Chapter 1319: 【Behind-the-Scenes Instigation】(Part 2)

"Don't drink anymore!" Qiqi said softly.

Hu Xiaotian's cup in front of him had been changed to a large bowl; two bottles of wine had already gone down his throat, his eyes became hazy, his tongue noticeably enlarged: "A thousand cups are few when meeting a kindred spirit; today I'm happy……let me have another drink……"

Qiqi said: "You really treat me as a confidant?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Red beauty confidant……"

"Your red beauty confidants aren't just one, are they?" Qiqi probed.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Men……who doesn't have three or five red beauty confidants……uh!" This guy let out an alcohol belch.

"Come on, tell me, who are they?" Qiqi felt an itch in her heart, seeing Hu Xiaotian's wine bowl empty, she grabbed the jug and filled it for him; after drinking, the truth comes out, she seized the chance to extract a few honest words.

Hu Xiaotian hehe laughed: "I won't say; if I say it, you'll get jealous."

Qiqi said: "My tolerance isn't that small; besides, it's all in the past, go on and tell me."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "This is you asking me to say it; if I'm to talk about these red beauty confidants……I've never lacked them since childhood……"

"You weren't an idiot as a child?" Qiqi, upon hearing, knew he wasn't telling the truth. She leaned forward: "Do you and my Imperial Aunt count as red beauty confidants?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded, and his expression actually showed a hint of sorrow.

Qiqi saw this, and her heart began to feel displeased.

Hu Xiaotian sighed: "They're gone anyway, better not mention it." He lifted the bowl and gulped it down with glug-glug sounds.

Qiqi said: "Besides her, who else?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "If we're talking, Xue Lingjun also counts as one……"

Qiqi gritted her teeth and coldly snorted: "The Grand Princess of Da Yong? You also have a leg with her?"

Hu Xiaotian burst out laughing: "What you say is really ridiculous!"

"Ridiculous?" Qiqi's willow eyebrows shot up.

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Red beauty confidants don't necessarily involve that sort of thing; I and your Imperial Aunt are pure and clean, I and Xue Lingjun are also pure……uh……white white……, I and Yan Nujiao……" This guy, upon saying that, seemed to realize he'd let something slip, quickly lowered his head, lifted the bowl and gulped it down with glug.

The name Yan Nujiao was still something Qiqi had never heard before. Her smile grew more alluring, but upon closer taste one would detect a chilling coldness within the allure: "Who exactly is Yan Nujiao?"

Hu Xiaotian's expression showed some panic: "I met him……when I was an official in Qingyun……ordinary……friend……"

Qiqi said: "Just ordinary friends?" Her chest rose and fell noticeably more, she suppressed her anger, gazing at Hu Xiaotian's drunken, lovable face: "Anyone else?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Who else? The Talented Person also counts as someone you can chat with, unfortunately……"

Qiqi's beautiful eyes widened, almost grabbing the jug on the table and smashing it into his face. This hateful guy actually has so many red beauty confidants; it seems they're worthless to him. She suppressed her anger and poured another bowl of wine for Hu Xiaotian: "Tell me the truth, do you really want to marry me?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Qiqi's voice became extremely gentle: "Why?"

"You're young……beautiful……gentle……magnanimous……thoughtful……uh……and still a princess……"

Qiqi said: "Are you wanting to marry me because of who I am, or because of my status?"

Hu Xiaotian looked at Qiqi, hehe smirked foolishly, then suddenly reached out and poked her forehead hard: "You're silly! You are the princess. The princess is you, is there any……difference?"

Qiqi nodded: "Who is the person you love most in your heart?"

But Hu Xiaotian had already slumped over the table, seeming to have entered dreamland; Qiqi gazed at this drunken sod, for a moment her anger flared from all sides, her eyes fell on the jug on the table. She grabbed it and poured the wine over Hu Xiaotian's head and face.

Hu Xiaotian suddenly jerked awake, eyes wide: "You've got a problem!"

Qiqi slammed the jug down in front of him: "Drink yourself to death!" Then she turned and left.

Watching Qiqi's retreating back, Hu Xiaotian's lips curled with a knowing smile: "This little bit of wine is going to get me drunk? Hehe. Little girl, your cultivation is still shallow."

After Qiqi left, Shi Xuedong finally poked his head in, smelled the alcohol filling the room, and seeing Hu Xiaotian's sorry state, he forced back a laugh: "How come this is? You've even got it on you?"

Hu Xiaotian grinned: "A fierce wife is like a tiger."

Shi Xuedong said: "If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you get a tiger cub? I trust your methods."

Hu Xiaotian laughed as he stood up; Shi Xuedong saw his steps were light and floating, thinking he had really drunk too much, and asked solicitously: "Want to rest a bit before going?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head.

Shi Xuedong said: "Or should I send you to Chuxiu Palace?"

Hu Xiaotian glared at him: "Do you want to watch the princess raise a big stick and kick me out?"

Shi Xuedong couldn't help but laugh.

Hu Xiaotian left the palace alone; having resumed his original identity, his five-colored coiling dragon gold medal naturally came in handy—he could come and go from the palace at any time—but this time, upon leaving, he encountered obstruction at Jingsheng Gate.

The few guards on duty at the inner palace were all unfamiliar faces; Hu Xiaotian raised his five-colored coiling dragon gold medal and coldly said: "Make way!"

One of the guards said: "Sir, Commander Murong has ordered that unless one possesses the imperial-bestowed gilded carved dragon plaque, anyone else entering or leaving the inner palace must have their identity verified."

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but feel puzzled; it seemed his pass had expired during his time away from Kangdu, and the inner palace guards had been replaced. Come to think of it, he used to be Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard; all the guards before him were strangers, none he knew. Just as he was about to flare up, a familiar voice came from afar: "Are you blind? You don't even recognize our future Prince Consort, Sir Hu?"

Hu Xiaotian followed the voice and saw a chubby guard rushing over from afar—it was Zuo Tang. They had once escorted the fake emperor to Heavenly Dragon Temple together; between them they could be said to have become acquainted through conflict. Zuo Tang privately held Hu Xiaotian in high regard. He came before Hu Xiaotian and gave a deep salute: "Sir Hu, what wind blew you here? They're all newcomers, they've never seen this plaque; sorry, sorry."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "You came just in time; I thought this five-colored coiling dragon gold medal was no longer useful."

Zuo Tang pointed at the medal in Hu Xiaotian's hand: "You all, open your dog eyes wide and see clearly—this is the five-colored coiling dragon gold medal; seeing this plaque is tantamount to seeing the Emperor himself in person."

The few guards responsible for Jingsheng Gate finally realized that the young man reeking of alcohol before them was none other than the famed Hu Xiaotian, the future Prince Consort of Dakang; each one panicked and apologized to Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian naturally wouldn't stoop to their level; he smiled: "Ignorance is no crime; first time awkward, second time familiar—next time you come, just don't give me a hard time."

Zuo Tang said: "Damn! Who dares? I'll be the first to chop him! A bunch of blind idiots who don't recognize Mount Tai." He was an old-timer among the inner palace guards, with considerable status, naturally qualified to berate newcomers; accompanying Hu Xiaotian out of the palace, he changed his expression in front of Hu Xiaotian to a beaming smile: "Sir Hu, hehe, you should now be called Prince Consort."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "We're not even married yet; we're old brothers—why be so polite?"

Zuo Tang smiled ever more obsequiously, bending his waist like a big shrimp: "Sir Hu, this humble one dares to ask for a cup of your wedding wine." Given his rank, he likely had no chance to attend Hu Xiaotian's grand wedding; if he could obtain an invitation, in front of everyone it would be no ordinary honor.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "That day you definitely have to come!"

Zuo Tang nodded repeatedly: "Sure, sure!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Recently the guards have been changed a lot, huh?"

Zuo Tang said: "You bet, lately the Emperor suspects everyone around him of wanting to harm him. Nine-tenths of the old guard have been replaced; those few you just saw are all newcomers."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Just because they're new doesn't mean they're reliable, does it?"

Zuo Tang said: "They were also selected level by level, and Overseer Murong and Mr. Hong are responsible for oversight."

Hu Xiaotian frowned; Hong Beimo's control was extensive, even meddling in the affairs of the palace guards. He whispered: "When did the large-scale replacement of guards begin?"

Zuo Tang thought for a moment and said: "It's only been these two months, making everyone feel insecure; everyone has a family to support, all relying on this imperial grain to fill their stomachs..." Saying this, he chuckled: "Life in the capital is hard; I've heard that Sir Hu has governed the Dongliang Jun area well, with order and the people living in peace and prosperity—we all envy that."

Hu Xiaotian said: "What about those brothers who were dismissed?"

Zuo Tang said: "They've gone their separate ways, but in these times, where could they go? Most likely they're still in the capital, struggling to get by."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Zuo Tang, get in touch with them; if they're willing, they can come find me. I still need some help at my Prince Consort's residence in the capital."

Zuo Tang exclaimed in delight: "Really? If so, I'll be the first to sign up."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, then lowered his voice to Zuo Tang: "I'll leave this matter to you, Zuo Tang. I also entrust you with another task: investigate the backgrounds of these newly arrived palace guards as thoroughly as possible, to see how they managed to enter the imperial palace."

Zuo Tang nodded, glanced around, and lowered his voice: "You suspect there's something wrong with this?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Just a feeling that something's off; remember to keep this quiet and not make a fuss."

Zuo Tang said: "Sir, rest assured, I know how to do it."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Go on; if others see you with me, they'll speculate even more."

Zuo Tang stopped and said: "See you off, Sir."

First update posted; there will be another update tonight! (To be continued~^~)