Chapter 14

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but feel a bit smug. "Not just a flash of inspiration, I've lived two lives. If I really wanted to play dirty, even you, my father, wouldn't be a match for me."

Hu Buwei said, "Have you considered what would happen if someone turned your own tactics against you, saying that we privately set up a pavilion at home, which would be considered a grave offense?"

Hu Xiaotian hadn't thought of this. Hu Buwei's reminder was like a bucket of cold water poured over his head, and in an instant, his back was drenched in cold sweat. Fortunately, today he faced the not-so-bright Tang brothers. If it had been a cunning opponent, he might have ended up losing more than he gained, trapping himself in his own trap.

Hu Buwei patted his son's shoulder and said meaningfully, "The emperor's authority is unpredictable. Some things must never be said lightly, especially in the capital."

Hu Xiaotian respectfully replied, "I will remember your teachings, Father!"

Hu Buwei said, "Although I didn't witness today's events firsthand, I understand a lot from your descriptions. You saved the Tang family's daughter and could have left unscathed, but why did you have to escalate the situation to this passive state?"

"I didn't want to, but the circumstances forced my hand. I had no choice!"

Hu Buwei sighed, "Although today's incident has temporarily subsided, I see the Tang family leaving with resentment. I believe they won't let this go easily. What do you think we should do?" This was the first time Hu Buwei had sought his son's opinion. He wasn't truly interested in his son's thoughts but wanted to test his wisdom through this event.

Hu Xiaotian hadn't thought that far ahead. He said softly, "If they don't provoke me, I won't provoke them. If they leave us alone, we can live in peace. If they dare to cause trouble, I won't let them off!"

Hu Buwei slowly shook his head. "You must know that even a small nail can pierce your foot. If you see the nail, you must remove it before it pierces your foot, not after. This is foresight. To walk a long path and live a long life, you must eliminate anything that can cause you trouble as soon as possible."

Hu Xiaotian's eyes widened as he looked at his father, thinking to himself, "This old man is devious and ruthless. He must be a corrupt official!"

Hu Buwei patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "Although today's incident seems resolved on the surface, we can't control its future impact. I just arranged your engagement with the Li family's daughter. If this news spreads, what will people think?" Hu Buwei was still somewhat worried. His in-law was Li Tianheng, the Governor of Jiannan and Xichuan, the Duke of Xichuan, and a noble with 3,000 households. He was a powerful official and a favorite of the Crown Prince Longyexing. The marriage alliance was a strong partnership, and Hu Buwei took this marriage very seriously. He didn't know that Hu Xiaotian wasn't afraid of the incident getting bigger or of his reputation being tarnished. In Hu Xiaotian's heart, if the Li family broke off the engagement because of this, it would be for the best, as he didn't want to spend his life with a paralyzed woman.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Father, I heard that the Li family's daughter is disabled, paralyzed in the lower body, and extremely ugly!"

Hu Buwei replied, "I haven't seen the Li family's daughter, but I've heard that her legs are indeed somewhat inconvenient. She is kept in seclusion, and no one outside has seen her true appearance. The rumors about her being extremely ugly are likely exaggerated." Although he knew the rumors might have some basis, he tried to reassure his son.

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, "Paralyzed is a fact. How can you, my father, push me into such a difficult situation? This old man is quite cold-blooded." Hu Xiaotian said, "Father, I don't want to spend my life with a paralyzed woman. Why don't we break off this engagement?"

Hu Buwei was instantly furious. "Rascal! A man's word is as good as gold. The engagement with Li Daren is known to all. If you ask me to break it, how can I face the emperor, the court officials, and the people?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Marriage is a matter between two people. What does it have to do with outsiders? I haven't even seen what the Li family's daughter looks like, and you want to force us together. That's absurd! You are my father, have you considered my feelings?"

Hu Buwei said, "Marriage is a serious matter, not to be taken lightly. It is decided by parents and arranged by matchmakers. The Hu and Li families are not ordinary families, and every move is watched by many. I have made this decision for you, and it cannot be changed!"

Hu Xiaotian sighed inwardly. "You talk about parents' decisions and matchmakers' words, but you're just using me as a political asset. You don't care about my personal happiness or my emotional life." His previous good feelings towards Hu Buwei vanished instantly. He said coldly, "Since you made the decision for me, why don't you marry the Li family's daughter yourself and even spend the wedding night with her?"

Hu Buwei never expected this insolent and disrespectful response. He was so angry that his eyes rolled back, and his right hand trembled as if he were sieving. After a long while, he managed to say, "Unfilial son, you really make me want to die..."

Hu Xiaotian wasn't afraid of his father's anger and turned to go back to his room.

Hu Xiaotian was still angry when he returned to his room. At that moment, Liang Dazhuang came over, his face full of flattery. "Young Master, you were truly wise and brave, with a commanding presence. The cowards only ran away, but you stood your ground. Now, you are the idol of all the servants! My admiration for you is like the Yangtze River, endless. I am willing to serve you with all my heart, even to the death!"

Liang Dazhuang's flattery was top-notch, which is why he stood out among the many servants in the Shangshu Mansion and was chosen by Hu Buwei to be Hu Xiaotian's personal servant. Unfortunately, he flattered the wrong person. Hu Xiaotian was different from anyone else in this era, and Liang Dazhuang's flattery had no effect on him.

Hu Xiaotian smiled, but it was clearly a forced smile. Liang Dazhuang followed suit, but his smile was awkward.

Hu Xiaotian looked at Liang Dazhuang's pig-like face and said, "Dazhuang, I am neither blind nor deaf. I can see your loyalty."

Liang Dazhuang was secretly delighted. He thought this was a sign of a reward. "I will serve you with all my heart, even to the death!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "When the Tang girl was chasing me, those ungrateful servants ran away faster than anyone, but you bravely stepped forward to shield me. I was very moved!"

Liang Dazhuang blinked, thinking to himself, "Only a fool would willingly shield you." He bowed and said, "I only thought of protecting you. If you are safe, even if I sacrifice my life, it would be worth it!" He was so moved by his own words that his eyes turned red, almost shedding tears.

Hu Xiaotian shook his head. "You may have forgotten, but I haven't!"

Liang Dazhuang was confused. "What do you mean, Young Master?" Then he saw a fist coming towards his right eye. *Peng!* A punch hit his eye, making him see stars. Hu Xiaotian said calmly, "I'll f*** your grandpa!"

Liang Dazhuang, under Hu Xiaotian's beating, fled, crying, "Young Master, spare me, spare me... I was cursing Tang Qingxuan..."

Hu Xiaotian, after beating Liang Dazhuang out of the room, felt much better, but he still felt the anger inside him hadn't been fully vented. He went to the courtyard and started punching and kicking the sandbags until he was drenched in sweat. Then he went to the swimming pool he had designed in the backyard, stripped off his clothes, and jumped in with a splash.

Hu Buwei stood on the balcony of the Boshan Building, watching his son's every move, his expression filled with helplessness. Hu Tianxiong quietly approached and said, "Sir!"

Hu Buwei hummed, not turning around, still watching his son splashing in the pond. He was puzzled. His son had been a fool for sixteen years, but after regaining consciousness, he suddenly learned to speak and swim. This was strange and illogical. Although it was strange, Hu Buwei never doubted that this son was his own. He had grown up under his watchful eye, and his features and intelligence were undoubtedly his.

Hu Tianxiong didn't dare to disturb him and stood quietly by his side.

After a while, Hu Buwei said, "How is the investigation going?"

Hu Tianxiong replied, "The young master did save Tang Qingxuan, but he also brought her into the mansion in broad daylight."

Hu Buwei nodded slowly. "A beautiful woman is a gentleman's desire. A son grows up and makes his own decisions. At this age, it's time to marry and have children."

Hu Tianxiong said, "Sir, although the incident is resolved, there are many rumors outside. People say the young master used your power to forcibly take the Tang family's daughter." He was trusted by Hu Buwei and could speak freely.

Hu Buwei sighed. "Rumors can destroy a person. I will write a letter, and you will personally deliver it to Li Daren in Xichuan." Hu Buwei was most worried about these rumors reaching the Li family in Xichuan. Although the Li family's daughter was paralyzed, she was from a noble family. Li Tianheng, with his high status, valued his reputation. If he heard that his future son-in-law had forcibly taken a woman in the capital, he wouldn't know how to react. Hu Buwei placed great importance on this marriage alliance, as it determined the political future of the Hu family. It could not fail.