Chapter 1535

Hu Xiaotian originally wanted to leave directly, but now he has changed his mind; he wants to go to Ten Thousand Manor to have a look. Long Xi Yue said: "Why go to Ten Thousand Manor for no reason? Don't forget we agreed with Changming to leave."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I don't know what's going on, but I always feel something strange in there, so I want to investigate."

Long Xi Yue laughed: "They say women are curious, but I see your curiosity is not at all inferior to a woman's. How about it? Do you plan to stride right in?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Why not!"

Long Xi Yue said: "So rash?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Let's buy some gifts and say we're visiting relatives."

Long Xi Yue, feeling a bit embarrassed, furrowed her brows and said: "How can we be so bold?"

Hu Xiaotian grabbed her soft hand and said: "I bear the surname Hu, she also bears Hu; five hundred years ago we were one family—you can't write two Hu characters in one stroke—indeed we are relatives!"

Hu Xiaotian then bought gifts outside and had prepared two plans: first, deliver the gifts and call at the door; if turned away, he would consider other options—actually there wasn't much choice, just sneak in, which for him was nothing new.

After buying the gifts, the two returned to the gate of the Hu mansion. While buying gifts earlier, Hu Xiaotian had also inquired a bit, hearing that Madam Hu rarely went out, seemed about thirty-odd years old, few had seen her in person, and no one had ever seen this household's master; everyone guessed Madam Hu was a widow.

Hu Xiaotian knocked on the ring; Long Xi Yue stood beside him, her pretty face flushed, after all, such an unannounced visit was indeed too rash.

Hu Xiaotian didn't think it rash at all, he knocked the ring loudly. After a long while with no one appearing, Long Xi Yue advised: "Forget it, no one's home; let's just go."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Isn't it unlocked? There must be someone inside!" This guy wouldn't give up easily; he craned his neck and peered through the crack. Finally he saw someone come out from inside.

Hu Xiaotian tidied his clothes, held the gifts, grinning as he waited; Long Xi Yue, however, felt a bit embarrassed.

The door opened from inside; a girl of about sixteen or seventeen, rather pretty, opened it, glanced at the two, and softly asked: "Who are you?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "It's like this; I bear the surname Hu. My father told me we have a cousin living in Qingyun; I happened to be passing through on business, so I stopped by to pay respects." He spoke while walking inside.

The girl said: "Young Master Hu, Young Master Hu… please wait a moment. Let me go report."

Hu Xiaotian burst out laughing: "No need to report among family! Sis! Sis! It's me!"

Long Xi Yue truly admired his cheek; he didn't even know them yet called them so familiarly. The girl, however, was muddled by Hu Xiaotian, genuinely thinking he knew the master.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Hey, where's my sister?"

The girl was completely dazed. She pointed to the east courtyard.

Hu Xiaotian strode forward; Long Xi Yue had no choice but to follow, mortified inside.

Upon entering the second gate, they saw a middle-aged woman in black leading two maidservants approaching. She blocked Hu Xiaotian's path, her cold eyes fixed on him, saying: "Sir, I think you've come to the wrong place."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "That's right, this is the place; my paternal cousin, surnamed Hu, lives here."

The middle-aged woman chuckled coldly: "Our mistress does not bear the surname Hu; Hu was the surname of our deceased master. Next time you look for relatives, inquire first. To barge into a private residence like this, we could report you to the officials."

Long Xi Yue tugged at Hu Xiaotian's arm; it was truly embarrassing.

Hu Xiaotian, however, laughed as if nothing were wrong: "Back where we come from, we call one's sister-in-law 'sister'; she is my sister-in-law, and your deceased master is my paternal cousin." Long Xi Yue, hearing this, nearly fainted; I truly have fallen for an extraordinary man—his cheek is unmatched, yet that's exactly why I like him.

The middle-aged woman snorted coldly; at that moment, four female warriors in tight-fitting uniforms rushed out from the rear gate, each leading a mastiff. The dogs bared their white fangs, their scarlet tongues lolling out.

The middle-aged woman said: "I advise you, sir, to know when to yield."

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily: "Dogs! I brought gifts and traveled far to see my sister, yet here there are so many blocking dogs—what's the reason? What's the reason?"

Long Xi Yue wanted to urge him to leave quickly, but in front of everyone it was hard to say.

At that moment, a girl in a green long dress hurried over, approached the middle-aged woman, whispered something in her ear; the woman blinked, somewhat unwilling but had to say, she told Hu Xiaotian: "Our mistress invites the two of you to the flower hall for a chat."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "I knew it!" He felt no restraint, one hand holding the gifts, the other taking Long Xi Yue's hand, following the green-clad girl to the flower hall.

Passing through Ten Thousand Manor's garden on the way, though it was deep autumn, the flowers were still in full bloom, a riot of purple and red, drawing Long Xi Yue to stop and admire. Though the garden is not large, its layout is exquisite and its scenery beautiful; even Long Xi Yue, a royal princess, could not help finding it novel, and she paused to gaze. Hu Xiaotian had visited Ten Thousand Manor's garden before; now it should be called Hu Manor's garden. Though the former garden was pretty, it lacked this striking, transcendent air. Different masters mean different tastes, but from this garden one can infer that Madam Hu's taste far surpasses that of Wan Boping.

The two arrived at the flower hall; the green-clad girl invited them to sit. Seeing the host had not yet arrived, Hu Xiaotian handed the gifts to the girl and smiled: "Please have this lovely sister present the gifts."

The green-clad girl smiled sweetly: "The mistress will be here shortly; why don't you present the gifts yourself, sir?"

As they spoke, the sound of pendants came from the outer corridor, a faint fragrance wafted on the breeze, and then a beautiful lady of exquisite bearing entered, followed by two maidservants; she was somewhat plump, but her brows and eyes were strikingly handsome.

Seeing this Madam Hu, Hu Xiaotian inevitably felt disappointed; he could tell they were strangers, having never met before.

Hu Xiaotian and Long Xi Yue rose to greet her; after all, she was the host and they were rash intruders. Long Xi Yue secretly wondered how he would handle this.

Madam Hu glanced at Long Xi Yue, then at Hu Xiaotian, a faint smile on her face, and said: "I don't know what business brings the two of you to me."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "You are Madam Hu, aren't you!"

The green-clad girl said: "You don't know our mistress?"

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "I know, I know my cousin; from him I heard I should address the mistress as sister-in-law."

Madam Hu smiled faintly, made an inviting gesture: "Please sit!" She also had tea served. She lifted the Chazan, sipped elegantly, and asked: "Sir, how old are you?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Just call me brother, sister-in-law; I'm Hu Neng, twenty-two years old."

Madam Hu nodded: "Have you ever seen my late husband?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "When I was young, my cousin came to my home to pay respects to my parents; I only have a vague impression, not very clear."

Madam Hu said: "It's been rare; my late husband has been dead for twenty-three years."

Hu Xiaotian almost spat out the tea he had just sipped. Ruthless, truly ruthless! It's obvious they're not giving me a chance to meet. Long Xi Yue lowered her head, mortified; Hu Xiaotian, Hu Xiaotian, they've seen through you. You've been caught!

Hu Xiaotian coughed and said: "Could I be mistaken? No, Madam Hu, may I ask if you remarried later?"

The middle-aged woman beside her snapped: "Impudent!"

That Madam Hu, however, was not angry; she smiled: "Just one. So you, sir, must have come to the wrong place. But it's fine; to meet is to have affinity. The lady beside you, Sir Hu, is your……"

Hu Xiaotian said: "My wife!"

"Oh! Sir, you are truly blessed."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and nodded: "Everyone thinks so."

Madam Hu said: "With such a fine wife, you must learn to cherish her; don't be like me, regretting only after your other half has left this world."

Hu Xiaotian felt there was more to her words; he nodded: "Thank you for the reminder, Madam. Please have your staff handle this gift; we apologize for the intrusion and hope you won't hold it against us."

Madam Hu said: "Sir Hu, no need to be polite; I won't accept this gift. Since you've come, let me show you two around the manor."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "How could we impose? We'd better not take up your time."

Madam Hu said: "Sir Hu, I think you look somewhat familiar."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled and said, "Any? I actually have no impression of the lady at all, huh?" He couldn't help but feel wary of this Madam Hu.

Madam Hu smiled and said, "Don't hide it from you, young master; when I first bought this residence, while tidying up I found some things. Young Master Hu, you might want to have a bit more patience—I'll have someone fetch them right away." She waved to the green-clad girl; the girl came to her side, and Madam Hu whispered something.

Although Hu Xiaotian's hearing was sharp, he couldn't hear what they were saying after all; it seems Madam Hu used voice transmission, so it's certain she is an expert without doubt. Hu Xiaotian secretly stayed on guard; he must be more vigilant to avoid her being unfavorable to him.

Not long after, the green-clad girl went and returned, holding a scroll in her hand; she came before Hu Xiaotian and slowly unfurled the scroll.

Hu Xiaotian and Long Xi Yue stared intently, only to see that the person in the portrait was exactly Hu Xiaotian; Hu Xiaotian's scalp tightened—this Madam Hu must have recognized him. Who is she? Why can I see no clue from her appearance and bearing? Could she be in disguise? But who in the world could have mastered the art of disguise to such a degree? This is the Xichuan region; could it be her?

Just now a friend gave me a link; after clicking it I only discovered it was a certain stupid post on Dragon Sky. I don't have a Dragon Sky account, so I won't name names here. Don't just go farting and looking down on others—can't you stand to see an honest person step up once? Use a little brain and click in the red envelope area: this month how many red envelopes have the Medical Union readers sent out? Brush! This damn thing is called official brushing! The rules allow it, they allow you to brush copies while riding a bicycle—do you really have to make me run barefoot on two legs? If you doubt the monthly ticket numbers, first use red envelopes to check the count; if that doesn't work, go call customer service; if still not, you guys request a list. Don't fucking make baseless accusations, you asshole! Can't you see others' hard work? Can't you see the united efforts of fellow readers?

Not even sitting up straight, I'd be embarrassed to scold you! On the last day of the month, let's swing the red envelopes and go all out—whoever dares to slander us, the red envelope monthly ticket will thrash your broken mouth! (To be continued~^~)