Chapter 456

Li Yuncong said: "The emperor's favor toward Ji Feihua is probably even greater than that toward Quan De'an; he may not find it easy to overthrow Ji Feihua."

Translate: Li Yuncong said: "The Emperor's favor toward Ji Feihua is probably even greater than that toward Quan De'an; he may not find it easy to topple Ji Feihua."

We need to keep quotes? The Chinese includes quotation marks. We can keep them as is. Use double quotes.

Hu Xiaotian said: "But the relationship between the emperor and Ji Feihua is not as harmonious as it appears on the surface."

Hu Xiaotian said: "But the relationship between the Emperor and Ji Feihua is not as harmonious as it appears on the surface."

Li Yuncong twitched his white eyebrows, lowered his voice, and said: "Are you saying the emperor and Quan De'an are colluding to get rid of Ji Feihua?"

Li Yuncong twitched his white eyebrows, lowered his voice and said: "Are you saying the Emperor and Quan De'an are colluding to get rid of Ji Feihua?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm afraid it's not just those two; according to what I know, besides escorting Princess Anping to the Great Yong, there is also a young general accompanying her—this person is none other than the precious son of the Grand Scholar Wen, Wen Boyuan. Wen Boyuan has been ordered to establish the Divine Strategy Manor; his subordinates are filled with experts. He is traveling with me to the Great Yong, and if there are any conspiracies or schemes along the way, with my strength I am no match for him."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm afraid it's not just those two. According to what I know, besides escorting Princess Anping to Da Yong, there is also a young general accompanying her—this person is none other than the beloved son of Grand Preceptor Wen, Wen Boyuan. Wen Boyuan was ordered to establish the Divine Strategy Manor; his subordinates are filled with experts. He is traveling with me to Da Yong, and if there are any conspiracies along the way, with my strength I am no match for him."

Translate "Divine Strategy Manor", "his subordinates are filled with experts", and "with my strength I am no match for him". Keep tone.

Li Yuncong's expression grew increasingly grave; this matter had not yet been announced publicly, and he was hearing about it for the first time. He lowered his voice and said: "You should tell Ji Feihua about this; given Ji Feihua's current strength, resolving this should not be difficult."

Li Yuncong's expression grew increasingly grave; this matter had not yet been publicly announced, and he was hearing it for the first time. He lowered his voice: "You should go tell Ji Feihua about this; given Ji Feihua's current strength, resolving this should not be difficult."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Can I understand your words, Lord Li, to mean that you do not intend to intervene in this matter?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Can I understand your words, Senior Eunuch Li, to mean that you do not intend to intervene in this matter?"

Li Yuncong smiled narrowly and said: "You want me to intervene?"

Li Yuncong smiled narrowly: "Do you want me to intervene?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "When the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold—if Quan De'an and his cohorts succeed in their scheming, not only will I suffer misfortune, but the Retired Emperor may also be implicated; if anything happens to the Retired Emperor, Lord Li, I doubt you'd feel any better either."

Hu Xiaotian said: "When the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold—if Quan De'an's scheme succeeds, not only will I suffer misfortune, but I fear it may also implicate the Retired Emperor; if anything happens to the Retired Emperor, I doubt Senior Eunuch Li would feel any better either."

Li Yuncong's smile suddenly faded as he said: "Are you threatening me, the old eunuch?"

Li Yuncong's smile suddenly faded as he said: "Are you threatening Zajia?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I wouldn't dare."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I dare not."

Li Yuncong said: "In that case, Quan De'an and Wen Chenguan have already joined forces; with their help, the emperor could possibly eliminate Ji Feihua." Li Yuncong, although he would love to see these people fight to the death, does not want either side to achieve an overwhelming victory; whichever side suddenly gains the upper hand would be of no benefit to his plans. If Hu Xiaotian's information is true, Princess Anping's journey to the Great Yong will certainly be tumultuous. Both factions will surely revolve around this matter and engage in a life-and-death struggle; for his own side, however, this presents a rare opportunity.

Li Yuncong said: "If that's the case, Quan De'an and Wen Chenghuan have already joined forces; with their assistance, the Emperor could possibly eliminate Ji Feihua." Although Li Yuncong would love to see these people fight to the death, he does not want either side to achieve an overwhelming victory—whichever side suddenly gains the upper hand would be of no benefit to his plans. If Hu Xiaotian's information is true, Princess Anping's journey to Da Yong will certainly be tumultuous. Both factions will surely revolve around this matter in a life-and-death struggle, yet for his own side it presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Hu Xiaotian told Li Yuncong about this matter without expecting Li Yuncong to intervene and help him resolve it. Li Yuncong had a point when he said that, given Ji Feihua's current strength, she should be able to defuse this crisis. Even if Li Yuncong knew about this, his first thought would be to profit from the situation rather than genuinely get involved; everyone involved is calculating their own interests.

Hu Xiaotian told Li Yuncong about this, not expecting Li Yuncong to intervene and resolve it for him. Li Yuncong had a point: given Ji Feihua's current strength, she should be able to defuse this crisis. Even if Li Yuncong knew about it, his first thought would be to profit from the situation, not to genuinely intervene; everyone is calculating their own interests.

Hu Xiaotian also has his own agenda. He hopes to gain some benefits from Li Yuncong, after all, he can't just work for nothing; having shared so much intelligence, he expects something in return.

Hu Xiaotian also had his own calculations. He wanted to gain some benefits from Li Yuncong, after all—he couldn't just work for nothing, providing all this information; he needed something in return.

Li Yuncong's understanding of this kid is fairly clear; he gave a sly, mocking smile and said: "You little brat are really hypocritical—just say what you want outright; why beat around the bush with me, the old eunuch?"

Li Yuncong's understanding of this brat was clear enough; he gave a sneering laugh: "You little brat are truly hypocritical—if you want something, just say it straight; why beat around the bush with Zajia?"

Hu Xiaotian chuckled and said: "Lord Li, you're truly a perceptive person. I just like talking with someone as clear-headed as you. Last time at the Bright Moon Palace, the Grand Scholar Wen tried to have me killed; luckily I had a tough life and escaped. This time, his son is accompanying me, and Wen Boyuan controls the Divine Strategy Manor. It's said his martial arts are also top-notch among the younger generation; if he intends to harm me, I'm afraid I won't get another chance to see you." Hu Xiaotian hopes Li Yuncong will teach him a move or two; the old eunuch's martial arts are formidable. If he could pass on his secret techniques, Hu Xiaotian believes his combat ability would surely improve. Now is the perfect moment to make demands. Once this chance passes, there won't be another.

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "Senior Eunuch Li, you're truly a person of understanding. I just like speaking with people like you. Last time at the Bright Moon Palace, Grand Preceptor Wen tried to put me to death; luckily I had a tough life and escaped. This time his son is accompanying me, and Wen Boyuan controls the Divine Strategy Manor. It's said his martial arts are also top-notch among the younger generation; if he intends to harm me, I fear I won't have a chance to return and see you again." Hu Xiaotian hoped Li Yuncong could teach him a move or two; the Senior Eunuch's martial arts are formidable. If he could pass on his secret techniques, Hu Xiaotian's combat ability would surely improve. Now is the perfect moment to set conditions—once this chance passes, there'll be no other.

Li Yuncong pondered and said: "Mastering profound martial arts cannot be achieved overnight; any endeavor must start from small steps, as the saying goes, 'haste makes waste.'"

Li Yuncong pondered: "To cultivate profound martial arts cannot be done overnight; any endeavor must start from small steps, as the saying goes, 'haste makes waste.'"

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed, "This old miser." It was clearly a refusal of his request.

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed: "This old miser." Obviously he was refusing his request.

Li Yuncong suddenly turned and, in an instant, vanished from the wine cellar.

Li Yuncong suddenly turned and, in the blink of an eye, vanished from the wine cellar.

Hu Xiaotian didn't expect Li Yuncong to just walk off; he hurriedly followed, but when he reached the lower wine cellar, there was no sign of the old eunuch. Hu Xiaotian sighed, "Miser, you really are an old miser."

Hu Xiaotian hadn't expected Li Yuncong to just walk away; he hurriedly followed, but upon reaching the lower wine cellar, there was no sign of the Senior Eunuch. Hu Xiaotian sighed: "Miser, you really are an old miser."

As his words faded, Li Yuncong's head reappeared from the opening of the secret passage, pointing at Hu Xiaotian and saying: "If you let the old eunuch hear you badmouthing me behind my back again, I won't forgive you—wait, I'll be right back." He then disappeared again.

No sooner had the words fallen than Li Yuncong's head peeked out from the secret passage's opening, pointing at Hu Xiaotian: "If Zajia hears you slandering them behind my back again, I will never forgive you—wait, I'll be right back." He then disappeared again.

Hu Xiaotian stared, mouth agape; the old eunuch's movement is incredibly swift, appearing and disappearing like a ghost—from now on he'll really have to watch what he says.

Hu Xiaotian stared, mouth agape: "This Senior Eunuch's movement technique is incredibly fast, appearing and disappearing like a ghost; from now on I really have to watch what I say."

Li Yuncong returned after just the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, holding a package that looked aged from its color alone; he tossed it at Hu Xiaotian's feet and said, "Here, this is for you."

Li Yuncong returned after roughly the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, carrying a package that looked aged from its color alone; he tossed it at Hu Xiaotian's feet: "Here, it's yours."

Hu Xiaotian opened the package and saw a dark lump inside; picking it up, he found it was a form-fitting soft armor, made of some animal's hair, he didn't know which. He exclaimed in astonishment, "What is this?"

Hu Xiaotian opened the package and saw a black lump inside; picking it up, he found it was a close-fitting soft armor, made of some animal's hair. He exclaimed in astonishment: "What is this?"

Li Yuncong said: "It's Black Silkworm Armor."

Li Yuncong said: "Black Silkworm Armor."

Hu Xiaotian shook himself, a cloud of dust rose, choking him into coughing; he tossed the Black Silkworm Armor aside, covered his nose, and said: "Damn, there's at least three pounds of dirt on this, old sir—I'm impressed, you—where did you dig up this antique to fool me?"

Hu Xiaotian shook it, and a cloud of dust rose, making him cough nonstop; he tossed the Black Silkworm Armor aside, covered his nose, and said: "Damn, there's at least three catties of dirt on this, old man—I'm impressed, where did you dig up this antique to fool me?"

Li Yuncong said: "Don't underestimate this Black Silkworm Armor just because it looks plain; it's impervious to blades and spears. With it protecting you, your safety on the journey is assured."

Li Yuncong said: "Don't underestimate this Black Silkworm Armor just because it looks plain; it is impervious to blades and spears. With it protecting you, your safety on the journey is assured."

Hu Xiaotian, hearing him speak so highly of it, picked it up from the ground again and said: "Black Silkworm Armor? It looks like it's made of hair, huh!"

Hu Xiaotian, hearing him speak so highly, picked it up again from the ground: "Black Silkworm Armor? It looks like it's made of hair, huh!"

Li Yuncong said: "Good eye—this is woven from the hair of the Iron-Backed Black Ape, and it has a history of three hundred years."

Li Yuncong said: "Good eye—this is woven from the hair of the Iron-backed Black Ape, and it has a history of three hundred years."

"Indeed, it's an antique."

"It's indeed an antique."

Li Yuncong said: "You must never underestimate this armor; countless people have lost their lives fighting over it in the past, and the Iron-Backed Black Ape has been extinct for two hundred years, making this armor exceedingly precious."

Li Yuncong said: "You must never underestimate this armor; countless people have died fighting over it in the past, and the Iron-backed Black Ape has been extinct for two hundred years, making this armor extremely precious."

Hu Xiaotian, hearing how precious he described it, felt delighted deep down; after all, this armor is essentially a bulletproof vest.

Hu Xiaotian, hearing him describe it as so precious, felt delighted deep down; after all, armor is essentially a bulletproof vest.

Li Yuncong said: "Even if I taught you martial arts, you couldn't master them in a short time; with this item, ordinary experts would absolutely be unable to harm you."

Li Yuncong said: "Even if I taught you martial arts, you couldn't master them in a short time; with this item, ordinary experts could not harm you."

Hu Xiaotian turned it over and over, asking: "Is the Iron-Backed Black Ape's hair naturally curly? From which part of the body is this hair taken? It looks somewhat familiar to me."

Hu Xiaotian turned it over and over, asking: "Is the Iron-backed Black Ape's hair naturally curly? From which part of the body is this hair taken? It looks somewhat familiar to me."

Li Yuncong glared at him, knowing the kid was deliberately spouting nonsense to tease him, then turned and walked away. Behind him, Hu Xiaotian's voice called out: "Hey! Don't rush off—good things come in pairs, give me another one!"

Li Yuncong gave him a glare, knowing this brat was deliberately spouting nonsense to tease him, then turned and walked away. From behind came Hu Xiaotian's voice: "Hey! Don't rush off—good things come in pairs, send another one..."

Inside the Grand Scholar's mansion, Wen Chenguan still hadn't rested; he sat alone in his study, waiting for his son's arrival.

In the Grand Preceptor's mansion, Wen Chenghuan had not rested, sitting alone in the study waiting for his son's arrival.

Wen Boyuan knocked and entered the room, speaking loudly: "Father, I'm back."

Wen Boyuan knocked and entered the room, speaking loudly: "Father, I'm back."

Wen Chenguan smiled at his son, slowly nodding and saying: "You must be tired."

Wen Chenghuan smiled at his son, nodding slowly: "You must be tired?"

Wen Boyuan laughed: "Not at all; following your instructions, I went to visit my uncles' homes to pay New Year's respects, and I even received a fair amount of lucky money."

Wen Boyuan laughed: "Not tired; following your instructions, I went to visit my uncles' homes to pay New Year respects, and I even received quite a bit of lucky money."

Wen Chenguan burst out laughing; seeing his son made him feel as if he were looking at his younger self: "Have you eaten?"

Wen Chenghuan burst into laughter; seeing his son made him feel as if he were looking at his younger self: "Have you eaten?"

"I ate at Uncle Zhao's place, and he asked me to bring you a box of thousand-year-old ginseng—would you like to see it?"

"At Uncle Zhao's house I ate; he asked me to bring you a box of thousand-year-old ginseng—would you like to see it?"

Wen Chenguan shook his head and said softly: "Boyuan, Father has something I want to tell you."

Wen Chenghuan shook his head, speaking softly: "Boyuan, Father has something I want to tell you."

Wen Boyuan suddenly noticed his father's demeanor seemed a bit off tonight and asked with concern: "Father, are you alright?"

Wen Boyuan suddenly noticed his father's demeanor seemed odd tonight, and asked with concern: "Father, are you alright?"

Wen Chenguan smiled and said: "Nothing's wrong, come with me!"

Wen Chenghuan laughed: "Nothing's wrong, come with me!"

Wen Boyuan closed the door, then followed his father to the inner hall—the place where Wen Chenguan kept his books. He approached the bookshelf, pulled the hidden switch built into it, and the shelf split apart, sliding slowly to either side, revealing a dark, gloomy opening.

Wen Boyuan closed the door, then followed his father to the inner hall—the inner hall being Wen Chenghuan's library. He approached the bookshelf, pulled the hidden switch inside it, and the bookshelf split apart, slowly sliding to either side, revealing a dark, gloomy opening.

Wen Boyuan stared, mouth agape; he had no idea his father had concealed a secret chamber within the study.

Wen Boyuan stared, mouth agape; he had not known his father concealed a secret chamber within the study.

Wen Chenguan whispered: "Take the candlestick and follow me down."

Wen Chenghuan whispered: "Take the candlestick and follow me down."

Wen Boyuan lifted the candlestick from the table and followed his father into the secret chamber, first descending a winding staircase, arriving at a room three zhang long and three zhang wide; as they stepped down, the hidden door behind them slowly closed.

Wen Boyuan lifted the candlestick from the table, followed his father into the secret chamber, first walking down a winding staircase, arriving at a room three zhang long and three zhang wide; as they descended, the hidden door behind them slowly closed.

Inside the secret chamber hung several portraits; besides that, tables, chairs, and stools were arranged, making it look like an ordinary family's hall.

In the secret chamber hung several portraits; besides that, tables, chairs, and stools were arranged, furnished just like an ordinary family's hall.

Wen Boyuan could not contain his curiosity, wondering why his father had hidden such a secret room in the study.

Wen Boyuan could not suppress his inner curiosity, not knowing why his father had hidden such a secret chamber in the study.

Wen Chenguan sat at the table, his gaze fixed on the wall portrait, and said softly: "The portrait in the center is your grandfather; go offer him incense."

Wen Chenghuan sat at the table, his gaze turning to the portrait on the wall, and said softly: "The portrait in the center is your grandfather; go offer incense to him."

Wen Boyuan nodded, followed his father's instructions, and offered incense before his grandfather's portrait; after paying his respects, he rose and stood beside his father, saying: "Father, this portrait of my grandfather looks different from the previous one."

Wen Boyuan nodded, followed his father's instruction, offered incense before his grandfather's portrait and paid his respects; after finishing, he rose and came to his father's side: "Father, your grandfather's portrait looks different from the previous one."

Wen Chenguan said: "This one is the genuine article!"

Wen Chenghuan said: "This one is the genuine article!"

Wen Boyuan's heart shuddered; he vaguely sensed that this was no ordinary matter, wondering why his father felt the need to conceal it.

Wen Boyuan's heart shuddered violently; he vaguely sensed that this was no ordinary matter, wondering why his father would conceal it.

Wen Chenguan gazed at the flickering candle flame, his eyes growing unfocused, and whispered: "There's something I've never told you—we are actually natives of the Great Yong; your grandfather was a high-ranking official of the Great Yong, once holding the rank of first-grade minister as the Grand Chancellor Li Xuan'gan."

Wen Chenghuan gazed at the flickering candle flame, his eyes growing unfocused, and said softly: "There is something I have never told you: we are originally subjects of Da Yong; your grandfather was a high official of Da Yong, once holding the rank of first‑grade Da Yong Chancellor Li Xuan'gan."

"What?" Wen Boyuan exclaimed; upon hearing this news, his whole body felt as if struck by lightning, standing frozen like a clay statue before his father. All along he had believed his surname was Wen and that he was the son of the Grand Scholar of the Great Kang, never imagining his origins were so extraordinary, even his surname being false.

"What?" Wen Boyuan's whole body felt as if struck by lightning upon hearing this, standing frozen like a clay statue before his father. All along he had thought his surname was Wen, that he was the son of the Dakang Grand Preceptor, but he never imagined his origins could be so extraordinary—even his surname was false.

Wen Chenguan whispered: "My Li clan is a prestigious family of the Great Yong, highly favored by the emperor. At the critical moment of the Great Yong's survival, it was your grandfather who stepped forward, exhausting his wisdom and energy, dedicating himself completely, and single-handedly brought the Great Yong to prosperity and strength. His greatest wish in life was to unify the Great Yong under heaven and sweep across the six directions; to fulfill that aspiration, and also to repay the emperor's kindness in recognizing my talent, thirty years ago I came alone to the Great Kang, concealed my name and identity, endured humiliation and burden, and step by step arrived at the position I hold today."

Wen Chenghuan whispered: "My Li clan is a prestigious family of Da Yong, deeply favored by the Emperor; at Da Yong's moment of life and death, it was your grandfather who stepped forward, exhausted his energies, devoted himself completely, and single‑handedly brought Da Yong to prosperity and strength. Your grandfather's greatest wish was to unify Da Yong under heaven and sweep the six directions; to fulfill his wish and repay the Emperor's kindness in recognizing my talent, thirty years ago I came alone to Dakang, concealed my name and endured humiliation, step by step reaching the position I hold today."

Wen Boyuan's feelings became immensely complex; only today did his father finally reveal the truth, and to him this was nothing less than a bolt from the blue— for a moment he found it truly hard to accept.

Wen Boyuan's feelings became immensely complex; until today, when his father finally revealed the truth, all of this was to him like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, and for a moment it was truly hard to accept.

There are three days left until the end of the month; burst, third update delivered—if we can reach 100 Monthly Tickets today, we'll also deliver a fourth more! (To be continued~^~)