Chapter 1824: 【Careful Probe】(Part 2)

Wanyan Liexin wore a moon-white long robe, his attire completely in Central Plains style. Though the warrior beside him was dressed in a tight outfit, vigorous and spirited, Hu Xiaotian still felt something off about him. Although he had a full beard, his facial features seemed somewhat familiar. Upon reflection, he recalled seeing this person at his own wedding; the man should be a female slave in Wanyan Liexin's entourage. Wanyan Liexin is renowned in Heihu, yet unexpectedly he is also a philanderer, each time coming to the Central Plains to discuss major affairs he brings women along—it seems he does not live up to his reputation.

Hu Xiaotian did not expose him, inviting Wanyan Liexin to sit inside the Flowing Cloud Pavilion. He had already had food and drink prepared in advance, and he entertained Wanyan Liexin.

Wanyan Liexin and Hu Xiaotian took their seats, and the warrior who had accompanied him stood behind him.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Da Zhuang, take this warrior out to eat."

The warrior said, "Thank you, Prince, for your kindness, but I have already eaten." She spoke in a rough voice; if Hu Xiaotian had not seen her before, he would almost have been deceived by her. Her disguise skill is also quite impressive—at first glance she looks like a bearded man, yet she cannot conceal those emerald‑like eyes, overly clear and limpid as autumn water, nothing like the gaze a man should have.

Hu Xiaotian covertly observed Wanyan Liexin's expression; as the warrior spoke, a hint of helplessness flickered in his eyes. From his expression Hu Xiaotian inferred the meaning: could it be that Wanyan Liexin also does not want her to follow him? Who exactly is this woman? She ought not be an ordinary warrior; perhaps she is supervising Wanyan Liexin?

Hu Xiaotian pretended she did not exist, drank a few cups with Wanyan Liexin, and smiled: "Since we parted at Yun Ze, I haven't seen Brother Wanyan for a long time; meeting here in Kangdu today is truly a pleasant surprise!"

Wanyan Liexin laughed and said, "I never expected to meet the Prince when I came to Kangdu this time; it seems we are indeed fated to meet."

Hu Xiaotian burst out laughing, raised his cup and shared a drink with him. Wanyan Liexin's words were not a lie; after all, the true thawing of his relationship with the court has only happened in the past few days. This likely has disrupted the envoys' original plans—when he saw Xue Lingjun today she appeared flustered, for her original plan ought to have been to ally with the Dakang Court against him. As for Wanyan Liexin, representing the Heihu side, he has never had a reason to oppose him; even at his wedding they showed ample friendliness, specially presenting a Child‑Guanyin statue, twenty Dayuan horses, and fifty female slaves—truly a generous gift.

Wanyan Liexin said, "Last time I attended the Prince's wedding, I had originally planned to stay longer to deepen our acquaintance, but since my wife was about to give birth, I returned early."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and asked, "Has your sister‑in‑law already given birth?"

When his wife was mentioned, Wanyan Liexin broke into a grin and said, "She has given birth to a boy; mother and child are safe." This is also his fifth child.

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "In that case, congratulations, Brother Wanyan."

Wanyan Liexin smiled and said, "Thank you, Prince. How many children do you have?"

That question left Hu Xiaotian speechless; he inwardly sighed that this fellow always brings up the sore spot—what does my having children have to do with you? He chuckled and said, "I haven't even thought about having kids yet." Such a reason would not be unusual even in former times; after all, modern life brings great pressure—housing, cars, money—none can be lacking, and if the timing isn't right one can postpone having children, or outright choose a child‑free lifestyle. But Hu Xiaotian lives in the present; being married without offspring makes others think him abnormal, for he lacks nothing and even has willing beauties eager to bear his children, yet he keeps working hard and still has not produced a single bean.

Wanyan Liexin laughed and said, "It's my oversight; the Prince just got married not long ago—even if he wanted a child, it wouldn't happen that quickly."

Hu Xiaotian thought that was more reasonable, but Wanyan Liexin added, "The Child‑Guanyin statue is remarkably efficacious—tried and true, within three years the Prince will surely have a house full of children."

Hu Xiaotian gave an embarrassed dry cough, "Damn it, can we not talk about this?" Just as he was about to speak, Wanyan Liexin beat him to it, asking, "Prince, how many consorts do you have?"

Hu Xiaotian felt a bit annoyed—people say Wanyan Liexin is supremely talented, but does he have talent without virtue? He lacks even basic discretion; I don't know why Heihu sent him as an envoy to Dakang. Whether I have children or not is none of your business; how many wives I have is none of your business. And yet he is supposed to be the Northern Court Great King—aside from gossiping about my private affairs, can he discuss anything substantive? But Hu Xiaotian also reflected that the Northern Court Great King of Heihu is not an easy position to attain; since Wanyan Liexin has reached that rank, he must possess exceptional ability, and his starting the conversation with personal matters surely hides another motive. Hu Xiaotian suppressed his displeasure and smiled, saying, "Well, I do have a few close female friends; Brother Wanyan, how many consorts have you taken?"

Wanyan Liexin gave a wry smile and said, "I have a domineering wife; just one already makes life difficult for me—if there were another, I doubt I could survive to this day."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Brother Wanyan, you really know how to tell jokes."

Wanyan Liexin said, "Absolutely not a joke; when it comes to women, I truly feel inferior to the Prince."

Hu Xiaotian gave a hearty chuckle: "Brother Wanyan, you're being far too modest—I hardly have any luck with women." He couldn't help feeling pleased with himself; in terms of romantic prospects, he really is not bad.

Wanyan Liexin lowered his voice and said, "Let me tell the Prince a secret."

Seeing his mysterious appearance, Hu Xiaotian also felt curious, leaned in, and made a show of listening attentively.

Wanyan Liexin said, "Even our Princess Xima holds the Prince in high admiration."

Hu Xiaotian was half‑believing, half‑doubting; even if he considered himself a decently handsome young man with a successful career, attracting female admiration would not be remarkable—but this Heihu Princess Xima, whom he has never met, knows nothing of his appearance or character, so what admiration could there be? Keeping his wits about him, he did not see himself as an idol‑level star, nor did he think his charm could kill from a thousand miles away, and he chuckled, "I have never even met your country's Princess Xima."

Wanyan Liexin said, "Princess Xima is the greatest beauty of our Heihu, proud and aloof; although many admire her, no one has truly won her heart. She has long been on good terms with my wife, and in private she has confided her feelings—turns out she has always admired the Prince."

Hu Xiaotian thought it unlikely, but since Wanyan Liexin deliberately emphasized this point, he must have an ulterior motive.

As expected, Wanyan Liexin said, "If the Prince is interested, I can act as a matchmaker."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Brother Wanyan, don't you realize I am already married?"

Wanyan Liexin said, "We also don't know why Princess Xima has fixed her heart on you, insisting on marrying no one else. In fact, for a heroic figure like the Prince, having three wives and four concubines is perfectly normal; our princess is quite open‑minded and would likely not demand any formal status."

Hu Xiaotian felt a bit dazed—Wanyan Liexin's side actually proposed sending Princess Xima to him as a concubine; such a gift is hardly trivial, and favors always come with an expectation. Why would he bestow such a great present upon him? Hu Xiaotian laughed and changed the subject: "Brother Wanyan, do you know that Da Yong has also sent envoys?"

Wanyan Liexin said, "I know—the Da Yong Eldest Princess Xue Lingjun."

Hu Xiaotian asked, "Brother Wanyan, are you this time preparing to join forces with Dakang to deal with Da Yong?"

Wanyan Liexin shook his head and said, "Prince, it seems you do not understand the temperament of our Heihu people; we have always esteemed open‑and‑aboveboard heroes, preferring to handle matters ourselves rather than delegating them. Frankly, Prince, I have come this time to ask that your country remain neutral, letting the grudge between Heihu and Da Yong be settled by ourselves."

Hu Xiaotian secretly mused that Wanyan Liexin's words carried a certain heroic spirit; if his purpose were truly as he claimed, then Wanyan Liexin would have nothing to worry about, for the Dakang court's main crisis has now shifted to the south, leaving no energy to attend to the war between Da Yong and Heihu.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Lately I've heard a rumor that the Yan Prince of Da Yong, Xue Shengjing, has fled to Heihu—I don't know if it's true or false."

Wanyan Liexin said, "I have heard that as well, but the matter remains unverified."

Hu Xiaotian and Wanyan Liexin have met only twice, yet he still cannot see through this fellow's true nature; all evening Wanyan Liexin has been spouting aimless talk, saying much but addressing nothing substantive. Even the matter of Princess Xima, once brought up, is never mentioned again, giving the impression that he is speaking off the cuff and forgetting it as soon as he says it.

Hu Xiaotian tried to probe indirectly, hoping to learn something about Heihu's situation from Wanyan Liexin, but the latter always deflected, never giving a straight answer. After the meal, Hu Xiaotian could say he had gained nothing. It appears Wanyan Liexin's purpose tonight was merely to probe; without clarifying the situation, he dared not reveal his hand.

Wanyan Liexin left the Zhenhai Wang Fu, walking far out before slowly turning back. Gazing into the distance, only a silhouette of the manor's gate remained; he let out a soft sigh. The six warriors who had accompanied him reined in their horses, and the warrior who had followed him the whole way remarked, "Tonight you seem to have come for nothing."

A hint of helplessness appeared at the corner of Wanyan Liexin's mouth as he lowered his voice: "Some things cannot be rushed; we have just arrived in Kangdu and still do not grasp the situation here—we need more patience."

The warrior said nothing, spurred his horse forward, and Wanyan Liexin hurried to catch up, while the other five warriors trailed far behind.

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