Chapter 1450

It's a pity that human plans fall short of heavenly ones; even as crafty as Hu Buwei could not control everything, and Hu Xiaotian was certainly no one who would willingly be manipulated by him. Starting from Yang Longjing's disappearance, Hu Xiaotian launched a full-scale counteroffensive. Despite his initial advantage, Hu Buwei suffered successive defeats, even devising a tit-for-tat scheme: he likewise used the kidnapping of Hu Xiaotian's beloved Murong Feiyan to blackmail him, but unexpectedly Hu Xiaotian countered each move, exposing Hu Buwei's deeply hidden secret and forcing him to choose compromise.

The compromise secured Murong Feiyan's safe return.

Hu Xiaotian and Princess Yingyue went to the palace to thank Empress Dowager Long Xuanjiao for the grace of bestowing marriage, and also to check on her and Yang Longjing's recovery.

Long Xuanjiao could now get out of bed; after examining her, Hu Xiaotian was confident everything was normal and smiled, 'Congratulations, Empress Dowager, you can have the stitches removed tomorrow; once your hair grows back, your appearance will be just as before.'

Long Xuanjiao laughed: 'Still calling me Empress Dowager? I've given you my precious daughter, yet you won't change your form of address?' After this incident, she unconsciously began to view Hu Xiaotian differently, even developing considerable fondness.

Hu Xiaotian glanced at Long Xi Yue, only to see her blush and shyly nod. Although in fact they were aunt and niece, Long Xi Yue's true identity was something that could not be exposed; Long Xuanjiao outwardly claimed Long Xi Yue was her adopted daughter, giving her the title of Princess Yingyue, which benefited Long Xi Yue, and precisely because of this she could openly marry Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian was also a straightforward person; between him and Long Xuanjiao there was actually no hatred, their earlier conflict stemmed from Long Xi Yue, and now that Long Xi Yue was unharmed, he didn't mind turning from foe to friend with Long Xuanjiao, and with a deep bow said, 'Xiaotian pays his respects, Empress Dowager!'

Long Xuanjiao laughed, reaching out to take one hand of Hu Xiaotian and the other of Long Xi Yue, gazing at the pair—a truly talented man and beautiful woman, indeed a match made in heaven. After this upheaval, her mindset underwent a complete transformation; it wasn't that she had learned to repay kindness, but she suddenly realized she shouldn't have staked the nation's fate and her son's future on Hu Buwei. Reflecting, she saw that selecting a prince consort was basically a harmful farce, and if she had followed Hu Buwei's ideas, she wouldn't know where to lead the Heavenly Fragrance State.

Long Xuanjiao said, 'Hu Xiaotian, you must treat Xi Yue well from now on; if you let her suffer any grievance, I will never forgive you.'

Hu Xiaotian smiled, 'Empress Dowager, rest assured; from now on only she will have the chance to bully me.'

Long Xi Yue whispered, 'I certainly won't.' A faint dimple appeared on her pretty face, her happiness evident.

Seeing her happiness, Long Xuanjiao secretly envied her; actually, it's better for a woman to live simply, and wholeheartedly loving someone is not a bad thing. Trusting one's beloved completely is also a happiness, which Long Xi Yue possesses—something she herself lacks.

Long Xuanjiao said, 'When I recover, I will personally see you off to marry.'

Hu Xiaotian replied, 'Empress Dowager, I'm afraid I cannot stay here that long.'

Long Xuanjiao exclaimed in surprise, 'You're leaving?'

Hu Xiaotian nodded. 'Yes! Dongliang Jun still has many matters awaiting my return to handle. I have discussed this with Xi Yue, and we will only marry after three years.'

Long Xuanjiao grew ever more curious: Hu Xiaotian had traveled long distances over mountains and rivers, not merely to bring back Long Xi Yue as his bride; now he had duly become prince consort, and she herself had given Long Xi Yue to him in marriage, yet why was he not in a hurry to wed? What exactly were they up to?

Long Xi Yue said to Hu Xiaotian, 'Xiaotian, go see the king; I want to speak a few words alone with the Empress Dowager.' She was clearly intending to send Hu Xiaotian away.

Hu Xiaotian smiled, turned and left, leaving the aunt and niece a chance to speak privately.

After Hu Xiaotian left, Long Xi Yue said, 'Aunt, thank you for your care over the past two years.'

Long Xuanjiao pressed her lips; Long Xi Yue calling her 'aunt' made it clear she was telling herself that in her heart she had never considered herself a mother, and indeed over these two years Long Xi Yue had never addressed her as Empress Dowager. Long Xuanjiao said, 'Your words make me feel somewhat remorseful; I only hope you won't bear a grudge against me.'

Long Xi Yue shook her head, gently taking her hand and said, 'In this world I have hardly any relatives left; aunt, you are my elder, and I will never hold a grudge against you.'

Long Xuanjiao felt warmed inside; actually familial affection always remained, she had simply chosen to overlook it.

Long Xi Yue said, 'Marrying after three years is my wish; I actually don't care about marriage or status, as long as I can stay with Xiaotian for life that's enough.'

Long Xuanjiao nodded, able to understand what Long Xi Yue's words meant; once upon a time she too had harbored the same thought, willing to forsake wealth and honor for the one she loved, happy to hide her name, happy to give everything, yet in the end she still had to bow to reality—actually it was not she who chose to bow, but Hu Buwei, who back then lacked the courage to take her and break free from shackles to flee far away. Decades later they finally came together; even if Hu Buwei regained his courage, she herself still had to yield before duty and reputation—fate toys with people! Did the Hu Buwei of those years ever love her?

Long Xi Yue did not reveal the true circumstances to Long Xuanjiao, but these three years were her mourning period; Hu Xiaotian had already told her of her father emperor's death, and although he had treated her coldly, she could not be without righteousness.

Long Xuanjiao said, 'Three years is just three years; in fact time originally had no special meaning.' This remark was somewhat hypocritical, for time can change everything—it can alter a person's appearance from youth to old age, cool passion, fade love, and even let her see a person anew.

Yang Longjing sat quietly by the window, gazing at the morning light; he had never felt life so beautiful, and upon hearing that Hu Xiaotian was coming, he had originally intended to rise to greet him.

Hu Xiaotian smiled, 'Your Majesty, please remain seated; between us there's no need for ceremony.'

Yang Longjing nodded, 'Indeed, we're all family now, no need for ceremony.' As he spoke he felt a faint sense of loss; ever since seeing Long Xi Yue he had never forgotten her, even contemplating abandoning his kingdom and sacrificing his life for his beloved, but only after truly undergoing life-and-death tribulation did he realize nothing in this world is more precious than life; on the brink of death his mind kept thinking, if he could survive the ordeal he would rather obey his mother's arrangements and quietly be the king she wished for.

Many people only consider the meaning of life when facing death, then reflect on the squandered years, then understand what is important and what can be let go, and then grasp what they truly ought to do.

Yang Longjing stared at Hu Xiaotian for a long time; although he didn't know Hu Xiaotian well, he intuitively sensed that the Hu Xiaotian before him was a completely different type from himself—himself content with the status quo, uncompetitive, lacking an adventurous spirit, whereas Hu Xiaotian was the opposite: strong and wise, outgoing and passionate, and more importantly, he could venture ten thousand miles for Long Xi Yue, something he himself could never do.

Under Yang Longjing's gaze, Hu Xiaotian began to feel uneasy, coughed once, and said, 'Your Majesty, what do you wish to say to me?'

Yang Longjing then realized, embarrassedly smiling, 'I just wanted to say, please treat my sister better in the future.'

Hu Xiaotian nodded, 'Your Majesty, rest assured.'

Yang Longjing said, 'Also… thank you for saving our mother and son's lives.'

Hu Xiaotian laughed, 'Your Majesty, no need to be polite.'

Yang Longjing handed him a signed imperial edict: 'I have already formally issued an edict granting Red Wood River to you and the princess as a dowry; with this edict of mine, you may proceed with the handover at any time.'

Hu Xiaotian received it with both hands and respectfully thanked him.

Yang Longjing said, 'Actually you needn't thank me; although Red Wood River is nominally under the Heavenly Fragrance State, the local peoples are not friendly, and in the past ten years the officials we sent there have already died seven—in fact Red Wood River lies outside any administration.'

Hu Xiaotian had also heard of the turmoil in Red Wood River; after all, its geography is special, it happens to be sandwiched between the Heavenly Fragrance State and the Southern Yue State, with Xichuan not far to the north, and moreover the local ethnic groups are numerous and constantly fighting, various forces stirring up conflict for their own interests—over a hundred years Red Wood River has never known peace; although nominally it belongs to the Heavenly Fragrance State, in reality the state has only a nominal government office there, having at one point dispatched officials and soldiers, but once stationed there they would face assassination, and in the end the Heavenly Fragrance State could only leave it to its own devices. From Yang Longjing's remarks just now, this king of the Heavenly Fragrance State is actually a frank person.

Hu Xiaotian said, 'Thank you for the reminder, Your Majesty.'

Yang Longjing said, 'It's hardly a reminder; in fact giving Red Wood River to you was also the Empress Dowager's idea, and I only hope you won't disdain it.' He instead seemed somewhat embarrassed.

Hu Xiaotian laughed, 'With such a generous gift I'm too grateful to even dislike it.'

Yang Longjing said, 'I've heard of your abilities; I greatly admire and envy you.' The envy is indeed genuine; to be able to win Long Xi Yue's heart, he must be an extraordinary outstanding man.

Hu Xiaotian said modestly, 'Your Majesty, if you keep saying that, I'll have nowhere to hide.'

Yang Longjing said, 'From now on you will be my brother-in-law, we are now one family; I have an idea: I wish, on behalf of the Heavenly Fragrance State, to form an eternal alliance with you, non-aggression, mutual support—what do you think, brother-in-law?'

Please support with monthly tickets! (To be continued~^~)