Chapter 1047: [Five Seven] (Part 1)

Hong Beimo spoke while looking at Long Xuan'en: the Xiang Kingdom is the southernmost state on this continent, surrounded by sea on three sides; the Yunling Mountains in the north form a natural border with Dakang. Though the two countries border each other, they have little contact, yet the Xiang Kingdom and Dakang share a special relationship. The Xiang Kingdom's Empress Dowager Long Xuanjiao is Long Xuan'en's younger sister; after the Xiang king died, she already held the kingdom's real power, but the sibling relationship is extremely cold. Since Long Xuanjiao married into Xiang Kingdom, there has been no news of her returning to her Dakang natal home, nor any contact with Dakang.

Even during Dakang's famine, Long Xuan'en had sent envoys to the Xiang Kingdom for aid, but the envoys never returned; it is said they never even got to see the Empress Dowager before disappearing mysteriously.

Long Xuan'en said: "Then send people to investigate; we must get to the bottom of this."

Xu Fengyi's death still caused a stir in the court; officials came to mourn, mostly out of respect for Yongyang Princess Qiqi. Hu Buwei has not yet been reinstated, and Hu Xiaotian is only a deputy commander of the Imperial Guard; with the Hu family's current standing, they cannot attract too much attention.

As for Hu Buwei's whereabouts, few know. Qiqi goes to the court every day to handle state affairs, and at night she comes to the Hu residence to keep vigil with Hu Xiaotian. Hu Xiaotian does not say it aloud, but he is deeply moved; this little girl has indeed become much more sensible as she grows older.

Although Long Xuan'en did not come in person, he sent Wang Qian to offer condolences and personally wrote a couplet for the memorial. However, the Jinling Xu family sent no one, which indirectly confirms the truth of Xu Fengyi's words and lets Hu Xiaotian see the Xu family's coldness, breeding in him a deep resentment. Hu Buwei still has no news, and Hu Xiaotian begins to worry about Xiao Tianmu, Zhan Peng, Murong Feiyan and others: if this sea voyage is a long-planned conspiracy by his father, then these people would become innocent sacrifices.

After burying his mother, Hu Xiaotian found Qiqi. According to Dakang custom, when parents die, a son must observe mourning for three years. For Hu Xiaotian, this is a good opportunity to escape.

After hearing Hu Xiaotian's intention to resign and observe mourning, Qiqi fell silent for a moment before saying: "You plan to ignore my affairs?"

Hu Xiaotian replied: "Your Highness, observing mourning for my deceased mother is every child's duty; I am merely resigning from office, not leaving Kangdu, so there is no question of neglecting Your Highness's affairs."

Qiqi said: "Three years... I do not know whether Dakang can last that long. You know, besides you, I trust no one else in this court."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Your Highness, I resign for two reasons: first, to observe mourning for my mother; second, because of my father's matter, the Emperor already suspects me. How could he trust me? If you insist on employing me, it will only displease the Emperor."

Qiqi said: "I don't care what he thinks; Dakang's current plight is not because of him. Do you want to leave? Do you want to use this chance to go away forever and never return?" She looked tense, clearly flustered.

Hu Xiaotian sighed: "Qiqi, things won't end like that. You think the Emperor will let me leave? My father still has no news; if I leave Kangdu now, the Emperor will surely think I am colluding with him in treason."

Qiqi asked: "You mean, Sir Hu will not come back?"

Hu Xiaotian pressed his lips: "Although I wish he would return, often the truth is harsh; my mother died of heartbreak and despair."

Although Hu Xiaotian did not say why Xu Fengyi was heartbroken and desperate, Qiqi had already guessed: she must have learned that Hu Buwei would not return from this sea voyage, fell ill, and eventually died of depression.

Qiqi said: "He is he, you are you; even if he never returns, his affairs are not your responsibility."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I finally understand, those who seek great achievements cannot have affection." He gazed into Qiqi's eyes: "The Emperor is not simple; he understands Dakang's situation better than anyone."

Qiqi said: "I understand, I know, he only sees me as a puppet!" Her chest heaved violently; this was the first time she had revealed her true feelings in front of someone.

Hu Xiaotian stared at Qiqi, doubt flickering in his eyes: since Qiqi already grasps Long Xuan'en's true intentions, why does she still let herself be used? He merely wanted to remind Qiqi to guard against this ambitious upstart Long Xuan'en, who would sacrifice even his closest kin for power and feels no familial affection. Hu Xiaotian could not help but think of his father, who has vanished without a trace—could Hu Buwei be any different?

Qiqi's beautiful eyes filled with anticipation: "Do you still wish to help me?"

Hu Xiaotian did not directly answer Qiqi's question, but said softly: "I will let Zhou Dage and Yang Lingqi continue investigating the Divine Strategy Manor; for now I will not leave Kangdu."

Qiqi felt warmed; Hu Xiaotian leaving these people at the Divine Strategy Manor amounts to continuing to help her. Perhaps now is not the time to discuss grand plans with him; he needs time to heal his inner wounds.

Xu Fengyi is buried in the southeastern outskirts of Kangdu, ninety li from the city on Falling Cloud Mountain, which happens to be a key point between the Imperial Mausoleum and Kangdu. Hu Xiaotian chose this spot not only because the scenery is beautiful and the geomancy excellent, but also because the terrain is especially suitable for underground excavation.

Hu Xiaotian bought an estate at the foot of Falling Cloud Mountain to serve as his base outside Kangdu City, naming it Fengyi Shan Zhuang after his mother.

The manor itself is not large, covering just over ten mu, but Liang Yinghao, with the former brothers of the Muddy Water Gang, renovated it; in less than a month they had dug a crisscrossing network of tunnels beneath it, connecting everywhere.

After suffering the Emperor's frame-up, his father's abandonment, and his mother's death, Hu Xiaotian has long lost all faith in the Dakang dynasty. Although he wishes to find Murong Feiyan's whereabouts, he knows the old Emperor, while agreeing to his resignation and mourning, will never let him leave Kangdu far behind; if he discovers any plan to go far, he will almost certainly be killed.

Having thought it through, Hu Xiaotian now has a clear plan for the future: he will no longer avoid reality, but will use everything he has to take revenge on the schemers who plotted against him, and truly seize control of his own destiny.

In the blink of an eye more than a month has passed; Hu Xiaotian has built a hut by his mother's grave and spent most of this time practicing martial arts. Zhao Chongwu and Tang Tiexin went south to gather information a month ago and have not returned. Hu Buwei's last known location was South Ferry Island; since then it seems as if they have vanished from the human world, and the fifty‑ship fleet has sent no further word.

Today is the fifth seven‑day mourning period for his mother. Hu Xiaotian burns incense and paper money at the grave, kneeling in worship, when he sees two figures approaching from the mountain foot: Huo Shengnan and Weisa. Weisa comes every day to bring Hu Xiaotian food, while Huo Shengnan, following Hu Xiaotian's instructions, oversees the construction of the Divine Strategy Manor in Kangdu City, though he also comes by every seven days.

Hu Xiaotian is noticeably thinner and darker, with a thick beard growing on his upper lip and chin, giving him a more sombre, restrained demeanor; his eyes are bright, his gaze deeper and more penetrating than before.

Huo Shengnan presented the tribute, lit the paper money, and together with Weisa paid their respects at Xu Fengyi's grave.

After the rites, they came to Hu Xiaotian's side and whispered: "The five‑seven period is over; how much longer will you stay in this hut?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly: "Any news from the capital?"

Huo Shengnan knows Hu Xiaotian's greatest concern is still his father and the fleet; he shook his head: "Still no news; it seems the fleet really did not go to Luosong."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I have studied the sea charts with Yang Lingqi these past days; if they did not go to Luosong, the only islands along this route that could hold fifty warships are three. According to recent reports, those three islands have basically been ruled out, meaning they must have changed course. After resupplying at South Ferry Island, if they do not go to Luosong, the most likely place is to turn southwest and enter the Xiang Kingdom."

Huo Shengnan said: "But there has been no such news from the Xiang Kingdom."

Hu Xiaotian said: "If my guess is correct, the Xiang Kingdom must have someone cooperating, a person with considerable power who can even control the kingdom single‑handedly."

Huo Shengnan said: "Hai Prefecture has risen in revolt; the locals stormed the Government Office and killed the prefect."

"Officials oppress the people, the folk have no rice to eat, so of course they rebel." News of peasant uprisings has reached Hu Xiaotian often lately; he is no longer surprised and believes such incidents will only increase.

Huo Shengnan said: "Yongyang Princess Qiqi very much wants you to return; she has sent us to persuade you."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Whether I return or not makes no difference."

Huo Shengnan glanced at Xu Fengyi's grave and whispered: "Even if your paternal aunt knows in the afterlife, she would not want you to stay here forever."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I do not wish to remain here forever; I simply want to calm down and think about what I should do in the future."

Huo Shengnan said: "The Emperor is foolish and tyrannical, the people are rising, the surrounding powers loom, crisis is imminent—you ought to make your plans."

Hu Xiaotian was about to speak when he saw a troop approaching from the mountain foot—it was Yongyang Princess Qiqi, who remembered that today is the fifth seven for Xu Fengyi and had come specially from Kangdu to pay her respects, and also to see Hu Xiaotian and persuade him to return with her.

Third Update delivered, a new week begins, asking for recommendation tickets, speaking of which it's been a long time since I've been on the weekly recommendation list, as long as everyone remembers to vote, it shouldn't be too difficult, earnestly requesting your vote support! (To be continued~^~)