Chapter 475

Hu Xiaotian said: "I wouldn't dare, by the way, is that picture I sent Miss Qin last time still there?" The last time he explained appendicitis surgery to Qin Yutong, he had drawn a partial anatomical diagram for her, but in a blink it ended up in Li Yuncong's hands; Hu Xiaotian has been bothered by this, and today he finally found a chance to ask.

Qin Yutong, hearing him mention that picture, a hint of guilt appeared in her beautiful eyes, she whispered: "I took that picture to ask my master; I temporarily left it with my master."

Hu Xiaotian, hearing this matter was related to Meng Zizai, suddenly felt doubts arise in his heart: Could Meng Zizai be colluding with Li Yuncong? Otherwise, how could that picture have ended up in Li Yuncong's hands?

Qin Yutong thought Hu Xiaotian was angry about this, and softly said: "If you are angry because of this, I will go ask my master to get it back right away."

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said: "Forget it, it wasn't really a secret to begin with; I never asked Miss Qin to keep it secret for me."

Qin Yutong said: "It's my fault; I should have consulted you first." She accompanied Hu Xiaotian to the rear stables, where she saw Fang Fang and her father Fang Zhitang already waiting there. Originally, after Fang Zhitang and his daughter came to Xuantian Guan seeking treatment, its master Ren Tianqing, moved by their pitiful circumstances and seeing Fang Fang's intelligence and liveliness, took her as an entry-level disciple; as for Fang Zhitang, he stayed on at Xuantian Guan as an accountant, and the father and daughter settled there, no longer needing to struggle by performing on the streets.

Fang Fang had just seen Hu Xiaotian, and hurriedly told her father; the father and daughter dared not interrupt their conversation, so they waited here at the stables for Hu Xiaotian to arrive.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian approach, Fang Zhitang knelt down from afar, overwhelmed with emotion, saying: "Benefactor above, please accept my bow." Fang Fang saw her father kneel and hurriedly followed suit. Hu Xiaotian rushed over to help them up, repeatedly saying: "No need for such grand ceremony, Mr. Fang, Miss Fang; you are really killing me with this."

Fang Zhitang grasped Hu Xiaotian's arm, looking at his benefactor. For a moment, tears welled up: "Benefactor, I have also heard about the Hu family's affairs, but I am old and willing yet powerless, unable to help; all I can do is daily offer incense to the Buddha and pray for blessings. Seeing you safe today, my heart finally settles—indeed, a virtuous person enjoys heavenly favor."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "I never had anything to worry about; thank you, Mr. Fang, for your concern."

Fang Zhitang said: "Young Master Hu, I am currently working at Xuantian Guan, and my daughter studies medicine there; to be honest, we owe much to Miss Qin's help."

Qin Yutong stood aside. She, too, had just learned of Hu Xiaotian's such good deed, and her impression of him improved somewhat.

Fang Zhitang recounted his experiences since parting. Actually, after Fang Fang's eyes were cured, he had wanted to return to Xichuan, for it was hard to leave his homeland, but before he could go back, news came of a mutiny in Xichuan; after discussion, father and daughter decided to stay temporarily in Kangdu.

Fang Zhitang's home is in the lane next to Xuantian Guan; he had originally wanted to invite Hu Xiaotian to his house for a meal, but Hu Xiaotian declined because it was already late. They agreed that Hu Xiaotian would visit after returning from Da Yong.

Qin Yutong saw Hu Xiaotian out of Xuantian Guan. As she left, she whispered: "Tomorrow afternoon, if you have time, come to the Imperial Hospital."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Good!" He swung onto his horse, picked up the reins to set off, then suddenly asked: "Miss Qin, have you ever heard of the 'Heavenly Myriad Phenomena Diagram'?"

Qin Yutong's beautiful eyes showed a puzzled look: "The 'Heavenly Myriad Phenomena Diagram'? I have never heard of it."

Hu Xiaotian cupped his fists toward her and said: "Farewell!" He clamped his legs to the horse's belly; the little gray let out a neigh, and galloped four hooves toward the palace.

Returning to the palace, Hu Xiaotian temporarily boarded the little gray in the palace stables. Since Hu Xiaotian cured the emperor's appendicitis, his reputation in the palace has grown day by day; whether eunuchs, palace maids, or imperial guards, they all give him some face.

Hu Xiaotian came out of the stables and happened to meet Fu Gui of the Imperial Horse Directorate. Actually, Fu Gui's appearance here is not strange—he himself works in the Imperial Horse Directorate, and the palace stables are under its administration. Fu Gui came this time following an order from Deputy Director Fan Zongxi of the Imperial Horse Directorate to inspect the condition of the palace stables. Seeing Hu Xiaotian, he hurried over to pay respects: "Greetings, Lord Hu!" Although Fu Gui entered the palace earlier than Hu Xiaotian, compared to Hu Xiaotian's current status, the difference is more than just a little. After entering the palace, Fu Gui has basically remained stagnant, whereas Hu Xiaotian has risen steadily; he is now not only a steward of the Directorate of Imperial Gardens but also holds the concurrent post of Superintendent of Zilan Palace.

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Fu Gui, what a coincidence!"

Fu Gui said: "Eunuch Fan sent me to inspect, worried they might slack off during the New Year and neglect the horses."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Indeed, it's been a while since I last saw Eunuch Fan."

Fu Gui said: "Eunuch Fan has recently been bedridden with illness."

Hu Xiaotian exclaimed in surprise: "What? Eunuch Fan is ill?"

Fu Gui said: "Earlier this year, while breaking horses at the Red Mountain Horse Farm, that horse suddenly went berserk, throwing Eunuch Fan off its back. His left leg unfortunately suffered a fracture."

Hu Xiaotian said: "You should have told me sooner; Eunuch Fan is my friend, and given this situation I naturally ought to go see him." On New Year's Day, he met Fu Gui in Lock Spring Alley on his way to pay New Year's respects to Quan De'an; at that time Fu Gui said not a word about this, so Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but blame him.

Fu Gui replied: "It's not that I didn't want to say; at that time there were many people around, and it was New Year's Day, which was not appropriate to bring up this matter."

Hu Xiaotian thought about it and indeed that was true; at the time there were many eunuchs around, not to mention the little princess Qiqi by his side. Hu Xiaotian said: "In that case, I'll go visit Eunuch Fan early tomorrow morning."

Fu Gui beamed: "Then I'll go back and tell Eunuch Fan."

Hu Xiaotian said: "No need to say; I'll suddenly go over and give him a surprise."

Hu Xiaotian hadn't expected Long Tingzhen to be at Zilan Palace; he and Qiqi had come together, and the brother and sister were keeping Princess Anping company. Setting aside Long Tingzhen's character, he gets along very well with this aunt; although he calls Princess Anping 'aunt', he is actually five years older than Long Xi Yue.

Qiqi saw Hu Xiaotian return and immediately began to question him: "Little whiskers, as the Superintendent of Zilan Palace you don't do your duties well in the palace and go out to loaf; believe it or not I'll take back the coiling dragon jade pendant the emperor bestowed on you, and see if you still dare to run around recklessly."

Hu Xiaotian always gets a headache whenever he sees Qiqi; this girl is a bit ungrateful—have you forgotten how I risked my life to save you from the crocodile's jaws? That night, if it weren't for me, you'd probably have become that giant crocodile's dinner.

Princess Anping interceded for Hu Xiaotian: "Qiqi, don't blame him; I sent him out to handle some business for me."

Qiqi said: "Auntie, you don't need to make excuses for him; this person is sly and deceitful, surely he's taking this opportunity to slip out of the palace for a leisurely outing."

Seeing Qiqi still unwilling to let up on Hu Xiaotian, Princess Anping hastily changed the subject: "By the way, I've prepared gifts for you two, little whiskers—go fetch them for me."

Hu Xiaotian acknowledged, turned and left, and soon returned with the gifts Princess Anping had prepared for the two of them. Before leaving the palace, Long Xi Yue had prepared a gift for nearly everyone she could think of.

The gift for Qiqi was a peony picture she herself had embroidered; the needlework was exquisite and lifelike, something Long Xi Yue had rushed to finish stitch by stitch recently. Qiqi saw the peony embroidery, held it in her hand, examined it repeatedly, and could not put it down.

Princess Anping said: "Qiqi, I know you've disliked needlework since childhood, but a girl ought to have a feminine demeanor; I'm giving you this peony picture—you're still young, and when you have time you should still learn some needlework, so that when you grow up you'll be able to find a prince consort to your liking."

Qiqi rarely blushed, but she said: "Auntie, you're awful, making fun of me in front of so many people."

Beside them, Long Tingzhen burst out laughing; Hu Xiaotian, hearing it, couldn't help but let a faint smile appear. Unexpectedly, Qiqi just then happened to look his way, catching the smile on his lips, her eyes wide as she shouted: "You dead eunuch, even you dare to mock me? Believe it or not, I'll strip your pants and give you eighty heavy strokes."

Long Xi Yue heard this and her face flushed red; she knew Qiqi's temperament—if she said it, she'd do it. If they really were to pull Hu Xiaotian's pants down right then, his secret would be completely exposed. She hurriedly interjected: "No, Qiqi, why must you constantly threaten him over the New Year? Little whiskers hasn't offended you."

Qiqi said in a sarcastic tone: "You're feeling sorry for him, huh!"

Long Xi Yue's face stayed red all the way to her ears, and she spat: "You girl are getting more and more outrageous."

Long Tingzhen, although he thought Long Xi Yue's behavior a bit strange, also assumed it was just her nature, and chimed in: "Qiqi, how can you speak to your aunt like that?"

Qiqi said: "Just joking, really not fun; I'm only trying to scare him, I don't actually intend to hit him—he belongs to the aunt, so even if I were to discipline him, it would be the aunt's own discipline."

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself: "At least you understand a little."

Long Xi Yue then took from Hu Xiaotian a jewelry box; opening it revealed a set of gold bangles and anklets, a longevity lock, and a hand-embroidered red dudou. She closed the box and handed it to Long Tingzhen, saying: "Tingzhen, Jiaron is due to give birth at month's end; I had thought I still had a chance to personally put these on the child, but now it seems I won't get that opportunity. The longevity lock and these gold items were commissioned from Master Ming of the Heavenly Works Workshop; this dudou I made myself. I hope you like them."

Long Tingzhen received the gift, pursed his lips, also deeply moved, and said in a low voice: "Auntie, I have actually never approved of your marrying far away to Da Yong; it was entirely the Empress's idea." (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets; your support is my greatest motivation.)

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