Chapter 1313: [Open Appearance] (Lower)

Qiqi secretly thought, "This guy has grown arrogant; he actually dared to get angry at me." But upon second thought, they already have a marriage pact and their wedding is imminent; if the wedding goes smoothly, Hu Xiaotian will be her husband, so perhaps she should discuss this with him—after all, it's not a big deal, nor is it worth arguing with him publicly over it. So she held back and softly said, "You've come a long way; go inside to rest first, then we can talk."

Hu Xiaotian and Qiqi entered the prince's mansion; Quan De'an personally served tea and then tactfully withdrew. In the flower hall, only Hu Xiaotian and Qiqi remained. Hu Xiaotian lifted his Chazan and slowly sipped tea.

Qiqi sized up Hu Xiaotian; after their long separation reunion, they felt none of the intimacy lovers should have, except for that sudden embrace just now. Every move Hu Xiaotian made made her feel an indescribable distance. Qiqi realized this wasn't his fault; the distance came from deep within her own heart—she was filled with wariness and vigilance toward the man she was about to marry.

She recalled that before Hu Xiaotian left Kangdu for Dongliang Jun, his every action had made her heart ache, even a smile would make her heart race. But this time seeing him, that feeling seemed gone—she wondered if it was because she had grown up or because she had lost her former feelings for him. Qiqi quickly realized their union stemmed merely from political necessity; from the engagement onward, they had been driven by politics, pushed together by an unseen hand, and had not even had a chance to taste the flavor of love before facing the reality of becoming husband and wife.

Hu Xiaotian slowly set down his Chazan, gazing at Qiqi, and asked, "Why aren't you speaking?"

Qiqi smiled faintly and said, "I had imagined our reunion after hearing you were coming back, and thought about what I'd say to you when we met, but I didn't expect you to return so soon. Upon seeing you, I actually forgot what I wanted to say."

Hu Xiaotian burst out laughing, but his laughter didn't infect Qiqi; her expression remained calm and breezy, showing a composure beyond her years, which only widened the distance between them. He even felt a little embarrassed from that earlier hug.

Qiqi blinked her beautiful eyes and asked, "Didn't you receive my letter?"

"What letter?" Hu Xiaotian asked, feigning ignorance.

I had Huang Feihong send you a letter, hoping you wouldn't need to risk returning.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Probably we missed each other on the way. How so? Don't you want me to come back for the wedding?"

Qiqi sighed and said, "You're so smart; you should know why the Emperor summoned you back to the capital."

Hu Xiaotian replied, "Although the Emperor is old, he shouldn't be so muddle‑headed as to use this against me—what would he gain?"

Qiqi said, "Your progress has been too rapid; it's natural for people to feel wary."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "If I didn't come, I would be breaking faith and abandoning righteousness—disloyal to the court and unjust to you. Would you like a traitor who is disloyal and unjust?" His gaze fell on Qiqi's delicate, jade‑like hand, slender as a spring scallion. He resolutely reached out and gently grasped it.

Qiqi's hand was cool; held in Hu Xiaotian's palm, she offered no resistance, simply yielding. She whispered, "You're overthinking it. I know your difficulties, so I certainly won't blame you."

Are you worried about me?

Qiqi nodded.

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Just for those words, coming back this trip is worth it."

Qiqi said, "You should have heard about the Third Imperial Prince. Returning the prince's mansion and the God Strategy Mansion to him was also something I had no choice in. The Emperor restored the Third Imperial Prince's title, aiming to weaken my power; I believe his ultimate goal is to make the Third Imperial Prince the heir apparent."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Making him heir apparent would be better, wouldn't it? After we marry, I'll take you to Dongliang Jun, so I won't have to deal with this mess anymore."

Upon hearing Hu Xiaotian say he would take her to Dongliang Jun, Qiqi's heart stirred, but she immediately shook her head and said, "The Emperor won't let me leave Kangdu, and he certainly won't let you leave either."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled and said, "Whether to go or stay—he can't decide that!"

From those words Qiqi sensed his strong confidence; she couldn't help but glance at Hu Xiaotian again and asked tentatively, "Do you have a way to escape?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "If the Emperor treats you unkindly, then don't blame me for being unjust toward him."

Qiqi, startled, shook off his large hand and exclaimed, "You must never have such a thought!"

Hu Xiaotian again took her soft hand in his, his eyes filled with tender affection: "Qiqi, I will let no one harm you."

Upon hearing that, Qiqi's heart trembled; his words almost brought tears to her eyes, but she immediately reminded herself to stay calm, realizing his saying that was meant to confuse her. She sighed and said, "You shouldn't have come back; go now—there's still time."

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said, "It's already too late, and besides, I haven't yet married you—how could I bear to leave?"

Hearing that, Qiqi couldn't help but blush all over, and she whispered, "Who said we were going to marry?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Are you still thinking of breaking the engagement?"

Qiqi said, "The Zhou family can break engagements, the Li family can break engagements—surely the royal family can do the same?"

Hu Xiaotian gaped in shock, realizing how unfortunate he was in marriage matters. His two previous engagements had ended in tragedy, but Qiqi had misspoken—it wasn't the Li family that broke the engagement, it was his own Hu family.

Qiqi's gaze softened, and she whispered, "I actually want to break the engagement, but the Emperor won't allow it. By the way, would you like to see your future residence?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded repeatedly.

The former Hu Mansion was now under vigorous construction; Hu Xiaotian arrived at the future residence he would share with Qiqi, finding hardly any trace of the past. Not only had all the buildings been renovated, but the flora, garden landscapes, and water features had been completely redesigned. The project was already halfway done, and as Hu Xiaotian gazed at the Prince Consort's Mansion before him, he silently sighed—Hong Beimo was indeed a rare talent.

The new residence stands in the courtyard where Hu Xiaotian once lived; this is also the largest part of the project, almost entirely demolished and rebuilt. A three‑story pavilion was erected on the original site, constructed entirely of precious timber, with its pillars made of top‑grade golden‑thread nanmu.

Just from this pavilion, one can see that the Emperor has invested heavily in the Prince Consort's Mansion.

Hu Xiaotian lamented, "Such extravagance is never good. Now the people of Dakang still suffer from hunger and cold, yet for our wedding we are undertaking massive construction. If this gets out, how will the populace feel, and how will the civil and military officials view us?"

Qiqi said, "I don't want them to mobilize like this either, but the Emperor insists on doing so."

Seeing no one around, Hu Xiaotian lowered his voice and said, "It feels less like a favor and more like a trap—people will think we are extravagantly wasteful, that although we've been given a splendid new residence on the surface, our reputation is actually being ruined."

Qiqi couldn't help wanting to laugh, but she rebuked, "Don't talk nonsense—if the Emperor found out, he would surely fly into a rage."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I know—who would know if you didn't tell?" He glanced at the workers coming and going, furrowed his brow, and added, "All the workers here are Hong Beimo's people; we've always been at odds with him—would he really sabotage things here?"

Qiqi said, "He wouldn't dare, would he?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said, "Who knows what will happen? People's hearts are unfathomable. No—I'll have someone come over tomorrow to take charge here and guard against him digging traps."

Qiqi secretly laughed at his overcaution; Hong Beimo wouldn't need to meddle here to deal with him.

While they were talking, Hong Beimo happened to come by to inspect the construction progress. Hearing that Hu Xiaotian had returned, he was somewhat surprised, but both reason and propriety dictated that he should come see them. Hu Xiaotian and Hong Beimo exchanged courteous fists‑and‑palms greetings, and Hu Xiaotian said, "Mr. Hong, thank you for your hard work."

Hong Beimo smiled and said, "Being able to devote some effort to the Princess and Sir Hu is my honor. When did Sir Hu return?"

Hu Xiaotian replied, "He entered the city early this morning."

Hong Beimo gazed toward the pavilion ahead and asked, "Is Sir Hu satisfied with the renovation?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Satisfied, satisfied—I see the project is about seventy‑percent done, and I'm getting ready to have my former relatives come back to tidy this place up properly."

Hong Beimo nodded and said, "Of course. What Sir Hong likes or wants—only those old-timers from the past know. I have had the belongings from the Secretary's Mansion sealed and stored in the rear courtyard's storehouse; whether to keep or discard them is for Sir Hu to decide personally."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Mr. Hong, you've gone to great trouble."

Hong Beimo said, "Let me congratulate Sir Hu and the Princess in advance on their joyous occasion; on the wedding day, I will present a great gift."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Mr. Hong's great gift will surely surprise me."

Hong Beimo laughed heartily and said, "Certainly!"

Long Xuan'en, however, learned from Zhou Ruiyuan that Hu Xiaotian had already reached Kangdu; he was somewhat surprised and said, "So fast? He actually came back a month early?"

Zhou Ruiyuan said, "It seems Sir Hu attaches great importance to this wedding."

Long Xuan'en curled his lip in a disdainful smile and said, "I am marrying Qiqi to him—that's his honor; how could he dare be negligent?" Yet inwardly he mused, "I had thought Hu Xiaotian would make excuses and delay, but he returned so readily. This kid is always meticulous—could it be that he feels secure and unafraid?"

Zhou Ruiyuan said, "I have heard that the Yongjiang Naval Force is gathering and training at Yunze."

Long Xuan'en coldly laughed and said: "Are you showing off before me? I've been sitting in this position all day; my words still count."

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "I dare to ask, Your Majesty, what exactly are you planning?"

Long Xuan'en narrowed his eyes, gazing gloomily at Zhou Ruiyuan and said: "Beloved, what do you mean by that?"

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "Your humble servant has heard that the Emperor is preparing to appoint an heir?"

Who said that?

Everyone outside is saying that.

Long Xuan'en laughed heartily, his laughter lingering for a while before stopping, he stared at Zhou Ruiyuan and said: "Zhou Beloved, you've always been steady in your actions; how could you also believe those absurd rumors outside?"

First, I've uploaded two chapters; there will be more updates tonight; on Monday, please give a few recommendation votes! (To be continued~^~)