Chapter 1858: 【One Stone Two Birds】(Part 2)

Ji Feihua said: "Wanyan Liexin is no ordinary figure; he is a frail scholar with no strength to truss a chicken, yet he became the Black Hu North Court Great King. His wisdom is extraordinary; your schemes cannot escape his eyes."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "So what? Scholars meeting soldiers can't reason it out; if he plays wit with me, I'll play force; if he argues reason, I'll respond with unreasoning stubbornness."

Ji Feihua couldn't help laughing, shook her head, and said: "A scholar meeting soldiers can't reason it out; for Wanyan Liexin to encounter someone like you, a scoundrel, is truly eight lifetimes of bad luck."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I act this way only toward enemies; I would never do this to you."

Ji Feihua's face flushed; she naturally understood what Hu Xiaotian wanted to say, and she whispered: "I should go; to be safe, I still need to personally watch over her."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; although he had a lot to say to Ji Feihua, he still hesitated somewhat—he had never before retreated like this in front of a woman.

After Ji Feihua left, Hu Xiaotian came to the courtyard where Baobao was recuperating; Hong Beimo indeed kept his promise, having someone bring Baobao over. Hu Xiaotian entered Baobao's room, saw that Baobao had awakened but lay motionless on the bed; her neck was injured. Although Hu Xiaotian's restorative surgery on her had been successful, she still needed time to recover.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian, Baobao's clear, beautiful eyes blinked and became somewhat moist.

Hu Xiaotian sat beside her, reached out to gently caress her pretty face, and said softly: "You don't need to speak; just listen to me. You'll be fine; it won't take long before you fully recover, and then we can be as we were before."

Baobao could not speak; she could only blink her beautiful eyes to respond to Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian grasped her delicate hand and said sincerely: "Don't be afraid; from now on I will never let you leave my side, I will have you guard and accompany me for life—okay?"

Baobao blinked again; two crystal tears welled from her eyes and slid down the corners. Hu Xiaotian promptly wiped them away, leaned down, and lightly kissed her cherry lips.

At that moment, Liang Da Zhuang reported from outside: "Reporting to the young master, the Black Hu Envoy Wanyan Liexin has come to pay a visit."

Hu Xiaotian had expected Wanyan Liexin to come, but he hadn't imagined he would arrive so quickly; actually, it's not strange— the situation he set up should not escape Wanyan Liexin's notice, as Ji Feihua also said. Since Wanyan Liexin has already seen through the subtleties, there's no need to keep waiting; perhaps he has already figured out the reasoning, and sooner or later they'll have to show their hands—coming earlier is better than later.

Hu Xiaotian had Liang Da Zhuang invite Wanyan Liexin to sit in the garden's Flowing Cup Pavilion, but he didn't rush over; he stayed with Baobao a bit longer, then leisurely went to the Flowing Cup Pavilion.

Wanyan Liexin was patient; taking advantage of the host's absence, he had already appreciated the small garden of the Zhenhai Wang Fu.

When Hu Xiaotian arrived at the Flowing Cup Pavilion, he saw Wanyan Liexin not inside the pavilion but by the nearby pond watching fish. Hu Xiaotian smiled, walked over, clasped his fists, and said: "Brother Wanyan, I'm truly sorry; something just detained me, making you wait—truly rude. Please don't take offense, Brother Wanyan."

Wanyan Liexin smiled: "Your Highness weighs too heavily; who could be without some affairs? Moreover, as a prince burdened with myriad duties, I certainly bear no blame toward Your Highness."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "I just had someone report the situation to Brother Wanyan; why did you need to come in person?"

Wanyan Liexin said: "Concerning the Princess's safety, I dare not not come." He inwardly cursed Hu Xiaotian as utterly hypocritical, putting on airs even now—did he really think I couldn't see through his tricks?

Hu Xiaotian said: "I also care about Princess Xima's safety, but nothing should be rushed; as the saying goes, haste makes waste. Even if Brother Wanyan held a knife to my throat, I couldn't produce the princess for you right now, would you agree?"

Wanyan Liexin asked: "Your Highness, have you discovered where the underground passage in the dry well of the Da Yong Relay Station leads?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "It leads to a nearby civilian residence; that house has long been abandoned, and its owner has long since disappeared."

Wanyan Liexin said: "In other words, the owner's whereabouts cannot be found at all?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "For now, we can't find it; aside from Princess Xima's outfit, I haven't found any other clues."

Wanyan Liexin said: "This is truly strange—how did the Princess's clothing end up in the relay station where the Da Yong Envoy is stationed?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I can't figure it out either."

Wanyan Liexin inwardly sneered, thinking you aren't clueless—you're feigning ignorance while knowing the truth. He sighed: "Could it really be that the Da Yong side wants to sabotage our two nations' friendship, thus acting covertly and using the Princess's life as leverage?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Lately troubles keep popping up; I don't know whom we've offended." He paused, then added: "Why did your state's National Preceptor Gangbaduo leave without notice? Is there any connection between his disappearance and the Princess's?"

Wanyan Liexin asked: "Your Highness, why would you ask that?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Just a casual question; that day Gangbaduo and Princess Xima sneaked into the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau together—I don't know what they said. I've heard Gangbaduo is also Princess Xima's master; perhaps asking him for help could locate the Princess."

Wanyan Liexin understood; Hu Xiaotian was basically demanding he hand over Gangbaduo to exchange for Xima's safety. He sighed: "Your Highness, why do you assume the one who sneaked into the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau is Gangbaduo?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Without evidence, how could I frame him?"

Wanyan Liexin said: "If Gangbaduo could be found, could Your Highness help locate the Princess?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "This is Dakang; if I can't find her, nobody else could. If you bring Gangbaduo before me, I believe I can likewise help you recover the Princess." He had essentially laid out the deal.

Wanyan Liexin nodded; Hu Xiaotian's words amounted to admitting that the Princess's affair was his scheme. Though he harbored resentment toward Hu Xiaotian, he kept it in check, suppressing his anger and said: "Although I don't know where Gangbaduo is, I do know he once entrusted Bu Bu Ma to hide something."

Hu Xiaotian's heart stirred—could it be that Wanyan Lie Xin wants to exchange the Skull with me for Western Agate? If he really means that, it wouldn't be a bad deal. (To be continued~^~)