Chapter 1283

However, when Su Yuchi thought of Hu Xiaotian, his mood suddenly grew heavy. Hu Xiaotian had successfully taken Bixin Mountain, meaning he had taken the first step toward controlling Yunze. Next, he should expand outward from Yunze as a base, continually enlarging his sphere of influence. Yunze will become his naval base, and Wangchun River can bear the heavy task of continuously transporting supplies. Having such an opponent as a neighbor is certainly no easy matter.

Su Yuchi said to Yuan Qing Shan, "Qing Shan, I want you to personally go to the capital and deliver a secret letter to the Emperor."

In Kangdu, the spring air grew ever thicker; the sky showed a pure blue, willow tips began to sprout green, lush green grass pushed up from the soil, the air became warm and fresh, the water grew moist, and even the wind started to turn gentle.

The willow wind that does not chill the face, Long Xuan'en also walked out of the palace; in the memory of the palace servants, this winter he seemed never to have visited the imperial garden.

The sunshine did not bring Long Xuan'en a good mood; his complexion was dark and frightening. Although his hair and beard had turned jet-black, making him look much younger than his actual age, his eyes were filled with mania and anger. The palace servants dared not approach, heads bowed, and this morning they personally witnessed Long Xuan'en strangling his beloved consort to death on the bed.

Long Xuan'en suddenly turned around and snapped, "Where is Hong Beimo? Why hasn't he arrived yet?"

The attending eunuch Yin Zheng said cautiously, "Your Majesty, we have already sent someone to urge him; he should be arriving shortly."

Long Xuan'en glared at the palace servants and snapped, "What are you all standing here for? Do you intend to harm me? Withdraw, so I may have some quiet."

Hearing his order, the palace servants felt relieved and hurriedly retreated.

Hong Beimo entered the imperial garden at a leisurely pace, just seeing the palace servants all withdrawing, and deduced that Long Xuan'en must be in a foul mood.

Seeing Hong Beimo arrive late, Long Xuan'en's displeasure deepened; he coldly asked, "Are you very busy?"

Hong Beimo respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, please do not blame me; I am late because I was preparing an elixir for Your Majesty." He then presented the prepared wooden box.

Long Xuan'en took the wooden box, opened it, and saw a cinnabar-red pill inside, emitting a strange fragrance. His expression eased slightly: "Is this the elixir of immortality?"

Hong Beimo said, "It is not yet refined; this elixir can strengthen Your Majesty's body..."

Upon hearing that it was not the elixir of immortality he desired, Long Xuan'en flew into a rage, heavily throwing the wooden box to the ground; the elixir bounced out and rolled into the bushes. He shouted, "Hong Beimo, do you know what I want? You promised me this before, but the agreed time has passed—why is it still not refined? Why is it still not refined?"

Hong Beimo showed no fear, calmly saying, "Your Majesty, please be patient; the elixir is in the furnace, and it will be refined in another seventy-seven times forty-nine days."

Long Xuan'en looked at him half-believing, half-doubting.

Hong Beimo said, "Your Majesty, you are now much younger than before." He was implying that his elixir had already taken effect on Long Xuan'en.

Long Xuan'en snorted coldly, "Lately I have been uneasy all day. I wonder if this is the effect of your elixir." He suspected that the elixir Hong Beimo gave him had harmed his body; over the past period he had clearly felt uneasy, almost every night plagued by nightmares. Such days had become unbearable for him.

Hong Beimo said, "Your Majesty should relax; the domestic situation has been improving lately. The revival of Dakang is imminent..."

Long Xuan'en waved his hand, indicating he should not continue, and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty now concerns himself with only one matter."

Hong Beimo said, "Your Majesty, rest assured; the Reincarnation Tower is about to be completed, and the elixir you need is near completion."

Long Xuan'en coldly stared at him and said, "I am about to lose my patience. This time you had better not deceive me."

Hong Beimo said, "Please, Your Majesty, have a little more patience." Seeing Long Xuan'en's mood ease somewhat, he seized the moment to advise, "Your Majesty, it is time to appoint a crown prince."

Long Xuan'en gazed at Hong Beimo, a sense of wariness rising in his heart; why was Hong Beimo so eager about this? Did he intend to use Long Tingzhen to replace him? He replied calmly, "The timing is not yet ripe."

Hong Beimo also did not continue on that matter, softly saying, "I heard Hu Xiaotian sent troops to suppress Bixin Mountain."

Long Xuan'en gritted his teeth and said, "Under the banner of suppressing bandits, he is merely seizing the opportunity to expand his territory—a wolf's ambition, obvious to all!"

Hong Beimo said, "The Yongyang Princess has come of age; Your Majesty, it is time to consider marrying her to Hu Xiaotian."

These words awakened the dreamer; during this period Long Xuan'en had only thought of immortality, overlooking this important matter. Indeed, marrying Hu Xiaotian to Qiqi would give him no reason not to return to Kangdu; if he dared to return, then Long Xuan'en would have a chance to eliminate this great threat.

Qiqi listened to Quan De'an's report on the latest situation, couldn't help sighing, her gaze fixed on the map of Dakang on the wall, after staring for a long time she said: "Hu Xiaotian occupies Yunze; it won't be long before the surrounding cities of Yunze will fall into his hands."

Quan De'an said: "His wings are gradually growing full; he is no longer the playboy son of the Secretary's mansion of old." In the matter of Hu Xiaotian, Quan De'an has always disagreed with Qiqi's approach; without Qiqi's help, Hu Xiaotian would not have reached this point.

Qiqi said: "People always change!" Hu Xiaotian's handsome face appeared before her eyes, yet she didn't know whether he would think of her in the distance.

At this moment, Chancellor Zhou Ruoyuan came to pay a visit; Qiqi had Quan De'an invite him in.

Zhou Ruoyuan's first words upon entering were: "Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Highness!"

Qiqi said: "What is there to celebrate?"

Just now the Emperor summoned several of us officials to discuss the princess's marriage, preparing to wed the princess in May!

Qiqi furrowed her brows slightly and said: "Why marry me off without first telling me?" She immediately realized the Emperor's urgency in marrying her off was not pure; likely seeing Hu Xiaotian's power continually growing, he felt threatened and thus wanted to use the marriage as a pretext to summon Hu Xiaotian back to Kangdu; in that case, this marriage is certainly not a good thing.

Qiqi gave a glance, and Quan De'an withdrew.

Qiqi said: "Chancellor, do you think the Emperor's doing this has some ulterior motive?"

Zhou Ruoyuan smiled and said: "The princess's marriage was decided long ago; now the wedding is a natural progression. Lord Hu is young and talented; since he went to Dongliang Jun, he has made many contributions for Dakang, and the Emperor marrying the princess to him is also a reward for him."

Qiqi coldly said: "So in the Chancellor's eyes, I am merely a prize?"

Zhou Ruoyuan bowed and said: "I spoke rashly; I hope Your Highness will not hold it against me."

Qiqi said: "You should understand the Emperor's thoughts, Chancellor; if Hu Xiaotian truly returns, he will likely never have a chance to go back."

Zhou Ruoyuan said: "If he does not return, that proves he has developed divided loyalties; the princess surely would not wish to see this happen."

Qiqi sighed; Zhou Ruoyuan had hit the nail on the head—she was torn over this matter. If Hu Xiaotian returns, Laohuangdi will surely move against him, lightly imprisoning him or severely executing him. But if Hu Xiaotian refuses to return, that shows he is insignificant in her heart, and also proves Hu Xiaotian has indeed harbored rebellious intentions, wanting to carve out a territory and proclaim himself king.

She slowly walked to the window, gazing at the bright spring light outside, and asked: "Chancellor, what do you think I should do?"

Zhou Ruoyuan said: "I dare not speak rashly on this matter; I believe the princess's wisdom will surely find a solution."

Qiqi also understood that others would not conveniently say anything about this; she nodded and said: "You may go."

Not long after Zhou Ruoyuan left, Hong Beimo of the Bureau of Heavenly Secrets came to pay a visit; in Qiqi's heart, Hong Beimo has always been her nemesis, and it seemed there had never been a history of him voluntarily coming to her door—this time, why did he come? Could it also be related to her impending marriage?

Hong Beimo indeed came for this matter; he sought Qiqi's opinion, as the Emperor had decided to build a prince-consort residence on the existing foundation of the Hu mansion, and Hong Beimo's visit this time was precisely to solicit Qiqi's opinion.

Hong Beimo brought a blueprint of the parts he intended to remodel. He presented the blueprint with both hands to Qiqi, but she didn't even look at it, setting it aside, and said calmly: "Mr. Hong, you've gone to trouble, but Dakang is now in troubled times; the people lack food and are displaced—where would we find so much money for grand construction? The original regulations of the Secretary's mansion are fine enough; a little repair would make it habitable, no need to spend more."

Hong Beimo said: "Princess truly has the people's welfare at heart; this is indeed Dakang's fortune."

Qiqi said calmly: "It's a pity that monsters run rampant and corrupt ministers hold power; my alone strength cannot lead Dakang out of its difficult situation."

Hong Beimo smiled faintly, knowing she was mocking him in a roundabout way.

Qiqi said: "Mr. Hong, is there anything else?" Saying this was tantamount to seeing him out.

Hong Beimo did not rush to leave, but sat down, seemingly offhandedly asking: "Princess, do you think Lord Hu will return after receiving the news?"

Qiqi eyed him warily: "Mr. Hong, you certainly have a lot on your mind; if you're not at ease, why not go yourself to Dongliang Jun and bring him back?"

Hong Beimo chuckled: "Princess seems to be full of suspicion toward me."

Qiqi said: "Mr. Hong, you are the Emperor's most loyal subject; how could I possibly guard against you?"

Hong Beimo said: "I am not loyal only to the Emperor alone; my loyalty is to Dakang!" He looked at Qiqi and asked: "Has the Emperor mentioned anything else to the Princess?"

Qiqi frowned and said: "What's the matter?"

Hong Beimo said: "Your Highness's third imperial brother, Long Tingzhen, has already been found!"

First Update delivered, then I realized today is Monday, please give recommendation votes! There will be another update tonight! (To be continued~^~)