Chapter 1427

Hu Xiaotian said, "Stab if you want!" He still charged forward bravely; Murong Feiyan hardened her heart, nudged the dagger forward slightly, and the blade had already pierced Hu Xiaotian's neck skin, a trickle of blood flowing out. Yet Hu Xiaotian displayed the heroic spirit of pressing on despite a minor wound, continuing to close in.

Seeing blood on his neck, Murong Feiyan's heart already softened. Hu Xiaotian read her intent from her softened gaze—nothing ventured, nothing gained; to win back her affection, what's a little blood? His relentless advance finally forced Murong Feiyan to drop the dagger, but she immediately raised her hand and slapped his cheek with a crisp smack.

Though the slap rang loud, her cherry lips almost gave way at the same moment.

Murong Feiyan struggled with whimpers, but her strength was clearly no match for Hu Xiaotian's, and being held in his arms further sapped her power; only with difficulty did she manage to move her mouth away, snarling, "You're not afraid I'll scream!"

Hu Xiaotian replied, "Not afraid—I even like it! Go ahead and scream for me to hear!"

"Shameless!" Murong Feiyan cursed him, though her tone had obviously softened.

Hu Xiaotian said, "I know I'm sorry to you, so I don't want to explain; considering our past affection, you ought to give me a chance to make amends."

Murong Feiyan retorted, "I don't want your compensation—I'm utterly disappointed in you! Let me go; if my subordinates see me cooped up this long, they'll surely suspect something."

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "Do you want to know where your king is?"

Murong Feiyan's heart jolted, her beautiful eyes widening as she stared at him and said, "Indeed, it's you!"

Hu Xiaotian leaned close to her ear and whispered, "If it were me, would you report me to the court?"

Murong Feiyan blinked her lovely eyes, then whispered, "You're not trying to use me, are you? That's why you're saying this?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "I give you my whole heart, utter sincerity! Even if I sacrificed my life, I wouldn't want you to suffer the slightest harm—how could I ever use you?"

Murong Feiyan gave him a sideways glance and said, "I didn't mishear—someone seems to be concerned about me."

Hu Xiaotian replied, "Actually, some people's feelings for you have never changed."

Murong Feiyan glared at him and said, "Hypocrite!"

Footsteps sounded outside; Hu Xiaotian could only release her. Murong Feiyan quickly composed herself, then heard her subordinate's report from outside: "Report, Murong Commander, Your Highness Prince Fu has arrived, saying he wishes to search the Cui Garden."

Hu Xiaotian gave a faint smile; it seemed Yang Longyue also came under the pretense of searching to talk with him.

Murong Feiyan glanced at him and said with a double meaning, "You'd better just be honest."

Hu Xiaotian whispered, "At the Xu Hour tomorrow night, I'll be waiting for you on the Jade Wave Bridge of Liuhua River."

"I won't go!"

"I'll wait for you!"

Hu Xiaotian saw Murong Feiyan out, then in the front yard met Prince Fu Yang Longyue, and he deliberately said, "Murong Commander just finished searching, and now Your Highness Prince Fu comes again—could it be that you've all listed me as a prime suspect?"

The corner of Prince Fu's mouth twitched into a wry smile: "It's the Empress Dowager's order; I'm just carrying out routine duties."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Then let your subordinates handle the routine. Let's go to the flower hall for tea."

The two arrived at the flower hall; Prince Fu Yang Longyue, confident no one was around, spoke somewhat tensely: "Where have you hidden him?" He knew full well about this matter; although Hu Xiaotian hadn't explicitly revealed the plot to kidnap the king, he had long been clear about it. Tacitly, he provided Hu Xiaotian with everything he needed.

Hu Xiaotian lifted the Chazan, took a calm sip, and said softly, "Older brother, I don't quite understand that remark of yours."

Prince Fu Yang Longyue sighed and said, "Brothers, why beat around the bush? The map of the Mountain Villa to Avoid Heat and the deployment of its defenses are all I provided you. His disappearance must be your doing—so why won't you tell me the truth, brother?" Upon hearing the news of Prince Yang Longjing's disappearance, Yang Longyue felt a mix of joy and worry: joy that Yang Longjing had fallen under Hu Xiaotian's control, worry that although Hu Xiaotian had let him cooperate, he had not openly admitted to abducting Yang Longjing; it seemed Hu Xiaotian still had other plans, and just how much he could gain from this remained uncertain.

Hu Xiaotian replied, "A state cannot go a day without a ruler; in fact, older brother, you needn't worry about anything else—if you can seize this opportunity, it will be the right path for you." Prince Fu's approach left Hu Xiaotian somewhat disappointed; at such a time he should exert his own strength, press the Empress Dowager with urgency, rather than come here to ask about Prince Yang Longjing's whereabouts.

Yang Longyue bit his lip, lowered his voice, and said, "Tell me, he won't come back alive!" His eyes brimmed with anticipation; he was the one who most desired Prince Yang Longjing's death in the world, and he only wished this disappearance to be permanent, never to see him return.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "I will do my utmost to help older brother fulfill his wish." He sighed inwardly, indeed there is no familial affection left in the imperial family.

Yang Longyue, having received no answer from Hu Xiaotian that he wanted, longed even more to hear of Prince Yang Longjing's death. Hu Xiaotian's words did not reassure him, and Yang Longyue said, "Brother, don't forget: once I ascend the throne, I can not only secure Princess Yingyue for you, but also help you marry any woman of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom you desire, and I can even assist you in completely eradicating Mr. Lan's influence from that kingdom."

Hu Xiaotian sighed and said, "I will do my utmost for older brother's affairs." Although the two had secretly joined forces, Hu Xiaotian could not simply follow Yang Longyue's wishes; if he were to kill Prince Yang Longjing now, Yang Longyue would surely press the Empress Dowager to abdicate, and Prince Yang Longjing already wished to eliminate his half‑brothers, let alone his sworn brother Hu Xiaotian, who shares no blood with him. Accustomed to the warmth and coldness of human relations, and unfamiliar with the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, Hu Xiaotian must keep the initiative firmly in his own hands—only after his own matters are fully settled can he consider Yang Longyue's interests. Human nature is inherently selfish, and moreover, he now walks a razor's edge, where every move concerns his own life and that of his beloved; he dare not be careless in the slightest.

Moreover, after witnessing Su Yujin's power, Hu Xiaotian doubted whether Yang Longyue could defeat Long Xuanjiao. Behind Long Xuanjiao stand Su Yujin and Hu Buwei, while Yang Longyue has only a few senile, hidebound ministers at his back.

Yang Longyue lowered his voice and said, "At the very least, tell me where he is hidden."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, suddenly realizing that Yang Longyue's visit this time to search was not driven by the Empress Dowager Long Xuanjiao's orders, nor was it merely an excuse to meet him; rather, Yang Longyue was eager to put pressure on him. The shifting circumstances clearly affected everyone's mindset, so Hu Xiaotian rose, patted Yang Longyue on the shoulder, and said softly, "Opportunity waits for no one—older brother, why waste your time here?"

It was already dusk, and Prince Yang Longjing had still not sent any word; although Empress Dowager Long Xuanjiao was tormented inside, her mind gradually calmed. Chief Eunuch Zhou Desheng carefully reported the latest news to her, and though one expected her to explode in fury again, quietly observing her expression showed no sign of anger—it seemed the empress had accepted reality, her heart at peace.

Long Xuanjiao said, "Zhou Desheng, what's happening over at Prince Fu's side?"

Zhou Desheng replied, "Prince Fu has been running about all day for the king's affairs, personally leading troops in searching the city, and he is deeply concerned about the king's disappearance."

Long Xuanjiao gave a cold snort and said, "He has no idea how happy he is!" She crooked her finger at Zhou Desheng, who drew near her side, and Long Xuanjiao said, "Have someone keep close watch on him—wherever he goes, whoever he contacts, every move, no matter how great or small, must be reported to me."

"Yes!"

Long Xuanjiao waved her hand and said, "You may go—and also, invite Mr. Lan."

After seeing Yang Longyue off, Hu Xiaotian summoned Liang Yinghao to the flower hall; Liang Yinghao arrived with a solemn expression and bowed his fists to Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian asked, "How are things?"

Liang Yinghao whispered, "I have found a hidden spot in the cellar of the Fu Gui Hall; unless they dig three feet deep, they will never discover that person's whereabouts."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; the Fu Gui Hall is where Official Yun Chong stays in Piaoxiang City and also the branch of the Beggars' Sect. A few days earlier Hu Xiaotian had begun preparations, having Liang Yinghao secretly dig a hiding place in the hall's underground, then give it to Ji Feihua so that after she abducted Prince Yang Longjing she could conceal him there directly.

Liang Yinghao asked, "My lord, when do you intend to expose this secret?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Our business is done; now we only need to stay out of it and watch from the sidelines. For the next two days, pretend nothing happened and carry on as usual. Remember, aside from me, no one is to be told about this."

Liang Yinghao bowed and said, "My lord, rest assured; I know what to do."

At that moment Zhao Wusheng came to report, but it was Xu Muhui who had arrived.

Hu Xiaotian had Zhao Wusheng usher Xu Muhui in; upon seeing the Cui Garden in disarray, Xu Muhui couldn't help but sigh and say, "Cousin, they've also come here to search you?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "Indeed it is! First the Phoenix Feather Guard, then Prince Fu's personal troops—they've turned the Cui Garden upside down, really making me furious, treating me as a suspect? If I'd known earlier, I would never have come to the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, suffering all this nonsense for nothing!"

Xu Muhui gave a wry smile and said, "Cousin, calm down—I'm no better off; they've ransacked the storehouses of the Yucheng Baozhuang, and though my Xu clan has operated in the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom for years, we've never endured such rude treatment. Because of the king's disappearance, the whole court and populace have descended into chaos, with the imperial guards running about like headless flies." (To be continued~^~)