Chapter 577

Hu Xiaotian lingered in Long Xi Yue's tent for nearly half an hour before finally emerging. After leaving the tent, he didn't go straight away; instead, he approached Zi Que and whispered, "Zi Que, the Zajia has a few things I'd like to tell you."

Translate:

Hu Xiaotian stayed in Long Xi Yue's tent for nearly half an hour before coming out. Leaving the tent, he did not immediately leave, but went to Zi Que's side and said softly: "Zi Que, the Zajia has a few things I want to say to you."

Nearly half an hour before coming out, leaving the tent, he did not immediately leave but went to Zi Que's side and said softly:

We need to keep the quotes and punctuation? We'll keep as is.

Now output: 【1】 Hu Xiaotian stayed in Long Xi Yue's tent for nearly half an hour before coming out. Leaving the tent, he did not immediately leave, but went to Zi Que's side and said softly: "Zi Que, the Zajia has a few things I want to say to you."

Make sure no line breaks.

Zi Que couldn't help but feel nervous, and she said softly, "Eunuch Hu, please tell me if you have any orders."

Translate: Zi Que couldn't help but feel nervous, and said softly: "Eunuch Hu, please tell me if you have any orders."

Zi Que couldn't help but feel nervous and said softly, "Eunuch Hu, please tell me if you have any orders."

Hu Xiaotian summoned her to his tent; Zi Que's eyes showed clear panic, her fingers intertwined, and her head bowed.

Translate: Hu Xiaotian summoned her to his tent; Zi Que's eyes clearly showed some panic, her fingers intertwined, and her head bowed.

He summoned her to his tent; Zi Que's eyes clearly showed some panic, her fingers were intertwined, and her head bowed.

Hu Xiaotian and Yan Yuese said, "Zi Que, how does the Princess treat you?"

Translate: Hu Xiaotian and Yan Yuese said: "Zi Que, how does the Princess treat you?"

Hu Xiaotian and Yan Yuese said:

Zi Que replied, "The Princess's kindness to me is as great as a mountain; Eunuch Hu, why are you asking me this?"

Translate: Zi Que said: "The Princess treats me with kindness as heavy as a mountain; Eunuch Hu, why do you ask me this?"

The Princess's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain; Eunuch Hu, why do you ask me this?

Hu Xiaotian said, "If that's the case, I want you to do something for the Princess; are you willing?"

Translate: Hu Xiaotian said: "If so, I want you to do something for the Princess; are you willing?"

Zi Que bit her lip and said, "Even if I must sacrifice my life for the Princess, I would not hesitate."

Translate: Zi Que bit her lip and said: "Even if I must sacrifice my life for the Princess, I will not hesitate."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Tomorrow we will cross the river; after crossing the Yong River we will enter Da Yong's territory. Although the Princess is engaged to the Seventh Prince of Da Yong, not having reached Yongdu for a day means we cannot relax our vigilance for a day. For the Princess's safety, I have an idea."

Translate: Hu Xiaotian said: "Tomorrow we will cross the river; after crossing the Yong River we will enter Da Yong's territory. Although the Princess and the Seventh Prince of Da Yong have a marriage pact, not having reached Yongdu for a day means we cannot relax our vigilance for a day. For the Princess's safety, I have an idea."

Tomorrow we will cross the river; after crossing the Yong River we will enter Da Yong's territory. Although the Princess and the Seventh Prince of Da Yong have a marriage pact, not having reached Yongdu for a day means we cannot relax our vigilance for a day. For the Princess's safety, I have an idea.

Zi Que asked, "What idea?"

Translate: Zi Que said: "What idea?"

Hu Xiaotian sized up Zi Que; although her beauty could not compare to Long Xi Yue's, her height was similar. He said, "I plan to have you wear the Princess's clothes and impersonate her, while the Prince will pose as your maid and stay by your side."

Translate: Hu Xiaotian sized up Zi Que; although Zi Que's beauty could not compare to Long Xi Yue's, her height was similar to Long Xi Yue's. Hu Xiaotian said: "I plan to have you wear the Princess's clothes and impersonate the Princess, while Your Highness will pose as your maid and stay by your side."

He sized up Zi Que; although her beauty could not compare to Long Xi Yue's, her height was similar to Long Xi Yue's. Hu Xiaotian said:

Upon hearing this, Zi Que turned pale with fright and said, "Eunuch Hu, this is absolutely out of the question; I am merely a lowly servant—how dare I impersonate the Princess? This kind of treasonous act, I would never dare to do."

Translate: Upon hearing this, Zi Que turned pale with fright: "Eunuch Hu, this is absolutely out of the question; I am merely a lowly servant, how dare I impersonate the Princess? This kind of treasonous act, Zi Que would never dare to do."

Upon hearing this, Zi Que turned pale with fright; this is absolutely out of the question; I am merely a lowly servant—how dare I impersonate the Princess? This kind of treasonous act, Zi Que would never dare to do.

Hu Xiaotian sneered inwardly; she wasn't unwilling, she was afraid of death. He said softly, "It's not that I want you to keep pretending forever—it's just a precaution. You and the Princess have similar builds. If you wear the Princess's clothes and a veil, I'm sure outsiders won't be able to tell the difference. Aren't you willing to do this for the Princess?"

Translate: Hu Xiaotian sneered inwardly; she wasn't unwilling, she was afraid of death. He said softly: "It's not that you have to keep acting all the time; it's just a precautionary measure. You and the Princess have similar builds. If you wear the Princess's clothes and a veil, I think outsiders will surely be unable to tell the difference. Are you unwilling to do this for the Princess?"

Hu Xiaotian sneered inwardly; she wasn't unwilling, she was afraid of death. He said softly:

Note: The quote ends with a question mark and an extra quote? We'll keep as is.

Zi Que hurriedly said, "It's not that I'm unwilling; if this were exposed, wouldn't I be guilty of deceiving the sovereign?"

Translate: Zi Que hurriedly said: "It's not that I'm unwilling, but if this were exposed, wouldn't I be guilty of deceiving the sovereign?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "You're thinking of the Princess's safety; you would be blameless and even meritorious. You don't need to overthink it—after we cross the river and the situation stabilizes, I won't have you continue the pretense."

Translate: Hu Xiaotian laughed: "You are thinking of the Princess's safety; you are not only blameless but also meritorious. You don't need to overthink it; after crossing the river and the situation stabilizes, I won't let you continue the act."

Zi Que asked, "Does the Princess know about this?"

Translate: Zi Que said: "Does the Princess know about this?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "The Zajia can decide on this matter. Zi Que, you must remember this: apart from you, me, and the Princess, no one else may know. If anyone dares to leak it, don't blame the Zajia for forgetting our past affection."

Translate: Hu Xiaotian said: "The Zajia can decide on this matter. Zi Que, you must remember this: apart from you, me, and the Princess, no one else may know. If anyone dares to leak it, don't blame the Zajia for forgetting our past affection."

The Zajia can decide on this matter; Zi Que, you must remember this; apart from you, me, and the Princess, no one else may know; if anyone dares to leak it, don't blame the Zajia for forgetting our past affection.

Seeing the cold killing intent suddenly flash in Hu Xiaotian's eyes, Zi Que trembled inwardly, nodded, and dared not say anything more.

Translate: Seeing the cold killing intent suddenly flash in Hu Xiaotian's eyes, Zi Que's heart trembled; she nodded. She dared not say anything more.

Early the next morning, Hu Xiaotian woke before dawn; the surroundings were a blank white. Fog had risen unexpectedly, and he was stunned for a moment. His brief astonishment quickly turned to elation—truly heaven was helping him; such weather practically gave him the best opportunity. It seemed heaven was on his side, removing Wen Boyuan. Rescuing the Princess would happen today.

Translate: Early the next morning, Hu Xiaotian woke up early; the sky was still dark, but all around was a vast white expanse. Fog had risen unexpectedly; Hu Xiaotian was stunned for a moment. From brief astonishment he immediately felt elated—truly heaven was helping him; such weather was practically giving him the best opportunity. It seemed heaven was on his side, removing Wen Boyuan. Rescuing the Princess would happen today.

Fog had risen unexpectedly; Hu Xiaotian was stunned for a moment; from brief astonishment he immediately felt elated—truly heaven was helping him; such weather practically gave him the best opportunity; it seemed heaven was on his side, removing Wen Boyuan; rescuing the Princess would happen today.

Hu Xiaotian was not the earliest to rise; Zhou Mo had already been preparing the carriages and horses. At this moment, the silhouettes of Princess Anping and Zi Que appeared before the tent, both wearing veils. In fact, they had already changed clothes; unless someone who knew them well observed them up close, perhaps some flaws could be seen. But with their faces veiled, ordinary people would find it hard to tell them apart from appearance, and with the heavy fog today, it was even harder to distinguish.

Translate: Hu Xiaotian was not the earliest to rise; Zhou Mo had already been preparing the carriages and horses. At this moment, the silhouettes of Princess Anping and Zi Que appeared before the tent; both were wearing veils. In fact, they had already changed clothes; unless someone who knew them well observed them up close, perhaps some flaws could be seen. But with their faces veiled, ordinary people would find it hard to tell them apart from appearance, and with the heavy fog today, it was even harder to distinguish.

Hu Xiaotian was not the earliest to rise; Zhou Mo had already been preparing the carriages and horses; at this moment, the silhouettes of Princess Anping and Zi Que appeared before the tent, both wearing veils; in fact, they had already changed clothes; unless someone who knew them well observed them up close, perhaps some flaws could be seen; but with their faces veiled, ordinary people would find it hard to tell them apart from appearance, and with the heavy fog today, it was even harder to distinguish.

Princess Anping had already changed into Zi Que's maid outfit, winked at Hu Xiaotian before the tent, and then re-entered the tent.

Translate: Princess Anping had already changed into Zi Que's maid outfit; she winked at Hu Xiaotian in front of the tent, then re-entered the tent.

Hu Xiaotian approached Zhou Mo, who fully understood the situation, checked the harnesses of the draft horses, and said softly, "All ready!"

Translate: Hu Xiaotian came to Zhou Mo's side; Zhou Mo was clear about this matter, checked the harnesses of the draft horses, and said softly: "All ready!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Big brother, please help!"

Translate: Hu Xiaotian said: "Big Brother, please!"

Zhou Mo laughed and said, "After this is over, we brothers will definitely have a good drink."

Translate: Zhou Mo laughed: "After this is over, we brothers will definitely have a good drink."

Hu Xiaotian nodded firmly, then lowered his voice and said, "Keep an eye on Zi Que; if she dares to play any tricks, kill her first."

Translate: Hu Xiaotian nodded firmly, then lowered his voice: "Keep an eye on Zi Que; if she dares to play any tricks, kill her first."

Zhou Mo chuckled and said, "Maybe I won't need to lift a hand."

Translate: Zhou Mo chuckled: "Maybe I won't need to lift a hand."

At that moment, Wu Jing Shan came over; as soon as he entered the courtyard, he groaned, "Oh no, Lord Hu, a heavy fog has suddenly risen—looks like the river crossing will be delayed."

Translate: At this moment, Wu Jianshan came over; as soon as he entered the courtyard, he groaned: "Oh dear, Sir Hu, a heavy fog has suddenly risen; it looks like the river crossing will be delayed."

Hu Xiaotian asked, "What does Wen Boyuan say?"

Translate: Hu Xiaotian said: "What does Wen Boyuan say?"

Wu Jing Shan pulled Hu Xiaotian aside, wore a bitter expression, and said, "Why? Why did the Princess agree to his proposal to let those two hundred warriors join our troop?"

Translate: Wu Jianshan pulled Hu Xiaotian aside, wearing a bitter expression: "Why? Why did the Princess agree to his proposal this time, letting those two hundred warriors join our group?"

Hu Xiaotian gave a wry smile and said, "Yesterday I spoke one too many words and was punished by the Princess with kneeling; I dare not bring it up again. Lord Wu, since we cannot stop it, we can only go along with it, but the court must be notified in advance—Wen Boyuan is acting arbitrarily and making unilateral decisions; if anything goes wrong, the responsibility will be his alone, not ours."

Translate: Hu Xiaotian gave a wry smile: "Yesterday I spoke one extra sentence and ended up being made to kneel by the Princess; I dare not bring this up again no matter what. Sir Wu, since we cannot stop it, we can only go along with it; however, the court must be notified in advance. Wen Boyuan acts on his own, decides unilaterally; if anything goes wrong later, the responsibility will be his alone, and has nothing to do with us."

Wu Jing Shan sighed and said, "That's what we say, but if something really happens, we probably won't be able to distance ourselves." He shook his head and added softly, "I will immediately send someone to the capital to report this; at the very least, we need to make things clear first."

Translate: Wu Jianshan sighed: "That's what we say, but if something really happens, we probably won't be able to stay out of it." He shook his head and said softly: "I will immediately send someone to report to the capital; we must at least make things clear first."

Xiong Anmin and his son also came to see them off; after meeting Wu Jing Shan and Hu Xiaotian, Xiong Anmin said, "My lords, last night a heavy fog suddenly rose; we probably have to wait until morning for it to clear."

Translate: At this moment, Xiong Anmin and his son also came to the camp to see them off. After meeting Wu Jianshan and Hu Xiaotian, Xiong Anmin said: "Sirs, last night a heavy fog suddenly rose; we fear we'll have to wait until morning for it to clear."

Wu Jing Shan said, "Anyway, we're not in a hurry to set off; we can wait until the fog lifts." No sooner had he spoken than the sound of neighing horses came from outside—it was Wen Boyuan leading his warriors to escort the Princess.

Translate: Wu Jianshan said: "Anyway, we're not in a hurry to set off; we can leave after the fog clears, it won't be late." As his words fell, the sound of neighing horses came from outside; it was Wen Boyuan leading his warriors to escort the Princess.

After a brief rest in Cangmu County, the escort team taking the Princess to Yongdu was reorganized; the biggest change was that the Tang brothers were sidelined outside the camp, although some coachmen remained to drive the wagons. Although Wen Boyuan's side also had many wounded warriors unable to join, this time Zhao Wusheng brought two hundred warriors, making up the personnel shortage—it can be said that Wen Boyuan's forces are now stronger than before. However, the strength and prestige Hu Xiaotian has just built within the team are facing an unprecedented challenge.

Translate: After a brief rest in Cangmu County, the escort team heading to Yongdu with the Princess was reorganized. The biggest change was that the Tang brothers were sidelined outside the camp; of course, some coachmen remained to drive the wagons. Although Wen Boyuan's side also had many wounded warriors unable to join, Zhao Wusheng brought two hundred warriors this time, making up the personnel shortage; it can be said that Wen Boyuan's forces are now stronger than before. However, the strength and prestige Hu Xiaotian has just built within the team are facing an unprecedented challenge.

After a brief rest in Cangmu County, the escort team heading to Yongdu with the Princess was reorganized; the biggest change was that the Tang brothers were sidelined outside the camp; of course, some coachmen remained to drive the wagons; although Wen Boyuan's side also had many wounded warriors unable to join, this time Zhao Wusheng brought two hundred warriors, making up the personnel shortage; it can be said that Wen Boyuan's forces are now stronger than before; however, the strength and prestige Hu Xiaotian has just built within the team are facing an unprecedented challenge.

Wen Boyuan's face beamed with newly regained confidence; through this adjustment in Cangmu City, he had successfully reversed the situation and regained control of the team; moreover, Hu Xiaotian's face-to-face slander of him finally aroused Princess Anping's displeasure, and her inner balance was no longer completely tilted toward Hu Xiaotian as before.

Translate: Wen Boyuan's face beamed with newly regained confidence; through this adjustment in Cangmu City, he had successfully reversed the situation and regained control of the team. Moreover, Hu Xiaotian's face-to-face slander of him finally aroused Princess Anping's displeasure; her inner balance was no longer completely tilted toward Hu Xiaotian as before.

Wen Boyuan's face beamed with newly regained confidence; through this adjustment in Cangmu City, he had successfully reversed the situation and regained control of the team; moreover, Hu Xiaotian's face-to-face slander of him finally aroused Princess Anping's displeasure; her inner balance was no longer completely tilted toward Hu Xiaotian as before.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian, Wen Boyuan glanced at him contemptuously, then turned his face away, acting as if he hadn't seen him and adopting an attitude of wanting nothing more to do with him.

Translate: Seeing Hu Xiaotian, Wen Boyuan gave him a contemptuous glance, then turned his face away, acting as if he hadn't seen him, adopting an attitude of never wanting to have anything to do with him.

Hu Xiaotian silently chuckled, thinking, "Just let you be arrogant for a while; when we reach the Yong River, I'll feed you to the turtles."

Translate: Hu Xiaotian silently chuckled: "Just let you be arrogant for a while; when we reach the Yong River, I'll feed you to the turtles."

Just let you be arrogant for a while; when we reach the Yong River, I'll feed you to the turtles.

Wen Boyuan bowed to Wu Jing Shan and said, "Good morning, Lord Wu; I thought you were old and needed extra sleep."

Translate: Wen Boyuan bowed to Wu Jianshan: "Sir Wu, you're up early; I thought you were old and needed more sleep."

Wu Jing Shan, unable to miss the mockery of his age, gave a dry cough and said, "We were supposed to set out early to cross the river, so we got up early to prepare, but after rising we discovered the area was filled with mist; hearing that the river was shrouded in thick fog, it seems we can only depart once the fog clears."

Translate: Wu Jianshan couldn't fail to hear the mockery of his age; he gave a dry cough and said: "It wasn't that we said we'd cross the river early this morning, so we got up early to prepare; but after getting up we discovered fog everywhere, heard the river surface was locked in thick fog, and it seems we can only set out after the fog clears."

Wen Boyuan said, "The weather by the river has always been like this; although there is fog, it won't last long. I asked the local guide, and he said the thick fog will probably dissipate in about an hour."

Translate: Wen Boyuan said: "The weather by the river has always been like this; although there is fog, it won't last long. I asked the local guide, and the thick fog should dissipate in about an hour."

Wu Jing Shan nodded and said, "Then we'll wait an hour before setting out."

Translate: Wu Jianshan nodded: "Then we'll wait an hour before setting out."

Wen Boyuan shook his head and said, "According to our original plan, we should have already crossed the Yong River by noon and could eat lunch on the far bank; delaying here serves no purpose."

Translate: Wen Boyuan shook his head: "According to our original plan, we should have crossed the Yong River by noon; we could have lunch on the far bank, so delaying here serves no purpose."

Wu Jing-shan glanced at Hu Xiaotian, wanting to ask his opinion, but saw Hu Xiaotian in the distance speaking quietly with Xiong Tianba, seeming detached, not paying attention to his and Wen Boyuan's conversation at all, and finally couldn't help but call out: "Sir Hu, what do you think?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "The Princess has already said it, let us each attend to our own duties; I am responsible for internal logistics, and all other matters are up to the two sirs to decide."

Wu Jing-shan couldn't help feeling a bit strange—how did this guy suddenly change his attitude? Yesterday he was urging me to be wary of Wen Boyuan, but today he wants to stay out of it. Kid, you're not playing fair; you're basically pushing me out.

Wen Boyuan said: "If the two sirs have no objections, we'll set off now; once we reach Qinglong Bay harbor, we'll decide the exact departure time based on the situation."

Wu Jing-shan, feeling some emotion because of Hu Xiaotian's earlier performance, thought, "You kid don't ask, this old man couldn't care less," and then nodded, saying: "Sir Hu is right; the itinerary should still be up to General Wen."

The party set off toward Qinglong Bay harbor amidst the thick fog; besides the over seven hundred people in the bridal entourage, Xiong Anmin and his son also led over a hundred soldiers from Cangmu City to guide them. After leaving the north gate of Cangmu City, the fog noticeably thinned, and with the local garrison guiding the way, their marching speed was naturally unaffected.

Hu Xiaotian rode his little gray horse, guarding beside the Princess's carriage; Zhou Mo rode alongside him and, using voice transmission, told Hu Xiaotian: "I haven't detected any abnormality with the purple cicada."

Hu Xiaotian glanced at the carriage and whispered: "Keep a close watch on her; this girl definitely has a problem."

The eastern sky began to turn slightly red as the rising sun struggled against the fog shrouding the heavens; although the world remained hazy, it was already much clearer than at dawn. Wu Jing-shan lifted the carriage curtain, poked his head out the window, and saw the guard soldiers on both sides marching forward in neat ranks. He strained his eyes and saw Wen Boyuan's hazy figure leading the vanguard. For some reason, Wu Jing-shan's heart felt uneasy; he waved and summoned his personal guard Wu Kui to his side.

Wu Kui bowed with a smile and said: "Sir, what are your orders?"

Wu Jing-shan whispered: "How much longer until we reach Qinglong Bay?" (To be continued~^~)