Chapter 332

Hu Xiaotian also understood that with Ji Feihua's status, she certainly wouldn't covet his single blade; he nodded and took the opportunity to say: "That black-armored assassin tonight was truly formidable—he could actually fly."

Ji Feihua snorted with disdain: "He merely used his wings to glide in the air; he is a remnant of Hong Beimo's subordinates in the Bureau of Heavenly Secrets. Hong Beimo excels at mechanism design, and the Winged Warriors were organized by him."

Hu Xiaotian said: "The Winged Warriors can actually control bats to launch attacks."

Ji Feihua said: "Controlling flying beasts and wild animals is nothing unusual for the people of the Bureau of Heavenly Secrets; they are divided into the Formation Chart School, Beast Control School, and Mechanism School. Hong Beimo is the chief strategist of the Bureau of Heavenly Secrets—it's a pity he refuses to serve me." Ji Feihua sighed, looking quite regretful.

Hu Xiaotian first heard of this person Hong Beimo from Baobao; Baobao is Hong Beimo's adopted daughter, and even includes the Noble Consort Lin Wan of the Lingyu Palace. The inner palace is indeed a tangled web, with multiple forces intertwined, each with different aims. Hu Xiaotian asked: "Why would Hong Beimo want to assassinate the commander?" He thought of a question: Could tonight's assassination be related to the Divine Strategy Manor?

Ji Feihua said: "There are still a few people in the court who wholeheartedly protect the Retired Emperor." Having said that, he smiled at Hu Xiaotian: "Quan De'an's most formidable skill is the Art of No Gap; has he ever mentioned it to you?"

Hu Xiaotian was startled by the question, then shook his head and said: "No, what's the Art of No Gap?"

Ji Feihua said: "If you get the chance, you can ask him."

Ji Feihua's favor toward Hu Xiaotian puzzled many, Li Yan undoubtedly being one of them. Returning to the Directorate of Eunuchs, Ji Feihua placed his black-gold long saber on the table, and a knocking sound came from outside.

After receiving permission, Li Yan entered.

Ji Feihua said: "Anything?"

Li Yan nodded and said in a low voice: "Commander, don't you find this matter highly suspicious?"

Ji Feihua said: "Speak more clearly."

Li Yan said: "Hu Xiaotian is Quan De'an's man; tonight the commander went to see Wen Bohua, and so coincidentally encountered an assassination on Tian Street—how could anyone know your every move so clearly?"

Ji Feihua smiled faintly: "Although Wen Bohua wishes to eliminate me, even giving him immense courage, he would not dare to do so openly. Those assassins are likely Hong Beimo's subordinates; as far as I know, there is no sign of an alliance between Hong Beimo and Wen Bohua."

Li Yan said: "The commander should know who the true mastermind behind the Divine Strategy Manor is!"

Ji Feihua unfastened his cloak; Li Yan hurried forward to help him take it off, carefully hanging it to one side.

Ji Feihua sat down in the Grand Tutor's chair: "Greed is insufficient; a snake tries to swallow an elephant. Wen Chenghuan appears modest and humble on the surface, but in reality he is ambitious; he and Quan De'an are in league, and their true aim is not to support the Third Prince as crown prince."

Li Yan said: "I've heard His Majesty also favors the Third Prince greatly."

Ji Feihua chuckled, but suddenly his smile froze on his face; he raised his hand and gave Li Yan a resounding slap, leaving Li Yan dazed.

Ji Feihua coldly said: "What are you, daring to second-guess the holy will?"

Li Yan, frightened, fell to his knees with a thud, trembling: "Commander, please calm your anger; your subordinate deserves death. Your subordinate deserves death."

Ji Feihua said: "After being by my side for so long, you still don't know even this temper of the Miscellaneous School; how could others presume to dictate what the Miscellaneous School decides?"

Li Yan fell silent like a cicada in winter, cold sweat trickling down his forehead.

Ji Feihua said: "Hu Xiaotian is a talent; don't make things difficult for him."

Li Yan truly didn't understand why Ji Feihua admired this kid so much; seeing Ji Feihua's expression ease slightly, he dared to speak, saying in a low voice: "Commander, I have just received a piece of news."

Speak!

Grand Tutor Wen went to see the Empress today.

Ji Feihua said nonchalantly: "What is he going to see her for?"

Li Yan said: "I heard it was to select concubines for the Emperor."

Ji Feihua's twin sword brows knit together, a cold glint flashing in his phoenix eyes: "Selecting concubines? Whose daughter?"

Li Yan said: "The specific details haven't been ascertained yet."

Ji Feihua said: "Keep a close watch on this matter; that old scoundrel Wen Chenghuan surely has some scheme in mind."

In the Grand Tutor's residence, Wen Chenghuan and the Supervisor of Rituals, Commander Quan De'an, sat facing each other. Wen Chenghuan is sixty-three, his beard and hair all white, yet well-maintained, his complexion ruddy and his spirit vibrant. Compared to him, Quan De'an appears frail and aged, his vigor waning.

What did the Empress say?

Wen Chenghuan said: "Empress Jian has only one demand."

Quan De'an glanced at Wen Chenghuan and said softly: "Is it that we should support the Crown Prince to become heir apparent?"

Wen Chenghuan nodded slowly.

Quan De'an sighed softly, then couldn't help but cough; after a series of violent coughs, he caught his breath and said: "All the princes and princesses I have watched grow up; the Crown Prince's temperament is simply not suited to bear great responsibility."

Wen Chenghuan said: "Times change; before His Majesty ascended the throne, we never anticipated such a situation."

Quan De'an shook his head gloomily: "Has the Grand Tutor agreed?"

Wen Chenghuan did not directly answer his question, but instead countered: "Do you think I should agree?"

Quan De'an said: "In the Emperor's heart, the Empress and the Crown Prince hold essentially the same position."

Wen Chenghuan smiled at Quan De'an.

Quan De'an paused, then stated his conclusion: "It's of little consequence, but the Emperor must consider others' opinions."

Wen Chenghuan said: "The present Emperor seems to have changed."

Quan De'an said: "Thus we officials can only strive to change the Emperor, to have him draw near virtuous ministers and keep away petty men." The petty man referred to is Ji Feihua.

Wen Chenghuan said: "The Emperor neglects the harem, favoring only Ji Feihua; if this continues, the state will surely perish and the ancestral altars will collapse."

Quan De'an said: "This woman is of heavenly beauty and alluring charm; presenting her to the Emperor might perhaps cause him to awaken and return to the right path."

Wen Chenghuan sighed: "I hope the Emperor can understand our loyal ministers' painstaking efforts."

Quan De'an said: "The Empress's request can be accommodated first; our greatest trouble now is Ji Feihua—we must eradicate this calamitous villain before we can consider other matters."

Wen Chenghuan lifted his Chazan and took a sip of tea, then said softly: "Have you recently visited the Grand Councilor Zhou's side?"

Quan De'an said: "Grand Councilor Zhou labors day and night for state affairs; I also cannot bear to disturb him."

Wen Chenghuan's eyes flickered: "Does he have any suggestions regarding the Crown Prince's selection?"

Quan De'an shook his head: "Since His Majesty ascended the throne, Grand Councilor Zhou has concerned himself solely with state affairs, busy purging corruption, restoring law and order; he rarely pays attention to palace matters, perhaps deeming them trivial compared to state affairs."

Wen Chenghuan said: "If the harem is not at peace, how can one govern the world, let alone reform the court and revive Dakang?"

Quan De'an said: "Perhaps he understands all this, but simply refuses to speak."

Wen Chenghuan sighed: "Someone must attend to these matters; for Dakang's sake, I can only grit my teeth and do it."

Hu Xiaotian cares nothing for state affairs; all he thinks about is how to survive better in the palace. Since he took over the Directorate of Imperial Gardens, everything has run smoothly; after Liu Yuzhang's death, Baobao never came again; as for that spoiled princess Qiqi, rumor has it she went north for a hunt, and a round trip might take over a month, so at least for now she won't come to bother him.

The underground passage Hu Xiaotian considered secret did not draw enough attention from Ji Feihua; during this period, Ji Feihua would occasionally come to chat with him, their topics mostly trivial. On the contrary, Quan De'an suddenly severed his connection with him.

The weather grew colder day by day; last night saw the first ice formation, and the eunuchs also put on heavy cotton coats. Early that morning, as Hu Xiaotian rose, a eunuch from the Directorate of Palace Servants brought him a gift from Ji Feihua—a black fur vest.

Speaking of which, Ji Feihua has been quite kind to him. Hu Xiaotian changed into clothes, put on the fur vest underneath, and went to the courtyard. With winter arriving, the frequency of his palace outings for shopping has not been as frequent as before; the varieties of fruits and vegetables in the market are just those few types, and in an era when greenhouse technology is not yet widespread, even the imperial household cannot obtain any off‑season vegetables.

Shi Xuedong appeared behind Hu Xiaotian, rubbing his hands and stamping his feet, exhaling white vapor as he said, "Lord Hu, it seems we haven't gone out to shop for a few days." Stuck in the palace all day, he was about to go stir‑crazy.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "I'll go out tomorrow; I still have things to do today."

Shi Xuedong quickly replied, "Make sure you don't forget me tomorrow."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, seeing Xiao Dengzi hobble over; his leg injury was gradually healing, and now he could walk without a crutch.

Xiao Dengzi came before Hu Xiaotian and performed a salute.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and asked, "How's the recovery going?"

Xiao Dengzi said, "Thank you for your concern, Lord Hu. It's almost there; I went to the Imperial Medical Institute for a follow‑up yesterday, and Miss Qin said I should be able to walk freely in about half a month, and she told me to practice more."

Upon hearing the three words "Miss Qin," Hu Xiaotian's heart stirred—could it be Qin Yutong? He whispered, "Which Miss Qin?"

Xiao Dengzi replied, "It's Miss Qin Yutong of Xuantian Guan, the personal disciple of Master Ren. She happened to be seeing patients at the Imperial Medical Institute yesterday, and I was lucky to catch her."

Hu Xiaotian asked, "Will she be staying at the Imperial Medical Institute from now on?"

Xiao Dengzi said, "Hard to say; I helped out at the Imperial Medical Institute a while back, and in all that time I've only seen her once."

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Xiao Dengzi asked, "Lord Hu, do you have something to attend to?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Nothing much; I just have a question I'd like to ask Miss Qin in person."

Xiao Dengzi laughed, "That's no problem—I have acquaintances at the Imperial Medical Institute; as long as I give them a heads‑up, they'll naturally inform me the moment Miss Qin comes next time." (To be continued~^~)