Chapter 184

The sun was setting in the west, Hu Xiaotian brought Liang Da Zhuang and Liu Kuohai three people to the chaotic burial mound at Yangjia Po. The reason he concealed it from Murong Feiyan was because she, after all, came from Jingzhao Prefecture, and she also knew the true meaning of the blood‑script iron charter. Murong Feiyan has always been someone who cannot tolerate a speck of sand in her eyes; in handling many matters she is somewhat obstinate and old‑fashioned, so Hu Xiaotian must conceal things in some affairs, for it concerns the life and death of the Hu family, and he dare not be the slightest bit careless.

Following Hu Jinniu's guidance, it was easy to locate Hu Bu Cheng's grave. The grave was overgrown with weeds; it seemed no one had swept and offered sacrifices for days. The stone serving as a tombstone was covered with moss, and the two characters carved by Hu Jinniu years ago had become indistinct from long exposure to wind and rain. Hu Xiaotian first bowed three times before the grave, silently saying: 'Uncle of the main line, I do not mean to disturb your tranquility, but the blood‑script iron charter is of great importance, concerning the life and death of the Hu family's future; today I can only intrude.' He had Liu Kuohai open a jar of wine and personally pour it around the grave.

Liu Kuohai moved the stone aside, and he and Liang Da Zhuang took up their tools and began digging together. Hu Xiaotian told them to be extremely careful when digging, under no circumstances to damage what lay below. After digging three feet deep, Liang Da Zhuang's hoe struck a hard object, emitting a 'dang' sound. They abandoned the tools and dug with their hands; soon they unearthed a black iron plate from the ground, which at first glance looked like a tile. Originally it had been wrapped in oilcloth, but after so long the cloth had completely rotted, and Liang Da Zhuang handed the iron plate to Hu Xiaotian. Today's affair should be an unexpected joy. If this blood‑script iron charter is genuine, then the one treasured by his father in the Secretary's Residence must be a fake; now that they have the real one, there is no need to worry about losing the fake. Hu Xiaotian grew more pleased the more he thought about it — as the saying goes, 'Having worn out iron shoes in vain, the prize is found without effort.'

When people become overjoyed and careless, they often encounter misfortune — just then the carriage jolted violently. It accidentally rolled into a deep pit, and Hu Xiaotian's buttocks bounced up from the jolt then came down hard on the seat, causing him to cry out 'aiyo' in pain.

However, Liang Da Zhuang, while driving the carriage, failed to see clearly and inadvertently drove into a depression; he whipped the horses several times in succession but could not get the carriage out, so Hu Xiaotian and Liu Kuohai had to get down from the carriage. Hu Xiaotian could only sigh, in an age without automobiles there was no point dreaming of four‑wheel drive off‑road escape. When Hu Xiaotian alighted, Wan Furen, accompanied by her maidservants and attendants, was preparing to board the carriage. From afar she spotted Hu Xiaotian, hesitated a moment, then came over to greet him. Although Wan Furen had never really trusted Hu Xiaotian, there was one thing she could not deny: Hu Xiaotian was a benefactor of the Wan family. She ordered a few household servants to come help. Approaching Hu Xiaotian, she performed a deep bow and said: 'Common woman pays respects to Sir Hu.'

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: 'Wan Furen, what a coincidence!'

Wan Furen said: 'I've come to sweep Tingguang's grave.'

Hu Xiaotian originally had nothing much to talk about with her, and besides he knew that although Wan Furen appeared kind‑hearted, behind the scenes she did nothing but cold‑blooded, ruthless deeds; several times she had tried to drive Le Yao to death, and if it weren't for him, that poor little widow would likely have already perished. Thinking of Le Yao, he could not help but recall her delirious ravings during her high fever earlier; he wondered why she was so terrified of Tingguang's ghost — could Tingguang's death be related to her?

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Wan Furen, you should still take care of your health.'

Wan Furen sighed: 'Thank you, Sir, for your concern.'

At this moment Hu Xiaotian's carriage had already been successfully pushed out of the mud pit, and he took his leave.

Sitting in the carriage, looking through the window toward the Wan family ancestral graves, Hu Xiaotian's brows knotted tightly; he suddenly thought of a very thorny problem: if Wan Tingguang's death is connected to Le Yao, how should he face this matter? Should he uphold righteousness and kill kin, or bend the law for personal gain? This really is a dilemma.

Returning to his residence on Sande Lane, he found someone already waiting there — it was Song Shaofu, the proprietor of the Yan Goose Tower, who had specially bought tonic foods and brought wine and dishes to call on him; unfortunately Hu Xiaotian was not in, so the caller had made a wasted trip and was about to leave when Hu Xiaotian arrived.

Song Shaofu's visit had two purposes: first, to inquire after Hu Xiaotian's condition; second, to discuss with him the matter of the charity auction. As he put it, the charity auction had met with an enthusiastic response; originally it was scheduled for the day after tomorrow, but hearing that Hu Xiaotian had been injured, he had come especially to discuss rescheduling the date.

Hu Xiaotian said: 'It's only some superficial wounds; a night's rest will fix it. Since everyone is interested in this matter, we might as well get it done early rather than late — let's proceed with your original plan.' Hu Xiaotian also wanted to finish this affair as soon as possible.

Song Shaofu said: 'Then it's set for the night after tomorrow; I will arrange the wine at the Yan Goose Tower to handle this.'

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: 'No problem; I will summon the people from the government office, and you will handle the rest.'

Song Shaofu said: 'Sir Hu, rest assured; I will certainly handle this matter splendidly.'

Hu Xiaotian had originally wanted to keep him for a meal, but Song Shaofu still had business to attend to at his shop and dared not linger; he had his assistant put down the gifts and food, then hurried back to the Yan Goose Tower.

Hu Xiaotian ate and drank his fill, then brought that iron plate back to his own room, immersed it in a bronze basin to wash off the sludge; the carved patterns and inscriptions on the plate became clearly visible. By lamplight he examined the characters above, and after looking at them he could hardly contain his inner excitement — this iron plate is almost certainly an imperial‑bestowed blood‑script iron charter. He carefully stored the blood‑script iron charter away, secretly thinking that this matter must be reported at once to his father far away in the capital, so that his father may also be reassured.

Then, by lamplight, he wrote a family letter, also made a rubbing of the blood‑script iron charter, placed it in an envelope, sealed it with a fire‑stamp, and immediately summoned Liang Da Zhuang to his side.

Liang Da Zhuang, upon hearing that he was to return to the capital early tomorrow morning to deliver the letter, was also startled. Although he had gradually become accustomed to life in Qingyun and his days were beginning to go smoothly, now he was being asked to leave, and he naturally felt some reluctance.

Hu Xiaotian really had no other choice; although Liang Da Zhuang had become more talkative, after all he was a trusted aide brought out from the Secretary's Residence, and the matter of the blood‑script iron charter must not be disclosed to outsiders — not even Murong Feiyan could be an exception. Hu Xiaotian solemnly said: 'Da Zhuang, this matter is of utmost importance; you must hasten back to the capital and personally deliver this letter into my father's hands. Remember, on the road you must not delay, nor may you let any outsider see this letter.'

Liang Da Zhuang said: 'Young master, but the old master told me to look after you; sending the letter could be done by someone else.'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'You idiot, I don't trust anyone else; I'm not trying to get rid of you. After you deliver this letter to the capital, come straight back. I've prepared twenty taels of gold for you — enough to cover your round‑trip expenses.' He had obtained a considerable amount of gold from Wan Boping, so now Hu Xiaotian's generosity was even greater.

Liang Da Zhuang's mouth twisted, and he was almost on the verge of tears; actually he wasn't feeling that bad — he realized this was a nice assignment.

Hu Xiaotian said: 'You must remember, on the way you must not delay, and you must not go to the pleasure quarters; return to the capital as quickly as possible. This letter must be kept close to your person, and you must personally hand it to my father.' Because of the previous incident where he was set up at the Huan Cai Pavilion, Hu Xiaotian especially emphasized this point, fearing that Liang Da Zhuang might encounter some mishap midway.

Liang Da Zhuang nodded solemnly.

While master and servant were speaking, they heard Murong Feiyan call from outside: 'Sir Hu, someone is looking for you!'

Hu Xiaotian stopped speaking and rose to his feet; Liang Da Zhuang hurried forward to support his arm, speaking with deep feeling: 'Young master, I have been away from your side for a while; you must learn to take care of yourself.' These words were spoken with deep affection and righteousness, moving even Hu Xiaotian, who laughed and said: 'It's not as if I'm never coming back; why say such sentimental words? Da Zhuang, I have always been strict with you; don't bear a grudge against me.'

Liang Da Zhuang's eyes reddened: 'Young master, you have brought me En ru shan, even your beatings and scoldings are for my own good, how could I dare to resent you?'

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself: 'Back when we were in the capital, you damned wretch, you bad‑mouthed me behind my back and I caught you red‑handed — and you've forgotten all that? Recalling it now actually warms my heart. To say the least, among the household servants who have followed me from the capital all the way here, only Liang Da Zhuang remains; although this fellow is a bit timid, his speech is a bit poor, and his wits for doing things are not exactly sharp, his loyalty to me is beyond doubt. When the time of parting truly arrived, his heart still felt some reluctance.'

Hu Xiaotian came outside, saw that only Murong Feiyan was in the courtyard with no one else present, and couldn't help but wryly smile: 'Feiyan, you've tricked me again.'

Murong Feiyan said: 'I didn't trick you.' She handed Hu Xiaotian a visiting card, which was from Xiao Tianmu of the Red Willow Manor.

Hu Xiaotian asked: 'Where is the person?'

Murong Feiyan said: 'He's waiting outside in the carriage, unwilling to come in.'

Hu Xiaotian nodded, stepped out the door; Liang Da Zhuang was about to support him, but Murong Feiyan volunteered: 'Let me do it!' She stepped forward and took hold of Hu Xiaotian's arm.

Hu Xiaotian smiled at her and said: 'Would you mind always being my crutch like this?'

'Very much so!'

Only a few days left until month's end, and we are still nearly three hundred tickets short of the ten‑thousand‑Monthly‑Ticket goal; given the current trend, it looks a bit doubtful. Zhangyu is an honest person; he promised that upon reaching ten thousand Monthly Tickets he would release ten extra chapters, and that will certainly be done. If you still have any tickets in hand, please cast them for the Medical Union; when the work is fully released and the month is complete, we look forward to reaping surprises. Zhangyu will surely repay your kindness with even more wonderful stories and harder work.