Chapter 450

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed, recalling when the Hu family fell into misfortune, Xu Zhengying still wanted to betray him; this debt will sooner or later be repaid by him.

Hu Buwei smiled and said: "I heard in the Ministry of Revenue that you treated the Emperor's illness, but I don't know if it's true or false."

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's true, but it's probably not as miraculous as the legends say; it's just the Emperor's great fortune." Noticing Liang Da Zhuang still waiting nearby, he whispered: "Da Zhuang, go help my mother in the kitchen."

Liang Da Zhuang understood that Hu Xiaotian wanted him to avoid, responded with an acknowledgment, stood up and left.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Father, does Da Zhuang often come?"

Hu Buwei said: "He comes every few days; that shows he still has some conscience." While speaking, he blinked his right eye at Hu Xiaotian, clearly hinting that this was not ordinary.

Hu Xiaotian understood implicitly; the Hu family was in extraordinary times, even Liang Da Zhuang couldn't be blindly trusted; Father's extra vigilance was warranted. The secret between father and son must not be let outsiders know, otherwise if betrayed, they might invite disaster.

Hu Xiaotian said: "The Emperor just sent me to serve Princess Anping in Zilan Palace; after fifteen days I should be sent on a distant mission." Hu Buwei furrowed his brows: "Where to?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's said I will be made a marriage envoy, escorting Princess Anping to Da Yong for the wedding." Although he had already heard the news from various sources, the official appointment had not yet come down, so he could not confirm it yet.

Hu Buwei said: "Going there, mountains high and waters long, the road is far; you must be careful in everything." Although his heart was full of reluctance, he did not show it in front of his son.

Hu Xiaotian looked around, dipped his finger in the teacup, and wrote on the table: "Opportunity to escape!"

Hu Buwei stretched out his palm to wipe away the characters on the table, then shook his head firmly. He also imitated his son, dipping a wet finger in water and wrote on the table: "Every move is entirely in others' hands." After wiping it away, he wrote again: "To flee is certain death; to stay offers a chance of survival." Having been an official for many years and accustomed to storms, his grasp of the situation far surpassed that of ordinary people.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I've heard Yongdu is a nice place."

Hu Buwei said calmly: "No matter how good the outside is, it can't compare to the homeland; my greatest wish in this life is to spend my old age here." He then wrote on the table: "You go, don't worry about us."

Hu Xiaotian shook his head, trying to persuade his father to flee together, and wrote: "I have planned thoroughly; failure is impossible." Hu Buwei laughed: "For our family to be reunited during the New Year is already the greatest gift heaven has given me." He continued writing: "I and your mother have our own ways to preserve our lives; you go!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Father, from now on I will accompany you every New Year." His firm gaze told his father that if he didn't go, he would absolutely not leave alone.

Hu Buwei's lips curled with a faint smile of relief, meaningfully saying: "Staying here, as long as the family is together, days will gradually improve; one must learn to look forward." He picked up a Dakang Tongbao coin from the table, placed it on his flattened palm, extended it toward his son, and then firmly clenched it in his palm.

Hu Xiaotian's heart stirred; his father's gesture clearly told him that Dakang's wealth remained in his grasp.

Hu Buwei pulled his son's hand over, placed the copper coin in his palm, and whispered: "Father's purse is empty; this is all I can give you."

Hu Xiaotian gripped the copper coin, looked into his father's eyes, seemed to have a realization. He dipped a wet finger and wrote on the table: "Quan De'an, Wen Chenghuan, the Emperor."

Hu Buwei reached out, wiped away the middle name Wen Chenghuan, and said softly: "At the year's end, the weeds on the wall top were forgotten to be cleared."

Hu Xiaotian understood his father's meaning; he was clearly saying that Grand Tutor Wen Chenghuan of Dakang was merely a wavering weed on the wall top.

Hu Xiaotian wrote again: "The Emperor seems to fear Ji Feihua."

Hu Buwei nodded. He dried the water marks, then wrote on it: "Seek survival in the cracks; must be cautious."

Hu Xiaotian wrote: "Li Yuncong, the Retired Emperor, Hong Beimo."

When Hu Buwei saw these three names, his eyes suddenly brightened; he lifted his head and fixed his gaze on his son's eyes.

Hu Xiaotian pointed at the Retired Emperor's name, then wrote below it the character for "mad".

Hu Buwei furrowed his brows, then shook his head firmly, clearly denying the possibility Hu Xiaotian suggested. Given his understanding of Long Xuan'en, this person's inner strength is immense, his will as tough as old bamboo rooted deep in the mountains, not easily felled by fate. Li Yuncong, Hu Buwei knows, but in his impression he is merely a manager of the Cangshuge, a eunuch, never given much attention. As for Hong Beimo, former chief strategist of the Tianji Bureau, his actions are mysterious and elusive; it is said he fled Kangdu before the new emperor's ascension, yet he remains utterly loyal to Long Xuan'en. By having his son write these three names together, he is clearly hinting to himself that the former emperor is still plotting a restoration.

Hu Xiaotian lifted the teacup, took a sip, and said: "My heart is truly bewildered, child."

When facing choices, people often feel bewildered; as the saying goes, none knows a son better than his father. Hu Buwei naturally knows the true meaning of his son's words; in the inner court there are three factions, all wanting to use his son.

Hu Xiaotian put down the teacup, wrote on the table the three characters Li, Ji, Quan, obviously wanting his father's help to make a decision.

Hu Buwei gazed at those three characters for a long time, finally sighed and said: "You have grown up."

Hu Xiaotian laughed; his father also didn't know which side to choose, perhaps everything still relies on himself.

At this moment Liang Da Zhuang entered carrying a tray, smiling: "Master, Young Master, the dishes are here!"

Hu Buwei laughed as he stood up: "Good, let our family reunite and enjoy a good meal!"

Amid the firecrackers seeing out the old year, in Hu Buwei's lifetime this New Year was the most unforgettable; Hu Xiaotian originally wanted to stay a bit longer with them, but his parents urged him to return to the palace early to avoid trouble.

Hu Xiaotian wasn't afraid of any trouble; given his current status and position in the palace, plus the Emperor's bestowed coiling-dragon gold medal, even if he stayed outdoors overnight he wouldn't be punished. However, parents always consider their children more; they would rather suppress their own longing and think more for their son.

Hu Xiaotian walked out of the Water Well Alley; the streets were bustling with a lively scene. Yet Hu Xiaotian's mood felt no ease. Originally he planned to arrange for his parents to escape Kangdu together, but he didn't expect his father to show such persistence on this matter; he didn't want to leave. From his earlier conversation with his father, he knew the old master likely still held Dakang's secret wealth; as a former Minister of Revenue of Dakang who had managed its finances for over ten years, his father was certainly no ordinary figure. The moment he grasped the Dakang Tongbao coin, he had fully conveyed this information to himself; Hu Xiaotian even suspected that his father's endurance of humiliation might be for a future comeback.

Why would Long Yelin spare the former emperor's life, and why does his father have such confidence in preserving his life? These questions one after another lingered in Hu Xiaotian's mind, making him feel deeply troubled.

On the evening of the New Year, Long Yelin sat alone in the Study; having experienced the bustle of the previous night and early morning, he now needed calm more than ever. The new year brought no hope to this new ruler of Dakang; his situation could be described as beset by internal and external troubles, advancing with difficulty.

Outside the door came the report of the little eunuch Yin Zheng; however, it was the Left Chancellor Zhou Ruiyuan coming to pay a New Year visit.

After receiving Long Yelin's assent, Zhou Ruiyuan entered the Imperial Study; Yin Zheng from outside closed the door. Zhou Ruiyuan approached Long Yelin slowly and said: "Your Majesty, a happy New Year, prosperity of the state; I have come late, please forgive me." He bent his knees to kneel, but Long Yelin stopped him, smiling: "As we've said, when we are alone together we need not observe formalities; you are my teacher, I should first go to your place to pay New Year respects. However, I have just recovered from a serious illness, and they do not allow me to go out."…

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "The Emperor's grace is vast; I am filled with awe and fear."

Long Yelin invited Zhou Ruiyuan to sit before the desk, gazing at the Study and said: "Mr. Zhou, do you still remember that on New Year's Day ten years ago, the former emperor summoned us brothers here to have you give us a lecture?"

Zhou Ruiyuan smiled and nodded: "Your Majesty truly cherishes the old times; you can still remember such events from so long ago."

Long Yelin sighed: "Some things I will never forget." He pursed his lips: "During this period, you have exhausted yourself for Dakang; my heart is filled with gratitude."

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "I am willing to devote myself to Dakang until death, to repay Your Majesty's benevolence with the rest of my life."

Long Yelin said: "I have been on the throne for half a year; during this half year I have hardly had a good sleep. In the past you taught me that being an emperor is the most arduous task under heaven; now I truly feel it." The corner of his mouth twitched with a bitter smile.

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "Your Majesty worries for all the people, first worrying about the world's troubles, then rejoicing in its joys; this is indeed the blessing of Dakang's populace."

Long Yelin gazed at Zhou Ruiyuan, looked for a good while, then sighed.

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "Why does Your Majesty sigh?"

Long Yelin said: "In the past, when I was your student, you would point out my shortcomings without reservation; even when you blamed me, I understood your good intentions and felt we were of one mind. Yet now I feel you are growing distant from me—could it be that I have done something wrong?"

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "Your Majesty has done nothing wrong; merely, as the ruler of a state, the sovereign and subject are distinct, so I naturally cannot treat you as I did before."

Long Yelin said: "Mr. Zhou, here there are only you and me; do not treat me as the Emperor, but as before—I am your student, you are my teacher; if I have done anything wrong, just speak plainly to me."

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "Your humble servant dare not."

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