Chapter 441

Long Xi Yue was infinitely bashful, shaking her head as she said, "I have no doubts about you; you are a true gentleman, the most open-hearted and selfless person in my heart."

Hu Xiaotian, notorious for his shamelessness, actually blushed—he couldn't help it; Long Xi Yue's praise was too high, and he never imagined he was so noble and pure in Princess Anping's heart. Receiving such praise, he felt too embarrassed to engage in lowly mischief. In fact, even if he had harbored improper thoughts last night, he lacked the ability.

He had originally wanted to take advantage and flirt with this beautiful princess, but now it seemed better to treat her with mutual respect. Thinking of Long Xi Yue's unfortunate fate, Hu Xiaotian felt pity and whispered, "I might not be able to do this for others, but for the princess, I harbor not the slightest trace of disrespect." After saying this, even Hu Xiaotian wanted to slap himself hard—could he have a bit more shame?

Long Xi Yue's bright eyes sparkled with moving charm: "I trust you!"

Fortunately, the Hall of Xining was just ahead; if they had to walk farther, Hu Xiaotian would surely be embarrassed enough to dig a hole to hide in. It turned out that trust and respect could sometimes become an unbearable burden, and wanting to maintain his gentlemanly image in Princess Anping's heart was no easy feat. Princess Anping probably doesn't understand him well enough—I'm no gentleman; I'd rather be a petty man.

As there are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand eyes, the gentleman Long Xi Yue sees is actually a petty person in Empress Jian's eyes.

The four words "despicable petty person" aimed at Hu Xiaotian still weren't enough to satisfy her anger, yet petty people often prosper. Even Empress Jian couldn't deny it. Petty people usually fare much better than gentlemen, and their lives are often long—initially, the palace maids and eunuchs she sent to Zilan Palace have all died, while this shameless petty person Hu Xiaotian remains lively and prosperous.

Even Minister Wen couldn't kill Hu Xiaotian, proving this kid has a tough life. Moreover, he has a strong backer. Thinking of Ji Feihua, Empress Jian gritted her teeth in hatred—she had never hated anyone as much as she hated Ji Feihua, believing that her relationship with the Emperor had deteriorated to this state entirely because of Ji Feihua's meddling. Compared to Ji Feihua, anyone would seem lovable.

Many came to Xining Palace to pay New Year respects, after all the Empress is the mistress of the harem. Even Lin Wan, who had always been at odds with the Empress, came to pay her respects; Empress Jian, usually narrow-minded, displayed magnanimity today—affable and approachable, seeing guests off and welcoming them.

Hu Xiaotian followed Long Xi Yue to the outside of Xining Palace, where he happened to encounter Lin Wan and Baobao leaving. He didn't expect Baobao to arrive so quickly; in a moment she was with Lin Wan at Xining Palace. Seeing Hu Xiaotian, she couldn't help recalling the embarrassing scene that morning at his place. Her long black lashes drooped instantly; she dared not meet his gaze. This subtle change didn't escape Lin Wan's eyes, and Lin Wan silently cursed, "You little hussy—even a blind person could see you're sleeping with that little eunuch."

Amid so many outsiders, Hu Xiaotian concealed himself well, acting as if nothing were wrong. After Long Xi Yue and Lin Wan exchanged greetings, he cheerfully stepped forward: "Greetings, Consort Lin—I wish you a happy New Year."

Since the incident at Bright Moon Palace, Lin Wan has had no direct dealings with Hu Xiaotian. Last time she had him secretly place the Blood Shadow Golden Beetle on Consort Wen Ya's bed, obviously intending to kill both of them. She never expected Hu Xiaotian's good fortune and strong destiny to let him escape disaster, while Wen Ya wasn't so lucky. As for what actually happened that night, Lin Wan couldn't say; Bright Moon Palace was burned to a crisp overnight. Although the turmoil ultimately didn't involve her, Lin Wan has remained uneasy—if Hu Xiaotian were to come to harm, she couldn't rule out that he would confess everything about handing her over to his insect offspring.

Fortunately, Hu Xiaotian ultimately turned danger into safety, revealing nothing about her from start to finish. If not for her guilt, Lin Wan wouldn't have meekly promised to treat Baobao well; she had also said that if Baobao wished to leave, she would never force her to stay. Yet Baobao seems to have suddenly changed her mind, wanting to remain in Lingyu Palace. Now Lin Wan finds it awkward to handle their relationship; after all that's happened, they can no longer be sisters without suspicion as before, and she can't truly oppress this little palace maid as her mistress, since they both know each other's backgrounds. Moreover, Baobao now has Hu Xiaotian as a backer, so Lin Wan is extra cautious and polite toward Baobao, more so than before. Baobao, having realized this, dares to stay openly in Lingyu Palace.

Hearing Hu Xiaotian's New Year greetings, Lin Wan smiled like a blossoming flower and had Baobao give him a red envelope. Hu Xiaotian, never refusing a guest, accepted it with a grin. Meanwhile, the attendants of Xining Palace had already come out to greet them. Although Hu Xiaotian had something private to say to Lin Wan, it wasn't the time to confront her; he could only suppress the thought for now and follow Long Xi Yue to first pay New Year respects to the Empress.

Many gathered in Xining Palace, a rare bustle for the year. After Hu Xiaotian paid his New Year respects and offered auspicious words, he stepped aside, thinking that once things here were settled he still had to leave the palace to pay New Year respects to Quan De'an, even though Quan De'an had recently repeatedly schemed against him; outward appearances still had to be maintained.

Soon after, little Princess Qiqi arrived; seeing Hu Xiaotian present, her eyes blinked excitedly and she instantly became thrilled.

Hu Xiaotian silently groaned; Qiqi was practically his cursed star—was he her stimulant? Why did she get so excited every time she saw him?

Qiqi's visit to Xining Palace was merely perfunctory; she hardly respected Empress Jian at all, otherwise she wouldn't often publicly contradict her. After the New Year greetings, she quietly pulled Princess Anping aside, muttering something while occasionally glancing toward Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian felt a bit sensitive, always thinking that the girl's muttering concerned him, but looking around, Xining Palace was crowded and full of eyes; surely Qiqi still had some reservations and wouldn't do anything too outrageous.

At last the time to leave arrived; upon reaching outside Xining Palace, Hu Xiaotian secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said to Princess Anping, "Your Highness, where should we go next? To the Emperor's quarters?"

Princess Anping smiled: "Later I'll go with the Empress and the others; you have another assignment."

Hu Xiaotian exclaimed in surprise: "What does the Princess want me to do?"

At that moment, seeing little Princess Qiqi also emerge from the palace, waving at them from afar, Princess Anping said: "Qiqi said she wants you to help her with something, and I agreed."

Hu Xiaotian's scalp went numb; "Princess, Princess, you're really too easygoing—how can a man just be lent out like that?"

Princess Anping also noticed Hu Xiaotian's embarrassed expression and instead reassured him: "Don't worry, Qiqi won't make things difficult for you."

Hu Xiaotian silently sighed, "Yeah right!" Having come this far, he had no choice but to steel himself and approach.

Little Princess Qiqi laughed: "Hu Xiaotian, today you belong to me."

Hu Xiaotian, suppressing his anger, bowed and said: "I, Hu Xiaotian, am at your command, Your Highness."

Qiqi waved goodbye to Princess Anping, then walked forward with her hands behind her back, tossing over: "Come with me!"

Hu Xiaotian asked: "Where to?"

Qiqi said: "My aunt has lent you to me today, so wherever I tell you to go, you must go."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Does the Princess mean that even if she sold me today, I'd still have to earn her some money?"

Qiqi smiled brightly: "Not bad!" She turned to size up Hu Xiaotian: "With your looks, you're not even worth as much as a pig!"

Hu Xiaotian replied: "If we're talking about value, it's the Princess—Your Highness is the Emperor's Bright Pearl, a priceless treasure, worth far more than a pig."

Qiqi's eyes widened, then she burst into giggles: "Hu Xiaotian, the more you try to provoke me, the less I'll fall for it."

The place Qiqi wanted to go was Cheng'en Mansion; coincidentally, that was also where Hu Xiaotian had in mind. They hailed a carriage, exited the Imperial Palace's north gate, passed Zhengyang Street, and headed straight toward the Drum Tower to the north, soon arriving at Lock Spring Alley.

Last night's heavy snow had collapsed a thatched shed at the alley's mouth, blocking the way; Qiqi had the driver pull the carriage back and she and Hu Xiaotian got out.

Several young eunuchs were clearing the obstruction at the alley's entrance.

The leader was the young eunuch Fugui, who had previously served at Cheng'en Mansion but now worked at the Imperial Stables. Seeing Hu Xiaotian, he exclaimed delightedly, "Lord Hu has arrived!" Only then did he notice the little Princess Qiqi walking behind Hu Xiaotian, and a group of eunuchs hurriedly halted their work and dropped to their knees.

Qiqi furrowed her brows and asked, "What's going on? Why such a commotion?"

Hu Xiaotian whispered, "They're asking the Princess for a red envelope."

Qiqi said, "I didn't bring any money, little whiskers—lend me some to use."

Hu Xiaotian said, "I have no money!"

Qiqi's beautiful eyes narrowed as she stared at him: "You stingy eunuch, you just collected all those red envelopes—do you think I didn't notice?"

"That's my money..."

"I don't intend to embezzle your silver—take it out and divide it among them; when we return to the palace, I'll make it up to you double." Qiqi said earnestly.

Hu Xiaotian felt vexed—how many kowtows had he endured to earn this little sum, only to have to hand it over before it even warmed his pocket? But since Qiqi promised to double-compensate him, and a princess of a state wouldn't renege on her word, he helped Qiqi reward those young eunuchs.

While Hu Xiaotian was rewarding those young eunuchs, Qiqi had already entered Cheng'en Mansion ahead of him.

Fugui took the silver from Hu Xiaotian's hand, beaming: "Thank you, Eunuch Hu."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Don't thank me—thank the Princess instead. Aren't you supposed to be at the Imperial Stables? Why are you back?"

Fugui replied, "Today is the first day of the lunar new year; I came back specially to pay New Year respects to Eunuch Quan, and I happened to see the shed at the alley entrance collapsed, so I lent a hand clearing it."

"Is Eunuch Quan in?"

Fugui nodded and said, "He is here." (To be continued~^~)