After witnessing Wang Decai's murder, Li Yuncong clearly had no intention of staying any longer. He offered a few perfunctory remarks, then hurried away with his men.
Ji Feihua walked slowly into the garden, while Li Yan led several others in dragging Wang Decai's corpse outside.
Hu Xiaotian signaled Xiao Dengzi and the others to carry on with their work as though nothing had happened, then followed Ji Feihua alone.
Ji Feihua stopped before the poinsettias in full bloom and gazed at them. "First-rank red? How could a mere Talented Lady deserve that?"
Hu Xiaotian replied respectfully, "I'll have someone replace them at once." He had indeed failed to think this matter through. Wang Decai had just used it to attack him, and now Ji Feihua had said the same thing, proving that he had made a mistake, however unwittingly.
Ji Feihua smiled faintly. "No need. Their brilliant red looks festive. Lady Wen has only just entered the palace, and that is a happy occasion, after all. Leave them as they are."
Seeing no one nearby, Hu Xiaotian lowered his voice. "Commander, Eunuch Quan sent word today, telling me to take care to protect the newly arrived Lady Wen. He also said he would transfer Xiao Zhuozi to Bright Moon Palace to serve here." To win Ji Feihua's trust, he had to tell the truth most of the time. Ji Feihua was suspicious by nature and exceptionally astute, with eyes and ears throughout the Imperial Palace. Hu Xiaotian knew full well that any deliberate deception could very likely provoke his wrath.
Ji Feihua appreciated Hu Xiaotian's candor. He walked a few steps forward, plucked a pure white magnolia blossom from the tree, and held it beneath his nose to smell it. "Those old fellows have really poured their lifeblood into