Chapter 1066

Hu Xiaotian said: "We've arrived!"

Qiqi however had no intention of getting down, still tightly hugging his neck, because Qiqi worried that he would see her crying. Although Qiqi was extremely intelligent, in matters of the heart she was completely inexperienced, a greenhorn girl, obviously cannot be compared with the veteran in love Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed himself for being despicable, to be willing to say such things to a little girl; he admitted his impression of Qiqi had changed, but that did not mean he would fall for this little lass. One principle of love is: the deeper one falls, the more passive one becomes. Hu Xiaotian's motive was not pure; he simply wanted Qiqi to gradually fall into the love net, only then could he truly control her and make her serve him. Dealing with women, scheming is inferior to using feelings.

Only after regaining control of her emotions did Qiqi get down from Hu Xiaotian's back, turn and look at the pool that had become a deep pit, and softly sigh: "This senior Zhuge is truly extraordinarily wise, actually able to devise such an exquisite design."

Hu Xiaotian quite agreed with this; Zhuge Yun Chun is absolutely a rare person in the world, such a design is ingeniously conceived, with layers of mechanisms; even if one arrived here, one would not think there were secrets in the pool, and even if one wanted to go treasure hunting in the pool, one would likely be swallowed as a snack by that giant crocodile. Just don't know why Qiqi would know this place's secret; could it be that Long Xuan'en knows nothing about it? This girl's thoughts are meticulous; who knows how many things she is hiding from me.

The two left along the original route, and Hu Xiaotian sent Qiqi to the exit leading to Zilan Palace.

Qiqi said: "I'm leaving!"

Hu Xiaotian suddenly grabbed her small hand and pulled her into his embrace; in the darkness Qiqi's delicate body visibly trembled a bit, she had not expected Hu Xiaotian to make such a move, and his subsequent action made her heart flutter even more. Hu Xiaotian actually lowered his head and kissed her soft lips; Qiqi's lips were as soft as feathers, slightly cool from just having come out of the water, yet the girl's unique tenderness and moistness made him feel extraordinarily comfortable.

Qiqi's small hand clutched Hu Xiaotian's clothing; faced with his passionate kiss she was completely at a loss, not knowing how to respond. Only after Hu Xiaotian released her did she spit out: "You... you... bold!" and actually stammered.

Hu Xiaotian laughed in the darkness: "Since we are engaged, before I leave I must collect some interest."

Qiqi clenched her fists, her heart feeling both joy and shyness; she had never felt this way before. If one said that just now underwater she and Hu Xiaotian's lips met eight times, that was merely for breathing. Now it was he who actively kissed her, and only then did Qiqi realize she was his fiancée.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Let's go, don't let Eunuch Quan wait too long."

Qiqi lowered her head and walked forward, took a few steps then stopped again, softly saying: "You... when are you leaving?" Usually articulate, she tonight became incoherent.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Maybe three days. Once things are ready here, I'll leave right away."

Qiqi hummed in acknowledgement, then hurried toward the exit.

Hu Xiaotian watched her back, touched his own lips. The lingering fragrance remained, the tender sensation left him with endless aftertaste. Using such tactics on a girl—is it somewhat immoral? But Qiqi is not only a little girl, she is also his fiancée, and moreover a deep‑scheming conspiratrix; if he cannot control her heart, he will likely suffer at her hands. Hu Xiaotian cannot afford to gamble, cannot afford to lose again.

Following Hu Xiaotian's orders, Hu Fo had already dispersed the servants of the Secretary's mansion; these people, hearing that the young master was going to Dongliang Jun, did not have many who wanted to follow, for everyone knows what Dongliang Jun is like—if Da Yong attacks, the first to suffer will surely be Dongliang Jun. Most people took the settlement fee Hu Xiaotian gave and left, after all most still have families in Kangdu; actually there is another reason: the Hu family's relatives have little affection for this young master, since Hu Xiaotian was a fool before sixteen, nobody ever really communicated with him much.

The first to volunteer to go along was Liang Da Zhuang, who showed great determination in this matter; Hu Xiaotian, adhering to the principle of freedom to come and go, since Liang Da Zhuang was resolute about following him, agreed to his request.

As for Fengyi Shan Zhuang, it was temporarily left to Yang Lingqi to manage; Hu Xiaotian had no intention of letting Yang Lingqi go with him, he wanted to keep Yang Lingqi by Qiqi's side to devise strategies for her. Now Qiqi has Quan De'an handling martial affairs, her personal safety should not be a big problem; what is lacking is someone who can share her worries and offer counsel, and that is exactly Yang Lingqi's forte. Hu Xiaotian left Liu Kuohai at Fengyi Shan Zhuang to assist Yang Lingqi, and for any urgent matters he can travel back and forth to spread news; meanwhile Fengyi Shan Zhuang still has over a hundred members of the Hunshui Bang. As for the estate's daily affairs, they were all entrusted to the old steward Hu Fo to manage; some relatives unwilling to leave were also taken along by Hu Fo, of course only if they could be trusted.

Hu Xiaotian preliminarily decided on those going to Dongliang Jun: Liang Yinghao, because of his talent in architecture, wanting to improve Dongliang Jun's defenses—Liang Yinghao will surely play an important role. Xiong Tianba, because this kid grew up in the Wuxing Jun area, is very familiar with the situation along the Yongjiang River, and his father is Xiong Anmin, the magistrate of Cangmu County, who has considerable popular support there; Xiong Tianba will certainly find a place to make his mark. Weisa, she will surely follow Hu Xiaotian closely; in her eyes, aside from Hu Xiaotian, there are no other relatives in this world.

As for Zhao Chongwu and Tang Tiexin, who went south to gather news, they have still not returned; when they do come back, we will temporarily keep them in Kangdu, for the situation there is likely even more urgent than in Dongliang Jun, and Hu Xiaotian wants to leave some aides for Qiqi.

The only undecided is Huo Shengnan; according to Hu Xiaotian's original intention he wanted Huo Shengnan to go with him to Dongliang Jun, but here in Kangdu we are lacking someone who can hold down the fort; although Yang Lingqi is extraordinarily wise, he may not be able to control these warriors.

At night, Hu Xiaotian went to Huo Shengnan's room; since Hu Xiaotian went to Fengyi Shan Zhuang, Huo Shengnan has rarely come to the Secretary's mansion, spending most of her time residing in the Shen Ce Fu, that is, after Hu Xiaotian returned she also came to the Secretary's mansion.

Huo Shengnan still wore her mask and a set of neat warrior attire; Hu Xiaotian knocked on the door, then pushed it open and entered.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian's full beard gone, Huo Shengnan was also somewhat surprised, she glanced at him and said: "Still this refreshing."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "In your own room, why are you still dressed so neatly?"

Huo Shengnan misunderstood, and softly spat: "You never change!"

Hu Xiaotian came to her side, extended his right hand, and touched her face; Huo Shengnan grabbed his big hand and whispered: "What are you doing?"

"Just want to see what you look like."

Huo Shengnan turned aside, quietly lifted her mask, and when they faced each other again she had restored her original appearance.

Hu Xiaotian reached out to support her beautifully curved chin, gazing at her with deep affection until Huo Shengnan's cheeks flushed, her long black lashes drooping like a butterfly's wings in the wind, she whispered: "What's there to look at? It's not like I haven't seen you before."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Although I've seen you before, I still never tire of looking." He lowered his head and moved in to kiss her luscious cherry lips, but Huo Shengnan blocked his chest with a finger, preventing him from getting close, and said: "Don't you have anything else you want to say to me?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Nothing much, just preparing to leave Kangdu the day after tomorrow; you also get ready, and we'll go together to Dongliang Jun."

Huo Shengnan said: "I'm going too?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Huo Shengnan shook her head: "If I leave, who will take charge of things here?"

Hu Xiaotian actually also had a headache over this; if it weren't for Zhou Mo and Xiao Tianmu's successive betrayals, he wouldn't be short of manpower here.

Huo Shengnan said: "Although the Shen Ce Fu is just an empty frame, it still needs someone to be in charge; before a better replacement appears, I'd like to stay temporarily in Kangdu, so I can learn of the court's movements at the earliest."

Hu Xiaotian said: "But I also need you."

Huo Shengnan gave him a sideways glance: "What do you need me for?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "General Huo is both literary and martial, capable on the battlefield and in the bridal chamber; if I didn't have you by my side, wouldn't I be unable to enjoy my food or find peace in sleep?"

Huo Shengnan couldn't help but laugh: "Get lost! If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll immediately leave far away, so you'll never find me again."

Hu Xiaotian grabbed her wrist and said: "I won't let you go." He pressed his body toward Huo Shengnan; her beautiful eyes showed a mix of shyness and panic, and she certainly knew what he intended to do.

But just then Hu Xiaotian stopped his movement, lowered his voice and said: "Someone's coming!" His hearing was incredibly sensitive; the footsteps outside the courtyard, from far to near, had already reached his ears.

As expected, Hu Fo's voice came from outside the courtyard: "Young master! The Tang siblings are here." Indeed, Tang Tiehan and his two siblings had arrived.

Hu Xiaotian lowered his head and lightly kissed Huo Shengnan's cherry lips like a dragonfly skimming water; Huo Shengnan's eyes flickered, she coquettishly said: "I don't want you to go..." Her eyes were like silk, and the heroic and spirited General Huo, when acting coquettish, was even more moving.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Then I'll first accompany you in three hundred rounds of battle before we talk!" He made a motion to take off his clothes.

Huo Shengnan laughed softly: "Hurry up, business comes first." She was just teasing Hu Xiaotian, pushing him toward the door; Hu Xiaotian said: "Wait for me, I'll be back soon!"

"Got it, I haven't even taken a bath yet."

"Wash up nice and fragrant and wait for me!"

Huo Shengnan blushed and hummed in acknowledgement.

Hu Xiaotian walked out the door, then turned back: "Strip naked and wait for me on the bed!"

"Get lost!" (To be continued... )