Chapter 661

I go! Hu Xiaotian really was somewhat speechless; this lass is indeed a Tang family person, single‑minded! Still, I feel somewhat moved—no matter the era, feisty girls who value righteousness are rare. Hu Xiaotian said: "I appreciate your good intentions, but I still hope you can leave first. To put it bluntly, your staying won't help me much."

Tang Qingxuan said: "I'm not staying for you; if I left like that, I'd never be able to live with my conscience. Though I'm no important figure, I must act in a way that I can face my own conscience. Don't try to persuade me—if we go, we go together; if we die, we die together. I will never leave alone."

Hu Xiaotian said: "What's this, Tang Qingxuan? We don't exactly have that deep a relationship, do you? Why would you go this far for me?"

Tang Qingxuan said: "I'm certainly not doing this for you!"

At that moment, Xiong Tianba's voice came from outside the door—it was Huo Shengnan sending people to fetch them to the Rising Sovereign Palace.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'll tell you one last time—you must leave."

Tang Qingxuan said: "I'll also tell you one last time—if you force me to go, I'll spill the secret of Princess Anping; then we'll see what you do."

"Uh… you… you wouldn't actually do something so foolish, would you?"

Tang Qingxuan looked at Hu Xiaotian and nodded: "Once I've made up my mind, I don't care about right or wrong—you figure it out yourself."

Hu Xiaotian felt a bit regretful; when a smart person meets a single‑minded individual, there's not much to do. Forget it, let her have her way—after all, I've already done my duty; it's up to you whether you stay or go.

Hu Xiaotian thought it over and tried to keep the entourage to the Rising Sovereign Palace as small as possible, since Xi Yan didn't need protection—her demonic nature meant that as long as she didn't hurt anyone, it was fine. Who could harm her? He had Zhou Mo and the others stay at the Nanfeng Inn, taking only Liang Yinghao with him. First, so someone could relay information when needed; second, Liang Yinghao was exceptionally skilled at digging tunnels, and Hu Xiaotian brought him along to see if they could dig an escape tunnel from inside the Rising Sovereign Palace.

Tang Qingxuan, however, insisted on coming along. Hu Xiaotian guessed she wasn't ready to give up—she wanted to see Princess Anping with her own eyes before backing down—so he had no choice but to agree.

Hu Xiaotian's party arrived outside the Rising Sovereign Palace just as Cao Xi was leading his men in withdrawal. Hu Xiaotian greeted him with a smiling bow and said, "Commander Cao, are you leaving already?"

Cao Xi returned the salute with a laugh: "Sir Hu, I've received the transfer order. Effective today I'm no longer responsible for affairs here at the Rising Sovereign Palace. Earlier, I was merely doing my duty; if I offended you in any way, I hope you won't hold it against me." Times change, and Cao Xi was not only highly skilled in martial arts but also quick‑witted. His speech was proper, making Hu Xiaotian look at him in a new light.

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Farewell, Commander Cao—we'll meet again by river and hill, and next time we'll be friends." He wasn't saying this to provoke hatred. There was no need for him and Cao Xi to be opponents; even if they couldn't become friends, there was no need to become enemies either.

Cao Xi gestured for his men to step to the side of the road, letting Hu Xiaotian go first.

The station chief in front of the Rising Sovereign Palace, leading a few couriers, stood waiting. Seeing Hu Xiaotian's party approach, he hurriedly bowed and said respectfully, "Officer welcoming the envoy and his party." The bruise on his face had not yet faded, but his attitude toward Hu Xiaotian was now worlds apart from before. Hu Xiaotian felt a surge of pride, dismounted, clasped his hands behind his back, strode forward with head held high, glanced at the man's face, then burst out laughing and entered the palace gate with confident steps.

Upon entering the Rising Sovereign Palace, Hu Xiaotian didn't see Huo Shengnan, so he asked the female officer on duty: "General Huo isn't here?"

That female officer was Huo Shengnan's most capable aide, Yang Xuan, who smiled: "General Huo was summoned early this morning by the princess for a chat."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, recalling Xi Yan's unfathomable abilities, and a uneasy feeling crept over him—what monstrous scheme was this demoness conjuring now? It was too late for regrets; he could only steel himself and go along with her game.

Yang Xuan said: "How about I first show you to your quarters, Sir Hu?"

"All right!" Hu Xiaotian, accompanied by Tang Qingxuan and Liang Yinghao, went to the place arranged for them—actually the very courtyard he had moved out of earlier, still located in the outer garden, some distance from the inner palace where Princess Anping resided.

Yang Xuan said: "We originally prepared ten rooms for your delegation, but it looks like we won't need nearly that many." The fact that Hu Xiaotian's party numbered only three was clearly beyond everyone's expectations.

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Each extra person means more expense for hospitality. Although Da Yong and Dakang are allied by marriage, I couldn't bear to let us freeload."

Huo Shengnan's voice came from afar: "Sir Hu, you seriously underestimate Yong's national strength—even if you ate your fill in Yongdu for a lifetime, we could still afford it." She entered in long strides, dressed in a dark‑green martial outfit, heroic and vigorous, truly possessing the spirit of a heroine who lets no man outshine her.

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "General Huo, you're generous, but even if you can afford it, I must return home—there's nothing like the moon over one's homeland, and living as a dependent in a foreign land is hardly pleasant."

Huo Shengnan gave a slight smile, signaled her attendants to help with the arrangements, and Hu Xiaotian gave Tang Qingxuan and Liang Yinghao a glance, indicating they should step aside.

Huo Shengnan's beautiful eyes swept over Liang Yinghao and Tang Qingxuan's faces, noticing that none of the men who had clashed with the three Dong brothers earlier that day were present. She said softly: "Sir Hu, are these the only two members left of your delegation?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "It took Yong considerable effort to treat us with courtesy, and as the saying goes, 'return a peach for a plum.' I've thought it over—since the wedding is still far off, we can't keep freeloading indefinitely, and besides, my subordinates aren't exactly obedient. So I had most of them accompany Minister Wu back to Dakang first, to bring news of our safe arrival in Yong and spare the emperor any worry."

Huo Shengnan smiled: "Minister Wu didn't come—quite a surprise."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Minister Wu is up there in years; this journey has been bumpy and frightening, and he even worried he might die abroad. Sending him home early is only proper."

Huo Shengnan said: "Actually, the princess values you most of all, Sir Hu—just your presence is enough."

Hu Xiaotian felt his scalp tingle. "Xi Yan, Xi Yan, what scheme are you hatching now? Did I owe you in a past life? You keep opposing me again and again." Though he muttered to himself, his face remained all smiles: "To be so highly regarded by the princess is truly an honor."

Huo Shengnan said: "Go see the princess in the inner palace first—she asked that you come see her right away upon arrival."

Hu Xiaotian entered the inner garden and saw Xi Yan seated there, admiring the flowers. In fact, the moment he stepped into the garden, Xi Yan had already sensed his arrival; the corner of her mouth curled into an intoxicating smile, and for a moment her presence was utterly captivating. Seeing her, Hu Xiaotian silently cursed his own obtuseness—though one could fake her looks, her bearing and grace could not be feigned. That smile made the whole garden's blossoms seem colorless; having accompanied her all the way from the Yong River, he still hadn't recognized her. How clueless! How clueless!

Hu Xiaotian stood about a zhang behind Xi Yan, bowed deeply, and said respectfully: "Xiaotian pays his respects to the Princess, may she live ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"

Xi Yan said: "'Ten thousand years'? That would be wishing me to become an old woman! Hu Xiaotian, Hu Xiaotian, what exactly is your intention?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I harbor no ulterior motive—only loyalty. My heart burns with fervor for the Princess, and my loyalty is pure and true."

Xi Yan let out a giggle, slowly turned her body, and fixed her beautiful eyes on Hu Xiaotian's face, her autumnal gaze swirling with countless charms. Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, "Good grief, this witch is extraordinary; thankfully my willpower is strong—otherwise anyone else would be bewitched into abandoning all principles, and even if she sold them out, they'd go along willingly."

Xi Yan asked: "Are you afraid of me, or do you dislike me? Why do you keep your distance?"

Hu Xiaotian had no choice but to step forward and, using voice transmission, warned her: "Don't forget that walls have ears—our every move is being watched. If we slip up, we could lose our lives."

Xi Yan floated him a seductive glance and said softly: "What's there to fear? I've driven them all away. The princess had thought you'd stopped caring about my fate, but I never expected you to still be concerned for me."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Good to know."

Xi Yan rose, swaying gracefully toward the chambers, and Hu Xiaotian followed closely behind, quietly scanning the surroundings. Seeing no one tailing them, he finally relaxed a little.

Back in the chambers, Xi Yan sat sideways on the beauty's couch, her lovely eyes fixed on the window, and she murmured: "Little bearded one, how many people have come today?"

Hu Xiaotian replied: "Your Highness, besides me there are two others."

Xi Yan said: "It looks like you've prepared for the worst case—you've sent away everyone who needed to go."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I've heard the princess doesn't care about anyone else—you hold only me in highest regard."

Xi Yan sighed: "That used to be true, but unfortunately I still hold affection for others, while they don't appreciate it."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Where does the princess get that idea? If we put ourselves in each other's shoes, I've treasured every kindness you've shown me deep in my heart."

Xi Yan said: "Really?" Her smile vanished instantly. "Then why don't you let her take my place? To watch me be forced into marrying that… whatever Seventh Prince?"

"Uh…" Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, "I never tried to make you marry the Seventh Prince. It's obvious you're impersonating Ziju, intending to harm Seventh Prince Xue Daoming, thereby provoking a conflict between the two states—and yet you still act as if you're wholly in the right. No wonder they say there's no reasoning with women."

Xi Yan grew angrier the more she spoke, then suddenly reached out and seized Hu Xiaotian's ear, gripping it fiercely. In pain he yelled: "Let go… ow, it kills me… let go…" (To be continued…^~^)】