Chapter 1810: Zhenhai Wang Fu (Part 1)

After Hu Xiaotian and Mu Rongzhan respectfully saw off Qiqi, they glanced at each other; since they were sent together on a mission to Xichuan, this is still their first meeting.

Under the starlight, Mu Rongzhan's face was ashen, his gray‑white pupils flashing a cold light: "Since our parting in Xizhou, I do not know where Your Highness went; I, your humble servant, have been worried for a while, and only just now heard the news of Your Highness's safe return—I never expected to see you again so soon in Kangdu."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Seeing me appear alive, Commander Mu Rong, aren't you disappointed?"

Mu Rongzhan's white brows furrowed: "Your Highness, what do you mean by that?"

Hu Xiaotian burst into laughter: "Just joking with you, Commander Mu Rong, don't take it seriously." After returning from the headquarters of the Wuxian Sect, he learned many secrets about Mu Rongzhan from Shadow Granny—secrets even Mu Rongzhan himself did not know. Regarding Mu Rongzhan, Hu Xiaotian harbored great suspicion; various signs suggested Mu Rongzhan might be colluding with Hu Buwei. Previously, Hu Xiaotian had probed him several times, but Mu Rongzhan's deep scheming revealed no obvious flaws, and Hu Xiaotian could not obtain solid evidence.

Mu Rongzhan said: "It's getting late; Your Highness should return early to rest." He did not wish to speak privately with Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian replied: "No rush, has Commander Mu Rong heard any news of Feiyan lately?"

Upon hearing him mention his daughter again, Mu Rongzhan's face instantly showed displeasure.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Recently, many things have happened in the Fragrant Heaven Kingdom; as far as I know, actual power has already been seized by Hu Buwei."

Mu Rongzhan naturally understood his meaning; the actual authority of the Fragrant Heaven Kingdom was now in Hu Buwei's hands, Empress Dowager Long Xuanjiao's power had been sidelined, not to mention her puppet son Yang Longjing; moreover, Murong Feiyan and Su Yujin, who are closely related to him, all belong to Empress Dowager Long Xuanjiao's camp—meaning their situation is dire. He said calmly: "A virtuous person enjoys heavenly favor; Feiyan has grown up, her affairs are not for me to meddle in."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "A son traveling a thousand miles makes his mother worry; as a father, one must eventually be ruthless—if it were me, I would certainly not be able to set my mind at ease."

Mu Rongzhan said: "You are not me; how could you know what I think?"

Hu Xiaotian sighed: "We've known each other for so long; out of respect for Feiyan, we can hardly be considered outsiders."

Mu Rongzhan silently cursed, this brat is taking advantage of me again; my daughter hasn't even married you, what relation do we have? He said coldly: "I dare not presume to be your equal."

Hu Xiaotian said: "As far as I know, the National Teacher of the Fragrant Heaven Kingdom, Su Yujin, comes from the Wuxian Sect; I do not know how Commander Mu Rong met her, nor how they became husband and wife."

Mu Rongzhan's face showed displeasure; few people know about his affairs with Su Yujin, and even fewer know of her background—yet I do not know how this brat uncovered it. He snorted coldly: "Your Highness, are you investigating me?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Feiyan and I will eventually be family, so I naturally ought to pay more attention to her family matters."

Mu Rongzhan, who in his life had never encountered such a lazy, thick‑skinned person, snapped: "You……"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Actually, there is no secret in this world that cannot be uncovered; I even know exactly who Commander Mu Rong's parents are."

Mu Rongzhan flew into a rage, his right hand gripping the sword hilt, his gray‑white pupils flashing killing intent; even he himself does not know who his birth parents are—how could this scoundrel know? Is he uttering such nonsense just to provoke me?

Hu Xiaotian, however, was not intimidated by his aura, and calmly said: "The monk Pujie of Panlang Monastery raised you, yet your martial arts and sword technique were taught by someone else; to this day you still do not understand why, after that person taught you kung fu, he then turned and slaughtered every monk in Panlang Monastery from top to bottom."

Mu Rongzhan's body trembled violently; the anger in his eyes turned into utter disbelief—how could someone Hu Xiaotian's age possibly know these things, and describe them as if he had witnessed them himself? Moreover, those who knew this back then are all dead; the story should not have survived.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Your master killed those monks, you killed your master—so you have spent your whole life living in guilt and pain, right?"

Mu Rongzhan gritted his teeth: "If you dare spout nonsense again, I will show no mercy."

Hu Xiaotian smiled narrowly: "If you truly think I'm talking nonsense, then just pretend tonight never happened—but I haven't finished speaking yet." He yawned lazily, clasped his fist toward Mu Rongzhan, and strode away.

Watching Hu Xiaotian's retreating back, Mu Rongzhan felt a mix of alarm, surprise, and regret—truly a medley of emotions; he even regretted not restraining his temper, wishing he had let this fellow finish his speech.

After leaving the imperial palace, Hu Xiaotian went straight to the Minister's Residence; this was Qiqi's arrangement. The residence had once been the old Hu family home, survived confiscation and clearance, and later, because Hu Xiaotian and Qiqi had settled a marriage pact, it was rebuilt on the original foundation into a Prince Consort's Residence—only to fall into disuse after their marriage pact was annulled.

However, Qiqi never blamed Hu Xiaotian for this; she has continually sent people to look after the Minister's Residence. After Hu Xiaotian was ennobled as King of Zhenhai, the court bestowed a plaque for the Zhenhai Wang Fu upon it, and some of the Hu family's former servants were recalled to maintain everything here. Hu Xiaotian had heard of this before, but he had never come to see it himself, since the original renovation was overseen by Hong Beimo, whom he suspected of ill intent, thinking he might have left back doors or secret tunnels. Yet after Liang Yinghao's inspection proved the residence problem‑free, Hong Beimo's meticulous nature meant he would not act rashly without full confidence, lest he give others leverage.

Arriving at the Zhenhai Wang Fu, he saw two warriors stationed at the gate; they had received advance word from the palace that the master would come to reside here tonight, so they waited silently at the entrance.

After entering the mansion, servants and maids lined up to greet him along the way, most of them familiar faces; Hu Xiaotian secretly thought, Qiqi is thoughtful—just from this arrangement it is clear she still keeps me in her mind.

After the mansion underwent renovation and reconstruction, it was vastly different from before; Hu Xiaotian originally felt no sense of belonging here, so after bathing he retired early.

He slept exceptionally soundly, not waking until mid‑morning; upon rising and opening his door, he saw a familiar figure waiting outside—it was Liang Da Zhuang.

Liang Da Zhuang beamed: "Young Master, you're awake!"

Hu Xiaotian blinked, then recalled that he had sent Liang Da Zhuang recently to Fengyi Shan Zhuang to oversee the maintenance of the villa and his mother's tomb; yet this fellow's information was astonishingly timely—just as he showed up, Liang Da Zhuang was already there.

Hu Xiaotian asked: "When did you arrive?"

Liang Da Zhuang replied: "Just now—the princess sent word last night to the villa saying they would go to honor the matriarch in three days; only then did I learn the Young Master had arrived, fearing others might be clumsy and fail to serve him properly, so I rushed over overnight."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Your wits have become sharper and sharper."

Liang Da Zhuang said: "Having stayed by the Young Master's side for a while, I've picked up a few things; Young Master, please rest first—I'll go prepare hot water for you."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, stepped outside, stretched his arms in the sunlight, and thought of Ji Feihua—wondering how she is faring now; are the monks at Heavenly Dragon Temple giving her trouble? Master Yuanmu told me to bring the Heart of the Prajnaparamita Sutra for an exchange, but at present I haven't even a hint of the eight characters, and I have no idea where that sutra is hidden; it seems I should ask Qiqi, perhaps she can give me some news.

After washing up and finishing breakfast, just as he was preparing to enter the palace, he received word that Dakang Chancellor Zhou Ruiyuan had come to pay a visit.

Hu Xiaotian could only temporarily abandon the idea of entering the palace; he personally went to the front hall to receive him.

After being seated, Zhou Ruiyuan smiled: "I hope Your Highness will not take offense at my unsolicited visit."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "Chancellor Zhou, in court we serve side by side, yet privately you are indeed my uncle of the same generation; I have always regarded you as an elder, and as a chancellor who loves country and people—a pillar of the state—I have always held your character in high esteem."

Zhou Ruiyuan replied: "I dare not say such things!" He took the fragrant tea offered by the servant, smelled its aroma, then set the teacup down: "Excellent tea!"

Hu Xiaotian also smelled it; Liang Da Zhuang beside him grinned: "This is the pre‑rain green plum tea specially sent by the Princess."

Zhou Ruiyuan smiled: "The Princess truly showers the King with added favor!"

Hu Xiaotian glared at Liang Da Zhuang, obviously rebuking him for speaking out of turn; Liang Da Zhuang gave an embarrassed grin and slipped away.

Hu Xiaotian sipped his tea: "Chancellor, what brings you here?"

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "Nothing urgent; I merely wished to inquire about the recent condition of Your Highness's fief."

Hu Xiaotian sighed: "It's dire—suddenly a flood of refugees from Xichuan has arrived; I now face more mouths than grain, and it looks like I will soon confront a food shortage; Chancellor, I came to the capital this time precisely to seek aid."

Zhou Ruiyuan smiled: "Then allow me to congratulate Your Highness."

"What cause for celebration?"

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "Your Highness seems unaware—this morning the Princess decided to reinforce your fief with two hundred thousand stone of grain to ease the refugees' burden."

Hu Xiaotian had indeed not heard Qiqi mention this; although he knew persuading her would not be difficult, he had not expected her to agree, and Zhou Ruiyuan was clearly the one carrying out the decision.

Hu Xiaotian's face lit up with joy: "Indeed, that is wonderful news."

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "To be frank, the court has long been divided on this matter; the Princess herself is under great pressure this time, yet she has pushed ahead despite opposition."

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