Chapter 1713

The Xu family voluntarily gave way, slowly following three li behind the royal fleet. Not long after passing Bixin Mountain, a fleet lined up to greet them, escorting the two fleets to Qinglong Bay.

As they approached Qinglong Bay, the originally clear sky suddenly turned overcast with dense clouds; a wind and rain arrived unexpectedly, and the thick spring rain fell on the lake surface, blurring the outlines of heaven and earth.

Hu Xiaotian stood on the pier of Qinglong Bay, silently gazing at the approaching fleet; his tranquil heart rose and fell like the waves of Yunze. Thinking that he would soon see Qiqi, he found himself somewhat unsettled, and had to admit that this ruthless little girl still held a place in his heart.

Minister of Rites Wu Jing Shan accompanied Hu Xiaotian; he had come specially to greet the Yongyang Princess. Wu Jing Shan looked forward eagerly, and when the fleet appeared in his view, he excitedly waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Play the music, play the music!"

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but smile; in response to Wu Jing Shan's strong request, he hastily summoned this welcoming band. However, the band mostly stood outdoors, and now that it was raining, the wind‑rain pavilion couldn't hold so many people, so the musicians had to stand in the rain. As the welcoming music began, the scene instantly became lively.

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but look forward to the scene of his wedding the day after tomorrow, wondering how many people would be stunned by it.

The large ship docked at the pier; Mu Rongzhan led the palace guards out first, his complexion growing even paler in the gloomy weather, his gray‑white eyes dull and lifeless. Seeing Mu Rongzhan, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but think of Murong Feiyan, wondering whether she had come this time following the Empress Dowager Long Xuanjiao of the Tianxiang Kingdom. The empress dowager had already arrived at Dongliang Jun and would tomorrow morning accompany Long Xi Yue here by boat. Also present was the State Preceptor Su Yujin of the Tianxiang Kingdom, whose true identity is Murong Feiyan's mother. What exactly transpired between her and Mu Rongzhan? Why did they end up separated by heaven and earth?

Mu Rongzhan clasped his fists toward Hu Xiaotian and said, "I pay my respects, Your Highness, Thousand Years!"

Hu Xiaotian chuckled and said, "Leader Murong, why be so courteous? In my heart I have always regarded you as an elder."

Mu Rongzhan understood the meaning behind those words, and also knew of Hu Xiaotian's involvement with his daughter. Yet now Hu Xiaotian is about to win the Tianxiang Kingdom's Yingyue Princess, and perhaps he and Feiyan could thus sever their affection. Mu Rongzhan said, "I dare not accept such praise!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "By the way, I forgot to tell you—I saw Feiyan in the Tianxiang Kingdom."

Mu Rongzhan's heart stirred; he lifted his head and gave Hu Xiaotian a cold stare.

Hu Xiaotian even thought that Murong Feiyan's journey to the Tianxiang Kingdom was a prearranged scheme, including her appearance in Hu Buwei's fleet and the presence of the Tianxiang Kingdom's State Preceptor Su Yujin; this series of events proves that someone is deliberately promoting these happenings, or perhaps Mu Rongzhan had long known this and by sending Feiyan to the Tianxiang Kingdom he could avoid all the troubles and dangers of Dakang. Although Mu Rongzhan appears heartless, who among humans can be truly without feeling? After all, Murong Feiyan is his daughter. If all this holds true, then wouldn't it prove that Mu Rongzhan and Hu Buwei might also be colluding? Hu Xiaotian had no intention of investigating the truth; he lowered his voice and said, "I also saw her birth mother."

Mu Rongzhan's heart was greatly shaken; if Hu Xiaotian's earlier words he had already been mentally prepared for, yet this sentence shocked him profoundly.

Hu Xiaotian did not continue speaking, for he saw Quan De'an walking over tremblingly, and he smiled as he went to meet him: "Eunuch Quan, if it weren't for prior knowledge, one wouldn't notice that your leg is fake."

Speak of the devil, Quan De'an's smile vanished instantly; every time he sees this brat he feels ill‑humored. Quan De'an spoke in a sarcastic tone: "The princess has changed her mind; she won't go ashore today—you all may disperse!"

Hu Xiaotian thought, "How can Qiqi cause trouble? Even after arriving at my territory she changes her mind and refuses to go ashore, wasting all the effort I put into this grand scene. Knowing her as I do, she must be doing this on purpose—fine! Playing mind games with me," Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly, handed the bouquet of roses he had prepared to Quan De'an, and said, "Please deliver this to the princess."

Quan De'an took it, but then heard Hu Xiaotian say, "Giving roses leaves fragrance on the hand."

Although Hu Xiaotian did not meet Qiqi, the Xu family's fleet arrived shortly after. Because the royal fleet chose to dock at Qinglong Bay, the Xu family changed their original plan and went straight to the Still Water Bay near White Sand Bay. Upon receiving the news, Hu Xiaotian immediately headed to the Still Water Bay to welcome this mysterious grandmother he had never met.

Qiqi stood in the cabin, gazing out the window at the scene on shore. Although the crowd surged, she instantly recognized Hu Xiaotian's tall figure, though she could not see his face clearly; yet in her mind his appearance and smile were vivid. She let out a soft sigh, and soon she heard Quan De'an's respectful voice from outside: "Princess, your servant has returned."

Before Quan De'an had even entered, Qiqi already smelled the delicate fragrance and saw him carrying a bouquet of fiery red roses inside; she frowned slightly and said, "This is…"

Quan De'an untied the bouquet and then inserted the stems one by one into the vase; if Hu Xiaotian saw this scene, he would surely be infuriated by this fellow's cleverness—giving roses is not done this way.

Qiqi's beautiful eyes gave the roses a cold glance: "Why cut perfectly good flowers?"

Quan De'an said, "He said, giving roses leaves fragrance on the hand."

Qiqi said nothing, silently pondering the meaning of those words.

Quan De'an said carefully, "Sooner or later you must meet; now that you're so close, why avoid seeing each other?"

Qiqi said, "Eunuch Quan, you're meddling in more and more affairs."

Quan De'an gave an embarrassed smile, knowing he had again upset the little mistress, and hastily took his leave.

After Quan De'an left, Qiqi came to the bouquet, gazed at the roses, and softly said, "Giving roses leaves fragrance on the hand—hah!" The image of Hu Xiaotian's playful smile appeared before her, and a surge of anger rose in her heart for no reason; she flicked her sleeve, overturning the vase onto the ground, shattering it and scattering the roses everywhere. Outside, Quan De'an's concerned voice came: "Princess…"

Qiqi angrily said, "Don't bother me!"

Outside, Quan De'an waved his hand, signaling the guards to stay away from the princess's cabin.

Qiqi looked at the roses scattered on the ground, the anger in her eyes gradually fading; she bent down to pick up a rose, but accidentally pricked her finger on its thorn, her slender brows twitching as she silently sighed, "Giving roses leaves fragrance on the hand? Why do I feel only a sting?"

When Hu Xiaotian arrived at Shuiwan Bay, Elder Lady Xu had already disembarked and did not linger at the pier; she had now proceeded to the residence prepared for her.

Hu Xiaotian came up empty-handed, so he had to go out in the rain again to the residence; outside the residence he saw a person standing at the gate—it was his cousin Xu Mubai. Xu Mubai of the Tianxiang Kingdom had once intended to assassinate Long Xi Yue en route, and had it not been for Ji Feihua's intervention, Long Xi Yue would likely have fallen to poison; Hu Xiaotian also harbored hostility toward this cousin.

Xu Mubai, however, acted as if nothing had happened, smiling and clasping his fists: "Cousin, I hope you've been well."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Not yet killed by my cousin!"

Xu Mubai laughed and said, "I harbor no ill will toward my cousin."

"Is it that you don't want to, or that you dare not?" Hu Xiaotian's words were full of mockery.

Xu Mubai said, "Both." He made an inviting gesture: "Grandmother is waiting for you inside."

Only then did Hu Xiaotian recall the main purpose of his visit; Xu Mubai was merely a minor figure in the Xu family, and all his previous actions were likely carried out under orders. The mastermind behind everything was probably Elder Lady Xu. As for the grandmother, Hu Xiaotian had long heard of her name, and today he finally had the chance to see this mysterious old lady in person. He wondered what abilities she possessed to control such a vast family and become the wealthiest in the Central Plains.

Upon entering the rear courtyard, the rain miraculously stopped; the air was moist and fresh, and the bamboo lining the paths had their tips adorned with crystal‑clear droplets, fresh and verdant.

After Xu Mubai led Hu Xiaotian into the rear courtyard, he stopped and said softly, "Grandmother lives inside; you may go in alone."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, approached the small building's door, and gently knocked. The door opened from the middle, revealing Xu Fengmei, whose appearance closely resembled Xu Fengyi's, causing Hu Xiaotian to glance at her a second time. Xu Fengmei smiled and said, "How come you don't recognize me?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "The aunt is also here."

Xu Fengmei said, "For such a major event as your wedding, if I didn't come it would be utterly inconsiderate." She pointed to the interior of the small building: "The grandmother has just gone to sleep; you may enter, but do not disturb her."

Upon hearing that Elder Lady Xu had slept, Hu Xiaotian immediately said, "Then I'll wait outside so as not to disturb her rest."

Xu Fengmei said, "She summoned you to come in; perhaps she hasn't fallen asleep yet—just go inside."

Only then did Hu Xiaotian step into the small building, go to the second floor, and see that the room door was half‑closed; peering through the crack, he saw the gauze curtains lowered, and could faintly make out a person lying on their side on the bed.

Hu Xiaotian tiptoed in, thought about it but still didn't speak, sat down on the grandmaster's chair by the window, and waited silently for Old Lady Xu to wake up.

A gentle voice came from the bed, saying: "Is Xiaotian here?"

Hu Xiaotian stood up and said respectfully, "Madam Xu, it is indeed I!"

That gentle voice sighed and said, "You must be angry with me; I can't blame you—if it were me, I'd be angry too. Come closer so this old one can take a good look at you."

Hu Xiaotian took two steps toward the bedside, his heart filled with curiosity about the person inside the curtains.

Third Update delivered, thanks to everyone's concern, Zhangyu's health has improved a lot; from now on I will try to stockpile more manuscripts to avoid occasional situations affecting updates. At month's end, those with Monthly Tickets please vote for Zhangyu; there will be continual wonderful pushes! (To be continued~^~)