Chapter 50: Plucking Others' Wisdom (Part 1)

Hu Xiaotian said: "Don't rush, since you're here, sit down and chat a bit."

Murong Feiyan obviously hesitated a bit.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Are you afraid of me?"

Murong Feiyan gave him a sideways glance and said: "Afraid of you? Since ancient times, evil does not prevail over good; I have never feared wicked scoundrels." She indeed sat down opposite Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian stared at Murong Feiyan's pretty face; she began to meet his gaze, but after a while she still felt embarrassed under his unabashed look, and snapped: "What are you staring at? Don't you know it's rude to stare at people?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm just wondering; if we don't have any deep hatred, why did you scheme against me that day?"

Murong Feiyan certainly knew what he was referring to; although she was in the wrong, she stubbornly retorted: "I didn't think I was scheming against you! But that day you showed a strong sense of justice, standing up for the Fang family father and daughter, doing a good thing. Ah, you won't regret this, will you? Are you scared?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Who am I afraid of? You've screwed me over this badly and I'm still not afraid—who would I fear?"

Murong Feiyan deliberately said: "Shi Xuedong is the precious son of Minister of Personnel Sir Shi; you hit him, aren't you afraid of his future revenge?"

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "You deliberately didn't tell me his identity, hoping we'd fight to the death, preferably both lose, so you could reap the benefits? Hey, I didn't expect your heart to be so nasty."

Murong Feiyan actually nodded: "Indeed I've thought that; anyway, we're not good people, if we both perish, Dakang would have two fewer harms."

Hu Xiaotian said: "You really do hate me, too bad your clever scheme came to nothing."

Murong Feiyan said: "Now I understand what 'birds of a feather flock together' means; you two are originally of the same ilk, it's no wonder you sympathize." She spoke bluntly, not fearing to offend the minister's son, and she had also heard about those two troublemakers becoming sworn brothers.

Hu Xiaotian didn't get angry but laughed, hehe, then suddenly straightened his face and said: "You've screwed me over like this; aren't you afraid I'll go to your superior and file a complaint, getting you expelled from Jingzhao Prefecture?"

Murong Feiyan calmly said: "You got your wish! Sir (official) has already suspended me; now your great revenge is fulfilled, you're satisfied!"

Hu Xiaotian was obviously stunned; I said, it turns out Murong Feiyan has been dismissed, but that's got nothing to do with me—I didn't go to Jingzhao Prefecture to file a complaint against her. No wonder she looks at herself like her nose isn't a nose and her eyes aren't eyes; it turns out she blamed her dismissal on herself, damn it, that's unfair. Even if I explained now, she wouldn't believe me. Hu Xiaotian also couldn't be bothered to explain; anyway, in Murong Feiyan's eyes I've never been a good person.

Murong Feiyan said: "Are you feeling especially happy now, with a sense of having avenged your great grudge?"

Hu Xiaotian actually nodded indeed.

Murong Feiyan said: "There is retribution in this world; aren't you afraid of it?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'll treat you to a drink!"

Murong Feiyan thought she misheard: "What?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm leaving the capital in two days; I suddenly realized I have no friends nearby. If we count as acquainted, would you mind joining me for a few drinks and a chat?"

Murong Feiyan stared at him with her beautiful eyes, dumbfounded that he actually wanted to leave the capital; leaving aside whether his words were true, after thinking she realized she had no reason to refuse, she softly said: "How about Tianran Ju?"

Liang Da Zhuang and Old Qin the accountant came over; it wasn't that Old Qin was unwilling to give him five taels of gold, he came specially to confirm. Old Qin also had another matter: he wanted to ask this young master what else needed preparation, although there were dedicated people handling it, after all one can't think of everything.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I can't think of it right now; how about you prepare some money for me, I'll go out and wander—maybe seeing something will jog my memory."

Old Qin said: "Young master, how about I follow you?" Since Hu An mysteriously disappeared, Old Qin has temporarily taken over the steward's duties.

Hu Xiaotian shook his head: "Don't follow me; I'll patrol the streets with Captain Murong, no need for you, this big lightbulb, to follow around and be an eyesore."

Old Qin and Murong Feiyan didn't understand his meaning; what's a "big lightbulb"? A lamp is a lamp, why add a "bulb"? Liang Da Zhuang, however, was used to the young master's way of speaking, knowing he often says astonishing things; such bizarre remarks are probably aftereffects of his past foolishness.

Hu Xiaotian had Liang Da Zhuang quickly deliver money to the Fang family father and daughter, then asked Old Qin for a stack of banknotes; these notes are from the Baofeng Hang in the capital, basically usable for exchange within the capital, but not outside. Comparing past and present life shows many inconveniences remain. Hu Xiaotian even considered advising his father to issue something like modern currency to replace gold, silver, and copper; but considering current anti-counterfeiting technology isn't up to par, even if it reached that level, changing ordinary people's spending habits and promoting it nationwide would be extremely difficult, so he gave up.

Carrying banknotes in his pocket made strolling feel naturally steady and comfortable; Hu Xiaotian had Hu Fo prepare a carriage and invited Murong Feiyan to ride together. Although he traveled lightly, bodyguards were still needed: besides coachman Hu Fo, Li Jin Hao and Shao Yijiao also rode close as guards. For this trip to Xichuan to take office, his father also assigned a four-person entourage for the whole journey; besides those three, there was also Liang Da Zhuang. First they prepared to go to the Tianran Ju that Murong Feiyan mentioned for a meal.

Sitting in Hu Xiaotian's carriage, Murong Feiyan remained silent, gazing outside; the carriage had just entered Tianjie Street, the rain had lessened considerably, a fine drizzle that made the scenery look soft and moist. Perhaps to break the silence, Hu Xiaotian's poetic inspiration surged, and he recited: "A gentle rain on Tianjie Street moistens like melted butter!"

At all times, beauties favor talented men, especially in ancient eras when poetry flourished; although Murong Feiyan is martial, she also has some exposure to poetry. Hearing this line, her heart involuntarily trembled—what a beautiful verse, such an apt description; who would have thought this unlearned playboy could recite a line of such beautiful imagery.

Good poetry is like chicken soup for the soul; it can silently moisten your heart, making one's mood pleasant and spirit elevated. Murong Feiyan was clearly stunned by Hu Xiaotian's line; in fact, her impression of him has unknowingly changed. The more she interacts with him, the more she realizes this guy is not the worthless playboy she first thought, nor utterly wicked. If his helping her extract the canine-tooth hooked arrow was merely repaying her life-saving kindness, then his aid to the Fang family father and daughter was simply standing up for justice, proving his heart is not bad.

Although Murong Feiyan's impression of Hu Xiaotian has changed, she still snorted disdainfully: "Where'd you pick up that trite saying?"

Hu Xiaotian's line is indeed borrowed wisdom, but in this era, even if he shamelessly claimed it as his own creation, Han Yu wouldn't come after him to sue for copyright.

Borrowing wisdom and still being shameless, Hu Xiaotian said: "I don't know why I suddenly got poetic inspiration."

Murong Feiyan said: "Just this one line, and that counts as poetry?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "You didn't see I was savoring the mood, letting the scene stir emotion; let me steep a bit more."

Murong Feiyan laughed: "If you steep a bit longer, we'll be past Tianjie Street!"

Hu Xiaotian suddenly shouted: "Stop the carriage, stop!"

Hu Fo quickly reined in the horses, bringing the carriage to a gradual halt. Hu Xiaotian opened the door and stepped out, waving at Murong Feiyan: "Captain Murong, let's take a walk in the rain, steep our feelings; when my poetic inspiration surges, I can finish this poem."

Murong Feiyan shook her head, a smile involuntarily appearing on her pretty face; she actually got down, not forgetting to take her red folding umbrella. The rain wasn't heavy, like mist and haze; grass beside the road was green, the willows planted on either side swayed gently in the breeze like green threads. Walking in the fine spring rain, bathed in the cool breeze blowing in her face, she instantly felt her worries ease considerably.

Hu Xiaotian said: "A gentle rain on Tianjie Street moistens like melted butter..."

"Tch! Still this same line!"

"Don't interrupt, I'm still steeping." Hu Xiaotian took a step forward, smiled at Murong Feiyan, and said: "If I were to compose a timeless masterpiece, would Captain Murong be willing to hold an umbrella for me?"

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