Chapter 478

Qiqi quietly gazed at Hu Xiaotian; she unexpectedly did not go mad because of his words, but displayed an unprecedented calm. In fact, she was not naive at all; even she herself did not believe those words just now. She softly said: "I can see you care deeply about my aunt; I summoned you here precisely because I have something to tell you."

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===TITLE=== Chapter 219 【Not a Good Person】 (Part 1)

Chapter 219 【Not a Good Person】 (Part 1)

Then

Hu Xiaotian said: "I listen attentively."

"I want you to guarantee my aunt's safe arrival in Da Yong."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: "Little Princess, I don't quite understand what you mean. The Emperor ordered me to accompany Princess Anping to Da Yong. On the surface, there is a history of a marriage alliance. Our Minister of Rites, Wu Jing-shan, Sir Wu, is responsible for the official arrangements. The safety along the way is in the hands of the precious son of the current Grand Tutor Wen, the wise and brave Wen Boyuan, the Wen General. I am still responsible for Princess Anping's food and daily life. Put bluntly, there is no difference from what I am doing now; I am still doing servant's work."

Qiqi said: "I don't trust any of them; I only trust you."

Hu Xiaotian looked at her, half-believing, half-doubting.

Qiqi said: "In short, promise me you will safely escort my aunt to Yongdu and let her marry smoothly the Seventh Prince, Xue Chuanming. I have learned a bit about him: he is accomplished in both civil and military affairs, his military exploits are illustrious, he has gained considerable favor from the Emperor of Da Yong, and it is quite possible he will become the crown prince and inherit the throne. Given his conditions, my aunt marrying him would not be a disgrace."

Hu Xiaotian felt increasingly uneasy listening to her; this little girl, so young, considers matters so thoroughly. If one says she has no affection for Long Xi Yue, she still cares for Long Xi Yue's safety; if one says she does have affection for Long Xi Yue, she actually doesn't know what Long Xi Yue feels in her heart. Perhaps deep down, Qiqi believes Long Xi Yue's marriage must serve the Long family's interests. Hu Xiaotian said: "Little Princess, you keep saying you want me to protect Princess Anping—have you heard something? Could someone be plotting against Princess Anping?"

Qiqi said: "It's just out of concern for my aunt; you don't need to think too much." She handed Hu Xiaotian a needle case, which was actually the Violent Rain Pear Blossom Needle. She whispered: "Carry this Violent Rain Pear Blossom Needle with you; it might come in handy if you encounter danger along the way."

Although Hu Xiaotian didn't know Qiqi's true intention, he had witnessed the power of the Violent Rain Pear Blossom Needle; having such a thing gave him considerably more confidence even against martial arts masters. Hu Xiaotian accepted it without hesitation. He suddenly asked: "What if Wen Boyuan turns against Princess Anping on the way?"

Qiqi bit her lip and said: "Whoever dares to harm my aunt shall be killed without mercy!"

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought, "You say it lightly, 'kill without mercy'? If I really were to kill Wen Boyuan, who would bear the responsibility?" In Hu Xiaotian's view, Qiqi and Quan De'an are definitely on the same side. They will use every means to get rid of Ji Feihua, and only then can Long Yelin, this puppet emperor, truly control Dakang's power. As for his own life, or even Princess Anping's life, in their eyes it's irrelevant. Even if they succeed in eliminating Ji Feihua as they wish, he might not get a good outcome. His father was a minister once highly employed by the Retired Emperor Long Xuan'en. Having offended the Left Chancellor Zhou Ruiyuan, Long Yelin will never reuse him; once he and his son lose their value, they will face a dead end.

As for Li Yuncong, he is the most mysterious of the three major factions in the imperial harem. His martial arts are formidable, and it seems he likely has close dealings with the Heavenly Secrets Bureau's Hong Beimo. Although the former emperor Long Xuan'en is currently under soft confinement on Piaomiao Mountain, that does not mean his forces have been completely eradicated. If he were to regain freedom, a mere wave of his arm would surely draw many followers. If Long Xuan'en's restoration succeeds, it would certainly benefit my father and such former favored ministers as Shi Bucui.

Among the three major factions, the one closest to me is Ji Feihua. It all stems from Quan De'an having him actively approach Ji Feihua to gain her trust. Ji Feihua knew from the start that she was a pawn placed by Quan De'an beside him; the reason he hasn't eliminated her is because he wants to use a counter-espionage tactic against Quan De'an. Although Ji Feihua has always treated me well, it's hard to say she trusts me completely. This time, heading to Yongdu, she has entrusted me with the task of eliminating Wen Boyuan; in a sense, this is also a test for me.

If my parents consent to leaving Kangdu, this is indeed the best chance to escape Dakang and regain freedom, but my father seems not to have any intention of leaving.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian silent and speechless, Qiqi assumed he was afraid and sneered: "Are you afraid?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's not fear; I lack the ability. Wen Boyuan's martial arts are superb, and on this journey he has many aides, all of them top-notch masters. Even if he intends to do something wicked, the one who will surely die in the end is me."

Qiqi, however, said: "You will definitely be fine."

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but wryly smile, yet he didn't know where Qiqi got such strong confidence in him.

Qiqi added: "You are sly and vicious, base and shameless; how could Wen Boyuan possibly be your match?"

Hu Xiaotian was nearly infuriated.

Returning to the Mingyue Palace, Princess Anping waited for him in the study; seeing Hu Xiaotian return, she couldn't help but smile and ask: "Did that girl Qiqi give you any trouble?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "No trouble."

Long Xi Yue bit her cherry lip, took out a square silk handkerchief from her sleeve, and handed it to Hu Xiaotian, saying: "I've thought it over and over, but I don't know what to give you." She unfolded the handkerchief; inside was a warm, lustrous jade Buddha: "This Peace Buddha was given to me by my mother while she was alive. Since we may never see each other again on our journey to Yongdu, keep this jade Buddha as a memento, as thanks for saving my life..." Long Xi Yue got to this point, feeling a sour ache in her heart, her throat tightened and she couldn't continue; she turned her head away, her eye rims already red.

Hu Xiaotian took it from her hand; the handkerchief was embroidered with a pair of mandarin ducks playing in water, stitched by Long Xi Yue thread by thread. He pursed his lips, then reached out to take Long Xi Yue's hand, softly saying: "How could I bear to let you go?"

Long Xi Yue's delicate body trembled; she slowly turned her lovely face, already tear-streaked. Hu Xiaotian reached out, picked up that square handkerchief, and gently wiped the tears from Long Xi Yue's face, softly saying: "I have already decided what gift to give you; I will place this handkerchief soaked with Long Xi Yue's tears into my bosom, and then I will rehang that Peace Buddha around Long Xi Yue's neck."

Long Xi Yue said: "I've thought it over and over; you must not do foolish things for me. I understand your feelings; I only need to know that there is still someone in this world who keeps me in their heart and thinks of me, and that is already enough." As she spoke, tears welled up in her beautiful eyes again.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Do you believe me or not?"

Long Xi Yue nodded.

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: "Then just be obedient and listen—" He suddenly stopped speaking, made a hushing gesture toward Long Xi Yue, and raised his voice: "Your Highness, it's getting late; you should rest now." He stood up and withdrew.

Long Xi Yue hastily wiped away her tears; Hu Xiaotian's action must have a reason—could someone be eavesdropping outside the door?

Given Hu Xiaotian's current perceptiveness, any movement within five zhang cannot escape his ears—of course, except for true masters. He left the study, and indeed saw Zijuan and another palace maid carrying a night snack walking over.

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: "Sister has arrived!"

Zijuan sighed and said: "The princess has been refusing food these past two days; I just had someone prepare bird's nest porridge to nourish her."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: "Thank you for your trouble, Sister Zijuan; I'll help you take it in."

Zijuan said: "Then we won't go in; you just take it in directly, and be sure to persuade the princess to eat."

Hu Xiaotian acknowledged, took the tray, and returned to the study.

Long Xi Yue glanced at it, furrowed her brows slightly, and said: "Just set it aside; I don't want to eat."

Hu Xiaotian said: "People are iron, rice is steel; miss a meal and you'll be starving. Have you forgotten how you fainted from low blood sugar last time?"

Long Xi Yue blinked and said: "Speaking of this, I find it rather strange; I've never had such a problem from childhood to adulthood—how could I suddenly have low blood sugar?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: "Princess, have you forgotten that on New Year's Eve you didn't eat either? When we were sitting on the roof watching fireworks, your stomach was growling with hunger."

Upon hearing this, Long Xi Yue's lovely face involuntarily reddened, somewhat embarrassed she wrinkled her nose, becoming even more charming and endearing; she softly said: "You saw me faint, yet you didn't try to wake me, causing me to miss such beautiful fireworks."

Hu Xiaotian said: "When I saw the princess faint, my mind went into disarray; I immediately sent her back to the palace."

Long Xi Yue softly said: "But I later calculated the time; from my fainting to returning to Zilan Palace was about an hour and a half, while the trip from Tianjie here would at most take half an hour—what were you doing during that missing hour?"

Hu Xiaotian never expected Long Xi Yue to find a loophole in his words; indeed the timing doesn't match, and it was his own oversight—he thought Princess Anping was easy to fool, so he didn't give it enough thought: "Um… this…"

Long Xi Yue fixed her gaze on his eyes: "Speak, are you still hiding something from me?"

Hu Xiaotian's forehead beaded with sweat; he whispered: "Your Highness, do you suspect me of taking advantage of your unconscious state to do something utterly heinous, bestial?"

Long Xi Yue, blushing, spat: "Just talking nonsense; I certainly know you wouldn't." She still trusted Hu Xiaotian completely.

Hu Xiaotian said: "To be frank, I've never been a good person; that night, seeing the princess faint, my heart was both worried and delighted—I worried about her health, and I was pleased that she was unconscious."

Long Xi Yue spat: "I was unconscious, what are you happy about…" Yet in her heart she already understood exactly what this rascal was happy about.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Actually, I'm not as the princess thinks; I'm not a paragon of virtue—I took advantage of the princess's unconscious state, I just…"

Seeking guaranteed monthly tickets; if we reach fifty monthly tickets today, there will be three more chapters—although this triple update is already what I promised! Brothers and sisters, strive to vote; maybe there will be a surprise! If you give me a surprise, I will surely give you one in return! (To be continued~^~)