Chapter 440

Baobao furrowed her brows; although shy, she couldn't suppress her curiosity, finally mustering the courage to touch between his legs. Though clothed, she still felt as if it were empty, and she exclaimed in surprise, "Really, there's nothing there?"

Translation: Baobao furrowed her brows; although shy, she could no longer suppress her curiosity, finally mustering the courage to touch between his legs. Though clothed, she still felt as if it were empty, and she exclaimed in surprise, "Really nothing there?"

We need to keep it concise but faithful. Let's produce: Baobao furrowed her brows; though shy, she could no longer hold back her curiosity, finally summoning the courage to touch between his legs. Though clothed, she still felt as if it were empty, and she exclaimed in surprise, "Really nothing there?"

Check: we kept all info.

Hu Xiaotian wore a bitter expression and said, "Why would I deceive you over such a big matter? I wouldn't be that bored."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian wore a bitter face and said, "Why would I lie to you? I wouldn't be so bored about something this big."

Hu Xiaotian wore a bitter face and said, "Why would I lie to you? I wouldn't be so bored about something this big."

Baobao looked at Hu Xiaotian, seeing his miserable, frowning face, and couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Translation: Baobao gazed at Hu Xiaotian, seeing his miserable, frowning face, and suddenly couldn't help laughing.

Hu Xiaotian was stunned by her laughter; at such a moment, she still had the mood to laugh—she was utterly heartless. He complained, "Please, could you show a little sympathy?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian was stunned by her laugh; at such a time, she actually had the mood to laugh—she was utterly heartless. Hu Xiaotian complained, "Please, have some sympathy, will you?"

Although Baobao knew it wasn't proper to laugh now, she couldn't control herself, laughing until tears streamed down, and only then did she finally stop.

Translation: Although Baobao knew laughing now was inappropriate, she couldn't control herself, laughing until tears streamed down, and finally she stopped.

Hu Xiaotian said resentfully, "Serves you right."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian snapped, "Schadenfreude."

Baobao said, "Actually, it's not such a big deal."

Translation: Baobao said, "Actually, it's not such a big deal."

"How can you say that? This is absolutely huge! Think about it—if I end up like this forever, what will you do then?"

Translation: "How can you say that? This is a huge deal! Think about it—if I end up like this forever, what will you do?"

Baobao blushed and said, "You're you, I'm me—don't drag me into this."

Translation: Baobao blushed and said, "You're you, I'm me—don't drag me into this."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Aren't you essentially keeping a vigil for a dead husband? How will you help me have a little Xiaotian in the future?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "Aren't you basically keeping a vigil for a dead husband? How will you help me have a little Xiaotian in the future?"

"Who wants to have kids with you? If it's gone, it's gone—I don't need it anyway."

Translation: "Who wants to bear your child? If it's gone, it's gone—I don't need it anyway."

"Ah… stop joking, I'm being serious—can you help me, please?"

Translation: "Sigh… stop joking, I'm speaking seriously—will you help me?"

Baobao said, "You have plenty of lovers in the palace; you could just ask any of them for help—why do you have to come to me?"

Translation: Baobao said, "You have plenty of lovers in the palace; just pick any one to help you. Why insist on me?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Baobao, you're forcing me to use force!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "Baobao, you're forcing me to use force!"

Baobao's eyes flashed with challenge: "Use force? Do you even have the ability to do that now?"

Translation: Baobao's eyes flashed with provocation: "Use force? Do you even have the ability now?"

Hu Xiaotian was hit where it hurt; his head drooped instantly, like a defeated rooster: "Go away! I've resigned myself to fate!" That comment from Baobao just now really wounded his pride.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian was struck where it hurt. His head drooped instantly, like a defeated rooster: "Go away! I accept my fate!" Baobao's remark just now really wounded his pride.

Seeing him so downcast, Baobao felt sympathy rise again: "Hey, what's wrong with you? It's the New Year—it's not really a big deal; try to look on the bright side."

Translation: Seeing him so dejected, Baobao felt sympathy rise again: "Hey, what's wrong with you? It's New Year's; it's actually not a big deal—lighten up."

Hu Xiaotian thought he couldn't see a way out, he sighed and said, "If I truly can't recover today, I'll go to the Jade Pond and drown myself—what a disgrace to the ancestors of the Hu family!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian thought he couldn't get over it, he sighed and said, "If I truly can't recover today, I'll go jump into the Jade Pond and drown myself, to shame the ancestors of the Hu family."

Baobao said, "Don't be like that. Seeing you so upset makes me feel bad too." She then embraced Hu Xiaotian and asked, "Feeling any better?"

Translation: Baobao said, "Don't do that. Seeing you so upset makes me feel bad too." She spontaneously hugged Hu Xiaotian and asked, "Feeling better?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian shook his head.

Baobao kissed his lips again and asked, "How about now?"

Translation: Baobao kissed his lips again: "How about now?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "It's been too long; I might need a bit stronger… stimulation."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "It's been too long; maybe I need a bit stronger… stimulation."

Baobao blinked her beautiful eyes, reached out to close her eyes, and rubbed his groin.

Translation: Baobao blinked her beautiful eyes, reached out to close her eyes, and rubbed his crotch.

Hu Xiaotian felt the tip of his little lotus beginning to stir, as if it were eager to move: "Keep going… don't stop."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian felt the tiny tip of the little lotus that had just peeked out seem to stir: "Keep going… don't stop."

Baobao, embarrassed, said, "I can't stand you, Hu Xiaotian—how could there be someone as shameless and lazy as you in the world?"

Translation: Baobao, embarrassed, said, "I can't stand you, Hu Xiaotian—how could there be such a shameless, lazy person in the world?"

Hu Xiaotian put his arms around her fragrant shoulders, one hand resting on Baobao's chest. She trembled at his grasp and exclaimed, "Let go!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian put his arms around her fragrant shoulders, one hand on Baobao's chest. Baobao trembled at his grasp: "Let go!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Could you show a little sympathy?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "Could you have a little sympathy?"

Baobao's expression clearly showed she was enduring humiliation: "That's going too far!"

Translation: Baobao's expression clearly showed she was enduring humiliation: "That's going too far!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "If you're going to help the Buddha all the way to the West, then help me just this once, sis. Even if we're strangers, seeing me like this, you ought to have some sympathy."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "If you're going to help the Buddha all the way to the West, then help me just this once—even if we're strangers, seeing me like this, you ought to have some sympathy."

Baobao glared at him hatefully and warned, "If we were strangers, I'd surely chop off those dog paws of yours." Seeing Hu Xiaotian's miserable expression, her heart softened again. She blushed and said, "At most I'll do this—if you dare push further, I'll send you to the West."

Translation: Baobao glared at him hatefully and warned, "If we were strangers, I'd surely chop off those dog paws of yours." Seeing Hu Xiaotian's woeful expression, her heart softened again. She bashfully said, "At most this much—if you dare push further, I'll send you to the West."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, but his hands remained busy.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded, but his hands weren't idle.

Baobao's cheeks flushed crimson from his touch, her wrists ached, and she couldn't help but say, "You're not better yet!"

Translation: Baobao's cheeks flushed crimson from his touch, her wrists ached, and she couldn't help saying, "You're still not fixed, are you?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "I can't feel anything through these thick pants."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "Through such thick pants, I feel nothing at all."

"Don't go too far!" Baobao exclaimed, fearing he'd make another excessive demand, and she quickly issued a stern warning.

Translation: "Don't go overboard!" Baobao, fearing he'd make an even more outrageous demand, hastily issued a stern warning.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Or you could just make a couple of sounds for me to hear."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "Or you could just make a couple of sounds for me to hear."

"What?" Baobao shouted sharply.

Translation: "What?" Baobao cried shrilly.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Be gentle—don't sound like you're arguing. Show all your feminine tenderness, moaning and calling out at the same time."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "Be gentle, not like you're arguing—show all your feminine tenderness, panting and calling out."

Baobao glanced guiltily at the doors and windows, which were shut tight: "Walls have ears…"

Translation: Baobao glanced guiltily at the doors and windows, which were shut tight: "Walls have ears..."

Hu Xiaotian swept her into his embrace, whispering near her ear, "Call out right by my ear—only I can hear you."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian swept her into his embrace and whispered by her ear, "Just call in my ear—only I can hear."

Baobao, held in his warm arms, felt her body about to melt; she let out a soft hum, and encouraged by Hu Xiaotian, she relaxed her restraint and softly moaned a few times.

Translation: Baobao, held in his warm arms, felt her body about to melt; she let out a soft hum, and encouraged by Hu Xiaotian, she relaxed her restraint and moaned softly and sweetly a few times.

And indeed, that sound really worked—Hu Xiaotian felt a part of him that had lain dormant for ages finally spring up like a bamboo shoot after rain.

Translation: Moreover, that sound really worked—Hu Xiaotian felt a part of him that had lain dormant for ages finally sprout forth like a bamboo shoot after rain.

Even through his pants, Baobao sensed his sudden bodily change; she jumped up as if grasping a venomous snake, pointing at Hu Xiaotian's crotch, where a small bulge had suddenly appeared.

Translation: Even through her pants, Baobao sensed his sudden bodily change, jumping up as if she'd grabbed a venomous snake, pointing at Hu Xiaotian's crotch where a small bulge had suddenly risen.

Baobao's expression was extremely odd—she wanted to laugh, felt shy, and was overcome with an inexplicable fright, her beautiful eyes wide open, and she finally couldn't help but laugh.

Translation: Baobao's expression was extremely odd—she wanted to laugh, felt shy, and was mixed with inexplicable fright; her beautiful eyes widened, and she finally couldn't help laughing.

Hu Xiaotian felt a rebirth, as if shed his old self, and laughed heartily. Baobao laughed and said, "It's out!" Realizing she had misspoken, she felt utterly embarrassed, flung open the door, and rushed out—colliding with the scholar Dong who was carrying fruit. He was knocked onto his backside in the snow, and the fruit on his tray scattered everywhere.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian felt a rebirth, as if shed his old self, and laughed heartily. Baobao laughed, "It's out!" Realizing she'd misspoken, she was mortified, flung open the door and rushed out—colliding with Shi Xuedong, who was walking over carrying a fruit tray. Shi Xuedong landed on his backside in the snow, and the fruit scattered everywhere.

Hearing the commotion, Hu Xiaotian rushed outside, only to see Baobao already fleeing in a fluster from the Secretariat Bureau.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian heard the commotion and rushed outside, only to see Baobao already fleeing in a panic from the Siyuan Bureau.

When good fortune comes, spirits lift; everyone could see Hu Xiaotian's mood change—just a moment ago his face was drooping under a cloud of gloom, now it was clear skies and bright sunshine. Having resolved the worry that had troubled him all night, Hu Xiaotian finally recalled his main duty: today is the first day of the lunar new year, and he must first go to the Purple Cloud Palace to pay New Year's respects to Princess Anping. It's all the fault of that old turtle Quan De'an, who harmed him with talk of "raising yin, shrinking yang," nearly causing him to shrink away forever and never see daylight again.

Translation: When joy comes, spirits lift; everyone noticed Hu Xiaotian's mood shift—just moments ago his face was clouded, now it was clear skies and bright sunshine. Having resolved the worry that had plagued him all night, Hu Xiaotian finally recalled his main duty: today is New Year's Day, and he must first go to Ziyun Palace to pay New Year's respects to Princess Anping. It's all Quan De'an's fault—that old turtle harmed me with his 'raise Yin, shrink Yang' nonsense, nearly making me shrivel away forever.

Hu Xiaotian slipped away from the crowd to check himself privately; after this setback, he wasn't smaller—in fact, he seemed a bit larger. He soon realized it wasn't growth but swelling: after shrinking overnight, he'd become painfully engorged with fluid.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian sneaked away from the crowd for a quick self-check; after this setback he wasn't smaller—in fact he seemed a bit larger. He soon realized it wasn't enlargement but swelling: having shrunk overnight, he'd become painfully engorged with fluid.

The major problem was solved; this minor injury was irrelevant. Hu Xiaotian changed into fresh clothes, feeling refreshed and cheerful. He happily headed to the Zi Lan Palace to pay New Year's respects. Upon arriving, he found Long Xi Yue preparing to leave. He hurried forward and bowed, saying, "Hu Xiaotian pays his respects to Your Highness the Princess; may you have a prosperous new year, all wishes fulfilled, and all your hopes realized."

Translation: The major problem was solved; this minor hurt was trivial. Hu Xiaotian changed into fresh clothes, feeling refreshed and invigorated. He cheerfully headed to Zilan Palace to pay New Year's calls. Upon arrival, he saw Long Xi Yue preparing to leave. He hurried forward, bowed, and said, "Hu Xiaotian pays respects to Your Highness, Princess—wishing you a prosperous New Year, all things go well, and all your wishes come true!"

Even now, Long Xi Yue remains hazy about what happened last night; she can't recall how she returned. Zixuan said she fainted from low blood sugar, and when Hu Xiaotian escorted her back to the Zi Lan Palace she was still unconscious—what exactly occurred? Perhaps only Hu Xiaotian knows. Though full of doubts, with so many palace attendants present, Long Xi Yue didn't feel comfortable asking, and she smiled calmly, saying, "Zixuan, give him the red envelope."

Translation: Even now, Long Xi Yue remains hazy about what happened last night; she can't recall how she returned. Zijuan said she fainted from low blood sugar, and when Hu Xiaotian escorted her back to Zilan Palace she was still unconscious—what exactly occurred? Perhaps only Hu Xiaotian knows. Though full of doubts, with so many palace folk around, Long Xi Yue couldn't inquire, and she smiled blandly: "Zijuan, give him a red envelope."

Zixuan handed the prepared red envelope to Hu Xiaotian, who thanked her repeatedly. After putting it away, he respectfully asked, "Princess, where are you headed?"

Translation: Zijuan handed over the prepared red envelope; Hu Xiaotian thanked her repeatedly, put it away, and respectfully asked, "Princess, where are you headed?"

Long Xi Yue said, "I'm going to the Xin Ning Palace to pay New Year's respects to the Empress. Come with me."

Translation: Long Xi Yue said, "To Xining Palace to pay New Year's respects to the Empress. Come with me."

Thinking of Empress Jian's cold expression, Hu Xiaotian felt a natural resistance—she had never cared much for him—but seeing the anticipation in Long Xi Yue's eyes, he couldn't bear to disappoint her and smiled, "Sure!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian thought of Empress Jian's cold face and felt a natural resistance; Empress Jian had never taken much liking to him, yet he saw the anticipation in Long Xi Yue's eyes and couldn't bear to disappoint her, so he smiled: "Sure!"

Long Xi Yue turned to Zixuan and said, "You few stay in the Zi Lan Palace; I and Lord Hu will go pay our respects to the Empress and then return."

Translation: Long Xi Yue turned to Zijuan and said, "You few stay at Zilan Palace; I and Lord Hu will go pay New Year's respects to the Empress and then return."

Long Xi Yue had Hu Xiaotian accompany her mainly because she wanted to ask him privately what had happened the previous night. After leaving the Zi Lan Palace, she couldn't help but ask, "After watching the fireworks last night, what exactly happened? I can't remember a thing."

Translation: Long Xi Yue had Hu Xiaotian accompany her mainly to ask him privately what had happened the previous night. After leaving Zilan Palace, she couldn't help asking: "After watching the fireworks last night, what exactly happened? Why can't I remember anything at all?"

Hu Xiaotian had already prepared his response, smiling, "Last night I accompanied the Princess while she watched the fireworks. Just as she was becoming entranced, her stomach suddenly growled."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian had already prepared his response, smiling: "Last night I accompanied the Princess while she watched the fireworks. Just as she was becoming entranced, her stomach suddenly growled."

Long Xi Yue's cheeks flushed; she felt embarrassed, having been hungry last night with her stomach growling, and he had heard it. She bit her lip and said, "That's not what I meant."

Translation: Long Xi Yue's cheeks flushed; she felt embarrassed, having been hungry last night with her stomach growling, and he'd heard it. She bit her cherry lips and said, "That's not what I meant."

Hu Xiaotian said, "That's not it either—I couldn't let the Princess starve while I drank northwest wind, so I went down to get her food. My mistake was leaving you alone on the roof; when I returned with the food and was about to climb back up, I saw you rolling off the roof. Fortunately, I was quick-eyed and quick-handed, catching you in my arms; otherwise you might have suffered a bruised face and swollen eyes."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "I wasn't referring to that either—I couldn't let the Princess starve while I gulped northwest wind, so I went down to fetch her food. My mistake was leaving you alone on the roof; when I returned with the drinks and dishes, intending to go back up, I saw you rolling off the roof. Luckily I was quick-eyed and quick-handed, catching you in my arms—otherwise you'd have smashed your face black and blue."

Although Long Xi Yue hadn't seen the scene herself, hearing his description made it sound incredibly perilous; she whispered, "Thank you—if it weren't for you, I might have fallen from that height and possibly been killed."

Translation: Although Long Xi Yue hadn't seen last night's scene, hearing his description made the situation seem incredibly perilous; she whispered, "Thank you—if it weren't for you, I'd likely have fallen from that height and been killed."

Hu Xiaotian replied, "How could I bear to let that happen?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "How could I bear to?"

Long Xi Yue said shyly: "I just still can't figure out how I suddenly fainted."

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's due to low blood sugar."

"What is low blood sugar? How can there be sugar in the blood?" Long Xi Yue asked, then feeling a bit embarrassed: "You're not allowed to laugh at me; I know nothing about medicine."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and patiently explained: "The sugar in human blood is called blood glucose, and in most cases it is glucose. The human body is composed of tiny invisible things usually called cells. Most of the energy these cells need for activity comes from glucose, so blood glucose must be kept at a certain level to sustain our survival needs. Normal fasting blood glucose concentration has a standard; if the concentration falls below this standard, I'll just call it low blood sugar. The princess's physique is rather frail, and coupled with not having eaten for a long time yesterday, that's why low blood sugar symptoms appear—often feeling a blackout, dizziness, vertigo; severe cases may even faint, with short-term memory loss."

Long Xi Yue, having heard this, was already ninety percent convinced; Hu Xiaotian himself had a deep medical foundation, and it wouldn't be easy to fool a pure princess with no modern medical knowledge. He spoke with reason and evidence, and moreover Long Xi Yue had indeed experienced the symptoms he described the previous night; after hearing him out, she was utterly convinced.

Hu Xiaotian said: "The princess surely wouldn't suspect that I did something to you while you were unconscious, would she?"

Brother has worked so hard, why are the monthly tickets still so dismal? Not even double digits yet! Ladies and gentlemen, dare to give me fifty monthly tickets? If I get fifty, I'll do three more; if I get a hundred, I'll do four more today! Tonight's drinking session is called off, I'll be typing at home! (To be continued~^~)