Chapter 558: and ===GLOSSARY===

Wu Jingshan was overjoyed, how could he know that Hu Xiaotian also had his own calculations? Hu Xiaotian had long decided to eliminate Wen Boyuan; this was no trivial matter. If Wen Chenghuan lost this son, he would certainly not let it go lightly, possibly taking his anger out on others. The Tang brothers are brave but lack foresight, yet their hearts are not bad. Given their family background, they naturally could not contend with the Wen family. Hu Xiaotian did not want them implicated; by using this opportunity to keep them behind, he was effectively helping them avoid a trouble.

Wu Jingshan sighed, "Still, Sir Hu looks after the bigger picture."

Hu Xiaotian said, "I'm not afraid of trouble; I just feel that our main purpose on this trip is still to protect the princess's safety. Given that premise, any personal grudges can be set aside. Sir Wu is a perceptive man. Wen Boyuan having these people stay behind is merely because he sees them getting too close to me, affecting his authority, so he takes this chance to weaken my power, intending to regain the right to speak."

Wu Jingshan chuckled hehe and said, "Sir Hu is perceptive and clear-sighted, as the saying goes, 'Yield three parts and the winds and waves calm; retreat a step and the sea and sky widen.'"

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Sir Wu, these words should be said to Wen Boyuan. If I kept retreating, I'd be back in Kangdu by now."

Wu Jingshan smiled, "Think from another angle: a hundred years of cultivation brings sharing a boat; a thousand years brings sharing a pillow. Being able to travel together counts as fate."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Don't hide it from Sir Wu, after this mission is finished, I will never have a chance to work with him again."

Wu Jingshan stroked his whiskers and said, "Let's talk about future matters later; for now, let's just smoothly complete this escort mission for the princess."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Having the Tang brothers stay behind to look after the wounded is fine, but with so many fewer people this time, I fear the princess's safety may not be assured."

Wu Jingshan said, "Sir Hu, don't worry. Once we cross the Yong River, we are in Da Yong's territory; they will have troops protecting our safety."

Hu Xiaotian said, "After all, they are outsiders. In the end, we trust our own people more."

Wu Jingshan said, "Actually, Da Yong is currently much more peaceful."

Hu Xiaotian's eyes flickered; even Minister of Rites Wu Jingshan held a pessimistic view of Dakang's current domestic situation, suggesting that Dakang's time to national demise was not far off. It is laughable that Dakang Emperor Long Yelin still thought a marriage alliance could bring peace with Da Yong, a wolfish neighbor; even sending Princess Anping into Dakang would merely be sending a lamb into a tiger's mouth, how could it satisfy Da Yong's emperor's ever‑growing ambition? Hu Xiaotian took a sip of tea and asked, "Sir Wu, what is your view of the current situation?"

Wu Jingshan said, "Situation? What situation?" He was basically feigning ignorance while knowing full well.

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Simply put, what is Sir Wu's opinion on the marriage alliance between the two states?"

Wu Jingshan said, "A marriage alliance is always a good thing, turning weapons into jade and silk; everyone hopes for peace under heaven..." He paused, then sighed, "I just hope we can have a few tranquil days."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Sir Wu, do you really believe that a single marriage alliance can make the two states enjoy lasting peace?"

Wu Jingshan shook his head; he certainly did not believe it. Throughout history, using marriage alliances to ease relations between the two states has not been rare, yet no marriage has ever achieved lasting peace. He whispered, "Even if it cannot last long, it can at least ease the two states' relations in the short term."

Hu Xiaotian said, "If a nation's fate rests entirely on the shoulders of a weak woman, then that nation's decline is already inevitable."

Wu Jingshan's expression darkened; actually he understood this principle in his heart, but he dared not say it. In his heart, he only wished that during his lifetime Dakang would not be plunged into war. After this mission is completed, he would tender his resignation to the Emperor, retire to his hometown, and perhaps spend his remaining years in peace. Wu Jingshan said, "The revitalization of Dakang depends on your generation of young people. Precisely for this reason, you should all the more set aside past grievances and join hands to strive for Dakang's future."

Hu Xiaotian laughed at Wu Jingshan's lecture and said, "Sir Wu, don't forget, I am merely a eunuch. According to Dakang law, eunuchs must keep to their place and must under no circumstances engage in politics."

Wu Jingshan sighed with a hint of regret, "Sir Hu, you've just had bad luck; otherwise, with your talent you would certainly shine brightly in Dakang's political arena." Since Hu Xiaotian had readily agreed to the arrangement of leaving the Tang brothers behind, he considered his task done, rose to take his leave, and before departing added, "The Tang brothers are stubborn by nature; this matter had better be conveyed to them personally by Sir Hu."

Hu Xiaotian said, "That works."

Then, after seeing Wu Jingshan off, I went by the Tang brothers' camp. In the Battle of Fenglin Valley, the most numerous wounded were the groom‑stable hands; the Tang brothers' side was practically a camp full of wounded soldiers. When I arrived, the regiment's medic was changing dressings for those wounded.

The Tang brothers, taking advantage of the rest stop in Cangmu, happened to tend to the wagons and horses, adjust the pack horses' condition, treat injuries to the livestock, and repair damaged wagons and horses—tasks they were naturally skilled at.

Tang Tiexin was the first to notice Hu Xiaotian's arrival, stopped his work, went over to greet him, and called out, "Sir Hu, you've come!"

Hu Xiaotian asked, "Where is Elder Brother Tang?"

Tang Tiehan's hoarse voice came from under the wagon; he had been lying there fixing it, and he crawled out, covered in dust and dirt.

Tang Tiexin said, "Big Brother, Sir Hu has arrived!"

Tang Tiehan got up, grabbed a towel from nearby, wiped his hands, then wiped his face, and said, "Sir Hu, why aren't you resting yet?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "The matters aren't settled yet, so I can't rest easy."

Tang Tiehan asked, "Is that scoundrel causing you trouble again?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head, "Just now Sir Wu came to see me; we discussed it, and in the end we decided that you brothers should stay behind, take care of these wounded, and escort them back to the capital."

Tang Tiehan and Tang Tiexin exchanged a glance; Tang Tiehan said, "Sir Hu, this surely isn't your idea; it must be that Wen fellow meddling behind the scenes, right?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "You guessed wrong; although he proposed it, I agree."

Tang Tiehan asked, bewildered, "Why?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Have you thought about your sister?" Tang Tiehan sighed, "We have thought about it, but that girl simply won't listen to us; even if we stay behind, she will surely insist on going to Yongdu."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Aren't you afraid she'll act on impulse and do something irrational for the princess's sake?"

The Tang brothers looked at each other; they know their sister's temperament very well. She and Princess Anping have sworn sisterhood, and precisely because of that, Tang Qingxuan wants to accompany Princess Anping to Yongdu, which already deviates from their original intention of traveling for sightseeing.

Tang Tiexin said, "Exactly for that reason. We must follow along, watching Qingxuan closely to make sure she doesn't stir up trouble."

Hu Xiaotian said, "With her temperament, who knows what trouble she might stir up over there." He patted Tang Tiexin's shoulder and continued, "Although the princess's trip to Da Yong is a marriage alliance, Dakang's national strength is now far inferior to what it once was; once in a foreign land, anything could happen. If the princess suffers any injustice, Miss Tang will certainly not stand idly by. Da Yong is not Dakang; if trouble erupts, I fear you won't be able to protect her, nor can I, and if a major incident occurs, it might even implicate your Tang family."

Although Tang Tiehan is blunt, hearing Hu Xiaotian lay out the pros and cons so clearly made him involuntarily suck in a breath of cold air.

Tang Tiexin gave a wry smile, "Sir. It's just that our words mean nothing to her."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Soft tactics won't work; perhaps consider a hardline approach. I truly don't believe you two grown men can't handle a weak woman."

The Tang brothers had never associated Tang Qingxuan with the label "weak woman"; Tang Tiehan said, "Sir Hu, we only have this one sister; we really can't bear to do that."

Hu Xiaotian said, "There are plenty of ways. You two really don't know how to adapt; I'll give you a method." He hooked his finger toward Tang Tiexin, who leaned in; Hu Xiaotian whispered a few words into his ear. Tang Tiexin's face lit up with delight, nodding repeatedly, while Tang Tiehan looked utterly bewildered, not knowing what clever stratagem Hu Xiaotian had taught his brother.

Hu Xiaotian was actually thinking of the Tang family's welfare as well; since he had resolved to eliminate Wen Boyuan, there was no need to drag too many people into it. The Tang brothers play no role in this matter, so why let them carry the blame? Moreover, Hu Xiaotian's plan to spirit Princess Anping away would be disrupted if Tang Qingxuan, though well‑meaning, constantly stayed by the princess's side, potentially ruining his scheme with good intentions gone awry; thus it was best to clear away any possible trouble in advance.

While Hu Xiaotian was giving the Tang brothers his suggestion, he sensed someone watching him. He looked up and saw, in the corner, a wounded soldier with his head wrapped in bandages sitting there, under the cover of night gazing at him. Hu Xiaotian immediately recognized the figure as someone impersonated by Xumi Tian. Although Xumi Tian's disguise technique ought to be flawless, things often turn out strangely: once a man and a woman cross that line and have intimate contact, they seem to develop some ineffable spiritual rapport. Xumi Tian can fool others, but not Hu Xiaotian; even hidden in darkness, he is still recognized at a glance by Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian walked slowly toward her; before he even reached Xumi Tian, he heard her say, "Go out, turn right, and wait for me at the City God Temple."

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly, stopped his steps, bade farewell to the Tang brothers, and set off for the City God Temple as Xumi Tian had instructed. Because the Princess Anping entourage had arrived, the security in Cangmu City was much tighter than usual. Since the famine, over half the townsfolk had fled, and now that it was night, the streets were even more deserted. Hu Xiaotian glanced around, saw nothing suspicious, and then proceeded slowly toward the City God Temple.

Before he even reached the City God Temple, he saw a shadow silently following behind him. Hu Xiaotian turned, recognized it as Xumi Tian, and stopped there to wait for her.

Xumi Tian came up beside him and whispered, "You don't listen at all; I told you to go wait at the City God Temple—why didn't you obey?"

"Three More" (the chapter) is presented; please vote for recommendation! As long as everyone remembers to vote, we still have a chance to stay on the weekly recommendation list—if you put in effort, Zhangyu will surely strive! Spring has come; let the Medical Union blossom in full bloom! (To be continued~^~)