Chapter 336

Hu Xiaotian gave a word to Xiao Zhuozi and then followed the little eunuch to the Imperial Kitchen Bureau.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian gave a word of instruction to Xiao Zhuozi, then followed the little eunuch to the Imperial Kitchen Bureau.

He gave a word of instruction and followed the little eunuch to the Imperial Kitchen Bureau.

We'll keep as: Hu Xiaotian gave a word of instruction to Xiao Zhuozi, then followed the little eunuch to the Imperial Kitchen Bureau.

Although Zhang Fuquan only oversaw the cattle and sheep shed, his authority was considerable; his own residence was a separate courtyard, which, though not large, is already very rare among the eunuchs of the imperial palace.

Translation: Although Zhang Fuquan only oversaw the cattle and sheep shed, his authority was not small; his residence was actually a separate courtyard, though not large, it is already quite rare among the many eunuchs in the imperial palace.

Although he only managed the cattle and sheep shed, his authority was not small; his own residence turned out to be a separate courtyard, which, though not large, is already very rare among the many eunuchs in the imperial palace.

We'll produce: Although Zhang Fuquan only oversaw the cattle and sheep shed, his authority was not small; his residence was actually a separate courtyard, though not large, it is already quite rare among the many eunuchs in the imperial palace.

When Hu Xiaotian entered Zhang Fuquan's residence, he saw Zhang Fuquan teasing a bird in the courtyard—a jet‑black, glossy myna. Seeing Hu Xiaotian come in, the myna said, "Auspicious eunuch, auspicious eunuch!"

Translation: When Hu Xiaotian entered Zhang Fuquan's residence, he saw Zhang Fuquan teasing a bird in the courtyard—a jet-black, glossy myna. Seeing Hu Xiaotian come in, the myna said, " auspicious eunuch, auspicious eunuch!"

When Hu Xiaotian entered Zhang Fuquan's residence, he saw Zhang Fuquan teasing a bird in the courtyard—a jet‑black, glossy myna. Seeing Hu Xiaotian come in, the myna said, "Auspicious eunuch, auspicious eunuch!"

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Lord Zhang's bird is really clever."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Eunuch Zhang's bird is really clever."

Zhang Fuquan chuckled, "He only knows how to say that one phrase; I've been teaching him for two years." He then approached Hu Xiaotian and whispered, "Lord Quan is waiting for you inside."

Translation: Zhang Fuquan chuckled and said, "It only knows this phrase; I've taught it for two years." He came up to Hu Xiaotian and whispered, "Eunuch Quan is waiting for you inside."

Before arriving, Hu Xiaotian had already guessed that Quan De'an wanted to see him; he smiled, followed the direction indicated by Zhang Fuquan, pushed the door open, and went inside.

Translation: Before arriving, Hu Xiaotian had already guessed that Eunuch Quan wanted to see him; he smiled and, following the direction Zhang Fuquan pointed, pushed the door open and entered.

Quan De'an sat in the room gazing out the window; before the window, a wintersweet bud was about to bloom.

Translation: Eunuch Quan sat in the room gazing out the window; before the window a sprig of wintersweet budded, waiting to bloom.

Hu Xiaotian came before him, bowed deeply, and said, "Xiaotian pays his respects, Lord Quan!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian came before him, bowed deeply, and said, "Xiao Tian pays respects to Eunuch Quan!"

Quan De'an did not turn his head, his gaze still fixed on the wintersweet, and he softly asked, "Have you been getting along well these days?"

Translation: Eunuch Quan did not turn his head, his gaze still fixed on that wintersweet, and softly asked, "Have these days been going well for you?"

"Thanks to your lordship's favor, I've been managing alright."

Translation: "Thanks to Eunuch Quan's blessing, I've been getting by alright."

Quan De'an smiled faintly and said, "Is it thanks to Lord Ji's favor, then?"

Translation: Eunuch Quan smiled faintly and said, "Or is it thanks to Eunuch Ji's blessing?"

Hu Xiaotian secretly chuckled, the old eunuch was jealous, and he respectfully said, "One does not forget the well that gives water; I owe my present position entirely to Lord Quan's care, and in my heart no one can compare to you."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian secretly amused, the senior eunuch was jealous; he respectfully said, "One does not forget the well-digger when drinking water; Xiao Tian's present status is entirely thanks to Eunuch Quan's care, and in Xiao Tian's heart no one's place compares to yours."

Although Quan De'an knew Hu Xiaotian was lying, it still felt very pleasant to hear; he softly said, "Please have a seat."

Translation: Although Eunuch Quan knew Hu Xiaotian was lying, hearing it still felt very comfortable; he whispered, "Please have a seat!"

Hu Xiaotian glanced around the room. Besides the stool Quan De'an was sitting on, there was no second chair; would he have to sit on the floor? So he remained standing.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian glanced around the room. Besides the stool Eunuch Quan was sitting on, there was no second stool—should I sit on the floor? So he could only remain standing.

Quan De'an asked, "What's been happening lately?"

Translation: Eunuch Quan asked, "What's been happening lately?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Nothing special; following your lordship's orders, I told him about the cellar matter." That "him" naturally refers to Ji Feihua.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "Nothing special; following your instructions, I told him about the wine cellar matter." That "him" naturally referred to Ji Feihua.

"What did he say?"

Translation: "What did he say?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "It's rather strange; he seems not very interested in this matter—he hasn't voluntarily asked to see it, nor has he mentioned it to me again."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "It's rather strange; he seems not very interested in this matter—he neither proactively asked to go see it nor brought it up again with me."

Quan De'an said, "Perhaps he already knows about the secret passage, or perhaps he truly has no interest in it."

Translation: Eunuch Quan said, "Perhaps he already knew about the secret passage, or perhaps he truly has no interest."

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Quan De'an said, "The miscellaneous household has heard all about the Yan Shui Ge affair."

Translation: Eunuch Quan said, "Everyone in Zajia has heard about the Mist and Water Pavilion matter."

Hu Xiaotian hurriedly said, "Under the circumstances, I had no choice but to act; I wasn't trying to show off."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian hurriedly said, "Under the circumstances then, I had no choice; I wasn't trying to show off."

Quan De'an laughed grimly, "What are you panicking about? The miscellaneous household hasn't blamed you; if you hadn't done that, how could you make him believe you?"

Translation: Eunuch Quan laughed sinisterly and said, "What are you panicking about? Zajia hasn't blamed you; if you hadn't done that, how could you make him believe you?"

Knowing Quan De'an was old and scheming, Hu Xiaotian feared that without giving him some solid information he might suspect him; he stepped forward and whispered, "Lord Quan, on the day we returned to the palace, we were ambushed on Tian Street."

Translation: Knowing Eunuch Quan was deep and scheming, if I didn't give him some hard evidence, he might suspect me; I stepped forward and lowered my voice: "Eunuch Quan, on the day we returned to the palace, on Heaven Street we suffered an assassination attempt."

Quan De'an asked, "What happened?"

Translation: Eunuch Quan asked, "What was done?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "I'm not sure either. At that moment I only saw a huge flock of bats flapping about—thousands upon thousands—with a winged black‑armored assassin mixed in, who slashed at Ji Feihua. I was busy swatting the bats, and by the time I got a clear look, the black‑armored warrior had already fled. Ji Feihua's martial arts are truly formidable; I think I'm almost catching up to you."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "I'm not sure either. At that time I only saw a flurry of bats—tens of thousands—mixed among them a winged black-armored assassin who slashed at Ji Feihua. I was only busy swatting the bats; by the time I saw clearly, the black-armored warrior had already fled. Ji Feihua's martial arts are truly formidable; I think I'm about to catch up to you."

Quan De'an turned his face, gave him a cold look, and said, "Are you trying to say that even the miscellaneous household can't beat him?"

Translation: Eunuch Quan turned his face, gave him a cold look, and said, "Are you trying to say that Zajia can't beat him either?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "How could he compare to you?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "How could he compare to you?"

Quan De'an nodded and said, "Now the miscellaneous household is truly no match for him." He slowly rose, took a step forward, and his right foot landed with a resonant clang; if not for his disabled right leg, he and Ji Feihua might still have had a fight.

Translation: Eunuch Quan nodded and said, "Indeed, Zajia is no longer his match." He slowly rose, took a step forward, his right foot landing with a resonant clang; if not for his disabled right leg, he and Ji Feihua might still have a fight.

Hu Xiaotian asked, "Lord Quan, do you have something for me to do?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian asked, "Eunuch Quan, do you have something for me to do?"

Quan De'an said, "I heard you're tidying up the garden of the Mingyue Palace."

Translation: Eunuch Quan said, "I heard you're tidying the garden of Bright Moon Palace."

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Yes, I was just busy in the Mingyue Palace; the empress directly ordered us to fix up the garden to welcome the arrival of that newly promoted talented person."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Yes, I was just busy in Bright Moon Palace; the empress issued a direct order that we must fix the garden to welcome the arrival of that newly promoted talent."

Quan De'an said, "The miscellaneous household sought you out precisely for this matter."

Translation: Eunuch Quan said, "Zajia sought you out precisely for this matter."

Hu Xiaotian's heart skipped a beat. It seems the foster daughter of Minister Wen has indeed caused a sensation—first Empress Jian actively inquired, then Baobao came to ask him for help scattering medicinal powder in the garden, surely with ill intent, though I don't know what Quan De'an is after.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian's heart skipped a beat. It seems the foster daughter of Grand Tutor Wen really caused a sensation—first Empress Jian took the initiative to inquire, then Baobao came to him for help scattering medicinal powder in the garden, surely harboring ill intent, yet I don't know what Eunuch Quan is up to either.

Quan De'an said, "I want you to protect Wen Ya from the side."

Translation: Eunuch Quan said, "I want you to protect Wen Ya from the sidelines."

Hu Xiaotian gave a wry smile, "Lord Quan, I'm from the Bureau of Imperial Gardens; she's in the Mingyue Palace—even if I agreed, I'd be powerless to help."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian gave a wry smile and said, "Eunuch Quan, I'm from the Imperial Gardens Bureau; she's in Bright Moon Palace—even if I agreed, it would be beyond my reach."

Quan De'an said, "The miscellaneous household has already arranged it; Xiao Zhuozi is your confidant, he will be selected to attend to Wen Ya, and given your relationship with him, any stir will surely come to your attention first."

Translation: Eunuch Quan said, "Zajia has already arranged it; Xiao Zhuozi is your confidant, he will be selected to attend to Wen Ya, and given your relationship, any stir will surely reach you first."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Lord Quan, forgive my frankness, but Xiao Zhuozi lacks even the strength to truss a chicken—how could he have that ability?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "Eunuch Quan, forgive my frankness, but Xiao Zhuozi can't even truss a chicken—how could he have that ability?"

Quan De'an countered, "Could it be that you want to go yourself?"

Translation: Eunuch Quan countered, "Or perhaps you want to go yourself?"

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, "Lord Quan, even if I agreed, you wouldn't agree; and even if you did, Lord Ji wouldn't agree either, right?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian hehe-laughed and said, "Eunuch Quan, even if I agreed, you wouldn't agree; even if you agreed, Ji Feihua wouldn't agree either, right?"

Quan De'an said, "In short, remember this: you must personally oversee the fruits and vegetables sent to the Mingyue Palace; while tidying the garden, you must inspect every inside and outside corner of the Mingyue Palace, leaving no spot unchecked."

Translation: Eunuch Quan said, "In short, remember this: you must personally oversee the fruits and vegetables sent to Bright Moon Palace; while tidying the garden, you must inspect every inside and outside corner of Bright Moon Palace, leaving no spot unchecked."

"Yes!"

Translation: "Yes!"

Quan De'an added, "Lord Ji will surely not turn a blind eye; whatever movements occur on his side, you must keep a close watch for me, and if anything seems amiss, you must immediately inform Zhang Fuquan."

Translation: Eunuch Quan added, "Ji Feihua surely won't turn a blind eye; whatever movements occur on his side, you must definitely keep a close watch for me, and if anything feels off, immediately inform Zhang Fuquan."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, feeling Quan De'an was being overly sensitive, and he chuckled, "I've heard Minister Wen's daughter is stunningly beautiful—is that really true?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded, feeling Eunuch Quan was overly sensitive, and he chuckled, "I've heard Grand Tutor Wen's daughter is drop-dead gorgeous—is that really true?"

Quan De'an coldly glanced at him and said, "What she looks like has nothing to do with you."

Translation: Eunuch Quan coldly stared at him and said, "What she looks like has nothing to do with you."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Since you said it, it's best if it has nothing to do with me; I'd rather not bother with such trivial matters."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "Since you said it, it's best if it has nothing to do with me; I'm too lazy to meddle in such trivial matters."

A hint of a sinister smile crept onto Quan De'an's lips: "No one knows what the future holds, Xiao Tian; just do your duties obediently, and the miscellaneous household will never shortchange you."

Translation: Yet a hint of a sinister smile curled Eunuch Quan's lips: "No one knows what the future will bring; Xiao Tian, just do your duty, and Zajia will certainly not shortchange you."

From various signs, it appears that Minister Wen's foster daughter has received unprecedented favor in the palace—not only the Bureau of Imperial Gardens, but even the Library Pavilion has been busy on her behalf; the empress ordered that a special study be prepared for her inside the Mingyue Palace, ostensibly for this talented person, but actually to prepare for the emperor's future visits to the Mingyue Palace; the study's furnishings mirror those of the Imperial Study, and the books the emperor likes to read have already been brought in and placed on the shelves. Because Empress Jian herself issued the order, even Li Yuncong, who rarely leaves the Library Pavilion, came in person.

Translation: From various signs, it appears this daughter of Grand Tutor Wen has received unprecedented treatment in the imperial palace—not only the Imperial Gardens Bureau, but even the Cangshuge has rushed about for this matter; the empress ordered that in Bright Moon Palace a study be specially prepared for her, ostensibly for this talent, but actually to prepare for the emperor's future visits to Bright Moon Palace; the study's furnishings follow those of the Imperial Study, and the books the emperor likes to read have already been brought in and placed on the shelves. Since Empress Jian personally issued the order, Li Yuncong, who rarely leaves the Cangshuge, also came in person.

Hu Xiaotian and he could already be considered old acquaintances; they met in the Mingyue Palace and naturally exchanged pleasantries. Upon seeing Hu Xiaotian again, Li Yuncong's attitude was even more modest than before; this little eunuch is truly not simple—in a short time he has replaced Liu Yuzhang as the chief eunuch of the Bureau of Imperial Gardens and has also earned Ji Feihua's trust; even given Li Yuncong's qualifications and status, he dare not act arrogantly as he once did.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian and he could already be considered old acquaintances; they met in Bright Moon Palace, naturally exchanging pleasantries. Seeing Hu Xiaotian again, Li Yuncong's attitude was even more modest than before—this little eunuch is truly not simple; in a short time he actually replaced Liu Yuzhang as the seal-holding eunuch of the Imperial Gardens Bureau, and won Ji Feihua's trust; even given Li Yuncong's qualifications and status, he dare not act arrogantly as before.

Li Yuncong smiled and said, "Lord Hu, it's been a while since we last saw each other."

Translation: Li Yuncong laughed and said, "Eunuch Hu, it's been a while since we last saw each other."

Hu Xiaotian said, "I've been planning to visit Lord Li these past couple of days to borrow a few books, but the affairs of the Mingyue Palace have delayed me."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "These past two days I was planning to visit Eunuch Li to pay a call and borrow a few books to read, but the Bright Moon Palace affair delayed me."

Li Yuncong said, "The gates of the Library Pavilion are always open for Lord Hu."

Translation: Li Yuncong said, "The doors of Cangshuge are always open for Eunuch Hu."

The two exchanged smiles.

Translation: The two exchanged smiles.

Hu Xiaotian saw the little eunuch behind him carrying a stack of books and couldn't help but feel curious; he whispered, "Lord Li, does this newly arrived talented person love reading so much?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian saw the little eunuch behind him carrying a stack of books over, couldn't help but feel curious, and whispered, "Eunuch Li, does this newly arrived talent love reading so much?"

Li Yuncong replied meaningfully, "I don't know whether she likes to read, but these books are all ones the emperor usually reads."

Translation: Li Yuncong said meaningfully, "Whether she likes reading or not, Zajia doesn't know, but these books are what the emperor usually reads."

Hu Xiaotian nodded in agreement; it seems everyone has already prepared for the emperor's frequent visits here. Sending Minister Wen's extraordinarily beautiful foster daughter into the palace is indeed a brilliant move by Minister Wen, which would naturally make him the emperor's father-in-law, granting him the dual titles of Grand Tutor and State Father, increasing his influence at court and also serving to divert the emperor's affections. If the emperor truly becomes enamored with his foster daughter Wen Ya, then Ji Feihua would surely be sidelined, and his standing in the palace would plummet. The scheming of these politicians is truly unfathomable—just as my father once arranged my engagement to Li Tianheng's daughter for political reasons, compared to the likes of Wen Chenghuan and his ilk, my father's heart was still somewhat softer.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded in agreement; it seems everyone has already prepared for the emperor's frequent visits here. Sending this peerlessly beautiful foster daughter into the palace is indeed a brilliant move by Grand Tutor Wen—this way he naturally becomes the emperor's father-in-law, holding the dual titles of Grand Tutor and Imperial Son-in-Law, which not only increases his weight in court but also serves to divert the emperor's interests. If the emperor truly becomes enamored with his foster daughter Wen Ya, then Ji Feihua would surely be sidelined, and his standing in the palace would naturally plummet. The scheming of these politicians is truly unfathomable; think back to when my father arranged my engagement to Li Tianheng's daughter, also for political reasons, but compared to the likes of Wen Chenghuan's crowd, my father's heart was still somewhat softer.

Li Yuncong gazed at the newly renewed garden and sincerely praised, "The Bureau of Imperial Gardens truly has many skilled artisans; although it is already winter, the garden here is full of spring colors."

Translation: Li Yuncong gazed at the newly renewed garden and sincerely praised, "The Imperial Gardens Bureau truly has many skilled artisans; although it's already winter, here the garden is full of spring colors."

Hu Xiaotian said, "The empress's order is that even if we were to bring summer in, we must do our utmost."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "The empress's order—even if we moved summer in, we must still do our utmost."

While the two were speaking, Wang Decai entered with a little eunuch. Li Yuncong went to the study to check on the progress, and Hu Xiaotian, unwilling to deal with Wang Decai, pretended not to see him and sat alone at the stone table.

Translation: As the two were speaking, Wang Decai entered with a little eunuch. Li Yuncong went to the study side to check progress, while Hu Xiaotian also couldn't be bothered with Wang Decai, pretending he hadn't seen him, and sat alone by the stone table.

Wang Decai looked left and right, pointing at the poinsettias that had just been placed up, and said: "Who let you put these flowers up? Take them away, all of them, take them away for me!"

Little Dengzi and a group of gardeners all looked toward Hu Xiaotian, but Hu Xiaotian pretended not to hear and turned his face to the side.

Wang Decai saw that no one was paying attention to him and angrily said, "What? Didn't you hear what the Zajia said? Are you deaf?"

Little Dengzi replied irritably, "Lord Hu told us what to do, and we'll do it."

Wang Decai twisted the corner of his mouth into a false smile and said, "You really have a short memory, fine, I'll go find your Lord Hu." He also understood that Hu Xiaotian saw everything, but was unwilling to deal with him, walking with a square step, neither hurried nor slow, he came before Hu Xiaotian, turned his face to the side, clasped his hands and said, "Lord Hu!"

Hu Xiaotian then turned around, smiling narrowly, and said, "Who was I just now? Oh, it's Lord Wang."

Wang Decai said, "The Empress sent me to supervise the progress here." What he was most accustomed to was using Empress Jian to suppress others.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Is it the Empress who lacks confidence in the Bureau of Imperial Gardens, or is it Lord Wang who lacks confidence in the Bureau of Imperial Gardens?" (To be continued~^~)