Chapter 55

Hu Xiaotian began to realize he was extraordinary; his extraordinariness stemmed not only from his unique experiences but from his consciousness and ideas, which far surpassed the era. What seemed completely ordinary to him appeared remarkable, even shocking, to most people of the time.

Possible translation: Hu Xiaotian began to realize he was extraordinary; his extraordinariness was not only due to his unique experiences, but because his consciousness and ideas far surpassed this era. What seemed completely normal to him appeared outstanding, even shocking to most people of the time.

Check we keep all info: He began to realize he was extraordinary; his extraordinariness not only because of his unique experiences, but because his consciousness, his ideas, far surpassed this era; in his view what was completely normal appeared outstanding, even shocking to most people of the time.

We'll produce a single line.

Hu Xiaotian had no desire to change the world; he harbored no ambition to dominate all under heaven and **. A person's life is but a short hundred years—why endure excessive hardship? Yet living in such an era, wanting to live simply and comfortably is not easy. His original intention was merely to live a carefree life as a second‑generation master, relying on his ancestors' legacy to enjoy a life of ** where food comes to his mouth and clothes to his hands, but even this modest wish vanished in an instant. Even his seemingly powerful and authoritative father felt a deep sense of crisis. After the loss of the Dan Shu iron voucher, Hu Buwei felt an ominous premonition and immediately decided to send his son away from the capital to take an official post.

He also lacks the ambition to rule the world and **, living a life where clothes are brought to him and food is served to him **.

Possible translation: Hu Xiaotian didn't want to change the world, nor did he harbor ambitions to dominate all under heaven; a person's life is but a fleeting hundred years—why endure too much hardship? Yet living in such an era, wanting to live simply and comfortably is not easy either. His original intention was merely to enjoy life as a second-generation master, relying on ancestral blessings to live a life of ** where food comes to hand and clothes to stretch out for, but even this modest wish vanished in an instant. Though his father appeared lofty, powerful, and imposing, he too felt a deep sense of crisis. After the loss of the Dan Shu Iron Voucher, Hu Buwei had an ominous premonition and immediately decided to send his son away from the capital to take an official post.

Check we kept "**". Yes.

Knowing that everything had already been settled, and despite feeling a yearning to break free and embark on a new life, Hu Xiaotian still could not help but say plaintively: "Father, can I not go?"

Translation: Although he knew everything had already been settled, and though his heart harbored a yearning to break free and embark on a new life, Hu Xiaotian still couldn't help but utter two affected sentences: "Father, can I not go?"

"No!" Hu Buwei replied firmly. Deep down he still felt reluctant—his son had been foolish and oblivious for sixteen years, only just recovered his senses, and father and son had hardly had a chance to understand each other before facing separation. If not forced by circumstances, Hu Buwei would not want his son to leave. The Hu family line had been single‑inherited for three generations, and now only Hu Xiaotian remained, without even a sister. Leaving him in the capital worried him greatly; should future developments turn worse than expected, even endangering his son's life, he could not bear it. In fact, an assassination attempt had already occurred on the relay street, and no clues have been found to this day.

Translation: "Impossible!" Hu Buwei's reply was firm and unyielding; deep down he still felt great reluctance—his son had been an idiot mute for sixteen years, only just regained his normality, and father and son hadn't even had time to get to know each other before facing separation. If not compelled by circumstances, Hu Buwei wouldn't want his son to leave; the Hu lineage had passed down a single heir for three generations, and now only Hu Xiaotian remained, without even a sister. Yet staying in the capital worried him more, for if future developments turned worse than expected, it could even endanger his son's life. In fact, an assassination attempt had already occurred on Tuo Street, and no clues have been found to this day.

Check we kept all info.

Hu Xiaotian added: "Can I wait until my mother returns before I leave?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian then said: "Can I wait until Mother returns before I go?"

Hu Buwei shook his head, his attitude firm and unquestionable.

Translation: Hu Buwei shook his head, his attitude resolute, leaving no room for doubt.

Hu Xiaotian sighed and said: "Father, this won't work, that won't work—you're truly hard‑hearted. Um, I still have one request."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian sighed and said: "Father, this won't work, that won't work either—you truly have a heart of iron and stone. Um, I have one more request."

Um

Hu Buwei laughed and cried at once, saying: "Xiaotian, Father isn't hiding anything from you—this time sending you to Western Sichuan is merely a stopgap measure. Once things settle in the capital, I'll have you transferred back." As long as his position isn't greatly affected in this imperial succession, recalling you to the capital later will be easy; sending you ahead to Western Sichuan is just precaution, preparing for the worst.

Check we kept all.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Father, I don't like any of the four attendants you've assigned me."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Father, I don't fancy any of the four attendants you've assigned me."

Upon hearing this, Hu Buwei couldn't help but laugh: "If you think they're incapable, I could let Hu Tianxiong stay in Western Sichuan to help you." Hu Tianxiong had been sent to Western Sichuan to explain to the Li family Hu Xiaotian's teasing of Tang Qinxuan, and he still hasn't returned.

Translation: Upon hearing this, Hu Buwei couldn't help but chuckle: "If you think they're incapable, why not let Hu Tianxiong stay in Xichuan to assist you?" Hu Tianxiong had been dispatched by him to Xichuan to explain to the Li family Hu Xiaotian's teasing of Tang Qingxuan, and he still hasn't returned.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I have my own candidate!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "I have my own pick!"

Hu Buwei asked: "Who?"

Translation: Hu Buwei asked: "Who?"

Hu Xiaotian replied: "The Constable Captain of Chang'an Prefecture, Murong Feiyan."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "The captain of the Chang'an Prefecture constables, Murong Feiyan."

Chang'an Prefecture

Hu Buwei blinked in surprise; he never imagined his son would recommend her.

Translation: Hu Buwei blinked in surprise; he never imagined his son would recommend her.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Because of my matter she was implicated and suspended by Chang'an Prefecture; she is currently idle at home. I see she is not only exceptionally capable and highly skilled in martial arts, but also remarkably upright and unafraid of the powerful. Going to Western Sichuan, the journey is long and arduous; if I have no strong martial artist beside me for protection, safety would be hard to guarantee. Relying on Liang Da Zhuang and the others, if anything happened they'd be like mud Buddhas crossing the river—unable to save themselves, let alone look after me."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "She was implicated because of me, suspended by the Chang'an Prefecture, and now idle at home. I see she not only has outstanding ability but also formidable martial arts; rarer still, she is upright and unafraid of the powerful. On the journey to Xichuan—mountains high, rivers long, a thousand miles of travel—if I lack a strong martial artist to protect me, safety would be hard to guarantee. With just Liang Da Zhuang and the others, if anything truly happened, they'd be like clay bodhisattvas crossing a river—unable to save themselves, let alone look after me."

Hu Buwei didn't have a deep impression of Murong Feiyan, but his son's words made him reflect. Indeed, the journey to Western Sichuan is nearly three thousand li, and anything could happen on the way. Without a strong martial artist to protect his son, he would truly be uneasy. Hu Buwei said: "Li Jin Hao and Shao Yijiao are also quite skilled; each is worth ten ordinary men."

Translation: Hu Buwei didn't have a deep impression of Murong Feiyan, but his son's words made him reflect; indeed, the route to Xichuan spans nearly three thousand li, and what may happen along the way is unpredictable. Without a formidable martial artist guarding his son, he would truly be uneasy. Hu Buwei said: "Li Jin Hao and Shao Yijiao are also not weak in martial arts; each is a match for ten men."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Just them? When we were ambushed on the relay street, if it hadn't been for Murong Feiyan blocking an arrow for me, I probably wouldn't have lived to see you again."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Just them? During the ambush on Tuo Street, if Murong Feiyan hadn't blocked an arrow for me, I probably wouldn't be able to see you again."

Hu Buwei felt that his son's strong recommendation of Murong Feiyan wasn't merely about valuing talent; he tried to recall—this female constable captain was indeed quite attractive. Could this boy be trying to use the occasion to get close to her, even win her heart, under the guise of public duty?

Translation: Hu Buwei felt that his son's vigorous recommendation of Murong Feiyan couldn't be merely about appreciating talent; after thinking it over, he recalled that this female constable was quite attractive—could this boy be trying to use the office for personal gain, seizing the opportunity to get close to Murong Feiyan and even win her heart?

Seeing his father hesitate, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but complain: "Father, won't you even grant me this small wish?"

Translation: Seeing Hu Buwei hesitate, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but complain: "Father, you wouldn't even deny me this small wish, would you?"

Hu Buwei asked: "Can Murong Feiyan be trusted?"

Translation: Hu Buwei asked: "Is Murong Feiyan trustworthy?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "She can be trusted."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "She is trustworthy!"

Hu Buwei said: "Since she is an officer of Chang'an Prefecture, I will ask Magistrate Hong Baiqi tomorrow; this matter also depends on her own opinion."

Translation: Hu Buwei said: "After all, she's from the Chang'an Prefecture; I'll go ask Sir Hong tomorrow—this matter also depends on her own opinion."

Hu Xiaotian said: "She's just a constable; she does whatever her superiors order—there's no room for opinion! Chang'an Prefecture won't deny you this small face."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "She's just a constable; she does whatever her superiors order—what opinion could she have? Such a small favor, the Chang'an Prefecture would surely not refuse you."

Hu Buwei glared at him, thinking: "Kid, why are you so impatient? As the saying goes, know the son, know the father. If you weren't harboring designs on Murong Feiyan, I'd gouge out these eyes of mine." Bringing a beautiful female constable to Western Sichuan, the son would enjoy himself even more than the father. Hu Buwei still had reservations: "Xiaotian, the Li family will surely learn of your going to Western Sichuan; taking a female constable with you seems somewhat improper."

Translation: Hu Buwei glared at him, thinking, "Kid, why are you so impatient? As the saying goes, a father knows his son best—if you weren't harboring designs on Murong Feiyan, I'd gouge out my own eyes." Taking a beautiful female constable to Xichuan would mean the son enjoys it more than the father; Hu Buwei still had reservations: "Xiaotian, the Li family will surely find out about your going to Xichuan; bringing a female constable along seems somewhat improper, doesn't it?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Father, are you worried I'll cause a scandal with her?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Father, are you worried I'll cause some scandal with her?"

Hu Buwei blinked, thinking: "Scandal? This kid still can't put two words together."

Translation: Hu Buwei blinked, "Scandal? This kid still can't even put together a proper phrase."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Rest assured, I may have the thief's heart but not the thief's guts—given her skill, a hundred men like me couldn't get near her."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Rest assured, I may have the thief's heart but not the thief's guts; given her martial arts, a hundred of me couldn't even get near her."

Hu Buwei chuckled helplessly, reflecting that a person's prowess isn't measured by martial skill alone; even the current Dakang emperor isn't the world's top fighter. After thinking it over, he finally nodded and said: "I'll do my best to arrange it for you."

Translation: Hu Buwei burst into laughter, then said: "A person's capability isn't measured solely by martial prowess; even the current Dakang emperor isn't the world's top expert. After thinking it over, he finally nodded and said: "I'll do my best to arrange it for you!"

Murong Feiyan never imagined Hu Xiaotian would have designs on her; a single transfer order placed her under his command, to accompany him over mountains and rivers, a thousand li to Qingyun County in Western Sichuan, where Hu Xiaotian would serve as county magistrate and she would follow him as a low‑rank constable—yes, a constable. Previously she had been an eighth‑rank guard, but after being assigned to Hu Xiaotian's service she became a mere ninth‑rank lower, a rank she could no longer find in the hierarchy. Chang'an Prefecture Magistrate Hong Baiqi, in his conscience, clearly felt uneasy about this, for during her tenure she had solved many major cases, earning countless merits for him; her suspension was only due to pressure. This woman's nature is overly upright—she cannot tolerate corruption—so she has inevitably offended many powerful figures.

The present Dakang emperor, Chang'an Prefecture Magistrate Hong Baiqi, Murong Feiyan, Hu Xiaotian, and Qingyun Xian.

We'll translate: Murong Feiyan never imagined Hu Xiaotian would have designs on her; a single transfer order sent her to serve under Hu Xiaotian, to accompany this fellow across mountains and rivers, traveling a thousand li to Qingyun Xian in Xichuan, where Hu Xiaotian would become a county magistrate while she would follow him as a lowly constable—right! No mistake, a constable. Previously Murong Feiyan was at least an eighth-rank guard, but after being assigned to Hu Xiaotian's command she became merely a ninth-rank lower official, and she couldn't even find her rank on the scale. Chang'an Prefecture Magistrate Hong Baiqi evidently felt uneasy about this in his conscience; after all, Murong Feiyan had repeatedly solved major cases during her tenure at the Chang'an Prefecture, earning him countless merits, yet this suspension was forced upon her by pressure. This girl's nature is overly upright; she cannot tolerate sand in her eyes, thus she naturally offended many nobles.

He has Conscience.

Although Chang'an Prefecture Vice Magistrate Shi Jingde was his subordinate, his elder brother Shi Bucui is the current Minister of Personnel. Having offended the Shi family, Murong Feiyan, Shi Jingde insisted on expelling her from Chang'an Prefecture.

Translation: The Vice Magistrate of Chang'an Prefecture, Shi Jingde, though his subordinate, had a brother Shi Bu chui who was the current Minister of Personnel. Having offended the Shi family, Murong Feiyan, Shi Jingde insisted on expelling her from Chang'an Prefecture.

Shi Bucui and Shi Jingde.

We'll translate: The Vice Magistrate of Chang'an Prefecture, Shi Jingde, though his subordinate, had a brother Shi Bucui who was the current Minister of Personnel. Having offended the Shi family, Murong Feiyan, Shi Jingde insisted on expelling her from Chang'an Prefecture.

Although Magistrate Hong Baiqi admired Murong Feiyan's talent, he was not willing to turn against the Shi family over a mere constable, so he decided to suspend her. He had thought that, given her stern nature, she would certainly reject a decision akin to exile, but to his surprise she readily accepted it.

Translation: Although Hong Baiqi admired Murong Feiyan's talent, he wasn't willing to turn against the Shi family over a mere constable, so he decided to suspend her. Hong Baiqi had thought that given Murong Feiyan's stern temperament, she would certainly reject such a near-exile decision, but he never expected her to accept it outright.

Murong Feiyan saw her situation clearly: having offended the Shi family, her position in Chang'an Prefecture was awkward. Although Magistrate Hong Baiqi said the suspension was merely a temporary measure and that she would surely be reinstated once things calmed down, even if restored she would find it hard to regain important duties. During her years of service she had witnessed countless official corrupt practices—officials protecting each other—leaving no trace of fairness or justice. Deep down she loathed the capital's corrupt officialdom. When feeling stifled, people often think of changing environment and going out for a walk. Thus, when Magistrate Hong Baiqi proposed it, she agreed without hesitation, regarding it as a chance to clear her mind; if she felt dissatisfied in Qingyun County, she could simply leave, even resign her post—after all, the world is vast and there will always be a place to stay.

Translation: Murong Feiyan clearly understood her situation; having offended the Shi family, her position in Chang'an Prefecture was delicate. Although Hong Baiqi said the suspension was merely a temporary measure and that she would surely be reinstated once things calmed down, even if reinstated she would struggle to be reemployed. Over her years of service in Chang'an Prefecture, she had grown accustomed to officialdom's corrupt practices—officials protecting each other, with no trace of fairness or justice—and deep in her heart she had long loathed the capital's corrupt and chaotic officialdom. When people feel stifled, they often think of changing environments and going out for a walk. Thus, after Hong Baiqi's proposal, Murong Feiyan showed no hesitation in agreeing, regarding it as a chance to get some fresh air; if she felt dissatisfied in Qingyun Xian, she could simply leave, at worst resign her post—after all, the world is vast, where could she not find a place to stay?

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