Chapter 1571

The Xichuan army finally withdrew; after confirming Xichuan's retreat, Su Yuchi breathed a sigh of relief from the bottom of his heart. He disliked war; the more wars he experienced, the more he loathed war from the bottom of his heart. Seeing one after another lifeless faces filled him with a sorrow that sprang from within, not only when facing his own subordinates, but also when seeing enemy corpses he felt the same.

Yuan Qing Shan delivered an invitation to Su Yuchi's hand; the invitation was sent by Hu Xiaotian, inviting Su Yuchi to gather at Bai Lang Dui by Hope Spring River, the same place they had met before, the two of them, only now their positions had greatly changed—not because Su Yuchi had changed, but because all of Hu Xiaotian's crimes had been cleared, and he had transformed into the King of Zhenhai, Dakang's first ever non‑surname king in hundreds of years.

Yuan Qing Shan stood silently to the side, waiting for Su Yuchi's decision.

Su Yuchi said, "A gathering on the river's heart…" his voice betraying hesitation.

Yuan Qing Shan asked, "Will he be unfavorable to the general?"

A faint smile touched Su Yuchi's lips: "No."

Yuan Qing Shan said, "I really can't understand why the court would enfeoff him as a king."

Su Yuchi said, "The Princess also considered the bigger picture; Hu Xiaotian's control of Cloud Marsh has already seriously threatened Dakang's heartland."

Yuan Qing Shan said, "This man is ambitious to the point of recklessness; while we were dealing with Xichuan, he actually launched a sneak attack on Prosperous Prefecture."

Su Yuchi said, "Guo Guangbi voluntarily abandoned Prosperous Prefecture; if Hu Xiaotian didn't seize it, Da Yong would have taken it over, and it would be better for it to fall into his hands. This time Hu Xiaotian accepting the ennoblement was also forced by circumstances; without this ennoblement, Da Yong might already have begun a strong assault on Prosperous Prefecture."

Yuan Qing Shan said, "The Princess actually saved him!"

Su Yuchi nodded; this ennoblement was indeed a timely rain for Hu Xiaotian. Da Yong, wary of Dakang, had just called off a strong assault on Prosperous Prefecture; in fact, if Da Yong truly attacked the city, the court would likely not intervene. The ennoblement given to Hu Xiaotian is merely a title, devoid of real substance; Dakang will not change its hostility toward Hu Xiaotian because of this ennoblement, nor will Hu Xiaotian, upon accepting the kingship, renew his submission to Dakang.

Yuan Qing Shan said, "It seems the outside rumors might be true."

"What rumors?"

Yuan Qing Shan said, "Everyone says the Princess still has Lingering Feelings for him; it looks true. If the Princess and he were to rekindle their relationship in the future, Dakang's empire might very well fall into his hands."

Su Yuchi chuckled: "The Princess will not mix state affairs with personal feelings."

Qiqi stood alone on the Altar to Heaven platform, the clouds hanging low, creating a suffocating oppression. After Long Xuan'en's death, she had already controlled Dakang's authority, ascending to the pinnacle of Dakang's power. This autumn's great harvest let Dakang regain some vigor, and her rule in the court grew ever more stable; the victory at Yunyang let the nations recognize Dakang's strength, yet Qiqi could not feel happy. She suddenly realized that after her break with Hu Xiaotian, there was no one left beside her with whom she could talk. Everyone surrounding her held her in awe, without exception.

In everyone's eyes, her ennoblement this time was to pacify Hu Xiaotian; strategically considered, yet only she herself understood. Her motives were very complex; taking this step was actually bowing her head and apologizing to Hu Xiaotian, not knowing whether he would accept it.

Zhou Ruiyuan waited quietly beneath the Altar to Heaven platform, gazing at Qiqi's back. This Yongyang Princess was far stronger and more formidable than he had imagined; he had never seen a woman possess such ambition and aspiration. He had to admit that in governance, Qiqi surpassed the recent emperors by far. As Chancellor, Zhou Ruiyuan had once lost hope in Dakang, but once Qiqi truly held power, her series of measures had fundamentally transformed this ancient realm, causing Dakang, this dying withered tree, to sprout new shoots. Zhou Ruiyuan even began to believe that Dakang might, under Qiqi's hand, return to prosperity.

Qiqi turned around, her lovely eyes coldly sweeping over the attending officials; none dared meet her gaze, each lowering their heads in awe. Her gaze settled on Zhou Ruiyuan, and she lightly nodded, signaling him to approach.

Zhou Ruiyuan lifted his official robe with both hands, approached Qiqi respectfully, and said respectfully, "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

Qiqi asked, "Any news from Prosperous Prefecture?"

Zhou Ruiyuan said, "Yes, Hu Xiaotian has already accepted the title of King of Zhenhai."

A glint flashed in Qiqi's beautiful eyes as she softly sighed, "When I issued the edict, he had not yet captured Prosperous Prefecture."

Zhou Ruiyuan asked, "Your Highness, do you regret it?"

Qiqi shook her head: "I never regret!" Although her tone was firm, inside she negated herself; she did regret it, for otherwise she would not have voluntarily pardoned Hu Xiaotian of all his crimes, nor would she have made the decision to ennoble him as king.

Zhou Ruiyuan said, "Actually, Your Highness, this decision is very wise; keeping a low profile and developing is the proper way; only by restoring national strength can we gradually recover the lost territories."

Qiqi said, "I will take back Xichuan!"

Hu Xiaotian had just returned to Dongliang Jun when subordinates came to congratulate him in an endless stream; the news of his ennoblement as King of Zhenhai had spread across the world in just a few days. Although this title of King of Zhenhai was merely an empty honor with no actual benefit, it was still a cause for celebration.

Hu Xiaotian was busy with receptions all morning; just as he was preparing to return to meet Long Xi Yue, Qin Yutong arrived.

Qin Yutong rarely sought him out; seeing her at the door, Hu Xiaotian felt a bit strange—could Qin Yutong also be coming to congratulate him? Given her aloof nature, that seemed unlikely. Indeed, as Hu Xiaotian expected, Qin Yutong's visit this time was not for congratulations but to bring him bad news.

The Liu father and son of the Divine Farmer Society ran into trouble; this matter is related to the assassination attempt that just occurred in Da Yong. The imperial guard, Yuan Jiang together with twelve guards, attempted to assassinate the Da Yong emperor Xue Daohong. Although the assassination failed, Xue Daohong's beloved concubine was seriously wounded in the attempt. Xue Daohong doted on this concubine, so he summoned renowned physicians, finally bringing the Liu father and son, Liu Changsheng and Liu Yucheng, into the palace. However, the concubine's injuries were too severe; the Liu father and son were powerless to save her. In his fury, Xue Daohong imprisoned them as well. Originally this would not have been a capital offense, but among the assassins there was one who had a good relationship with the Liu family and had even been saved by Liu Changsheng; someone exposed this, and the Liu father and son were labeled as accomplices to the assassins—a crime punishable by death and extermination of the clan.

This update is a bit short; Zhangyu is feeling unwell, there have been too many social engagements these days, but fortunately my studies will end soon—I'll adjust for two days and will surely reappear before you with a fresh look; please bear with me for two more days! (To be continued~^~)