Chapter 1285

Qiqi shook her head.

Hong Beimo said: "There are some things Quan De'an wouldn't know, but how do you know? You've never seen a portrait of your mother before, so how could you recognize her as your mother at first sight?"

Qiqi coldly said: "You're overthinking it; making up such a lie to deceive me must have been a lot of trouble for you."

Hong Beimo said: "I have no need to deceive you. Ling Jiazi's constitution differs from ordinary people; the inheritance I spoke of should be clear to you. As you age, you will receive many secrets in your dreams. Haven't you often acted according to dream guidance, only to find it actually came true?"

Qiqi's heart tightened; this secret she had never told anyone, so how could Hong Beimo know?

Hong Beimo said: "Memory can be inherited!" His eyes were full of hope.

Qiqi said: "Since you know so many secrets, why not tell the Emperor?"

Hong Beimo said: "He only wants immortality, never caring about others' feelings. Over these years, I haven't been loyal to him; between us it's always been mutual exploitation."

Qiqi's clear, beautiful eyes fixed on Hong Beimo as she asked: "What secrets do you hide in the imperial tomb?" From her intuition she realized this must be related to the tomb.

Hong Beimo smiled: "Your Highness is indeed sharp as ice and snow. The Emperor wants an elixir of immortality; I've been working on this for him all these years."

"Does an elixir of immortality truly exist in this world?"

Hong Beimo laughed and shook his head.

Qiqi looked at Hong Beimo, full of confusion, and said: "Since you know there isn't one, why deceive him? Aren't you afraid of losing your head?"

Hong Beimo said: "Whether I believe it or not doesn't matter; the key is that the Emperor believes. But after deceiving him for decades, he's begun to suspect, and this will soon be impossible to conceal."

Qiqi said: "Given your current status, Master Hong, you shouldn't have anything to worry about."

Hong Beimo chuckled: "These years, without the Emperor's financial support, I couldn't have fulfilled my wish. As my goal draws nearer, I also fear falling short at the last moment." Hong Beimo did not conceal his situation; if Long Xuan'en discovered that the so-called elixir of immortality was merely a hoax, the outcome would be easy to imagine.

Qiqi asked: "What does Master Hong want from me?" If it were merely because of the so-called memory inheritance, for a Canon of Heavenly Tours she has no impression of at all, she would certainly not believe it; no matter how eloquently Hong Beimo speaks, what he seeks from her is certainly not just that. Qiqi realized that his reason for revealing so many secrets is truly to cooperate with her.

Hong Beimo said: "I know Your Highness may not believe all I say, but there is an urgent matter: the Emperor has already found Long Tingzhen. He is currently in the Lingxiao Palace on Mount Piaomiao, and the Emperor will likely soon appoint him as crown prince."

Qiqi said calmly: "He is my imperial brother..." She paused involuntarily; if what Hong Beimo said were true, then she and Long Tingzhen share no blood relation at all. She doesn't even bear the Long surname, nor is she of the Dakang imperial lineage.

Hong Beimo said: "I have no interest in the realm; my greatest wish is to complete this imperial tomb. Without the court's financial support, this cannot be done. Your Highness's thoughts, I know somewhat; if we join forces, each taking what we need, Dakang might indeed be transformed."

Qiqi's heart stirred, yet she remained outwardly calm and coldly said: "Master Hong, are you advising me to rebel?"

Hong Beimo said: "Ling Jiazi died because of depression, but if not for the humiliation inflicted by Long Xuan'en and his son, she might not have chosen death in the end." He subtly reminded Qiqi that Long Xuan'en and his son are also her mother's killers.

Qiqi said: "Since Dakang's founding, there has never been a precedent of a woman ascending the throne!"

Hong Beimo smiled: "History is written by those in power; with your wisdom, you could certainly become a pioneering empress."

Qiqi smiled faintly: "Master Hong, you've mistaken the person and the intention; I have no lust for power."

Hong Beimo gazed at this girl who says one thing but means another, his smile enigmatic, and he whispered: "Your Highness, do you know who rescued Long Tingzhen?"

Qiqi blinked, already guessing this matter had to do with Hong Beimo.

Hong Beimo said: "I rescued Long Tingzhen, and I reported his situation to the Emperor. Without hiding it from Your Highness, I tampered with him, stimulating his potential; soon he will rebel. I will fan the flames, the Emperor will suffer in this palace coup, and Long Tingzhen's fate will inevitably be defeat. Would Your Highness be willing to become the one who puts down the rebellion?"

Qiqi inwardly sighed; Hong Beimo truly is old and crafty, having calculated nearly every step.

Hong Beimo said: "Your Highness actually has no other choice; because of Hu Xiaotian, the Emperor has grown wary of you, and the day you marry Hu Xiaotian may be when he moves against you."

Qiqi said: "Hu Xiaotian may not come."

Hong Beimo said: "If he doesn't come, that itself signals to the world his intent to rebel, and your marriage pact with him would vanish. Do you think the Emperor would still take it in stride?" He shook his head: "The Emperor has already prepared; once this happens, he will tear up the marriage pact and send you abroad."

Qiqi bit her cherry lips; she believed Hong Beimo was not speaking alarmingly, given Long Xuan'en's cold-blooded nature, anything is possible.

Hong Beimo said: "If Hu Xiaotian is willing to come and join forces with the Princess, that would be best; if his feelings for her are sincere, he will wholeheartedly assist her, placing all his power at her disposal. I, your humble servant, would also be glad to facilitate your marriage. Then the Princess could become Dakang's first empress regnant throughout history, and Hu Xiaotian could share the realm with her. After the Princess recalls the Canon of Heavenly Tours, she would entrust it to me and help me complete the imperial tomb's construction—at most three years. After I fulfill my wish, I will vanish on my own, disband the Bureau of Heavenly Secrets, and cause no further trouble for Your Highness. We would each get what we desire. What do you think, Princess?"

Qiqi could not deny that Hong Beimo's proposal held an irresistible allure for her; having grown up in the palace since childhood, she was accustomed to deceit and intrigue, having lived through several palace coups, she increasingly understood the importance of power, and Hu Xiaotian was also extremely important to her. Following Hong Beimo's plan, she could not only avenge her deceased mother but also seize Dakang's realm—this would be the finest solace for her mother, who had suffered bullying and died resentful. With Dakang's realm in hand, marrying the one she loves would leave her life with few regrets.

Qiqi gazed at Hong Beimo before her; although they shared common interests, she could not bring herself to trust him—a man who has always exploited the Dakang imperial house, one who regards the realm as nothing, how terrifying he must be. She whispered: "If everything you told me today is true, then the person you hate most in your heart should be my mother!"

Hong Beimo smiled: "Hatred solves nothing; when you reach my age and have experienced as much as I have, you'll realize that realm and power, love and hatred, are merely fleeting clouds." He pointed at the portrait: "It would be best to leave this portrait in my keeping; Princess, give it some thought."

As he reached the door, he turned back and said: "By the way, some secrets are only for you and me to know; not even Quan De'an or Hu Xiaotian must leak a hint."

After Hong Beimo left, Qiqi sank into a long silence; even when Quan De'an entered the room she didn't notice, until his soft cough startled her awake.

Quan De'an said: "Your Highness, what did he come for?"

Qiqi said: "The Emperor entrusted him with the renovation of the Prince Consort's residence; this time he came specially to solicit my opinion."

Quan De'an said: "Has Sir Hu received the news yet?"

Qiqi's gaze grew somewhat bewildered; she shook her head: "I don't know; I don't even know whether he will come or not."

The envoy Long Xuan'en sent to Dongliang Jun was Hu Xiaotian's old acquaintance and his sworn brother Shi Xuedong; Shi Xuedong has recently been faring well in the palace, and newly took charge of the Imperial Kitchen Directorate, a most lucrative post within the palace.

Hu Xiaotian and Shi Xuedong hadn't seen each other in a while; upon meeting Shi Xuedong again, they found him plump and fair-skinned, his skin smooth and tender, his voice higher and thinner than before—typical of a eunuch's appearance. They wondered whether the hidden testis he once spoke of had already necrosed.

These sworn brothers, due to different fortunes, now hold completely different stations. Since Hu Wu's rebellion, Long Xuan'en has grown more suspicious, no longer employing any of those old officials; Shi Xuedong's father, Shi BuChui, was also implicated, and though released, he has no hope of reinstatement, reduced to living as an ordinary commoner.

The sworn elder brother arrived, and Hu Xiaotian naturally gave him a warm welcome. After eating and drinking their fill, they went to a sunny courtyard to drink tea. Only then did Shi Xuedong speak of his mission: "Congratulations, brother, congratulations, brother; I have come this time specially to deliver an imperial edict on behalf of the Emperor."

Hu Xiaotian made a motion to rise and kneel to receive the decree.

Shi Xuedong pulled him, laughing: "Anyway, no one's watching; just have a look yourself—we're too lazy to read it aloud."

Hu Xiaotian had merely been going through the motions; even if the old Emperor himself appeared, he wouldn't kneel, let alone for an imperial edict. After reaching out to take it and glancing at it, he set it on the table.

Shi Xuedong knew the edict's content clearly, smiling: "The Emperor intends for you to marry the Yongyang Princess; the wedding date is set for May, and the Emperor attaches great importance to this, specially entrusting Hong Beimo to design your Prince Consort's residence, to be rebuilt on the former site of the Ministry of Revenue's headquarters."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, then shook his head.

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