Hu Xiaotian said, "On New Year's Eve, His Majesty graciously permitted Princess Anping to visit the Retired Emperor at Spirit Firmament Palace on Misty Mountain, so I accompanied her." He knew full well that Ji Feihua's eyes and ears covered the entire Imperial City and beyond. There was no concealing his trip to Misty Mountain with Princess Anping, so he chose to bring it up himself.
Ji Feihua said, "The bonds of flesh and blood are the hardest ties in this world to sever. It was only natural for Princess Anping to visit her father at Spirit Firmament Palace. But what did you go along for?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "I didn't intend to go, but the princess asked me to accompany her. As the newly appointed steward of Purple Orchid Palace, I could hardly refuse." In truth, his reason for going to Misty Mountain ultimately came down to Li Yuncong's request.
Ji Feihua glanced at him. "If you hadn't mentioned it, I would almost have forgotten. You lost your post at Bright Moon Palace, then found yourself a position at Purple Orchid Palace in the blink of an eye. I haven't even had time to congratulate you."
Hu Xiaotian smiled. "We can discuss that later. Please be patient, Governor, and let me finish telling you what happened on Misty Mountain."
Ji Feihua yawned, looking utterly uninterested in what he had to say, but did not stop him from continuing.
Hu Xiaotian said, "I thought the princess's visit to the Retired Emperor would surely end with father and daughter embracing and weeping together. But when we arrived, it was nothing of the sort. The Retired Emperor had become deranged. He suddenly rushed forward and seized Princess Anping by the throat. If I'd charged in a moment later, she might have died