Long Xuan'en sat alone in the courtyard, holding a string of red sandalwood Buddhist prayer beads. His expression looked somewhat lost; there was no telling what he was thinking.
Hu Xiaotian came up behind him and said respectfully, "Your humble servant Hu Xiaotian bows before Your Majesty. Long live our emperor, for ten thousand years and ten thousand more!"
Long Xuan'en waved a hand, and Yin Zheng tactfully withdrew. Only then did Long Xuan'en slowly turn around. His deep-set eyes fixed on Hu Xiaotian's face, and he noticed the many fresh scratches on it. His graying brows drew together. "It seems you've suffered quite a bit."
Hu Xiaotian bowed and replied, "In serving Your Majesty, no matter how much hardship or injustice I suffer, I would never utter a single word of refusal."
A meaningful smile appeared at the corners of Long Xuan'en's lips. "What? Are you saying I've treated you unjustly?"
Hu Xiaotian shook his head. "Not Your Majesty. But someone claimed that I couldn't endure the hardships of temple life and ran away, and that Your Majesty flew into a thunderous rage over my conduct and even sent men to arrest me and call me to account!"
Long Xuan'en's face darkened. "Insolence! When did I ever say I would call you to account?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "If Your Majesty never said it, someone must have falsely conveyed your will."
Long Xuan'en guessed what Hu Xiaotian was driving at and said mildly, "Whatever grievances you have, keep a record of them for now. Once we return, I'll see that you get satisfaction."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Hu Xiaotian appeared profoundly grateful, but inwardly he cursed. You're just deliberately brushing me off. He quietly studied Long Xuan'en, yet could find no flaw in his face. If the man before him