Chapter 192: The Creditor Arrives (Part 1) – First Update Explodes

A few days ago Prince Long Yefang went to Xichuan, and Zhang Ziqian still met him in Xizhou, but he never imagined that the prince would also appear in Qingyun. Zhang Ziqian secretly speculated about the relationship between Hu Xiaotian and Long Yefang, guessing that both came from the capital and might have been old acquaintances. How could he know that Hu Xiaotian had never even seen this prince; when Long Yefang left the capital, Hu Xiaotian was still an idiot.

Long Yefang wore a bright yellow embroidered robe, his appearance handsome and bearing majestic; after all, he was a royal scion, and this noble aura was beyond ordinary people. Even by Hu Xiaotian's standards, this prince could be considered a genuine handsome man. Hu Xiaotian did not know Long Yefang, and he quietly asked Zhang Ziqian: "Sir Zhang, could he be an impostor?"

Zhang Ziqian said nothing, already rose and hurried over, kneeling on one knee and saying: "Old man Zhang Ziqian did not know that Prince Long Yefang's Thousand Years honorific presence would grace us; my failure to welcome you properly, I hope Your Highness will forgive."

Hu Xiaotian now fully understood—this was the real deal. He strode over and knelt down as well; as he knelt, all the guests followed suit. Although Hu Xiaotian was an official's son, he could not compare to a prince. He felt a bit dazed now: why would the prince come here to join the fun? Was he following Old Zhang?

Clerk Guo Shouguang could not even find a place to kneel; Hu Xiaotian was muddled, and Guo was even more muddled—he fainted, completely fainted. In the history of Qingyun there had never been so many important figures appearing at once. What on earth was happening today? Even a prince had come—could it be solely for Hu Xiaotian, the newly appointed county clerk?

Long Yefang warmly pulled Hu Xiaotian up from the ground, smiling: "Hu Xiaotian, you don't know me, but I know you. Today I came at someone's request to attend your charity auction. I came uninvited; please don't take offense."

Hu Xiaotian blinked, even more bewildered: "Your Highness Prince Long Yefang, who entrusted you?"

Long Yefang leaned close to his ear and whispered softly: "Qiqi!"

Hearing the name Qiqi, Hu Xiaotian recalled the little girl he had met by chance at Lanruo Temple; back then he had felt she was strange. He guessed she most likely had close ties to the royal family, and now it seemed so—but he did not know whether Qiqi was Long Yefang's sister or niece. How could royal offspring end up being hunted everywhere? The more he thought, the stranger it seemed.

Seeing everyone still kneeling, Long Yefang waved his hand with a smile: "Everyone, rise. I came today just to give my good brother some face; no need to stand on ceremony."

Hu Xiaotian's status today was rising rapidly—first called little brother by Xizhou Prefect Zhang Ziqian, and now even Dakang's Seventeenth Prince Long Yefang called him good brother. In everyone's eyes his image had never been so radiant and towering, requiring one to look up to see it. But Hu Xiaotian himself knew he had only met Zhang Ziqian twice, and Long Yefang for the first time; they had not even a hair's breadth of friendship.

Guo Shouguang's heart jumped to his throat; he sighed inwardly, no wonder this brat was so arrogant. He had long seen that he was no ordinary person, recalling how he had always stood firmly against Hu Xiaotian. Instantly terrified, he wondered what to do? With Hu Xiaotian's connections, dealing with him would be as easy as not moving a pinky.

Long Yefang came with eight guards; Hu Xiaotian took Zhang Ziqian's hand and sat with him. By now he had become numb to all the surprises; later even if the old emperor appeared here he would not be startled. He realized tonight was destined to be a miraculous night.

Hu Xiaotian again urged Shopkeeper Song to hurry with the dishes; there should be no guest more honored than Long Yefang. With the prince's arrival, the banquet could officially begin.

The food and wine were already ready; Shopkeeper Song was stunned by the nonstop spectacle tonight. Even a Dakang prince had come, and he began to wonder whether he should later beg for a signature or inscription—if he could obtain a piece of Long Yefang's calligraphy, his side would also gain a touch of royal aura.

Following Hu Xiaotian's request, a makeshift stage was erected in the hall; of course not for performance, but for the charity auction. As the initiator, Hu Xiaotian naturally took on the role of host. He had no choice—only he knew the rules of this charity auction.

Hu Xiaotian toasted Long Yefang and Zhang Ziqian, while waiting for guests to arrive one after another. The speed of this news spread was truly astonishing; not long after, guests arrived one by one, most of them Qingyun business representatives previously invited by Shopkeeper Song, and even Wan Boping, who claimed to be ill, somehow got the news and rushed over from home. With the Seventeenth Prince present, in small Qingyun City such an opportunity to rub shoulders with royal relatives was once in a century; whether or not they could actually forge ties, just gaining a familiar face was worthwhile, and even if they could not get close, sharing a meal would give them material to brag about later—no one wanted to miss this chance.

Merchants were like this, let alone the officials and clerks of Qingyun County. County Magistrate Xu Qinglian initially heard the news that Black Stone Village chief Teng Tianqi would attend and was stunned; hearing that Xizhou Prefect Zhang Ziqian had arrived, he was startled; at that moment he had already formed the idea of going to Wild Goose Tower to pay a visit, but when he was changing clothes and preparing to go out, he heard that Seventeenth Prince Long Yefang had arrived, so he did not even bother with a carriage and simply ran all the way to Wild Goose Tower—it was not far, less than a li from the county office; even so, Xu Qinglian arrived panting.

Upon reaching the gate of Wild Goose Tower, he stepped forward to enter, but was stopped by an arm; he looked closely and saw it was Hu Xiaotian's attendant Liu Kuohai.

Xu Qinglian gasped: "Let me… I… I come to see Prince Long Yefang… Your Highness…"

Liu Kuohai said: "Your Highness Prince Long Yefang is not someone just anyone can see."

"You…" Xu Qinglian's triangular eyes glared, unable to suppress his official authority, but Liu Kuohai would not buy it; Hu Xiaotian had him stand here precisely to block these shameless people, and Xu Qinglian was one of the key targets.

Liu Kuohai said: "Master Hu said, to ensure Prince Long Yefang's safety, anyone entering must first report; Master Hu's permission is required before entry."

Xu Qinglian, furious, pointed at Liu Kuohai's nose: "You don't know me? I am the County Magistrate of Qingyun!"

Liu Kuohai said: "Inside is Dakang's Seventeenth Prince!"

Hearing this, Xu Qinglian's spirit deflated; what they said made sense—his status was hardly worth mentioning. At this moment, Lieutenant Liu Baoju came galloping in on a chestnut-red horse.

Liu Kuohai watched the two sorry figures rushing in, secretly amused; Master Hu was indeed right—these people were all after face without shame. Initially they were invited properly and did not come; now hearing the prince had come, they all clung shamelessly, trying to ingratiate themselves. Though they were local officials, why were they so shameless? We common folk still know the words "integrity" and "shame"; why don't they?

Distinguished guests arrived continuously; three luxurious carriages stopped before Wild Goose Tower. A plump young woman jumped down from the first carriage; although she looked bulky and fat, when she landed she was light as a feather, like a withered leaf drifting down. She lifted her silver-basin-sized face, gazed at the picture of Wild Goose Tower, and giggled: "Miss, this should be the place!"

From the front and rear carriages another three people each descended, all beautiful young ladies; the last to alight was the main figure. The plump woman stepped forward, lifted the carriage curtain, and a girl in a red robe walked out from within. Her entrance was like the rising moon in the east, causing the surrounding few beauties who shone like stars to instantly dim. Her hair was bound atop her head like a man's, eyebrows like spring mountains, eyes like clear springs, nose small and straight, lips full, complexion like snow, hands clasped behind her back, she lifted her head to look at the sign of Wild Goose Tower, a hint of a bewitching smile playing on her lips, and she whispered softly: "Indeed, this is the place!"…

The plump woman led the way, four beautiful maidens flanking her on either side; the party headed straight for Wild Goose Tower. The night breeze brushed past, carrying a faint fragrance from the girls, making those who smelled it want to become drunk.

Seeing this flock of flowery girls, Liu Kuohai could not help but be stunned, yet he still remembered his duty and stood firmly at the door, saying honestly: "Misses, have you come to the wrong place?"

The leading plump woman laughed: "Is Hu Xiaotian inside?"

Liu Kuohai heard her call out Hu Xiaotian's name in one breath; he realized they had not mistaken the place, only he did not know whether these people were friends or foes of the adults. Liu Kuohai said: "May I ask your fair name, miss? I will announce you."

On the side, Xu Qinglian and Liu Baoju watched, their heads burning with anger; this Liu Kuohai was merely the son of a medicine shop owner, yet now following Hu Xiaotian he acted like a tiger borrowing the fox's might. Earlier he had given them no courtesy, but now seeing the beautiful woman treat him so politely, this attitude was worlds apart.

The plump woman said: "No need for you to announce; I will find him myself!" She shouted loudly: "Hu Xiaotian, I have come to collect my debt!" Her voice was tremendous, shaking the eardrums of those nearby; likely even half of Qingyun City could hear it.

Hu Xiaotian was toasting Long Yefang when he heard the voice; it sounded familiar. He searched his memory and suddenly woke—this voice was unmistakably that of Xiang Qin from the Huan Cai Pavilion in Xiezhou. Earlier, to help Liang Da Zhuang escape, he had written a promissory note for one thousand taels to her. Well, early not coming, late not coming, she chose this moment to appear—truly she knows timing. Recalling Xiang Qin's identity, Hu Xiaotian instantly grew nervous; being chased for debt by a brothel's people to this place, if this became known his face would surely be ruined; he hurriedly rose and went out to meet her. (。)