Chapter 1026

Night fell unnoticed, and by the time Hu Xiaotian left the palace, the sky was already full of stars. Gazing at the constellations, his father's face appeared before him. Based on the timing, his father should have already set sail for Luo Song, accompanied by Xiao Tianmu, Zhan Peng, and Murong Feiyan. This trip to Luo Song was meant to open the maritime grain route, yet how many things is his father still hiding from him? How could he instantly recognize that nautical chart? As for the chart, why did his grandmother not tell even her own daughter, but instead tell him? Could it be merely to avoid worrying his mother?

Hu Xiaotian had never doubted his father's motives before, but after that conversation with Li Tianheng, past events flooded his mind. He suddenly realized that too many things would not bear scrutiny, too many things raised doubts, yet he had simply chosen to ignore them.

Serving at court, he not only had to face a dim-witted and licentious emperor, but also constantly guard against colleagues around him; such a step‑by‑step perilous environment shaped his father's deep scheming. Hu Xiaotian tried to console his father deep in his heart, yet he could never find a reason for his father to deceive him.

Even if he hadn't had the chance to explain himself initially, after the emperor pardoned him he had ample opportunity to make things clear; even if he had many reservations, before this trip to Xichuan as an envoy he should have told himself.

Yet his father never said anything; Hu Xiaotian shook his head, a faint bitter smile touching his lips—his father was more complicated than he had imagined.

If Long Xi Yue's departure made Hu Xiaotian doubtful about love, then his father's actions this time undoubtedly shook his feelings for family as well; if a person harbors the ambition to seize the throne, what place could familial affection possibly hold in his heart?

A light footstep sounded behind him; Hu Xiaotian turned and saw Yan Nujiao standing behind him, holding a small bundle of Lan‑printed cloth in her hand. Standing in the night breeze, weary from a day's labor, her expression showed some fatigue, her complexion a little pale, making her appear as delicate as a chrysanthemum.

Xichuan

Yan Nujiao said, "Your Highness's condition has stabilized; staying here wouldn't help much. I'd like to head back early so my second brother won't worry."

Yan Nujiao

Yan Nujiao shook her head and said, "No."

Hu Xiaotian said, "It's already late; I'm not at ease letting you go back alone."

Prince Zhou

Before departing, Hu Xiaotian visited the Prince of Zhou once more; after a blood transfusion and surgery, the prince's condition had stabilized, and he lay in bed sleeping very peacefully. Zhou Wenju remained constantly at his side; hearing that Hu Xiaotian was seeing Yan Nujiao off, he nodded and said, "Sir Hu, go ahead and return; I'll look after things here. From the pulse, Prince Zhou should have passed the critical period—his life is out of danger." Zhou Wenju also breathed a sigh of relief. If anything were to happen to the prince, he probably wouldn't escape disaster either.

After giving his instructions, Hu Xiaotian left the Autumn Splendor Palace together with Yan Nujiao; Li Tianheng had previously made it clear he would not make things difficult for them, and agreed that as long as Hu Xiaotian wished, he could leave Xizhou at any time. Still, before departing he ought to say goodbye to him in person.

Li Tianheng felt no surprise at Hu Xiaotian's departure; everything had long been within his expectations. He smiled and asked, "Why the rush to leave?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Prince Zhou's condition has stabilized; staying would be of no use."

Li Tianheng said, "If you worry that returning will draw the emperor's blame, you can simply stay in Xichuan—as far as I know, Sir Hu has also left the capital."

Hu Xiaotian marveled at how well‑informed Li Tianheng was; it seemed the court harbored one of his informants as well. He replied calmly, "What value would I have left in Xichuan?"

Li Tianheng heard the implication in Hu Xiaotian's words and said, "It looks like your ambitions are great, nephew."

Hu Xiaotian said, "I don't have any grand ambitions, but the situation forces my hand; even though I know the emperor will be adverse to me, I must return, for my mother remains in Kangdu—how could a son abandon his mother?"

Shajia people

Hu Xiaotian said, "Since General Li has let me go, I ought to tell him about this." He then recounted to Li Tianheng the conversation he had overheard between Huo Ge and Xue Shengjing at the Da Yong posthouse.

After hearing him out, Li Tianheng's face grew extremely grave; he had never trusted Huo Ge, that foreign son‑in‑law, having fought the Shajia people in Xichuan for decades and understood their nature—a nation full of ambition and aggression; marriage alliances could only ease tensions temporarily, never bring lasting peace.

Li Tianheng said, "Nephew, are you worried that I will ally with Da Yong?"

Yulan State

Li Tianheng sighed, "I harbor no ambition for expansion; I only wish to keep to myself, ensuring peace for the people of Xichuan—that is enough. I have no intention of meddling in Dakang's affairs, nor will I launch an attack, let alone join forces with Da Yong."

Hu Xiaotian silently despaired; if Li Tianheng truly thought that way, he would be mistaken. In this troubled age, not provoking others does not make them abandon their designs to invade and annex you. Xichuan's geographic importance is immense—it guards the southwest gateway to the Central Plains. The Shajia have long eyed Xichuan hungrily; if Da Yong were to send troops south, the Shajia would likely seize the chance to crush Lan State, then attack Da Yong from front and rear, leaving Xichuan unlikely to survive.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Uncle Li, you still need to be extra careful—that's all I have to say." He needed to remind Li Tianheng to guard against Shajia's moves from behind; this concerned not only Xichuan but also the future situation of the Central Plains, and it was the first time after the birthday banquet that he addressed Li Tianheng as "uncle."

Li Tianheng looked at Hu Xiaotian, nodded slowly, and said, "You're a fine young man, but sometimes when you aim to do great things you cannot be overly cautious."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "In Uncle Li's eyes, does achieving great things necessarily mean being a loner who renounces all kin?"

Li Tianheng pressed his lips, sighed, and said, "I won't hide it from you—actually, someone once entrusted me with keeping you in Xichuan."

Hu Xiaotian started, wondering if Li Tianheng meant his father; it seemed his father still cared for him, yet had he considered the mother still in Kangdu? Was he not afraid the emperor, in a rage, would kill his mother as revenge for their father‑son departure? He whispered, "Who is it?"

Sunny Street

Hu Xiaotian stared, unable to believe his ears; what mother in the world would be so ruthless as to send her own daughter to her doom? His grandmother really was extraordinary—her actions were utterly unfathomable.

Li Tianheng said, "Xiaotian, if you wish to stay, I can still marry Wuyou to you." His eyes were full of sincerity; from this remark one could see his fondness and admiration for Hu Xiaotian.

Yang Lingqi

Liang Yinghao

Hu Xiaotian bowed deeply to Li Tianheng and said, "Uncle Li, your great kindness and virtue are unforgettable to me, your nephew; I harbor no dislike for Wuyou, but my mother still waits for me in the capital—if I do not return, she will surely die."

Li Tianheng said: "Even if you go back, you might not be able to change her fate, you……" Li Tianheng wanted to say more but stopped, letting out a long sigh.

Hu Xiaotian faintly sensed that Li Tianheng must be hiding something from him; he recalled that just now he had unintentionally told Li Tianheng about his father leaving the capital. This matter was extremely secret—even if the Emperor knew, there would be no reason to leak it to Li Tianheng, and Qiqi would certainly not say anything—could it be that his father himself had leaked the secret? Hu Xiaotian recalled the letter he had given to Li Tianheng; he felt a bit regretful, regretting why he hadn't secretly taken a look at it earlier. Old Lady Xu and his father acted in ways utterly unlike ordinary people; what secret were they keeping from his mother? Could it be that in their eyes his mother was utterly insignificant? If even his mother was treated this way, then what about himself?

Li Tianheng saw that Hu Xiaotian's mind was made up, and he no longer tried to persuade him. Before Hu Xiaotian left, Li Tianheng said: "Wuyou really likes you; if you encounter any trouble in Kangdu, you can come back anytime."

Li Tianheng's words kept echoing in Hu Xiaotian's ears, making him feel somewhat moved, yet what they brought him more was confusion. He and Wuyou had only met once—how could Wuyou have developed such feelings? Li Tianheng's concern for him was clearly influenced by Wuyou. In the past, Hu Xiaotian might have thick‑skinnedly attributed everything to his irresistible charm. But recent events have made him see reality clearly: when it comes to feelings, women are always far more rational than men.

When escorting Yan Nujiao back to her lodging on Xiangyang Street, they were also careful and cautious, fearing that someone might join them; fortunately, along the way they discovered no one tailing them, and they returned smoothly to the lodging.

When the two of them returned, Yan Boguang was leading his men in a clash with Xiong Tianba and others, but Yan Boguang, seeing that his sister had followed Hu Xiaotian away and still hadn't returned after so long, decided to go out to look for her. Xiong Tianba, however, stuck to his principle, always remembering Hu Xiaotian's order: before he and Yan Nujiao returned, no one was permitted to let anyone leave. Although Yan Boguang felt some fear of Hu Xiaotian, he did not yield to his men; moreover, his subordinates kept arriving to join them, giving them a numerical advantage.

Yang Lingqi and Liang Yinghao certainly did not want internal conflict to erupt at such a time; the two were trying to mediate when Hu Xiaotian happened to return.

Yan Boguang saw his sister return safely and finally put his mind at ease, pointing at Xiong Tianba and threatening: "Little monkey, you'd better watch out." Seeing that Xiong Tianba was dark and thin, that's why he called him that.

Xiong Tianba's nature was violent; how could he tolerate that bastard's insult? He roared, "Damn it, I'll beat you back into your mother's womb!" As he swung his fist ready to charge, Hu Xiaotian shouted him down.

Yan Nujiao also grabbed hold of her brother who loved to stir up trouble.

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