Free Web NovelChapter 255: Chapter 216: Living in the Capital, Not Easy at All!
Let me analyze the source text to understand the context, style, and characters:
[Step 1: Contextual Analysis]
Literary genre: This appears to be a cultivation/martial arts web novel (xianxia/wuxia) with some political elements.
Language style: Casual storytelling with dialogue, description of scenery, and some internal thoughts.
Tone: Mostly neutral with elements of humor, especially around the character dynamics.
Plot keywords: Return journey, capital city, officials, martial arts, family reunion, unexpected wife appearance
Characters:
- Wu Liangchen (武良辰): Male, appears to be a powerful martial artist or "killing god" as referred to by Xu Kai. Main character.
- Xu Kai (徐凯): Male, a second-rank official who was stationed in Dinghai City and is now returning to the Imperial Capital.
- Xiu’Er/Xiaoxiu (秀儿/小秀): Female, Xu Kai’s wife, described as being extremely tall and strong in build, possibly with some mental disability.
- He Chang’an (何常安): Male, someone they encountered earlier (not much detail provided).
- Unnamed servant: Male, frightened when seeing Xu Kai return.
[Step 2: Integrated Translation and Polishing]
Now I’ll translate the text while applying all the rules:
The text describes Wu Liangchen and Xu Kai returning to the Imperial Capital. Xu Kai is disappointed that he encountered He Chang’an who will likely inform everyone that he’s returned alone. They travel through bustling streets and eventually arrive at Xu Kai’s modest home in Cannon Factory Alley. Despite Xu Kai being a high-ranking official, his living conditions are quite humble, showing the difficulty of living in the capital. They meet Xu Kai’s wife Xiu’Er, who is surprisingly tall and strong, even taller than Wu Liangchen. The Chapter ends with Xu Kai explaining that his wife had suffered a head injury when she was younger.
Now I’ll perform the actual translation:
"What’s wrong?" Wu Liangchen asked.
"I was planning to return to the Capital City secretly and report to the ministry in a couple of days, but I ran into that guy. Now I bet the entire Ministry of Justice will know by tomorrow that I’ve returned with my tail between my legs," Xu Kai said dejectedly.
Wu Liangchen smiled, not particularly concerned about such matters.
Even without He Chang’an’s appearance just now, he would have simply needed to exert a bit more effort.
The carriage continued forward. The streets were crowded with people, and shops lined both sides, one after another.
Small vendors carried goods on shoulder poles, calling out their wares in rhythmic, melodious shouts.
Though the pedestrians couldn’t be described as wealthy, they were certainly better off than those in other places. Occasionally, well-dressed young masters from rich families would pass by with their servants, creating an atmosphere of prosperity.
So this is what the Imperial Capital looks like?
Wu Liangchen glanced toward the northern horizon, where yellow walls faintly disappeared into the clouds—that was the Great Yan imperial palace.
The Imperial Capital was built on a gentle slope, higher in the north and lower in the south. Yet the southern part wasn’t marshy because rainwater flowed through various channels into the distant, lower-lying Tang River.
The imperial palace sat at the highest point of the northern slope. From a distance, it truly resembled a heavenly palace built in the sky.
Now, through the slanting rays of the setting sun, countless chimneys could be seen rising from households everywhere. Gray coal smoke drifted into the azure sky, covering what should have been a clear day with a layer of haze.
The air was filled with the acrid smell of coal ash, making one want to sneeze.
Even the icicles hanging from the eaves along the streets weren’t as clean as those in other cities, appearing dull and gray.
This was because the Imperial Capital, like Dinghai City, was located near coal mines. Coal was very inexpensive, so residents relied entirely on burning coal for winter heating.
Xu Kai took a deep breath, seemingly nostalgic for this smell, and sighed with boundless emotion.
"Finally home at last!"
As he spoke, he glanced furtively at Wu Liangchen, wanting to know what he planned to do next.
It would be best to part ways quickly. Having such a deadly killer beside him made Xu Kai’s spine tingle with fear, despite having grown somewhat accustomed to his presence.
But Wu Liangchen remained unmoved, sitting in the carriage as steady as a mountain.
Seeing this, Xu Kai knew his hopes had been dashed.
With no other option, he steeled himself and instructed the driver.
"To Cannon Factory Alley!"
"Right away!"
The whip lightly cracked, and the carriage rolled along, quickly passing through the bustling market area and arriving at a residential district near the boundary between North City and the southern districts.
The environment here was better than the busy market area. Though there were still shops and businesses, the streets were spacious with a reasonable layout, giving it a tranquil atmosphere.
Most importantly, it was close to various government offices, making for a convenient commute. Therefore, those living here were mostly mid-level officials from various ministries.
Xu Kai was no exception; his home was located right in the middle of Cannon Factory Alley.
Upon reaching the entrance to the alley, the two men disembarked, paid the fare, and carried their luggage into the alley.
The streets here were clearly maintained by dedicated staff, with little accumulated snow.
Soon, they arrived at a courtyard entrance at the very end of the alley.
The entrance wasn’t large, but its location was excellent—a quiet spot in the midst of bustling surroundings.
Xu Kai glanced at Wu Liangchen’s expressionless face and finally steeled himself to step forward and knock on the door.
After a few knocks, a servant’s voice came from inside.
"Who is it?"
As he spoke, the door opened a crack, and the servant saw the disheveled Xu Kai.
The servant froze for a moment, then screamed as if he’d seen a ghost.
"Ghost!"
Xu Kai was also startled, but immediately became furious.
"You fool! What ghost are you talking about in broad daylight? Don’t you see your master has returned? Open the door at once!"
The servant finally came to his senses and tremblingly opened the courtyard door, but dared not approach Xu Kai, stammering instead: "M-master, is it really you?"
"Who else would it be?" Xu Kai snapped.
Only then did the servant exhale in relief and wipe the cold sweat from his forehead. "You scared me to death. I really thought I’d seen a ghost."
Hearing this, Xu Kai grew even more annoyed and stepped forward to kick the servant in the buttocks. "Go and inform your mistress that there’s an honored guest!"
"Yes, yes, yes! The mistress has been crying for days, thinking you died in Dinghai City. She’ll be overjoyed to learn you’re alive!"
The servant rushed excitedly to deliver the news to the inner quarters.
Meanwhile, Xu Kai led Wu Liangchen to the front hall, put down their luggage, and then apologetically said to Wu Liangchen:
"I’m sorry, the servant went to deliver the message. I’ll have him bring you tea later."
Wu Liangchen scanned the cramped front hall and the tiny courtyard, somewhat surprised: "This is where you live?"
"What, surprised? I may be a second-rank official, but that counts for nothing in the Imperial Capital. So I can only live here, and I can’t even afford to hire many servants—just one manservant for the front courtyard and a few maids and old women for the back courtyard."
Wu Liangchen truly hadn’t expected that Xu Kai would live in such humble conditions.
Although this would be quite decent for ordinary citizens, Xu Kai was a second-rank official who had even been dispatched to serve as an investigative commissioner in Dinghai City.
Yet he could only afford to live in this small courtyard, showing how truly difficult life in the capital could be.
Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside, followed by a woman’s robust voice:
"Hey! Man or ghost in there?"
Hearing this, the corner of Xu Kai’s mouth twitched, and he stood up with resignation.
"Xiu’Er, it’s me, your beloved husband!"
There was a commotion outside, then the door was pushed open. A woman quickly walked in, paused for a moment upon seeing Xu Kai standing before her, and immediately burst into tears.
"Wuwuwu, my lord, you scared Xiu’Er to death!"
As she spoke, she stepped forward and embraced Xu Kai, pressing his head against her chest.
Xu Kai nearly suffocated in those magnificent "pectoral muscles."
He couldn’t help it—this middle-aged woman was a full head taller than him and built like an ox. If not for her feminine features, she would have been indistinguishable from a man.
Yet ironically, this formidable woman was named Xiaoxiu.
And she was Xu Kai’s principal wife.
Wu Liangchen stood to the side watching this scene, somewhat stunned.
The image was indeed incongruous.
After sobbing loudly for a while, Xiaoxiu finally loosened her embrace. Xu Kai, whose face had turned purple, began to gasp for air.
"Oh my lord, are you alright? Why is your face so red?" Xiaoxiu asked anxiously.
"I’m... I’m fine!" Xu Kai struggled to say, then pointed at Wu Liangchen.
"Let me introduce you. This is a friend I made while away. It’s thanks to him that I escaped from Dinghai City. You can call him Master Wu!"
"Master Wu!" Xiaoxiu curtsied gracefully, but the gesture looked awkward no matter how you looked at it.
This woman was simply too tall, almost matching Wu Liangchen in height.
What an imposing physique—if she had trained in martial arts, she would have been formidable!
Martial arts Cultivation actually placed great importance on physical attributes. One either needed to be naturally strong like the Huangpu Guard brothers Niu Da and Niu Er or this woman, or be born into wealth and have access to various rare medicines to nourish one’s Qi and Blood.
Only this way could one achieve higher potential.
This was why people from ordinary families rarely became high-level Martial Artists.
However, Wu Liangchen could see that this Xiaoxiu had likely never trained in martial arts.
"Uh..." Wu Liangchen momentarily didn’t know how to respond.
Fortunately, Xu Kai reacted quickly. "Go prepare some wine and dishes. We’ve been traveling all day and need a proper drink!"
"Right away, my lord!" Xiaoxiu responded and turned to leave.
Xu Kai gave Wu Liangchen a helpless smile, then pointed at his head. "She suffered an injury when she was young and isn’t quite right in this regard. I hope Master Wu will forgive her!"
