Chapter 1120

Hu Xiaotian said: "How can sister start talking about this? Without the court's trust and support, I wouldn't have won these two victories. Today, the Emperor even specially sent an imperial envoy to come and commend me." Although Xue Lingjun spoke the truth, Hu Xiaotian could not admit it; in front of her he still put on a brave face, pretending peace.

Xue Lingjun chuckled: "Why were you sent to Dongliang Jun? Everyone knows, without hiding it from you, I came this time to persuade you to see the big picture, not to be complacent about the two victories you just won. The Emperor promises that as long as you look after the overall situation, join forces with the officers and soldiers to turn from darkness to light, all past events can be forgiven, and you will also be reused, promoted and ennobled. What do you think?"

Hu Xiaotian narrowed his eyes, putting on a look of deep thought.

Xue Lingjun thought he was moved by her words, and softly said: "A good bird chooses a tree to roost in; a wise minister chooses a lord to serve. With your intellect, you should know what choice to make."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Are you advising me to become a traitor who sells his lord for glory? Don't you know the principle that a loyal minister does not serve two masters?"

Xue Lingjun couldn't help laughing: "Whether you're a loyal minister is not for you to say!" Hu Xiaotian, no matter how you look at him, would never be a loyal minister; in Xue Lingjun's eyes, he is an opportunist, taking advantage of Dakang's weakness and Da Yong's internal instability to profit from both sides. Judging from current developments, this guy is actually thriving.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Don't forget, I am still engaged to the Yongyang Princess. Advising me to betray Dakang is tantamount to making me abandon my fiancée as well. Betraying the court is disloyal; abandoning one's fiancée is unjust. Do you want me to be a disloyal and unjust person?"

Xue Lingjun said disdainfully: "Just an underage little girl; what does a real man lack a wife? If you submit to Da Yong, I will select a peerlessly beautiful woman from the imperial clan for you to marry."

Hu Xiaotian deliberately said: "Is there anyone more beautiful than you in the Da Yong imperial clan?"

Xue Lingjun's beautiful eyes rippled with alluring glances as she cooed: "If you are willing to come, I can keep you company day and night thereafter." Her appearance was extremely seductive; if Hu Xiaotian hadn't already known her well, he would have been deceived by her bewitching charm.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Sister, there's no need to bring this up again. No matter what, I will never betray Dakang."

Xue Lingjun, hearing his firm refusal, couldn't help sighing: "I didn't expect you to be so stubborn." She felt a faint disappointment, realizing that her charm had no effect on Hu Xiaotian at all.

Hu Xiaotian said: "When I first came to Dongliang Jun, I never thought of opposing Da Yong; the situation developing to this point is also not what I wished. Sister, you can convey my reply to your lord: Hu Xiaotian only seeks a place to settle down, with no ambition of expansion."

Xue Lingjun said: "If you have no ambition of expansion, can you return Dongluo Storage?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Sister, your words surprise me. Although I captured Dongluo Storage, my purpose at the time was to use this method to force your army to retreat. After capturing Dongluo Storage, I immediately ordered a withdrawal; now Dongluo Storage is not within my jurisdiction at all, I have no say over it, so how can we talk about returning it?"

Xue Lingjun was truly impressed by this guy's ability to speak nonsense with a straight face. He clearly seized Dongluo Storage, yet now claims it is not under his jurisdiction. Xue Lingjun couldn't help feeling angry; does he think everyone else is a fool? Her face lost all smile, and she coldly said: "What's the point of saying such things?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I know you won't believe me, sister thinks. Relying solely on us, could we have easily taken Dongluo Storage?"

Xue Lingjun furrowed her brows; this problem has long troubled the Da Yong court and populace. Dongluo Storage's walls are high and wide, easy to defend but hard to attack, yet Hu Xiaotian almost effortlessly seized it—likely due to an insider. Not many know the true reason why Chang Fanqi held Qin Yangming captive; from Da Yong's perspective, Chang Fanqi probably colluded with Hu Xiaotian long ago. She whispered: "Are you saying Dongluo Storage is under Chang Fanqi's control?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and nodded: "The fate of Dongluo Storage is not up to me. Sister, if you want to take back Dongluo Storage, you should negotiate with Chang Fanqi. Personally I have no objection; as long as he agrees, I will certainly not oppose."

Xue Lingjun secretly thought this was most likely Hu Xiaotian's excuse, but for the moment she couldn't find a major flaw; she softly sighed: "Whether you believe me or not, I came this time to help you. Missing this opportunity, you may later regret it deeply."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I appreciate your kindness, sister. I promise you that no matter when, it will never affect our friendship; sister will always be the one I respect most in my heart."

Xue Lingjun naturally wouldn't believe his sweet talk, and softly said: "Can you arrange a meeting between me and Chang Fanqi?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "He is in Dongluo Storage; sister, if you want to see him, you probably have to go to Dongluo Storage."

Xue Lingjun said: "What about Qin Yangming?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Qin Yangming is temporarily detained in the dungeon of Dongliang Jun; I can arrange for you to meet him."

After Dongluo Storage fell, Chang Fanqi and his mother were both invited to Dongliang Jun. Had it not been for fear that Hu Xiaotian would harm his mother, Chang Fanqi would have already fought them; but Hu Xiaotian used his mother's life as leverage, forcing Chang Fanqi to seize the Da Yong army's commander Qin Yangming—in fact making him a traitor to Da Yong. After Dongluo Storage was lost, Hu Xiaotian did not make things difficult for them; although he had their mother and son brought to Dongliang Jun, he did not imprison them, but rather treated them well with food and drink.

Chang Fanqi, though possessing skills, had nowhere to use them; during his time in Dongliang Jun he grew thin, losing his former vigor and aura. His mother's eyes are blind; due to her old age, her mind is often not clear, and she doesn't really know what happened. Instead, she is delighted that her son has been staying by her side every day lately. Only her smile can bring Chang Fanqi some comfort; all his ambitions have been set aside, he no longer seeks fame or profit, only wishing to care for his mother in her twilight years, and to consider his own affairs after she passes.

Although Chang Fanqi repeatedly consoled himself, his inner gloom could not be easily dispelled, and he eventually fell seriously ill. Because he was ill, Hu Xiaotian specially sent a doctor over, and also assigned two attendants to take care of their food and daily needs.

Chang Fanqi had been ill for about half a month before gradually improving; he also heard the news that Princess Xue Lingjun had come on a diplomatic mission, giving him some hope for the future, yet also making him anxious, fearing that his past deeds could not be washed away even by jumping into the Yellow River.

After the snow cleared, Chang Fanqi was silently holding a stone lock in the courtyard, wearing only a sleeveless cotton vest, his thick arms' muscles knotted, practicing intently when he heard the door rustle—someone outside knocking: "Is General Chang in?"

Chang Fanqi furrowed his brows; he recognized Hu Xiaotian's voice. When he was ill before, Hu Xiaotian had once come to visit him. Chang Fanqi's impression of him was deep, his resentment deep; if it weren't for Hu Xiaotian harming him, how would he have ended up like this? Although he currently lacks nothing in food and clothing in Dongliang Jun, after all he lives under others' soft confinement, his every move monitored by outsiders.

Chang Fanqi ignored him and continued exercising with the stone lock.

Hu Xiaotian pushed the door open and walked in, smiling: "I thought General Chang wasn't home."

At that moment, Old Lady Chang, supported by a maid, walked out of the room and exclaimed delightedly: "Could it be Xiao Tian coming?" She addressed him so affectionately because Hu Xiaotian, in her presence, falsely claimed to be Chang Fanqi's friend; Hu Xiaotian's eloquence is excellent, always saying things that warm the old lady's heart, and besides, he usually takes good care of her, so she holds him in high regard, constantly praising him. Although Chang Fanqi despises Hu Xiaotian's hypocrisy, he cannot expose it in front of his mother, fearing she would learn the truth and become worried; thus he can only swallow his grievances and resentment, which is also why he fell ill recently.

Hu Xiaotian handed a box of bird's nest to Old Lady Chang's hands: "Auntie, this is the bird's nest I brought for you; later I'll have the servants cook it into porridge for you to nourish your body."

Old Lady Chang beamed with joy: "How could I feel embarrassed? Xiao Tian, you always bring me gifts whenever you come, though I have nothing to give you in return. Fanqi, hurry up and thank your brother Xiao Tian."

Chang Fanqi, helpless, still had to act in front of his mother, whispering: "Thanks!"

Old Lady Chang said: "You two talk; I'll go outside to bask in the sun."

Hu Xiaotian respectfully saw Old Lady Chang out, then returned to Chang Fanqi's side, smiling: "Brother Chang, your body seems to have fully recovered."

Chang Fanqi coldly said: "It's all thanks to you!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Brother Chang, you still hold a grudge over the city's capture, huh!"

Chang Fanqi said: "Why bring up the past again?" In his heart he had never truly accepted this defeat; if it weren't for Hu Xiaotian using underhanded means to coerce him, the outcome might have been completely different.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Princess Xue Lingjun has come on a diplomatic mission, proposing several ceasefire terms."

Chang Fanqi remained silent; although he was somewhat curious about Princess Xue Lingjun's terms deep down, he also understood that his fate was sealed—in Da Yong he would never be able to hold his head high, destined never to clear his name.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Brother Chang, are you willing to return to Da Yong?"

Chang Fanqi pressed his lips; Hu Xiaotian had asked a rather thorny question. He wasn't unwilling to return to Da Yong, but going back would mean facing a military inquiry—let alone the fact that, on the battlefield, he had seized the Da Yong commander Qin Yangming and personally delivered him to Hu Xiaotian; this crime alone would merit multiple executions. He whispered: "You have repeatedly dragged me into injustice, and now how else do you intend to harm me?"

Please give the guaranteed monthly ticket! (To be continued... ^_^)