Chapter 1417

Long Xuanjiao stood high and mighty, scrutinizing Hu Xiaotian's appearance, secretly admiring in her heart: This young man is indeed impressive, no wonder he can make Xi Yue utterly devoted; she said softly: "Rise, be seated!"

"Thank you, Empress Dowager!" Hu Xiaotian sat down in the seat arranged for him on the right, now he could properly scrutinize Long Xuanjiao, yet he saw that although she was over forty, she looked about thirty, well-maintained, dignified and luxurious, her visage gorgeous; surely in her youth she was a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms, no wonder she could bewitch his father to the point of losing his soul, daring to risk an affair with her, violating the master-disciple ethics, and got her pregnant. From this point, Hu Buwei still has some lustful courage. Thinking of this, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but think of himself; his ability in this area is not weak either, he has been diligent with several beautiful confidantes, yet to this day not a single one has become pregnant, which is truly a pity.

Long Xuanjiao said: "I have heard that just a few days ago, Master Hu suddenly went missing; I was very worried."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your concern. I am merely strolling about, enjoying the splendid scenery of your country, and dispelling the gloom in my heart."

Long Xuanjiao couldn't help but smile: "I wonder what troubles Master Hu harbors in his heart?"

Hu Xiaotian thought, this old woman obviously knows what she's asking, but since you asked, I won't shy away from laying things bare—just to see whether Hu Buwei has actually done something substantive for me; if he helps resolve this, that's fine, but if he goes back on his word and dares to stand me up, then I will expose the matter of the skull in your hand, and we'll see who ends up in trouble.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Empress Dowager, you should know my purpose in coming to the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom; don't worry about my being laughed at—I have always been confident in myself. This time I came to the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom not only because I admire Princess Yingyue, but also to deepen relations with the kingdom and foster an eternal alliance. I never expected things to turn out this way—I don't even have the qualifications to enter the selection!"

Long Xuanjiao said: "Master Hu, why be disheartened? The selection of a prince consort was originally my dear daughter's idea; tens of thousands came to apply, yet only one can finally be chosen as the son-in-law, and even I don't know which one she will pick."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Empress Dowager, since you don't know who she will ultimately choose, how do you know she won't pick me? Why won't you give me a chance?" This amounted to openly questioning Long Xuanjiao's decision.

The Grand Eunuch Zhou Desheng beside him snapped angrily: "Bold, how dare you be rude to the Empress Dowager!" Actually, the surrounding palace attendants could no longer bear it; they all thought this Hu Xiaotian was simply too arrogant.

Long Xuanjiao, however, was not angry, and smiled: "Zhou Desheng, do not be rude; I appreciate Hu Xiaotian's frank and outspoken nature. In fact, with your qualifications, being on the list of a hundred candidates is perfectly natural; do you know why I had your name crossed out?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Empress Dowager, your foresight is extraordinary; of course you must consider all aspects."

Long Xuanjiao said: "You needn't speak in riddles; are you mocking me for fearing to offend the Dakang side?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I dare not; I merely understand the Empress Dowager's predicament. I once had a Marriage Pact with the Yongyang Princess, and the Empress Dowager is of the Dakang imperial clan, so she certainly has various taboos in mind."

Long Xuanjiao said: "Quite right; I have indeed considered this matter. If I let you enter the selection, it would be hard to explain on the surface. But after thinking it over, if I were to cut off your chance because of this, you would naturally not be convinced, and before the world it would be hard to justify. I have said before: this selection of a prince consort must be fair and just, and how could I let certain scruples make the world doubt? Therefore I have decided to give you another chance."

Upon hearing her say this, Hu Xiaotian immediately understood; surely Hu Buwei had kept his promise and persuaded Long Xuanjiao to change her decision. Hu Xiaotian felt no particular surprise, given the relationship between Hu Buwei and Long Xuanjiao, bringing this about was no difficulty. There are still three days until the final prince-consort selection; even without having been formally selected yet, there remain variables. Hu Xiaotian has also made preparations: if he smoothly enters the selection and becomes prince consort, that would be ideal; if something changes midway, he will even have to abduct Long Xi Yue by force.

Besides, it's not only Long Xi Yue that lies before him; Murong Feiyan also needs to be taken along, and his maternal grandfather, who is imprisoned, must be rescued—all these matters must be settled before he leaves the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom.

Since Long Xuanjiao has shown him leniency, Hu Xiaotian also needs to put on a show of gratitude: "Thank you, Empress Dowager!"

Long Xuanjiao smiled faintly: "If Princess Yingyue ultimately chooses you as prince consort, we will become one family, and there will be no need for thanks." She then called to Ying Tianhong: "Ying Tianhong, escort Master Hu back."

Ying Tianhong obeyed.

Hu Xiaotian rose to take his leave, and before departing he added: "Please have the Empress Dowager withdraw the Phoenix Feather Guard stationed outside my residence; I have returned, so there is no need for such strict vigilance."

Long Xuanjiao nodded: "This is a minor matter; you can discuss it directly with Ying Tianhong."

Hu Xiaotian and Ying Tianhong left De Xin Palace together, but Long Xuanjiao's face darkened; Grand Eunuch Zhou Desheng came to her ear and whispered something, whereupon Long Xuanjiao rose and walked toward the rear palace.

Su Yujin was already waiting there; upon seeing Long Xuanjiao approach, she bowed and said: "May you be well, Empress Dowager."

Long Xuanjiao stepped forward, took her hand, and said: "There are no outsiders here; sister, why be so formal?"

Su Yujin said: "I heard the Empress Dowager just made an exception, allowing Hu Xiaotian to re-enter the prince-consort competition!"

Long Xuanjiao nodded, let out a soft sigh, and said: "I really find it hard to refuse him." The 'him' she referred to was Hu Buwei.

Su Yujin said: "I suspect the theft at Qingxuan Temple is related to him."

Long Xuanjiao bit her lip and said: "On the night of Mid-Autumn Festival, he came to me asking for that skull; following your advice, I handed the skull over to him, never expecting he would see at a glance that it was a counterfeit!"

Su Yujin said: "If that's the case, then the infiltration of Qingxuan Temple must have been secretly plotted by him."

Long Xuanjiao, somewhat puzzled, said: "What exactly is so special about that skull? Why is he so anxious about it?"

Su Yujin said: "Perhaps only by taking the skull to Wuji Guan can we find out; I had originally planned to bring the skull to the Northern Kingdom after leaving seclusion, but I never expected this to happen."

Long Xuanjiao said: "There are still three days until the prince-consort selection."

Su Yujin said: "During my period of seclusion this time, such a major incident actually occurred, and for the Empress Dowager to mobilize the masses for a prince-consort selection is truly unwise." She dared to speak her mind directly in front of Long Xuanjiao, showing that their relationship is extraordinary and also indicating Su Yujin's lofty status in the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom. She paused, then said: "Do you think he has never changed? A man can abandon his wife and children; this shows how cold-hearted and ruthless he is."

Long Xuanjiao said: "He had no choice." Only Su Yujin would dare to speak ill of Hu Buwei in her presence.

Su Yujin sneered: "You probably don't even believe it yourself— a man will sell anything for his ambition! He once sacrificed Xu Fengyi and her son; now he might not hesitate to abandon you."

Long Xuanjiao bit her lip; Su Yujin's words hit exactly her worries, which were also her greatest concern. Long Xuanjiao said: "He indeed harbors ambition, but everything he does is also for Longjing."

Su Yujin said nothing, merely gazing silently at Long Xuanjiao; her look seemed to see through Long Xuanjiao's heart.

Long Xuanjiao was visibly uneasy; she turned her back and slowly walked toward the window to avoid Su Yujin's gaze.

Su Yujin said from behind her: "I have heard that something has happened to someone in the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom; if an important person encounters trouble there, do you think the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom can keep itself uninvolved?"

Long Xuanjiao said: "Now most people have already been eliminated and left; only about a hundred remain."

Su Yujin said: "These hundred-odd people are the crux; the rest eliminated are utterly insignificant. I think the longer they stay to the end, the greater the trouble. If something happens to them, are you planning to push all the blame onto Dakang, imagining that this will unite everyone against Dakang in a common enemy?"

Long Xuanjiao said: "Dakang's fate is exhausted; even if we do not occupy it, this land will still be divided and devoured by others."

Su Yujin said: "Have you ever considered why he is so eager to urge you to deal with Dakang? Could his aim merely be to conquer cities and seize territory, merely to expand the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom's borders, helping the king become a true hegemon?" Su Yujin shook her head: "No, I don't think that is his purpose. That Blue Skull—I cannot fully fathom its secret, but there seems to be some miraculous power within it." As she said this, her eyes suddenly brightened.

Long Xuanjiao said: "The prince-consort selection is now a settled matter; I can only do my best to handle it well."

Su Yujin said: "In everything, one can rely only on oneself; even the closest persons cannot be fully trusted."

Hu Xiaotian had just returned to Cui Garden when Prince Heldan of Shajia came over to congratulate him, having already heard that Hu Xiaotian had been placed back on the candidate list. Hu Xiaotian secretly mused, "Who says good news stays at home while bad news travels far? There is no impermeable wall in the world." Prince Heldan this time also brought his sister Mengya; the two siblings had just arrived, and Xu Mubai came as well. Xu Mubai did not know that Hu Xiaotian had become a candidate again; he had merely heard that Hu Xiaotian had returned safely, so he came over to inquire.

Prince Fu Yang Longyue arrived at Cui Garden almost at the same time as Xu Mubai; before the few people there had even sat down, Prince Fu had already arrived.

Hu Xiaotian laughed as he invited Prince Fu in: "Prince Fu's timing is perfect; we were just about to have a drink."

Yang Longyue laughed: "You didn't even call me for drinks." Following Hu Xiaotian into the room, he saw that everyone present tonight were old acquaintances; because of his status, they all rose to greet him.

Yang Longyue greeted everyone to sit down, then deliberately said: "I thought you all would become sworn enemies, yet unexpectedly you can sit together privately and drink; your breadth of mind is truly extraordinary!"

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