Chapter 635

Xiao Tianmu nodded and said: "Exactly. If this wedding goes smoothly, there naturally won't be any trouble; but if anything goes awry midway, it won't be easy for so many people to leave Da Yong smoothly."

Zhou Mo said: "Second brother is absolutely right; often, having many people isn't necessarily a good thing."

Hu Xiaotian said: "The Tang siblings coming over is also beyond my expectation." Although these people came to help without regard for their own safety, Hu Xiaotian also understands that under the current circumstances, it's not true that more people mean greater strength; not to mention adding fifty-plus people, even if he were given five thousand more, on Da Yong's turf they couldn't stir up any waves.

Zhan Peng said: "Tang Qingxuan and Princess Anping have sworn sisterhood, their feelings are deep; she came this time precisely for Princess Anping."

Hu Xiaotian sighed and said: "If we don't let her see Princess Anping, she might not agree; but if we let her see her, there might again be trouble."

Xiao Tianmu smiled and said: "This probably isn't a big problem; coaxing girls has always been your forte, right?"

Several people looked at Hu Xiaotian and nodded together.

Hu Xiaotian wore a bitter face and said: "Please, second brother, I'm a eunuch! A eunuch!"

Xiao Tianmu smiled and nodded, speaking with deep meaning: "Usually speaking, eunuchs understand women's hearts better!"

Seeing Xiao Tianmu's expression full of deep meaning, Hu Xiaotian vaguely realized that his second brother had almost certainly guessed the secret that he was a fake eunuch; although Xiao Tianmu is blind, he perceives things more clearly than those with sight.

Zhan Peng said: "I think withdrawing from Hailing Commandery should be the last step, and it's not advisable to have too many people; the majority should leave Yongdu in advance."

Zhou Mo said: "Lately, strangers have often been loitering around the South Wind Inn; it seems someone is monitoring our movements."

Hu Xiaotian said: "That's natural; since entering Da Yong's territory, they've never relaxed their vigilance toward us."

Xiao Tianmu said: "Over ninety people. They can't possibly watch every single one, and there's no need to; they likely focus their attention on the third brother, Wu Jing shan, and Princess Anping; others probably aren't that important in their eyes."

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Xiao Tianmu said: "Although Wu Jing shan is the chief envoy for this marriage mission, he probably hasn't contributed anything from start to finish; it's time to let him go."

Hu Xiaotian exclaimed in astonishment: "Let him go?"

Xiao Tianmu said: "If the plan is exposed, he certainly cannot escape responsibility; if it succeeds, he will try to claim the chief merit. To you, this person now has no value; keeping him in Yongdu will only be a hindrance, or else he'll steal credit. A person of little use—why keep him?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Find a reason to let him leave first; then it will be natural to let some people follow him ahead."

Zhou Mo said: "It's just that we don't know whether Wu Jing shan will cooperate."

Hu Xiaotian said: "There shouldn't be any problem; staying in Yongdu is like years passing in a day for him, so if I let him leave first, he'll surely be grateful."

Xiao Tianmu said: "Actually, if Xi Yue were willing to leave, that would be best."

Hu Xiaotian sighed and said: "All we can do is slowly persuade her before the wedding; we'll try to send her out of Yongdu first, to Hailing Commandery to wait for me."

Xiao Tianmu nodded, noting that matters of the heart aren't something they can control; most people become irrational when it comes to love. The gentle Princess Anping is no exception. Xiao Tianmu suddenly asked: "If our plan is completed successfully this time, after returning to Kangdu, what do you intend to do?"

Hu Xiaotian fell silent under Xiao Tianmu's questioning. In fact, he had considered this question more than once, yet to this day he still has no clear answer. Before coming to Yongdu, rescuing Long Xi Yue was his greatest wish. But after rescuing Long Xi Yue, what then? He couldn't just flee with her to a life on the run, after all his parents are still alive; if he doesn't rescue them from their predicament, what face would he have as a son? Should he go back to being a eunuch? Continue to wander among the factions of Ji Feihua, Quan De'an, and Li Yuncong? When would such a life come to an end?

Xiao Tianmu said in a low voice: "Those who lack foresight will surely have near-term worries; to survive in a chaotic world, one must be stronger than others. If I could give you a choice, would you rather be a eunuch who merely gets by living under others, or would you rather be someone who can command his own fate, rescuing loved ones from fire and water?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "To be frank, I used to just want to muddle through life, drinking a little wine, flirting with a pretty girl, playing a few cards, listening to a little tune; but fate toys with people, and living in this messed-up world, if you want peace, you have to die."

Zhou Mo said: "In troubled times heroes arise; why don't we brothers join hands and undertake a grand endeavor, not seeking fame for ages, but seeking to benefit the people and save myriad lives from fire and water?"

Xiao Tianmu said: "Achieving great things relies not only on personal ability but also on fate; what is called fate is nothing but opportunity."

Zhou Mo said: "My life is in my hands, not heaven's; I have never believed in fate. Brotherly unity cuts through metal, but the Dakang ruler is dim-witted, the state's fortunes wane; if this continues, national ruin is not far off. He once devoted himself wholeheartedly to serving his country—even if he died on the battlefield, wrapped in horsehide, he would not hesitate—but reality is so cruel and heartless; he and his brothers became sacrifices in political struggle. It is precisely this bloody lesson that made Zhou Mo realize that Dakang's rule has long been corrupt; to remake the rivers and mountains, to let the people dwell in peace and prosperity, one must change at the root; he no longer holds any hope for the Dakang court."

Zhan Peng lacked the lofty ambitions of Xiao Tianmu and Zhou Mo; his fundamental reason for being here is to repay kindness—Hu Xiaotian has helped him, and a drop of gratitude must be repaid with a spring; this is Zhan Peng's principle in life.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Take it step by step; although I have no grand ambitions, I just want to live comfortably. Whoever tries to make me uncomfortable, I will fight them to the bitter end. Several brothers came thousands of miles to Yongdu for my sake; if you have matters, I will do the same for you."

Xiao Tianmu smiled: "Third brother, those words are well spoken; no matter how far you wish to go, the most important thing is to tread the path beneath your feet well—as the saying goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

When leaving Baofeng Hall, Xiao Tianmu suddenly remembered something and said: "The matter you asked me to inquire about has been looked into—Miss Huo Xiaoru is now choreographing song and dance at the Dance Moon Workshop in the northern city of Yongdu."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; since leaving Kangdu, he and Huo Xiaoru have never met again. During this time he occasionally thinks of Huo Xiaoru and their promise, but it is certainly not a bone-deep longing; perhaps their time together was too short, and their feelings remain merely appreciative, far from the point of lovesickness. After receiving news of Huo Xiaoru from the Prince of Yan, Hu Xiaotian had once wanted to meet her, which is why he had Xiao Tianmu inquire. But once he truly learned Huo Xiaoru's whereabouts, he no longer felt a strong desire to see her—perhaps because he has pressing matters, and this trip to Yongdu may yet face unknown storms; why bother to invite trouble for Huo Xiaoru?

The next morning, Eunuch Dong of Cien Garden arrived early at the South Wind Inn; hearing the news, Hu Xiaotian hurried to the lobby to greet him, bowing respectfully: "Eunuch Dong, your esteemed presence honors me; I apologize for my poor welcome."

This time seeing Hu Xiaotian, Eunuch Dong beamed, his attitude even more amiable than before; in a piercing voice he said: "Lord Hu, you've kept the Zajia in the dark with great effort; after all this, we're still kindred spirits."

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed, "Damn your mother," he's not a eunuch, yet he piled on a warm, spring-like smile: "It's not that I wanted to hide from Eunuch Dong; it's just that his high rank and power are beyond my reach."

Eunuch Dong affectionately took Hu Xiaotian's hand and said: "As the Zajia would say, this bearing in raising hands and lifting feet, this cleverness in speech and action—only those who have long served in the palace can manage it so properly; Lord Hu, so young, to receive such favor from your master, is truly enviable!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "How could I compare to Eunuch Dong's lofty virtue and prestige?"

"Not at all! Not at all!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Please, Eunuch Dong, take a seat inside."

Eunuch Dong said: "No need; the Zajia has come today especially to invite Lord Hu to Cien Garden for a visit—the Empress Dowager summons you!"

Upon hearing the word "invite," Hu Xiaotian's heart eased, thinking Empress Dowager Jiang likely bears him no ill will; perhaps she summoned him for a follow-up check? He smiled and asked: "How has the Empress Dowager's eyesight recovered?"

Eunuch Dong beamed: "The Empress Dowager can't praise your medical skills enough; she mentions you almost every day."

Hu Xiaotian followed Eunuch Dong into the outside carriage; after the carriage set off, Eunuch Dong said: "Lord Hu, you truly conceal your talents; last time you visited Cien Garden, why didn't you reveal your identity?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "If Eunuch Dong knew I am an envoy of Dakang, would you still dare let me treat the Empress Dowager's illness?"

Eunuch Dong chuckled: "Dakang and Da Yong are friendly states; Lord Hu naturally bears no ill will toward the Empress Dowager." Although he said that, if he had known Hu Xiaotian's true identity beforehand, he certainly would not have dared let him treat the Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager Jiang's mood has been good lately; Hu Xiaotian performed a double-eyelid procedure on her, fulfilling her long-held wish—not only did she acquire double eyelids, but she also appeared much younger overnight; everyone loves beauty, and although Empress Dowager Jiang is approaching seventy, this does not hinder her pursuit of beauty.

Upon seeing Empress Dowager Jiang again, even Hu Xiaotian couldn't help marveling at how quickly she had recovered; externally there was no trace of surgery, and today she had specially applied light makeup—when one encounters joy, spirits rise; the Empress Dowager's eyes could not conceal her inner delight.

After Hu Xiaotian paid his respects, Empress Dowager Jiang had a seat arranged for him, smiling narrowly: "Today I summoned Mr. Hu especially to thank you."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Empress Dowager, you're too kind; being able to relieve your ailment is truly my honor."

Empress Dowager Jiang said: "I, too, have just learned that you are actually an envoy of Dakang." (To be continued~^~)