Hu Xiaotian felt considerably reassured by those words. It seemed the old madam still had the Hu family's interests at heart. On reflection, she truly was caught between two difficult choices. Openly helping Great Kang would provoke the hostility of the various kingdoms, making the Xu family of Jinling the target of every arrow. Yet if she refused to help, her roots were still here, and she feared retaliation from Great Kang's emperor. That was why she had devised this method-to conceal her involvement.
Hu Buwei said, "Your mother must not learn of this, lest she worry."
Hu Xiaotian leaned closer to examine the letter, only to find that it contained not a single word. It was a nautical chart. "Father, do you intend to tell His Majesty about this?"
Hu Buwei nodded. "I'll enter the palace right away and explain everything to His Majesty." Ever since Old Madam Xu had refused the emperor's request, Hu Buwei had lived in a constant state of unease. Having finally recovered his happiness, he was all the more reluctant to lose it, especially if it meant any harm coming to his precious son.
Hu Xiaotian shook his head. "We mustn't rush this. His Majesty barely concerns himself with affairs of state now. He has handed almost everything over to Princess Yongyang. I think it would be better to inform her first."
Hu Buwei knew little about Princess Yongyang and naturally lacked his son's confidence in her. Nor did he believe that a girl not yet fourteen could rescue the tottering Great Kang Dynasty from its peril.
Hu Xiaotian said, "Father, there are only two people His Majesty truly trusts: Hong Beimo of the Heavenly Secrets Bureau and Princess Yongyang. If our family wants to survive, we must choose between them."
Hu Buwei's eyes