Chapter 704

Wanyan Chixiong turned his head back, gazing at the handsome man before him with a jade-like face, sword-browed and bright-eyed, Seventh Prince Xue Daoming not only had outstanding appearance but also excelled in both civil and military affairs, deeply favored by his father, and at a young age had already become the Da Yong Navy Admiral, repeatedly earning military merit; his prestige among the many princes was the highest.

Xue Daoming always gave the impression of being refined and courteous, a modest gentleman, warm and smooth like jade; he clasped his fists in salute and said, 'Brother Wanyan, you've been waiting long.'

Wanyan Chixiong laughed heartily and said, 'It's because I arrived early that's right!'

Xue Daoming came to stand beside him, gazing into the distance, and said softly, 'Brother Wanyan, what do you need from me?'

Wanyan Chixiong chose to meet here, evidently to avoid prying eyes; although they had met a few times before, they were not close. This time, Wanyan Chixiong's visit to Da Yong was accompanied throughout by the Eldest Prince, and Xue Daoming had not yet met him alone.

Wanyan Chixiong handed Xue Daoming a painting; as Xue Daoming slowly unfurled it, he saw depicted on the scroll a foreign beauty, her eyebrows and eyes like a painting, her skin whiter than snow, her robes flowing, her bare feet unshod, her toes delicate as flower petals. Though merely a painting, it already stirred hearts and souls; Xue Daoming secretly sighed, never expecting such a peerless beauty among the foreign tribes.

Wanyan Chixiong said, 'This is my youngest sister, Xima, the most beautiful maiden among the three hundred and seventy-two tribes on both banks of the Manbo'erjin River.'

Xue Daoming laughed.

Wanyan Chixiong said, 'Originally I came here also with the purpose of arranging a marriage for my sister, but I didn't expect that Seventh Prince Your Highness had already been betrothed; what a pity.'

Xue Daoming smiled and said, 'Thank you, Brother Wanyan, for your kindness, but marriage is a major matter that must follow parental arrangements.' Whenever he thought of this, a feeling of melancholy inevitably arose in his heart.

Wanyan Chixiong said, 'I heard that the bride you are to marry is Princess Anping of Dakang?'

Xue Daoming nodded; this matter is known throughout the world.

Wanyan Chixiong said: "Da Yong isn't about to launch a major southern invasion, is it?"

Xue Daoming laughed and said: "Brother Wanyan, where did you get this news? I don't know anything about it. Where did you hear it from?" Although the emperor never explicitly said he would use troops against Dakang, everything he is doing now clearly prepares for an invasion of Dakang; otherwise, how could he set aside his dignity to make peace with the Black Hu, their age-old hostile neighbor? For this reason, Xue Daoming is even more puzzled about the emperor's intention in having him marry Princess Anping. Once war breaks out between the two states, as the Navy Commander, his fleet will inevitably become the main force crossing the Yong River to attack Dakang's northern regions—then how will he face Princess Anping, who has already become his wife?

Wanyan Chixiong said: "I just don't understand why your emperor would have his son marry a princess of a doomed state? It might benefit Da Yong somewhat, but for Your Highness the Seventh Prince, there is absolutely no benefit!"

Xue Daoming said warily: "Brother Wanyan, what are you trying to say?"

Wanyan Chixiong said: "Before I came, my father the Khan entrusted me to propose marriage to the Fourth Prince, but only after arriving did I learn that the Fourth Prince already has someone in his heart; treat this as if I never said anything."

Xue Daoming felt his heart surge. To him, this marriage alliance with Dakang held no benefit whatsoever; no matter how talented and beautiful Princess Anping might be, in Dakang she is merely a faded princess, and besides, Dakang's days until its fall are few. Once the capital is gone, what princess would remain? Since childhood, Xue Daoming has aspired to stand out among his siblings; his efforts and hardships surpass anyone's, and he has remained unmarried precisely to seize this opportunity to gain a powerful backer and support, laying a solid foundation for his future bid for the throne. Yet the emperor's decision has ruined his plans, and Xue Daoming knows there are complex reasons behind it. The empress played a key role, doing everything possible to curb his growing strength, lest he one day threaten the position of the Eldest Prince, Xue Daohong.

The beauty portrait that Wanyan Chixiong produced is indeed moving, but what truly moved Xue Daoming was not Xima's appearance; rather, it was her identity and status—a powerful Black Hu and a declining Dakang; even a fool would know which to choose.

Xue Daoming said softly: "Brother Wanyan, have you mentioned this to my father the emperor?"

A faint smile appeared on Wanyan Chixiong's lips; Xue Daoming's words fully revealed his thoughts—the rumor is true, Xue Daoming is indeed dissatisfied with this marriage. Wanyan Chixiong said: "No! Given the current situation, how could I bring it up? My sister would never agree to be a concubine for someone else!"

Xue Daoming said: "May I keep this portrait with me for now?"

Wanyan Chixiong nodded and said: "It was originally intended as a gift for the Fourth Prince."

At the Jingguo Duke's residence, Li Chen Zhou and the Eldest Prince Xue Daohong sat opposite each other; the outcome of the chess game before them had already been decided. Xue Daohong laughed and said: "Chen Zhou, Chen Zhou, when will you let me win a game?"

Li Chen Zhou smiled: "Your Highness, it's not that you cannot win; you simply have no interest here. I see only the chessboard before me and thus focus, while Your Highness concerns yourself with the whole world!"

Xue Daohong laughed, shook his head, lifted his Chazan and took a sip of tea, then said softly: "Tomorrow is the day of the duel between Qiu Mubai and Hu Xiaotian."

Li Chen Zhou said: "What does Your Highness think?"

Xue Daohong laughed: "I'm an outsider; my opinion doesn't matter."

Li Chen Zhou said: "Just now I received news that the Seventh Prince will go to the Plucking Stars Tower tonight to meet with Wanyan Chixiong."

"Oh?" Xue Daohong furrowed his brow, thought for a moment, rose, and walked slowly to the window, gazing at the moon outside, his expression shifting: "What did they say?"

Li Chen Zhou said: "Wanyan Chixiong gave the Seventh Prince a portrait."

Xue Daohong nodded, did not continue questioning, lifted his head and turned his gaze back to the clear, round moon, looking for a while before saying: "Who do you think will win tomorrow?"

Li Chen Zhou said: "In terms of martial skill, Qiu Mubai's victory should be beyond doubt, but I have a feeling that Hu Xiaotian may not lose."

Xue Daohong turned away, looking at Li Chen Zhou somewhat strangely; this statement is indeed somewhat contradictory.

Li Chen Zhou himself laughed: "Since the day I met Hu Xiaotian, he has constantly created miracles, turning danger into safety time and again, reversing fate over and over."

Xue Daohong said with feeling: "Indeed, even I can't figure out how he managed to connect with my Imperial Uncle and Imperial Princesses; now even the Empress Dowager sings his praises nonstop."

Li Chen Zhou said: "Perhaps tomorrow's turning point lies within the imperial household."

Xue Daohong said: "You mean someone from our imperial family will help him?" He had already guessed in his heart who Li Chen Zhou meant—Hu Xiaotian had recently become acquainted with his uncle, Prince Yan Xue Shengjing, and they had even sworn brotherhood despite different surnames; this matter has become a laughingstock in Yongdu City.

Li Chen Zhou said: "Just my feeling, without any basis."

Xue Daohong sat back down beside him and said: "Consort Shu is extremely dissatisfied with this marriage alliance; she has caused a scene countless times before the emperor. Although the Seventh Prince doesn't say it outright, I know he is certainly unwilling in his heart."

Li Chen Zhou sighed inwardly; imperial marriages are never simple—they concern not just two people but a person's future and destiny. Although he and Xue Daohong are close friends, matters of the imperial household are still somewhat sensitive, so Li Chen Zhou did not speak up.

Xue Daohong said: "I never even imagined that Qiu Mubai would challenge Hu Xiaotian to a duel."

Li Chen Zhou said: "He and Hu Xiaotian previously had no grudge."

Xue Daohong nodded: "Someone must be pulling strings behind the scenes; this duel has a mastermind's direction."

Li Chen Zhou and Xue Daohong exchanged a meaningful glance; a name simultaneously surfaced in their minds: Dong Bingtai, the elder brother of Consort Shu, Minister of Personnel of Da Yong, who shares a close relationship with Qiu Xian'guang, Sect Leader of the Sword Palace. Qiu Mubai had proposed a duel to Dakang over the marriage matter, yet as Sect Leader of the Sword Palace, Qiu Xian'guang has not declared his stance—this amounts to a certain degree of tacit approval. It seems the Dong family is orchestrating this, handling through the Sword Palace the inconvenient tasks they themselves cannot undertake.

Li Chen Zhou said: "I've heard that Qiu Mubai is determined to kill Hu Xiaotian."

Xue Daohong snorted coldly: "Hu Xiaotian was brought out of the palace by Princess Anping; they share deep feelings. If he dies, Princess Anping will surely be heartbroken."

Li Chen Zhou said: "The wedding is still a few days away; who knows what changes may occur?"

Xue Daohong said softly: "You mean they dare to kill even Princess Anping?"

Li Chen Zhou said: "I don't know how they would do it, but one thing I am certain of: if Princess Anping dies, everyone will suspect Consort Shu and her son. The emperor despises nothing more than ruthless ambition for the throne; if he also thinks that way..."

Xue Daohong chuckled, patted Li Chen Zhou on the shoulder and said: "Having your assistance is truly my great fortune!" Fortunately, Li Chen Zhou stands by his side; if he supported his seventh brother instead, Xue Daohong would feel a chill from the depths of his heart, for then his hope of ascending the throne would come to nothing.

Li Chen Zhou said: "So many Black Hu warriors have died; they will surely not let it rest and will likely continue their investigation."

Xue Daohong furrowed his brows and said: "This is really strange; could there have been a leak somewhere? How come they haven't pointed their finger at the Sword Palace?"

Li Chen Zhou smiled: "Your Highness, don't be anxious; the Sword Palace is willing to act as the Dong family's vanguard, for they fail to see the situation clearly. If Hu Xiaotian encounters any trouble, the emperor will not stand idly by; as long as one is willing to investigate, there's no worry about failing to uncover who is pulling the strings. Let the matter blow up; when the Dong family is harried and exhausted, we will then make public the reasons behind the successive killings of the Black Hu warriors, and see how they respond."

Only one day left until the Double Monthly Ticket ends; please cast your Monthly Ticket during the Double Period! (To be continued~^~)