Chapter 430

After a while, the soft, gentle voice of Long Xi Yue came from inside the study: "Let him in."

Zi Juan responded with an acknowledgment, gave Hu Xiaotian a look, then whispered: "The princess is kind and generous, treats us very well, you don't need to worry."

Hu Xiaotian secretly laughed, what do I have to worry about? Princess Anping has been so good to me. He said softly: "Thank you, Sister Zi Juan." He reached out and pushed the door open, walking in.

Long Xi Yue had been painting at the easel; hearing the door move, she lightly placed her brush on the brush holder.

Hu Xiaotian entered the room, closed the door, and loudly said: "Servant Hu Xiaotian pays his respects to the Princess, Thousand Years, Thousand Thousand Years; servant kowtows to the Princess!" This fellow's voice boomed, yet he made no movement, his eyes squinting with smiles as he gazed at Long Xi Yue, full of deep affection. Being close to the water's pavilion, he finally got the chance.

Long Xi Yue's pretty face flushed red from his gaze, her heart warm and soft, her long black lashes drooping, trembling like butterfly wings, she whispered: "Get up!" Actually Hu Xiaotian had never knelt down.

Hu Xiaotian set the basket of fruit on the tea table, then glanced at the drawing desk; Long Xi Yue was painting a landscape, which upon closer look resembled the scenery of the Jade Pool and Ethereal Mountain within the palace. Hu Xiaotian said: "Princess, you paint exceptionally well."

Long Xi Yue smiled modestly: "I'm just bored, doodling casually, letting Lord Hu see my clumsy work."

Hu Xiaotian recalled what Qin Yutong had told him; Long Xi Yue had once set aside her dignity, sending that painting by Wen Bohua far away to threaten Wen Chenghuan, all for him, and he felt moved. He whispered: "These days, thank you for your trouble, Princess."

Long Xi Yue's cheeks flushed. She bit her cherry lips and said: "I didn't do anything." She felt puzzled, wondering if he knew about her sending Zi Juan to the Grand Tutor's mansion? That shouldn't be the case.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I understand everything." This fellow stepped closer to Long Xi Yue.

Long Xi Yue's face grew ever redder; she pointed to the door, hinting to Hu Xiaotian that there are ears outside the wall.

Hu Xiaotian smiled, stepped back, and said: "Your Highness the Princess, the Emperor sent over to await your orders."

Long Xi Yue said: "You still have duties at the Imperial Gardens Bureau; why did the Emperor assign you here?" She also couldn't fathom why the Emperor would send Hu Xiaotian here. Though she was pleased, she felt it unreasonable—perhaps Hu Xiaotian had volunteered himself to the Emperor? If so, his boldness would be excessive.

Hu Xiaotian said: "The Emperor said it's a reward for me." Actually, the Chief Steward of Zilan Palace may not be more imposing than that of the Imperial Gardens Bureau, but to Hu Xiaotian, being the Chief Steward of Zilan Palace is a great reward—nothing else compares to its practical benefit, otherwise he wouldn't have the chance to be constantly with Long Xi Yue. Of course, we must exclude the scheming behind this; Quan De'an, after one plot failed, hatched another. This time he even schemed against the kind Princess Anping; the Senior Eunuch's heart is truly vicious. You have your stratagems, I have my ladder over the wall; this time I will make Quan De'an lose his wife and his troops, and even his old face will be ruined.

Long Xi Yue's expression was full of suspicion; she said bashfully: "You must be seeking credit and reward, using the pretext of having cured the Emperor's illness, and taking the opportunity to request Zilan Palace."

Hu Xiaotian whispered: "Heaven and earth as my conscience, even if I thought about it again, I wouldn't voluntarily bring it up; if others were to know about our relationship..."

Before he finished speaking, Long Xi Yue's soft, smooth little hand covered his mouth, evidently fearing he would spout nonsense.

Hu Xiaotian seized the moment to kiss her palm; it wasn't reckless bravado—his current strength is far beyond before, any stir around him cannot escape his ears, so martial training still has its benefits. If his martial prowess reached that of Ji Feihua, he could pass through blades and fire as he pleased; what is there to fear in the vast world? Even if he abducted Long Xi Yue and fled the palace, probably few could stop him.

Long Xi Yue whispered: "Bold rascal, do you believe I'll send you back?" Though her words sounded reproachful, her face was infinitely bashful, showing no anger at all.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "No way!" After a pause he added: "Go ahead! I won't leave!"

Long Xi Yue originally wanted to put on a stern face, but couldn't help laughing; her smile made all the flowers lose their color. Hu Xiaotian saw it, his heart nearly intoxicated; even for her smile, he would brave boiling water and fire without hesitation.

Beauty often possesses tremendous lethal power; otherwise there would be no sayings of "one smile overturns a city, another smile overturns a state."

While Hu Xiaotian was immersed in delight, he didn't forget to stay alert to outside movements; hearing footsteps approaching the study, he hastily signaled Long Xi Yue, who returned to the drawing desk, while Hu Xiaotian pretended to help grind ink.

Sure enough, Zi Juan's voice sounded again outside, but it was Guard Qi Dainei who had arrived.

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help feeling odd; Qi Dainei is Mu Rongzhan's capable assistant, usually responsible for inner palace security, yet I don't know why he came to Zilan Palace—perhaps because the New Year is approaching, it's a routine patrol?

Qi Dainei's purpose wasn't a routine patrol; arriving at the study, he respectfully bowed to Princess Anping: "Subordinate Qi Dainei greets Your Highness the Princess."

Long Xi Yue softly asked: "Commander Qi, what brings you here this time?"

Qi Dainei respectfully presented the document in his hand: "The Emperor has graciously granted permission for Princess Anping to visit the Retired Emperor at Lingxiao Palace on Piaomiao Mountain today; this is the specially approved travel permit, and Murong Tongling's side has also received the news, and has specially ordered Your humble servant to come inform the Princess."

Long Xi Yue heard this, her heart stirred with excitement; she reached out and took the travel document, her hand trembling slightly. In fact, she had long ago requested to go to Piaomiao Mountain Lingxiao Palace to visit her father, but after making the request she never received a response; she thought this heavenly son, her imperial older brother, had no intention of granting her request, and over time she gradually lost hope, yet she never expected that on New Year's Eve a joyful message would arrive: the Emperor had graciously granted permission for her to go to Piaomiao Mountain to see her father.

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought: "What a big deal, it turns out the Emperor specially permitted his sister to go see his old man." He didn't know what conspiracy lay hidden in this; since entering the palace, plots and schemes filled every corner, so it's no wonder Hu Xiaotian always assumes the worst.

Qi Dainei said respectfully: "Today at the you hour, Princess Anping, please proceed punctually to Piaomiao Mountain; at that time, Murong Tongling will arrange for the Princess to meet the Retired Emperor."

Long Xi Yue pursed her cherry lips and said: "Thank you for your trouble, Commander Qi."

Qi Dainei bowed again to Long Xi Yue and withdrew.

Long Xi Yue gave Hu Xiaotian a meaningful look and said: "Hu Xiaotian, please see Commander Qi out."

Hu Xiaotian answered with a sound, accompanied Qi Dainei out the door; after Qi Dainei left, he then said to Hu Xiaotian: "Hu Eunuch, just now the Princess was present and I failed to greet you; please forgive me." He also knew Hu Xiaotian's current status in the palace, having recently cured the Emperor's illness and being in favor; even with his own standing, Qi Dainei behaved very humbly before Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Commander Qi, you're too polite." He took out five taels of reward money from his own pocket and gave it to Qi Dainei; even a messenger needs to be greased. Long Xi Yue, raised in the deep palace, knows little of worldly affairs, whereas Hu Xiaotian, having risen from the ranks through hardship, is most skilled at handling such matters.

Qi Dainei repeatedly thanked him and accepted the money. Although the amount was small, receiving gifts makes one's hand soft; still, Qi Dainei observed propriety and told Hu Xiaotian: "Hu Xiaotian, you may accompany us to guard the Princess." Hu Xiaotian was startled by the words, not having time to ponder their meaning, when he saw Qi Dainei already hurrying away.

Gazing at Qi Dainei's retreating back, Hu Xiaotian found it increasingly strange—how could he say such a thing for no reason? Could there be another meaning? As he pondered deeply, a young eunuch carrying several books approached; it was Xiao Fu from the Cangshuge.

Xiao Fu saw Hu Xiaotian from afar and broke into a smile: "Hello, Hu Xiaotian!"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Xiao Fu, how did you come here?"

Xiao Fu handed the set of books to Hu Xiaotian and said: "These books are from the reading list compiled by Princess Anping; Li Yuncong asked me to deliver them, and I trouble you, Hu Xiaotian, to pass them on for me."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Okay!"

Xiao Fu added: "Li Yuncong also said that when I see you, Hu Xiaotian, I should tell you to please return the few books you borrowed as soon as possible; the Retired Emperor had designated a reading list a couple of days ago, and those are the only volumes missing."

Hu Xiaotian's heart gave a start; connecting it to Qi Dainei's mysterious words just now, he faintly guessed that none of this was coincidental, and these people would not say such things for no reason.

Xiao Fu added: "Li Yuncong said he must make it clear to you, Hu Xiaotian, that it's not him chasing you for repayment, but rather the superiors are urging him urgently."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Xiao Fu, go back and tell Li Yuncong that I understand."

Xiao Fu laughed and said: "All right, I'll go back and tell Li Yuncong right away."

Hu Xiaotian carried the stack of books back to Zilan Palace; Qi Dainei came today ostensibly for official business, but his last remark clearly reminded him to accompany Princess Anping to Piaomiao Mountain, and Xiao Fu's arrival now to deliver a message for Li Yuncong is clearly no coincidence—there must be some hidden connection between Qi Dainei and Li Yuncong. The relationships in this palace are truly intricate; indeed, this is the most perilous place in the world, and it's hard to tell who is friend and who is foe.

For Long Xi Yue, she hasn't seen her father in a long time; after the New Year she will soon leave Dakang, and this meeting can be considered a farewell before her departure, for later she will be married off to Da Yong, fearing she may never see him again in this lifetime. Besides, Long Xi Yue still has an unfulfilled wish that she needs to ask her father in person. (To be continued~^~)