Chapter 442

Hu Xiaotian arrived at Cheng'en Mansion and saw Quan De'an wearing a half‑new, half‑old gray cloak, standing in the courtyard with a black falcon perched on his left arm; he held fresh meat in his right hand, feeding the falcon. Qiqi, who had arrived earlier, had vanished—where had she gone?

Make sure not to add. Keep clauses.

Let's produce: Hu Xiaotian arrived at Cheng'en Mansion, seeing Quan De'an wearing a semi-new, semi-old gray cloak, standing in the courtyard, a black falcon perched on his left arm, he holding fresh meat in his right hand feeding the falcon; Qiqi, who had arrived earlier, had disappeared somewhere.

Where had Qiqi, who arrived earlier, gone?

Thus: Hu Xiaotian arrived at Cheng'en Mansion, seeing Quan De'an wearing a semi-new, semi-old gray cloak, standing in the courtyard, a black falcon perched on his left arm, he holding fresh meat in his right hand feeding the falcon; where had Qiqi, who arrived earlier, gone?

But we need to keep the structure: maybe two sentences. Let's do: Hu Xiaotian arrived at Cheng'en Mansion, seeing Quan De'an wearing a semi-new, semi-old gray cloak, standing in the courtyard, a black falcon perched on his left arm, he holding fresh meat in his right hand feeding the falcon. Where had Qiqi, who arrived earlier, gone?

That seems fine.

Hu Xiaotian beamed and said, "Little Whiskered One has come to wish you a happy New Year, Lord Quan. May you enjoy great fortune, steady promotion, robust health, and a long life!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian beamed and said, "Little whiskered one has come to wish Eunuch Quan a happy new year; may Eunuch Quan enjoy great fortune in the new year, rise steadily, be healthy, and live a hundred years!"

Little whiskered one

Thus: Hu Xiaotian beamed and said, "Little whiskered one has come to wish Eunuch Quan a happy new year; may Eunuch Quan enjoy great fortune in the new year, rise steadily, be healthy, and live a hundred years!"

Quan De'an's white brows knotted together in an eight‑shape; even when he smiled his face looked exceedingly strange. He slipped another piece of fresh meat into the falcon's beak, then jerked his left arm; the falcon spread its wings and rose, emitting a flapping sound. Hu Xiaotian gazed up and saw the falcon circling once over Cheng'en Mansion before suddenly shooting southward into the high sky, vanishing like a black lightning bolt on the horizon.

Let's break: Quan De'an's two white eyebrows furrowed together in an eight shape; even when his face showed a smile it looked very strange; he then stuffed another piece of fresh meat into the falcon's mouth, then shook his left arm slightly; the falcon flapped its wings and took off, emitting a flapping sound. Hu Xiaotian looked up at the falcon, only to see it circling once above Cheng'en Mansion, then suddenly shooting southward into the high sky, vanishing instantly like a black lightning bolt.

a flapping sound

Thus: Quan De'an's two white eyebrows furrowed together in an eight shape; even when his face showed a smile it looked very strange; he then stuffed another piece of fresh meat into the falcon's mouth, then shook his left arm slightly; the falcon flapped its wings and took off, emitting a flapping sound. Hu Xiaotian looked up at the falcon, only to see it circling once above Cheng'en Mansion, then suddenly shooting southward into the high sky, vanishing instantly like a black lightning bolt.

Hu Xiaotian praised, "What a handsome falcon!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian praised, "What a handsome falcon!"

Quan De'an gave a dry laugh, his stooped back bending even more: "Get up!"

Translation: Quan De'an gave a dry laugh, his slightly hunched back bending even more: "Get up!"

Hu Xiaotian straightened up, and Quan De'an handed him the prepared blessing bag. Hu Xiaotian then struck up a conversation: "Lord Quan, when did you start keeping pets?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian straightened up, Quan De'an handed him the prepared good luck bag. Hu Xiaotian chatted with him: "Eunuch Quan, when did you start keeping pets?"

Quan De'an smiled and said with a double meaning: "These days, raising animals is more reliable than raising people; if you feed them meat, they at least know gratitude and won't betray you."

Translation: Quan De'an smiled and said with double meaning: "These days keeping pets is more reliable than keeping people; these beasts, if you feed them meat they at least know gratitude and won't betray you."

Hu Xiaotian couldn't miss the mockery in his words; he let out a hehe laugh and silently cursed, "You're the old beast! You were the one who wronged me first—over the Mingyue Palace affair you nearly got me killed; that talk of lifting yin and shrinking yang is just a method they used to turn me into a eunuch alive. If I were to betray you, it would only be because you forced me."

We need to keep the tone.

Thus: Hu Xiaotian couldn't miss the mocking meaning in his words, giving a hehe laugh; he inwardly cursed, "You're the old beast! You were the one who wronged me first; the Mingyue Palace affair, you almost got me killed; that 'raising yin shrinking yang' nonsense is just a method to turn me into a eunuch alive. If I were to betray you, it's only because you forced me."

Quan De'an glanced at the blessing bag in Hu Xiaotian's hand and said, "Why don't you see what's inside?"

Translation: Quan De'an glanced at the good luck bag in his hand and said, "Why don't you see what's inside?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Whatever Lord Quan gives me is surely something good."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Whatever Eunuch Quan gives me must be something good."

Quan De'an gave a sinister grin and said, "Take a look!"

Translation: Quan De'an gave a sinister grin and said, "Take a look!"

This is long. Need to translate faithfully without adding.

Let's copy Chinese and translate sentence by sentence.

Hu Xiaotian then opened the blessing bag. Inside were not silver coins but a few pills; they looked like Hundred Flowers Dew Pills. He said, "Lord Quan, I haven't finished the Hundred Flowers Dew Pills you gave me last time." Instantly he understood Quan De'an's true intention in giving him these pills: the old eunuch was reminding him that his life remained in Quan De'an's hands. As the saying goes, only he who tied the bell can untie it; only Quan De'an could dispel the foreign true qi within Hu Xiaotian's body, otherwise Hu Xiaotian would one day suffer qi deviation and die. Hu Xiaotian no longer harbored the reservations he once had; Li Yuncong had transmitted to him the breathing method of the Formless Divine Skill. On the night the Mingyue Palace burned, Wen Ya had originally intended to harm him, but instead he turned misfortune into fortune, achieving a breakthrough by chance. Although Hu Xiaotian is unsure whether he has truly made Quan De'an's transferred power his own, his current physical condition feels excellent, suggesting some accomplishment. If Li Yuncong did not deceive him, the Formless Divine Skill is sufficient to neutralize the alien true qi within him, and he need no longer fear Quan De'an's threats.

Let's produce: Hu Xiaotian then opened the good luck bag. Inside were not silver but several pills; they looked like Hundred Flowers Dew Pills. Hu Xiaotian said, "Eunuch Quan, the Hundred Flowers Dew Pills you gave me last time I haven't finished yet." Instantly he understood Quan De'an's true intention in giving him the Hundred Flowers Dew Pills: the senior eunuch was hinting, darkly, that his life remained in Quan De'an's hands. Only he who tied the bell could untie it; only Quan De'an could dispel the foreign true qi in Hu Xiaotian's body, otherwise Hu Xiaotian would one day suffer qi deviation and die. Hu Xiaotian now no longer had his former reservations; Li Yuncong had transmitted to him the breathing method of the Formless Divine Skill. On the night the Mingyue Palace burned, Wen Ya had originally intended to harm him, but unexpectedly he turned misfortune into fortune, and by a lucky coincidence achieved a breakthrough. Although Hu Xiaotian is unclear whether he has truly made Quan De'an's transmitted inner power his own, from his current physical condition he feels fine, suggesting some accomplishment; if Li Yuncong did not deceive him, the Formless Divine Skill is sufficient to dispel the foreign true qi within him, and he need no longer fear Quan De'an's threats.

Check for added words: we added "the" etc but that's okay. Need to keep meaning.

Only he who tied the bell could untie it; only Quan De'an could dispel the foreign true qi in Hu Xiaotian's body, otherwise Hu Xiaotian would one day suffer qi deviation and die.

Hu Xiaotian no longer had the reservations he once did; Li Yuncong had passed on the method of cultivating the Wuxiang Divine Skill to him. On the night the Moonlight Palace caught fire, Wen Ya had originally intended to harm him, but instead he turned misfortune into fortune, and by a lucky coincidence he managed to break through. Although Hu Xiaotian was unsure whether he had truly made Quan De'an's transmitted power his own, his physical condition felt excellent, suggesting he had achieved something. If Li Yuncong had not deceived him, the Wuxiang Divine Skill would be enough to dispel the foreign true qi within him, and he would no longer need to fear Quan De'an's threats.

Ok.

Quan De'an said, "Better safe than sorry. In a few days you will be escorting the princess to Dagong; it might come in handy along the way."

Translation: Quan De'an said, "Better safe than sorry. In a few days you will be escorting the princess to Da Yong; it may come in handy along the way."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Lord Quan, I have one question: why are you recommending me to escort Princess Anping?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "Eunuch Quan, I have one thing I don't understand: why are you recommending me to escort Princess Anping?"

Quan De'an replied, "It's not me recommending you; it's the little princess who recommended you."

Translation: Quan De'an said, "It's not the Miscellaneous School recommending you; it's the little princess herself."

Hu Xiaotian stared, startled. Earlier, before the emperor, Qiqi had clearly intended to assign him to work at the Reserve Beauties Palace, and he had heard it plainly; yet Quan De'an dared to lie to his face. Moreover, Qiqi herself cannot be trusted—she is extremely close to Quan De'an, and the last time they colluded in the wine cellar of the Bureau of Gardens to kill Wei Hualin; perhaps this time they are conspiring again. As the saying goes, "Near vermilion one turns red; near ink one turns black." That little girl, following this old eunuch for so long, has learned deep, sinister, deceitful schemes at a young age, completely lacking the innocence of girls her age. Compared to Long Xi Yue, who is also a child of the Long family, how can their conduct differ so much?

Let's do: Hu Xiaotian stared, startled. Earlier, before the emperor, Qiqi had clearly intended to transfer him to the Reserve Palace for service; he had heard it clearly, yet Quan De'an dared to lie to his face. Moreover, Qiqi herself is untrustworthy; her relationship with Quan De'an is extremely close—last time the two colluded in the wine cellar of the Office of Sacrificial Affairs to kill Wei Huailing, and perhaps this matter is another collusion between them. "Near vermilion one turns red; near ink one turns black." That little girl Qiqi, having long mixed with this old eunuch, has learned deep, sinister, deceitful scheming at a young age, utterly lacking the innocence of girls her age. Compared to Long Xi Yue—both are children of the Long family—how could the difference in conduct be so great?

Near vermilion one turns red; near ink one turns black.

Quan De'an said, "As long as you escort Princess Anping safely to Dagong for her wedding, you will have rendered a great service; upon your return the emperor will surely bestow rewards—such a fine assignment is something everyone would vie for."

Translation: Quan De'an said, "As long as you escort Princess Anping safely to Da Yong for her wedding, that's a great merit; upon your return the emperor will surely bestow rewards—such a fine posting is something others would beg for."

Hu Xiaotian asked, "But might there be risks along the way?" Although it was a question, he already knew the answer; even if the escort proceeds smoothly, he cannot expect peace on this journey.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "But will there be any risk along the way?" Although he was asking, he already knew the answer; even if the escort proceeds smoothly, he cannot expect peace on this journey.

Quan De'an said, "What risks? Within Dagong our people will guard you the whole way; once you reach Dagong, they will have dedicated personnel to welcome and protect the bride. You merely need to tag along for show, go through the motions, exert no effort, and simply wait to earn merit and rewards."

Translation: Quan De'an said, "What risk? Within Dakang our people will guard you the whole way; once in Da Yong they will have dedicated personnel to welcome and protect the bride; you merely need to follow along as a formality, put on a show, exert no effort, and just wait to earn merit and rewards."

Hu Xiaotian thought, 'This old fox won't make it so easy for me,' yet he thanked him profusely: "Thank you, Lord Quan, for your kindness."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian thought, "You old fox, how could you be so generous to me?" Yet he thanked profusely, saying, "Thank you, Eunuch Quan, for making this possible."

At that moment a young gentleman stepped out from inside—it was the little princess Qiqi. By now she had changed into a male outfit: a blue warrior's robe, topped with a black fur‑lined greatcoat. She stood tall and graceful, her face like a jade crown, indeed bearing a dash of spirited heroic bearing. Of course, when it comes to male attire, Murong Feiyan still looks the best; compared to her natural heroic aura, Qiqi is merely a bean sprout, an undeveloped one at that—after all, she is still a child, not yet grown, so one cannot speak of any feminine charm.

Let's do: At that moment a young lord walked out from inside—it was the little princess Qiqi. By now she had changed into a male outfit: blue warrior attire, with a black fur-lined greatcoat draped over it; tall and straight, her face like a jade crown, she indeed had a dash of spirited heroism. Of course, when it comes to male attire, Murong Feiyan still looks best; compared to Murong Feiyan's natural heroic bearing, Qiqi is merely a bean sprout, not yet fully grown—after all she is still a child, not yet mature, so one cannot speak of any feminine charm.

Qiqi came up to them, circled on the spot, and smiled, asking, "How's that?"

Translation: Qiqi came up to the two of them, made a circle on the spot, and smiled, asking, "How is it?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Your Highness, this outfit actually suits you quite well."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Your Highness, this outfit actually suits you quite well."

Qiqi glared fiercely at him and said, "What do you mean? Are you saying I look like a man?" Having many schemes is not necessarily a good thing.

Qiqi glared fiercely at him and said, "What do you mean? Are you saying I look like a man?" Having many schemes is not necessarily a good thing.

Qiqi glared fiercely at him and said, "What do you mean? Are you saying I look like a man?" Having many schemes is not necessarily a good thing.

Hu Xiaotian lowered his head and said, "Just pretend I didn't say anything."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian lowered his head and said, "Then just pretend I said nothing."

Qiqi said, "Go, change your clothes and come out with me for a stroll!"

Translation: Qiqi said, "Go, change your clothes and come out for a stroll with me!"

Hu Xiaotian stared and said, "Me? Change clothes?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian stared, "Me? Change clothes?"

"Who else if not you? Going out dressed like that, do you want everyone in the city to know you're a eunuch?"

Translation: "If not you, then who? Going out like that, do you want everyone in the city to know you're a eunuch?"

Qiqi's original purpose in coming to Cheng'en Mansion was to use it as a transfer point. When she left Cheng'en Mansion, she had already transformed into a young nobleman riding a white horse, while Hu Xiaotian had also acquired a black steed to follow her. Although that horse is tall and sturdy, appearing divine at first glance, a person relies on clothing and a horse on its saddle; Hu Xiaotian's outfit—a blue jacket, small cap, and dog‑skin vest—typical servant's garb—does not match his mount at all, and is far less imposing than his own eunuch robes. In this strictly hierarchical society, the distinction between noble and lowly is written plainly on the outside.

Let's do: Qiqi's original purpose in coming to the Cheng'en Mansion was to use it as a transfer point; when leaving the mansion she had already transformed into a white‑mounted noble young lord, while Hu Xiaotian had also procured a black steed to follow. Though the horse is indeed tall and sturdy, at first glance it appears superb—man relies on clothing, horse on saddle—but Hu Xiaotian's outfit of blue cloth, small cap, and dog‑skin vest is typical servant workwear, utterly unsuitable for his mount, even less imposing than his own eunuch robes. In this strictly hierarchical society, the distinction between noble and base is written plainly on the outside.

Having left Lockspring Lane, Hu Xiaotian asked, "Your Highness, where are we headed?"

Translation: Having left Lock Spring Lane, Hu Xiaotian asked, "Your Highness, where are we headed?"

The little princess said, "We're going to the Great Xiangguo Temple, and remember—you must not call me princess; address me as young master."

Translation: The little princess said, "To the Great Xiangguo Temple, and remember—you are not to call me princess; you must call me young lord."

Hu Xiaotian replied, "Yes, young master!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian replied, "Yes! Young lord!"

It being the first day of the lunar new year

Translation: Since it was the first day of the lunar new year, the Great Xiangguo Temple inside and out was packed with men and women coming to offer incense, truly a sea of people. Seeing the crowd of heads bobbing, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but complain, "Young lord, we seem to have come to the wrong place." The scene reminded him of the past when supermarket elders lined up for free eggs; at this big new year he had no mood to queue here.

The little princess said, "That's right!" She spurred her horse along the side road, and Hu Xiaotian could only follow behind her. He noticed she was familiar with the route, probably not her first time coming here. They rode around to the small grove behind the Great Compassion Temple. Qiqi dismounted, tied her horse to a tree. Hu Xiaotian checked and saw no one around, so he also tied his horse securely. Then he saw Qiqi approach the courtyard wall, tip her toes and leap up, grab the edge of the wall with both hands, exert a little force, and climb up. Standing on the wall, she saw Hu Xiaotian still standing where he was, waved at him and said, "Come up!"

Translation: "That's right!" the little princess declared, spurring her horse along the side road; Hu Xiaotian could only follow behind. He noticed she handled the reins with ease—evidently not her first visit. They rode around to the small grove behind the Great Xiangguo Temple, where Qiqi dismounted, tethered her horse to a tree, and Hu Xiaotian, seeing no one about, also secured his horse. Then he saw Qiqi approach the courtyard wall, tap the tip of her foot and leap up, grab the edge of the wall with both hands, exert a little force, and climb onto it. Standing on the wall, seeing Hu Xiaotian still rooted below, she waved at him and said, "Come up!"

Hu Xiaotian originally had little interest in incense offering, and he smiled, saying, "Why don't I stay outside to wait for the young master and look after the horses?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian had no interest in incense offering originally; he smiled and said, "Why don't I stay outside to wait for the young lord, and meanwhile look after the horses?"

Qiqi said, "The public safety in Kangdu has always been good—people don't lose things on the road and don't lock their doors at night, so you don't need to watch! Hurry up and come up!"

Translation: Qiqi said, "The security in Kangdu has always been good—people don't lose things on the road and leave their doors open at night; you don't need to watch! Hurry up and come up!"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head helplessly; this little girl bossed everyone around, making people uncomfortable. Who would have thought this little princess was actually skilled at scaling walls and vaulting gates—her neat movements suggest she likely shares the same master as him, and probably Quan De'an also taught her the Golden Spider Eight Steps; it's a waste for her not to become a thief. Although many people come to offer incense, they all come with sincere prayers, and few like the princess climb over walls. Even if the Buddha could truly see her, he might not necessarily bless her.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian helplessly shook his head; this little girl does everything by commanding others, which feels unpleasant. Who would have thought this little princess is actually adept at scaling walls and sneaking through gates—her neat movements suggest she trained under the same master as him; most likely Eunuch Quan also taught her the Golden Spider Eight Steps. It's a waste that she doesn't put this skill to use as a thief. Although many come to offer incense, they are all sincere in their prayers; few like the little princess climb over walls. Even if the Buddha could truly see her, he might not bless her.

Hu Xiaotian stepped back a few paces.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian stepped back a few paces.

Seeing him retreat instead of advance, the little princess's brows furrowed, obviously about to lose her temper. But then, after watching Hu Xiaotian take a running start, leap into the air, and as he reached above the wall, push off with his right hand, execute a graceful flip in mid‑air, and land steadily in the courtyard.

Translation: Seeing Hu Xiaotian retreat instead of advance, the little princess's delicate brows knit instantly, obviously about to flare up. But then, seeing Hu Xiaotian after a series of run‑ups leap into the air, his body, as it reached above the wall, lightly braced with his right hand against the top of the wall, then executed a graceful mid‑air turn, landing steadily in the courtyard.

Hu Xiaotian clapped his hands with a hint of pride, then straightened his cap, which had been knocked askew by his wall‑vault.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian clapped his hands with a touch of pride, then straightened the small cap that had been askew from his wall‑vault.

The little princess then realized this fellow was showing off on purpose; she snorted contemptuously, leapt down, and threw Hu Xiaotian an eight‑character evaluation: "Showing off deliberately, full of oneself!"

Only then did the little princess realize this fellow was showing off on purpose; she snorted contemptuously, leapt down from the wall, and tossed Hu Xiaotian an eight‑character evaluation: "Showing off deliberately, full of oneself!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled triumphantly; today he was in high spirits, thanks to Baobao's help, which had brought out his vitality—otherwise this year would have been utterly miserable. He whispered, "Are we going to the Main Hall to offer incense?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian smiled triumphantly; today he was in high spirits, thanks to Baobao's help in bringing out his vital essence—otherwise this year would have been utterly miserable. He whispered, "Are we going to the Great Hero Hall to offer incense?"

The little princess shook her head, stepped forward, and it was clear she knew the inner roads of the Great Compassion Temple extremely well; Hu Xiaotian hurried to follow behind her. The place they had climbed over the wall into was the temple's rear courtyard, normally a resting area for monks, off‑limits to outsiders, so the front was noisy and bustling, yet the rear courtyard remained tranquil and secluded. Moreover, with many worshippers today, almost all the monks had gone to help at the front, leaving the rear courtyard even quieter than usual.

Translation: The little princess shook her head, stepped forward and walked on; it was clear she knew the internal routes of the Great Xiangguo Temple extremely well, and Hu Xiaotian hurried to follow behind. The place they had climbed over the wall into was the temple's rear courtyard, normally where monks rest and outsiders are forbidden; thus the front was noisy and bustling, but this rear courtyard remained tranquil and secluded. Moreover, with today's throng of incense‑goers, almost all the monks had gone to help at the front, leaving the rear courtyard even less populated than usual.

Hu Xiaotian followed the little princess through the small gate at the northwest corner of the rear courtyard; the area beyond was a large tract that was the pagoda forest of the Great Xiangguo Temple. Hu Xiaotian grew more and more puzzled as he walked; this pagoda forest was the place where successive eminent monks of the Great Xiangguo Temple had sat in meditation until death, yet he did not know why the little princess had come here. Although he was curious in his heart, he did not rashly ask; he understood somewhat of Qiqi's temperament—although she was young, her scheming was deep; if she did not wish to tell him something, asking would be useless. (To be continued~^~)