Chapter 379

~13 min read 2,547 words

That unit of vicious Black Cavalry, like a torrent of steel, came charging straight at us.

Interpretation: "That unit of Black Cavalry, brimming with killing intent, was like a torrent of steel, and it came straight to kill."

We need to keep concise but faithful. Let's translate: "That unit of Black Cavalry, brimming with killing intent, surged forward like a torrent of steel, coming straight to attack." Ensure we keep meaning. We'll output: 【1】 That unit of Black Cavalry, brimming with killing intent, surged forward like a torrent of steel, coming straight to attack.

A Tàijiān stood out among them, especially conspicuous, and his voice was extremely grating.

A Tàijiān was mixed in among them, especially conspicuous, and his voice was also extremely grating.

The green-robed minor officials and constables of the Dàlǐ Sì, who were preparing to arrest people, had no choice but to stop again.

The Dàlǐ Sì officials preparing to make arrests, the green-robed minor officers and constables, had no choice but to stop again.

The onlookers all looked over and were startled: 'Black Cavalry?'

We need to keep the quoted speech. So: "The onlookers around looked over, all startled: 'Black Cavalry?'" We'll keep quotes.

'Black Cavalry?'

Just: '"Black Cavalry?"'

Song An, Zhu Han, Heir of the Bo Geng Marquis, Han Yu, and others were equally shocked.

The Black Cavalry numbers only ten thousand in the entire Great Zhou dynasty, each selected from the three-million-strong army as elite warriors, addicted to killing and iron-blooded; the key is that they are directly commanded by the Emperor himself.

Only those closest to His Majesty the Emperor can command them—the Crown Prince, Prince Qin, Chang Gongzhu, and a few imperial princes and princesses!

And the Tàijiān among the Black Cavalry is even more conspicuous; Tàijiān are exclusively used by the imperial household!

And the Tàijiān among the Black Cavalry is especially conspicuous; Tàijiān are exclusively used by the imperial household!

Has a prince or princess, some important figure, arrived? Or did the Emperor send someone on an errand?

Translate: "Has an imperial prince or princess, a big shot, arrived? Or has His Majesty sent someone to handle affairs?" We'll keep.

Seeing the Black Cavalry and the Tàijiān approaching, the nearby crowd hurriedly made way.

We need Tàijiān. So: "Seeing the Black Cavalry and the Tàijiān rushing over, the nearby crowd hastily made way."

'Law!'

The Tàijiān and the Black Cavalry rode straight up to stop before Heng Xian's carriage.

We need Tàijiān and Heng Xian. So: "The Tàijiān and the Black Cavalry went straight to stop before Heng Xian's carriage."

Zhu Han and Song An exchanged a glance, then went forward personally to salute, saying: 'Greetings, Sir Officers, Sir; may I ask what brings you here?'

The Sir jumped off his warhorse in fury, angrily pointing his whip at a group: 'You lot, really idle—if you startled the Prince Consort, how many heads would be enough to chop? Ah?'

The Sir jumped off his warhorse in fury, angrily pointing his whip at a group: 'You lot, really idle, if you startled the Prince Consort, how many heads would be enough to chop? Ah?'

'Prince, Prince Consort?'

Translate: '"Prince, Prince Consort?"' Actually the stutter: "Prince, Prince Consort?" We'll keep as: '"Prince, Prince Consort?"'

Zhu Han, Song An, and the group were startled again.

Translate: "Zhu Han, Song An, and the group were startled again."

Heir of the Bo Geng Marquis said: 'Where did this Prince Consort come from? Sir, are you joking?'

'Do you think we're joking?' the Tàijiān snapped.

The Heir of the Bo Geng Marquis shrank his neck.

Translate: "Heir of the Bo Geng Marquis shrank his neck."

The Tàijiān then quelled his anger, put on a smile, hurried over with small quick steps to Heng Xian's carriage, obsequiously saying: 'I'm late, I've startled you!'

We need Tàijiān and Heng Xian. So: "The Tàijiān only then quelled his anger, put on a smiling face, hurried with small steps to Heng Xian's carriage, fawning: 'This servant came late, I startled you!'"

'Ah, what?'

Translate: '"Ah this??"' Actually it's an expression: "Ah this??" We'll keep: '"Ah this??"'

'Is he the Prince Consort?'

Translate: '"Is he the Prince Consort?"'

'Well...'

Translate: '"This..."'

The crowd instantly erupted in agitation and discussion.

Translate: "The crowd instantly buzzed with agitation and discussion."

Zhu Han, Song An, and the group involuntarily sucked in a breath of cold air.

Translate: "Zhu Han, Song An, and the group involuntarily sucked in a breath of cold air."

Deng Wu and Han Yu exchanged a glance, both feeling somewhat absurd, wondering if we had been traveling alongside the Prince Consort all along.

The Heir of the Bo Geng Marquis turned pale; even as a marquis, he couldn't bear the status of a Prince Consort—for he is the Emperor's son‑in‑law, and even that connection outweighs a mere marquis's kin, obvious at a glance!

The key is, if the Princess kicks up a fuss, who can stand it?

But he still couldn't believe it; what if he was mistaken? He glanced at Heng Xian's carriage with its curtains drawn tight, then leaned in cautiously and said: 'Sir, please confirm—did you mistake the person?'

We need Heng Xian and Tàijiān. So: "But he still couldn't believe it; what if he was mistaken? He glanced at Heng Xian's carriage with tightly closed curtains, then leaned in cautiously: 'Sir, please confirm again—have you mistaken the person?'"

The Tàijiān couldn't be bothered, turning back to say: 'Make way, the Princess is coming!'

We need Tàijiān. So: "The Tàijiān couldn't be bothered, turned and said: 'Make way, the Princess is coming!'"

'Is the Princess coming?'

Translate: '"The Princess is coming?"'

'Which Princess?'

Translate: '"Which Princess?"'

The crowd immediately stepped back, clearing a wide path.

Translate: "The crowd immediately stepped back, clearing a wide path."

'Rumble...'

Translate: '"Boom—boom…"' Actually it's onomatopoeia. We'll do: '"Boom—boom…"'

From afar, a deafening footsteps sound quickly approached.

Translate: "From afar, a deafening thunder of footsteps rapidly approached."

Soon, a vast array of cloud-canopy umbrellas, jade carriages, and imposing guards approached, first a group of sturdy generals clearing the way, then ranks of palace Tàijiān and splendid female officials and palace maids.

We need Tàijiān. So: "Soon, a vast array of cloud-silk canopies, jade carriages, and imposing ceremonial guards approached; first came a group of sturdy generals clearing the way, then ranks of serving Tàijiān and splendid female officials and palace maids."

In the center was a huge luxurious jade palanquin carried by twenty‑eight bearers, surrounded by palace maids and Tàijiān; behind it came the ceremonial guards and symbols representing the imperial procession.

We need Tàijiān and Token. So: "In the middle was a huge, luxurious jade palanquin carried by twenty-eight people, surrounded by palace maids and Tàijiān; behind the palanquin came the ceremonial guards and tokens representing the imperial procession."

The entire procession was vast and magnificent.

Translate: "The entire procession was mighty and grand."

Ordinary folk all around immediately prostrated themselves and knelt.

Translate: "Ordinary folk all around, upon seeing it, immediately prostrated themselves."

Others in the carriages dismounted, and those on horseback got off their horses.

Translate: "People in other carriages dismounted, and those on horseback got off their horses."

Even Zhu Han, Song An, and the others respectfully bowed and performed the salute.

Translate: "Even Zhu Han, Song An, and the group bowed deeply in reverent salute."

The Dàlǐ Sì bailiffs and green‑robed minor officials even knelt and kowtowed.

We need Dàlǐ Sì. So: "The Dàlǐ Sì constables and green-robed minor officials even knelt and kowtowed."

'Boom...'

Translate: '"Boom—"'

The luxurious, continuous procession came to a halt ahead.

Translate: "The luxurious, continuous procession halted ahead."

'Swish...'

Translate: '"Swish—"'

Countless gazes turned toward the top of the jade palanquin.

Translate: "Countless gazes turned toward that jade palanquin."

'Which Princess exactly?'

Translate: "Just which Princess is it?"

This is simply too intriguing.

Translate: "This is truly too intriguing."

The Tàijiān in front of Heng Xian's carriage hurried over, knelt before the jade palanquin, and whispered something.

We need Heng Xian and Tàijiān. So: "The Tàijiān before Heng Xian's carriage hurried over, running lightly, knelt before the jade palanquin, and whispered something."

A pleasant sound came from within the jade palanquin, and four lovely palace maids stepped out, opened the curtain, and stepped aside.

Translate: "A pleasant voice came from within the jade palanquin; immediately four handsome palace maids stepped out, opened the curtain, and stepped aside."

'Ding‑ling‑ling...'

Translate: '"Ding-ling-ling…"'

Amid the tinkling of her ornaments, a girl dressed in splendid princess attire stepped out of the jade palanquin.

Translate: "Amid the tinkling of pendants, a girl dressed in splendid princess attire stepped out of the jade palanquin."

At the sight of the girl, everyone present felt their eyes light up, and their hearts surged.

Translate: "At the sight of the girl, everyone present felt their eyes light up, and their hearts surged."

She saw that the Princess was tall and slender, with long, straight legs, smooth fair skin, flawless beautiful features, and especially bright, clear eyes that made her unforgettable.

Translate: "The Princess was tall and slender, with straight, long legs; her skin was fair and delicate; her features were flawless and exquisite, especially her bright, clear eyes, which made her unforgettable at a glance."

Now clad in a splendid phoenix robe, with her hair coiled high and adorned with a phoenix crown and golden hairpins, her noble bearing and unmatched beauty surpassed all worldly splendor!

Translate: "Now clad in a magnificent phoenix robe, with her hair coiled high and adorned with a phoenix crown and golden hairpins, her noble bearing and peerless beauty surpassed all worldly splendor!"

This is truly the Princess herself!

Translate: "This is truly the Princess herself!"

Royal nobility, a body worth a thousand gold!

Translate: "Imperial nobility, a body worth a thousand gold!"

It completely fulfilled everyone's fantasy of a Princess!

Translate: "It completely fulfilled everyone's fantasy of a Princess!"

Ordinary commoners quickly lowered their heads, not daring to look again.

Countless minor officials and clerks likewise lowered their heads.

Some aristocratic disciples and high-ranking officials secretly thought the journey was not in vain, and did not dare to look further.

Zhu Han, Song An, and a group of people bowed their bodies, looked at each other, Zhu Han whispered: "She is the emperor's fifth daughter, Princess Taiping! Indeed, as rumored, she is breathtakingly beautiful!"

Song An did not respond.

Zhu Han again said: "I don't know which man will get the advantage, what kind of man would be worthy of her?"

Song An couldn't help but say sourly: "Nonsense, the prince consort is right here!"

Zhu Han looked at Heng Xian's carriage, full of doubt: "Who is that person inside the carriage? Did you see clearly?"

Song An shook his head: "I didn't see clearly!"

The Heir of the Bo Geng Marquis, son of the Empire Houjou, knelt behind the two, whispered: "I saw him, he looks like he has thief-like eyebrows and mouse eyes!"

"Bullshit!" Deng Wu couldn't help but say: "Sir, you are clearly handsome Bu Fan, better-looking than a woman, and your demeanor is no worse than that of the academy's teachers!"

The Heir of the Bo Geng Marquis sneered: "Let's just take a good look; maybe there's a mix-up. I don't believe such a noble and beautiful princess would choose a fellow who rode with you all the way here, a worthless loser!"

Just as his words fell, Princess Taiping Your Highness, dragging her long phoenix robe, walked up to Heng Xian's carriage, bowed lightly, and spoke gently: "Husband, get down!"

Husband...

The princess called the person in the carriage 'husband'??

Such a princess, a heavenly maiden descended to earth, ought to remain alone forever—yet she has a husband! Ahhh...

People near and far felt an indescribable loss and a strange sensation.

Zhu Han, Song An, and the others instinctively bowed their waists even deeper.

The Heir of the Bo Geng Marquis's face turned pale, and he hastily knocked his head to the ground.

Husband...

Heng Xian sat in the carriage, hearing Ji Yaoyue's strange address, feeling a bit embarrassed.

He actually hadn't expected to cause such a stir; under everyone's gaze, is it appropriate to openly live off his wife's wealth?

He lightly coughed, opened the carriage curtain and stepped out, raised his head to look opposite, and at once saw the radiant, beautiful Princess Ji Yaoyue standing before the carriage.

Ji Yaoyue was also looking at him, the corners of her mouth smiling, her eyes full of tenderness, as if heaven and earth held only him.

Heng Xian froze.

He had never encountered such a scene in this life or any past life.

As he stepped down, the onlookers and the princess's entourage all turned to look at him, filled with scrutiny and observation.

Even if he did nothing, simply standing there made it hard not to notice his presence!

Even placed among the cloud-like talents, handsome gentlemen, and the heroic Bu Fan disciples of the imperial capital's officials and nobles, the imperial clansmen, the State Temple Academy, and the Imperial University, he would still stand out uniquely!

Many people breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that this man was at least somewhat worthy of the princess.

"I told you so, he has thief-like eyebrows and mouse eyes!" said the Heir of the Bo Geng Marquis with a strange tone.

Without waiting for Han Yu and Deng Wu to retort, Zhu Han was the first to object, kicking him in the shin: "Such a person, you say he has thief-like eyebrows and mouse eyes? Are you lacking conscience?"

"'I...' the Heir of the Bo Geng Marquis had nothing to say."

Before the carriage, Heng Xian finally reacted, bowing slightly: "I pay my respects, Princess."

"'No need for such formalities, husband!' Ji Yaoyue stepped forward, linked her arm with his, and winked mischievously: 'Prince consort, come with me back to the palace!'"

Heng Xian, without changing expression, scratched her palm and said: "Is this appropriate? I am currently a criminal!"

Ji Yaoyue looked down from above at the blue-robed minor official of the Dàlǐ Sì, her expression turning cold: "What crime has the prince consort committed? Does the Dàlǐ Sì intend to arrest me as well?"

Ji Yaoyue looked down from a height at the green-robed minor official of the Dàlǐ Sì, her expression turning cold: "What crime has the prince consort committed? Does the Dàlǐ Sì intend to arrest me as well?"

(End of chapter)

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