Qiqi said, "Since you want me to guess, fine. I'll take a guess. The weak point must have been the Palace Gardens Bureau. Eunuchs leave the palace every day to buy supplies. You used to oversee the bureau and cultivated a group of trusted men there. Shi Xuedong handles the purchasing now. He seems to be the son of Shi Buchui, the former minister of personnel. You must have approached him and used his help to hide in a cart of fruit and vegetables and slip into the palace."
By now, the clothes on Hu Xiaotian's back were soaked through with cold sweat. This girl was as cunning as a ghost. He would never have given Shi Xuedong up, yet Qiqi had described exactly how he had entered the palace, without a single error, as though she had witnessed it herself. Beyond admiration, all he could feel was helplessness. Cupping his hands, he pleaded, "I took the liberty of entering the palace only because I had no other choice. If Your Highness wishes to punish me, please punish me alone. Please do not take your anger out on anyone else."
"So you admit it!" Qiqi returned to her seat and said softly, "Get up."
Only then did Hu Xiaotian rise. Beaming at Qiqi, he said, "It's been several months since we last met. Your Highness has grown taller-and more beautiful, too."
Qiqi stared coldly at him. Unsure whether he had said something wrong, Hu Xiaotian gave an awkward chuckle and lowered his head.
Qiqi said, "Do you remember what I told you before you left for the Yong Capital?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "I do. Your Highness told me to take good care of Princess Anping!" He dropped to his knees again with a thud, tears brimming in his eyes. "I