Chapter 741: 【Eating Dry Vinegar】(Lower)

After everyone left, Hu Xiaotian leaned close to Xi Yan's ear and whispered softly, "You actually flirted with a man right in front of me—what do you think I am?"

Xi Yan's beautiful eyes opened a slit, her gaze soft and alluring as she looked at him, a smile blooming on her lovely face: "What kind of sour vinegar are you eating?"

"Not just jealousy, I'm about to burst with rage!" Hu Xiaotian frowned angrily, realizing he was the kind of person who only allows officials to set fires but forbids commoners from lighting lamps—if it were him, being ambiguous with many people would be perfectly natural.

Xi Yan took advantage of his inattention to lightly kiss his cheek, then immediately lay back on the bed, speaking gently: "Don't be angry, I was just acting."

"Does acting require sacrificing one's looks?"

Xi Yan said: "To be honest, Xue Daoming is indeed more handsome than you."

Hu Xiaotian rolled his eyes, looking as if he might faint from anger.

Xi Yan said: "Seeing you jealous makes me really happy."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Pervert!"

Xi Yan said: "You're probably not just jealous; I know what's on your little mind—you're worried I might have taken the chance to strike at Xue Daoming just now."

Hu Xiaotian smiled, then suddenly burst into loud sobs: "Princess…… you died so miserably……"

Xi Yan was startled by this guy; he's really exaggerating—does he want the whole world to know he's dead?

Hu Xiaotian said: "Are you planning to keep pretending to be dead? Lying motionless here isn't that boring?"

Xi Yan said: "You asked to have my remains returned to Dakang; as the weather gradually warms, sending my corpse back to Dakang requires something like the Ice Soul Stabilizing Pearl to prevent decay. As far as I know, such an item exists in the Da Yong imperial palace, and Da Yong should not refuse your request."

Hu Xiaotian said: "You're planning to lie in a coffin all the way back to Dakang?" There's still a problem: if he transports the corpse intact back to Dakang, wouldn't that be entrapping oneself, and once in Dakang he'd still have to face the issue of covering up the truth?

Xi Yan said: "Whether I want to or not, you just follow my orders—I have my own escape plan."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "You've faked death before—are you trying to escape by fire again like last time?"

Xi Yan said: "That's not a bad idea either. Just burning down this Chen Palace—wouldn't the scale be too big?"

Hu Xiaotian didn't linger long inside; he went out to arrange the funeral of Princess Anping.

Xue Daoming did not leave; he stood in the courtyard and shouted: "Where is Huo Shengnan?"

Huo Shengnan bit her cherry lip, walked over slowly, bowed to Xue Daoming and said: "Subordinate Huo Shengnan pays respects to Your Highness!"

Xue Daoming nodded slowly and said: "Good! You've done well. The court entrusted you with protecting Princess Anping, yet you not only failed to live up to that trust but also implicated the princess in her death—what punishment do you deserve?"

Huo Shengnan's face turned pale, but her eyes remained steady and resolute: "I know I have failed the imperial favor; I feel ashamed of the court's trust and am willing to accept any punishment."

Xue Daoming said: "Come! Seize Huo Shengnan and all her subordinates—I will personally interrogate them!"

Outside came the sound of orderly footsteps; Xue Daoming was clearly well prepared this time.

Huo Shengnan said to those behind her: "No one may resist!" She took the lead in removing her hat and sash, then actively bound her hands behind her back.

As Hu Xiaotian went out, he saw Huo Shengnan and the others being arrested; their eyes met. Huo Shengnan gave him a forced smile. Hu Xiaotian felt an inexplicable sourness in his heart—clearly Huo Shengnan is innocent in this matter and unaware of what happened. Yet from her current situation it looks grim; Da Yong must find someone to take the blame, and Huo Shengnan is undoubtedly the most suitable choice. While worrying for her, Hu Xiaotian also realized he is not in a position to intervene now; given Huo Shengnan's background and connections, even if punished it shouldn't be too severe. Neither her foster father Weichi Chong nor Empress Dowager Jiang would ignore it.

Xue Daoming led his soldiers to take away Huo Shengnan and her subordinates.

Although Hu Xiaotian sympathized deeply with Huo Shengnan's plight, as an outsider he cannot meddle in Da Yong's internal affairs; even if he wanted to help Huo Shengnan, it would be futile.

Liu Changsheng and his son watched the scene and could only sigh inwardly; Liu Changsheng and Grand Marshal Weichi Chong are close friends, and Huo Shengnan is Weichi Chong's adopted daughter—he could not stand by idly, so he quietly instructed Liu Yucheng to go immediately to the Grand Marshal's residence to report this.

At the same time, the father and son also bade farewell to Hu Xiaotian; Princess Anping has already passed away, so staying here serves no purpose. Xu Bachuan is likewise—his mission is already complete.

Just as Hu Xiaotian saw them off, Grand Princess Xue Lingjun arrived.

Xue Lingjun came this time to Chen Palace to fetch Hu Xiaotian into the palace, as they had agreed yesterday; upon arrival they learned Princess Anping had already died. Though this had been expected, when the news of the princess's death became reality, Xue Lingjun also felt a dark sorrow in her heart. In fact she had not interacted much with Princess Anping, but she feels so sad because they share the same origin—both born into the imperial family, both facing the same misfortune: she herself became a widow shortly after marriage when her prince consort died suddenly, earning the infamous title of a jinx; while Long Xi Yue suffered a thin fate and little blessing, being assassinated before her wedding day. Xue Lingjun naturally felt moved: being born into royalty may look glamorous on the surface, but it does not guarantee true happiness.

Especially between her and Long Xi Yue, even her own fate is beyond her control—most end up merely as political tools in the end.

Xue Lingjun had thought Hu Xiaotian would refuse to enter the palace, but unexpectedly he said nothing and simply got onto her carriage, then said gloomily: "These matters I must personally explain to the Emperor."

Xue Lingjun nodded, seeing Hu Xiaotian's sorrowful expression, knowing his mood is terrible at the moment; she comforted him softly: "Little Tian brother, since things have already happened, you need not grieve too much—Princess Anping's funeral arrangements still await you."

Hu Xiaotian sighed: "Princess sister, rest assured—I know what to do; it's just that my princess is so innocent—why did she suffer this calamity?"

Xue Lingjun remained silent; she actually had a vague guess about the cause, and she said softly: "Since the princess was murdered in Yongdu, we will certainly investigate thoroughly and catch the true culprit as soon as possible, to comfort her spirit in heaven."

Hu Xiaotian said: "My princess was gentle, virtuous, kind-hearted, and had never offended anyone; with the wedding approaching, she met this disaster—who could be unwilling to see the princess and the prince marry?"

Xue Lingjun said: "Little Tian brother, just mourn and move on; do not believe the baseless rumors circulating outside."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Nowadays, what others say no longer matters—after all, the princess cannot be resurrected."

Before Hu Xiaotian reached the palace, Xue Shengkang had already received the news of Princess Anping's death; this Da Yong emperor also furrowed his brows over it. Shi Kuan reported to him the current situation he had grasped, then stood aside with lowered head, awaiting his orders.

Xue Shengkang reflected for a long time, then sighed: "No matter what, they were murdered in Yongdu—it is my failing toward them." Princess Anping was his future daughter-in-law; yet she was assassinated right under the imperial city walls, under his very eyelids—his reputation naturally suffers. Although with today's national strength there is no need to fear Dakang's retaliation, morally he clearly owes them.

Shi Kuan clasped his fists and said: "Your Majesty, I will certainly investigate this matter thoroughly."

Xue Shengkang slowly shook his head and said: "Long Xi Yue is already dead—how can we investigate? Even if we uncover the truth, the result may not be what I wish to see."

Shi Kuan's heart gave a jolt, then he understood the emperor's meaning: the emperor apparently suspects this incident may be related to internal power struggles within the royal family; if the investigation finally points to a certain royal figure, how would the emperor deal with it? He couldn't help but recall the recent rumors spreading about the Consort Shu and her son being greatly dissatisfied with this marriage alliance, and how Consort Shu had previously taken many actions against the Dakang envoy—could this be connected to them?

Shi Kuan whispered: "Today Consort Shu herself has already gone to visit Princess Anping."

Xue Shengkang nodded and said: "It is time to go."

At this moment a report came from outside: it was Grand Princess Xue Lingjun and Hu Xiaotian arriving together.

Xue Shengkang let them in; Hu Xiaotian came before Xue Shengkang, tears streaming down as he knelt and said: "Your Majesty, Emperor of Da Yong, my princess has been murdered…… I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice for us…… give our princess fairness…… give Dakang fairness……" By then he was already weeping uncontrollably.

Xue Shengkang pressed his lips together and said: "Hu Xiaotian, please rise first; I have already heard of this tragic news, my heart is filled with sorrow—rest assured, I will certainly give you justice for this matter."

Hu Xiaotian then wiped his tears and stood up.

Xue Shengkang had a stool brought for him; for Hu Xiaotian this is already a great honor, not only because he is Dakang's marriage envoy, but also because he once saved Xue Shengkang and cured his acute illness.

Xue Shengkang said: "Hu Xiaotian, the dead cannot be revived; no matter how grieved we are, it is useless. The most important thing now is to properly arrange the princess's funeral. I plan to select a scenic, auspicious burial site in Yongdu for Princess Anping's tomb, to express the grief of all Da Yong." This is also a form of compensation.

Hu Xiaotian shook his head: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but Princess Anping's final wish was to return home for burial—I must honor her last will."

Xue Shengkang secretly thought: returning to one's roots is natural; sending Princess Anping's corpse back to Dakang for burial is also an excellent choice, so he nodded and said: "Since the princess has expressed such a wish, I can only respect her intention."

Fourth update released, all extra chapters fulfilled, thanks to Array's popularity—extra chapters will be posted shortly after completion! Please also vote for monthly tickets—let's see if we can get Zhangyu to bring another update! (To be continued~^~)