Hu Xiaotian shook his head like a pellet drum. "Don't come to me for this. It's not that I don't want to help, but sneaking around stealing things isn't my strong suit. Swindling and cheating, now those I can manage."
Xi Yan said, "I'm not asking you to do it yourself. I just want you to keep me company. A girl gets a little scared doing this sort of thing."
Hu Xiaotian would be a fool to believe her. She, scared? There seemed to be nothing under heaven she wouldn't dare do. He had worked so hard to get where he was today, yet now Xi Yan wanted to drag him into thievery. It would be fine if they pulled it off, but if someone discovered them-or caught them red-handed-wouldn't he be in deep trouble?
Xi Yan said, "What are you afraid of? When it comes to running for your life, you're the best in the world."
Hu Xiaotian knew she was flattering him only to lure him into her trap. He smiled. "I'm not afraid. I'm afraid of holding you back."
Xi Yan said, "If I insisted on forcing you to go, there'd be nothing you could do."
Hu Xiaotian sighed inwardly. Zhou Mo had been right: he could never gain the upper hand with her. This enchantress was too cunning. She seemed to have him firmly in her grasp.
Xi Yan said, "But I'm not an unreasonable person. Why don't we strike a bargain?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "Now that's what I like to hear."
"Help me pull this off, and I'll tell you a secret."
Hu Xiaotian said, "Empty words prove nothing. Why don't you tell me first, so I can see whether it's worth it?"
Xi Yan said, "Do you know who wants Princess Anping dead?"
Hu