Chapter 1017: [Long Night, Endless] (Part 2)

Xue Lingjun removed her gauze robe and stepped into the bathtub; the warm, clear water was covered with rose petals. She always pursued perfection, her demands in life almost reaching the point of harshness. Her flawless white body sank into the water like a white lotus quietly blooming. She was in the prime of a woman's life, the time of beautiful maturity. As she caressed her tender, smooth skin, Xue Lingjun felt a vague sorrow— a woman's time is fleeting, and she would not be an exception. Soon she would lose her youthful beauty. If she were an ordinary woman unnoticed by others, she might accept it calmly, but she had lived all her life under others' gazes, accustomed to their admiration and respect. If one day her white hair and wrinkled skin appeared before people, and that admiration and enthusiasm turned into contempt and indifference, what sorrow would that be.

If such a day were to come, I would rather die!

Xue Lingjun leaned back against the tub, her long, slender fingers sliding slowly from her firm, full chest, feeling the curves, coming to rest on her flat abdomen. She closed her eyes, and at that moment she seemed to have broken free from worldly bonds; the water's buoyancy gave her the illusion of rising into the clouds. She had not felt this relaxed in a long time. Xue Lingjun drew a deep breath, opened her hazy beautiful eyes, and discovered a black shadow standing opposite her.

Xue Lingjun initially thought it was an illusion, blinked her eyes, then opened her mouth to call for help—but the shadow darted from the darkness and clapped a hand over her mouth. It was an ugly, lecherous face; a cold, mocking gaze fell upon her pretty face. As his eyes roamed, her naked chest heaved violently, and she felt his gaze like two sharp razors scraping back and forth across her skin.

Xue Lingjun's emotions quickly calmed, the fear in her eyes turning into a soft allure in an instant. She carefully examined his face for any familiar features, and soon she could determine that she had never seen this face before.

The ugly, lecherous man made a silent gesture toward her, then drew a dagger. The blade was only half an inch from her face. Most women cherish their looks more than their lives, and for Xue Lingjun this was especially true. She glanced at the blade, understood his intention, and whispered, "What do you want?" Her deliberately suppressed voice carried a distinctive charm—clearly an enticement to commit a crime. As she spoke, she deliberately bent her right leg, her alluring long leg mostly breaking the water's surface.

The man's gaze remained fixed on her eyes, his voice hoarse as he asked, "Are the assassins sent by you?"

Xue Lingjun blinked slightly, her beautiful eyes locked onto his, trying to discern his identity from his gaze— a person's appearance can be disguised, but the eyes cannot hide. Although his question gave her a hint, suggesting he might be from Li Tianheng's camp, upon reflection she realized there was no possibility. Suddenly she recalled something, the corner of her lips curling into a tempting smile, and she said softly, "What do you think?"

The man said in a low voice, "I have no patience. I also have no time. You had better confess honestly, or else…"

"Or what? Kill me? Or rape me?" Xue Lingjun's expression was utterly seductive: "No matter what you choose, I will not resist. There is only one condition— take off that ugly mask of yours."

The man snarled menacingly, "I have no interest in joking with you."

Xue Lingjun sighed, "Although you changed your appearance, that scent on you cannot fool me. Even if you could mask your smell, your eyes cannot deceive me? Hu Xiaotian, why go to such trouble just to see me?"

Xue Lingjun was indeed not mistaken. The person before her was Hu Xiaotian in disguise. Although Hu Xiaotian had anticipated beforehand that she might recognize him, he never expected her to pierce his disguise so quickly. Scent? Do I have a scent on me? Obviously not!

Xue Lingjun said, "I know you must resent me in your heart because of what happened last night. Actually, I too was helpless. After I was rescued, I was placed under house arrest by the Second Imperial Brother. Although I wanted to save you, I was willing but unable. Don't you know that ever since you left, I have never stopped thinking of you? Yet I also know you will surely come to no harm— a man as capable as you cannot be confined by anyone."

Hu Xiaotian realized his identity had been exposed; there was no point in continuing the disguise. He sheathed his dagger and said, "To have the Eldest Princess worry about me is an honor indeed. You should know why I came here tonight."

Xue Lingjun's pretty face flushed with two rosy spots; she bit her bright, tempting cherry lips and cooed, "I know, I'm sorry, you can do whatever you want to me tonight…" As she spoke, she lowered her head, appearing infinitely shy.

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed Xue Lingjun, yet he understood that this woman's scheming was unprecedented; her alluring behavior was merely meant to confuse him. He said, "Things in this world are never coincidental without reason— we just happened to meet a lascivious monk in the West Mountain Stone Caves, and the antidote just happened to be at Azure Cloud Mountain Villa."

Xue Lingjun let out a faint sigh, "You must suspect that everything that happened yesterday was entirely my premeditated plan. Whether you believe it or not, the incident at Great Buddha Rock has nothing to do with me."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Let's not dwell on the past. I'd like to ask: what happened today at the Grand Marshal's Residence birthday banquet?"

Xue Lingjun lazily swept her hair onto her shoulders and said, full of resentment, "Are you really going to let me speak to you like this?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "At least this way is more frank."

Xue Lingjun spat, "You little brat, you're shamelessly lustful— you've seen everything about me; how am I supposed to marry in the future?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Eldest Princess, it's better not to harm innocent lives."

Upon hearing this, Xue Lingjun's brows shot up in anger, and she snapped, "What did you say?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Everyone says the Eldest Princess brings misfortune to her husbands; today I finally understand why." He glanced toward the water.

Xue Lingjun's pretty face flushed crimson, her delicate brows furrowed in anger— Hu Xiaotian was clearly mocking her. She had always harbored an unknown secret: the White Tiger brings misfortune to husbands. This previously unknown secret is now known to Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian was deliberately provoking Xue Lingjun; the anger on her face flashed and vanished, instantly turning into a full-face allure. She said softly, "With such boldness, would you really believe such boring rumors? If you want me to be frank with you, why aren't you frank yourself? Would you like to come in and bathe with me?"

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, shaking his head as he laughed.

Xue Lingjun's pretty face reddened again; she realized her seductive act had utterly failed, and in Hu Xiaotian's eyes her performance was nothing but a joke— simply mortifying.

Hu Xiaotian said, "I wouldn't dare—I'm afraid you'll eat me!"

Xue Lingjun said, "Believe it or not, I could call for help right now."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, "I believe you!"

Xue Lingjun said, "You don't dare kill me!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Although I don't dare kill you, I dare spread what I saw tonight across the world— then the truth of the Eldest Princess's husband‑killing reputation will be known to all."

"Shameless!" Xue Lingjun was completely provoked into genuine anger by Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian laughed as he rose to his feet, "Each to his own!"

Xue Lingjun rose from the water like a lotus emerging; one cannot deny that her devilish figure possesses lethal allure for a man. Hu Xiaotian, however, understood that the Xue Lingjun before him was even more a serpent‑hearted beauty— she could never develop feelings for anyone, and all she displayed was merely a tool to achieve political ends. Hu Xiaotian walked over and sat in the Grand Tutor's chair, quietly watching Xue Lingjun drape herself in a robe. He did not fear her calling for help, nor her fleeing; Xue Lingjun was a woman unlike any other, and she would never do anything foolish.

For the first time, Xue Lingjun felt that clothing could give a woman dignity. Barefoot on the floor, she looked down at Hu Xiaotian from above; the sensuality on her face vanished, replaced by a chilling killing intent and anger.

Hu Xiaotian sat there unperturbed, quietly admiring the post‑bath Xue Lingjun— a beauty like jade, features like a painting, bright eyes and white teeth. After washing away the makeup, Xue Lingjun felt even more lovely than usual; such a peerless beauty is truly rare in the world.

Xue Lingjun soon felt ill at ease; his gaze was so penetrating that she felt as if she stood before him naked, even clothed.

Hu Xiaotian said softly, "I have always believed we are not enemies!"

Xue Lingjun replied, "Not yet!"

Hu Xiaotian nodded, "I have never thought of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, nor any grand ambitions; I only want to keep my family safe. Yet you insist on pressing me hard."

Xue Lingjun shook her head, "It's not us targeting you; you are merely a pawn in the game between Dakang and Xichuan. Long Xuan'en granted you the title of prince consort, hoping you would die in Xichuan, so that Li Tianheng would thereby earn the name of treason against the sovereign. Li Tianheng had already foreseen the internal rebellion plot, sweeping away all those generals who intended to revolt, and he likewise wants to kill you, to push all the blame onto you."

Hu Xiaotian said, "I never expected to be so despised, reduced to being shouted at by everyone." He lifted his eyes to Xue Lingjun and asked, "You still haven't told me what exactly happened at the birthday banquet today."

Xue Lingjun said, "Not long after you left, Li Tianheng was assassinated. The scene was chaotic; the assassin's skill was high, he fled the hall and escaped on a snow eagle."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, "What is Li Tianheng's condition?" Various signs indicate Li Tianheng is certainly not dead; if he were, the guests who came to celebrate his birthday would not return so easily.

Xue Lingjun said, "I'm not sure. After he was stabbed, he lost a lot of blood, and the surrounding guards quickly protected him; we never got a chance to approach him."

Hu Xiaotian pondered for a moment, then said softly, "Could it be a false flag— crying thief while stealing?" (To be continued…)