Chapter 644

Chinese:... -> we translate.

We need to output translation. The given translation is awkward. We'll produce a natural English version: "Entering Princess Anping's bedchamber, Hu Xiaotian and Wu Jing Shan bowed together and said, 'Your subjects Wu Jing Shan and Hu Xiaotian pay respects to the Princess—may you live a thousand years, ten thousand years!'" Essentially same as 【2】 but maybe we can keep same.

Output: "May you live a thousand years, ten thousand years!"

A weak, feeble voice came from behind the curtains: "Lord Wu, Little Beard, do you still remember that I am this princess?"

Translation: From behind the curtains came a weak, feeble voice: "Sir Wu, little whiskers, do you still remember that I am this princess..."

Output: "little whiskers"

Wu Jing-shan said anxiously: "As an old official, I constantly worry about the princess's safety..." Then he glanced at Hu Xiaotian and said: "Lord Hu feels the same."

Translation: Wu Jing Shan said with trepidation: "This old official constantly worries about the Princess's safety..." Then he glanced at Hu Xiaotian and said: "Sir Hu is the same."

Hu Xiaotian asked: "What happened to the princess? Why are there so many physicians here?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "What happened to the Princess? Why are there so many physicians here?"

Princess Anping said: "I don't know why, but I constantly feel weak and powerless, my heart is anxious."

Translation: Princess Anping said: "I don't know why, but I always feel weak and powerless, my heart feels anxious."

Hu Xiaotian said: "May I enter to take the princess's pulse?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "May I enter, Your Highness, to take your pulse?"

Princess Anping replied: "No need, I'm tired and want to rest properly; you all may leave."

Translation: Princess Anping said: "No need, I'm tired, I want to rest properly; you all may leave."

Hearing her voice, Hu Xiaotian felt somewhat relieved, at least confirming that Zijuan was alive and well. He gave Wu Jing-shan a glance, and together they withdrew outside, where they saw Liu Yucheng. Hu Xiaotian cupped his hands and said: "Master Liu, how is our princess doing?"

Translation: Hearing her voice, Hu Xiaotian's heart eased a little, at least confirming that Zijin was alive and well; he gave Wu Jing Shan a glance, and together they withdrew outside, where he saw Liu Yucheng also present. Hu Xiaotian clasped his hands toward Liu Yucheng and said: "Greetings, Master Liu, how is our Princess faring?"

Liu Yucheng said: "It shouldn't be serious; she just caught a chill. I prescribed a decoction for her—if taken as directed, she'll be fine." He picked up his medicine box, preparing to leave.

Translation: Liu Yucheng said: "It should be nothing serious, just a touch of wind-cold; I prescribed a decoction for her, and as long as she takes it on schedule she'll be fine." He picked up his medicine box, preparing to leave.

Hu Xiaotian repeatedly thanked him, respectfully saying: "I'll see Master Liu out."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian repeatedly thanked him, respectfully saying: "I will see Master Liu out."

Hu Xiaotian said to Wu Jing-shan: "Lord Wu, you and Zhou Mo and the others are to guard here; without my order, no one may enter the princess's chambers."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said to Wu Jing Shan: "Sir Wu, you and Zhou Mo and the others will guard here; without my order, no one may enter the Princess's chambers."

Wu Jing-shan nodded.

Translation: Wu Jing Shan nodded.

Hu Xiaotian followed Liu Yucheng out of the Qixing Palace; after stepping outside and seeing no one around, Liu Yucheng lowered his voice and said: "Princess Anping has been poisoned!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian followed Liu Yucheng as they left the Qichen Palace; after stepping out the gate, seeing no one around, Liu Yucheng lowered his voice and said: "Princess Anping has been poisoned!"

Hu Xiaotian sucked in a breath of cold air: "What?" The first possibility that came to mind was that Consort Shu and her son wanted to eliminate Princess Anping to sabotage this marriage alliance, chilling his heart. If true, Consort Shu and her son would be utterly ruthless.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian sucked in a breath of cold air: "What?" The first possibility that came to his mind was that Consort Shu and her son wanted to eliminate Princess Anping to sabotage this marriage alliance, his heart chilled halfway. If true, Consort Shu and her son would be utterly ruthless.

Liu Yucheng said: "I haven't publicized this; Princess Anping's pulse indicates chronic poisoning. From her condition, it seems someone has tampered with her food and drink, allowing toxins to accumulate gradually over time."

Translation: Liu Yucheng said: "I have not made this public; Princess Anping's pulse suggests chronic poisoning. I inquired about her condition; it seems someone has tampered with her food and drink, allowing toxins to accumulate gradually, worsening over time."

Hu Xiaotian asked: "Brother Liu, do you know what poison she has been given?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Brother Liu, do you know what poison she has been afflicted with?"

Liu Yucheng said: "I originally wanted to take some of the princess's blood back for testing, but she refused. However, Brother Hu, rest assured—the poison is not severe. I have a bottle of Nine-Revolutions Blood-Cleansing Pill here; take it and give her one pill each morning and evening, and within three days her body will be cleansed of toxins. Also, remember to be careful with her diet from now on." Although Liu Yucheng suspected the servants attending Princess Anping in the Qixing Palace might be involved, since it concerns the imperial clan of Great Yong, he dared not speak too plainly.

Translation: Liu Yucheng said: "I originally wanted to collect some of the Princess's blood samples to take back for examination, but she refused. However, Brother Hu, rest assured—the poison she has taken is not severe; I have here a bottle of Nine-Revolutions Blood-Cleansing Pill. Take it, give the Princess one pill each morning and evening; within three days it will cleanse the toxins from her body. Also, remember to be careful with the Princess's diet from now on." Although Liu Yucheng suspected this matter involved the attendants serving Princess Anping in the Qichen Palace, since it concerns the Da Yong imperial family, he dared not speak too plainly.

Hu Xiaotian nodded, took the medicine bottle from Liu Yucheng's hand, and suddenly thought of something: "Brother Liu, is there a medicine that makes one fall asleep immediately after taking it?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded, took the medicine bottle from Liu Yucheng's hand. He suddenly thought of something: "Brother Liu, is there a medicine that makes one fall asleep after taking it?"

Liu Yucheng had long regarded Hu Xiaotian as a friend and had no suspicion of his motives. He nodded and said: "Yes, there is the Tranquil Pill. After taking it, it helps one fall asleep." He took the Tranquil Pill bottle from his medicine box and handed it to Hu Xiaotian, adding specifically: "Remember, you may take at most one pill at a time; if you take two, even an ox would be knocked out."

Translation: Liu Yucheng had long regarded Hu Xiaotian as a close friend and had no doubt about his motives. He nodded and said: "Yes, there is the Tranquility Pill. After taking it, it can help one fall asleep." He took the bottle of Tranquility Pills from his medicine box and handed it to Hu Xiaotian, adding specifically: "Remember, you may take at most one pill at a time; if you take two, even an ox would be knocked out."

Upon hearing how potent the medicine was, Hu Xiaotian felt increasingly delighted, thinking the Tranquil Pill would surely be useful later.

Translation: Hearing that the medicine's potency was so strong, Hu Xiaotian felt ever more delighted; this Tranquility Pill would surely be of great use later.

After seeing Liu Yucheng off, Hu Xiaotian turned back to the Qixing Palace, where Zhan Peng and the fifty warriors were waiting outside. He had Zhan Peng and Zhao Chongwu accompany him inside, while Yan Fei led the remaining warriors to guard the palace gate, allowing no one to enter or leave without his permission.

Translation: After seeing Liu Yucheng off, Hu Xiaotian turned back to the Qichen Palace; Zhan Peng and the fifty warriors were all waiting outside for his return. Hu Xiaotian had Zhan Peng and Zhao Chongwu accompany him inside, and ordered Yan Fei to lead the remaining warriors to guard the gate of the Qichen Palace, allowing no one to enter or leave without his permission.

Cao Xi felt helpless about the situation; the guards under his charge responsible for defending the Qixing Palace numbered no more than thirty, far fewer than Hu Xiaotian's force, and their strength was vastly inferior. Cao Xi knew his own martial skill was roughly on par with Zhan Peng's, but earlier Zhou Mo had displayed astonishing prowess that awed everyone—there was no way he could match Zhou Mo. Thus Cao Xi issued orders: regardless of what happens today, his guards must remain calm and merely observe. Even Fang Lianhai of Kunyu Palace, who had suffered a setback at Hu Xiaotian's hands, would only bring disgrace upon himself if he tried to assert himself; Fang Lianhai would not accept humiliation and would surely seek reinforcements after leaving.

Translation: Cao Xi also found the situation helpless; the guards under his charge responsible for garrisoning the Qichen Palace totaled barely thirty, insufficient in number to match Hu Xiaotian's group, and far inferior in strength. Cao Xi clearly understood that his martial skill was roughly on par with Zhan Peng's, while earlier Zhou Mo had displayed his prowess, astonishing everyone, and Cao Xi knew he could never compare to Zhou Mo. Therefore Cao Xi issued orders: no matter what happens today, his guards must remain calm and merely observe. Even Fang Lianhai of the Kunyu Palace, who had suffered a setback at Hu Xiaotian's hands, would only bring disgrace upon himself if he tried to assert himself. Fang Lianhai would not accept humiliation willingly; once he leaves, he will surely seek reinforcements.

As Hu Xiaotian passed by, Cao Xi clasped his fists and said: "Lord Hu, I hope you won't make things difficult for me."

Translation: As Hu Xiaotian passed by him, Cao Xi clasped his fists and said: "Sir Hu, I hope you won't make things difficult for me."

Hu Xiaotian replied: "It's not that I refuse to give you face; rather, you fail to cherish what you have. You once promised to look after the princess, yet now my princess is plagued by illness."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "It's not that I refuse to give you face; rather, you fail to cherish what you have. Initially you all swore you would take good care of the Princess, yet now my household Princess is plagued by illness."

Cao Xi said: "Who eating grains and legumes can avoid illness?"

Translation: Cao Xi said: "Who eating grains and legumes can avoid illness?"

Hu Xiaotian, too lazy to argue, coldly said: "Since you haven't taken proper care, we'll look after the princess ourselves."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian, too lazy to argue, coldly replied: "Since you have neglected your duties, we shall ourselves attend to the Princess."

Lord Hu...

Translation: "Hu—"

Hu Xiaotian had already marched into the Qixing Palace with Zhan Peng and Zhao Chongwu.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian had already strode into the Qichen Palace with Zhan Peng and Zhao Chongwu.

Outside Princess Anping's bedchamber, Wu Jing-shan paced back and forth like ants on a hot pot, unaware of Zijuan's exact condition and deeply worried. Although Zijuan was merely an impostor princess, she was the envoy's only hope; only by smoothly marrying her off to the Seventh Prince, Xue Daoming, could they hope to report to the emperor and withdraw safely.

Translation: Outside Princess Anping's bedchamber, Wu Jing Shan paced back and forth like ants on a hot pot, for he did not know Zijin's exact condition and was also deeply worried; although Zijin was merely an impostor princess, she was the envoy's sole hope—only by marrying Zijin smoothly to the Seventh Prince Xue Daoming could they hope to report to the Emperor and perhaps withdraw intact.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian return with Zhan Peng, Wu Jing-shan hurried forward and said: "Lord Hu, how is it?"

Translation: Seeing Hu Xiaotian return with Zhan Peng, Wu Jing Shan hurried forward and said: "Sir Hu, how is it?"

Hu Xiaotian said nothing, turning to Zhan Peng and Zhao Chongwu: "From now on, you two guard the inner garden; no one may enter or leave at will, not even Cao Xi and his retinue of station officials."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said nothing, turning to Zhan Peng and Zhao Chongwu: "From now on, you two will guard the inner court; no one may come and go at will, not even Cao Xi and his retinue of station clerks."

Zhan Peng and Zhao Chongwu received the order, each taking a post at the inner garden gate; the two guards originally stationed there glanced at them but ultimately dared not speak.

Translation: Zhan Peng and Zhao Chongwu received the order, each taking a post at the inner garden gate; the two guards originally stationed there glanced at them but ultimately dared not speak.

Granny Liu and Fang Lianhai had just left together; only four palace maids remained in the inner garden. Startled by the sudden turn of events, they turned pale and were at a loss. Hu Xiaotian coldly stared at them and said: "Since the superiors sent you here to attend the princess, you ought to serve her wholeheartedly; if I discover that you harbor even the slightest intention to harm her, I will take your lives." The maids lowered their heads in fear, avoiding his gaze.

Translation: Granny Liu and Fang Lianhai had just left together; only four palace maids remained in the inner court. Startled by this sudden turn, they turned deathly pale, at a loss. Hu Xiaotian coldly regarded them and said: "Since the superiors sent you here to attend to the Princess, you ought to serve her conscientiously; if I discover that you harbor even the slightest intent to harm her, I will surely take your lives." The maids lowered their heads, afraid to meet Hu Xiaotian's gaze.

One of the maids held a tray with the freshly decocted medicine for Princess Anping; trembling with fear, her hands shook uncontrollably. Hu Xiaotian walked over, took the tray from her, and slowly approached the door. Before entering, he turned to the others and said: "Without the matron's order, no one may enter." He then pushed the door open and stepped inside, immediately hearing Zijuan's somewhat angry voice: "Didn't I say no one is allowed to come in? I want the princess to rest properly."

Translation: One of the maids held a tray with the decoction just prepared for Princess Anping; trembling with fear, her hands shook uncontrollably. Hu Xiaotian walked over, took the tray from her hand, and slowly approached the door. Before entering, he turned to the others and said: "Without an order from the Zajia, no one may enter." He then pushed the door open and stepped inside, immediately hearing Zijin's somewhat angry voice: "Didn't I say no one is allowed to come in? This Princess wants to rest properly!"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Your Highness, it's me!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Your Highness, it's me!"

【'】s me!"

Behind the curtains, Zijuan gave a cold snort: "The person I least want to see is you!"

Translation: From behind the curtains, Zijin gave a cold snort: "The person I least want to see is you!"

Hu Xiaotian lifted the curtain and saw Zijuan lying on the bed, her hair disheveled, her complexion pallid, her face wan—she looked pitiful.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian lifted the curtain and saw Zijin lying on the bed, her hair disheveled, complexion pallid, face wan; the sight evoked pity.

Hu Xiaotian placed the tray on the bedside table and smiled: "Your Highness, I apologize for my tardiness in guarding you; please forgive me."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian placed the tray on the bedside table and smiled: "Your Highness, I, Hu Xiaotian, have come late to guard your carriage; I hope to be forgiven."

Zijuan said: "You're smiling so happily—does seeing me like this make you overjoyed?"

Translation: Zijin said: "You're laughing so happily; seeing me like this, are you overjoyed?"

Hu Xiaotian replied: "Heaven and earth as my witness, the illness is in the princess's body, but the pain is in my heart; when the princess falls ill, I feel it as if it were my own."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Heaven and earth as my conscience, the illness is in the Princess's body, the pain is in my heart; when the Princess falls ill, I share her suffering."

Zijuan: "You wish I were dead already."

Translation: "You wish I were dead already."

Hu Xiaotian said: "If the princess were to die, we'd likely all have to be buried with her; therefore I wish the princess a long life of a hundred years."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "If the Princess were to die, we would likely all have to be buried with her; therefore I wish the Princess a long life of a hundred years."

Zijuan retorted: "You're all smooth talkers, saying one thing while meaning another. Hu Xiaotian, you and your companions live carefree and happy, while you've tossed me alone into this Qixing Palace, deprived of freedom and sunlight—what's the difference between that and being kept under soft confinement?"

Translation: Zijin said: "You're all smooth talkers, saying one thing while meaning another; Hu Xiaotian, you lot now live carefree and happy, while you have tossed me alone into this Qichen Palace, deprived of freedom and sunlight—what difference is there from being under house arrest?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "But the princess herself refused to go with us that day."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed: "But the Princess herself was unwilling to go with us that day."

Zijuan: "I refuse to leave—do you all forget your duties? Abandoning me regardless of my life or death, I will surely write a letter to my imperial brother, detailing all your misdeeds, and have him behead you lot."

Translation: "I refuse to leave, and yet you all forget your duties? Abandoning me, indifferent to my life or death, I will certainly write a letter to my imperial brother, detailing all your misdeeds, so that he may behead you lot."

Hu Xiaotian knew she was just venting, lifted the medicine bowl, and said: "Princess, it's time to take your medicine."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian knew she was merely speaking in anger; he lifted the medicine bowl and said: "Princess, it's time to take your medicine."

Zijuan furrowed her brows: "I won't take it—how do I know you haven't put poison in it, trying to kill me?"

Translation: Zijin furrowed her brows: "I won't take it; who knows if you've put poison in it, intending to kill me?"

Hu Xiaotian was both amused and exasperated; he had no choice but to set the medicine bowl back down.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian was both laughing and crying; he had no choice but to set the medicine bowl down again.

Zijuan asked: "What exactly is wrong with me?"

Translation: Zijin said: "What exactly is my ailment?"

Hu Xiaotian did not answer immediately; instead, he looked around the room, confirmed no one was present, closed the door, returned to Zijuan's side, and transmitted secretly: "Your Highness, calm down—you have actually been poisoned."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian did not immediately answer her; instead he looked around the room, confirming no one was present, then went to close the door, returned to Zijin's side, and transmitted via voice: "Your Highness, calm yourself; you have in fact been poisoned."

Upon hearing his words, Zijuan's pretty face flashed with a hint of panic: "What?"

Translation: Zijin, hearing his words, a flicker of panic crossed her lovely face: "What?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "It seems someone has tampered with your food and drink."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "It should be that someone has tampered with your food and drink."

Zijuan trembled as she asked: "Why would they want to harm me?"

Translation: Zijin trembled as she asked: "Why would they want to harm me?"

Hu Xiaotian replied: "I'm not sure exactly who wants to harm you." He then produced two porcelain bottles from his bosom, took out a Nine-Revolutions Blood-Cleansing Pill and a Tranquil Pill, and whispered: "Please take these two pills."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "I also do not know exactly who wishes to harm you." He then produced the two porcelain bottles from his bosom, took out one Nine-Revolutions Blood-Cleansing Pill and one Tranquility Pill, and whispered: "Take these two pills."

Zijuan asked: "What are these?"

Translation: Zijin said: "What are these?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "They are medicines to cleanse the toxins from your body—the Nine-Revolutions Blood-Cleansing Pill."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Medicines to cleanse the toxins in your body, the Nine-Revolutions Blood-Cleansing Pill."

Zijuan looked at Hu Xiaotian half-believing, half-doubting.

Translation: Zijin looked at Hu Xiaotian half-believing, half-doubting.

Hu Xiaotian said: "You needn't doubt me; now we are on the same side, and if something happens to you, it brings me no benefit."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "You need not doubt me; now we are on the same side, and if anything happens to you, it brings me no benefit."

Zijuan bit her lip, finally nodded, took the pills from Hu Xiaotian's hand; seeing her swallow the two pills one after another, he felt relieved, fetched her a cup of water, which she drank a few sips of before suddenly yawning.

Translation: Zijin bit her lip, finally nodded, took the pills from Hu Xiaotian's hand; Hu Xiaotian saw her swallow the two pills one after another, then set his mind at ease, fetched her a cup of water, which Zijin took and sipped a few mouthfuls before suddenly yawning.

Hu Xiaotian deliberately said: "Is the Princess tired?"

Zi Juan nodded and said: "I don't know why I suddenly feel a bit drowsy; could there be something wrong with your medicine pill?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Princess, you still don't trust me; if you're tired, just get a good sleep." (To be continued~^~)