Chapter 408

But before Hu Xiaotian could act, he heard a sharp, thin voice from outside say, 'Hu Xiaotian, you little brat, you really are the type who refuses a toast only to drink the penalty!' The speaker was none other than Ji Feihua, dressed in black palace robes with a deep purple cloak draped over his shoulders, standing silently outside the door, gazing at Hu Xiaotian who had suddenly launched an attack inside, his phoenix eyes brimming with teasing.

Let's break: But before Hu Xiaotian could act, he heard a sharp, thin voice from outside say, 'Hu Xiaotian, you little brat, you really are the type who refuses a toast only to drink the penalty!' The speaker was none other than Ji Feihua, dressed in black palace robes with a deep purple cloak draped over his shoulders, standing silently outside the door, gazing at Hu Xiaotian who had suddenly launched an attack inside, his phoenix eyes brimming with teasing.

Translation: "But Hu Xiaotian hadn't even had a chance to act when a sharp, thin voice came from outside: 'Hu Xiaotian, you brat, you really are the type who refuses a toast and drinks the penalty!' The speaker was Ji Feihua, dressed in black palace robes with a deep purple cloak draped over them, standing silently outside the door, watching Hu Xiaotian suddenly cause trouble inside, his phoenix eyes full of teasing."

We need to keep it concise but faithful. Ensure we include all info.

Let's produce: "【1】 But Hu Xiaotian hadn't even had a chance to act when a sharp, thin voice came from outside: 'Hu Xiaotian, you brat, you really are the type who refuses a toast and drinks the penalty!' The speaker was Ji Feihua, dressed in black palace robes with a deep purple cloak draped over them, standing silently outside the door, watching Hu Xiaotian suddenly cause trouble inside, his phoenix eyes full of teasing."

Check: we kept all details.

The guard turned ashen with fright, never imagining that Hu Xiaotian's skills could be so swift.

Translation: "The guard turned ashen with fright, never expecting Hu Xiaotian's skill to be so swift."

Hu Xiaotian clamped his left hand around the guard's throat, and with his right drew the waist sword from the guard's belt with a clang. Though he knew he stood no chance against even a single move from Ji Feihua's men, he resolved to fight to the death, determined to go out in a blaze of glory rather than surrender.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian's left hand clamped the guard's throat while his right drew the waist saber from the guard's belt with a clang; though he knew he stood no chance against Ji Feihua in a single move, he resolved to fight to the death, determined to go out in a blaze of glory rather than surrender."

Need to keep "with a clang". Good.

Ji Feihua let out a sigh, stepped forward slowly, while Hu Xiaotian pointed his gleaming steel blade at him, fully on guard.

Translation: "Ji Feihua sighed, stepped forward slowly, while Hu Xiaotian pointed his gleaming steel saber at him, fully on guard."

After entering the room, Ji Feihua showed no intention of attacking; instead, he bowed slightly, picked up the wine jar from the tray, poured a cup, tilted his head back and drank it all in one go, then said softly, 'This thirty‑year‑aged Jade Jade Spring—you really have no taste, kid.'

Translation: "After entering the room, Ji Feihua made no move to attack; instead, he bowed slightly, picked up the wine jar from the tray on the floor, poured a cup, tilted his head back and drained it in one gulp, then said softly, 'This thirty-year-aged Jade Jade Spring—you brat really have no eye for quality.'"

Note: The wine name is 'Jade Jade Spring'.

At this moment Hu Xiaotian finally believed that the food and drink contained no poison; he must have been overly sensitive and misjudged Ji Feihua's intent. He pursed his lips, slipped the steel blade back into the guard's sheath, and slowly released the guard's throat.

Translation: "Only then did Hu Xiaotian believe there was no poison in the food and drink, realizing he had been overly sensitive and misjudged Ji Feihua's intent. He pursed his lips, slipped the steel saber back into the guard's sheath, and slowly released the guard's throat."

The guard, having escaped death, broke out in a cold sweat. He had wanted to say something, but upon seeing Ji Feihua he swallowed his words.

Translation: "The guard, having escaped death, broke out in a cold sweat; he wanted to say something, but upon seeing Ji Feihua, he swallowed his words."

Ji Feihua said, 'You go out first; let us talk in private.'

Translation: "Ji Feihua said, 'You go out first; let us talk alone.'"

The guard obediently withdrew.

Translation: "The guard obediently withdrew."

Hu Xiaotian felt a flush in his cheeks; his earlier actions were hardly blameworthy, yet he had misjudged the situation. Caught red‑handed by Ji Feihua, he risked being seen as judging a nobleman with a petty mind. After struggling for words, he finally managed, 'Sir, don't blame me—the circumstances forced me; I'm really a bit nervous.'

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian felt a flush of embarrassment; his earlier action was understandable, but his judgment had been faulty. Caught red-handed by Ji Feihua, he suspected he was judging a nobleman with a petty mind. After struggling, he managed to say, 'Sir, don't blame me; the circumstances forced me—I'm really quite nervous.'"

Note: "大人" is Sir (official). We'll use "Sir". Good.

Ji Feihua laughed and said, 'If Zajia were to spend time with you in a different place, he might well do something just as crazy as you.' He poured a cup of wine and handed it to Hu Xiaotian.

Translation: "Ji Feihua laughed, saying, 'If the Zajia were to deal with you elsewhere, they might well do something just as crazy.' He poured a cup of wine and handed it to Hu Xiaotian."

Note: The glossary gives 'Zajia' for this term.

Hu Xiaotian took the cup, still feeling uneasy. Ji Feihua had just drunk from it, so for him to drink again would be like indirectly kissing a man—but he steeled himself and drank it anyway.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian took the cup, still uneasy; since Ji Feihua had just drunk from it, for him to drink again would be like indirect kissing with a man—but he steeled himself and drank it down."

Ji Feihua said, 'Zajia always acts openly and aboveboard; if I wanted to kill a low‑rank eunuch I wouldn't need to go through all this trouble—I'd just do it, no justification needed.'

Translation: "Ji Feihua said, 'The Zajia always act openly and aboveboard; if I wanted to kill a little eunuch, I wouldn't need to go through all this trouble—I'd just kill him, no reason needed.'"

Hu Xiaotian replied, 'I know my position is lowly and insignificant in the palace, but even if I were to die I want to die with a clear conscience, not to be wrongfully killed in obscurity.'

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian replied, 'I know my position is lowly and insignificant in the palace, but even if I were to die, I want to die with a clear understanding, not to be wrongfully killed in obscurity.'"

Ji Feihua said, 'In this world there are two things most people never figure out: why they came into this world, and why they will die. Why bother digging for roots? Some things simply need no reason.'

Translation: "Ji Feihua said, 'In this world, most people fail to grasp two things: why they came into this world, and why they will die. Why bother digging for roots? Some things simply need no cause.'"

He lifted the lid, took several gulps straight from the jar, then passed the jar to Hu Xiaotian.

Translation: "He lifted the jar's lid, took several gulps straight from it, then passed the jar to Hu Xiaotian."

Hu Xiaotian cursed inwardly, 'You damn pervert, why do you keep making me drink your leftovers? Drinking your saliva is disgusting.' He thought that, yet he dared not refuse the drink. Earlier he had thought Ji Feihua wanted to kill him, so he had thrown caution to the wind, ready to die. But now a sudden turn of events revealed that Ji Feihua had no intention to kill him, so he quickly bowed low, feigning submission—after all, refusing a toast only to face a penalty seemed pointless. This time he drained the cup completely.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian cursed inwardly, 'You pervert, why keep making me drink your leftovers? Drinking your saliva is disgusting.' Though he thought that, he still dared not refuse the drink. Earlier he had believed Ji Feihua wanted to kill him, so he had thrown caution to the wind, ready to die; now, seeing a sudden turn and realizing Ji Feihua had no killing intent, he hastily acted subservient, lowered his head, and—since refusing a toast would only bring a penalty—drank the cup dry."

Ji Feihua said, 'Actually, this jar of wine is poisoned.'

Translation: "Ji Feihua said, 'Actually, this jar of wine is poisoned.'"

Hu Xia

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian's heart skipped a beat; he blinked and laughed, 'Commander Sir, you really know how to joke!'"

Hu Xiaotian's heart skipped a beat; he blinked and laughed, 'Commander, you really know how to joke!'

Ji Feihua said: 'The Zajia never joke; this pot of wine has been laced with Five-Step Corpse-Rending Poison.'

Translation: "Ji Feihua said, 'The Zajia never joke; this jar contains the Five-Step Corpse-Rending Poison.'"

Note: The poison is called 'Five-Step Corpse-Rending Poison'.

'Are you still drinking?' Hu Xiaotian's smile visibly stiffened.

Translation: "'Then you still drank it?' Hu Xiaotian's smile visibly stiffened."

Ji Feihua said: 'The Zajia possess deep internal strength; drinking the poisonous wine forces it out. With your internal strength, after drinking it, you will surely suffer a ruptured intestine and a rotting belly.'

Translation: "Ji Feihua said, 'The Zajia's internal strength is deep; after drinking poisoned wine we can force it out. With your internal strength, drinking it would inevitably lead to ruptured intestines and a rotting belly.'"

At this moment, Hu Xiaotian's complexion had changed; what Ji Feihua said was true. Given his martial skill, even if he drank the poisoned wine, he would be fine, but he himself would be in trouble. He hurriedly bent down, inserted his index finger into his throat, trying to vomit up whatever he could. After several efforts, Hu Xiaotian finally vomited, and the room instantly filled with a strong wine odor.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian's face had changed; Ji Feihua's words were true—given his martial prowess, even if he drank the poisoned wine he would be fine, but Hu Xiaotian would suffer. He hurriedly bent down, shoved his index finger into his throat to gag himself, managing to bring up whatever he could; after much effort, Hu Xiaotian finally vomited, and the room instantly filled with a strong wine odor."

Ji Feihua watched this fellow's actions, feeling both angry and amused, with a hint of disgust, covering his nose and said: 'You really are disgusting. Although the Zajia never joke, they occasionally tell a lie or two, and yet you actually believe such an obvious lie?'

Translation: "Ji Feihua watched his antics, feeling both annoyed and amused, with a hint of disgust, covering his nose as he said, 'You're really disgusting; although the Zajia never joke, we occasionally tell a white lie or two, and yet you actually believed such an obvious falsehood?'"

Hu Xiaotian, made to feel like crying without tears by Ji Feihua, wiped his mouth and said: 'Commander, I've come to this sorry state—stop playing with me.' In fact, Hu Xiaotian is no fool; he also guessed that the wine contained no poison, and even if Ji Feihua were bored, he wouldn't go so far as to accompany him in drinking poison. The reason he put on this embarrassed act was simply to elicit a smile from Ji Feihua. Although the wine was non-toxic, he could not determine whether Ji Feihua harbored any murderous intent toward him.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian, reduced to tears by Ji Feihua's antics, wiped his mouth and said, 'Commander Sir, I've come to this sorry state—stop playing with me.' In fact Hu Xiaotian was no fool; he also guessed the wine held no poison, and Ji Feihua, no matter how bored, wouldn't waste time sharing poisoned wine with him. His act of distress was really just to earn a smile from Ji Feihua; though the wine was non‑toxic, he could not tell whether Ji Feihua harbored any killing intent toward him."

Note: The honorific is translated as 'Commander'.

Ji Feihua said: 'Lord Wen Taishi said that the last will of the Talented Person was written by you.'

Translation: "Ji Feihua said, 'Lord Wen Taishi says that the Talented Person's last letter was written by you.'"

Note: The title translates to 'Grand Tutor Wen'.

Note: The term translates to 'Talented Person'.

By now, Hu Xiaotian had completely calmed down; Ji Feihua probably hadn't considered killing him to silence him, otherwise he wouldn't have gone through all this trouble, nor would he have come in person to see him. He countered: 'Do you think I would do such a thing, Sir?'

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian had now calmed completely; Ji Feihua likely hadn't intended to kill him to silence him, otherwise he wouldn't have gone to all this trouble, nor come in person. He countered, 'Sir, do you think I would do such a thing?'"

Ji Feihua said: 'If it wasn't you who wrote it, then the Talented Person himself must have written it. Since it's devoid of interest, why leave this last will? Could it be an instance of gilding the lily?'

Translation: "Ji Feihua said, 'If it wasn't you who wrote it, then the Talented Person must have penned it himself; since he had no joy left in life, why would he leave such a last letter? Isn't that a bit of over‑embellishment?'"

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Perhaps it was to avoid implicating her family.'

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian said, 'Perhaps it was to avoid implicating her family.'"

Ji Feihua chuckled: 'That's a stretch. Even if she burned the Bright Moon Palace, most people wouldn't think of her. Isn't this rather a case of trying to conceal something and only drawing more attention?'

Translation: "Ji Feihua chuckled, 'That's a far‑fetched stretch; even if she burned the Bright Moon Palace, most people wouldn't think of her—doesn't this smack of trying to conceal and only drawing more attention?'"

Note: The term translates to 'Bright Moon Palace'.

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Commander, that's really strange of you to say.'

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian said, 'Commander, your remark really is rather strange.'"

Ji Feihua gazed meaningfully at Hu Xiaotian and said: 'Why is it that only you are unharmed? In the Zajia's view, this letter seems not to be meant to console the Wen family, but to console you.'

Translation: "Ji Feihua gazed at Hu Xiaotian with deep meaning and said, 'Why is it that only you are unharmed? In the Zajia's view, this letter seems not to console the Wen family, but to console you.'"

Hu Xiaotian sighed inwardly; Ji Feihua was indeed very perceptive, and it would be hard to deceive him. No matter how difficult, he couldn't reveal everything. Hu Xiaotian said: 'I, too, cannot figure it out.' He paused and continued: 'Actually, my humble life is not worth much; my greatest worry is implicating you, Sir, since you sent me to the Bright Moon Palace. If someone with ill intent uses this as an excuse to cause trouble, it would bring you unnecessary trouble, and then I would die a thousand times without being able to atone.'

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian sighed inwardly; Ji Feihua was truly sharp, hard to deceive. Yet even if it were difficult, he couldn't reveal everything. Hu Xiaotian said, 'I also can't figure it out.' He paused, then added, 'Actually, my lowly life is not worth much; what worries me most is implicating you, Sir, since you sent me to the Bright Moon Palace. If someone with ill intent uses this as an excuse to stir up trouble, it could bring you unnecessary trouble, and then I would die a thousand times without being able to atone.'"

Ji Feihua's expression suddenly turned cold: 'Are you reminding the Zajia or threatening them?'

Translation: "Ji Feihua's expression suddenly turned cold: 'Are you reminding the Zajia, or threatening them?'"

Hu Xiaotian said: 'I dare not; I was actually trying to curry favor with you, Sir, but I didn't expect this flattery to backfire.'

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian said, 'I dare not; I was merely trying to curry favor with you, Sir, but ended up flattering the wrong horse.'"

Ji Feihua couldn't help but smile at the words, shook his head and said: 'Creating trouble! The Zajia would like to see who dares to create trouble. Even if the Zajia sent you to the Bright Moon Palace, so what? Who has evidence to prove that this fire was set by you?'

Translation: "Ji Feihua couldn't help but smile at the words, shook his head and said, 'Stirring up trouble! The Zajia would like to see who dares to stir up trouble. We sent you to the Bright Moon Palace—so what? Who has proof that this fire was set by you?'"

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Sir, please see clearly—the Bright Moon Palace fire has nothing to do with me.'

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian said, 'Sir, with your discernment, the Bright Moon Palace fire has nothing to do with me.'"

Ji Feihua glared at him and said: 'Why are you rushing to defend yourself? If the Zajia didn't believe you, why would they come here to meet you? Put your mind at ease—the Zajia will not let anyone harm you.'

Translation: "Ji Feihua glared at him and said, 'Why are you rushing to justify yourself? If the Zajia didn't trust you, why would we come here to meet you? Keep your heart in your belly—the Zajia won't let anyone harm you.'"

Regardless of whether Ji Feihua's words were true or false, Hu Xiaotian felt a surge of emotion. As the saying goes, one fears not ignorance but comparison; people are the same. Compared to the cold-hearted Quan De'an, who would seize this opportunity to grandstand and even use Hu Xiaotian against Ji Feihua, Ji Feihua displayed fearless responsibility. Although he knew the situation was unfavorable to him, he still chose to protect himself. As the saying goes, a scholar dies for those who understand him. For this reason alone, Hu Xiaotian would now side with Ji Feihua. Quan De'an, Quan De'an, since you lack benevolence, do not blame me for lacking righteousness; from now on, betraying you is out of the question.

Translation: "Regardless of whether Ji Feihua's words were true or false, Hu Xiaotian felt a surge of emotion—better to deal with an unknown commodity than to compare goods, as people are like that. Compared to the cold‑hearted Quan De'an, who would seize this chance to grandstand and even use him against Ji Feihua, Ji Feihua showed fearless responsibility, knowing the situation was unfavorable yet still choosing to protect himself. As the saying goes, a scholar dies for one who knows him; based on this alone, Hu Xiaotian would henceforth side with Ji Feihua. Quan De'an, Quan De'an, you lack benevolence—don't blame me for lacking righteousness; from now on, betraying you is not up for discussion."

Note: The name translates to 'Quan De'an'.

Of course, Hu Xiaotian also understood that Ji Feihua's rescue of him was not entirely altruistic; surely he still had some use and residual value not yet exhausted. Anyway, being used by others is also a manifestation of value; as long as he could live well, even playing the role of a servant to a thief, he didn't mind.

Translation: "Of course Hu Xiaotian also understood that Ji Feihua's rescue wasn't purely altruistic; surely he still had use for him, some residual value not yet squeezed out. Whatever—being used is also a manifestation of value; as long as he could live well, even playing the role of a son to a thief, he didn't mind."

Just as Ji Feihua was about to leave, he saw two eunuchs rushing over. He could see clearly that both of them attended the Emperor in the Xuanweigong Palace. The two eunuchs had not expected to find Ji Feihua here; they hurried forward to pay their respects, and one of them anxiously said: 'Eunuch Ji, something serious has happened—the Emperor's dragon body is suddenly unwell, and he suffers unbearable abdominal pain.'

Translation: "Just as Ji Feihua was about to leave, two eunuchs came rushing over. Ji Feihua saw clearly that they both served the Emperor in the Xuanweigong; the eunuchs hadn't expected to find Ji Feihua here, and hurried forward to pay respects, one of them panting, 'Sir Eunuch Ji, something's wrong—the Emperor's dragon body is suddenly unwell, suffering unbearable abdominal pain.'"

Note: The terms translate to Xuanweigong, Emperor, dragon body, and Eunuch Ji.

Ji Feihua gasped: 'What? Has an imperial physician been summoned?'

Translation: "Ji Feihua startled: 'What? Have you summoned the imperial physicians?'"

'He has already been summoned, but the Emperor's condition is complex; the imperial physicians are at a loss. It was the Emperor who recalled Eunuch Hu and summoned him to save the emperor.' The use of the phrase 'save the emperor' shows this is no minor matter.

Translation: "'They've already been sent for, but the Emperor's condition is complex and the imperial physicians are at a loss; it was the Emperor who recalled Eunuch Hu, summoning Eunuch Hu to come and save the drive.' The use of the word 'save the drive' shows it's no minor matter."

Note: The terms translate to Eunuch Hu and save the emperor.

Thus translation: "'They've already been sent for, but the Emperor's condition is complex and the imperial physicians are at a loss; it was the Emperor who recalled Eunuch Hu, summoning Eunuch Hu to come and save the emperor.' The use of the word 'save the emperor' shows it's no minor matter."

When the boat reaches the bridge, it naturally goes straight; when the willows grow dark and the flowers bright, another village appears. Hu Xiaotian realized his luck had not yet run out; even if Ji Feihua did not lend a hand, he would still turn misfortune into fortune.

Translation: "When the boat reaches the bridgehead, it goes straight; when the willows grow dark and the flowers bright, another village appears. Hu Xiaotian realized his luck hadn't run out yet—even if Ji Feihua didn't lend a hand, he would still turn danger into safety."

Long Yelin's illness came on very suddenly. After dinner, he had been listening to a musician play the zither, but suddenly his lower abdomen hurt as if being cut by a knife. He hurriedly summoned an imperial physician for treatment. After several imperial physicians took the Emperor's pulse, they also prescribed some remedies, yet after the Emperor took them, the pain not only did not lessen but worsened. Among the three major medical institutes of Dakang, the Xuantian Guan is the one most trusted by the imperial family; however, the current head of Xuantian Guan, Ren Tianqing, is not in Kangdu, and Qin Yutong, who had previously come to the palace for consultation, is temporarily unreachable due to going out to gather herbs.

Translation: "Long Yelin fell ill very suddenly; after dinner he had been listening to a musician play the zither, but then his lower abdomen seized up as if cut by a knife, and he hastily summoned the imperial physicians for treatment. After several physicians took the Emperor's pulse and prescribed some formulas, the Emperor's pain did not ease but worsened upon taking them. Among the three major medical institutes of Dakang, the Xuantian Guan is the one most trusted by the imperial household, yet its chief, Ren Tianqing, is currently not in Kangdu, and Qin Yutong, who had previously come to the palace for consultations while gathering herbs, is now out gathering herbs and cannot be reached."

Note: The terms translate to Long Yelin, Dakang, Xuantian Guan, Kangdu, Qin Yutong, Ren Tianqing, and three major medical institutes.

Because the Emperor fell ill suddenly this time, the top experts of the Xuantian Guan lineage he trusted most were not in Huangcheng, so he had to settle for second best; apart from a few imperial physicians, he specially invited the head of Yi Yuan Tang, one of the three major medical halls, Li Yifeng. Speaking of Li Yifeng, Hu Xiaotian had already dealt with him multiple times before even going to Qingyun; after going to Qingyun to serve as an official, he and Li Yifeng never saw each other again. This time, meeting again in the palace, their circumstances have changed greatly from before. Li Yifeng remains the head of Yi Yuan Tang, while Hu Xiaotian has gone from being the son of a minister to a little eunuch in the palace. (To be continued~^~)