Chapter 719

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Xiaotian really doesn't want anything; it would be better if the Emperor promises to owe me a reward, and when I think of something later I'll come to the Emperor for it."

Xue Shengkang laughed and said, "You really have guts, daring to propose such a condition in front of me; you're the first."

Hu Xiaotian said, "The Emperor is a wise ruler, naturally he wouldn't bother with someone as insignificant as me."

Xue Shengkang said, "Hearing you call the Emperor a wise ruler makes me feel relieved; you also worked in the Dakang Imperial Palace before—in your eyes, who is wiser, me or the ruler of Dakang?"

Hu Xiaotian gave a bitter smile and said, "Your Majesty has given me a huge problem; I can only choose not to answer."

Xue Shengkang said, "Not answering is fine; I heard you are the son of Hu, the Minister of Revenue of Dakang. Your father made countless contributions to Dakang back then, yet ended up like this—what do you feel about that?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Your Majesty's questions keep getting sharper; I can only keep pretending to be mute."

Xue Shengkang smiled and said, "Don't be afraid; I greatly appreciate you. If you're willing, I'll keep you in Da Yong to work, letting you head the Imperial Medical Bureau—how about that?"

Hu Xiaotian said with trepidation, "Your Majesty truly thinks highly of me; Xiaotian lacks virtue and ability, how could I dare take on such an important responsibility?"

Xue Shengkang said, "I never judge people by background or experience when employing them; I value ability. As long as you have ability, I'll give you the chance to display your talents and ambitions. The fact that Da Yong has reached its present state is somewhat related to my skill in recognizing and employing talent." He felt quite pleased with himself in this regard.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. After the Princess and the Seventh Prince's wedding, I will return to Kangdu to report back."

Xue Shengkang said, "I know you're worried about your parents in Kangdu. Don't worry; as long as I speak, they should grant me this favor and send your parents safely to Da Yong."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Your Majesty, I know my parents well; they would rather die than leave their homeland. As their son, I must obey their wishes."

Xue Shengkang nodded, feeling moved, and said, "Many filial sons come from humble origins!"

Hu Xiaotian silently protested. Nonsense! I was also a second-generation official back then; our Hu family is also a prominent clan in Dakang, not some lowly family. But thinking about it, in Xue Shengkang's eyes everyone under heaven is a commoner—he'd probably look down on even the Dakang Long family, let alone my own family.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Your Majesty, your situation has stabilized now. I've been out for a while; I'd like to return to Qichen Palace to check on things, so the Princess and others won't worry."

Xue Shengkang said, "That works. Let Shi Kuan send you back. By the way, you should know what to do about this, right?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured—I completely don't remember what happened last night."

Xue Shengkang smiled and nodded; Hu Xiaotian is indeed clever and quick-witted.

When Hu Xiaotian returned to Qichen Palace, it was already noon. Zhou Mo and the others were all waiting eagerly for his arrival. Although everyone knew Hu Xiaotian had been summoned to the palace, no one dared to rashly go look for him, and no one knew what had happened. If it weren't for Huo Shengnan comforting them that nothing would happen, Xiong Tianba would have been ready to charge into the Imperial Palace to rescue him.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian finally arrive, Xiong Tianba was so happy he couldn't stop grinning. He had been waiting at the entrance outside Qichen Palace, so as soon as Hu Xiaotian came back, he spotted him right away, accompanied him back, and chattered, "Uncle Hu, my master and the others are frantic, afraid you'll be harmed by them."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Nonsense? I'm not an important figure—what would they gain by harming me?"

As the two talked, they had already reached the outside of Qichen Palace. Zhou Mo heard the voice and came out, smiling, "It's good you're back; the Princess has been looking for you many times since last night, saying there's an urgent matter."

Hu Xiaotian said, "I'll go see her right away!"

Xi Yan was also quite concerned about where Hu Xiaotian went last night. When he arrived, her beautiful eyes stared at him coldly, as if she wanted to see through his body straight to his heart.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Xiaotian pays his respects, Princess!"

Xi Yan let out a cold snort and continued to glare at him fiercely.

Hu Xiaotian finally felt a bit uncomfortable, gave a dry cough and said, "Even if I'm a little more handsome than most people, you don't have to stare so blatantly, do you?"

Xi Yan said, "Hu Xiaotian, Hu Xiaotian, you sly devil, just how many things are you hiding from me?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "I'm hiding it from you because I'm afraid you'll worry. A real man swallows his broken teeth outside, then comes home and puts on a brave face for his wife. A man like me is hard to find even with a lantern."

Xi Yan laughed through gritted teeth, "Indeed you can't be found, because you're not a man at all!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "That's too hurtful."

"Your swordsmanship is not bad; you actually managed to defeat the junior sect master of the Sword Palace, Qiu Mubai."

Hu Xiaotian said, "The news is still pretty well-informed. I thought you'd be stuck in this Qichen Palace all day, your brain turned to mush, but you're still as sharp as ever."

Xi Yan asked, "Where did you go last night?"

"'It's best not to ask where a man goes when he's out entertaining women!'"

Xi Yan's eyebrows knitted in anger, she was almost lunging forward to tear Hu Xiaotian apart alive.

Hu Xiaotian quickly put on a smile and said, "Speaking of which, when the time comes we should congratulate the Princess, congratulate the Princess."

Seeing this guy change his face so quickly, Xi Yan grew even more furious, her teeth itching: "Speak up if you have something to say, spit it out if you have a fart—don't beat around the bush here."

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "You're really rough, but I like it!"

Xi Yan said, "Then I'll have to be more refined from now on—I'll disdain doing anything you like."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Last night I entered the palace and saw the Emperor. The Emperor approves of your marriage to the Seventh Prince very much, and even said he would personally preside over your wedding."

Xi Yan whispered, "Are you really in such a hurry to get me married off?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "You've been plotting and changing your appearance—isn't it all for this day?"

Xi Yan said, "If he dares to come preside over the wedding, I'll kill two birds with one stone and take out both him and his son at once!"

Hu Xiaotian stuck out his tongue in fright: "Are you trying to drive me to desperation?"

Seeing Hu Xiaotian look startled and afraid, a sudden inexplicable delight welled up in Xi Yan's heart, and she couldn't help but break into a giggle.

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, "I've already told you everything I needed to say; if you still insist on moving against Xue Daoming, don't blame me for abandoning loyalty—for the safety of myself, my family, and my friends, I'll have to resort to extreme measures against you."

Xi Yan fixed her beautiful eyes on Hu Xiaotian's and asked, "What are you thinking right now? Are you wondering if, because I'm stubborn, you'll have to find a way to deal with me, refusing to let me have my way?"

Hu Xiaotian whispered, "There's some truth to the saying that a wife knows her husband best."

"'You want to kill me?' Xi Yan's beautiful eyes flashed with icy cold."

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "I'd hate to do that, but if you push me too far, I'll slip you some love potion, then secretly smuggle you out, cripple your martial arts, and make you spend the rest of your life honestly at my side as a female slave I boss around—serving me meals and clothes, holding an umbrella for me in the rain, fanning me in the heat, warming my feet in winter..."

Xi Yan cut off his daydream, "You want to drug me? Do you even have the ability? But you've reminded me—I could totally do that to you!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Can't we two stop always scheming against each other? At a time like this, we should really be presenting a united front."

Xi Yan said, "As for the Dakang situation, you really haven't lied to me."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Why would I bother lying to you? You've been unkind to me, but I can't be unjust toward you."

"'That actually sounds kind of moving, Hu Xiaotian. If I don't marry Xue Daoming, what will you have to show for it then?'"

Hu Xiaotian said, "You've changed your mind?"

Xi Yan said, "After thinking it over, killing Xue Daoming would be pointless; it would be more meaningful to kill that Black Hu Fourth Prince. Seeing you beg me so pathetically, I'll take pity on you and help you out."

Hu Xiaotian said, "You want to kill Wanyan Chixiong?"

Xi Yan gave a sweet smile, leaning close to his ear: "It's not me who will kill; you must kill! As long as you kill Wanyan Chixiong before my wedding, I promise not to kill Xue Daoming, and I will willingly marry as Princess Anping to help you finish this mission perfectly. What do you say?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "I feel like you're still trying to screw me over."

Xi Yan said, "I haven't denied you a chance. Simply put, if you kill Wanyan Chixiong, we can talk about anything. If you can't get this done before the wedding, don't blame me for showing no mercy."

Hu Xiaotian said, "After saying all the nice things to you, we still end up like this, proving you don't care about me at all." He clenched his right fist against his chest, anguished, and said: "Do you know how heartbroken I am?"

Xi Yan looked at him coquettishly and said, "Seeing you heartbroken makes me happy."

Pervert!

Xi Yan's threat didn't put much psychological pressure on Hu Xiaotian. He thought her intellect was no less than his own; he had already laid out the situation in detail for her, and she must have done some investigation. If she insisted on getting rid of Xue Daoming, the harm would extend beyond Dakang to the Xichuan Li clan as well. Although he didn't know her connection to the Li clan, one thing was certain: Xi Yan would inevitably consider the matter from the perspective of the Xichuan Li clan's interests.

The fact that she could just now threaten him to kill Wanyan Chixiong shows her original plan has begun to loosen; she should realize that killing Xue Daoming offers no advantage to the Xichuan Li clan.

That afternoon, Empress Dowager Jiang personally came to Qichen Palace; her arrival naturally caused a stir throughout the palace, the retinue was not small, with a hundred Golden Scale Guards escorting her. Huo Shengnan and Hu Xiaotian went together to the palace gates to receive her; beforehand, Huo Shengnan had arranged his men to block the several routes leading to Qichen Palace to prevent any mishap. (To be continued~^~)