Chapter 299

line: all English.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian turned around and saw Fan Zongxi, wearing a black cloak, walking toward him. He patted the gray horse's head, turned and went to meet him, smiling, "Then I thank Eunuch Fan for his kindness."

Check note (English).

We must keep the quote marks? Probably keep as is but in English we can use quotation marks. The source uses Chinese quotes 「」. We'll replace with English quotes.

Thus: Hu Xiaotian turned around and saw Fan Zongxi, wearing a black cloak, walking toward him. He patted the gray horse's head, turned and went to meet him, smiling, "Then I thank Eunuch Fan for his kindness."

Make sure it's one line.

Fan Zongxi came up beside Hu Xiaotian and stood shoulder to shoulder with him. That night the wind at the ranch was strong, blowing his cloak like a banner fluttering, making a rustling sound in the darkness. Fan Zongxi said, "The people you mentioned are likely the Sky Wing Warriors; they once belonged to the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau."

Translation: Fan Zongxi came to Hu Xiaotian's side and stood shoulder to shoulder with him. At night, the wind at the ranch was strong, blowing his cloak like a banner, making a rustling sound in the darkness. Fan Zongxi said, "The people you mentioned should be the Winged Warriors, who once belonged to the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau."

Check note.

Hu Xiaotian said, "The Heavenly Mechanism Bureau? How dare they act against the princess?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "The Heavenly Mechanism Bureau? How dare they act against the princess?"

Fan Zongxi said, "The Heavenly Mechanism Bureau consists of three divisions: the Formation Division, skilled at setting up formations; the Beast Taming Division, adept at commanding birds and beasts; and the Mechanism Division, expert in crafting all kinds of mechanical devices. After the emperor ascended the throne, the bureau split internally; some members fled in fear of punishment for their involvement in the past assassination of the emperor, so the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau is no longer as glorious as before."

Translation: Fan Zongxi said, "The Heavenly Mechanism Bureau has three divisions: the Formation Chart Division, skilled in setting formations; the Beast Taming Division, skilled in driving birds and beasts; and the Mechanism Division, skilled in making various mechanical devices. After the emperor ascended the throne, the bureau split internally; some members fled to avoid punishment for their involvement in the past assassination of the emperor, so the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau is no longer as glorious as before."

Check note.

Hu Xiaotian nodded. On his way escorting the little princess to Xiezhou, he encountered ambushes by beast tamers along the road; those attackers must belong to the Beast Taming Division. It seems the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau was truly formidable before its split.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded. On his way escorting the little princess to Xiezhou, he encountered ambushes by beast tamers along the road; those people must belong to the Beast Taming Division. It seems the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau was truly formidable before its split.

Check note.

Fan Zongxi said, "I have already reported this matter to the Third Prince; tomorrow I will meet Commander Ji and explain the details to him."

Translation: Fan Zongxi said, "I have already reported this to the Third Prince. Tomorrow I will meet Commander Ji and explain the details to him."

Check note.

Hu Xiaotian felt a sudden warning; the Commander Ji mentioned by Fan Zongxi was clearly Ji Feihua. Could Fan Zongxi be from Ji Feihua's faction? If so, he would need to keep a proper distance in the future. Hu Xiaotian deliberately sighed and said, "If the little princess hadn't forced me to race her, today's incident might not have happened."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian felt a sudden warning; the Commander Ji mentioned by Fan Zongxi was clearly Ji Feihua. Could Fan Zongxi be from Ji Feihua's faction? If so, he would need to keep a proper distance in the future. Hu Xiaotian deliberately sighed, "If it weren't for the little princess forcing me to race her, today's incident might not have happened."

Check note.

Fan Zongxi said, "The rainstorm came suddenly; by the time we went to look for you, you three had already disappeared. We followed the trail to the gap and found horse hoof prints leading out of the ranch."

Translation: Fan Zongxi said, "The rainstorm came suddenly. When we went to look for you, you three were already gone. We tracked you to the gap, where we found horse hoof prints leading out of the ranch."

Check note.

Hu Xiaotian said, "It's all my fault for being careless, which frightened Princess Anping."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "It's all my fault for being careless, which frightened Princess Anping."

Fan Zongxi smiled lightly and said, "Don't blame yourself. Princess Anping has already made it clear that she forced you to look for the little princess, so you bear no responsibility for this."

Translation: Fan Zongxi smiled lightly, "You needn't blame yourself. Princess Anping has already made it clear that she forced you to look for the little princess, so you bear no responsibility for this."

Hu Xiaotian said, "At that moment the little princess's mount was startled, and Princess Anping, worried for her safety, asked me to do that."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "At that moment, the little princess's mount was startled, and Princess Anping, worried for her safety, asked me to do that."

Fan Zongxi said, "The little princess's mount was frightened, but it never entered the valley. Instead, it went around the outside of the valley to the southeast of the ranch; fortunately she encountered no danger." After a pause he added quietly, "Actually, that big tree was knocked down by people."

Translation: Fan Zongxi said, "The little princess's mount was frightened, but it didn't enter the valley. Instead, it went around outside the valley to the southeast of the ranch; fortunately she encountered no danger." He paused, then lowered his voice, "Actually, that big tree was knocked down by people."

Check note.

Hu Xiaotian's heart jolted, and he gave Fan Zongxi a surprised glance.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian's heart jolted, and he gave Fan Zongxi a surprised look.

Fan Zongxi said, "The gap is exactly the blind spot of the ranch's perimeter. With the strong wind and rain, someone tried to take the opportunity to enter the ranch. They must have seen you and Princess Anping leaving before they could get in, so they followed your footsteps all the way to the Sunken Void Valley."

Translation: Fan Zongxi said, "The gap is exactly the blind spot of the ranch's perimeter. At that time, with strong wind and rain, someone tried to sneak into the ranch. They must have seen you and Princess Anping leaving the ranch before they could enter, so they followed your footsteps all the way to the Sunken Void Valley."

Check note.

Only then did Hu Xiaotian learn that the place where they had encountered danger today was called the Sunken Void Valley.

Translation: Only then did Hu Xiaotian learn that the place where they encountered danger today was called the Sunken Void Valley.

Fan Zongxi shook his head and said, "Fortunately everyone is unharmed; it was just a false alarm. If anything had happened to Princess Anping, we would all deserve to die a thousand times over."

Translation: Fan Zongxi shook his head and said, "Fortunately, nothing happened to anyone; it was just a false alarm. If anything had happened to Princess Anping, we would surely die a thousand deaths and still not be able to atone."

Hu Xiaotian apologetically said, "I am useless; I have frightened Eunuch Fan."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian apologetically said, "I am useless, I have startled Eunuch Fan."

Fan Zongxi reached out and patted his shoulder, saying, "I should be thanking you. If you hadn't risked your life to protect Princess Anping, I would now be a criminal of the Dakang dynasty. I will keep this in mind, but you must never forget what you just promised me."

Translation: Fan Zongxi reached out and patted his shoulder, saying, "I should be thanking you. If it weren't for you risking your life to protect Princess Anping, I would now be a criminal of Dakang. I will keep this in mind, but you must never forget what you just promised me."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Rest assured, Eunuch Fan, I will never mention this to anyone else."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "Eunuch Fan, rest assured, I will never mention this to anyone else."

Not mentioning it would be strange; Hu Xiaotian didn't think he needed to keep it secret for Fan Zongxi. The next day he left the Red Mountain Ranch. He did not choose to go with Fan Zongxi, but rode the big-eared gray horse Fan Zongxi had given him straight to the Hall of Jadeite. He had originally planned to go out of the palace this morning to shop, but yesterday's accident kept him at the Red Mountain Pasture all night. In fact, shopping was merely a pretense; more importantly, he had arranged to meet Quan De'an in the morning.

Translation: Not mentioning it would be strange; Hu Xiaotian didn't think he needed to keep it secret for Fan Zongxi. The next day he left the Red Mountain Ranch. He did not choose to go with Fan Zongxi, but rode the big-eared gray horse Fan Zongxi had given him straight to the Hall of Jadeite. He had originally planned to go out of the palace this morning to shop, but yesterday's accident kept him at the Red Mountain Pasture all night. In fact, shopping was merely a pretense; more importantly, he had arranged to meet Quan De'an in the morning.

Check note.

To make meeting easier and to avoid suspicion, Quan De'an set their meeting place at the Four Seasons Dry Goods Store near the Hall of Jadeite. Hu Xiaotian went in and out under the pretense of shopping, which was also convenient.

Translation: To make meeting him easier and to avoid suspicion, Quan De'an set their meeting place at the Four Seasons Dry Goods Store near the Hall of Jadeite. Hu Xiaotian went in and out under the pretense of shopping, which made things more convenient.

Before the meeting, Hu Xiaotian first went to the Hall of Jadeite, where Xiao Deng had already arrived. Hu Xiaotian had not returned home all night. Although he had greeted Liu Gonggong in advance, many people still worried about him. Seeing Hu Xiaotian, Xiao Deng sighed in relief and said, "Lord Hu, when I left the palace earlier, Liu Gonggong specifically instructed me to tell you to finish your business and return promptly."

Translation: Before the meeting, Hu Xiaotian first went to the Hall of Jadeite. Xiao Deng had already arrived there; Hu Xiaotian had not returned home all night. Although he had greeted Eunuch Liu in advance, many people still worried about him. Seeing Hu Xiaotian, Xiao Deng sighed in relief, "Eunuch Hu, just now when I left the palace, Eunuch Liu specifically instructed me to tell you to finish your business and return quickly."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "Understood."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "Understood."

The matter was actually already settled; Hu Xiaotian asked Cao Qian Shan to help find a place to temporarily board his gray horse, since he now resides permanently in the palace and cannot bring the horse in and out. Cao Qian Shan was naturally eager to help Hu Xiaotian, but seeing this horse that looked exactly like a mule, he wondered why Hu Xiaotian would use such a poor mount. If he asked, Cao Qian Shan would gladly give him a fine steed.

Translation: The matter was actually already settled; Hu Xiaotian asked Cao Qian Shan to help find a place to temporarily board his gray horse, since he now resides permanently in the palace and cannot bring the horse in and out. Cao Qian Shan was naturally eager to help Hu Xiaotian, but seeing this horse that looked exactly like a mule, he wondered why Hu Xiaotian would use such a poor mount. If he asked, Cao Qian Shan would gladly give him a fine steed.

Check note.

After finishing his business, Hu Xiaotian went alone to the Four Seasons Dry Goods Store, where the shopkeeper led him directly to the back courtyard.

Translation: After finishing the matter, Hu Xiaotian alone went to the Four Seasons Dry Goods Store, and under the shopkeeper's guidance went straight to the backyard.

Quan De'an sat alone under the ginkgo tree as the autumn breeze blew, sending golden ginkgo leaves fluttering down like a sky full of butterflies.

Translation: Quan De'an sat alone under the ginkgo tree; the autumn wind blew, and golden leaves fell softly, like countless butterflies fluttering in the sky.

Hu Xiaotian approached Quan De'an with a smiling face and said respectfully, "May you be blessed, Eunuch Quan!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian approached with a smile, bowed respectfully to Quan De'an, and said, "Eunuch Quan, auspicious greetings!"

Quan De'an's gaze remained fixed on the drifting yellow leaves in the air, murmuring, "Autumn has arrived..."

Translation: Quan De'an's gaze remained fixed on the drifting yellow in the void, murmuring, "Autumn has come……"

Hu Xiaotian secretly amused, wondering if this old eunuch was also moved by the scene—perhaps lacking something, he had become sentimental. He replied, "Autumn has come; winter is not far away."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian secretly amused, thinking, "Could this old eunuch also be moved by the scene? Perhaps lacking something, his temperament has become sentimental." He replied, "Autumn has come; winter is not far away."

Check note.

Quan De'an's deep eyes finally settled on his face; the wrinkled visage showed extreme indifference, making Hu Xiaotian feel a bit uneasy inside, his head drooping as he gave a dry cough and asked, "Eunuch Quan, what are your orders?"

Translation: Quan De'an's deep eyes finally settled on his face; his wrinkled visage showed extreme indifference, making Hu Xiaotian feel a bit insecure, his head drooping as he gave a dry cough twice and said, "Eunuch Quan, what are your orders?"

Quan De'an asked, "Did you go to the Red Mountain Ranch last night?"

Translation: Quan De'an asked, "Did you go to the Red Mountain Ranch last night?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded. Fu Gui was at the Imperial Horse Directorate; that little one must be another pawn Quan De'an placed in the palace. Naturally, his trip to the Red Mountain Ranch yesterday could not escape his notice. Hu Xiaotian said, "I originally went to the Imperial Horse Directorate to express thanks; Junior Superintendent Fan invited me to tour the Red Mountain Ranch, and I followed out of curiosity, never expecting to run into the Third Prince, the little princess, and Princess Anping there." Knowing these things could not be hidden from Quan De'an, he frankly confessed.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded. Fu Gui was at the Imperial Horse Directorate; that little one must be another pawn Quan De'an placed in the palace. Naturally, his trip to the Red Mountain Ranch yesterday could not escape his notice. Hu Xiaotian said, "I originally went to the Imperial Horse Directorate to express thanks; Junior Superintendent Fan invited me to tour the Red Mountain Ranch, and I followed out of curiosity, never expecting to run into the Third Prince, the little princess, and Princess Anping there." Knowing these things could not be hidden from Quan De'an, he frankly confessed.

Check note.

Quan De'an said, "Qiqi is just playful by nature; come to think of it, I haven't seen her in a few days."

Translation: Quan De'an said, "Qiqi is just playful; come to think of it, I haven't seen the Zajia people in a few days."

Hu Xiaotian quietly observed Quan De'an's expression, seeing nothing unusual; apparently he was unaware of what happened yesterday at the Red Mountain Ranch. He sighed and said, "As for that little princess, she really is careless."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian quietly observed Quan De'an's expression, seeing nothing unusual; he must have been unaware of yesterday's incident at the Red Mountain Ranch. He sighed, "As for that little princess, she really is careless."

Quan De'an caught the implication in Hu Xiaotian's words, narrowed his eyes, and asked, "Is she giving you trouble again?"

Translation: Quan De'an caught the implication in Hu Xiaotian's words, narrowed his eyes, and asked, "Is she giving you trouble again?"

"Not at all," Hu Xiaotian replied, then recounted to Quan De'an in full detail what had happened yesterday at the Red Mountain Ranch. The matter of Fan Zongxi's confidentiality request had long been set aside; he needed to earn Quan De'an's trust, for he wanted to survive in the palace and still rely on Quan De'an, so he must not let the senior eunuch suspect him.

Translation: "Not at all." Hu Xiaotian then recounted to Quan De'an in full detail what had happened yesterday at the Red Mountain Ranch. As for Fan Zongxi's instruction to keep it secret, he had already set it aside; he needed to earn Quan De'an's trust, for he wanted to survive in the palace and still rely on Quan De'an, so he must not let the senior eunuch suspect him.

Check note.

After listening, Quan De'an's gaze grew even deeper: "You mean the people who attacked you had wings growing on their backs?"

Translation: After listening, Quan De'an's eyes grew even deeper: "You mean the people who attacked you had wings growing on their backs?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "They aren't real wings; they should be some kind of mechanical device. There are two pull rings on the front of the armor—pull them down and the two metal wings unfold. There should also be a device to adjust the wing angle, allowing him to glide through the air using those wings."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "Not real wings, but some kind of mechanical device; there are two pull rings on the front of the armor. Pull them down and the two metal wings unfold; there should also be a device to adjust the wing angle, allowing him to glide through the air using those wings."

Quan De'an nodded.

Translation: Quan De'an nodded.

Hu Xiaotian added, "Fan Zongxi said those people likely come from the Mechanism Division of the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian added, "Fan Zongxi said those people likely come from the Mechanism Division of the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau."

Quan De'an chuckled.

Translation: Quan De'an chuckled.

Hu Xiaotian didn't know why he was laughing, staring at him blankly.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian didn't know why he laughed, staring blankly at him.

After Quan De'an stopped laughing, he said, "There are countless artisans who understand mechanism craftsmanship; how could you conclude that the assassin belongs to the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau just from a pair of wings?"

Translation: After Quan De'an stopped laughing, he said, "There are countless artisans who understand mechanism making; how could you conclude the assassin belongs to the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau just from a pair of wings?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Please help me keep this quiet, sir; Fan Zongxi has repeatedly told me not to spread it abroad."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "Elder, please help me keep this secret; Fan Zongxi repeatedly instructed me not to divulge it."

Check note.

Translation: Quan De'an said, "Fan Zongxi's words may not be reliable. Have you considered why he suddenly invited you to the Red Mountain Ranch? Could he really have been completely unaware that the Third Prince and his group were going to the ranch? Why did the ranch's fence happen to be destroyed at that very moment?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "I also find it strange; could you be suspecting that he orchestrated these events behind the scenes?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "I also find it strange; do you suspect these events were orchestrated by him behind the scenes?"

Quan De'an said, "Fan Zongxi is very close to Ji Feihua, a man with wolfish ambition; anyone who gets too close to him is never a good person."

Translation: Quan De'an said, "Fan Zongxi and Ji Feihua are thick as thieves; Ji Feihua harbors wolfish ambitions, and anyone who gets too close to him is surely no good."

Hu Xiaotian deliberately said, "I've heard that the emperor is also quite close to him."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian deliberately said, "I've heard the emperor is also quite close to him."

Upon hearing this, Quan De'an's face darkened and he snapped, "Bold! How dare you insult the emperor!"

Translation: Upon hearing this, Quan De'an's face darkened and he snapped, "Bold! How dare you insult the emperor!"

Hu Xiaotian hastily lowered his head, though he didn't really believe it; if Ji Feihua and Long Yelin hadn't been so close, you, Quan De'an, wouldn't have lost favor. Having let me infiltrate the palace, your purpose is now clear: you intend to use me to deal with Ji Feihua.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian hurriedly lowered his head, though he didn't really believe it; if it weren't for Ji Feihua and Long Yelin being so close, you, Quan De'an, wouldn't have lost favor. The purpose of letting me sneak into the palace is now clear: you intend to use me to deal with Ji Feihua.

Quan De'an asked, "What are you thinking about right now?"

Translation: Quan De'an asked, "What are you thinking right now?"

Hu Xiaotian replied, "I'm not thinking of anything in particular; I've just heard some rumors and don't know whether I should tell you."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "Nothing in particular; I've just heard some rumors and don't know whether I should tell you."

Quan De'an silently cursed this sly fellow, shook his head, and said, "Since it's just idle gossip, there's no need to mention it; I have no interest in hearing such baseless speculation."

Translation: Quan De'an silently cursed this sly fellow, shook his head, and said, "Since it's all just rumors, there's no need to speak; the Zajia couldn't care less about such groundless talk."

Hu Xiaotian said, "I've heard that Ji Feihua was raised by you yourself?" This fellow specializes in picking at Quan De'an's sore spots.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "I've heard Ji Feihua was raised by you yourself?" This fellow specializes in picking at Quan De'an's sore spots to stab him.

Quan De'an narrowed his eyes at Hu Xiaotian, guessing the intent behind his words.

Translation: Quan De'an narrowed his eyes at Hu Xiaotian, guessing the intent behind his words.

Hu Xiaotian said, "I've heard that Ji Feihua was raised by you yourself?" This fellow specializes in picking at Quan De'an's sore spots.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "I've heard Ji Feihua was raised by you yourself?" This fellow specializes in picking at Quan De'an's sore spots to stab him.

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