After leaving the Imperial Palace, Hu Xiaotian went straight to King Yongyang's Residence. Since the emperor had given it to him as his marital home, he naturally intended to live there. As for the old Minister's Residence, the Old Emperor had not asked for it back, so he might as well graciously accept that too. Making that old turtle Hong Beimo expend a little more effort was well worth it.
The plaque for King Yongyang's Residence still hung above the entrance, and Quan Dean remained in charge there. Seeing Hu Xiaotian arrive alone, he came forward to greet him. "Lord Hu, you're back."
Hu Xiaotian nodded and pointed at the plaque. "There's no need to take it down for now. His Majesty has bestowed this place on me and the princess as our home after the wedding."
Quan Dean was taken aback. It seemed Hu Xiaotian's visit to the palace had yielded considerable gains; he had actually persuaded the emperor to rescind his decree. In Quan Dean's view, however, the drunken man's interest was not in the wine. Who knew what Hu Xiaotian was really after?
"Eunuch Quan, prepare some bathwater for me," Hu Xiaotian said. "I need a hot bath. I reek of wine."
Quan Dean acknowledged the order while silently cursing him. The fellow had not even become the imperial son-in-law yet, and he was already ordering him around with a tilt of his chin. Once the wedding was over, would he have to watch Hu Xiaotian's mood every day? But on second thought, there was nothing he could do about it. He was, after all, a eunuch whose duty was to serve.
Quan Dean prepared the bathwater and was about to leave when Hu Xiaotian stopped him. "Eunuch Quan, don't rush off. Let's have a little chat."