Princess Anping's funeral was not held with any great pomp. Even Hu Xiaotian received no word of it. By the time he learned what had happened, her ashes had already been buried beside her mother's grave.
Hu Xiaotian had been summoned to the palace without warning. When he arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he found a group of Imperial Guards assembled and ready. Even Murong Zhan, who had seldom appeared in public lately, was there, speaking quietly with Qi Danai.
Hu Xiaotian went over to greet them. As the deputy, he naturally had to take more initiative. Bowing, he said, "Greetings, Commander!"
Murong Zhan turned to glance at him and grunted, then walked away without saying a single word. In front of all those Imperial Bodyguards, this amounted to an open display of displeasure with Hu Xiaotian, leaving him rather embarrassed.
Most of those Imperial Bodyguards refused to accept Hu Xiaotian's authority anyway. What virtue or ability did this fellow possess to have climbed to heaven in a single step and landed the deputy commander's post? Seeing Murong Zhan give him the cold shoulder secretly delighted them.
Hu Xiaotian did not take Murong Zhan's cold reception to heart. Deliberately raising his voice, he said, "Farewell, Commander!" Inwardly, he thought, If you weren't Feiyan's father, would I let you get away with that? Forget it. Since your daughter will be serving me for the rest of her life, I won't stoop to your level.
Qi Danai, however, greeted Hu Xiaotian with a face full of smiles. Cupping his hands, he asked, "Lord Hu, why have you only just arrived?"
"The moment I received the summons, I came straight here," Hu Xiaotian said. "Did you all get word earlier? Why didn't anyone send someone to notify me?"
"Lord Hu, we