Chapter 1703

Zhou Ruiyuan walked out of the Hall of Diligent Governance, saw a figure standing ahead—it was Grand Tutor Wen Chenghuan, who unexpectedly hadn't left and had been waiting outside for him.

Zhou Ruiyuan smiled and walked over, feigning surprise as he said, "Grand Tutor Wen, why haven't you gone back yet?"

Wen Chenghuan said, "I'm old and frail; whenever something happens I feel palpitations and shortness of breath, so I'm resting here."

Wen Chenghuan said in a sinister tone, "You! I've served alongside you in the same hall for decades; we do have some camaraderie, yet I never expected you to stab me in the back at a crucial moment." The two have been openly and secretly feuding for years, and Wen Chenghuan isn't afraid to break all pretenses.

After leaving the Hall of Diligent Governance, the two senior officials of Dakang clearly relaxed, no longer needing to be as cautious and nervous as before. Zhou Ruiyuan said, "Grand Tutor Wen, though aged, you remain vigorous and loyal to Dakang; even if I didn't say so, you would volunteer to go."

Zhou Ruiyuan laughed, "I've always been indifferent to fame and profit; naturally I should let Grand Tutor Wen have the opportunity to achieve merit."

Wen Chenghuan gave a hollow chuckle, "Thanks for your concern. By the way, have you heard any rumors lately? They say the daughter of Chancellor Zhou is none other than Qin Yutong, the senior disciple of Ren Tianqing at the Xuantian Guan."

Zhou Ruiyuan started, unsure how the news had leaked out; even Grand Tutor Wen already knew, so it's no surprise it reached Qiqi's ears. Fortunately, Qiqi had only asked earlier and didn't punish me. Actually, Zhou Ruiyuan truly knows nothing about his daughter. He laughed, "I've served as an official for half a lifetime, weathered many ups and downs; countless people have slandered and defamed me behind my back—would you, Grand Tutor, believe such a rumor? Well, I've also heard another rumor: that the Grand Tutor's son is still alive, merely because the head of the household was inept and he fled to avoid punishment."

The speaker meant nothing by it, but the listener took it to heart; Zhou Ruiyuan actually referred to Wen Boyuan, intending to stab a dagger into Grand Tutor Wen's heart. Yet Grand Tutor Wen was startled, his first thought being Li Chen Zhou, and he glared at Zhou Ruiyuan angrily.

Zhou Ruiyuan met his gaze without yielding an inch.

Wen Chenghuan let out a heavy huff, flicked his sleeves and left, but after a few steps he stopped, not turning back, and said, "If this turns out to be true, Chancellor Zhou surely won't be able to escape responsibility."

Zhou Ruiyuan said, "Grand Tutor, after knowing me for so long, do you really think I'm someone who fears trouble?"

Hu Xiaotian's wedding venue was set at Yunze White Sand Bay, which is nearest to White Spring City; the lakeside boasts a continuous stretch of white sand beach over ten li, with clear water and white sand making a pleasant scenery. There is also a hot spring here that flows year-round; as early as a year ago, Hu Xiaotian had arranged for artisans to rush construction here. Zuo Xingjian, the governor of White Spring City, personally took charge, and all the buildings were personally designed by Hu Xiaotian. Based on his own impressions and the layout of past seaside hot spring resorts, he drafted the plans; the greatest advantage of this style is that it achieves great results with little expense, unlike the ubiquitous gold bricks and green tiles. The cost and expense of the bracket sets and flying eaves are much lower.

Zuo Xingjian's greatest talent is flattery and fawning; though he's inept at serious work, he excels at this sort of thing. Knowing that Hu Xiaotian would hold his grand wedding here, he put in extra effort, naturally summoning skilled artisans and working day and night; by April everything was already completed.

Although Zuo Xingjian and the many artisans single-handedly erected these buildings, this style of architecture was something they had never seen before. Hu Xiaotian simply transplanted his impression of a seaside hot spring resort; to others, the buildings' exquisiteness and uniqueness were nothing short of magnificent and splendid, making this lord seem omnipotent. Including arched corridors, arched windows and doors, breaking traditional imagination and overturning conventions with floor-to-ceiling windows, the whole complex is filled with sunlight.

Following Hu Xiaotian's wishes, a swimming pool was specially built at the center of the complex; under the sunlight its blue-green waters ripple pleasantly, complementing the surrounding greenery. Most astonishingly, Hu Xiaotian also had a temple erected on the grassy hill; he told Zuo Xingjian and others it was a temple, but it was actually a church. Although Hu Xiaotian himself is not a Christian, he believes Western-style weddings are extremely romantic and wants to give Long Xi Yue an unforgettable wedding for life.

Hu Xiaotian arrived at White Spring City a month in advance to prepare; when he was still ten li away, he saw a detachment already waiting there. This time only Weisa accompanied him; Long Xi Yue would arrive on the fifth day of the fifth month to hold the grand wedding here. The wedding is unprecedentedly grand, and Hu Xiaotian has invited guests far and wide—not only to show his regard for Long Xi Yue, but also to use this occasion to display his strength to the heroes of the world.

Zuo Xingjian stood there, and upon seeing Hu Xiaotian's entourage approach, he immediately beamed with delight, leading everyone to kneel down in unison, shouting, "Your subordinate pays respects to my lord; may my lord enjoy longevity for thousands of autumns and myriad years, and unify all under heaven!"

Hu Xiaotian knows Zuo Xingjian very well; this man is adept at gauging the wind and trimming his sails, skilled at flattery and fawning. Yet such a person, if used properly, brings more benefit than harm to one's development. Aside from anything else, just the seven cities surrounding Yunze have all their internal news and intelligence thoroughly investigated by Zuo Xingjian for him.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Zuo Xingjian, with so many people shouting that slogan, are you trying to harm me?"

Zuo Xingjian hurriedly replied, "Your subordinate certainly doesn't mean that." Breaking out in a cold sweat from nervousness, he thought only of flattering his lord—could it be that this time his flattery landed on the horse's hooves?

Hu Xiaotian said, "I am the King of Zhenhai appointed by the Dakang Court; shouting like that is probably inappropriate."

Zuo Xingjian reacted with remarkable speed, loudly declaring, "Your subordinate pays respects to the Prince; may you live a thousand years, a thousand years, ten thousand years!" As soon as he shouted, everyone else followed suit.

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly, "Rise; who have you ever seen live a thousand years?"

Zuo Xingjian said, "Your Prince is no ordinary mortal; he's like a deity. I think even saying he'll live a thousand years is an understatement—let alone ten thousand years, that's no problem."

Weisa beside him couldn't help but giggle at his fawning flattery.

Only then did Zuo Xingjian stop his flattery, mount his horse, ride up to Hu Xiaotian's side, and with an obsequious smile say, "My lord, your new palace has been completed; please inspect it."

Hu Xiaotian shook his head, "Let's first go into the city to have a look."

The entourage followed Hu Xiaotian into the city. Although Zuo Xingjian is the governor of White Spring City, the one actually in charge here is Gao Yuan; Zuo Xingjian is also a pragmatic figure, seeking Gao Yuan's opinion on every matter, big or small. Over the past year he has devoted most of his energy to constructing the new palace, which is actually the hot spring resort designed by Hu Xiaotian—though Hu Xiaotian himself sees it as a resort, everyone else regards Hu Xiaotian's construction as a strange new palace.

Under Gao Yuan's governance, White Spring City is orderly with strict military discipline. As the southernmost city in Hu Xiaotian's sphere of influence, he has also invested considerably in White Spring City over the years; compared to when Zuo Xingjian first submitted, the city's area has nearly doubled, and its population has increased by over fifty thousand, half of whom are refugees who fled to the city from the seven surrounding Yunze settlements during Dakang's difficult times.

Gao Yuan also lined up outside the city gate to welcome them; as Hu Xiaotian proceeded through the streets accompanied by the crowd, he saw throngs of people and prosperous shops on both sides, and felt a sense of relief. As he passed, the townspeople spontaneously shouted, "Long live the Prince!"

Hu Xiaotian returned the gesture with a clasped-fist salute on horseback.

Arriving at the commandant's residence, Hu Xiaotian and Gao Yuan went alone into the White Tiger Hall, where Gao Yuan said, "My lord, we have just received definite news from the Dakang court: the Yongyang Princess has already set out from Kangdu and is coming to White Spring City to attend your grand wedding."

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly; Qiqi's arrival should have been within his expectations—this girl is always bold and often does the unexpected. He whispered, "All who come are honored guests; during my wedding I must personally oversee security precautions to guard against any possible mishap."

Hu Xiaotian lifted his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Even the Empress Dowager Long Xuanjiao of the Tianxiang Kingdom has granted me face this time; she has already set out by sea to Dongliang Jun, where she will meet the princess before proceeding by water."

Gao Yuan said, "With your current prestige, who would dare not give you face?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled calmly, "I promised the princess I would give her an unforgettable wedding for life, but anything could happen on the wedding day." The more extravagant the display, the greater the risks to bear; consequently, the pressure on security will be unprecedentedly severe.

Gao Yuan said, "My lord, rest assured; I will make all preparations to ensure the wedding proceeds without a hitch."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, "Zhan Peng, Liang Yinghao, and Xiong Tianba will also arrive soon; at that time they will follow your unified dispatch."

Gao Yuan felt uneasy, "My lord, what virtue or ability do I have to dare command several elders?"

Hu Xiaotian burst into laughter, "They all think highly of you; over these years in White Spring City, everyone has seen what you've done. Gao Yuan, you have indeed not disappointed me." Back then Gao Yuan was merely an orphan he happened to meet while fleeing; who would have thought that after years of tempering, this youngster would become a general versed in both wisdom and valor.

Gao Yuan said: "My lord, Gao Yuan has one matter I do not understand: why does my lord this time seek to summon all the heroes of the world?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Opportunities to gather so many people together are few; taking this opportunity, I want to see who are enemies and who can be friends."

Gao Yuan nodded, and after a while he said again: "Will Zhou Mo come?"

Hu Xiaotian fell silent. During his lowest point, Zhou Mo, Xiao Tianmu, and Gao Yuan had once kept him company; Gao Yuan's feelings toward the two were also very deep, especially Zhou Mo, who cared deeply for Gao Yuan, and the two shared a bond akin to that of father and son. Gao Yuan understood that these two were Hu Xiaotian's emotional knots, so he never mentioned them in front of Hu Xiaotian. (To be continued~^~)