Chapter 1859

Hu Xiaotian said: "Please, Brother Wanyan, fetch that thing for me to examine."

Wanyan Liexin sighed and said: "Bu Bu Ma has an odd temperament; my words may not necessarily be heeded by her."

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily, made an inviting gesture, invited Wanyan Liexin to sit in the Flowing Cup Pavilion; after serving tea, Wanyan Liexin took a gentle sip and softly said: "Jiangnan is still the best!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "If it weren't good, you wouldn't be unable to let go of your desire to go south to the Central Plains."

Wanyan Liexin shook his head and said: "Jiangnan, no matter how good, cannot compare to one's homeland; what the Great Khan thinks is not something I can influence." He slowly set down the teacup, gazed frankly at Hu Xiaotian and said: "Your Highness, I truly detest war, and have repeatedly advised the Great Khan to cease hostilities; in fact, the territory of the Black Hu is already vast enough to sustain our people, who have grown accustomed to galloping across the boundless steppes. Were we to come live in the Central Plains, for most of our people it would be like birds caged and horses confined. Splendid wealth and honor, in the course of a lifetime, are but fleeting clouds, utterly insignificant compared to personal freedom."

Hu Xiaotian did not know whether Wanyan Liexin's words were true or false, but seeing his sincere expression, it seemed unlikely he was feigning; Wanyan Liexin is a smart man, his perspective likely surpasses most, perhaps this is indeed his view. Hu Xiaotian said: "It's a pity that not many people think like Brother Wanyan."

Wanyan Liexin smiled and said: "As a subject, one can only fulfill one's duties; even if some matters run contrary to one's ideals, out of loyalty one must still carry them out."

Hu Xiaotian nodded in deep agreement and said: "Actually, this world is vast enough to accommodate the Black Hu, Da Yong, Dakang, and many more nations; so-called borders are merely human divisions, all wars arise from the private desires of those in power—grand ambitions, unifying the world, leaving a name in history—are nothing but greed's doing; they hardly spare a thought for the people's suffering."

Wanyan Liexin was astonished by Hu Xiaotian's words; Hu Xiaotian had actually voiced his innermost thoughts.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Every ethnic group has its own traditions and customs, yet those in power ultimately change things according to their own ideas, paying no heed to what the people think; their minds hold only expansion and swelling."

Wanyan Liexin said: "I never expected Your Highness to possess such a compassionate heart." Yet he secretly thought, "You, Hu Xiaotian, speak with lofty fervor, but you yourself are not like that."

Although their views coincidentally aligned in some respects, reality remains reality; no matter how they long for peace in their hearts, the present contradiction forces them onto opposing sides.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Brother Wanyan, do you mean I should personally go find Bu Bu Ma?"

Wanyan Liexin said: "Whether you believe it or not, my coming to Dakang this time is actually for the sake of peace, but the unfolding situation is beyond my control." His words betrayed much helplessness.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Brother Wanyan, what exactly is your difficulty?"

Wanyan Liexin said: "I am unaware of what happened in the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau, and I do not believe anything under heaven is more important than peace between the two states." He lowered his voice and asked: "Your Highness, can you determine whether Gangbaduo has infiltrated the Seven Apertures Exquisite Tower?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Without a doubt, he not only infiltrated it but also teamed up with the owner of the Return Flavor Pavilion, Xiang Shancong."

Upon hearing the name Xiang Shancong, Wanyan Liexin showed clear surprise and exclaimed: "Xiang Shancong?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Brother Wanyan, surely you know that Xiang Shancong is a close aide of Prince Yan of Da Yong, Xue Shengjing?"

Wanyan Liexin shook his head and said: "I absolutely have no knowledge of this!"

Hu Xiaotian, half-believing, half-doubting, said: "It seems Gangbaduo is also keeping many things from you."

Wanyan Liexin said: "Your Highness must suspect that I am not speaking the truth; I cannot explain it, but please believe that for me, nothing is more important than guaranteeing Princess Xima's safety—she is the Great Khan's cherished Bright Pearl; if anything were to happen to her, not only I, but even the entire envoy would suffer."

Hu Xiaotian thought amusedly, fearing that Xima might be irrelevant to you; the more important she is, the stronger this card in my hand becomes. Speaking lightly, he said: "How am I any different from you? Your kingdom's princess is our honored guest; should Princess Xima come to any harm, the court will certainly call me to account."

Wanyan Liexin thought to himself that the one who kidnapped Xima was you, and he sighed: "In that case, we could be said to share the same sorrow."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Indeed, so in this matter we ought to help each other."

Wanyan Liexin said: "Actually, I have come this time to convey a message from Bu Bu Ma; she says she is willing to hand over Gangbaduo to Your Highness, but you must guarantee Princess Xima's safety."

Hu Xiaotian naturally refused to admit that Xima was in his hands, and smiled faintly: "I can only promise to find Princess Xima as soon as possible; as for other matters, I truly cannot guarantee them, since I am not the one who abducted her."

Wanyan Liexin said: "She has asked me to inform Your Highness to await her at the Return Flavor Pavilion at the Wei hour, but she has a condition: you must go alone."

Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brows, wondering what scheme this old woman Bu Bu Ma was hatching; then he thought, since Xima is under his control, she likely would not dare to stir up any trouble.

After Wanyan Liexin departed, Hu Xiaotian summoned Xia Zhangming and had him go ahead to scout the situation at the Return Flavor Pavilion; after Xiang Shancong was exposed, Hu Xiaotian had people seal off the pavilion, which now stands empty; he sent Xia Zhangming as vanguard to guard against Bu Bu Ma setting an ambush there. At the same time, Hu Xiaotian also kept an eye on Wanyan Liexin's movements.

At the Wei hour that day, Hu Xiaotian arrived at the Return Flavor Pavilion, waited a full half-hour but saw no sign of Bu Bu Ma; he grew restless, thinking it was likely eight or nine out of ten that Wanyan Liexin had schemed this himself, though it seemed rather pointless; just as he grew impatient, Liang Yinghao sent word that Wanyan Liexin, leading the Black Hu envoy, had already left the inn, reportedly having received an urgent summons to return immediately to Black Hu.

Hu Xiaotian grew ever more puzzled: Wanyan Liexin leaving at this moment—does he not care whether Xima lives or dies? Earlier he said Xima was extremely important to him; does he not fear being questioned by the Khan upon his return?

Xia Zhangming quietly approached Hu Xiaotian's side and whispered: "My lord, I have carefully inspected the area around the Return Flavor Pavilion; there is no trace of Bu Bu Ma."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and whispered: "It seems they are deliberately trying to divert my attention, but doing so is utterly pointless—could they have another move?" Xima is in his hands, guarded personally by Ji Feihua, so naturally there is no worry; yet Wanyan Liexin choosing to leave now clearly puts on an act of not caring about Xima's life or death, which is unreasonable. Could it be that Wanyan Liexin realizes he can no longer turn the tide, so he withdraws early to shift this trouble onto Bu Bu Ma to resolve?

Just as Hu Xiaotian was deep in thought, Zong Tang, who was guarding the prince's mansion, came to him and handed over a letter, saying: "My lord, someone just delivered a letter saying it is for you to open personally."

Hu Xiaotian took the letter, opened it, and saw only a few lines: "Tonight at midnight, bring Princess Xima to Fengyi Shan Zhuang, in exchange for your mother's remains!"

After reading it, Hu Xiaotian's blood surged and he flared with rage; no wonder Wanyan Liexin's behavior today was so abnormal—he was deliberately diverting my attention, building a plank road openly while secretly crossing through Chen Cang, superficially dealing with me while covertly sending people to dig up my mother's grave at Fengyi Shan Zhuang; such conduct is utterly despicable. Hu Xiaotian angrily shouted: "Elder Brother Zong, immediately muster troops with Xiong Tianba and pursue Wanyan Liexin to bring him back!"

Zong Tang clasped his fists in acceptance and prepared to give chase, but Hu Xiaotian suddenly changed his mind: this letter was not written by Wanyan Liexin, just as Wanyan Liexin knows Xima is in his hands yet lacks evidence, I likewise have no proof that Wanyan Liexin stole my mother's remains; thus there is no reason to act against him now, and it is quite possible that Wanyan Liexin is not behind this; during today's discussion he showed much helplessness, perhaps he has already lost control of the situation.

Looking again at the letter in his hand, its writing was twisted and chaotic, certainly not penned by the talented Wanyan Liexin; Hu Xiaotian told Zong Tang: "Elder Brother Zong, just keep tracking the Black Hu envoy; for now there's no need to move against them—wait for my word before deciding."

Zong Tang nodded.

Hu Xiaotian said to Xia Zhangming: "Zhangming, go find Liang Yinghao, gather troops and head immediately to Fengyi Shan Zhuang."

Xia Zhangming received the order and departed.

By dusk that day, Hu Xiaotian had already rushed to Fengyi Shan Zhuang; he did not alarm the people inside, but went straight to his mother's tomb; arriving at the grave, he found the mound undisturbed, he circled it carefully, discovering everything normal, not even a hole—this eased his mind somewhat; it seemed the other side was merely making a false show, trying to throw him off balance.

At that moment, a single leaf drifted down from the tree; Hu Xiaotian looked up and saw a figure perched on the tip of a branch ahead to the right—none other than Bu Bu Ma, her tall, sturdy body balanced on a twig as thin as a finger, swaying with the breeze, making one worry that the twig might snap at any moment.

Hu Xiaotian calmly said: "Senior, are you hiding here to play tricks?"

Bu Bu Ma said: "Hu Xiaotian, it seems you have not kept your promise to bring the princess."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "When Princess Xima disappeared, you and I were both present; on what basis do you conclude this is my doing? What evidence do you have?"

Bu Bu Ma said: "Some things are known to all; no evidence is needed."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Was that letter written by you?"

Bu Bu Ma nodded and said: "If I hadn't written it that way, how would you have come obediently? Rest assured, I would not stoop to the vile act of digging up graves." She stood on high ground, clearly seeing the situation in the distance, and snorted disdainfully: "You've brought quite a retinue." (To be continued~^~)