Chapter 1421

Long Xuanjiao finally managed to calm her emotions after great effort. Since the Mid-Autumn night, when Hu Buwei smashed that crystal Skull in front of her, the wound in her heart has never healed; the crack may be like that shattered Skull, or perhaps it will never mend. She can no longer control her anxiety and fear. A ruler who cannot hold onto power, a woman who cannot hold onto her man—what a state of unease. Long Xuanjiao said, "Have you ever thought that he has changed?" These words are almost like she is talking to herself.

Long Xi Yue sat back down by the candle stand, embroidering by its light, and whispered softly, "Anyone can change; I'm not afraid he'll change, because he will never change for me!"

Long Xuanjiao's heart felt as if it had been viciously stabbed again. She didn't understand how Long Xi Yue could say something so full of confidence. She had wanted to refute Long Xi Yue for self-deception, but the fleeting happiness that flashed in Long Xi Yue's eyes told her Long Xi Yue was not lying. Long Xuanjiao thought of herself; for the first time she realized that waiting could also be a happiness.

Tomorrow is the Double Ninth Festival, and it is also the day of the final selection of the prince consort. The whole city of Piaoxiang is filled with joy, brimming with festive atmosphere. Drums and gongs resound through streets and alleys; the people have already begun spontaneous celebrations in advance. Today is merely a warm‑up; once the prince consort is finally decided, the official celebrations will be fully launched. According to news from the Honglu Temple, this prince consort's celebration will last three days.

After these candidates made it into the final hundred‑person list, they actively worked and ran around in all directions. Although the state of Tianxiang said the final decision would be made by the princess, everyone knows that the person who really holds the key role is still the empress dowager.

If the selection were fair and just, Hu Xiaotian would have no worries at all, but now he must make thorough preparations. Yang Longyue obtained a floor plan of the Green Shadow Pavilion for him; forcibly rescuing Long Xi Yue is one of his last resorts.

Early in the morning, Hu Xiaotian and Ji Feihua went to the Mingxinju Teahouse near Cuiyuan for tea. After not seeing each other for several days, Ji Feihua's health has fully recovered.

After sitting down, Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "I was worried I couldn't find you. I never thought you'd finally agree to see me."

Ji Feihua said calmly, "I had wanted to leave without saying goodbye, but I was afraid you'd accuse me of kidnapping your treasure and fleeing." She placed the light sword, wrapped layer upon layer in cloth, on the table.

Hu Xiaotian pushed it back, saying, "I don't need it for now, and besides, 'he who holds a jade is guilty of its crime'."

Ji Feihua couldn't help laughing, glanced at the light sword, and said, "Indeed, there is something mysterious about it."

Hu Xiaotian had no interest in those secrets, and in a low voice said, "I have already handed over that Skull to him."

Ji Feihua nodded and said, "I know!" In fact, she had known since Hu Xiaotian regained his eligibility to run for prince consort, and she felt no surprise about it.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Tomorrow is the day the results will be revealed."

"Then let me congratulate you in advance!"

Hu Xiaotian gave a wry smile and said, "You think I have victory in the bag?"

Ji Feihua lifted her Chazan, took a sip, and said, "Could it be that he accepted your gift but still refuses to help you?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "People's hearts are unfathomable. I have to be on guard!" He leaned in a bit, lowered his voice, and said, "Not only this matter, I also have another favor to ask of you."

Ji Feihua gently set down her Chazan and said, "Speak; I'll listen, but it must be within my ability." Facing Hu Xiaotian, she always remained vigilant and rational.

Hu Xiaotian said, "I want to capture someone!"

Ji Feihua frowned and asked, "Who?"

"Yang Longjing!"

Ji Feihua looked at Hu Xiaotian with some surprise; Yang Longjing is the current king of the Tianxiang Kingdom. For Hu Xiaotian to even consider targeting him shows real boldness. Ji Feihua said, "Are you worried you won't be selected as prince consort, so you want an extra trump card to use against Long Xuanjiao?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "That's only one of the reasons."

"Do you realize that if this is exposed, you'll become the target of everyone's anger, with no foothold left in the Tianxiang Kingdom, and you might not even have a chance to return."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "I've considered all possible consequences, but some things must be done. My maternal grandfather is now under the control of the Beggars' Sect and imprisoned at the Sword‑Washing Mountain Villa."

Ji Feihua instantly understood his meaning: "Are you trying to pin this on the Beggars' Sect? But if you use that as leverage, Long Xuanjiao may not believe it."

"As long as Yang Longjing is kidnapped, the prince consort matter will inevitably be postponed; if we follow the plan, we will surely achieve two goals with one action and succeed swiftly."

Hu Xiaotian whispered his detailed plan to Ji Feihua; hearing it, she couldn't help but praise, "You, indeed, are full of schemes." At last she understood: although Hu Xiaotian appeared to be coerced by Hu Buwei and seemed passive, his layout had already begun, waiting only for the right moment to launch a full counterattack.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "That means you've already agreed."

Ji Feihua, however, looked at Hu Xiaotian with a smiling squint and said, "If this succeeds, you can become prince consort as you wish, strike a blow at the Beggars' Sect on the side, and give Long Xuanjiao and her lot a lesson—truly a three‑for‑one gain. But what's in it for me? Why should I agree?"

After pondering for a while, Hu Xiaotian said, "Is the reason 'for my sake' enough?"

Ji Feihua shook her head: "I never consider others when I act; I follow only my own liking. But this time you're lucky—I happen to be interested!"

The day of the selection finally arrived. Early that morning, the hundred finalists who had made it through were already dressed and ready, heading to the palace. Each was elaborately attired, wearing bright clothes and riding spirited horses. Upon reaching the Yudai Bridge of the capital, everyone dismounted at once, handed their horses to attendants, and prepared to enter the palace on foot.

Carpets had been laid, stretching from before the Yudai Bridge all the way to the capital's Tianhe Dian. Two hundred Fengling guards stood in two rows at the bridgehead; in the center stood a female general in golden helmet and armor, heroic and vigorous. Hu Xiaotian recognized her from afar as Murong Feiyan, and his heart leapt with joy. Although Ji Feihua had told him of the relationship between Murong Feiyan and Su Yujin, he still felt uneasy, for he himself was a living example—even one's own father could not be relied upon these days. If Su Yujin were as heartless and unfeeling toward kin as Hu Buwei, then Murong Feiyan's situation would be worrisome. Seeing Murong Feiyan appear safe and sound, Hu Xiaotian finally put his mind at ease.

Murong Feiyan was today tasked with guiding the group; she led everyone into the palace, but did not go straight to Tianhe Dian, instead entering an eastern side hall to wait temporarily.

Hu Xiaotian did not sit with the others; he went straight up to Murong Feiyan and smiled at her.

Murong Feiyan was as cold as ice, staring at him coldly and asking, "Master Hu, do you have something to say?"

Hu Xiaotian whispered, "Turning face and denying people!"

"Have we met before?" Hu Xiaotian sighed, "How boring! Really boring, but anyway, as long as you're all right!" It seems what Ji Feihua said is true—Su Yujin and Murong Feiyan must be mother and daughter; otherwise, given her nasty temperament, she would not have spared Murong Feiyan lightly.

Murong Feiyan said, "Do I have any business with you?"

Hu Xiaotian was choked speechless, but reflecting on how he had indeed failed Murong Feiyan during this period, and moreover he had come this time under the banner of applying for prince consort, even if Murong Feiyan were broad‑minded she would not take it well. He then sent a mental transmission: "This time I will definitely take you away!"

Murong Feiyan said lightly, "You're probably worried about your own safety!" She gave Hu Xiaotian a glance and said, "Master Hu, you'd better go back and sit!"

Hu Xiaotian returned to sit among the crowd; Xu Mubai had saved him a seat. He had just sat down when he heard someone opposite mocking, "Who would have thought? Even the Tianxiang Kingdom changes orders overnight—clearly the posted list can still change!" The speaker was none other than the Black‑Hu Eighth Prince, Wanyan Tianyue; as he spoke his gaze fixed on Hu Xiaotian, clearly directing the remark at him.

Beside him, a short, plump man said, "Yeah! How could there be an extra one?"

Someone else in the crowd added, "At first it was hidden, but I didn't expect the belt to be too loose to keep it concealed, so it showed up again." The remark provoked laughter throughout the hall.

Hu Xiaotian lifted his gaze toward the speaker in the crowd and slowly rose to his feet.

Murong Feiyan hurried forward to warn him, "This is the palace; you must not cause a disturbance!"

Hu Xiaotian lightly patted her shoulder and said, "Excuse me! I'm going to relieve myself!"

Murong Feiyan never expected him to say that; the crowd had thought he was going over to regain face, but hearing his words they burst into laughter again.

As soon as Murong Feiyan stepped aside, Hu Xiaotian sprang into action; with a single stride he reached the man who had just insulted him, raised his hand—slap! slap! —two hard slaps, grabbed the man's collar amid the crowd's gasps, lifted him high over his head, and shouted coldly, "You dare not believe I'll throw you to your death!"

No one expected Hu Xiaotian to erupt so suddenly, nor that his strike would be so decisive and ruthless.

Murong Feiyan panicked, "Hu Xiaotian, you must not act rashly!"

Hu Xiaotian chuckled and said, "I despise most those petty people who point at mulberries while cursing locusts, who sneer and jeer. If you've got the guts, come bite your tongue; if not, show up and face me!" He loosened his grip, flung the man to the ground, leaving him dazed and dirty, then without letting him rise, he stepped on his chest, looked around the crowd, and declared, "What? Nobody speaking? Survival of the fittest, the strong reign—if you want to be prince consort, rely on strength. Although I, Hu Xiaotian, am the last one the empress dowager entered onto the list, that doesn't mean I'm incapable! Compare literary talent, compare martial skill—whoever thinks they're better than me, step forward; I'll gladly match them!"

Hu Xiaotian fears no trouble; since he arrived today he never intended to honestly take part in any selection—pfft! Long Xi Yue has always been mine; with a toe‑kick he already sent the man on the ground flying, and now he strides straight toward the Black‑Hu Eighth Prince, Wanyan Tianyue. (To be continued~^~)