An Dequan offered no explanation. He gave Hu Xiaotian a meaningful look, confident that the boy was clever enough to work out Qiqi's origins, then added, "Boy, your father has worked out a fine scheme. Unfortunately, things in this world don't always go as people wish."
Hu Xiaotian felt a chill shoot up his spine to his neck. Though it was the hottest part of summer, an icy dread seeped through him. An Dequan's words clearly hinted at something. Had he seen through his father's true purpose in sending him to Azure Cloud to serve as an official? Had something changed at court? That couldn't be right-he hadn't heard of any major developments in the Capital City. Was the old eunuch merely trying to frighten him with alarmist talk? "Please enlighten me, sir!" he said respectfully. His mind was already in utter turmoil. His father had never openly supported Long Yelin. When the crown prince fell from favor, he had even seized the opportunity to submit an impeachment against Zhou Ruiyuan, the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, effectively placing himself in open opposition to Long Yelin's faction. Recent events suggested that Long Yelin was very likely making moves again. If that man regained power, his father's predicament would be easy enough to imagine.
An Dequan took a worn Blackwood Token from his waist and tossed it in front of Hu Xiaotian.
Hu Xiaotian caught the Blackwood Token. Only the word "Forbidden" was carved on its face. Turning it over, he found the words "Receiving Grace" carved on the back. He had no idea what the token meant. Could it be even more powerful than the Hu Family's Iron Deed of Redemption?
"Keep it safe," An Dequan said. "It may save your life someday!"
Hu Xiaotian solemnly put the token away, his