Chapter 662: Return (Part 2)

Xi Yan snapped, "Are you even a man? You actually want to give away the wife you married under heaven to someone else— is there anyone as despicable, lowly, and shameless as you in the world?"

Hu Xiaotian begged desperately, "Let go… I… I'm a eunuch… I'm a eunuch…"

Seeing him like that, Xi Yan was both angry and amused, but finally she let go of his ear.

Hu Xiaotian rubbed the ear she had pulled red and complained bitterly, "You're too harsh— my ear feels like it's about to be ripped off."

"Serves you right!" Xi Yan said, then recalled something: "You stayed because I pricked you with a needle, worried that if you ran away your life wouldn't be safe either?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "If you hadn't mentioned it, I almost would have forgotten this matter."

Xi Yan blinked her eyes and said, "You've got guts, not even caring about your own life?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "It's not like that. Actually I'm more afraid of death than anyone, but I think, dying under a pomegranate skirt, even as a ghost it would be romantic; dying by your hand wouldn't be disgraceful. Besides, I feel you're not that ruthless toward me— you wouldn't actually kill me. If I died, wouldn't you become a widow?"

Xi Yan sneered, "This time you got it wrong—I'd rather be a widow whose husband died than a discarded woman cast aside." She closed the window and told Hu Xiaotian, "Take off your clothes."

Hu Xiaotian instinctively covered his chest: "What are you doing? I'm not that casual a person!"

Xi Yan spat, "Shameless! Let me look at your wound."

Hu Xiaotian said, "You're the one who told me to take them off!" He removed his upper garments, revealing a fairly muscular build, and he gave a little proud wiggle in front of Xi Yan— though he said nothing else, he was quite confident in his physique.

Xi Yan said, "Raise your right arm!"

Hu Xiaotian asked, "Should I take off my pants too?"

Xi Yan said, "Just take them off—I happen to want to see what a eunuch looks like."

"Uh…" Hu Xiaotian was instead held by her. He honestly raised both arms; although Xi Yan had pricked him with a needle earlier, he didn't see any black spot as she'd claimed, guessing she was just trying to scare him.

Xi Yan took out something and placed it under his right rib. Hu Xiaotian felt the object on his skin was icy cold. He lowered his head to look and saw Xi Yan holding a piece as clear as ice, though it probably wasn't ice— it didn't melt on his skin. A strange sight appeared: where the transparent object touched his skin slowly turned black, and soon it was entirely black.

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine; no need to ask, that black substance was drawn from his body. He whispered, "That needle really was poisonous?"

Xi Yan said offhandedly, "When have I ever lied to you? If you don't care and I leave, you die— that's it. Now that you know to come back, it shows you still have some conscience, so I'll let you live a few more days." She spoke as if nothing had happened, but Hu Xiaotian felt his heart pound, thinking, "Damn, this is for real— thank goodness I didn't leave. If I had, I wouldn't even know how I'd die."

Xi Yan tossed that ice‑like object into the basin; after a moment, the water in the basin had turned ink‑black, and the object itself returned to being transparent and clear.

Hu Xiaotian gazed at the black water in the basin, naturally feeling a bit uneasy, and whispered, "Why don't you suck it out again for me?"

Xi Yan said coldly, "If you want to suck, go ahead— put your clothes on, pour out this basin of water, and fish out the Sacred Spirit Soft Jade and return it to me."

Only then did Hu Xiaotian realize this thing had an elegant name: Sacred Spirit Soft Jade. He put on his clothes, went to the basin, scooped out the Sacred Spirit Soft Jade, squeezed it hard— it wasn't soft at all. Still called "soft jade," I don't know where that name came from. He placed the Sacred Spirit Soft Jade on the table, picked up the basin of black water, and left.

He went outside, found a corner, and poured out the entire basin of black water. Just as he was about to go back, Yang Xuan walked in and said, "Sir Hu! What are you—"

Hu Xiaotian said, "I just finished attending to the Princess washing her feet."

Xi Yan heard it clearly from inside, silently cursing, "Damn brat, how many years of not washing feet would it take to produce a basin of black water like this? He's obviously trying to smear me." Then she heard Yang Xuan say, "Sir Hu, Prince Yan has arrived."

"Oh? I'll go see him right away!"

Upon seeing Prince Yan Xue Shengjing again, Hu Xiaotian could barely recognize him. After a few days apart, the formerly ruddy‑faced Prince Yan now had a sallow complexion and bluish lips. Seeing Hu Xiaotian, the prince lit up like he'd seen a savior, his small eyes flashing with excitement: "Sir Hu! Sir Hu!" His tone was so warm it felt even more intimate than meeting a relative.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Your Highness, Your Highness, greetings!"

Prince Yan Xue Shengjing extended his two plump white hands toward Hu Xiaotian, who made a motion to reach out but then pulled back midway. The prince felt a bit embarrassed by this— his hands were neither fully extended nor retracted. Yet he reacted quickly, stepped forward, and placed his plump hands on Hu Xiaotian's shoulders, patting twice: "You're not worried I'll infect you, are you? The less you want me to touch you, the more I'll slap you twice."

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed the guy for being sly and wicked, but his face wore a spring‑breeze expression: "Your Highness, what wind blew you here today?"

Prince Yan Xue Shengjing said, "If I didn't come, I'm afraid Sir Hu would forget me!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Impossible—I wouldn't dare forget either!"

Xue Shengjing chuckled, his small eyes narrowing into slits: "Not forgetting is good, not forgetting is good." Hu Xiaotian said, "Your Highness, let's sit over there!" He invited Xue Shengjing to sit in the pavilion. Only then did he realize the prince had come alone, without any attendants, and he couldn't help wondering: "Your Highness, you came by yourself?"

Xue Shengjing gave a wry smile: "My attendants were all stopped outside; General Huo Shengnan always handles things without regard for feelings." His tone carried several complaints about Huo Shengnan.

Hu Xiaotian said, "General Huo handles affairs meticulously, giving his all to protect the Princess— truly a blessing for us."

Xue Shengjing laughed, "Speaking of this, I almost forgot to congratulate Sir Hu. My mother learned that after your nation's envoy arrived in Yongdu they didn't receive the proper treatment, which made her furious. She's sent people to investigate, and if they find out who's deliberately causing trouble, they'll surely be severely punished."

Hu Xiaotian said, "To receive the Empress Dowager's favor is indeed a blessing for us."

Xue Shengjing said, "Actually I only mentioned it gently in front of the Empress Dowager; I didn't expect her to take it to heart."

Hu Xiaotian understood clearly— this guy was obviously trying to make him feel indebted. Speaking of this matter, Prince Yan Xue Shengjing hadn't helped at all; it was entirely his own effort. Saying it like that in front of him was tantamount to claiming all the credit, telling him everything was thanks to his help. Hu Xiaotian inwardly despised him, but out of politeness he put on a show of deep gratitude: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your help; your kindness is etched in my heart."

Xue Shengjing said, "Sir Hu, why stand on ceremony with me? From the moment I first met you, I felt an instant rapport."

"Really? What a coincidence—I feel the same way. Not only do I feel we've met before, I also feel a deep closeness, a heartfelt affinity rising from the depths of my heart, as if… as if in a past life I and Your Highness were brothers."

Xue Shengjing silently cursed, "Brothers with me? What qualifies a eunuch like you?" Yet, since he now needed something from Hu Xiaotian, although he looked down on him inwardly, his expression showed sincere affection: "Me too!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Please forgive me, please forgive me, Your Highness must forgive me— my conduct is improper; what stature you have, how could I ever presume to rise to your level?"

Xue Shengjing sighed, "Sir Hu, why belittle yourself? As the saying goes, heroes need not ask about their origins. Sir Hu, your knowledge, talent, character, and conduct all impress me deeply; in my heart I've long regarded you as my brother." His words were utterly contrary to his true feelings, but he had no choice— he needed to say nice things to coax this eunuch into helping cure his illness first.

Hu Xiaotian showed a face of gratitude: "Thanks to Your Highness's great favor, I'm truly moved to tears; I have an idea, but…"

Seeing Hu Xiaotian beat around the bush with insincere pleasantries, never getting to the point, the Prince Yan— who hadn't come just to chat with Hu Xiaotian but to treat his illness, with the timing of the surgery being the key— said, "Sir Hu, no need to hem and haw; just state any requests."

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "It's not that I have any demands— hey, never mind then!"

This only piqued the Prince's curiosity further; he said, "Speak up— you definitely have to say it!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Well then, I'll shamelessly say it— Your Highness, just hear me out; if you don't like it, treat it as idle wind, laugh it off, and I'll never bring it up again."

Prince Yan nodded, inwardly wary— this kid might not be about to make a lion's demand, asking for something he can't possibly grant? If so, he'd have to weigh it carefully.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Your Highness, actually I find your cordiality no coincidence— you resemble my deceased older brother to a striking degree…" At this point his eye sockets reddened, tears glistening in his eyes, appearing genuinely emotional.

Prince Yan Xue Shengjing blinked, thinking, "You're trying to fool me? I've investigated your background thoroughly— Hu Buwei has only one son, where would another come from?" He feigned astonishment: "Sir Hu, aren't you an only child?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Yes, I'm an only child, but I do have a sworn older brother— you look exactly like him, even your smile shares the same broad kindness…" He seemed unable to continue, turned away, lifted his sleeve to wipe his tears, turned back and said, "Your Highness, I dare to ask— may I call you elder brother?" (To be continued… search for the novel, updates faster and better!)