Chapter 418

Zhang Fuquan stepped forward, warmly grasping Hu Xiaotian's right hand and said, "Hu junior, throughout Huangcheng inside and out, everyone knows of it; you twice rescued the Emperor from illness, truly a divine doctor of the age."

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Eunuch Zhang, you overpraise me; I'm hardly a divine doctor, it's all the Emperor's boundless fortune."

Zhang Fuquan glanced at the table with his small eyes; the spread of food and drink was obvious even to a blind man as to what they were doing. Hu Xiaotian had no intention of inviting him to sit; though he smiled faintly, he clearly meant to give Zhang Fuquan a cold shoulder.

Zhang Fuquan glanced at Shi Xuedong, Xiao Zhuozi, and Xiao Dengzi; these little eunuchs had once followed him in the cattle and sheep shed, and they still held him in considerable awe. Zhang Fuquan laughed, "Oh, you're drinking!"

Shi Xuedong didn't understand the grudge between Hu Xiaotian and Zhang Fuquan, and politely said, "Eunuch Zhang, if you don't mind, please join us."

Zhang Fuquan laughed, "Sure!" and plopped himself down.

Hu Xiaotian glared at Shi Xuedong, silently blaming him for talking too much; if not for Shi Xuedong's remark, Zhang Fuquan would have found it hard to save face.

Once seated, Zhang Fuquan turned the tables, smiling at Hu Xiaotian, "Hu junior, hurry up and sit, you all as well—why are you standing? Sit down and drink, sit down and drink."

Hu Xiaotian sat down, saying nothing; Shi Xuedong and the two others dared not sit. Shi Xuedong realized he had spoken out of turn, hurried forward and first poured wine for Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian said, "You three go attend to your duties; I need to speak privately with Eunuch Zhang."

Shi Xuedong and the two others acknowledged with a sound and withdrew from the room.

Zhang Fuquan saw his cup empty before him. Hu Xiaotian showed no intention of pouring him a drink; he smiled, picked up the wine pot, and filled his own empty cup—the very cup Shi Xuedong had just used.

Hu Xiaotian deliberately reminded him, "Eunuch Zhang, this cup was used by Shi Xuedong."

Zhang Fuquan smiled, lifted his cup in a toast to Hu Xiaotian, then drained it in one gulp—drinking first as a sign of respect.

Hu Xiaotian also drank this cup, secretly sighing that Zhang Fuquan's shamelessness had reached a certain level.

Zhang Fuquan said, "Actually, we people in the palace are merely trying to earn a meal; to have enough food and warm clothing, to scrape by in this world is already hard enough—what is there to criticize?"

Hu Xiaotian sensed there was more behind his words, smiling, "Eunuch Zhang, you enjoy the upper's favor; if you were to beg for food, I would only have starvation to look forward to."

Zhang Fuquan asked, "Hu junior, are you angry with me?"

"Eunuch Zhang, what brings this up?"

Zhang Fuquan said, "Last time when Hu junior went to the Imperial Kitchen for a meal, I never imagined that the Bright Moon Palace would suddenly have such a major incident. Afterwards I thought it over; in this matter I truly have no way to defend myself, and if I were in your position, I would certainly suspect as well."

Hu Xiaotian secretly sneered, the matter is past; Zhang Fuquan, seeing that his attempt to harm me failed, naturally says this—he really treats me like a three-year-old. By now, merely calling it a coincidence hardly suffices to explain. Hu Xiaotian said, "Everything has its coincidences; actually, I ought to thank Eunuch Zhang, for if he hadn't invited me for drinks, I might have fallen victim to villains."

Zhang Fuquan said, "Hu junior, you have great fortune and destiny; you will surely turn danger into safety."

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Now I really believe my luck is quite good; take this Bright Moon Palace fire—I thought I'd be stuck with the blame, but I never expected the truth to surface so quickly."

Zhang Fuquan said, "Man is the knife and cutting board, I am the fish and meat; luck won't always be on your side."

Hu Xiaotian's heart jumped upon hearing him suddenly say that.

Zhang Fuquan said, "Hu junior, you should remember that I was the one who brought you to the Imperial Kitchen; speaking of which, we do share some affinity."

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "I dare not forget; speaking of this, I ought to toast Eunuch Zhang with three cups, for without your care back then, I would not have today's fortune."

Zhang Fuquan laughed, "It wasn't I who looked after you, but Eunuch Quan!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Eunuch Quan gave me a life-saving kindness, which I will not forget." Hu Xiaotian saw this clearly: although Eunuch Quan had helped him, from beginning to end he merely treated him as a pawn, and at a critical moment would abandon him without hesitation; in this Bright Moon Palace fire incident, he stood by indifferent to Hu Xiaotian's life or death, intending to implicate Ji Feihua through him; on the contrary, Ji Feihua did not rush to silence him, but instead extended a helping hand at the crucial moment. After this affair, Hu Xiaotian's inner balance tilted toward Ji Feihua; at least Ji Feihua still observes some righteousness.

Zhang Fuquan said, "In this palace, everyone has their own calculations; after staying long, you gradually realize that those who appear kind may secretly scheme against you; those who haven't harmed you yet may still do so later. Thus, to live long in the palace, it's best to stay prudent and guard yourself, and trust no one's words."

These words from Zhang Fuquan's mouth actually surprised Hu Xiaotian; he felt Zhang Fuquan was acting oddly today, as if he had something to say but held back.

Hu Xiaotian asked, "Is it that Eunuch Quan has some orders?"

Zhang Fuquan said, "I came today merely to let Hu junior know that my invitation last time to drink at the Imperial Kitchen was entirely my own idea, and today I came to congratulate you on turning danger into safety, also entirely my own initiative." Having said that, he lifted his cup, drained it, rose, and said, "Hu junior, you are young and capable; your future will surely be limitless." Today Zhang Fuquan didn't say anything like 'don't forget me when you succeed,' and his visit came and went abruptly.

Hu Xiaotian was left bewildered by Zhang Fuquan's visit; recalling his words, it seemed he was emphasizing that both visits were his own doing—was he hinting that his relationship with Quan De'an wasn't as close as he imagined? Could Zhang Fuquan also have his own agenda? Human hearts in the palace are truly complex.

After seeing Zhang Fuquan off, Hu Xiaotian also lost his desire to drink.

Shi Xuedong approached cautiously. In a low voice he asked, "What did he come for?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head. "I don't know."

Shi Xuedong, full of curiosity, asked, "What did he say?"

"Nothing!"

At that moment Xiao Zhuozi also came over and reported, "Hu Gonggong, just now the little eunuch Yuan Fu from the Cangshuge came; he conveyed a message from Li Gonggong of the Cangshuge that the several volumes of the Dakang Tongjian you borrowed should be returned."

Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian immediately knew that Li Yuncong was using this method to remind him to meet.

Shi Xuedong, unaware of the relationship between Hu Xiaotian and Li Yuncong, snorted, "Just a few tattered books—why the rush?"

In the afternoon, Xiao Dengzi came to report to Hu Xiaotian, but it was Qin Yutong returning; she was waiting at the Imperial Clinic, saying she had an important matter to consult. Hu Xiaotian actually also wanted to see Qin Yutong, as he had many unresolved questions awaiting answers—it was a perfect match.

At the appointed time, he arrived punctually at the Imperial Clinic. Today the Imperial Clinic was rather deserted, with few palace folk coming for treatment.

Upon reaching the T-shaped consultation room where he had last met Qin Yutong, he found the room empty. Hu Xiaotian was puzzling over this when he heard footsteps behind him. Since breaking through the Formless Divine Skill in the dark cell, his senses in all aspects had become extraordinarily sharp; without realizing it, he had already achieved an advancement and breakthrough in his cultivation. Slowly turning, he saw Qin Yutong enter holding a wooden box, her bright eyes blinking at him as a greeting.

She placed the wooden box on the table, seeing Hu Xiaotian still standing, she softly said: "Sit!"

Hu Xiaotian then sat down. He laughed and said: "These past two days I've either been squatting or sitting. I'd rather stand; it's more comfortable."

Qin Yutong said meaningfully: "You're just the type who can't stay idle; if they really locked you up, you'd probably go crazy."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and asked: "When did you get back? Weren't you supposed to be out of town gathering herbs?"

Qin Yutong said: "I had just arrived at Red Leaf Valley when I received the news that the Emperor had suddenly fallen ill, so I rushed back immediately."

Hu Xiaotian looked at the box with some curiosity.

Qin Yutong smiled and said: "Inside are some medicines prepared for Princess Anping."

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but ask concernedly: "What's wrong? Is the princess ill?" His considerate concern showed.

"No! It's just that the day she departs for Da Yong is approaching, so I specially prepared some common medicines for her to bring along, just in case."

Hu Xiaotian felt relieved upon hearing that Long Xi Yue was not ill, but thinking of after the New Year, Long Xi Yue would be marrying far away to Da Yong, and he couldn't help but worry. Up to now, he still hasn't thought of a reliable way to rescue Princess Anping.

Qin Yutong asked: "How did you get to know Princess Anping?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "It was a chance encounter." Saying that was practically saying nothing; he could never reveal the truth, for his acquaintance with Princess Anping entirely stemmed from Qiqi's prank.

Qin Yutong sighed softly and said: "Princess Anping truly has a fate full of misfortune; nowadays she has no relatives left by her side."

Hu Xiaotian said: "At least you're still her friend; if you have time, you should comfort her more."

Qin Yutong nodded lightly and said softly: "I've heard a bit about your situation; things should be okay now, right?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: "The fire at Bright Moon Palace originally had nothing to do with me; some ill-intentioned people wanted to find someone to take the blame, so they focused the fire on me. Fortunately, I still have some luck."

Qin Yutong said: "The Emperor fell ill suddenly at this time; you stepped forward to relieve his illness and rendered great merit."

Hu Xiaotian humbly said: "It's just luck."

The annual evaluation is now on its last day; Zhangyu hasn't been promoting much either. Looking at the yearly votes for the work, it's currently fifth in its category with over 1,600 votes—this shouldn't be the case, perhaps because nobody has been paying attention. If you still have any free tickets, please cast them for Medical Union; there's a prominent link right under the book title—just click to vote. Zhangyu isn't competing for any ranking, and it's the last day, so don't let your tickets go to waste. A few more votes for Zhangyu would also bring him some extra glory. (To be continued... ~^~)