Chapter 14: [Self-Satisfied] (Middle)

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help feeling somewhat pleased—more than just spiritual insight; having lived two lives as a human, if I really wanted to scheme against people, I'm afraid even you, my father, wouldn't be a match for me.

Hu Buwei said: "Have you ever considered that if someone were to repay us in kind, saying we father and son privately built a thatched pavilion at home, wouldn't that be a grave crime of high treason?"

Hu Xiaotian really hadn't thought of that; Hu Buwei's reminder was like a bucket of cold water dumped over his head, and in an instant Hu Xiaotian's back was soaked in cold sweat. Fortunately, today he was facing the Tang brothers, who aren't exactly bright; if he'd met a crafty old fox, he might have ended up losing the chicken and spilling the rice, with his own circle trapping him.

Hu Buwei patted his son's shoulder and said with deep meaning: "Heaven's majesty is unfathomable; beneath the emperor's feet, some words must never be spoken recklessly."

Hu Xiaotian said respectfully: "Child will keep Father's teachings in mind!"

Hu Buwei said: "Although I didn't witness today's events myself, I've learned quite a bit from your description. You rescued that Tang family lady; you could have withdrawn unharmed, so why did you insist on letting things come to this passive situation?"

"I didn't want it either, but the circumstances forced me; I had no say!"

Hu Buwei sighed and said: "Although today's matter has temporarily settled, I see the Tang family leaving full of resentment; I believe they will certainly not let this go. What do you think should be done?" Hu Buwei, for the first time in his life, was seeking his son's opinion—not because he truly wanted to hear his son's view, but to test his son's wisdom through this affair.

Hu Xiaotian hadn't thought that far ahead; he said softly: "If they don't provoke me, I won't provoke them. If from now on they keep to themselves and we live peacefully, that's fine; but if they dare to cause trouble, I will certainly not let them off!"

Hu Buwei slowly shook his head and said: "Know that even a small nail can pierce your sole; having seen this nail, you must pull it out before it pierces your foot, rather than dealing with it after it has pierced. This is preparing for rain before it comes—if you want to go far and live long, you must eliminate early anything that could bring you trouble."

Hu Xiaotian widened his eyes, looking at this old father, and secretly thought: "This old man of mine is quite scheming and ruthless—he seems to be a true villain!"

Hu Buwei patted his shoulder and said earnestly: "Although today's matter seems settled on the surface, we cannot control what impact it will have later. I have just helped you become engaged to the Li family's young lady; if this gets out, what will people think?" Hu Buwei was still somewhat worried about this. His future father-in-law is Li Tianheng, the Jiannan-Xichuan Military Governor, Xichuan Founding Duke, and holder of a fief of three thousand households—a true regional magnate and a favorite of Crown Prince Long Yeqing. The union of the two families is truly a joining of equals, and Hu Buwei attaches great importance to this marriage. He does not know that Hu Xiaotian actually doesn't fear the matter blowing up or gaining a bad reputation; in Hu Xiaotian's heart, it would be best if the Li family called off the engagement, saving him from having to spend his life caring for a paralyzed patient.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Father, I've heard that the Li family's young lady is disabled, paralyzed in the lower limbs, and moreover born extremely ugly!"

Hu Buwei said: "I have never seen that Li family young lady myself; I've heard her legs are indeed somewhat inconvenient, but she is kept in the inner chambers, and outsiders have never seen her true appearance. To say she is extremely ugly is surely just rumor mongering." Although baseless rumors usually have some cause, Hu Buwei knew the gossip was probably not wrong, yet he still tried to comfort his son as best he could.

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought: "It seems the paralysis is indeed a fact. Have I got it wrong? You're my father—how could you push your own son into a pit of fire? This old man is quite cold-blooded." Hu Xiaotian said: "Father, I don't want to spend my life guarding a paralyzed patient; why don't we call off this marriage?"

Upon hearing this, Hu Buwei flew into a rage: "Nonsense! A man of honor keeps his word worth a thousand gold. The engagement I, as father, set with Sir Li is known throughout the world. If you let me break it, what face would I have to face the emperor, the court officials, and the common people?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Forget it. Marriage is between two people; what does it have to do with outsiders? I haven't even seen what the Li family young lady looks like, yet you want to force us together—this is utterly absurd. You're my father; have you considered my feelings?"

Hu Buwei said: "Marriage is a major affair; how can it be child's play? By parental order and matchmaker's word, the Hu and Li families are not ordinary clans; every move draws countless eyes. I have decided this for you, and it cannot be changed!"

Hu Xiaotian secretly sighed: "All this talk of parental orders and matchmaker's words is really just you using me as political capital to stake. My personal happiness, my emotional life—you don't care at all. The little good feeling I had toward Father Buwei vanished instantly, and he said coldly: 'Since you decided this for me, why don't you marry the Li family young lady yourself and bring her home, even entering the bridal chamber together?'"

Hu Buwei never expected this brat to utter such rebellious, filthy words; he was so angry his eyes rolled white, his right hand pointed at Hu Xiaotian, trembling like a sieve, and after a long while he managed to curse: "Unfilial son, you really make me die of anger..."

Hu Xiaotian wasn't afraid of his father dying of anger; he turned and went back to his room.

Returning to his room, Hu Xiaotian was also feeling resentful; just then Liang Da Zhuang came over, wearing a fawning smile: "Young master, you were just truly wise and mighty, brave and strategic, possessing imperial aura, slaughtering in all directions; before you, those timid mouse-like lackeys can only flee with heads tucked. Do you realize you've become the idol of all our household servants? My admiration for you flows like the endless Yangtze; I am willing to devote my loyal heart, toil to exhaustion, and die after giving my all!"

To say Liang Da Zhuang's flattery skills are not weak—otherwise he wouldn't have stood out among the many servants of the Secretary's mansion, been selected by Hu Buwei, and become Hu Xiaotian's personal attendant. The only pity is that Liang Da Zhuang flattered the wrong target; Hu Xiaotian is unlike anyone of this era, and Liang Da Zhuang believed his universally effective flattery would work here, but it turned out to be useless.

Hu Xiaotian gave a heh-heh smile, his smile obviously perfunctory; Liang Da Zhuang followed suit, laughing in an inherently awkward way.

Hu Xiaotian looked at that pig-headed face and heh-heh laughed: "Da Zhuang, I'm neither blind nor deaf—I can see your loyalty."

Liang Da Zhuang secretly rejoiced, thinking the young master's words were a sign of reward for him; "Old lady's dripping," he thought, this flattery of his obsequious, fawning self wasn't in vain—his efforts will surely be rewarded. He bowed deeply and said: "I, the servant, will devote my loyal heart to the young master, toil to exhaustion, and die after giving my all!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "When the Tang family's little girl was chasing me to kill me, those heartless dog servants fled one after another, desperate to avoid it; only you stepped forward voluntarily to block swords for me, which really moved me!"

Liang Da Zhuang blinked, thinking to himself, "It's actually the grandson who would willingly block swords for you"; at that time it was clearly you who pushed me out. He bowed his head and said: "At that moment I only thought of protecting the young master's safety; I really didn't consider anything else. As long as the young master is safe, what does it matter if I sacrifice my life?" This guy even moved himself; his small eyes turned red, just short of shedding tears.

Hu Xiaotian shook his head: "You may have forgotten, but I won't!"

Liang Da Zhuang stared blankly, his face full of confusion: "Young master, what do you mean?" Then he saw a fist enlarging before his eye, and with a bang! a punch struck his right eye, making him see stars; then he heard Hu Xiaotian say calmly: "Fuck your grandpa!"

Under Hu Xiaotian's fierce beating, Liang Da Zhuang covered his head and fled like a rat, wailing as he ran: "Young master, spare my life, spare my life... I was cursing Tang Qingxuan..."

Hu Xiaotian had Liang Da Zhuang beaten out the gate, feeling much relieved, yet he sensed his inner anger not fully vented; so he went to the courtyard, punching and kicking several sandbags until drenched in sweat, then came to the backyard swimming pool he had designed and dug, stripped off his clothes, and with a splash jumped in.

Hu Buwei stood on the Broad Lofty Pavilion, gazing afar at his son's every move, his expression showing considerable helplessness; Hu Tianxiong quietly approached his side and said respectfully: "Sir!"

Hu Buwei gave an affirmative hum, without turning, still watching his son cutting through waves in the pond, inwardly really puzzled: his son had been foolish for sixteen years, but after waking he not only suddenly learned to speak, but also learned to swim—this is truly unreasonable. Although strange, Hu Buwei had never doubted that this son was not his own flesh and blood; from childhood he had grown under his very eyes, these brows and eyes, this mind, are definitely his own offspring.

Hu Tianxiong dared not disturb him, standing quietly at his side.

After a while, Hu Buwei then asked: "How goes the inquiry?"

Hu Tianxiong said: "The young master indeed rescued Tang Qingxuan, but at that time it was indeed the young master who, under everyone's watchful eyes, abducted her into the mansion."

Hu Buwei slowly nodded and said: "A graceful lady is the match of a gentleman; when a son grows up, it's not up to the father—at this age he should indeed take a wife and have children."

Hu Tianxiong said: "Sir, although this matter has been settled, outside there are many rumors, all saying the young master relied on your authority to forcibly seize the Tang family's daughter." He enjoys Hu Buwei's trust, so he can speak freely in front of him.

Hu Buwei sighed and said: "Many mouths can melt gold, accumulated slander can rot bones—people's words are fearsome. I'll write a letter and have you personally go to Xichuan to deliver it to Sir Li." Hu Buwei's greatest worry was that these rumors would reach the Li family in Xichuan; although the Li family's young lady has paralyzed legs, she is of noble birth, and given Li Tianheng's status he cares greatly about reputation. If word spread that his future son-in-law in the capital had committed the act of forcibly seizing a civilian woman, no one knows how he would react. Hu Buwei values this marriage alliance immensely; one could say the success or failure of this union determines the future political lifeline of the Hu family, and it cannot be allowed to fail.