Chapter 1806

Qiqi said: "The skull contains myriad phenomena, and the most numerous of them is the Heavenly Phase Diagram."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Hong Beimo treats you with such respect solely because of this skull; do you know that?"

Qiqi nodded and said: "Each takes what they need, mutually using each other; in my eyes, you and he are no different."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Do you know what Hong Beimo is doing in the imperial mausoleum?"

Qiqi did not speak.

Hu Xiaotian said: "You naturally know that over these past few decades, silver from the Dakang state treasury has continuously flowed into the imperial mausoleum; the construction of this mausoleum, let alone the whole of Dakang, is unparalleled in ancient and modern times, both East and West." He paused and said: "Hong Beimo found the airship that sank years ago in Qixia Lake; he has been repairing and constructing it these years, which is why he has consumed vast amounts of manpower and material."

Qiqi said: "You speak with such certainty; could it be that you have seen it yourself?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Although I haven't seen it myself, I dare assert that Hong Beimo has been striving for this matter all these years; this person was once a disciple of Chu Fufeng and can be considered a remarkably intelligent figure whose learning spans ancient and modern times, but relying solely on his strength he could never complete the task of repairing the airship, while the key to whether the repair succeeds lies in your hands." Hu Xiaotian's gaze burned as he fixed it on Qiqi's flawless face.

Qiqi whispered: "Continue."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I could never figure out why Long Xuan'en doted on you so much back then, while Long Yelin was full of fear and apprehension toward his own daughter; these things seemed unreasonable, but only recently did I realize they weren't afraid of you, but of your mother."

Qiqi let out a hehe laugh, but her heart stirred with ripples; what Hu Xiaotian knew far exceeded her expectations.

Hu Xiaotian said: "During these days trapped in Long Ling Shengjing, I carefully sorted out the events before and after, and with what Eunuch Quan said, I've roughly grasped the context." He naturally would not tell Qiqi that she was born after Ling Jiazi carried her for seven years.

Qiqi asked: "What did he tell you?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "When your mother was alive, Long Xuan'en, Long Yelin, Hong Beimo, Ren Tianqing, and Quan De'an—these scheming individuals were all under her control, and each of them feared her."

Qiqi coldly said: "If it's really as you say, why does no one know about these things? Why didn't my mother take the Dakang throne, but instead willingly become a crown prince's consort?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Human nature differs; some are born with boundless ambition, while others keep their essence hidden, concealing their sharp edge."

Qiqi let out a cold snort; Hu Xiaotian's "boundless ambition" obviously referred to himself—he was saying that his mother, while alive, had hidden herself deeply, appearing merely a frail crown prince's consort, yet in fact she controlled Dakang's power, playing those high-ranking, powerful figures in the palm of her hand.

Hu Xiaotian didn't even notice Qiqi's reaction, and he said softly: "When Ling Jiazi was alive, the imperial mausoleum had already begun construction; I think this could not have been hidden from her—Hong Beimo might merely be a pawn in her hand, and Long Xuan'en as well. Originally Ling Jiazi had already controlled everything, yet she never anticipated one thing."

Qiqi asked: "What?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "She never expected to die so soon." Various signs indicate Ling Jiazi died in difficult childbirth; this point was once explained by Guiyi Fulou, but later it was proven that most of what Guiyi Fulou said were lies. As for the cause of Ling Jiazi's death, Hu Xiaotian still isn't clear; he said softly: "After Ling Jiazi's death, everything she had meticulously arranged deviated from its original course; everyone began to act on their own, and the few who had previously cooperated also started to diverge because of her death, even producing conflict."

Qiqi said: "That sounds somewhat reasonable, but you're just daydreaming, talking nonsense." She stepped closer to Hu Xiaotian, glaring at him: "Your own heart is dark and your schemes deep, so you regard everyone in the world as conspirators; my mother is the kindest person in this world, and her tragic fate is entirely caused by men like you."

Hu Xiaotian gave an embarrassed cough and said: "You seem never to have seen her either, right?"

Qiqi said: "Although I've never seen her, her appearance and her voice have accompanied me since I was young; whether you believe it or not, I can clearly know her appearance, and it was she who taught me countless things."

Hu Xiaotian suddenly remembered that Qiqi could read the information stored inside the skull; perhaps Ling Jiazi's memories were passed to Qiqi through hereditary transmission, but there is a kind of selective inheritance— a mother naturally shows her best image to her children; she could not possibly leave all her bad deeds for Qiqi to know, so the memories Qiqi received might also be fragmented.

Qiqi glared at Hu Xiaotian and said: "I will not allow anyone to slander my mother in my presence!"

Hu Xiaotian sighed from the bottom of his heart, secretly thinking: This girl is indeed protective of Ling Jiazi, but in fact he is no different from slandering Ling Jiazi; he merely wants, through layer-by-layer analysis, to let Qiqi see the truth. Qiqi's mother is undoubtedly Ling Jiazi, but what about her father? Her biological father could hardly be Long Yelin, nor could it be Long Xuan'en. According to Hu Xiaotian's current understanding, among the descendants of the Mandate of Heaven, Qiqi's bloodline might be the purest—something Ji Feihua and Qin Yutong could not compare with, as they each have some defects. The existence of the Ten Thousand Images of Heaven and Man is precisely to make up for this defect. Thinking of this, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but let his mind wander: Qin Yutong's defect needs my help to make up for; what about Ji Feihua? Does she also need my help to make up for?

Qiqi's angry voice brought this guy back to reality: "Why aren't you speaking?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm just wondering what kind of outstanding man would be worthy of a woman like Ling Jiazi!"

Qiqi's face flushed red from his words, yet this question likewise troubled her heart. She once thought her father was Long Yelin, but later Long Xuan'en personally told her he was her biological father; although her mother left her many memories, none contained any information about her father, and she had also doubted the clarity of Heaven Dragon Temple, while Hong Beimo's recounting of past events seemed to support that. Qiqi angrily said: "Do not dare to insult my mother again!"

Hu Xiaotian sighed: "I certainly didn't mean to offend the ancestors; actually, seeing you reminds me of her appearance back then, Qiqi—I really am a bit worried."

Qiqi, still angry, said: "What are you worried about?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "You're so outstanding; who in the world could be worthy of you?"

Qiqi's phoenix eyes widened: "It has nothing to do with you!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "After all, we once had a marriage pact; how could I bear to see you spend your life alone?"

Qiqi felt an impulse to rush forward and bite him hard, but before she could do so, Hu Xiaotian had already lunged ahead, opened his arms and embraced her, whispering: "I understand the pain in your heart; if you want to cry, just bury yourself in my embrace and let out a good cry."

Qiqi nodded, indeed lowered her head obediently, then opened her mouth and bit hard toward Hu Xiaotian's shoulder; this bite clearly carried the intent to tear off a piece of flesh, but she ended up biting Hu Xiaotian's tough inner armor, not only failing to tear his flesh, but nearly chipping her own front teeth.

"Mmm..." Qiqi couldn't help but cry out.

Hu Xiaotian, clearly aware she had suffered a hidden loss, still put on an act of cherishing fragrance and jade: "Go ahead and cry if you want; a good cry will make you feel better..."

Flushed with shame and anger, Qiqi lifted her long leg and drove a hard knee into Hu Xiaotian's groin; she was no weak woman, having learned much martial arts from Quan De'an, especially defensive techniques, and her strike was vicious. Hu Xiaotian let out a miserable cry, covered his crotch and collapsed straight down; although Qiqi's strike was harsh, given her methods she could hardly hurt herself—Hu Xiaotian was merely putting on an act.

If he were putting on an act against an enemy, it would simply give the opponent a chance to finish him off; but Qiqi is not his enemy. Seeing the sneak attack succeed, she first felt a surge of satisfaction, then seeing Hu Xiaotian curled up on the ground, covering his groin and groaning in pain, she couldn't help but feel a little worried.

"Stop pretending, do you think you can fool me?" Qiqi had learned countless times from this guy's cunning.

Hu Xiaotian wailed: "You…… so vicious…… it's killing me……" He put on his act to the fullest, circulating his internal energy; instantly beads of sweat the size of soybeans covered his forehead, his face turned as pale as paper, devoid of color. Seeing his state, Qiqi's heart fluttered with panic; she knelt before him and whispered softly: "You…… are you okay? Why don't I help you sit up and rest a bit?"

Hu Xiaotian said in pain: "I fear it's broken…… you're so vicious…… this will turn me into a eunuch alive……"

Qiqi bit her cherry lip and said: "Or should I summon the imperial physician to have a look?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "How could this be let others know…… ouch, it's killing me…… maybe it really is broken……"

Qiqi said: "If it's broken, it's broken; worst case I'll summon you into the palace and appoint you as head of the Imperial Household Department." Although she spoke toughly, her heart had already begun to regret; she realized she had indeed been provoked by this guy, so she hadn't held back her strike.

Hu Xiaotian said: "You don't know shit! A man can sacrifice his life, but he must never lose his manhood." This guy tried to stand up; Qiqi, knowing she was in the wrong, didn't retort even after being scolded, silently helped him to his feet. Seeing Hu Xiaotian still wearing a worried, grim expression, she said concernedly: "I'll summon the imperial physician; they dare not speak nonsense—whoever dares to speak, I'll behead him."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Just relying on those quack doctors under you…… oh dear…… I'd be better off doing it myself……"

Only then did Qiqi recall that Hu Xiaotian was indeed a doctor, and his medical skill was superb; she nodded and said: "All right then!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Help me undo my sash……"

Monday, please vote for recommendation! (To be continued~^~)