Chapter 1346

Xi Yan only then noticed Xia Zhangming beside her, her pretty face flushed, she struggled a bit, left Hu Xiaotian's embrace, looking at the not-far-off flying eagle and Snow Eagle, her beautiful eyes sparkled with unusual color, she exclaimed delightedly: "What a beautiful snow eagle!"

Hu Xiaotian secretly laughed, after all she's a woman, does she like judging by appearance? Clearly it was the flying eagle that rescued them both, yet she was first drawn to the Snow Eagle.

Xia Zhangming said: "There may be a traitor among us; on the day our lord met with misfortune, the court sent people to completely surround Fengyi Shan Zhuang, and the brothers inside were all captured in one sweep."

Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brows; this doesn't prove anything, Fengyi Shan Zhuang is his property, this is well known, Qiqi choosing to strike here is not surprising, just this fact alone may not indicate there's a traitor among them.

Xia Zhangming said: "Even the several civilian residences we bought in the capital were searched by officials; if not for someone who knew the inside story leaking the news, this would not have happened."

Hu Xiaotian closed his eyes, the taste of being betrayed by his own people was unpleasant; after a while he then asked: "Any news of Yang Lingqi?"

Xia Zhangming said: "Yang Lingqi was also arrested; I investigated, only Zhan Peng's whereabouts are unknown."

Hu Xiaotian shook his head firmly: "Zhan Peng will definitely not betray me!"

Xia Zhangming whispered: "My lord, when will we leave?"

Hu Xiaotian asked: "Does Liang Yinghao know how to contact you?"

Xia Zhangming nodded: "He knows I'll be staying here; barring any mishap, he should be able to arrive here before dusk tomorrow."

Then we'll wait for him to return.

Xia Zhangming said: "My lord, why not leave first? Having me wait for him here is the same."

Hu Xiaotian gazed up at the night sky filled with stars, and whispered: "I cannot leave until I confirm that the brothers are safe."

Xia Zhangming blinked slightly, then whispered: "The court may not necessarily release them."

Hu Xiaotian turned and walked toward the hillside, standing alone on the hillside, gazing toward Kangdu. He had a premonition that perhaps Qiqi would change her approach because of tonight's events, and throw that secret edict to Qiqi; first, because that secret edict held no special meaning for him, it would be better to toss it to Qiqi rather than keep or destroy it, treating it as a parting gift. He hoped that his act of repaying hatred with virtue would make her recall his past kindness to her; this palace coup had already made him and Qiqi irreconcilable opposites; Hu Xiaotian raised the hilt of the sword that had lost its light, an intangible fear enveloped his heart; relying on this light sword to awe the masses, while Hong Beimo hidden in the imperial tombs might be a massive airship, possessing unknown formidable weaponry. Qiqi's ambition combined with Hong Beimo's capability could perhaps drive Dakang's military strength to an extremely terrifying level in the short term.

Hu Xiaotian dared to assert that Qiqi would never be content to let things rest like this; the Dakang throne is not enough to satisfy her ambition.

Qiqi had spent the night sleepless; when the first ray of morning light seeped into the palace, she had just been preparing to leave the Hall of Diligent Governance, came outside the palace, narrowed her beautiful eyes to look at the sky, and gave a somewhat weary yawn. Quan De'an hurried over to drape a cloak over her, concernedly saying: "Your Highness, the morning wind is cold; be careful not to catch a chill."

Qiqi gave a faint smile: "The weather today is not bad."

Quan De'an said: "Your Highness, you haven't slept all night; you should go rest."

Qiqi shook her head: "I'm not tired! By the way, how about Mr. Yang?"

Quan De'an said: "He actually came early; this old servant has had him waiting outside."

Qiqi glared at him: "How can you be so rude to Mr. Yang? Hurry up and invite him in."

"Yes!" Quan De'an hurried off, and not long later brought Yang Lingqi over; Yang Lingqi bowed respectfully to Qiqi and said: "Your subordinate pays respects to the Princess!"

Qiqi glanced at Yang Lingqi and said: "Mr. Yang has been kept waiting; I was delayed by some matters earlier, please don't take offense, Mr. Yang."

Yang Lingqi respectfully said: "Princess, you are being overly courteous."

Qiqi said: "Mr. Yang, coming so early to see me, is there something urgent?"

Yang Lingqi said: "I have a matter I don't understand: why did the Princess let Hu Xiaotian's subordinates go?"

Qiqi smiled: "Mr. Yang, do you think I handled this improperly?"

Yang Lingqi said: "Letting the tiger return to the mountain will surely leave future troubles!"

Qiqi said: "In my view, only Hu Xiaotian qualifies as a tiger; his subordinates are not worth worrying about." Her beautiful eyes swept over Yang Lingqi's face, as if she had seen through his thoughts, she whispered: "Mr. Yang, you need not worry; you will face no danger in Kangdu."

Yang Lingqi said: "I have long regarded life and death lightly; but if the Princess wishes to achieve great undertakings, she cannot indulge in personal feelings..."

"Impudent!" Qiqi's phoenix eyes widened as she suddenly shouted angrily.

Yang Lingqi, frightened, fell to his knees with a thud.

Qiqi angrily flicked her sleeves and left; Quan De'an hurriedly followed her steps, softly urging: "Your Highness, please calm down; Your Highness, please calm down."

Qiqi came to the front gate and only then stopped; she turned and glanced at Yang Lingqi still kneeling where he was, sighed, and said: "Let him rise."

Quan De'an coughed and said: "Actually, Yang Lingqi does have some reason." Those involved are confused while observers see clearly; even Quan De'an could see that Qiqi still harbors Lingering Feelings for Hu Xiaotian; if releasing Hu Xiaotian and Xi Yan was unavoidable, now releasing his subordinates as well clearly shows a woman's benevolence.

Qiqi glared at Quan De'an, obviously blaming him for also talking nonsense.

Quan De'an bowed and said: "This old servant acknowledges his fault!"

Qiqi sighed: "How could I not know what you're thinking? Since we've already missed the best opportunity to eliminate Hu Xiaotian, there's no need to further exacerbate the conflict with him; killing his subordinates would only further provoke him, perhaps he would spare no expense to raise troops for revenge, which is uncertain; at this time of dynastic transition, officials are uneasy, the populace unsettled, the urgent priority should be maintaining stability rather than provoking war."

Quan De'an respectfully said: "Princess, your foresight is admirable; I am impressed."

Qiqi said: "Although Mr. Yang has merit, he betrayed his former lord, is disloyal and unjust, and ultimately not fit for great responsibility; temporarily place him suitably, and tell him that after I finish my current affairs I will bestow rewards."

Yes!

Zhan Peng and Liang Yinghao arrived at the mountain hollow where Hu Xiaotian and his group were staying at dusk that day, bringing good news: the court had unconditionally released Hu Xiaotian's subordinates, had publicly announced that Long Tingzhen plotted to usurp the throne, and Hu Xiaotian and Xi Yan were also charged with colluding with Long Tingzhen intending to poison the Princess; however, the news of the late emperor Long Xuan'en's death was not announced, only a public statement that the Emperor had been frightened, his condition worsened, and the Yongyang Princess was appointed to temporarily handle state affairs, with the Prime Minister Zhou Ruizhen and the Grand Tutor Wen Chenghuan assisting from the side.

Hu Xiaotian, hearing their report on the capital's situation, also relaxed his mind; although he bore the name of a traitor, after all he had escaped intact this time, it seemed that the secret edict he had tossed to Qiqi when leaving still had some effect; she ultimately showed leniency toward his subordinates, not carrying things to extremes.

Xi Yan, seeing Hu Xiaotian's relieved expression, couldn't help but say sourly: "It seems the Yongyang Princess still harbors Lingering Feelings for you!"

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but laugh: "What Lingering Feelings? It's merely that she doesn't want to push me to desperation; if she truly carried things to extremes, the situation would inevitably end in mutual destruction, which would not benefit her either."

Liang Yinghao nodded: "She must be considering this; moreover, by doing so she displays her benevolence, making it even clearer that the lord's betrayal of Dakang is unkind and unjust, with all the reasoning taken by her."

Zhan Peng angrily said: "So young, yet so vicious—truly unheard of, unseen!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Let her do as she wishes; after all, as long as we're all safe, that's fine."

Xi Yan teased: "Just that from now on you'll be the number one great traitor, a major rebel!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "I dare not accept that; there are precedents before me."

Xi Yan heard that this fellow was clearly alluding to her father, she couldn't help but furrow her brow in disdain, snorted, and said: "Then you too are number one." She turned and walked toward the distance.

Zhan Peng, Liang Yinghao, and Xia Zhangming, looking at Hu Xiaotian, all burst out laughing.

Upon hearing the news that his own people were safe, Hu Xiaotian's repressed and tense heart finally relaxed a little, and he softly asked: "Any news of Yang Lingqi?"

The three simultaneously shook their heads; Zhan Peng said: "These past few days we haven't seen him; perhaps he luckily evaded capture."

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "Forget it, we should leave as soon as possible. Zhan Peng, you and Liang Yinghao still need to stay here a few more days, gather some news from here, and meanwhile arrange for the placement of our brothers."

Zhan Peng and Liang Yinghao simultaneously accepted the orders.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I and Xia Zhangming will return to Yunze first." As he spoke, he turned to look toward the distant Xi Yan, but discovered Xi Yan collapsed on the grassy slope; Hu Xiaotian's heart jolted, he hurried over, arriving before Xi Yan, only to see her face bloodless, her cherry lips tightly clenched, both hands pressed against her chest, her expression one of extreme pain.

Hu Xiaotian spread his arms and lifted her from the ground; seeing the fine beads of sweat covering Xi Yan's clean forehead, he asked concernedly: "Xi Yan, what's wrong with you?"

Xi Yan trembled as she said: "Ren Tianqing that old thief... he... he tampered with my body."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Could it be poisoning?"

Xi Yan shook her head, and with Hu Xiaotian's support she managed to sit up; then she consecutively sealed several of her own acupoints, trembling as she said: "It's not poisoning, it's—" Before she could finish, an eagle's cry from the sky cut her off; Hu Xiaotian looked up and saw a black giant eagle appearing in the sky above them.

Everyone says the early bird gets the worm; Lao Zhangyu rose early, delivering the First Update, not eating worms but eating Monthly Ticket—really, he didn't even have time to eat breakfast! (To be continued~^~)