Chapter 346

Hu Xiaotian laughed louder and happier, Baobao felt a bit dazed by his laughter. Hu Xiaotian secretly delighted, thinking, "Blow me? Come on, I've seen everything, what's there to fear from your blowing me?" Yet he didn't know how she would want to blow him later. The wicked thought pleased him for a while, then he composed himself, restrained his smile, and said: "As long as you obediently listen from now on, I naturally won't make things difficult for you."

Baobao, full of confusion, said: "Was it Mr. Hong who sent you?"

Hu Xiaotian gave a cold snort and said: "You have no right to interfere in my affairs."

Baobao bit her cherry lips, locked eyes with Hu Xiaotian for a moment, then finally softened, lowering her long black lashes, and whispered softly: "Yes……"

Seeing her finally yield, Hu Xiaotian realized it was entirely due to this whistle; the whistle itself had no power, but Baobao's body must have been implanted with some restriction, and the whistle's sound happened to act as a catalyst, similar to the tightening spell on Sun Wukong.

Baobao said: "From now on… will you give me the antidote?"

Hu Xiaotian stared for a moment, from Baobao's words he sensed something; she must have been poisoned inside her body. After a brief shock, Hu Xiaotian nodded again, first covering this silly girl's mouth, letting her obey before speaking further.

Baobao said: "Lord Hu, can you help relieve me of the torment of the Ten Thousand Insects Bone-Eroding Pill?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "That depends on how you behave from now on; also remember that you must obey me directly, and whatever Lin Wan tells you to do, you must first get my approval."

Baobao's face showed doubt, and she whispered: "Was it Mr. Hong who told you to say this to me?"

Hu Xiaotian suddenly stood up and said: "You only need to remember that from now on you are responsible to me; everything else has nothing to do with you."

Baobao seemed cowed by Hu Xiaotian's aura; she lowered her head.

Hu Xiaotian strode past her with head held high and shoulders broad. Baobao's lovely, pretty face showed a hint of resentment and anger, and she thought to herself: "One day I will blow you to death, bite you to death!"

Returning to the familiar courtyard of the Service Bureau, Hu Xiaotian finally felt at ease. Tonight his three close aides—Shi Xuedong, Xiao Zhuozi, and Xiao Dengzi—had already prepared a lavish spread, saying it was to send him off in high spirits, even though Hu Xiaotian wasn't actually leaving the Service Bureau. Yet going to take charge of Bright Moon Palace was also considered a joyous occasion; in the eunuchs' eyes, Hu Xiaotian being entrusted with an important post showed the superiors' trust in him. Eunuchs of their rank rarely concern themselves with who is loyal or treacherous; they care most about who is most influential and powerful. They cannot curry favor with the Emperor, but they still hope to ingratiate themselves with influential eunuchs.

Now rumors spread throughout the palace that Ji Feihua greatly admired Hu Xiaotian, and he suddenly became a hotshot among the young eunuchs. The happiest were his three close aides, especially Shi Xuedong, who was the most delighted. Having thought Liu Yuzhang was dead and that no one in the palace could protect Hu Xiaotian anymore, he never expected his sworn brother to have attached himself to an even tougher backer. With Hu Xiaotian rising in power, his sworn elder brother naturally shared in the prestige. Now in the Service Bureau, Hu Xiaotian is the boss, and he is the second-in-command—one below, many above. Many little eunuchs follow behind, flattering him.

Gazing at the table full of delicious dishes, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but sigh: "It's not a big deal, why make such a fuss? I've told you many times—keep a low profile when doing things. The palace is full of eyes and ears; once someone spots us and catches our mistake, who knows how they'll slander us."

Shi Xuedong laughed: "Lord Hu, don't worry; we're very careful, we haven't let too many people see."

Xiao Zhuozi and Xiao Dengzi came over to invite Hu Xiaotian to sit; Hu Xiaotian gave his reminder, though he didn't think a meal was a big deal either, and took the seat of honor. Shi Xuedong had already respectfully poured him wine. Although he is Hu Xiaotian's sworn elder brother, here Hu Xiaotian is the boss; to get by in the palace, one must rely on Hu Xiaotian's care. Shi Xuedong also understands that their sworn brotherhood was originally just pretense—he never regarded Hu Xiaotian as a brother, nor did Hu Xiaotian see him as an elder brother. When he originally saw Hu Xiaotian off at the long pavilion to take up his post in Xichuan, he even gave Hu Xiaotian two pictures, intending to trap him, secretly wishing Hu Xiaotian would go west and perish. But fate twisted things: the political winds shifted, and instead of becoming estranged, they became brothers-in-arms, and both were eventually castrated and entered the palace.

Now Shi Xuedong genuinely feels affection for Hu Xiaotian—brotherly love, mutual reliance, and shared hardship.

The three close attendant eunuchs simultaneously raised their wine cups and said: "This cup is to wish Lord Hu victory and smooth sailing as he heads to Bright Moon Palace."

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily, raised his cup and drank with them; Xiao Zhuozi had already picked up Hu Xiaotian's chopsticks and quickly placed a piece of poached chicken in a dipping dish for him—being a eunuch, one's greatest skill is reading faces and tones.

Hu Xiaotian took a bite of the poached chicken, nodded, and said: "The taste is good."

Xiao Zhuozi gave a flattering smile and said: "Today I specially went to the Imperial Kitchen and selected the best, bringing a few dishes."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm going to Bright Moon Palace, not to war—what's with 'victorious banner' and 'smooth sailing'? You really like to spout nonsense."

Shi Xuedong said: "Anyway, it's an auspicious saying. Now rumors spread throughout the palace that this newly arrived Talented Person is as beautiful as 'hiding the moon, shaming the flowers' and 'sinking fish, falling geese,' making us all eager to go see her."

Hu Xiaotian glared at him, thinking: Shi Xuedong's remaining testicle is acting up again—this guy really is pitiful, still secreting male hormones yet unable to perform sexually; it's poetic justice.

Xiao Dengzi also nodded and said: "I've heard that too; some even say she's the most beautiful woman in the world."

Shi Xuedong snorted on the side: "What 'most beautiful woman in the world'? I don't believe it—there's always someone beyond, a heaven beyond heaven; who dares claim to be number one?"

Xiao Zhuozi said: "I don't believe it either; I've heard Princess Anping is actually the most beautiful woman in the world."

Shi Xuedong nodded as well: "I've heard that too, but unfortunately I don't have that fortune, and I still haven't had the chance to meet her."

Upon mentioning Princess Anping, Hu Xiaotian fell into deep thought; lately, being busy with many affairs, he couldn't find time, and besides, that underground passage isn't all that secret, so Hu Xiaotian has recently become much more cautious.

Xiao Dengzi said: "This Talented Person is the daughter of Minister Wen, and she's gorgeous besides; I heard the Empress herself arranged her entry, and if she gains the Emperor's favor, she might one day rank among the Three Palaces."

Several people turned their gaze to Hu Xiaotian; since he was assigned to oversee Bright Moon Palace, he now had the chance to come into close contact with the Talented Person. If the Emperor favors her, he will surely visit Bright Moon Palace often, which means Hu Xiaotian gains an opportunity to get close to the Emperor; if he can win the Emperor's favor, promotion and riches are imminent. Actually, this opportunity was originally meant for Xiao Zhuozi, but because Ji Feihua insisted Hu Xiaotian go in person, Hu Xiaotian would rather not invite this trouble—what others see as a delicacy looks to him like a hot potato. He has a premonition that once the Talented Person enters the palace, Bright Moon Palace will surely see its share of trouble.

Shi Xuedong said: "Upon careful thought, this matter still seems a bit strange."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "What's so strange about it?"

Shi Xuedong said: "Generally speaking, palace concubines vie for favor, each wishing to devour the other; how could they actively recommend such a beautiful woman to the Emperor? The Empress doing this seems somewhat abnormal."

Xiao Zhuozi glanced at Hu Xiaotian timidly and said: "It seems the Empress is no longer pursuing the matter of Wang Decai." He had personally witnessed the whole scene of Wang Decai's killing that day, and to this day he remains terrified.

Hu Xiaotian said: "You must remember this: we are merely a bunch of low-ranking eunuchs, the lowest in the palace; we shouldn't meddle in others' affairs, and even if we see something, we should pretend we didn't."

Xiao Zhuozi hurriedly nodded in agreement.

At this moment someone came to find Hu Xiaotian—it was Zilan Palace's maid Ziju. Hu Xiaotian never expected her to come to the Service Bureau; he guessed there was an eighty to ninety percent chance it concerned Princess Anping, so he hurried out to meet her. Not long after night fell, Ziju stood in the courtyard accompanied by a lantern-holding eunuch, saw Hu Xiaotian and smiled: "Lord Hu, auspicious greetings."

Hu Xiaotian hastily bowed and returned the salute: "Lady Ziju, auspicious greetings. No wonder I heard magpies chattering on the branches this morning when I woke up—it turns out Lady Ziju is coming."

Ziju giggled: "Lord Hu, you really know how to speak; am I disturbing your meal by coming now?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "No disturbance, no disturbance; Lady Ziju, even if you came at the third watch, I would still be delighted."

Ziju pursed her lips, actually showing a hint of shyness, thinking: "This little eunuch really knows how to talk, though he's a bit frivolous—no one would come looking for you at the third watch." She said: "I'm not here for anything urgent this time; the Princess's palate is light today, and she suddenly wants to eat peaches, but I don't know whether your Service Bureau has any."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Winter peaches have indeed arrived; I've ordered some, but they'll be delivered tomorrow." Actually, a large batch of winter peaches had already been stored today; Hu Xiaotian understood in his heart that the Princess wasn't really after winter peaches—she was just making an excuse to see him. It seems not only does he have feelings for the Princess, but she also harbors a little affection for him.

Ziju said: "Then remember this: as soon as the winter peaches arrive tomorrow, send them over."

Hu Xiaotian hehe-laughed: "Lady Ziju, rest assured; if you help me convey my message to the Princess, even if the winter peaches arrive at midnight tonight, I will definitely deliver them to her."

Ziju spat and said: "If you deliver them at midnight, you'll disturb the Princess's beautiful dream—be careful, or you'll be punished."

Hu Xiaotian hehe-laughed: "Just say that, Lady Ziju; please help me pass along the message so the Princess can see my loyal heart."

Ziju secretly laughed at this interesting little eunuch, nodded, and turned to leave; she could never have imagined Hu Xiaotian's wolfish ambitions, nor that he would actually dare to sneak into Zilan Palace at the third watch to deliver winter peaches to the Princess. (To be continued~^~)