Chapter 56

On the day Hu Xiaotian left the capital, Hu Buwei did not choose to see him off. It wasn't that the father was heartless; rather, he disliked the scene of farewells, especially since there was an important court assembly that day.

Hu Xiaotian was a carefree person. He got up early, went to his father's room to say goodbye, and the conversation between the two was very simple. Hu Buwei said, "So early!" He remembered that in the past, this kid always slept until he naturally woke up, and coming to pay respects early seemed to be the first time in his memory.

Hu Xiaotian replied, "Leaving early, so I can travel more during the day."

Hu Buwei nodded, "Are you all set?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Almost."

"Smooth journey!"

Hu Xiaotian nodded, and as he was about to turn and leave, he suddenly remembered something. He knelt down and gave Hu Buwei three loud kowtows, and after finishing, he did three more.

Hu Buwei said, "Enough, enough!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "These three are for my mother. When she returns, you can kowtow on her behalf."

Hu Buwei's heart, which was heavy with the sorrow of parting, was lightened by his son's words. He laughed and scolded, "Brat, taking advantage of me!"

"I'm not taking advantage of you; it's my mother taking advantage of you!" Hu Xiaotian stood up without waiting for his father to help him, waved to his father, and said, "I'm off. Don't see me off, definitely don't. At your age, crying and sobbing would make people laugh."

Hu Buwei laughed, "Am I the kind of person who likes to cry?"

Hu Xiaotian turned and left, walking out the door with a carefree stride, "Take care of my mother, and take care of yourself."

Hu Buwei watched his son's tall and straight back, feeling a surge of emotion. He suddenly felt that his son had truly grown up.

Hu Xiaotian had no lingering attachment to the capital. If he had to say there was one, it would be Huo Xiaoru. Unfortunately, he didn't have the time to develop a relationship with her. This journey to Xichuan was long and arduous. Although Huo Xiaoru had said she might go to Xichuan next year, everything was still uncertain. They could only be considered to have mutual interest, far from the point of mutual affection and deep love, so there was no talk of any commitment.

Four servants had already prepared the carriage and horses. Although they all wore smiles, their smiles were clearly forced. No one wanted to follow this young master to Xichuan. The journey from the capital to Xichuan was over three thousand miles, and it would take nearly a month just to travel the distance. Moreover, Xichuan was in a remote location, and Qingyun County, where they were going, was a place that was hard to find even on a map. The conditions there were far inferior to those in the capital.

Liang Dazhuang, who had no family, was better off being alone, but Hu Fo, Li Jinhao, and Shao Yijiao all had families. This time, they had to face the prospect of being separated from their families for a long time. These people were used to the comfortable life in the Shangshu Mansion, and they were naturally unwilling to go to Xichuan to suffer, let alone leaving their wives and children behind, which would surely lead to the pain of longing.

Hu Xiaotian could see their difficulty and reluctance from their smiles. He said, "Think it over. Our trip to Xichuan will last at least one or two years, or even three to five years. If you really don't want to go, don't force yourself."

Liang Dazhuang said, "Young Master, I will definitely go. Wherever you go, I will follow."

Hu Fo said, "Young Master, we all genuinely want to go." This group of people all understood that not following would mean losing their current jobs, so they had to pretend to be willing.

Hu Xiaotian, of course, knew they were not being honest. Hu Fo had three children at home, and his wife would have to take care of them alone. He smiled, "Don't worry. Once we get to Xichuan, I'll let you return. My salary is not much, and I can't afford to support you all."

The four were taken aback and quickly said, "Young Master, we have no intention of returning. We are all genuinely willing to follow you." After being with Hu Xiaotian for a long time, they all knew he was very shrewd. Although he sounded reasonable, who knew if he was just testing their loyalty?

Hu Xiaotian said, "Hypocrites, your thoughts are all written on your faces. I've already talked to my father. Once we get to Xichuan, I'll let you return."

Hearing that Hu Buwei had already agreed, the four immediately became excited. They no longer felt the previous gloom and sorrow, knowing that this trip to Xichuan was just for escorting and not for enduring hardship.

Hu Fo had already prepared the carriage and horses. Hu Xiaotian did not choose to ride in the carriage but opted to ride a horse. The horse was a special snowflake horse chosen by Hu Fo. After some training, Hu Xiaotian's riding skills were just barely passable. He stepped into the stirrup, mounted the horse, and performed a series of actions that looked somewhat proper. The five of them left through the main gate of the Shangshu Mansion and saw Murong Feiyang, dressed in blue and wearing a black cloak, riding a black horse, waiting quietly outside the gate.

Seeing Murong Feiyang, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but smile, his white and neat teeth standing out in the gray dawn.

Murong Feiyang's face showed no smile. Her clear eyes, under her sword-like eyebrows, coldly looked at Hu Xiaotian. Without a word, she turned her horse and headed towards the western gate of the capital. She did not ride at full speed, so Hu Xiaotian easily caught up, riding alongside her. He glanced at Murong Feiyang's cold face and softly said, "Not happy?"

Murong Feiyang ignored him. No matter how Hu Xiaotian asked, she remained silent, making Hu Xiaotian feel very awkward and bored. He thought to himself, it seems that using his father's connections to have her accompany him to Xichuan had offended her. But no matter, this long journey, he didn't believe she could remain silent the whole time.

The group moved slowly. After leaving the city gate, Murong Feiyang clearly increased her speed, leading the group. Hu Xiaotian followed her, then Li Jinhao and Shao Yijiao, with Hu Fo driving the carriage and Liang Dazhuang riding behind.

As they approached the ten-mile pavilion, the sun had just risen in the east, and the pavilion was already filled with people saying goodbye. Murong Feiyang did not slow down. She had no relatives or friends in the capital, and among her former colleagues in the Jingzhao Prefecture, only the Prefect Hong Baiqi knew she was going to Xichuan. Given Hong Baiqi's status, he certainly wouldn't get up early to see off a small constable like her.

Hu Xiaotian didn't think anyone would see him off either. His father was preparing to go to court, and he had no friends in the capital. The news of his appointment in Xichuan had not been widely publicized, and only a few people knew he was leaving the capital.

However, as they passed the pavilion, they saw a group of people approaching, and the leader called out warmly, "Brother! Brother!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw that the one shouting "brother" was none other than Shi Xuedong, the precious son of the Minister of Personnel, Shi Buwei. He was calling out to Hu Xiaotian, and they were sworn brothers, although each had their own ulterior motives. The Deputy Prefect of Jingzhao, Shi Jingde, had even witnessed their brotherhood.

Hu Xiaotian never thought this guy would come to see him off. Murong Feiyang pulled her horse to a stop and gave Hu Xiaotian a cold look, full of disdain. It wasn't for Hu Xiaotian but for Shi Xuedong. Her suspension was all due to this scoundrel. The two, who had once fought to the death, were now sworn brothers, and the only way to describe them was as a group of scoundrels, wolves in cahoots, and a nest of snakes and rats.

Hu Xiaotian dismounted, and from his awkward movements, it was clear his riding skills were not refined. He threw the reins to Shao Yijiao behind him and smiled as he walked up to Shi Xuedong, bowing and greeting him, "Big Brother! How did you come?"

In his heart, he knew that Shi Xuedong, the son of the Minister of Personnel, must have heard about his appointment. However, what was his purpose in coming so early to see him off? Was it for good or for bad?