Chapter 1384

Wang Qiezhi broke out in a cold sweat from fright: "Empress Dowager, everything I said is truly from my heart; before this, I have never had any contact with Hu Xiaotian, nor would I take any benefit from him, absolutely no partiality."

Long Xuan Jiao snorted and said: "What are you nervous about? I'm just joking with you; who are you, don't I know?" In her heart she secretly thought, this Wang Qiezhi is just a money-grubbing fellow; perhaps he really got some benefit from Hu Xiaotian, otherwise he wouldn't be praising him so much in front of me, and besides, he only saw Hu Xiaotian this morning and came rushing to report to me, even helping Hu Xiaotian pass along a message wanting to see me. She pondered for a moment and said: "I actually would like to see him, but now at this time, royalty and nobility from all countries have come, wanting to see me are truly too many; if I set this precedent, I can't favor some and slight others, so let's just not see him for now, treat everyone equally, to avoid gossip."

Wang Qiezhi said: "Empress Dowager, you are sagacious and bright."

Not long after Wang Qiezhi left, the King of Tianxiang Kingdom, Yang Longjing, arrived; from his gloomy expression, his mood seemed not too good; he strode into the Mingde Hall, furrowed his brow, and told the surrounding palace attendants: "All of you leave; I have something to say privately with the Empress Dowager."

A group of palace attendants all turned their gazes toward Long Xuan Jiao, and only after she waved her hand did they retreat.

Long Xuan Jiao laughed and said: "Your Majesty, how do you have time to come today? Weren't you supposed to be hunting in Yan City, originally due back the day after tomorrow?"

Yang Longjing said: "Piaoxiang City is so lively; of course I had to come back and take a look."

Long Xuan Jiao keenly sensed that his mood was off, gave a faint smile, rose and went to his side, reached out to grasp his hands, and examined his face. Feeling some heartache, she said: "Only a few days have passed, and you've gotten dark and thin!"

Yang Longjing said: "Empress Dowager, haven't you often said that I, raised in comfort, should be tempered more and bear more responsibility?"

Long Xuan Jiao laughed and said: "Are you angry with me, child?"

Yang Longjing said: "Empress Dowager, I don't understand. Why must you make such a grand fuss about this prince-consort selection? Have you asked Miss Yingyue how she truly feels?"

Long Xuan Jiao smiled and said: "She is my adopted daughter; how could I harm her? Precisely because I treat her as my own biological daughter, I have expended such great effort to help her choose a husband, and I am also thinking of her future happiness; if I can find a suitable match for her, that would also fulfill one of my wishes."

Yang Longjing said: "Empress Dowager, on what basis do you believe that the prince-consort you help her select will certainly conform to her wishes? Will she necessarily be happy after marriage?"

Long Xuan Jiao said: "You don't need to worry about this; you should focus your experience on state affairs."

Yang Longjing bit his lip, as if finally making up his mind, and said in a low voice: "Empress Dowager, you clearly know my feelings; why won't you fulfill them for me?"

Long Xuan Jiao's smile gradually faded. She released her son's arm, turned, and walked toward the bench.

Yang Longjing shouted: "You clearly know that I like her..."

Long Xuan Jiao abruptly turned around and snapped: "Don't forget your own identity; you are the king of Tianxiang Kingdom!"

Yang Longjing said: "I never wanted to be a king at all! You forced me into this position. I don't like handling state affairs, I don't like that lofty, isolated feeling of being above everyone. I seek neither fine clothes and food nor high status and power; I only wish to live a simple, plain life with the one I love."

Long Xuan Jiao's phoenix eyes widened: "Shut up!"

Yang Longjing was frightened into trembling slightly, then mustered courage and stared directly at his mother. This was the first time in his life, and he shouted: "Tell me, why can't I be together with Yingyue?"

Long Xuan Jiao's chest heaved with anger, her trembling finger pointed at Yang Longjing and she said: "There is no reason, no why; you…… you have utterly disappointed me!" Long Xuan Jiao suddenly went limp and collapsed softly to the ground; Yang Longjing, seeing the scene, rushed forward to embrace his mother and shouted loudly: "Someone! Come quickly!"

The eunuch Zhou Desheng hurried in, seeing the scene was also greatly startled, and hurriedly said: "Empress Dowager, I'll go fetch a physician right away."

Long Xuan Jiao weakly waved her hand and said: "Never mind, no need to make a fuss."

Seeing his mother reduced to this state by his own anger, Yang Longjing also felt a bit regretful and said anxiously: "Empress Dowager, should we still call an imperial physician to have a look?"

Long Xuan Jiao suddenly shouted sternly: "I said it's not necessary!"

Yang Longjing, being scolded by her in front of the eunuch, felt extremely embarrassed.

Long Xuan Jiao sighed and said: "Your Majesty, you should go rest; Zhou Desheng, help me go inside to rest."

"Yes!"

Although Yang Longjing was reluctant in his heart, seeing his mother still angry, he did not dare to defy her, and silently left the Mingzheng Hall.

Long Xuan Jiao returned to the bench and sat down, took the cup of hot tea Zhou Desheng handed her, took a sip, and the pent-up anger in her chest finally eased.

Zhou Desheng cautiously asked: "Empress Dowager, are you feeling better?"

Long Xuan Jiao said: "Much better, Zhou Desheng, any news from Mister Lan?"

Zhou Desheng respectfully replied: "Reporting to Empress Dowager, Mister Lan will return to Piaoxiang City during the Mid-Autumn Festival."

Long Xuan Jiao suddenly felt a pang of sorrow in her heart; she had many things she wanted to confide in someone, but when she most needed to do so, he was not by her side.

Zhou Desheng said: "Empress Dowager, over the past two days, royalty and nobility from all sides have been arriving one after another, all wishing to see you."

Long Xuan Jiao said: "Isn't it joyful to have friends come from afar? Those who come from afar are guests; since we have invited them, we must not neglect etiquette—go fetch the Prince Fu."

Zhou Desheng thought he had misheard: "Prince Fu, Your Highness?"

Long Xuan Jiao said: "Yes, His Majesty's mood is not good; if we let him receive all the guests, something might go wrong, so let Prince Fu handle these occasions—just say it's His Majesty's wish."

"Yes!"

Long Xuan Jiao also said: "Have someone keep an eye on him; if you discover he is getting too close with anyone, report it to me immediately."

Zhou Desheng understood, nodded, and said: "Empress Dowager, rest assured, I will certainly handle this matter well."

When Hu Xiaotian returned to Cuiyuan, someone was already waiting for him there—it was Zhu Ba, a beggar gang disciple he hadn't seen in a long time. When Hu Xiaotian first arrived in Dongliang Jun, it was fortunate that Zhu Ba led two thousand beggar gang disciples to come assist, thereby resolving the urgent crisis and laying a solid foundation for his later independence. After Hu Xiaotian established a foothold in the Yongjiang region, Zhu Ba also led his two thousand beggars away quietly, and thereafter they had no further contact. Today, reuniting in Tianxiang Kingdom, they were overjoyed.

Hu Xiaotian hurriedly invited Zhu Ba into the flower hall to chat, and he laughed: "Mister Zhu, when did you arrive? How do you know I live here?" He secretly wondered, could this Zhu Ba also be under forty, taking advantage of this Tianxiang Kingdom prince-consort selection to come join the fun?

Zhu Ba laughed: "Beggar gang disciples are spread all over the world; finding a person is not easy, and besides, you, sir, have not deliberately concealed your whereabouts." He accepted the fragrant tea brought by the servant, took a sip, then said: "Don't hide it from you, Sir Hu, the beggar gang's headquarters is actually in Tianxiang Kingdom."

Hu Xiaotian had no idea about this; he originally thought the beggar gang was the largest faction in the Central Plains, with its headquarters naturally there, and in the traditional view Tianxiang Kingdom was not part of the Central Plains. Hu Xiaotian said: "If that's the case, I ought to visit your headquarters when I have the chance, pay respects to the gang leader, and express my gratitude." Regardless of why the beggar gang initially dispatched troops to help me, I owe them a great favor, an indisputable fact; if I have the opportunity to go in person to their headquarters to express thanks, I should do so. Moreover, Hu Xiaotian has always believed that his maternal grandfather Xu Lingkong is the beggar gang's leader; he harbors many mysteries and wishes to see the old man to have him explain.

Zhu Ba laughed: "There will be an opportunity; our Shangguan gang leader has also come to Tianxiang Kingdom, especially to accompany the young gang leader in participating in the prince-consort selection."

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but be stunned; Zhu Ba's words amounted to telling him plainly that the beggar gang's leader is not his maternal grandfather—Xu Lingkong is already so old, how could he tag along for this hustle? Even if the old man were willing, he wouldn't meet the requirements, meaning the leader is someone else, and how could there still be a young gang leader?

Zhu Ba saw Hu Xiaotian's confusion and softly said: "The Shangguan gang leader was only selected at the beginning of the year; it's not strange that you, sir, don't know."

Hu Xiaotian had no interest in who the current beggar gang leader is; he truly wanted to see his maternal grandfather. He set down his teacup gently on the table and whispered: "Has the old man arrived?"

Zhu Ba naturally knew who Hu Xiaotian meant by "old man"; he laughed: "I also haven't seen him in a long time, but the old man had someone pass along a message for you."

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Zhu Ba said: "The old man wants you to help our young gang leader become the prince-consort of Tianxiang Kingdom."

Hu Xiaotian blinked his eyes, almost thinking he had misheard—this isn't tantamount to letting me hand over Long Xi Yue on a silver platter, is it? His grandfather ought not to be aware of my relationship with Long Xi Yue; otherwise, why would he let me voluntarily give her up?

Zhu Ba said: "Actually, the true purpose of this Tianxiang Kingdom prince-consort selection is to seek an ally; Tianxiang Kingdom is of great significance to the beggar gang's development, and I hope you, sir, can lend a hand." Zhu Ba's real intention is not to have you actually help with anything; as long as you do not participate in this prince-consort contest, it amounts to eliminating a strong rival. Since the beggar gang's headquarters is now in Tianxiang Kingdom, we can say that if the young gang leader becomes the prince-consort of Tianxiang Kingdom, it would pave the way for the beggar gang's future development.

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, and seeing him laugh, Zhu Ba also laughed along.

Hu Xiaotian then shook his head and said: "I cannot agree to this; I am determined to win that Tianxiang Kingdom prince-consort!" In this matter he also has no need to conceal it—his beloved woman must not be given away. (To be continued~^~)