Hu Xiaotian nodded and strode into the courtyard with measured, unhurried steps. Stopping outside Princess Anping's room, he said respectfully, "Your Highness, Little Hu is here!"
The door opened from within, and a round little Snowball came tumbling out first. Over the past two days, the puppy had grown thoroughly familiar with them and now raced joyfully onto the snow. Zijuan chased after her, laughing. "Snowball, stop right there!" Seeing Hu Xiaotian, she smiled. "The princess was just looking for you. Hurry inside."
Before entering the room, Hu Xiaotian turned to glance at the courtyard gate. Wen Boyuan was still standing there, and he felt secretly amused. Trying to take me on, boy? You're still a little short of the necessary seasoning.
Long Xiyue had just finished eating her sweet rice dumplings. Delight immediately lit her pretty face when Hu Xiaotian entered, and she asked softly, "Where did you go? Why haven't I seen you for so long?" Even she could not explain why, but since leaving the capital, her dependence on Hu Xiaotian had grown stronger with every passing day.
Hu Xiaotian closed the door, then sat beside Long Xiyue and said quietly, "Old Wu and Little Wen called me over to discuss a couple of things. First, they wanted me to speak to Wang Wenyou and cancel the welcoming banquet. Something about not wanting to make a grand fuss."
Long Xiyue nodded. "Wouldn't canceling it be better? I never liked that sort of thing anyway."
Hu Xiaotian said, "The other thing was to tell me I couldn't come and go from your quarters as I pleased at night. They said it was for your safety."
Long Xiyue's pretty face grew warm. Her first thought was, *Could someone have noticed our relationship? Is that why they want Hu Xiaotian