Chapter 937: [Beating Is Affection] (Part 2)

Baobao's aim was truly precise; with a twist, Hu Xiaotian's lustful thoughts vanished completely, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Baobao also knew she didn't have that much power; seeing Hu Xiaotian's miserable state, she realized something was wrong and asked concernedly: "What's wrong? Does it hurt that much?"

Hu Xiaotian drew in a breath of cold air: "Hey girl, I've been shot with an arrow here and haven't healed yet, yet you really didn't hold back."

Baobao apologetically said: "You didn't tell me again; how would I know you're injured here?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I can't just take off my pants and show you this the moment we meet, can I?"

Baobao blushed and said: "That's true! Does it hurt?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Do you want me to take it off and show you?"

Baobao shook her head and said: "Better not."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I should be going; I still need to see the Yongyang Princess today."

Baobao said: "That Qiqi?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Baobao said: "What exactly is your relationship with her? Have you been secretly hooking up with her behind my back?"

Hu Xiaotian gave a wry smile and said: "Hey girl, she's still an underage little girl; your mind is far too impure."

Baobao widened her beautiful eyes, glaring fiercely at Hu Xiaotian, gritted her teeth and said: "Beast, you don't even spare a little girl."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and cried: "Am I really that kind of person?"

"Not a chance!"

Hu Xiaotian looked up at the sun: "I really have to go; she's basically my provider now, and if I'm late, she might chop off my head in anger."

Baobao said: "Go!"

Hu Xiaotian stood up and suddenly remembered something: "Right, where is Lin Wan now?"

Baobao's eyes shifted, full of suspicion: "Could it be you also have something going on with her?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "What do you think I am? Do I have to hook up with every woman?"

Baobao said: "She lives more freely than I do."

The two had agreed on a day to meet again, and only then did Hu Xiaotian leave. He had originally wanted to bid farewell to Hong Beimo in person, but heard that Hong Beimo had gone to rest. Hu Xiaotian knew he was likely avoiding him, so he quietly left the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau and rode his carriage toward the former site of the Divine Strategy Manor.

After Baobao saw Hu Xiaotian off, she went to the Star Shadow Chamber beneath the Observatory Platform; Hong Beimo was hunched over the desk drawing, hearing Baobao's footsteps, he set his brush down on the brush rack, picked up the white handkerchief on the table, wiped his hands, and smiled: "Baobao has arrived!"

"Foster father! Hu Xiaotian has already left."

Hong Beimo nodded, his gaze scanning Baobao's pretty face; he was skilled at reading opponents' psychology from any subtle change, and he understood this foster daughter very well—her thoughts could not escape his sharp eyes.

Baobao's long black eyelashes drooped down.

Hong Beimo said: "Do you like him?"

Baobao didn't speak, lowering her head even further; in Hong Beimo's eyes, that was tantamount to assent. Hong Beimo sighed: "What is love in this world? It makes people pledge life and death. If you want to leave with him, I won't stop you, and I'll even give you the antidote. I'll fulfill your wishes."

Baobao said: "My status as a daughter is not worthy of him."

Hong Beimo smiled faintly: "You say that with your mouth, but you may not truly think so in your heart; Hu Xiaotian is indeed an outstanding young man."

Baobao said carefully: "Foster father, do you not hate him?"

Hong Beimo shook his head: "My motive is for the benefit of the Dakang dynasty; his motive is to preserve his life. Between us, there's no personal grudge to speak of." He smiled at Baobao: "You needn't worry that I'll interfere in your relationship; as foster father, I won't impose my will on you. However..."

Baobao said: "However what?"

Hong Beimo said: "The Yongyang Princess seems to treat him differently."

Baobao nodded: "Indeed, she treats him well."

Hong Beimo said: "The princess is almost fourteen, right at the time when her emotions first awaken."

Baobao caught his implication, bit her cherry lips, and remained silent.

Hong Beimo said: "You've always been a smart child, knowing what should and shouldn't be done. I shouldn't need to remind you."

Baobao whispered: "Foster father, rest assured, I will never leak any internal affairs of the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau to him."

Hong Beimo smiled: "Saying it doesn't matter much; the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau itself doesn't have many secrets."

Upon returning to the Divine Strategy Manor, Hu Xiaotian almost failed to recognize the place; he saw nearly a hundred artisans busy repairing it, the plaque at the gate of the Divine Strategy Manor had long disappeared, and upon entering the courtyard, he saw that the weeds and fallen leaves had been cleared away.

Qiqi, accompanied by Quan De'an, was inspecting the progress of the project; seeing Hu Xiaotian arrive, she waved and called out: "Little Beard, come over!"

Being called "Little Beard" by Qiqi in front of so many people made Hu Xiaotian somewhat uncomfortable; he walked over slowly, not because he intended to be rude, but because the injury at the base of his thigh had not healed.

Noticing his limp, Qiqi frowned: "Are you injured?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I accidentally twisted my ankle; I should have been resting in bed at home, but hearing that the princess summoned me, I came despite the pain."

Qiqi said: "You seem to hold a grudge against me; are you saying I shouldn't have summoned you?"

Hu Xiaotian gave a accommodating smile: "No, that's not it."

Quan De'an smiled on the side and quietly stepped aside.

Qiqi said: "I heard that after returning from the Heavenly Dragon Temple, you suddenly fell ill and fainted on the spot."

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "Thank you for your concern, Princess; that indeed happened, but fortunately I'm fine now."

Qiqi said: "You're usually as strong as a young bull; I didn't expect you to get sick too."

"People eat grains; who can avoid illness and disaster? Perhaps staying at the Heavenly Dragon Temple was a bit hard, and once I relaxed, I became unaccustomed."

Qiqi laughed: "I keep saying you're idle; someone like you can't have a moment of leisure, or you'll surely get bored sick."

Hu Xiaotian, hearing her tone as if she wanted to find him something to do, hurriedly said: "I've indeed been a bit tired lately; it's time to properly recuperate."

Qiqi gave him a sideways glance: "This guy is really sly; before I even said anything, he already caught the drift. She quickly cut off her own words—really unreasonable. She whispered: 'I heard that Lady Hu will be returning in these two days.'"

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "That's exactly what's happening these two days."

"Once Lady Hu returns, make the arrangements; I want to personally visit her residence to pay my respects."

Hu Xiaotian said aloud: "How could that be proper? I should bring my mother to pay respects to the Princess." In his heart, however, he understood that Qiqi wanted to see his mother, and most likely her aim was still the Xu clan of Jinling. Earlier, Hong Beimo had said the old lady had already refused the court's demand; he didn't know if that was true, but if it were, there might be trouble—perhaps even provoking the Emperor. Even if the Emperor could do nothing to the Xu family, the three of them are still under his control. If the Emperor decided to make an example of them, using them as a warning, it would be unjust.

Qiqi said: "Lady Xu is my elder, and we are friends; it's only natural for me to visit her."

Hu Xiaotian said: "To be frank, Princess, I just went to the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau."

Qiqi's expression showed some surprise: "You went to see Hong Beimo?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "I met with him, he said that everything that happened at Tianlong Temple was all the Emperor's intention."

Qiqi's eyebrows furrowed angrily and said: "This old thing is truly arrogant. Dare to push all the blame onto Your Majesty."

Hu Xiaotian said: "He also told me something, saying that the Emperor's demand was refused by the Xu clan of Jinling."

Qiqi said: "So you already knew."

Hu Xiaotian's heart sank involuntarily; just now Hong Beimo mentioned this matter and he still didn't believe it, but since Qiqi said so, it must be correct. How bold the Xu clan of Jinling is to actually refuse the Emperor's demand, and how heartless his maternal grandmother is. Doing this is essentially pushing their family of three back into water and fire; the old emperor would not blame them, that would be strange. Thinking of the possible consequences, Hu Xiaotian's heart couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Qiqi said: "Don't worry. Your Majesty will not blame your Hu family because of this; everything you father and son have done for Dakang, Your Majesty can see, and moreover he has now entrusted this matter entirely to me to handle; I know this matter has nothing to do with you."

Hu Xiaotian, hearing Qiqi say this, felt his heart settle considerably, and respectfully said: "Your Highness is wise."

Qiqi said: "I only hope the Xu clan will still prioritize the bigger picture; at this critical moment of the nation's survival, if the Xu family insists on standing by idly, I will not remain idle either. Even if they are your relatives, I will not show mercy."

Hu Xiaotian knew this little girl's nature was ruthless and cold-blooded, his heart involuntarily tightened, and he whispered: "Let this matter settle for now; I think we should wait until my mother returns to ask clearly what the situation is, and then we can consider Yingdui de ce."

Qiqi said: "If the court and the Xu family come into conflict, which side will you stand on?"

Hu Xiaotian said without hesitation: "I stand on the princess's side." The implication is that, whether the court and the Xu family clash, or you and the old emperor clash, I will ultimately stand on your side. He has made up his mind; given the current situation, the only thing to do is cling tightly to Qiqi's thigh. Experience shows that others are unreliable; Hong Beimo and he have a grudge over Tianlong Temple, needless to say; Li Yuncong is sly and deceitful, always scheming against him without discussion; as for others, they seem unable to match the strength of these three.

Qiqi said: "We also need to tighten up matters here; relying solely on us few, we cannot match the Heavenly Secrets Bureau."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I am currently planning this matter, and have also recruited several capable individuals."

Qiqi nodded, her beautiful eyes shining, and said: "If there's an opportunity, let me meet them."

Hu Xiaotian took the opportunity to say: "Just now, on my way over, I encountered someone catching laborers; after asking, I learned they were being taken to work on the imperial mausoleum. Lately I've often heard such news: the Emperor recently regained power and immediately launched massive construction projects, building the imperial mausoleum's underground palace, which has stirred much discontent among the people. I hope the Princess will pay more attention to this matter."

Qiqi sighed and said: "I have also heard many people complain about this matter; let me go and talk to Your Majesty properly later."

Three More uploaded, seeking Guaranteed Monthly Ticket; responding to the brothers' request, Zhangyu decided to launch a burst of four more chapters today, brothers, give some motivation, okay? More Monthly Tickets, today possibly five more chapters as well! (To be continued~^~)