Chapter 1743

Overcast clouds shrouded the sky above Piaoxiang City, thick with vermilion clouds, yet not a breath of wind stirred; the air was hot and stifling. A carriage slowly entered Yuqingbao Estate, and a person alighted, clad in a green robe, bearing an elegant demeanor—none other than Hu Buwei.

After laying his cards bare with Long Xuanjiao, Hu Buwei no longer needed to hide his relation with the Xu clan. He came to the rear courtyard; on the small pavilion, a ******** leaned on the railing—none other than the Xu clan steward Xu Fengmei.

When Hu Buwei's figure appeared in her sight, Xu Fengmei's expression instantly became alluring and gentle.

Hu Buwei lifted his head to gaze at her, then revealed a faint smile.

The wind suddenly blew, swaying the treetops; clouds gathered at visible speed, and a raindrop the size of a soybean fell. Hu Buwei quickened his steps, swiftly entering the small pavilion that could shelter from wind and rain.

When Hu Buwei reached Xu Fengmei's side, the rain outside had already begun to fall densely.

Xu Fengmei rested her chin on her hand, quietly gazing at the rain outside the window, her demeanor like that of a little girl, murmuring, "Remember how we used to watch the rain like this when we were young?" A flash of lightning split the sky, a thunderclap boomed on the ground, and Xu Fengmei shuddered in fright. Then she felt an arm placed on her shoulder; Hu Buwei's gentle voice echoed in her ear: "Fengmei, after all these years, are you still afraid of thunder?"

Xu Fengmei nodded, then rested her forehead on his shoulder, closing her eyes. When the thunder rumbled again, she was no longer so fearful, and she whispered, "You swaggered in like that—aren't you afraid the tigress will find out?"

Hu Buwei chuckled: "She vetoed the proposal to take Redwood River."

Xu Fengmei opened her eyes: "Are you going to give up?"

Hu Buwei said: "After waiting so long, how could I miss this opportunity?"

Xu Fengmei said: "Defying her orders—aren't you afraid?"

Hu Buwei said: "She should have realized by now that the one holding power in Xianxiang State is not her."

Xu Fengmei gazed silently at Hu Buwei, her eyes full of admiration.

Hu Buwei smiled: "Why are you staring at me like that?"

Xu Fengmei whispered: "It's habit; since childhood I've been used to looking up to you, and though I'm old now, that habit hasn't changed."

Hu Buwei's fingers gently stroked her hair, and he whispered: "In my eyes, you will always be that little girl from years ago."

Xu Fengmei softly sighed: "I too wish to remain forever at that time, but everyone grows old." She took Hu Buwei's hand, pressed her cheek against his palm, and they gazed deeply at each other. After a long while, Xu Fengmei finally released his hand, tidied her hair, and whispered: "The old lady must have sensed something about our affair."

Hu Buwei scoffed: "So what? Does she think she can still control the Xu clan?"

Xu Fengmei said: "She doesn't know what evil cultivation she's practiced, but she's become ever smaller, almost like a little girl, yet her condition worsens; I think her days are numbered."

Hu Buwei said: "What you hear is false, what you see is real—but even what the eyes see isn't necessarily true; I always feel the old lady is somewhat off."

Xu Fengmei laughed: "What's wrong? Isn't it that she's already handed over all the Xu clan's properties to me?"

Hu Buwei said: "Why would she go attend Hu Xiaotian's wedding?"

Xu Fengmei said: "Perhaps it's because of her sister's matter; she feels guilty."

Hu Buwei said: "She clearly knows Hu Xiaotian isn't my son at all, so why does she still want to see him? What exactly did they discuss in that meeting?"

Xu Fengmei said: "The old lady avoids me, and Hu Xiaotian is extremely vigilant; I dare not act rashly."

Hu Buwei sighed with considerable regret.

Xu Fengmei said: "By rights there shouldn't be anything special; otherwise the old lady wouldn't have handed over all the properties to me to manage after returning."

Hu Buwei said: "I don't know why, but I always feel something is off."

Xu Fengmei smiled warmly, reached out to gently touch Hu Buwei's chest, and said: "You're too suspicious; after all these years of suffering and hardship we've endured, we've finally seen the clouds part and the moon shine—no need to overthink, for now no one can stop us."

Hu Buwei nodded, then said in a low voice: "As for Xichuan, our influence has long permeated every rank of their army; to Xichuan, whoever can feed them will gain their allegiance."

Xu Fengmei said: "The Xu clan is the richest under heaven and can certainly help Xichuan overcome its crisis." She has now been formally appointed by the old matriarch as head of the Xu clan, with free disposal of all Xu clan properties.

Hu Buwei said: "Whether it's Dakang, Shajia, or Hu Xiaotian, none of them would imagine that Xichuan and Xianxiang State are already under our control."

Hu Xiaotian and Mu Rongzhan met as agreed at Pingjiang Pavilion; Mu Rongzhan still bore that deathly visage, his gloomy gaze fixed on Hu Xiaotian as he asked: "Your Highness, what news have you gathered?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "What news could I have? I've had a few drinks and meals; everywhere in Xizhou there are ruined walls and debris, streets full of refugees, nothing worth seeing. Besides, Commander Mu, with your vast abilities, I can just wait for your news."

Mu Rongzhan knew this fellow, even if he discovered something, would not tell him the truth, so he said softly: "After Li Honghan rose to power, he heavily relied on his sworn brother Yang Haoran, who also has considerable talent, actually stabilizing the army in a short time, and..." He paused intentionally there.

Hu Xiaotian was rather annoyed by Mu Rongzhan's evasiveness, stepped forward a few paces to the outer railing, and gazed toward the distant Qingsha River.

Mu Rongzhan's next words, however, sent a shock through Hu Xiaotian's heart.

"Xianxiang State has already agreed to lend grain to Xichuan."

Hu Xiaotian turned around, his face showing a half-believing, half-doubting expression. Xianxiang State is one of the founding members of the Golden Jade Alliance; earlier I had already reached an agreement with Long Xuanjiao to buy grain from Xianxiang State at ten percent above market price—could it be that Xianxiang State sells grain to me on one side while lending it to Xichuan on the other? If that were true, wouldn't I have wasted all my effort?

Mu Rongzhan saw Hu Xiaotian's doubt and said calmly: "This has been confirmed; Xianxiang State's envoy Zhou Mo and Yang Haoran signed a grain loan agreement, and Xianxiang State not only agreed to lend the grain but will also charge no interest."

Hu Xiaotian sensed Mu Rongzhan's intent to provoke him and chuckled: "Indeed, such a good thing exists."

Mu Rongzhan said: "It is said that on the day of the assassination of Commander Li, there were three assailants—one fled, one committed suicide on the spot, and one was captured; he insists he was sent by Dakang's Heavenly Mechanism Bureau."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Had I known this, I should have had Hong Beimo come along to confront the assassin directly and see whether he truly belongs to the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau."

Mu Rongzhan said: "Even if he were from the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau, he might not have been sent by Hong Beimo."

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "Quite right—when one wants to accuse someone, excuses are never lacking."

"When do you plan to see Li Honghan?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Anytime!"

Mu Rongzhan said meaningfully: "Aren't you worried he might act against you?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "With Commander Mu by my side, what is there to fear?"

Mu Rongzhan said: "Your Highness indeed possesses extraordinary courage!"

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily: "Since we've come here, we must meet Li Honghan face to face, or else we'd betray the Princess's trust." He then shifted the conversation: "How long have you, Commander Mu, known Hu Buwei?"

Mu Rongzhan's expression changed; when faced with a question he dislikes, it's best to remain silent.

But Hu Xiaotian would not let him off, and said softly: "When I went to Xianxiang State, Hu Buwei once threatened me with Feiyan's life to get me to do something for him."

Mu Rongzhan, upon hearing this related to his daughter, naturally paid special attention, though he did not know whether Hu Xiaotian was lying.

Hu Xiaotian said: "He had me go to the Qingxuan Temple to help him steal something." He said this while deliberately glancing at Mu Rongzhan; although Mu Rongzhan's expression remained as cold as ever, the flicker in his eyes showed that what Hu Xiaotian said had indeed caught his attention.

Hu Xiaotian continued: "If not for that trip, I wouldn't have known that the master of the Qingxuan Temple is actually Su Yujin, who is not only the State Preceptor of Xianxiang State but also Feiyan's mother."

Mu Rongzhan was not interested in how Hu Xiaotian came to know this secret; what truly interested him was why Hu Buwei would send Hu Xiaotian to do such a thing. Hu Xiaotian, however, stopped short at this point, and Mu Rongzhan finally could not help but ask: "What did he have you steal?"

Skull, a Lan-colored transparent skull.

Mu Rongzhan's heart jolted; he feigned nonchalance: "Where in the world could there be a blue-transparent skull?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "In short, I stole that skull and traded it for Feiyan's safety." His words were half true, half false; anyway, Mu Rongzhan couldn't verify them. The real purpose was to make Mu Rongzhan suspect Hu Buwei, and Hu Xiaotian could almost certainly conclude that there must be some hidden connection between the two.

Mu Rongzhan said softly, "Your father is truly formidable."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "From the day he abandoned us mother and child, I have already severed ties with him; a person who can betray even his own family—how could he be trusted?"

Mu Rongzhan said nothing, his gaze turned to the distance.

Hu Xiaotian said, "If it were you, Leader Mu Rong, would you disregard your family's safety?"

Mu Rongzhan still did not answer his question.

Hu Xiaotian said, "I believe you and he are not the same kind of person!"

Mu Rongzhan's gray eyes fixed on Hu Xiaotian's face, and he said, word by word, "I am not on the same path as you!"

Perhaps it's because of the weather; I've been feeling rather gloomy today, and after great effort I managed to write a chapter—today likely only this chapter will be released. (To be continued~^~)