Chapter 90

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, there's certainly no Grand Tutor Zhou here—Zhou Ruiyuan has already been dismissed by the emperor and is now just a commoner, with no official post. He quickly said, "Aunt… may I ask if Mr. Zhou Ruiyuan lives here?" His courteous manner invariably wins goodwill.

Breakdown: Hu Xiaotian thought, there is indeed no Grand Tutor Zhou here; Zhou Ruiyuan has already been dismissed by the Emperor; now he is just a commoner, what official position could he still have? He hurriedly said: "Aunt... may I ask if Mr. Zhou Ruiyuan lives here?" His manners were thorough, which would generally create a good impression.

We need to keep same length? Not required but be concise.

We'll produce: Hu Xiaotian thought, there was indeed no Grand Tutor Zhou here; Zhou Ruiyuan had already been dismissed by the Emperor, now he was just a commoner, what official post could he still have? He hurriedly said, "Aunt… may I ask if Mr. Zhou Ruiyuan lives here?" His manners were thorough, which would always win favor.

Make sure to keep all info.

Now output as 【1】 translation.

The middle‑aged beauty redirected her gaze at Hu Xiaotian; her formerly kind eyes turned completely wary.

Translation: The middle-aged beautiful woman turned her gaze back to Hu Xiaotian; her originally kind look became fully wary.

Hu Xiaotian said, "We were entrusted to bring Miss Qiqi to your manor." As he spoke he couldn't help glancing at Qiqi, which irritated him—they had reached their destination, yet this deceitful little girl hadn't uttered a word.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "We were entrusted to specially deliver Miss Qiqi to your residence." As he spoke, he couldn't help glancing at Qiqi, which made him gloomy; they had reached their destination, yet this sinister, crafty little girl hadn't uttered a word.

Qiqi asked, "Can you give me the jade pendant?"

Translation: Qiqi said, "Give me the jade pendant?"

Hu Xiaotian blinked, suddenly remembering that at their farewell the eunuch Ander Quan had given him a coiling‑dragon jade pendant—could it be a token? He drew the pendant from his sash, opened his left hand, and displayed it to the middle‑aged beauty.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian blinked slightly, then recalled that when they parted, Ande Quan had given him a Coiled Dragon Jade Pendant—could that pendant be a token? He then drew the pendant from his waist, spread it in his left hand, and showed it to the middle-aged beautiful woman.

The middle‑aged woman looked at the pendant, noticing Hu Xiaotian's left hand, red as braised pork trotter; she frowned slightly, reached out with her slender hand, gently took the pendant, examined it closely, then nodded and said, "This jade pendant is indeed my elder brother's."

Translation: The middle-aged beautiful woman glanced at the pendant, naturally noticing Hu Xiaotian's left hand, now the color of braised pork trotters; she frowned slightly, extended her slender white hand, carefully pinched the pendant, examined it repeatedly, nodded, and said, "This pendant indeed belongs to my elder brother."

Hu Xiaotian now understood completely: the jade pendant was Zhou Ruiyuan's, and the woman before him was his sister. The old eunuch Ander Quan was truly deceptive—pretending to give him the pendant while actually scheming against him. To deal with such people one must be equally cunning, but Hu Xiaotian's heart isn't ruthless enough; he made a misstep and fell victim to the old eunuch and the girl, succumbing to their seven‑day soul‑severing needle. Otherwise he wouldn't be so passive, having gone to great lengths to escort her to Xiezhou City, nearly losing his life.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian now fully understood: the pendant was Zhou Ruiyuan's, and the woman before him was Zhou Ruiyuan's sister. Ande Quan, that Senior Eunuch, was truly devious—claiming to give him the jade pendant, he had actually been scheming against him all along. With such people one must play devious, but unfortunately Hu Xiaotian's heart wasn't ruthless enough; in the end he was outmaneuvered, and that old woman and young girl harmed him, unfortunately striking him with their Seven-Day Soul-Severing Needle; otherwise, how could he have been so passive, painstakingly escorting her to Xiezhou City, nearly losing his life?

The middle‑aged woman stepped up to Qiqi, took her hand, and said, "You must have suffered a lot on the journey; come with me."

Translation: The middle-aged beautiful woman approached Qiqi, took her small hand, and said, "You must have endured many hardships on the way; come with me."

A flicker of hesitation showed in Qiqi's eyes; she was by nature distrustful. Although she had earned the middle‑aged woman's trust with the coiling‑dragon jade pendant, she couldn't bring herself to believe her on just one word.

Translation: A hint of hesitation appeared in Qiqi's eyes; she was naturally suspicious. Although she had gained the middle-aged woman's trust via the Coiled Dragon Jade Pendant, she could not fully believe her based on just one sentence.

Noticing her hesitation, the middle‑aged woman leaned in and whispered something. Hu Xiaotian and Murong Feiyan saw her lips move but couldn't make out the words. Murong Feiyan was startled—her hearing is so sharp she should have caught every syllable at that range unless the woman used a voice‑transmission art. This indicates the woman's martial skill is first‑rate, possibly even superior to her own.

Translation: Seeing her hesitation, the middle-aged woman leaned close and whispered something into her ear. Hu Xiaotian and Murong Feiyan saw her lips move slightly, but couldn't hear what she said. Murong Feiyan's heart startled—with her hearing, it was impossible not to catch words at such a short distance unless the woman used voice transmission. Thus one could infer her martial arts were top‑notch, perhaps even superior to their own.

Once the middle‑aged woman finished speaking, Qiqi's doubts disappeared; she took the woman's hand and left without even saying goodbye to Hu Xiaotian and Murong Feiyan.

Translation: After the middle-aged woman finished speaking, Qiqi's doubts vanished instantly; she took the woman's hand and followed her away, not even wanting to greet Hu Xiaotian and Murong Feiyan.

Hu Xiaotian couldn't just let her go—he still needed the antidote. He followed them into the courtyard, where a rich floral scent greeted him. Before him lay a vivid, colorful tableau: trees heavy with blooming lilacs, long strands of yellow silver‑leaf, spreading oleander branches, and large leaves of the jade‑hairpin plant in the wall's shady corners. The small courtyard was exquisitely landscaped.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian certainly couldn't just let her leave—the antidote still hadn't been given to him. So he followed them into the courtyard; a strong floral fragrance assailed his nose, revealing a riot of color: trees full of blooming lilac, silver‑yellow blossoms strung in long chains, oleander with scattered branches, and the large leaves of jade hairpins in the shady corners of the walls—this tiny courtyard was decorated with extraordinary elegance.

Hu Xiaotian felt no affection for that deceitful little girl, but he couldn't forget that the antidote was still in Qiqi's hand. He was about to speak when Murong Feiyan interjected: "Qiqi, you seem to have forgotten something."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian felt no lingering affection for that sinister, crafty girl, but he dared not forget that the antidote was still in Qiqi's hand. Just as he was about to speak, Murong Feiyan beat him to it: "Qiqi, you seem to have forgotten something."

Qiqi finally halted; the middle‑aged woman and she turned almost at once, their eyes drawn to Murong Feiyan's right hand, which was raised and resting on her sword hilt.

Translation: At that moment Qiqi finally stopped; the middle-aged woman and she turned almost simultaneously, their gazes falling on Murong Feiyan's right hand, which they saw raised, intentionally or not, resting on the sword hilt.

The middle‑aged woman's gaze turned puzzled. The relationship among Hu Xiaotian, her, and Qiqi was indeed tangled. If they were friends, the two would not look at Qiqi with such wariness and hostility; if they weren't friends, they wouldn't have gone to such lengths to bring her here—there must be some hidden agenda.

Translation: The middle-aged woman's gaze grew somewhat puzzled; the relationship among Hu Xiaotian, the woman, and Qiqi was truly convoluted. If they were friends, those two looked at Qiqi with clear wariness and hostility; if they weren't friends, they wouldn't have gone to such trouble to bring her here—there must be some secret.

Qiqi smiled sweetly: "I should have mentioned it sooner—I almost forgot!" She turned back to Hu Xiaotian, pressed the porcelain bottle into his hand, and gave him a playful wink.

Translation: Qiqi gave a sweet smile: "I almost forgot to mention it!" She turned back to Hu Xiaotian, shoved the porcelain bottle into his hand, and winked mischievously at him.

Hu Xiaotian realized the jade bottle was the same one he had been given earlier; he felt uneasy, wondering if the girl would repay his kindness with treachery.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian recognized that the jade bottle was still the one previously given to him; he felt a bit uneasy, wondering if this girl would dare to repay kindness with betrayal.

Seeing his hesitation, Qiqi whispered, "It's still poison!" As she spoke, her eyes flicked to Murong Feiyan, who bore a murderous glint in her beautiful eyes. Even though she was bold, a chill ran down her spine; from Murong Feiyan's gaze she knew that if she dared to interfere, the woman would show her no mercy. Qiqi shot Hu Xiaotian a scornful look and said, "You're as timid as a mouse!"

Translation: Seeing his hesitation from his expression, Qiqi whispered, "It's still poison!" As she spoke, her gaze unintentionally flicked to Murong Feiyan, whose beautiful eyes hid killing intent; even though she was bold, she couldn't help shivering, for from Murong Feiyan's gaze she could tell that if she dared to tamper with this, Murong Feiyan would show her no mercy. Qiqi gave Hu Xiaotian a white‑eye look and said, "You're as timid as a mouse!"

Hu Xiaotian gave a wry smile and said, "A little caution prolongs life." He then didn't hesitate, tipped out a deep‑red pill from the bottle, and shoved it into his mouth. The pill tasted horribly foul; he almost gagged, but fearing he'd spit out the antidote and lose his life, he covered his mouth and forced himself to swallow it.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian smiled narrowly: "Being a bit cautious lets you live longer." He then hesitated no longer, tipped out a crimson pill from the bottle, and without hesitation shoved it into his mouth. The pill tasted horribly foul; he almost vomited, but fearing to spit out the antidote and lose his life, he hastily covered his mouth and forced himself to swallow the stinking pill.

Qiqi said, "Once you've taken the medicine, your body will be cleansed of poison in an hour; you're all right now—may I leave?"

Translation: Qiqi said, "After taking the medicine, your body's toxins will be cleared in an hour; you're fine now—may I go?"

Hu Xiaotian remained silent, but Murong Feiyan insisted, "No, we won't leave within the hour."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said nothing, but Murong Feiyan insisted, "No, we won't leave within the hour."

Qiqi's bright eyes met Murong Feiyan's, knowing she wasn't trusted. The middle‑aged woman sensed the tension and said softly, "Why don't you both come inside and sit?"

Translation: Qiqi gazed at Murong Feiyan with clear eyes, knowing she didn't trust her. The middle-aged woman also sensed the tension and softly said, "Why don't you both come inside and sit?"

Hu Xiaotian waved his hand and said, "No need—we'll just sit in the courtyard a moment." Though versed in medicine, he didn't understand the pharmacology of the seven‑day soul‑severing needle, so he dared not act rashly. He sat at the stone table in the courtyard, closed his eyes to rest, and waited for the medicine to take effect.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian was straightforward, waving his hand: "No need, we'll just sit in the courtyard a while." Although his medical skill was profound, he didn't understand the pharmacology of the Seven-Day Soul‑Severing Needle, so he dared not act rashly; he sat at the stone table in the courtyard, closed his eyes to rest his spirit, and waited quietly for the medicine to take effect.

Murong Feiyan stared coldly at Qiqi, guarding against her trying to slip away. In the distance, a mute man observed Murong Feiyan gripping her long sword and walking slowly toward them. She had noticed him upon entering: his eyes shone with sharp light, his breath steady as a mountain—clearly a first‑rate master. Even the gentle, courteous middle‑aged woman before them had a soft, prolonged breath, indicating considerable internal cultivation. The Zhou household looked ordinary, but it concealed hidden talents—one must not underestimate it.

Translation: Murong Feiyan coldly watched Qiqi, guarding against her trying to escape. In the distance, the mute servant saw Murong Feiyan gripping her long sword tightly and walking slowly over; Murong Feiyan had noticed this mute from the moment she entered, seeing his eyes gleam with spirit and his breath steady as a mountain—he was certainly a top‑level expert. Even the middle‑aged beautiful woman before them, though gentle and courteous, had a soft, prolonged breath, indicating considerable internal cultivation. The Zhou household appeared ordinary, but it hid dragons and tigers; one must not underestimate it.

That is why Murong Feiyan was especially vigilant.

Translation: That was precisely why Murong Feiyan acted with extraordinary vigilance.

The middle‑aged woman stopped the mute with a look and smiled gently, "May I ask your name, miss?"

Translation: The middle‑aged woman used her gaze to stop the mute from approaching further, and smiled gently: "May I ask your name, miss?"

Murong Feiyan saw no need to hide her identity, since Qiqi already knew her name; she replied calmly, "Murong Feiyan!" She could not afford to relax, for the situation concerned Hu Xiaotian's life or death.

Translation: Murong Feiyan saw no need to conceal herself; after all, Qiqi already knew her name. She replied calmly, "Murong Feiyan!" She dared not relax in the slightest, for the situation before them concerned Hu Xiaotian's life or death.

The middle‑aged woman laughed and said, "Murong Feiyan! I've heard there's a female constable in the capital with that name."

Translation: The middle‑aged woman laughed: "Murong Feiyan! I've heard there's a female constable in the capital with that name."

Qiqi said, "Aunt Zhou has sharp eyes—my sister Murong is the famed female constable of the capital!" Though they had just met the middle‑aged woman, she now affectionately called her aunt. After revealing Murong Feiyan's identity, she immediately gave away Hu Xiaotian: "His name is Hu Xiaotian, son of the Minister of Revenue, Hu Buwei."

Translation: Qiqi added, "Aunt Zhou has sharp eyes—this elder sister of mine, Murong Feiyan, is the famed female constable of the capital!" Though they had just met the middle‑aged woman, she now affectionately called her aunt. After clarifying Murong Feiyan's identity, she immediately betrayed Hu Xiaotian: "His name is Hu Xiaotian, son of Minister of Revenue Hu Buwei, Sir Hu's household."

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed, "This is purely a deliberate attempt to draw hatred—he knows my father once fiercely impeached Zhou Ruiyuan, yet he deliberately exposed me; isn't this just harming me? I told you over and over: when we reach Xiezhou, never reveal my identity, and you even agreed. Now you've changed your tune as soon as we arrived—damn it! No matter the woman's age, don't expect her to tell the truth; she's simply not trustworthy."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian cursed inwardly, "This is purely deliberate to draw hatred—he knew my father had fiercely impeached Zhou Ruiyuan, yet he deliberately exposed me; isn't this harming me? Earlier I told you over and over: upon reaching Xiezhou, never reveal my identity; you even promised, but as soon as we arrived you changed your tune—damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! No matter her age, don't expect her to tell the truth; she simply can't be trusted."

As expected, when the middle‑aged woman heard Hu Xiaotian's name, her eyes widened in surprise and she exclaimed, "Hu Xiaotian? You're the son of the Minister of Revenue, Hu Buwei?"

Translation: As expected, upon hearing Hu Xiaotian's name, the middle‑aged woman's beautiful eyes flashed with surprise, and she exclaimed, "Hu Xiaotian? You're the son of Minister of Revenue Hu Buwei, Sir Hu's household?"

By now Hu Xiaotian couldn't deny it; recalling how his father had specifically instructed him to keep a low profile upon reaching Sichuan and avoid revealing his identity, he had only just entered the Xiezhou region when his identity was completely exposed. The only one to blame is Liang Da Zhuang, that scoundrel, whose loose tongue spreads rumors everywhere; otherwise Qiqi wouldn't have been able to investigate his details so thoroughly.

Translation: By now Hu Xiaotian could not deny it; recalling how his father had specifically ordered him to keep a low profile upon arriving in Xichuan, avoiding letting anyone know his identity, he had only just entered Xiezhou's borders when his identity was completely exposed—he could blame only Liang Da Zhuang, that bastard, whose loose tongue spread rumors everywhere; otherwise, how could Qiqi have investigated his details so thoroughly?

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