Chapter 370

Princess Anping saw Hu Xiaotian still standing in the room, looking somewhat displeased, and said softly, "You stayed here because you wanted to listen to us sisters talk?"

Hu Xiaotian hurriedly took his leave, but before he could go out, Princess Anping added, "Wait for me outside; I still have something to ask you later."

Outside, snowflakes were flying wildly; although standing under the corridor of the Imperial Hospital, no snowflakes fell, yet Hu Xiaotian was so cold he kept stamping his feet.

Princess Anping and Qin Yutong chatted for half an hour before coming out, seeing Hu Xiaotian jumping about like a monkey in the corridor, they couldn't help wanting to laugh. But recalling that last night this guy had let her pigeon go, causing her to stay up half the night waiting for him in vain, her heart hardened instantly, and she walked slowly up to Hu Xiaotian: "Lord Hu, you seem in high spirits."

Hu Xiaotian saw her approach and stopped jumping: "It's freezing cold; standing still I'm afraid I'll turn into a popsicle."

Princess Anping deliberately said, "You weren't supposed to be on duty at Mingyue Palace? What are you doing at the Imperial Hospital?"

Hu Xiaotian sighed and said, "Don't mention it; yesterday I misspoke, angering the Talented Person, who punished me by making me stand in the snow all night and had the little eunuchs take turns watching me—I didn't dare sneak away, and as a result I've literally frozen myself sick… Ah-choo!" A cold wind blew, and Hu Xiaotian really sneezed, obviously adding credibility to his lie.

Seeing him sneeze, Princess Anping couldn't help but feel worried: "How are you? Do you need help?"

Hu Xiaotian, seeing no one around, lowered his voice: "If the princess doesn't blame me, I'm fine; if she does blame me, I'd almost rather be dead."

Long Xi Yue hearing him say such bold words blushed furiously and spat, "You're so bold!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "It's all because of the princess."

"What does that have to do with me?"

"Of course there is, as they say, lust gives one gall to the heavens; if it weren't for seeing a peerless beauty like the princess, how could Xiao Tian have the audacity to risk his life for you?" This remark was clever—it teased Long Xi Yue while subtly expressing his determination and courage to sacrifice himself for her.

Princess Anping, upon hearing her words, first felt a bit shy, then was overcome with indescribable emotion, her lovely eyes actually turning red. She bit her cherry lips and said, "Yesterday's incident was actually my fault for dragging you into it." She had no idea Hu Xiaotian was just talking nonsense.

Hu Xiaotian said, "It's a small matter, not worth mentioning; I just don't understand why the Talented Person would give you such a painting."

Princess Anping said, "She probably was just acting on someone else's commission." Since the Imperial Hospital sees constant traffic, she wasn't convenient to stay long, and she whispered, "Get proper rest, drink more hot tea, and learn to take care of yourself."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, feeling quite sweet inside, and said, "Princess, you should also take good care of your health."

The two parted with lingering reluctance; Hu Xiaotian turned away, then saw Qin Yutong emerging from the room at some point, standing at the door looking at him, so he smiled and walked back over.

Qin Yutong asked, "You and Princess Anping are quite familiar?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "The princess is kind-hearted and treats every one of us very well."

Qin Yutong nodded in deep agreement.

Hu Xiaotian said, "It's a pity that in this world many good people don't necessarily receive good rewards."

Qin Yutong, hearing this, was startled, thinking Hu Xiaotian's words had a hidden meaning, perhaps alluding to her.

Hu Xiaotian said, "You should have heard about the marriage pact between the princess and the Seventh Prince of Da Yong, Xue Daoming."

Qin Yutong slowly nodded: "At present the whole country knows; it's no longer a secret."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Princess Anping, such a kind and gentle woman, ends up becoming a sacrifice to political interests; even a noble Dakang princess lives with less freedom than an ordinary commoner's daughter."

Qin Yutong said, "How many people can actually live as they please? In this world there are far too many things that go against our wishes, and most of the time we are powerless to change them."

Hu Xiaotian asked, "Is she your friend?"

Qin Yutong's lovely eyes widened, and she finally nodded.

Hu Xiaotian, however, shook his head and said, "I don't think so; if she were your friend, how could you bear to watch your friend fall into dire straits and remain indifferent?"

"Da Yong is not a desperate situation, and Yutong is not indifferent." Qin Yutong said calmly, "What the emperor has decided is not something we can change; the princess is a person who understands the greater good, and she clearly distinguishes between self-interest and the greater good."

Hu Xiaotian retorted, "Miss Qin, with that saying I, a member of the Zajia, am even more confused. What is self-interest? What is the greater good?"

Qin Yutong said, "Young Master Hu, you also come from a respectable family; you should understand whether the greater good of the nation and family or personal gain is more important."

Hu Xiaotian said, "I understand what you mean, Miss Qin: you're saying that if the princess's marriage turns out badly, it's merely a personal gain or loss, utterly insignificant compared to the so-called greater good of the nation and family, and that her sacrifice is worthwhile as long as it benefits the country."

Qin Yutong bit her cherry lips, neither saying yes nor no.

Hu Xiaotian said, "On what grounds does the greater good demand the sacrifice of a weak woman? Do you really think a marriage can buy long-lasting peace?" Hu Xiaotian slowly shook his head and said, "In the eyes of a true ambitious person, all they see are the two words 'power,' and only power can move them; if Dakang were strong, it might buy Princess Anping a few years of tranquility, but if Dakang remains in chaos, I fear the princess's fate will be utterly miserable." He paused, gazing into Qin Yutong's eyes, and said, "A true friend is one who extends a helping hand when the other is in danger, not someone who just talks about national interests while sitting idly by as their friend suffers—allow me, as a member of the Zajia, to speak frankly: your so-called national interest is merely an excuse to ease your own conscience."

Qin Yutong said, "If you think that way, there's nothing I can do."

Hu Xiaotian cupped his fists toward her, then turned and took his leave.

Qin Yutong watched Hu Xiaotian's resolute and determined departing figure, her heart feeling a vague sense of loss, and the words he had just spoken continued to resonate in her ears, stirring her deeply.

Hu Xiaotian left the Imperial Hospital, and upon stepping outside he unexpectedly met a group of people; he had wanted to avoid them, but heard the leader call out, "Isn't that Hu Xiaotian?"

Hu Xiaotian heard the other actually call out his name, so he had to stop; the person was none other than the Third Prince of Dakang, Long Tingzhen. Hu Xiaotian hurried forward to pay his respects. Facing this most favored second-generation royal of Dakang, Hu Xiaotian still felt somewhat nervous. Not long ago, Long Tingzhen had hosted a banquet at the Yan Shui Pavilion, and Hu Xiaotian had accompanied Ji Feihua there; at that banquet he had helped Ji Feihua severely slight the Minister of Rites Wu Jing Shan and the Censor-in-Chief Su Qing Kun and their ilk. Regardless of whether Hu Xiaotian wanted to or not, at that time he had stood opposed to Long Tingzhen. Today it truly is a case of enemies meeting on a narrow road, and he unexpectedly ran into him at the gate of the Imperial Hospital.

Hu Xiaotian knelt in the snow to pay his respects to Long Tingzhen.

Long Tingzhen gave a slight smile, showing no anger and not telling Hu Xiaotian to rise, so Hu Xiaotian had to remain kneeling before him, and heard Long Tingzhen say, "Little bearded one, your performance that day at the Yan Shui Pavilion truly amazed this prince; I never expected you to be versed in poetry, lyrics, songs, and fu."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Your Highness, please don't laugh at me; my meager learning is hardly worthy of your notice, and that day I was just talking nonsense."

"Talking nonsense? To be able to do that so impressively shows you deserve the title of 'well-read.'"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Your Highness, I really have little learning; those couplets are just things I've heard before, otherwise with my limited abilities I couldn't think of them even if I cracked my skull open."

Long Tingzhen said, "You don't need to be modest in front of me; just compose a poem for me to hear, right here before me and everyone else."

Hu Xiaotian knelt in the snow, silently cursing Long Tingzhen: "I, old man, have at least saved your aunt; you yourself saw it then—I don't ask for your gratitude, but how could you repay kindness with enmity?" But now it's clearly just putting on airs, wanting to punish me. As they say, "the gun shoots the bird that sticks out"; that day at the Yan Shui Pavilion I stuck out my head, and unknowingly I've already brewed bitter fruit.

Long Tingzhen gave a cold smile as he looked at Hu Xiaotian: that day at the Yan Shui Pavilion he had intended to give Ji Feihua a show of force to humble her, but he hadn't expected Hu Xiaotian's appearance to completely disrupt his plans, leaving his retinue of great scholars embarrassed, and Long Tingzhen himself lost face. Now encountering Hu Xiaotian alone, he naturally felt the urge to teach him a lesson, secretly thinking, "With Ji Feihua absent, I'd like to see who still has the ability to protect you."

Hu Xiaotian knelt there, head drooping, his thoughts shifting constantly; to say composing a poem is truly not difficult—he could recite ten if he wanted—but Long Tingzhen's purpose today is clear: to give him a lesson. If he performed too well, it would be tantamount to slapping this third prince in the face; what is his status? Where is this? Unless he wanted to die. So he resolved to play dumb, lowering his head even further, almost touching the ground, and in a trembling voice said, "Your Highness, please see clearly—I really don't know how to compose poetry."

Long Tingzhen said, "If Ji Feihua told you to compose, you would do it; but when I order you to compose a poem, you keep making excuses—do you, in your eyes, consider me inferior to Ji Feihua?"

A chill ran up Hu Xiaotian's spine—"Damn it," he thought, "Long Tingzhen is really bent on finding fault with me today; as they say, 'what goes around comes around,' and it's only my own fault for showing off at the Yan Shui Pavilion and offending this third prince. Debts have debtors; the one truly opposed to Long Tingzhen is Ji Feihua—if you've got the guts, go settle it with her? Why pick on me? It seems most people in this world bully the weak and fear the strong, and Long Tingzhen is no exception."

Hu Xiaotian said in a trembling voice, "Your Highness, every word I speak is the truth; I might be able to bluff a couple of lines in a matching couplet, but when it comes to composing a poem I truly lack the ability—Your Highness, please spare me this once."

Long Tingzhen was about to rebuke him when suddenly his expression softened into a spring breeze, and looking into the distance he said, "Imperial Brother, how come you also came here." (To be continued~^~)