Chapter 1718

Qiqi's beautiful eyes brightened, but then immediately dimmed again: "So what?"

Hong Beimo said: "Your Highness..." He silently cursed, what did you promise me back then? It seems this little girl is still young after all, unable to escape the bonds of emotion; this time Hu Xiaotian's wedding deals her a heavy blow.

Qiqi said: "I heard many people have come this time; it seems they're all willing to give Hu Xiaotian face."

Hong Beimo said: "People are essentially the most realistic animals; there are no eternal enemies, only common interests."

Qiqi sneered at his words, her eyes fixed on Hong Beimo's face: "Just like us, being able to turn enemies into friends is entirely because you want to use me."

Hong Beimo respectfully said: "I, your servant, have never had such thoughts."

Qiqi said: "No need to justify yourself; I know exactly what kind of person you are."

Hong Beimo said: "I, your servant, am wholeheartedly devoted and loyal to Your Highness the Princess."

"You speak so nicely; then help me with something."

Hong Beimo respectfully said: "I am at Your Highness's command; I would go up blades mountains and down seas of fire, ten thousand deaths I would not refuse!"

Qiqi shook her head and said: "It's not that serious; at first you all advised me not to come, saying Hu Xiaotian deliberately set a trap to humiliate me, but I came anyway; he wants to build his happiness on my anger, but I won't let him succeed!"

Hong Beimo also secretly shuddered at Qiqi's words, love turning to hate; even as clever as the Yongyang Princess cannot escape this pattern. He said in a low voice: "I think now is not the best time to act."

Qiqi said: "Exactly, let him have a splendid wedding; the more he gains, the more painful it will be when he loses!" Her eyes shot forth a cold, gloomy light; even Hong Beimo couldn't help but feel a shiver in his heart at her venomous gaze.

The scene of Hu Xiaotian's grand wedding remained mysterious; Princess Xue Lingjun and Princess Yan Dongqing of Bohai State came together to tour his new residence. Already at the gate they were attracted by the pure white, soft sand; the road to the residence had been blocked, with soldiers standing guard, indicating it would not open to the public until tomorrow.

Yan Dongqing sincerely praised: "The scenery here is absolutely exquisite; the sand is white as jade, the lake water like emerald, green trees provide shade, the air is fresh—even in Bohai State you couldn't find a place this beautiful."

Xue Lingjun laughed: "Dongqing sister, why so many feelings today? Are you remembering your own wedding?"

Yan Dongqing laughed: "When I got married I wore a veil, I was completely dazed; others told me what to do and I did it, muddled into the bridal chamber; even now recalling it feels boring."

Xue Lingjun softly sighed; Yan Dongqing's words also stirred her memories. In her impression, that wedding was nothing but a muddled day; she felt like a marionette, tossed about by others. She whispered: "Those in the midst are confused, while onlookers see clearly—just seeking liveliness."

At that moment, seeing two warriors carrying cotton blankets and robes toward the lakeside, they looked up and saw a figure on the distant lake surface cutting through waves, arriving at the shallow area where he stood upright—it was Hu Xiaotian. This fellow wore only a tight-fitting undergarment, his splendid physique unreservedly displayed before all; under the sunlight, his bronzed skin gleamed, his muscles full and even, brimming with athletic power.

To outsiders, the undergarments were actually custom-made swim trunks tailored by Hu Xiaotian, yet in their eyes his attire remained utterly improper.

Seeing his splendid physique, Xue Lingjun and Yan Dongqing both felt their eyes heat and hearts race, involuntarily lowering their gazes.

Hu Xiaotian's eyesight far surpassed theirs; he had already spotted the two, first approaching the warriors, donning the robe, then taking the cotton blanket to dry the water on his head and face, smiling as he walked over to the two foreign princesses and greeting: "Both Princesses, your honored presence—my humble self failed to welcome you from afar, my apologies, my apologies!"

Xue Lingjun glanced at him and said: "We'll wait until you change clothes before we talk."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Isn't this proof that I harbor no reservations toward the two Princesses, being completely open-hearted?"

Xue Lingjun threw a flirtatious glance: "Tomorrow is the grand wedding; dressing like this today—what propriety is that?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Looks like I've made sister overthink." He no longer felt any fondness for Xue Lingjun; this woman was fickle and deceitful, and if not for her, Liu Changsheng might not have died miserably. He turned and entered the tent on the beach, soon changing his clothes.

Although Xue Lingjun and Yan Dongqing had seen countless men, they could not help but acknowledge that Hu Xiaotian was a rare handsome man; a man's looks were secondary, the key being physique and bearing, in which Hu Xiaotian excelled; though his features were not flawless, there was nothing objectionable, and with his innate sunny, radiant smile, even those opposed to him could not deny its infectious charm.

After Hu Xiaotian changed clothes and walked out, he discovered Yan Dongqing had already left, somewhat puzzled he asked: "Where is she?"

Xue Lingjun said: "Some matters called her away earlier; we had originally planned to come see your new residence, but we didn't expect the roads to be completely sealed, no one allowed in." She added, not without complaint: "You really are the one calling the shots on the secrecy measures!"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "I wanted to give the Princess a surprise; this new residence was specially designed for her." Implicitly, whether you look or not doesn't matter.

Xue Lingjun clearly felt Hu Xiaotian's attitude toward her had become much more distant this time, and she understood that the earlier incident in Da Yong had erased the little trust remaining between them. She said: "This time I came specially by imperial decree to congratulate King Zhenhai on his wedding, and I brought many gifts as well."

Hu Xiaotian said: "So sister came on orders."

Xue Lingjun said: "Following orders is only part of it; even without the emperor's edict, as your sister I would certainly come in person to bless your wedding." Upon meeting again, Xue Lingjun actually felt a bit guilty—perhaps because she had once framed Hu Xiaotian in Yongdu, or because of her current relationship with Li Chen Zhou—either way, she could no longer jest with Hu Xiaotian as freely as before.

Hu Xiaotian said: "The Black Hu also sent an envoy; the Northern Court King Wanyan Lie Xin gave me a priceless gift." He deliberately mentioned this to gauge Xue Lingjun's reaction.

Xue Lingjun said: "Non-humans must harbor ill intent; if I'm not mistaken, they are surely approaching you proactively, seeking to ally with you to launch a pincer attack on my state."

Hu Xiaotian smiled without speaking; in fact, Wanyan Lie Xin had never mentioned this matter—he was deliberately misleading Xue Lingjun. Even though Xue Lingjun is resourceful, under normal circumstances one would deduce that the Black Hu envoy's purpose is surely to ally with Hu Xiaotian; his special geographic position determines his current importance, and if he agreed to join the Black Hu in a northern-southern pincer, Da Yong would inevitably face the predicament of being attacked from both front and rear.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Sister, do you think I would agree to their request?"

Xue Lingjun said: "For decades the Black Hu have coveted our Central Plains lands, ambitious and eager to send troops south at any moment; if not for the Da Yong soldiers resisting in Bei Jiang, the Central Plains would likely have been reduced to bloody ruin; you're so smart, you certainly know the principle of 'when the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold.'"

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "Indeed, when the lips are gone the teeth feel cold—but I often find my lips bitten bloody by the teeth."

Xue Lingjun sighed, speaking softly: "Xiaotian, I know you still resent them, but back then I too was forced by circumstances; if not to preserve my life, I would never have sacrificed the Liu father and son." She put on a pitiful appearance; if Hu Xiaotian did not already have a deep, bone‑deep understanding of her, he would surely be deceived.

Hu Xiaotian said: "So this time I didn't invite Liu Yucheng over; otherwise, seeing you he would surely fight you to the death."

Xue Lingjun secretly drew a cold breath, her face showing no fear, then softly sighed: "During this period Da Yong has undergone many events; you should know as well that I, too, am enduring humiliation and burden, seeking compromise; I care not how outsiders view me, only wishing to preserve my ancestors' realm—even if I incur countless curses after my death, I would accept it willingly."

Hu Xiaotian secretly amused, it was clearly she and Li Chen Zhou who colluded to seize Da Yong's power, yet she still pretends to be bearing humiliation; a person like Xue Lingjun not going into acting is a real shame. He said: "Is it Li Chen Zhou forcing you?"

Xue Lingjun said nothing; her expression looked dim and sorrowful.

Hu Xiaotian deliberately said: "How about I help you kill him?"

Xue Lingjun abruptly lifted her head, her beautiful eyes flashing with surprise: "What did you say?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Since he is sneaky and vicious, making you suffer so much grievance, helping you kill him would surely satisfy your wish."

Xue Lingjun said: "Fine! But you want to kill him not because of me."

Hu Xiaotian smiled at Xue Lingjun, quietly awaiting her next performance.

Xue Lingjun said: "Is it because of Jian Rongxin, right? Wasn't she rescued by you?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "You once hated Jian Rongxin so much you even used the Liu father and son's lives as leverage, asking me to eliminate her; yet I don't know why you wanted her dead."

Xue Lingjun said: "Killing Jian Rongxin would strike Li Chen Zhou, putting him in anguish. But you, meanwhile, lusted after her beauty and broke your promise to me." Her implication: Liu Changsheng's death cannot be wholly blamed on me; it's mainly your fault.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Killing one person isn't the best revenge; hearing you say that, I realize there's no need to kill Li Chen Zhou—Rongxin is now my woman, and that would be the heaviest blow to him. When one possesses something they may not cherish it, but once truly lost they will regret it endlessly; I dare say that in Li Chen Zhou's heart there will be no room left for any other woman."

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