Chapter 642: [The Healer's Benevolent Heart] (Part 2)

When the princess showed such affection in front of so many people, even Hu Xiaotian felt embarrassed, thinking to himself, I only met you yesterday; we're not that close, but he also understood the true meaning behind Xue Lingjun's words—she wasn't concerned about him, but about her double eyelids; if something happened to him, no one would perform the double-eyelid surgery for Xue Lingjun.

Outsiders didn't know their relationship; Xue Daohong couldn't help frowning, his aunt always had a bad reputation—could she have taken a fancy to Hu Xiaotian? But after a moment's thought, it was impossible, for Hu Xiaotian was a eunuch.

Li Chen Zhou smiled and said, "So the princess knows Lord Hu."

Princess Xue Lingjun threw a flirtatious glance at Li Chen Zhou, cooing, "General Li has also come; after not seeing you for a while, you look even more graceful and handsome." Her pretty face showed an infatuated, admiring expression, like a hungry cat eyeing fresh fish; almost everyone could see the ambiguity in the princess's gaze. Years ago, when the princess sought a consort, Li Chen Zhou had been the top choice, but fallen flowers have intention while flowing water is ruthless—Li Chen Zhou loved the talented woman Jian Rongxin of Da Yong and politely declined the royal marriage proposal; that Jian Rongxin is now Li Chen Zhou's wife. It can be said this matter dealt a heavy blow to the princess Xue Lingjun, who thought highly of herself, and she has always resented it.

Li Chen Zhou's expression remained calm as an ancient well; he was utterly unmoved by Xue Lingjun's alluring look, and softly said, "Thank you for the princess's praise, I dare not accept it."

Xue Lingjun sighed, "You're really boring and heartless; since you've returned to Yongdu, you didn't even come to see me."

She waved at Hu Xiaotian, saying, "Hu Xiaotian, let's go!"

Hu Xiaotian was glad to leave; he bade farewell to Xue Daohong and Li Chen Zhou. Because the princess had invited him to depart, no one questioned his affairs.

Arriving at Xue Lingjun's carriage, she then asked in a low voice, "Are the things ready?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded, "They are ready, though I just used them on others; they may need disinfecting before use."

Hearing this, Xue Lingjun couldn't help frowning, "What? You actually used them on others?"

Seeing her expression, Hu Xiaotian realized things were bad, but having spoken, he could only tell the truth: "Last night we were suddenly attacked, many were injured; to rescue the wounded I had no choice but to use those instruments."

Xue Lingjun's face showed displeasure; coldly she said, "I won't use anything others have used."

"But—" Hu Xiaotian hadn't finished when Xue Lingjun already boarded the carriage, shut the door, and angrily said, "Leave!" The coachman received the order, cracked his whip and drove off, actually leaving Hu Xiaotian there, uncaring.

In Hu Xiaotian's view, those medical instruments could certainly be reused; just disinfect them, so he told the truth, yet he never expected Princess Xue Lingjun's reaction to be so fierce. Watching the carriage depart, he finally understood: this princess has a cleanliness fetish—she won't use anything others have used. If so, where did the reputation of the world's number one wanton come from? Are you truly cleanliness-obsessed or just pretending?

Zong Tang had been nearby just moments before; he heard the conversation between the princess and Hu Xiaotian clearly. After the carriage left, he came to Hu Xiaotian's side and apologetically said, "Lord Hu, I'm truly sorry; this time we've implicated you."

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "There's nothing to blame."

Zong Tang said, "After I finish these matters, I'll immediately rebuild the furnace and forge a new set of instruments for Lord Hu."

Hu Xiaotian shook his head, "No need; the previous set was given to me."

Zong Tang said, "Because time is tight, some items remain unfinished for you; after a few days, once they're done, I, Zong, will personally deliver them to you."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; he didn't want to linger here. On one side he drew the attention of Xue Daohong and others, then hurriedly took his leave.

Since he couldn't catch the princess's special carriage, Hu Xiaotian could only hitch a ride with Liu Yucheng's shared cart, carrying a full box of instruments back to the South Wind Inn; by the time he arrived it was already mid-afternoon. Entering the hall, he saw Wu Jing Shan and a middle-aged man in a blue scholar's robe sitting there; both stood up when they saw Hu Xiaotian enter.

That middle-aged man was the Dakang envoy stationed in Yongdu, Xiang Jimin; Xiang Jimin smiled at Hu Xiaotian and bowed, saying, "Your subordinate pays respects to Lord Hu."

Although Hu Xiaotian had long known of this person's existence, after arriving in Yongdu he had always dealt with Wu Jing Shan; he and Xiang Jimin were meeting for the first time. He nodded and said, "Good day, Lord Xiang."

Wu Jing Shan said, "Lord Xiang came early this morning."

Hu Xiaotian said, "The princess summoned me for something, so I returned late."

Wu Jing Shan secretly admired, Hu Xiaotian really isn't ordinary; in just a few days in Yongdu he not only connected with the empress dowager, but now also with the Prince of Yan and the princess—something I could never manage. Having served as an official for years, Wu Jing Shan is shrewd and knows what to ask and what not to; naturally he won't probe into Hu Xiaotian's recent movements.

Hu Xiaotian handed the instrument box to Gao Yuan, asking him to help carry it inside, and taught him the basic method of boiling water for disinfection. Although Princess Xue Lingjun left in a huff, it should only be a temporary anger; it's utterly impossible for her to cut off contact over this, for no woman can resist beauty.

After the three sat down, Xiang Jimin said, "Lord Hu, I don't know when Princess Anping arrived in Yongdu; if not for Minister Wu's personal visit and detailed briefing, I would still be in the dark, and I hope you two lords will forgive my negligence."

Wu Jing Shan sighed, "This isn't your fault; Da Yong has sealed off the news, we newcomers to Yongdu are overwhelmed, we should have visited you earlier, but constant affairs delayed us."

Hu Xiaotian said, "It's still early before the princess's wedding; not really a delay." He smiled at Xiang Jimin and asked, "What news do you have on your side?"

Xiang Jimin simply related what he knew; it wasn't far from what Hu Xiaotian had learned. He sighed, "Based on the current situation, the Emperor of Da Yong may not even know that Princess Anping has arrived in Yongdu."

Wu Jing Shan said, "We must find a way to see the Da Yong emperor; the princess has been here six days already, we can't keep staying like this." As he spoke he glanced at Hu Xiaotian; actually he also wondered, now that Hu Xiaotian has ties with the Da Yong royal family, why hasn't he told them about the princess's affair?

Xiang Jimin said, "I'll handle this; I can't guarantee when the Da Yong emperor will summon you two."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled indifferently, "Let him see or not see; if he refuses to see us, we're too lazy to see him."

Xiang Jimin didn't understand Hu Xiaotian's temperament; hearing those words, he was secretly startled—this Hu Xiaotian is young and hot-headed, daring to say anything. Wu Jing Shan, however, is worldly wise; having interacted with him, he's gained more insight, secretly thinking that Hu Xiaotian already has a solution.

Hu Xiaotian and Xiang Jimin hadn't exchanged many words, yet he could see Xiang Jimin wouldn't be of much help; this trip was merely a formality to curry favor, and he had no mood to waste time with him. Yawning, he said, "I'm exhausted; I'll go rest first. Lords, excuse me."

Xiang Jimin accompanied with a smile, "Please, Lord Hu…" As a resident envoy of Da Yong, he ought to welcome the distant envoys with a feast; Xiang Jimin was about to announce the invitation to dinner when suddenly he heard someone outside panting, "Is Lord Hu here?"

Hu Xiaotian hadn't yet left; turning around, he saw a disciple of the Shennong Society enter—someone who often followed Liu Yucheng to help out, so Hu Xiaotian was somewhat familiar with him.

Hu Xiaotian thought the Shennong Society had something else going on; he stopped and asked, "What's the matter?"

The Shennong Society disciple, sweat pouring down his forehead, wiped his brow while saying, "Our young master sent me to tell Lord Hu…… he…… he just returned to the Shennong Society and was summoned to the Qichen Palace."

Upon hearing the three words "Qichen Palace", Hu Xiaotian's spirits lifted: "What happened?"

"…… it's said…… Princess Anping fell suddenly ill…… so they want us to come for a consultation……"

"What?" This not only startled Hu Xiaotian, but also made Wu Jing Shan and Xiang Jimin jump to their feet; Wu Jing Shan even broke out in a cold sweat, for if the princess came to harm, they'd all lose their heads, and he exclaimed, "How could this be? How could this be?"

The Shennong Society disciple said, "The young master sent me to inform Lord Hu, and also asked Lord Hu never to mention this matter."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, "I understand." He handed over a silver ingot to the disciple as a reward; the disciple tried to refuse but still accepted it. After he left, Wu Jing Shan and Xiang Jimin gathered around: "Lord Hu, what should we do?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Lord Xiang, you should go back first; I and Lord Wu will now go to Qichen Palace to get to the bottom of this." He shouted, "Zhan Peng! Zhao Chongwu! Prepare the horses!"

Hu Xiaotian and Wu Jing Shan led nearly fifty riders to the outskirts of Qichen Palace; such a force naturally drew attention from the palace. Cao Xi, hearing that Hu Xiaotian had come again, and this time with many men, felt a headache—last time Hu Xiaotian had only brought two warriors and routed his side's dozen-plus men left and right; this time he came with over fifty, obviously well-prepared; could he have received some intelligence?

The station chief of Qichen Palace, hearing that Hu Xiaotian had returned with a large force, was so frightened he had already hidden in his own room; having been beaten twice by Hu Xiaotian, he needed to learn his lesson.

Seek recommendation ticket (to be continued~^~)