Chapter 55

Hu Xiaotian began to realize that he was no ordinary person. His extraordinariness was not just due to his unique experiences, but because his consciousness and ideals far surpassed those of his time. What seemed normal to him appeared extraordinary and even shocking to most people of his era.

Hu Xiaotian did not want to change the world; he had no ambition or desire to dominate it. Life was short, a mere hundred years, so why should he make it too difficult for himself? However, living in such a time, it seemed that even living a simple and comfortable life was not easy. His original intention was just to live comfortably as a second-generation heir, relying on his ancestors' legacy to live a life of luxury, but even this small wish seemed to have become an illusion. His father, who appeared to be powerful and influential, also had a deep sense of crisis. Since the loss of the iron warrant, Hu Buwei had a foreboding feeling and immediately decided to send his son to serve as an official outside the capital.

Knowing that everything was already decided, and feeling a sense of liberation and anticipation for a new life, Hu Xiaotian still couldn't help but be a bit dramatic: "Father, can I not go?"

"No!" Hu Buwei's answer was firm and decisive. Deep down, he was reluctant to let his son go. His son had been mentally impaired for sixteen years and had only recently recovered. They hadn't even had the chance to understand each other before facing the prospect of being separated by great distances. If not for the circumstances, Hu Buwei wouldn't want his son to leave. The Hu family had only one descendant in each generation, and Hu Xiaotian was the only one in his generation, with no siblings. However, staying in the capital made him even more worried. If the future situation developed unfavorably, it could even endanger his son's life. In fact, an assassination attempt had already occurred on Tuo Street, and no leads had been found.

Hu Xiaotian asked again, "Can I wait for Mother to come back before I leave?"

Hu Buwei shook his head, his attitude firm and unyielding.

Hu Xiaotian sighed, "Father, this won't do, that won't do, you really have a heart of stone. I have one more request."

Hu Buwei, caught between laughter and tears, said, "Xiaotian, I won't hide it from you. Sending you to Xichuan is just a temporary measure. Once things in the capital stabilize, I will bring you back." As long as his position was not significantly affected by the change in imperial power, bringing his son back to the capital would be a simple matter. Sending his son to Xichuan in advance was just a precaution, preparing for the worst.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Father, I don't like any of the four servants you assigned to me."

When Hu Buwei heard this, he couldn't help but laugh, "If you think they are not capable, I can leave Hu Tianxiong in Xichuan to help you." Hu Tianxiong had been sent to Xichuan to explain Hu Xiaotian's teasing of Tang Qingxuan to the Li family and had not returned yet.

Hu Xiaotian said, "I have my own choice!"

Hu Buwei asked, "Who?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "The head constable of Jingzhao Prefecture, Murong Feiyun."

Hu Buwei was slightly taken aback; he never expected his son to recommend her.

Hu Xiaotian said, "She was implicated because of me and was suspended from her duties in Jingzhao Prefecture. She is currently idle at home. I think she is not only capable and skilled in martial arts but also upright and fearless. The journey to Xichuan is long and dangerous. Without a skilled martial artist to protect me, my safety cannot be guaranteed. Liang Dazhuang and the others, if they encounter any real trouble, they would be like clay figurines crossing a river, unable to save themselves, let alone me."

Hu Buwei did not have a deep impression of Murong Feiyun, but his son's words made him reflect. Indeed, the journey to Xichuan was nearly three thousand miles, and it was hard to predict what might happen along the way. Without a skilled martial artist to protect his son, he would be very worried. Hu Buwei said, "Li Jinhao and Shao Yijiao are also skilled in martial arts and are capable fighters."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Them? During the attack on Tuo Street, if it weren't for Murong Feiyun blocking an arrow for me, I might not have seen you again."

Hu Buwei felt that his son's strong recommendation of Murong Feiyun was not just about her abilities. He recalled that Murong Feiyun was quite attractive. Could his son be trying to take advantage of the situation to get closer to her and win her heart?

Seeing his father's hesitation, Hu Xiaotian complained, "Father, you wouldn't even fulfill this small wish of mine?"

Hu Buwei asked, "Can you trust Murong Feiyun?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded, "I can trust her!"

Hu Buwei said, "She is still a constable of Jingzhao Prefecture. I will talk to Lord Hong tomorrow, but it ultimately depends on her own willingness."

Hu Xiaotian said, "She is just a constable; she has to follow orders. Jingzhao Prefecture won't refuse you this small favor."

Hu Buwei glared at him, thinking, "You little brat, why are you so eager? I know you better than anyone. If you don't have designs on Murong Feiyun, I'll gouge out my eyes." Taking a beautiful constable to Xichuan, his son seemed to be more concerned with enjoying life than he was. Hu Buwei still had reservations: "Xiaotian, the Li family will eventually find out about your assignment to Xichuan. Taking a female constable with you might not be appropriate."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Father, are you worried I might get into a scandal with her?"

Hu Buwei blinked, "Scandal? What a word for you to use."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Don't worry, I have the heart but not the courage. With her martial arts skills, a hundred of me couldn't get close to her."

Hu Buwei laughed, "A person's strength doesn't depend on their martial arts skills. The current emperor of Dakan is not the greatest martial artist in the world." After some thought, he finally nodded, "I will try my best to arrange it for you!"

Murong Feiyun never expected Hu Xiaotian to have her in mind. A transfer order assigned her to serve under Hu Xiaotian, accompanying him on a long journey to Qingyun County in Xichuan. Hu Xiaotian was to serve as the county magistrate, and she was to be a constable. Yes, a constable. Previously, Murong Feiyun was at least an eighth-rank guard, but under Hu Xiaotian, she would be a mere ninth-rank constable. Prefect Hong Baiqi felt somewhat guilty, as Murong Feiyun had solved many major cases during her tenure in Jingzhao Prefecture, earning him much credit. Her suspension was due to pressure from powerful figures. Her personality was too upright, and she could not tolerate corruption, which naturally offended many officials.

Although Deputy Prefect Shi Jingde was his subordinate, his brother Shi Bu was the current Minister of Personnel. Murong Feiyun had offended the Shi family, and Shi Jingde insisted on expelling her from Jingzhao Prefecture.

Although Hong Baiqi admired Murong Feiyun's talents, he was not willing to confront the Shi family over a mere constable, so he decided to suspend her. He thought that with her strong personality, she would refuse such a decision, but unexpectedly, she accepted it without hesitation.

Murong Feiyun was clear about her situation. Offending the Shi family had made her position in Jingzhao Prefecture precarious. Even if she were reinstated, she would not be given important roles. Over the years, she had seen the corruption and favoritism in the bureaucracy, and she deeply despised the ugliness of the political scene in the capital. When one is depressed, the idea of changing the environment and going out to explore often arises. So when Hong Baiqi proposed the transfer, Murong Feiyun did not hesitate to agree, seeing it as a chance to clear her mind. If she found the situation in Qingyun County unsatisfactory, she could simply leave, resign from her post, and find a place to live elsewhere. The world was vast; there was no lack of places to go.