Chapter 36

Hu Xiaotian said, "Father, where do you plan to send me?"

Hu Buwei replied, "Xichuan!"

Hu Xiaotian had recently studied the geography and history of Dakan, and he knew that Xichuan was located in the southwestern part of Dakan, with a remote geographical position. To the south, it bordered Miaojian, and to the west, it bordered Shajia. The remoteness of the location was secondary; the main issue was that Xichuan was the territory of his future father-in-law, the Governor of Jianan and Xichuan, Li Tianheng. He was a powerful regional official, and by sending him to Xichuan to serve as an official, his father must have had this in mind.

Hu Xiaotian blinked his eyes and stared at his father for a long time, making Hu Buwei feel somewhat uncomfortable. He thought to himself, "I'm not sending you to a pit of fire. I have your best interests at heart, wanting to keep you away from political storms and protect our family."

After a long pause, Hu Xiaotian said, "So you're planning to send me to live in another family?"

Hu Buwei shook his head and said, "Xiao Tian, I only have you as my son. Do you think I would harm you?"

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, "That's not certain. You are my father, but you are first and foremost a politician. Politicians like you often have a cold attitude towards family and friends, willing to sacrifice everything for political interests. If you truly had my best interests at heart, you wouldn't have arranged my marriage to the paralyzed daughter of the Li family." However, he only thought this and did not say it aloud.

Hu Buwei said, "The marriage is one thing, and the official position is another... Speaking of which, the Li family has already learned about your abduction of Tang Wenzheng's daughter."

Hu Xiaotian felt secretly pleased. "It's better that they know. If the Li family disapproves of my actions and cancels the marriage, that would be perfect."

Hu Buwei said, "The Li family has proposed to postpone the wedding for two years. After some thought, I agreed."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Two years? They can postpone it just like that? Do they even respect our family? Father, I think they don't take you seriously at all. It's better to cancel the marriage."

Hu Buwei's face darkened, and he let out a cold snort. In fact, he had other plans. Since he noticed that the old emperor was still hesitant about the successor, Hu Buwei had been wavering in his heart. Success brings glory, failure brings ruin. He had witnessed the cruelty of the princes' struggle for the throne. If Crown Prince Long Yeqing successfully ascended to the throne, the marriage between the Hu and Li families would be perfect. However, if there were any changes and Long Yeqing failed to become emperor, he would face exile or even death. As a staunch supporter, Li Tianheng might also be implicated. If the worst-case scenario came to pass, he might be implicated through his marital ties to Li Tianheng. The Li family's proposal to postpone the wedding for two years suited Hu Buwei's plans. In two years, the struggle for the throne would be settled. Even in the worst-case scenario, Hu Buwei would still have the opportunity to cancel the marriage and cut ties. Hu Buwei knew that his future in-law was not an ordinary person. His proposal to postpone the wedding was likely based on political considerations, not just because of his son's misdeeds.

In Hu Buwei's eyes, the marriage contract was merely a piece of paper that added to their glory and had no real binding significance. He could see his son's resistance and dissatisfaction, and he understood his feelings. However, he believed his son was not yet mature enough. A man of honor would not lack for a wife. Even if he married the Li family's daughter, it didn't mean he would have to stay with her forever. As long as his political status remained unchanged, the Hu family would not change. His paralyzed wife would be taken care of by servants, and no one would stop him from taking concubines. He was not marrying a wife but a political position and family background.

However, Hu Buwei could not say this to his son. Although he did not truly believe in loyalty and filial piety, he still wanted to maintain a positive image in front of his son.

Hu Buwei said, "The Minister of Personnel, Shi Bichui, is a close friend of mine. I will ask him to help you with this matter."

Hu Xiaotian feigned disappointment and said, "Since Father has decided, I have nothing more to say." In fact, he was eager to leave his father's side. Even a small official position in a remote area would be better than staying in the capital.

Hu Buwei said, "I have an idea. When you leave the capital to serve as an official, try to keep it as low-key as possible. I don't want you to be disturbed by too many people."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Father, do you mean you don't want others to know about our relationship?"

Hu Buwei nodded and said, "Even the Li family should not know. You have grown up by my side, always living a life of luxury and never experiencing any hardships. This trip will be a good opportunity for you to be tempered."

Hu Xiaotian bowed deeply and said, "I understand Father's intentions."

Seeing his son's understanding, Hu Buwei felt a pang of reluctance. He sighed softly, "I haven't told your mother yet. If she knew, she would definitely disagree."

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, "Please don't change your mind. I finally have a chance to fly solo. You must send me away." But he said insincerely, "I don't want to leave Mother either!" His hypocrisy was extreme.

Hu Buwei said, "The matter is settled. I will explain it to your mother."

Hu Buwei's decisions were often unchangeable. In his eyes, his son was smart and clever, with a bit of luck, but not yet mature. He was fond of comfort, attached to his parents, and accustomed to living under their protection, unwilling to leave the bustling capital. However, Hu Buwei did not realize that he did not truly understand his son. Hu Xiaotian's attachment and reluctance were almost entirely feigned. Comfort and luxury were something no one would easily give up, but compared to freedom, they were nothing. As for his parents, although he was grateful and respectful, he did not feel attached to them. There was no normal father-son or mother-son relationship between them. Living with them every day made Hu Xiaotian feel somewhat uncomfortable.

In the following days, Hu An disappeared without a trace, and the theft of the iron voucher was not revealed. Everything seemed to have returned to normal. Hu Xiaotian became more obedient, and the events at home had some impact on his psychology. Perhaps one day, disaster would befall the Hu family, and as a member of the family, he might face the same fate.

Hu Buwei remained calm as usual. The day after returning from the eastern capital, his life returned to its normal routine. He either attended court or handled official business, seemingly no longer worried about the iron voucher and seemingly forgetting about arranging Hu Xiaotian's departure from the capital.

Hu Xiaotian was eager to leave but could not show his desire to his father. As time passed, his mood became increasingly restless. Could it be that his father had changed his mind about sending him to serve as an official?

Since the assassination attempt on Tu Street, Hu Buwei had increased the protection for his son. The six bodyguards had been expanded to eight, and he instructed them to protect his son at all times, even when he went to the toilet.

Such a life offered no freedom, and Hu Xiaotian felt like a bird in a cage, yearning for freedom even more.

Seven days passed, and early that morning, Hu Xiaotian went to Yiyuan Hall. It was a special day, as it was the day when Murong Feiyang's wound would be healed and the stitches removed.

When Hu Xiaotian arrived at Yiyuan Hall, he found that the head of the hall, Li Yifeng, and the second head, Yuan Shiqing, were already waiting. Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, "These two gentlemen are quite dedicated. They arrived before the patient."

It was not unusual for Yuan Shiqing to be there, as he was the resident physician. However, Li Yifeng had come specifically for Hu Xiaotian. Since witnessing Hu Xiaotian's skilled surgery on Murong Feiyang, Li Yifeng was deeply impressed by his surgical techniques. He suddenly realized a whole new field of medicine. Before that, he had only read about surgical stories in medical texts, such as bone scraping and abdominal surgery, but had never seen them in real life. Li Yifeng originally thought Hu Xiaotian was the disciple of some medical master, but later learned that he was the only son of the Minister of Revenue, Hu Buwei, which surprised him. It turned out that he and Hu Xiaotian had a connection.