Chapter 366

~20 min read 3,973 words

Original Chinese:

【10】

Let's break:

Chinese quoted.

【14】

Chinese quoted.

【18】

Chinese quoted.

【22】

Chinese quoted.

【26】

Chinese quoted.

【30】

Chinese quoted.

【48】

We need to keep quotes? Not required but we can keep as is.

Now produce English line.

We must not add extra explanation. Keep concise.

Let's craft:

【1】 Hu Xiaotian originally didn't mean to oppose Wen Ya, but her words really gave him no face—"I'm a eunuch, what of it? I don't even want to speak, yet you insist I speak; do you think I'm afraid of you? In the palace I'm an unseen little eunuch. Don't think just because you're conferred the title Talented Person that who knows how many want to kill you; Ji Feihua sees you as a thorn in the eye, a splinter in the flesh. From now on your days will be harder than mine. Yet you dare say this to me? If it weren't because you look exactly like the little widow Le Yao, I wouldn't even bother to see you." Hu Xiaotian said: "Talented Person is right; although I don't understand calligraphy and painting, I can at least tell what is painted: this is a bee, this is a peony."

Check we kept all info. Yes.

Now 【2】:

Chinese.

Translation: Wen Ya gave him a glance; it's utter nonsense—anyone with eyes can see that.

comment.

Wen Ya gave him a glance; it's utter nonsense—anyone with eyes can see that.

【65】

Translation: Long Xi Yue couldn't help but smile; she had thought Hu Xiaotian would say something impressive, but he said these things instead; still she found it amusing, Hu Xiaotian's manner of speaking was extremely interesting.

comment.

【3】 Long Xi Yue couldn't help but smile; she had thought Hu Xiaotian could say something impressive, but he actually said these, still Long Xi Yue found it interesting—Hu Xiaotian's manner of speaking was extremely interesting.

Chinese.

Translation: Wen Ya wasn't like that; she thought Hu Xiaotian had nothing to say and was pretending to understand, coldly saying: "Just go out, don't delay my talk with the princess." Finally she couldn't help but drive this brat out.

comment.

【4】 Wen Ya wasn't like that; she thought Hu Xiaotian had nothing to say and was pretending to understand, coldly saying: "Just go out, don't delay my talk with the princess." Finally she couldn't help but drive this brat out.

【83】

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "I haven't finished yet—this bee is a worker bee, that is, a male, perched on the peony's stamen; look closely, it's the pistil. If this painting were kept for one's own appreciation it would be nothing, but if given as a gift it would be highly improper, indeed damaging to morals, especially if given to the pure and spotless Princess Anping—especially improper."

comment.

【5】 Hu Xiaotian said: "I haven't finished yet—this bee is a worker bee, that is, a male, perched on the peony's stamen; look closely, it's the pistil. If this painting were kept for one's own appreciation it would be nothing, but if given as a gift it would be highly improper, indeed damaging to morals, especially if given to the pure and spotless Princess Anping—especially improper."

Chinese.

Translation: Upon hearing this, Wen Ya could no longer contain her anger: "Get out!" Everyone present were women, including Princess Anping; all faces flushed crimson, no one expecting him to analyze from that angle.

comment.

【6】 Upon hearing this, Wen Ya could no longer contain her anger: "Get out!" Everyone present were women, including Princess Anping; all faces flushed crimson, no one expected him to analyze from that angle.

【101】

Translation: According to his logic, Wen Ya's gift of this painting to Princess Anping was actually ulterior motive; Wen Ya's face also flushed crimson, not from shame but entirely from being angered by this brat's meddling. Hu Xiaotian gave a deep bow and retreated backwards.

comment.

【7】 According to his logic, Wen Ya's gift of this painting to Princess Anping was actually ulterior motive; Wen Ya's face also flushed crimson, not from shame but entirely from being angered by this brat's meddling. Hu Xiaotian gave a deep bow and retreated backwards.

Chinese.

Translation: Wen Ya said: "Princess Anping, he doesn't understand painting at all; don't listen to his nonsense."

【8】 Wen Ya said: "Princess Anping, he doesn't understand painting at all; don't listen to his nonsense."

【117】

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Talented Person, you're mistaken; although I'm merely a lowly eunuch, I did study some things before becoming a eunuch—I can at least claim to come from a scholarly family."

comment.

【9】 Hu Xiaotian said: "Talented Person, you're mistaken; although I'm merely a lowly eunuch, I did study some things before becoming a eunuch—I can at least claim to come from a scholarly family."

Chinese.

Translation: Long Xi Yue laughed: "Lord Hu is also a talented person."

【10】 Long Xi Yue laughed: "Lord Hu is also a talented person."

【133】

Translation: Wen Ya said: "Talent? What talent does he have?" This flower-and-bird painting in her hand simply cannot be sent out today; she blamed everything on Hu Xiaotian, thinking that if it weren't for his meddling, Long Xi Yue would have accepted the painting smoothly, and she would have fulfilled her elder brother's commission.

comment.

【11】 Wen Ya said: "Talent? What talent does he have?" This flower-and-bird painting in her hand simply cannot be sent out today; she blamed everything on Hu Xiaotian, thinking that if it weren't for his meddling, Long Xi Yue would have accepted the painting smoothly, and she would have fulfilled her elder brother's commission.

Chinese.

Translation: Long Xi Yue said: "Lord Hu, why don't you show us how?"

【12】 Long Xi Yue said: "Lord Hu, why don't you show us how?"

【149】

Translation: Hu Xiaotian wasn't afraid to paint on the spot; even if his flower-and-bird painting was no good, he could still regain some face with sketches and quick drawings, but in the palace it's best to avoid showing off. Seeing Wen Ya's angry look, he lost any intention of continuing as her enemy, smiled and said: "I don't have that skill; I'm ambitious but clumsy—better not make a fool of myself."

comment.

【13】 Hu Xiaotian wasn't afraid to paint on the spot; even if his flower-and-bird painting was no good, he could still regain some face with sketches and quick drawings, but in the palace it's best to avoid showing off. Seeing Wen Ya's angry look, he lost any intention of continuing as her enemy, smiled and said: "I don't have that skill; I'm ambitious but clumsy—better not make a fool of myself."

Chinese.

Translation: Wen Ya took the opportunity to take her leave, but Hu Xiaotian's meddling left her with no interest.

【14】 Wen Ya took the opportunity to take her leave, but Hu Xiaotian's meddling left her with no interest.

Chinese.

Translation: As Hu Xiaotian followed her out, taking advantage of others' inattention, he extended a finger and waved it, indicating that tonight at the first update he would come again.

comment.

【15】 As Hu Xiaotian followed her out, taking advantage of others' inattention, he extended a finger and waved it, indicating that tonight at the First Update he would come again.

Chinese.

Translation: Long Xi Yue's face flushed; she hurriedly turned her head aside.

【16】 Long Xi Yue's face flushed; she hurriedly turned her head aside.

Chinese.

Translation: Along the way Wen Ya said nothing, clearly annoyed by Hu Xiaotian. The wutong tree obviously gloated over the misfortune, thinking: "Let Hu Xiaotian talk more; this time offending the Talented Person, she won't protect you." Hu Xiaotian, however, remained indifferent, accompanying Wen Ya back to Mingyue Palace.

comment.

【17】 Along the way Wen Ya said nothing, clearly annoyed by Hu Xiaotian. The wutong tree obviously gloated over the misfortune, thinking: "Let Hu Xiaotian talk more; this time offending the Talented Person, she won't protect you." Hu Xiaotian, however, remained indifferent, accompanying Wen Ya back to Mingyue Palace.

Chinese.

Translation: Wen Ya had everyone else leave, keeping only Hu Xiaotian, then she slammed her jade hand heavily on the table and snapped: "Hu Xiaotian, you slave, how dare you be so bold—still not kneeling before me!"

comment.

【18】 Wen Ya had everyone else leave, keeping only Hu Xiaotian, then she slammed her jade hand heavily on the table and snapped: "Hu Xiaotian, you slave, how dare you be so bold—still not kneeling before me!"

Chinese.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian didn't kneel—"the shop bullies the customer, the slave bullies the master." He genuinely didn't feel Wen Ya's status in the palace was much higher than his own; he cupped his hands to Wen Ya and said: "Talented Person, you've wronged me; I, Hu Xiaotian, have always been concerned for your safety, yet you so twist my good intentions—never mind! Please have the Talented Person send me to the Directorate of Palace Attendants, charge me with the crime of showing no respect to anyone, and beat me to death with sticks."

comment.

【19】 Hu Xiaotian didn't kneel—"the shop bullies the customer, the slave bullies the master." He genuinely didn't feel Wen Ya's status in the palace was much higher than his own; he cupped his hands to Wen Ya and said: "Talented Person, you've wronged me; I, Hu Xiaotian, have always been concerned for your safety, yet you so twist my good intentions—never mind! Please have the Talented Person send me to the Directorate of Palace Attendants, charge me with the crime of showing no respect to anyone, and beat me to death with sticks."

Chinese.

Translation: Wen Ya snapped: "When did I ever say I wanted to beat you to death? You slave, you're making me furious."

【20】 Wen Ya snapped: "When did I ever say I wanted to beat you to death? You slave, you're making me furious."

Chinese.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian couldn't bear her calling him "slave" over and over; he became ever more convinced that the Wen Ya before him was certainly not Le Yao, even if Le Yao hid many things from him, out of gratitude for his saving her from danger she wouldn't be so heartless. Hu Xiaotian asked: "May I ask, Talented Person, what is your intention in sending this flower-and-bird painting to Princess Anping?"

comment.

【21】 Hu Xiaotian couldn't bear her calling him "slave" over and over; he became ever more convinced that the Wen Ya before him was certainly not Le Yao, even if Le Yao hid many things from him, out of gratitude for his saving her from danger she wouldn't be so heartless. Hu Xiaotian asked: "May I ask, Talented Person, what is your intention in sending this flower-and-bird painting to Princess Anping?"

Chinese.

Translation: Wen Ya said: "There's no particular intention; it's just an ordinary gift."

【22】 Wen Ya said: "There's no particular intention; it's just an ordinary gift."

Chinese.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Talented Person, do you not know that Princess Anping is already engaged to the Seventh Prince of Da Yong, Xue Chuanming? Next year March 16 is her wedding day."

comment.

【23】 Hu Xiaotian said: "Talented Person, do you not know that Princess Anping is already engaged to the Seventh Prince of Da Yong, Xue Chuanming? Next year March 16 is her wedding day."

Chinese.

Translation: Wen Ya said: "I have indeed heard of this, but it's merely a painting."

【24】 Wen Ya said: "I have indeed heard of this, but it's merely a painting."

Chinese.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "On the surface it's just a painting, but if it fell into the hands of someone with ulterior motives, what would they think? Even if you meant no harm, aren't you afraid this painting would bring trouble to the Wen family?"

comment.

【25】 Hu Xiaotian said: "On the surface it's just a painting, but if it fell into the hands of someone with ulterior motives, what would they think? Even if you meant no harm, aren't you afraid this painting would bring trouble to the Wen family?"

Chinese.

Translation: Wen Ya bit her lip, her expression softened, and she whispered: "I haven't thought that much."

【26】 Wen Ya bit her lip, her expression softened, and she whispered: "I haven't thought that much."

Chinese.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "If I'm not mistaken, you're acting on your elder brother's commission."

【27】 Hu Xiaotian said: "If I'm not mistaken, you're acting on your elder brother's commission."

Chinese.

Translation: Wen Ya said: "If everyone in the world were as sly and deceitful as you, even ordinary matters would be given other meanings."

【28】 Wen Ya said: "If everyone in the world were as sly and deceitful as you, even ordinary matters would be given other meanings."

Chinese.

Original (Chinese) but it's a note? Actually 【272】 shows "Original:..." with Chinese inside quotes. It's a Chinese line.

We need to keep quotes? We'll translate as:

Hu Xiaotian said: "Talented Person, you're mistaken—the Emperor has ascended the throne, your father has achieved great merit, everyone knows this now; Princess Anping surely understands it clearly in her heart—do you think she would accept your gift?" Hu Xiaotian's meaning is clear: don't look at Long Yelin being Anping's brother, while Long Xuan'en is her father; the Grand Tutor Wen helped her half-brother oust her father, and now they want to use her marriage alliance with Da Yong to exchange for border peace; in Long Xi Yue's heart she may already regard Wen Chenghuan as an enemy—you, Wen Ya, are the adopted daughter of the Grand Tutor Wen; even if you sent a flower-and-bird painting, let alone any rare treasure, Long Xi Yue would not regard it.

comment.

Now produce line.

【29】 Hu Xiaotian said: "Talented Person, you're mistaken—the Emperor has ascended the throne, your father has achieved great merit, everyone knows this now; Princess Anping surely understands it clearly in her heart—do you think she would accept your gift?" Hu Xiaotian's meaning is clear: don't look at Long Yelin being Anping's brother, while Long Xuan'en is her father; the Grand Tutor Wen helped her half-brother oust her father, and now they want to use her marriage alliance with Da Yong to exchange for border peace; in Long Xi Yue's heart she may already regard Wen Chenghuan as an enemy—you, Wen Ya, are the adopted daughter of the Grand Tutor Wen; even if you sent a flower-and-bird painting, let alone any rare treasure, Long Xi Yue would not regard it.

Chinese.

Translation: Wen Ya, hearing Hu Xiaotian finish, couldn't help but sigh—this matter was originally her oversight.

【30】 Wen Ya, hearing Hu Xiaotian finish, couldn't help but sigh—this matter was originally her oversight.

Chinese.

Translation: Seeing Wen Ya's expression ease, Hu Xiaotian immediately cupped his hands again and said: "I've said all I needed to; whether you kill or cut me, I await the Talented Person's decision."

comment.

【31】 Seeing Wen Ya's expression ease, Hu Xiaotian immediately cupped his hands again and said: "I've said all I needed to; whether you kill or cut me, I await the Talented Person's decision."

Chinese.

Translation: Wen Ya shook her head and said: "Hu Xiaotian, you've figured out that I can't do anything to you in this palace, so you say such things."

【32】 Wen Ya shook her head and said: "Hu Xiaotian, you've figured out that I can't do anything to you in this palace, so you say such things."

Chinese (quoted).

Translation: "I dare not—these are sincere words; Talented Person, you should know that loyal advice is grating to the ear."

We need to keep the quote marks? We'll keep as is.

【33】 "I dare not—these are sincere words; Talented Person, you should know that loyal advice is grating to the ear."

Chinese.

Translation: Wen Ya said: "The palace can't control you; do as you please from now on, go ahead." Her words revealed much regret.

【34】 Wen Ya said: "The palace can't control you; do as you please from now on, go ahead." Her words revealed much regret.

Chinese.

comment.

Now produce line.

【35】 In fact, Hu Xiaotian had never prepared to obey Wen Ya's orders; the stewardship of Mingyue Palace was still forced upon him by Ji Feihua, who according to her original words meant he was just going through the motions—not that Hu Xiaotian looks down on Wen Ya, but don't be deceived by Wen Ya's appearance, which belongs to the level of calamitous beauty; too bad this is the palace, and there happens to be an eccentric emperor who dislikes rouge and loves military attire, plus Ji Feihua meddling from the middle—she wants to gain the emperor's favor, to bewitch him with beauty—that's as hard as climbing to heaven. Furthermore, Wen Ya's luck doesn't seem good either: clearly, Rong Baoxing with great difficulty created an opportunity for her to attend the emperor, but this girl happened to have her period; now Rong Baoxing is also dead, waiting for the next time the emperor turns her card, who knows when—maybe the year of the monkey and month of the horse—perhaps she'll never have a chance in this lifetime, just waiting to grow old alone in this palace.

Chinese.

Translation: The matter of Hu Xiaotian killing someone in Mingyue Palace still spread far and wide; just now he returned to the Directorate of Imperial Gardens, a group of little eunuchs gathered around asking after his health, seeing Hu Xiaotian unharmed, they already knew this disturbance had passed safely.

comment.

【36】 The matter of Hu Xiaotian killing someone in Mingyue Palace still spread far and wide; just now he returned to the Directorate of Imperial Gardens, a group of little eunuchs gathered around asking after his health, seeing Hu Xiaotian unharmed, they already knew this disturbance had passed safely.

Chinese.

Translation: Shi Xuedong drove away those little eunuchs, accompanied Hu Xiaotian back to his room; although the interior had been in disarray yesterday, it's now tidy, and though Hu Xiaotian isn't here, he still lit a brazier in the room, making the interior warm as spring.

comment.

【37】 Shi Xuedong drove away those little eunuchs, accompanied Hu Xiaotian back to his room; although the interior had been in disarray yesterday, it's now tidy, and though Hu Xiaotian isn't here, he still lit a brazier in the room, making the interior warm as spring.

Chinese.

Translation: Shi Xuedong closed the door and said mysteriously: "Brother, tell me what's going on—you've made me worry all day."

【38】 Shi Xuedong closed the door and said mysteriously: "Brother, tell me what's going on—you've made me worry all day."

Chinese.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed: "It was never a big deal—just a little eunuch in Mingyue Palace who bore ill will toward Baobao; I happened to run into him, so we fought, and in my inattention he fell and accidentally broke his neck."

comment.

【39】 Hu Xiaotian laughed: "It was never a big deal—just a little eunuch in Mingyue Palace who bore ill will toward Baobao; I happened to run into him, so we fought, and in my inattention he fell and accidentally broke his neck."

Chinese.

Translation: Shi Xuedong said: "If you're talking about Baobao, that girl really is attractive, easy to stir up ill intentions."

【40】 Shi Xuedong said: "If you're talking about Baobao, that girl really is attractive, easy to stir up ill intentions."

Chinese.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed: "What nonsense are you spouting? As eunuchs we don't have that kind of mindset."

【41】 Hu Xiaotian laughed: "What nonsense are you spouting? As eunuchs we don't have that kind of mindset."

Chinese.

Translation: Shi Xuedong muttered lowly: "You don't have what I have." After all, he's a bit more than an ordinary eunuch.

【42】 Shi Xuedong muttered lowly: "You don't have what I have." After all, he's a bit more than an ordinary eunuch.

Chinese.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian took the cup of tea Shi Xuedong handed him, took a sip; from last night till now he hasn't slept properly, he's really fatigued and couldn't help but yawn.

【43】 Hu Xiaotian took the cup of tea Shi Xuedong handed him, took a sip; from last night till now he hasn't slept properly, he's really fatigued and couldn't help but yawn.

Chinese.

Translation: Shi Xuedong saw this and didn't want to keep disturbing him, laughing: "Looks like you're tired, brother; I won't bother you—rest well and get a good sleep." He rose, left, and after leaving helped close the door.

【44】 Shi Xuedong saw this and didn't want to keep disturbing him, laughing: "Looks like you're tired, brother; I won't bother you—rest well and get a good sleep." He rose, left, and after leaving helped close the door.

Chinese.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian rose, bolted the door, remembering he still had to night-investigate Zilan Palace tonight; taking advantage of this moment he decided to catch some sleep, so he pulled up the blankets and lay down.

comment.

【45】 Hu Xiaotian rose, bolted the door, remembering he still had to night-investigate Zilan Palace tonight; taking advantage of this moment he decided to catch some sleep, so he pulled up the blankets and lay down.

Chinese.

Translation: He slept extremely soundly; when he woke up he realized it was already late at night.

【46】 He slept extremely soundly; when he woke up he realized it was already late at night.

Chinese.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian lit a candle, felt a bit hungry, rose and opened the door; a cold wind blew snowflakes into his face—unexpectedly, after the snow had stopped for a day it started again, this snowfall heavier than yesterday's; the courtyard of the Directorate of Imperial Gardens was pitch black, the little eunuchs already asleep. Outside came the sound of the night watch—it was already the First Update. Hu Xiaotian suddenly recalled the gesture he'd made to Long Xi Yue in Zilan Palace today, indicating that tonight at the First Update he would night-investigate Zilan Palace, but he didn't know whether she understood his meaning. The appointed time had passed; even if he went now it would be late. Yet a true man, once he decides something, cannot change it—Hu Xiaotian shut the door and quietly headed for the wine cellar.

comment.

【47】 Hu Xiaotian lit a candle, felt a bit hungry, rose and opened the door; a cold wind blew snowflakes into his face—unexpectedly, after the snow had stopped for a day it started again, this snowfall heavier than yesterday's; the courtyard of the Directorate of Imperial Gardens was pitch black, the little eunuchs already asleep. Outside came the sound of the night watch—it was already the First Update. Hu Xiaotian suddenly recalled the gesture he'd made to Long Xi Yue in Zilan Palace today, indicating that tonight at the First Update he would night-investigate Zilan Palace, but he didn't know whether she understood his meaning. The appointed time had passed; even if he went now it would be late. Yet a true man, once he decides something, cannot change it—Hu Xiaotian shut the door and quietly headed for the wine cellar.

This chapter is an extra chapter; upon reaching one thousand votes, adding Three More still counts— in one night we got a triple burst, and it looks like we'll hit four or five in a row; Zhangyu covers his face and flees; updates are not few either; brothers, can you back me once so Lao Zhangyu isn't too embarrassed? I've given it my all these three days, put my attitude forward, and the Monthly Ticket now rests entirely on you all! (To be continued…)

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