Chapter 424

Hu Xiaotian acted swiftly, removing all the sutures from the wound in just a couple of moves.

Long Yelin lowered his head to examine the already healed incision, clicking his tongue in amazement: "Xiaotian, your skill is unmatched; I've seen many capable physicians, but only Mr. Ren of Xuantian Guan can be compared with you."

Hu Xiaotian humbly said: "Your Majesty flatters me; Mr. Ren is the Divine Doctor of Dakang, capable of bringing the dead back to life—I lack his abilities and dare not be compared with him."

Long Yelin smiled: "Young, accomplished, yet modest and cautious—truly rare." He turned his gaze to his third son, Long Tingzhen: "Tingzhen, you should learn more from Xiaotian's modesty and steadiness."

Hu Xiaotian's heart sank; this emperor is quite scheming—you discipline your son, why drag me into it? This third prince already bears a grudge against me; now it's adding insult to injury.

Long Tingzhen gave verbal assent, but inside he burned with rage—his father, in front of so many, compared him to a slave and even told him to learn from a slave, which is tantamount to a slap in the face. "Xiaotian, Xiaotian, one day I will make you wish you were dead." Long Tingzhen's mind is indeed not broad enough; Hu Xiaotian never intended to compete with him—it's entirely his father's doing.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Your Majesty, I lack talent and virtue; how dare I be compared with the Third Prince? Both princes are objects of my admiration—the Eldest Prince is valiant and brave, wise and courageous; the Third Prince is handsome and graceful, both are outstanding among men. Your Majesty, please do not lump me together with them; it would be flattering me to death." Hu Xiaotian clearly knows his station, openly praising both princes. Yet the compliments he offers each are not identical; upon reflection, there is still a difference in emphasis.

Eldest Prince Long Tingzhen said: "Xiaotian, you need not undervalue yourself; as the saying goes, among three walkers there is always something I can learn from you—you certainly have qualities we brothers can learn from."

Long Tingzhen also wore a full-face smile: "Yes, elder brother is absolutely right; from now on I will surely seek Xiaotian often for discussion." As he uttered the last four words, a faint cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

Hu Xiaotian sighed inwardly. I fear that after today's events, my grudge with the Third Prince will only deepen. The Emperor using me to educate his son is purely a scheme against him; although the Eldest Prince's words on his behalf are well‑intentioned, the more he does so the more he deepens Tingzhen's hatred toward me. Having lingered long in the palace, Hu Xiaotian always considers things more deeply; matters cannot be judged by appearance alone, for the truth is rarely as simple as it seems.

Empress Jian said: "Xiaotian, the Emperor's turn from danger to safety this time is largely thanks to you. I originally misunderstood you; you surely won't bear a grudge, will you?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Your Majesty the Empress loves the Emperor deeply and sincerely, which is why you are so anxious; I dare not hold a grudge—my heart is moved beyond words. This incident has let me truly understand what deep marital affection is. Among all under heaven, none love the Emperor more than the Empress." This fellow was pure flattery—saying what people want to hear, what ghosts want to hear—and his string of sycophantic praise actually moved Empress Jian; her eyes reddened, she glanced at Long Yelin, but received no response from him. Thinking of the Emperor's cold-heartedness, her sense of injustice grew; had she not forced herself to hold back, she would have burst into tears on the spot.

The subtle shift in Empress Jian's expression did not escape Hu Xiaotian's eyes. Everyone in the palace leads a hard life, seeing only their public glory; who could know the bitterness behind it?

As Hu Xiaotian was preparing to take his leave, little Princess Qiqi arrived; hearing of her coming gave him a headache—this girl is no easy lamp, and if she were to give him trouble before the Emperor, it would be problematic.

Besides, someone else also didn't want to meet the little princess—Empress Jian rose first to take her leave. Before she could even depart, little Princess Qiqi entered, raising her voice: "I just arrived and you're leaving, Empress—don't you want to see me at all?"

That remark left Empress Jian extremely embarrassed; she forced a smile: "What nonsense are you spouting, child? As a mother, how could I not want to see my own daughter?"

Qiqi rolled her eyes at her: "You are my Empress, but not my mother; though I am young, I can still tell the difference."

Although Empress Jian is the mistress of the harem, before Qiqi she has no recourse; she smiled: "Qiqi, I truly have matters to attend to—the harem is full of duties awaiting me each day." Evidently unwilling to linger, she hurriedly left Xuanweigong.

Qiqi looked at the two royal brothers and laughed: "Elder brother, third brother, you're both here—has Father said which of you will be named crown prince?" That remark made both Eldest Prince Long Tingzhen and Third Prince Long Tingzhen flush with anger; this girl really knows how to stir the pot. The brothers know her temperament all too well, aware that there's nothing she wouldn't say; to avoid embarrassment they decided to make a quick exit, and both bade farewell to the Father Emperor and left.

Watching several people flee in disarray, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but smirk—Qiqi truly is a troublemaker in the palace. It's strange that the Emperor indulges her so, letting her spout nonsense without restraint. Is it genuine affection for his daughter, or does she hold some leverage over him?

Qiqi came to her father's bedside and laughed: "Father, why aren't you speaking?"

Long Yelin laughed: "You've done all the talking; what else is there for me to say?"

Qiqi said: "That's just you disliking how talkative I am." She pouted her cherry lips, sat on the bedside, swinging her legs back and forth; among the Emperor's many children, she is the only one daring to behave this way.

Hu Xiaotian stood respectfully to the side, pondering whether to speak his farewell, when Qiqi's gaze turned toward him.

Hu Xiaotian had long learned how troublesome Qiqi could be—whoever she fixes her gaze on is bound to suffer. As expected, she said: "Father, do you now count yourself acquainted with Xiaotian?"

Long Yelin laughed: "Indeed, I recognize him; naturally I do. This time my illness was cured thanks to Xiaotian's intervention—the medicine took effect immediately."

Qiqi giggled: "It should have been the blade that cured the illness."

Hu Xiaotian's scalp went numb—"Hey, I'm your lifesaver, don't mess around like that."

Qiqi added: "Isn't his medical skill impressive? Even Eunuch Quan's leg was sawn off by him originally."

Sweat began to bead on Hu Xiaotian's forehead. Qiqi, Qiqi, you're still a minor—how can you have so many wicked thoughts?

Qiqi shifted tone: "But speaking of it, if it weren't for meeting him, Eunuch Quan and I would already have been killed by villains. Father Emperor, he is my lifesaver."

Long Yelin smiled: "Hu Xiaotian has remarkable achievements time and again; I will surely reward him handsomely."

Qiqi said: "Father Emperor, what exactly are you going to reward him with? Why not say it out loud so I can hear?"

Hu Xiaotian hurriedly said: "Thank you, Your Majesty, but Your Majesty has already rewarded me; last time you gave me a coiling dragon gold medal." Hu Xiaotian dared not ask for any reward, especially with Qiqi here—if he didn't get himself into trouble, he'd have to burn incense to heaven in gratitude.

Long Yelin laughed: "Last time was last time; this time he has achieved new merit, so a reward is naturally due." Though it was said as a reward, Long Yelin couldn't think of what to give him for a moment.

Qiqi said: "Father Emperor, I actually have an idea."

Long Yelin nodded: "Speak."

Qiqi said: "Look, the Bright Moon Palace has already been burned down; Hu Xiaotian was originally the chief steward of the Bright Moon Palace, now he's just an empty title. Besides, he's idle anyway, and my side happens to be short-staffed. I think it would be better to let him work in the Reserve Excellence Palace and appoint him as chief steward there."

Upon hearing he'd be sent to the Reserve Excellence Palace, Hu Xiaotian's head swelled: "Do you think I'm a masochist, going there to be tormented by you all day?" He hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, I also hold a post in the Bureau of Gardens; I'm afraid I couldn't manage both."

Qiqi's beautiful eyes gleamed mischievously as she looked at him: "Then let's settle your duties at the Bureau of Gardens and promote you to work in the Reserve Excellence Palace."

Hu Xiaotian silently sighed, "Is this a promotion? It's more like a demotion." This little girl loves to play too much; if the Emperor really listened to her, his troubles would only grow. Seeing this muddled Emperor's favor toward her, he likely obeys her every word; it seems today he cannot escape misfortune. Hu Xiaotian lamented his unfortunate fate when suddenly he thought of Ji Feihua—perhaps invoking her name could change the Emperor's mind, but would doing so provoke the Emperor, making him think Hu Xiaotian was using Ji Feihua as leverage? His inner conflict reached its peak.

Long Yelin nodded with a smile and said to Hu Xiaotian: "The burning of the Bright Moon Palace has nothing to do with you; after thinking it over, I still want to find you a placement—go serve Princess Anping at the Zilan Palace!"

Hu Xiaotian had been utterly despairing, but unexpectedly, fortunes turned—Long Yelin actually assigned him to work at the Zilan Palace. In an instant, heaven and earth seemed to shift; immense joy filled Hu Xiaotian's heart. Truly, his wish had come true: going to the Zilan Palace meant he could henceforth spend his days in close company with the lovely Princess Anping. This emperor truly understands people's hearts; you treat me so well, I'll surely find you a cheap brother-in-law someday!

Qiqi also didn't expect the Father Emperor to ignore her request and send Hu Xiaotian to the Zilan Palace; she blinked her eyes and said: "Father Emperor, why send him to the Zilan Palace?"

Long Yelin said: "You are my daughter; how could I not know what you want? If Hu Xiaotian went to the Reserve Excellence Palace, you would surely find ways to harass him—that wouldn't be a reward, that would be a punishment!"

Hu Xiaotian secretly praised, "This emperor is not at all muddled."

Qiqi, furious, jumped to her feet, stamping her feet and said: "Father Emperor, when have I ever harassed anyone?"

Long Yelin said: "Your aunt is about to marry into Da Yong; she lacks a capable aide. Hu Xiaotian is clever and capable, steady in his work—perfect to go help her with the wedding preparations. You've always been closest to your aunt; wouldn't you let Hu Xiaotian help her?"

Two updates delivered, please recommend! (To be continued~^~)