Chapter 26: and then the title translation, then ===GLOSSARY=== with list of named entities appearing in these lines

Hu An finally understood what Hu Xiaotian meant, he smiled and said: "Madam!"

Hu Xiaotian glared angrily: "How dare you say my mother's eyesight is problematic!"

Hu Xiaotian glared angrily: "How dare you say my mother has bad eyesight!"

Hu Xiaotian glared angrily: "How dare you say my mother's eyesight is faulty!"

We'll output: 【2】 Hu Xiaotian glared angrily: "How dare you say my mother's eyesight is faulty!"

Hu An hurriedly explained: "Young master, I didn't mean to insult the lady; the standards for selecting maidservants are entirely according to the lady's wishes. She said that the prettier a woman is, the more vicious her disposition, and she worries that overly pretty maids will distract you and hinder your studies."

Translate: Hu An hurriedly explained: "Young master, I didn't mean to slander the madam; the standards for selecting maidservants are all according to the madam's wishes. The madam said that the prettier a woman is, the more vicious her disposition. The madam worries that overly pretty maidservants will distract you and hinder your studies."

We need to keep all details. Let's produce: 【3】 Hu An hurriedly explained, "Young master, I didn't mean to slander the madam; the standards for selecting maidservants are all according to the madam's wishes. The madam said that the prettier a woman is, the more vicious her disposition. The madam worries that overly pretty maidservants will distract you and hinder your studies."

Hu Xiaotian realized this probably had nothing to do with him; this old lady is a jealous vinegar pot who can't stand women being too beautiful, fearing that if too many pretty maids serve in the mansion, trouble will arise and disloyal people might go after his father. Although Hu An didn't spell it out, the meaning came across.

There are some asterisks maybe placeholders for censored words. We need to keep them as is? The instruction: reproduce all numbers, dates, quantities, and measurements exactly as written. For asterisks, they are not numbers; they are likely censored words. We should keep them as they appear: "**". So we need to translate but keep the asterisks.

Hu Xiaotian realized this probably had nothing to do with him; this old lady is a jealous vinegar pot who can't stand women being too beautiful, fearing that if too many pretty maids serve in the mansion, trouble will arise and disloyal people might go after his father. Although Hu An didn't spell it out, the meaning came across.

Interpretation: Hu Xiaotian understood, this matter probably has nothing to do with him; this mother is a vinegar jar (jealous), can't stand women too pretty, afraid that if there are too many pretty maidservants in the manor, there will be trouble, there will be disloyal people going to ** his father, Hu An although didn't say clearly, but the meaning got across.

We need to keep the asterisks as "**". So translation: "Hu Xiaotian understood, this matter probably has nothing to do with him; this mother is a jealous woman, she can't stand women being too pretty, fearing that if there are too many pretty maidservants in the manor, there will be trouble, there will be disloyal people going to ** his father; although Hu An didn't spell it out, the meaning got across."

We need to keep the asterisks exactly as "**". So: "... going to ** his father". Good.

Thus: 【4】 Hu Xiaotian understood, this matter probably has nothing to do with him; this mother is a jealous woman, she can't stand women being too pretty, fearing that if there are too many pretty maidservants in the manor, there will be trouble, there will be disloyal people going to ** his father; although Hu An didn't spell it out, the meaning got across.

Hu An saw Hu Xiaotian not speaking, thought he still blamed himself, and said softly: "Young master, shall I get you a different one?"

Translate: Hu An saw Hu Xiaotian not speaking, thought he still blamed himself, and whispered: "Young master, why don't I go back and get you another one?"

Thus: 【5】 Hu An saw Hu Xiaotian not speaking, thought he still blamed himself, and whispered, "Young master, why don't I go back and get you another one?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Is there any difference between changing forty points to fifty-nine points?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "What's the difference between changing forty points to fifty-nine points?"

Hu An didn't understand his meaning, staring at him blankly.

Translate: Hu An didn't understand his meaning, staring blankly at him.

Thus: 【7】 Hu An didn't understand his meaning, staring blankly at him.

Hu Xiaotian sighed and said: "Still not passing! Forget it, trying to explain things to you is just a waste of effort—like playing music to a cow."

Translate: Hu Xiaotian sighed: "Still not passing! Forget it, trying to explain things to you is just a waste of effort, like playing music to a cow."

Thus: 【8】 Hu Xiaotian sighed, "Still not passing! Forget it, trying to explain things to you is just a waste of effort, like playing music to a cow."

Hu An said: "Young master, you don't need to rush; your wedding is in October." Hu An, being experienced, didn't understand many things, but he saw that the young master was lovesick, thinking about women.

Translate: Hu An said: "Young master, you don't need to rush; October is your wedding day." Hu An, being experienced, didn't understand; the young master is just lovesick, thinking about women.

Thus: 【9】 Hu An said, "Young master, you don't need to rush; October is your wedding day." Hu An, being experienced, didn't understand; the young master is just lovesick, thinking about women.

Hu Xiaotian glared at Hu An maliciously, this guy keeps picking at old wounds, rubbing salt in the injury.

Translate: Hu Xiaotian glared at Hu An fiercely; this guy always brings up the sore spot, rubbing salt in the wound.

Thus: 【10】 Hu Xiaotian glared at Hu An fiercely; this guy always brings up the sore spot, rubbing salt in the wound.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian's gaze, Hu An realized he had unintentionally touched this guy's sore point again, hurriedly drooped his head and bowed deeply: "Young master, I have nothing else; I'll leave first."

Hu An saw Hu Xiaotian's gaze, realized he had unintentionally touched this guy's sore point again, hurriedly drooped his head and bowed deeply: "Young master, I have nothing else; I'll leave first."

Thus: 【11】 Hu An saw Hu Xiaotian's gaze, realized he had unintentionally touched this guy's sore point again, hurriedly drooped his head and bowed deeply, "Young master, I have nothing else, I'll leave first."

Hu Xiaotian gave a cold snort: "No need to see me out!"

Translate: Hu Xiaotian gave a cold snort: "No need to see me out!"

Thus: 【12】 Hu Xiaotian gave a cold snort, "No need to see me out!"

Hu An came to the door but then remembered something, turned back, and again bowed deeply to Hu Xiaotian: "Young master, there's a matter I don't know whether I should speak of or not."

Translate: Hu An came to the door but then remembered something, turned back, and again bowed deeply to Hu Xiaotian: "Young master, there's a matter I don't know whether I should speak of or not."

Thus: 【13】 Hu An came to the door but then remembered something, turned back, and again bowed deeply to Hu Xiaotian, "Young master, there's a matter I don't know whether I should speak of or not."

Hu Xiaotian impatiently said: "Stop beating around the bush, just say it!"

Translate: Hu Xiaotian impatiently said: "Stop beating around the bush, just speak!"

Thus: 【14】 Hu Xiaotian impatiently said, "Stop beating around the bush, just speak!"

"Young master, I've heard about the matter at Yan Shui Ge; if this gets back to your father, it won't be good."

Translate: "Young master, I've heard about the matter at Yan Shui Ge; if this gets to the master's ears, it won't be good."

Thus: 【15】 "Young master, I've heard about the matter at Yan Shui Ge; if this gets to the master's ears, it won't be good."

Hu Xiaotian narrowed his eyes at him, as if asking what he meant.

Translate: Hu Xiaotian narrowed his eyes at him, as if asking what he meant.

Thus: 【16】 Hu Xiaotian narrowed his eyes at him, as if asking what he meant.

Hu An swallowed and said: "That Huo Xiaoru is a dancer; you stood up for her and got into a fight. If this gets out, the Hu family's reputation will..."

Translate: Hu An swallowed and said: "That Huo Xiaoru is a dancer; you stood up for her and got into a fight; if this gets out, the Hu family's reputation..."

Thus: 【17】 Hu An swallowed and said, "That Huo Xiaoru is a dancer; you stood up for her and got into a fight; if this gets out, the Hu family's reputation..."

"Huh?" Hu Xiaotian's face darkened; frightened, Hu An hastily shut his mouth, bowed deeply and retreated, inwardly cursing himself for meddling— the young master's affairs are none of his business; he'll do as he pleases, and when the father returns he'll settle the score.

Translate: "Huh?" Hu Xiaotian's face darkened, frightening Hu An into hastily closing his mouth, bowing deeply and retreating in fear, silently cursing himself for being meddlesome; the young master's affairs are none of his business, he'll do as he pleases, and when the master returns he'll settle the score.

Thus: 【18】 "Huh?" Hu Xiaotian's face darkened, frightening Hu An into hastily closing his mouth, bowing deeply and retreating in fear, silently cursing himself for being meddlesome; the young master's affairs are none of his business, he'll do as he pleases, and when the master returns he'll settle the score.

The key to whether a person feels happiness lies in whether they have hope for tomorrow. Hu Xiaotian felt his life had suddenly lost hope, and happiness was out of the question. Arranged marriages ruin people; given his family's circumstances, he could easily find a pretty little beauty to spend a happy lifetime with—this request isn't too high. He isn't even thinking of taking multiple wives; he just wants a decent wife, to enjoy flowers and moon, talk of love, and live a simple life. Yet even this simple wish has become a luxury.

Translate: The key to whether a person feels happiness lies in whether they have hope for tomorrow; Hu Xiaotian felt his life had suddenly lost hope, let alone happiness; arranged marriages kill people; given his current family circumstances, he could obviously find a pretty little beauty to spend a blissful life with—this request isn't too high; he didn't even think of taking three wives and four concubines, just wanted a decent-looking wife, to spend days under flowers and moon, talk of love, and live a plain life; but even this simple request has now become a luxury.

Thus: 【19】 The key to whether a person feels happiness lies in whether they have hope for tomorrow; Hu Xiaotian felt his life had suddenly lost hope, let alone happiness; arranged marriages kill people; given his current family circumstances, he could obviously find a pretty little beauty to spend a blissful life with—this request isn't too high; he didn't even think of taking three wives and four concubines, just wanted a decent-looking wife, to spend days under flowers and moon, talk of love, and live a plain life; but even this simple request has now become a luxury.

If he still has any attachment to his current family, it's the Hu family's status and wealth. Setting those aside, Hu Xiaotian really doesn't see any reason to stay. Being content as a second-generation official would at least guarantee he wouldn't have to struggle for a livelihood. But now he knows he'll lose some freedom, foremost the freedom of marriage. Should he run away and rebuild his hard‑earned life, or accept the status quo, marry the Li family daughter as his parents arranged, and live a carefree life of comfort? This is a real dilemma for Hu Xiaotian. He wants freedom, yet he's reluctant to give up the lifestyle of having clothes handed to him and food brought to him—quite contradictory.

Translate: If there's still some attachment to his current family, it's the Hu family's status and wealth; setting those aside, Hu Xiaotian truly doesn't know what reason he has to stay here. Content to be a second-generation official, at least he can guarantee he won't have to struggle for a livelihood his whole life, not have to strive for survival; but looking at it now, he will surely lose part of his freedom, foremost among them the freedom of marriage. Should he just leave, re-plan his hard-earned life, or stay as is, follow his parents' arrangement, marry the Li family daughter, and live a carefree life of comfort? For Hu Xiaotian, this is quite a contradictory problem. Wanting freedom, yet a bit reluctant to give up this ** life of having clothes handed to him and food brought to his mouth—it's truly contradictory.

We need to keep the asterisks "**". So: "... this kind of ** life of having clothes handed to him and food brought to his mouth—it's truly contradictory."

Thus: 【20】 If there's still some attachment to his current family, it's the Hu family's status and wealth; setting those aside, Hu Xiaotian truly doesn't know what reason he has to stay here. Content to be a second-generation official, at least he can guarantee he won't have to struggle for a livelihood his whole life, not have to strive for survival; but looking at it now, he will surely lose part of his freedom, foremost among them the freedom of marriage. Should he just leave, re-plan his hard-earned life, or stay as is, follow his parents' arrangement, marry the Li family daughter, and live a carefree life of comfort? For Hu Xiaotian, this is quite a contradictory problem. Wanting freedom, yet a bit reluctant to give up this ** life of having clothes handed to him and food brought to his mouth—it's truly contradictory.

His mind alternately conjured the mysterious beauty of Huo Xiaoru, the heroic aura of the goddess‑like constable Murong Feiyan, and occasionally the fiery Tang Qinxuan, like a chili pepper. Hu Xiaotian lay in bed tossing and turning, growing more regretful: there are so many beautiful women in the world, why isn't any of them mine? Could it be that fate denied him this in this lifetime? No, he refuses to muddle through life aimlessly; his destiny should be in his own hands.

Translate: In his mind, the mysterious beauty Huo Xiaoru would appear from time to time, and then the heroic goddess-catcher Murong Feiyan would come to mind, and occasionally he'd think of Tang Qingxuan, as spicy as a little chili; Hu Xiaotian lay in bed tossing and turning, unable to sleep, the more he thought, the more regretful he felt; there are so many beauties in the world, why isn't any of them mine? Could it be that I, old man, lack that fate in this lifetime? No, I absolutely cannot muddle through life in a daze; my fate in this lifetime should be grasped by myself.

Thus: 【21】 In his mind, the mysterious beauty Huo Xiaoru would appear from time to time, and then the heroic goddess-catcher Murong Feiyan would come to mind, and occasionally he'd think of Tang Qingxuan, as spicy as a little chili; Hu Xiaotian lay in bed tossing and turning, unable to sleep, the more he thought, the more regretful he felt; there are so many beauties in the world, why isn't any of them mine? Could it be that I, old man, lack that fate in this lifetime? No, I absolutely cannot muddle through life in a daze; my fate in this lifetime should be grasped by myself.

Late at night, with all quiet, just as Hu Xiaotian lay in bed unable to sleep and began to make a resolution, he suddenly heard a faint tile sound from the eaves. He startled, sitting up abruptly. After the noise faded and all was quiet for a while, just as he was about to lie down again to sleep, the sound rang out once more.

Translate: Late at night, all was quiet, just as Hu Xiaotian lay in bed tossing and turning, beginning to resolve, he suddenly heard a light sound of a tile on the eaves. Hu Xiaotian's heart startled, he sprang up from the bed. After the sound, it subsided for a while, with no movement; just as Hu Xiaotian was about to lie back down to sleep, the sound rang out again.

Thus: 【22】 Late at night, all was quiet, just as Hu Xiaotian lay in bed tossing and turning, beginning to resolve, he suddenly heard a light sound of a tile on the eaves. Hu Xiaotian's heart startled, he sprang up from the bed. After the sound, it subsided for a while, with no movement; just as Hu Xiaotian was about to lie back down to sleep, the sound rang out again.

Hu Xiaotian silently thought, "Oh no." At such a time, any movement on the roof could only be a stray cat or a flying thief. He felt for a dagger under his pillow, then crept out of bed silently. It was already midnight, a fine drizzle falling outside—such a night shouldn't have anyone out and about. He listened intently, but heard no cat calls after a long while.

Translate: Hu Xiaotian secretly thought, "Not good"; at such a time, movement on the roof means either a wild cat or a flying thief. He felt under his pillow for a dagger, then tiptoed out of bed. It was already midnight, fine rain drifting outside; such a night shouldn't have anyone out and about. Hu Xiaotian listened intently, but after a long while he heard no wild cat's cry.

Thus: 【23】 Hu Xiaotian secretly thought, "Not good"; at such a time, movement on the roof means either a wild cat or a flying thief. He felt under his pillow for a dagger, then tiptoed out of bed. It was already midnight, fine rain drifting outside; such a night shouldn't have anyone out and about. Hu Xiaotian listened intently, but after a long while he heard no wild cat's cry.

After a moment, the north window made a noise; he saw the paper pierced and a thin bamboo tube thrust inside. Hu Xiaotian crouched, pressing himself against the wall near the window, and saw a wisp of light smoke drifting out of the tube.

Translate: After a while, the northern window made a sound; seeing the window paper pierced, a thin bamboo tube protruded from it. Hu Xiaotian lowered his body, pressed against the wall and approached the window, seeing a wisp of light smoke drifting from within the bamboo tube.

Thus: 【24】 After a while, the northern window made a sound; seeing the window paper pierced, a thin bamboo tube protruded from it. Hu Xiaotian lowered his body, pressed against the wall and approached the window, seeing a wisp of light smoke drifting from within the bamboo tube.

Hu Xiaotian held his breath, knowing the tube must be spraying some kind of incapacitating smoke. He rushed to the window, suddenly thrust his hand forward, and slapped the tube's opening hard, as if he wanted to smash the intruder's throat with the blow.

Translate: Hu Xiaotian held his breath, knowing that whatever sprayed from the bamboo tube must be some kind of incapacitating smoke; he came to the window, suddenly reached out, aimed at the tube's nozzle and slapped it hard, as if he wanted to slap the opponent's throat open with one blow.

Thus: 【25】 Hu Xiaotian held his breath, knowing that whatever sprayed from the bamboo tube must be some kind of incapacitating smoke; he came to the window, suddenly reached out, aimed at the tube's nozzle and slapped it hard, as if he wanted to slap the opponent's throat open with one blow.

A wail came from outside; the intruder clearly hadn't expected his actions to have been discovered by Hu Xiaotian. The slap landed squarely and hard, and—taking the intruder by surprise—the bamboo tube was driven straight into his throat. He stumbled back several steps, clutching his throat in agony.

Translate: A miserable cry came from outside the window; the intruder obviously hadn't expected his actions to have already been discovered by Hu Xiaotian; that slap landed accurately and fiercely, and moreover, given the intruder's lack of preparation, a bamboo tube was slapped straight into his throat; the man clutched his throat, stepping back several paces, in agony.

Thus: 【26】 A miserable cry came from outside the window; the intruder obviously hadn't expected his actions to have already been discovered by Hu Xiaotian; that slap landed accurately and fiercely, and moreover, given the intruder's lack of preparation, a bamboo tube was slapped straight into his throat; the man clutched his throat, stepping back several paces, in agony.

Having succeeded in his sneak attack, Hu Xiaotian immediately shouted, "Catch the thief!"

Translate: Hu Xiaotian's sneak attack succeeded, and he immediately shouted, "Catch the thief!"

Thus: 【27】 Hu Xiaotian's sneak attack succeeded, and he immediately shouted, "Catch the thief!"

The Hu mansion already had night‑patrolling guards; Liang Da­zhuang and six other household servants lived in the side rooms flanking Hu Xiaotian's chamber, personally protecting him. His shout instantly roused the guards; Li Jin­hao and Shao Yijiao were the first to rush out of their rooms, seeing two figures outside Hu Xiaotian's door, one of them bowing and covering his mouth in pain—exactly the man whose throat Hu Xiaotian had struck with the bamboo tube.

Translate: Within the Hu mansion there were originally guards patrolling day and night; Liang Da Zhuang and six other household servants lived in the side rooms flanking Hu Xiaotian's room, personally guarding his safety. Hu Xiaotian's shout immediately startled the guards; Li Jin Hao and Shao Yijiao were the first two to rush out of the rooms, seeing two figures outside Hu Xiaotian's door, one of them bowing and covering his mouth, crying out in pain—the very one whom Hu Xiaotian had slapped the bamboo tube into his throat.

Thus: 【28】 Within the Hu mansion there were originally guards patrolling day and night; Liang Da Zhuang and six other household servants lived in the side rooms flanking Hu Xiaotian's room, personally guarding his safety. Hu Xiaotian's shout immediately startled the guards; Li Jin Hao and Shao Yijiao were the first two to rush out of the rooms, seeing two figures outside Hu Xiaotian's door, one of them bowing and covering his mouth, crying out in pain—the very one whom Hu Xiaotian had slapped the bamboo tube into his throat.

Li Jin­hao roared, "Where do you think you're going, thief?" He drew his waist‑blade and lunged forward with a sudden step; the black‑clad man on the left flicked his wrist, sending a flash of cold light toward Li Jin­hao's forehead.

Translate: Li Jin Hao roared, "Where are you going, thief?" He drew his waist knife, leapt forward with a sudden burst, and the black-clad man on the left flung his hand, a cold light shooting toward Li Jin Hao's forehead.

Thus: 【29】 Li Jin Hao roared, "Where are you going, thief?" He drew his waist knife, leapt forward with a sudden burst, and the black-clad man on the left flung his hand, a cold light shooting toward Li Jin Hao's forehead.

Li Jin­hao swung his waist‑blade and struck true, knocking the incoming flying dagger aside; it clattered off and flew at an angle into the grass.

Translate: Li Jin Hao swung his waist knife, cutting cleanly; the flying knife shot at him was knocked aside, flying diagonally into the grass.

Thus: 【30】 Li Jin Hao swung his waist knife, cutting cleanly; the flying knife shot at him was knocked aside, flying diagonally into the grass.

Liang Da­zhuang was the last to come out, but his voice is huge; as soon as he stepped outside he shouted, "Come on, everyone, catch the flying thieves!" His yell woke up everyone in the secretary's mansion.

Translate: Liang Da Zhuang was the last to come out, but this guy has a huge voice; as soon as he stepped out he shouted, "Come on, people, catch the flying thieves!" His shout instantly woke everyone in the minister's mansion.

Thus: 【31】 Liang Da Zhuang was the last to come out, but this guy has a huge voice; as soon as he stepped out he shouted, "Come on, people, catch the flying thieves!" His shout instantly woke everyone in the minister's mansion.

Hu Xiaotian peered through the window crack and saw that, by now, more than twenty household servants had rushed to the scene, surrounding the two flying thieves in the center; the thieves were trapped and fighting desperately.

Translate: Hu Xiaotian looked out through the window crack, only to see that by now more than twenty household servants had rushed to the scene upon hearing the news, surrounding the two flying thieves in the center; the two thieves were trapped in the midst, fighting desperately.

Thus: 【32】 Hu Xiaotian looked out through the window crack, only to see that by now more than twenty household servants had rushed to the scene upon hearing the news, surrounding the two flying thieves in the center; the two thieves were trapped in the midst, fighting desperately.

Seeing that the situation was fully under their control, Hu Xiaotian finally opened his door, brandished his sword, and charged out, declaring boldly: "How dare you thieves sneak into the Grand Preceptor's mansion at night—you must have a death wish!" He radiated imposing menace and domineering aura; with their side vastly outnumbering the foes, showing a bit of heroism was quite necessary.

Translate: Seeing that the situation was now completely under their control, Hu Xiaotian finally opened the door, brandished his knife and charged out, shouting valiantly, "Bold ruffians, daring to sneak into the Minister's mansion at night—I see you don't want to live!" Truly exuding a fierce and murderous aura, with domineering presence spilling over; given that our side already had a numerical advantage, showing off a bit of heroism was quite necessary.

Thus: 【33】 Seeing that the situation was now completely under their control, Hu Xiaotian finally opened the door, brandished his knife and charged out, shouting valiantly, "Bold ruffians, daring to sneak into the Minister's mansion at night—I see you don't want to live!" Truly exuding a fierce and murderous aura, with domineering presence spilling over; given that our side already had a numerical advantage, showing off a bit of heroism was quite necessary.

Liang Da­zhuang, gripping a large blade, was the first to reach Hu Xiaotian's side; his big, sturdy body stepped in front of him, holding his sword horizontally, exuding the aura of "one man holding the pass against ten thousand." He bellowed, "I, Liang Da­zhuang, am here—who dares move my young master?" If not now to show his loyalty, when would he?

Translate: Liang Da Zhuang grasped a large blade and immediately rushed to Hu Xiaotian's side; his tall, sturdy body blocked Hu Xiaotian in front, his large blade held horizontally, posing as one man holding the gate against ten thousand; he roared, "I, Liang Da Zhuang, am here—who dares to move my young master?" At this moment, if not to display his loyal devotion, when else would he?

Thus: 【34】 Liang Da Zhuang grasped a large blade and immediately rushed to Hu Xiaotian's side; his tall, sturdy body blocked Hu Xiaotian in front, his large blade held horizontally, posing as one man holding the gate against ten thousand; he roared, "I, Liang Da Zhuang, am here—who dares to move my young master?" At this moment, if not to display his loyal devotion, when else would he?

Hu Xiaotian was so angry he almost kicked the guy away, thinking, "Do I need you to protect me? Don't show off at the wrong time!" He patted the man's shoulder and said, "Move aside, move aside! You're blocking my view again!"

Translate: Hu Xiaotian was so angry he almost kicked the guy away, "Old man, I need you to protect me? You don't even pick the right time to show off." Hu Xiaotian patted the guy's shoulder, saying, "Make way, make way! You're blocking my shot again!"

Thus: 【35】 Hu Xiaotian was so angry he almost kicked the guy away, "Old man, I need you to protect me? You don't even pick the right time to show off." Hu Xiaotian patted the guy's shoulder, saying, "Make way, make way! You're blocking my shot again!"

Liang Da­zhuang hastily darted behind him, muttering that this guy never learns; this sort of rookie mistake isn't his first, and he always confuses priorities—how could a lowly servant dare to steal the young master's spotlight?

Translate: Liang Da Zhuang hurriedly darted behind him; to say this guy also never learns, this low-level mistake isn't the first time he's made it; he always can't tell priorities—how could the young master's limelight be something a lowly servant like him could just snatch?

Thus: 【36】 Liang Da Zhuang hurriedly darted behind him; to say this guy also never learns, this low-level mistake isn't the first time he's made it; he always can't tell priorities—how could the young master's limelight be something a lowly servant like him could just snatch?

Hu Xiaotian gripped his dagger and turned away again.

Translate: Hu Xiaotian gripped his dagger and turned around again.

Thus: 【37】 Hu Xiaotian gripped his dagger and turned around again.

Liang Da­zhuang quickly forced a smile, thinking, "Standing behind you is fine; I'm not blocking your view."

Translate: Liang Da Zhuang hurriedly smiled, thinking, "Standing behind you is fine; I'm not blocking your shot!"

Thus: 【38】 Liang Da Zhuang hurriedly smiled, thinking, "Standing behind you is fine; I'm not blocking your shot!"

Hu Xiaotian was unhappy again: "Who's protecting whom, exactly?"

Translate: Hu Xiaotian was unhappy again: "Exactly who is protecting whom here?"

Thus: 【39】 Hu Xiaotian was unhappy again: "Exactly who is protecting whom here?"

Liang Da­zhuang felt like crying; this young master is impossible to serve—left or right, front or back, nothing works; maybe he should just lie on the ground? Seeing the man flustered, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but snap, "You idiot, hurry up! Call all the guards and household troops; we must capture the thieves alive!"

Translate: Liang Da Zhuang felt like crying, "This young master is impossible to serve—left or right, neither works. Standing before or behind you is no good; do I just have to lie on the ground?" Seeing the man at a loss, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but scold, "You idiot, hurry up! Call all the household guards over; we must capture the flying thieves alive!"

Thus: 【40】 Liang Da Zhuang felt like crying, "This young master is impossible to serve—left or right, neither works. Standing before or behind you is no good; do I just have to lie on the ground?" Seeing the man at a loss, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but scold, "You idiot, hurry up! Call all the household guards over; we must capture the flying thieves alive!"

The commotion drew all the mansion's guards and household servants. Though the two flying thieves were skilled, they were outnumbered. Li Jin­hao spotted an opening and slashed one thief's arm; the thief's sword clanged to the ground, and several guards hooked him with polearms, subduing him. The other thief had already been stabbed in the throat by Hu Xiaotian; seeing his companion captured, he panicked, and in his frenzy both legs were pierced by spears, dropping him to the ground where the guards piled on and bound him.

Translate: The commotion here drew all the guards from the minister's mansion; although the two flying thieves had decent martial arts, they were outnumbered. Li Jin Hao spotted an opening and slashed one thief's arm; the thief's knife clanged to the ground, then several guards brought over hooking spears and subdued him. The other thief had his throat stabbed by Hu Xiaotian at the start; seeing his companion captured, he panicked, and in his flurry both legs were pierced by spears, he fell to the ground, and the guards swarmed over and bound him as well.

Thus: 【41】 The commotion here drew all the guards from the minister's mansion; although the two flying thieves had decent martial arts, they were outnumbered. Li Jin Hao spotted an opening and slashed one thief's arm; the thief's knife clanged to the ground, then several guards brought over hooking spears and subdued him. The other thief had his throat stabbed by Hu Xiaotian at the start; seeing his companion captured, he panicked, and in his flurry both legs were pierced by spears, he fell to the ground, and the guards swarmed over and bound him as well.

The courtyard was brightly lit; the two thieves lay bound like zongzi. Li Jin­hao removed the black cloth from their faces—both were in their twenties and decent‑looking. Hu Xiaotian stepped up to one, squatted, grabbed his topknot, and said, "Look at those thick brows and big eyes—you could pass for a respectable fellow; why become a thief?"

Translate: Inside the courtyard, lights were bright; the two flying thieves were bound like zongzi and lay on the ground. Li Jin Hao pulled off the black cloth covering their faces; both were about twenty-something, with decent looks. Hu Xiaotian walked up to one, squatted down, grabbed his hair bun, and said, "Look at your thick brows and big eyes—you actually look like a proper upstanding fellow; why become a thief?"

Thus: 【42】 Inside the courtyard, lights were bright; the two flying thieves were bound like zongzi and lay on the ground. Li Jin Hao pulled off the black cloth covering their faces; both were about twenty-something, with decent looks. Hu Xiaotian walked up to one, squatted down, grabbed his hair bun, and said, "Look at your thick brows and big eyes—you actually look like a proper upstanding fellow; why become a thief?"

The flying thief was exactly the one whose throat he had pierced with a bamboo tube, pale-faced and clean-shaven, looking at Hu Xiaotian, his eyes showing fear. Another was tougher, bearded all over his face, and shouted: "If you're going to kill, then kill; if I furrow my brow even a little, I'm not a hero."