Chapter 1446

Su Yujin said: "That skull seems to have a mysterious vitality..." As she said this, her gaze suddenly became frenzied; she realized her heartbeat was quickening, and she hurriedly adjusted her breath. Despite her martial arts cultivation, she could not escape the influence of that skull; the blue transparent skull seemed to possess some unknown magical power, making people want to enter it and explore its secrets. Since the skull was taken from her at the Pure Mystery Temple, Su Yujin's inner sense of loss is indescribable, even tormenting her to toss and turn, unable to sleep; this pain and anguish is something outsiders cannot know.

Long Xuanjiao said: "You didn't say that skull was artificially carved, did you?"

Su Yujin laughed: "Of course, when have you ever seen anyone with such a huge head, and the skull is even transparent blue?" Even the closest friends sometimes cannot speak the truth.

Long Xuanjiao nodded, believing this without doubt, and she whispered: "If it's lost, it's lost; I just worry he'll come to me demanding it back. I truly don't understand why he values this so much."

Su Yujin said: "That skull has most likely already fallen into his hands."

Long Xuanjiao said: "It's just a skull; even if it were entirely blue crystal, there's nothing particularly precious about it. By the way, I recall him saying that such skulls are not unique."

Su Yujin's eyes lit up.

Long Xuanjiao, however, stopped this topic at this moment, shook her head and said: "I'm tired, I won't speak of it! Regardless, I will no longer stake Prosperous Scene's future and Tianxiang Kingdom's fate as a gamble."

Su Yujin laughed: "Empress Dowager, please rest well."

The day of the prince consort selection in the Kingdom of Tianxiang finally arrived; of the hundred initially selected, only twenty-odd remain, the rest mostly sharing the same mindset as Prince He'erdan of Shajia—knowing they won't be chosen, none are willing to stay and waste time. After all, Hu Xiaotian's deed of rescuing the Tianxiang king and empress dowager is widely known, and everyone understands that his becoming prince consort is a foregone conclusion. The wise have already left in advance; those remaining are mostly the sort who refuse to give up until they hit the Yellow River. Apart from Hu Xiaotian, the most capable is undoubtedly the Seventh Prince of Da Yong, Xue Daoming, who stays merely to catch a glimpse of Princess Yingyue; if she truly isn't Long Xi Yue, he will have fulfilled his wish anyway.

Because the empress dowager and the king are both ill, this prince consort selection is jointly presided over by Chancellor Yuan Zhisheng and Master Su Yujin, with Minister of Rites Wang Qiezhi handling the specifics. The venue is also set at the Green Shadow Pavilion, not the palace.

Thinking that he could finally meet Long Xi Yue today, Hu Xiaotian could not contain his excitement; he rose early and dressed up carefully. Although the outcome held little suspense, he still felt a bit nervous. After all, it had been so long since he came to rescue Long Xi Yue from her cage; he wondered whether she blamed him in her heart.

Accompanied by Zhan Peng, Zhao Wusheng, Liang Yinghao, and Xia Zhangming, Hu Xiaotian headed for the Green Shadow Pavilion; the four also knew today was an important day, so they specially changed into fresh clothes and followed behind him, rather like groomsmen.

Zhao Wusheng said: "I heard most people have already left."

Liang Yinghao laughed: "This is what's called 'Retreat When Facing Difficulty.' They clearly know the princess belongs to our lord; coming here they're just making up the numbers—why bother making wedding clothes for others?"

They all laughed at once.

Liang Yinghao said: "But there are always those who are oblivious. Knowing defeat is certain, they still refuse to give up until they hit the Yellow River—won't shed tears until they see the coffin!"

Xia Zhangming spat and said: "Good luck, don't spout nonsense."

Liang Yinghao then realized he had spoken rashly. Today everyone was going to see the princess; how could he utter such nonsense? He slapped himself: "Good luck, good luck. I'm talking nonsense; my lord, please don't take offense."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "There's nothing so superstitious, just an analogy!" A group of riders also headed toward the Green Shadow Pavilion from the front intersection, happening to meet Hu Xiaotian and his companions there. The other party was a Da Yong entourage; compared to their scene, Hu Xiaotian's side looked shabby.

Xue Daoming lifted the carriage curtain, revealing a gloomy face from within, and coldly stared at Hu Xiaotian.

Zhan Peng originally wanted to rush ahead of the opposing convoy, but someone from the other side rushed out, glaring fiercely at Zhan Peng, and the two confronted each other at the intersection, neither yielding.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Zhan Peng, let them go first!"

Zhan Peng then retreated.

Liang Yinghao gave a strange laugh: "Damn! Are you rushing to be reborn?"

Hu Xiaotian raised his hand to stop him from further provocation; starting a conflict now would be utterly meaningless, and besides, his becoming prince consort is as good as certain—despite Xue Daoming's imposing entourage, he is destined to lose; today I, the master, am too fine a porcelain to bother clashing with pottery.

Upon arriving at the Green Shadow Pavilion, they learned that aside from the selected candidates, everyone else had been ushered to the neighboring Red Maple Pavilion to rest and wait—meaning no matter how many attendants one brought, they were useless, and outsiders weren't even qualified to enter the Green Shadow Pavilion.

Hu Xiaotian had long been prepared for this; he told Zhao Wusheng: "You few wait in the Red Maple Pavilion; be sure to remember why we came today—there's no need to provoke them."

Zhao Wusheng laughed: "My lord, rest assured; we few won't cause you trouble."

Hu Xiaotian alone approached the gate of the Green Shade Pavilion; Minister of Rites Wang Qiezhi, seeing him come, immediately pushed the other guests aside, greeted him with a beaming face, clasped his hands and bowed: "Master Hu has arrived!" He regarded Hu Xiaotian differently not only because Hu Xiaotian had once saved his life, but also because Hu Xiaotian's becoming prince consort of Tianxiang Kingdom was already taken as fact; today's selection was merely a formality.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Minister Wang, no need for such courtesy—have Chancellor Yuan and Master Su arrived?"

Wang Qiezhi said: "They'll be here soon; the selection will begin in half an hour, and so far only twenty-three people have confirmed attendance."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; Wang Qiezhi revealing the actual situation to him was tantamount to showing goodwill. Accompanied by Wang Qiezhi, he entered the Green Shadow Pavilion, came to the front courtyard, and saw Murong Feiyan and Ying Tianhong each leading a detachment responsible for guard duty.

Hu Xiaotian greeted Ying Tianhong, feeling that everyone was much more courteous toward him; this change in attitude largely stemmed from his having rescued Long Xuanjiao and her child, leading them to regard Hu Xiaotian as a benefactor of the Tianxiang Kingdom.

Hu Xiaotian approached Murong Feiyan, gave a light cough to remind her to pay attention.

Murong Feiyan said: "You've finally gotten what you wished for!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I've only fulfilled half; this time I came to Tianxiang with the firm resolve to bring both of them back." The two individuals were Long Xi Yue and, naturally, Murong Feiyan.

Murong Feiyan shook her head: "I'm afraid you won't be able to do so."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Even if I have to seize them, I will take them back."

Seeing no one around, Murong Feiyan suddenly asked: "If two people fell into the water, whom would you save?"

Hu Xiaotian didn't even think and replied: "Save you!"

Murong Feiyan bit her cherry lip, utterly disbelieving Hu Xiaotian's words: "Why?"

"Her swimming is better than yours!"

"Get lost!" If there weren't still people around, Murong Feiyan would surely have punched that detestable face.

Hu Xiaotian was actually answering honestly; his answer truly reflected his thoughts—when the two beloved women fell into the water, of course he would first rescue the one with poorer swimming ability.

At this moment, Wang Qiezhi had already greeted everyone and led them into the inner garden.

Murong Feiyan watched Hu Xiaotian go, her face expressionless but her heart filled with indescribable discomfort; she silently reminded herself that he had come this time for Long Xi Yue, having nothing to do with her, and even if he said otherwise, it was all lies. No matter how broad-minded a woman, seeing her beloved man go to a bride‑selection would not feel good, even though Murong Feiyan already knew Hu Xiaotian's relationship with Long Xi Yue, and although this was an age where taking multiple wives was considered natural.

Under Wang Qiezhi's personal guidance, everyone arrived at the flower hall, where the Tianxiang Kingdom's Chancellor Yuan Zhisheng and Master Su Yujin were already waiting. After a few words of low conversation, Yuan Zhisheng said: "I, on behalf of His Majesty, first apologize for the delay in the prince consort selection; today I and Master Su have been entrusted by the king and empress dowager to oversee the selection, and this affair will certainly be fair and impartial, treating everyone equally—please rest assured."

Someone impatiently said: "Chancellor, please have the princess come out to see us." After a series of back‑and‑forth, the crowd no longer held their initial expectations, and the outcome held little suspense; now each person's greatest wish is simply to see Princess Yingyue in person—at least it wouldn't be a wasted trip.

Yuan Zhisheng laughed: "Our princess is versed in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, especially skilled at ink and wash; this first question was personally designed by her—surely everyone saw her embroidered portrait when we were in the palace that day, right?"

The crowd murmured, wondering what new trick the Kingdom of Tianxiang would pull.

Yuan Zhisheng said: "We will provide paper and brush; everyone will draw on the spot, and whoever's portrait of the princess is most lifelike will win."

Upon hearing this topic, someone immediately protested: "We've never seen the princess herself—how can we draw a likeness? Let the princess come out and meet us."

Yuan Zhisheng smiled faintly, signaling his attendants to bring out paper and brush.

When the paper and brush were brought up, everyone was startled again—it wasn't a brush but a stick of charcoal; how could one draw with this? Seeing the drawing implement, Hu Xiaotian felt boundless warmth; sure enough, this was a topic set by Long Xi Yue, who arranged it precisely to make him the sole victor, such favoritism promising a bright future for him.

Hu Xiaotian picked up the charcoal stick and began to sketch swiftly on the white paper.

After their protests, the crowd realized objecting was pointless, so each lowered their heads and began to draw. (To be continued~^~)