Chapter 322

But then I heard singing coming from inside the well: "You are like a boundless net, easily trapping me at its center; the deeper I sink, the more confused I become, the farther I walk, the longer and slower the road—how could you bear to wound my heart?" Hu Xiaotian's singing was at best karaoke-level; although there was no microphone or reverb, with the help of the well's natural acoustics, his low, mournful voice was expressed to perfection. Singing while lying on the well wall was inevitably difficult; Hu Xiaotian clearly felt he had sung the last line off-key, his face flushed, he even scolded himself not to curse, he even brought out a love song by Zhang Tianwang, putting this song in this era, isn't it a bit ahead of its time? After finishing, Hu Gonggong felt a bit regretful—what if Long Xi Yue proves incapable; then his flattery would have been slapped onto a horse's hoof.

Let's break down:

But then I heard singing coming from inside the well:

But I heard singing coming from inside the well:

You are like a boundless net, easily trapping me at its center; the deeper I sink, the more confused I become, the farther I walk, the longer and slower the road—how could you bear to wound my heart?

You are like a boundless net, easily trapping me at its center; the deeper I sink, the more confused I become, the farther I walk, the longer and slower the road—how could you bear to wound my heart?

Better: "You are like a boundless net, easily trapping me at its center; the deeper I sink, the more confused I become, the farther I walk, the longer and slower the road—how could you bear to wound my heart?" The ellipsis at end.

Hu Xiaotian's singing was at best karaoke-level; although there was no microphone or reverb, with the help of the well's natural acoustics, his low, mournful voice was expressed to perfection.

Singing while lying on the well wall was inevitably difficult; Hu Xiaotian clearly felt he had sung the last line off-key, his face flushed, he even scolded himself not to curse, he even brought out a love song by Zhang Tianwang, putting this song in this era, isn't it a bit ahead of its time?

Facts prove that music can transcend borders and eras; although Hu Xiaotian's singing of this song is not great, it fits the occasion. Long Xi Yue hearing the last sentence couldn't help but let out a long sigh, pulling away the silk net covering the well mouth—this meant granting passage.

Hu Xiaotian was both startled and delighted; he quickly climbed up from the ancient well. When his head emerged, he did not forget to vigilantly observe the surroundings, making sure that besides Long Xi Yue there was no one else in the courtyard, only then did he boldly leap out of the well mouth.

Dark night, high wind, cold weather; Long Xi Yue wore a red cloak, holding a palace lantern, standing alone in the inner courtyard of Zilan Palace, appearing ever more solitary and lone. According to common sense, women who appear weak outwardly are more likely to attract men's attention and stir their protective desire; Hu Xiaotian felt this way toward Long Xi Yue. If faced with Qiqi, he would not have such feelings.

Hu Xiaotian still wore that Lan-colored eunuch uniform; his hat had fallen into the water well when he raised his head earlier, and he grinned foolishly at Long Xi Yue.

Long Xi Yue actually felt a bit embarrassed by his gaze, her heart involuntarily quickening—something that wouldn't have happened before. But since learning Hu Xiaotian's true identity, knowing this guy was a fake eunuch who had sneaked into the palace, she felt unnatural when facing him.

Hu Xiaotian stepped forward and made a reverent bow, saying: "Hu Xiaotian pays respects to Princess Anping, thousand years, thousand years, ten thousand years."

Long Xi Yue bit her cherry lip and said: "If I really had a thousand years, wouldn't I become an old hag? You're cursing me to grow old!"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Even if the princess lived to a thousand years, she would still be a bubbling gorgeous beauty—how youthful, spirited, lovely, and charming!" Being alone with Long Xi Yue, this fellow's courage also grew; he dared to say such flirtatious words.

Long Xi Yue's pretty face flushed red. She spat: "You have such gall, believe it or not…"

"I believe!"

"Believe what? I haven't even said it yet!"

"Whatever the princess says, I believe."

"You smooth-talking, full of wicked ideas—I don't believe your words."

Hu Xiaotian gave a hehe smile, glanced around, and asked: "Why is the princess standing here alone?"

Long Xi Yue thought to herself: "Isn't that nonsense? If there were others beside me, how could you dare appear here so openly?"

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought: "This gentle princess must have prepared specially for my arrival, sending away all palace maids and eunuchs to facilitate my night entry into Zilan Palace. It seems not only am I sincere, but the princess also has feelings for me—what is called mutual affection, hearts in sync. Hu Xiaotian, Hu Xiaotian, the princess has already given you such a clear hint; if you still don't act, you're truly a coward."

Long Xi Yue certainly wouldn't guess this fellow's sordid thoughts, and softly asked: "What do you come looking for me for?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I want to have a heart-to-heart talk with the princess."

Long Xi Yue's pretty face flushed: "Why should I talk with you?" After saying that, she instantly regretted it, the question was truly foolish. If Hu Xiaotian answered that it was because he liked her, how would she cope? Facing Hu Xiaotian, Long Xi Yue felt at a loss, she began to regret letting this fellow come up.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Because in my heart, the princess is a friend I can trust."

Upon hearing the two words "friend," Long Xi Yue's beautiful eyes suddenly brightened. Hu Xiaotian, having been educated in modern thought and versed in psychology's essentials, compared to this old oilman who has lived two lives, Princess Anping of Da Yong is truly too naive.

Hu Xiaotian himself would never believe in opposite-sex friends; saying such words merely aims to give himself a "good person" card, letting Long Xi Yue lower her guard.

Long Xi Yue's belief in Hu Xiaotian's words is not only due to her purity and kindness, but also somewhat self-deceptive; a young lady must maintain propriety and always find a reasonable excuse.

Hu Xiaotian looked around again, lowered his voice and said: "Princess, speaking here is inconvenient; why don't we change location?"

Long Xi Yue thought, then pointed to the east-side study; it was close to the well, and Hu Xiaotian followed her inside. Long Xi Yue lit the candlestand on the table, and the room was instantly bathed in orange-yellow light, seeming considerably warmer.

Hu Xiaotian asked: "What about the attendants serving you?"

Long Xi Yue said: "They're in the outer courtyard." Her pretty face involuntarily flushed; having sent away her personal maids and eunuchs, wasn't she clearly telling Hu Xiaotian to come? It was mortifying.

Fortunately, Hu Xiaotian quickly changed the subject, bowing deeply to Long Xi Yue respectfully: "Princess, don't blame me for being abrupt; tonight I risked coming for two important matters."

Long Xi Yue nodded, indicating he should continue.

"Hu Xiaotian's entry into the palace was forced upon him; if not to save his family's lives, how could he willingly mutilate himself and suffer such great disgrace!"

Although Long Xi Yue was curious about Hu Xiaotian's castration, her nature would never let her ask outright; after all, it concerns his private matter and is so sensitive, how could a girl like her bring herself to say it?

Hu Xiaotian said: "Eunuch Quan meant to help me, but the imperial edict is hard to defy; allowing me to enter the palace intact actually posed a great danger. If my secret were exposed, being beheaded wouldn't matter—I just fear implicating the senior eunuch." Since Eunuch Quan wasn't present, Hu Xiaotian pushed all blame onto him, sounding grateful while actually framing the senior eunuch.

Long Xi Yue softly said: "Rest assured, I won't reveal your secret." As she spoke, she blushed so much she couldn't look at Hu Xiaotian; the secret was truly embarrassing. After a pause she added: "Qiqi also promised not to tell anyone; though young, she always keeps her word."

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought: "Your understanding of Qiqi is probably not as deep as mine; 'keeping one's word'? Likely she only does so when doing bad deeds—that little girl, though young, has a heart far more vicious than mine; if I ever offended her interests, Qiqi would surely betray me without hesitation."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Actually there's nothing to fear; at worst it's just death."

Long Xi Yue said: "Didn't you say it's better to live disgracefully than die well?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "If not for my family, I wouldn't be living in disgrace." He fixed his gaze on Long Xi Yue's beautiful eyes and continued: "This second matter concerns the princess."

Long Xi Yue felt her mind flutter from his scorching gaze, she averted her eyes and asked: "What does it have to do with me?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I heard every word of Empress Jian that day."

Long Xi Yue remained silent; that night when Empress Jian came to propose marriage, Hu Xiaotian had been hiding in the well, and he heard their conversation—nothing unusual.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Princess, do you really want to marry into Da Yong?"

Long Xi Yue gazed at the candlelight on the table, sighed helplessly, and said: "Whether I agree or not, what difference does it make?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "They're doing this simply to treat you as a political tool, using marriage alliances to improve relations with Da Yong."

Long Xi Yue said dimly: "If my marriage could bring peace between Da Yong and Dakang, then even the sacrifice would be worthwhile."

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said: "I doubt it."

Long Xi Yue gazed at Hu Xiaotian, her beautiful eyes full of bewilderment.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Forgive my frankness, Princess—though your beauty could overthrow kingdoms, I believe a truly ambitious hegemon would never abandon his thirst for the realm just for your beauty. Have you considered that if you married into Da Yong, yet Da Yong and Dakang remained at war, igniting flames, what would you do then?"

Long Xi Yue bit her cherry lip; what Hu Xiaotian said was not merely hypothetical—Dakang's strength is waning day by day, while neighboring Da Yong is rising in its wake. Once a small state constantly squeezed for territory by Dakang and stuck on the defensive, it has gradually found its footing, continually expanding outward, becoming a power that can stand equal to Dakang. After Li Tianheng of Xichuan declared independence, Da Yong's territory actually surpassed Dakang's; one could say the situation between the two has reversed.

Precisely under these circumstances, the Emperor only just proposed marrying her to Da Yong to gain a breathing space. Long Xi Yue understood the situation perfectly, yet even her clarity was useless; she lacked the power to change anything. In fact, she had already concluded that no one could alter her fate or save her from peril. After a long while she said: "If that day truly comes, I will sacrifice myself for the nation."

Hu Xiaotian said: "That day will surely come! If it truly arrives, what meaning would your sacrificing for the nation have? Who in this world would still mourn for you?"

Long Xi Yue's pretty face turned as pale as snow; in fact she had long seen through her destiny—before the grand scheme of the world, her life was as insignificant as an ant. She had never thought of changing the world's course, nor believed she could save the masses from fire and water; she only wished for a simple, ordinary life. Yet now even that seemed a luxury; all she could do was go with the flow. She slowly shook her head and said: "In this world, those who care for me are already gone…" Upon saying this, she suddenly felt a sour ache in her heart, tears burst forth, she swiftly turned her head, not wanting Hu Xiaotian to see her crying. (To be continued~^~)