Chapter 1927

This coup in Yongdu shocked the world; compared to that, the mutiny in Bei Jiang seemed to have much less impact, but Hu Xiaotian was still more concerned about the situation in Bei Jiang. Xue Shengjing and the Black Hu had long been colluding, and it cannot be ruled out that this bastard might sell out Bei Jiang for a short period of stability. If he really did that, Huo Shengnan and the 300,000 troops of Bei Jiang would fall into a desperate situation.

Although Hu Xiaotian did not immediately go to Bei Jiang himself, he sent Xia Zhangming, Zhuge Guanqi, and Xiong Tianba ahead to assist Huo Shengnan from the sidelines. At the same time, he actively raised funds, seeking a proper route; the most feasible one now is to travel from Bei Jiang along Da Yong's southwestern border into the Ankang Grassland. However, marching nearly two months in such bitter cold would entail enormous losses, not to mention the many dangers along the way. Sending Zhuge Guanqi there is mainly to devise strategies based on the actual situation, to preserve strength as much as possible and reduce casualties.

According to the original plan, Hu Xiaotian also intended to personally visit Bei Jiang soon to see Huo Shengnan. However, just a few days after the coup in Yongdu, news arrived that Da Yong had sent an envoy.

After hearing the news, the first person Hu Xiaotian thought of was Xue Lingjun. Although he had already received confirmation of her death, for some reason he still hoped the news was wrong—perhaps he was always too soft-hearted toward women, especially beautiful ones, and deep down he felt that a beauty like Xue Lingjun should not have departed so hastily.

Perhaps out of this hope, or perhaps out of respect for the Da Yong envoy's etiquette, Hu Xiaotian chose to personally go out of the city to welcome them.

Dark clouds covered the sky, and a howling north wind swept down from the north, bringing bone-chilling cold. The Yong River to the south had begun to freeze, the withered yellow grass coated with a fine layer of white frost. Horses continually snorted, rhythmically exhaling two streams of white vapor.

The Da Yong entourage was not as grand as imagined; compared to the former Princess Xue Lingjun's entourage of often over five hundred, this group of barely over a hundred was naturally much smaller. Without the bold Da Yong banner fluttering in the wind, outsiders might have taken it for an ordinary merchant caravan.

Nevertheless, Hu Xiaotian still gave them full respect, personally welcoming them outside the gate of Dongliang Jun; few envoys enjoy such honor.

The Da Yong entourage halted before the city gate; the officer in charge of the entourage's safety came up to Hu Xiaotian, dismounted, and bowed to announce his identity.

Upon hearing that this envoy was not the Princess Xue Lingjun, Hu Xiaotian felt a sense of loss; only then did he confirm that Xue Lingjun was indeed dead. Taking the document handed over by his attendant, he unfolded it and saw a familiar handwriting—his heart skipped a beat, for the letter was actually written by Huo Xiaoru. Could the envoy this time be Huo Xiaoru? Hu Xiaotian suppressed his inner agitation and quietly gazed at the carriage ahead, wondering what Huo Xiaoru had become now. Recalling his several encounters with her in Kangdu and with Xiang Shancong, he realized that each time there had been a trace of Huo Xiaoru.

The officer respectfully said: 'The envoy is unwell from the long journey and cannot immediately have an audience with the Prince; please be understanding.'

Hu Xiaotian smiled calmly: 'If so, I will return first; please come to my manor when it is convenient.' He then turned his horse and rode away.

What was bound to come would come; Hu Xiaotian believed that, no matter whether the envoy was Huo Xiaoru or not, having traveled such a distance they would not return empty-handed but must have some purpose. Indeed, nothing exceeded his expectations; that very evening, the Da Yong envoy came to his manor to request an audience.

Hu Xiaotian had the envoy led to the flower hall, with no one else present, and waited quietly for their arrival.

Hearing the light footsteps drawing near, Hu Xiaotian already guessed who it was. In the past he might have been overcome with emotion, but time and circumstance had made his heart as still as an ancient well; even he did not expect himself to be so calm and composed, gazing peacefully at the door as if he had long known it was her—and only her.

Although Huo Xiaoru was dressed in male attire, she could not conceal her peerless elegance—her skin was fairer than snow, her brows and eyes like a painting, every frown and smile captivating the heart.

Their gazes met in midair; Hu Xiaotian remained seated, and even though he saw Huo Xiaoru standing before him, he still had no intention of rising to greet her, his eyes languid, his smile languid.

Huo Xiaoru had her hands behind her back, likewise smiling at Hu Xiaotian.

They stared at each other for a long time, and finally Huo Xiaoru broke the silence, softly chiding: 'Could it be that you no longer recognize me?'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'I've been thinking about it, and I was almost forgetting, so seeing you made me doubt whether it was really you.'

Huo Xiaoru sighed: 'You're so smart—what exactly happened, and what changes occurred in this? You must know it clearly in your heart.'

'If you don't tell me, how can I know?' Hu Xiaotian glanced at the empty chair beside him: 'Sit!'

Huo Xiaoru sat down beside him; their last meeting in Kangdu had been only half a year ago, yet this time they felt the distance between them had grown much greater.

How could Hu Xiaotian not understand? Since Huo Xiaoru came as a Da Yong envoy, she was naturally acting on Xue Shengjing's orders. After Xue Shengjing successfully eliminated Li Shen Zhou and Xue Daoming, he had become the actual ruler of Da Yong; looking across the nation, no one could challenge his authority. Although he had not yet rushed to take the throne, for him it was only a matter of time.

Xue Shengjing was the emperor of Da Yong, so Huo Xiaoru naturally was the princess of Da Yong. Hu Xiaotian had personally witnessed Huo Xiaoru's assassination attempt on Xue Shengjing; that had happened many years ago, and it was after that incident that Xue Shengjing arranged for Huo Xiaoru to go to Bohai State, proving that their father‑daughter relationship had improved. Afterward, over the many years, Hu Xiaotian lost track of Huo Xiaoru's whereabouts—what exactly happened in that time? Was it that deep paternal affection brought them together, or did Huo Xiaoru herself hide some unknown secret? Hu Xiaotian would rather believe the former, even though he disliked Xue Shengjing deep down. He hoped that everything Huo Xiaoru had done since then was under Xue Shengjing's influence, and that her true nature was not like that.

Hope remains only hope, while reality stays reality; Hu Xiaotian clearly realized that the beautiful image in his heart belonged only to the past. The lovely woman before him was like jade, but her thoughts were impossible to fathom.

"I once received your nation's envoy here in the past!"

Huo Xiaoru asked: 'The Princess, right?'

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Huo Xiaoru said: 'She is already dead, having died together with Li Shen Zhou; from the scene it appears she was killed by Li Shen Zhou's blade.'

A flicker of sorrow crossed Hu Xiaotian's eyes; although Xue Lingjun had betrayed him many times, hearing her death still saddened him somewhat. Li Shen Zhou's death did not stir great waves in his heart—Li Shen Zhou had talent but a narrow mind, and in ruthlessness he fell far short of Xue Shengjing, so the present outcome was not surprising.

Huo Xiaoru added: 'The court did not pursue Li Shen Zhou's guilt, nor did it exterminate the Jingguo Duke's residence; instead it showed leniency toward Li Shen Zhou, burying him together with the Princess.'

Hu Xiaotian lifted his teacup, took a sip, and a sneer curled his lips. 'Investigate guilt? What right does Xue Shengjing have to investigate others' guilt? Li Shen Zhou rebelled and plotted treason—what good is he himself? The victor becomes king, the loser becomes bandit; that is an eternal truth of rise and fall.'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Li Shen Zhou killed Xue Lingjun, so why bury them together? Does he intend for the two wronged souls to entangle forever in the underworld?'

Huo Xiaoru said: 'Li Shen Zhou did not commit suicide; he died at the hands of…' She paused, then emphasized: 'At the hands of Rong Shi!'

Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brows; Rong Shi and Jian Rongxin had only just recognized each other as siblings before leaving this place, and no one knew where he had gone. Unexpectedly, he had gone to Yongdu to avenge his father. From Huo Xiaoru's words, Hu Xiaotian immediately judged that Rong Shi must have run into trouble. He gently set his teacup on the table and said softly, 'Rong Shi is my man!' Though his tone was flat, it carried an irresistible force.

Huo Xiaoru naturally understood the meaning of his words; if anyone dared to move against his people, they would surely invite a storm‑like retaliation. Now Hu Xiaotian possessed such spirit and such ability. When a man who once loved her says this to her face, it shows he has let go of his former feelings.

In fact, they had never truly been involved. Huo Xiaoru's expression remained unperturbed, and Hu Xiaotian's reaction was as she expected: 'Is the Bei Jiang army's revolt led by Huo Shengnan connected to you?'

Hu Xiaotian calmly gazed at Huo Xiaoru; she must have made thorough preparations before coming, for she was no longer the former all‑songstress. What could have caused such a great change in her? Hu Xiaotian suddenly laughed.

Huo Xiaoru did not laugh; she quietly gazed into Hu Xiaotian's eyes, both of their looks perfectly clear, devoid of any sentiment.

Hu Xiaotian stopped laughing and said: 'Tell me your terms!'

Huo Xiaoru said: 'The Ten Thousand Forms of Heaven and Man!'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'In my hands it is merely a single picture; it hardly seems worth your paying a great price for it.'

Huo Xiaoru said meaningfully: 'In this world, what you think is important may actually be unimportant to others, and what you consider trivial may be priceless in someone else's heart.'

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: 'Feelings are no different.'

Huo Xiaoru sighed: 'To some people, feelings are like distant stars in the sky—unattainable!' Her gaze suddenly became somewhat bewildered.