Chapter 58

While saying goodbye to Scholar Dong, Murong Feiyan had already gone far away. She has always hated evil like an enemy; she despises this vulgar, shameless official's son, wishing she could kill him on the spot. Seeing Hu Xiaotian fighting fiercely with such people, even calling them brothers, she thought it was sheer collusion—wolves and rats in the same den. She immediately spurred her horse away, out of sight, out of mind.

So: "While parting with Shi Xuedong, Murong Feiyan had already gone far away. She has always hated evil like an enemy, and she despised Shi Xuedong, this vile and shameless official's son, wishing she could kill him on the spot. Seeing Hu Xiaotian getting along so well with such people, even calling each other brothers, she thought it was sheer collusion, wolves in sheep's dens. She immediately spurred her horse away, out of sight, out of mind."

she thought it was sheer collusion, wolves and rats in the same den.

We need to keep each translation on a single line, start with 【1】 then space? The instruction: Output every 【N】 with its translation. Keep each translation on a SINGLE output line. Return ONLY the 【N】 lines. Nothing else. So format: "【1】 translation". Probably exactly "【1】 translation". We'll do that.

Now translate each.

【1】 "【1】 While parting with Shi Xuedong, Murong Feiyan had already gone far away. She has always hated evil like an enemy, and she despised Shi Xuedong, this vile and shameless official's son, wishing she could kill him on the spot. Seeing Hu Xiaotian getting along so well with such people, even calling each other brothers, she thought it was sheer collusion, wolves and rats in the same den. She immediately spurred her horse away, out of sight, out of mind."

Check we didn't add extra. It's faithful.

Since they first met today, Murong Feiyan has treated everyone with a cold attitude, and so far she hasn't spoken a single word to Hu Xiaotian. Hu Xiaotian secretly speculates that she is genuinely angry with him, after all she used to hold an eighth‑rank official position, yet now she has to follow him, a lowly ninth‑rank sesame‑sized official, to Qingyun County over three thousand li away to take up her post, awaiting his orders as a ninth‑rank county magistrate. Anyone would feel disappointed and upset. But on second thought, if she really didn't want to go she could simply refuse; after all she is currently suspended, she could just not take the job. Since she agreed to go, it shows she deep down accepts this arrangement.

Translate: "From the moment they met today, Murong Feiyan has treated everyone with a cold attitude, and so far she hasn't spoken a single word to Hu Xiaotian. Hu Xiaotian secretly guessed that she was truly angry with him, after all she had formerly been an eighth‑rank official, yet now she must follow him, a lowly ninth‑rank sesame‑sized official, to take up a post in Qingyun Xian over three thousand li away, awaiting his orders as a ninth‑rank county magistrate. Anyone would feel disappointed and upset. But on second thought, if she really didn't want to go, she could simply refuse; after all she is suspended, she could just not work. Since she agreed, it shows she still accepts this arrangement deep down."

Need to use glossary: Murong Feiyan, Hu Xiaotian, Qingyun Xian.

lowly ninth‑rank sesame‑sized official

Hu Xiaotian didn't catch up this time; he just followed far behind. Fiery clouds bore the golden sunrise, which was slowly rising from the distant mountain ridge, radiating arcing beams of light into the pale green sky. Over the green fields, thin morning mist still drifted, quickly evaporating in the golden sunlight, seeping into the soil and onto the grass blades, where crystal‑clear dew droplets rolled. The morning breeze stirred the poplar trees lining the road, producing a rustling sound; their tender green leaves reflected the sunlight, flashing a splendid gold.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian did not catch up this time; he merely followed far behind. Fiery clouds bore the golden sunrise, slowly rising from the distant mountain ridge, scattering arcing rays of light into the pale green sky. Over the green fields, wispy morning mist still drifted, quickly melting in the golden sunlight, seeping into the soil and grass blades, where crystal‑clear dew droplets rolled. The morning wind stirred the poplars lining the road, making a rustling sound; their tender green leaves reflected the sunlight, flashing a splendid gold."

Fiery clouds

On the official road outside the capital, a long pavilion stands every ten li and a short pavilion every five li. After passing a long pavilion and looking back, the capital's walls have narrowed to a thin gray line on the horizon.

Translate: "On the official road outside the capital, there is a long pavilion every ten li and a short pavilion every five li. After passing a long pavilion and looking back, the capital's walls have already shrunk in the field of view to a narrow gray line."

Travelers on the road grew fewer and fewer. Looking ahead, not far off appeared a hexagonal pavilion with flying eaves, blue tiles and red pillars. A carriage was parked beside the big tree in front of the pavilion, and inside the small pavilion a white‑clad graceful figure stood, gazing out.

Translate: "Travelers on the road grew sparser. Looking ahead, not far away appeared a hexagonal pavilion with flying eaves, blue tiles and red pillars. A carriage was parked beside the big tree in front of the pavilion, and inside the small pavilion a white‑clad graceful figure stood, gazing out."

Murong Feiyan reined in her horse; she had already recognized the girl in the pavilion as the famed dancer Huo Xiaoru of the great Kang. Huo Xiaoru also saw Murong Feiyan and greeted her with a smile and a nod.

Translate: "Murong Feiyan reined in her horse; she had long recognized the girl in the pavilion as the famed Dakang dancer Huo Xiaoru. Huo Xiaoru also saw Murong Feiyan and returned a smiling nod."

A faint smile appeared on Murong Feiyan's lips. Although she and Huo Xiaoru had met only once, she held a very good impression of the talented lady. Turning away, Murong Feiyan saw Huo Xiaoru a moment later than Hu Xiaotian, who was behind her.

Translate: "A faint smile touched Murong Feiyan's lips. Although she had met Huo Xiaoru only once, her impression of the talented woman was good. Murong Feiyan turned away, and because Hu Xiaotian was behind her, she saw Huo Xiaoru a moment later."

Murong Feiyan said, 'A lovely confidante has arrived—why don't you go over quickly?' This was the first time Murong Feiyan had initiated conversation with Hu Xiaotian; it was rare that she showed little resistance to Huo Xiaoru's appearance.

Translate: "Murong Feiyan said, 'Your lovely confidante has arrived—why not go over at once?' This was the first time Murong Feiyan had taken the initiative to speak to Hu Xiaotian; it was rare that she showed little resistance to Huo Xiaoru's appearance."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, 'Wait for me, I'll be right back!' He rode up to the pavilion, where a few servants were about to follow, but Murong Feiyan raised a hand to stop them: 'It's none of your business—stand aside and cool off!'

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian chuckled, 'Wait for me, I'll be right back!' He spurred his horse to the pavilion. A few attendants originally wanted to follow, but Murong Feiyan raised a hand to stop them: 'None of your business—stand aside and cool off!'"

Liang Daizhuang shook his head and said, 'Captain Murong is right—don't go over, the young master is just picking up girls.'

Translate: "Liang Da Zhuang shook his head and said, 'Captain Murong is right—don't go over, young master is just picking up girls.'"

Hearing the term 'picking up girls,' Murong Feiyan found it novel yet somewhat grating, and she frowned, glancing at Liang Daizhuang. These servants had personally witnessed her formidable martial prowess and knew that even if they all rushed her together they could not defeat her; in an age where strength reigns, whoever has the stronger fist calls the shots. Consequently, the servants kept silent, holding their tongues.

Translate: "Hearing the term 'picking up girls,' Murong Feiyan found it novel yet somewhat grating; she frowned and glanced at Liang Da Zhuang. These attendants had personally witnessed Murong Feiyan's formidable martial prowess and knew that even if they all rushed her together they could not defeat her—in an age where might makes right, whoever has the stronger fist decides. So they obediently kept silent."

If Scholar Dong's appearance at the ten‑li pavilion to see them off was a surprise for Hu Xiaotian, then Huo Xiaoru's arrival was a delight. Their meeting was no coincidence; having already traveled fifteen li from the capital, Huo Xiaoru chose the sparsely populated fifteen‑li pavilion. Hu Xiaotian understood that, even if they were not friends, he meant something far from ordinary to her.

Translate: "If Shi Xuedong's appearance at the ten‑li long pavilion to see him off was a surprise for Hu Xiaotian, then Huo Xiaoru's arrival was a delight. This meeting was no coincidence; having already traveled fifteen li from the capital, Huo Xiaoru chose the fifteen‑li pavilion where travelers are few. Hu Xiaotian understood that, to her, he might not be a friend, but he was certainly not ordinary."

Hu Xiaotian glanced at the carriage, wondering where the driver was, when Wan'er poked her little head out from the curtain, grinning and waving at him, showing two cute rabbit teeth, then quickly withdrew, evidently aware she shouldn't interrupt their conversation.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian glanced at the carriage, wondering where the driver was, when Wan'er poked her little head out from the curtain, grinning and waving at him, revealing two cute buckteeth, then quickly drew back, obviously aware that she should not interrupt their conversation."

Hu Xiaotian entered the small pavilion; Huo Xiaoru stood with her hands clasped behind her back, her smile calm as a chrysanthemum, quietly gazing at Hu Xiaotian. Although they were about to part, and despite Hu Xiaotian's earnest search, he could find no trace of sadness or reluctance in her clear, beautiful eyes. Huo Xiaoru possessed an extraordinarily tranquil disposition; her expression remained unruffled. It was unclear whether she had always been this way or whether Hu Xiaotian had simply not yet touched her heart.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian entered the pavilion; Huo Xiaoru stood with her hands clasped behind her back, her smile tranquil as a chrysanthemum, quietly gazing at Hu Xiaotian. Although they were about to part, and although Hu Xiaotian had searched earnestly, he still could not find a trace of sorrow or reluctance in her clear, beautiful eyes. Huo Xiaoru possessed an extraordinarily calm demeanor; her expression remained unruffled. One could not tell whether she had always been like this, or whether Hu Xiaotian had simply not yet touched her heart."

Hu Xiaotian mimicked Huo Xiaoru, placing his hands behind his back as they faced each other, and asked, 'Did you come especially to see me off, or have you changed your mind and now plan to accompany me to West Sichuan for sightseeing?'

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian mimicked Huo Xiaoru, placing his hands behind his back as they stood face to face, and asked, 'Did you come especially to see me off, or have you changed your mind and plan to accompany me to Xichuan for a sightseeing trip?'"

Huo Xiaoru shook her head and replied, 'Neither!'

Translate: "Huo Xiaoru shook her head and said, 'Neither!'"

"Oh, it seems I was just being sentimental!"

Translate: '"Oh, it seems I was being overly sentimental!"'

Huo Xiaoru said, 'I just wanted to confirm whether the way you described—supporting one's own weight on the tips of the toes—is like this.' She lightly touched the tips of her toes and rose gracefully upright.

Translate: "Huo Xiaoru said, 'I merely wanted to verify whether the way you described—supporting one's own weight on the tiptoes—is like this.' She lightly touched the tip of her foot and rose gracefully onto her toes."

Hu Xiaotian never expected that his offhand remark would attract such attention from Huo Xiaoru; the toe‑based dance he mentioned was essentially ballet, and even though Huo Xiaoru's dance skills were unrivaled in the great Kang, she had never imagined dancing on pointe to support her body's weight. In his heart he would have preferred her to have come specially to see him off, rather than to ask about this.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian never expected that his offhand remark would attract such attention from Huo Xiaoru; the tiptoe dance he mentioned was essentially ballet, and even though Huo Xiaoru's dance skill was unmatched in Dakang, she had never considered dancing on tiptoe to support her body's weight. In his heart he would have preferred her to come specially to see him off, rather than to ask about this."

Huo Xiaoru's exceptional aptitude for dance allowed her to grasp from Huo Xiaotian's words a whole new realm; although she had not yet attained the true essence of ballet, her movements already resembled it. However, the embroidered shoes on her feet were clearly unsuitable for pointe work, and Hu Xiaotian chuckled, 'There's a bit of meaning there, but the shoes are wrong.'

Translate: "Huo Xiaoru's extraordinary aptitude for dance let her grasp a whole new realm from Hu Xiaotian's words; although she had not yet attained the true essence of ballet, her movements already resembled it. However, the embroidered shoes on her feet were clearly unsuitable for ballet, and Hu Xiaotian smiled, 'There's some meaning to it, but the shoes are wrong.'"

He felt around and pulled out a stick of charcoal; his brush calligraphy wasn't great, and after searching he found this suitable tool to use as a pen. He asked Huo Xiaoru, 'Do you have any paper?'

Translate: "He felt for a stick of charcoal on his person; his brush calligraphy was not good, and after searching he finally found this suitable tool to use as a pen. He asked Huo Xiaoru, 'Do you have any paper?'"

Huo Xiaoru stared at the strange charcoal stick in his hand for a moment, but quickly realized it must be the pen Hu Xiaotian carries with him.

Translate: "Seeing the strange charcoal stick in his hand, Huo Xiaoru was momentarily stunned, but she quickly realized it must be the pen Hu Xiaotian usually carries."

Hu Xiaotian said, 'Toilet paper will do!' In his view, women usually carry a bit of that.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian said, 'Toilet paper will do!' In his view, women usually carry a bit of this."

Huo Xiaoru, of course, didn't know what toilet paper was, and softly said, 'Waner, bring out the xuan paper!'

Translate: "Huo Xiaoru naturally did not know what toilet paper was, and she whispered, 'Waner, bring out the xuan paper!'"

Hu Xiaotian immediately spread the xuan paper on the stone table in the pavilion and began sketching a pair of ballet shoes. Although his drawing skill was modest, had he not chosen medicine in his past life he might have become a painter. The key secret of ballet shoes lies in the toe box that lets dancers dance on pointe; the box is hidden inside the toe, actually a stiff casing that encloses the toes and part of the forefoot. With his charcoal stick, Hu Xiaotian swiftly sketched the outlines on the xuan paper.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian immediately spread the xuan paper on the stone table in the pavilion and first sketched a pair of ballet shoes. Although his drawing skill was merely decent, if he had not chosen medicine in his past life he might have become a painter. The greatest secret of ballet shoes lies in the toe box that enables dancers to dance on their toes; the toe box is hidden inside the tip, and it is actually a hard casing that encases the toes and part of the forefoot. The charcoal in Hu Xiaotian's hand flew across the xuan paper, sketching swiftly."

Huo Xiaoru only knew he was talented and quick‑witted; she never imagined he was also skilled in calligraphy and painting. This painting method was completely unfamiliar to her—even the brush was strange—and it was the first time she had seen anyone draw with a charcoal stick. Yet Hu Xiaotian's strokes were inspired, a few lines producing a lifelike image. He explained, 'The toe box is usually made of six layers of ordinary sackcloth or other coarse fabric glued together, keeping the tip firm but not too hard, nor too soft, and resistant to breaking. As for the shoe material, satin is commonly used, with peach‑skin and pink being the most typical colors. To dance well on pointe, one must have a properly fitted pair of dance shoes; otherwise movement becomes difficult and the toes are prone to injury.'

Translate: "Huo Xiaoru only knew that Hu Xiaotian was talented and quick‑witted; she never imagined he was also skilled in calligraphy and painting. This painting method was entirely new to her—even the brush was strange—and she had never seen anyone paint with a charcoal stick before. Yet Hu Xiaotian's strokes were divine; a few lines sufficed to render the image vividly. He explained, 'The toe box is usually made of six layers of ordinary burlap or other coarse cloth glued together, to keep the tip neither too hard nor too soft, and not prone to breaking. As for the shoe material, it is typically satin‑sewn, with peach‑skin and pink being the most common colors. To dance well on pointe, one must have a proper pair of dance shoes; otherwise, not only will movement be restricted, but the toes are also easily injured.'"

Huo Xiaoru blinked, a flash of excitement shining in her beautiful eyes—rare for her usually composed demeanor—and said, 'Master Hu, your knowledge is truly extensive.'

Translate: "Huo Xiaoru blinked, and a flash of excitement shone in her beautiful eyes—rare for her usually composed demeanor—she said, 'Master Hu, your knowledge is truly extensive.'"

Hu Xiaotian helps people to the end, and he simply drew a few sketches of ballet movements; Huo Xiaoru watched from the side, and she was completely shocked by Hu Xiaotian. But he didn't realize that Hu Xiaotian's showing off was precisely to achieve this effect. I don't know when I'll be able to come back after I leave. Given Huo Xiaoru's peerless charm, she never lacks admirers and suitors. If I don't seize the time to deepen this girl's impression of me, I fear that by the time we meet again, this fine cabbage will have been taken by a pig. Without saying anything else, just based on my skill in quick sketching, even if I can't make you love me to death, I must make you never forget me. *******************************************************This layout is really annoying; I've revised it several times, hoping this time it will be good. Please collect and recommendation, please vote for the Dream Cup!