Chapter 696

PS: Look behind the scenes of Medical Unification for exclusive stories, hear your more suggestions for the novel, follow the web public account (add friends on WeChat - add public account - input qdread), quietly tell me!

Xi Yan bit her cherry lips and said: "Hu Xiaotian, Hu Xiaotian, it seems I have always underestimated you."

Hu Xiaotian said: "You don't need to feel inferior; women are usually petty clever, while men possess great wisdom. If you always try to outdo me in everything, even if I were beaten to death I wouldn't dare take you as a wife—women are better off being a bit stupid."

Xi Yan said: "You obviously hope all women in the world are fools so you can deceive them however you like."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Of course, they can't be too stupid; a woman who is too stupid offers no challenge, and I wouldn't even feel like deceiving her."

Xi Yan smiled brightly and asked: "Do you have any interest in Tang Qingxuan?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head.

"Why?"

Hu Xiaotian narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed on Xi Yan's chest.

Xi Yan said: "What are you looking at? Hers seem a bit larger!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm not looking at height but width; I also don't like girls whose minds are too narrow."

Xi Yan's pretty face actually turned a little red; she spat and said: "Hu Xiaotian, you are the most shameless man I have ever seen…" Before she finished, she immediately denied: "No! Eunuch!"

Outside came a sudden rush of footsteps; before they even reached the inner court, Hu Xiaotian already heard them clearly, and Xi Yan also only noticed when that person entered the inner court. In terms of perception, Hu Xiaotian now surpasses the demoness Xi Yan. However, Hu Xiaotian pretended not to notice and remained lying on the bed, while Xi Yan said: "Hurry up and get up, someone is coming in."

Hu Xiaotian put on a look of surprise and slowly sat up from the bed; at that moment he heard Yang Xuan's voice from outside: "Sir Hu, are you in?"

Hu Xiaotian called out: "I'm here. I'm giving the princess a shoulder rub."

Xi Yan glared at him fiercely, wishing she could kick him out the door with one foot.

Yang Xuan said: "General Huo requests your presence!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Coming!" He tidied his clothes and said to Xi Yan: "Think carefully about my words; I hope next time I come to see you I can get a satisfactory answer."

Xi Yan said: "Get lost!"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Why must you be so rude to me? Can't you be a bit gentler?"

Xi Yan said: "You are never lacking gentle women around you, so I want to do something special."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "I insist on walking out openly and aboveboard!"

Looking at Hu Xiaotian's upright back, the corner of Xi Yan's mouth curled up in a knowing smile.

Huo Shengnan sought Hu Xiaotian only to deliver a message: "The Crown Prince is looking for you!"

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but feel strange; although he had had a few encounters with Xue Daohong, the latter had never shown him any kindness, and he didn't know why Xue Daohong was looking for him.

Huo Shengnan said: "Tonight at the Ningxiang Pavilion, the Crown Prince is hosting a banquet and invites you to attend."

Hu Xiaotian's first reaction was that banquets are never good; last time he went to the Grand Princess's mansion for a feast, it caused so much trouble. This time, Xue Daohong seeking him might not be anything good either. He chuckled and said: "I don't seem to have any connection with the Crown Prince; why would he think of inviting me to a meal?"

Huo Shengnan said: "I'm not sure; the Crown Prince has already sent someone to deliver the invitation." She handed the invitation to Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian unfolded it, took a glance, then closed it and said: "General Huo, aren't you going?"

Huo Shengnan shook her head and said: "He didn't invite me."

Hu Xiaotian said: "General Huo, do you know what this banquet tonight is for?"

Huo Shengnan said: "I'm not sure, but Sir Hu, you should still be cautious."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "The Crown Prince sent me this invitation; if I don't go, wouldn't that mean I'm not giving him face? It's really quite a hassle."

Huo Shengnan bit her cherry lips and said: "Perhaps this matter is related to the Black Hu affair."

Hu Xiaotian said: "The matter between me and Black Hu has already been settled."

Huo Shengnan said: "I just received news that last night five warriors of Black Hu were assassinated."

Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brows; he had personally witnessed the killing of Black Hu's warriors. However, this incident indeed had nothing to do with him.

Huo Shengnan said: "The Fourth Prince of Black Hu, Wanyan Chixiong, has already declared that he must find the true culprit."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "This matter has nothing to do with us; even if they all died, let alone five, nothing could be traced back to us."

Huo Shengnan said: "Perhaps I'm overthinking it. The Crown Prince probably won't get involved in his affairs."

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought, this matter really is hard to say. Seeing that day at the Grand Princess's mansion, Xue Daohong and Wanyan Chixiong were getting along so well they might as well wear the same pants; with Wanyan Chixiong's subordinates dead, Xue Daohong might not just sit idly by.

Huo Shengnan said: "Sir Hu, you don't need to worry too much; after all, you are the marriage envoy of Da Yong. The Crown Prince should act with discretion. …" She paused, then lowered her voice: "Sir Hu, you can also feign illness and not go."

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said: "I will certainly give the Crown Prince this face."

Huo Shengnan looked at Hu Xiaotian, already feeling a bit of admiration in her heart. Don't look at Hu Xiaotian merely being a eunuch of Dakang; yet he possesses extraordinary courage and wisdom. Heroes ask not about origin; such a person can indeed become a friend.

Hu Xiaotian decided that night to go alone; Zhou Mo also thought the banquet came suddenly and the Crown Prince Xue Daohong might not have good intentions, but since Hu Xiaotian had decided to go alone, Zhou Mo could only express his agreement. After the battle with the Two Elders of Youhe, Zhou Mo was astonished to find that Hu Xiaotian's martial arts had undergone a fundamental leap, especially his elusive footwork; even if he encountered danger, he had a chance to escape. To be prudent, Zhou Mo suggested that he and Xiong Tianba stay that night in the small tavern opposite Ningxiang Pavilion, drinking and waiting, in case of any mishap.

Hu Xiaotian did not think Xue Daohong would openly act against him; the fact that he had treated the Grand Empress Dowager's illness had already spread widely. Although his time in Yongdu was not long, he had already treated both the Grand Empress Dowager and Prince Yan, and next in line was the Grand Princess.

Hu Xiaotian arrived outside Ningxiang Pavilion and from afar saw a group of black-armored warriors already guarding the main gate; the Crown Prince had already cleared the venue in advance for his banquet here, and tonight everything had been bought out by Xue Daohong. No other guests were being received. Indeed, power brings many conveniences and benefits; as long as your power is great enough, you are a VIP wherever you go.

Hu Xiaotian handed the invitation to the gatekeeper warrior; upon seeing it, the black-armored warrior treated him extremely politely and respectfully escorted Hu Xiaotian into Ningxiang Pavilion.

Hu Xiaotian entered the hall and saw Li ShenZhou, who had arrived earlier, chatting with a young man in white robes. Li ShenZhou noticed Hu Xiaotian's arrival and smiled, greeting: "Sir Hu, you've come?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "How could I dare not come when the Crown Prince has summoned me?"

That young man in white had a rather cold expression; Li ShenZhou introduced him: "Brother Mu Bai, this is the Dakang envoy Hu Xiaotian!" He then introduced the white-clad man to Hu Xiaotian for acquaintance; it turned out that this white-clad man was Mu Bai, son of Sword Palace sect master Qiu Xian'guang, and Mu Bai was also the most outstanding swordsman among the younger generation of Sword Palace. He was hailed as the person most likely to become a grandmaster of Sword Palace since the arrival of Yin Baotao.

Hu Xiaotian had also just learned the name of Sword Palace from Xiao Tianmu; he clasped his hands and smiled at Mu Bai: "Long admired, long admired!"

Mu Bai's expression remained indifferent. He said blandly: "You're too polite." He was sparing with words, and after speaking he fell silent, even too lazy to exchange pleasantries.

Hu Xiaotian felt a bit displeased; are all the talented youths of Da Yong this arrogant and rude? Is it their nature, or do they look down on him because he is from Dakang? However, Hu Xiaotian didn't take it to heart; Dakang has now fallen to such a state. As an envoy, he naturally wouldn't be welcomed.

Li ShenZhou's attitude toward Hu Xiaotian was actually more courteous than before; he proactively reminded Hu Xiaotian: "Tonight, the Fourth Prince of Black Hu will also come."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "That counts as an old acquaintance." He had already been mentally prepared for this; it seemed tonight's meal was indeed not simple—Black Hu had lost five people. Could Wanyan Chixiong truly suspect him? Looking at Mu Bai's icy face, if he had known earlier he should have let Zhou Mo not take the wooden plaque. It serves Black Hu right to find trouble with these Sword Palace disciples.

The banquet set up by Xue Daohong was on the third floor of Ningxiang Pavilion; the guests had basically all arrived, yet the host had not yet shown himself. Before Hu Xiaotian and his companions, three others had already arrived, one of whom Hu Xiaotian knew: it was Dong Tianjiang, commander of the Hu Biao Battalion of Yongdu. This Dong Tianjiang was the youngest son of the Minister of Personnel of Da Yong, Dong Bingtai, and also the nephew of Consort Dong Shu; he was a famed fierce general of Da Yong.

Hu Xiaotian had personally seen Dong Tianjiang exchange blows with Xiong Tianba; Dong Tianjiang should be one of the few who can match Xiong Tianba in strength.

Upon seeing Hu Xiaotian enter, Dong Tianjiang stared at him with cold eyes, not hiding his killing intent.

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought, "Oh no," it seemed he had fallen into a wolf's den tonight; several people here had grudges against him, and even those without prior grievances were unfriendly toward him—by comparison, Li ShenZhou was relatively more courteous.

Hu Xiaotian sat down in his own seat; the middle-aged man in a brown robe beside him smiled at Hu Xiaotian and said, "I suppose this Sir must be the marriage envoy from Dakang, Sir Hu Xiaotian."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "You are..."

The middle-aged man said, "My name is Zan Buliu; I work at Xinglong Firm."

Although Hu Xiaotian had never met Zan Buliu before, he was not unfamiliar with Xinglong Firm; Xinglong Firm is the biggest merchant house in Da Yong, and even in the whole Central Plains it ranks among the top three merchant houses. Although merchants' status in the present era is not high, being invited by the Eldest Prince Xue Daohong to attend such an important banquet proves that he is no ordinary figure in Xinglong Firm. Indeed, this is true—Zan Buliu is the owner of Xinglong Firm.

Hu Xiaotian clasped his fists and smiled, "I have long admired you."

Zan Buliu said, "I've heard that Sir Hu not only enjoys the deep favor of the Emperor of Dakang, but is also a physician with peerless skill."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled and said, "I dare not accept such praise."

Zan Buliu smiled and said, "Sir Hu, why be so modest? I've heard many legendary tales about you."

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought, merchants who travel all day across the north, south, east, and west usually have the most well-informed information; as the owner of Da Yong's largest merchant association, Zan Buliu surely has even more information, so it's no surprise that he has heard some things about him. (a good activity where pies fall from the sky, cool smartphones await you! Follow the public account (add friends on WeChat, add the public account, input qdread), join now! Everyone gets a prize; immediately follow the qdread WeChat public account!) (To be continued~^~)