Chapter 724

line: Hu Xiaotian said: "I have no bias whatsoever; the rise and fall, life or death of the Li family has nothing to do with me, not even a penny's worth." After venting, he actually felt the tightness in his chest ease considerably. He then said to Xi Yan: "Also, remember this: whether you want to kill Xue Daoming or Wanyan Chixiong, it has nothing to do with me, and I will not participate in any of your schemes. On the day of your wedding, I will leave Yongdu and flee as far as I can."

Now translate line:

Hu Xiaotian said: "I have no bias; the rise and fall of the Li family is of no concern to me, not even worth a penny." After venting, he actually felt the stuffiness in his chest ease considerably. He then said to Xi Yan: "Also, remember this: whether you want to kill Xue Daoming or Wanyan Chixiong, it has nothing to do with me, and I will not participate in any of your plans. On the day of your wedding, I will leave Yongdu and flee as far as I can."

We need to keep it concise but include all info. Ensure we don't add extra.

Let's produce:

【1】 Hu Xiaotian said: "I have no bias; the rise and fall of the Li family is of no concern to me, not even worth a penny." After venting, he actually felt the stuffiness in his chest ease considerably. He then said to Xi Yan: "Also, remember this: whether you want to kill Xue Daoming or Wanyan Chixiong, it has nothing to do with me, and I will not participate in any of your plans. On the day of your wedding, I will leave Yongdu and flee as far as I can."

Check we included all: Li family, rise and fall, no concern, not even worth a penny. After venting, he felt stuffiness in chest ease considerably. He then said to Xi Yan: Also, remember this: whether you want to kill Xue Daoming or Wanyan Chixiong, it has nothing to do with me, and I will not participate in any of your plans. On the day of your wedding, I will leave Yongdu and flee as far as I can.

Yes.

line: "You……" -> change to "You...".

We need to keep the ellipsis? Use three dots? We'll output "You……" maybe with same punctuation. We'll output: "You……"

Thus 【2】 You……

line: Hu Xiaotian said: "Stopping you from messing around was only for the sake of the Central Plains' people, and also because I have a little affection for you, which you could call my own selfishness. Since you don't appreciate it, why should I bother sticking my hot face to your cold butt?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Stopping your mischief earlier was nothing but concern for the people of the Central Plains, and also because I felt a little affection for you, which could be called my little selfishness. Since you don't appreciate it, why should I keep sticking my hot face to your cold butt?"

Thus 【3】 Hu Xiaotian said: "Stopping your mischief earlier was nothing but concern for the people of the Central Plains, and also because I felt a little affection for you, which could be called my little selfishness. Since you don't appreciate it, why should I keep sticking my hot face to your cold butt?"

line: Xi Yan's cheeks flushed with heat because of this rascal's rude remarks; it was truly rude, and she actually uttered such shameless, vulgar words.

Translation: Xi Yan's cheeks flushed with heat because of this rascal's rude remarks; it was truly rude, and she actually uttered such shameless, vulgar words.

is a note? Actually they gave 【35】 We need to keep... So similar to notes. We'll output note.

Thus 【4】 Xi Yan's cheeks flushed with heat because of this rascal's rude remarks; it was truly rude, and she actually uttered such shameless, vulgar words.

line: "You're not afraid……" -> "You're not afraid...".

Translation: Xi Yan said: "You're not afraid……"

We keep ellipsis.

Thus 【5】 Xi Yan said: "You're not afraid……"

line: "What's there to be afraid of? Even eunuchs aren't afraid, so why fear death?" no ellipsis.

Translation: Before the threatening words were finished, Hu Xiaotian interrupted: "What's there to fear? Even eunuchs aren't afraid, so why fear death?"

note: "Even eunuchs aren't afraid, so why fear death?" fine.

Thus 【6】 Before the threatening words were finished, Hu Xiaotian interrupted: "What's there to fear? Even eunuchs aren't afraid, so why fear death?"

line: "Do you think you can escape?" fine.

Translation: Xi Yan said: "You think you can escape?"

Thus 【7】 Xi Yan said: "You think you can escape?"

line: "Then don't trouble yourself." fine.

Thus 【8】 Then don't trouble yourself.

line: "There's something you probably don't know: your mother is not in the capital right now!" fine.

Translation: Xi Yan said: "There's something you probably don't know: your mother is not in the capital right now!"

note fine.

【9】 Xi Yan said: "There's something you probably don't know: your mother is not in the capital right now!"

line: "How do you know that?" fine.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian heard this, half-believing and half-doubting, he looked at Xi Yan and asked: "How do you know that again?"

note fine.

【10】 Hu Xiaotian heard this, half-believing and half-doubting, he looked at Xi Yan and asked: "How do you know that again?"

line fine.

Translation: Xi Yan said: "She returned to her natal home in Jinling; it was Ji Feihua who arranged for her escort back."

note fine.

【11】 Xi Yan said: "She returned to her natal home in Jinling; it was Ji Feihua who arranged for her escort back."

line fine.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian gave a hehe cold smile, his eyes full of suspicion.

Thus 【12】 Hu Xiaotian gave a hehe cold smile, his eyes full of suspicion.

line fine.

Translation: Xi Yan said: "You've always been so suspicious; think back, when have I ever harmed you?"

Thus 【13】 Xi Yan said: "You've always been so suspicious; think back, when have I ever harmed you?"

line fine.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian secretly wondered, since coming to Yongdu, she never left her gate, never stepped out of the second door, always staying in this Qichen Palace. Where did she get this news from? Is she deliberately creating a smoke screen to disturb her own state of mind, or is it truly the case? Could there be an insider for her inside the Qichen Palace?

note fine.

Thus 【14】 Hu Xiaotian secretly wondered, since coming to Yongdu, she never left her gate, never stepped out of the second door, always staying in this Qichen Palace. Where did she get this news from? Is she deliberately creating a smoke screen to disturb her own state of mind, or is it truly the case? Could there be an insider for her inside the Qichen Palace?

line: "Believe me or not, for now I am the only one who can guarantee your family's safety..." maybe we used three dots? We wrote "...", that's three ASCII periods, fine.

Translation: Seeing Hu Xiaotian's face full of doubt, Xi Yan knew he didn't believe her words. She spoke softly: "Whether you believe me or not, I am currently the only one who can guarantee your family's safety..." Perhaps realizing she misspoke, she added: "We, the Wuxian Sect."

note fine.

Thus 【15】 Seeing Hu Xiaotian's face full of doubt, Xi Yan knew he didn't believe her words. She spoke softly: "Whether you believe me or not, I am currently the only one who can guarantee your family's safety..." Perhaps realizing she misspoke, she added: "We, the Wuxian Sect."

line fine.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian gazed at her silently; seeing this, Xi Yan felt a little uneasy in her heart, she bit her cherry lip and asked: "What are you staring at me for?"

note fine.

Thus 【16】 Hu Xiaotian gazed at her silently; seeing this, Xi Yan felt a little uneasy in her heart, she bit her cherry lip and asked: "What are you staring at me for?"

line fine.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian sighed and said: "Why would a girl involve herself in these matters? Striving for the realm, chasing the deer under heaven—these are men's games. You should find a man to marry, and devote yourself to husband and children—how nice would that be?"

note fine.

Thus 【17】 Hu Xiaotian sighed and said: "Why would a girl involve herself in these matters? Striving for the realm, chasing the deer under heaven—these are men's games. You should find a man to marry, and devote yourself to husband and children—how nice would that be?"

line fine.

Translation: Xi Yan pursed her cherry lips and said: "You, this faithless and treacherous thing, have already transferred your affection elsewhere; I certainly won't marry you."

note fine.

Thus 【18】 Xi Yan pursed her cherry lips and said: "You, this faithless and treacherous thing, have already transferred your affection elsewhere; I certainly won't marry you."

line fine.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said: "Women's scheming is too deep to be lovable. Being too clever is unlovable; the more they play politics, the less lovable they become. Xi Yan, for women, power and wealth are the most illusory things. Find someone you like, and also someone who treats you well—that's what truly makes a winner in life."

note fine.

Thus 【19】 Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said: "Women's scheming is too deep to be lovable. Being too clever is unlovable; the more they play politics, the less lovable they become. Xi Yan, for women, power and wealth are the most illusory things. Find someone you like, and also someone who treats you well—that's what truly makes a winner in life."

line fine.

Translation: Xi Yan blinked her beautiful eyes and said: "Are you trying to give me a love potion?"

note fine.

【20】 Xi Yan blinked her beautiful eyes and said: "Are you trying to give me a love potion?"

line: "I've said all the nice words; your future is still your own choice. In short, don't delude yourself into forcing me to do anything." fine.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "I've said all the nice words; your future is still your own choice. In short, don't delude yourself into forcing me to do anything." After saying that, he turned and walked toward the door.

note fine.

Thus 【21】 Hu Xiaotian said: "I've said all the nice words; your future is still your own choice. In short, don't delude yourself into forcing me to do anything." After saying that, he turned and walked toward the door.

line fine.

Translation: Xi Yan gazed at his firmly departing back. Her gaze actually became a little dazed; she felt that the instant he turned and left was incredibly handsome.

note fine.

Thus 【22】 Xi Yan gazed at his firmly departing back. Her gaze actually became a little dazed; she felt that the instant he turned and left was incredibly handsome.

line: Night fell. Liang Yinghao still hadn't returned, which made Zhou Mo worry a bit; he had said before leaving that he would return before dark, but something must have delayed him. After discussing with Hu Xiaotian, they decided to go out together with Xiong Tianba to search. The closer the wedding, the less they wanted any mishaps.

Translation: Night fell. Liang Yinghao still hadn't returned, which made Zhou Mo inevitably worry. He had said before leaving that he would be back before dark, but for some reason he was delayed. After discussing with Hu Xiaotian, they decided to go out together with Xiong Tianba to search. The closer the wedding approached, the more they wanted to avoid any mishaps.

Translate the term for grand wedding as wedding and the term for mishaps as mishaps. After discussing with Hu Xiaotian, they decided to go out together with Xiong Tianba to search.

Thus 【23】 Night fell. Liang Yinghao still hadn't returned, which made Zhou Mo inevitably worry. He had said before leaving that he would be back before dark, but for some reason he was delayed. After discussing with Hu Xiaotian, they decided to go out together with Xiong Tianba to search. The closer the wedding approached, the more they wanted to avoid any mishaps.

line: After dinner, Hu Xiaotian rested a moment, then began practicing swordsmanship, wielding the Hidden Edge Sword and slowly going through the sword techniques as drawn in the manual. The true marvel of this sword technique hidden in the Profound Iron Tablet lies in teaching how to project sword qi outward, with qi cultivation as the main focus and sword moves secondary. Although Hu Xiaotian practiced diligently, he still couldn't freely control the release and retraction of sword qi; the more he practiced, the more he felt the sword techniques on the chart were profound and deep, still unable to fully grasp the essence of the first form. He also didn't continue to train further, as the saying goes, "too much leads to indigestion"; steady practice is best. However, the Spirit Snake Nine Swords given to him by the Sumeru Heaven Sect, he has now mastered completely.

Translation: After dinner, Hu Xiaotian rested a while and began practicing swordsmanship, holding the Hidden Edge Sword and slowly performing the sword techniques illustrated in the manual. The true marvel of this sword technique hidden in the Profound Iron Tablet lies in teaching how to emit sword qi, with qi cultivation as the main focus and sword moves secondary. Although Hu Xiaotian practiced diligently, he still couldn't freely release and retract sword qi; the more he practiced, the more he felt the sword techniques in the diagram were profound and vast, and he still hadn't fully grasped the essence of even the first form. He didn't continue to train further, as the saying goes, "too much leads to indigestion"; steady practice is best. However, the Spirit Snake Nine Swords given to him by the Sumeru Heaven Sect, he has now mastered completely.

Translate the terms: Hidden Edge Sword, Profound Iron Tablet, sword manual, sword qi, qi cultivation, Sumeru Heaven Sect, Spirit Snake Nine Swords. The idiom meaning too much leads to indigestion, and the phrase meaning steady practice.

Thus 【24】 After dinner, Hu Xiaotian rested a while and began practicing swordsmanship, holding the Hidden Edge Sword and slowly performing the sword techniques illustrated in the manual. The true marvel of this sword technique hidden in the Profound Iron Tablet lies in teaching how to emit sword qi, with qi cultivation as the main focus and sword moves secondary. Although Hu Xiaotian practiced diligently, he still couldn't freely release and retract sword qi; the more he practiced, the more he felt the sword techniques in the diagram were profound and vast, and he still hadn't fully grasped the essence of even the first form. He didn't continue to train further, as the saying goes, "too much leads to indigestion"; steady practice is best. However, the Spirit Snake Nine Swords given to him by the Sumeru Heaven Sect, he has now mastered completely.

line: Zhou Mo went with Xiong Tianba for an hour and still hadn't returned; earlier, Liang Yinghao, who had left, also had no news. Hu Xiaotian felt a bit restless, he put away his Hidden Edge Sword and went outside to check the situation. Coincidentally, he met Yang Xuan, who had come to look for him, but she was actually someone from the palace; the visitor was Bai Desheng, a eunuch from the Directorate of Rites of the Da Yong Imperial Palace. Although he wasn't the Director of the Directorate of Rites, he was a prominent figure there, and he was accompanied by two other eunuchs.

Translation: Zhou Mo went with Xiong Tianba for an hour and still hadn't returned; Liang Yinghao, who had left earlier, also had no news. Hu Xiaotian felt a little anxious, he put away the Hidden Edge Sword and went outside to check the situation. Coincidentally, Yang Xuan came looking for him, but she was someone from the palace. The visitor was Bai Desheng, a eunuch from the Directorate of Rites of the Da Yong Imperial Palace. Although not the Director of the Directorate of Rites, he was a prominent figure there, and he was accompanied by two other eunuchs.

Translate: Zhou Mo, Xiong Tianba, Liang Yinghao, Hidden Edge Sword, Yang Xuan, Da Yong, Imperial Palace, Directorate of Rites, eunuch, Director of the Directorate of Rites. Also 'a prominent figure', 'two other eunuchs', 'someone from the palace'. The visitor was Bai Desheng, a eunuch from the Directorate of Rites of the Da Yong Imperial Palace.

Thus 【25】 Zhou Mo went with Xiong Tianba for an hour and still hadn't returned; Liang Yinghao, who had left earlier, also had no news. Hu Xiaotian felt a little anxious, he put away the Hidden Edge Sword and went outside to check the situation. Coincidentally, Yang Xuan came looking for him, but she was someone from the palace. The visitor was Bai Desheng, a eunuch from the Directorate of Rites of the Da Yong Imperial Palace. Although not the Director of the Directorate of Rites, he was a prominent figure there, and he was accompanied by two other eunuchs.

line: Hu Xiaotian originally thought Bai Desheng had come for the wedding, but it turned out he came for the Da Yong Emperor's affair.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian originally thought Bai Desheng had come for the wedding, but he hadn't expected that Bai Desheng had come for the Da Yong Emperor's affairs.

Thus 【26】 Hu Xiaotian originally thought Bai Desheng had come for the wedding, but he hadn't expected that Bai Desheng had come for the Da Yong Emperor's affairs.

line: After dismissing the attendants, Bai Desheng then said: "Good day, Sir Hu; I am Bai Desheng of the Directorate of Rites. I once served near the Emperor, and tonight I am specially ordered by the Emperor to invite Sir Hu to enter the palace."

Translation: After dismissing the attendants, Bai Desheng then said: "Sir Hu, I am Bai Desheng of the Directorate of Rites. I once served near the Emperor, and tonight I am specially ordered by the Emperor to invite Sir Hu to enter the palace."

Translate the term for Sir Hu as Sir Hu, the term for Directorate of Rites as Directorate of Rites, the term for Emperor as Emperor, and the term for enter the palace as enter the palace. After dismissing the attendants, I am Bai Desheng of the Directorate of Rites. I once served near the Emperor. Tonight I am specially ordered by the Emperor. Please invite Sir Hu to enter the palace.

Thus 【27】 After dismissing the attendants, Bai Desheng then said: "Sir Hu, I am Bai Desheng of the Directorate of Rites. I once served near the Emperor, and tonight I am specially ordered by the Emperor to invite Sir Hu to enter the palace."

line: Hu Xiaotian's heart gave a start, then he immediately understood: it must be Xue Shengkang wanting him to enter the palace for a follow‑up consultation; he smiled and said: "How is the Emperor?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian's heart gave a start, then he immediately understood: it must be Xue Shengkang wanting him to enter the palace for a follow‑up consultation. He smiled and asked: "How is the Emperor?"

The term for follow‑up consultation translates to follow‑up consultation, the name Xue Shengkang translates to Xue Shengkang, and the term for Emperor translates to Emperor.

Thus 【28】 Hu Xiaotian's heart gave a start, then he immediately understood: it must be Xue Shengkang wanting him to enter the palace for a follow‑up consultation. He smiled and asked: "How is the Emperor?"

line: Bai Desheng said: "Very good, thanks to Sir Hu."

Translation: Bai Desheng said: "Very well, thanks to Sir Hu."

Thus 【29】 Bai Desheng said: "Very well, thanks to Sir Hu."

line: Hu Xiaotian's earlier question was quite clever: it didn't explicitly mention Xue Shengkang's condition, but was meant to probe whether Bai Desheng knew about what he had done. From Bai Desheng's answer, there seems to be no problem; it appears Bai Desheng already knows the inside story. Xue Shengkang had previously told him to keep the surgery strictly confidential, so being able to tell Bai Desheng proves this eunuch is someone he absolutely trusts.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian's earlier question was quite clever—it didn't explicitly mention Xue Shengkang's condition, but was meant to test whether Bai Desheng knew what he had done. From Bai Desheng's reply, it seemed there was no problem; apparently Bai Desheng already knew the inside story. Xue Shengkang had previously told him to keep the surgery strictly confidential, and since he could tell Bai Desheng, this proved the eunuch was someone he absolutely trusted.

Translate the term for surgery as surgery, the term for eunuch as eunuch, the phrase meaning someone he absolutely trusted as someone he absolutely trusted, and the term for inside story as inside story.

Thus 【30】 Hu Xiaotian's earlier question was quite clever—it didn't explicitly mention Xue Shengkang's condition, but was meant to test whether Bai Desheng knew what he had done. From Bai Desheng's reply, it seemed there was no problem; apparently Bai Desheng already knew the inside story. Xue Shengkang had previously told him to keep the surgery strictly confidential, and since he could tell Bai Desheng, this proved the eunuch was someone he absolutely trusted.

Bai Desheng said respectfully, "Hu Sir, the carriage and horses are already waiting outside; let's hurry, lest we keep the Emperor waiting."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Why didn't Commander Shi come tonight?"

Bai Desheng laughed, "There are other matters in the palace that Commander Shi has to attend to, so the Emperor sent me."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, had Bai Desheng wait outside, then went to Yang Xuan's side and whispered, "General Yang, the Emperor has summoned me to the palace."

Yang Xuan laughed, "Hu Sir, just go; I will personally ensure the princess's safety."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Wait for my few subordinates to return, then tell them where I'm going; don't let them worry." Because he didn't know when he'd return from the palace tonight, he said that.

Yang Xuan said, "Hu Sir, rest assured."

Hu Xiaotian left Qichen Palace, boarded the carriage Bai Desheng had prepared for him; the carriage slowly started and headed toward Huangcheng. This trip to the palace was not as heavily guarded as last night; Hu Xiaotian lifted the carriage curtain, gazing at both sides of the road. It was late at night, pedestrians were sparse; looking up, there was no moon and no stars visible, the sky somewhat gloomy.

Bai Desheng rode up to the carriage, smiling at Hu Xiaotian and said, "Hu Sir, there is still some distance to Huangcheng; you might as well rest now."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Has the Emperor already taken his dinner?"

Bai Desheng laughed, "He has; the Emperor's appetite is not bad tonight—he has eaten quite a bit."

Hu Xiaotian was stunned upon hearing this: "How could that be? I clearly instructed him not to eat until a day later; from the surgery to now, at most less than a day has passed. Even if Xue Shengkang recovers quickly and can eat something, it's impossible for his appetite to be good and to have eaten a lot. Is it that Xue Shengkang is not following my orders, or is Bai Desheng just talking nonsense?"

Hu Xiaotian casually said, "Is the Emperor's appetite still okay?"

Bai Desheng laughed, "It's fine, fine; he's much better today—I specially had the Imperial Kitchen stew a pig's trotter for him."

Hu Xiaotian's heart jumped: "Pig's trotter? Bai Desheng's words are full of holes; Xue Shengkang just had his gallbladder removed—how could he possibly eat such greasy food?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "Looks like the Emperor's illness is completely cured." He looked around; everywhere was shrouded in night. Not familiar with Yongdu's geography, he deliberately probed, "Eunuch Bai, this doesn't seem to be the road to the palace."

Bai Desheng laughed, "The roads of Yongdu city are interconnected; any road leads to the palace. We're taking a shortcut today to get there quickly, lest the Emperor wait anxiously."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Oh no, I actually forgot an important matter."

Bai Desheng said, "What matter?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "I promised to visit the Grand Princess's residence tonight to see her; look at my memory—I forgot completely."

Bai Desheng said, "No rush; after seeing the Emperor, I'll send you over later."

By now Hu Xiaotian could almost certainly conclude that Bai Desheng was deceiving him—the Grand Princess Xue Lingjun was still in the palace attending to the Emperor, and since Bai Desheng came at the Emperor's command, he could not possibly be unaware of her presence there; why would this man deceive him? What was his motive? Hu Xiaotian lowered the carriage curtain, his heart uneasy; it seemed the supposed summon tonight was nothing but a ruse. These people meant him harm, having lured him out of Qichen Palace—perhaps their aim was to eliminate him.

Because he was going to enter the palace to see the Emperor, Hu Xiaotian carried no weapons; he listened closely—aside from the hoofbeats and the rattling of the wheels on the blue‑stone road, there was only the distant gurgling of water; a small stream must be nearby.

As the sound of the water grew clearer, they must be approaching the riverbank; Hu Xiaotian lifted the carriage curtain again and said, "Oh dear, my stomach hurts!"

Bai Desheng feigned concern, "What's wrong, Hu Sir?"

Hu Xiaotian clutched his stomach, looking pained: "Maybe I ate something bad…… Oh, I can't hold it—I need to find a place to relieve myself. Stop the carriage! Hurry up and stop!" Bai Desheng could only have the carriage stopped; Hu Xiaotian opened the door and stepped out, only to see a small river not far away—their carriage was less than ten zhang from the bridge over the river.

Hu Xiaotian clutched his stomach and ran toward the riverbank. (To be continued~^~)