The house servants sensed something amiss and were about to follow, but Xu Zhengying hastily waved them back, signaling for them to stay where they were. Under Hu Xiaotian's threat, he climbed into the carriage. As soon as the two of them were aboard, Gao Yuan lashed the horses hard with his whip. "Hyah!" The two sturdy horses neighed in unison and galloped off.
Sitting inside the carriage, Xu Zhengying was terrified. "Who are you...?" he asked in a trembling voice, though he had already guessed the visitor's identity.
Hu Xiaotian chuckled. "If you don't know who I am, why did you come to meet me?" Keeping his short blade pressed against Xu Zhengying's throat, he moved to sit opposite him. By now, Hu Xiaotian had covered his face with a black cloth. Even with his disguise, he did not want Xu Zhengying to see his face.
"My dear nephew..." Xu Zhengying said shakily. "I've done nothing to offend you. Why turn a blade on me?"
The carriage slowed noticeably. Hu Xiaotian said, "You posted dozens of house servants in ambush inside and out. Were you hoping to capture me and claim credit with the Imperial Court?"
From his voice, Xu Zhengying knew beyond doubt that this was Hu Xiaotian. He gave a bitter smile. "My dear nephew... how could I do something so utterly devoid of conscience? I brought those servants to protect you."
"Protect me?" Hu Xiaotian could not help sneering. Xu Zhengying's mouth was full of lies. Not even a three-year-old would believe that.
"My dear nephew, why did you come back?" Xu Zhengying asked. "His Majesty ordered your family's estate confiscated, and your parents have already been taken to the Ministry of Justice to await trial. If anyone learns you've returned to the Capital City, they'll