Chapter 351

Hu Xiaotian had already retreated to the safe zone; Baobao rushed forward wanting to chase and beat him, but seeing Ma Liangpeng and Wang Ren come over from the side, she quickly lowered her head: "Take care, Lord Hu." The little girl's acting was also extraordinary; even if someone had taken advantage of her, though she felt bitter inside, she had to swallow her grievance and put on a proper front in front of people.

Hu Xiaotian said: "No need to see me off; Zajia will go back by myself."

Ma Liangpeng and Wang Ren also came over, bowed to Hu Xiaotian and said: "Lord Hu, are you going back?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "The Talented Person understands that my work at the Bureau of Supplies is busy, so she let me go back to stay there."

Ma Liangpeng said softly: "Lord Hu, I have something to say but I don't know if I should."

"Don't hem and haw; just say what you have to say." Hu Xiaotian showed some impatience; tonight he really felt unsatisfied, having been made anxious by Wen Ya, otherwise he wouldn't have acted so impulsively in front of Baobao, doing that improper thing.

Baobao spat again behind Hu Xiaotian, then spat, not because she had any objection to him, but she still couldn't get over the shadow of his forced kiss.

The two little eunuchs unaware of the situation looked startled, thinking Baobao's action was improper, spitting at this moment.

Ma Liangpeng said: "Lord Hu, the Talented Person has asked us all to wait in the outer court."

Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brows; Wen Ya's move clearly showed distrust of them, thus it was clear that letting him return to the Bureau of Supplies wasn't out of consideration for his hardship, but to keep distance from them. Hu Xiaotian said: "So what?"

Ma Liangpeng said: "I'm saying the Talented Person seems not to trust us."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "You're overthinking; in the Bright Moon Palace there is only one master." His words were self-evident: only Wen Ya runs the household here, and everyone must follow her decisions.

Ma Liangpeng nodded and said: "I just... I think that Wutong doesn't seem to know the palace rules; if she neglects something, will the Empress blame us?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Just attend carefully. Tell me anything promptly." He thought a moment and added: "Tonight you all stay up a bit later; just now the Talented Person gave me a gift list, which is what she intends to send to each consort. Tonight you four will distribute all the gifts properly, and tomorrow morning I will deliver them one by one."

Ma Liangpeng answered.

Baobao spat again behind Hu Xiaotian; Hu Xiaotian, pretending not to know, asked: "What's wrong? Is your throat uncomfortable?"

Baobao cursed him inwardly, calling him shameless, vile, and despicable, for taking such a big advantage and yet acting as if nothing had happened. No matter how angry she felt, she had to bow her head before reality, for Hu Xiaotian was her superior on the surface and behind the scenes held her fate in his hands; Baobao truly regretted coming to the Mingyue Palace, where she not only endured anger but also humiliation. Baobao said: "Reporting to Eunuch Hu, I may have caught a chill."

Hu Xiaotian feigned concern: "The weather is changing; there may be heavy snow these days, so dress warmly."

"Thank you, Eunuch Hu!"

Hu Xiaotian looked at Baobao swallowing her anger, like a put-upon daughter-in-law; he felt both amused and pitying, and nodded: "All of you go rest now; Zajia should also head back."

Baobao said: "I'll see Eunuch Hu out."

Hu Xiaotian didn't refuse, and went with Baobao to the outside of Mingyue Palace; Baobao spat again.

Hu Xiaotian whispered: "If you have any grievances, just speak them out."

Baobao gritted her teeth: "If you dare treat me like this again, I will……"

"What then?" Hu Xiaotian said fearlessly.

Baobao said: "I will cut out your tongue and see if you still dare to poke around in my mouth."

Hu Xiaotian laughed loudly. That guy shook his head, walked away with a steady pace, leaving Baobao fuming, stamping her feet, grinding her teeth, muttering inwardly: "Despicable! Shameless! Lewd!" Yet as she watched his receding back fade into the darkness, she couldn't help but soften.

Hu Xiaotian returned to the Office of Imperial Gardens, only to see the large house where the eunuchs lived brightly lit, with laughter now and then; he frowned, surprised that just after he left it had become so lively—normally at this hour it would already be rest time. He crept over; the little eunuch at the door saw him coming, startled, eyes wide, stammering: "Eunuch Hu... Eunuch Hu... you're back..." His voice was clearly shouted at full volume, obviously spreading the news; instantly the room descended into chaos.

Hu Xiaotian smirked inwardly, ignored him, kicked the door open with one foot, only to see a group of eunuchs standing there, embarrassed and at a loss, while the table was empty.

Shi Xuedong chuckled as he came forward: "Eunuch Hu, you... you're back?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "What are you doing?"

"Nothing?"

Hu Xiaotian sat at the table, tapped the table with his right hand: "Bring everything out!"

Shi Xuedong and Xiao Zhuo exchanged a glance; they both knew Hu Xiaotian's shrewdness, and it would be hard to fool him. Shi Xuedong glanced at everyone and said: "Bring it out." Then someone produced a sieve, someone else pulled out silver coins, and in no time the table was piled with broken silver.

Hu Xiaotian glanced and said: "Quite a lot, huh."

Xiao Zhuo had an idea, smiling apologetically: "These are all offerings from the brothers to Eunuch Hu."

Hu Xiaotian wouldn't care about this bit of silver; he chuckled: "Divide the silver among yourselves, Shi Xuedong, come with me."

Shi Xuedong followed Hu Xiaotian, head bowed and waist bent, into his room; upon entering, Shi Xuedong exclaimed indignantly: "I told you not to gamble, but this bunch of rascals just won't listen."

Hu Xiaotian snorted coldly; Shi Xuedong didn't dare say more, knowing he couldn't hide anything from Hu Xiaotian, he immediately slumped his head and said: "Brother, this gambling ring was organized by me; you know how boring the palace is, the weather's cold, everyone's bored."

Hu Xiaotian said: "A little gambling is fine, normally it's nothing, but I saw the silver on the table just now wasn't little; you're now the purchasing officer of the Office of Imperial Gardens, so your finances are naturally more comfortable..."

Shi Xuedong earnestly protested: "Brother, I haven't been lining my own pockets, I……"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Why the rush? I never said you were lining your pockets; there's no hidden silver."

Shi Xuedong was speechless, realizing he couldn't hide anything from Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Let you handle this, I'm not afraid you'll gain an advantage; besides, if there's an advantage, would I not give it to my own people and instead give it to outsiders?"

Shi Xuedong wiped his sweat and said: "Brother, I understand your kindness to me; I would go through fire and water for you..."

"Enough, there really is trouble, and I can't let you, my brother, take the blame for me. Elder Brother Dong, you should know how we got into the palace. Although things have improved lately, we are still marked men; who knows how many eyes are watching us? Those little eunuchs flatter us to our faces, but behind our backs who knows how they slander us. We've weathered great storms; if we capsize again in a small ditch, would you say we're wronged?"

Shi Xuedong nodded repeatedly.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Everything has its limits; when purchasing outside the palace, you must clearly distinguish what to take and what not to take. The vegetables and fruits we buy are all destined for the Emperor, the Empress, and the Princesses; we must enforce strict oversight at every level, ensuring nothing is amiss. If any mistake occurs in this regard, we don't have enough heads to lose."

Shi Xuedong said: "Brother, rest assured; I have always been cautious in this regard."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm not blaming you; I'm just giving you a heads-up. As for gambling, remember not to be greedy for short-term wins or losses; if you want to win people's hearts, you can't take all the advantages."

Shi Xuedong, having taken his hint, suddenly understood, nodded and said: "Brother, I get it; I'll return all the silver I won."

Next morning, Hu Xiaotian early went to Mingyue Palace to pay respects; Wen Ya had already risen, sitting at her desk writing invitation cards; two little eunuchs beside her were arranging the gifts, while Baobao and Wutong sorted the gift list onto the gifts. Qiuyan had been summoned back to the Qingning Palace early that morning; Empress Jian had sent for her.

Hu Xiaotian approached Wen Ya, bowed deeply, and said: "Talented Person, good fortune!"

Wen Ya didn't even glance at him with her beautiful eyes, and said softly: "I've basically finished the invitation cards; later you few will each send them out."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'll take care of it right away."

The gifts for the Empress and the four consorts are to be personally delivered by Wen Ya; the other consorts' gifts will be handled by Hu Xiaotian and the others. A total of forty gifts were prepared, meaning that everyone of rank Fifth Grade Talented Person and above receives a gift; as for those below Fifth Grade Talented Person, Wen Ya naturally need not bother currying favor with them.

Excluding the Empress and the four consorts, there remain thirty-five recipients; Hu Xiaotian and his companions will each take responsibility. The gifts are things like hairpins, earrings, bracelets, and similar ornaments, easy to carry; the real concern is not to mix up the recipients.

Hu Xiaotian has a gift to deliver to Lin Wan of Lingyu Palace; Lin Wan is a Second Grade Zhaoyi, usually called Consort; Hu Xiaotian originally thought this task should be Baobao's, but it fell to him. He knows this Consort is also a top‑level undercover agent, sharing the same foster father, Hong Beimo, as Baobao, and that Hong Beimo likely has some connection with Li Yuncong.

Lingyu Palace lies west of the Jade Pool, situated among the imperial consorts' residences, somewhat remote; palace assignments are decided by the Empress, showing that Lin Wan's relationship with Empress Jian is not harmonious. Because of Baobao, Hu Xiaotian also paid special attention to Lin Wan's affairs, knowing she entered the former Crown Prince's residence three years ago and was said to have enjoyed favor for a time; perhaps it was this experience that offended Empress Jian.

New week, please vote for recommendation! (To be continued~^~)