Hu Xiaotian cupped his hands and gladly agreed. Yang Lingqi drew a painting from his basket and handed it to him. "This is the landscape painting I'm proudest of. I've heard that Xue Shengjing, Prince Yan of Great Yong, loves paintings. As emperor, he welcomes retainers from far and wide and generously spends his wealth to help others, earning himself the reputation of a modern-day Mengchang. If you present this painting to him, Young Master Hu, he'll treasure it like a priceless discovery. With his hospitable nature, he's sure to treat you as an honored guest."
Hu Xiaotian could not help feeling moved. Even reduced to such straits, Yang Lingqi was still willing to give him something so generously-a testament to his noble character. Hu Xiaotian tried to decline. "How could I accept such a precious gift?"
"I won't hide it from you," Yang Lingqi said. "Originally, I intended to go to the Yong Capital and respectfully present this painting to Prince Liang, hoping he would do a few things for me in return. But now..." He shook his head with a bitter smile, inwardly lamenting that he could not even manage to leave Great Kang. He placed the painting in Hu Xiaotian's hands. "I can tell you're no ordinary man, Young Master Hu. If you return safely from Great Yong this time, your future will surely be boundless." With that, Yang Lingqi turned and left.
Hu Xiaotian carefully put the painting away, silently resolving that once he returned from Great Yong, he would help Yang Lingqi improve his circumstances.
As Hu Xiaotian left the restaurant, he came face-to-face with a group that included the Tang Family Brothers, Tang Tiesheng and Tang Tiexin. To his surprise, Zhou Mo was among them too. It seemed that in just two days, Zhou