Chapter 420

~17 min read 3,390 words

Inside the hall, because of a single remark from His Majesty the Emperor, it became unusually quiet!

Translation: "Inside the great hall, because of a single remark by His Majesty the Emperor, it became unusually quiet!" Need to keep tone. Use "His Majesty the Emperor". Could be "the Emperor". We'll translate: "Inside the great hall, because of a single remark by His Majesty the Emperor, it became unusually quiet!" Ensure single line.

His Majesty the Emperor appeared for the first time in fourteen years, holding a royal banquet; consorts, the crown prince, and princesses all gathered, even on such a festival as New Year's Eve,

His Majesty the Emperor appeared for the first time in fourteen years, holding a royal banquet; the consorts, the crown prince, and princesses all gathered, even on such a festival as New Year's Eve,

The first formal remark was not about discussing the realm and court, nor about caring which prince or consort, but rather specifically mentioning marrying off a daughter.

This inevitably reveals a hint of strangeness!

Translation: "This inevitably reveals a hint of strangeness!"

A group of consorts looked lost and bewildered.

Translation: "A group of consorts looked lost and bewildered."

The Crown Prince furrowed his brows.

Translation: "The Crown Prince furrowed his brows tightly."

Only Consort De's family showed a hint of joy on their faces; His Majesty still cared about our family.

Ji Yaoyue even blushed red to her neck, but as a princess about to be married, she felt embarrassed to express her stance—whether willing or not, it wasn't for her to say.

Translation: "Ji Yaoyue even blushed red to her neck, but as a princess about to be married, she felt embarrassed to express her stance; whether willing or not, it was not for her to say." Use Ji Yaoyue.

Heng Xian looked at the Emperor's gaze and fully understood this father-in-law's meaning—reciprocating kindness, the prescription he had calculated from the Mystic Yellow Heavenly Hexagram had taken effect; the Emperor, his father-in-law, was emotionally moved and had to show something.

After all, the Emperor's daughter, Princess Taiping, already had her heart set on him; everyone in the capital could see it, and as his prospective son-in-law his reputation was already established, so it wouldn't disgrace the imperial family—let things take their course and settle the karmic debt!

Looks like I'm going to get married! I need to figure out how to inform my family and that mother I've never met!

Translation: "Looks like I'm going to get married! I need to figure out how to notify my family and that mother I've never met!" Use "I". Keep colloquial.

Heng Xian rose and performed a respectful salute: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for granting this; Heng Xian will treat the princess with unwavering devotion for life!"

Translation: "Heng Xian rose and performed a respectful salute: 'Thank you, Your Majesty, for fulfilling this; Heng Xian will treat the princess with unwavering devotion for life!'"

The Crown Prince suddenly gave a cold look: "Since you have already become a Remonstrant Official, and now the Emperor has promised you a daughter in marriage, why do you not submit as a subject?"

Heng Xian fell silent for a moment; cultivators have many scruples—I can marry the Princess of Great Zhou, but I can never become a subject of Great Zhou, nor any subject at all; otherwise, due to karmic retribution, to serve for a day is to serve for life, which contradicts the great path of cultivation.

Translation: "Heng Xian fell silent for a moment; cultivators have many observances. He could marry the Princess of Great Zhou, but he could absolutely not become a subject of Great Zhou—not only could he not be a subject of Great Zhou, he could not be anyone's subject, for otherwise, according to karmic retribution, one day as a subject means a lifetime as a subject, which contradicts the great path of cultivation!" Use "Great Zhou". Keep.

He said: "I have sworn to the Three Pure Ones' Patriarch, to be a person of the Heaven and Earth Dao, wandering the mortal world with no taboos; I wish to be the son-in-law of His Majesty and all the consorts, and the husband of Yaoyue, yet I cannot betray the Three Pure Ones' Patriarch—I hope the Crown Prince will understand."

This world also has the Three Pure Ones, and they are exceedingly ethereal and illusory; many people believe in them, while many do not.

Translation: "This world also has the Three Pure Ones, and they are exceedingly ethereal and illusory; many people believe in them, and many do not!"

The Crown Prince frowned, not knowing what to say.

Translation: "The Crown Prince frowned, not knowing what to say."

Consort De, upon seeing him, chuckled lightly: "I just can't stand you disciples of those mountain‑outside sects, always so particular—but if you treat Yaoyue well, everything is fine, right, Your Majesty?"

Translation: "Seeing this, Consort De chuckled lightly: 'I just can't stand you disciples of those mountain‑outside sects, always so particular; but if you treat Yaoyue well, everything is fine, right, Your Majesty?'" Use Yaoyue.

The Emperor glanced at the Crown Prince and Prince Wu, seeming that the Crown Prince and Heng Xian were at odds, which suited him just fine, and he nodded: "Exactly!"

Translation: "The Emperor glanced at the Crown Prince and Prince Wu; it seemed the Crown Prince and Heng Xian were not on good terms, which suited him just fine, and he nodded: 'Exactly!'"

The Crown Prince performed a salute and said: "But Father, if Heng Xian does not become a subject, how can we entrust him with official posts and titles in the future?"

Translation: "The Crown Prince performed a salute and said: 'But Father, if Heng Xian does not serve as a subject, how can we entrust him with office and rank in the future?'"

He and Heng Xian had come to blows; the meaning is simple: if you do not become a subject of Great Zhou, you will never hold real power, and without real power you cannot form a reliance force for Prince Wu.

But if you become a subject of Great Zhou, you cannot oppose me, the heir apparent—at least you cannot raise a hand against me, especially you who follow a sect that teaches karma and cultivation.

Translation: "But if you become a subject of Great Zhou, you cannot deal with me, the heir apparent—at least you cannot raise a hand against me, especially you cultivators of sects who talk about karma and retribution!" Use "heir apparent". Keep.

Heng Xian felt a wave of disgust—what nonsense!

Translation: "Heng Xian felt a wave of disgust—what nonsense!" Use "disgust". Keep.

His Majesty the Emperor chuckled: "Before the founding of Zhou by our founding ancestor, the imperial clan Ji was merely a large clan by the graveside waters, with resident guest officials within the clan; Crown Prince, have you heard of this?"

At the founding of Zhou, nearly half of the officials in the Lingxiao Pavilion were not subjects of Great Zhou, but rather people from other sects—Crown Prince, do you know this?

Translation: "At the beginning of Zhou's founding, nearly half of the officials of the Lingxiao Pavilion were not subjects of Great Zhou, but people from other sects; Crown Prince, do you know this?" Use "Lingxiao Pavilion". Keep.

From those two remarks, the Crown Prince fell into silence, then performed a salute: "Now I understand, thank you Father for pointing it out!"

Translation: "After these two remarks, the Crown Prince fell into silence, then performed a salute: 'I see now, thank you, Father, for the reminder!'"

He also said to Heng Xian: "As the Crown Prince, my words may be a bit stern; I hope you, as my brother‑in‑law, will not take offense!"

Translation: "Then he said to Heng Xian: 'As the Crown Prince, my words are inevitably a little stern; I hope you, my brother‑in‑law, will not take offense!'" Use "brother‑in‑law". Keep.

Heng Xian casually remarked: "The Crown Prince's words and actions are entirely reasonable; I admire him!"

Translation: "Heng Xian casually replied: 'Your words and actions, Crown Prince, are entirely reasonable; I admire you!'" Use "Crown Prince". Keep.

At this moment, His Majesty the Emperor suddenly cast a strange glance for no reason, and before Heng Xian and the Crown Prince could react, he said: "Excellent! Heng Xian is quite to my liking; I have already promised him the hand of Princess Taiping, and I will not stint on other things—I shall now enfeoff you… as Donglan Houjou, with a golden lacquered jade tablet, a fief of nine thousand households, and the retinue and ceremonial guard equal to that of a Marquis of Ten Thousand Households!"

Now 'golden lacquered jade tablet' likely, we'll keep it as is.

a fief of nine thousand households

the retinue and ceremonial guard equal to that of a Marquis of Ten Thousand Households

Now continue.

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent, so quiet that not even a sparrow could be heard.

Translation: "As soon as these words were spoken, the entire great hall fell deathly silent, not even a sparrow's chirp."

Since the Emperor began ruling in person, this is the seventh ennoblement and the first time granting a marquisate!

Translation: "Since His Majesty the Emperor began personal rule, this is the seventh ennoblement, but the first time granting a marquisate!"

All of a sudden, they made the son‑in‑law who hasn't even passed the door a marquis of nine thousand households??

Translation: "All at once, he ennobles a son‑in‑law who hasn't even crossed the threshold as a marquis of nine thousand households??"

This is simply…

Translation: "This is simply……"

The crown prince fell silent.

Translation: "The Crown Prince fell silent directly."

The emperor's other two sons‑in‑law stared dumbfounded; they've been married for years and already have a few children, yet they are only Prince Consorts and Court Deliberators… How infuriating is this?

Translation: "The Emperor's other two sons‑in‑law stared agape; they had been married for several years already and had a couple of children, yet they were only a Prince Consort of the Rank of Cavalry Commander and a Court Deliberator, and this…… how infuriating!"

Meanwhile, Consort De, Prince Wu, and Ji Yueyue couldn't help but feel delighted, their joy showing on their brows.

Translation: "Meanwhile, Consort De, Prince Wu, and Ji Yaoyue couldn't help but feel delighted, their eyebrows rising with joy."

At this moment, the usually silent empress slightly nodded and said, 'Your Majesty! While it's true that Heng Xian possesses talent and virtue, he has just entered the capital, hasn't yet married the crown prince, and has no achievements; hastily granting him a title may be too rash. The officials might not accept it; perhaps we should wait a while before deciding.'

Translation: "At this moment, the ever‑silent Empress spoke up, slightly nodding: 'Your Majesty! This son Heng Xian indeed has talent and virtue, but he has only just entered the capital, has not yet married the Crown Prince, and lacks any achievements; to rashly grant him a title—isn't this too hasty? I fear the officials will not submit; perhaps we should wait a while before speaking again.'"

Consort De furrowed her brows slightly, about to rebut, when the emperor shook his head slightly and said, 'No problem! Since entering the capital, Heng Xian has earned the reputation of a poetry sage and even managed to counter‑kill three Primordial Dan Realm assassins; he excels in both civil and military affairs, a true talent of our age!'

Translation: "Consort De frowned slightly, about to rebut, but the Emperor shook his head slightly: 'No problem! Since entering the capital, Heng Xian has gained the reputation of the Poetry Sage, and he has even managed to counter‑kill three assassins of the Primordial Dan Realm; versed in both civil and military affairs, he is a talent of the age!'"

I dreamed a few days ago of the late emperor, who said we must reward virtuous people, otherwise we will suffer misfortune; it seems this fate belongs to Heng Xian!

Translation: "'A few days ago I dreamed of the late emperor; he said we must reward virtuous people, otherwise we will invite misfortune—clearly this applies to Heng Xian!'"

Um…

Translation: "'Uh……'"

That statement is too grandiose; everyone in the hall was left speechless.

Translation: "'These words are too grand a hat to wear; everyone in the hall was left speechless.'"

Not far away, the attending grand eunuch, historians, and palace attendants immediately prepared to register and record the event.

Translation: "Not far away, the attending Grand Tàijiān, the historiographers, and the palace attendants immediately prepared to register and compile the record."

Heng Xian listened silently, feeling indifferent; he thought the title 'Marquis of Donglan' sounded unpleasant, preferring something flashy like 'Champion Marquis' or 'General Marquis'.

Translation: "Heng Xian listened silently, feeling indifferent; he just thought the title Marquis of Donglan sounded awkward, nothing like the flashy 'Champion Marquis' or 'General Marquis'."

He rose and performed a solemn salute, expressing his thanks.

Translation: "He rose and performed a solemn salute, expressing thanks."

Soon after, the banquet officially began; rare delicacies arrived in succession, their fragrance filling the hall—everything you could name and more, each dish a priceless treasure brimming with spiritual energy.

Translation: "Afterward, the banquet officially began; rare delicacies came one after another, fragrance filling the hall—everything you could name and everything you couldn't was present, each dish a peerless treasure, each dish brimming with spiritual energy."

From the looks of the consorts, they probably rarely get to eat such food.

Translation: "From the looks of the consorts, they probably rarely get to eat such fare."

After all the dishes were served, there were six or seven hundred courses spread across the long dragon table; when eating, one could hardly reach everything, fortunately palace maids attended to them.

Translation: "Waiting for the assorted dishes, there were fully six or seven hundred courses, spread across the long dragon table; when eating, one could hardly reach everything, fortunately palace maids attended."

According to the head eunuch in charge of meals, the kitchen still had three hundred dishes not yet served, all brought by nobles from the frontiers in all four directions, prepared and eaten on the spot.

Translation: "According to the Grand Tàijiān in charge of meals, the kitchen still had three hundred dishes not yet served, all brought in by nobles from the frontiers of the southeast, northwest, and northeast, prepared and eaten on the spot."

In short, the culinary delights available in the cultivation world are everything one could wish for!

Translation: "In short, whatever delicacies the cultivation world can offer are all present!"

At the emperor's command, everyone began to eat.

Translation: "At the Emperor's command, everyone began to eat."

Heng Xian picked up a piece of hibiscus shrimp, took a bite, and instantly felt a fresh taste that lingered, with a rich aftertaste and lingering spiritual energy; he was quite surprised.

Translation: "Heng Xian picked up a piece of hibiscus shrimp, took a slight taste, and instantly his mouth was left fresh, the aftertaste abundant, with threads of spiritual energy lingering; he couldn't help but be quite surprised."

Ji Yueyue laughed lightly and said, 'This is the Morning-Heaven Earth Chasing Deer Shrimp offered by the Li family of Beicanghai; the shrimp incubates for forty years, lives only three days after hatching, and only a single moment within those three days is suitable for eating!'

Translation: "Ji Yaoyue chuckled lightly: 'This is the hibiscus shrimp offered by the Li family of Beicang Sea; the shrimp gestates for forty years, lives only three days after hatching, and within those three days only a single moment is fit to eat!'"

The Li family of Beicanghai spent a fortune to have the Artificers' Alliance forge a spirit‑gathering water tank to hold these shrimp, then rushed here by fast horse to make it in time for the New Year's night banquet, exhausting thirty‑seven third‑grade spirit deer, nearly causing the imperial kitchen to mishandle things and even killing three people, before we finally got to eat them!

Translation: "The Li family of Beicang Sea spent a fortune to ask the Artificers' Alliance to forge a spirit‑gathering water tank to hold these shrimp, then rushed here by fast horse; to make it in time for the New Year's night banquet, they exhausted thirty‑seven third‑grade spirit deer, the imperial cooks nearly mistimed, and even killed three people, only then did we get to eat it!"

Upon hearing this, Heng Xian almost spat out the shrimp in his mouth—such extravagance! Without any sense of ceremony, it's hardly fit to eat!

Translation: "Heng Xian nearly spat out the shrimp in his mouth upon hearing this—it was utterly extravagant and licentious; without some sense of ceremony, one isn't even worthy to eat it!"

Ji Yueyue burst out laughing, pointing to another dish of red‑and‑white peppery frog meat and saying, 'This one is even more complicated…'

Translation: "Ji Yaoyue burst out laughing with a 'pfft', pointing at another dish of red‑and‑white speckled peppery frog meat: 'This dish is even more complicated……'"

"Alright, no need to say more—I'm afraid I can't eat it!"

Translation: "'All right, no need to say more—I'm afraid I can't eat it!'"

Heng Xian sighed and thought, 'It's all the taste of power—no wonder so many people painstakingly cultivate and strive for authority; this is… incredibly exhilarating!'

Translation: "Heng Xian sighed, thinking to himself, 'It's all the taste of power—no wonder so many people painstakingly cultivate and desperately grasp for authority; this is too…… exhilarating!'"

Meanwhile, as they ate, the emperor raised his cup to drink.

Translation: "While they were eating here, His Majesty the Emperor raised his cup to drink."

Whether empress, princes, princesses, prince consorts, or consorts, everyone raised their cups.

Translation: "Whether the Empress, the imperial princes, princesses, prince consorts, or consorts, all raised their cups."

(End of chapter)

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