Chapter 576: Uncertain Prospects (Part 2)

Clouds gathered, and in a short while the sky above Phoenix Terrace was overcast with dark clouds; the northern cold wind crossed the Yong River, carrying the damp chill of the river water, sweeping in silently and making people feel a piercing cold. A cluster of winter jasmine that had just bloomed below Phoenix Terrace trembled in the cold wind, as if regretting its early arrival; its yellow petals finally lost to the wind and scattered, a few landing on Hu Xiaotian's body. He took the reins from Xiong Tianba's hand, swung onto his horse, and was about to leave Phoenix Terrace when he saw a troop approaching from afar.

Hu Xiaotian originally thought Wen Boyuan had returned after leaving, but upon looking closely, the leader was actually Zhao Wusheng.

Hu Xiaotian reined in the reins, letting Little Grey stop, and smiled at Zhao Wusheng.

Zhao Wusheng came forward, suddenly reined in the reins, the horse lunged a few steps before stopping, and he cupped his fists at Hu Xiaotian: "Lord Hu, you really are here!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "General Zhao, what business do you have with me?"

Zhao Wusheng said: "The ships for escorting the princess across the river are ready; tonight we can send her belongings ahead. General Wen said all logistics are handled by Lord Hu, so I came specially to discuss with Lord Hu."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Isn't the crossing tomorrow?"

Zhao Wusheng laughed: "Sending the belongings ahead avoids a rush later."

Hu Xiaotian said: "How would General Zhao like to arrange it?"

Zhao Wusheng said: "Why not find a place to sit? I'll explain in detail to Lord Hu."

Hu Xiaotian looked around; he was not familiar with Cangmu City, and was about to ask Xiong Tianba. Zhao Wusheng added: "I have prepared some food and drink in the Fengming Pavilion ahead; if Lord Hu does not mind, let us go there for a couple of cups and a chat."

Hu Xiaotian was full of curiosity about Zhao Wusheng. At their first meeting, Zhao Wusheng had already hinted that this person was very likely an insider planted by Ji Feihua here, and this visit was probably to cooperate with him in eliminating Wen Boyuan. Hu Xiaotian decided to have a good talk with him to probe his true intentions.

The Fengming Pavilion already had food and drink prepared; Hu Xiaotian followed Zhao Wusheng there, and the two had their attendants withdraw.

Zhao Wusheng picked up the wine jug and filled the cups before them, smiling: "Being able to meet Lord Hu is a great fortune spanning three lifetimes; for our first drink, let's down this cup."

Hu Xiaotian drank his cup in one gulp, smacked his lips and said: "This wine is strong!"

Zhao Wusheng said: "The north is bitterly cold; strong wine warms the body. But this wine surely cannot compare to the imperial nectar and jade liquor; Lord Hu, please forgive me."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Has General Zhao ever been to the capital?"

"I have; it was already three years ago, when I still drank wine with your esteemed father, Lord Hu."

"Oh?" Hu Xiaotian exclaimed in surprise.

Zhao Wusheng chuckled: "Back then I was merely an insignificant border soldier; how could I have the honor to drink with Lord Hu?"

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself: Three years ago, my father was in power; Zhao Wusheng was only Zhao Dengyun's nephew, so drinking with my father must have been in his uncle's company. Hu Xiaotian said: "Then I will stand in for my father and drink three cups with you."

Zhao Wusheng laughed: "I dare not. Lord Hu is a man of true character; I, Zhao, also feel an instant kinship with Lord Hu."

Hu Xiaotian set down his cup and returned to the matter: "General Zhao, what exactly is your arrangement for tomorrow?"

Zhao Wusheng said: "We have arranged two ships; my side will dispatch two hundred soldiers to accompany."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Will General Zhao also go?"

Zhao Wusheng said: "I still have pressing matters; I will leave Cangmu tonight and cannot accompany Lord Hu across the river."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "General Zhao surely has something very important." In his heart he understood Zhao Wusheng was making an early exit, clearly trying to distance himself from this affair. Yet one thing puzzled Hu Xiaotian: the two hundred supplementary soldiers all came from the fleet of Admiral Zhao Dengyun; if something happened on the Yong River, Zhao Dengyun would not escape responsibility, and Zhao Wusheng is Zhao Dengyun's nephew—could he really scheme against his own uncle? This matter was truly baffling, leaving him unable to see clearly; those in charge are confused, and he did not know whether Ji Feihua had also factored him into her calculations.

Zhao Wusheng sighed: "Rebel uprisings are rampant; the situation in Wuxing Commandery is grim, and I must hurry back."

Hu Xiaotian said meaningfully: "Then the task of protecting the princess falls entirely to me?"

Zhao Wusheng smiled: "I have heard Lord Hu does not seem to want us to intervene."

Hu Xiaotian said: "If so, why does General Zhao send two hundred soldiers to reinforce us, fearing they might encounter trouble?"

Zhao Wusheng said: "These two hundred soldiers are battle-hardened and all excellent swimmers; Lord Hu can rest assured."

Hu Xiaotian still could not tell whether Zhao Wusheng was friend or foe; even if he were Ji Feihua's planted insider, he is leaving tonight, effectively handing everything over to Hu Xiaotian. Why then leave two hundred soldiers? They could not know the inside story and might become obstacles to Hu Xiaotian's assassination of Wen Boyuan. After a moment's thought, he realized that if Zhao Wusheng made such an arrangement, those two hundred soldiers were likely meant to cooperate in eliminating Wen Boyuan.

Zhao Wusheng said: "The two kingdoms have not yet demarcated the Yong River; its center is the invisible boundary between them. I have already sent word to the Da Yong side; presumably the Da Yong navy will meet us within their waters. Once we reach their waters, it will be beyond our reach."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; Zhao Wusheng was hinting that he should act in the middle of the river.

Hu Xiaotian said meaningfully: "I wonder what the wind and waves on the Yong River will be like tomorrow?"

Zhao Wusheng whispered: "Even if there is no wind or wave, the boat could capsize; the river's conditions are ever-changing, appearing calm on the surface but hiding undercurrents."

Hu Xiaotian's brow twitched; he had already sensed the chill in Zhao Wusheng's words.

Zhao Wusheng raised his cup: "Wishing Lord Hu smooth sailing, early safe escort of the princess to Yongdu, triumphant return; I, Zhao, await your good news in Wuxing Commandery."

Hu Xiaotian lifted the cup before him and said softly: "If I return safely, I will drink to my heart's content with General Zhao."

The only thing Hu Xiaotian could be certain of was that Zhao Wusheng was an insider sent by Ji Feihua; as for what will happen tomorrow, he does not know. No matter how perfect his plan, the outcome still depends on Zhao Wusheng's hidden efforts. From Ji Feihua's earlier words one can infer that he intends to drown Wen Boyuan in the water; the Yong River is the opportunity. With so many watching, Hu Xiaotian could hardly push Wen Boyuan into the water, and even if he wanted to, his current martial skill makes it difficult.

Given Ji Feihua's intellect, she would not overlook this; perhaps she stationed Zhao Wusheng here for this very reason, to have him cooperate in striking. Yet Zhao Wusheng clearly said he would not board the ship, leaving only two hundred soldiers, which makes Hu Xiaotian uneasy; moreover Zhao Wusheng has not revealed any detailed plan to him, so what use could those two hundred soldiers be? Zhao Wusheng did not explain.

Tomorrow is the river crossing, yet Hu Xiaotian still cannot determine what will happen.

However he can be certain that something will happen tomorrow, and it is very likely the boat will capsize in mid‑river. Ji Feihua will not let this rare chance slip by.

Zhou Mo, seeing Hu Xiaotian's furrowed brows, guessed his inner pressure was great. At nightfall the princess's camp grew quiet; Zhou Mo and Hu Xiaotian sat on the stone railing of the courtyard, gazing toward the princess's tent.

Hu Xiaotian said softly: "No matter what happens tomorrow, you only need to remember one thing: protect the princess. Everything else is none of your concern."

Zhou Mo said: "What will happen tomorrow?" This was his first time taking the initiative to ask.

Hu Xiaotian lifted his head to gaze at the deep night, shook his head and said: "I do not know either; as long as there is a chance to escape, you take her away, and I will think of a way to get out."

Zhou Mo said: "I fear you cannot bear this responsibility."

Hu Xiaotian said softly: "Take it step by step; Ji Feihua promised she would look after my parents."

"Do you believe her?"

Hu Xiaotian narrowed his eyes: "Although she is not a good person, I have known her this long and she has never gone back on her word to me."

Zhou Mo reminded him softly: "She is merely a country‑ruining traitor; her words cannot be trusted."

Hu Xiaotian raised his hand and lightly patted Zhou Mo's shoulder: "Besides believing her, I have no better choice."

At that moment Ziju walked out of the tent toward them, came close and said softly: "Lord Hu, the princess invites you over."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and hurried into the tent.

Long Xi Yue saw Hu Xiaotian enter, her pretty face showing delight, and she whispered: "I thought you were angry with me."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "How could that be?"

Long Xi Yue lowered her voice: "Why did you have me do that on Phoenix Terrace today?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I merely wanted to create a false impression." He handed over the prepared waterproof gear and human‑skin mask, saying softly: "Wear this set of waterproof gear tomorrow, just in case."

Long Xi Yue heard him say this, knowing that something major would happen tomorrow, her heart pounding, she said in a trembling voice: "You... you must not do something foolish."

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's not that I want to do something foolish, but someone is forcing me to do this; don't be afraid, Brother Zhou will stay by your side and protect you, you just need to remember, once there's an opportunity, immediately put on the human skin mask—this might be your only chance to escape."

Long Xi Yue said: "But..."

Hu Xiaotian said: "There's no 'but'; if you truly care for me, just do as I say obediently; rest assured, I won't act recklessly, my parents are still in the capital, I won't risk their lives."

Long Xi Yue's eyes reddened, she put away the thing Hu Xiaotian handed her; Hu Xiaotian then gave her detailed instructions on how to use the human skin mask, and then added: "I still have one matter that requires Zi Juan's cooperation."

Long Xi Yue said: "What do you want?" She knew Hu Xiaotian had always been suspicious of Zi Juan, fearing he might act against her.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Don't worry, I'm just taking some necessary precautions."

Long Xi Yue said: "Do you still suspect her?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Precisely for that reason, I'm giving her a chance to prove herself; if this time she follows my instructions, then it will show I misjudged her; but if she leaks this matter, then this person can never be used again."

Long Xi Yue hesitated for a while, then finally nodded and said: "Okay, I'll do as you say this once."

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