Madam Hu returned safely from Jinling. The man who had escorted her there was Ji Feihua's coachman, Wu Renxing, but by the time she made her return journey, he had vanished without a trace. While still on the road, Xu Fengyi received word that her son had returned safely to the Kang Capital. Her heart flew home like an arrow, and she wished she could see him that very instant. Along the way, she also heard of his many impressive exploits and learned that he had only pretended to be a eunuch to enter the palace. Now the Imperial Court had restored his identity and even appointed him Deputy Imperial Bodyguard Commander. Xu Fengyi felt all the more gratified.
When her carriage reached the Fifteen-Li Pavilion, she saw a party waiting beside the road ahead. At the coachman's report, Xu Fengyi was startled at first. War and turmoil had been raging throughout Great Kang lately-could they have encountered bandits? But on second thought, they were already close to the imperial capital, beneath the very feet of the Son of Heaven. Surely nothing like that would happen here.
The attendant sent ahead to investigate came running back joyfully, calling from a distance, "Madam, the Young Master has come to meet you!"
Warmth filled Xu Fengyi's heart. She lifted the carriage curtain and looked out to see the group approaching her. Riding at their head was the beloved son she had thought of day and night, Hu Xiaotian. Her voice trembled. "Stop! Stop the carriage at once!"
The coachman hurriedly halted the carriage, and Xu Fengyi pushed open the door and jumped down. Hu Xiaotian had already reached her and swung down from Little Gray. The wound at the top of his thigh had yet to heal, and the movement still tugged