Chapter 656

Huo Shengnan said, "Actually, Sir Hu, what you want to do can be achieved through other means; there's no need to attract others' attention this way."

Hu Xiaotian heard the implied meaning in Huo Shengnan's words, lifted his tea cup and took a few sips, which could slow the conversation's pace; he secretly thought, it seems Huo Shengnan has already seen through his purpose in causing trouble at Qichen Palace.

Huo Shengnan said, "When you went to Cien Garden earlier, you could have frankly told the Empress Dowager about your experiences after arriving in Yongdu; why didn't you mention it at all?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "I went to Cien Garden to treat the Empress Dowager's illness, and at that time my identity was a disciple of the Shennong Society; if I told the truth, wouldn't the Empress Dowager suspect I had other motives?"

Huo Shengnan said, "But you will have the opportunity later."

Hu Xiaotian said, "General Huo, to be frank, since our envoy arrived in Yongdu, we have constantly faced cold treatment and endured humiliation; I once thought, Da Yong is a vast nation of propriety, how could it behave like this? Perhaps some matters are merely the work of villains, or perhaps once the Da Yong royal family learns of this, everything could improve. With the intention of not harming relations between the two countries, valuing harmony and practicing forbearance, I never expected that after arriving in Yongdu for many days, not to mention your emperor summoning us, not even a respectable official has come to receive us; may I ask, is this not rude? How could one not be angry?"

Huo Shengnan's brows knit tightly, a look of shame appearing on her lovely face; although these matters were not her doing, from the standpoint of Da Yong, all of this indeed counts as extreme rudeness.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Although the wedding day is still far off, our side can also see that these matters are unusual. I sought out the resident envoy to Da Yong, hoping to honestly tell your emperor through him, but there was no channel for complaint; I also considered telling the Empress Dowager, but later I heard that this series of events might be the doing of Consort Shu and her son, so I hesitated again."

Huo Shengnan said, "Hesitate about what?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "There are too few who uphold justice over kinship in this world; I fear speaking up would be useless."

Huo Shengnan said, "The Empress Dowager is not the kind of person you imagine, Hu Xiaotian. She already knows about your affairs; I have come this time to tell you that from today onward I will take full charge of the security duty at Qichen Palace."

Hu Xiaotian was overjoyed upon hearing this; Huo Shengnan's words meant that the Empress Dowager had already decided to intervene in the wedding matter, but the joy in his heart was fleeting, for Princess Anping is fundamentally an impostor. This matter is not frightening in itself; what is truly frightening is that she is not Zijuan but Xi Yan. Thinking of Xi Yan's purpose in assuming another's identity, Hu Xiaotian felt a chill from the depths of his heart; she is very likely to act against Seventh Prince Xue Daoming, and if she succeeds, Da Yong and Dakang will inevitably become enemies. Thus the outbreak of war is also highly possible; originally Hu Xiaotian simply wanted the Da Yong royal family to look into this matter. Now that he has finally attracted the Empress Dowager's attention, his state of mind has undergone a complete upheaval.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Really?"

Huo Shengnan said, "Why would I deceive you? The Empress Dowager is furious about the poor treatment of your envoy, and has already sent people to investigate; once the instigator of this matter is found, they will surely be severely punished."

Hu Xiaotian said, "General Huo, please convey my thanks to the Empress Dowager."

Huo Shengnan said, "I will personally speak to the Empress Dowager about that; however, I hope Sir Hu can explain what just happened."

Hu Xiaotian, feigning ignorance, said, "I don't know what matter General Huo is referring to."

Huo Shengnan said, "Gathering men and fighting the three Dong brothers in the street—do you think Da Yong has no law?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "General Huo saying that is just bullying me, an outsider; just now it was not I who gathered men to fight the Dong brothers. Rather, the three Dong brothers gathered men and completely surrounded the South Wind Inn, shouting that they wanted to avenge Fang Lianhai. If General Huo had not arrived in time, we would likely have lost nearly a hundred lives from our envoy at their hands."

Huo Shengnan said, "If it weren't for you leading a crowd to cause trouble at Qichen Palace, how would the Dong brothers have gotten an excuse for revenge?"

Hu Xiaotian sighed and said, "After all, it's our own people siding with our own people; since General Huo puts it that way, I have nothing more to say."

Huo Shengnan said, "I have some understanding of your affairs; when your envoy first arrived in Da Yong, including Princess Anping there were only thirty-six people, but now you have nearly a hundred; Sir Hu, could you tell me what you intend by gathering so many men?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "General Huo, our envoy encountered a shipwreck on the Yong River, suffering many casualties and missing persons; later those missing brothers gradually returned, and escorting the princess to Yongdu for the wedding is our duty; General Huo, can you understand my explanation?"

Huo Shengnan said, "Whether I understand or not is irrelevant; not to mention a few hundred followers, even if Sir Hu brought a ten-thousand-strong envoy, in Yongdu it would not stir up any waves." She spoke these words firmly and resolutely.

Hu Xiaotian chuckled and said, "I have led this envoy here for the marriage alliance between our two countries, coming with goodwill; General Huo, do you doubt my sincerity?"

Huo Shengnan said, "After Sir Hu arrived in Yongdu, many things have occurred; it's not that I don't trust Sir Hu, but many events have happened far too coincidentally."

Hu Xiaotian secretly wondered, could it be that they are also blaming the attack by the flying-wing warriors on the blacksmith's shop on me? If that were true, wouldn't I be wronged?

Huo Shengnan said, "The Empress Dowager will personally preside over the wedding of the Seventh Prince and Princess Anping; Sir Hu, you can rest assured."

Hu Xiaotian wore a spring-breeze smile on the surface, but inside he felt utterly tormented; troubles had multiplied, multiplied greatly. Since Empress Dowager Jiang is stepping in, presumably no one will dare to make things difficult for them anymore; however, if they actually send this demoness Xi Yan to marry Seventh Prince Xue Daoming, it would be tantamount to pushing Da Yong and Dakang toward rupture and war. Although Hu Xiaotian normally does not care about so-called state affairs, when state affairs become tightly bound to his own personal interests, he cannot help but consider, cannot help but care; if Xi Yan harms Xue Daoming, that would be digging a pit for himself as well; no matter what, he must prevent this from happening.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian remain silent, Huo Shengnan thought he had other ideas, and softly said, "Sir Hu, if you have any requests, just tell me directly; as long as it is within my ability I will certainly do it for you, and for anything beyond my capacity I will report to the Empress Dowager."

Hu Xiaotian said, "General Huo, if I haven't misunderstood your meaning, from today onward you and your female troops will be responsible for the security of Qichen Palace?"

"Until the marriage in March **." Huo Shengnan lifted her Chazan, took a sip of clear tea, and said, "Therefore Sir Hu need not worry about the princess's safety, nor about your own safety; the Empress Dowager has instructed me to tell Sir Hu that it would be better to move back to reside in Qichen Palace, so that those unaware will not think we Da Yong have neglected your envoy."

Hu Xiaotian snorted coldly in his heart, calling this a case of mending the pen after losing the sheep? Earlier they drove us out, now they want us back—what are we, to be summoned at will and dismissed at will? Hu Xiaotian said, "Thank you for the Empress Dowager's kindness, but we brothers have always been free-spirited; we are already accustomed to living at the South Wind Inn, and it's better to stay there."

Huo Shengnan said, "Sir Hu, do you truly intend to refuse the Empress Dowager's kindness?" Her words were soft yet firm, clearly implying to Hu Xiaotian that regarding Qichen Palace, you must go whether you like it or not.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Since it is the Empress Dowager's wish, it would be disrespectful to refuse; I will turn back and have my brothers pack up……"

Huo Shengnan interrupted him, saying, "Qichen Palace cannot accommodate that many people; I will take full responsibility for Princess Anping's safety, and Sir Hu need not worry."

Hu Xiaotian said, "What does General Huo mean? Are you asking me to let my people just leave like that?" In fact he was eager to disperse most of his warriors back home; saying this was merely a deliberate probe of General Huo's intention.

Huo Shengnan said, "Sir Hu, why would you let others make groundless guesses?"

Hu Xiaotian slowly set down the teacup in his hand, furrowed his brows, showing a troubled expression, and after a while said, "As General Huo said, aside from those who must stay, let the others return first."

Huo Shengnan smiled and said, "Thank you, Sir Hu, for understanding my predicament." She did not know that Hu Xiaotian had already prepared to let most of his men return first; saying this was merely going with the flow, equivalent to Huo Shengnan giving him an excellent excuse—you weren't worried that I would lead my men to cause trouble in Yongdu, were you? Now I show sincerity, letting most people leave first, and you should have nothing left to say.

Hu Xiaotian said, "But after my men leave, if anyone bullies us again, won't I end up crying to heaven with no answer, calling to earth with no gate?"

Huo Shengnan said, "Sir Hu, rest assured; from today onward, whoever dares to provoke you without cause will be crossing me, Huo Shengnan."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "All right, since General Huo has put it this way, I won't say more; I'll make arrangements shortly and head to Qichen Palace as soon as possible."

Huo Shengnan rose with a smile and said, "I should also go to Qichen Palace to take charge of affairs there; Sir Hu, you had better hurry over."

Hu Xiaotian saw Huo Shengnan out the door, and just as he returned to the South Wind Inn, Wu Jinghan came rushing to his face in a panic; since the three Dong brothers led troops to besiege the inn, Wu Jinghan had been frightened out of his wits, his mind already made up—he cared no longer for face, this time he must leave at all costs; although he considered that if the impostor princess's matter were exposed, he might very well face annihilation, yet living one more day is better than none, and he did not want to die unknown in a foreign land; since Hu Xiaotian was willing to bear the responsibility, he naturally welcomed it.

Wu Jinghan, full of worry, said, "How is it? What did General Huo say?"

Two updates delivered, this monthly ticket is also drunk; from yesterday to today there isn't even a single one—is the system malfunctioning, or did Zhangyu misread? Please give a monthly ticket, let Zhangyu escape poverty! (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome you to come.)

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