Chapter 427

Hu Xiaotian said: "She promised me she would let you go."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "She promised me she would let you go."

Baobao said: "I have decided to stay temporarily in Lingyu Palace."

Baobao said, "I have decided to stay temporarily in Lingyu Palace."

Hu Xiaotian exclaimed in surprise: "Why?" He had already planned how to arrange Baobao; as long as he mentioned it to Princess Anping, he could transfer Baobao to Zilan Palace, and given Princess Anping's gentle kindness, she would surely treat Baobao well, but he never expected Baobao would suddenly change her mind.

Hu Xiaotian exclaimed in surprise, "Why?" He had already planned how to arrange Baobao; as long as he mentioned it to Princess Anping, he could transfer Baobao to Zilan Palace, and given Princess Anping's gentleness and kindness, she would surely treat Baobao well, but he never expected Baobao would suddenly change her mind.

Baobao smiled: "I've gotten used to staying in Lingyu Palace, and we sisters have already cleared everything up. During this time, without her meticulous care, my injuries wouldn't have healed so quickly."

Baobao smiled and said, "I have grown accustomed to staying in Lingyu Palace; we sisters have already fully clarified our matters. During this time, if it weren't for her meticulous care, my injuries would not have healed so quickly."

Hu Xiaotian frowned, feeling Baobao's decision wasn't that simple; perhaps she had received another order from Hong Beimo? Thinking of the Wan Chong Shi Bone Pill inside her, his mood sank. Baobao inevitably had reservations; her every move in the palace was still subject to others' influence. Understanding her predicament, Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Just that we won't be able to see each other day and night from now on."

Hu Xiaotian frowned, feeling that Baobao's decision was not that simple; perhaps she had received another order from Hong Beimo? Thinking of the Myriad Insect Bone-Corroding Pill inside her, Hu Xiaotian's mood instantly grew heavy. After all, Baobao harbored reservations; her every move in the palace remained subject to others' control. Understanding Baobao's predicament, Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "It's just that we won't be able to see each other day and night from now on."

Baobao smiled gently: "I will still go to the Si Yuan Bureau; we'll have plenty of chances to meet." Her beautiful eyes shifted, and she lowered her voice: "If I'm not by your side, wouldn't it be easier for you to flirt with other palace maids?"

Baobao smiled gently and said, "I will still go to the Imperial Gardens Bureau; we will have plenty of chances to meet in the future." Her beautiful eyes shifted, and she lowered her voice: "If I'm not by your side, wouldn't it be more convenient for you to flirt with other palace maids?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "I'm not that kind of person." He then mentioned that the emperor had just assigned him to go to Zilan Palace to serve Princess Anping.

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Zajia is not that kind of person." He then related how the Emperor had just assigned him to serve Princess Anping at Zilan Palace.

Between them there were countless things they wanted to confide, but under the broad daylight with many eyes watching, it wasn't convenient to show too much intimacy.

Between them, they originally had countless things they wanted to confide, but under the broad daylight and many watching eyes, it was not convenient to show too much intimacy.

In the distance, a few eunuchs walked toward Hu Xiaotian; Baobao worried their relationship would be seen through, and she slipped away quietly.

In the distance, a few eunuchs walked toward Hu Xiaotian. Baobao worried that their relationship would be seen through by others, and she slipped away quietly.

But it was He Mu who arrived. He was also Ji Feihua's left and right hand. He Mu called from afar: "Lord Hu, what wind blew you to the Mingyue Palace today?"

But the one who arrived was He Mu. He was also Ji Feihua's left and right hand. He Mu called from afar, "Lord Hu, what wind blew you to the Bright Moon Palace today?"

Hu Xiaotian clasped his hands: "These days I've been busy treating the emperor's illness; today the emperor's dragon body has recovered, so I have time to come back and look around." By mentioning this, he wanted to tell everyone that things are different now—he has become the emperor's lifesaver.

Hu Xiaotian cupped his hands toward him and said, "These past few days I've been busy treating the Emperor's illness; today the Emperor's dragon body has recovered, so I have free time to come back and look." By bringing this up voluntarily, he wanted to tell everyone that things are different now—he has become the Emperor's lifesaving benefactor.

He Mu came up to Hu Xiaotian: "I just heard that Lord Hu was rewarded by the emperor and has become the manager of Zilan Palace."

He Mu came up to Hu Xiaotian and said, "I just heard that Lord Hu has been ennobled by the Emperor and has become the steward of Zilan Palace."

"Manager He, your information is truly well-informed."

"Eunuch He's news is truly well-informed."

He Mu laughed: "Good news always spreads especially fast." His gaze shifted over Hu Xiaotian's face: "Lord Hu, you came today; you must be nostalgic for the Mingyue Palace."

He Mu laughed, "Good news always spreads especially fast." His gaze shifted over Hu Xiaotian's face as he said, "Lord Hu came today; you must be nostalgic for the Bright Moon Palace."

Hu Xiaotian deliberately sighed: "Seeing the scene stirs emotion; a fine palace, seven lively lives—gone just like that."

Hu Xiaotian deliberately sighed, "Seeing the scene stirs emotion; a fine palace, seven lively lives—gone just like that."

He Mu said: "A fortunate person enjoys heavenly favor; it's good that Lord Hu escaped this calamity."

He Mu said, "A virtuous person naturally enjoys heavenly favor; fortunately, Lord Hu escaped this calamity."

Hu Xiaotian asked: "Has the Commander returned?"

Hu Xiaotian asked, "Has the Commander returned?"

He Mu shook his head.

He Mu shook his head.

"Does Manager He know where the Commander went?"

"Does Eunuch He know the Commander's whereabouts?"

He Mu laughed: "The Commander's actions are always elusive, like a dragon showing its head but not its tail—hard for us to guess. However, he's been away these days, and with the New Year approaching, he should be returning soon."

He Mu laughed, "The Commander's actions are always elusive—hard for us to fathom—but he has been away these days, and with the New Year approaching, he should be returning soon."

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

He Mu said: "Lord Hu, you have achieved great merit this time and are highly favored by the emperor. Your future will surely be bright; when you prosper, don't forget to look after me."

He Mu said, "Lord Hu, you have achieved great merit this time and are deeply favored by the Emperor. Henceforth your future will be bright as brocade; when you prosper, do not forget to look after me."

Hu Xiaotian knew he was being polite, and replied calmly: "Going to Zilan Palace is to serve Princess Anping; the princess will marry into Dagong after the New Year, so my stay there won't be long."

Hu Xiaotian knew he was being polite, and replied calmly, "Going to Zilan Palace is merely to serve Princess Anping; the Princess will marry off to Da Yong after the New Year, so my stay in Zilan Palace will not be long either."

He Mu said: "Perhaps the emperor will appoint you as the marriage escort to accompany Princess Anping to Dagong; at your young age, being able to undertake such a major task shows the emperor's trust in you."

He Mu said, "Perhaps the Emperor will appoint you as the marriage escort to accompany Princess Anping to Da Yong; if you, at your young age, can undertake such a great task, it shows the Emperor's trust in you."

Hu Xiaotian originally didn't understand why the emperor sent him to Zilan Palace; after He Mu's comment, that possibility arose—could the emperor really intend for him to escort Princess Anping to Dagong? If so, he would have a chance to rescue the princess.

Hu Xiaotian originally also couldn't fathom why the Emperor had sent him to Zilan Palace. After He Mu's remark, that possibility seemed plausible—could the Emperor truly intend for him to escort Princess Anping to Da Yong? If that were the case, he would then have a chance to rescue the Princess.

The high walls of Cheng'en Estate blocked the sunlight outside; the buildings in the courtyard were mostly shrouded in shadow, except for the northern watchtower. Quan De'an stood on the watchtower, narrowed his eyes gazing at the western horizon where the sunset was gradually falling, his heart also gradually sinking into shadow.

The high walls of Chengen Manor blocked the sunlight outside; the buildings in the courtyard were mostly shrouded in shadow, except for the northern watchtower. Quan De'an stood on the watchtower, narrowed his eyes gazing at the western horizon where the sunset gradually fell, and his heart also gradually sank into shadow.

Wen Chenghuan slowly ascended the watchtower; just climbing the steps made him feel a bit short of breath. A fine sweat appeared on his forehead; he took out a handkerchief from his sleeve, wiped the sweat, exhaled, and complained: "Why has it suddenly gotten hot?"

Wen Chenghuan slowly walked up to the watchtower; merely climbing the stairs made him feel a bit short of breath. Beads of fine sweat appeared on his forehead; he took out a handkerchief from his sleeve, wiped the sweat from his forehead, exhaled, and complained, "Why has it suddenly become so hot?"

Quan De'an turned around, looking at the current Grand Tutor wrapped tightly in black fur, and couldn't help but laugh.

Quan De'an turned around, looking at the current Grand Tutor wrapped tightly in black fur, and couldn't help but laugh.

Wen Chenghuan couldn't laugh; his daughter had just died—though she wasn't his biological child, she was still like a daughter to him.

Wen Chenghuan could not laugh; his daughter had just died—though she was not his biological child, she was still a father-daughter bond.

Quan De'an said: "The Grand Tutor is wearing too much."

Quan De'an said, "The Grand Tutor is wearing too much."

Wen Chenghuan came before him: "What exactly does the emperor mean? He actually sent that Hu Xiaotian to Zilan Palace."

Wen Chenghuan came up to him and said, "What exactly does the Emperor mean? He actually sent that Hu Xiaotian to Zilan Palace."

Quan De'an chuckled: "The emperor naturally has his own plans."

Quan De'an chuckled and said, "The Emperor naturally has his own plans."

Wen Chenghuan said: "Manager Quan, Hu Xiaotian is clearly a pawn in Ji Feihua's hand; the Mingyue Palace affair must be related to him." Although much evidence shows Hu Xiaotian had nothing to do with the Mingyue Palace fire, and Wen Ya left a note saying she herself set the blaze, Wen Chenghuan still insists this.

Wen Chenghuan said, "Eunuch Quan, Hu Xiaotian is clearly a pawn in Ji Feihua's hand; the Bright Moon Palace affair must be related to him." Although much evidence already shows Hu Xiaotian has nothing to do with the Bright Moon Palace fire, and Wen Ya left a suicide note saying the fire was her own doing, Wen Chenghuan still said that.

Quan De'an coughed: "Since the emperor has declared him innocent, why must the Grand Tutor dwell on this?"

Quan De'an coughed and said, "Since the Emperor has already declared him innocent, why must the Grand Tutor dwell on this?"

Wen Chenghuan said: "Ji Feihua is truly arrogant; if the emperor continues to indulge him, it will inevitably breed great trouble."

Wen Chenghuan said, "Ji Feihua is truly too arrogant; if the Emperor continues to indulge him without restraint, it will inevitably breed great disaster."

Quan De'an said: "After all, he has merits to the emperor; the emperor is a sentimental person—you should know that."

Quan De'an said, "After all, he has merit before the Emperor; the Emperor is a person who values old ties—you should be aware of that."

Wen Chenghuan said: "Di Guangmu died mysteriously; he was a key officer in the Ministry of Punishment, having cracked who knows how many major cases, his merits were outstanding, yet he ended up like this."

Wen Chenghuan said, "Di Guangmu died under mysterious circumstances; he was a capable officer of the Ministry of Justice, having cracked who knows how many major cases in the past, his merits were illustrious, yet he ended up in such a fate."

Quan De'an sighed: "The Ministry of Punishment has already reached a conclusion: Di Guangmu committed suicide."

Quan De'an sighed, "The Ministry of Justice has already reached a conclusion: Di Guangmu committed suicide."

Wen Chenghuan sneered: "Whether it was suicide or not, everyone knows it in their hearts!"

Wen Chenghuan snorted coldly, "Whether it was suicide or not, everyone knows it clearly in their hearts!"

Quan De'an said: "The emperor doesn't intend to continue investigating the Mingyue Palace matter; it's best to let it go as soon as possible."

Quan De'an said, "The Emperor does not intend to continue investigating the Bright Moon Palace affair; it would be best to let it go as soon as possible."

Wen Chenghuan, looking grim, said: "Poor my daughter, in the prime of her youth she actually encountered such misfortune."

Wen Chenghuan's expression darkened as he said, "Poor my daughter, in the prime of her youth she actually encountered such a misfortune."

Quan De'an said: "Since the event has already occurred, I hope Grand Tutor Wen will mourn and adapt."

Quan De'an said, "Since the matter has already occurred, I hope Grand Tutor Wen will mourn and adapt to the change."

Wen Chenghuan nodded: "Manager Quan, everyone outside is saying that Hu Xiaotian was personally sent into the palace by you; why would he be bribed by Ji Feihua?"

Wen Chenghuan nodded and said, "Eunuch Quan, everyone outside is saying that Hu Xiaotian is someone you personally sent into the palace; why would he be bribed by Ji Feihua?"

Quan De'an said: "A wise bird chooses its tree; Hu Xiaotian is shrewd, understands the situation, naturally sees who is favored and powerful in the palace; seeking a better backer is normal."

Quan De'an said, "A wise bird chooses its tree to roost; Hu Xiaotian is shrewd, understands the situation, and naturally sees who is favored and who holds power in the palace; seeking a better backer is perfectly normal."

Wen Chenghuan said: "The emperor overly favors Ji Feihua; this person keeps growing in power, which will surely not be a blessing for Dakang. I intend to contact several senior officials in court, memorialize the emperor, and must promptly remind him to recognize this person's true nature."

Wen Chenghuan said, "The Emperor dotes too much on Ji Feihua; this person keeps growing in power, and if this continues, it will certainly not be a blessing for Dakang. I intend to contact a group of senior officials in the court, submit memorials to the Emperor, and must promptly remind him so that he recognizes this person's true nature."

Quan De'an asked: "Grand Tutor Wen, have you discussed this matter with Chancellor Zhou?"

Quan De'an said, "Grand Tutor Wen, have you discussed this matter with the Zhou Chancellor?"

Wen Chenghuan said: "We did talk about it, but Zhou Ruixuan's attitude on this matter is very unclear; ever since this person was reappointed by the emperor, he seems to have become a completely different person, losing his former sharpness and vigor."

Wen Chenghuan said, "We have indeed talked about it, but Zhou Ruiyuan's attitude on this matter is very **unclear; ever since this person was reappointed by the Emperor, he seems to have become completely different, losing his former sharpness and vigor."

Quan De'an said with deep meaning: "Grand Tutor, how do you know he isn't concealing his abilities and biding his time?"

Quan De'an said with deep meaning, "Grand Tutor, how do you know he is not concealing his abilities and biding his time?"

When Wen Chenghuan left Cheng'en Estate, night had already fallen; having not received the answer he wanted from Quan De'an, he returned home with a sense of loss and immediately summoned his son Wen Boyuan to his study.

When Wen Chenghuan left Chengen Manor, night had already fallen; having not obtained the desired answer from Quan De'an, he returned home with a somewhat disappointed mood and immediately summoned his son Wen Boyuan to his study.

Wen Boyuan entered the room, closed the door behind him, and bowed to his father: "Father, what did Manager Quan say?"

Wen Boyuan entered the room, turned to close the door, and bowed to his father, saying, "Father, what did Eunuch Quan say?"

Wen Chenghuan coldly said: "This old fox has always been leading me around; outwardly he stands with me, but inwardly he has other plans." He slowly sat in the Grand Tutor's chair, his deep eyes showing a cold glint. The relationship between the emperor and Quan De'an is clearly closer; this Dakang emperor trusts eunuchs more than these officials. Had the emperor not initially indulged Ji Feihua, things would not have reached today's uncontrollable state.

Wen Chenghuan coldly said, "This old fox has always been going in circles with me; on the surface he stands with me, but in his heart he harbors other plans." He slowly sat down in the Grand Tutor's chair, his deep eyes revealing a cold glint. The relationship between the Emperor and Quan De'an is evidently closer; this Dakang sovereign trusts eunuchs more than these ministers. Had it not been for the Emperor's initial indulgence of Ji Feihua, things would not have developed to the point where they are now difficult to resolve.

Wen Boyuan said: "Father! Hu Xiaotian is fundamentally someone he sent into the palace; now that Hu Xiaotian has found a new backer, he's turned around to help Ji Feihua oppose Quan De'an."

Wen Boyuan said, "Father! Hu Xiaotian is fundamentally someone he sent into the palace; it's just that now Hu Xiaotian has found a new backer, so he has turned around to help Ji Feihua oppose Quan De'an."

Wen Chenghuan said: "Things can't be judged by appearances; Hu Xiaotian is merely a pawn. I thought joining forces with Quan De'an could overthrow Ji Feihua, but now it seems I may have overestimated Quan De'an's abilities and underestimated Ji Feihua's strength." He glanced at his son: "Quan De'an had you set up the Shen Ce Fu, actually intending to push us father and son into the spotlight; he thought we truly couldn't see through his mind. This old fox wants to use us father and son as his pawns to counterbalance Ji Feihua, hoping we would destroy each other, which would please him."

Wen Chenghuan said, "Things cannot be judged by appearances alone; Hu Xiaotian is merely a pawn. I originally thought that joining forces with Quan De'an could overthrow Ji Feihua, but now it seems I may have overestimated Quan De'an's abilities and underestimated Ji Feihua's strength." He glanced at his son and said, "Quan De'an having you take the lead to establish the God Strategy Manor is actually meant to push us father and son into the spotlight; he thinks we truly cannot see through his mind. This old fox wants to use us father and son as his pawns to counterbalance Ji Feihua, hoping we will exhaust ourselves in a mutual loss, after which he will be pleased."

Wen Boyuan, eager and confident, said: "Father, you plan strategies; since he wants me to step forward, we'll go with the flow. Now the Shen Ce Fu is basically my core team; give me another year and we can completely surpass the Tian Ji Bureau."

Wen Boyuan, full of eager ambition, said, "Father, you plan strategies; since you want me to step forward, we will go with the flow. The God Strategy Manor now basically consists of my trusted core; if you give me another year, we can completely surpass the Heavenly Secrets Bureau."

Wen Chenghuan narrowed his eyes, then slowly shook his head: "The Tian Ji Bureau is Dakang's most profound and inscrutable institution, operating for over a hundred years, filled with experts, its strength unfathomable." The youth is rash; he knows his son well—his son is accomplished in both literature and martial arts, truly outstanding among his generation, but being young and hot-headed, lacking setbacks, he still needs more tempering.

Wen Chenghuan narrowed his eyes, then slowly shook his head and said, "The Heavenly Secrets Bureau is Dakang's most profound and inscrutable institution; having operated for over a hundred years, it harbors countless experts, its depths unfathomable." The youthful impetuousness—he knows his son very well; his son is accomplished in both literature and martial arts, indeed an outstanding figure among the younger generation, but being young and hot-blooded, lacking setbacks, he still needs further tempering.

Wen Boyuan laughed: "Father, don't boost others' morale while destroying your own prestige; perhaps a year ago you could say that, but now the Tian Ji Bureau no longer has its former vigor. After the emperor ascended the throne, the bureau split internally—some fled fearing punishment for involvement in the past assassination attempt on the emperor, others were slaughtered by Ji Feihua; what remains hardly has any experts left."

Wen Boyuan laughed, "Father, don't boost others' morale while destroying your own prestige; perhaps a year ago one could still say that, but now the Heavenly Secrets Bureau has long lost its former vigor. After the Emperor ascended the throne, the Bureau split internally; some fled in fear of guilt over the past assassination attempt on the Emperor, while others were slaughtered by Ji Feihua; what remains hardly has any experts left."

"A centipede dies but does not collapse; you must never underestimate the meaning of inheritance, nor overlook the Tian Ji Bureau's own foundation. Since Ji Feihua took charge of the Tian Ji Bureau, he has purged traitors, reorganized the departments, and now the bureau has stabilized."

"A centipede dies but does not stiffen; you must never underestimate the two words 'inheritance,' nor overlook the Heavenly Secrets Bureau's own foundation. Since Ji Feihua took charge of the Heavenly Secrets Bureau, he has purged internal traitors, reorganized the departments, and now the Bureau has stabilized."

Wen Boyuan said: "Ji Feihua is actually someone Quan De'an single-handedly promoted; who would have thought raising a tiger would backfire, becoming his rival—this old eunuch surely regrets it now."

Wen Boyuan said, "Then Ji Feihua is fundamentally someone Quan De'an single-handedly nurtured; who would have thought that raising a tiger would bring disaster, and he has become his adversary—this old eunuch surely regrets it now."

Three More delivered, today this Monthly Ticket is really bleak, mid‑month, we should cheer up a bit, if we could have fifty Monthly Tickets, today we'll have another First Update! (To be continued~^~)