Chapter 417

Wen Chenghuan took the painting, unfolded it in front of Ziqian, only to see it was a picture of bees gathering flowers, with an inscription on the mount that clearly wrote his son's name; Wen Chenghuan couldn't help but startle inside.

Ziqian said: "The princess said, although this painting is well done, the sender seems to have a hidden meaning; the princess is about to marry far away to Da Yong and does not want trouble, and if this painting falls into the hands of those with ulterior motives, it would be bad for her and the Wen family."

Wen Chenghuan's expression was awkward; he certainly understood what Ziqian was hinting at. He forced a smile and said: "Miss Ziqian, go back and tell the princess that I will certainly handle this properly."

Ziqian said: "When Wen Cai ren originally sent this painting over, it just so happened that Eunuch Hu of the Mingyue Palace was also there; the princess said, letting Wen Taishi not worry, she would remind Eunuch Hu to pretend he hadn't seen this."

Only then did Wen Chenghuan understand the true purpose of Princess Anping sending the maid with this painting: she wanted to protect Hu Xiaotian's life this way, and also give him a subtle showdown—if he continued to be relentless about Hu Xiaotian, she might make the gift public. Wen Chenghuan sighed inwardly, "Hu Xiaotian, Hu Xiaotian, what ability do you have, little brat, to draw so much attention?"

Wen Chenghuan smiled: "Miss Ziqian, go back and report to the princess; I appreciate her good intentions."

Ziqian laughed: "Since Minister Wen understands everything, I'll take my leave." After bowing to Wen Chenghuan, she departed.

Wen Chenghuan unfolded the bird-and-flower painting, the more he looked the angrier he got, then he slammed his palm heavily on the tea table and shouted: "Come here! Summon Bo Yuan!"

Wen Boyuan, hearing his father's summons, rushed over; seeing his father's furious face, he immediately felt something was wrong, though he didn't think his father's anger was about him, and respectfully said: "Father, is it that scoundrel Ji Feihua who made you so angry?"

Wen Chenghuan roared: "It's all your doing!" He threw the bird-and-flower painting in his hand at Wen Boyuan's feet.

Wen Boyuan's heart jumped. He picked up the painting from the ground, unfolded it, first startled, then his brows relaxed: "Father, this bird-and-flower painting is not my own work; it's a forgery!"

Wen Chenghuan, hearing this, was somewhat bewildered: "A forgery?"

Wen Boyuan nodded: "I certainly recognize my own paintings; this one is about seventy percent similar, but the brushwork and line details differ somewhat from mine—if I'm not mistaken, it should have been painted by a woman."

Wen Chenghuan furrowed his brows: "This painting was sent by Princess Anping's maid; do you dare to declare it's fake?"

Wen Boyuan: "Absolutely fake."

Wen Chenghuan: "Then did you or did you not have your sister send a bird-and-flower painting to Princess Anping?"

Wen Boyuan's face heated at the question; he pursed his lips and finally nodded.

Wen Chenghuan sighed, pointing at his nose: "You little brat, how clueless! Princess Anping is already betrothed to the Seventh Prince of Da Yong, Xue Chuanming. You gave her such a painting—even a fool can see it's a confession of your heart."

Wen Boyuan, face flushed: "Father, I don't know why she sent a forgery; if she didn't like it, she could simply return the original."

Wen Chenghuan shook his head: "Now everyone knows I'm pursuing Hu Xiaotian's responsibility; when her maid came, she specifically mentioned that Hu Xiaotian had also witnessed this, merely threatening me. I didn't expect Princess Anping's methods to be so clever—sending a forgery is just a warning; if we continue to be relentless toward Hu Xiaotian, she will send the original."

Wen Boyuan, hearing this, felt somewhat disheartened; he had secretly loved Long Xi Yue for a long time. He had even hinted to his father about wanting to marry Long Xi Yue, but his father firmly refused due to political considerations. Later, hearing that Princess Anping was engaged to the Seventh Prince of Da Yong, Wen Boyuan felt unwilling, so he had his sister Wen Ya pass this painting to Long Xi Yue as a confession of his feelings.

In fact, Wen Boyuan still hasn't received a reply from his sister; Wen Ya perished in the Mingyue Palace fire, and he never imagined that the painting he used to confess his feelings would become evidence Long Xi Yue turned against him. This makes Wen Boyuan anguished. Moreover, he can't fathom why Long Xi Yue would oppose the Wen family over a little eunuch—what magic does that eunuch possess? Unconsciously, Wen Boyuan transferred all his hatred onto Hu Xiaotian, silently vowing: "Hu Xiaotian, I won't rest until I kill you!"

Hu Xiaotian would never have imagined offending Wen Boyuan; although the emperor forgot to reward him, he also wasn't punished, and this affair ended with a scare but no harm. Hu Xiaotian certainly wouldn't credit it all to his own good luck; curing the emperor's illness did earn him some merit, but the more important reason was Ji Feihua's behind-the-scenes support.

The tragic end of the Ministry of Punishment's Di Guangmu was likely thanks to Ji Feihua; though her methods were vicious, they worked. Ultimately, Di Guangmu had harmed him first, and Ji Feihua merely sought justice for him.

Hu Xiaotian returned to the Directorate of Imperial Gardens, feeling like wearing fine robes and returning home. In just a few days he experienced ups and downs: first seen as the main suspect for burning the Mingyue Palace and killing Wen Cai ren, then imprisoned; but when things hit rock bottom, an unexpected turn occurred—the emperor's sudden illness allowed his long-hidden medical skills to finally be used, transforming him from a key suspect into a meritorious healer of the emperor. On the surface it was all twists and turns, but behind the scenes who knows how many tense maneuvers took place.

When Hu Xiaotian entered the Directorate of Imperial Gardens, a group of little eunuchs rushed forward, their smiling faces showing no former wariness—knowing that Hu Xiaotian had become the emperor's lifesaver, even a major fault wouldn't be pursued; his safe return proved everything.

Hu Xiaotian's attitude toward these little eunuchs remained kind; he had long grown accustomed to the world's warmth and coldness, so he didn't mind their earlier attitude, and in their place he would also choose to keep a low profile.

Upon hearing he was safe, several little eunuchs had already prepared his room in advance, the brazier burning brightly, the room warm and cozy, even the hot water in the bathtub ready.

When Hu Xiaotian reached the door, Shi Xuedong and Xiao Zhuo had brought a fire basin, indicating he should step over it to dispel bad luck.

Hu Xiaotian lifted his robe and jumped over; Xiao Zhuo hurriedly moved the basin aside.

Shi Xuedong beamed: "Lord Hu, first take a bath and change clothes; Xiao Dengzi is preparing wine and food; today we'll all properly congratulate you."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, entered the room; Shi Xuedong and Xiao Zhuo followed, clearly intending to attend his bath. Hu Xiaotian, not deserving such service, waved his hand: "I'll do it myself; you go out first."

Seeing Hu Xiaotian firmly refuse their service, the eunuchs relented and withdrew. After locking the door, Hu Xiaotian stripped naked and jumped into the bathtub—not because he didn't want attendance, but fearing his secret would be exposed; after all, he concealed a sizable private item, and if others saw it, his family might be exterminated. Lying in the warm tub, he felt utterly relaxed, as if floating on clouds. Suddenly recalling that night in the Mingyue Palace, images of his entanglement with Wen Ya flashed in his mind; Hu Xiaotian couldn't tell whether it was imagination or reality, sighed softly, wiped his face. Looking down at his manhood still there, he wondered when this life of hiding would end.

After bathing and donning fresh clothes, he felt completely renewed, clear-headed and refreshed. Opening the door, he saw several little eunuchs still waiting outside; as he stepped out, they all shouted in unison: "Lord Hu, tall and mighty, graceful as a jade tree, handsome and elegant, extraordinary in bearing! Our admiration for Lord Hu is like the endless Yangtze, like the Yellow River's flood—unstoppable."

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily; the gloom that had bothered him for days vanished instantly. However, his appearance now somewhat fell short of the eunuchs' flattery—the two punches from Qiqi had left his eye sockets slightly bruised, not obvious but still affecting his image.

Shi Xuedong had prepared food and drink and invited Hu Xiaotian over. Accompanied by his three close aides—Shi Xuedong, Xiao Zhuo, and Xiao Dengzi—Hu Xiaotian readied himself to enjoy this long-awaited lunch, raising his cup and saying: "No more words; today we few will drink our fill, not stopping until drunk."

The three responded in unison, raising their cups together.

Just as Hu Xiaotian's cup reached his lips, before he could drink, a voice from outside announced: "Attendant Zhang of the Bureau of Imperial Cuisine has arrived!"

Hu Xiaotian froze upon hearing it: Zhang Fuchang? Last time he schemed to transfer me away, which led to Chen Chengqiang's case; now he comes again, who knows what harm he intends? If Hu Xiaotian once had some goodwill toward Zhang Fuchang, now, because of Quan De'an, he despises him as well.

In the palace, the most numerous are thick-skinned, black-hearted individuals; Zhang Fuchang is a typical example—clearly having harmed Hu Xiaotian, yet his face shows no remorse, as if nothing happened; upon seeing Hu Xiaotian, he clasped his hands and congratulated: "Congratulations, Lord Hu! Congratulations, Lord Hu!"

Seeing that smug, innocent-looking face, Hu Xiaotian's anger flared—what a thick skin! Last time he pretended to congratulate me just to scheme against me, and now he's back! A weasel paying New Year's respects to a chicken harbors no good intent; out of courtesy, Hu Xiaotian also clasped his hands and said: "Attendant Zhang, you're too kind—what joy do I have?" (To be continued~^~)