Chapter 449

After the disturbance, Qiqi still wanted to keep playing outside, but hearing the news, so many Feather Forest Guards came rushing, flanking front and back; she couldn't possibly drag that many people everywhere, and such close protection made her lose interest at once, so she decided to return to the palace immediately.

Hu Xiaotian, however, did not go back with her; he quietly asked Qiqi for permission. Today is New Year's Day, he had finally managed to come out, and he ought to go kowtow to his parents and pay New Year's respects. That's only natural. The usually willful and capricious Qiqi, in this matter, proved surprisingly reasonable, agreeing to Hu Xiaotian's request and not forcing him to return to the palace with her—she was doing him a considerable favor. As for Hu Xiaotian's conduct at the critical moment just now, it still moved her a little: single-handedly blocking those beggars, he left the escape route for himself. Don't let his usual frivolous, smiling demeanor fool you; when it counted, he really did show some courage.

After parting with Qiqi, Hu Xiaotian went alone to the Water Well Lane. The last time he came at night, he had been following Ji Feihua; today, at last, he could come openly on New Year's Day to pay his respects. Since he had relieved the Emperor of his illness, his standing in the palace had undoubtedly risen; if things continued to go smoothly, he might one day become a pillar like Ji Feihua. Thinking of this, Hu Xiaotian actually felt a bit wistful.

Arriving at his own gate, he saw the door open and a spring couplet pasted on it, reading: "Heaven's will in the new year matches our own; good fortune this spring equals that of old." It was an ordinary couplet, but Hu Xiaotian paused at the doorway to glance at it, then furtively surveyed the surroundings, thinking that the Hu family's present situation was also desolate—his parents had to live in cramped quarters here, constantly fearing surveillance.

Hu Xiaotian entered the courtyard and shouted, "Father, Mother! I've come back to pay my New Year's respects!"

As Hu Xiaotian's voice faded, his mother Xu Fengyi came out from inside, tears in her eyes, saying, "Son! Did I hear wrong? You've come! You're really back!"

Hu Xiaotian ignored the unmelted snow in the courtyard, fell to his knees with a thump, and exclaimed excitedly, "Mother! Little Tian has returned to pay New Year's respects to you and Father!" He then kowtowed three times in succession.

Xu Fengyi lunged forward and enfolded him in her arms. Tears streamed down as she said, "Son, hurry up and get up, hurry up and get up."

Mother and son helped each other to their feet, and Hu Xiaotian then realized that only his mother was present in the house; his father was absent, his heart sank, supposing something else had happened. He whispered, "Mother, where is Father?"

Xu Fengyi wiped her tears and said, "Since the day before yesterday, he's been summoned to the Ministry of Revenue to help audit accounts, and he hasn't returned yet."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Mother, are you the only one here?"

Xu Fengyi replied, "Not exactly. Liang Da Zhuang just came by; he's out buying firecrackers now, saying he'll set them off when your father returns, for good luck."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Liang Da Zhuang still has a conscience after all."

Mother and son went into the room. Though the chamber was shabby, the brazier burned warmly. The tables and floor were littered with New Year's goods, all of which Hu Xiaotian had secretly sent via Xiao Zhuo when he went out shopping. Xu Fengyi said, "Son, could you stay a little longer? When your father returns, we can all enjoy a reunion meal together."

Seeing his mother's expectant look, Hu Xiaotian could not bear to refuse; he took her hand and said, "Mother, rest assured—I came back precisely to keep you and Father company for the reunion dinner."

Xu Fengyi said, "I'll go prepare the meal now; perhaps your father will be back shortly."

Hu Xiaotian had no idea when his father would return, and he couldn't help worrying—his father had been at the Ministry of Revenue for three days already; why hadn't he come back? Perhaps he'd run into trouble; he'd need to find someone to inquire later. He smiled and said, "Mother, don't rush; let us two women chat for a while, and we'll cook when Father returns."

Xu Fengyi nodded, clasped Hu Xiaotian's hand and wouldn't let go, studying her son closely, her eye sockets reddening as she said, "I spent the first half of my life striving to outdo others, only to realize in the end that riches, honor, and rising above the crowd are mere fleeting clouds; nothing in this world compares to having a family together." If one never loses something, how can one know how precious it is to have it? Xu Fengyi, recalling the past, couldn't help but sigh; happiness for the Hu family has always been fleeting—their son had been a dim-witted mute for sixteen years, only just now regaining his senses, and yet the Hu family has suffered such a calamity.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Mother, one day I will make something of myself and give you and Father a good life."

Xu Fengyi smiled kindly and said, "Mother asks for nothing else—only that we three may always be able to see each other."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, noticing that a few more white hairs had appeared at his mother's temples; he reached out to pluck them, parted her hair, and discovered even more white hairs hidden within—during this period, the mother who had always lived in comfort had endured considerable hardship, and a sour feeling welled up in him as he pressed his lips together.

Seeing the cause of his anguish from his expression, Xu Fengyi smiled and said, "Everyone grows old one day; my greatest wish is to see you regain your freedom in your lifetime." Those simple words moved Hu Xiaotian to tears; maternal love is selfless. Since arriving in this era, he had indeed undergone a long period of confusion in his heart. He had thought he would never develop an inseparable bond with Hu Wuwei and Xu Fengyi, even once entertaining the notion of fleeing the Hu household. Yet after the turmoil arrived, he discovered that deep within his heart, a blood‑thicker‑than‑water affection had always existed. The care his parents showed him, perhaps seeping into his blood drop by drop since childhood, is a quiet, nourishing love that is precious beyond measure and hard to sever. Had it not been for this feeling, he would not have risked returning to Kangdu, and in fact he has never regretted that original decision.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Mother, there will surely be freedom. The Emperor treats me well now; I believe it won't be long before he pardons our Hu family, and we can live carefree lives." In truth, he didn't even believe that himself—one emperor, one minister; his father had been a favored retainer of the retired emperor, belonging to the faction that was decisively toppled, so hoping to overturn the verdict and regain honor is as hard as climbing to heaven.

Although Xu Fengyi did not believe that day could ever come, she did not want to shatter her son's beautiful vision, so she smiled and nodded, saying, "If that day ever arrives, we two women will go to Jinling to have a look. I promised your grandmother that I would bring you back for this year's Spring Festival; it looks like I'll have to break my word to her."

Xu Fengyi's natal family is also a prominent household in Jinling; the recent upheaval of the Hu family has not greatly affected the Xu clan of Jinling. The Emperor, acting beyond the law, has shown mercy and not pursued the Xu family's responsibility, but ever since the Hu family fell into misfortune, the Xu clan has cut off ties with the Hu clan—this was unavoidable, given the circumstances; if they did not draw a clear line, they would inevitably be dragged in as well.

Hu Xiaotian asked, "Has my grandmother been in touch with you?" After speaking, he realized the question was superfluous; now that the Hu family has suffered disaster, all former relatives and friends fear being implicated, each rushing to sever ties with them, desperate to avoid contact—how could anyone voluntarily reach out?

Xu Fengyi shook her head and said, "Xiaotian, if you ever get a chance to see your grandmother again, you must never blame her for being cold‑hearted; she is the person I have respected most in my life."

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Xu Fengyi, filled with sorrow, said, "Forty years ago, your maternal grandfather abandoned his wife and children for a woman, casting our group of widows and orphans aside in Jinling, paying no heed. Had it not been for your grandmother shouldering the family's burden, the Xu clan would never have flourished as it did. Of us four siblings, I am the most willful and senseless—I have never done anything to help the Xu clan, yet I have brought it such great trouble; thinking back, I, as a daughter, am truly unfilial."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Mother, then pull yourself together; when the opportunity arises, bring your grandmother here, attend to her well, be filial to her, and let her enjoy her twilight years in peace."

Xu Fengyi let out a dim sigh and said, "How could I not want that? I simply don't know whether there will be another chance."

"There will definitely be a chance!" Hu Xiaotian declared solemnly.

At that moment, Liang Da Zhuang's voice came from outside the gate: "Madam! The master has returned!"

Mother and son, overjoyed at the news, hurried out to greet him. There they saw Hu Wuwei, dressed in a gray cotton robe, entering accompanied by Liang Da Zhuang. Although Hu Wuwei had secretly hoped his son would come back for a reunion, he knew his son was in the palace and beyond his control; seeing his wish fulfilled, he was also deeply moved, nodding firmly and saying, "Little Tian has returned!"

Hu Xiaotian rushed forward and kowtowed; Hu Wuwei stroked his beard and burst out laughing, genuinely delighted. During these two days at the Ministry of Revenue, while organizing accounts, he had also heard that his son had displayed great prowess in the palace, curing the Emperor's illness.

The affection between father and son need not be shown by tears or sobs; a glance, a few hearty laughs, and they already understood each other. Hu Wuwei pulled his son up from the ground.

Liang Da Zhuang hastily dropped to his knees: "Liang Da Zhuang kowtows to the young master!"

Hu Xiaotian had no money in his pockets today, but Hu Wuwei still gave him a red envelope on his behalf; this year's gift naturally cannot compare with those of previous years, yet no matter the amount, it is still a token of feeling. Xu Fengyi went to the kitchen to cook, Liang Da Zhuang brought hot water, Hu Wuwei first washed his face, took the towel Hu Xiaotian handed him, wiped his face, and said, "These past two days the Ministry of Revenue summoned me to clear accounts; I've been busy round the clock, and only this morning did I get a bit of free time—well, Sir Xu had us come home to check in, and we still have to go back tonight."

"Sir Xu?" Hu Xiaotian murmured, then said softly, "Could it be Xu Zhengying?"

Hu Wuwei gave a faint smile: "Exactly!" As the saying goes, a faded phoenix is no match for a hen. Think back—Hu Wuwei once held the exalted post of Minister of Revenue, while Xu Ying was merely his subordinate, a Vice‑Minister of Revenue. Now Hu Wuwei has become a guilty official, whereas Xu Ying has escaped this turmoil and still occupies his original post, and Hu Wuwei finds himself taking orders from Xu Ying instead. (To be continued~^~)