Chapter 554

After Bear Anmin and his son left, Zhou Mo laughed and said, "You seem to really like that kid."

Hu Xiaotian said, "That bear cub possesses innate divine strength; if he happens to meet a good teacher later, he might achieve something great."

Zhou Mo said, "Are you planning to take him with you to Da Yong?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Why not? Wen Boyuan isn't trying to use this opportunity to weaken our strength; I'll just not let him have his way. Anyone who opposes him is someone I will support."

Zhou Mo couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Hu Xiaotian said, "I'll go see the princess."

Long Xi Yue's body has fully recovered; it seems she only caught a chill yesterday, not the poisoning Xu Mitian claimed. At that time Xu Mitian was merely trying to get Hu Xiaotian to help her conceal her whereabouts, so he deliberately deceived her. Although the matter is past, Hu Xiaotian's suspicion of Zijuan has not been completely dispelled. Xu Mitian's words may not be entirely trustworthy, but Zijuan's recent behavior is indeed somewhat abnormal. Hu Xiaotian had reminded Long Xi Yue, yet she is not worried and still summoned Zijuan back to attend her. Out of caution, Hu Xiaotian had Tang Qingxuan stay by Long Xi Yue's side, nominally to keep the princess company and chat to relieve boredom, but actually to have Tang Qingxuan watch Zijuan and incidentally protect Long Xi Yue.

After Hu Xiaotian entered the tent, Zijuan immediately asked to leave; she seemed very afraid of him, keeping her head down and even daring not to look him in the eye.

Hu Xiaotian's gaze followed Zijuan's retreating figure, and only after she left did he say, "What's wrong with Zijuan? She acts like a mouse seeing a cat when she sees me."

Long Xi Yue said, "It's not because you previously blamed my illness on her, frightening her badly; even now Zijuan still feels guilty."

Hu Xiaotian said to Tang Qingxuan, "Help me pour a cup of tea."

Tang Qingxuan's eyebrows furrowed in anger—this fellow actually took her for a tea‑serving maid. She was about to flare up, but saw Long Xi Yue had already poured a cup of tea and handed it over personally.

Hu Xiaotian feigned alarm and awe, taking the teacup with both hands: "The princess personally bestows tea. I, Xiaotian, am truly humbled."

Tang Qingxuan said, "There's poison in it; aren't you afraid it will rip your intestines apart?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed loudly, tipped his head back and drained the cup: "Even if it's poison, I'll drink it."

Long Xi Yue said, "I was just telling Qingxuan to have her stay in Dakang."

Tang Qingxuan said, "Sister, didn't we already agree? This time I'm accompanying you to Yongdu."

Hu Xiaotian said, "It's rare that Miss Tang feels such deep sworn‑sister affection for the princess; why not just go with her as her dowry companion? Later, staying in Da Yong to keep the princess company would also give someone to talk to."

Tang Qingxuan's cheeks flushed red from his words, and Long Xi Yue scolded, "Hu Xiaotian, you're spouting nonsense again—don't bully my little sister Qingxuan."

Tang Qingxuan said, "Sister, make the decision for me; from the moment I met him, he's always been bullying me." Though she said she was bullied, her face showed no trace of resentment; instead, she appeared somewhat shy and unable to bear it. Long Xi Yue saw this, and her heart stirred involuntarily—could it be that Tang Qingxuan has developed feelings for Hu Xiaotian? If that's really the case, it wouldn't be a bad thing at all; after I marry into Da Yong, if I could have someone care for him and comfort him, perhaps then he wouldn't be too heartbroken. Long Xi Yue is kind‑hearted; although Hu Xiaotian has often said he wants to take her away to elope, she has always thought his idea impractical in reality. She can only accept fate's arrangement, recalling all that will happen after she marries into Da Yong. For Hu Xiaotian it will surely be a huge blow, so Long Xi Yue began to consider how to make him feel better.

Long Xi Yue said, "If he dares to bully you again, I'll kick him out of the palace and grant him to you as a servant, all right?"

Tang Qingxuan blurted, "Great……" but immediately realized she had misspoken. Blushing, she said, "I certainly don't want that; if I had such a servant, I'd probably get a headache every day."

Long Xi Yue glanced at Tang Qingxuan and then at Hu Xiaotian; Hu Xiaotian, being so sharp, had already guessed her thoughts from her meaningful look, and hastily changed the subject: "Miss Tang, Wen Boyuan has already proposed letting your two brothers and those wounded stay behind, to escort them back to Kangdu ahead of time."

Tang Qingxuan hadn't heard her brothers mention this before, and she exclaimed in surprise, "Why would they do that? It must be that he wants to settle personal scores under the guise of public duty."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Miss Tang, I do understand Wen Boyuan to some extent; this person repays grudges. Since you helped me testify earlier, you've already offended him. In my view, it would actually be better for you to leave sooner, at least to avoid getting into trouble." He said this entirely out of consideration for the Tang siblings—not to mention that after leaving Dakang he will fully launch his own plan. Even setting aside all else, given the Tang family's status, they clearly cannot afford to provoke the Wen family. If in the past Hu Xiaotian might not have cared whether the Tang siblings lived or died, but since they've been traveling together, they've each discovered the other's strengths, and Hu Xiaotian really can't bear to drag the Tang siblings down. So when Wen Boyuan intended to weaken his strength by having the Tang brothers who firmly support him stay in Dakang to escort the wounded back first, Hu Xiaotian never openly objected.

Tang Qingxuan said, "I'm not afraid of him; even if my brothers go back, I still want to accompany the princess to Yongdu." She is extremely loyal, and once she speaks she follows through.

Long Xi Yue said, "Sister, Mr. Hu is right—Wen Boyuan is narrow‑minded; you really don't need to offend someone like him."

Tang Qingxuan said, "Sister, you already promised me before—how can you go back on your word?" She got up and said, "I'm going to find my brothers to see what they say." She rushed off in a flurry.

Hu Xiaotian and Long Xi Yue exchanged a glance, both looking rather helpless. Long Xi Yue whispered, "What lies ahead is a land of tigers and wolves; I truly don't want anyone else to join me in this adventure."

Hu Xiaotian said, "She's strong‑willed; once she makes up her mind, she doesn't change it easily. Moreover, I can see that she feels very fond of you, her sworn sister."

"You seem to understand her quite well," Long Xi Yue said meaningfully.

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "I wouldn't say I understand her fully, but after getting along for a while you can still discern some of her traits."

"What do you think of Qingxuan?" Long Xi Yue asked indirectly.

Hu Xiaotian caught her drift and laughed, "The princess is really generous—are you really planning to send me to her as a servant?"

Long Xi Yue gazed at Hu Xiaotian's bright, smiling face, and a sour feeling welled up in her heart for no reason. She bit her cherry lips and whispered softly, "Someday we'll be apart; it would be nice if someone could look after you and care for you..." As she spoke, her eyes reddened.

Hu Xiaotian shook his head: "Some people, some things can never be replaced."

Long Xi Yue turned away, fearing Hu Xiaotian would see her tears about to spill, quietly wiped them, drew a breath, and said, "Going along with heaven's mandate might not be a bad thing after all. These days I've asked myself countless times whether I could still live the life I want, but whenever I think of the possible cost and sacrifice, I no longer harbor any extravagant hopes." She slowly turned back, her beautiful eyes still glistening with tears, and spoke softly, "A lifetime is not merely about living for oneself; one must also consider family and friends, and all the people under heaven. If one acts solely for personal gain, disregarding others' safety and letting loved ones and friends take risks for you, then even if you eventually obtain everything you desire, your heart is destined never to find peace."

Hu Xiaotian gazed at this sentimental princess, knowing that her hesitation and ultimate decision to follow fate's arrangement stemmed from not wanting others to endanger or sacrifice themselves for her. Since that's the case, why should he add to her psychological burden? He smiled and said, "I understand; there's still half the journey left, at least we still have some days of being together day and night."

Long Xi Yue heard him say that, yet her heart felt a vague sense of loss, her expression dimmed, and she said, "Not bad; at least there are still a few days of freedom."

At that moment, a voice from outside suddenly called out: "Is Sir Hu in?"

Hu Xiaotian knew that unless it was urgent, Zhan Peng wouldn't come looking for him of his own accord. He smiled at Long Xi Yue, stepped out of the tent, and Zhan Peng quickly approached him, lowering his voice to say, "Just now Wen Boyuan had someone seize Liang Yinghao."

Hu Xiaotian's heart jolted at the news: "What? Where was he taken?"

"The eastern drill ground!"

The eastern drill ground used to be where Cangmu County mustered troops, but it's now idle and unused. Half of the troops under Wen Boyuan's command are stationed there, and it's only a road away from the county office where Princess Anping resides.

Hu Xiaotian summoned Wu Jing Shan and also called Zhou Mo; he didn't want to involve the Tang brothers, so he merely brought Wu Jing Shan's retainers and hurried to the eastern drill ground.

Upon arriving at the eastern drill ground, they saw Liang Yinghao already bound five‑fold to the flagpole; it seemed Wen Boyuan hadn't yet had time to torture him. Wen Boyuan sat about twenty zhang from the pole, holding a cup of tea, quietly awaiting Hu Xiaotian's arrival, while over a hundred warriors brandished torches behind him, lighting the entire drill ground as bright as day.

Seeing the scene, Hu Xiaotian instantly understood that Wen Boyuan must have made preparations today. The real purpose of seizing Liang Yinghao was still aimed at him; Hu Xiaotian reminded himself to stay calm—since Liang Yinghao was unharmed, he should first figure out Wen Boyuan's true intent before speaking.

Hu Xiaotian coughed once, didn't speak first, but gave Wu Jing Shan a glance, signaling him to speak up.

Wu Jing Shan originally had no intention of speaking up for Liang Yinghao, but Hu Xiaotian insisted on bringing him; he realized he'd been dragged along by this kid to be tied up, yet since he was there he couldn't stay mute—he had to say something, so he feigned surprise: "Oh dear, General Wen, why is this? Why did you seize Liang Yinghao?"

Wen Boyuan showed no change in expression and asked, "Sir Wu, are you close to him?"

Wu Jing Shan and Liang Yinghao certainly weren't close, and he didn't care whether Liang Yinghao lived or died; today he felt a bit like being forced to drive ducks onto the shelves. Wu Jing Shan said, "Not really close, but I remember he's our guide—the one who led us out of Fenglin Valley. General Wen, why did you tie him up?"

Wen Boyuan said, "It seems Sir Wu doesn't know this person's true identity."

Wu Jing Shan asked, "Who is he, then?"

Today is Women's Day; wishing all sisters a happy holiday, eternal youth and lasting beauty! (To be continued~^~)