Chapter 572

Wen Boyuan said: "Eunuch Hu, why must you slander my innocence before the Princess? Last night you had an incident at the City God Temple; I led my subordinates, risking danger, to rescue you. You don't even show gratitude, and instead you falsely accuse me, and you even ask the Princess to judge on my behalf!" He was no ordinary man; how could he simply admit this fact?

Hu Xiaotian said: "Slander my innocence? General Wen, are you trying to save me or harm me? Everyone around saw clearly—what grudge do I have with you that you repeatedly harm me?"

Long Xi Yue furrowed her brows and said: "You two have been constantly at odds along the way; you are both Dakang officials, both supposed to protect my safety. Even within Dakang's borders this is bad enough—if we reached Da Yong and others saw you like this, wouldn't it be a laughingstock? Seeing our own side fight first would make them think Dakang has no one."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Princess, I am utterly loyal to you; I hope you will see clearly and not listen to slander."

Long Xi Yue clearly was somewhat angry: "Enough! I have been reluctant to speak against you for following me all this time, but not everything is right just because you did it and everyone else is wrong. His Majesty ordered you few to accompany me to Da Yong; each person's duties are clearly divided, and you each just need to do your own part—why must you keep slandering each other? Last night you had an incident; no one ignored you. General Wen also rallied everyone, searching all night for you—though he gained no merit, he put in effort. To say he, in front of so many people, wanted to harm you—I wouldn't believe it. I know you suffered last night, but you cannot blame all responsibility on General Wen. What were you doing running off to the City God Temple?"

Hu Xiaotian looked aggrieved, yet secretly delighted—he hadn't expected Long Xi Yue to act so convincingly. Women are indeed born actors; no training needed in this regard.

Wen Boyuan felt relieved in his heart: "Princess, my dear princess, my longing for you was not in vain—finally you speak a fair word for me." Hearing Long Xi Yue ask Hu Xiaotian why he ran to the City God Temple last night, Wen Boyuan would not miss this chance to kick someone when they're down: "Princess asks well; I don't know why Eunuch Hu ran to the City God Temple last night—what for?"

Hu Xiaotian cupped his hands toward Long Xi Yue and said: "I went to the City God Temple to pray for the Princess's blessing."

Wen Boyuan sneered: "You are clearly lying; last night another person appeared at the City God Temple—it is because of that person that the demon Li Chang'an seized you. That person is the world's foremost poison master, Xu Mi Tian."

Hu Xiaotian said: "What Xu Mi Tian? I don't even know him."

Wen Boyuan said: "You don't know him? Then why does Li Chang'an keep coming after you? Now I understand. You have been colluding with Xu Mi Tian, helping her hide among our troops, which is why Li Chang'an keeps haunting us, causing so many of our brothers to be injured."

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but admire Wen Boyuan's reasoning—it was indeed impressive. He didn't argue, but feigned speechlessness: "You… you… slander!" Then he immediately bowed to Long Xi Yue: "Please, Princess, vindicate me!"

Long Xi Yue furrowed her brows and said: "How did you innocently stir up such big trouble? That day Li Chang'an indeed came looking for you for people. Hu Xiaotian, if you truly did this and killed so many brothers, I cannot let you off lightly."

Hu Xiaotian's forehead drenched in sweat, feigning—without putting on an embarrassed, guilty look, how could Wen Boyuan firmly believe he had the upper hand?

Seeing Hu Xiaotian rebuked, Wen Boyuan was naturally delighted; taking the opportunity, he proposed reinforcing manpower: "Princess, I have another matter to report."

Long Xi Yue said: "Go ahead."

Wen Boyuan then said he wanted Zhao Wusheng's two hundred warriors to join his side.

Before he could finish, Hu Xiaotian said: "Princess, this must absolutely not be done!"

Long Xi Yue said: "Why not?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Princess, we know nothing about those two hundred warriors—only that they come from the navy; if someone with ulterior motives were mixed in…"

Wen Boyuan said: "Princess, I can personally guarantee that these two hundred are all loyal Dakang soldiers; there will be absolutely no problem."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Wen Boyuan, you are clearly using this opportunity to eliminate rivals and boost your own influence—I know your intentions."

Wen Boyuan shouted: "Princess, my loyalty can be shown to the sun and moon; since leaving Kangdu, I and my brothers have guarded your safety day and night without rest—how many have died, how many wounded for this cause? You can see it, Princess; please, Eunuch Hu, explain clearly what my intentions are."

Hu Xiaotian sneered: "You know your own intentions; initially you entrusted the Talented Person to send a painting to the Princess—what exactly were you trying to convey?"

Wen Boyuan never expected him to expose this in public; he felt both ashamed and angry, his handsome face flushing crimson.

Although Long Xi Yue knew Hu Xiaotian was acting, this bastard bringing up that matter—was he not just asking for a scolding?

Hu Xiaotian seemed to grow more fervent the more he spoke, unafraid to escalate: "It's simply that you harbor improper designs on the Princess, with ulterior motives…" Before he finished, Long Xi Yue rebuked: "Shut up! You… kneel down!"

Long Xi Yue's pretty face flushed crimson, her phoenix eyes wide open, her delicate body trembling with anger; to others, her anger was understandable—after all, she is a princess of a state, and Hu Xiaotian's loose lips spill everything, already severely infringing on her dignity; if she showed no reaction in this situation, it would be abnormal.

Hu Xiaotian glared viciously at Wen Boyuan, unwilling, and knelt before Long Xi Yue.

Long Xi Yue truly felt somewhat reluctant; if it weren't for Hu Xiaotian's request, she would never treat him this way no matter what, and she even thought, if Hu Xiaotian were unhappy, she would certainly have to coax him well later.

Long Xi Yue said: "Hu Xiaotian, it seems I have indulged you too much, daring to spout nonsense—think about it yourself, Ziqian! Let's go back." She also did not let Hu Xiaotian rise, and left in anger.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian kneeling on the ground, Wen Boyuan felt a surge of satisfaction; he shouted: "Brothers, protect the Princess and return to camp!" Before leaving, he glanced at Hu Xiaotian with smug satisfaction—since leaving the capital, this was the first time he had gained the upper hand over Hu Xiaotian.

Zhou Mo also followed the Princess away; Zhao Peng and Xiong Tianba did not go. Zhao Peng saw that Hu Xiaotian and Princess Anping were surely acting, but Xiong Tianba did not, left bewildered by the sudden change. Seeing Princess Anping and them walk off, he hurried to Hu Xiaotian's side and said: "Uncle Hu, Uncle Hu, the Princess has left! No need to kneel!"

Hu Xiaotian nodded, and with Xiong Tianba's support stood up; his legs were a bit sore from kneeling, he brushed off the dust on his knees and smiled: "Xiong kid, go help me lead the horse over."

Xiong Tianba turned and left.

Zhao Peng waited until Xiong Tianba went far, then whispered: "Young Master, what are your orders?"

Hu Xiaotian lowered his voice: "Something major will happen when we cross the river."

Zhao Peng frowned; although he knew Hu Xiaotian was surely brewing some astonishing plan, Hu Xiaotian had never brought it up along the way, so he naturally did not dare to ask.

Hu Xiaotian lightly patted his shoulder and said: "There's something I've never told you; actually, I have made two preparations for this outing: one, to rescue the Princess; two, to eliminate Wen Boyuan."

Although Zhao Peng knew Hu Xiaotian was certainly plotting something great, he hadn't imagined it would be so earth-shattering—achieving either of these would shock the world, yet neither would be easy. Zhao Peng whispered: "Young Master, could you tell me more?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "Elder Brother Zhao, I have kept silent until now because the timing wasn't right, and also because I have unavoidable difficulties; I promised the Princess I would help her gain freedom, and my word must be kept."

Zhao Peng pressed his lips; a man must keep his word—since Hu Xiaotian promised Princess Anping, he should do it regardless of the pressure.

Hu Xiaotian said: "She is a Dakang Princess; this trip to Da Yong for marriage—if I secretly took her away now, many innocents would be implicated; I cannot harm my parents, brothers, and friends for my own selfishness. Thus I must find a foolproof plan." He paused, then added: "Before leaving Kangdu this time, Ji Feihua told me to eliminate Wen Boyuan along the way, and he gave me an important piece of information: Wen Boyuan cannot swim, and he reminded me to act on the Tongtian River."

Zhao Peng asked: "Young Master, did you agree to him?"

Hu Xiaotian sighed helplessly: "My parents' lives are in his hands—what can I do?"

Zhao Peng said: "Wen Boyuan is suspicious by nature; this time he added two hundred warriors, so eliminating him may not be that easy."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I originally thought Ji Feihua wanted me to act on the Tongtian River, but I didn't expect him to choose the Yong River instead."

Zhao Peng exclaimed in surprise: "Did he send someone to contact you?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded, narrowed his eyes gazing at the distant Yong River, and said softly: "I can be certain that when we cross the river, someone will surely tamper, and the trouble will likely befall the boat carrying Wen Boyuan."

Zhao Peng asked: "Young Master, can you be sure?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Ji Feihua acts meticulously; he never undertakes anything without confidence. He wants to use me to eliminate Wen Boyuan, and I can precisely use this opportunity to accomplish something else."

Zhao Peng whispered: "You mean taking the opportunity to rescue the Princess?" (To be continued~^~)