Chapter 578

Wu Kui said: "I heard it's arriving soon." As soon as his words fell, hoofbeats sounded ahead, the ground beneath his feet seemed to tremble. The swirling mist also sensed this vibration, violently undulating. The morning sun finally broke free from the clouds and mist, revealing itself from the eastern sky, golden light instantly spreading over the earth.

A cavalry of nearly three hundred men came flying from the northeast toward the wedding procession's position, the soldiers' armor bright on horseback, the golden morning light enveloping their armor, tracing splendid golden outlines; they galloped, their postures vigorous, as if breaking through the morning mist and suddenly appearing before everyone's eyes.

Wen Boyuan reined in his horse, narrowed his eyes to look, only to see a large banner flying in the wind at the center of the cavalry, embroidered with a large "Feng" character.

The cavalry halted ten zhang away; a middle-aged commander in bronze armor galloped out from the ranks and announced loudly: "Feng Changzheng, commander of the Azure Dragon Bay garrison, leads his troops to specially welcome Princess Anping and her entourage."

Wen Boyuan nodded; the news that Princess Anping would cross the river from Azure Dragon Bay dock today had already been conveyed here, and last night the dowry luggage had already been loaded onto the ship; Wen Boyuan personally oversaw this, and he and Feng Changzheng had met yesterday, he cupped his fists toward Feng Changzheng and said: "General Feng, good!"

Feng Changzheng waited on the spot; when Wen Boyuan approached, he turned his horse to ride alongside Wen Boyuan, the three hundred cavalry he brought spread to both sides, opening a passage, and Wen Boyuan and Feng Changzheng led the way on horseback into the passage.

Wen Boyuan asked: "How are the preparations?"

Feng Changzheng respectfully replied: "Reporting to General Wen, all preparations are complete; we only await the princess boarding."

Wen Boyuan looked ahead; after the sun appeared, the mist dissipated quickly, the Azure Dragon Bay dock originally shrouded in thick fog suddenly appeared before them, under the sun's dispelling, the mist was retreating at a visible speed. He said softly: "The weather is fine!"

Feng Changzheng laughed: "There was still mist just now; it will soon clear."

Wen Boyuan asked: "Has contact been made with the Da Yong side?"

Feng Changzheng nodded: "We have already sent someone to liaise; the Da Yong navy will meet us at Nanyang Fortress, Seventh Prince Xuan Chuanming is drilling troops on the Tongtian River. We have received word that he should be on his way to Nanyang Fortress."

As they spoke, they arrived at the dock gate, only to see two large ships moored at the dock; today they would board these two ships to cross the river.

After reaching the dock, everyone dismounted; Wu Jing Shan also stepped out of the carriage, beating his sore waist while observing the dock and river conditions. The mist cleared quickly; at this moment their vision could already reach the center of the Yong River, and it would not be long before the morning mist completely dissipated.

Wen Boyuan walked over to Wu Jing Shan and said: "Sir Wu, everything is ready; we can cross the river at any time."

Wu Jing Shan nodded: "Good, good!"

Wen Boyuan told Wu Jing Shan the personnel allocation plan he had prepared in advance, which surprised Wu Jing Shan. He and Wen Boyuan were assigned to one ship, while Hu Xiaotian and Princess Anping were assigned to another. This allocation also greatly exceeded Hu Xiaotian's expectations; he had thought Wen Boyuan would surely accompany the princess under the pretext of protection, but he never expected Wen Boyuan to make such an arrangement. Hu Xiaotian secretly sighed, indeed plans cannot keep up with changes. Could Wen Boyuan have already sensed something, prompting this arrangement? After careful thought, he realized he had shown no flaw; the chance of discovery was minuscule, yet it was not a spur-of-the-moment decision.

Hu Xiaotian found it increasingly strange the more he thought; although he did not know Wen Boyuan's true motive, he could conclude that this arrangement was definitely not accidental.

At this moment, Princess Anping and Zixuan also dismounted from the carriage; Zixuan and the princess had changed their attire, the princess supported Zixuan's arm, and Hu Xiaotian hurried over, supporting Zixuan's other arm on the opposite side. Zixuan turned her head to look into the distance, but before she could fully turn, she encountered Hu Xiaotian's gaze filled with killing intent, causing her heart to tremble.

Hu Xiaotian sent a mental transmission: "Keep moving forward; absolutely do not reveal any flaw."

Zixuan lowered her head and walked heavily toward the gangway.

Just as they were about to board, Wen Boyuan approached and shouted: "Princess, please wait!"

Long Xi Yue's heart jolted; she silently thought, "Oh no, could Wen Boyuan have already seen through the flaw?"

Hu Xiaotian whispered: "Keep going! No need to pay him any heed!" He stopped and blocked Wen Boyuan's path. Wen Boyuan coldly stared at Hu Xiaotian and said: "Eunuch Hu, why are you blocking my way?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "This is not the place to talk; please, General Wen, speak after boarding the ship."

Wen Boyuan blinked in surprise, yet saw Hu Xiaotian gesturing for him to board. Wen Boyuan had no intention of boarding; instead, he looked around and said: "With so many people and eyes about, this indeed is not a place to talk; let's wait until after disembarking."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "General Wen, aren't you boarding this ship?"

Wen Boyuan pointed to the large ship beside them and said: "I will be on that ship to escort and protect the princess."

Hu Xiaotian gave a hollow cold laugh: "General Wen, you used to be a close-in guard!"

Wen Boyuan said: "Eunuch Hu, you're overthinking; conditions on land and water differ, and I know far better than you what protective measures to take. In case of a sudden situation, I can lead my troops to block it while the princess first withdraws to a safe place; besides, your subordinates are also full of talent, having you protect the princess puts my mind at ease."

Although Wen Boyuan's words made some sense, Hu Xiaotian was convinced he was deceitful; just then, a cry rang out from the gangway. Both looked up to see the princess lose her footing and nearly fall on the gangway; fortunately, Zhou Mo promptly grabbed her, and Long Xi Yue beside her was startled, also reaching out to steady her, almost calling out Zixuan's name.

Hu Xiaotian knew Zixuan's action was no coincidence; she must have been signalling Wen Boyuan this way. He noticed Wen Boyuan's pupils suddenly contract, as if realizing something, but he did not approach.

Hu Xiaotian deliberately said: "Looks like something happened; let's go see."

Wen Boyuan did not respond to his words, calmly saying: "There should be nothing wrong; Eunuch Hu, please board the ship quickly."

Hu Xiaotian's doubts grew deeper; Wen Boyuan had no reason to remain so composed—could he have already seen through his scheme? After a moment's thought, that seemed unlikely, since Zixuan's every move was under Zhou Mo's surveillance, leaving no chance to communicate with the outside.

By now, Princess Anping and Zixuan's party had already boarded; as Long Xi Yue stepped onto the deck, she turned her head toward Hu Xiaotian, seeing him still standing with Wen Boyuan, and fearing exposure, she hastily turned away. Though merely a subtle gesture, Wen Boyuan fully noticed it, furrowed his brows, vaguely guessed what had happened, and cupped his fists to Hu Xiaotian: "Farewell, Eunuch Hu; we'll meet on the opposite shore."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Good! Good!" Watching Wen Boyuan's retreating back, he felt things were very suspicious; just then, Bear Anmin and his son came over to bid farewell, but Hu Xiaotian waved at Xiong Tianba and said: "Bear kid, uncle still has a task for you."

Xiong Tianba said: "Please speak, uncle." Actually, Xiong Tianba originally wanted to follow them to Da Yong to join the fun, and on the road he could also learn some martial arts from his master Zhou Mo, but Hu Xiaotian considered that major events might occur along the way, worrying it would implicate him, so he did not let him come along.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Take some brothers and cross the river with me; once the ship reaches its destination safely, then follow the ship back."

Xiong Tianba laughed: "Fine! Uncle, just take me to Yongdu; I'd like to see it too."

Xiong Anmin, worldly-wise, saw Hu Xiaotian suddenly change his mind and guessed that Hu Xiaotian must have sensed something abnormal, otherwise he wouldn't let his son board with him; he whispered to Hu Xiaotian: "Sir Hu, is something wrong?"

Hu Xiaotian did not hide it from him, glanced around and lowered his voice: "I always feel that Wen Boyuan's behavior today is somewhat abnormal."

Xiong Anmin nodded: "I'll come along."

Hu Xiaotian knew he was both helping and worried about Xiong Tianba, so he nodded: "All right then!"

Wen Boyuan had just stepped halfway up the gangway when he saw Hu Xiaotian and the Xiong father-son duo leading fifty soldiers also boarding his ship; Wen Boyuan's heart gave a jolt, secretly thinking, "Not good."

After everyone arrived on deck, Wen Boyuan barred Hu Xiaotian's path and said: "Eunuch Hu, it seems you've boarded the wrong ship."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "That's right; that ship is already full, Bear Anmin, out of pure loyalty, decided to escort the princess to the opposite shore and then return with the ship; as the Zajia, we cannot refuse his kindness, the dowry luggage is over there, so we can only come to this ship to join the fun."

Wen Boyuan coldly said: "Eunuch Hu, the ship's load capacity is limited; I fear this ship cannot carry so many people."

A voice from behind said: "How can it not carry them? Wasn't it said it could still seat over a hundred?" The speaker was Minister of Rites Wu Jing Shan, who had remained on deck after boarding; he also wondered why Wen Boyuan chose to board separately from the princess.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Sir Wu!"

Wu Jing Shan cupped his fists: "Sir Hu, I thought you were on the same ship as the princess."

Hu Xiaotian said: "General Wen said this ship bears the heavy responsibility of protecting the princess; after thinking it over, I felt the duty shouldn't fall solely on General Wen, so I came."

Wu Jing Shan gave a thumbs-up and said insincerely: "Lord Hu, your loyal heart and courage truly earn my admiration." (To be continued~^~)