Chapter 678

Xiang Jimin said: "The envoy delegation sent by the Black Hu side was personally invited by the Da Yong emperor, and moreover they were highly regarded by the Da Yong side; according to what I know, the Da Yong emperor not only arranged for Crown Prince Xue Daohong to accompany and receive them throughout, but will also personally meet them today."

Both being envoys of the two countries, likewise representing the two great nations on their visits, but here they have received different treatment; no matter whether from the standard of reception or from the degree of importance attached by the host, they simply cannot be spoken of in the same breath—even Xiang Jimin's heart feels somewhat unsettled.

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought, as the saying goes, a plucked phoenix is no better than a chicken; the declining Dakang, with its sun setting in the west, has long ceased to be seen by Da Yong as an equal opponent—with such national strength, how could it earn others' respect?

During his tenure as an envoy in Yongdu, Ji Min had already seen through the fickleness of human relations and the warmth and coldness of the world; he sighed and said, "A weak state has no diplomacy. Who would have thought that the once-glorious Dakang Empire would have fallen to this state?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "By the way, why didn't you go to the Rising Celestial Palace to find me, but instead chose this place?"

Ji Min sighed and said, "Sir Hu, you may not know, but the Fourth Prince of the Black Hu mistakenly thought you resided with us; this morning he sent his men over to cause trouble, even issuing harsh words, demanding that you, Sir Hu, pay a heavy price."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "Do you think this is Black Hu? Wanyan Chixiong is really arrogant."

Ji Min said, "Sir Hu, you must never let your guard down; the Hu people have always been arrogant and fierce, and once provoked, they will do anything." In Ji Min's view, this place is neither Black Hu nor Dakang; judging from the current situation, the Black Hu people are even more valued by the Da Yong court than they are. If a conflict were to break out between the two sides, it is hard to say whether the Da Yong side would remain absolutely neutral. Even if it could stay neutral, our side would be isolated and weak. Earlier, Wu Jing Shan had already led more than half of the embassy members back on their journey home, yet this time the Black Hu embassy numbers as many as two hundred, including many brave and skilled warriors, making the comparison of forces extremely lopsided.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Thank you for your concern, Sir Ji; I will handle this matter properly."

Ji Min said, "Besides, Sir Hu asked me to arrange an audience with the Da Yong emperor, but we have received no response." Speaking of this, his expression showed considerable helplessness; Hu Xiaotian's party has been in Yongdu for over ten days, yet the Da Yong emperor, Xue Shengkang, has not granted them an audience. In contrast, the Black Hu envoy, Wanyan Chixiong, received an audience from Emperor Xue Shengkang the day after arriving here. Compared like this, how could one not feel chilled?

Hu Xiaotian felt no particular disappointment. Perhaps it's the case of "many lice don't itch, many debts don't worry"; after arriving in Yongdu, the successive cold receptions have made him accustomed to such things, even approaching immunity. Moreover, his situation has improved greatly since his arrival. Not only have the Prince Yan and the Grand Princess successively sought his help, but now even the Empress Dowager personally inquires about Princess Anping's wedding. Everything is moving in a positive direction.

Hu Xiaotian looked outward and saw a familiar figure passing below; although it was only a fleeting glance, he unmistakably recognized the person as Tang Qingxuan.

Tang Qingxuan was dressed in male attire, wearing a bamboo hat on her head and riding a chestnut horse. She was in a hurry, with two men accompanying her.

Hu Xiaotian's heart gave a slight start; those two men were complete strangers, and Tang Tiehan, the eldest son of the Tang family, was not among them. Tang Qingxuan had said earlier that morning she had important business to attend to. Hu Xiaotian had assumed she was going to look for her elder brother, but he never expected to see her here, accompanied by two strangers. In Hu Xiaotian's impression, Tang Qingxuan was the type of big-breasted, brainless character—hot-tempered and simple-minded, lacking awareness of this perilous world, and he had thought she stayed in Yongdu out of loyalty alone. Seeing the scene before him, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help doubting his earlier judgment: could Tang Qingxuan also have her own agenda? Is this girl also a "pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger" type? If so, he had indeed underestimated her.

Hu Xiaotian decided to investigate; after bidding farewell to Ji Min, he went to his mount and pursued the direction Tang Qingxuan had taken. Xiao Hui's hooves were extraordinarily swift, and before long he had caught up with Tang Qingxuan's party.

Hu Xiaotian dared not get too close, fearing Tang Qingxuan would discover his trail. From afar, he saw the three of them enter the East Market of Chaoyun Hui; the East Market is also called the Horse Market, the largest cattle and horse trading market in Yongdu. Hu Xiaotian saw Tang Qingxuan dismount before the largest enclosure, where three Hu people came out to greet her and escorted her into a tent.

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought, Tang Qingxuan almost certainly came here to discuss business; her father, Tang Wen Zheng, is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Transport, and while holding office he hasn't forgotten to seek private gain. The Tang brothers practically monopolize the horse market trade in Kangdu. Hehe, it seems he really underestimated this girl; previously he had thought she stayed in Yongdu out of loyalty to accompany him through life and death, but it turns out she was using official duties as a cover for private profit, hitching a ride on this public assignment to handle her family's business as well. The only puzzle is why she came alone, without Tang Tiehan accompanying her.

Just as Hu Xiaotian was about to leave, he saw someone emerge from the tent—a Hu person who made a gesture. Soon a carriage approached, and then several people walked out of the tent, two of them carrying a bundle. Hu Xiaotian saw the bundle constantly wriggling, clearly containing a person, and among those who emerged there was no sign of Tang Qingxuan. His heart jumped; it was obvious that the person trapped in the bundle was Tang Qingxuan.

The two Hu people shoved Tang Qingxuan into the carriage. The two men who had accompanied her earlier laughed as they walked over to one of the Hu men, took a money pouch from his hand, then clasped their fists in farewell, mounted their horses, and rode off.

Hu Xiaotian now fully understood that Tang Qingxuan had definitely been set up. Although the horse market was bustling with people, no one paid attention to what was happening here. Once everything was arranged, two of the Hu men mounted the carriage, while the others each got on their fine horses; the group galloped out of the market and headed due west.

Hu Xiaotian certainly couldn't just watch Tang Qingxuan be abducted; he made no noise, followed their traces at a distance. Although the distance was great, the target was conspicuous, so he wasn't afraid of losing them. About seven li after leaving Chaoyun Hui, a manor appeared ahead, and the group escorted the carriage into the manor.

Hu Xiaotian went around to the rear of the manor, looking for a secluded spot with no one around. He dismounted, patted Xiao Hui's mane, and leaning close to its long ear said, "Just stay here and graze obediently while I wait; I'll go take a look and be right back."

Xiao Hui seemed to understand his meaning, lowered its head and actually nodded.

Hu Xiaotian silently praised Xiao Hui's spiritual sensitivity. He looked around and saw no one nearby, then boldly climbed over the courtyard wall, using the green willows for cover, and observed the manor's interior. The manor wasn't large—just a standard three‑courtyard layout. After the carriage entered the manor and proceeded straight ahead, it reached the inner courtyard, where five people were already waiting. The leader was short and stout, with a peculiar hairstyle: his skullcap was shaved clean, while the surrounding hair was left long and braided into dozens of thin plaits. From his appearance and attire one could tell he was a Black Hu person.

The four Black Hu warriors behind him were also stalwart and sturdy.

Two Black Hu men lifted the bundle from the carriage and set it on the ground; one of them untied the bundle, and a person rolled out—Tang Qingxuan, her hair disheveled, her face deathly pale, her eyes filled with panic, clearly frightened by the sudden turn of events. Because a wad of white cloth was stuffed in her mouth, she could make no sound.

The short, stout Black Hu man nodded, and a subordinate stepped forward, pulling the white cloth from Tang Qingxuan's mouth. Tang Qingxuan cried out shrilly, "Save me! Save me!"

The surrounding Black Hu men all burst into loud laughter; the short, stout Black Hu man laughed, "Shouting till your throat is raw won't help—no one will come to save you."

Tang Qingxuan glared at the stout man and said, "You had better release me, or else when my older brother and his people come looking, they will certainly not spare you."

The Black Hu man chuckled, "Your older brother? If he is sensible and hands over the *Precious Steed Marvelous Record* willingly, we will return his corpse intact." Several Black Hu men gave a strange laugh together.

By now Tang Qingxuan realized these Black Hu men were certainly not benevolent, and they all came with ulterior motives.

The short, stout Black Hu man made a gesture; the room at the far south of the east side opened, and two Black Hu warriors pushed out Tang Tiehan, who was bound five‑fold. Seeing his sister also captured, Tang Tiehan's eyes nearly burst with rage as he shouted, "Zhapan, you villain! How dare you use such despicable means against us!"

That short, stout Black Hu man was indeed the Black Hu horse merchant Zhapan; he hehe‑laughed, "Tang Tiehan, your younger sister has been brought here by us. Now you had better honestly hand over the *Precious Steed Marvelous Record*. As long as you surrender that book, I swear before Heaven of Longevity to let you and your sibling leave unharmed. Hehe, if not, don't blame me for showing no mercy."

Hu Xiaotian hid in the shade of the trees, secretly wondering, "What is the *Precious Steed Marvelous Record*?" It seemed that today was a case of "an innocent man who carries a jade is guilty of his own crime"; these Black Hu men had set their sights on whatever Tang Tiehan held, and so they used deceit to capture his siblings one after another.

Tang Tiehan said, "I don't have any *Precious Steed Marvelous Record*; how am I to hand it over to you?"

Zhapan said, "Yesterday, when you and I were drinking, you clearly said that your father personally handed the *Precious Steed Marvelous Record* to you; now you deny it. Hehe, never mind—look at your sister, she's as beautiful as a flower and jade; perhaps the item is hidden on her person. I'll have my brothers search her thoroughly." He leered with a lecherous grin, his intention obvious.

Double Monthly Ticket has begun; please, brothers, cast your monthly tickets to help the Medical Union counterattack. (To be continued~^~)