Chapter 1428

Hu Xiaotian said, "Looks like everyone's situation is pretty much the same. Cousin, you're well-informed—have they found their king yet?"

Xu Mubai shook his head and said, "It's not that easy. I'd say eight or nine out of ten, it's more misfortune than fortune this time." While speaking, he subtly observed Hu Xiaotian's expression.

Hu Xiaotian's expression remained unchanged, showing no variation as he said, "Now the winds are tight; cousin, you came to see me—what urgent matter do you have?"

Xu Mubai lowered his voice and said, "The steward has come; she wants to see you."

Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brows, somewhat puzzled, and said, "Who is this steward? Why does she want to see me?" Previously, he had no interest in the affairs of the Jinling Xu clan, never bothered to learn about them; only now, passing through South Jin Island, did he sense that the Xu clan and Hu Wuwei might have had some close connection all along, prompting him to start paying attention to the Xu clan—but it's still early days, and he knows very little about the Jinling Xu clan.

Xu Mubai said, "She is the steward of our Xu clan, and also my aunt. Over these years, grandmother has kept to herself; all orders are announced externally through her."

Hu Xiaotian's heart gave a start—he hadn't expected the Jinling Xu family to still have such a powerful figure; Xu Mubai's aunt is none other than his own aunt. He vaguely recalled having an aunt, seemingly named Xu Fengmei. Hu Xiaotian asked, "When shall we meet?"

Xu Mubai said, "Let's go now; she's already waiting at Yuqing Treasure Villa."

Hu Xiaotian decided to go see this Xu clan steward. Regarding the Xu clan, he had always been filled with too many doubts. On this trip to Tianxiang Kingdom, Hu Xiaotian discovered that the Xu clan's influence runs deep here. Hu Wuwei's choice of Tianxiang Kingdom back then was probably not solely due to Long Xuanjiao; from this one can infer that Hu Wuwei's relationship with the Xu clan is far closer than what he has seen. The Xu clan's indifference and cruelty toward Hu Wuwei might merely be a show. Hu Xiaotian even began to doubt whether that elusive, dragon-like Xu matriarch actually exists. Perhaps someone else is pulling the strings behind the scenes of this vast Xu family, and the old matriarch is just a front.

At such a time, going out inevitably invites interrogation. Over the short three-li distance from Cui Garden to Yuqing Treasure Villa, they encountered five checkpoints. In the process, they saw many suspicious individuals being apprehended. The matter of the Tianxiang Kingdom's missing king has stirred the whole city into a state of panic and alarm. The festivities that had begun yesterday were suddenly halted; ordinary folk dare not take to the streets now, nearly every household keeps its doors shut, the streets and alleys are empty, giving an especially desolate air.

Upon arriving at Yuqing Treasure Villa, indeed, as Xu Mubai had said, the place was in utter disarray. Xu Mucheng was directing the servants to clean up; seeing the two enter, he gave a wry smile and stepped forward, sighing, "These soldiers are nothing short of bandits—savage and rude! They've almost turned Yuqing Treasure Villa upside down."

Xu Mubai asked, "Have you lost anything?"

Xu Mucheng replied, "Only some things were damaged. They didn't dare to openly loot." He smiled at Hu Xiaotian and said, "The steward is in the rear courtyard!"

Xu Mubai brought Hu Xiaotian to the rear courtyard, only to find it already tidied up, though one could still see the changes—broken flowerpots and fish tanks had been removed. The whole courtyard now felt much more open.

A woman in a green robe sat quietly in the pavilion; night had already fallen. Because she faced away with her back to the outside, her true appearance could not be seen.

Approaching the pavilion, Xu Mubai respectfully said, "Aunt, I've brought my cousin here!"

The woman in the green robe slowly turned around. When Hu Xiaotian saw her face, he felt as if struck by lightning, frozen in place. This steward looked almost exactly like his mother, Xu Fengyi, though upon closer look, her features were much younger than his mother's. Xu Fengmei gave Hu Xiaotian a faint smile, kind and gentle, and said softly, "You must be Xiao Tian, right? I am your aunt!"

Hu Xiaotian clasped his fists in salute; upon first seeing Xu Fengmei, he was suddenly reminded of his mother, his heart in turmoil. His mother had said on her deathbed that she was born of Xu Lingkong and an outsider—why then does she resemble Xu Fengmei so closely? It seems the information his mother possessed may not be true. Hu Xiaotian sighed inwardly, regretting that his mother died too early, leaving everything unverifiable. He respectfully said, "Aunt, please accept my bow!"

Before Hu Xiaotian could kneel, Xu Fengmei seized his hand and pulled him up, smiling, "I can't accept such a grand salute. I've long wanted to see you, and only today have we had the chance to meet, Xiao Tian—you are the pride of our Xu clan." She held his hand, examined him closely, and praised, "Indeed, a remarkable talent." She glanced at Xu Mubai.

Xu Mubai immediately understood and quietly withdrew.

Xu Fengmei took Hu Xiaotian's hand and had him sit down. The more Hu Xiaotian looked at Xu Fengmei, the more he felt she resembled his mother—after all, they are sisters. But what was the purpose of his mother's dying words? Why would she believe such nonsense? If his mother truly was a descendant of the Xu clan, then who is Hu Wuwei? And why does he have such an interest in that blue, translucent skull?

Hu Xiaotian asked, "When did you arrive, aunt?"

Xu Fengmei released Hu Xiaotian's arm, picked up the teapot, poured him a cup of tea, and handed it over. Hu Xiaotian accepted it respectfully, smelled the fragrance, took a slight sip then stopped. He harbored deep wariness toward the Xu clan; during Mid-Autumn, Xu Mubai had invited him to gather at Deyue Lou, intending to tamper with the food and drink. Although his body is nearly immune to all poisons, after all, nothing is absolute—if he encountered a master like Ren Tianqing, he could easily fall victim.

Xu Fengmei said, "Do you feel I look very much like your mother?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "Very much so, though you are far younger than my mother."

A faint smile touched Xu Fengmei's lips: "Actually, we're only three years apart in age."

Hu Xiaotian said, "My mother's life was truly exhausting; she labored tirelessly for the Hu family until death."

Xu Fengmei nodded and softly sighed, "Your sister really had it rough. Did she pass peacefully?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Before my mother died, my father wasn't by her side, and no one from the Xu clan was with her."

Xu Fengmei said, "The Xu clan indeed owes your sister a great deal; your anger is justified. I came to see you today not hoping to rekindle familial ties—I just have some things I want to say to you."

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "Please speak!"

Xu Fengmei said, "Why not take your people and leave as soon as possible?"

Hu Xiaotian lifted his head, locked eyes with Xu Fengmei, stared for a while, then suddenly laughed: "I don't quite get this—are you threatening me, or giving advice?"

Xu Fengmei smiled faintly, "You are my nephew by blood—how could I threaten you? I'm merely concerned for you, not wanting you to keep risking yourself here."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Even if I wanted to leave now, there's no chance—Tianxiang Kingdom's king is missing, the empress dowager has issued an order that no one may leave the borders before the king is found; if I went, I'd be the prime suspect. Moreover..." He paused, then said, "My maternal grandfather is under the control of the Beggars' Sect—you surely haven't missed this news?" Xu Lingkong should be Xu Fengmei's father; her father is in trouble—surely this daughter wouldn't be unconcerned?

Xu Fengmei said softly, "The Xu clan's affairs will be handled by Xu clan members; you need not worry." The implication clearly treated Hu Xiaotian as an outsider.

The smile on Hu Xiaotian's face vanished instantly: "If we rely on the Xu clan, I fear the old man won't even survive to escape."

Xu Fengmei said, "The Beggars' Sect is the number one gang under heaven; its strength can rival any kingdom. Making an enemy of them will bring you no benefit."

Hu Xiaotian said, "You needn't worry about that—even if I provoke the Beggars' Sect, it's my own affair and has nothing to do with the Xu clan!"

Xu Fengmei said, "Some things aren't irrelevant just because you say they are."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, "Your words sound contradictory."

Xu Fengmei said, "Today you deliberately provoked trouble in the palace, targeting the Beggars' Sect's Shangguan Yun Chong everywhere—surely this was intentional?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "So what?"

Xu Fengmei said, "With your wit, dealing with the Beggars' Sect shouldn't require such lowly tactics—especially today, with the Tianxiang Kingdom's king missing, what connection could there possibly be?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "It does sound like there's some connection."

Xu Fengmei said, "I've heard some unverified rumors that you have a paternal half-brother in Tianxiang Kingdom; back then, your father disregarded your mother and child's safety and chose to leave Dakang—have you never been able to untangle that knot in your heart?"

Hu Xiaotian remained composed; Xu Fengmei is indeed no ordinary person—she clearly suspects him of having abducted Yang Longjing.

Xu Fengmei said, "If I were you, I might very well do something that would make some people regret it forever—if someone had abducted Yang Longjing, eliminated him, and then pinned the blame on the Beggars' Sect, that would be killing two birds with one stone, avenging a great grudge."

Hu Xiaotian sighed inwardly; Xu Fengmei is extraordinarily clever, almost guessing his every move—yet she lacks evidence, even if her speculation is the most reasonable. Hu Xiaotian suddenly reached out and touched her smooth forehead: "You don't have a fever, do you? Why are you talking nonsense?"

Xu Fengmei also didn't expect this brat to dare such a bold move, but her expression showed no change; she remained unruffled.

Although Hu Xiaotian's act was disrespectful, it carried deep meaning; Xu Fengmei neither dodged nor avoided, the whole process was extremely composed—she didn't even have the normal flinch reaction—showing the strength of her mindset.

Xu Fengmei said, "I will not allow anyone to damage the Xu clan's interests—not even you."

Hu Xiaotian said, "If you have evidence, go ahead and accuse him before Tianxiang Kingdom; if you lack evidence, please don't spout nonsense—otherwise, even as relatives, I won't give you face." He rose, smiled at Xu Fengmei, and said, "Let's just not meet again from now on—I really don't want to ruin the image of my mother in my heart."

Xu Fengmei watched Hu Xiaotian's retreating back, slowly shaking her head; after his figure disappeared outside the courtyard, she turned and walked into the small building behind her.

Today we've already delivered three more chapters; we ask for monthly ticket support—if we can top the charts today, there will be four more chapters! A total of seven! Brothers and sisters, let's power up! (To be continued~^~)