Chapter 842: 【Clash】 (Part 2)

Hu Xiaotian's heart jumped—are you serious? This girl knows I'm a fake eunuch; does she want to turn me into a real one? If a tiger doesn't show its might, you think I'm a sick cat! Qiqi, Qiqi, are you trying to force me to bite someone?

At that moment, a gloomy voice came from behind the screen: "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

Hu Xiaotian's soul fled; he had thought his Formless Divine Skill had achieved some success, yet he still hadn't noticed someone hiding behind the screen in the study. After a moment's thought, he realized he had simply been careless—Qiqi, being delicate and precious, certainly wouldn't be without protection, and Eunuch Quan was undoubtedly the most suitable choice.

Upon seeing Eunuch Quan again this time, it was obvious his entire spirit and demeanor had been completely renewed; describing this old eunuch as vigorous and high-spirited is no exaggeration. His formerly stooped waist had straightened considerably, making him seem ten years younger than before. When one attains the Dao, even chickens and dogs ascend to heaven; Ji Feihua has been defeated, and the power within the palace surely now lies in Eunuch Quan's hands—it's hard not to feel pleased.

Hu Xiaotian still had some understanding of Eunuch Quan's martial arts—don't be fooled by the old eunuch's missing leg; his skill hasn't been greatly affected, and this prosthetic leg must be excellent, to the point that you can't tell he's missing a leg when he walks. Recalling how Eunuch Quan once forced ten years of internal power into his body, Hu Xiaotian knows that even if his own martial arts have improved considerably lately, he's still far behind Quan. Fortunately, he only harbored harmful thoughts toward Qiqi, not acted on them; otherwise, tonight the unlucky one would surely be himself.

Qiqi said, "Eunuch Quan, did you hear what Hu Xiaotian just said?"

Eunuch Quan smiled and said, "I heard it loud and clear!" Only when facing Qiqi did his face show any hint of a smile.

Qiqi said, "Is what he said true?"

Eunuch Quan said, "If he were willing to tell the truth, he wouldn't be Hu Xiaotian."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Eunuch Quan, I at least saved your life once; even if you don't intend to repay me, you shouldn't scheme against me!"

Eunuch Quan said, "If we don't mention this matter, Zajia would still be angry—my leg was broken by your hand!"

Qiqi said, "Let bygones be bygones; Eunuch Quan, there's no need to bring it up again."

Eunuch Quan respectfully replied, "Yes!"

Qiqi said, "It was you who personally brought Hu Xiaotian into the palace. Naturally, you must explain his situation clearly to the outside world."

"Yes!"

Qiqi said, "How do you plan to explain it?"

Eunuch Quan said, "Ji Feihua brought disaster to the country and the people, monopolizing power and acting arrogantly. After I discovered his ambition, I decided to send someone to approach him, seeking evidence of his plot to usurp the throne. Since Ji Feihua is cautious and knows all the details of the palace eunuchs, I then decided to find a stranger to enter the palace. After learning of this, Hu Xiaotian, in order to safeguard Dakang's realm and remove treacherous officials, resolved to go it alone, endure humiliation and burden, infiltrate the palace, get close to Ji Feihua, and gather evidence of his rebellion, thereby earning great merit for ultimately eliminating him."

Hu Xiaotian never expected Eunuch Quan to say such things; he was stunned, his mouth hanging open. He almost dropped his jaw to the ground—Eunuch Quan actually speaking well of him? Could the sun be rising in the west?

Qiqi nodded and said, "Hu Xiaotian, the tyrant has already been executed; you can now retire with merit. Restore your original identity!"

Hu Xiaotian blinked his eyes, for a moment not understanding what Qiqi meant.

Eunuch Quan said, "Hurry up and thank Her Highness the Princess!"

Hu Xiaotian stared blankly and said, "Does the Princess mean that from now on… I… I don't have to be a eunuch anymore?"

A faint smile appeared on Qiqi's lips: "If you want to be one, I can also grant you the status of a eunuch!"

Hu Xiaotian fell to his knees with a thud. What's this about "a man's knees hold gold"? Damn the gold. Can gold buy back a man's dignity and rights? It's truly a joy from heaven—who would have thought I'd become a meritorious official, inexplicably becoming a great hero in eliminating Ji Feihua; all my previous actions have turned into enduring hardship, sleeping on firewood and tasting gall. Deliberately approaching Ji Feihua to gather his rebellion evidence, Qiqi, Qiqi, you finally still have a conscience.

Qiqi said, "A man's knees hold gold; you don't need to kneel when you see me in the future, so you won't hold a grudge."

Hu Xiaotian said, "How could I dare harbor even a hint of resentment?"

Qiqi said, "Saying one thing while meaning another is just your type; respecting someone doesn't necessarily require kneeling. Get up, Eunuch Quan—step out first; I have some things I want to say alone to Hu Xiaotian."

Hu Xiaotian rose, saw Eunuch Quan about to leave, and hurried to see him off. All his former grudges against Eunuch Quan vanished tonight because of these events; regardless of whether Eunuch Quan had previously harmed him, that was then, this is now—back then Eunuch Quan was also working to overthrow Ji Feihua, and now he steps forward to testify for him and gives him freedom, which has made Hu Xiaotian deeply grateful.

Hu Xiaotian saw Eunuch Quan out the door, not forgetting to thank him: "Thank you, Eunuch Quan, for fulfilling this; great kindness and virtue, I, Hu Xiaotian, will never forget it!"

Eunuch Quan stepped out, his expression changing instantly; he spoke indifferently: "You don't need to thank me—if it weren't for the Princess protecting you, Zajia wouldn't have helped you clear your name."

Hearing that, Hu Xiaotian's fondness for Qiqi grew even more; the girl still had some conscience. If one said Qiqi was at the age of budding emotions, could she possibly have taken a liking to me? That thought immediately frightened him. Whoever she liked would surely be in trouble—given her temperament, she wouldn't share what she likes with others. Great fortune, she's still an underage girl—where has Hu Xiaotian's mind wandered to?

Eunuch Quan gave Hu Xiaotian a gloomy look and said, "Remember this: if you dare do even the slightest thing to disappoint the Princess, Zajia will be the first not to let you off."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Eunuch Quan, we've known each other for so long; you should know what kind of person I am."

Eunuch Quan snorted coldly: "Clear as day—you're an unscrupulous villain!"

Hu Xiaotian gave a wry smile: "Can we still be friends?"

Eunuch Quan said, "Zajia and you can never become friends!"

Eunuch Quan's warning was like a bucket of cold water poured over Hu Xiaotian's head; the excitement from the good news just received instantly faded by more than half. Qiqi's restoration of her identity might not be without motive—better to calm down first and see what she intends to do before speaking further.

Returning to Qiqi's presence, Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "I don't know whether I should now address you as Prince or Princess."

Qiqi said, "What you call me isn't important. Although Ji Feihua was merely a eunuch, he held Dakang's power; my father, though the emperor of Dakang, was only in name, a puppet manipulated by him."

Hu Xiaotian secretly praised, "This girl's mind is remarkably clear."

Qiqi said, "Hu Xiaotian, as for this envoy mission of yours, you've done fairly well; although there were mistakes, merits and faults offset each other, so I'll let you off this time."

"Thank you, Princess!"

Qiqi said, "I believe you already understand Kangdu's current situation: the Retired Emperor has resumed governance, Dakang has suffered this great calamity, its vitality severely wounded, all undertakings lie in ruin, and everything must start anew."

Hearing the words and tone, Hu Xiaotian immediately grasped the meaning behind Qiqi's speech, stepped forward a pace, and said, "I, Hu Xiaotian, am willing to serve the Princess with the devotion of a dog or horse."

Qiqi said, "Although Dakang has many officials, few are trustworthy. The Emperor has sent me out to handle some state affairs on his behalf; those ministers, on the surface, either don't speak up, or dare not, or are unwilling, but deep down they certainly look down on it."

Hu Xiaotian said, "The Princess's vision is like a torch—she truly sees the essence of the problem. In most people's eyes, the Princess is merely an underage girl; they surely won't believe she can manage state affairs well." He was using others to voice his own thoughts, and he himself didn't have confidence in Qiqi's ability to handle governance.

Qiqi said, "Is that also what you think in your heart?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "The Princess is so smart; I'll say something not flattering—you are the smartest person I've ever seen in my life." Wisdom also divides into great wisdom and petty cleverness; Hu Xiaotian has already deeply experienced Qiqi's petty cleverness, but as for whether she possesses great wisdom, that's unclear—not every woman has the potential to become a Wu Zetian.

Qiqi said, "I harbor no ambition, nor do I wish to become the Prince of Yongyang. The Emperor's return to the throne this time was his only option; looking within the Long clan, for a moment no one suitable to rule the world can be found. The Emperor ought to have enjoyed his twilight years, yet he has no choice but to come out of retirement again, and only by occupying this position can he awe these ministers and bring peace to Dakang's people. Seeing the Emperor so aged yet laboring for the country, as a descendant, how could one not feel pained? That's why I've gritted my teeth and agreed to help the Emperor share his burdens and resolve difficulties."

Hu Xiaotian said, "The Princess is truly filial!" Yet he secretly thought, "Others don't understand you, and I still don't? Back when you and Eunuch Quan were chased all over the mountains by the former emperor, if it hadn't been for me, you'd probably have died on Mount Pengyin. Yet now you somehow have reached an understanding with the old emperor, become allies, and even gained his deep favor."

Qiqi said, "Apart from Eunuch Quan, I have no one else around me I can trust."

Hu Xiaotian lifted his eyes to look at Qiqi; the meaning was obvious—there's also me.

Qiqi said, "After the incident of Ji Feihua bringing disaster to the state, the Emperor reaffirmed that eunuchs must not interfere in government affairs; from now on, even Eunuch Quan must not meddle in state matters."

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, "Is this the fundamental reason for letting me return to a normal identity?"

Qiqi said, "Hu Xiaotian, will you help me?"

Hu Xiaotian clasped his fists and bowed, saying, "I will not shy away from plunging into boiling water or treading fire! I will devote myself utterly until death!"

Qiqi said, "You may not speak the truth, but you do have some ability; although you've always treated me poorly, I have always regarded you as one of my own."

Hu Xiaotian was both laughing and crying; "I've saved your life three times over, yet you treat me badly—repaying kindness with enmity—and now you turn around and blame me, claiming you consider me one of your own? That's absurd; you're just trying to use me."

Early morning update, seeking monthly tickets! (To be continued~^~)