Chapter 1682: Habit Becomes Second Nature (Part 2)

Hu Xiaotian said: "The older brother seems to understand her well; in her heart, the only thing she truly cherishes is herself."

Shi Xuedong said: "Even if she doesn't like it or want it, she still doesn't want others to have it; that's possessiveness!"

Hu Xiaotian noticed that Shi Xuedong was brimming with inspiration today, his golden lines flowing frequently. He smiled and said: "Just relax; she definitely won't make things difficult for you."

Shi Xuedong sighed: "Anyway, I'm a lowly life; there's nothing to fear."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Although she is ruthless, her mind is extremely clear; grievances have heads, debts have owners—if she hates anyone, it should be me."

Qiqi's mood today is not bad; Dakang's domestic situation has recently improved. Earlier at court, she heard Zhou Ruiyuan's lengthy discourse on the current state of the nation. Various signs indicate that, while the economy is stabilizing and recovering, public sentiment is also beginning to settle again.

Hong Beimo did not attend the court assembly; after court dispersed, he came alone to see Qiqi.

Qiqi summoned him in the Diligent Governance Hall.

Upon seeing Qiqi, Hong Beimo's face lit up with joy: "Congratulations, Your Highness; congratulations, Your Highness."

Qiqi's expression was indifferent: "What's there to celebrate?" She had no pleasant look for Hong Beimo; since they began working together, he has repeatedly demanded money, yet the progress has been extremely slow.

Hong Beimo said: "The Reincarnation Tower is completed!" His expression showed unusual excitement.

Qiqi's reaction, however, was unusually calm: "Done?"

Hong Beimo said: "It's just missing part of the star chart." He raised his head, his gaze toward Qiqi; this most crucial step still rests with her.

Qiqi asked: "Have you found the whereabouts of that skull?"

Hong Beimo respectfully replied: "It's under investigation; I believe we'll have results soon."

Qiqi said: "With your ability, if you really wanted to investigate, it wouldn't be difficult, would it?"

Hong Beimo wryly smiled: "Your Highness, Hu Buwei is deep‑minded and extremely crafty; moreover, he is in the Fragrant Scent Kingdom, which is Long Xuanjiao's sphere of influence. Although I have sent many experts, progress remains very slow."

Qiqi coldly said: "Just say there's no progress at all!"

Hong Beimo said: "It's not entirely without progress; we've discovered that the Xu family is frequently active in the Fragrant Scent Kingdom."

Qiqi furrowed her brows slightly: "The Xu family?"

Hong Beimo nodded: "It's the Jinling Xu family."

Qiqi said: "What does that prove then?"

"Under investigation!"

Qiqi glared at him angrily: "Saying it is the same as not saying it."

Hong Beimo coughed lightly: "Your Highness, have you heard about the recent plague outbreak in Yongdu?"

Qiqi said: "I have heard of it, but it probably isn't as serious as you claim."

Hong Beimo said: "Not only is it serious, it's far worse than I said—it's bubonic plague!"

Qiqi chuckled, looking dubiously at Hong Beimo: "Can the plague really be controlled so easily?"

Hong Beimo said: "I, too, am at a loss to understand it. However, there is another rumor lately." He paused intentionally.

"Stop beating around the bush, speak up!"

Hong Beimo said: "Nowadays, everyone is saying that the wife of Da Yong's Grand Commander Li Chen Zhou, Jian Rongxin, has been abducted by Hu Xiaotian."

Qiqi's beautiful eyes widened; she truly felt thunder rolling—Hu Xiaotian actually did this? Abducting a married woman? This scoundrel is becoming more and more unprincipled, more and more shameless. After her shock, she turned to anger, glaring at Hong Beimo: "Why are you telling me this?"

Hong Beimo respectfully said: "Your Highness, please don't misunderstand; I say this only to prove that Hu Xiaotian has recently appeared in Yongdu."

Qiqi said: "His legs are his own; he can go wherever he wishes. You should also remember that I have no relationship with him anymore."

Hong Beimo said: "After all, he is the King of Zhenhai of Dakang. Although ambitious, he remains under Dakang's rule; if he stirs up trouble in Da Yong, Da Yong may well trace it back to Dakang."

Qiqi chuckled: "You sure have a lot on your mind; in the past, I never noticed you taking such an interest in state affairs."

Hong Beimo said: "I serve Your Highness with utter loyalty; I will devote myself until death."

Qiqi said: "Loyalty isn't just lip service; I know exactly what kind of person you are. With your ability, you actually needn't fear me, yet you swallow your anger in my presence, enduring submissively—deep down you probably wish to tear me to pieces."

Hong Beimo bowed lower, nearly to ninety degrees: "I have never harbored such a treasonous thought."

Qiqi said: "You're not tolerating me, but tolerating——" Qiqi lightly tapped her own temple with a finger.

Hong Beimo said: "Your Highness, you have truly wronged this humble servant."

Qiqi said: "Please arrange it; I'd like to visit the Reincarnation Tower lately to see if it's really as miraculous as you claim."

Hong Beimo said: "Absolutely no problem."

Qiqi added: "Lately, it seems I haven't seen Mr. Ren of Xuantian Guan."

Hong Beimo said: "Mr. Ren always acts elusive, showing his head but not his tail."

Qiqi nodded, waved her hand: "You may go first."

Hong Beimo respectfully took his leave; Qiqi, feeling vexed, snatched the teacup beside her and smashed it hard onto the floor. The sound of shattering porcelain startled the two young eunuchs outside, who hurried in.

Qiqi's eyebrows shot up in anger as she shouted: "Who let you in? Get out!"

The two young eunuchs then slunk away.

Quan De'an slipped in silently from outside; Qiqi was about to flare up, but seeing it was Quan De'an, she held back her anger.

Quan De'an approached, silently squatted down, carefully picking up the shards of porcelain, and whispered: "What did Hong Beimo do to make Your Highness so angry?"

Quan De'an said: "Nothing much; I just accidentally dropped the teacup. Do I really need to explain such a trivial matter to you?"

Quan De'an laughed: "Your Highness is in a bad mood."

Qiqi said: "You know everything?"

Quan De'an laughed: "After years at Your Highness's side, I still have this knack for reading expressions." Quan De'an cleaned up the shards, brewed a fresh cup of tea for Qiqi and handed it to her, whispering: "Just now, Your Highness broke the cup you loved most; I originally wanted to find an artisan to re‑glue it, but on second thought, even if hastily glued, the crack would remain, so I simply threw it away."

Qiqi could not fail to hear the hidden meaning in Quan De'an's words; she replied calmly: "Eunuch Quan, if you have something to say, just say it straight—no need to beat around the bush."

Quan De'an said: "The Princess is so smart; even if I don't say it, you already understand."

Qiqi said: "Old fox, I've discovered that you lot really do get more deceitful with age."

Quan De'an hehe‑laughed.

Qiqi said: "I sent Shi Xuedong to Dongliang Jun."

Quan De'an said, "It's better to resolve grievances than to deepen them; Your Highness doing this is not unwise."

Qiqi said, "If I'm not mistaken, Hu Xiaotian might arrange a meeting with me to test my sincerity."

Quan De'an's white eyebrows twitched, and he whispered, "If he really brings it up, will Your Highness see him?"

Qiqi said, "See him—why not?"

Quan De'an looked astonished: "Your Highness, aren't you afraid he might take the opportunity to harm you?"

Qiqi said, "What harm would it do to me? After thinking it over, although we may not become friends, we need not become enemies either; Xichuan is our shared interest. Now I control Yunyang, he controls Redwood Creek—if we combine our forces, retaking Xichuan will not be difficult."

Quan De'an secretly thought, Qiqi's words sounded noble and proper, but it's hard to say how much self-interest lies within; he whispered, "I fear Hu Xiaotian won't do something futile."

Qiqi said, "He certainly won't, but if there's profit to be had, his thoughts will change."

Quan De'an said, "Your Highness sent Shi Xuedong to Dongliang Jun—don't you realize this guy is Hu Xiaotian's sworn brother?"

Qiqi said, "Precisely for that reason I let him go; I want to hear what nonsense he's spouting."

Speaking of Cao Cao, Cao Cao arrives—just then a little eunuch came in to report, but it was Shi Xuedong returning; though Hu Xiaotian warmly entertained him and urged him to stay, Shi Xuedong dared not delay his mission, fearing the Yongyang Princess would blame him; after receiving Hu Xiaotian's reply, he rushed back the same day, having traversed mountains and rivers, utterly exhausted.

Upon reaching Kangdu, he didn't even have time to change clothes before coming to report.

Seeing Shi Xuedong dusty and weary, Qiqi estimated his round‑trip time and concluded he hadn't slacked; she lifted the fragrant tea Quan De'an had just served, took a sip, glanced at Shi Xuedong kneeling before her performing the kowtow, and said, "Sir Shi, please rise."

Shi Xuedong did not rise, for he feared the news he brought might anger Qiqi; if she flew into a rage, he'd have to kneel again, so he stayed kneeling to avoid the hassle of standing then kneeling.

Shi Xuedong said, "The King of Zhenhai has ordered me to present this to Your Highness."

Qiqi nodded, gave Quan De'an a look; he walked over, took the brocade box, and presented it to her with both hands.

Qiqi took the brocade box and opened it; inside lay an exquisite wedding invitation, her heart gave a start, she secretly drew a breath, then lifted the invitation and slowly unfolded it.

Shi Xuedong was so frightened he nearly kowtowed on the ground, his heart uneasy—if Qiqi took out her anger on him, he feared for his head; yet to his surprise, Qiqi remained remarkably calm after reading the invitation, showed no anger, her expression unchanged, and softly said, "Sir Shi, you've worked hard; go rest."

Shi Xuedong felt a great weight lift, hastily kowtowed in thanks, then turned and hurried away.

From the moment Qiqi took that invitation from the brocade box, Quan De'an had already guessed what it was; he worried endlessly—Hu Xiaotian is truly ruthless, using this very method to return her favor.

Today's class reunion should be the first update; tomorrow I'll make up today's missing update, thanks for your understanding—thanks! (To be continued~^~)