Chapter 1704: 【Unexpected】 (Part 1)

The night banquet dispersed, the moon bright and stars sparse, Hu Xiaotian sat alone in the courtyard gazing blankly at the night sky; behind him came the light footsteps of Weisa, and soft hands covered his eyes from behind.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "No need to guess, I know who you are!"

Weisa pouted her cherry lips, released her hands, and spat: "How boring!"

Hu Xiaotian took her arm and let her sit on his knees; Weisa cupped his face, staring into his eyes, her ice‑blue beautiful eyes sparkling with a charm like starlight.

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "What? Planning to use soul‑capturing technique on me?"

Weisa giggled: "Soul‑capturing technique won't work on you; better to use a beauty trap!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and nodded: "Indeed you know my thoughts."

Weisa, however, saw that Hu Xiaotian had something on his mind and softly asked: "Do you have something on your mind?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head, avoided her gaze, but Weisa cupped his face, her forehead against his, her beautiful eyes fixed on him: "Look into my eyes—do you really want to force me to use soul‑capturing technique on you?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Then tell me what's on my mind."

Weisa smiled without speaking, jumped down from him, hands behind her back, stepped back a few steps, her beautiful eyes full of smiles as she looked at Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Are you really going to move against me?"

Weisa said: "Actually you don't need to worry about our thoughts; I, Qingxuan Sister, Rongxin Sister, and Shengnan Sister all wholeheartedly approve of your grand wedding with the princess. Shengnan Sister mentioned this to us before leaving for Bei Jiang. The princess has endured so many hardships with you and only now come together; you ought to give her a splendid wedding. The princess treats us well—if it weren't for her tolerance, we might never have had the chance to follow you. Master, none of us harbor even a hint of jealousy toward the princess, nor any resentment. We sincerely bless this wedding and are truly happy for you from the bottom of our hearts. In our hearts, we only wish to follow you for a lifetime, which is already enough."

Hearing this, Hu Xiaotian felt a surge of emotion, wondering what merit he had to win such devotion from so many beauties without regard for status. He rose, opened his arms to embrace Weisa, but she blocked his chest with her arms and said: "However, on behalf of us sisters I also have a condition to propose to you."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, curious: "What condition?"

Weisa said: "We all think that you should give each of us a wedding in the future."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Although a wedding is just a formality, women still care about it."

Weisa's cheeks flushed: "Not what you imagine; we mean you need to propose to each of us individually. Although we don't care for ceremony or pomp, you have yet to propose to any of us."

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "Okay!"

Weisa said: "Remember, don't perfunctorily go through the motions; each must be different. Treat them with sincerity!"

Hu Xiaotian grasped her hand: "Rest assured, I will definitely give you all an unexpected surprise!"

Life is full of many surprises. Before Hu Xiaotian could even go inspect his new residence, guests had already arrived at White Spring City; to his astonishment, the first to come congratulate him was Xu Fengwu, boss of the South Ferry Island pleasure quarters. Hu Xiaotian and Xu Fengwu had dealt with each other on South Ferry Island; that meeting had not been pleasant, and he had never sent an invitation to Xu Fengwu, nor even to the Xu clan of Jinling, so Xu Fengwu's appearance could be considered somewhat presumptuous.

Nevertheless, Hu Xiaotian maintained proper courtesy; as host and guest met, at least on the surface he did his duty. He faintly realized that Xu Fengwu's visit was not presumptuous—behind it must be the Xu family's influence. His previous trip to the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom had shown him that Hu Buwei and the Jinling Xu clan likely had hidden ties; Hu Buwei's successful escape from Dakang to the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom was inseparable from the Xu family's support.

All who came are guests; in etiquette we cannot afford to lose points. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Hu Xiaotian and Xu Fengwu got down to business.

Xu Fengwu said: "Your Highness, I have come this time at the command of the old lady." The old lady she referred to was naturally Old Lady Xu.

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "I don't know what business Old Lady Xu has." Though his mother's death left him bearing a grudge against the Jinling Xu clan, and although Old Lady Xu is nominally his grandmother, he still refuses to call her grandmother.

Xu Fengwu said: "Your Highness, marriage is a major event in life, and for the Xu family it is also a great joy. The old lady said she will personally come to attend your grand wedding." He paused and added: "For over a decade the old lady has lived in seclusion; even the Xu descendants have never enjoyed such honor, yet she truly likes you, her grandson‑in‑law."

Hu Xiaotian felt a bit nauseated hearing this; Old Lady Xu wouldn't even meet her own dying daughter, showing how heartless she is. To claim she feels any affection for this never‑met grandson‑in‑law is unbelievable, yet Hu Xiaotian's displeasure didn't show on his face as he smiled: "I'm not a member of the Xu family!"

Xu Fengwu glanced at Hu Xiaotian and said meaningfully: "In the old lady's eyes, you are no different from her other grandsons; as far as I know, her affection for you is even greater."

Hu Xiaotian burst into loud, sudden laughter, making Xu Fengwu feel a bit embarrassed.

Hu Xiaotian thought, if Old Lady Xu really could come, it would be good to see this mysterious figure, the true power behind the Jinling Xu clan. After his laughter faded, he said: "By the way, I've recently lost news of my cousin; I wonder how he is now?"

Xu Fengwu said: "Mubai should come together with the old lady; on your joyous day he ought to come congratulate you."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Actually relatives ought to keep in touch; long separation breeds unfamiliarity, making them hardly different from strangers, don't you agree?"

Xu Fengwu nodded awkwardly.

Hu Xiaotian didn't make things difficult for her either, and had someone arrange for Xu Fengwu to rest.

Just as Xu Fengwu left, another arrival came from Dakang: this time it was Minister of Rites Wu Jiànshàn, who had come to prepare in advance for the Yongyang Princess's arrival. The Dakang court was divided over whether the Yongyang Princess should attend Hu Xiaotian's grand wedding; although Hu Xiaotian had accepted the title of King of Zhenhai, this man in fact held de facto independence, refusing to obey the Dakang court's orders, and moreover his growing strength now gave him the power to challenge Dakang.

Although White Spring City lies at the southernmost edge of Hu Xiaotian's domain, it is actually under his direct control; the Yongyang Princess's entry into White Spring City is nominally within Dakang's territory but in reality amounts to penetrating enemy territory. The Dakang side also made full preparations: besides Minister Wu Jiànshàn as a nominal leader, there were two hundred warriors who came to serve as advance guards for the princess, clearing obstacles, scouting for danger, and demanding that Hu Xiaotian make improvements. To Hu Xiaotian's delight, many of them were from the Heavenly Secrets Bureau, and Baobao was even among them.

Although the wedding is still about a month away, Hu Xiaotian had already prepared lodging for all guests; near White Sand Bay he selected a scenic spot and built six travel lodges for the most honored guests, while the rest were mostly housed in White Spring City. Of course he also had to respect the guests' own wishes—if they preferred to camp or arrive by boat and stay aboard, Hu Xiaotian would accommodate them as best he could.

Accompanied by Hu Xiaotian, Minister Wu Jiànshàn inspected the six lodges, solicited opinions from his subordinates, and finally chose the one at Zhulang Beach: it lay nearest to Dakang, had the finest scenery, was the largest, and moreover a dock nearby allowed ships to moor.

Hu Xiaotian had anticipated that even if Qiqi came she would surely make thorough preparations, so he had arranged things in advance and accompanied Minister Wu Jiànshàn on a walk around the lodge. The minister, being elderly, grew breathless after the circuit; together they went to the pier and sat in the wind‑and‑rain corridor, where he let out a long sigh and said: "Your Highness, you are indeed well prepared."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Here it's just you and me, Official Wu, why stand on ceremony?"

Minister Wu Jiànshàn turned to glance at the warriors on the shore, gave a wry smile, shook his head, and said: "Rank distinguishes us; as an old man I must observe propriety."

Hu Xiaotian said: "What kind of prince am I, Official Wu? You surely know."

Minister Wu Jiànshàn asked: "Why must Your Highness insist on inviting the Princess?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed at the question: "I am the King of Zhenhai; she is the princess who holds Dakang's power. If I did not invite her, everyone would say I scorn the court and lack respect for superiors."

Minister Wu Jiànshàn said: "But Your Highness and the Princess have previously……" He then coughed a few times, having said enough to make the point clear.

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "I've also heard many rumors that I invited her in order to take revenge and deliberately humiliate her before the world's heroes."

Minister Wu Jiànshàn coughed again, said nothing; in fact he harbored the same thought.

Hu Xiaotian said: "My heart and mind are not so narrow, and the princess's insight is not so shallow, Official Wu—you and I have been friends for years; to your face I need not lie. Although the Yongyang Princess appointed me King of Zhenhai, I do not believe she harbors much sincerity toward me; in fact her conferral of the title was meant to pacify rather than truly trust me. By inviting her this time I aim to: first, gauge how sincere she really is toward me; second, sound out the princess's breadth of mind; third, prove to her that I bear her no ill will, nor any intention to harm her."

(To be continued~^~)