Chapter 1067: Parting Ways with Kangdu Again (Part 1)

Tang Tiehan, Tang Tiecheng, and Tang Qingxuan — the three Tang siblings — and Hu Xiaotian could be said to have become close only after a fight; nowadays the Tang siblings already admire Hu Xiaotian wholeheartedly, especially Tang Qingxuan, who went from seeing him as a lecher to regarding him as her dream lover and idol. It's a pity that Hu Xiaotian is already engaged to the Yongyang Princess, which left Tang Qingxuan feeling heartbroken for a while.

However, upon seeing Hu Xiaotian, Tang Qingxuan still couldn't help blushing and her heart racing; she felt as if she were bewitched, and likely would never be able to free herself from him in this lifetime.

Hu Xiaotian received the three siblings in the flower hall, smiling and saying, "I don't know what brings my three old friends here; do you have any advice for me?"

Tang Tiehan said, "Sir Hu, I heard the Emperor exiled you to Dongliang Jun?" He always speaks without thinking, directly using the word 'exile.' Tang Qingxuan gave a light cough, obviously reminding her elder brother not to talk nonsense.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "It's not exile; the Emperor granted Dongliang Jun to the Yongyang Princess as her fief, sending me there to manage it on her behalf. Tang Elder Brother, you've misunderstood."

Tang Tiehan said, "Sir Hu, who doesn't know what Dongliang Jun is like? Sending you there, the Emperor certainly has no good intentions."

Hu Xiaotian burst out laughing. Tang Tiehan may be hot-tempered and crude, but he's not ill-intentioned. During Hu Xiaotian's mission to Da Yong, he had saved the Tang siblings several times, after which they regarded him as their lifesaver. Hu Xiaotian said, "No matter what the Emperor thinks, having made his decision, we subjects have only to obey."

Tang Qingxuan finally couldn't hold back and reminded her elder brother, "Elder Brother, don't talk nonsense!"

Tang Tiehan said, "What's there to fear? Everyone knows Dakang's fortune is exhausted; if this continues, all we can do is wait to die."

Tang Tiecheng chimed in from the side with a muffled voice, "Exactly!"

Tang Tiehan said, "Never mind other things, just look at the cattle and horse market: in the past, livestock were traded for pulling carts and plowing fields, with crowds thronging daily. Nowadays you can barely see a few animals; the several major cattle and horse markets in Kangdu are deserted, and even when occasional trades occur, the livestock are bought not for use but to be eaten." The Tang family has always made a living from evaluating horses, and they have deep feelings for them. Whenever this matter is mentioned, the Tang siblings are filled with righteous indignation.

Tang Tiecheng said, "Even my father has nothing to do, idling away at home all day, and he too says Dakang is finished."

Tang Qingxuan frowned slightly; their family circumstances were still decent, and in today's increasingly depressed era they could at least eat enough and stay warm. However, their standard of living had dropped considerably, many servants had been let go, and if this continues, they will soon face running out of grain.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Tang Elder Brother, saying these things here is fine, but you must never speak of them outside; if word gets out, it will surely invite unnecessary trouble."

Tang Tiehan said, "There's nothing to fear either; losing one's head is just a scar the size of a bowl's rim, and after eighteen years you'll still be a fine man."

Hu Xiaotian understood Tang Tiehan's temperament; he gave a faint smile and said nothing more.

Tang Qingxuan saw that her elder brother had talked for a long time without stating their purpose for coming; she felt anxious and reminded him again, "Elder Brother, don't forget the real business."

After his sister reminded him, Tang Tiehan finally realized; he scratched the back of his head, gave an embarrassed hehe laugh, and said, "Look at my memory — if my sister hadn't reminded me, I would have forgotten why I came."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Tang Elder Brother, just speak plainly if you have something to say."

Tang Tiehan said, "That's right; I intend to go with you to Dongliang Jun."

Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian was pleased; although Tang Tiehan is blunt, he has talent in judging horses, and the Tang family's standing in the horse‑evaluation world is like Mount Tai and the North Star in the martial world — if we could get their help, it would be perfect. Hu Xiaotian asked, "Sir Tang, do you know about this?"

Tang Tiehan said, "My father? Hey! He's already resigned his office and been idle at home for over three months, and he doesn't want to stay in Kangdu either."

Hu Xiaotian asked this because he worried that if the Tang siblings got too close to him they might suffer retaliation from the court; hearing that Tang Wen Zheng had already resigned his office and thus had no worries about repercussions, he smiled and said, "All right, Tang Elder Brother, since you're willing, I couldn't ask for more."

Tang Tiehan laughed and said, "I knew you'd agree; my sister has been worrying you might refuse."

Hu Xiaotian glanced at Tang Qingxuan, who had already lowered her head in embarrassment.

Tang Tiehan had his sister and brothers step out first, as he had a few things to say privately to Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian also dismissed the others; when only the two of them remained in the flower hall, Tang Tiehan said, "Sir Hu, I want to bring up a matter."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Just say it; no need to beat around the bush."

Tang Tiehan said, "Then I'll say it: Sir Hu saved my life and also my sister's life; he is our benefactor."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Tang Elder Brother, don't say that; there's no need to keep dwelling on the past."

Tang Tiehan said, "Of course we must remember, we must remember this for life; my life is yours — whether it's climbing blades of swords or plunging into flames, if I Tang Tiehan so much as furrow my brow, I'm not worthy of being human. My sister is the same; I can see she would give you anything."

Hu Xiaotian's face flushed red at Tang Tiehan's words; "Damn it, Tang Tiehan, you're too blunt — that's your own sister!" He could only force a smile and say, "I can't accept that, I can't accept that!"

Tang Tiehan said, "We three brothers have only this one sister; since childhood we've treated her as our Bright Pearl, we understand her thoughts, she likes you and wants to marry you."

Hu Xiaotian fears no clever person, who can deal with him using wit and wisdom, but facing Tang Tiehan this sort of blunt fellow, reasoning with him is like playing music to a cow; once he's made up his mind he will surely speak it out and persist relentlessly. Hu Xiaotian said, "Tang Elder Brother should know, I am already engaged to the Yongyang Princess."

Tang Tiehan said, "I know, but a man as outstanding as you — who isn't destined to have three wives and four concubines? The Yongyang Princess would be your chief wife, and my sister would be your concubine."

Hu Xiaotian was dumbfounded; encountering Tang Tiehan this single‑minded fellow left him with no recourse — in this vast world nothing is surprising, and there are even those who rush to offer their sister as a concubine to someone else. Hu Xiaotian said, "Tang Elder Brother, don't joke; it would be wrong to wrong your sister."

Tang Tiehan earnestly said, "It wouldn't be a grievance; that night she got drunk and confessed to me, saying that if she couldn't marry her beloved, she'd rather spend her life alone as an old maid. As her elder brother, I'd rather she be your concubine than let her suffer loneliness all her life — don't you agree?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed through tears and said, "Tang Elder Brother, let's not mention this, alright?"

Tang Tiehan said, "Could it be that you don't take a liking to my sister? It's not me boasting — in the past two years, suitors have come to our doorstep in droves, but my sister's heart belongs only to you; besides, you've kissed her mouth and touched her hand, so you can't shirk responsibility!"

Hu Xiaotian's face flushed with embarrassment; he gave a wry smile and said, "Tang Elder Brother, let's drop this for now; I'll explain things to Miss Tang myself another day."

Tang Tiehan laughed and said, "I knew you were a man of loyalty and righteousness; actually, who isn't destined for three wives and four concubines? Taking another wife would be no problem for you — to be frank, I myself have three concubines."

Hu Xiaotian knew this fellow was beyond reason; he tried to persuade him with kind words, but Tang Tiehan was determined to accompany him.

After seeing off the Tang siblings, Hu Xiaotian returned to Huo Shengnan's room; Huo Shengnan had finished bathing, her loose hair hanging over her shoulders, still slightly damp. Hu Xiaotian approached from behind, leaned in to smell her hair, and said, "It really smells wonderful!"

Huo Shengnan asked, "The guests have left?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "The Tang siblings want to go with me to Dongliang Jun."

Huo Shengnan couldn't help laughing: "That's great — the Tang family are experts at raising and training horses, which will surely aid your future endeavors, and besides, Tang Qingxuan is quite beautiful."

Hu Xiaotian then told her about Tang Tiehan's plan to give Tang Qingxuan to him as a concubine; Huo Shengnan laughed till she shook, cooing, "Isn't that just exactly what you wished for?"

Hu Xiaotian gave a bitter smile and said, "You think I'm that promiscuous?"

Huo Shengnan said, "You're not promiscuous; you're affectionate — you love whoever you meet."

Hu Xiaotian embraced her and said, "You are the one I love most."

"You're lying — who knows how many women you've told that to." Huo Shengnan immediately exposed him.

Hu Xiaotian said, "The long night is sleepless; I'm about to set off on a journey — won't my dear Huo Shengnan give me a proper farewell?" As he spoke he began to fondle her; Huo Shengnan, her face flushed and heart racing from his teasing, muttered angrily, "When we're alone together, do you only think about such things?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Practicing cultivation and discussing love need not conflict; why not enjoy something that gives the best of both worlds?"

After their passion, their two naked bodies clung tightly together; Huo Shengnan's jade arms and beautiful legs twined around Hu Xiaotian like ivy, as if trying to squeeze out his essence, her slender white fingers lightly stroking his firm back, she whispered softly, "You're getting more and more savage!"

Hu Xiaotian pressed the tip of his nose against hers and pecked her cherry lips: "I've held back too long!"

Huo Shengnan slapped his shoulder, but instead it only reignited his ardor; amid her delighted cries he entered her again. Huo Shengnan's hands clung to his neck, her cherry lips parting and closing, her long black lashes trembling with excitement.

The red candles on the table flickered; the light filtered through the red curtains appeared alluring and romantic.

Huo Shengnan leaned to his ear and whispered softly, "I like you no matter what…"

After watching the military parade, Two updates delivered, today's good day didn't come easily, dear readers, while you're reading, don't forget to give lots of encouragement, and vote a lot! (To be continued~^~)