Old Madam Xu said, "If I hadn't tried to investigate everything back then, perhaps things would never have deteriorated to this point."
Hu Xiaotian said, "There's a spaceship belonging to the Visitors from Beyond hidden in the Imperial Mausoleum. Hong Beimo is busy repairing it now."
Old Madam Xu said, "If he repairs the spaceship and masters all their technology, he'll gain the ability to leap through time and space. The consequences will be unimaginable."
Hu Xiaotian asked, "How did he win their trust?"
"Perhaps he's being controlled. Perhaps he deceived those Visitors from Beyond. But whatever the case, his existence is an enormous threat."
Hu Xiaotian asked, "Why tell me all these secrets?"
Old Madam Xu said, "I don't have long to live. After much thought, I decided someone had to know these secrets, and you're the only candidate."
"Why?"
"You're different from them! Your character has no flaws!"
Hu Xiaotian spent three hours speaking privately with Old Madam Xu in her room. By the time he emerged, night had fallen. Xu Fengmei had been standing by the courtyard gate all along. She gave him a faint smile. "Your Highness, have you finished talking with the Old Madam?"
Hu Xiaotian nodded. "Aunt, Grandmother isn't in good health. Please take good care of her."
Seeing how courteous he was, Xu Fengmei guessed that his lengthy conversation with the Old Madam must have ended pleasantly. She smiled gently. "It's already dinnertime. Have dinner before you leave."
Hu Xiaotian said, "I'd love to stay, but there are too many things waiting for me to handle. I'll come another day. I promised Grandmother I would share a meal with her, and I'll keep that promise."
Xu Fengmei did not insist. She called out, "Mubai! See your younger cousin out!"
Xu Mubai stepped out