Hu Xiaotian hid nothing from him and briefly described the treatment they had received since arriving the day before. After listening, Liu Changsheng could not help frowning. "There is indeed something wrong here," he murmured. "Great Yong is a land of propriety and has always placed the utmost importance on diplomatic etiquette. They would not treat even barbarian tribes coming to pay homage this way, so why would they do this to a nation joined to them by marriage?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "I've only just arrived in the Yong Capital and have no friends or relatives at court, so I have no way of knowing what has happened. If you're willing to help, sir, could you make some inquiries for me and find out why Great Yong is doing this?"
"Leave it to me," Liu Changsheng said.
His ready agreement gave Hu Xiaotian a much better impression of Liu Changsheng. Though Qin Yutong had provided a letter of introduction, he did not want to owe Liu Changsheng too great a favor. "How is your injured leg, Mr. Liu?" he asked. "I know a little medicine myself, and I brought some remedies from Great Kang that work wonders on bone injuries. I'll have someone deliver them to you later."
Liu Changsheng smiled. "There's no need. It isn't a serious injury. A little rest and recuperation, and I'll recover."
Seeing no sign of pain in his expression, Hu Xiaotian vaguely suspected that Liu Changsheng might be feigning illness. Had the old gentleman come up with this excuse to turn down the Prince of Yan because he disliked him?
Hu Xiaotian did not stay long at the Divine Farmer Society. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he took his leave.
It was already evening when he returned to Qichen Palace. Outside, he saw dozens