Chapter 752

Hu Xiaotian said: "Elder brother, I can tell what's important and what's not. You and the bear kid go first to meet with Zhan Peng and the others; no need to wait for me, directly take the sea route back to Dakang."

Zhou Mo said: "When are you leaving?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "If nothing unexpected happens, in seven days I will bring the princess's ashes back by land. Because of these recent events, the Da Yong side will likely go all out on etiquette, and will definitely send people to escort along the way."

Zhou Mo

Hu Xiaotian said: "Regardless of who, you don't need to worry about safety on this route."

Zhou Mo smiled and said: "Even if you go back alone, you don't need to worry. Although your martial arts haven't reached perfection, your skill at escaping is such that even I can't match you."

Rising Emperor Palace

It's not sarcasm; I've always spoken the truth.

Rising Dawn Palace, though gloomy and miserable, Hu Xiaotian's heart was bright and sunny. Having come all the way from Kangdu, experiencing countless twists and turns, only now has he basically resolved the troubles. He eliminated Wen Boyuan on the Yong River, smoothly completing the task given by Ji Feihua, and using the substitute-a-peach-for-a-plum stratagem, allowed Long Xi Yue to escape calmly. Now the final problem is also solved, and Xi Yan once again used the great feign-death trick to deceive heaven and cross the sea. Hu Xiaotian's greatest joy is that the incident occurred in Yongdu, so he does not have to bear too much responsibility.

Since the bloody battle at the Red Mountain Club, Xi Yan has not appeared again. Zhou Mo, following Hu Xiaotian's wishes, left Yongdu early together with Xiong Tianba, and thus Hu Xiaotian became completely a lone person.

From that day on, Seventh Prince Xue Daoming stayed at the Rising Dawn Palace to guard the Princess Anping's spirit, and his household warriors completely took over the palace's security. General Dong and the Tiger Standard Battalion were also transferred away; it is said that the superiors have already begun investigating the incident that occurred that night at the Red Mountain Club.

Xue Daoming's utmost devotion and sagacity spread throughout Yongdu in a short time, because he personally guarded the Princess Anping's spirit. Over the past two days, mourners have come in an endless stream, making the Rising Dawn Palace bustling like a market. Minister of Rites Sun Weiyuan also remained at the Rising Dawn Palace, not leaving; each day he was responsible for receiving and seeing off visitors, handling the Princess Anping's posthumous affairs.

Consort Dong Shu specially summoned eighteen eminent monks from the Da Yong Precious Enlightenment Temple to chant scriptures day and night, to perform liberation rites for the Princess Long Xi Yue's soul. One could say the princess's funeral was conducted with great pomp and splendor, even more elaborate than that of ordinary imperial family members.

Although Hu Xiaotian was supposed to be in charge of presiding over the funeral, he ended up with nothing to do. At first he wandered around the memorial hall trying to find a sense of presence, but soon he realized that although this was the funeral of Princess Anping, no one paid attention to his presence; almost everyone who came to offer condolences was there for Seventh Prince Xue Daoming. His existence merely added a bit of scenery.

After a while, Hu Xiaotian naturally felt bored, so he simply returned to his small residence to enjoy some peace, preferring to sleep rather than go to the front to join the bustle.

The Dakang envoy Xi Jimin also spent these days helping out at the Rising Dawn Palace and did not leave; he probably encountered the same situation as Hu Xiaotian, but he lacked Hu Xiaotian's nonchalance. Outside, he had been kneeling for most of the day, and only with difficulty found a gap to come to Hu Xiaotian's residence.

Seventh Prince Xue Daoming

Xi Jimin exclaimed in astonishment: "Sir Hu, what are you doing?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "It rained for several days straight. Finally the sun came out; it's really a shame not to bask in such good sunshine."

Xi Jimin said: "Sir, you should stay in a cool, shady place. Don't let your skin peel off from sun exposure; even if you get tanned, it's not good."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm doing it on purpose; getting tanned is good, sirs. Getting a wheat-colored complexion gives off a masculine vigor; that's called sunbathing."

Xi Jimin didn't understand what sunbathing was, but hearing Hu Xiaotian's words he secretly chuckled, "Sirs? A eunuch also dares to call himself sirs? Without that thing, you probably could never become a real man in this lifetime."

Xi Jimin moved a small stool to sit beside Hu Xiaotian, straightened his legs, and said: "I've been kneeling these past two days; I'm exhausted."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: "Just endure a bit more hardship; our Dakang side needs someone to show up, after all."

Xi Jimin complained: "Actually, it's only proper for us to show up for the Princess Anping's passing, but now it's entirely them handling things; we simply can't get a word in edgewise."

Hu Xiaotian said: "The Da Yong side this time also did its best; it's offering an unprecedented level of courtesy."

Xi Jimin whispered: "It's not anything else; they feel guilty toward our Dakang, thinking they owe us, so they're making amends this way."

Commander of the Female Army

Xi Jimin said: "People cannot be brought back to life; treating the princess well while she was alive is far better than putting on a show of sympathy after her death." From the standpoint of Dakang, watching these Yong people's performance, he really felt somewhat resentful.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Just bear with it; they seek peace of mind, we seek appearances. They went to great trouble to give us this huge favor; we can't refuse it. With this, the Zajia can return and have something to report."

Xi Jimin said: "But the murderer still hasn't been found."

Hu Xiaotian said: "The three who conspired to murder the princess have already been executed; as for the mastermind behind them, ferreting them out is probably not that easy. What news have you heard lately?"

Xi Jimin said: "I've heard that Huo Shengnan has been removed from her post as Commander of the Daughter's Army and is now detained by the Ministry of Justice; rumor has it she may face severe punishment."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Impossible, she is after all the adopted daughter of Grand Marshal Yuchi and deeply favored by the Empress Dowager; who would dare move against her? Moreover, at most the Rising Dawn Palace affair counts as a bit of negligence on her part, and she was unaware of the plans of Yang Xuan and the others."

Xi Jimin said: "Sir Hu, why bother speaking for her? Whether she lives or dies is none of our concern; the Da Yong side will surely have to give our Dakang an explanation, and will definitely push someone to take the blame. I think Huo Shengnan is almost certainly that unlucky fellow."

Hu Xiaotian was half-believing, half-doubting, after all he had personally seen the Empress Dowager's favor toward Huo Shengnan, Weichi Chong had rendered unparalleled service to Da Yong, and no matter how ruthless Xue Shengkang was, he would not go too far. Recalling Huo Shengnan's past kindness to him, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help feeling a twinge of guilt; if Huo Shengnan were to be severely punished over the Qixing Palace matter, he too would share the blame. He drew a breath, rose from the recliner, and lazily changed the subject: "Any news from Kangdu?"

Xiang Jimin said, "The princess's matter has already been reported; I expect Dakang will hear soon, but even if they do, what can they do? The emperor is now muddled-minded; who would attend to the princess's affairs?" As a resident envoy stationed in Yongdu, Xiang Jimin understood the situation of both countries better than most; one was waning, the other flourishing, and deep down he had long seen Dakang's fate—its downfall was merely a matter of time.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Life is just a play; when you finish your act, I take the stage. We officials can't change anything—we merely accompany others in their performance, watching their show."

Xiang Jimin's heart jolted; looking at Hu Xiaotian, his eyes showed admiration. He never expected someone so young to possess such insight.

At that moment someone came in to report—it was Prince Yan Xue Shengjing coming to offer condolences; he was Hu Xiaotian's sworn elder brother. Hu Xiaotian thought he should go greet him, so he put on his mourning robes and, together with Xiang Jimin, went to the memorial hall.

Prince Yan Xue Shengjing was offering incense; after incense at the spirit tablet, he also comforted the Seventh Prince Xue Daoming a few words. These past days, Xue Daoming has entirely taken on the role of the deceased's family, treating Princess Anping as if she were his late wife, to the extent that Hu Xiaotian has no place left in the memorial hall.

Prince Yan Xue Shengjing's visit to offer condolences at the Qixing Palace was also for his nephew's sake; he and Princess Anping had essentially no connection, and if one had to point to a link, it would be his sworn brother Hu Xiaotian. In Xue Shengjing's view, Xue Daoming's recent display of deep affection and righteousness was nothing more than putting on an act before people; from this one can see that this young man's scheming is far deeper than he imagined, yet the more so, the stranger it seems to Xue Shengjing—if he could stage today's scene, why did he earlier make things difficult for the Dakang envoy at every turn? Could it be that Xue Daoming knows nothing of those prior events? Is it all merely the scheme of Consort Dong Shu?

Xue Shengjing left the memorial hall, and just then saw Hu Xiaotian standing in the courtyard, dressed in mourning robes, wearing a grim face under the sunlight.

Xue Shengjing strode over and took Hu Xiaotian's hands; although Hu Xiaotian had no particular cleanliness obsession, he still resisted shaking hands with this veteran sufferer of a venereal disease, and finding it hard to refuse in front of everyone, he pursed his lips, wearing an expression of inexplicable grief: "Big brother has come……"

Xue Shengjing feigned concern: "Brother Xiao Tian, you must restrain your grief and adapt to change."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Things are already like this anyway; what good would feeling more sorrow do?"

Xue Shengjing nodded: "Actually, elder brother has long wanted to come visit you, but because there were some matters at home that kept me tied up, I delayed until today; you won't blame me, will you?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "How could I? That big brother can come has already filled my heart with mixed feelings."

At this moment many Da Yong officials came one after another; seeing Prince Yan, they hurried over to fawn on him. Xue Shengjing gave a perfunctory reply, then lowered his voice to Hu Xiaotian: "Brother, I have something I'd like to say to you alone."

Hu Xiaotian brought him to the courtyard where he lived, and the two sat down in the pavilion.

Xue Shengjing said, "These past two days, brother must have been quite hard-pressed, right?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head: "Not at all; anyway, we have our nephew holding down the fort there, so I'm not only not suffering hardship—I practically have nothing to do, simply idling away in leisure."

First Update delivered; today we continue to explode, two updates guaranteed, fifty extra chapters for an additional chapter! (To be continued~^~)