Chapter 1846

Although Ji Feihua's tone was decisive, she clearly realized in her heart that she had no resolve to kill Qiqi. That night, when she tried to read Qiqi's consciousness, she suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of intimacy, a wonderful feeling of blood connection, and even at the moment she acted, her father's image flashed in her mind. Ji Feihua had never been so hesitant and bewildered as she was that day; she was always decisive and daring in killing, but when an opportunity to easily end Hong Beimo's fantasy lay before her, she actively chose to give it up.

Hu Xiaotian said: "There is still a skull inside the Heaven's Secrets Bureau."

Ji Feihua had already heard of this; she smiled faintly and said: "You deliberately released this news not to lure people into a trap?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "That skull was one I found in the Wuxian Sect's main altar; later it was snatched by Ren Tianqing and Meizhuang working together, and Ren Tianqing then offered the skull to Qiqi."

Ji Feihua furrowed her brows, truly unable to understand why Ren Tianqing would hand over the skull he had struggled to seize.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Probably Ren Tianqing cannot comprehend the mystery within the skull; I have found that those who can sense the skull's mystery likely share a blood relation with its owner." This statement essentially pointed out that the reason Ji Feihua could comprehend the skull's information is that she is a descendant of the skull's owner.

Ji Feihua had no objection to Hu Xiaotian's words; she nodded slowly, her eyes showing bewilderment: "I have only ever seen one skull; this cannot yet be confirmed. However, Ren Tianqing probably lacks this ability, otherwise he would not have given up the skull he had obtained."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Qiqi also cannot grasp its mystery."

Ji Feihua said: "If that's the case, then she is not omnipotent either." After a pause she added: "But I can feel the power within her; it should be far stronger than mine." She closed her eyes, recalling her attempt to invade Qiqi's consciousness, only to encounter a formidable will resisting her; that will resembled her own, yet was purer and stronger, and she still cannot describe that strange feeling. Even if Qiqi is not the Chosen One, her lineage must be purer than mine.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Quan De'an is dead."

Ji Feihua let out an "oh"; inwardly she could not help feeling a sense of loss. It can be said that when she once held power in Dakang, Quan De'an was her main opponent, constantly opposing her, and at one point she even wanted to eliminate him. Upon hearing of his death she ought to have been pleased, yet she could not muster any joy; instead she felt an inexplicable loss.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Ren Tianqing killed him; without his help, I could not have severed Ren Tianqing's arm."

Ji Feihua nodded and said softly: "He could indeed be called loyal and devoted." Quan De'an was a servant of Crown Princess Ling Jiazi; after Ling Jiazi's death he took on the responsibility of protecting the Yongyang Princess, serving diligently for over a decade, painstakingly guarding Qiqi's growth. Regardless of his methods, his loyalty to Ling Jiazi is beyond doubt.

Hu Xiaotian said: "He told me a secret before his death." After careful consideration he decided to tell Ji Feihua, lowering his voice: "Ling Jiazi carried the child for seven years before giving birth to Qiqi."

Ji Feihua's phoenix eyes widened; she could no longer hide her shock. She pressed her lips tightly, slowly turned and lifted her head; a raindrop fell on her face, as if seeping into the depths of her mind. She recalled that feeling again and finally understood why Hu Xiaotian spoke so cautiously. If what Quan De'an said is true, then Qiqi was clearly born after a seven‑year pregnancy, making her unlike anyone else in the world. Although I possess the blood of the Chosen One, I myself was born after a ten‑month gestation. Qiqi is likely the offspring of two Chosen Ones united; she is not Long Yelin's child, nor does she descend from Long Xuan'en.

Hu Xiaotian said: "What kind of person was Ling Jiazi exactly?"

Ji Feihua slowly shook her head and said: "When she died I was still a child; I do not know her." She does not understand Ling Jiazi, nor why Ling Jiazi rescued her from fire and water and secretly passed on a formidable martial art; the martial art Ling Jiazi gave her is continuous with the lineage contained in the skull. Previously she thought Ling Jiazi saved her merely to leave a backdoor for her biological daughter, but now she suddenly realizes that Ling Jiazi had long known the truth and had already begun laying plans.

Hu Xiaotian said: "A woman who could make Hong Beimo, Ren Tianqing, and Yuan Mu constantly remember her must not be ordinary. Long Xuan'en and Long Yelin clearly know that Qiqi is not their flesh and blood, yet they dare not expose this secret, nor even treat her with the slightest coldness; this alone proves Ling Jiazi's formidable ability."

The rain had grown much heavier than before, yet the two stood in it without intending to leave immediately.

Ji Feihua finally spoke: "I understand what you mean."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Good that you understand!"

A twisted flash of lightning suddenly sliced across the night sky, tearing the dark heavens, illuminating Ji Feihua's snow‑white, paper‑like face. After a series of low thunderclaps, the torrential rain poured down; Hu Xiaotian reached out, took hold of Ji Feihua's arm, and led her into the wind‑and‑rain shelter ahead.

Ji Feihua said: "It's merely a guess." Although Hu Xiaotian's conjecture currently lacks any evidence, Ji Feihua still remembers the sensation when she placed her palm on Qiqi's head—a feeling that cannot deceive oneself.

When the downpour ceased it was already the next morning; Hu Xiaotian appeared outside Zilan Palace, surprised to find Yin Zheng there as well. Seeing Hu Xiaotian, Yin Zheng hurried over, bowed and said: "Your servant Yin Zheng pays respects to the Prince, Thousand Years, Thousand Thousand Years."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Little Yin, you're sharp as ever—coming this early to pay respects to the Princess?"

Yin Zheng beamed: "Your Highness, don't mock your servant; the Princess issued an order yesterday transferring me to handle affairs inside and outside Zilan Palace, and I was just about to thank you—little did I expect you to arrive just now."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I didn't do anything; surely the Princess noticed your cleverness and alertness and thus transferred you here."

Yin Zheng smiled: "That's also thanks to your Prince's good fortune." This fellow's tongue is extremely sweet, his flattery just right, making it hard to grow annoyed.

Hu Xiaotian nodded and asked: "Has the Princess risen yet?"

Yin Zheng replied: "She's been up for a while, attending to affairs in the Diligent Governance Hall."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; Qiqi's diligence in handling state affairs is truly admirable. The recent revival of Dakang's national strength over the past two years is not solely due to fate; it is inseparable from her painstaking, day‑and‑night devotion to governance.

Yin Zheng accompanied his smile with: "Your Highness, are you preparing to go to the Diligent Governance Hall, or will you rest here?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "When will she return?"

Yin Zheng said: "Usually another hour or so."

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "All right, I'll go out for a stroll and come back later."

Yin Zheng said: "When the Princess returns, I will report your visit to her and have her wait for you in the palace."

Hu Xiaotian waved his hand and strode off.

Hu Xiaotian originally intended to go to the Office of Records to chat with Shi Xuedong a bit, but while passing the Cangshuge he saw a group of young eunuchs moving books in and out; only then did he learn that the library's drainage was blocked, and last night's heavy rain had left the water here knee‑deep. Although no important books were stored on the first floor, the manuscripts being copied and prepared for shelving still suffered considerable damage.

Now the drainage has been cleared, over a hundred palace servants bustle about, and of course the Imperial Guard is present as well, since the Cangshuge houses many rare ancient texts and one must prevent servants from pilfering. Hu Xiaotian saw Mu Rongzhan emerging from a room; that very spot was the former residence of Li Yuncong. Mu Rongzhan clearly did not expect Hu Xiaotian to appear here, paused for a moment, then walked over slowly.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Commander Mu, so early!"

Mu Rongzhan said: "I was on duty last night, which hardly counts as early; it is Your Highness who is truly early."

Hu Xiaotian burst out laughing: "I just happened to pass by, saw how lively it was, got curious and came to look—never expected to run into Commander Mu."

Mu Rongzhan secretly sighed; since breaking the ice with the Yongyang Princess, this fellow's status has risen meteorically—he can freely enter and leave the palace, and even wander about inside it at will. In fact, Hu Xiaotian possesses the Five‑Colored Coiled Dragon Gold Medal; relying on that token alone he can move unhindered throughout the inner court.

Hu Xiaotian walked toward the room where Li Yuncong used to live; Mu Rongzhan followed, saying: "Your Highness, the floor is a mire—don't dirty your feet."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Since I'm here, I should still pay my respects to Eunuch Li." Ignoring Mu Rongzhan's advice, he pushed the door open and entered; he found the room had not taken on water, but much of its furniture had been removed, leaving it far from its former appearance.

Mu Rongzhan asked: "What is Your Highness looking for?"

Hu Xiaotian replied: "I'm not looking for anything in particular; I just recalled the many kindnesses Eunuch Li showed me back then." He walked to the bedside and sat down.

Mu Rongzhan said: "Everything here is to be moved out."

Hu Xiaotian said: "When a person departs, the tea grows cold; Eunuch Li devoted his life to the Cangshuge, yet now that he is gone, even his belongings have been tossed out." His words were full of sighs; inwardly he lamented that Mu Rongzhan had personally thrown away Li Yuncong's possessions, not realizing that Li Yuncong was his own father—if Li Yuncong knew in the afterlife, he would surely be grieved.

Mu Rongzhan said: "Although the palace has many rooms, each one belongs to the imperial household."

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