Chapter 794

Waner said: "I'm about to leave; my young lady sent me over to give you something, Sir."

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Waner handed a scroll to Hu Xiaotian and said: "My young lady said the gift previously sent to you, Sir, might have been thrown away without you even looking at it, so she asked me to bring another one, and she also told you, Sir, to be sure to remember not to lose it this time."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Don't worry, I'll tell Huo Xiaoru I won't lose it." He took the scroll.

Waner also said: "My young lady also asked me to ask you, young master, whether the one-year agreement you mentioned earlier still counts?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Yes, of course it counts!"

Waner laughed and said: "My young lady said that although it counts, after all the time has passed, Qingyun is so far away that we can't make it there in a short while; it would be better to set a new time and place."

Hu Xiaotian's eyes lit up as he said: "Where is Miss Huo going?"

Waner said: "On the seventh day of the seventh month next year, we'll still go to Yan Shui Ge."

Hu Xiaotian said: "When?"

Waner laughed and said: "Then it's up to fate and fortune!" She turned and left, waving her hand at Hu Xiaotian with her back to him.

Hu Xiaotian unfolded the scroll in his hand, and by the lamplight he saw a portrait of a young gentleman painted on top; his expression and eyebrows looked exactly like his own—it turned out that the portrait Huo Xiaoru had given him was actually of himself, and on the scroll was also an ancient ci poem—One mistake: longing cannot be seen; the whole city in mist and rain, I alone look; I lightly sigh that our affinity is thin and shallow, merely making vain entanglement, Second mistake: turning around, we barely brush shoulders; looking back, we are separated by Peng Mountain far away, north and south geese. Love-character stationery, gazing at the blue sky, Third mistake: meeting but not seeing each other, night rain, crossing Ba Mountain on a towered boat. Before the west window, sleepless in dreams, the remaining candle, who trims it together? Fourth mistake: knowing each other ends in regretting lateness, fallen scattered red flowers flying all over the sky. Years pass, the willow bank; composing the river's chill. Five parts of affinity, also no more than half, whether gathered or dispersed. Six-one pluck, the parting person's heartstring, speechless tears dry. Seven-character words, chanting half a lifetime's obsession. The moon hangs mid-heaven. Eight-bone umbrella, halting feet by the riverbank, gazing at a thousand sails. Nine-corridor corridor waist twists and turns, ten years sigh, flowers fall before the old courtyard, mistakes several times. Searching everywhere, the azure peaks are nowhere to be found. Parting is also hard; the cold golden goblet withers the rosy complexion.

Hu Xiaotian held the scroll; he felt a sense of loss in his heart, for Huo Xiaoru had already fully expressed her affection and longing for him in the poem, her tender feelings etched deep—though the beloved is far away, her voice and smile still linger in his heart, hard to forget.

People living in the world must face all kinds of partings; at the time of separation, most often they feel sorrow. But Hu Xiaotian this time not only had no parting sadness, he actually felt a sense of escaping a cage; indeed he also understood that returning from Da Yong to Dakang was merely moving from one cage to another, and true freedom belonging to himself might only be on the road.

The Da Yong emperor ultimately still did not come in person to pay his respects; the reason was extremely absurd and laughable, said to be heeding the advice of a certain Daoist surnamed Gu, so the true reason remains unknown. However, Consort Shu and the Princess Imperial both came in person to pay respects, and together with the nobles seeking to ingratiate themselves with the imperial family, the scene was nonetheless quite lively.

Princess Imperial Xue Lingjun seized an opportunity to call Hu Xiaotian to her side, and in a low voice said: "Xiaotian brother, you still owe me something you haven't done."

Hu Xiaotian then recalled that he had promised to perform double-eyelid surgery for her, but because affairs had been cropping up one after another during this period he had never fulfilled it; he apologetically said: "I'm really sorry, Elder Sister; how about I delay my departure by a few days and perform the surgery for you before I leave?"

Xue Lingjun laughed softly and said: "I've thought about it during this time, but I'll just leave it as is; actually, my parents gave me this appearance, which is heaven's decree, so there's no need to change it."

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, "It's best that you've come to your senses; I also save myself the trouble," and flattered: "Actually, Elder Sister, your appearance is already so beautiful it's bubbling over; after double-eyelid surgery you might not look as good as you do now—it would be like adding feet to a snake."

Xue Lingjun said: "No matter what, you still owe me a favor; perhaps one day in the future I will have you repay it."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: "Elder Sister, whenever you need me, just call; I will definitely rush to your side at the first moment to repay this favor."

Xue Lingjun said: "Your mouth is really too sweet; who knows how many pure and kind girls you'll harm in the future." After saying that, she only then realized Hu Xiaotian was a eunuch.

Hu Xiaotian gave a wry smile and said: "Little brother may have that thievish heart and that thievish courage, but I lack the thievish ability; Elder Sister, please don't tease me."

Xue Lingjun covered her cherry lips, her beautiful eyes rippling, she coquettishly said: "I actually forgot about this matter; it's my fault, my fault."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Elder Sister, if you ever have free time, come to Kangdu for a tour; the Jiangnan scenery surely won't disappoint you."

Xue Lingjun said: "Perhaps it really could happen." She then solemnly said: "The emperor has approved your request; Da Yong's twenty coffers of burial goods sent as tribute will be transported by water to Dakang, and they will assign a dedicated escort; since you don't want to attract attention, bringing the princess's ashes in a simple, light conveyance is also a good way to avoid trouble."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Elder Sister, thank the emperor on my behalf."

Xue Lingjun said: "When do you plan to depart? I'll see you out of the city."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: "Since I don't want to draw attention, there's no need for a grand send-off; I appreciate your kind intention, Elder Sister, and after the memorial rites are over I'll slip away quietly."

Xue Lingjun nodded.

At this moment, Dong Tianjiang came over to convey a message for the Seventh Prince Xue Daoming, but he actually wanted Hu Xiaotian to make a trip to speak with him face to face.

Although Xue Daoming had stayed seven full days in the spirit hall of the Qixing Palace, there was not much interaction between him and Hu Xiaotian; he did so out of contempt, while Hu Xiaotian felt wary of him, so he tried to avoid too much contact.

On the way to the spirit hall, Dong Tianjiang said: "Older brother Hu, when do you plan to leave? Should I send someone to escort you?"

Hu Xiaotian's heart jolted; Dong Tianjiang likely already had a plan to kill and silence him, so he needed to be extra wary—though Zong Tang had already warned him, Zong Tang didn't think Dong Tianjiang would actually strike. Hu Xiaotian said: "No need; I don't want to draw too much attention, I'll depart at chen time tomorrow."

Dong Tianjiang nodded and said: "That's fine!"

These days Xue Daoming had indeed become quite haggard; for several consecutive days he hadn't gotten restful sleep, his eyes were bloodshot, his face full of sorrow. Seeing Hu Xiaotian enter, he nodded and said: "Hu Xiaotian, I heard you intend to escort the ashes alone?"

Hu Xiaotian respectfully said: "Your Highness the Prince, I too am doing this for the princess's ashes' safety; traveling light and simple, the plainer the better, so as not to attract others' attention."

Xue Daoming said: "Along this road the mountains are high and the waters long; you must be extremely careful, and you must safely escort the princess's ashes back to Dakang so she may be laid to rest early." As he said this, his eyes unexpectedly became a little moist.

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, "This guy is basically a wreck; he'll blame himself for the rest of his life over Princess Anping's death; thinking of Xi Yan's methods, they're truly vicious, using this approach to torment Xue Daoming for a lifetime." Hu Xiaotian said: "Your Highness the Prince, rest assured; even if I have to sacrifice my own life, I will ensure the princess's ashes reach Kangdu safely."

Xue Daoming nodded, then drew his waist sword.

Hu Xiaotian was startled by his sudden move, thinking to himself, "Damn, I haven't even provoked you, and you actually want to strike me?" But he saw Xue Daoming pull a lock of his own hair, the sword blade swept across, cutting off a strand, which he handed to Hu Xiaotian, saying: "I cannot personally escort the princess's ashes back to Dakang; this lock of hair, please help me bring it back, and when the princess is buried, bury it together with her ashes."

Hu Xiaotian secretly laughed, thinking, "This guy really is a sentimental fool; if he truly loved Princess Anping to death, why not die for her? Cutting a lock of hair—does that even count? Just acting!" He did not show his contempt, instead feigning deep emotion as he accepted the lock of hair, and said movingly: "If the princess knows in the underworld, she will surely be moved by the Seventh Prince's wholehearted devotion; if there is a next life, she will surely meet the Prince again."

Xue Daoming gazed at the ash jar, his eyes becoming dazed without him realizing.

Taking advantage of the gap before his departure, Hu Xiaotian, from memory, sketched a lifelike drawing of a purple cuckoo; he gave this artwork as a gift to Xue Daoming. This guy absolutely has ulterior motives—since you, Xue Daoming, have been completely ensnared by Xi Yan into the role of a lovesick fool, I might as well give you a push; this is adding insult to injury, making you see the object and think of the person, unable to pull yourself away each time you look at the painting.

Xue Daoming saw the picture and tears streamed down; he thanked Hu Xiaotian profusely, completely unaware that he had just been tricked by this guy.

Waving his hand, he departed; the bridle horses whinnied softly.

Although Hu Xiaotian outwardly claimed he would leave at chen time the next day, that very evening he and Huo Shengnan quietly slipped out of the Qixing Palace; their luggage had long been ready, the most valuable item being that box of ashes. Hu Xiaotian found a wooden chest, stuffed the ashes inside, traveled light, trying to reduce the weight of his baggage as much as possible.

Leaving through the south gate of Yongdu, Hu Xiaotian turned back to look, confident that no one was following them, and then he breathed a sigh of relief. Turning aside, he saw Huo Shengnan gazing in the direction of Yongdu, her eyes revealing a reluctance to part that was hard to let go of.

"Don't want to leave?"

Huo Shengnan's lips curled with a hint of bitter smile: "Do I have any other choice now?" Though she felt reluctant in her heart, the cruel reality forced her to leave Yongdu, to leave the land that had nurtured her; her mind was filled with confusion, not knowing where the future would lead.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Cheer up; if it weren't for this incident, you wouldn't have had the chance to take in the splendid landscapes of the Central Plains."

Huo Shengnan said: "I once thought that one day I would go to Kangdu to have a look, but back then I imagined leading troops to storm in!" After saying that, she whipped her horse, the black steed raised its head and let out a neigh, then flung open its four hooves and galloped south along the official road.

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily, gave Xiao Hui's rump a slap, and Xiao Hui let out a strange "jiang-jiang" cry, chasing after them like the wind and lightning.

Extra chapter Chapter One (to be continued. If you like this work, please come).

!!