Chapter 264

Liu Yuzhang said: "Although I brought you out of the palace, I cannot arrange for you to meet your father for the time being; he is currently a key surveillance target of the court, his every move is under the control of the Heavenly Secrets Bureau, and seeing him would only cause unnecessary trouble."

Eunuch Liu, Xiaotian understands.

Liu Yuzhang said: "At noon, let's go to Jade Abyss Pavilion for a meal; if you want to see anyone, just tell the Miscellaneous School, and I'll make the arrangements."

Hu Xiaotian pressed his lips, wanting to speak but hesitating. He ultimately lacked understanding of Eunuch Liu and could not fully trust him.

Liu Yuzhang said: "If you feel it's inconvenient, then forget it; later when you go out of the palace alone to purchase supplies, you can arrange it yourself."

Hu Xiaotian realized that Eunuch Liu had guessed he still harbored doubts; given such kindness, if he remained suspicious, it would be offensive to someone of Liu's status. Thinking this, Hu Xiaotian respectfully said: "Xiaotian wants to see someone, only worried about causing trouble for Eunuch Liu."

Eunuch Liu smiled at him: "No trouble!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Number 32, Fengming West Street Alley..."

Murong Feiyan never expected Hu Xiaotian to come visit her; since they parted at Cheng'en Manor, a full forty days have passed without seeing each other. During this time, Murong Feiyan has been recuperating at home; the palm strike from Quan De'an injured her meridians, and although Yuan Shiqing and Li Yifeng of the Beneficial Origin Hall treated her in succession, her recovery has been slow, so she has been resting intermittently for so long, only now recovering, though full recovery may still require another two months of convalescence.

Murong Feiyan has always been strong-willed; her parents are dead, and she has no relatives left at home. For the past few years she has regarded Jingzhao Prefecture as her home, and Prefect Hong Baiqi has shown her a benefactor's kindness; had she not first offended the Minister of Revenue Hu Buwei and then the Vice Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture Shi Jingde, she would not have been demoted. Hong Baiqi was unwilling to discard this capable aide, and in this political storm he managed to escape, retaining his original post, while Hu Buwei, Shi Jingde and their associates were all implicated. Upon hearing that Murong Feiyan had returned to the capital, Hong Baiqi specially came to visit her and offered to reinstate her former position, letting her return to work at Jingzhao Prefecture, but Murong Feiyan refused without hesitation, excusing herself as bedridden and unable to fulfill the duties; seeing her resolve, Hong Baiqi could only relent.

Murong Feiyan, however, knew she had changed greatly from before leaving the capital; in this not-so-long period, Hu Xiaotian had exerted a huge influence on her, an influence that did not happen overnight but took root subtly; by the time she truly realized it, she was already deeply entangled and unable to extricate herself. During this time, she constantly thought of Hu Xiaotian's appearance, unable to count how many times she woke at midnight dreaming of him, her tears soaking her collar.

Since her parents passed away, Murong Feiyan had never shed so many tears; she never imagined she would value a person more than her own life, and the matter of Hu Xiaotian made her begin to harbor animosity toward the very Dakang she had always served; she secretly swore that, no matter the cost, she would rescue Hu Xiaotian from suffering, even if it meant sacrificing her own life.

Murong Feiyan wore a simple hairpin and plain dress, her clean-cut face bare of makeup, she had grown thin and wan. When she saw Hu Xiaotian standing outside her door, right before her, she was as if struck by lightning, frozen in place, motionless; after a moment her eye sockets reddened, she bit her lip hard, straining to control herself, not wanting to cry in front of Hu Xiaotian, yet tears spilled unwillingly.

Hu Xiaotian turned and closed the door, dragging Murong Feiyan's bound hand into the room; the touch was icy, devoid of warmth.

…Upon entering Murong Feiyan's room, she still could not believe what she saw; her whole body felt like a shell from which the soul had been extracted.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Feiyan, it's me!"

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Murong Feiyan finally came to her senses; if Hu Xiaotian had in the past grabbed her hand to take advantage, she would have slapped him away, wishing to knock his teeth out. But now she let him hold her hand, her heart overflowing with an indescribable warmth and happiness; after a while she stopped crying, turned her lovely face, quickly wiped away the tear tracks, her nostrils fluttering as she said: "You… how did you escape?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Why would I need to escape? I walked out openly and aboveboard." Not much time remained for him; he briefly recounted his experiences after entering the palace.

Murong Feiyan said: "You finally managed to escape; let's go, right now, leave the capital, go somewhere no one can find you."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Where could I flee to? If I left, my parents would surely get into trouble. We'll discuss this later; for now I have the position of purchasing eunuch, which will make coming and going in the palace much easier."

Murong Feiyan nodded and said: "Besides coming to see me this time, do you have other business?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "First, to report that I'm safe; second, I have a matter I'd like you to help me with."

What matter?

The court is recently establishing the Divine Strategy Office; I want you to make contact with Zhan Peng, and if the Divine Strategy Office.

Murong Feiyan said: "Good!"

Hu Xiaotian, hearing her agree so readily, was somewhat taken aback: "You're not going to ask why?"

Murong Feiyan said: "No need; your affairs are my affairs."

Hu Xiaotian felt a surge of emotion, pondering whether to confess the truth, when he suddenly remembered he could not linger today, as Senior Eunuch Liu Yuzhang was waiting outside; he softly bade farewell: "I must go; there will be plenty of time ahead, we will meet again." He and Murong Feiyan agreed that, barring any unforeseen changes, they would meet again in half a month at Jade Abyss Pavilion.

Although it was a hurried meeting, Hu Xiaotian felt much more at ease, at least knowing Murong Feiyan's injury had mostly healed and that he had successfully completed the task Quan De'an had entrusted to him. Returning to the carriage, Senior Eunuch Liu Yuzhang was still waiting inside, and in that time he had already begun to doze off.

As for what Hu Xiaotian was doing here and whom he was seeing, Eunuch Liu Yuzhang asked nothing, as if it had never happened. At noon, he brought Hu Xiaotian to Jade Abyss Pavilion. A group of people were already waiting there; they were merchants who supplied vegetables and fruits to the palace. Seeing Eunuch Liu Yuzhang arrive with a young eunuch, they flocked around like stars around the moon and ushered the two inside.

Although Hu Xiaotian had dined at many establishments in the capital, the grandeur of Jade Abyss Pavilion still stood out among them, and the noon banquet's standard was exceptionally high, with all manner of mountain delicacies and seafood. Eunuch Liu Yuzhang introduced each merchant to him: the vegetable supplier was Cao Qianshan, boss of Jade Hall; the fruit supplier was Zhongbao Qi, manager of Peach and Plum Garden; these two were indeed well-known merchants in the capital.

After a few cups of liquor, Eunuch Liu Yuzhang appeared slightly tipsy, smiling narrowly: "The Miscellaneous School is getting old; I can't handle everything myself, so from now on most of the work will be taught to Xiaotian."

Hu Xiaotian secretly rejoiced, not only because Eunuch Liu Yuzhang had given him such a lucrative post, but also because Liu Yuzhang did not call him "Little Whiskers." This also showed that Liu Yuzhang was not muddle-headed; he clearly distinguished between inside and outside the palace.

The several merchants present did not know Hu Xiaotian's background; seeing how young he was, they felt favored by Eunuch Liu of the Imperial Gardens Bureau, yet they were unaware of his connections within the palace; their gazes instantly became much more respectful. Previously, Wang Desheng had been in charge, now it was Hu Xiaotian; actually who handles the purchasing is not important, the key is that they must maintain good relations with the purchaser.

…Eunuch Liu Yuzhang then said to Hu Xiaotian: "Xiaotian, from now on, whatever the palace needs, whatever the Emperor and the Empress like to eat, just tell those few a word."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Yes!"

After saying that, Eunuch Liu Yuzhang languidly yawned and said: "The Miscellaneous School has eaten and drunk its fill; I'll first go visit an old friend nearby. Xiaotian, you check the list you've just drawn up against theirs, allocate the tasks, then have them prepare the goods promptly, and send someone to deliver them to the palace early tomorrow morning." He rose and left; everyone saw him off respectfully, Eunuch Liu Yuzhang waved his hand to signal everyone to stop, only letting Hu Xiaotian see him to the door, where he whispered: "I'll come pick you up in an hour."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, understanding that Eunuch Liu Yuzhang was leaving him alone to talk with these people.

Returning to the table, only Cao Qianshan of Jade Hall remained. He beamed with a smile and respectfully invited Hu Xiaotian to sit.

Hu Xiaotian narrowed his eyes, pinched his voice, and said: "How come? Where are the others?"

Cao Qianshan coughed and said: "Eunuch Hu, I've had them step aside; some things must be said to you alone."

Hu Xiaotian took out the prepared purchase list from his pocket, found the sheet for Jade Hall, and handed it to Cao Qianshan; Cao Qianshan did not rush to look at it, and said softly: "Eunuch Liu usually doesn't come out; previously, matters here were handled by Eunuch Wang."

Hu Xiaotian knew there was more behind his words, and did not rush to speak, his eyes fixed calmly on Cao Qianshan; Cao Qianshan felt this young eunuch's gaze was exceptionally sharp, as if it could see straight into people's hearts, truly not knowing where Eunuch Liu Yuzhang had found such a lad, who appeared quite shrewd.

Cao Qianshan deliberately said: "In this process, shouldn't Eunuch Wang have explained things to Eunuch Hu?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm not acquainted with Eunuch Wang; I only know he's now working as a gardener in the Imperial Garden, I don't know his rules, I only know my own."

Cao Qianshan secretly sucked in a breath of cold air; this fellow is indeed sharp and cunning—his remarks just now revealed both his displeasure and a hint of threat; it seems Wang Desheng has indeed fallen out of favor, and from now on he will have to deal with this young eunuch. Cao Qianshan smiled, his eyes narrowing to a slit, he habitually coughed and said softly: "The old rule is to offer the eunuch this amount each month." He held up two fingers.

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