At those words, Qiqi actually fell silent. She nodded and said, "Very well. Whether he goes to the Purple Orchid Palace or the Palace of Gathered Elegance makes no difference. My aunt will be leaving for Great Yong after the New Year anyway. Once she's gone, he can come to the Palace of Gathered Elegance."
Hearing that she still had her eye on him, Hu Xiaotian did not know whether to laugh or cry. Still, he had escaped this calamity for the moment, which counted as good luck. Now that he had received his reward, he had the perfect excuse to leave. He took his leave of the emperor.
Little Princess Qiqi was clearly put out at not getting her way. She said to Hu Xiaotian, "I'm coming with you!"
Hu Xiaotian did not dare refuse. He left Xuanwei Palace with Qiqi.
They emerged from the Imperial Palace one after the other. Qiqi looked at Hu Xiaotian with a persistent sneer. Hu Xiaotian knew this little minx knew something of his secrets. Last time in the Wine Cellar, she had even grabbed his manhood. Although she had thought she was holding a venomous snake then, she was gradually growing up now, and there was no telling whether she might realize he was a fake eunuch. If she knew and was still doing everything she could to get him assigned to her, could she have some special designs on him? The more Hu Xiaotian thought about it, the more uneasy he became.
Hu Xiaotian stopped at the junction. "After you, Your Highness!" The Palace Gardens Bureau and the Palace of Gathered Elegance lay in different directions. This was where they ought to part.
Qiqi showed no intention of leaving. Seeing that she would not go, Hu Xiaotian could hardly stay there