Chapter 1905

The purpose of sending the note to Xi Ma in advance was to divert others, and of course there was another intention: to get Xi Ma to open the window. Hu Xiaotian certainly wouldn't choose to swagger in through the main gate; if he entered like that through the main gate, he would surely provoke the Black Hu warriors to swarm and attack him.

In the still of night this guy again came to the Buddha Heart Pavilion, knowing the way well to the window outside Xi Ma's room, seeing the light inside had been doused, he couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed; it seemed Xi Ma, this little girl, was going to give him the cold shoulder. If she didn't give him a chance, then this plan would surely fall through, and if he slunk back like this, how would he face those companions? Boasting of his irresistible charm, this time his true colors would show.

He faced his scalp and lightly tapped on the window, then looked back, making sure no one else was paying attention to this side.

After a while, however, he saw the curtains inside being drawn open. Hu Xiaotian's vision was exceptional; even in the darkness he could see clearly, and he distinctly saw Xi Ma's pretty face. Xi Ma stood by the window, holding a crossbow aimed at the opening.

Hu Xiaotian hurriedly pointed at his own face, pressing his face as close to the window as possible so she could get a clear look at him.

Xi Ma finally made out that it was undoubtedly Hu Xiaotian outside the window; she felt both surprised and curious, not knowing how he had gotten here and found her. She came to the window and opened it, and Hu Xiaotian entered her room together with a gust of cold wind blowing snow.

As soon as he landed, Xi Ma pointed her crossbow at his chest and lowered her voice: "Speak! What are you doing here? If you utter even half a lie, I'll let you be pierced by ten thousand arrows!"

Hu Xiaotian's mouth twitched into a look of extreme contempt; he reached out and pushed her crossbow aside, transmitting his voice secretly: "Watch out for accidental discharge!" Then he plopped down onto a nearby rocking chair, rocking back and forth a few times.

Clang! Xi Ma drew her saber, its bright blade pressing against Hu Xiaotian's neck: "Aren't you afraid of death?"

Hu Xiaotian reached out and seized her wrist, without hesitation pulling hard; Xi Ma's delicate body lost balance and fell into his embrace. In the darkness, the two swayed together with the rocking chair, Xi Ma's pretty face pressed against his chest, hearing his strong heartbeat clearly, she whispered: "Let go of me!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "If I let you go, aren't you going to Sha Jia to become that old man Huo Ge's wife?"

Xi Ma spat: "What's it to you? You're the old man!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "If I had known that coming back would lead to this, I should have left you in Dakang."

Xi Ma said: "What are you to me? Do you want to stay? Then stay."

Hu Xiaotian cupped her pretty face, his eyes locked onto her bright eyes, and spoke in a low voice: "The reason I have traveled thousands of miles to come here is because there are some things I must say to your face; if I don't, I fear they will become a lifelong regret."

Xi Ma bit her cherry lips, feeling as if her inner self were about to melt under Hu Xiaotian's scorching gaze.

Hu Xiaotian secretly felt guilty in his heart: "Hu Xiaotian, Hu Xiaotian, you're utterly inhumane, able to utter such shameless words."

Xi Ma whispered: "If you have something to say, say it quickly and then leave, or I'll call for help!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I like you; if you're willing, I can take you away from this place and care for you for the rest of your life."

Xi Ma stared blankly at Hu Xiaotian, then suddenly crystal tears welled up in her beautiful eyes. In fact, she wasn't usually so easily moved, because the family she once trusted now, in the face of political interests, treated her merely as a tool. Thus Xi Ma was in need of affection, and she secretly harbored a crush on Hu Xiaotian; his appearance now was like sending warmth in the snow, and with his sweet nothings, taking advantage of the opening, the effect was naturally doubled. Xi Ma clung tightly to Hu Xiaotian, sobbing: "Do you know? I think of you constantly…… Is this not a dream?"

Hu Xiaotian also hadn't expected it to be so easy to win over Xi Ma; his heart swelled with pride, guilt, and emotion. He was pleased that tonight's mission was already more than half accomplished, moved that Xi Ma felt such deep affection for him, and guilty that his motives for coming this time were impure. He secretly resolved that, having spoken those words, he must take responsibility—this time he would certainly rescue this girl from the fire, and it seemed his harem would gain another capable aide.

Hu Xiaotian had barely managed to console her and stop her tears when, at that moment, a knocking sounded at the door.

Xi Ma's heart jolted; she hurriedly scrambled up from Hu Xiaotian's body and responded in the Hu language: "High Priest Ya Su, I've already gone to sleep."

Ya Su's voice came from outside: "Princess, you should be bathing now." According to the rules, before going to Fan Yin Si to audience with the Living Buddha Jialuo, one must fast and bathe, and the bathing time is specified: every night at midnight.

Xi Ma said: "Coming!" She gestured to Hu Xiaotian, intending to buy herself a little time so he could slip out the window. Unexpectedly, Hu Xiaotian instead hid in the cabinet at the corner of the wall.

At this point Xi Ma no longer had time to tell him; she could only grit her teeth and open the door.

Ya Su led four girls in, each carrying a beautiful jade bathtub; steam rose from the hot water inside. Although the tub plus its hot water weighed at least a few dozen catties, the four girls showed no strain, indicating they too possessed considerable martial skill. Hu Xiaotian peered out through the crack in the cabinet door and realized these people were bringing water for Xi Ma's bath. He had not chosen to slip away earlier because his mission was not yet finished, but he hadn't expected that by staying he would witness such an erotic and alluring scene; he held his breath, widened his eyes, naturally unwilling to miss such a splendid spectacle.

Ya Su instantly saw that Xi Ma had just been crying, and she said softly: "Princess, why be so sorrowful? When you see the Living Buddha the day after tomorrow, ask him to clear up anything that troubles you."

Xi Ma nodded, gazing at the bathtub, thinking of Hu Xiaotian still hidden in the rear cabinet; although the Hu girls were open‑minded, she still felt embarrassed to undress in front of a man, so she said to Ya Su: "Can we skip the bath tonight?"

Ya Su replied: "The princess must not break the rules; if you don't follow Fan Yin Si's regulations, you may not be able to see the Living Buddha and receive his blessing."

Xi Ma secretly sighed, "How embarrassing."

Ya Su, seeing her hesitation, assumed it was because the four maids were present; she waved her hand, signaling the four maids to draw the screen, separating her and Xi Ma inside, little imagining that a pair of eyes in the cabinet were watching them covetously.

Xi Ma had no choice but to remove her garments piece by piece. Hu Xiaotian, hidden in the cabinet, feasted his eyes; the beauty like jade made his blood surge. Although at first he had felt some hesitation and a twinge of moral reproach, now there was none—such a beauty, her heart set on him, he truly could not refuse. Thinking of that bastard Huo Ge, his resolve to take Xi Ma away hardened further; this fine cabbage must not be let that pig root it out.

Xi Ma tried to keep her back to the cabinet, but Ya Su helped her bathe, turning her around and giving Hu Xiaotian a full 360‑degree view.

Hu Xiaotian instinctively touched his nose; fortunately, no nosebleed.

Xi Ma felt shy and embarrassed; Ya Su seemed to notice something from her expression and said softly: "Princess, you seem a bit absent‑minded today."

Xi Ma sighed: "I don't want to go to Sha Jia, I don't want to marry that Huo Ge."

Ya Su said: "How could the Great Khan possibly harm you? All this is predestined by Eternal Heaven; princess, don't let your thoughts run wild."

Xi Ma asked: "Will I be able to see the Living Buddha the day after tomorrow?"

Ya Su nodded: "Early the day after tomorrow, the Living Buddha will meet the princess in the Golden Summit Hall and bestow his blessing upon her."

Xi Ma said: "Even if the Living Buddha grants his blessing, I will not be happy in this life."

Ya Su said: "The princess must not speak like that, especially never utter nonsense before the Living Buddha." The Living Buddha Jialuo holds a lofty status among the Black Hu; even the princess must not address him disrespectfully.

Xi Ma said: "Actually I understand in my heart that the Great Khan, my royal brother, and indeed all the Black Hu merely treat me as a tool; no one cares whether I live or die." She stepped out of the tub, Ya Su draped a white bathrobe over her, and said softly: "After you finish chanting sutras, you should still rest early."

Ya Su had the screen removed; the four Hu girls came over and moved the tub away, lifting it as if it were light—clearly their strength was far from ordinary.

After Ya Su bowed to Xi Ma and withdrew, Xi Ma bolted the door. She then leaned against the door and listened for a while, making sure no one was eavesdropping outside, before coming to the cabinet and letting Hu Xiaotian out. Thinking that her bath scene might have been seen in full by Hu Xiaotian, her pretty face flushed crimson, making her utterly adorable.

Hu Xiaotian gazed at Xi Ma, who resembled a lotus rising from the water, his heart also fluttering; he pursed his lips and whispered, "I… I should leave first." He made a move to go, but Xi Ma seized his arm and said softly, "You're just going to leave like that, not caring about me?"

Hu Xiaotian turned around, gazing into Xi Ma's eyes, soft as water, and suddenly a surge of emotion welled up inside him—never mind Conscience or morality, never mind political aims; matters had come to this point, an arrow on the bow must be loosed; only a fool would let such a once‑in‑a‑lifetime chance slip by. He gave a hard tug, pulling her delicate form into his embrace, and in the same motion ripped open her bathrobe; the white robe fell silently onto the thick carpet…

The bitter wind howled, snowflakes flew, and the lamp atop the Buddha Heart Pavilion suddenly went out. On the roof opposite the pavilion, a lone, proud silhouette gazed at the pavilion amidst the wind and snow; the light in his eyes dimmed suddenly as the lamp was extinguished…

Today is Teachers' Day; wishing all teachers worldwide a happy holiday! (To be continued~^~)