Although Hu Xiaotian's relationship with Great Kang had eased somewhat, and he had outwardly declared himself its subject and accepted the title of Prince of Suppressing the Sea, he was not actually subordinate to the Imperial Court of Great Kang in any way. Since Quan Dean and Wu Jingshan had last come to confer his princely title, neither side had had any dealings with the other. They merely maintained a courteous distance. Publicly, Hu Xiaotian had not declared independence, but in practice, his territory remained an independent kingdom that accepted no orders whatsoever from the Imperial Court of Great Kang.
The envoy sent this time, however, was Hu Xiaotian's sworn brother, Shi Xuedong, which rather surprised him. After all, Shi Xuedong had been dragged down by his involvement with Hu Xiaotian last time and driven out of the Imperial Palace by Qiqi. He had returned to his hometown with his father, Shi Buchui. Hu Xiaotian had even sent him a letter inviting him to come over, but Shi Xuedong had never come. It was not that he did not want to; rather, after weathering the great rises and falls of official life, his father, Shi Buchui, had decided to keep his distance from politics. He had laid down a family rule strictly forbidding his sons from becoming involved in government affairs again.
Some things, however, were beyond his control. With a single imperial edict, Qiqi had summoned Shi Xuedong back, calling him into the palace once more to take up his old post overseeing the Palace Gardens Bureau and the Imperial Catering Directorate.
Hu Xiaotian welcomed his sworn brother's arrival. He had Long Xiyue go ahead to Sandbar Pasture while he remained in Eastern Liang Commandery to receive the brother he had not seen in so long.
Upon seeing Hu