Chapter 406

"Hu Xiaotian inferred that it must be Mu Rongzhan who had arrived; he stood up and straightened his clothes." No Chinese.

"Names: Hu Xiaotian, Mu Rongzhan." OK.

"After the door lock was opened, Mu Rongzhan appeared outside; it was a winter afternoon, the sunlight was not strong, but Hu Xiaotian, who had been in the darkness for a long time, still found it hard to bear." OK.

"Names: Mu Rongzhan, Hu Xiaotian." OK.

"Hu Xiaotian narrowed his eyes at Mu Rongzhan, who walked slowly into the room with his hands behind his back; in the darkness, Mu Rongzhan's gray eyes emitted a bluish-gray glow—few knew he possessed night vision, his sight being sharper at night than by day." OK.

"Names: Hu Xiaotian, Mu Rongzhan, Lan (from bluish-gray). Also maybe night vision not a name." OK.

"Mu Rongzhan gazed at Hu Xiaotian's face; even in the dim light he could clearly see every detail of Hu Xiaotian's features, yet for some reason he felt that Hu Xiaotian seemed somewhat different from before, though he could not pinpoint exactly how." OK.

"Names: Mu Rongzhan, Hu Xiaotian." OK.

"Hu Xiaotian said, "Murong Commander, have you come to release me?" Yet he understood that the chance of being freed immediately was slim." OK.

"Names: Hu Xiaotian, Murong Commander (title). Also maybe Eunuch Hu not yet." OK.

"Mu Rongzhan said, "Eunuch Hu, just stay here peacefully; how the Bright Moon Palace affair should be handled depends on the Emperor's decision." OK.

"Names: Mu Rongzhan, Eunuch Hu, Bright Moon Palace, Emperor." OK.

"Hu Xiaotian said, "Hasn't this already been investigated? The letter left by the Talented Person also admits that she set fire to the Bright Moon Palace." OK.

"Names: Hu Xiaotian, Talented Person, Bright Moon Palace." OK.

"Mu Rongzhan sighed and said, "Grand Preceptor Wen has carefully examined that letter and confirmed it is a forgery." OK.

"Names: Mu Rongzhan, Grand Preceptor Wen (title). Also maybe Wen Chenghuan appears later." OK.

"Upon hearing this news, Hu Xiaotian felt as if struck by lightning; he of course understood what it meant for him if that letter were deemed a forgery." OK.

"Names: Hu Xiaotian. No new." OK.

"Mu Rongzhan said, "I came just to ask you one thing: did you write that letter?" OK.

"Names: Mu Rongzhan, Hu Xiaotian (implied)." OK.

"Hu Xiaotian's heart filled with resentment; he looked at Mu Rongzhan and said, "Murong Commander, even if I say I didn't write it, who would believe me? Would anyone help me explain this to the Emperor?" OK.

"Names: Hu Xiaotian, Murong Commander (title), Emperor." OK.

"Mu Rongzhan's eyes were full of sympathy. Actually, the Bright Moon Palace fire is not complicated; the letter left by Wen Ya admits she started the fire herself, but Grand Preceptor Wen Chenghuan has denied that the letter is Wen Ya's own handwriting, thus denying that Wen Ya set the fire. Consequently, suspicion falls again on Hu Xiaotian, and the suicide note that should have cleared his name has instead become evidence against him." OK.

"Names: Mu Rongzhan, Bright Moon Palace, Wen Ya, Grand Preceptor Wen Chenghuan, Hu Xiaotian. Also maybe suicide note not a name." OK.

"Mu Rongzhan said, "There is currently no solid evidence proving you are connected to this fire." His statement carries two meanings: literally, there is no evidence linking you to the fire; implicitly, there is also no evidence proving you are unrelated. Now Wen Chenghuan firmly denies the authenticity of that suicide note, effectively pushing Hu Xiaotian into a desperate situation—perhaps even execution—and having Hu Xiaotian brought here to be temporarily detained is also at Wen Chenghuan's request." OK.

"Names: Mu Rongzhan, Wen Chenghuan, Hu Xiaotian. Also maybe Wen Chenghuan already listed." OK.

"Hu Xiaotian said, "Murong Steward, thank you for your trouble." OK.

"Names: Hu Xiaotian, Murong Steward (title). Also Mu Rongzhan implied." OK.

"Mu Rongzhan said, "Rest assured, until the Emperor decides how to handle this matter, just stay here peacefully." He turned to the guard behind him and said, "Bring Eunuch Hu a blanket. Provide him with three meals a day and treat him well." OK.

"Names: Mu Rongzhan, Emperor, Guard, Eunuch Hu." OK.

"Hu Xiaotian said, "Murong Steward, I would like to ask you for a favor." OK.

"Names: Hu Xiaotian, Murong Steward." OK.

"Mu Rongzhan nodded." OK.

"Names: Mu Rongzhan." OK.

"I would like to see Eunuch Ji."

"Names: Eunuch Ji (title). Also Ji Feihua implied." OK.

"Mu Rongzhan said, "Wait until I see him and I will relay this to you." After speaking, he turned and left; the door was locked behind him, the guards re-secured it, and Hu Xiaotian was once again plunged into darkness." OK.

"Names: Mu Rongzhan, Guard, Hu Xiaotian." OK.

""Did he really say that?" Ji Feihua said slowly, gazing at the wax plum blossoms in the vase." Need to remove outer quotes. Should be: 【40】 Did he really say that? Ji Feihua said slowly, gazing at the wax plum blossoms in the vase.

"Names: Ji Feihua." OK.

"Li Yan said, "Grand Preceptor Wen has determined that the letter was not written by the Talented Person; just now the guards searched Hu Xiaotian's room at the Imperial Gardens Bureau and found some of his usual account documents. Mr. Zhai of the Ministry of Punishments has compared the handwriting and concluded that the suicide note found in the Bright Moon Palace is Hu Xiaotian's handwriting." OK.

"Names: Li Yan, Grand Preceptor Wen, Talented Person, Guard, Hu Xiaotian, Imperial Gardens Bureau, Ministry of Punishments, Mr. Zhai, Bright Moon Palace." OK.

"Ji Feihua chuckled, extended a finger, plucked a petal from the plum blossom, and said, "Zhai Guangmu is renowned as having the keenest eyesight in Dakang; any counterfeit cannot escape his notice, so his words still carry some persuasive weight." OK.

"Names: Ji Feihua, Zhai Guangmu, Dakang. Also maybe Zhai Guangmu is a person." OK.

"Li Yan said, "Sir, Hu Xiaotian is truly audacious; he dared to set fire to the Bright Moon Palace and even forged Wen Ya's handwriting in a suicide note." OK.

"Names: Li Yan, Sir, Hu Xiaotian, Bright Moon Palace, Wen Ya." OK.

"Ji Feihua asked, "Why would he burn the Bright Moon Palace, killing Wen Ya? And why would he forge a suicide note?" OK.

"Names: Ji Feihua, Bright Moon Palace, Wen Ya." OK.

"Li Yan said, "This man harbors wolfish ambitions; he is no good sort. In my view, because the Hu family fell into misfortune, he entered the palace as a eunuch, and thus developed resentment toward the Emperor, leading him to do this in order to avenge the Emperor's earlier punishment of confiscating the Hu family's property." OK.

"Names: Li Yan, Hu family, Emperor." OK.

"Ji Feihua held the petal to his nose, inhaled lightly, and whispered, "Who sent him to the Bright Moon Palace?" OK.

"Names: Ji Feihua, Bright Moon Palace." OK.

"That single question left Li Yan speechless—not because he couldn't answer, but because he dared not; originally it was Ji Feihua who arranged for Hu Xiaotian to go to the Bright Moon Palace." OK.

"Names: Li Yan, Ji Feihua, Hu Xiaotian, Bright Moon Palace." OK.

"Ji Feihua said, "If all this was done by him, even a fool would realize someone is pulling the strings behind him; who do you say that person is?" OK.

"Names: Ji Feihua. Also maybe he refers to Hu Xiaotian." OK.

"Cold sweat beaded on Li Yan's forehead as he bit his lip, unable to answer." OK.

"Names: Li Yan." OK.

""Speak!" Ji Feihua's voice was light and calm, yet carried an irresistible authority." Remove outer quotes: 【60】 Speak! Ji Feihua's voice was light and calm, yet carried an irresistible authority.

"Names: Ji Feihua." OK.

"Li Yan, frightened, fell to his knees with a thud." OK.

"Names: Li Yan." OK.

"Ji Feihua's gaze never left him: "Actually everyone knows that suicide note is genuine; Wen Chenghuan, that old fool, denying it is understandable—father and daughter, he doesn't want his daughter to bear the blame for setting the palace ablaze. Yet Zhai Guangmu dares to speak lies with his eyes wide open; what is their purpose? Tell

Names: Ji Feihua, Wen Chenghuan, Zhai Guangmu. Also maybe old fool not a name.

Li Yan trembled as he said, "They want Hu Xiaotian to take the blame..."

Names: Li Yan, Hu Xiaotian.

"Hehehe, Li Yan, Li Yan, you truly disappoint the Zajia—you have no brains, not even courage; they aren't trying to make Hu Xiaotian take the blame, but to make the Zajia take it, right?"

Names: Li Yan, Zajia, Hu Xiaotian.

Li Yan nodded repeatedly.

Names: Li Yan.

Ji Feihua said, "It seems you do understand; since you know why you should say what you just said," and he plucked the wax plum blossom from the vase.

Names: Ji Feihua. Also maybe wax plum not a name.

"Speak!" accompanied by a fierce shout, the wax plum petals shot up, fluttering in the void; the chilling killing intent forced Li Yan unable to open his eyes, and he kowtowed like pounding garlic, saying, "I know my mistake, I know my mistake."

Names: Ji Feihua, Li Yan.

Ji Feihua looked at the bare wax plum branch in his hand and said, "Since Zhai Guangmu's eyes are already dim with age, keeping them is useless; now go tell him."

Names: Ji Feihua, Zhai Guangmu.

Yes!

No names.

"Go!" Li Yan scrambled up from the ground in a sorry state and fled, feeling as if a great burden had been lifted.

Names: Li Yan.

Afterwards He Mu entered, cupping his fists in salute to Ji Feihua and saying, "Subordinate pays respects to Commander."

Names: He Mu, Ji Feihua, Commander.

Ji Feihua asked, "How's the investigation going?"

Names: Ji Feihua.

"Reporting to the Commander, Hu Xiaotian has been taken away and detained by Mu Rongzhan; it seems Grand Preceptor Wen intends to pursue his responsibility."

Names: Commander, Hu Xiaotian, Mu Rongzhan, Grand Preceptor Wen.

Ji Feihua asked, "What's the situation with Quan De'an?"

Names: Ji Feihua, Quan De'an.

He Mu said, "Nothing much; he has already returned to Cheng'en Mansion."

Names: He Mu, Cheng'en Mansion.

Ji Feihua raised her orchid finger and gently stroked the hair at her cheek: "Old fox! It seems this time she is determined to sacrifice the pawn."

Names: Ji Feihua, old fox. Also maybe orchid finger not a name.

He Mu said, "Commander, I heard that Wen Chenghuan is contacting officials to prepare for tomorrow's audience with the Emperor."

Names: He Mu, Commander, Wen Chenghuan, court officials.

Ji Feihua said, "Same old tune again—this old thing wants to impeach me!"

Names: Ji Feihua. Also maybe this old thing not a name.

He Mu smiled and said, "Commander, you need not worry; they cannot move against you, and as long as we promptly eliminate future troubles, it will naturally not implicate you."

Names: He Mu, Commander.

Ji Feihua's expression turned somewhat cold: "Are you advising me to silence him as soon as possible?"

Names: Ji Feihua.

He Mu nodded and said, "The Bright Moon Palace matter is settled; Hu Xiaotian has lost his value, and keeping him alive would only cause unnecessary trouble."

Names: He Mu, Bright Moon Palace, Hu Xiaotian.

Ji Feihua said, "The Zajia will handle Hu Xiaotian's affairs; without my order, no one may act against him."

Names: Ji Feihua, Hu Xiaotian, Zajia.

Yes!

No names.

When the birds are gone, the bow is put away; when the rabbit is dead, the dog is cooked!

No names (proverb).

Hu Xiaotian's feeling grew worse and worse; in this world no one enjoys perpetual luck. He had been maneuvering between Ji Feihua and Quan De'an, hoping to gain from both sides, but now he finally tasted the bitter fruit. The Bright Moon Palace fire completely shattered the balance; his fate as a sacrificed pawn may be unchangeable, and worse, he finds himself at the center of the storm yet completely passive, with no power to fight back.

Names: Hu Xiaotian, Ji Feihua, Quan De'an, Bright Moon Palace.

At nightfall, a guard brought dinner, which was surprisingly lavish—four dishes, one soup, and a pot of fine wine. Looking at the exquisite spread, Hu Xiaotian felt no appetite, only a sense of dread. He had often seen this trope in books: the better the food and drink, the more ominous the portent.

Names: Hu Xiaotian, Guard.

The guard who delivered the food smiled and said, "These foods and drinks were specially sent by the Commander."

Names: Guard, Commander.

Hu Xiaotian's first thought was to kill and silence; now Wen Chenghuan is pointing the finger at him, and it is likely that he will next target Ji Feihua, who probably wants to eliminate future trouble by doing away with him.

Names: Hu Xiaotian, Wen Chenghuan, Ji Feihua.

Hu Xiaotian stared blankly at the food and drink, then whispered, "Which Commander?"

Names: Hu Xiaotian, Commander.

That Guard spoke in a lowered voice: 'Of course it's Ji Gonggong...'

Hu Xiaotian silently sighed; Ji Feihua truly wielded vast power, even among the palace guards there were his men. He nodded and said, "Brother, you've worked hard. Go rest first; I'll call you after I finish eating."

"The Commander said I must watch you finish all this food and drink."

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed, "Damn you!" Ji Feihua, Ji Feihua, you are indeed vicious; the Mingyue Palace fire incident is still unresolved, yet you can't wait to move against me and kill me. Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Brother, you've also worked hard all day; taking advantage of Eunuch Ji's fine wine and food, how about we have a couple drinks and become friends?"

The guard laughed and said, "These dishes and drinks were specially prepared for you by the Commander; I wouldn't dare eat them myself. Hurry up and eat—once you're done, I can go back to report my duty."

Hu Xiaotian still had a glimmer of hope in his heart, but seeing the situation before him, he was utterly desperate; Ji Feihua gave him no chance at all—he must be killed to silence him. Hu Xiaotian steeled himself: "Ji Feihua, Ji Feihua, since you are inhumane, don't blame me for being unrighteous—dragon's pool and tiger's den, blades mountains and seas of fire, I'll stage a bloody showdown in the imperial city, risking my life to drag the emperor off his horse; each kill I make is a profit."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Then I won't stand on ceremony."

The guard smiled, placed the tray on the ground, gestured, and said, "Eunuch Hu, please take your time."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, his body suddenly sprang into action, lunging forward like lightning; in one move he seized the guard's throat, intending to break his neck.

For the who cool alliance, extra chapter for the red flowers! Thanks to all brothers and sisters who rewarded Zhangyu! (To be continued~^~)