Chapter 369

Hu Xiaotian respectfully said: "Baobao probably never had direct contact with Hong Beimo; all orders were conveyed through Lin Wan. Lin Wan is a sinister and vicious woman; sending Baobao to Mingyue Palace likely had ulterior motives, probably not Hong Beimo's intention."

Li Yuncong narrowed his eyes and said: "Lin Wan is nothing to worry about; you only need to monitor their movements, to prevent them from acting on their own and rashly ruining the grand plan."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I have already conveyed the grandfather's words to them; as long as they have the Revival Flute in hand, I need not worry about the two of them not obeying obediently. Now they still think I am sent by Hong Beimo, and in my presence they are terrified and respectful."

Li Yuncong said: "By all means, don't be deceived by appearances; since Hong Beimo sent them into the palace, and Lin Wan managed to stand out among the beauties of the harem, this shows she still has some tricks. If unnecessary, you should still try to have as little contact with her as possible."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, recalling that he had also practiced the internal cultivation method of the Formless Divine Skill for a few days, yet seemed to have made no progress; thus he asked Li Yuncong for advice. After taking his pulse, Li Yuncong was also deeply puzzled, unable to figure out why Hu Xiaotian remained stuck.

Upon returning to the office of the Supervisor of Sacrifices' room, it was already almost the fourth watch; Hu Xiaotian was cold and hungry, casually ate a few snacks, slipped into the blankets and fell into a sound sleep. He slept so soundly that it was dark as night and day, and when he woke up it was already the afternoon of the next day.

He opened the door and stepped outside, seeing the snow falling harder, like goose feathers drifting between heaven and earth; the snow on the ground had already accumulated over a foot thick, and the entire palace was covered in a white expanse. A few young eunuchs were piling snow and playing in the courtyard. Court life was usually monotonous and dull, and such joyful moments were rare. Moreover, Kangdu lies to the south and had not seen such heavy snow for many years.

Xiao Zhuozi, wearing a heavy cotton robe with ear protectors, bundled up tightly, came from the direction of the medicine store; seeing Hu Xiaotian come out, he hurried over and bowed, saying: "Lord Hu, have you awakened?"

Hu Xiaotian yawned and said: "Zajia didn't expect to sleep this long."

Xiao Zhuozi said: "Elder Dong instructed that Lord Hu has been busy on both fronts these past two days, working hard; he told us not to disturb you and to let you sleep a bit longer."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, raised his hand to shield his forehead, blocking the snowflakes blowing in his face: "Where is Shi Xuedong?"

Xiao Zhuozi said: "He left the palace early this morning to purchase supplies."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Has anyone come looking for me today?"

Xiao Zhuozi shook his head.

Hu Xiaotian suddenly felt strange; usually from morning till night there were endless chores—either the Dong family came to find him, or the Xi family came to visit. Why is today different? Could it be that because of the snow nobody goes out? Or is it because I killed someone? My ill fame has spread far and wide, so no one dares to approach me? When a person is used to being busy all day, a sudden calm feels unfamiliar.

Xiao Zhuozi said: "Lord Hu hasn't eaten yet, sir; I'll have someone prepare a meal right away."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; at this moment his stomach indeed felt a little hungry.

Xiao Zhuozi hurriedly had people prepare the meal; shortly, steaming hot dishes were brought to Hu Xiaotian's room. Just as Hu Xiaotian was about to have a hearty meal, Xiao Dengzi came running over in a panic, approached Hu Xiaotian, and whispered in his ear: "Miss Qin has arrived at the Imperial Medical Institute."

He came to report the news either because of Hu Xiaotian's earlier instruction, which had him firmly remember to notify him immediately whenever Miss Qin went to the Imperial Medical Institute for consultation. Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian quickly filled his stomach and rose to go to the Imperial Medical Institute.

The snow on the ground had already piled up over a foot thick; since the snow was still falling nonstop, cleaning had not yet begun. After yesterday's melt, the temperature plunged, forming a thin layer of ice on the ground; the heavy snow has been falling from last night until now, making the roads slippery. On the way to the Imperial Medical Institute, Hu Xiaotian fared alright, but Xiao Dengzi kept slipping and falling.

Given Hu Xiaotian's current status, aside from a few restricted zones, he can basically come and go freely in the palace; the Imperial Medical Institute was never a heavily guarded place, and the guards' focus is also to prevent physicians from entering the inner palace; as for eunuchs and palace maids coming to see a doctor, they are generally not subjected to strict inspection.

Most of those who come to the Imperial Medical Institute to seek treatment are palace maids and eunuchs; nobles such as the emperor and his concubines will summon physicians into the palace.

Qin Yutong comes from the Xuantian Guan; her master is the head of Xuantian Guan, and unless personally summoned by the emperor, the head will not come here; the consultations at the Imperial Medical Institute are basically handled by his disciples.

Of course, palace maids and eunuchs cannot just show up for a consultation; they first need to register, like modern outpatient appointments—only with a number can they schedule a visit. Someone like Hu Xiaotian, who has attained a certain status in the palace, naturally needs no number; he swaggered into the Imperial Medical Institute.

Today the Imperial Medical Institute is especially busy; the temperature dropped sharply, and many palace maids and eunuchs have fallen ill from the cold; additionally, some have suffered external injuries from slipping on the snowy roads, including not a few with broken limbs.

When Hu Xiaotian found Qin Yutong, she was in the celestial-character sized treatment room setting a palace maid's broken bone. Since Qin Yutong was working, Hu Xiaotian did not rush to disturb her, but quietly observed her actions. After Qin Yutong set the maid's bone, she stood up, and someone nearby handed her a snow-white hot towel.

"Thank you!" Qin Yutong took the hot towel, only then sensing something odd; she lifted her gaze and saw Hu Xiaotian in eunuch attire standing before her. Despite Qin Yutong's composure, her clear, tranquil beautiful eyes could not help but ripple. Since parting in Xiezhou, half a year has passed, during which many things have happened, yet the Hu Xiaotian before her still smiles with sunshine brilliance, as if he were still the same person from yesterday, unchanged and ever unchanged.

"Miss Qin, do you still remember Zajia?"

Upon hearing Hu Xiaotian refer to himself as Zajia, Qin Yutong's heart inexplicably felt a pang of guilt; she suddenly realized that only she herself had remained unchanged, while Hu Xiaotian had completely transformed. She could not fathom the source of this guilt, wondering if she ought to bear responsibility for Hu Xiaotian's current state. She reminded herself silently that they were merely passing acquaintances, and her eyes returned to their former stillness as she spoke calmly: "Of course I remember; seeing Master Hu safe and sound, my heart is also greatly relieved."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled; Qin Yutong's words held no humor, yet his laughter made her heart tighten, and she even thought that Hu Xiaotian had come to hate her—because of their unannounced parting in Xiezhou, and because she had clearly learned of the Xichuan rebellion but had not leaked even a hint to him.

Hu Xiaotian said: "The Master Hu you knew is long dead; standing before you is the steward of the Dakang Supervisor of Sacrifices Bureau, Eunuch Hu!" This fellow spoke with vigor, feeling no inferiority but rather a full face of glory; it's no small feat to rise from a petty eunuch to the head of the Supervisor of Sacrifices Bureau in such a short time—such promotion speed is rare even in modern workplaces.

Qin Yutong, however, felt an inexplicable sadness from Hu Xiaotian's words; in fact she had overthought it, and for a moment she did not know what to say to comfort Hu Xiaotian, nor whether she ought to express to him her regret for having known but not reported earlier.

Fortunately, someone else came for treatment at that moment, temporarily easing Qin Yutong's embarrassment. It was a young eunuch with a dislocated wrist; Qin Yutong was about to call for help, but Hu Xiaotian had already stepped forward and pressed down on the eunuch's body—perhaps because Hu Xiaotian's arrival affected Qin Yutong's state of mind, the first attempt at reduction failed. At the crucial moment, Hu Xiaotian intervened and easily reset the eunuch's wrist.

After the young eunuch moved his arm, he departed with profuse thanks, and Qin Yutong said: "It seems your medical skill has not been forgotten."

"Many things will not be forgotten."

Qin Yutong lowered her long black lashes at Hu Xiaotian's words, and after some effort whispered softly: "I'm sorry; I should have warned you earlier."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "There's nothing to apologize for; Zajia came today to see Miss Qin simply to say thank you in person. If it weren't for the gift you gave me, Xiao Tian would probably now be locked up in prison, perhaps even losing his life."

Qin Yutong did not know whether Hu Xiaotian's words were sincere; if she had not given him that mask back then, he would surely have fallen into the Li family's hands—even if he lost his freedom, he would not necessarily lose his life, for he is the future son-in-law of Li Tianheng and engaged to Li Wuyou. It was precisely because I gave him that mask that he managed to escape Xiezhou, yet the subsequent developments far exceeded what I could have imagined. I never expected that after his escape, Hu Xiaotian would have the courage to sneak into the capital alone and sacrifice himself to save his father. Qin Yutong said: "You need not thank me; in fact, I concealed many things from you back then, and now, upon reflection, I truly feel some remorse."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Let the past be the past; in this world, everyone has secrets."

At that moment, a eunuch's announcement suddenly came from outside: "Princess Anping has arrived!"

Hu Xiaotian's heart jolted; the first thought that crossed his mind was: Could it be that I stood her up last night, angering this good-tempered princess, prompting her to chase me here to kill me?

Princess Anping had already entered the room; seeing Hu Xiaotian there, she too was startled: How could Hu Xiaotian be in the Imperial Medical Institute?

Hu Xiaotian hurried forward to pay his respects: "Your servant greets Princess, may you live a thousand years, ten thousand years!"

Princess Anping didn't even glance at him, walking straight past his side and taking Qin Yutong's hands, saying: "Sister Qin Yutong has arrived!"

Only then did Hu Xiaotian realize he had been overly sentimental; in fact, Princess Anping had never come for him—after all this fuss, she and Qin Yutong turned out to be close friends. Hu Xiaotian sighed inwardly, thinking how unpredictable the world is: Princess Anping's heart is pure and she is kind-hearted, while Qin Yutong's mind is exceedingly complex. Setting aside her deception of me, according to what Hu Xiaotian currently knows, in the matter of Long Yelin's rise to power, Mr. Ren of the Xuantian Guan also contributed greatly; as a senior disciple of Mr. Ren, Qin Yutong hardly can be said to have had no part in it, otherwise she would not have inexplicably run off to Xichuan. Hu Xiaotian began to worry for Princess Anping—being close friends with such a complicated girl, she could be betrayed at any moment.

Please give double monthly tickets! (To be continued... ~^~)