Chapter 1808

Qiqi said: "I knew you were insatiably greedy; going to Hong Beimo as a guest, you naturally can't go empty-handed. Take this Skull there and let him keep it for you. Inside the Heavenly Secrets Bureau there is a Seven Treasures Exquisite Pavilion; have him store the Skull there."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Aren't you afraid Hong Beimo will swallow the Skull?"

Qiqi said: "I'll go with you. Although the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pavilion was built under his supervision, all the design drawings were drawn by me alone; besides me, no one can enter it freely."

Only then did Hu Xiaotian realize Qiqi had other plans; he had thought giving him the Skull would be just a vain joy, unaware when she had built such a small tower in the Heavenly Secrets Bureau.

Qiqi said: "Some things are not suitable for storage in the imperial household. You're right—an innocent man incurs guilt by carrying a precious jade. To minimize my risk as much as possible, the only option is to build another secure place elsewhere; after consideration, only the Heavenly Secrets Bureau is suitable. This Seven Treasures Exquisite Pavilion I obtained from the Skull, drew up the plans, and had Hong Beimo construct it inside the Heavenly Secrets Bureau to store important items. Although it lies within the Heavenly Secrets Bureau, Hong Beimo has no way to open it."

Hu Xiaotian secretly praised this girl's deep scheming, but dealing with an old fox like Hong Beimo indeed requires extra caution in everything. It seems his worry about Qiqi was unnecessary; even without his help, she would not easily fall under Hong Beimo's control.

Qiqi threw the Skull to Hu Xiaotian, who reached out to catch it, but the instant his hands grasped the Skull, it suddenly blazed with Lan light; Hu Xiaotian's mind went blank in an instant, and after the blankness, a blue-faced, fanged monstrous beast the size of a small hill appeared and lunged at him. Hu Xiaotian shuddered with fright and actually dropped the Skull onto the ground.

Qiqi's expression was full of surprise; she also saw the Lan light emitted from the Skull after Hu Xiaotian grabbed it. Even the Skull, which normally showed no reaction to her, now responded in his hands. Could it be that he, like her, possesses the bloodline of a Heaven's Mandate bearer?

Hu Xiaotian broke out in a cold sweat; he was not the first to come into contact with this Skull, and previously there had been no reaction at all. Why was it different this time? Even Hu Xiaotian felt a bit muddled—could he too have the bloodline of a Heaven's Mandate bearer? On second thought, that seemed impossible.

He caught his breath, bent down, and carefully picked up the Skull. This time he learned his lesson: he first touched it with a finger, felt no reaction, then grasped the Skull. Strangely, this time there was no reaction at all. Hu Xiaotian secretly wondered, how could this be so strange? Could it be because of the Chart of Heaven and Myriad Phenomena? Since he and Qin Yutong have that kind of relationship, perhaps he also gained some mysterious power from her, such as a reaction to the Skull? But the earlier reaction was merely a flash and gone; now the Skull lay still in his hand, not a glimmer of light visible.

Qiqi's eyes were full of suspicion, yet she did not ask. She understood Hu Xiaotian's temperament; if he didn't want to speak, no amount of questioning would make him open his mouth. In fact, the situation was clear: Hu Xiaotian was likely, like her, a descendant of a Heaven's Mandate bearer.

From Qiqi's expression Hu Xiaotian already guessed what she doubted; this matter is really hard to explain. He couldn't tell her that his earlier flash of inspiration was just a tiny ability gained after being with Qin Yutong—she wouldn't believe it, and might even anger Qiqi. Better to go along with the misunderstanding and let her think he is also a descendant of a Heaven's Mandate bearer; at least it would make her mistakenly believe they share the same origin, making it easier for them to grow close in heart.

If Hu Xiaotian's arrival was according to plan, the Yongyang Princess's coming was unexpected. Hong Beimo hadn't anticipated that Qiqi would come, and she even brought a hot potato. After several twists, the Skull that Ren Tianqing sent ended up at the Heavenly Secrets Bureau, but Qiqi was only borrowing this place for safekeeping, not intending to hand it over to him.

When Qiqi went to the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pavilion, Hong Beimo invited Hu Xiaotian into the Observation Heaven Pavilion; the banquet was already ready, and a bewitching, alluring woman in a red dress waited quietly at the table. Hu Xiaotian recognized her from afar as Baobao.

Hong Beimo's arrangements tonight clearly had deep meaning; he was well aware of Baobao and Hu Xiaotian's past relationship, and having Baobao come here to serve was precisely because of Hu Xiaotian, though he had not considered that the Yongyang Princess would come in person.

Hu Xiaotian gazed at the alluring Baobao and smiled: "Sister, long time no see—you've become ever more beautiful."

Baobao blushed and smiled; facing Hong Beimo, she naturally dared not pour out her heart, but seeing her lover, her heart was already overflowing with happiness.

Hong Beimo said: "I don't know when the Princess will return." His gaze turned toward the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pavilion to the front right; although this small tower was built under his supervision, all its mechanisms were set up by Qiqi, and even he lacked the ability to break them and enter. By sending the Skull here this time, Qiqi clearly considered the principle that an innocent man incurs guilt by carrying a precious jade; she intends to draw any potential danger elsewhere.

Hu Xiaotian said: "No need to wait for her; she said let us drink freely, and if I get drunk, she will take me home."

Hong Beimo smiled and nodded; from Hu Xiaotian's words he already grasped the meaning—it seemed Hu Xiaotian had come to the capital this time and already resolved his past grudges with Qiqi, perhaps even rekindled old feelings. He glanced at Baobao, who understood and came over to fill their cups.

Hong Beimo raised his wine cup and said: "Prince, your presence tonight brings glory to our humble Heavenly Secrets Bureau; with this modest cup I express my joy and encouragement."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Mr. Hong, you're being too polite—I, the Prince, will drink first as a sign of respect!" He was straightforward, tilted his head back, and drained the cup in one gulp.

Baobao immediately came over to refill their cups with a second round.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and glanced at Baobao: "Sister, why not sit down and have a few drinks together?"

Baobao shook her head and said: "I dare not!"

Hong Beimo said: "Since the Prince has said so, Baobao, please sit down and keep the Prince company for a few more drinks."

"Yes!" Baobao then came over and sat beside Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian gazed at Baobao and sighed: "Back when I met you, Sister, in the inner palace, you took great care of me; I, Xiao Tian, dare never forget your kindness." He raised his cup and offered a toast to Baobao.

Baobao, her pretty face flushed, glanced at Hong Beimo, who smiled and stroked his beard, indicating she could do as she pleased. Baobao drank this cup with Hu Xiaotian, then rose and said: "Baobao dare not keep the adoptive father and the Prince from their talk; I'll take my leave first."

Hong Beimo laughed: "Go ahead; the Prince and I indeed have some things we want to discuss privately."

After Baobao bade farewell to both of them and hurried away, Hu Xiaotian's gaze followed her graceful figure, betraying a hint of loss.

Hong Beimo gazed at him meaningfully and said: "The Prince seems to treat my adopted daughter differently from others."

Hu Xiaotian hehe-laughed: "Don't hide it from Mr. Hong—formerly, when I, the Prince, posed as a fake eunuch in the palace, I was very close with Sister Baobao, hehe, very close…… Anyway, they can't hide their relationship from this Lao hulí, so I might as well come clean with him; when the right moment comes I'll mention that Baobao should leave, but I need to find a reason that even this Lao hulí can't refuse."

Hong Beimo also laughed: "Prince, your visit to the capital this time—what important matter brings you here?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's about Xichuan." He slowly lowered his cup and continued: "Xichuan suffered an earthquake; hundreds of thousands of refugees flooded into my territory, leaving more monks than porridge—my predicament, Mr. Hong, you should understand, so I can only come to the imperial court seeking aid."

Hong Beimo smiled: "What does the imperial court say?" He inwardly cursed: earlier Hu Xiaotian was basically a separatist warlord; although he accepted the title of King of Zhenhai, in reality he was not under Dakang's control. Now facing trouble, he suddenly thinks of seeking aid. Yet he also knows whether Hu Xiaotian gets support depends on Qiqi's attitude; judging from the current situation, it's likely he will get what he wishes for.

Hu Xiaotian shook his head: "The Princess still hasn't given me a reply; if she refuses to help me, I truly will be at the end of my rope."

Hong Beimo said: "The Prince's mission to Xichuan turned out rather poorly!"

"Indeed, this mission not only failed to achieve its goal, but almost cost him his life there; in fact, Xichuan has already fallen under the control of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom."

Hong Beimo said: "My humble vision cannot compare to the Prince's; I dare not speak recklessly on matters of state."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Mr. Hong is a veteran of three dynasties; looking across the imperial court, there is no second person who can remain steady as a fishing platform amidst wind and waves like him."

Hong Beimo smiled faintly: "That's because the imperial court knows I, Hong, am indifferent to fame and profit; how could a minister without ambition arouse the court's suspicion?" He then shifted tone: "The Prince is no ordinary figure; your father accomplished such a great deed, yet the Prince not only escaped implication, but rose steadily, attaining the highest rank among subjects."

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed this guy for bringing up old sores, yet his face showed no anger as he smiled and said: "Still, it all relies on the Emperor's sagacity, being able to distinguish loyalty from treachery and clear black from white."

Hong Beimo nodded: "I've heard that the Xichuan matter is somehow related to your father as well."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Since my mother passed away, I have severed ties with him; this is known throughout the world, Master Hong surely knows as well, right?"

Hong Beimo certainly knew; he sighed and said: "Blood ties and familial affection are not so easily severed."

Hu Xiaotian said: "It sounds like Master Hong is someone who values emotions greatly!"

Hong Beimo detected the hidden meaning in his words and softly sighed: "Everyone has their own feelings."

Hu Xiaotian said: "When my grandmother came to attend my wedding, she once mentioned Master Hong."

Hong Beimo's expression suddenly turned blank because of those words. (To be continued~^~)