Chapter 1288

Patients coming to the Hall of Universal Benevolence for consultation were endless; Hu Xiaotian worried that entering through the main gate would cause too much of a disturbance, so he simply went around to the rear courtyard and climbed over the wall to get in, only to find Fang Zhitang there drying herbs. He and his daughter Fang Fang had already come to the Hall of Universal Benevolence to help, and through Hu Xiaotian's introduction, Fang Fang and Zhan Peng had already entered into a Marriage Pact.

Hu Xiaotian coughed once; Fang Zhitang only then realized someone had entered the courtyard, and seeing it was Hu Xiaotian, he couldn't help but laugh: "Benefactor, how did you climb over the wall?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Too many people at the front gate; coming this way saves trouble."

Fang Zhitang chuckled and said, "Benefactor, you always act like a dragon showing its head but not its tail." He, too, was a person of rich experience, and immediately guessed Hu Xiaotian's purpose for coming: "Benefactor, are you here to find Miss Qin?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Nothing urgent, just happened to be passing by and decided to take a look."

Fang Zhitang asked: "Benefactor, do you know where Zhan Peng went?"

Zhan Peng and Liang Yinghao had already been sent ahead by Hu Xiaotian to Kangdu to go to Fengyi Shan Zhuang and make preparations first, but because the mission of this trip was very important, even his fiancée Fang Fang was not told.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "I sent him to do something."

Fang Zhitang gave an "oh" and didn't ask further.

Hu Xiaotian asked: "How are the wedding plans between him and Fang Fang?"

Fang Zhitang laughed and said: "It's set for the eighth day of the ninth month this year; this is all thanks to your matchmaking, Benefactor."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled and said: "By then I'll act as their officiant."

Fang Zhitang was overjoyed and said, "Of course it's you, Benefactor; this old man thanks you." He then remembered the matter at hand: "Benefactor, please wait a moment; I'll go inform Miss Qin right away." He poured a cup of tea for Hu Xiaotian, asked him to sit in the pavilion in the Back Garden, and then went to fetch Qin Yutong.

Fang Zhitang's lack of haste also had a reason, as he knew Qin Yutong's temperament very well; Qin Yutong never lets outside matters delay her consultation time, with still half an hour left before her rest time, and she would not change her schedule just because Hu Xiaotian arrived.

As expected, Qin Yutong made Hu Xiaotian wait a full half-hour before finally arriving leisurely.

Upon seeing Qin Yutong appear, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but complain: "Miss Qin, you have such airs! I've waited until the flowers have withered!"

Qin Yutong smiled faintly and said: "The flowers haven't even bloomed yet; what's there to talk about withering?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "You look beautiful and wise, yet you're so unromantic."

Qin Yutong said: "Because we're not the same kind of people, you find me boring, and I find you the same." Only she dares to confront Hu Xiaotian like this.

Hu Xiaotian didn't mind, pointed to the teacup in front of him and said: "It's ready; please change the guest's tea to hot."

Qin Yutong said softly: "Please be patient; I'm going to change my clothes."

Hu Xiaotian said from behind Qin Yutong: "It's just a casual visit by an ordinary friend; there's no need for such formality."

Qin Yutong's steps paused slightly; she didn't speak, then continued walking toward the room.

Because of that remark, Hu Xiaotian waited another short half-hour; although it wasn't as exaggerated as waiting for the flowers to wither, the sun was about to set, and it was excessive that Qin Yutong didn't even refill his hot tea. If the first time was due to work, the second time was clearly intentional.

Qin Yutong came out from the inner room. She had changed into a brown scholar's robe, likely because she was sitting in the hall seeing patients. Recently she always appeared in male attire, wearing a black hairpin on her head, with half her face still covered by black gauze; even so, her every move still bore the air of a transcendent person.

Hu Xiaotian was quite curious about Qin Yutong's true appearance, yet whenever he was before her he could always restrain himself; he couldn't say why, but when he was beside her his mind always stayed sufficiently calm. In other words, Qin Yutong was a woman who could truly calm him down. When he sensed Qin Yutong was about to go out, Hu Xiaotian pretended to lean against the pavilion and fall asleep, even feigning a light snore.

Qin Yutong came before him and said softly: "Stop pretending; it's my fault for making you wait, I'll treat you to a meal."

Hu Xiaotian opened his eyes: "Qin Yutong, don't put on that lofty air; do I have to go just because you're treating me?"

Qin Yutong said: "If you don't want to, just leave!"

At that moment, Fang Zhitang walked over holding a tray, smiling and said: "Benefactor, Miss Qin has specially prepared fine wine and dishes."

Hu Xiaotian looked at the tray; indeed it held only vegetarian dishes, as Qin Yutong does not eat meat or fish. Although they were vegetarian, each dish was perfect in color, aroma, and taste, exquisitely prepared, and Fang Fang also came over with a tray.

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: "How abundant!"

Fang Fang said: "Try your senior sister's cooking!"

Hu Xiaotian glanced at Qin Yutong, not expecting that she had personally made the food; it turned out Qin Yutong had not only changed her clothes but also specially gone to cook, and he had misunderstood her.

Hu Xiaotian enthusiastically invited: "Sister-in-law, join us for the meal!"

Fang Fang blushed bright red at his words, yet secretly delighted; she said bashfully: "Benefactor, you're teasing people again; I won't interrupt your conversation." She gave her father a glance, they set out the food and wine, then turned and left.

Qin Yutong didn't invite Hu Xiaotian either; she simply sat down first. Hu Xiaotian didn't need her invitation either, sat opposite her, and this fellow stared at her eyes for a while before saying: "You don't plan to eat while wearing that veil, do you?"

"I'm worried my appearance will scare you and ruin your appetite!"

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: "It's not like I haven't seen it before; I have a heavy taste, a bit of a mental quirk—the more frightening the sight, the greater my appetite."

Qin Yutong nodded and removed the veil. Hu Xiaotian had expected to see her face crisscrossed with knife scars, but this time it was different—of course not transformed into a stunning celestial beauty that would astonish him, just a pallid, plain face; Hu Xiaotian dared to conclude that Qin Yutong was wearing a mask.

Qin Yutong asked: "Satisfied?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Does wearing that mask all day tire you out?"

Qin Yutong said softly: "Everyone has the right to choose their own way of life." She filled Hu Xiaotian's wine cup to the brim, but she herself drank only tea.

Hu Xiaotian said: "That's unfair; you're treating me to alcohol, so you should at least have a little yourself."

Qin Yutong said: "I dislike being forced by others the most; today I'm seeing you off, otherwise I wouldn't invite you to drink."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Since it's a send-off, you should at least show some sincerity." He drank half a cup of wine, then handed the remaining half in his cup to Qin Yutong.

Qin Yutong somewhat understood this fellow's nature; he always likes to force others to do things they don't want. She sighed and said: "Before I get angry, you'd better swallow your own saliva." She took the wine jug, filled the empty cup before her, and actually drank it all in one gulp.

Hu Xiaotian smiled satisfiedly, and also finished that half cup of wine. Qin Yutong ultimately, under his dominance, made a concession; men have vanity, this fellow secretly thought, "One day I will unveil your layers of masks; one day I will make you drink my leftover wine." This fellow realized his own heart was somewhat twisted.

"When do you plan to leave?" Qin Yutong asked while pouring wine for him.

Hu Xiaotian said: "As long as I can make it in time for the grand wedding on May sixteenth."

Qin Yutong's gaze did not meet his; she said calmly: "Everyone says your trip is fraught with more danger than good fortune, yet I didn't expect you to still be a love saint, risking your life for love."

Hu Xiaotian smiled narrowly and said: "Are you jealous?"

Qin Yutong shook her head and said: "It's just that I feel indignant for Long Xi Yue." She and Long Xi Yue had deep feelings, like sisters, and she also knew Long Xi Yue had not died but was still alive in this world.

Hu Xiaotian said: "The emperor isn't in a hurry; it's the eunuchs who die of anxiety."

Qin Yutong's gaze turned cold: "You're in a rush to become a prince consort!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "On my way to Kangdu, there are those who oppose, those who try to dissuade, those who worry for me, but you are still the first to mock and sneer at me."

Qin Yutong said: "Your legs are your own; you want to go wherever you like, no one can stop you. However, before you go to Kangdu, there is something I think you have the right to know." She paused and said: "When my master went to the Kingdom of Tianxiang, he encountered an old acquaintance."

Hu Xiaotian's heart jolted; Qin Yutong's master is none other than Ren Tianqing, the head of Xuantian Guan—one of Dakang's most mysterious experts, who these years has constantly wandered abroad, whether by chance or design unknown, having just happened to avoid several palace coups, with regime changes causing him no harm whatsoever; although Xuantian Guan maintains close ties to the court, it survives each turmoil, perhaps due to Ren Tianqing's handling. Who is the old acquaintance Qin Yutong mentioned? Could it be Hu Buwei or Long Xi Yue?

Qin Yutong said: "If she knew the news of your wedding, she would certainly be happy for you."

Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brows; he had already concluded that Ren Tianqing had encountered Long Xi Yue—if Long Xi Yue knew the news of his marriage to Qiqi, would she be hurt? He himself had initially misunderstood Long Xi Yue due to the deceit of his sworn brothers Zhou Mo and Xiao Tianmu; since then, he and Long Xi Yue have had no contact, and even after learning the truth he still had not taken the initiative to contact her. For Hu Xiaotian, maintaining the status quo is the best protection for Long Xi Yue; before the time is ripe, he will not be the one to first stir up this turmoil, but he had long since made up his mind in his heart that, once he truly establishes a firm foothold, he will go to the Kingdom of Tianxiang to rescue Long Xi Yue, sparing no expense.

"Why don't you speak?" Qin Yutong displayed an unprecedentedly aggressive attitude.

Hu Xiaotian looked at Qin Yutong and said: "Although you are exceptionally intelligent, after all you are a woman; a woman's insight and vision are ultimately limited. You won't know what I think in my heart, and I have no need to explain it to you; even if I said it, you wouldn't understand!"

Qin Yutong bit her lip, she was infuriated by Hu Xiaotian's overbearing attitude: "Hu Xiaotian, you are utterly unreasonable, a bastard!"

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, he picked up the wine jug and filled his own cup: "I rather like the way you look when you're angry, Qin Yutong; you don't realize it, but you only seem like a living person when you're angry!" (To be continued~^~)