Chapter 257

Zhou Ruiyuan is skilled at reading words and expressions; seeing the Emperor's expression change, he already knows that his remarks have most likely touched the Emperor's reverse scale. The reason a ruler is a lonely widow is because once he ascends to the position above ten thousand people, he begins to look down on the world and gradually stops listening to others' opinions. Although I am the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, these remarks of mine, when Long Yelin was Crown Prince, could be said; now that he has ascended the throne, will he feel that I am relying on favor and being arrogant, showing disrespect to him?

Long Yelin finally managed to control the anger in his heart, slowly nodded and said: "Zhou Aiqing, the reason I am where I am today is largely due to you and Eunuch Quan; as for what should be done from now on, I know it in my heart."

Zhou Ruiyuan respectfully said: "Your Majesty, you are sagacious!"

Long Yelin said: "From now on, my realm will depend on you all."

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "I will labor diligently until death!"

Hu Xiaotian gained Quan De'an's ten years of skill; judging by the Senior Eunuch's age, even if he had practiced since the womb, he should have close to one-fifth of that skill. At first Hu Xiaotian was extremely worried, afraid that practicing this eunuch martial art would make his little brother shrink more and more, eventually becoming a natural eunuch without castration. After a few days with no abnormality, he gradually relaxed. Having Quan De'an's ten years of skill as a foundation, after learning some basic breathing methods, Hu Xiaotian directly began practicing drawing in Yin and shrinking Yang. To be honest, practicing this skill still involves considerable psychological pressure; if the practice fails, once it shrinks in, you can never pull it out. Wouldn't this life's happiness be completely ruined? Fortunately, this unfortunate thing did not happen, because Hu Xiaotian, no matter how he practiced, never succeeded in drawing his manhood in. He couldn't help wondering if he was born too big; I'm afraid I'll never be able to master it in this lifetime. Fortunately, Quan De'an isn't impatient either; he doesn't urge him, just let things take their natural course.

Quan De'an never mentions court affairs, and he rarely goes to the palace. Most of his time is spent either instructing Hu Xiaotian in martial arts or chatting about palace rules. Although Hu Xiaotian finds it dull, he also understands that what Quan De'an tells him now is the foundation for his future survival in the palace. Therefore he dares not be negligent.

After the Emperor ascended the throne, he first pardoned Hu Buwei and Shi Buchui and their followers, showing his benevolent virtue. On the day of his accession, the new emperor Long Yelin proclaimed to the world while also denouncing Xichuan's Li Tianheng; however, this was merely a denunciation, as everyone knows that the newly enthroned emperor could not possibly launch a campaign to recover Xichuan at this moment, especially since Li Tianheng of Xichuan had already formally allied with Shajia and married off his daughter Li Mo Chou to Shajia's twelfth prince Huo Ge. Li Tianheng holds Xichuan's natural barrier and commands a force of 100,000 troops. Although Dakang boasts of having 2,000,000 troops, it has not fought any major war in nearly thirty years. With the new emperor Long Yelin's ascension, the urgent priority is to stabilize Dakang's internal rule. Moreover, Da Yong to the north has always eyed Dakang's lands covetously; if internal conflict erupts in Dakang, it is hard to guarantee that Da Yong will not send its armies south. The first rain of autumn arrived suddenly. Hu Xiaotian's practice of drawing in Yin and shrinking Yang has made no progress; counting from when Quan De'an sent him into the palace, less than ten days remain. Hu Xiaotian himself has become somewhat nervous. If his practice fails and the truth is exposed, he fears he will die an ugly death.

Quan De'an also noticed Hu Xiaotian's unease, sitting under the corridor, gazing at the rainwater dripping nonstop from the eaves like beads from a broken string, he whispered: "Afraid?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Afraid? I'm not even afraid of death!"

Quan De'an chuckled, picked up the teapot, took a leisurely sip, then complained: "This damned weather; whenever it's like this, my broken leg starts to ache faintly." As he said this, his gaze finally turned to Hu Xiaotian.

To Hu Xiaotian, this sentence sounded full of blame; he coughed and said: "That leg of yours, you really couldn't hold onto it back then."

Quan De'an said: "I didn't blame you!" He set the teapot aside, slowly rose, and said: "In a few days, I will send you into the palace."

Hu Xiaotian said: "But I haven't mastered it yet."

"It doesn't matter; practice slowly, I'll send you into the palace, and others will still believe."

Hu Xiaotian said: "But what if someone doesn't believe and insists on verifying my true identity?"

Quan De'an said meaningfully: "The only way to keep the secret is……hehe, you surely know."

Hu Xiaotian naturally knew he meant killing to silence; if it came to that, he would certainly spare no expense to keep the secret. Hu Xiaotian said: "Eunuch Quan, are my parents really alright?"

Quan De'an nodded and said: "The Zajia originally thought the Emperor would not easily pardon them; even if he spared their death sentences, exile to the frontier would still be inevitable, but we did not expect Chancellor Zhou to intercede for them."

Hu Xiaotian said: "No way, my father and he have long been enemies; logically he wouldn't speak up for my father." With the new emperor's ascension, fortunes diverge: the once-demoted Chancellor Zhou Ruiyuan has become Dakang's Chancellor overseeing the Secretariat, while my own father struggles desperately just to preserve his life.

Quan De'an said: "He is someone who looks after the big picture."

Hu Xiaotian gazed doubtfully at Quan De'an's back: "Eunuch Quan, I have one thing I don't understand: you let me enter the palace, is it merely to serve the emperor and atone for our Hu family?"

Quan De'an shook his head: "Of course it's not that simple."

"Then what exactly is it for? Eunuch Quan, are you still unwilling to tell me the truth?"

"When you have the ability to establish yourself in the palace, the Zajia will only tell you."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Aren't you afraid that once my wings grow strong, I'll become less obedient?"

Quan De'an also laughed: "I've thought about it, but I'm not afraid."

Hu Xiaotian always felt the Senior Eunuch's smile was not benevolent; he seemed full of confidence in controlling him. Hu Xiaotian said: "I have always been grateful and repay kindness; rest assured, I will definitely not betray you."

Quan De'an smiled narrowly: "Betrayal! I'm not afraid of that either!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Before entering the palace, I have a few requests." This guy is somewhat overreaching.

Quan De'an said: "Go ahead and say them."

"I want to see my parents."

"No!" Quan De'an firmly refused.

Hu Xiaotian then said: "Then let me see Murong Feiyan and Zhang Peng."

After thinking, Quan De'an finally nodded and said: "You may see them, and I can also release them, but you must make them understand that entering the palace as a eunuch is your voluntary choice."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Don't worry, I know what to do."

Quan De'an said: "Let Fugui take you there; they've been kept in the rear courtyard all along, and these days I've had people treat them well with food and drink, without mistreating them."

Fugui led Hu Xiaotian to the rear courtyard where Murong Feiyan and Zhang Peng were detained; one was held in the east, the other in the west. During this time, Fugui has been responsible for bringing them meals; the little eunuch keeps his mouth shut, and although Hu Xiaotian asked him countless times, Fugui never said a word, not leaking even a hint.

Hu Xiaotian also wore a eunuch's attire; from today he must start playing the role. Although his drawing in Yin and shrinking Yang skill is not yet mastered, he expects Murong Feiyan will not voluntarily demand proof of his identity, and Zhang Peng certainly won't be bored enough to care about that part. Quan De'an's remark was not wrong: if one wants to preserve one's life and the safety of the Hu clan, one must speak and act cautiously, guarding this secret firmly.

Murong Feiyan has grown much gaunt lately; although her shoulder sword wound has healed, the meridians damaged by Quan De'an's shock have not yet recovered.

The tightly shut door for many days slowly opened; outside light streamed in, Murong Feiyan squinted, looking out, and saw a tall figure slowly walking toward her from the dazzling light and shadow. Before she could see his face clearly, she heard a familiar, warm voice say: "Fugui, wait for me outside."

Hearing Hu Xiaotian's voice, a complex emotion indescribable welled up in Murong Feiyan's heart, and tears flowed silently in the darkness.

Hu Xiaotian slowly approached her, crouched, and under the faint light examined Murong Feiyan's gaunt face; suddenly he felt an indescribable pity and heartache. He said nothing, just slowly reached out and lightly placed his hand on her disheveled hair.

Murong Feiyan's tears kept falling; she felt she had never been this weak before—even though captured by Quan De'an, even though her body suffered heavy injury, even though imprisoned in this lightless room, she had felt no wavering, had not begged for mercy, had not felt fear. Yet before Hu Xiaotian, her strength and courage collapsed instantly; she clasped his hand, pressed her delicate face to his palm, silently feeling the warmth from his hand—so real, so warm, so happy. In their hearts, they only wished this moment could last forever.

When Murong Feiyan's eyes gradually adjusted to the light, she finally saw Hu Xiaotian wearing the gray eunuch robes; she didn't think much of it, her only concern was his safety: "Are you alright?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded, his smile as warm as ever: "How did you end up here?"

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