Chapter 602: and translation of chapter title

272nd 【Extraordinary】 (Lower)

After Wu Jingshan left, Long Xi Yue quietly entered the room, still holding a basin of hot water. She respectfully said: "Sir Hu, would you like to wash up and rest?"

Hu Xiaotian gazed at Long Xi Yue's lovely eyes, his heart filled with myriad feelings; along this journey, that pampered Princess Anping following him has indeed suffered greatly. He nodded, pointed to the bedside, and transmitted his voice secretly: "Sit down!"

Long Xi Yue shook her head and whispered: "There are many Da Yong warriors patrolling outside."

Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brow, Long Xi Yue pointed to the bedside and said: "Sir, please sit."

Hu Xiaotian had no choice but to sit, quietly watching Long Xi Yue crouch before him, remove his socks and shoes, lift his feet and carefully place them in the basin. The warm water flowed, cleansing his skin; the fatigue from the journey seemed to vanish in an instant. The red candle flickered; watching Long Xi Yue attentively wash his feet, Hu Xiaotian's heart overflowed with happiness. What merit or ability does he have to let the noble Dakang princess do this for him? All his thoughts condensed into one sentence: "Thank you for your hard work!"

Long Xi Yue lifted her head, her lovely eyes rippling with charming light, and whispered softly: "Sir, it's you who has worked hard."

Hu Xiaotian said in a low voice: "For you, any hardship is worth it."

Long Xi Yue's hands gently massaged his soles, their eyes met, and both were immersed in this deep affection.

Next morning, Hu Xiaotian left Qichen Palace; he and Zhou Mo decided to split up, with Zhou Mo taking Long Xi Yue to the Baofeng Hall branch to contact Xiao Tianmu. At this time, Long Xi Yue was merely an ordinary warrior, while Zhou Mo consistently kept a low profile and would not attract Da Yong's attention. The Da Yong side truly paid attention to three people: Princess Anping, Hu Xiaotian, and Wu Jingshan. This impostor princess Ziqin was even a top priority for Da Yong's protection, nominally protection but actually constant surveillance; Ziqin fully understood this and had no plan to leave Qichen Palace the next day.

Wu Jingshan and Hu Xiaotian left at the same time; Wu Jingshan was going to visit the Da Yong Ministry of Rites minister Sun Weiyuan, following Hu Xiaotian's instructions to investigate the situation.

As for Hu Xiaotian, he and Zhan Peng headed straight for Prince Yan's mansion. The Da Yong Prince Yan Xue Shengjing enjoys great fame in Da Yong. This person and the current Da Yong emperor Xue Shengkang are full brothers; he is thirty-eight years old, known for his generosity and chivalry, yet indulges in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, as well as beauties and horses, with thousands of retainers. He is called the contemporary Mengchang. However, according to what Hu Xiaotian has learned, this person is simply a great playboy, never concerning himself with state affairs, spending his days either leading a group of literati to compose poetry or escorting singers on pleasure boats on Dong Lake.

Hu Xiaotian's reason for seeking out Xue Shengjing is still due to Yang Lingqi's recommendation. When he happened to meet Yang Lingqi in Tianbo City, Yang Lingqi had once given him a landscape painting; Hu Xiaotian today uses this precious landscape painting as a token to gain entry and establish a connection with this renowned Dakang playboy prince.

Hu Xiaotian and Zhan Peng rode away from Qichen Palace. Not long after, they realized someone was following them from behind; they exchanged a glance. Zhan Peng quietly placed his hand on his sword hilt to ask Hu Xiaotian whether they needed to force the follower to reveal themselves.

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said softly: "There's no need for that; we're not going to do anything shameful." He shook the reins, and Little Grey shot forward like a grey arrow toward the street, with Zhan Peng closely following on horseback.

The Yan Prince's mansion is located in Yongdu's eastern district. Although Da Yong has many princes, the emperor's only true full brother is Xue Shengjing. Emperor Xue Shengkang treats this full brother of his with great favor, not only giving him the largest and most luxurious mansion, but also once entrusting him with command of Huangcheng's hundred thousand imperial forest troops. Unfortunately, Xue Shengjing has no interest in state affairs, or perhaps simply lacks the ability; in the unavoidable circumstance, he reluctantly served for two months, after which a group of ministers jointly impeached him. Seeing that he truly was not suited for the role, Emperor Xue Shengkang could only dismiss him.

Xue Shengjing was happy to live leisurely; after that, the emperor no longer compelled him to take office, and he spent his days calling friends, indulging in drink and dreams. Although this person is flirtatious, he is not vulgar, and has never used his imperial status to oppress the common folk.

Although Xue Shengjing is idle, he is not without talent; his obsession with calligraphy, paintings, and strange stones has reached an almost maniacal level. Using various connections, he searches everywhere for fine calligraphy and paintings, rare stones and treasures. Xue Shengjing's vision is exceptionally high; he often spots treasures with a discerning eye. Over the years he has collected countless items, and by trading these collectibles he has earned silver and gold; it is said that the world's largest treasure house is his property.

Upon entering Changxing Lane, the eyes were instantly drawn to a stretch of brilliant yellow—these were the winter jasmine flowers blooming by the roadside. The trees on both sides of the road had been carefully pruned; further ahead, red plum blossoms and white apricot vied in beauty.

The air was filled with a refreshing fragrance that invigorated the lungs; arriving at this floral splendor, one's heart and mind naturally felt broadened and uplifted. After passing through Changxing Lane, the road suddenly widened, its sides turning pink with cherry blossoms, as if entering a sea of flowers, a realm permeated with fragrance.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "It seems this Prince Yan truly knows how to enjoy life."

Zhan Peng said: "I've heard the Da Yong emperor governs with diligence and practices thrift, yet I never expected his brother to live so comfortably."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Everyone has their own way of life; one cannot force it." Suddenly he recalled when he first came to this world, all he wanted was to live comfortably as a rich second‑generation playboy, to spend his life at ease; who would have thought fate would toy with him, his destiny taking many twists and turns, and now this situation has long surpassed his expectations. After this series of events, Hu Xiaotian not only shows no discouragement, but his attitude toward life has become more positive, his entire outlook on life seeming to change subtly.

The two simultaneously slowed their horses; Zhan Peng listened closely and whispered: "They must have left!" The follower had clearly figured out their destination; if Hu Xiaotian entered the Prince Yan's mansion, they would naturally have no need to tail him further.

Even before reaching the gate, they already heard a clamor ahead, like a market; all were guests waiting to pay a visit to Prince Yan.

Hu Xiaotian's heart skipped a beat; he had gotten up especially early to see Prince Yan, yet he never expected to still be late.

Further ahead, they saw a line of about a hundred people already formed before the Prince Yan's mansion's resplendent gate, each holding a carefully selected treasure. Because Prince Yan loves collecting and is generous, countless people bring treasures daily to pay court; just now, another dozen or so joined the queue.

Hu Xiaotian looked at the noisy scene ahead, couldn't help but wryly smile, reined in his horse, dismounted, and said: "Brother Zhan, wait here for me; I'll go alone."

Zhan Peng exclaimed in surprise: "Just walk in like that?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "It's not the gates of hell; I'm here to make friends, rest assured, I can handle it." Carrying the landscape painting Yang Lingqi gave him, Hu Xiaotian felt somewhat confident.

Zhan Peng nodded, took the reins from his hand, and watched Hu Xiaotian go from afar.

Hu Xiaotian straightened his attire and slowly walked toward the gate; before he could reach it, the queuing crowd spotted him and shouted angrily: "Hey, line up, line up! There must be a first‑come, first‑served order—we've waited all night, no cutting in!" Several hot‑tempered men already raised their fists menacingly at Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian ignored them, continued toward the gate, and said to the two guards stationed outside: "Gentlemen, please."

The two guards glanced at Hu Xiaotian's face; this countenance was completely unfamiliar to them. The Prince Yan's mansion sees many tribute‑bearers each day, and those who try to ingratiate themselves are countless, but seeing Hu Xiaotian's splendid attire and extraordinary bearing, which suggested some status, the two dared not be overly rude.

One of them asked: "Sir, what brings you here?"

Hu Xiaotian announced his identity: "I am Hu Xiaotian, the Marriage Envoy of Dakang, and having heard of Prince Yan's great reputation, I have come specially to request an audience."

The weight of Dakang's Marriage Envoy seemed insufficient to sway the two guards; one said: "Sir Hu, Prince Yan's mansion has its rules: unless the prince invites you, everyone must wait in line."

From the queue came a jeer: "Just line up honestly—what's a Dakang Marriage Envoy? This is Da Yong!"

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but frown; just from the reaction of these locals, one could see that Da Yong harbors little fondness for Dakang people.

Hu Xiaotian smiled, took out a visiting card from his sleeve, and presented it with both hands to the guard: "Trouble you, sir, to pass up my visiting card; please tell Prince Yan that I have brought a world‑class painting especially for his appraisal."

The two guards glanced at each other, both smirking, and none took Hu Xiaotian's visiting card; one said: "Sir, we've made ourselves clear enough—please observe our mansion's rules."

At that moment an angry voice from the crowd shouted: "What's so special about Dakang people? Do they think they don't have to queue? Damn it, get to the back!"

A burly, bearded man lunged from the crowd and threw a punch at Hu Xiaotian. Hu Xiaotian sidestepped, then lifted a leg and kicked the man squarely in the chest, sending him flying into the crowd where he knocked over several people. This instantly stirred up a hornet's nest; someone in the crowd shouted: "Dakang people actually dare to run wild in our Da Yong capital—beat him!" Over a hundred people, united in anger, surged forward to surround Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian also hadn't expected that cutting in line would cause such trouble; he silently cursed his own rashness, having thought that revealing his identity would earn respect, but it seems they are unimpressed by Dakang's Marriage Envoy, and now having provoked the crowd's wrath, plunging into a sea of people is no good.

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