Chapter 1056

Hu Xiaotian, upon hearing of Xue Shengkang's demise, immediately went to the Yongyang Princess's residence. Qiqi did not attend court today; since she began acting as regent, she had never missed a single court session. After falling out with Long Xuan'en over the enfeoffment matter, Qiqi finally realized she was merely a tool he was using.

Qiqi had also just received the news of Xue Shengkang's demise. No matter what, this is good news for Dakang. Seeing Hu Xiaotian arrive at her door, Qiqi guessed it was most likely related to this matter, glanced at his face, and said, 'You finally deigned to return.'

Hu Xiaotian clasped his fists and said, 'Congratulations, Princess, congratulations, Princess!'

Qiqi said, 'Xue Shengkang's death isn't really a great joy; he still has many sons, and after the new ruler ascends the throne, there's no guarantee he won't revive the idea of invading the south.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'No matter what, the internal affairs of Da Yong will be in turmoil for a considerable period, which for Dakang means an opportunity to catch its breath.'

'Internal troubles and external threats; even if the external threats are somewhat alleviated, the internal troubles remain. Your Majesty rejected my proposal, deeming the idea of enfeoffing the feudal lords as having ulterior motives.' Saying this, Qiqi's beautiful eyes coldly fixed on Hu Xiaotian; after all, this idea was his.

Hu Xiaotian said, 'It seems Your Majesty doesn't care at all about Dakang's survival; earlier you said you would let the Princess handle state affairs, but now you intervene again—Your Majesty's golden words can actually be reversed.'

Qiqi said, 'What do you have in mind?'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'To save Dakang, the only way is to truly grasp control of state power; as long as the Emperor remains on the throne for even a day, he likely won't let the Princess have her way.'

Qiqi's eyebrows furrowed in anger as she shouted, 'Bold madman, dare to incite me against Your Majesty!'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'I haven't even said it yet; how do you know I intend to advise you to act against Your Majesty? Unless you yourself already think that way deep down.'

Qiqi bit her lip and said, 'Such talk must not be spoken recklessly; if outsiders learn of it, not only will you be in trouble, but I will be implicated as well.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'So the Princess understands; our fates have already become intertwined.'

Qiqi sighed and said, 'I now realize that I am utterly powerless to change Dakang's predicament.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'The fundamental solution is simply to let the old man step aside.' The 'old man' he referred to was naturally Laohuangdi Long Xuan'en.

Qiqi said, 'You speak lightly, but solving this problem is easier said than done. Hong Beimo firmly controls the Bureau of Heavenly Secrets and the Feather Forest Army; we simply lack the strength to oppose him.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'Why doesn't the Princess leave this trouble-ridden capital and seek development elsewhere?'

Qiqi was about to ask his meaning when Quan De'an hurried in from outside, looking tense, and said, 'Your Highness, the Emperor summons you and Commander Hu to the palace at once.'

Hu Xiaotian was somewhat startled, after all he had already resigned his post and was now merely a commoner; why would the old emperor seek him out? Most likely it was because of his future status as prince consort. But how did the old emperor know he was at Qiqi's residence? It seems he must have planted spies near the princess's mansion.

Qiqi also found it strange and whispered, 'Go shave off your beard and accompany me to the palace to see the Emperor.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'That will do.'

Qiqi gave him a sideways glance and said, 'No matter how I look at you, you're displeasing to the eye!'

Hu Xiaotian secretly chuckled; how could a beard on his own face bother her eyes? He retorted, 'Then I simply won't look.'

Long Xuan'en received them both in the Hall of Nurturing the Heart. The news of the Da Yong Emperor's demise put Long Xuan'en in high spirits, his expression bright and cheerful.

Hu Xiaotian performed the salute and said, 'Commoner Hu Xiaotian pays his respects to Your Majesty; may you live ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years.'

Rise!

Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!

Long Xuan'en narrowed his eyes to size up Hu Xiaotian, finding the fellow's dense beard novel. Seeing he was still dressed entirely in black, he recalled that Hu Xiaotian was still in mourning. He nodded and asked, 'Have you finished handling your family affairs?'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'All taken care of, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.'

Long Xuan'en said, 'You are my future grandson-in-law; it is only natural that I care for you.' He had palace attendants bestow seats, and Hu Xiaotian and Qiqi sat down side by side.

Qiqi said, 'I don't know why Your Majesty has summoned us to the palace.'

Long Xuan'en said, 'I trust you have already heard of the Da Yong Emperor's demise.'

Qiqi nodded and said, 'I only just received the news this morning.'

Long Xuan'en smiled and said, 'It seems Heaven continues to bless our Dakang. With this event, Da Yong will undergo a shift in domestic power and inevitably face upheaval.'

Hu Xiaotian offered flattery: 'Your Majesty's fortune is vast as the heavens; truly cause for celebration.'

Qiqi said, 'Compared to external threats, internal worries are more troubling; even if we gain a brief respite, without improving the domestic situation we cannot eradicate the hidden dangers.'

Long Xuan'en nodded and said, 'Last night I reflected repeatedly, recalling your proposal from yesterday; I realize I have been overly harsh with you. Over this period I have seen all your hard work; you have exhausted yourself for Dakang, and your suggestion of enfeoffment was intended to help Dakang out of its predicament.'

Qiqi felt a stir in her heart; hearing his tone, it seemed his anger had faded—could he have already endorsed the suggestion of enfeoffing the feudal lords?

Long Xuan'en said, 'But the ancestral estate handed down cannot simply be given away to outsiders for nothing; it's also unclear whether your proposal is feasible. I intend to first find a place to try it out; if it yields results, I will gradually implement this approach. What do you think?'

Qiqi said, 'Your Majesty is wise.' Though she felt uneasy inside, she did not know what place Long Xuan'en would choose for the trial, nor who would be tasked with carrying it out.

Long Xuan'en said, 'I plan to start with Dongliang Jun; Hu Xiaotian, are you willing to share Dakang's burdens and resolve its difficulties?'

Hu Xiaotian could hardly believe his ears—Long Xuan'en had actually granted Dongliang Jun to him. Laohuangdi certainly had no good intentions; Dongliang Jun was a city given to Dakang by Da Yong as compensation for the death of Princess Anping, located north of the Yong River, surrounded on three sides by Da Yong territory with only its southern side facing the river. Although Dakang had obtained this city, it dared not station troops there, merely sending a few officials to take charge symbolically. After Dongliang Jun returned to Dakang, the populace's standard of living plummeted, and the wealthy families in the city largely chose to migrate into Da Yong territory.

In fact, the Dakang ruler and his ministers all understand that Dongliang Jun will sooner or later be taken back by Da Yong; as soon as the Da Yong Emperor makes a demand, Laohuangdi will not even frown and will readily return Dongliang Jun with both hands.

Although Hu Xiaotian knew Long Xuan'en harbored no goodwill, he was secretly overjoyed—the old emperor's act was like releasing a tiger back to the mountains, finally giving him a legitimate excuse to leave Kangdu. To Laohuangdi, Dongliang Jun was a worthless morsel, but to Hu Xiaotian it became a foothold for establishing himself and developing. Hu Xiaotian said, 'Commoner is willing, but…' His heart blossomed with joy, while outwardly he still pretended to be rather reluctant.

Long Xuan'en said, 'What is it then? The fact that Dongliang Jun can be returned to Dakang also owes something to you. I will grant Dongliang Jun to Qiqi as her fief; you are her future husband—are you willing to manage Dongliang Jun on her behalf?'

Qiqi understood Long Xuan'en's meaning; superficially he spoke of granting Dongliang Jun as her fief, but in reality he intended to keep her in the capital and send Hu Xiaotian to Dongliang Jun to handle everything. Although Dongliang Jun is nominally part of Dakang, in fact the people's hearts lie entirely with Da Yong; should war break out between the two states, Dongliang Jun would be the first to suffer. Long Xuan'en's arrangement truly reveals ulterior motives.

Hu Xiaotian said, 'I am willing, Your Majesty!'

Long Xuan'en said, 'Your expression seems somewhat reluctant.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'I worry that I might fail to live up to your imperial trust.'

Long Xuan'en said, 'I originally did not intend to give you this opportunity; your father betrayed my trust, taking my fleet and navy and vanishing without a trace. Yet since I personally arranged your marriage to Qiqi, out of consideration for her I will give you another chance to prove yourself. If you can manage Dongliang Jun well, first it will help Dakang share its burdens, and second it will silence the gossips, allowing the officials to see your ability.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'I understand, Your Majesty.'

Long Xuan'en said, 'Dongliang Jun is Dakang's northernmost city, truly a frontline outpost; because of its sensitive location, it has not been heavily garrisoned. When you go there, first you must help gather intelligence on Da Yong's movements and promptly report any stirrings to the court; second, you must stabilize the people's hearts, making them truly realize that Dakang is their homeland.'

Hu Xiaotian bowed and said, 'I will obey your edict, Your Majesty!'

Long Xuan'en waved his hand and said, 'You may withdraw first; I still have a few words to say to Qiqi alone.'

Hu Xiaotian withdrew respectfully.

After Hu Xiaotian left, Qiqi's expression turned cold and she said, 'Your Majesty's arrangement really goes to great lengths.' Transferring Hu Xiaotian out of the capital is clearly not merely to remove her capable aide; if Hu Xiaotian departs, her Shenji Prefecture would surely become an empty shell.

Long Xuan'en said, 'Qiqi, I made this arrangement also because I followed your suggestion. If Hu Xiaotian has the ability to govern Dongliang Jun well, it will prove your proposal feasible; if he lacks this ability, not only will it show your proposal unworkable, but it will also prove he is utterly unqualified to be Dakang's future prince consort.'

Qiqi felt a jolt in her heart—could Long Xuan'en be contemplating calling off the marriage? She whispered, 'Since Dongliang Jun is granted to me as my fief, I too will go to Dongliang Jun.'

Long Xuan'en smiled and said, 'You have not yet married him—how could you go there? Besides, there are so many affairs at court; if you leave, who will help me share the burdens and resolve difficulties?'

Qiqi said, 'I see Your Majesty is healthy and hearty; I am hardly needed to assist you.'

Long Xuan'en said: "In my heart, the one I love most has always been you. Last night I was too harsh with you. I promise you, I will never treat you like that again. You must not be angry with me." Only Qiqi could make him, the ruler of a nation, so gentle and pleasant. (To be continued~^~)