Chapter 326

Hearing the mournful cry of a crow nearby, Shi Xuedong shrank his neck, then forcefully sniffed his nose. The desolate, bleak surroundings made him feel a chill down his spine, and he whispered, 'Brother, I don't know if we'll end up buried here in the future.'

Hearing the mournful cry of a crow nearby, Shi Xuedong shrank his neck, then forcefully sniffed his nose. The desolate, bleak surroundings made him feel a chill down his spine, and he whispered, "Brother, I don't know if we'll end up buried here in the future."

Hu Xiaotian lifted his head and looked at the pale sun in the sky, a dull white disc hanging in the overcast heavens, devoid of any warmth. He whispered softly, 'Those who kill and set fires wear golden belts, while those who build bridges and repair roads gain nothing.' The harsh reality once again proves that good people don't live long, while evil leaves a legacy for ten thousand years.

Shi Xuedong sighed beside him and said, 'Not entirely; bad people don't get good endings either. Now, thinking back, if I had accumulated more hidden virtue back then, I wouldn't have been sent into the palace and got snipped, becoming a eunuch…' He didn't finish when the distant crows cawed again. Shi Xuedong instinctively shrank his neck and said, 'Let's go; this place is creepy.'

Shi Xuedong sighed beside him and said, 'Not entirely; bad people don't get good endings either. Now, thinking back, if I had accumulated more hidden virtue back then, I wouldn't have been sent into the palace and had my—' He didn't finish when the distant crows cawed again. Shi Xuedong instinctively shrank his neck and said, 'Let's go; this place is creepy.'

Just returned to the Office of Imperial Gardens, he saw a group of eunuchs cheerfully coming to greet him, bowing from afar and saying, 'Congratulations, Lord Hu! Congratulations, Lord Hu!'

Hu Xiaotian found this bunch of people rather puzzling, furrowed his brow and asked, 'What's there to celebrate?'

Among the crowd, Xiao Dengzi, leaning on his cane and limping, stepped forward and said, 'Congratulations, Lord Hu; I just received an oral decree from above: Lord Hu will henceforth be the Deputy Director of the Office of Imperial Gardens.' A bunch of eunuchs gathered around Hu Xiaotian, chattering eagerly, afraid to be late in flattering him.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian found the group's behavior puzzling, furrowed his brow, and asked, 'What's there to celebrate?'" Keep.

Shi Xuedong and Xiao Zhuozi, along with the other attendants, were overjoyed; they had constantly worried that after Liu Yuzhang's death, superiors would send someone else to manage the Office of Imperial Gardens, which would surely deprive them of their current comfort and possibly bring retaliation. Unexpectedly, after Liu Yuzhang's death, Hu Xiaotian actually received heavy responsibility. Though there are many senior officials of higher rank in the Office of Imperial Gardens, during Liu Yuzhang's lifetime no one enjoyed more trust than Hu Xiaotian, nor was anyone granted greater authority. Now that Hu Xiaotian has been promoted, it means the Office of Imperial Gardens' management will continue as before, without major changes.

Shi Xuedong had also been keeping a low profile lately. Upon hearing that Hu Xiaotian had again become a Deputy Director, he immediately straightened up and shouted, 'What's the noise? What are you all shouting about? Lord Hu has worked all day and needs proper rest—you all disperse, disperse.'

Xiao Zhuozi laughed, 'From now on you'll be Lord Hu.'

Translate: "Shi Xuedong, Xiao Zhuzi, and the other attendants were naturally overjoyed; they had constantly worried that after Liu Yuzhang's death, the superiors would send someone else to manage the Office of Imperial Gardens, which would surely deprive them of their current comfort and possibly bring reprisals. Unexpectedly, after Liu Yuzhang's death, Hu Xiaotian was given heavy responsibility. Although there are many senior officials of higher rank and longer tenure in the Office of Imperial Gardens, while Liu Yuzhang was alive, no one enjoyed more trust than Hu Xiaotian, nor was anyone granted greater authority. Now that Hu Xiaotian has been promoted, it means the Office of Imperial Gardens' administration will continue as before, without major changes." Keep.

'Exactly, Lord Hu, Lord Hu!' the eunuchs chorused, eager to flatter and fawn—such is the essence of a eunuch's duty.

Translate: "Shi Xuedong had also been keeping a low profile lately. Upon hearing that Hu Xiaotian had become Deputy Director again, he instantly straightened his back and shouted, 'What's the noise? What are you all shouting about? Lord Hu is tired after a day's work and needs proper rest—you all disperse, disperse!'" Keep.

Hu Xiaotian put on a stern face: 'Are you trying to trick me? What's this "Lord Hu"? Is a Deputy Director of the Office of Imperial Gardens considered an official? From now on just call me Lord Hu.'

Translate: "Xiao Zhuzi laughed, 'From now on you'll be Lord Hu.'" Keep.

'Yes. Lord Hu!'

Translate: "'Yes, Lord Hu, Lord Hu!' the eunuchs chorused, vying to agree; flattery and bootlicking are the eunuchs' essential duty." Keep.

At that moment, the senior eunuch Rong Baoxing arrived—this was the same fellow who had previously extorted a fake black tiger penis from the Office of Imperial Gardens. Hu Xiaotian hurried over to meet him; Rong Baoxing is the emperor's personal attendant, his status in the palace is exalted, and every head of the twenty-four bureaus must give him some deference.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian put on a stern face: 'Are you trying to screw me over? What Lord Hu? Is the Deputy Director of the Office of Imperial Gardens considered an official? From now on, just call me Lord Hu.'" Keep.

Hu Xiaotian felt no particular fondness for Rong Baoxing; the murder of Liu Yuzhang surely involved him. If it weren't for Rong Baoxing leaking secrets, how would Ji Feihua have known that Liu Yuzhang had substituted the black tiger penis? Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, 'I didn't expect Lord Rong's arrival; please forgive my inadequate welcome.'

Translate: "'Yes, Lord Hu!'" Keep.

Rong Baoxing placed his spotless white whisk on his shoulder and chuckled, 'Lord Hu, you're young and capable; having taken over Lord Liu's post, from now on the Office of Imperial Gardens will be run as you say—truly cause for celebration.'

Translate: "At that moment, Senior Eunuch Rong Baoxing arrived—this was the same person who had previously come to the Office of Imperial Gardens to demand that fake Black Tiger Whip. Hu Xiaotian hurried over to meet him; Rong Baoxing is the Emperor's personal attendant eunuch, holding a lofty position in the palace, and the heads of all twenty-four government offices must give him some face." Keep.

'Lord Rong, you overpraise me; these are just rumors, not necessarily true, and I haven't even received the appointment yet.'

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian felt no fondness for Rong Baoxing; Liu Yuzhang's murder must be linked to him. If it weren't for Rong Baoxing leaking information, how would Ji Feihua have known that Liu Yuzhang had swapped the Black Tiger Whip? Hu Xiaotian smiled, 'I didn't know Lord Rong was coming; my poor welcome, please forgive me.'" Keep.

Rong Baoxing smiled and said, 'I heard it straight from Lord Ji himself before the emperor—how could it be wrong?' He stepped forward and took Hu Xiaotian's arm. In the past, with his stature, Rong Baoxing would never have given a petty eunuch like Hu Xiaotian a second thought, but now Hu Xiaotian has risen overnight; just a few months after entering the palace he's become the head of the Office of Imperial Gardens. Although this office isn't prominent among the twenty-four bureaus and its rank isn't high, it is nonetheless extremely lucrative. The palace's procurement of fruits and vegetables, the management of its gardens and orchards—all fall under his jurisdiction—indeed it's a fat posting. Throughout history, which keeper of the imperial seal's eunuch hasn't grown rich?

Translate: "Rong Baoxing placed his spotless white whisk on his shoulder and chuckled, 'Lord Hu, you're young and capable; having heard you've taken over Lord Liu's post, from now on the Office of Imperial Gardens will be yours to command—truly cause for celebration.'" Keep.

Rong Baoxing's courteous demeanor ultimately stems from his interest in the power Hu Xiaotian holds.

Translate: "'Lord Rong, you overpraise me; these are just outside rumors, possibly untrue, and I haven't actually received the appointment yet.'" Keep.

Hu Xiaotian wanted to invite Rong Baoxing to his room, but ever since Liu Yuzhang's death it has remained locked and untouched; the half-room he currently occupies is quite shabby, and receiving a senior eunuch of Rong Baoxing's stature feels somewhat beneath his dignity.

Translate: "Rong Baoxing smiled, 'The Zajia heard Lord Ji personally mention this before the Emperor—how could it be wrong?' He stepped forward and linked arms with Hu Xiaotian. In the past, given his status, Rong Baoxing would never have paid any attention to a lowly eunuch like Hu Xiaotian, but now Hu Xiaotian has risen overnight; just a few months after entering the palace, he became the head of the Office of Imperial Gardens. Although the Office of Imperial Gardens is inconspicuous among the twenty-four government offices and not upper-tier, it is an extremely lucrative post. The palace's procurement of vegetables and fruits, as well as its gardens and flowerbeds, all fall under his jurisdiction—indeed a fat berth. Throughout history, which seal-holding eunuch of the Directorate of Astronomy hasn't grown rich?" Keep.

Fortunately, Rong Baoxing had no intention of sitting in Hu Xiaotian's room; he smiled and said, 'I've come to the Office of Imperial Gardens on the emperor's orders to look for something.'

Translate: "Rong Baoxing's courtesy toward him ultimately stemmed from his desire for Hu Xiaotian's power." Keep.

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed, 'This wretched thing still isn't giving up—it was because of the black tiger penis affair that he framed Liu Yuzhang, and now, just after Liu Yuzhang's seventh-day memorial, he's come again demanding it.' Hu Xiaotian feigned ignorance and asked, 'Lord Rong, what are you looking for?'

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian wanted to invite Rong Baoxing to sit in his room, but since Liu Yuzhang's death, that room has been locked and untouched. The half-room he currently occupies is shabby, and receiving a high-ranking eunuch like Rong Baoxing would be somewhat beneath his dignity." Keep.

Rong Baoxing pulled him aside and whispered, 'Do you remember when I came before to ask Lord Liu for something?'

Translate: "Fortunately, Rong Baoxing had no intention of going to Hu Xiaotian's room; he smiled and said, 'The Zajia has come to the Office of Imperial Gardens by imperial order to look for something.'" Keep.

Hu Xiaotian pretended to ponder deeply, then after a moment seemed to realize and said, 'The whip!'

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian silently cursed, 'This damned thing still isn't giving up—it was because of the Black Tiger Whip that they framed Liu Yuzhang, and now, just after his seventh-day memorial, he's come again demanding it.' Hu Xiaotian asked, feigning ignorance, 'Lord Rong, what are you looking for?'" Keep.

Rong Baoxing covered his mouth, acting coy like a maiden, which made Hu Xiaotian feel nauseous to the point of almost vomiting.

Translate: "Rong Baoxing pulled him aside and whispered, 'Do you remember when the Zajia came last time to ask Lord Liu for something?'" Keep.

Rong Baoxing waved his hand and said with a beaming smile, 'Lord Hu, there's no need to be so explicit—it's just that thing.'

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian pretended to ponder deeply, then after a moment seemed to realize and said, 'The whip!'" Keep.

Hu Xiaotian lowered his voice: 'Lord Rong, didn't you take it away last time?'

Translate: "Rong Baoxing covered his mouth, acting coy like a maiden; Hu Xiaotian found it nauseating, almost making him vomit." Keep.

Rong Baoxing replied, 'I did take it away, but it's not the right one.' He pointed toward the medicine store and said, 'Let's talk as we walk.'

Translate: "Rong Baoxing waved his hand, beaming, 'Lord Hu, no need to be so explicit—it's that thing.'" Keep.

Hu Xiaotian and Rong Baoxing walked together toward the medicine store, and Rong Baoxing said, 'Lord Hu, as you now oversee the Office of Imperial Gardens, I'll have to rely on your continued support.'

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian lowered his voice, 'Lord Rong, didn't you take it away last time?'" Keep.

Hu Xiaotian put on a show of respectful apprehension, silently cursing Rong Baoxing's hypocrisy: 'You're a close attendant of the emperor, while I'm just a clerk in the Office of Imperial Gardens—why should I have to curry favor with you? You flaunt the emperor's authority, and every bureau chief must give you face.' Hu Xiaotian said, 'Actually, it's Lord Rong who should be looking out for me; if you ever need anything I can do, just let me know and I'll do my utmost.'

Translate: "Rong Baoxing said, 'I did take it away, but it's not the right one.' He pointed toward the medicine storehouse and said, 'Let's talk as we walk.'" Keep.

What Rong Baoxing wanted was exactly those words from Hu Xiaotian; he narrowed his small eyes, grinned widely, and, straining his voice, said, 'The whip…' Rong Baoxing was also rather lazy, unwilling to say more—he was after the black tiger penis. He saw that Hu Xiaotian was sharp, quick to grasp the point.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian and Rong Baoxing walked together toward the medicine storehouse; Rong Baoxing said, 'Lord Hu, as you now oversee the Office of Imperial Gardens, I'll have to rely on your continued support.'" Keep.

Although Hu Xiaotian understood the situation and kept his tone agreeable, when it came to actually handing things over he was far from forthcoming—the black tiger penis had been left to him by Liu Yuzhang, and it wasn't easy to just give it away, especially since Liu Yuzhang's death was connected to this very matter; Hu Xiaotian resented Rong Baoxing but couldn't act on it. He brought Rong Baoxing to the medicine store, to the section where animal penises are displayed. The place was a veritable cornucopia, where nearly anything one could imagine could be found.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian put on an appearance of humility and awe, while inwardly cursing Rong Baoxing's hypocrisy: 'You're a palace insider, yet I'm just a lowly administrator of the Office of Imperial Gardens, and you expect me to look after you? Flaunting the Emperor's banner, who among the twenty-four offices wouldn't give you face?' Hu Xiaotian said, 'It's Lord Rong who should be looking after me; if you ever need anything I can do, just speak up—I'll do my utmost.'" Keep.

Seeing that no one else had followed them, Rong Baoxing slowly said, 'Lord Hu, have you heard where the black tiger penis is stored?'

Translate: "What Rong Baoxing wanted was exactly that remark from Hu Xiaotian; he narrowed his small eyes, grinned widely, and, straining his voice, said, 'The whip…' Rong Baoxing was also rather lazy, unwilling to say more—he wanted the Black Tiger Whip. He saw that Hu Xiaotian was sharp, quick to grasp things." Keep.

Hu Xiaotian replied, 'Wasn't it the one Lord Liu handed over to you last time?'

Translate: "Although Hu Xiaotian understood in his heart and kept his words obedient, when it came to actually doing things he wasn't so forthcoming. The Black Tiger Whip had been left to him by Liu Yuzhang; it wasn't easy to just hand it over to Rong Baoxing, especially since Lord Liu's death this time was also connected to this matter—Hu Xiaotian hated Rong Baoxing to the point of being unable to wait. He brought Rong Baoxing to the medicine storehouse, to the section where animal whips are displayed. Here, it's a dazzling array; nearly anything one can think of can be found." Keep.

Rong Baoxing chuckled, 'The one Lord Liu gave me last time was fake.'

Translate: "Seeing that no one else had followed, Rong Baoxing drawled, 'Lord Hu, have you heard where the Black Tiger Whip is stored?'" Keep.

Hu Xiaotian exclaimed, 'There's a genuine and a counterfeit?'

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian replied, 'Wasn't it the one Lord Liu handed over to you last time?'" Keep.

Rong Baoxing said, 'You truly don't know where he put it?'

Translate: "Rong Baoxing chuckled, 'The one Lord Liu gave me last time was fake.'" Keep.

Hu Xiaotian pointed ahead and said, 'All the tiger penises are placed here, and after being air-dried they hardly differ in appearance; Lord Liu's departure was sudden, and he never gave any instructions, so how would I know which is the black tiger penis and which is the white tiger penis? Lord Rong, since you're so knowledgeable about this, you should be able to tell—why don't you pick one out?'

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian exclaimed, 'There's a real and a fake version?'" Keep.

'Uh… this…' Rong Baoxing's face showed difficulty; Hu Xiaotian had spoken true—these items, once air-dried, all look alike, and he lacks the ability to tell which is the black tiger penis.

Translate: "Rong Baoxing said, 'You truly don't know where he put it?'" Keep.

Seeing his expression, Hu Xiaotian secretly amused, decided to go the extra mile with the favor and whispered, 'How about this: I'll have someone bundle up all the tiger penises here and send them to you; you can take your time sorting through them, and if the black tiger penis is among them, you won't miss it.'

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian pointed ahead and said, 'All the tiger whips are placed here, and after being wind-dried they hardly differ in appearance. Lord Liu's departure was sudden, and he never gave instructions, so how would I know which is the black tiger whip and which the white tiger whip? Lord Rong, since you're so knowledgeable about this, you should be able to tell—why don't you pick one out?'" Keep.

Rong Baoxing thought it over and indeed had a point—he himself couldn't tell, but someone could; although he inwardly agreed, he outwardly feigned reluctance, saying, 'That wouldn't be proper.'

Translate: "'Uh… this…' Rong Baoxing's face showed difficulty; Hu Xiaotian's remark was spot-on—these items, once wind-dried, all look alike, and he lacks the ability to tell which is the black tiger whip." Keep.

Hu Xiaotian replied, 'There's nothing wrong with it; Lord Rong's coming to see me is an honor for me, so let's leave it at that.'

Translate: "Seeing his expression, Hu Xiaotian secretly amused, he thought, 'Since we're doing a favor, let's go all the way,' and whispered to Rong Baoxing, 'How about this: I'll have someone bundle all the tiger whips here and send them to you; you can take your time sorting through them, and if the black tiger whip is among them, you won't miss it.'" Keep.

Hu Xiaotian counted and found there were thirty-seven tiger penises in total, which he handed over to Rong Baoxing to take away. In fact, after Liu Yuzhang's death he had promptly inventoried the storeroom, hiding away the valuable medicinal herbs, while those left out on display were merely the inferior grades he had selected.

Translate: "Rong Baoxing thought it over and indeed found some sense; although he didn't recognize it himself, someone could, and while he inwardly agreed, he outwardly feigned objection, saying, 'That wouldn't be proper.'" Keep.

Although Hu Xiaotian didn't believe the black tiger penis possessed the miraculous power to make withered wood sprout anew, he understood that rarity breeds value—such a precious item had no reason to be given away casually.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian replied, 'There's nothing wrong with it; Lord Rong's coming to see me is an honor for me, so let's leave it at that.'" Keep.

Ji Feihua personally came to the Office of Imperial Gardens to announce Hu Xiaotian's appointment; Hu Xiaotian officially became the Deputy Director of the Office of Imperial Gardens, i. e., the keeper of the imperial seal here. Entrusting the office to a eunuch who had only been in the palace a few months shows how highly Ji Feihua regards him.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian counted and found thirty-seven tiger whips, which he handed over to Rong Baoxing to take away. In fact, after Liu Yuzhang's death, he had promptly inventoried the storeroom, hiding away the precious medicinal ingredients in the medicine storehouse; what remained on display were merely the lower-grade leftovers." Keep.

Hu Xiaotian had just tidied a room beside the wine cellar for his own quarters; he left Liu Yuzhang's room untouched, everything remaining as it was, which also serves as a way to mourn and remember the old man.

Translate: "Although Hu Xiaotian didn't believe the Black Tiger Whip possessed the miraculous power to make withered wood sprout, he understood that rarity breeds value, and such a precious item had no reason to be casually given away." Keep.

Hu Xiaotian invited Ji Feihua into his room to sit; Xiao Zhuozi served tea and then withdrew. Ji Feihua lifted her cup, lifted the lid to inspect the tea's color, and softly said, 'Snow chrysanthemum from Kunlun.'

Translate: "Ji Feihua personally came to the Office of Imperial Gardens to announce Hu Xiaotian's appointment; Hu Xiaotian officially became the Deputy Director of the Office of Imperial Gardens, i. e., the seal-holding eunuch here. Entrusting the Office of Imperial Gardens to a eunuch who had only been in the palace for a few months demonstrates Ji Feihua's high regard for him." Keep.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, 'Lord Ji, you have keen eyesight.'

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian had just tidied a room beside the wine cellar for his own quarters; he left Liu Yuzhang's room untouched, everything remaining as it was, which also serves as a way to mourn and remember the old man." Keep.

Ji Feihua said, 'Everyone in the palace knows the Office of Imperial Gardens is a treasure trove—you can find anything here.'

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian invited Ji Feihua to sit in his room; Xiao Zhuzi served tea and then withdrew. Ji Feihua lifted her teacup, lifted the lid to inspect the tea's color, and softly said, 'Kunlun snow chrysanthemum.'" Keep.

Hu Xiaotian laughed, 'Not that exaggerated; there are no rare gems, but we do have seasonal fresh fruits, candied preserves, various medicinal herbs, and some aged liquor.'

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian smiled, 'Lord Ji, you have keen eyes.'" Keep.

Ji Feihua asked, 'How is the morale of your staff?'

Translate: "Ji Feihua said, 'Everyone in the palace knows the Office of Imperial Gardens is a treasure trove—you can find anything here.'" Keep.

Hu Xiaotian replied, 'As always, I continue to manage things the old way—governing through non-action.'

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian laughed, 'Not that exaggerated; there are no rare gems, but we do have seasonal fresh fruits, candied fruits and preserves, medicinal herbs from various regions, and some aged liquor.'" Keep.

Upon hearing the four words 'non-action governance,' Ji Feihua's eyes lit up and she smiled, saying, 'What a fine phrase—non-action governance truly is the highest ideal of statecraft.'

Translate: "Ji Feihua asked, 'How are your subordinates' moods?'" Keep.

Hu Xiaotian said, 'As always, I still manage affairs according to the old ways—governing through non-action.'

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian replied, 'As always, I still manage things the old way—governing through non-action.'" Keep.

Ji Feihua, upon hearing the four words 'non-action governance,' brightened and smiled, saying, 'What a fine expression—non-action governance truly is the highest ideal of statecraft.'

Translate: "Upon hearing the four words 'non-action governance,' Ji Feihua's eyes lit up; she smiled and said, 'What an excellent phrase—non-action governance is indeed the highest state of ruling a nation.'" Keep.

Just returned home, Tomorrow Three More will be sent up, Seeking rating votes, Striving to upgrade to two diamonds as soon as possible! (To be continued~^~)