Hu Xiaotian said, "I was planted in Bright Moon Palace, and there are things I have no choice but to do. Otherwise, how could I earn his trust? If you've lost faith in me, Eunuch Quan, you can simply send me away. I won't utter a single word of complaint."
Quan Dean had not expected him to turn the tables. He nodded and laughed instead of growing angry. "Good. What a fine excuse-having no choice! I merely hope you haven't forgotten what you promised me, much less your circumstances and station. With one hand, I can raise you up, and just as easily cast you down into the dust." His words were laden with threats.
From those words, Hu Xiaotian could already tell that Quan Dean had begun to harbor suspicion and dissatisfaction toward him. He said quietly, "Heaven can bear witness to my wholehearted sincerity."
Quan Dean said, "It isn't easy to stay alive and well in this world. Even if you won't think of yourself, you should give some thought to your family." With that, he turned and walked toward Bright Moon Palace.
Watching Quan Dean's retreating figure, Hu Xiaotian felt a chill rise within him. Quan Dean had never threatened him with such harsh words and a stern expression before. Clearly, he had grown deeply suspicious of Hu Xiaotian's relationship with Ji Feihua. Walking between two fierce tigers was no easy matter. The slightest misstep would offend one of them, and worse still, neither was someone he could afford to offend.
At some point, Qin Yutong returned to Hu Xiaotian's side and asked softly, "Can we go now?"
Hu Xiaotian nodded, and the two headed toward the Palace Gardens Bureau. Qin Yutong seemed to notice how heavily his worries weighed on him. She asked quietly, "Is life