Chapter 479

What did you do? Long Xi Yue blushed so much she could barely open her eyes; in fact she knew Hu Xiaotian was deliberately teasing her, the palace sand was still intact, and she was still completely pure.

What did you do? Long Xi Yue blushed so much she could barely open her eyes; in fact she knew Hu Xiaotian was deliberately teasing her, the palace sand was still intact, and she was still completely pure.

But need to keep each clause. We'll produce single line.

Hu Xiaotian said, "I deserve death for my crime; I Sir (official)'t speak unless the princess pardons me."

Translate: Hu Xiaotian said, "I deserve death for my crime, I dare not speak unless the princess pardons me."

Long Xi Yue bit her cherry lips and said, "That depends on what you've done."

Translate: Long Xi Yue bit her cherry lips and said, "That depends on what you did."

Hu Xiaotian gazed at Long Xi Yue's exquisite, incomparable face, involuntarily swallowing a mouthful of saliva. He stepped forward, lowered his voice and said, "I'm just like this..." Taking advantage of her inattention, he leaned in and lightly brushed his lips against hers like a dragonfly touching water.

Translate: Hu Xiaotian gazed at Long Xi Yue's gorgeous, incomparable face, involuntarily swallowed a mouthful of saliva, stepped forward, and whispered, "I'll just..." Taking advantage of her inattention, he leaned in and lightly kissed her lips like a dragonfly skimming water.

Long Xi Yue blushed so deeply that even her jade neck was tinged with rosy red, her fingers intertwined, her heart a mix of shyness and delight, tangled to the extreme.

Translate: Long Xi Yue blushed so deeply a rosy hue covered her jade neck, her fingers intertwined, her heart both shy and delighted, torn to the extreme.

Seeing Long Xi Yue's reaction, Hu Xiaotian was clearly not angry; he gathered his courage and said, "I'll do this again..." He slipped his arm around her slender waist from behind and pulled her into his embrace. This guy is absolutely bold in his lust, yet he hasn't lost his mind—his ears remain alert to any outside movement.

Translate: Seeing Long Xi Yue's reaction, Hu Xiaotian evidently wasn't angry, so he gathered courage and said, "I'll still..." He slipped his arm around her waist from behind and pulled her into his embrace. This guy is absolutely bold with lust, yet not lust‑addled; his ears remained alert to any outside movement.

Long Xi Yue went limp in his arms, her delicate body soft against his chest, her breathing quickening. Suddenly she felt her chest tighten—evidently he had grabbed her—and her beautiful eyes flew open as she whispered, "You wretched Hu Xiaotian, I misjudged you..."

Translate: Long Xi Yue went limp in his arms, her delicate body soft against his chest, her breathing quickening. Suddenly she felt her chest tighten—evidently he had grabbed it—her beautiful eyes flew open, and she whispered angrily, "You bastard Hu Xiaotian, I misjudged you..."

Hu Xiaotian hastily released his hands, drooping his head, and said, "I really didn't want to say it, but the princess forced me to." The sensation of that grip still lingered, leaving him unsatisfied.

Translate: Hu Xiaotian hastily released his hands, hung his head, and said, "I originally didn't want to say it, but the princess forced me to speak." The sensation of that grab still lingered, leaving him unsatisfied.

Long Xi Yue, too embarrassed to look at him, lowered her gaze to her own toes. After a long while she said, "Yu Tong was right—you definitely have something hidden from me. Was it you who sealed my acupoints on New Year's Eve?" By saying that, she essentially sold out Qin Yutong. Thus, female friends are the most unreliable relationships in the world, and Hu Xiaotian sighed inwardly. Qin Yutong, Qin Yutong, we seem to have no deep grudge, so why do you keep pulling these behind-the-scenes tricks?

Translate: Long Xi Yue, too embarrassed to look at him, lowered her gaze to her own toes. After a long while she said, "Qin Yutong was right—you definitely have something hidden from me. Was it you who sealed my acupoints on New Year's Eve?" By saying that she effectively sold out Qin Yutong. As the saying goes, female friends are the most unreliable relationship in the world. Hu Xiaotian sighed inwardly. Qin Yutong, Qin Yutong, we don't seem to have any deep grudge, why do you keep pulling this kind of behind‑the‑scenes sabotage?

It is true that Long Xi Yue's acupoints were sealed, but it was done by someone else, having nothing to do with Hu Xiaotian, and he certainly didn't take advantage of the situation. If he had harbored such thoughts, that night would have been the perfect opportunity to finish everything—does this foolish princess really think she gave herself to him?

Translate: It is true that Long Xi Yue's acupoints were sealed, but the person who did it was someone else, having nothing to do with Hu Xiaotian, and he certainly didn't take advantage of the situation. If he had harbored such thoughts, that night—with such a perfect opportunity—everything would have been finished; could this foolish princess really believe he had taken her?

Long Xi Yue said, "I know what you just said are all lies to deceive me; although you're not a gentleman, you're not a petty opportunist either. I understand..." She gazed at Hu Xiaotian with her beautiful eyes, shy yet affectionate.

Translate: Long Xi Yue said, "I know what you just said are all lies to deceive me; although you're not a gentleman, you're also not a petty opportunist. I understand..." She gazed at Hu Xiaotian with her beautiful eyes, shyly.

Hu Xiaotian realized that pure kindness could also possess tremendous destructive power; in front of Long Xi Yue, if he let too many lustful thoughts surface, he actually felt guilty. Looking at his own hands, he suddenly had the urge to chop them off—"Damn! I'm an idiot." He didn't dare touch her any longer.

Translate: Hu Xiaotian discovered that pure kindness also possesses tremendous destructive power; in front of Long Xi Yue, if he let too many lustful thoughts show, he actually felt guilty. Looking at his own hands, he suddenly had the urge to chop them off—"Damn! I'm an idiot." He didn't dare touch her any longer.

Long Xi Yue said, "Fireworks are beautiful, but far too fleeting." She sighed softly, "I can't even enjoy a proper fireworks display."

Translate: Long Xi Yue said, "Fireworks are beautiful, but too fleeting." She sighed softly, "I can't even properly watch a fireworks display."

Hu Xiaotian lifted the bowl of bird's nest porridge and presented it to her: "As long as the princess likes it, I'll accompany you to watch the fireworks every New Year's Eve."

Translate: Hu Xiaotian lifted the bowl of bird's nest porridge and brought it to her: "As long as the princess likes it, I'll accompany you to watch the fireworks every New Year's Eve."

Long Xi Yue bit her cherry lips, a wave of emotion stirring within her. Yet she realized this could only be a vain hope; she lowered her head to eat the bird's nest porridge, but two crystal tears slipped down first.

Translate: Long Xi Yue bit her cherry lips, a surge of emotion rose in her heart. Yet she understood this could only be a wistful dream; she lowered her head to eat the bird's nest porridge, but two crystal‑clear tears fell first.

This time Hu Xiaotian didn't use a silk handkerchief; he directly used his hand to wipe the tears from her face. Long Xi Yue's mood must be utterly lost and immensely complex; only concrete actions could restore her hope and confidence in the future.

Translate: This time Hu Xiaotian didn't use a silk handkerchief but directly wiped the tears from her face with his hand; Long Xi Yue's mood must be extremely bewildered and utterly complex, and only concrete actions could restore her hope and confidence in the future.

The next morning, Hu Xiaotian went early to the Imperial Horse Supervisor to visit Fan Zongxi, who had a broken left leg. Since he was visiting a patient, he couldn't go empty-handed, so he specially brought a basket of fresh fruit and two jars of fine wine from the Bureau of Imperial Gardens—readily available supplies that need not be wasted due to expiration.

Translate: The next morning. Hu Xiaotian early went to the Imperial Stables Administration to visit Fan Zongxi, who had a broken left leg. Since he was visiting a patient, he couldn't go empty‑handed, so he specially brought a basket of fresh fruit and two jars of fine wine from the Imperial Gardens Bureau—after all, they were readily available, and with authority there was no need to let them expire.

Fu Gui indeed kept his promise, not informing Hu Xiaotian in advance of his visit. Seeing Hu Xiaotian come to see him, Fan Zongxi was overjoyed, struggling to get out of bed, but Hu Xiaotian stepped forward, pressed his shoulder, and said, "Lord Fan, please lie down at once; you're injured and must not move rashly."

Translate: Fugui indeed kept his promise, not informing Hu Xiaotian in advance of the visit. Seeing Hu Xiaotian come to see him, Fan Zongxi was overjoyed, struggled to rise from the bed, but Hu Xiaotian stepped forward, pressed his shoulder, and said, "Eunuch Fan, lie down quickly; you're injured, don't move rashly."

Fan Zongxi exclaimed, "Lord Hu, with all your affairs, you still found time amidst your busy schedule to come see me—truly it moves this humble servant to tears of gratitude."

Translate: Fan Zongxi exclaimed, "Eunuch Hu, you're swamped with affairs, yet you took time out of your busy schedule to visit me—truly the Zajia feels grateful to tears."

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "We've met and hit it off; in my heart I've always regarded Lord Fan as an elder brother, so there's no need for such formality between us."

Translate: Hu Xiaotian laughed, "We've met and hit it off; in my heart I've always regarded Eunuch Fan as a brother, so there's no need for such formality between us."

Fan Zongxi said, "All my life I've hunted geese, yet today a goose pecked my eye; this humble servant has never been injured by a horse before." As a skilled horse trainer, falling from a horse and breaking his leg is indeed quite embarrassing.

Translate: Fan Zongxi said, "I spend all day hunting geese, yet today a goose pecked my eye; the Zajia has never been injured by a horse in his life." As a horse‑taming expert, falling from a horse and breaking his leg is indeed a humiliating incident.

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "As the old saying goes, a loss may be a blessing in disguise. At the start of the new year, Lord Fan, your bad luck is exhausted; from now on auspicious stars will shine upon you, and you'll achieve great ambitions."

Translate: Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Loss may be a blessing in disguise; at the start of the new year, Eunuch Fan's bad luck is exhausted, henceforth auspicious stars will shine high and his grand plans will flourish."

Fan Zongxi burst into laughter, "Thank you, Lord Hu, for your auspicious words! Thank you, Lord Hu!" He had Fu Gui serve tea and prepare food, insisting that Hu Xiaotian stay for lunch. Although Hu Xiaotian wanted to decline, Fan Zongxi said, "I've heard that Lord Hu's younger brother will leave the capital on the thirteenth of the first month to escort Princess Anping to her wedding in Da Yong. I originally wanted to see you off personally, but that seems impossible now; no matter what, you must stay for a meal—consider it me, as your brother, fulfilling my duty."

Translate: Fan Zongxi burst into laughter, "Thank you, Eunuch Hu, for the auspicious words; thank you, Eunuch Hu." He had Fugui serve tea and prepare dishes, insisting that Hu Xiaotian stay for lunch. Hu Xiaotian wanted to decline, but Fan Zongxi said, "The Zajia heard that Junior Brother Hu will leave the capital on the thirteenth of the first month to escort Princess Anping to Da Yong for her wedding. I originally wanted to see you off myself, but it seems impossible, so today you must stay for a meal—consider it me, as your brother, fulfilling the duty."

Overwhelmed by the hospitality, Hu Xiaotian had no choice but to stay, and he laughed, "I heard that for Princess Anping's wedding, many of the carriages and horses are being requisitioned from the Imperial Horse Supervisor."

Translate: Unable to refuse such enthusiasm, Hu Xiaotian had to stay; he smiled and said, "I heard that for this Princess Anping's wedding, many of the horses and carriages are being requisitioned from the Imperial Stables Administration?"

Fan Zongxi replied, "Originally I was in charge of allocating the carriages and horses, but since I'm injured I can't handle it. This time the entire transportation arrangement has been handed over to the Minister of War, Tang Wen Zheng, and his two sons will accompany the expedition to Da Yong."

Translate: Fan Zongxi replied, "Originally the Zajia was in charge of allocating horses and carriages, but with this injury I naturally can't attend to it. This time the horse and carriage dispatch has been entirely handed over to the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Transport, Tang Wen Zheng; on this journey to Da Yong, his two sons will accompany the entourage."

This isn't exactly good news for Hu Xiaotian. Back when his father was still a Minister of Revenue, he had run-ins with several of the Tang children; it was basically a misunderstanding, stemming from his good-hearted rescue of Tang Wen Zheng's precious daughter, Tang Qingxuan, which instead led people to accuse him of frivolity. Hu Xiaotian went along with the mistake and staged a farcical bride‑snatching drama. At that time he hadn't fully adapted to his role in this era, and besides being dissatisfied with his father's arranged marriage, he even intended to provoke trouble for his dad. In the end, the Tang family suffered a dumb loss.

Translate: For Hu Xiaotian this wasn't exactly good news; back when his father was still the Minister of Revenue, he had several run‑ins with the Tang children. It was actually a misunderstanding, stemming from his good‑faith rescue of Tang Wen Zheng's precious daughter Tang Qingxuan, which led people to accuse him of frivolity. Hu Xiaotian went along with the mistake and staged a bridal‑snatching farce; one could say that at the time he hadn't fully adapted to his role in this era, plus his dissatisfaction with his father's arranged marriage motivated him to deliberately cause trouble for his father, and in the end the Tang family suffered a dumb loss.

The Tang brothers have long borne a grudge; when Hu Xiaotian was on his way to take up a post in Xichuan, they once staged a masked highway robbery aimed at revenge. After the Hu family fell into disgrace and Hu Xiaotian entered the palace as a eunuch, the Tang clan emerged unscathed from the turmoil. Earlier, Hu Xiaotian had encountered the Tang brothers, Tang Tiehan and Tang Tiecheng, on the freight street; they too wanted revenge, but Fan Zongxi's intervention stopped them. Hu Xiaotian's friendship with Fan Zongxi stems from that incident. Little did he expect that fate would bring him together with the Tangs again on the journey to Da Yong, since the Tang brothers are in charge of the horse and carriage logistics, interaction with them is unavoidable.

Translate: The three Tang brothers have always borne a grudge; when Hu Xiaotian was heading to Xichuan to take office, they once staged a masked highway robbery intending revenge. After the Hu family fell on hard times and Hu Xiaotian entered the palace as a eunuch, the Tang family emerged unscathed from that turmoil. Earlier, Hu Xiaotian had encountered Tang Tiehan and Tang Tiecheng on the towpath; they too wanted revenge, but Fan Zongxi's intervention stopped them. Hu Xiaotian's friendship with Fan Zongxi also stems from that. Who would have thought enemies would meet on a narrow road—this time, on the way to Da Yong, Hu Xiaotian ends up traveling with the Tang family; since the Tang brothers are in charge of horse and carriage allocation, dealing with them is inevitable.

Fan Zongxi said, "Don't worry, his brothers dare not oppose you." Everyone in the palace knows that Hu Xiaotian just cured the emperor's illness and is also a close confidant of Ji Feihua; if the Tang brothers provoked him, they'd certainly get nothing good in return.

Translate: Fan Zongxi said, "Don't worry, his brothers wouldn't dare oppose you." In the palace everyone knows Hu Xiaotian just cured the Emperor's illness, and besides he's a close aide of Ji Feihua; if the Tang brothers provoked him they'd surely get nothing good.

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "It's not that I fear the Tang brothers; setting aside any talk of backing or background, my current martial skill alone should be enough to handle them. Moreover, I've recently learned a lethal technique from an old beggar and received the Storm‑Pear Blossom Needles from Qiqi—of course such deadly weapons wouldn't be used on the Tang brothers; using a cleaver to kill a chicken is overkill! Hu Xiaotian said, 'Grievances should be resolved, not perpetuated. I indeed had past disputes with the Tang brothers, but so much time has passed that I've long let them go.'"

Translate: Hu Xiaotian laughed, "It's not that I'm wary of the Tang brothers; setting aside talk of background, my current martial skill alone would make handling them easy, and furthermore I've recently learned a ultimate technique from an old beggar and obtained the Violent Rain Pear Blossom Needle from Qiqi—of course such deadly weapons certainly wouldn't be used on the Tang brothers; using a cleaver to kill a chicken is overkill! Hu Xiaotian said, 'Grievances should be resolved, not perpetuated; I indeed had past feuds with the Tang brothers, but so much time has passed that I've long let them go.'"

Fan Zongxi smiled, "If everyone could have the breadth of mind like Brother Hu, there wouldn't be so many grudges in the world."

Translate: Fan Zongxi smiled, "If everyone had the breadth of mind of Junior Brother Hu, there wouldn't be so many grudges in the world."

As the food and drink were just ready, Li Yuncong from the Library Pavilion arrived; he is Fan Zongxi's maternal uncle, and coming to see his nephew is only natural. Hu Xiaotian hurriedly rose to greet him.

Translate: As the food and drink were just ready, Li Yuncong from the Cangshuge arrived; Li Yuncong is Fan Zongxi's maternal uncle, coming to see his nephew is only natural. Hu Xiaotian hurriedly rose to greet him.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian present, Li Yuncong raised his white brows and said with a gentle expression, "The little bearded one is here too!"

Translate: Seeing Hu Xiaotian there, Li Yuncong's white brows lifted, and he said amiably, "The little whiskered one is here too!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "I heard Lord Fan was injured, so I came to pay my respects."

Translate: Hu Xiaotian laughed, "I heard Eunuch Fan was injured, so I came to visit."

Li Yuncong nodded and said, "Not bad, not bad; there aren't many young people in the palace who are as loyal and righteous as you."

Translate: Li Yuncong nodded and said, "Not bad, not bad; there aren't many young people in the palace who are as loyal and righteous as you."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Lord Fan has always looked after me; in my heart I've always regarded him as an elder brother."

Translate: Hu Xiaotian said, "Eunuch Fan has always looked after me; in my heart I've always regarded him as an elder brother."

Fan Zongxi laughed, "Lord Hu, you're being overly polite, Uncle. We were just about to drink, and since you've arrived, let's drink together."

Translate: Fan Zongxi laughed, "Eunuch Hu, you're being overly polite, Uncle—we were just about to drink, and you've arrived just in time; let's do it together."

Hu Xiaotian hurriedly yielded the seat of honor to Li Yuncong.

Translate: Hu Xiaotian hurriedly yielded the seat of honor to Li Yuncong.

Li Yuncong chuckled, "As the saying goes, it's better to come opportune than early; this old fellow won't stand on ceremony with you." He handed over the few books he'd brought to Fan Zongxi: "When you're bored in bed, just read a few more." Like Hu Xiaotian, he took advantage of his position to give gifts that fell within his own jurisdiction.

Translate: Li Yuncong chuckled, "As the saying goes, better to come opportune than early; this old fellow won't stand on ceremony with you." He handed the books he'd brought to Fan Zongxi first: "Lying in bed bored, might as well read a few more." Like Hu Xiaotian, he too took advantage of his position to give gifts that were all within his jurisdiction.

Fan Zongxi winced, "You know as well as I do that what I dread most in life is reading."

Translate: Fan Zongxi winced, "You know as well as I do that what I dread most in life is reading books."

Li Yuncong laughed, "Books on horse judging—you should find those interesting."

Translate: Li Yuncong smiled, "Books on horse judging—you should find them interesting."

Hu Xiaotian filled their cups with wine.

Translate: Hu Xiaotian filled their cups with wine.

Li Yuncong raised his cup and said, "Today seems to be the fifth day of the first lunar month, right?"

Translate: Li Yuncong raised his cup and said, "Today seems to be the fifth day of the first lunar month, right?"

Hu Xiaotian replied, "Indeed, your memory is excellent—far better than many young people's."

Translate: Hu Xiaotian replied, "Indeed, your memory is excellent—far better than many youngsters."

Li Yuncong chuckled, "This humble servant isn't senile—do you think I can't remember a date? In a few days it will likely be the day our Princess Anping gets married." He paused, lifted his cup, clinked it with theirs, and drank it down in one go, praising, "The wine stored in the Imperial Gardens' cellar has a truly distinctive flavor."

Translate: Li Yuncong laughed, "The Zajia isn't senile—do you think I can't remember a date? In a few days it'll likely be the day our Princess Anping gets married." He paused, raised his cup, clinked it with the other two, and drank it all in one go, praising, "The wine stored in the Imperial Gardens Bureau's cellar has a truly distinctive flavor."

Based solely on Li Yuncong's remark, Hu Xiaotian dares to say that this old eunuch has certainly been sneaking sips of the fine wine from the Imperial Gardens' cellar in the past; given Li Yuncong's skill and the pre‑existing secret passage, stealing a few jars and taking them home would be a trivial matter.

Translate: Based solely on Li Yuncong's remark, Hu Xiaotian dares to say this senior eunuch has often sneakily drunk the fine wine from the Imperial Gardens Bureau's cellar; with Li Yuncong's skill, plus the existence of that secret passage, stealing a few jars to take back is nothing more than a trivial matter.

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