Chapter 971

Yang Lingqi laughed and said, "It's already pretty good. Before, it was like a chicken claw—useless for anything. Now at least I can hold things, and I can even write."

Translation: Yang Lingqi laughed, "It's already much better. Before, it was like a chicken claw—I couldn't do anything. Now at least I can hold things, and I can write."

We need to keep the quotes and punctuation? We'll translate the Chinese quotes into English quotes. Keep the content.

Hu Xiaotian secretly sighed, never expecting Meng Zizai to have done such a great deed. He really couldn't find time recently to perform surgery on Yang Lingqi; once they return to Kangdu, he will first need to resolve this matter, hoping that Yang Lingqi will one day be able to pick up the brush and paint again.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian sighed inwardly, never expecting that Meng Zizai would actually do such a great deed. He recently really couldn't spare time to perform surgery on Yang Lingqi; once they return to Kangdu, he will first settle this matter, hoping Yang Lingqi will one day be able to pick up the brush again and paint.

Note: The Chinese name Meng Zizai is Meng Zizai; the term danqing means painting; the phrase grasping the brush to write danqing means pick up the brush to paint.

Hu Xiaotian looked at the list; Yang Lingqi's list is mostly hearsay, naturally not complete, but the heads of the envoy should have no major mistakes. The commander of the Da Yong envoy is Prince Yan Xue Shengjing. The Black Hu side sent Eighth Prince Wanyan Tianyue. Surprisingly, the Shajia side also sent Hu Xiaotian's sworn brother Huo Ge. He also has the identity of being the husband of one of Li Tianheng's daughters, Mo Chou. As a son-in-law coming to celebrate his father-in-law's birthday, that is only proper. As for the prince who came from Nanyue, Hu Xiaotian is not acquainted with him.

Note: The term meaning Black Hu side is Black Hu side; the term Eighth Prince Wanyan Tianyue translates to Eighth Prince Wanyan Tianyue; the phrase meaning surprisingly the Shajia side also sent Hu Xiaotian's sworn brother Huo Ge translates to surprisingly the Shajia side also sent Hu Xiaotian's sworn brother Huo Ge; the phrase meaning he also has the identity of being the husband of one of Li Tianheng's daughters, Mo Chou translates to he also has the identity of being the husband of one of Li Tianheng's daughters, Mo Chou; the phrase meaning as a son-in-law coming to celebrate his father-in-law's birthday, that is only proper translates to as a son-in-law coming to celebrate his father-in-law's birthday, that is only proper; the phrase meaning as for the prince who came from Nanyue, Hu Xiaotian is not acquainted with him translates to as for the prince who came from Nanyue, Hu Xiaotian is not acquainted with him.

note: we have "Black Hu", "Nanyue", "Wanyan Tianyue", "Mo Chou", "Huo Ge", "Xue Shengjing", "Prince Yan", "Shajia", "Kangdu", "Da Yong", "Li Tianheng", "Hu Xiaotian", "Yang Lingqi", "envoy". All fine.

We'll need to add to glossary: Black Hu (faction), Nanyue (place), Wanyan Tianyue (person), Mo Chou (person), Huo Ge (person) (already maybe), Xu Mitian, Huo Shengnan, etc.

But we need to list only those that actually appear in these lines. Let's go through each line and collect.

We'll do after translation.

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Not bad! I actually have two sworn brothers among them; it looks like I'll go pay them a visit."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian chuckled, "Not bad! I actually have two sworn brothers among them; looks like I'll go pay a visit."

Yang Lingqi reminded him, "Governor, this is after all Xizhou; we must always be cautious. Looking at the current situation, Li Tianheng's attitude is unclear; perhaps he won't accept the emperor's investiture. If that happens, our situation will become dangerous."

Translation: Yang Lingqi reminded him, "Sir, this is after all Xizhou; we must be cautious in everything. Judging by the current situation, Li Tianheng's attitude is ambiguous and unclear; perhaps he won't accept the emperor's investiture. If that happens, our position will be dangerous."

Note: This title means Prefect or Governor; we will translate it as Governor.

Note: This term means His Majesty.

Hu Xiaotian's real concern isn't Li Tianheng; to Li Tianheng, he's just an insignificant nobody. Even wearing the halo of being a Dakang imperial envoy and a future consort of Dakang, when two countries go to war they still don't execute envoys, and besides, Dakang and Xichuan share the same lineage, with Xichuan not yet having declared independence. If the old emperor wants to direct this fire at him, he might as well bring a few backups, making the old man wary of acting rashly; before doing anything harmful to him, the old man must think twice.

Translation: What Hu Xiaotian truly worries about is not Li Tianheng; to Li Tianheng, he is merely an insignificant figure. Even wearing the halo of being a Dakang imperial envoy and the future consort of Dakang, when two countries go to war they still don't execute envoys, let alone the fact that Dakang and Xichuan share the same lineage, and Xichuan has not yet clearly declared independence. If the old emperor wants to direct this fire at him, he might as well bring a few more backers, making the old man wary of acting rashly; before doing anything unfavorable to him, the old man must think twice.

Note: The term for old emperor is Laohuangdi; the term for Dakang imperial envoy is Dakang imperial envoy; the term for future consort of Dakang is future consort of Dakang; the term for when two countries go to war they still don't execute envoys is when two countries go to war they still don't execute envoys; the term for old man is old man; the term for wary of acting rashly is wary of acting rashly; the term for think twice is think twice.

As Hu Xiaotian was about to go out to visit Xue Shengjing, he saw Xiong Tianba rush in from outside, shouting, "Uncle Three, a group of Shajia people have come to our place; they look hostile—should I drive them away?"

Translation: Just as Hu Xiaotian was about to go out to visit Xue Shengjing, Xiong Tianba came rushing in from outside, shouting bluntly, "Uncle Three, a group of Shajia people have come to our place; they seem up to no good. Should I go drive them away?"

Note: The word for "uncle three" translates to Uncle Three; the phrase meaning "rushing in" translates to came rushing in; the phrase meaning "drive them away" translates to drive them away.

Hu Xiaotian immediately thought of the Twelfth Prince Huo Ge of Shajia and laughed, "I'll go take a look."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian immediately thought of the Shajia Twelfth Prince Huo Ge, and laughed, "I'll go see."

Hu Xiaotian went outside. Sure enough, the person who arrived was exactly the Twelfth Prince Huo Ge of Shajia. Compared to their last meeting, Huo Ge's skin was much darker, he wore a full beard, his appearance was rugged, and upon seeing Hu Xiaotian, he burst out laughing: "Brother, it really is you!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian went outside. Sure enough, as he expected, the visitor was none other than the Shajia Twelfth Prince Huo Ge. Compared to their last meeting, Huo Ge's skin was much darker, his face full of beard, his appearance rugged; upon seeing Hu Xiaotian, he burst out laughing, "Brother, it really is you!"

Hu Xiaotian also chuckled and said, "Big brother. I didn't expect you to come too!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian also chuckled, "Elder brother. I didn't expect you to come too!"

Huo Ge stepped forward, extended his right hand, and clasped Hu Xiaotian's hand, saying, "Brother, you've become stronger and even more handsome since I last saw you."

Translation: Huo Ge stepped forward, extended his right hand and clasped it with Hu Xiaotian's: "Brother, you've become stronger than when I last saw you, and even more handsome."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Big brother, you've become even more stalwart and regal since I last saw you." The two laughed, looking at each other.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Elder brother, you've become more stalwart than when I last saw you, and also bear a greater kingly aura." The two laughed, gazing at each other.

However, Hu Xiaotian knew that although Huo Ge seemed rough and unrestrained, he was actually meticulous; otherwise, the Shajia Khan Sangmu Zha would not have valued him so highly, repeatedly entrusting him with missions to Xichuan.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian, however, knew that while Huo Ge appeared rough and unrestrained, his mind was actually meticulous; otherwise the Shajia Khan Sangmu Zha would not value him so highly. He had repeatedly entrusted Huo Ge with the mission to Xichuan.

Note: The title translates to Shajia Khan Sangmu Zha; we add Sangmu Zha as a person name.

After Huo Ge sat down, he drew a dagger from his waist with a swish; Xiong Tianba, standing behind Hu Xiaotian, was startled and was about to rush forward to protect Uncle Three. But hearing Hu Xiaotian cough, he laughed and said, "Big brother, you still carry this dagger with you." Actually, this dagger was the token they exchanged when they became sworn brothers.

Translation: After Huo Ge sat down, he drew a dagger from his waist with a swish! Xiong Tianba, standing behind Hu Xiaotian, was startled and was about to rush forward to protect Uncle Three. But hearing Hu Xiaotian cough, he laughed, "Elder brother, you still carry this dagger on your person." It turned out this dagger was exactly the token they exchanged when they became sworn brothers.

Note: The expression translates to with a swish.

Huo Ge said, "This is what you gave me. I naturally cherish it deeply, carrying this dagger with me at all times; whenever I see the dagger, it's as if I see you." He spoke sincerely.

Translation: Huo Ge said, "It's a gift from my brother. I naturally treasure it deeply, keeping this dagger with me at all times; whenever I see the dagger, it's as if I see my brother." He spoke with sincere feeling.

However, Hu Xiaotian didn't believe him, laughing and saying, "Big brother gave me a short sword, but I don't carry it with me. I treasure that short sword greatly; I usually keep it locked deep in the cellar at home. However, on each full moon, I take it out, seeing the object and thinking of the person, just like seeing you." Actually, he was just talking nonsense; in fact, he had already passed that sword on to Murong Feiyan.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian didn't believe it, laughing, "The short blade my elder brother gave me I don't carry on my person. I cherish that short blade greatly; normally I keep it locked deep in the cellar at home, but every full moon I take it out, seeing the object and thinking of the person, just like seeing my elder brother." This fellow was just talking nonsense; in fact, he had already passed that blade on to Murong Feiyan.

Note: The idiom meaning "seeing the object reminds one of the person" translates to seeing the object and thinking of the person; the expression meaning "talking nonsense" translates to talking nonsense; the name Murong Feiyan is Murong Feiyan.

Huo Ge silently cursed this kid for being hypocritical; if he truly valued the gift, he would surely carry it at all times. Hu Xiaotian's claim is most likely just him having lost or thrown away that sword somewhere.

Translation: Huo Ge silently cursed this kid for being hypocritical; if he truly valued the gift, he would surely carry it at all times. Hu Xiaotian saying this is nine times out of ten just means he threw that blade somewhere unknown.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Big brother, although I knew the Shajia would send an envoy, I didn't know it would be you personally coming."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "Elder brother, although I knew the Shajia would send an envoy, I didn't know it would be you personally coming."

Huo Ge said, "Brother, don't you remember? Xichuan is my wife's natal home, and General Li is my father-in-law."

Translation: Huo Ge replied, "Brother, don't you forget? Xichuan is my wife's natal home, and Lieutenant General Li is my father-in-law."

Note: The word for "general Li" translates to Li Jiangjun.

Hu Xiaotian feigned ignorance, patting his own head and saying, "Look at my memory—I even forgot this." He then smiled and said, "Big brother, how is your sister-in-law? Did she accompany you here from Shajia?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian feigned ignorance, patting his own forehead, "Look at my memory—I even forgot this." He smiled, "Elder brother, how is your sister-in-law? Did she accompany you here from Shajia?"

When mentioning his wife, Huo Ge's face lit up with a warm smile; his feelings were hard to hide, showing he was quite satisfied with her. He said, "Originally she was supposed to come with me to personally celebrate my father-in-law's birthday, but she has just become pregnant, so long-distance travel is unsuitable; thus she had to stay behind."

Translation: Speaking of his wife, Huo Ge's face filled with a warm smile; some emotions cannot be hidden, and it's clear he is quite satisfied with this wife. He said, "Originally she was supposed to come with me, to personally wish Father-in-Law a happy birthday, but she has just become pregnant, unsuitable for long travel, so she had to stay behind."

Note: The phrase meaning father-in-law translates to Father-in-Law.

Hu Xiaotian asked, "Is your sister-in-law pregnant?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian asked, "Your sister-in-law is pregnant?"

Huo Ge nodded, his face full of pride.

Translation: Huo Ge nodded, a look of pride on his face.

Seeing others think of him, Hu Xia

Translation: Seeing others think of him, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but think of himself with Xu Mitian and Huo Shengnan, having had multiple intimate contacts; he wondered whether any of them had conceived his flesh and blood. Xu Mitian should be impossible—she is highly skilled in martial arts, and each time after intimacy she uses her internal energy to expel his essence from her body; a master of her level, if she truly wanted to avoid pregnancy, could do so easily. On the contrary, Huo Shengnan stands a good chance; the Sun-Shooting True Classic not only transmitted his internal energy to her, but also imparted some of his own essence, which may have already taken root and sprouted.

fine.

Translation: Seeing Hu Xiaotian suddenly zone out, Huo Ge thought he was feeling sentimental, recalling that he too had almost become Li Tianheng's son-in-law; if it weren't for the political upheaval in Dakang, they might have become brothers-in-law. Huo Ge said, "I've heard that you have now become the future consort of Dakang and are engaged to the Yongyang Princess of Dakang?"

The note explains that 'future consort of Dakang' means the future prince consort of Dakang, and 'Yongyang Princess of Dakang' means the Yongyang princess of Dakang.

fine.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded, "Indeed it is so."

fine.

Translation: Huo Ge sighed, "Brother and Wuyou sister seem to be fated not to be together."

The note states that this refers to the Wuyou sister.

fine.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "It's a mix-up of yin and yang; when I see Lieutenant General Li later, I'll explain this to him in person."

Huo Ge said: "I really don't understand why, back then, brother, you left Xizhou without saying goodbye."

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought: You not understanding is hardly surprising; originally your mission's destination was clearly Kangdu, yet you turned and allied with the Li family of Xichuan, even becoming Li Tianheng's son-in-law, which shows Li Tianheng already had ambitions of independence, and Shajia and Xichuan have long been secretly communicating. These things that are obvious need not be spelled out. Hu Xiaotian sighed and said: "Don't hide it from elder brother, the reason I chose to leave without saying goodbye back then was truly unavoidable, all because my parents encountered disaster; as a son, filial duty comes first; how could I stand by and watch my birth parents in trouble and do nothing? Even if I must endure a thousand hardships and myriad dangers, I will go to Dakang and do my utmost to rescue my parents, even if it costs my life, I don't mind."

Huo Ge praised: "Indeed a fine fellow; our friendship is not in vain."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Just chatting, I forgot an important matter; elder brother, you haven't eaten yet, right? We haven't seen each other for so long; today we must definitely have a good drink."

Huo Ge laughed: "As elder brother, I have exactly that intention."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Right next to the relay station there's a famous restaurant in Xizhou; let's go try it."

Huo Ge nodded repeatedly; Hu Xiaotian had Liang Yinghao immediately go to the Hundred Flavors Restaurant to reserve a seat, while he and Huo Ge would arrive shortly after. Since the Hundred Flavors Restaurant is on the street opposite the relay station, the two did not take a carriage but chose to walk; just as they stepped out of the relay station, they saw a carriage heading toward them.

Hu Xiaotian stopped in his steps, having a premonition that this carriage was aimed at him; indeed the carriage came up beside him and stopped. He heard a soft, alluring voice say: "Hu Xiaotian, you have never fulfilled what you promised me; this time I see where you can flee."

Hu Xiaotian hearing that voice couldn't help but startle; the voice was clearly that of the Da Yong Long Princess Xue Lingjun—wait, wasn't it said that the one coming from Da Yong to celebrate the birthday was Xue Shengjing? How did it become Xue Lingjun?

The carriage curtain slowly lifted, revealing Xue Lingjun's bewitchingly beautiful face; although she was also dressed in male attire, anyone not blind could see she was a woman of great charm, and moreover her voice was utterly unmasked.

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "Elder sister Lingjun, is it really you?"

Xue Lingjun smiled sweetly at Hu Xiaotian and cooed: "If not me, who else could it be?"

Huo Ge stood aside watching, his eyes almost staring straight; although he had seen countless beauties, a woman as seductive and alluring to the core as Xue Lingjun was still the first he had ever seen; Huo Ge had come this time to celebrate the birthday, and it had been a month since he had been intimate with a woman; seeing such a top-notch woman as Xue Lingjun, he felt heat rise from his heart, and the primal ** surged up instantly.

Xue Lingjun's eyes, like autumn water, flirtatiously swept across Huo Ge's face; the corner of her lips turned up with an extremely tempting smile—just that smile alone hooked Huo Ge so that his seven souls and six spirits were scattered, only shy of making his nose bleed.

Xue Lingjun said coquettishly: "Xiaotian, who is this big-bearded man? How rude, staring at me like that."

Only then did Huo Ge realize his impropriety; he hastily placed his right hand over his heart in a salute.

Seeing Huo Ge's lost-and-confused appearance, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but want to laugh; this fellow also seemed a lecher; he introduced Xue Lingjun: "Elder sister, this is Prince Huo Ge of Shajia." He originally intended to tell Huo Ge Xue Lingjun's identity, but Xue Lingjun gave him a glance, obviously not wanting to reveal her identity. Hu Xiaotian immediately understood, and told Huo Ge: "This is my distant cousin Hu Lingjun." He was relieved, directly letting Xue Lingjun follow his surname.

Xue Lingjun covered her cherry lips; every gesture, every frown and smile fully displayed a woman's alluring charm, having already bewildered Huo Ge to the point of losing his seven emotions and six senses, to the extent he couldn't even find the northern capital. Hearing that Hu Xiaotian and the others were going to drink, Xue Lingjun said: "Xiaotian, I'm still hungry."

"Then let's go together! If elder sister is gracious enough to honor us with her presence, it would truly be our privilege." Huo Ge said eagerly.

Hearing his flattering words, Xue Lingjun suddenly straightened her pretty face and coldly said: "Your Highness, what do you call me?"

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