Just then, two Little Eunuchs brought in wine and dishes. The Cattle and Sheep Office of the Directorate of Imperial Cuisine certainly had no shortage of fine food.
Zhang Fuquan invited Hu Xiaotian to sit down, and Hu Xiaotian hurried to pick up the wine pot and fill both their cups.
After the Little Eunuchs withdrew, Zhang Fuquan raised his cup. "Eunuch Hu, we've known each other for quite some time, but I believe this is the first time we've sat down for a drink alone."
Hu Xiaotian stood with his cup in hand and said respectfully, "In my heart, Eunuch Zhang, you're like a teacher and elder. I will never forget that you were the one who brought me into the palace." A kindness received was remembered for a thousand years. Hu Xiaotian owed the preservation of his manhood to Zhang Dequan. Whatever the reason behind it, he had taken that favor to heart.
"You're too kind, Eunuch Hu," Zhang Dequan said. "You're young and accomplished, and today you rendered another great service. I hear His Majesty bestowed a Coiling Dragon Gold Plaque on you. I hope you'll look after this older brother of yours in the future." He actually refrained from putting on airs before Hu Xiaotian. Hu Xiaotian knew it was merely a show. The man Zhang Fuquan respected was not him, but Quan Dean, who stood behind him. There truly was no wall under heaven that kept the wind out. He had only just saved the emperor, yet the news had already spread throughout the palace.
Hu Xiaotian merely listened to Zhang Dequan's words without taking them to heart. Zhang Dequan was undoubtedly one of Quan Dean's trusted subordinates. He had no need to curry favor with Hu Xiaotian, much less cultivate a friendship behind Quan