Chapter 1868

People's scheming and depth of mind often increase with age; even when one clearly knows the other is lying, they still won't expose it to their face. Xue Lingjun has grown accustomed to this, acting pleasant while harboring different feelings—her inner sincerity has long been hidden beneath a charming, affectionate exterior, to the point that even she has forgotten what sincerity looks like. For various purposes she must keep up the pretense, yet she discovers that being too clever is not always a good thing for a woman; men usually don't like women who are smarter than they are. Even if she now tries hard to act clueless, others still won't believe her.

"Could it be that the Black Hu people staged this themselves?" Xue Lingjun silently sneered. Hu Xiaotian first pointed the blame at himself, then after the Black Hu envoy left, he turned the tables, pinning the crime on the Black Hu. This boy is truly scheming.

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and changed the subject: "Elder Sister, do you have any news about Prince Yan?"

Xue Lingjun blinked slightly. Did Hu Xiaotian's words imply that her second brother was involved in this? She slowly shook her head and said: "It's been a long time since I've heard from him. He plotted to kill the empress dowager, intending to overthrow the court, and has long been intolerable to Da Yong; I don't know where he has fled to now." Xue Lingjun didn't know whether Xue Shengjing's whereabouts were true, but even these fabricated charges she herself didn't believe. Having witnessed everything that happened in Cien Garden firsthand, she knew it all too clearly. Although Xue Shengjing was certainly no good person, who among those present was clean? Including herself, who wasn't acting for their own benefit? The victor becomes king, the loser becomes bandit; Xue Shengjing and Li Chen Zhou are actually no different, both equally ambitious, only Xue Shengjing ended up as the loser.

However, Xue Shengjing's escape did not put Li Chen Zhou at ease; even now he has not abandoned his investigation into Xue Shengjing. Xue Shengjing indeed possesses extraordinary talent—not only did he smoothly flee Cien Garden, but he remains at large to this day. Xue Lingjun even suspects that he is still hiding within Da Yong State. Since Li Chen Zhou took power, internal turmoil has never ceased, and much of it is likely orchestrated by Xue Shengjing behind the scenes. This second brother's latent strength exceeds their imagination.

Hu Xiaotian said: "He should be in Black Hu."

Xue Lingjun had also heard this theory; in fact, the earliest spread of this news came from a decision she and Li Chen Zhou made after discussing it—they wanted to pin the charge of colluding with foreign powers on Prince Yan so he could never recover in Da Yong. Xue Lingjun sighed: "No matter what, he is after all my second brother; deep down I still hope he lives well."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Besides the experts of Black Hu Fan Yin Si, there is also a person named Xiang Shancong who infiltrated the Heavenly Secrets Bureau, stole Dakang's national treasure, and burned down the Seven-Clever Exquisite Tower."

Xue Lingjun furrowed her brows slightly; she was not familiar with that name.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Do you still remember what happened in Bohai State?"

Xue Lingjun nodded. How could she forget? Back then, Xue Daohong had just ascended the throne, pointing his spear at Prince Yan Xue Shengjing and at herself, using the Treasure Gathering Studio incident to stir up trouble. If Hu Xiaotian hadn't intervened, her second brother would likely have fallen then, and she herself might have died in Bohai. Recalling those events, Xue Lingjun felt a pang of guilt involuntarily. Whether she admits it or not, she owes Hu Xiaotian a huge favor, and during that time in Bohai State, it was also when they let down their guards and cooperated seamlessly—Xue Lingjun even felt her heart stir for him.

Hu Xiaotian also reminisced: back then, Xue Lingjun bore him no ill will, and she was far more lovable than she is now. He said softly: "Everyone knows Prince Yan founded the Treasure Gathering Studio, but few know that his true core business is Yanxi Hall. Xiang Shancong is the manager of Yanxi Hall and Prince Yan's most capable aide."

Xue Lingjun let out a faint sigh: "I really know too little about my second brother's affairs."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "People often think they understand others well, when in fact it's usually just their own illusion. During our time in Bohai State, I once believed I truly understood Elder Sister."

Xue Lingjun chuckled: "If a woman is completely seen through by a man, wouldn't she lose her mystery and thus her appeal? Don't you agree?"

Hu Xiaotian noticed Xue Lingjun was quite self-absorbed, always steering any topic back to herself. Not wanting to dwell on such talk, he continued: "Evidence shows that the person who abducted the Xima Princess, infiltrated the Heavenly Secrets Bureau's Seven-Clever Exquisite Tower, and stole Dakang's national treasure is Xiang Shancong."

Xue Lingjun secretly thought that Hu Xiaotian was essentially saying the mastermind behind everything was her second prince brother, Xue Shengjing. She blinked and whispered: "Can you tell me what treasure you all lost?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head: "It involves state secrets; it's not convenient to say."

Xue Lingjun said: "Forget it then. My second brother has always liked collecting rare treasures, and it seems he still hasn't changed his original intention."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "It's probably not as simple as just collecting rare treasures, Elder Sister. I once heard a rumor that Da Yong was able to expand its territory because of a mysterious force assisting it, and over the years that force has continued to operate behind the scenes."

Xue Lingjun said: "How come I've never heard of that?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's just a rumor; perhaps it doesn't exist at all, or perhaps even you don't know about it."

Xue Lingjun laughed: "When did you also start believing these baseless rumors?"

"Where there's smoke, there's fire; Elder Sister may not yet have truly felt how terrifying rumors can be,"

Xue Lingjun sighed: "I'm afraid there's no one in the world who understands the terror of rumors better than I do." Her fate is inseparable from rumors; in people's eyes she is a jinx, a woman everyone can take advantage of, and these rumors have destroyed her youth.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Actually I didn't expect Elder Sister to come to my door on her own initiative; lately there have been many rumors about us."

Xue Lingjun chuckled: "You're not afraid, so what do I have to fear?"

"I'm not afraid because the people around me trust me deeply; they believe in my character and conduct, but do those around Elder Sister trust you so implicitly?"

Xue Lingjun's heart felt as if struck by a heavy hammer, even her heartbeat's rhythm changed. She knew Hu Xiaotian was hinting at something; Li Chen Zhou is suspicious and jealous, and now the rumors about her and Hu Xiaotian have spread throughout the city. It's hard to guarantee they won't reach Li Chen Zhou's ears, and she doesn't know how he will react.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Elder Sister, what brings you to see me today?"

Xue Lingjun dispelled her inner displeasure, her expression returning to calm: "Since the Black Hu envoy has already left, I think cooperation between Da Yong and Dakang should encounter no obstacles."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "I have already consulted the princess about forming an alliance; her reply was that Dakang will neither help the Black Hu against you nor ally with you to resist the Black Hu."

Xue Lingjun said: "Is that the princess's meaning or yours?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "My meaning is her meaning."

Xue Lingjun shook her head somewhat disappointedly: "It seems I don't need to wait for a meeting with the Yongyang Princess after all."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Elder Sister, are you thinking of leaving?"

Xue Lingjun said: "If there's no possible result, why keep waiting?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Will you and Li Chen Zhou have a result?"

Xue Lingjun's face suddenly changed at his question, and she coldly said: "My private affairs are none of your business."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "I'm just curious; I heard from Rongxin that Li Chen Zhou is fickle and never knows how to cherish and protect, so I worry for your future, Sister Jun."

Thanks!

Hu Xiaotian said: "Actually I never imagined you'd cooperate with him; from an observer's standpoint, your choice isn't wise."

Xue Lingjun said: "When did you start caring about my affairs?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "After all, we're friends."

Xue Lingjun said: "The hatred of killing one's father and taking one's wife—nothing in the world surpasses this; as for Rongxin's matter, he won't easily let it go."

Hu Xiaotian laughed loudly and said: "Rongxin has already let it go; whether Li Chen Zhou lets it go or not, I don't care. By the way, Sister Jun, when you return to Yongdu, you might as well tell him: I will eventually settle the score for Rongxin's father's killing."

After seeing Xue Lingjun off, Hu Xiaotian went to the Prince's western residence. Since he had rescued Rongshi from Yunshao Manor, he had temporarily placed him here. To prevent accidents, Hu Xiaotian temporarily sealed Rongshi's meridians; he can't now properly use martial arts, being no different from an ordinary person.

Rongshi quickly accepted reality; in his leisure he read and wrote, and sometimes when the mood struck he would summon the steward Hu Fo to play a game of chess.

When Hu Xiaotian saw Rongshi, he was playing chess with Hu Fo; seeing Hu Xiaotian arrive, Hu Fo hastily rose and said, "Prince!" His face showed some panic, after all accompanying Rongshi in chess was a private matter, and he knew Rongshi was currently under house arrest here.

Hu Xiaotian waved his hand, signaling Hu Fo to leave, then smiled at the ongoing game and said: "Brother Rongshi, your chess skill is impressive."

Rongshi said calmly: "Just to pass the time."

Hu Xiaotian sat in Hu Fo's former seat, glanced at the ongoing game, then picked up a white piece and placed it on the board.

Rongshi shook his head and said: "Your Highness's chess skill seems inferior to your martial arts, and even more so to your scheming."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: "If we don't care about winning or losing, why bother about chess skill?" He fixed his gaze on Rongshi's eyes, carefully studying his facial features.

Rongshi said: "Your Highness won't kill me, nor release me; keeping me here, what exactly do you intend?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Brother Rongshi, do you know Daoist Tian Can?"

Rongshi shook his head, not knowing why Hu Xiaotian suddenly asked that.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Then you must know Xiang Shan Cong, Brother Rongshi?" (To be continued~^~)