Yet after returning this time, Hu Xiaotian found Qiqi difficult to read. Her attitude remained ambiguous throughout; even his offer to help her ascend the imperial throne had failed to move her. The secret Baobao had revealed had alarmed him considerably. She had said Qiqi and Hong Beimo might be working together. If that was true, Qiqi's schemes ran far too deep. On the surface, things seemed passable, but judging by her behavior since his return, she was clearly far too wary of him, guarding against him at every moment. How could he build trust between them? That was a real headache.
Hu Xiaotian officially moved into King Yongyang's Residence. Since the Old Emperor had already declared that it would be his and Qiqi's marital home, it was perfectly reasonable for him to move in first. Nor did he sit idle. He hired a group of craftsmen to remodel the residence according to his wishes, though compared with the massive undertaking at the minister's residence, this was merely tinkering. In fact, King Yongyang's Residence had been renovated not long ago, so Hu Xiaotian only had some decorating done. He also specifically invited the finest tailors in the Capital City to discuss the clothes he would wear on his wedding day. Marriage was a major event in life. Though his was laden with political considerations, it was still his first, and he meant to take it seriously.
Most of the guards who had been dismissed from the imperial palace were recruited by Hu Xiaotian and became guards at the Prince Consort's Residence. Naturally, they were deeply grateful to him, and all praised his benevolence and loyalty behind his back.
Over the past two days, Qiqi had not left the palace to visit King Yongyang's Residence, perhaps to avoid raising eyebrows. While