Chapter 213

Murong Feiyan walked into the courtyard at this moment, seeing the scene before her she couldn't help but be startled. After all, a foreign beauty like Vesa was rarely seen normally; although Murong Feiyan came from the prosperous Kangdu, she also seldom saw such a blond‑blue‑eyed lass, yet she didn't know where Hu Xiaotian had lured her from.

Vesa, seeing the arrival, hurriedly stood up, bowed to Murong Feiyan, then stood there somewhat nervously.

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "One of our own, her name is Vesa!" Turning to Vesa, he spoke in English: "Vesa, go to my room first and tidy up a bit; I have a private matter to discuss with Miss Murong." Vesa nodded and turned away.

Murong Feiyan was completely baffled; Hu Xiaotian really is all‑capable, even speaking a foreign language. In fact, she had long grown accustomed to his endless array of talents.

After Vesa left, Hu Xiaotian then explained her background from start to finish. Hearing it, Murong Feiyan also felt the matter was truly extraordinary; even from her perspective, Vesa, though from a foreign tribe, was a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms, so how could Prince Zhou bear to give such a stunning beauty to Hu Xiaotian?

Murong Feiyan said, "It seems some people have picked up a huge bargain for nothing; I bet you'll wake up laughing in your dreams tonight."

Hu Xiaotian said, "You're jealous!"

"Tch, you? What makes you think you're worthy?" Murong Feiyan said with a look of disdain.

Hu Xiaotian said, "To be honest, it's not that I took advantage and acted cute; this gift is a hot potato for me—I have to accept it whether I want to or not. I don't know what Prince Zhou really means, but maybe they'll regret it tomorrow and try to take it back."

Murong Feiyan said, "I think Prince Zhou has miscalculated this time—throwing a sheep into a tiger's mouth; who has ever seen something swallowed and then spit out again?"

Hu Xiaotian straightened his face and spoke solemnly: "Murong Feiyan, you may insult my * but you cannot insult my character; am I that kind of person? After all this ** between us, have I ever made even the slightest improper move toward you?"

"You dare?" Murong Feiyan's brows furrowed in anger.

Hu Xiaotian gave a hehehe wicked laugh and said, "There really aren't many things in this world I dare not do."

Murong Feiyan realized that in Hu Xiaotian's presence she was losing her aura of authority; this fellow simply wasn't afraid of her.

Hu Xiaotian's joking with Murong Feiyan always stopped at the point of fun; if he really provoked her, Captain Murong could be quite savage—he had already experienced that. Hu Xiaotian asked, "How are Xu Qinglian and his gang doing?"

Murong Feiyan said, "Following your orders, they've all been locked up in the jail. Liu Kuohai and the others are watching over them."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "For now don't let them out; keep them locked for a few days, then we'll talk after Prince Zhou and the envoy depart."

Murong Feiyan said, "You've arrested so many officials this time; aren't you afraid they'll bite back?"

Hu Xiaotian snorted coldly, "Not one of them is innocent; just the bribe money they've embezzled is enough to punish them. Besides, I'm acting on Sir Zhang's orders this time—he said if any trouble arises, he'll back me up."

Murong Feiyan said, "With your future father-in-law backing you, naturally no one dares to move against you."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, "Right. The day after tomorrow Prince Zhou wants me to accompany him to Xiezhou."

Murong Feiyan exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be that you're supposed to go together with the Shajia envoy?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "I always feel this route won't be peaceful."

Murong Feiyan said, "You're worried someone might ambush the Shajia envoy along the way?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "If it weren't for that, why would I rush to round up Xu Qinglian and his gang in one sweep? I'm just afraid someone might tip off the bandits of Tianlang Mountain."

Murong Feiyan said, "You've deployed troops and set up layered defenses on the roads leading out of Tianlang Mountain; almost every link has been considered, so there shouldn't be any mistake. But after we head to Xiezhou, who will control the situation here in Qingyun?"

Hu Xiaotian fixed his gaze on Murong Feiyan; she instantly understood his meaning and exclaimed in surprise, "You want me to stay in Qingyun?"

Hu Xiaotian slowly nodded and said, "Qingyun County—the person I trust most is you. We can't both leave at once; Prince Zhou has ordered me to accompany him to Xiezhou, and I cannot refuse. Once I go, Qingyun might change, so you must stay to help me manage the situation. With Liu Kuohai assisting you, plus the token Sir Zhang gave me, you needn't worry that the clerks won't obey your orders. If a major crisis arises, go to Red Willow Manor and find Xiao Tianmu—he will surely lend his full aid."

Murong Feiyan silently nodded.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "This trip to Xiezhou will take at most ten days before I return."

Murong Feiyan bit her cherry lip; since leaving Kangdu, they had never been apart for so long. Although she usually found him displeasing, hearing the news of their separation still made her reluctant. She whispered, "If I'm not by your side to protect you, what will you do if bandits come to attack?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "I've already taken full precautions; there will be guards along the whole route, so bandits couldn't even hide, let alone attack. Moreover, I'm not a helpless scholar who can't truss a chicken; you've taught me some martial arts in daily practice, so if bandits do show up, I'll just use the chance to hone my skills."

Murong Feiyan spat and said, "With your three‑legged cat kung fu, you'd dare to show it off and make a fool of yourself? Why not let Liu Kuohai go with you?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "No need; on the contrary, Qingyun is the place that most needs manpower. Sir Zhang left me two guards, both top‑notch, and they will accompany me back. Besides, Prince Zhou's entourage already has eight imperial masters protecting the route—who knows how safe it is, so just rest easy."

Only then did Murong Feiyan nod.

Hu Xiaotian returned to his room, only to find the formerly messy chamber now spotless; Vesa was there tidying the desk. Seeing him enter, she hurriedly bowed and said, "Master has returned!"

Seeing her frightened and respectful demeanor, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but laugh and said, "You don't need to be so nervous, and you don't have to call me master; from now on just call me 'lord'."

Vesa imitated Hu Xiaotian's accent, speaking haltingly: "Lord chicken……"

Hu Xiaotian burst out laughing, then said, "Brother, I said 'lord,' but you turned it into 'rooster.' He patiently corrected: 'Lord!'"

"Rooster……"

After correcting her three times in a row without fixing her accent, Hu Xiaotian could only resign himself to the fact that "rooster" stood for "lord," at least his gender hadn't been changed. He softly said, "Go next door and find Miss Murong; she'll help you arrange a place to stay."

Vesa bit her cherry lip; she hadn't expected this lord to be such a gentleman of propriety. She nodded and turned to leave.

Hu Xiaotian then remembered something: "Vesa!"

Vesa stopped in her tracks, her pretty face showing alarm, thinking Hu Xiaotian had suddenly changed his mind again.

Hu Xiaotian said, "You came with the envoy this time—what important figures are in the delegation?"

Upon hearing this, Vesa finally relaxed inwardly, her golden brows slightly furrowed; after a moment she said, "The one leading the group is Sir Moliali; the others I don't know, but……" Her expression showed some hesitation.

Hu Xiaotian keenly noticed her change in expression, smiled and comforted, "Don't be nervous, take your time."

Vesa said, "There should still be another important person; although I don't know who he is, Sir Moliali treats him with great respect, so I guess he must be a member of the royal family."

Hu Xiaotian's heart gave a start—could it be that this Shajia envoy also has a royal member coming? Perhaps for safety they're hiding his identity along the way? Since Vesa is merely a slave girl, her knowledge of the envoy is limited to this; Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "You may go."

Hu Xiaotian harbored too many mysteries; he knew there was someone who could surely answer his doubts—the unfathomable Senior Eunuch Ande Quan. But Ande Quan's movements are secretive; after a single glimpse at the Wan mansion, he has never reappeared, and the same goes for Xi Yan, who together with her retinue of girls have vanished from Qingyun as if evaporated into thin air. Are they already gone from Qingyun, or are they hiding somewhere, ready to appear at any moment? Compared to the bandits for whom precautions have already been taken, Hu Xiaotian worries more about the mysterious Wuxian Sect.

Everything appeared normal; Qingyun County's defenses were merely tighter than before, and the people's lives were hardly affected. After Hu Xiaotian took control of Qingyun's authority, he stationed a hundred soldiers to guard Prince Zhou and the envoy, mostly deployed around the Wan mansion. Of course this is only temporary; early tomorrow morning Prince Zhou will depart together with the Shajia envoy, and Qingyun County will escort them to its southern border, where Red Valley County will likewise send a hundred‑strong guard detail to take over their protection and see Prince Zhou's party across Yongji Bridge.

Early that morning Hu Xiaotian had Liu Kuohai go to Red Willow Manor to send a letter, fully reporting the situation he held to his two sworn brothers, Zhou Mo and Xiao Tianmu. According to the plan they adjusted, they were responsible for observing the movements of the Tianlang Mountain bandits, thereby forming, in a sense, the first line of defense protecting Prince Zhou and the Shajia envoy.

Vesa was the first to rise; by the time Hu Xiaotian woke, she had already tidied the courtyard, trimmed the plants, and prepared breakfast.

Hu Xiaotian looked at the courtyard, now completely renewed, and could scarcely believe his eyes—he hadn't expected this girl's energy to be so great. Vesa came out of the woodshed, her face streaked with tears, not from sorrow but because she was utterly unfamiliar with this strange stove; it took her two full hours to get the breakfast ready, all the while tears streaming and coughing, and upon seeing Hu Xiaotian she hurriedly bowed and greeted, "Rooster, good morning!"

Hu Xiaotian really felt like laughing and crying at once; it seemed this girl's tongue couldn't straighten out her speech: "Morning!"

Vesa turned her head again and coughed twice: "I prepared breakfast for the rooster, cough cough……"

At this moment Murong Feiyan also came out; though she didn't understand the other words, the term "rooster" sounded especially affectionate, so she added, fearing chaos in the world, "Lord Hu Rooster, good morning!"

Four more sent up, please give Guaranteed Monthly Ticket! (To be continued)