Chapter 571: Phoenix Terrace (Part 2)

Phoenix Terrace is just an earthen platform in Cangmu County; it is said that a seven-story jeweled pagoda once stood on it, but it was destroyed instantly when struck by heavenly fire and never rebuilt. After hundreds of years, no trace of any building remains on the platform; only a number of stone steles survive, their surfaces covered with essays and poems by countless scholars through the ages, mostly inspired by the scene and spontaneous feelings.

Long Xi Yue came here to admire a piece of calligraphy left by Emperor Taizong; when he visited Phoenix Terrace and looked north toward the Yong River, he had written the four characters "vast river, surging waves," which are now carved into the stone stele.

Hu Xiaotian has decent literary skills and has memorized countless poems; in his past life he still retained some airs of a literary youth, but the present Hu Xiaotian has become increasingly worldly and slick, losing interest in literary pursuits. Living in troubled times, reciting poetry and composing prose may boost one's pretension, but it ultimately cannot fill the stomach nor serve as a life‑saving tool. Hu Xiaotian now faces an unprecedented trial: first, to kill Wen Boyuan; second, to rescue the princess silently and unseen. Either feat would be earth‑shaking, and to most people seems nearly impossible. Yet he must accomplish both, and it is impossible for him to feel no psychological pressure.

Zhou Mo and Zhan Peng can be trusted, but Hu Xiaotian knows the fewer people who know about these two matters the better; if possible, even these two closest companions should be kept in the dark. Carrying so many secrets alone, with no one to share them, the pressure he bears is easy to imagine.

To Hu Xiaotian, Phoenix Terrace is merely an inconspicuous little mound; perhaps when the pagoda still stood, the view from its top overlooking the surroundings had some charm.

Long Xi Yue waved at Hu Xiaotian from afar, and he walked over. The others all understood the cue, including the slow‑witted Xiong Tianba, who stepped far to the side.

Long Xi Yue pointed to the fallen stele on the ground and said, "This should be the place."

Hu Xiaotian lowered his gaze, only to see that the stele had broken into two pieces; the shattered fragment bore only the two characters "surging waves," while the words "great river" had disappeared.

Long Xi Yue said, "Back then Emperor Taizong wrote the four characters 'vast river, surging waves' here; at that time he was leading his army north to attack the Hu people, and most of Da Yong's territory still belonged to Dakang."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Indulging in nostalgia while lamenting the present, the princess feels sorrowful over Dakang's fate."

Long Xi Yue sighed softly, "It's a pity I am merely a woman of low status, unable to charge onto the battlefield like a man and serve the country."

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "Serving the country doesn't necessarily mean fighting on the front lines; while campaigning east and west is important, it still cannot compare with domestic governance. If a state cannot even guarantee its people's food and clothing, what hope or fighting strength does it have?"

Long Xi Yue blinked; although Hu Xiaotian's words made sense, she still did not wish for Dakang to decline thus. She whispered, "I believe Dakang will have a day of revival."

Hu Xiaotian said, "The world united long must split, and split long must unite—this is a perfectly normal law; no one lives forever, and neither does a nation."

Long Xi Yue sighed, "As soon as we discuss state affairs, my mood turns heavy. Xiao Tian, tomorrow we must leave our homeland; why not compose a poem for me to hear?"

Hu Xiaotian glanced at Long Xi Yue with a half‑smile; the cute princess's literary‑youth syndrome flared up again. Do you really take me for a talented scholar? I may know quite a bit of poetry, but it's all borrowed from others—I truly don't want to show off; even a casual pick would be a stunning masterpiece.

Hu Xiaotian, though thick‑skinned, felt embarrassed to keep showing off, but he could not ignore the princess's request; he reluctantly displayed his talent, pretended to ponder, then said, "Let me recite a ci, Linjiangxian: Rolling Yong River eastward flow: Rolling Yong River eastward flow, waves wash away heroes. Right and wrong, success and failure vanish in an instant; green mountains remain, how many times has the sunset reddened? White‑haired fishermen and woodcutters on the riverbank, accustomed to autumn moon and spring breeze. A jug of turbid wine, joy in meeting. All the affairs of ancient and modern times are consigned to laughter and talk."

After finishing the Linjiangxian, Hu Xiaotian wore a look of worry; a deep‑thinking man is very charming, though Hu Xiaotian is naturally outgoing and lacks some depth, yet reciting this ci at this moment was just right, his pretension off the charts.

Long Xi Yue's heart fluttered, her beautiful eyes lit up, and she could hardly conceal her excitement; she whispered softly, "Xiao Tian! This ci truly lays bare the world's cold and warm, sees through the vicissitudes of human life—you have made everyone admire you to the point of prostration; I have no idea what fills your mind, to conjure such a stunning line." This pure princess was utterly conquered by Hu Xiaotian's talent.

Hu Xiaotian's old face warmed slightly; fortunately his skin was thick, so it didn't redden, and he laughed, "Do you like it or not?"

Long Xi Yue nodded.

"Are you happy or not?"

Long Xi Yue nodded again.

Hu Xiaotian sent a mental transmission: "Do you love me or not?"

Long Xi Yue's pretty face flushed instantly; she bit her cherry lips, stamped her feet, and turned away. Seeing the maiden's bashful demeanor, Hu Xiaotian's blood surged; if no one else were around, he would surely make this adorable princess try his coaxing techniques.

Long Xi Yue's eyes grew misty; after a while she mustered courage and said, "Love!"

Although Hu Xiaotian had long known the answer, hearing Long Xi Yue utter that word still made his blood boil; for that word he would not hesitate to risk his life, even to sacrifice it if necessary.

Long Xi Yue lifted her gaze to the northern sky; in her view the Yong River was merely a winding silver thread. Her look was bleak, her eyes veiled in mysterious mist as she said, "Green mountains remain, how many times has the sunset reddened!" No matter where Xi Yue goes, she will remember this. She turned her pretty face, her bright eyes fixed on Hu Xiaotian, and said, "If one day I am no longer among the living, please engrave these two lines on my tombstone..." At that moment tears glistened in her eyes.

Hu Xiaotian shook his head, "You are destined to be buried with me; if that day ever comes, let us leave hand in hand, and I will whisper these words to you in your ear—would that be alright?"

Long Xi Yue feared she would cry, turned away again, gave an indistinct hum, and the tears on her face could no longer be held back, streaming freely across her cheeks.

Hu Xiaotian turned and looked around; the others had gone far off. He lowered his voice to Long Xi Yue: "Wen Boyuan will still come to seek an audience with the princess; his aim is to replace the Tang family brothers' men with his own two hundred."

Long Xi Yue wiped her tears, her eyes showing displeasure: "I will not agree."

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "Princess, you are mistaken; this time you must agree."

Long Xi Yue stared in astonishment: "Why?"

Long Xi Yue's eyes widened; although she wanted to read the answer from Hu Xiaotian's face, she also feared arousing suspicion from others, so her gaze remained fixed on the north.

As usual, Hu Xiaotian bowed and attended at her side, appearing no different from a master and servant. He whispered, "Princess, you need not worry overmuch; if Wen Boyuan wishes to do something, it's fine to tentatively agree."

Long Xi Yue asked, "If we accede to his request, will he not act against you along the way?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Princess, there's no need to worry; just follow my instructions, and I will oppose this matter, as will Wu Jing Shan—you must stand with us on a different side this time."

Long Xi Yue said, "What are you planning? Are you trying to sever ties?" She thought Hu Xiaotian would seize the chance to rescue her, but she never imagined he would be so bold as to intend to put Wen Boyuan to death.

Hu Xiaotian secretly praised Long Xi Yue's cleverness, smiling, "Everything is already planned; you just need to follow my arrangements. In short, remember that we need to create some tension between us."

Long Xi Yue's heart pounded involuntarily; she had guessed that Hu Xiaotian was indeed putting his rescue plan into action, but if it were exposed it would surely cause huge trouble, and she trembled, "You must not risk yourself for me……"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head, "Princess, rest assured; without solid certainty I will not take risks."

At that moment dust rose around Phoenix Terrace, yet a cavalry of over a hundred men, led by Wen Boyuan, came galloping fast; Wen Boyuan dismounted at the foot of the terrace, strode up, and Xiong Tianba stepped forward to block him, whereupon Wen Boyuan shouted, "Make way!"

Xiong Tianba would have none of it, thrusting his chest forward with the posture of ready to fight Wen Boyuan on the spot.

From behind came Hu Xiaotian's lazy voice: "Tianba, let him through!"

Xiong Tianba then stepped aside; Wen Boyuan glared at him fiercely, strode in large steps to Princess Anping's side, bowed with clasped fists and said, "Your Highness, the princess is a person of utmost importance; how can she leave the camp at will? If anything goes wrong, who will bear the responsibility?" While speaking, his gaze fixed on Hu Xiaotian.

Long Xi Yue sighed softly, "General Wen, there's no need to be nervous; it's just that Lord Hu found me bored and brought me here to see the scenery, but having arrived I am greatly disappointed and am about to return."

Hu Xiaotian said, "General Wen, you are truly well‑informed; the princess has only just arrived here, and you have already tracked her down. If you had always been so conscientious, she would not have suffered so many frights along the way."

Wen Boyuan was about to lose his temper when he heard Long Xi Yue sigh, "Lord Hu must not spout nonsense; I have seen General Wen's hard work on the journey, and without his devoted protection we could not have reached here safely and soundly."

Wen Boyuan almost thought he had misheard; in his impression, Long Xi Yue had never voluntarily spoken a word in his favor since leaving Kangdu, and whenever he and Hu Xiaotian argued she always sided with Hu Xiaotian, never considering his feelings.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Safe and sound—I really passed the night safely and soundly; General Wen nearly shot me dead with an arrow!"

Monthly Ticket sales have plummeted to the bottom of the list, about to fall out of the top ten; I'm asking for fifty tickets—today, reaching fifty means three more chapters, reaching a hundred means four more! I pledge this; words will be deeds! (To be continued~^~)