Chapter 860: [Phantom Shadow Shift] (Lower)

The Minister of Rites, Wu Jing Shan, finally returned to Kangdu, only after receiving the definite news that Hu Xiaotian had been rewarded by the court did he hurry back. For Wu Jing Shan, he never thought of competing with Hu Xiaotian for merit; merely surviving this crisis unscathed was already a blessing, how could he dare entertain any overreaching ideas? Moreover, during their mission, the Dakang throne changed hands, the old emperor retook control of Dakang's power, which left Wu Jing Shan terrified day and night, knowing he was among the first to defect after Long Yelin's ascension, and among the Six Ministries Ministers he was the sole one who retained his post. Although the old emperor had publicly declared that past actions of court officials would be forgiven, how credible could the emperor's words be?

However, judging from the old emperor's conduct since he regained power, he seems not in a hurry to reshuffle the officialdom; aside from Ji Feihua, he has not held any official accountable. This gave Wu Jing Shan some hope, and after learning that Hu Xiaotian had been appointed Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, Wu Jing Shan finally resolved to return to Kangdu.

Upon returning to Kangdu, Wu Jing Shan didn't even have time to go home; he went straight to the Hu Manor to pay his respects to Hu Xiaotian.

Hearing that Wu Jing Shan had returned, Hu Xiaotian hurried out to meet him. Wu Jing Shan had left Yongdu earlier than Hu Xiaotian, and the return journey had been uneventful, yet this did not mean his heart was at ease; the heavy mental burden made him visibly gaunt over this period, his whole person appearing unusually aged.

Seeing Wu Jing Shan's stooped figure appear before him, Hu Xiaotian quickened his pace, closed the distance in two strides, clasped his fists and said, "Sir Wu, you really made me miss you to death!"

Wu Jing Shan was also visibly excited, grabbing Hu Xiaotian's arm: "Old Brother Hu, I've been thinking of you day and night these past days."

Hu Xiaotian smirked inwardly; an old man saying such things to this fresh-faced young man wasn't the least bit shy. Accompanying Wu Jing Shan were Yan Fei, Zhao Chongwu and the others; on this mission they had already secretly admired Hu Xiaotian's combination of wisdom and courage. Now hearing that this eunuch Hu Xiaotian had been merely pretending, that he had endured humiliation and infiltrated the palace to gather evidence against Ji Feihua, they admired him all the more.

Zhao Chongwu, Yan Fei and the others had formerly been members of the Divine Strategy Bureau; now Wen Bohuan was dead, the Third Prince who had established the bureau behind the scenes was also dead, and the emperor had abolished the Divine Strategy Bureau, leaving them with nowhere to go. They had already made up their minds to follow Hu Xiaotian from now on, relying on his intellect and gall, they need not worry about following him to obscurity.

After Hu Xiaotian exchanged greetings with them, he had Liang Da Zhuang arrange for these warriors to rest and eat first, while he himself went with Wu Jing Shan to his study.

Wu Jing Shan had much to say to Hu Xiaotian; after they sat down, servants of the Hu Manor brought up fragrant tea. Over the past two days they had heard that the Hu Manor had returned to its rightful master, and many servants and maids had come back in succession. Though not yet as prosperous as in its heyday, it was not far off.

Wu Jing Shan lifted his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Commander Hu, I wonder if your father has returned to the manor?" The old fellow wasn't dense; just moments ago he kept calling me 'old brother.' But when asking about Hu Buwei he still used the honorific, as was customary in court. Even Hu Buwei would have to address him as Brother Jing Shan, yet now he calls Hu Xiaotian his brother. Still, he sincerely admires Hu Xiaotian; this mission showed him Hu Xiaotian's extraordinary bravery and wisdom. This young man is destined to rise above the ordinary.

Hu Xiaotian sighed: "My father is extremely stubborn; I have gone to ask him to come back, but he refuses, saying that unless the emperor issues an edict he will remain living in Water Well Hutong."

Wu Jing Shan sighed: "Sir Hu has indeed suffered much injustice."

Hu Xiaotian replied: "Which of us officials hasn't endured injustice?"

Wu Jing Shan nodded in deep agreement and whispered: "What does His Majesty say about the princess's affair?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Nothing much, after all this matter exceeds our remit. The court originally ordered us to escort Princess Anping safely to Yongdu; once we entered Da Yong's territory, whatever happened was beyond our control. Fortunately the emperor is reasonable, knowing we did our utmost and that the blame does not lie with us. Sir Wu, rest assured—His Majesty will not pursue our responsibility."

Although Wu Jing Shan had already guessed, hearing Hu Xiaotian say it himself put him more at ease. He let out a long breath: "Don't hide it, Old Brother Hu—since leaving Yongdu my heart has been uneasy; after hearing the dreadful news of the princess's death I lost my appetite, even contemplating dying in service. Yet I later thought, even if I die I want to die with understanding, and to see His Majesty one more time."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Now that I'm back, the emperor has changed."

Wu Jing Shan said: "I just don't know whether His Majesty will blame me." With Hu Xiaotian's words as reassurance, he no longer worried about the princess's affair, but instead grew anxious about his own past deeds, for he had been among the earliest officials to support Long Yelin's ascension.

Knowing what Wu Jing Shan feared, Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Sir Wu, why fret? Since the emperor regained power he has seemed indifferent to court affairs, leaving almost everything to be handled by Prince Yongyang."

Wu Jing Shan asked: "Could it be the Yongyang Princess?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Frankly, when I first returned I felt just as uneasy as you, so I went to see Prince Yongyang first; fortunately she treats me well." Hu Xiaotian's expression showed a hint of pride—though this matter isn't enough to make him conceited, he put on that look merely to show Wu Jing Shan. He wanted to send Wu Jing Shan a signal that he had already gained Prince Yongyang's favor.

Having spent many years in officialdom, Wu Jing Shan could not fail to grasp Hu Xiaotian's meaning; he smiled ever more humbly: "Old Brother Hu, I hope you'll speak a few good words for me to Prince Yongyang."

Hu Xiaotian said: "No problem at all—I and Sir Wu have shared hardships and stood together through storm and calm; this bond is unmatched by anyone else."

Wu Jing Shan nodded: "After these events I have long harbored thoughts of retirement; if the emperor does not punish me, I intend to resign and return home, to spend my leisure writing poetry and essays, peacefully passing my remaining years." All he said was true; given his age he could achieve little more in officialdom, and he knows full well what he did during the previous throne succession, fearing that one day the old emperor might settle old scores; it would be wiser to withdraw while the getting's good, perhaps escaping disaster.

Hu Xiaotian replied: "Sir Wu may have that intention, but it may not be attainable; I think it's best not to raise such demands lightly, lest the emperor grow suspicious—if he thinks you're unwilling to serve him, that would be trouble."

Upon Hu Xiaotian's reminder, Wu Jing Shan broke out in a cold sweat, realizing he had spent all those years in office for nothing, never even considering this point. Indeed, the old emperor may not be pursuing blame now, but that does not mean he will wipe the slate clean of past events; the reason he has not acted swiftly against these officials is first to stabilize the current situation, and second because they still retain some residual value.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Even Grand Tutor Wen remains securely in office assisting the government; Sir Wu, why worry further?"

Hearing the name Grand Tutor Wen, Wu Jing Shan's heart gave a jolt; the emperor is one hurdle, Wen Chenghuan another; Wen Bohuan died with them midway on the mission, and Wen Chenghuan will surely not let it rest, possibly taking out his anger on them. Wu Jing Shan whispered: "I am hesitating—how should I explain Wen Bohuan's affair to the Grand Tutor?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "There's something you may not know—when I returned from Da Yong, during my stay in Wuxing Commandery, the Naval Commander Zhao Dengyun actually plotted to harm me."

Hearing this, Wu Jing Shan startled and turned pale, shouting: "This man is truly hateful—how dare he plot against the loyal and good!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Fortunately I saw through his scheme in advance; I have no past grudge nor recent enmity with him—guess why he wants to harm me?"

"Why?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "He's acting on Grand Tutor Wen's commission to put me to death! Because Grand Tutor Wen blames his son's death on me." Having said that, Hu Xiaotian deliberately glanced at Wu Jing Shan. Since Wen Chenghuan could treat me this way, he could treat you the same—after all, the two of them accompanied Wen Bohuan on the mission.

Wu Jing Shan said: "Grand Tutor Wen doing this is rather unreasonable."

"Once hatred clouds the mind, what reason is there to speak of?" Hu Xiaotian lifted his teacup, took a sip, and added: "One must harbor no harmful intent, yet never be without vigilance. Though we have done nothing to offend Grand Tutor Wen, we cannot rule out his seeing us as enemies; Sir Wu, you must stay on guard."

Wu Jing Shan nodded: "Thank you, Old Brother, for the reminder."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Although Dakang has seen frequent power shifts these past years, the more chaotic it is, the more opportunities arise—what do you think, Sir Wu?"

Wu Jing Shan detected Hu Xiaotian's hint; this lad has now ingratiated himself with Prince Yongyang, that little miss wants to secure a foothold in the court, but likely she cannot do it alone— to win over the masses she must unite a portion of the veteran officials. Could Hu Xiaotian's true aim be to get me to align with Prince Yongyang? The old fox Wu Jing Shan instantly saw through the meaning of his words, and deliberately probed: "Old Brother Hu, if it's convenient, could you arrange a meeting for me with Prince Yongyang?"

Hu Xiaotian secretly approved of the old fellow's wit, nodded and said: "I'm afraid there will be a wait—after the princess's burial, the emperor has ordered me to accompany him to Tianlong Temple for fasting and sutra chanting; the earliest I can return is a month from now."

Upon hearing that Wu Jing Shan would again have a chance to be alone with the old emperor, he felt a secret envy; given Hu Xiaotian's talent for ingratiating himself, it's quite possible he'll cozy up to the old emperor during this span, and if he becomes a favorite beside the old emperor, his future prospects will become limitless.

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