Chapter 232

Qin Yutong said: "This place is not suitable for a long stay; we should leave quickly. Once we reach Xiezhou City, everything will get better...."

With Qin Yutong's help, almost all those injured by bee stings began to improve. Leaving Chiyang Mountain, the walls of Xiezhou came into view; after the bee swarm attack, the subsequent journey was smooth sailing.

Prince Long Yefang sat on his horse gazing at the walls of Xiezhou City, finally dispelling the gloom of recent days; he raised his whip and pointed toward Xiezhou City, saying: "At last we have reached Xiezhou City!"

Prince Heg of Shajia and Prince Long Yefang rode side by side at the forefront of the procession; he smiled and said: "All along the way we have owed our safety to Your Highness's personal protection; otherwise we would not know what troubles we might have encountered." He spoke insincerely, for he did not believe that Prince Long Yefang and his entourage had actually protected him.

Prince Long Yefang nodded; Xiezhou was merely a stop on their long journey; they still had to proceed to Kangdu, and only by returning there would his task be considered complete. Recalling this, the fleeting pleasure he had felt moments ago vanished without a trace.

The gates of Xiezhou stood wide open as a troop came galloping along the official road—it was Xiezhou Magistrate Yang Daoquan leading his subordinates to welcome them. As they approached, those on horseback dismounted and bowed to Prince Long Yefang; the leader shouted loudly: "Your subordinate Yang Daoquan and the officials below specially come to greet Your Highness, Thousand Years, Thousand Thousand Years!" Prince Long Yefang nodded and said: "Please rise; this is Prince Heg of Shajia."

He introduced those around him one by one to Magistrate Yang Daoquan; it was only then that Prince Long Yefang realized Hu Xiaotian was nowhere to be seen. He turned and looked, spotting Hu Xiaotian at the rear of the procession, waved him over, and said affectionately: "Xiaotian, come here!"

Hu Xiaotian now had only one thought in mind: to get away as quickly as possible. Having delivered Prince Long Yefang to Xiezhou, his mission was essentially complete; the rest could be left to Magistrate Yang Daoquan. Along the way, worrying about the prince's affairs had kept him on edge—he hadn't had a decent sleep. Although they had encountered many troubles and suffered casualties, fortunately Prince Long Yefang and the Shajia envoy had come to no serious harm.

While Prince Long Yefang was speaking with Magistrate Yang Daoquan, Hu Xiaotian was mulling over how to bid farewell; according to his original intention, he didn't even want to enter Xiezhou City. Hearing the prince call him, he could only ride over, having secretly resolved that no matter what the prince said, he would not continue following him to Kangdu but would return as soon as possible to resume his post as county magistrate. Now that Xu Qinglian and his cronies had been subdued by him, he would henceforth be an undisputed Local Emperor in Qingyun. Approaching Prince Long Yefang and dismounting, the prince pointed at him and said: "Sir Yang, this is Hu Xiaotian, the magistrate of Qingyun County; our safe arrival at Xiezhou is entirely thanks to him."

This was Hu Xiaotian's first encounter with Magistrate Yang Daoquan, his direct superior; he couldn't help but stare a little longer. Yang Daoquan was about forty, with black beard and hair, three long wisps beneath his jaw, a face like a jade cap, handsome eyebrows and bright eyes, possessing a dignified appearance. Thinking that Yang Daoquan was also the brother-in-law of Wan Boping, Hu Xiaotian wondered whether Wan Boping had spoken ill of him in his presence, or had told the magistrate all about his extortion of Wan Boping.

Hu Xiaotian stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said: "Your subordinate Hu Xiaotian pays respects, Sir Magistrate!"

Magistrate Yang Daoquan stroked his moustache and laughed: "Xiaotian, I've heard much about you; before I only knew you were young and promising, but I didn't expect you to be so handsome as well—truly a hero among youth!"

Seeing Yang Daoquan's amiable attitude and his effusive praise, Hu Xiaotian thought the words might not be wholly trustworthy, yet a magistrate had no need to be so courteous to a subordinate; it must be out of consideration for his background.

Prince Heg of Shajia gave Hu Xiaotian a smiling glance; although they had sworn brotherhood of different surnames, they had had little contact since then, and Hu Xiaotian dealt with him cautiously, for involving themselves in foreign relations could easily lead to a charge of colluding with foreigners.

Magistrate Yang Daoquan invited Prince Long Yefang onto a carriage and escorted the entourage grandly into Xiezhou City.

This was not Hu Xiaotian's first visit here; although Xiezhou City was prosperous and splendid, he presently had little mood to admire it, his mind occupied with how to bid farewell to Prince Long Yefang, determined to shake off this great burden as soon as possible.

Magistrate Yang Daoquan arranged the Shajia envoy and Prince Long Yefang's party to lodge in separate places; the prince took up residence in the Heavenly Prefecture Palace, which had been used as a temporary palace when the Dakang emperor toured Xichuan; though usually vacant, it had always been kept clean and tidy.

Before entering the palace, Qin Yutong discreetly gave Hu Xiaotian a glance.

Knowing she had something to say to him, Hu Xiaotian slowed his horse and fell in behind her at the rear of the procession.

Qin Yutong said: "Let us part here; take care of yourself."

Hu Xiaotian, hearing that she was about to leave, felt a bit strange and whispered: "How come? Aren't you supposed to escort the prince all the way to Kangdu?"

Qin Yutong shook her head and said: "I have just received a pigeon message from my master ordering me to return to the capital immediately; I must go ahead a step."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "That's fine; anyway I must return to Qingyun no later than tomorrow. If we ever have free time, come to Qingyun and find me—we can exchange notes on medical arts."

Qin Yutong said: "All right!" She handed Hu Xiaotian a leather satchel: "Inside is my gift to you, a small token of thanks for your care along the way."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "You're being too polite; in fact you've looked after me more."

At that moment, the prince ahead summoned him again; Hu Xiaotian accepted Qin Yutong's gift, placed it in his luggage, cupped his fists toward her, and strode after the prince into the palace.

Not everyone was eligible to lodge in the palace; they were assigned to various rooms to rest, while the palace staff began preparing a banquet to welcome and cleanse the prince's party.

In the room assigned to him, Hu Xiaotian took a good bath, changed into clean clothes, then recalled Qin Yutong's gift; he opened the satchel, reached inside, felt a piece of skin, pulled it out to find a human-skin mask, and also a letter.

Hu Xiaotian opened the letter, which Qin Yutong had written personally; it explained how to use the human-skin mask. She had left him this exquisite mask for emergencies, noting in the note that should he ever face danger, the mask might save his life.

Hu Xiaotian turned the mask over and over, admiring its exquisite craftsmanship; before he could study it closely, someone knocked on the door asking him to come to the banquet.

Hu Xiaotian hastily put the mask away and went out.

As he left his lodgings and passed through the garden, he happened upon Prince Long Yefang; Hu Xiaotian went over to pay his respects.

Prince Long Yefang had changed into a fresh robe, also just washed; he looked spirited, having shaken off the gloom of the past few days, and said amiably to Hu Xiaotian: "Xiaotian, come on; let's have a good drink tonight."

Hu Xiaotian, naturally not wanting to miss this opportunity, replied respectfully: "Your Highness, I've been out for five days already; there are still many matters awaiting me in Qingyun, so I must set off early tomorrow morning."

Prince Long Yefang, hearing he wished to leave, frowned and said: "So urgent?"

Hu Xiaotian, fearful that the prince would detain him further, hurriedly said: "Those corrupt officials who colluded with mountain bandits have all been thrown into jail by me; if I cannot return in time, I fear Qingyun City will fall into utter chaos."…

Prince Long Yefang, hearing his reasoning made sense, nodded and said: "Indeed this trip has been hard on you, Xiaotian; you need not rush—rest well for two days before departing."

Hu Xiaotian said: "There's no time; I must return to Qingyun no later than tomorrow."

Prince Long Yefang did not press him to continue accompanying him to Kangdu, and said softly: "After tonight's banquet, I would like to go look at the Huan Cai Pavilion."

Hu Xiaotian inwardly gave a wry smile; Prince Long Yefang was truly a lovesick fool. Although the bee swarm attack had almost certainly been the work of Xi Yan, Hu Xiaotian had not told the prince about it; the prince was deeply enamored of Xi Yan, and Hu Xiaotian only hoped he would forget her completely, thereby avoiding future trouble—given Xi Yan's nature, any attempt by the prince to approach her would be like dancing on a blade's edge, and a slip could easily cost him his life at the hands of that demoness.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Your Highness, that demoness is already dead; what point is there in going to the Huan Cai Pavilion?"

Prince Long Yefang pursed his lips, his expression a mix of reluctance and sorrow; he sighed: "I don't know why, her looks and smile continually echo in my mind; whenever I think of her, I cannot help but feel heartache." This sentimental prince actually had tears welling in his eyes.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Your Highness, let's go eat first; don't keep Sir Yang and the others waiting."

Prince Long Yefang nodded.

Together they arrived at the Jingyi Pavilion; upon entering, they found the hall empty of people, two tables set out but bare. Seeing this, everyone was stunned—Magistrate Yang Daoquan had clearly said preparations for the banquet were underway, so why was it still not ready?

Prince Long Yefang could not help but feel annoyed, snapping: "What is Magistrate Yang Daoquan up to?" Having encountered danger after danger on this journey, his mood had been gloomy; upon reaching Xiezhou he had thought all misfortune was past, yet now he faced this inexplicable affair, and the long-suppressed anger finally erupted.

As his words fell, dozens of swordsmen and axe-wielders surged from behind the side screens, rushing forward to encircle them.

Prince Long Yefang had only brought two guards; those two guards drew their swords with a clang and stood before him.

Outside the door, more than ten archers poured in, nocking arrows, bows drawn like full moons aimed at the four of them.

Prince Long Yefang was terrified out of his wits, his legs going weak, nearly collapsing; he forced himself to stay calm and demanded: "What do you want? Don't you recognize who I am?"

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