Chapter 1839

Qiqi said, "I know you've always been on good terms with him, so naturally you'd speak in his favor."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, "What are you talking about? I didn't even

Qiqi asked, "Is what's going on between you and him really true?"

"What matter?"

Qiqi, feeling a bit embarrassed, said, "Outside rumors say you two once had a homosexual relationship."

Hu Xiaotian widened his eyes, really at a loss whether to laugh or cry, that Qiqi could actually say such things to his face—homosexual tendencies, you actually think Ji Feihua is a man, she's a woman, not even a eunuch. But the truth couldn't be easily spoken, Hu Xiaotian said, "I like women; I have no interest in men at all." His gaze fell on Qiqi's flat chest.

Qiqi's face actually turned red; this guy's gaze was somewhat lustful, but doesn't that prove she's attracted to him? She crossed her hands on the table, rested her chin on the back of her hand, and quietly watched the flickering candlelight. After a moment she said, "I don't understand why he wants to kill me; just now I thought I was going to die."

Although Hu Xiaotian understood the reason, he couldn't say it; however, it's unclear why Ji Feihua would abandon the idea of killing Qiqi at the last moment—could it be because of his appearance? Does she not want to harm herself over Qiqi's matter? But that reason seems a bit far-fetched.

Qiqi said, "Just now I felt like a small hole had been opened at the top of my head, and he wanted to suck all my consciousness out of my brain."

Hu Xiaotian reached out and gently stroked the top of her head, asking, "What happened?"

Qiqi said, "I've been struggling all along; fortunately you arrived in time, otherwise the consequences would be unthinkable."

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought, it seems Ji Feihua wants to obtain information from Qiqi, just as she gained insight from the skull.

Qiqi asked, "Could this be related to Heaven Dragon Temple?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said, "Probably not; Heaven Dragon Temple wouldn't risk the lives of all its monks."

When the morning bell rang, Qiqi had already washed up; in the later part of the night she couldn't stay awake and eventually fell asleep. Upon waking, she discovered Hu Xiaotian was no longer by her side. She peered out the window and saw Hu Xiaotian standing in the courtyard talking with Mu Rongzhan, which put her mind at ease.

Although Mu Rongzhan knew someone had sneaked in last night, he didn't see who it was; afterward Qiqi never explained it to him, and he didn't have a chance to ask Hu Xiaotian for clarification. He simply followed Hu Xiaotian's orders and didn't publicize the incident. However, through this matter Mu Rongzhan saw how heavily the Yongyang Princess relied on Hu Xiaotian, proving that the thaw in their relationship wasn't solely due to current circumstances; their lingering feelings also played a significant role. Mu Rongzhan could foresee that Hu Xiaotian would inevitably wield ever-growing influence within Da Kang Guo.

Hu Xiaotian didn't leave the Yongyang Princess's chambers until dawn; although it was to protect her, officials are free to come and go in the princess's quarters, and this unmarried princess sharing a room with a lone man through the long night—who could guarantee nothing would happen?

Hu Xiaotian stepped outside, stretched lazily; having not slept all night, he felt a sore back and waist.

Mu Rongzhan stepped forward, clasped his fists in greeting, and said, "Good morning, Prince!"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "Good morning!"

Mu Rongzhan also asked, "Is the Princess alright?"

Hu Xiaotian found this unpleasant and asked, "What do you mean, Commander Mu Rong?"

Mu Rongzhan gave an embarrassed smile and said, "Prince, there's no need to overthink; I'm only concerned for the Princess's safety, after all someone sneaked in last night..."

Hu Xiaotian bluntly interrupted, "If you don't speak up, I almost would have forgotten—I stepped out for a moment, and you caused such a huge leak; someone actually walked openly into the Princess's chambers, yet you noticed nothing."

Mu Rongzhan said, "Indeed it's my negligence; the intruder's martial arts were superb, actually evading our sight. Prince, did you get a clear look at his appearance?"

Hu Xiaotian snapped, "If even Commander Mu Rong couldn't see him, how could I?"

Mu Rongzhan said, "The Prince arrived just in time; by the time we entered, the intruder had already fled. It's truly thanks to the Prince—his divine foresight came at the perfect moment, and he happened to save the Princess."

Hu Xiaotian, hearing the implication, sneered, "It sounds like you're suggesting I'm in league with that intruder."

Mu Rongzhan replied, "I certainly don't mean that."

"Not good at all!" Hu Xiaotian stepped forward, stared coldly into Mu Rongzhan's eyes, and said, "As Grand Internal Commander, you should fulfill your duties; my ability to return last night was due to the Princess's great fortune and also your luck. If anything happened to the Princess, you wouldn't need me to say what your fate would be."

Mu Rongzhan remained silent; although Hu Xiaotian's words were threatening, he couldn't deny that Hu Xiaotian's timely appearance last night had defused everyone's danger. Acknowledging that doesn't mean Mu Rongzhan can stop suspecting Hu Xiaotian. Given this guy's cunning nature, plotting a hero-saves-the-beauty scheme to firmly control the Yongyang Princess is also possible.

While Hu Xiaotian and Mu Rongzhan were exchanging sharp words, Qiqi slowly stepped outside; the morning light was just right, her pretty face showing a hint of laziness, which added a touch of femininity. All the guards lowered their heads, only Hu Xiaotian gazed at her with a half-smile. Appreciating beauty also takes courage; Hu Xiaotian's way of appreciating is such that if others dared to imitate him, it would be disrespectful, and if they angered the Yongyang Princess, they might lose their heads.

Qiqi said, "You're all up so early!"

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, "Not exactly early; those monks are waiting outside."

Only then did Qiqi realize that the abbot of Heaven Dragon Temple, Tongyuan, had already arrived; she subtly signaled Hu Xiaotian, who went over, while Mu Rongzhan and the others tactfully withdrew to a distance.

Qiqi whispered, "Do they know about yesterday's incident?"

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought, of course they don't know—though it's also possible that Tongyuan and his group are unaware; yesterday's incident was merely a plot by Ji Feihua, Yuánmù, and Kongjian, and the other Heaven Dragon Temple members weren't informed. He said quietly, "I don't think they'd have the guts for that—what do you mean?" He understood Qiqi's complex and changeable nature; although she had said she wouldn't make a fuss about this incident and wouldn't investigate it for now, he couldn't guarantee she wouldn't change her mind after waking up.

Qiqi said, "Let's just pretend this never happened; I don't have anything else to do. Once I see Master Yuánmù, we'll leave."

Hu Xiaotian nodded repeatedly; he didn't want Qiqi to blow this out of proportion—not only to protect Ji Feihua, but also because he didn't want this incident to be exploited. From his perspective, Ji Feihua acting against Qiqi now would not be wise; with the world situation changing rapidly, the biggest threat isn't Qiqi—it would be better to eliminate Hong Beimo than to kill Qiqi.

Qiqi had Mu Rongzhan summon Tongyuan, who had been waiting outside, to come in. Tongyuan had come specially to take Qiqi to see Yuánmù, but he said Yuánmù would only see the Yongyang Princess alone—no one else could accompany them. If last night's incident hadn't occurred, Hu Xiaotian might not have thought much of it, but now he dare not let Qiqi take risks. Yet Qiqi faced this with remarkable fearlessness, smiling lightly and saying, "Master Yuánmù is an enlightened monk; he wouldn't be hostile toward the Princess, and besides, this is Heaven Dragon Temple—there's no danger here."

Hu Xiaotian wanted to insist, but Tongyuan said, "If the Prince doesn't trust me, he can simply send his men to wait outside the residence of Master Yuánmù's uncle."

At that moment a familiar voice reached Hu Xiaotian's ears: "If I wanted to kill her, I would have done it last night—what are you afraid of?"

Hu Xiaotian's heart jolted; he immediately realized the speaker was Ji Feihua, who must be hiding somewhere to transmit her voice to him. He fell silent, glanced around furtively, but saw no trace of Ji Feihua.

A group escorted Qiqi to the outskirts of Yuánmù's residence; Qiqi had everyone stop and turned to Hu Xiaotian, saying, "Go to the Great Hero Hall and offer three sticks of incense to the Buddha on my behalf."

Hu Xiaotian then remembered that she had originally intended to make a vow this morning, but for some reason she had suddenly given it up—apparently last night's incident had changed her mind.

Hu Xiaotian said, "As you command!"

Qiqi also told Mu Rongzhan, "You all wait outside; the Princess and Master Yuánmù must not be disturbed while they talk."

"Yes!"

Hu Xiaotian watched as Qiqi entered the residence.

Tongyuan arranged for a novice monk to accompany Hu Xiaotian to the Great Hero Hall to offer incense; Hu Xiaotian thought, since Ji Feihua had said that, Qiqi probably wouldn't be in danger anymore, but he wondered where she was now and whether he could meet her alone to ask exactly what had happened last night.

The novice monk led Hu Xiaotian to the Great Hero Hall, where Hu Xiaotian again heard Ji Feihua whisper in his ear: "After you offer incense, go to the Incense Fragrance Pavilion to chant sutras, and you can have everyone else leave."

Hu Xiaotian knew she would likely be waiting for him in the Incense Fragrance Pavilion, so he followed her instructions exactly.

The Incense Fragrance Pavilion is a place where court officials often come to offer incense and chant sutras to show devotion; Hu Xiaotian thought requesting private entry there wouldn't raise suspicion.

Upon entering the Incense Fragrance Pavilion, a guest monk greeted him; the novice monk handed Hu Xiaotian over to the guest monk and left. The guest monk closed the door, led Hu Xiaotian to the upper level, and Hu Xiaotian vaguely suspected the monk might be Ji Feihua in disguise, though he couldn't yet confirm it. The guest monk lit the incense candles, slowly turned around, and his features had changed—before him stood a monk-robed Ji Feihua.

Hu Xiaotian couldn't contain his excitement and whispered, "Is it you?"

Ji Feihua calmly looked at him, her autumn-water eyes showing no ripple, and softly replied, "Yes, it's me."

Hu Xiaotian couldn't contain his excitement and whispered, "Is it you?"

Ji Feihua calmly looked at him, her autumn-water eyes showing no ripple, and softly replied, "Yes, it's me."

Ji Feihua gazed at him calmly, her eyes like autumn water without a ripple, and she softly replied, "It's me!"

Created a new octopus group, group number 516764203, welcome everyone to join, Zhangyu is also inside! (To be continued~^~)