"Of course it isn't this one," Zhu Ba said. "But the puppy the princess lost back then looked almost exactly like it. I went through a thousand hardships to find this little fellow, especially to give Her Highness as a wedding present."
Hu Xiaotian nodded, but Wen Boyuan snorted behind him. "Absurd!" Although Wen Boyuan admitted that the puppy was adorable, he remained suspicious that these beggars had more in mind than simply giving away a dog. Whether their story was even true was highly debatable.
"How about this?" Hu Xiaotian said. "I'll take the puppy back and ask whether the princess wants to keep it."
Zhu Ba cupped his fist toward Hu Xiaotian. "Sorry for the trouble, Lord Hu!"
Hu Xiaotian had heard correctly: the man had called him Lord Hu, not Eunuch Hu. Of the two, Lord Hu was certainly more pleasing to the ear.
Zhu Ba took the puppy from Zhu Dali and handed it to Hu Xiaotian. As he placed the puppy in Hu Xiaotian's hands, he slipped him a bundle of cloth while no one was watching, then gave him a meaningful smile.
Hu Xiaotian understood at once. Clutching the bundle, he walked back with the puppy concealing it. The puppy gave a little whimper and tried to wriggle free of his hands, but it was far too weak. Its eyes, like two black beans, gazed pitifully at Hu Xiaotian, not knowing where fate would take it.
"Brothers, clear the road!" Zhu Ba called loudly. "Let us respectfully see Her Highness off from the capital! May the princess have a safe journey and a peaceful life!"
The beggars moved aside. Neither Wen Boyuan nor Wu Jingshan had expected the matter to be resolved so easily, but a peaceful resolution without a clash was certainly best.