By the time Hu Xiaotian left Shuijing'er Alley, the joy of his promotion had completely faded, and his somewhat muddled head had cleared again. His heart-to-heart conversation with his father had made him realize that the situation in Great Kang had not changed at all because of this palace coup, nor had their own circumstances fundamentally improved. The old emperor's return to the throne did not necessarily mean anything good for the Hu Family.
Hu Xiaotian told the driver to take him to the street outside the east gate where Treasure Abundance Hall stood. He was currently staying at the Fortune and Prosperity Inn, very close to Treasure Abundance Hall. Although Treasure Abundance Hall also had accommodations for him, he had made this choice to keep up appearances and prevent anyone from discovering his connection to it.
When he reached his room, the door opened from within. Huo Shengnan emerged with concern written across her face and exclaimed in delighted surprise, "You're back?"
Hu Xiaotian nodded, entered the room, and reached back to close the door.
From his attire, Huo Shengnan could already tell that his trip to the palace must have resolved everything smoothly. She said softly, "Judging by all that finery, the Imperial Court must have rewarded you."
Hu Xiaotian nodded gleefully. "Not only did they reward me, they also gave me the post of Deputy Imperial Bodyguard Commander."
Huo Shengnan blinked. "Doesn't that put you at about the same rank as Shi Kuan?" Shi Kuan was the leader of Great Yong's Golden Scale Guards.
Hu Xiaotian said, "Half a rank below him, but there's not much difference."
Huo Shengnan said, "I never realized how peculiar your Great Kang was. They actually made a eunuch a bodyguard commander."
Her words left Hu Xiaotian reeling with indignation. "Who are