Chapter 570

Hu Xiaotian returned to the camp, thinking Princess Anping would come out to greet him, but he didn't see the scene he expected; after asking Zijuan he learned Princess Anping had already slept. Hu Xiaotian couldn't help feeling a bit strange: given Long Xi Yue's feelings for him, she should have been unable to eat or sleep before his return, so how could she sleep soundly? Seeing Zhou Mo tidying his luggage not far away, he walked over slowly.

Zhou Mo smiled, eyes narrowed, looking at him.

Hu Xiaotian always felt there was something strange in Zhou Mo's smile, and he laughed, "Big brother must be laughing at me for being useless and getting caught again."

Zhou Mo said, "To escape from the Feather Demon Li Chang'an and the world's top poison master Xu Mi Tian unharmed — there probably aren't many who could do that; anyway, I couldn't."

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Just luck. If they hadn't been fighting each other to the death, I wouldn't have found this opening — it's the snipe and clam grappling, the fisherman profits."

Zhou Mo smiled, "It's good you're back. Zhan Peng has been looking for you. Last night, when Wen Boyuan tried to take advantage and harm you, he defused it, so he can no longer lurk near Wen Boyuan."

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help worrying, "Will Wen Boyuan be unfavorable to him?"

Zhou Mo said, "Tang Tiehan is with him with people; Wen Boyuan wouldn't dare act rashly in front of so many, and Zhan Peng's martial skill is not ordinary; he's alert and won't suffer."

Hu Xiaotian then relaxed a little.

Zhou Mo laughed, "Don't worry; I just had the bear kids send someone to fetch him; barring accidents, they should be back soon."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, turned his gaze toward Princess Anping's tent, and whispered, "Is the Princess asleep?"

Zhou Mo's smile was enigmatic: "I'm not sure, but I know that from last night when you had your accident until just now when someone came to report, the Princess hasn't closed her eyes." He glanced at the door and said, "Last night the Princess stood there all night."

Hu Xiaotian felt ever more guilty; Princess Anping surely hadn't slept. He must be angry with me; it's no wonder — I disappeared all night, and when I returned I didn't go see her right away, making her worry for me so long; even the best temperament has its limit.

Zhou Mo smiled. Meaningfully he said, "Third brother, no matter what you decide, I support you."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, came to Princess Anping's tent, about to go in to apologize to Long Xi Yue with his head down, say a few soft words to comfort her. But before he could enter, Tang Qingxuan came over; this girl's eyes were red, obviously she had just been crying.

Seeing her state, Hu Xiaotian was startled, thinking she had encountered some trouble, he went up and asked, "Miss Tang, what happened?"

Tang Qingxuan sobbed, "After my third brother came back, he suddenly started vomiting and diarrhea; it seems he's contracted a serious illness, looks very severe."

Hearing this, Hu Xiaotian secretly rejoiced. Actually pretending to be sick was the method he had given the Tang brothers; if they came hard, Tang Qingxuan's stubborn nature might not agree to stay, but now Tang Tiexin is feigning illness, so as his sister she has no reason to leave.

Hu Xiaotian asked, "Have you called a doctor?"

Tang Qingxuan replied, "I have; the doctor said my third brother's illness is strange. It might be contagious; I don't know what to do."

Hu Xiaotian said, "It shouldn't be serious; I'll go check on him later." Unexpectedly, Tang Tiexin's act was quite convincing.

Tang Qingxuan shook her head, "You'd better not go; if you catch it, it'll be even more trouble."

Hu Xiaotian asked, "What are you planning to do?"

Tang Qingxuan said, "What else can I do? I can only stay here to look after him. I came here to tell the Princess that I can't accompany you all to Yongdu for now."

At that moment the tent flap moved, and Long Xi Yue came out hearing the voice, saying affectionately, "Qingxuan, you're here."

Tang Qingxuan didn't dare approach, waving her hands, "Sister, don't come over; the doctor just said anyone who's had contact with him could be infected." She stepped back two steps, "I only came to tell you in person that I have to stay here a few more days; I can't go after you until my third brother's condition improves."

Long Xi Yue still wanted to go over, but Tang Qingxuan wouldn't speak more and turned to flee. Hu Xiaotian, seeing that silly girl's back, couldn't help wanting to laugh; his suppressed smile happened to be seen by Long Xi Yue, and the usually gentle and lovable Princess glared at him, turned and walked into the tent without a word.

Hu Xiaotian followed Long Xi Yue inside, bowed and said, "Hu Xiaotian pays his respects, Princess."

Long Xi Yue ignored him, standing with her back to him, her ten slender fingers intertwined, her eye rims red.

Hu Xiaotian quietly stepped forward, lightly placed his hand on her shoulder, but Long Xi Yue shoved it away forcefully; Hu Xiaotian didn't retreat, instead he pulled her tightly into his embrace from behind; Long Xi Yue's delicate body trembled slightly, she gave a token struggle then stilled; Hu Xiaotian's face pressed against her smooth, jade-like cheek, feeling the cool tear on her cheek: "Sorry!"

Long Xi Yue bit her cherry lips, her beautiful nostrils twitched once, and tears fell like a broken string of pearls.

Hu Xiaotian lifted her chin, letting her turn slowly; he lowered his head and lightly kissed away the tear on her cheek, gently kissing her eyes red from crying for him. Long Xi Yue melted under his hot kiss, leaning against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat. She wanted to speak, but his lips blocked hers at that moment, capturing her soft, fragrant tongue; under his hot kiss, her face flushed with a rosy glow.

After a long while of intimacy, Hu Xiaotian finally released her, leaning to her ear and whispering softly, "You don't need to speak; just listen to me — last night someone deliberately harmed me, and I never wanted you to worry about me, right…" Long Xi Yue extended her hand to cover his mouth, gently shook her head, and a charming smile appeared on her lovely face; all her grievance and longing melted into that deep smile.

Hu Xiaotian was about to tell her last night's experience when outside came Wen Boyuan's voice: "Princess, this subordinate Wen Boyuan has an urgent matter to request an audience."

Long Xi Yue looked at Hu Xiaotian, seeking his opinion with her eyes; he shook his head. She understood, composed herself, and said, "If there's anything, we can talk about it tomorrow; right now I don't want to see anyone."

Wen Boyuan blinked slightly, but since the Princess said so, he couldn't force his way in; he glanced toward Zijuan in the distance, who gave him a subtle look. Understanding, he said loudly, "Then I'll take my leave for now and come back later to pay my respects, Princess."

Zhou Mo, from afar, kept watch on Wen Boyuan's every move, even noticing the subtle exchange between him and Zijuan.

After Wen Boyuan left, Long Xi Yue dried her tears; Hu Xiaotian smiled, "I heard the Princess didn't sleep all night; you'd better get some rest."

Long Xi Yue shook her head, "I'm not sleepy; I had just decided to punish you properly, but you distracted me and I forgot."

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "How does the Princess want to punish me?"

Long Xi Yue bit her cherry lips and said nothing.

Hu Xiaotian wore a wicked grin, leaned closer to Long Xi Yue, and lowered his voice: "How about I compensate with my flesh…"

Long Xi Yue's face flushed to the base of her neck; she whispered, "Don't talk nonsense; I want to go to Phoenix Terrace to have a look — will you accompany me?"

Hu Xiaotian, hearing her, recalled that when they first entered the city he had asked about scenic spots; County Magistrate Xiong Anmin had recommended Phoenix Terrace, saying it was once a roaming place of Emperor Taizong Long Yinkong, and the terrace retains many calligraphic works of ancient and modern masters, worth a visit.

Hu Xiaotian worried Long Xi Yue might be tired, and whispered, "You're not tired?"

Long Xi Yue said, "I'm not tired; with you by my side I will never be tired." Her words were full of sweet affection.

Hu Xiaotian blurted, "Then doesn't that mean we'll never have a chance to sleep together?"

Long Xi Yue, embarrassed, reached out and twisted his ear.

Although the Feather Demon was seriously wounded and unlikely to come bother him soon, and Xu Mi Tian had left saying "until we meet again," for safety Hu Xiaotian still took full precautions, having Zhou Mo accompany them. Coincidentally, Zhan Peng and Xiong Tianba also returned; Xiong Tianba was extremely familiar with the situation in Cangmu, naturally making him the indispensable guide.

Zhou Mo and Xiong Tianba guarded the Princess's carriage; Hu Xiaotian and Zhan Peng followed behind; Zhan Peng had also been worn out all night, but his spirits were quite good.

Hu Xiaotian apologetically said, "This time I've implicated you; if it weren't to save me, you wouldn't have been exposed."

Zhan Peng laughed, "For me it's actually a good thing; from today on I can openly travel with you, no longer needing to hide my head and tail, putting up a front."

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily, then asked about the matter of Qing Sha Dian.

Zhan Peng said, "When I led people there, I only found some corpses at the scene; actually I already guessed the young master had escaped."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, "Those men of Dong Tieshan surely acted on Wen Boyuan's orders, coming out to seize the chance to take my life."

Zhan Peng said, "At first I thought Wen Boyuan amounted to something, but now I see he's truly vile and shameless, always up to disgraceful schemes."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Since you've been exposed, given Wen Boyuan's nature to repay grudges, he certainly won't let it go; are you planning to keep going with me, or turn back?"

Zhan Peng laughed, "Do you, young master, intend to go to Da Yong alone?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "I have no choice; you still do!"

"From the day I met the young master, I had already made my choice."

Hu Xiaotian felt excited by these words, and Zhan Peng proved with facts that he fully deserved that trust.

Zhan Peng said, "I heard that Wen Boyuan has newly brought two hundred warriors, intending to fill the vacancies left by the wounded and dead soldiers."

Hu Xiaotian said, "At first I couldn't gauge his depth, but now it seems I overestimated him."

Zhan Peng asked, "Young master, how do you plan to respond?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "No need to respond! Once we pass Yong Jiang, everything will be simple."

It's Saturday, still staying on the weekly recommendation list; although I'm last, I'm already satisfied—just hold on one more day, everyone, please give a few more recommendation tickets! (To be continued~^~)