Huo Ge smiled and reached out, clasping Long Yefang's hand in both of his. "I concealed my identity out of concern for my safety. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
The Prince of Zhou was about to offer a few polite words when Hu Xiaotian spoke up beside him. "You were concerned for your own safety, Prince, but does that mean His Highness's safety doesn't matter? To think His Highness the Prince of Zhou traveled a thousand miles, crossing mountains and rivers to welcome you in Western Sichuan, only to have his sincerity met with anything but sincerity. It truly chills the heart!" He remained on horseback, his expression full of disdain.
"Lord Hu, you are mistaken," Mosheli said. "The prince had no choice but to conceal his identity. We had thought Great Kang was a mighty nation, its realm peaceful and its people secure, and that our journey would naturally be uneventful. Only after entering Great Kang did we discover that bandits ran rampant along the roads, with danger everywhere and threats at every turn. We had no choice but to take these measures to ensure the prince's safety." He delivered his defense with righteous assurance.
Since Hu Xiaotian had already played the villain, he decided he might as well play it to the end. He sneered. "The most important thing in dealings between people is sincerity, and that goes doubly for dealings between nations. Even if you had difficulties you couldn't speak of openly, you could still have informed His Highness. Surely you weren't afraid the Prince of Zhou would leak your secret?"
Hu Xiaotian's questions left Mosheli speechless. This fellow's tongue is sharp enough to cut someone to pieces.
Huo Ge cupped his hands toward Hu Xiaotian. "You are absolutely right, young brother. I failed to