Chapter 275

Hu Xiaotian felt a stir in his heart; from their conversation it was easy to tell that Baobao's trip to the Herb Bureau was not really to look for bayberries—her true purpose was still to find the underground passage. They must have searched for a long time, yet found no clue, while I accidentally discovered the map of the passage on Wang Desheng's body. Hehe, as the saying goes, having worn out iron shoes to find nothing, it comes easily without effort; some things still require fate to obtain.

Baobao said: "Older sister, why does the Emperor never come to Lingyu Palace?"

A single question touched Lin Wan's sore spot; she let out a faint sigh, lowered her head, her beautiful eyes dim with sorrow as she gazed at the water surface. After a long silence she said: "The last time I saw him was at his investiture ceremony. Since he ascended the throne, I have come to Lingyu Palace, yet he has never visited—not even a greeting."

Baobao said: "Could he have discovered something?"

Lin Wan shook her head: "Impossible."

Seeing Lin Wan's expression, Baobao seemed reluctant to continue the topic. The inner palace holds three thousand beauties, and Dakang's imperial palace has far more than that—how could the Emperor's interest possibly be focused on just one person? She whispered: "That little eunuch surnamed Hu seems to have some background." Baobao said: "I suspect there's something fishy in the wine cellar; perhaps that little Hu eunuch knows where the secret passage is."

Lin Wan said: "Father just told us to act as circumstances dictate, not to take risks, Baobao—you're badly hurt this time; don't go looking for him again in the near future." She picked up the oars again, and the orchid boat drifted farther away. Hu Xiaotian could no longer hear their words; seeing the small boat dock at the southeast corner, the two women went ashore one after another. Only then did Hu Xiaotian re-enter the water cavern along his original route.

After returning to the cavern, he dried his body, put on his clothes, and that night dug a hidden pit in the earth cavern and buried Wang Desheng deep.

He crawled back to the wine cellar, restored everything to its original place, confirmed nothing was amiss, then left the wine cellar.

Perhaps from being worn out after a day's labor, he slept quite soundly, only waking when the sun was high the next day. After arriving at the Herb Bureau, his status rose above that of the Cattle and Sheep Division of the Imperial Kitchen. After washing up, he went outside and saw Shi Xuedong and a few others carrying a basket of seasonal fruit, placing it in the courtyard. Shi Xuedong smiled: "Lord Hu, I was just about to call you—this is fruit requested by the Xining Palace, and they specifically asked you to deliver it."

Hu Xiaotian blinked. Xining Palace? Isn't that Empress Jian's residence? I've never had any dealings with that empress. Why would they specifically ask for me? Hu Xiaotian immediately thought of Wang Decai—yesterday I accidentally killed Wang Desheng, who is Wang Decai's younger brother, and Wang Decai is a close aide of Empress Jian. Could the mastermind behind this be Wang Decai?

Shi Xuedong came to his side and handed him the list from Xining Palace: "This is the list the Empress drew up; please have a look—I've already had someone check it twice. It should be correct."

Hu Xiaotian took the list without looking and whispered: "Who delivered the list?"

Shi Xuedong said: "The person has already left." He leaned close to Hu Xiaotian's ear and whispered mysteriously: "It was a eunuch surnamed Wang."

Hearing that, Hu Xiaotian's doubts deepened: "Surname Wang? Could it be Wang Desheng's brother? Is Wang Decai perhaps forging an imperial decree? Why should I obey just because you say so? Empress Jian and I are strangers—how could she specifically order me to go? To be safe, I shouldn't make this trip," he told Shi Xuedong: "Older brother Dong, I still have to go out to procure supplies—why don't you go instead?" He hadn't finished speaking when he saw Liu Yuzhang shuffle over, stooped.

Hu Xiaotian, together with several eunuchs, hurried forward to pay respects.

Liu Yuzhang nodded: "Xiaotian, take these fruits to Xining Palace. Hurry up."

Hearing him say that, Hu Xiaotian naturally couldn't refuse. He had Xiao Zhuo and Xiao Deng carry the basket of fruit straight to Xining Palace.

Most of the consorts' chambers in the inner palace are built beside the Jade Pond, but Xining Palace is an exception, located east of the imperial palace, north of Penglai Hall. Entering Xining Palace's courtyard, ancient trees line the path, lush green grass beneath them dotted with colorful little flowers. Passing through a gate, the first thing seen is a five-colored pool, its water clear to the bottom, fish clearly visible. Four lovely palace maids were there scattering fish feed into the pool. Seeing them enter, the tallest maid said: "Just place the fruits here."

Hu Xiaotian directed them to place the fruits, was about to take his leave, when the maid asked: "Which of you is Hu Xiaotian?"

Xiao Zhuo and Xiao Deng both turned their gazes to Hu Xiaotian in unison—needless to say, everyone saw it.

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "That's me. How should I address you, lovely lady?"

The tall maid, hearing his compliment, couldn't help covering her mouth with her embroidered handkerchief and lightly laughed: "You have a sweet tongue—come with me." She added: "Come alone!"

Hu Xiaotian blinked: "What do you want me to do with you?"

The maid said: "You've gone to all this trouble delivering the goods—don't you think you deserve a tip?" She turned, swaying her slender willow waist, and walked gracefully toward the second gate.

Hu Xiaotian felt today's affairs were somewhat strange, yet having come here he couldn't refuse; he subtly signaled Xiao Zhuo: "You two wait here; I'll be right back."

Hu Xiaotian followed the maid through the second gate, winding around until they seemed to reach another courtyard. Though Xining Palace's courtyard is small, it is exquisite—every flower and tree shows careful pruning. The maid led Hu Xiaotian along the winding path, passing several more gates, until they arrived at a palace hall. She stopped, smiled sweetly, and said: "Go in by yourself."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Older sister, is the Empress inside?"

The maid sweetly smiled: "You'll know once you go in!"

Hu Xiaotian felt his scalp tighten—could this be an obvious trap set to lure him in? After all, this is the Empress's domain; if they wanted to frame him, they could easily invent a crime, and even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn't wash him clean. He thought of Lin Chong mistakenly entering the White Tiger Hall; his eyes filled with wariness as he looked at the maid, yet his face remained bright and sunny as he said: "Older sister, won't you come in with me?"

The maid shook her head: "Everyone said they're inviting you alone to come in."

Hearing the word "please," Hu Xiaotian relaxed a little, thinking: No matter how formidable the Empress is, she's still just a woman—she couldn't possibly attack me on sight. My Profound Dark Yin Wind Claw isn't for show, and Baobao's martial arts aren't weak either—she's had me grab her till she screamed. What about the Empress? If she really wants to kill me, I'll crush her just the same.

Hu Xiaotian realized the saying "greater skill breeds greater boldness" is absolutely true; had he not trained his martial arts before, he wouldn't have had such courage. He smiled at the maid: "Then I'll go in first, and talk with you later."

This guy cautiously entered Xining Palace; the vast hall was empty. Hu Xiaotian cleared his throat and said: "Hu Xiaotian of the Herb Bureau pays his respects to the Empress, may she live a thousand years, ten thousand years!" His voice echoed in the hall, but no one answered.

Hu Xiaotian felt a bit uneasy, then said: "Since the Empress isn't here, I'll take my leave." He turned to go.

Suddenly a low voice came from behind the curtain ahead: "Come over!"

Hu Xiaotian stopped his steps; it turned out the Empress was hiding behind the curtains. Could it be that she wants to play hide-and-seek with me? I really don't have the interest for that. Hu Xiaotian tiptoed over; just as he passed the curtain, suddenly four little eunuchs rushed from behind and pressed his arms down. Hu Xiaotian was greatly alarmed— I said there was a trap, and it seems indeed so. He was just about to muster a counterattack when he heard a pleasant voice say: "Tie him up for me!"

Hu Xiaotian heard this voice, extremely familiar; he looked closely, only to see a little girl in a lake-green dress walking out from behind the curtains, smiling brightly, her skin fair as snow, her features picturesque— exactly the little girl Qiqi whom Hu Xiaotian had rescued on his way to take up his post in Azure Cloud. After several months apart, this little lass had obviously grown quite a bit taller; even so, even if she turned to ashes, Hu Xiaotian would still recognize her.

Hu Xiaotian had wanted to resist, but seeing it was her, he immediately dismissed that idea. After all, his survival was thanks to Qiqi; this girl, though mischievous and odd, now seems not to have a bad heart. Moreover, times have changed: Qiqi is now a heavenly favored daughter, the Bright Pearl in the palm of the present Dakang Emperor, the Dakang Princess.

Resisting would only expose the secret of the martial arts he had learned; Hu Xiaotian was convinced that Qiqi did not truly intend to harm him, so he gave up the idea of fighting back. The four little eunuchs swarmed forward, tied Hu Xiaotian up with rope, and then hung him upside down from the beam.

Qiqi, feeling pleased with herself, waved her hand and said: "You all may leave; there's nothing for you to do here."

Because Hu Xiaotian was hung upside down, everything he saw appeared inverted. After the four little eunuchs had all withdrawn, he finally called out: "Princess, have you had enough fun?"

Qiqi stepped up to him, grabbed his collar in one hand, and with her beautiful eyes fixed hatefully on Hu Xiaotian's eyes, she said: "Aren't you quite mighty? You shout at me and threaten me at the drop of a hat— why don't you try threatening me once more?"

Hu Xiaotian secretly sighed; indeed, times have turned— when they first met, he never would have imagined that this little lass was actually of imperial descent, let alone that in just a few months her father would become emperor and she would transform into a princess. "A hen that flies onto a branch becomes a phoenix!" he thought, then corrected himself: "No, she was always a phoenix."

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