Chapter 1936

Hong Beimo whispered: "What?"

Hu Xiaotian leaned in to examine it closely, shook his head, put it aside, and continued dissecting Gui Yifu Liao's body. Gui Yifu Liao had not deceived himself; his cause of death was lung cancer, and the cancer cells had already spread widely throughout his body. As expected, each of Gui Yifu Liao's bones bore a number; after dissection, Hu Xiaotian was convinced that Gui Yifu Liao was fundamentally an artificial person.

Hu Xiaotian did not tell Hong Beimo of his discovery; although Hong Beimo was exceptionally wise, his knowledge was limited, and perhaps he had no concept of clones or artificial persons. After the dissection, Hong Beimo naturally handled Gui Yifu Liao's aftermath, while Hu Xiaotian left with Baobao.

Baobao noticed that Hu Xiaotian's mood had visibly sunk considerably; even with Baobao, Hu Xiaotian did not reveal the matter of Gui Yifu Liao, which was of great importance and needed to be kept secret.

Gui Yifu Liao was a clone; although surprising, it was after all reasonable. For the Yun Kong Project's such high-risk work, using clones could avoid pointless sacrifice, but what about the other members of the Yun Kong team? The still-living Liu Yuzhang and the elderly Madame Xu—are they truly human or clones?

Hu Xiaotian opened his palm; the black, strange object lay still, having long lost its vitality.

"What?" Baobao asked curiously.

Hu Xiaotian shook his head; he truly did not know what it was. Gui Yifu Liao had him dissect the corpse mainly to retrieve this object. Back then, he would rely on Zong Tang's skillful hands to dismantle it, hoping to find some clues.

Apart from Hu Xiaotian and a few others, most people in the world were unaware that such highly intelligent life lurked among them, posing such a great threat. All civil and military officials had already received the news of Hu Xiaotian's successful proposal to Qiqi, and everyone understood that the union of the King of Zhenhai and the Yongyang Princess would restore Dakang's prestige; their combined strength would soon return the nation's power to the status of hegemon over the Central Plains. As for whether Dakang would remain Dakang in the future, no one knew, and who cared? As long as the country was pacified and the people could live prosperously, no longer wandering as before, everyone would be content.

Common folk lived their modest lives, officials continued to hold office and draw their salaries in peace and stability—a scene of tranquility and harmony, how delightful! Only those who had endured the wounds and confusion of internal strife would yearn for peace ever more.

Zhou Ruizhong's condition, however, grew increasingly severe; what had started as a minor cold, despite consulting renowned physicians, showed no signs of easing. Qin Yutong personally returned to stay by her father's side to treat him, yet there was no improvement; on the third day after her return, a persistent high fever set in, and he even lapsed into unconsciousness twice.

Hu Xiaotian was summoned to the chancellor's residence in the middle of the night; he had originally planned to come early this morning, but Zhou Ruizhong's condition suddenly worsened, and Qin Yutong only then had someone fetch him for a consultation.

Hu Xiaotian's specialty was surgery; after examining Zhou Ruizhong, he found no sign of illness, and was about to go outside to discuss the condition with Qin Yutong when Zhou Ruizhong happened to wake up, his eyes blood-red, his breath scorching. Seeing Qin Yutong, he seized her hand and shouted, 'Asher… you finally came to see me… Asher…' but he was delirious from fever, actually mistaking his daughter for his deceased wife.

Qin Yutong said through tears: 'Father, it's me, it's me!'

At that moment Zhou Ruizhong's mind finally cleared; his expression was utterly despondent as he released Qin Yutong's hand, shaking his head and saying, 'I should have gone with you back then, I should have gone with you…' Leaning against the bed, tears streamed down his face.

Hu Xiaotian made a gesture, signaling Qin Yutong to step out first so he could have some quiet.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Ruizhong added, 'You need not attend to me; I am done for, I am done for…' He glanced at Hu Xiaotian, then at Qin Yutong, and said, 'Daughter, you go out first; I have a few words I wish to say alone to the Prince.'

Qin Yutong looked at Hu Xiaotian, who nodded, indicating she could rest assured.

Only then did Qin Yutong rise and leave.

After she left, Zhou Ruizhong looked at Hu Xiaotian and asked, 'Did you come back this time to propose to the Princess?'

Hu Xiaotian did not conceal it, nodding and saying, 'Yes!'

"Has she agreed to you?"

Hu Xiaotian still nodded.

Zhou Ruizhong let out a long breath and said, 'If that is truly the case, it is indeed a blessing for Dakang; at last the people of Dakang can live peaceful lives.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'My proposal to the Princess is also for this reason.'

Zhou Ruizhong asked, 'Have you considered whether her heart can accommodate others? How do you intend to treat Yutong in the future?' As a father, his natural concern was for his own daughter.

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Treat all equally, without bias or favor!'

Zhou Ruizhong chuckled and said, 'How could my daughter be compared to a noble lady of golden branches and jade leaves?' He couldn't help but feel worried; he knew Qin Yutong's temperament all too well, and if his daughter were to share a husband with this deep‑scheming little princess, she would surely suffer grievance.

Hu Xiaotian naturally understood Zhou Ruizhong's concern; he patted Zhou Ruizhong's hand, leaned close to his ear, and whispered softly, 'Father‑in‑law, just rest and recover; only when you are healthy can you look after your grandchild!'

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ruizhong was overjoyed; being a wise man, he immediately realized that this brat Hu Xiaotian had acted first and sought approval later, getting his daughter pregnant. Yet Zhou Ruizhong was also broad‑minded; since the deed was done, anger would be useless, and the outcome was after all a good thing. With a son, a mother gains status, and a daughter who bears his flesh and blood naturally rises in standing. Although Zhou Ruizhong was feverish, he remained an old schemer, judging everything by benefit—no fault of his, for which father does not consider his daughter's welfare?

Having confessed this matter, Hu Xiaotian still felt uneasy; after all, he had not formally married Qin Yutong, and premarital pregnancy was nothing unusual in the past, but now propriety is strict, Zhou Ruizhong being the current chancellor of a prestigious family—if he cared about face, he might turn hostile, and besides, he is ill; if Hu Xiaotian angered him and worsened his condition, that would be trouble.

Fortunately, Zhou Ruizhong did not blame him, sighing, 'It's a pity I may not get the chance to see him.'

Hearing this, Hu Xiaotian finally relaxed and comforted him, 'Father‑in‑law, rest assured; with proper recuperation, your condition will soon improve.'

Zhou Ruizhong's gaze fixed on the peony painting hanging on the wall; after a moment he said, 'If one day I die, you and Yutong will bury me in the peony garden of West Mountain.'

Hu Xiaotian pondered; the saying 'to die beneath the peony flowers makes even a ghost romantic' suggested hidden meaning—had he long known his own yang lifespan was exhausted? Thinking of his mother‑in‑law Qin Se, who also possessed the blood of heaven‑mandated ones and was a strong figure, perhaps their union was destined to exact a toll on Zhou Ruizhong's life.

Although Hu Xiaotian had a vague guess of the reason, he could not spell it out; after urging Zhou Ruizhong to sleep, he went outside and saw Huo Shengnan comforting Qin Yutong.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian come out, Huo Shengnan discreetly gave him a look, left Qin Yutong with him, and went to the kitchen to check whether the medicinal soup was ready.

Hu Xiaotian approached Qin Yutong, put his arm around her fragrant shoulders, and said, 'You need not worry; believe that Father‑in‑law, as a person of virtue, will have heavenly favor.'

Qin Yutong, eyes glistening with tears, asked, 'You just examined him—did you see what illness he actually has?'

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said, 'Father‑in‑law's illness came on very suddenly; just now I talked with him for a while and found that he seemed to have anticipated his condition.'

Qin Yutong blinked slightly: 'What are you saying?'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'Do you remember the matter of the Heaven‑Man Myriad Forms Chart?'

Qin Yutong's pretty face instantly flushed.

Hu Xiaotian said, 'I suspect Father‑in‑law's present illness is related to the marriage back then.'

Qin Yutong said, 'You mean it's because of my mother that my father's lifespan was shortened?'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'That seems to be the case.'

"Impossible; my mother could never have harmed my father."

Hu Xiaotian said, 'Mother‑in‑law might have a solution, but unfortunately she was killed suddenly, so…' In fact Hu Xiaotian understood, and Zhou Ruizhong should understand too: when one lacks the vigor of youth, Zhou Ruizhong back then had indeed fulfilled the saying 'to die beneath the peony flowers makes even a ghost romantic'; he and Qin Se became husband and wife, bore a daughter, and in truth were overdrafting his life. Yet calculating it, after Qin Se's death Zhou Ruizhong lived another twenty‑plus years; if Qin Se had not died, this father‑in‑law guarding such a beautiful wife would likely have **** long ago, for he knows no martial arts, lacks such a sturdy physique as I do, and has not had the fortune to obtain the Heaven‑Man Myriad Forms Chart.

Qin Yutong said, 'The Heaven‑Man Myriad Forms Chart is divided into yin and yang volumes; the volume I recall is probably of no use to him.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'The yang volume is in Xue Shengjing's hands; I have sent Xia Zhangming to see him now, hoping he might sell me a favor.'

Although Xia Zhangming went to Yongdu and did not obtain the yang volume of the Heaven‑Man Myriad Forms Chart, he did receive three elixirs personally given by Huo Xiaoru; strangely, after Zhou Ruizhong took these three pills, his physique quickly returned to its original state.

While praising the marvelous and miraculous efficacy of the elixir, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help feeling that Huo Xiaoru was growing ever more mysterious, wondering how much she still concealed about herself.

Standing atop the Bohuan Pavilion of the prince's residence, gazing north toward Kangdu, Hu Xiaotian seemed to see a figure far off also looking in his direction; that silhouette vaguely resembled Huo Xiaoru's appearance. He wished to make it out, but it remained hazy; closing his eyes, the mental image of Huo Xiaoru in his mind scattered like blowing sand, fragmented and broken.

He said in a low voice, 'What else did Miss Huo say?'

Xia Zhangming respectfully replied, 'She said she will come to Kangdu in July!'

Hu Xiaotian exclaimed in astonishment, 'She's coming to Kangdu?'

Xia Zhangming nodded and said, 'It is not an official mission; she only said she wishes to meet the lord privately, and she also made a request: on the seventh day of the seventh month, have the lord wait for her at the Yan Shui Pavilion.'