Hu Xiaotian said with perfect decorum, "Your Highness, I happened to accompany Assistant Director Fan here today to look around the Red Mountain Racecourse. I've been in the palace so long that I wanted to come out for some fresh air."
Princess Anping nodded. "Qiqi insisted that I come along to choose a horse. She suggested we dress like this because she didn't want to attract too much attention."
Hu Xiaotian smiled. "Whatever you wear, Your Highness, your beauty could topple kingdoms."
Princess Anping's delicate brows creased slightly. She seemed to find his remark a little presumptuous.
Adept at reading expressions, Hu Xiaotian hurriedly apologized. "Please forgive me, Your Highness. I've overstepped, but every word I said was true." Knowing what to say to please a woman was his natural forte.
Princess Anping's lovely face flushed faintly. "You needn't be afraid. I'm not blaming you."
When was I afraid? Do I really seem that timid to you? Hu Xiaotian thought. Princess Anping was not only incomparably beautiful, but also gentle and sweet. Although he had spent time with her only twice, he already admired her immensely. Now this is tenderness like water. This is true femininity! By comparison, could Qiqi even be called a woman? In fact, she had yet to come of age and was merely a little girl.
"I've heard a little about what happened to you," Princess Anping said. After a pause, she added, "Qiqi told me."
Hu Xiaotian's heart tightened. Shit! Qiqi? Surely that spoiled princess hasn't told her about our murder plot?
"I know you once saved Qiqi and escorted her all the way to Xiezhou," Princess Anping said. "Although she seems to pick on you, she's actually very grateful to you."
Hu Xiaotian merely smiled without answering. Gratitude was unnecessary. As long as Qiqi