Zhang Fuquan stepped forward and warmly clasped Hu Xiaotian's right hand. "Brother Hu, everyone inside and outside the Imperial City knows your name now. You've saved His Majesty from illness twice. You truly are a divine physician of our age."
Hu Xiaotian smiled. "You flatter me, Eunuch Zhang. What sort of divine physician am I? It was all thanks to His Majesty's blessings, which reach as high as heaven."
Zhang Fuquan's little eyes flicked toward the table. With wine and dishes covering it, even a blind man could have told what they were doing. Yet Hu Xiaotian showed no intention of inviting him to sit. Though he wore a smile, he plainly meant to give Zhang Fuquan a rebuff wrapped in velvet.
Zhang Fuquan glanced at Shi Xuedong, Xiao Zhuozi, and Xiao Dengzi. These young eunuchs had all worked under him at the Cattle and Sheep Office and still held him in considerable awe. Zhang Fuquan smiled. "So you're having a drink!"
Shi Xuedong knew nothing of the grievances between Hu Xiaotian and Zhang Fuquan. He said politely, "If you don't mind, Eunuch Zhang, please join us."
"Gladly!" Zhang Fuquan smiled and promptly planted himself in a seat.
Hu Xiaotian glared at Shi Xuedong, inwardly blaming the fellow for opening his mouth. Without that invitation, Zhang Fuquan would have struggled to find a graceful way out.
Once seated, Zhang Fuquan turned from guest to host. He smiled at Hu Xiaotian. "Brother Hu, sit down. You three, too-why are you all standing? Sit down and have a drink, sit down and have a drink."
Hu Xiaotian sat down. Without his permission, the other three dared not sit. Realizing that his loose tongue had led him astray, Shi Xuedong hurried forward and poured Hu Xiaotian some wine first.
"You three go attend