Chapter 1230

Just thinking of the reckless words he had spoken earlier in front of Hu Dafu, Wang Pangzi was so frightened he didn't dare turn his head, and in a sorry state followed the maid to a relatively secluded spot, only thinking of making a quick escape.

Xue Lingjun gave a glance to the maid beside her, then took the wine pot herself and filled Hu Xiaotian's cup before him. This made the guests present feel that their relationship was anything but ordinary—what status did Xue Lingjun have? Not only did she condescend to sit beside Hu Xiaotian, she even personally poured his wine, a courtesy even the host Zou Yong did not enjoy.

Zou Yong had originally wanted to invite Hu Xiaotian to take the seat of honor, but seeing the scene before him he could only give a wry smile—who would have thought this Da Yong princess would disregard what others think and, in full view of everyone, treat this merchant so affectionately? Was she not afraid of gossip? Then again, if Xue Lingjun truly cared about what people thought, she wouldn't have made such a scandal in Da Yong.

Xue Lingjun and Hu Xiaotian shared a drink, and while Zou Yong was taking the opportunity to ponder the next activity, he saw Xue Lingjun rise and say, 'I can't hold my liquor; I must take my leave.'

Zou Yong couldn't help but feel startled—the banquet had barely begun and Xue Lingjun was already saying goodbye; could it be that she had run into an old acquaintance and was eager to catch up? Zou Yong had wanted to detain her, but he knew it would be pointless, so he discreetly gave Yan Dongqing a look, and Yan Dongqing smiled, saying, 'Princess Sister, you've just arrived—why leave so soon?'

Xue Lingjun said, 'My head is spinning, I really can't drink any more.' Then she told Hu Xiaotian, 'Old Hu, you see me out!'

Hu Xiaotian stood up with a grin and said, 'It's my honor.'

Everyone watched Xue Lingjun and Hu Xiaotian leave one after another—some were baffled, some envious and jealous. Seeing that the matter had come to this, Zou Yong could not detain them, so he could only see them out the door.

As soon as Hu Xiaotian stepped outside, the servant waiting there came forward. Hu Xiaotian waved them off, and in the distance Xue Lingjun's carriage arrived, driven by Guo Zhenhai, deputy commander of the Golden Scale Guard. When Xue Lingjun had been on her mission to Dongliang Jun, Hu Xiaotian had once injured Guo Zhenhai, avenging the arrow wound he had suffered at Guo's hands in Xizhou. Because Hu Xiaotian had changed his appearance, Guo Zhenhai did not recognize him. Judging by Guo Zhenhai's condition, his internal injuries must have healed.

Xue Lingjun did not expose Hu Xiaotian's identity, and softly said, 'Take us to Fuqing Pavilion.'

Fuqing Pavilion is not far from the Garden of Knowing Spring; the two places are about three li apart. Outside Fuqing Pavilion one can see the guards stationed at the gate. This is where Xue Lingjun is staying. Along the way the two said nothing. Upon entering Fuqing Pavilion, Xue Lingjun dismissed the attendants, fixed her lovely gaze on Hu Xiaotian, and said, 'I never expected you to be so changeable. I thought you were still in Dongliang Jun, but I didn't expect you to have arrived in Lookout Seacity—you really can't stay still, going wherever there's excitement.'

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, 'Princess Sister, you're the same. From Yongdu to here it seems even farther than my journey; you've come a long way. Surely you have something important to discuss.'

Xue Lingjun said, 'Traveling this far is indeed tiring, but compared to physical fatigue, my heart feels even more weary. If it weren't for the Emperor's commission, I wouldn't bother coming all this way to such a tiny island nation.'

Hu Xiaotian laughed, 'Princess Sister, you've worn yourself out for Da Yong; your eldest nephew must be deeply grateful to you, right?'

Xue Lingjun could hardly miss the hidden meaning in his words; she glanced at him and said, 'Out with it—speak up, fart if you have to, don't beat around the bush here.'

Hu Xiaotian burst out laughing, 'When did your temper become so fiery? In my memory, you've always been gentle, refined, and full of charm.'

Xue Lingjun glared at him fiercely and said, 'That depends on who you're talking about! Wherever you go, trouble is sure to follow—spit it out! What mischief are you up to this time in Bohai State?'

Hu Xiaotian smiled, 'Princess Sister, you've wronged me. I came to Bohai State because a friend entrusted me with handling some matters he couldn't deal with himself.'

Xue Lingjun almost immediately thought of the Treasure Gathering Hall, yet she found it hard to believe—although her second brother often acts unpredictably, when faced with a major matter he shouldn't be clueless; how could he seek help from a rival of Da Yong? Even if they are sworn brothers, how much genuine friendship is there in that bond? Xue Lingjun sneered, 'You're full of lies!'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'I've always been frank with you, Princess Sister, but you keep things hidden from me. If you don't believe me, fine—I'm actually a bit puzzled. I've heard that Li Shen Zhou has also arrived in Bohai; why didn't he come with you today?'

Xue Lingjun blinked in surprise—she herself hadn't heard any news of Li Shen Zhou coming to Bohai State, and her heart sank involuntarily as she frowned slightly and asked, 'Where did you hear that?'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'I just felt curious; I had thought you came to deal with the Treasure Gathering Hall affair, but Li Shen Zhou arrived right after, making me think this isn't as simple as it seems.'

Xue Lingjun said, 'I came to Bohai State to discuss bilateral trade and, incidentally, to view the foreign scenery; it has nothing to do with anything else. Moreover, when I arrived in Bohai State, the Treasure Gathering Hall incident had not yet occurred.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'Everyone knows the Treasure Gathering Hall was opened by my elder brother; the King of Bohai's actions clearly show he has no regard for his feelings.'

Xue Lingjun saw through this matter clearly; after the Treasure Gathering Hall incident, she never actively inquired about it, for she knew it was a power struggle between the new ruler and Prince Yan, and she was not in a position to declare her stance. She said softly, 'I've also heard a bit about this: it happened because Bohai's Prime Minister Yuan Tianzhao was arrested, leading to a major case. As for the Treasure Gathering Hall, the steward here has close ties with Yuan Tianzhao and Python Flood Island, and I believe the Second Prince is unaware of this as well.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'If your new ruler thinks the same, that would be good—at least Prince Yan would have one less trouble.'

Xue Lingjun pressed her lips together and said, 'You seem to have something behind your words.'

Hu Xiaotian smiled, 'Da Yong isn't as strong as it looks; even a little Bohai State dares to deny Prince Yan face.'

Xue Lingjun said, 'The matter occurred within Bohai State; how could Da Yong interfere in Bohai's internal affairs?'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'Princess Sister, you've always been perceptive—Bohai State has paid tribute to Da Yong year after year, making it de facto a vassal; for Yan Dongsheng to dare this, he must have swallowed a leopard's gall and surely has someone backing him.'

Xue Lingjun said mockingly, 'You really wear yourself out for Da Yong.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'It's not just for Da Yong that I worry; I also worry for you, Princess Sister—though I don't know if you'll let me.'

Xue Lingjun's beautiful eyes softened with a tender gaze, as if thousands of threads were entwining Hu Xiaotian; she stared at him for a long while before speaking softly, 'Is that why you sought me out?'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'As the saying goes, once the birds are gone, the good bow is stored away—this truth has held since ancient times. I think your obedient nephew may not understand repaying kindness; he might even turn kindness into hatred.'

'You are deliberately sowing discord between us; if the Da Yong court were to split, they'd naturally have no time to bother with your affairs, giving you more time to scheme—Hu Xiaotian, Hu Xiaotian, you really have a clever plan.'

Hu Xiaotian smiled, 'Those who know my heart are you, Princess Sister—I certainly have my own motives, but even setting aside my personal interests, even if I do nothing, the Da Yong court would not be at peace; everyone can see clearly that Yan Dongsheng's crackdown on the Treasure Gathering Hall is truly aimed at Prince Yan, and we all know who stands behind him. Initially, Xue Daohong was able to ascend the throne smoothly thanks to your joint efforts with Prince Yan, but now that he believes his position is secure, he has begun to move against you.'

Xue Lingjun said, 'Don't alarmist; with the Empress Dowager on our side, he won't act against us.'

Hu Xiaotian burst out laughing, 'Actually I don't need to say more; you, Princess Sister, should understand why you've been sent to Bohai State. You may have considerable influence before Empress Dowager Jiang, but have you ever considered what would happen if something befell you in Bohai State?'

Xue Lingjun furrowed her brows—this brat actually dared to curse her.

Seeing her displeasure, Hu Xiaotian continued, 'Take today's banquet, for example—the Eldest Princess of Bohai State, Yan Dongqing, ostensibly wants to introduce Zou Yong to you, but do you know who Zou Yong is? He is the male favorite of the Bohai State queen dowager.'

Xue Lingjun's cheeks flushed, and she spat, 'He's not even worthy of my notice.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'I certainly know your taste isn't that bad, but Bohai State's various motives are indeed suspicious—one must harbor no ill intent yet cannot lack vigilance. If you think I'm deliberately stirring things up, then treat me as a brother who never came; farewell!' He rose as if to leave.

Xue Lingjun hastily rose and grabbed him, saying, 'When did I ever think that? You brat, sit down!'

Hu Xiaotian sat down again and said, 'All that talk has left me parched.'

Xue Lingjun gave him a glare, ordered tea to be brought, personally poured it and handed it to Hu Xiaotian, then whispered, 'What do you have in mind?'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'If you want to know whether they mean you harm, a test will tell: tomorrow you propose leaving Bohai State for Da Yong, and see whether they let you go smoothly.'

Xue Lingjun said calmly, 'I just don't believe they'd dare to stop me.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'Even if they let you leave, they might send men masquerading as pirates from Python Flood Island to ambush you along the way; in the end they could always blame the Python Flood Island pirates.'

Xue Lingjun sucked in a cold breath—Hu Xiaotian wasn't just alarmist—and she whispered, 'In fact, I've also noticed that since I set foot in Bohai State, someone has been secretly tailing me.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'I've heard that after the new ruler ascended the throne, Empress Dowager Jiang specifically urged you two to get more involved in state affairs.'

Xue Lingjun bit her cherry lips—the Empress Dowager had meant well, worrying that Xue Daohong had no one to assist him, but now it seems nine times out of ten her good intentions have backfired: not only did Xue Daohong not feel grateful, he grew wary and even harbored murderous intent toward her and Xue Shengjing.

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