Chapter 1296: [Infiltrating the Palace] (Part 1)

Qiqi drew a symbol on a piece of paper and handed it to Hong Beimo, saying, "Lately I keep dreaming about this symbol; tell me what it is."

Hong Beimo stared intently; when he saw the symbol clearly, he could not contain his excitement and nodded firmly, saying, "I knew you would gradually remember it."

Qiqi quietly observed his expression; the usually steady Hong Beimo showed such agitation over a symbol, which seemed genuine; her gaze fell on the model of the Prince Consort's residence, and she whispered, "Did you set up a mechanism inside the Prince Consort's mansion?"

Hong Beimo shook his head and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, these are only necessary protective measures; they will not be detrimental to you."

Qiqi caught his implication: "So you intend to act against Hu Xiaotian?"

Hong Beimo smiled and said, "Your Highness still doubts my sincerity; all I have ever pursued is the supreme Dao, and I have no interest whatsoever in the realm and its stability."

Qiqi said, "I have already been dispersing Hu Xiaotian's trusted aides within the Shen Ce Fu step by step, so they won't see through our plans."

Hong Beimo said, "Your Highness's future consort is no ordinary person; I expect he will have his influence infiltrate Kangdu ahead of time, and although he claims to arrive in early May, he will likely come earlier."

Qiqi blinked her eyes; in fact she had the same consideration—Hu Xiaotian is a very rational person, and without sufficient confidence he would not risk coming to Kangdu; even without Hong Beimo's reminder, she had already begun to prepare in advance, and gradually removing Hu Xiaotian's confidants from her surroundings was one of her measures. Qiqi did not believe Hu Xiaotian would sacrifice his life for her sake,

Hong Beimo said, "I bear no ill will toward the Prince Consort; I merely worry that his arrival this time may cause trouble. Of course, if Your Highness the Princess has enough confidence to persuade him to serve you willingly, that would be another matter." While speaking, he furtively observed Qiqi's eyes.

His words struck Qiqi's soft spot, making Hu Xiaotian willing to serve her? Qiqi had no confidence; originally it was only with her help that Hu Xiaotian managed to leave Kangdu, but after leaving Kangdu he had completely lost control, only thinking of himself when he encountered trouble. He had established a firm footing in Yongjiang, and his influence had already spread to Yunze; his agreement to return for the wedding must have another motive, certainly not just for their feelings. When the word "feelings" crossed her mind, a hint of bitterness rose in Qiqi's heart—feelings? To become emotionally involved inevitably brings hurt.

Hong Beimo said, "The Emperor has long hesitated to name a crown prince, and Long Tingzhen has never seen the light of day. I have used medicines to help him train his body; now his martial arts have reached the first-rate level."

Although Qiqi knew that something had been done to Long Tingzhen's body, hearing this news still surprised her somewhat and also made her doubtful—what method could turn a person into a martial arts expert?

Hong Beimo said, "As his martial arts improve, the hostility in his heart grows as well. If he believes the Emperor not only has no intention of making him crown prince but actually wants to eliminate him, what do you think he would do?"

Qiqi asked, "Would he dare to rebel?"

Hong Beimo smiled and said, "He certainly would not dare, but with our help he would have an opportunity! We can assist him in eliminating Long Xuan'en, then under the banner of suppressing rebellion we will eradicate him. Thus the power of Dakang will naturally fall into Your Highness's hands."

Qiqi could not help but acknowledge that Hong Beimo's linked stratagem was well thought out; if everything went smoothly, no one in the Dakang imperial clan would be able to inherit the throne, and she would ascend to the throne. Holding imperial power would then become a matter of course, and with her current prestige and standing among officials, she should be able to achieve success in one stroke.

Hong Beimo said, "The biggest uncertainty in this plan is Hu Xiaotian; we intend to launch our uprising during the Princess's grand wedding. Hu Xiaotian commands many troops and fierce generals, and his choice may well decide the success or failure of our scheme."

Qiqi asked, "Is it possible to cooperate with him?"

Hong Beimo said, "Your Highness, are you not afraid to hand over the power you have struggled to obtain? I have some skill in judging people; to be frank, Hu Xiaotian is certainly not someone who would willingly submit to others, so you must consider carefully."

Qiqi said, "The Emperor also has expert guards at his side."

Hong Beimo said, "Li Yuncong has already become a cripple, not worth worrying about; as for Mu Rongzhan, I will take care of him."

After his right eye was blinded by Ji Feihua's arrow, Li Yuncong settled peacefully in the Cangshuge to spend his remaining years; he occasionally leaves the palace to purchase supplies, goes to civilian bookshops to seek classic texts, and pays no attention to palace affairs. Everyone in the palace knows this senior eunuch is of exalted status and high virtue, and no one dares to inquire into his matters.

The place Li Yuncong visits most often is the Tian Shui Ya She; he comes here almost four or five times a month, and the owner knows his temperament—unless he initiates a question, he never takes the initiative to greet.

While Li Yuncong was flipping through books, a thin man in black Confucian robes constantly stared at him there, meeting his gaze directly without concealment, which in present-day Dakang signifies rude behavior; Li Yuncong frowned slightly, leaned in to listen but heard no breathing from the other party, and his heart gave a start—this person was actually a hidden master.

Yet the man said, "Lord Li, long time no see; Little Beard sends his respects!"

If it were not for Hu Xiaotian actively revealing his identity via voice transmission, Li Yuncong, with his abilities, could not have pierced his true form; Li Yuncong could not help but chuckle, casually took a few ancient texts, indicated to the owner to wrap them up, and needed no cash—here he always settles accounts at year's end.

Li Yuncong tremblingly walked out of the Tian Shui Ya She, and Hu Xiaotian followed shortly after.

Li Yuncong deliberately dropped the ancient book in his hand onto the ground; Hu Xiaotian understood, picked up the book and followed his steps, smiling, "Sir, your book fell."

Li Yuncong chuckled, his single eye gleaming: "Thank you, sir." Then he sent a mental transmission: "You brat, you certainly haven't let this old man down!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "I've just arrived; I hope Senior Eunuch Li will look after me."

Li Yuncong said, "Speak inside the palace!"

Hu Xiaotian asked, "How do I get in?"

Li Yuncong said, "Who would dare to stop you, the Prince Consort of Dakang, from entering and leaving the imperial palace? Besides, you hold the five-colored coiling dragon gold medal!"

Hu Xiaotian knew he was saying that on purpose, and gave a wry smile: "If I could come and go openly, why would I need to disguise myself like this? And why bother coming to find you, old man?"

Li Yuncong chuckled, nodded, and said, "Have you seen the carriage under the willow tree ahead?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "I see it."

"Later I'll have the driver step aside, and you just hide inside the box."

Hu Xiaotian exclaimed in astonishment, "Is that even possible?"

Li Yuncong smiled faintly: "My belongings—no one in the palace dares to move them."

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, "Got it! Whoever boasts, let them boast—back when I was proud and prosperous inside the palace, I also dared to say that."

That box is what Li Yuncong uses to hold books; since today he hasn't finished purchasing, with Hu Xiaotian's current skill plus Li Yuncong's cooperation, they can certainly enter the box without anyone noticing. However, the box is a bit small—without practicing Tendon Changing Bone Shifting, Hu Xiaotian's physique could not be stuffed into it.

Li Yuncong returned to the carriage, smiled narrowly, lightly tapped the box, and in a thin voice said, "Return!"

The coachman drove the carriage toward the palace, Hu Xiaotian curled up inside the wooden box; this fellow never imagined before seeking Li Yuncong that he would enter the palace in this way—if he were inspected en route, wouldn't that be catching himself in a jar? Of course, since Li Yuncong dares to do this, he is fully confident; glancing around the palace, no one dares to search him, and Hu Xiaotian also does not worry that Li Yuncong will betray him, for Li Yuncong and he have endless future cooperation possibilities; when he last left Kangdu, they had a deep discussion in which Li Yuncong offered to help him seize the throne, and should he succeed, Li Yuncong hopes Hu Xiaotian will give him the imperial mausoleum. This shows Li Yuncong likely knows some secrets of the mausoleum's interior, but this senior eunuch is deep‑minded and will not reveal what he knows until the very end.

All along the way things went smoothly; the carriage entered the palace smoothly, passed all checkpoints without obstruction, arrived at the Cangshuge, and Li Yuncong had two young eunuchs lift the wooden box and deliver it to his room.

After everyone had left, Li Yuncong slowly opened the wooden box; Hu Xiaotian pushed open the lid and rose to his feet, his muscles and bones beginning to stretch and restore, and all that could be heard was the crackling of his joints like firecrackers.

Li Yuncong came to the bedside, sat cross‑legged, smiled narrowly at Hu Xiaotian, as if seeing a flower bloom before his eyes.

Hu Xiaotian stretched his arms, exhaled deeply, and said, "I was suffocating!"

Li Yuncong clicked his tongue in praise: "This Tendon Changing Bone Shifting skill is really not bad."

Hu Xiaotian said, "The Bu Wu monk taught it to me."

Li Yuncong's face showed a hint of embarrassment; Bu Wu was his blood‑brother elder, whom he had once harmed; Li Yuncong's original name was Mu Yuming, and to sneak into the Long Dragon Temple and steal its secret manuals he did not hesitate to sacrifice his own biological brother, causing Bu Wu to be trapped in the Long Dragon Temple for thirty years. After fleeing the temple, Li Yuncong feared pursuit by its high monks, assumed a false name, infiltrated the palace, and transformed himself into a senior eunuch—a secret known only to him and Hu Xiaotian.

Li Yuncong gave a few dry coughs and said, "How is his martial arts now?" Hu Xiaotian replied, "He should be the strongest expert I have ever seen!" Li Yuncong felt a wave of fear in his heart—meaning he would not be a match for Bu Wu—and fortunately only Hu Xiaotian knows his birth secret. He nodded and said, "He taught you quite a bit of skill; is he your master?" (To be continued~^~)

Hu Xiaotian said: "He must be the strongest expert I have ever seen!"

Li Yuncong felt a wave of fear inside, meaning he would not be a match for Bu Wu; fortunately, the only person who knows his secret background is Hu Xiaotian. He nodded and said: "He taught you quite a bit of martial arts, is he your master?" (To be continued~^~)