Chapter 1065: Winning Hearts Is Supreme (Part 1)

Hu Xiaotian's spirits lifted at once when he heard it was a treasure site; if they found the treasure left by Emperor Taizong back then, raising an army would surely be twice the result for half the effort. But Qiqi, being a descendant of the Long clan, wouldn't she want to use this money to revive Dakang?

Hu Xiaotian said: "The place marked on the map seems to be Lone Smoke City in Bei Jiang of Da Yong; even if this treasure map is genuine, and we smoothly find the treasure according to it, how would we transport this wealth out of Da Yong?"

Hu Xiaotian wasn't deliberately pouring cold water on her; what he said were all facts. Qiqi couldn't help but sigh and say: "Distant water can't quench immediate thirst; you're right, even if we found the treasure, we'd only be making wedding clothes for others." She handed the Military Sage Formation Diagram to Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian said: "For me?" He had thought Qiqi was just saying it casually, but he hadn't expected her to actually give him the Military Sage Formation Diagram.

Qiqi said: "I don't understand military tactics anyway, so even if I took it, it would be of no use. Your trip to Dongliang Jun is fraught with danger, constantly facing threats from Da Yong; although I don't know whether this Military Sage Formation Diagram is truly miraculous, I believe it will still be somewhat helpful for you to establish a foothold."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Then I'll accept it."

Qiqi also handed over that treasure map to him.

This time Hu Xiaotian truly felt somewhat overwhelmed by favor; this treasure map was the Long family's treasure, yet Qiqi casually gave it to him, an outsider—did she have no suspicions about him at all, or was she trying to win him over by this means?

Qiqi said: "Keep this treasure map as well; if you get the chance, you can check whether this treasure map is genuine."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Aren't you worried I'll get the treasure and never return?"

Qiqi said: "Do as you wish!" She then sighed again: "Dakang's fortune is waning; perhaps once you leave this time, we'll never meet again." Her words were full of sorrow.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Why be so pessimistic? I'm not never coming back, and Dongliang Jun isn't my territory. It's a fief granted to you by the Emperor; I'm just going to manage it on your behalf this time."

Qiqi's expression darkened as she said: "I always thought that after suffering setbacks, the Emperor would finally come to his senses, but I never expected him not only to have learned nothing from it, but to be even more decadent and muddle-headed than before."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Mountains and rivers can be changed, but nature is hard to alter; perhaps the state and its altars are no longer important to the Emperor." Looking at Qiqi's weary face before him, Hu Xiaotian suddenly felt a pang of pity. After all, Qiqi was just a girl under fifteen; the pressure and responsibility she bore at her age were truly too great.

Hu Xiaotian said: "There's something I don't know whether I should ask you."

Qiqi lifted her head, glanced at him, and said: "There's no outsider here; go ahead and speak!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Do you want to be emperor?"

Upon hearing Hu Xiaotian say that, Qiqi couldn't help but laugh: "How could you think that?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I always feel that, despite your young age, you are extremely eager for power; the Emperor noticed this and therefore made you Prince of Yongyang."

Qiqi said: "You think I'm being used by him because power has addled my mind?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled without speaking, thinking to himself: "Exactly."

Qiqi said: "While he's using me, who knows I'm not using him? Indeed, I have entertained the thought of becoming emperor—who says only a man can be emperor? Who says a woman can't preside over the court? As a descendant of the Long clan, how could I stand by and watch our ancestors' state and altars be squandered by him? It's not that I'm power‑hungry; rather, when the state is collapsing, someone must step forward. Since they refuse, I have no choice but to step up myself."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Have you noticed that the Emperor's health is actually getting better and better? He keeps saying he'll hand power over to you, but that's just to confuse you. To be frank, in his heart he truly cares about nothing but himself."

Qiqi sighed and shook her head: "It's only my lack of ability; even knowing he's using me, I can't resist."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Actually you've been resisting all along; it's just that the outcome is uncertain. Though you're temporarily at a disadvantage now, it doesn't mean it will always be that way in the future."

Qiqi said: "If it weren't for me showing too much talent, perhaps he wouldn't have rushed to transfer you away from Kangdu."

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's only a matter of time; the Emperor has showered Hong Beimo with extra favor. If there's still anyone in the court whom he can fully trust, it's Hong Beimo. Hong Beimo won't let the Divine Strategy Office develop in Kangdu; only by my leaving here can we truly develop our strength." He deliberately used the term "we"; hearing it, Qiqi felt a warm glow inside, and Hu Xiaotian ultimately still hadn't forgotten himself.

Qiqi said: "In this situation, I don't even know what to do. Dakang is everywhere plagued by famine and rebel uprisings; winter has already arrived, and who knows how many will starve or freeze to death this season. Yet the Emperor turns a blind eye to all this, feeling nothing."

Hu Xiaotian silently thought: The old emperor only wants to ask the Dao about longevity; he certainly won't care about other matters. He whispered: "Actually, the idea of enfeoffing vassals is not something I want to use you to provoke the Emperor with; for present-day Dakang, this is also the only feasible method, and it could save more commoners."

Qiqi said: "I understand; Chancellor Zhou said the same, but His Majesty is extremely obstinate on this matter and firmly opposes the suggestion of enfeoffing vassals."

Hu Xiaotian said: "So we can only, before the state collapses, find a place to plant our feet, first seek self‑preservation, and only then consider how to save more of Dakang's people. If we ourselves can't even survive from morning to night, how could we talk about rescuing myriad people from fire and water?"

Qiqi bit her cherry lip and said: "Will you still come back?" Gazing at Hu Xiaotian, her beautiful eyes were full of expectation; she had never before placed such hope on anyone from childhood to adulthood.

Hu Xiaotian laughed and countered: "Do you want me to come back?"

Qiqi nodded without hesitation.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Then I'll come back!"

"Why?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Don't forget, you and I have a marriage pact; if I abandon you, how could my conscience be at peace?"

A bashful blush rose on Qiqi's pretty face; she somewhat nervously stared at her own toes and whispered: "Actually, the Emperor had you and me engaged in order to harm you, and then use this affair to frame Li Tianheng of Xichuan."

Hu Xiaotian said: "That's why I won't let him have his way; the more he tries to use me, the more I'll go along with it to let him steal a chicken and lose the rice—he won't harm me, and instead he'll have to compensate me with a princess."

Qiqi spat: "You're so devious!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "So you'd better not think of taking advantage of me, or… hehe…" This guy laughed, growing even more sinister.

Qiqi said: "When have I ever taken advantage of you? I've only ever suffered losses…" Recalling how Hu Xiaotian had just kissed her eight times in a row, she felt so ashamed she wished she could find a crack in the ground to hide in.

Seeing Qiqi's bashful expression, Hu Xiaotian's heart also warmed; he secretly thought: she is, after all, an inexperienced young girl, but recalling Qiqi's past deeds, his mind instantly went on alert—Qiqi, being a Long clan descendant, values power and status above all else in her heart; from her various actions one can see she aspires to be Dakang's first female emperor who opens heaven and earth. Her current reasonableness is merely her performance after suffering a major political setback; once she gains power again, she might well revert to her old ways, so he must always treat her with extra caution.

Qiqi said: "Should we be leaving now?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Since we've found what you needed, of course we should go; otherwise, that old turtle Quan De'an wouldn't know what to think."

Qiqi pointed upward and said: "It's so high; I can't climb up."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "I can't climb up either!"

The reason Qiqi remained so calm was because she believed Hu Xiaotian could definitely bring her out of this place; hearing him say that, she couldn't help but startle: "What? Then you can still laugh?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Having Dakang's princess by my side makes even death worthwhile."

Qiqi's face today had hardly been normal at all; the flush had just faded, and now she began to run a fever. She whispered: "Don't waste your time being insincere here; I know you've always disliked me!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "That was true before, but tonight I discovered you still have a lovable side; when you don't act like a princess, you're much more endearing."

Qiqi bit her cherry lip and said: "Then… from now on, when we're alone together, you shouldn't treat me as a princess…" She said this with such effort that after finishing she was so shy she couldn't even open her eyes.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Then I'll call you Qiqi, and you call me Brother Xiao Tian—how about that?" Saying this, even he felt it was corny.

Qiqi nodded seriously.

Hu Xiaotian bent down and said: "Climb up, Brother Xiao Tian will take you flying!"

Qiqi obediently climbed onto his broad back, wrapped her arms around Hu Xiaotian's neck; Hu Xiaotian drew a deep breath, leapt into the air and swooped forward like a great bird toward the stone wall, his body suddenly twisted, he bent his knees and pushed hard with both feet against the rock, launching himself toward the opposite wall; upon reaching the far side he twisted again, and thus he kept darting back and forth, using the reaction force from pushing off the wall to gain altitude—soon he was back on the shore of the pool.

On his back, Qiqi felt as if she were riding clouds and mist; she dared not look down, merely fixed her gaze on Hu Xiaotian's neck, her heartbeat quickening unconsciously. Reflecting on all the places she had experienced in her life, none compared to the joy of being with Hu Xiaotian in this cavern. Yet thinking of Hu Xiaotian soon departing Kangdu, henceforth separated by heaven and earth, not knowing when they might meet again, her nose tingled and two crystal tears slipped out. Unaware at first, by the time she realized it was too late to hide them, the tears had already dripped onto Hu Xiaotian's neck.

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