Qin Yutong was left speechless by Hu Xiaotian's barrage of questions.
Long Xiyue's dim eyes brightened again. "Well said!" Qiqi praised, clapping her hands as though she feared the world might not be chaotic enough.
Hu Xiaotian did not press his advantage. He chuckled and said, "That's just my own opinion. Please don't laugh at me."
"Little Hu, don't be rude," Long Xiyue chided. "Miss Qin is my dearest friend." It was entirely for show, of course. Deep down, she was firmly on Hu Xiaotian's side.
"Eunuch Hu possesses great wisdom," Qin Yutong said. "I cannot outargue you." Being unable to outargue him did not necessarily mean his words made sense. Qin Yutong was not someone who admitted defeat easily.
"What Hu Xiaotian said isn't entirely unreasonable," Qiqi said. "If people simply let nature take its course in everything and leave it all to Heaven's arrangements, what meaning is there in living?"
"Human history is the history of humanity's struggle against nature," Hu Xiaotian said. "As I see it, human resolve can conquer Heaven!" It was an exceedingly simple principle, yet to people of this era, it sounded scandalously shocking. Even Qiqi felt his claim was far too arrogant.
After saying this, Hu Xiaotian also felt he had said a little too much. He rose to take his leave. "I won't interrupt your conversation any longer. Little Hu still has work at the Palace Gardens Bureau, so I'll withdraw."
Long Xiyue nodded. She did not want Hu Xiaotian to keep spouting nonsense and embarrass Qin Yutong, either.
Hu Xiaotian left the chamber, only to find that Qiqi had followed him out. "Stop right there!" she called from behind him.
He had no choice but to stop. "What are Your Highness's instructions?" he asked respectfully.
"Have you forgotten what you promised