Although the Post Station in Skywave City was sizable, it could not accommodate seven hundred people at once. Apart from the principal members of the party and the guards they needed, everyone else was assigned rooms at nearby inns.
Princess Anping stepped down from the carriage, with Zijuan following behind her, Snowball in her arms. Seeing a world outside as snowy white as his own fur, Snowball grew especially excited and began barking. In just two short days, he had become quite familiar with the princess and her maid, adding considerable pleasure to Long Xiyue's journey.
Princess Anping could not help laughing at Snowball's adorable antics. Just then, a red umbrella sheltered her from the fine snow overhead: Hu Xiaotian had solicitously raised it to shield her from the wind and snow. A warm smile touched her lips, a smile whose meaning only the two of them understood. Long Xiyue said softly, "You don't need to hold an umbrella for me. I'm not that delicate."
"Your Highness, please go inside and warm yourself first," Hu Xiaotian said.
Princess Anping nodded and stepped into the courtyard reserved for her. She had barely entered before Wen Boyuan began positioning guards outside. Hearing the clatter of armor and weapons, she could not help sighing. Suddenly, she realized that although she had left the Imperial Palace, her life was no different from before.
Hu Xiaotian asked Zijuan to accompany Princess Anping to her room to rest, then turned and left the little courtyard. He met Zhan Peng coming to find him. Zhan Peng cupped his fist and said, "Eunuch Hu, General Wen is waiting for you in Lord Wu's room. There's an important matter to discuss."
Hu Xiaotian nodded. He and Zhan Peng concealed their familiarity well. He followed Zhan Peng to the door