Chapter 613

Zhao Chongwu spoke first: "Sir Hu, what do you take us for? Though our positions are lowly, we also know what righteousness means; the task entrusted by the Emperor is a responsibility for each of us. I dare not speak for others, but I, Zhao Chongwu, will never shrink from battle."

Another warrior shouted excitedly: "Sir Hu, I, Yan Fei, stay behind—not for any mission, not for any responsibility, but for you, Sir Hu. Since you treat me with such sincerity, from now on I swear to follow you unto death."

Everyone expressed their loyalty in turn.

Wu Jianshan recognized Yan Fei; this man was one of Wen Boyuan's confidants. Seeing Yan Fei's expression, Wu Jianshan understood that no one would leave, and Hu Xiaotian was truly formidable.

Everyone drank heartily, their cups flowing freely. When Yan Fei came over to toast Hu Xiaotian, he was already swaying, barely able to stand; Zhao Chongwu beside him steadied him. Yan Fei raised his cup and said: "Sir Hu, Yan Fei... I'm sorry..."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Yan Fei, you've had too much to drink!"

"Sir, I haven't drunk too much; there are some things I have always kept from you...... Wen...... Wen Boyuan, in the Black Pine Forest, already wanted to get rid of you, Sir; Zhao Zhihe is his planted insider...... Moreover, he plotted to kill Princess Anping...... and even bribed the princess's palace maids to poison her on the way......"

Wu Jianshan's face changed upon hearing this, and he shouted sternly: "Yan Fei, what are you saying?"

Hu Xiaotian, however, burst out laughing: "He's drunk, talking nonsense; Sir Wu need not take him seriously. Zhao Chongwu, quickly take him back to rest."

After Zhao Chongwu and another warrior dragged Yan Fei away, Wu Jianshan still looked furious, and he said in a low voice: "Sir Hu, what he said is probably true."

Hu Xiaotian said: "True or false, what does it matter? Wen Boyuan is dead, and Princess Anping is unharmed. Investigating this further serves no purpose; the urgent task is to solve the problem at hand."

Wu Jianshan sighed: "How to resolve it? Sir Hu, I won't hide it—I am now utterly confused, unable to see the situation clearly. If the princess's marriage arrangement changes, I will have no choice but to apologize to the South by committing suicide."

Hu Xiaotian said: "When the cart reaches the mountain, there will be a way; when the boat reaches the bridge, it will go straight naturally. Sir Wu, why worry so much?"

Wu Jianshan silently chewed on the two casual remarks Hu Xiaotian had just made, feeling deeply impressed. Hu Xiaotian truly is a talent capable of governing heaven and earth; his offhand words contain profound principles. He felt he had lived to this age in vain, not seeing as clearly as a young person.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Dakang and Da Yong should have envoys stationed in each other's capitals, right?"

Wu Jianshan, upon hearing Hu Xiaotian mention this, suddenly realized: "Ah, I've been muddle-headed—how could I forget something so important?" States set up envoys in each other's capitals to facilitate resolving disputes and also to receive their own personnel.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Sir Wu, the princess has arrived in Yongdu, yet the envoys have not come to pay their respects—is this not unusual?"

Wu Jianshan, upon his reminder, immediately understood. He said softly: "You mean the Dakang envoys are unaware of this?"

Hu Xiaotian slowly nodded and said: "I suspect someone is deliberately concealing the fact that the princess has arrived in Yongdu."

Wu Jianshan sucked in a breath of cold air: "If that is indeed the case, the princess's marriage may well be altered."

Hu Xiaotian smiled lightly: "It probably won't change, but I find it strange—who would deliberately cover this up? Whose interests does this marriage alliance actually infringe upon?"

Wu Jianshan said: "I have heard that the Crown Prince and the Seventh Prince are openly and secretly vying for the position of heir apparent; could it be the Crown Prince?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Xue Daoming had been drilling troops at the Tongtian River. He was originally supposed to go in person to the Nanyang Water Fort to meet the princess, but suddenly he changed his plans. As the princess's fiancé, he should constantly monitor our envoy's movements; even if others don't know we've come, he certainly would."

Wu Jianshan exclaimed in shock: "Could the problem lie with him?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Even if it isn't him, it's likely much the same."

Wu Jianshan said: "If that really is the case, wouldn't that be extremely troublesome?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "A marriage alliance between two nations is no child's play; even if Xue Daoming harbors other thoughts, the Emperor of Da Yong would not agree."

Wu Jianshan said: "You mean even the Emperor of Da Yong doesn't know we've arrived in Yongdu?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "A ruler of a state deals with myriad affairs daily; even if he is unaware, it's not something rare."

Wu Jianshan said: "It seems we need to find a way to meet the Emperor of Da Yong in person."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Let's see how things develop first."

Hu Xiaotian and Long Xi Yue returned to the small lodge; Long Xi Yue discovered that several chests of her dowry had vanished completely, and she was startled, her face losing color, but Hu Xiaotian merely laughed and said: "I arranged that."

"You should have told me sooner," Long Xi Yue complained petulantly.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Come with me!"

"Where to?"

Hu Xiaotian winked at her, so Long Xi Yue stopped asking further. It turned out there was a small door in the lodge; upon exiting it, they saw Gao Yuan waiting there. Under the moonlight, Gao Yuan smiled, led them along the forward path out the back door, and then entered the Hall of Abundant Prosperity through its rear entrance.

In the study at the rear of the Hall of Abundant Prosperity, the lights were bright; Zhou Mo and Xiao Tianmu had already been chatting in the room for a while. Hearing a knock at the door, Zhou Mo laughed: "Here!" He went forward and opened the door, only to see Hu Xiaotian accompanied by Long Xi Yue standing outside.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Elder brother, you arrived even earlier than I did."

Xiao Tianmu rose to his feet and leaned in to listen to Hu Xiaotian's voice.

Hu Xiaotian approached Xiao Tianmu, took hold of both his hands, and exclaimed excitedly: "Second brother!"

Xiao Tianmu nodded, a rare warm smile appearing on his face, and said: "Third brother, as long as you have arrived safely, that's good." He paused, then added: "The one who came with you is..." Actually Xiao Tianmu had already guessed Long Xi Yue's identity in his heart.

Hu Xiaotian laughed as he pulled Long Xi Yue over and introduced her: "Yue, my elder brother you have already met; this is my sworn second brother, Xiao Tianmu."

Long Xi Yue felt as if she were meeting family, and bashfully said: "Second brother!"

Ah!

Hu Xiaotian said: "My second brother came ahead of time precisely to make arrangements for our reception."

Long Xi Yue felt warm in her heart; Hu Xiaotian's efforts to rescue her truly involved painstaking planning, doing all this behind her back, and fortunately, with so many good brothers of his, they could accomplish this.

Xiao Tianmu said: "Please, everyone have a seat."

Hu Xiaotian pulled Long Xi Yue to sit down; after enduring countless hardships, he had finally fulfilled his wish to rescue her, and Long Xi Yue's heart was filled with utmost happiness—though they were still in Yongdu and might need to stay here for a while.

Hu Xiaotian briefly recounted what had happened since his arrival in Yongdu.

Xiao Tianmu said: "This is indeed strange. Da Yong's rise to prominence is closely related to its emphasis on rites and education; from court to common folk, Da Yong values promises. Moreover, Emperor Xue Shengkang treats the virtuous with humility, treats all talents kindly, and in foreign affairs prioritizes rites—whether sincere or feigned, at least on such a major matter they would not act contrary to propriety. Third brother, you are right; I believe the emperor is most likely unaware of this."

Zhou Mo said: "Just now, when I discussed this with my second brother, I also found it strange—the news of Princess Anping's arrival in Yongdu hasn't spread; few commoners know about it."

Xiao Tianmu said: "This matter should be related to the internal power struggle within the Da Yong imperial family. The Emperor intends to select a successor between the Crown Prince Xue Daohong and the Seventh Prince Xue Daoming. The Crown Prince Xue Daohong has the backing of many veteran officials, while the Seventh Prince Xue Daoming is a talented youth, versed in both civil and military arts, already commanding the Da Yong navy at a young age, and his several battles have displayed outstanding command ability. It is said that the Emperor favors this Seventh Prince greatly. The marriage alliance between Da Yong and Dakang was proposed by officials and settled by the Empress." He paused here, since Princess Anping was present and the subject concerned her, he still felt some reservation.

Long Xi Yue, bright as ice and snow, naturally understood why Xiao Tianmu had paused, and she said softly: "You three brothers chat; I'll go take a look in the garden."

Zhou Mo said: "No problem."

Hu Xiaotian grasped Long Xi Yue's hand, letting her know she need not avoid them, and she laughed: "Don't worry, I don't even want to hear about these matters."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, summoned Gao Yuan to accompany Long Xi Yue as they went out for a stroll in the garden.

Xiao Tianmu apologetically smiled: "Third brother, I've made things difficult for you as second brother."

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's nothing; Yue isn't that narrow-minded, and in fact it's better that she not hear these things."

Xiao Tianmu continued: "Xue Daoming and his mother, Consort Shu, are dissatisfied with this marriage. Although Princess Anping holds the status of a princess, she is the daughter of the Retired Emperor of Dakang. A coup has occurred within Dakang, and Da Yong is fully aware of it. In this marriage alliance, they mother and son have essentially been played by the Empress; Princess Anping cannot bring Xue Daoming any political benefit, and Xue Daoming strongly opposes this marriage, yet he lacks the power to change the fact of the alliance. I believe the reason you have encountered so many cold receptions since arriving in Yongdu is likely related to this matter; it is probably that they mother and son have deliberately made things difficult for you, perhaps orchestrated by Consort Shu."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, and after Xiao Tianmu said that, his mind became clear.

Xiao Tianmu said: "Third brother, you truly have extraordinary courage and daring; you actually manage to pull off such a heaven‑covering, sea‑crossing deed—aren't you worried the matter will be exposed?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Even if I'm worried, I have to go on; taking some risk for Xiyue is worth it."

Xiao Tianmu said: "Second brother, I have something to say but I don't know whether I should say it or not."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: "Then you'd better not say it; anyway I've already done the deed. Now help me think of a good idea—how we can smoothly resolve this matter and return to Dakang safe and sound."

Two updates delivered, Zhangyu buries his head in typing; people my age who still strive on the web novel front lines are few nowadays. Today, after reaching six hundred Monthly Tickets, four more updates are delivered—you didn't misread, Zhangyu remains as willful as ever, still lacking a couple hundred Monthly Tickets. Brothers and sisters, how about joining me in one wild spree? (To be continued~^~)