Chapter 1782: [By Candlelight] (Part I)

Although Quan De'an had not heard the content of Qiqi and Hu Xiaotian's talk, he still saw a clue from Qiqi's subtle changes. It was still early; Qiqi had already ordered the miscellaneous palace servants to leave, leaving only her confidants. Seizing the chance, he said to Qiqi, "My lady, what are your plans for tonight?"

Qiqi put on a listless look and lazily said, "You're meddling in more and more affairs."

Quan De'an laughed, "Maybe I'm getting old and becoming talkative; I hope my lady won't despise this old servant."

Qiqi sized him up, sighed softly, and said, "Old, indeed old." Though she seemed to be speaking of Quan De'an, inside she inexplicably felt a sense of desolation, as if the person gradually aging was herself. No, she thought, I'm not even twenty—how could I feel this way?

Quan De'an, however, thought Qiqi was only speaking of himself, and he gave a wry smile: "It seems my lady despises me; this old servant also wants to leave, but if I go, I worry no one will sincerely protect my lady."

Qiqi's nose soured, she nearly burst into tears; this sourness spread to her innermost heart, turning into a sharp, stabbing pain. Yet she was not defeated by the pain, she clenched her fists, her alluring cherry lips stubbornly pursed, her back straightened involuntarily, and she coldly stared at Quan De'an: "Are you mocking me for having no one close by my side?"

Quan De'an never expected Qiqi to misunderstand his meaning, and he said with trepidation, "My lady, I absolutely did not mean that."

Qiqi reached out and grabbed his arm to keep him from kneeling; her icy voice suddenly softened considerably: "I know you didn't mean that... forget it, I'm not in a good mood..."

Quan De'an asked solicitously, "My lady, what would you like to eat tonight? I'll arrange it right away."

Qiqi shook her head: "I don't want anything."

At that moment, a report came from outside the door—it was Shi Xuedong of the Imperial Kitchen Bureau specially delivering dinner. Quan De'an immediately understood: Shi Xuedong's motive was not the wine itself (the ulterior motive), for everyone knows his relationship with Hu Xiaotian; today Qiqi's visit to the Great Xiangguo Temple to meet Hu Xiaotian was his tip-off, and this visit surely concerns Hu Xiaotian as well—perhaps Hu Xiaotian has already come along.

Quan De'an deliberately said, "Doing this seems a bit against the rules, doesn't it?"

Qiqi said, "The palace rules are up to me; let him in, Eunuch Quan—you know what to do and how to arrange, no need for me to say."

Quan De'an secretly sighed; it was obvious that Hu Xiaotian and Qiqi had already arranged to meet tonight during the day. This fellow is really bold, daring to sneak into Kangdu alone. From Qiqi's attitude, she not only bears no hostility toward him but actually protects him. Although the changing situation has made cooperation possible between them, Qiqi's behavior is not purely selfless—could it be that she still harbors lingering feelings for Hu Xiaotian? If their old love reignites, what should be done? Although all civil and military officials have acknowledged Qiqi's de facto rule, Quan De'an always feels Hong Beimo is a potential great threat, and he still does not know by what means Qiqi earlier persuaded Hong Beimo to support her, nor whether Hu Xiaotian's appearance will cause a rift between Qiqi and Hong Beimo.

Seeing Qiqi's determined gaze, Quan De'an knew further words were useless; she is strong-willed, and once she decides something, she will never change it. He only sighed inwardly, turned, and went out to make arrangements.

Shi Xuedong brought in a little eunuch carrying two food boxes; the boy was thin and small, with darting eyes. Qiqi vaguely guessed this was Hu Xiaotian in disguise, and she didn't bother with pleasantries to Shi Xuedong, softly saying, "Those who should stay, stay; those who should leave, leave."

Shi Xuedong beamed, of course knowing he was the one who should leave; he bowed to Qiqi and took his leave, silently praying that his sworn brother could tame that wild horse Qiqi. If they rekindled their old romance, his days in the palace would be easy; otherwise, he feared his entire Shi clan would lose their lives. Recalling the idea he had given Hu Xiaotian before coming, he couldn't help feeling pleased: "Damn it, who cares about the Yongyang Princess? Just push her down, take her by force, turn life into cooked rice, let her taste the marrow—she'll go from girl to woman and naturally learn the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, upholding wifely duty." Now he can only occasionally imagine such a thing; in this lifetime he'll never get to touch a woman again.

After the door closed, Qiqi examined the thin little eunuch from head to toe. Though she had seen Hu Xiaotian's disguise skills before, she was sure his abilities had improved—he had completely altered his face and figure.

The thin eunuch's joints cracked, his face began to unfold. Qiqi watched him restore his true form before her; the eunuch's uniform burst at multiple places from Hu Xiaotian's sudden growth. She snorted coldly: "Seeing you like this, I've lost even my meager appetite."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "I specially had the imperial kitchen prepare a few appetizers for you; if you don't eat them, wouldn't that waste my effort?" He opened the food boxes, took out the dishes and wine, and placed them one by one on the table.

Watching his every move, Qiqi unconsciously recalled the days they spent together in the palace; everything seemed like yesterday. Suddenly she felt Hu Xiaotian was near yet out of reach. She rose and walked over, silently helping him set the bowls and chopsticks.

Although merely a small gesture, it amounted to showing Hu Xiaotian that she was not putting on the airs of a princess in his presence.

Hu Xiaotian made an inviting gesture; Qiqi sat opposite him, her clear, deep eyes locked on his: "I never thought we'd have a chance to drink together again."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Who can say what will happen in this world? Just like when I first saw you, I never imagined you would grow into such a graceful, beautiful lady today."

Qiqi said, "Flattering women has always been your forte; I really think the women who like you are not worth it."

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "Does that include you too?"

Qiqi said, "When speaking in front of me, you'd better restrain yourself; don't forget where you are. As long as I give the order..."

"How?" Hu Xiaotian not only felt no fear, but leaned forward, his blazing gaze as if sparks were about to fly at any moment.

Qiqi snorted coldly; actually she understood that since he dared come, he must have made full preparations. Back when she and Hong Beimo jointly set up those many ambushes, he likewise escaped. Truly she has no way to deal with him—whether she cannot or will not, even she cannot give a complete answer.

Hu Xiaotian raised his wine cup: "Please!"

Qiqi lifted the cup before her with her delicate white hand, but did not immediately bring it to her lips, and said softly, "Who knows if there's poison in this wine?"

Hu Xiaotian sighed, a look of anguish on his face: "You saying that hurts me; can't people trust each other a bit more?" Before he finished speaking, Qiqi downed the cup in one gulp, not a drop left dripping from the rim; her gaze clearly showed she was threatening Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian also drank that cup.

Qiqi took the initiative to pick up the wine jug and filled his cup, offhandedly saying, "You didn't come just for drinks and chat, did you?" She understood better than anyone the predicament Hu Xiaotian now faces; if it weren't a desperate situation, he wouldn't have come of his own accord.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Indeed, nothing can be hidden from you; I've come this time for both public and private matters—I don't know where we should start."

Qiqi said, "It seems there's nothing private for us to discuss."

Hu Xiaotian said, "I once saw a blue skull in Long Ling Shengjing; at the time I didn't know what it was, but later I learned that the skull contains a great secret."

Qiqi smiled faintly; in her view, Hu Xiaotian must have obtained some news, but he could hardly know the whole story.

Hu Xiaotian said, "I also saw one in the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom."

Qiqi's eyes lit up.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Later I learned that the blue skull retains some information and writing that ordinary people cannot decipher; only those of certain lineages can read it."

Qiqi said, "It seems you know quite a lot." She clinked her cup with his and said, "Tell me, where is the other skull now?"

"In the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, in Hu Buwei's hands!"

Qiqi nodded.

Hu Xiaotian continued, "Back then he used his affair with Long Xuanjiao to discover that skull inside the palace, and had Long Xuanjiao take it out of Dakang under the pretense of her marriage."

Qiqi said, "Your father sure is deep-hidden!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "He is not my father; after my mother died, I severed all ties with him. He has long been scheming to rule the world, originally planning to take Xichuan and the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, unite the southern forces, but failed due to Ji Feihua's palace coup. His scheming is deep; even I have been kept in the dark."

Qiqi said, "According to you, the Xichuan incident was entirely his doing?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "The Xu clan of Jinling is his biggest backer; over the years he has never stopped operating in the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom. Although the kingdom appears ruled by Long Xuanjiao, in reality its authority has long been controlled by Hu Buwei, who leaves no traces—he deceived not only Long Xuanjiao but the whole world." Hu Xiaotian couldn't help admiring Hu Buwei's old scheming; without years of operation, how could he have united the southern forces all at once when the time came?

The updates stopped for two days; Zhangyu didn't dare look at the comment section—he was indeed unwell, today he accidentally slipped and fell, hurting his arm, and typed through the pain; when it rains, it pours, his heart is breaking; no more words, I recommend Qing Yuxin's book "Xiake Lu Tianfeng", currently in the wuxia writing contest—please go support it. (~^~)