Chapter 1231

Inside Mirror Water Estate, after Zhou Yong saw off the guests, he came alone to Clear Wind Pavilion, where Yan Dongqing was waiting for him inside. He closed the door, and Yan Dongqing quickly stepped forward and threw herself into his embrace. Zhou Yong held her and kissed her passionately, his hands roaming, caressing her until Yan Dongqing breathed softly and moaned, as if in a dream, saying: "I really miss you."

Zhou Yong laughed and said, "I really don't know which of your words, Princess, are true and which are false."

Yan Dongqing wrapped her arms around his neck, her bright eyes fixed on his face, and said, "How can you still not understand my feelings for you?"

Zhou Yong said, "If you truly mean well by me, why would you bear to push me toward another?"

Yan Dongqing's beautiful eyes showed a hint of worry; she let go of Zhou Yong and sighed softly, saying, "Yong brother, circumstances force our hand—how could I, Dongqing, neglect the future and fate of the nation for my own feelings?"

Zhou Yong secretly sneered, wondering when he had become so important. This Yan Dongqing is also a fool, actually thinking that using her beauty could control a nation's future. It seems she not only loses her wits when meeting men, but also lacks sense in politics.

Yan Dongqing said, "Besides, Xue Lingjun herself is stunningly beautiful, a rare gem—surely you feel at least some attraction?"

Zhou Yong sat down in the chair, deliberately putting on a displeased look, furrowed his brows, and said, "I simply don't like being used as a tool; whose idea is it to have me bewitch Xue Lingjun?"

Yan Dongqing said, "You just need to do it; there's no need to investigate further—bottom line, I won't harm you."

Zhou Yong said, "Xue Lingjun already has someone in her heart; I see she and that Hu Dafu have something unclear—perhaps they've already been carrying on an affair."

Yan Dongqing said, "I didn't expect that either—how did a Hu Dafu suddenly appear? Have you looked into his background?"

Zhou Yong nodded and said, "I've already checked—he's a son-in-law who married into the family of Mr. Qiao of Myriad Prosperous Flourish. He came here with the Qiao family's eldest daughter, Qiao Xianglian, and is currently staying at Knowspring Garden; there should be no problem, though that Qiao young lady is said to be a jealous vinegar pot."

Yan Dongqing laughed and said, "If that's the case, Hu Dafu isn't timid—having a shrewish wife, he still dares to openly flirt with the Princess of Da Yong; if his wife found out, wouldn't that be trouble?"

Zhou Yong gave a wicked grin and said, "I'm afraid she already knows!"

Hu Xiaotian and Xue Lingjun were in a secret talk when they heard a commotion outside, faintly hearing a woman's angry voice shout, "Hu Dafu, get out here!"

Hu Xiaotian's heart jolted; he immediately recognized the voice as Yan Nujiao's—he hadn't expected that just after he arrived at Xue Lingjun's place, she would show up right after him. From the tone, it was clear she came with ill intent.

Xue Lingjun glanced at Hu Xiaotian, somewhat startled, not knowing who had come outside.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "It seems someone has been tailing us, afraid we might overstep the bounds."

Xue Lingjun chuckled and said, "Looks like they come with ill intent—why not go out and see?"

Hu Xiaotian had already pulled the door and stepped outside, only to see over a hundred torches lit outside the gate—it was Yan Nujiao who had brought all the guards and servants of Knowspring Garden out. Guo Zhenhai's Golden Scale Guard also found this quite troublesome; they could only stay behind closed doors, after all this is still Bohai State territory, and the opposing side came with a mighty force to look for a man. The Princess Xue Lingjun has always had a bad reputation; her subordinates also personally saw her bring a man inside. Nevertheless, everyone secretly criticized Xue Lingjun's taste, for this man's appearance was really quite ordinary.

Xue Lingjun and Hu Xiaotian walked down the small building, while Yan Nujiao still led people outside shouting insults. Xue Lingjun signaled Guo Zhenhai to open the gate, but saw Yan Nujiao and her group file in one after another.

Xue Lingjun had seen Yan Nujiao before; at a glance she immediately understood the other was acting in cahoots, secretly amused. Yan Nujiao rushed up and grabbed Hu Xiaotian's ear: "Hu Dafu, you bastard, eating my food, drinking my drink, using my things, and yet you dare to seduce another woman behind my back!" The little lass played her part with plenty of spice, actually bringing a jealous vinegar pot to life.

Hu Xiaotian pretended to yell in pain, "Let go, let go, or I'll hit you!" He guessed someone must have secretly tipped off Yan Nujiao about his coming to Blessing-Pure Pavilion, fearing chaos.

You dare!

Hu Xiaotian quickly changed his expression, pleading bitterly, "Wife, lady, this is the Princess of Da Yong—please don't lose propriety."

"What's with the Princess? This is Bohai State, not Da Yong; the Princess can't go stealing other people's husbands!" Yan Nujiao glared at Xue Lingjun; anyone could see the fury in her eyes, but only she herself knows how much is genuine and how much is an act.

Xue Lingjun gave a hollow chuckle and said, "He has his own hands and feet—I didn't tie him up; he came of his own accord. If you're capable, keep watch over your own man."

Yan Nujiao snapped, "Hah, stealing someone's husband and acting so righteous—I'll teach you a lesson!" She lunged at Xue Lingjun, but Hu Xiaotian grabbed her in one go, thinking, "You've acted enough," yet unexpectedly Yan Nujiao raised her hand and slapped him across the face; though not hard, the slap was crisp and loud.

Hu Xiaotian was dazed by that slap, thinking, "Are we playing for real? She actually dared to hit my face." Before he could recover, Xue Lingjun also rushed forward and slapped his face, shouting, "Hu Dafu, I order you to divorce your wife right now—or don't ever come see me again!" Slapping faces is nothing special; countless men have been slapped by the Princess, and Hu Xiaotian is no exception.

Guo Zhenhai's Golden Scale Guard all felt embarrassed, unable to lift their heads—how humiliating, the Princess actually stealing someone's husband; they had thought it impossible, but now it seems certain. They couldn't intervene, being in the wrong, but after mutual persuasion, they managed to separate the two sides.

Hu Xiaotian left Blessing-Pure Pavilion in low spirits, Yan Nujiao tugging his ear all the way to the carriage; as soon as he entered, she flung herself into his arms like a kitten, whispering in his ear, "I was just acting for outsiders' eyes—you mustn't be angry with me."

Hu Xiaotian covered his fake face, thinking, "Who did I provoke? Acting shouldn't warrant slapping my face." Fortunately he hadn't ripped off this mask; he seized Yan Nujiao, pressed her down onto his knee, and lightly smacked her buttocks twice.

Yan Nujiao cooed, "Hubby, are you less angry now?"

Hu Xiaotian gritted his teeth and said, "No, when I get home I'll strip naked and beat you, beat you hard!"

Yan Nujiao's eyes were silkily seductive as she gazed at Hu Xiaotian, breathing softly, "Do whatever you want…"

The quarrel between Qiao Xianglian and Xue Lingjun over a husband spread through River-View City overnight, becoming the talk of the streets and alleys; Qiao Xianglian's jealous visit was secondary, after all they were a married couple, and this Princess of Da Yong became the target of public censure, with many beginning to discuss her conduct.

Xue Lingjun didn't care about outsiders' gossip, since no one dared say it to her face; she therefore took the opportunity to suggest leaving Bohai State. As Hu Xiaotian had expected, the moment she said she wanted to go, Bohai State gave her a warm reception, all signs indicating things were turning against her—if when Hu Xiaotian first proposed cooperating with her she still had reservations, now she has developed a deep sense of crisis; this mission must be a plot by Xue Daohong, who may seek to use this chance to eliminate her.

The next morning, Zou Yong went to Know Spring Garden to pay his respects to Hu Dafu. Upon hearing he was coming, Hu Xiaotian personally went out to greet him at the gate. Zou Yong did not mention what had happened yesterday, and said with a smile, 'I, Zou Yong, have boldly come to your door; I hope Brother Hu will not take offense at my abruptness.'

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, 'Young Master Zou, please come in, Young Master Zou, please come in quickly.'

Zou Yong presented the gift he was holding and said, 'I have prepared a modest gift, one part of which is for your sister-in-law.'

Upon hearing him mention his wife, Hu Xiaotian deliberately sighed.

Zou Yong had, of course, heard about what happened yesterday, secretly amused, and deliberately asked, 'Brother Hu, why are you sighing?'

Hu Xiaotian sighed again and said, 'Yesterday I escorted the Grand Princess back, and after a few words at her residence, who would have thought that that she-tiger somehow got wind of it, came to my door and caused such a scene that heaven and earth were darkened, leaving me utterly embarrassed. When I returned, I said a couple more harsh words to her, and in my anger she actually left without a farewell!' This was a plan devised by Hu Xiaotian and Yan Nujiao; by taking this opportunity to let Yan Nujiao temporarily stay out of sight, not only could they avoid exposing their identities, but it also gave Hu Xiaotian a great chance to get close to Xue Lingjun.

Zou Yong said in astonishment, 'Your sister-in-law left?'

'She left!'

'Where did she go?'

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said, 'How would I know? Women are always like that; when they go mad they don't even recognize their own kin. I can't be bothered with her—let her die out there.'

Zou Yong chuckled and said, 'Husband and wife always quarrel at the head of the bed and make up at the foot; Brother Hu, you shouldn't take it too seriously.'

Hu Xiaotian invited him to the flower hall; after host and guest were seated, Hu Xiaotian asked, 'Young Master Zou, what brings you here this time?'

Zou Yong said, 'I just wanted to have a casual chat with Brother Hu, and by the way ask what business Myriad Prosperity intends to pursue in Bohai this time.'

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, 'I won't hide it from Young Master Zou—I came this time to start a jewelry business in Bohai.'

Zou Yong exclaimed, 'The jewelry business in Bohai isn't easy to do; Brother Hu, haven't you heard about the Treasure Gathering Studio?'

Hu Xiaotian lowered his voice and said, 'It's precisely because the Treasure Gathering Studio has been shut down that I see an opportunity.'

Zou Yong's heart stirred, yet he kept his composure and said, 'Although Myriad Prosperity is one of the foremost firms under heaven, when it comes to background in Da Yong, it seems it still can't compare to Prince Yan, right?' His meaning was very clear: even the Treasure Gathering Studio, which has Prince Yan as its backer, has been reduced to being investigated and sealed, let alone Myriad Prosperity. Although one seeks wealth amid danger, to try to snatch money from the knife's edge, the risk one must bear is inevitably enormous. (To be continued~^~)