Hu Xiaotian's scalp tightened. Though he wanted from the bottom of his heart to keep his distance from the Empress, he dared not disobey her orders. Ji Feihua had used the matter of Wang Decai to teach this old woman a harsh lesson. Would Empress Jian hold a grudge against him because of it? As the saying went, one wrong invited another in return. If she developed malicious intentions toward him and found some pretext to kill him, wouldn't he be in trouble? Unease stirred in Hu Xiaotian's heart.
Empress Jian said, "Close the door."
Hu Xiaotian answered and closed the study door from inside.
Empress Jian walked slowly to the desk and sat down, gazing outside through the carved lattice window.
Hu Xiaotian stood respectfully before her. "What are Your Majesty's instructions?"
Empress Jian said, "Little Hu, we both know perfectly well how Wang Decai died."
Hu Xiaotian said, "Your Majesty, I wasn't present when Wang Decai met with his misfortune, so I don't know the details." This was plainly no good business, and Hu Xiaotian certainly wouldn't admit anything honestly. Whether he could disentangle himself from it or not, he had to deny involvement.
Empress Jian smiled faintly. "I know something of the sort of person you are. You saved Qiqi, which counts as a service to our imperial family."
Hu Xiaotian said, "I only did my duty." Inwardly, he cursed. You know I did your imperial family a service, yet you still wanted to cut me and turn me into a eunuch. Is repaying kindness with hatred, without a shred of feeling or loyalty, how your imperial family operates?
Empress Jian said, "I heard Ji Feihua transferred you to the Bright Moon Palace to take charge here."
Hu Xiaotian said, "If Your Majesty feels I'm not equal