have come to this, Murong Feiyan has become a meddlesome person; she could naturally see clearly what exactly happened, but the situation on site was one willing to hit and one willing to suffer. Even if she took them all back to the Capital Prefecture, in the end her superiors could only blame herself for being meddlesome.

Murong Feiyan came up behind Hu Xiaotian, reached out to untie his ropes, and in a voice only they could hear said, "Today you're lucky!"

Translation: Murong Feiyan came behind Hu Xiaotian, reached out to untie his ropes, and in a voice only they could hear said, "Today you're lucky!"

He reached out to untie his ropes, speaking in a voice only they could hear.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Constable Murong, why are you targeting me? Could it be that you've developed special feelings for me?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Constable Murong, why are you targeting me? Could it be that you've developed special feelings for me?"

Constable Murong

Murong Feiyan said, "You'd better rein in your horse and mend your ways, otherwise..."

Translation: Murong Feiyan said, "You'd better rein in from the precipice, mend your ways, or else..."

What else?

Translation: "Or else what?"

Otherwise, I'll eventually throw you in jail!

Translation: "Otherwise, one day I'll throw you in jail!"

Hu Xiaotian sighed, "Constable Murong, your bias against me is too deep. As an officer of the law, you should always keep an impartial heart and never judge people through tinted glasses."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian sighed, "Constable Murong, your prejudice against me is too deep. As an officer of the law, you should always keep an impartial heart and never judge people through tinted glasses."

As an officer of the law, you should always keep an impartial heart and never judge people through tinted glasses.

Murong Feiyan could only half-understand his words, she snorted coldly: "Nonsense, I don't even know what you're talking about!" She waved her hand and led the four constables away.

Translation: Murong Feiyan could only half-understand his words, she snorted coldly: "Nonsense, I don't know what you're saying!" She waved her hand and led the four constables away.

He led the four constables away.

The Qiu brothers had been beaten for nothing, and in the end still had to plead for Hu Xiaotian. In front of so many people, they lost all face; they felt embarrassed to stay on the scene, not knowing how to face the upcoming situation. They squeezed out of the crowd and fled in embarrassment. Other scholars who had been beaten, seeing the Qiu brothers' fate, none dared to speak out against Hu Xiaotian, each fleeing faster than the last.

Translation: The Qiu brothers were beaten for nothing, and in the end still had to plead for Hu Xiaotian; in front of so many people, they lost all face, felt embarrassed to stay, not knowing how to face the situation ahead, they squeezed out of the crowd and fled in embarrassment; the other scholars who had been beaten, seeing the Qiu brothers' fate, none dared to speak out against Hu Xiaotian, each fleeing faster than the last.

They were beaten for nothing and still had to plead for Hu Xiaotian; in front of so many people they lost all face, felt embarrassed to stay, and didn't know how to face what came next. They squeezed out of the crowd and fled in embarrassment. Other scholars who had been beaten, seeing the Qiu brothers' fate, none dared to speak out against Hu Xiaotian, each fleeing faster than the last.

The six servants of the Hu household saw the situation take a turn, easily resolved. Not only did the beaten parties dare not file a complaint, but even the government constables were helpless. Each became more arrogant and domineering, glaring like fiendish gods and threatening the onlookers: "What are you looking at? Believe it or not, I'll beat you!"

Translation: Seeing the situation take a turn, the six servants of the Hu mansion easily resolved it; not only did the beaten parties dare not file a complaint, even the government constables were helpless, each becoming more arrogant and domineering, glaring like fiendish gods and threatening the onlookers: "What are you looking at? Believe it or not, I'll beat you!"

The situation took a turn and was easily resolved—not only did the beaten parties dare not file a complaint, but even the government constables were helpless. Each grew more arrogant and domineering, glaring like fiendish gods and threatening the onlookers: "What are you looking at? Believe it or not, I'll beat you!"

Seeing these vicious servants so arrogant, the common folk fled in fright. But after this ordeal, Hu Xiaotian's ill reputation will surely spread further.

Translation: Seeing these vicious servants so arrogant, the common folk fled in fright; but after this ordeal, Hu Xiaotian's ill reputation will surely spread further.

Seeing these vicious servants so arrogant, the common folk fled in fright, but after this ordeal Hu Xiaotian's ill reputation will surely spread further.

Xu Zhengying helped Hu Xiaotian onto his carriage. He feared this young master, having brought him out himself; he had to send this rascal back, for if he were allowed to wander outside, who knows what trouble he'd cause. At that moment Xu Zhengying felt so regretful he wanted to slap himself twice, thinking, "I'm such a fool. This kid is literally a plague, leaving disaster wherever he goes! How did I bring him out?"

Translation: Xu Zhengying helped Hu Xiaotian onto his carriage; he feared this young master, having brought him out, he had to send him back, otherwise letting him wander outside would stir up unknown trouble. At this moment Xu Zhengying felt so regretful he wanted to slap himself twice, thinking, "I'm such a fool—this kid is literally a plague, leaving disaster wherever he goes! How did I bring him out?"

Xu Zhengying helped Hu Xiaotian onto his carriage, fearing this young master whom he had brought out; he felt he had to send this rascal back, for if he were allowed to wander outside, who knows what trouble he'd cause. At this moment Xu Zhengying felt so regretful he wanted to slap himself twice, thinking, "I'm such a fool—this kid is literally a plague, leaving disaster wherever he goes! How did I bring him out?"

Hu Xiaotian got into the carriage and became unusually obedient, closing his eyes, unknown what he was thinking.

Translation: Once in the carriage, Hu Xiaotian became unusually obedient, closing his eyes, unknown what he was thinking.

Once in the carriage, he became unusually obedient, closing his eyes as no one knew what he was thinking.

Xu Zhengying coughed to break the silence: "Nephew, why did you clash with the Qiu brothers?" Xu Zhengying really wondered, unable to figure out why Hu Xiaotian would fight those brothers.

Translation: Xu Zhengying coughed to break the silence: "Nephew, why did you clash with the Qiu brothers?" Xu Zhengying really wondered, unable to figure out why Hu Xiaotian would fight those brothers.

Xu Zhengying coughed to break the silence: "Nephew, why did you clash with the Qiu brothers?" He really wondered, unable to figure out why Hu Xiaotian would fight those brothers.

Hu Xiaotian didn't open his eyes: "I just didn't like the look of them, okay?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian didn't open his eyes: "I just didn't like the look of them, okay?"

I just didn't like the look of them, okay?

Xu Zhengying had no reply—taking a dislike to someone and immediately resorting to violence, truly a spoiled brat!

Translation: Xu Zhengying was speechless; taking a dislike to someone and immediately resorting to violence—truly a spoiled brat!

Taking a dislike to someone and immediately resorting to violence—truly a spoiled brat!

But Hu Xiaotian thought of Huo Xiaoru. Today he had spoken up for her, the matter blew up, yet she said nothing and left without a word. This woman is too heartless—brother did all this for you, don't you feel even a bit grateful?

Translation: But Hu Xiaotian thought of Huo Xiaoru—today he had spoken up for her, the matter blew up, yet she said nothing and left without a word; this woman is too heartless—brother did all this for you, don't you feel even a bit grateful?

But Hu Xiaotian thought of Huo Xiaoru; today he had spoken up for her, the matter blew up, yet she said nothing and left without a word. This woman is too heartless—brother did all this for you, don't you feel even a bit grateful?

Spring breeze lifted the curtain; a drizzle fell silently, drifting in with the breeze into the carriage. The cool sensation roused Huo Xiaoru from her reverie; her watery eyes gazed mistily out the window. Outside it had begun to rain at some point, the fine mist veiling the scenery in a hazy shroud.

Translation: Spring breeze lifted the curtain, a drizzle fell silently, drifting in with the breeze into the carriage; the cool sensation roused Huo Xiaoru from her reverie, her watery eyes gazing mistily out the window—outside it had begun to rain at some point, the fine mist veiling the scenery in a hazy shroud.

Spring breeze lifted the curtain, a drizzle fell silently, drifting in with the breeze into the carriage. The cool sensation roused Huo Xiaoru from her reverie; her watery eyes gazed mistily out the window as outside it had begun to rain at some point, the fine mist veiling the scenery in a hazy shroud.

Waner sat beside her holding a puppy, her big lively eyes blinking nonstop. She bit her lip and finally couldn't help asking: "Miss, why are we leaving?"

Translation: Waner sat beside her holding a puppy, her big lively eyes blinking nonstop; she bit her lip and finally couldn't help asking, "Miss, why are we leaving?"

Waner sat beside her holding a puppy, her big lively eyes blinking nonstop. She bit her lip and finally couldn't help asking, "Miss, why are we leaving?"

Huo Xiaoru said nothing, still silently gazing out the window.

Translation: Huo Xiaoru said nothing, still gazing silently out the window.

Waner said, "Miss, Young Master Hu spoke up for you; officials have just arrived—shouldn't we help bear witness? We can't just stand aside." The little maid couldn't understand her master's actions.

Translation: Waner said, "Miss, Young Master Hu spoke up for you; just now government officials came—shouldn't we bear witness? We can't just stay out of it." The little girl couldn't understand her mistress's actions at all.

Waner said: "Miss, Young Master Hu spoke up for you; just now government officials came—shouldn't we bear witness? We can't just stay out of it." The little girl couldn't understand her mistress's actions at all.

Huo Xiaoru said, "If I stay, people will surely say he flew into a rage over a beauty, beating someone up for a dancer—do you think that would look good if it got out?"

Translation: Huo Xiaoru said, "If I stayed, people would surely say he flew into a rage over a beauty, brawling for a dancer—do you think that would look good spreading around?"

Huo Xiaoru said: "If I stayed, people would surely say he flew into a rage over a beauty, brawling for a dancer. Do you think that would look good spreading around?"

Waner was speechless.

Translation: Waner was speechless.

Huo Xiaoru's thoughts were meticulous; she considered far more thoroughly than this little maid. Seeing officials from the Capital Prefecture arrive, she immediately chose to leave—not because she feared getting involved in this dispute, but because she worried her presence would bring Hu Xiaotian even more trouble. Today's whole conflict arose because of her, yet speaking of it wouldn't be glorious. Her identity is merely a courtesan, while Hu Xiaotian is the son of the Minister of Revenue. Precisely out of gratitude for his righteous deed, Huo Xiaoru sensibly chose to avoid involvement. She believes that with Hu Xiaotian's wisdom and background he could resolve this trouble; if she forced herself to stay, it would only complicate the scene further.

Translation: Huo Xiaoru's thoughts were meticulous; she considered far more thoroughly than this little maid. Seeing officials from the Capital Prefecture arrive, she immediately chose to leave—not because she feared getting involved in this dispute, but because she worried her presence would bring Hu Xiaotian even more trouble. Today's whole conflict arose because of her, yet speaking of it wouldn't be glorious; her identity is merely a courtesan, while Hu Xiaotian is the son of the Minister of Revenue—precisely out of gratitude for his righteous deed, she sensibly chose to avoid involvement, believing that with Hu Xiaotian's wisdom and background he could resolve this trouble; if she forced herself to stay, it would only complicate the scene further.

Huo Xiaoru's thoughts were meticulous; she considered far more thoroughly than this little maid. Seeing officials from the Capital Prefecture arrive, she immediately chose to leave—not because she feared getting involved in this dispute, but because she worried her presence would bring Hu Xiaotian even more trouble. Today's whole conflict arose because of her, yet speaking of it wouldn't be glorious; her identity is merely a courtesan, while Hu Xiaotian is the son of the Minister of Revenue. Precisely out of gratitude for his righteous deed, Huo Xiaoru sensibly chose to avoid involvement, believing that with Hu Xiaotian's wisdom and background he could resolve this trouble, for if she forced herself to stay, it would only complicate the scene further.

Waner pursed her lips and said: "Miss, I think Young Master Hu is not only interesting but also a good person."

Translation: Waner pursed her lips and said, "Miss, I think Young Master Hu is not only interesting but also a good person."

Waner pursed her lips and said, "Miss, I think Young Master Hu is not only interesting but also a good person."

Huo Xiaoru smiled faintly: "Whether he's good or bad, what does that have to do with us?"

Translation: Huo Xiaoru smiled faintly: "Whether he's good or bad, what does it have to do with us?"

The carriage suddenly jerked to a halt; the sudden situation caught Hu Xiaotian and Xu Zhengying off guard, their bodies lurching forward from inertia. Hu Xiaotian grabbed the carriage's rail and stopped his forward motion, but Xu Zhengying wasn't so lucky—his head struck the front wall of the carriage, leaving him dazed. He steadied himself, pulled back the curtain, and shouted, "You damned thing, how are you driving?!"

Translation: The carriage suddenly jerked to a halt; the abrupt situation caught Hu Xiaotian and Xu Zhengying off guard, their bodies lunging forward from inertia—Hu Xiaotian grabbed the carriage's rail and just stopped his forward surge, but Xu Zhengying wasn't so lucky, his head hit the front panel, leaving him dazed. Xu Zhengying steadied himself, pulled back the curtain, and shouted, "Damn it, how are you driving?"

The carriage suddenly jerked to a halt; the abrupt situation caught Hu Xiaotian and Xu Zhengying off guard. Their bodies lunged forward from inertia. Hu Xiaotian grabbed the carriage's rail and just stopped his forward surge, but Xu Zhengying wasn't so lucky—his head hit the front panel, leaving him dazed. Xu Zhengying steadied himself, pulled back the curtain, and shouted, "Damn it, how are you driving?"

The reason the driver hastily pulled on the reins was that something had happened ahead. They had been following a loaded wagon, but the road ahead had a damaged pothole. Because it was overcast and raining, the wagon driver didn't notice in time, drove into the pothole, and the wheel sank. Since the wagon was fully loaded, it instantly lost balance, tipped to the right, spilling its cargo everywhere—and the wagon even pinned the driver underneath.

Translation: The reason the carter hastily pulled the reins was that trouble lay ahead: they had been following a loaded wagon, but the road ahead had a damaged pothole; due to the overcast rain, the wagon driver didn't notice, drove into the pothole, the wheel sank, and because the wagon was fully loaded, it instantly lost balance, tipped right, spilling its cargo everywhere—and the wagon even pinned the driver underneath.

The reason the carter hastily pulled the reins was that trouble lay ahead. They had been following a loaded wagon, but the road ahead had a damaged pothole. Due to the overcast rain, the wagon driver didn't notice, drove into the pothole, and the wheel sank. Because the wagon was fully loaded, it instantly lost balance, tipped right, spilling its cargo everywhere—and the wagon even pinned the driver underneath.

After figuring out the situation, Xu Zhengying waved his hand and said, "Never mind it, we'll just go around!"

Translation: After figuring out the situation, Xu Zhengying waved his hand and said, "Never mind it, we'll just go around!"

After figuring out the situation, Xu Zhengying waved his hand and said: "Never mind it, let's just go around!"

Translation: The driver nodded, whipped the horses to go, but Hu Xiaotian heard a miserable cry for help amid the wind and rain, he exclaimed, "Wait!" He opened the carriage door, stepped down, and saw ahead a fully loaded wagon overturned on the road, a white-haired old man lying on the ground, his left leg trapped under the wheel, scattered grain around him—clearly injured, his cries were pitiful.

The driver nodded and whipped the horses to go, but Hu Xiaotian heard a miserable cry for help amid the wind and rain. He exclaimed, "Wait!" and opened the carriage door, stepping down to see a fully loaded wagon overturned ahead, with a white-haired old man lying on the ground, his left leg trapped under the wheel and scattered grain around him—clearly injured, his cries were pitiful.

Yet in this capital, human warmth was cold—seeing the scene, no one stepped forward to help. Xu Zhengying noticed Hu Xiaotian alighting, somehow produced an oil-paper umbrella, held it up kindly to shield Hu Xiaotian from the rain. Unexpectedly, Hu Xiaotian took off his outer robe, rolled up his sleeves, waved at the arriving servants and said, "Come over, help push the wagon to rescue him!"

Translation: Yet in this capital, human warmth was cold—seeing the scene, no one stepped forward to help. Xu Zhengying noticed Hu Xiaotian alighting, somehow produced an oil-paper umbrella, held it up kindly to shield Hu Xiaotian from the rain; unexpectedly, Hu Xiaotian took off his outer robe, rolled up his sleeves, waved at the arriving servants and said, "Come over, help push the wagon to rescue him!"

Yet in this capital, human warmth was cold—seeing the scene, no one stepped forward to help. Xu Zhengying noticed Hu Xiaotian alighting, somehow produced an oil-paper umbrella and held it up kindly to shield him from the rain. Unexpectedly, Hu Xiaotian took off his outer robe, rolled up his sleeves, waved at the arriving servants and said, "Come over, help push the wagon to rescue him!"

Xu Zhengying said: "Better not to add trouble..."

Translation: Xu Zhengying said, "Better not to meddle—"

Hu Xiaotian ignored him completely, already bringing six servants to the side of the loaded wagon.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian ignored him completely, already leading six servants to the wagon's side.

Hu Xiaotian didn't bother answering him, already leading six servants to the loaded wagon.

Translation: Xu Zhengying chased after him, umbrella raised, "Nephew! Nephew! What status do you have to brave wind and rain for a servant?" In this strictly hierarchical society, Xu Zhengying's remark wasn't strange; his mindset had solidified into the belief that it was proper, and with their standing, how could they concern themselves with a lowly person's life and death? Seeing he couldn't stop Hu Xiaotian from helping, he urged him not to go himself.

Xu Zhengying chased after him, umbrella raised, shouting, "Nephew! Nephew! What status do you have to brave wind and rain for a servant?" In this strictly hierarchical society, his remark wasn't strange; his mindset had solidified into the belief that it was proper, and with their standing, how could they concern themselves with a lowly person's life and death? Seeing he couldn't stop Hu Xiaotian from helping, he urged him not to go himself.

Xu Zhengying chased after him, umbrella raised: "Nephew! Nephew! What status do you have to brave wind and rain for a servant?" In this strictly hierarchical society, Xu Zhengying's remark wasn't strange; his mindset had solidified into the belief that it was proper, and with their standing, how could they concern themselves with a lowly person's life and death? Seeing he couldn't stop Hu Xiaotian from helping, he urged him not to go himself.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian replied, "That's wrong—people are born equal, where's any high-low, noble-base distinction!" Though this fellow usually swaggered and ordered others about like a brat, deep down he still held the notion of equality, so the words burst out; to him it seemed a perfectly ordinary remark, yet it left everyone around deeply shaken.

That's wrong—people are born equal, where's any high-low, noble-base distinction! Though this fellow usually swaggered and ordered others about like a brat, deep down he still held the notion of equality, so the words burst out. To him it seemed a perfectly ordinary remark, yet it left everyone around deeply shaken.

Hu Xiaotian said: "That's wrong—people are born equal, where's any high-low, noble-base distinction!" Though this fellow usually swaggered and ordered others about like a brat, deep down he still held the notion of equality, so the words burst out. To him it seemed a perfectly ordinary remark, yet it left everyone around deeply shaken.

Translation: Xu Zhengying staggered at those words, then, after realizing, saw Hu Xiaotian already at the wagon's rear helping.

Xu Zhengying staggered at those words, then, after realizing, saw Hu Xiaotian already at the wagon's rear helping.

Xu Zhengying staggered at those words, then, after realizing, saw Hu Xiaotian already at the wagon's rear helping.

Translation: Liang Da Zhuang's servants were also shaken by Hu Xiaotian's earlier remark about innate equality, but immediately they thought it utterly absurd: you're born into wealth and privilege, destined to be a young master; we're born into ordinary families, destined to be slaves and laborers—fate decides our lives, what's this talk of innate equality? Why not swap our positions?

Liang Da Zhuang's servants were also shaken by Hu Xiaotian's earlier remark about innate equality, but immediately they thought it utterly absurd. You're born into wealth and privilege, destined to be a young master; we're born into ordinary families, destined to be slaves and laborers—fate decides our lives. What's this talk of innate equality? Why not swap our positions?

Liang Da Zhuang's servants were also shaken by Hu Xiaotian's earlier remark about innate equality, but immediately they thought it utterly absurd: "You're born into wealth and privilege, destined to be a young master; we're born into ordinary families, destined to be slaves and laborers. Fate decides our lives—what's this talk of innate equality? Why not swap our positions?"

Translation: Liang Da Zhuang shouted, "Let's all push together to lift the wagon!" He tried to get everyone to heave the wagon forward, to free the old man from underneath.

Liang Da Zhuang shouted, "Let's all push together to lift the wagon!" He tried to get everyone to heave the wagon forward to free the old man from underneath.

Liang Da Zhuang shouted: "Let's all push together to lift the wagon!" He tried to get everyone to heave the wagon forward, to free the old man from underneath.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian objected, "Absolutely not!" He first examined the old man's condition: though his left leg was trapped under the wheel, he seemed conscious enough; sensation in both legs was normal, likely no spinal injury. Hu Xiaotian had them first unload the cargo atop the wagon to lighten it, making sure not to jostle the wagon in the process, lest they worsen the old man's injuries.

Hu Xiaotian objected, "Absolutely not!" He first examined the old man's condition: though his left leg was trapped under the wheel, he seemed conscious enough, with normal sensation in both legs and likely no spinal injury. Hu Xiaotian had them first unload the cargo atop the wagon to lighten it, making sure not to jostle the wagon in the process, lest they worsen the old man's injuries.

Hu Xiaotian objected: "Absolutely not!" He first examined the old man's condition: though his left leg was trapped under the wheel, he seemed conscious enough; sensation in both legs was normal, likely no spinal injury. Hu Xiaotian had them first unload the cargo atop the wagon to lighten it, making sure not to jostle the wagon in the process, lest they worsen the old man's injuries.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian gave the old man a quick check, confident there was no external injury to his head, face, or upper body, and smilingly reassured him, "Grandpa, don't worry—we'll have you out soon!"

Hu Xiaotian gave the old man a quick check, confident there was no external injury to his head, face, or upper body, and smilingly reassured him, "Grandpa, don't worry—we'll have you out soon!"

Hu Xiaotian gave the old man a quick check, confident there was no external injury to his head, face, or upper body, and smilingly reassured him: "Grandpa, don't worry—we'll have you out soon!"

Translation: The old man endured the pain and nodded.

After the cargo was unloaded, Hu Xiaotian had everyone lift one side of the cart while raising the other side; he then went to the old man's side, embraced him from behind, and once the wheels were clear of the man's lower body, carefully dragged him out flat from under the cart.

During the process of moving the old man, it was inevitable to touch his wound, causing him to scream in pain.

Hu Xiaotian examined the old man's lower limbs; his right leg was uninjured and normal, while his left thigh was fractured from being crushed by the wheel. Fortunately, the fracture ends were not completely broken nor displaced—this is the greenstick fracture commonly mentioned in medicine, which usually does not require surgery. Hu Xiaotian fetched a short knife, cut open the trouser leg, quickly diagnosed a simple greenstick fracture with no open wound. He then used local materials, having Liang Da Zhuang bring two wooden planks: one as a splint on the inner side of the thigh, the other longer plank on the outer side of the left thigh, and bound them tightly with cloth strips from hip to ankle.