Chapter 792

Hu Xiaotian recalled that night at the Red Mountain Guild Hall when he heard the huji sound again; he had no abnormal reaction, and even his companions were not disturbed by the huji sound. Could it be the effect of the Stabilizing Spirit Pearl? If so, it's a treasure, and it cheaply benefited Xue Shengjing.

Xue Shengjing said: "Recently, many things have happened in Yongdu; the Black Hu Fourth Prince, Wanyan Chixiong, was assassinated, and the Emperor's mood has not been good lately."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Tomorrow the Emperor will come to the Qichen Palace to make offerings for Princess Anping's spirit; I want to beg the Emperor for mercy, and this is the only chance."

Xue Shengjing said: "He speaks, I release the person!"

"What if the Emperor refuses to agree?"

Xue Shengjing smiled like a spring breeze: "Then I will send Huo Xiaoru's corpse to you."

Looking at Xue Shengjing's harmless smile, Hu Xiaotian felt a chill; this person is absolutely the most sinister he has ever encountered, and since he said it, he can do it.

Opportunities often arrive unnoticed; that afternoon, the commander of the Jinlin Guard, Shi Kuan, came to summon him, saying the Emperor wanted to see him. Hu Xiaotian secretly rejoiced, having been worried he wouldn't see the Emperor until tomorrow; unexpectedly, the opportunity came just then. Following Shi Kuan, he arrived at the Diligent Governance Hall, where the Yong Emperor, Xue Shengkang, was reviewing memorials.

Hu Xiaotian secretly praised, from this point alone Xue Shengkang is far wiser than the Dakang Emperor; Long Yelin has long delegated such matters to Ji Feihua; thinking of Long Yelin's emperor's performance, it's pitiful, a mere puppet, all affairs controlled by Ji Feihua, and now he has even been driven from the throne, his fate worse than his father's.

Xue Shengkang set down the memorial in his hand, glanced at Hu Xiaotian's face, and said: "You've come!"

Hu Xiaotian dropped to his knees and said: "Hu Xiaotian pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

Xue Shengkang, with a pleasant expression, said: "Please rise!"

Hu Xiaotian rose and respectfully said: "I do not know why Your Majesty has summoned me; what are your orders?"

Xue Shengkang said: "If I recall correctly, tomorrow is the seventh day after Princess Anping's passing, right?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Yes! Thank you for your trouble, Your Majesty!"

Xue Shengkang said: "I originally intended to go personally to make offerings for Princess Anping, but Daoist Gu calculated a divination for me. I am not suited to go there, otherwise I would disturb the princess's spirit."

Hu Xiaotian secretly cursed, "Old slickster, if you don't want to go, just say so; why bring up some Daoist Gu? You never believed in fate before, nor after, but now you suddenly start believing in it. If you fear disturbing the spirit, why did you personally escort Wanyan Chixiong's corpse out of Yongdu? This is blatant favoritism, thinking our Dakang nation is weak and looking down on us."

Xue Shengkang said: "However, tomorrow the Virtuous Consort and the Eldest Princess will personally come to the Qichen Palace to see off Princess Anping."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Many thanks for the Emperor's boundless grace; I am deeply grateful. I am filled with awe and trepidation."

Xue Shengkang said: "Princess Anping was assassinated in Yong; I feel deeply remorseful, so I have specially prepared some burial objects."

Hu Xiaotian said: "No one wishes for such a thing to happen to the princess; I only ask the Emperor to investigate this matter thoroughly, so that her spirit may rest in peace; as for the burial objects, they are of little importance."

Xue Shengkang said: "It has been ascertained that Huo Shengnan, motivated by jealousy and hatred, plotted to murder Princess Anping; I have ordered a thorough investigation of all personnel related to this case. Once confirmed, they will surely be severely punished without mercy."

Hu Xiaotian secretly sighed. Huo Shengnan is doomed to bear this black pot; not only does she bear the blame for plotting to murder Princess Anping and the Black Hu Fourth Prince, but she has also been falsely accused of secretly loving the Seventh Prince, Xue Daoming. If Huo Shengnan learned of all this, she would likely be driven mad with anger. Moreover, her sisters in the female army are also unlucky; Xue Shengkang will probably not let those poor female soldiers off easily.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your discerning eye."

Xue Shengkang said: "After much thought, I feel I have always owed Dakang too much regarding Princess Anping's affair; I intend to cede the land of Dongliang Jun as compensation to Dakang, which can also be considered my recompense for her death."

Hu Xiaotian thought he must have misheard; Xue Shengkang actually gave them a city. Dongliang Jun had originally belonged to Dakang, but was seized by Yong ten years ago, after which Yong had essentially eradicated all Dakang influence north of the river. When they fought over that city, both sides suffered heavy losses; it is unexpected that Xue Shengkang would return the city they had seized at great sacrifice. What kind of bargain is this in the world? What could he be planning?

Hu Xiaotian naturally doubted Xue Shengkang's motives; there's no such thing as a free pie falling from the sky in broad daylight.

Xue Shengkang said: "I intend to have Li Senzhou make another trip, personally escorting you back to Dakang."

Upon hearing the name Li Senzhou, Hu Xiaotian felt a headache; Li Senzhou is extremely shrewd, and if he were in charge of escorting me, there would surely be many inconveniences. Moreover, Huo Shengnan must accompany me out of Yongdu; does she have the myriad transformations of Xi Yan? If she slips up, the consequences would be unthinkable. Thinking this, Hu Xiaotian hurriedly said: "Please, Your Majesty, withdraw your order."

Xue Shengkang frowned slightly: "Why?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I petition Your Majesty; this time I am escorting Princess Anping's ashes back to Dakang, hoping for a light and simple journey, the lower the profile the better. Your Majesty's gifts and the escort, though well-intentioned, will inevitably draw attention; if someone harbors designs, would that not be trouble?"

Xue Shengkang understood his meaning: "You mean you want to leave Yongdu quietly, trying not to attract outsiders' attention?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Xue Shengkang said: "Your thinking is not without reason; since that's the case, do as you say."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xue Shengkang said: "Actually, escorting Princess Anping's ashes back can be delegated to others. Hu Xiaotian, have you considered that returning to Dakang this time might also involve facing some blame?"

Hu Xiaotian had certainly considered this; although Princess Anping's death is unrelated to him, he cannot guarantee that returning to Kangdu will not incur punishment from the court; everything still depends on Ji Feihua's attitude. Hu Xiaotian does not worry about losing his head over this; at least for now he sees himself as a meritorious official, and Ji Feihua should have no reason to kill him. Yet why would Xue Shengkang bring this up? How could he show such concern for his future situation? Hu Xiaotian said: "No matter what punishment I face upon returning, I can accept it."

Xue Shengkang said: "If you do not wish to leave, you may stay; I can let you serve in the Imperial Medical Institute, and even set up a medical clinic, recruiting many disciples to promote your medical skills." Xue Shengkang is a remarkable figure of his generation; he greatly appreciates Hu Xiaotian's medical skill, believing that if it were popularized, it could not only cure diseases and save lives but also play a huge role in future wars, treating the wounded and greatly increasing our side's survival rate, hence he offered such tempting terms.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Many thanks for Your Majesty's esteem, but my parents and family are all in Kangdu; I truly cannot leave." Previously, Xue Shengkang had also suggested he stay, and Hu Xiaotian again declined.

Seeing that he still did not wish to stay, Xue Shengkang did not press further, and softly said: "Since your heart lies with Dakang, I will not make things difficult for you; no matter when you change your mind in the future, there will always be a place for you in my Imperial Medical Institute."

Hu Xiaotian made a deep bow: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xue Shengkang smiled: "You need not thank me; it is I who should say thanks, and I still owe you a favor."

Hu Xiaotian was about to bring this up; now he happened to have an excellent opportunity to speak, and he respectfully said: "Your Majesty, I now wish to use this favor."

Xue Shengkang was quite surprised, uttering an "oh," his mind inevitably filled with doubt; Hu Xiaotian finally agreed to use this favor, but he did not know what conditions Hu Xiaotian would propose to embarrass him. As a sovereign, his words cannot be retracted; he nodded and said: "What conditions do you have? Let's hear them."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I wish to beg Your Majesty to release a person!" He then explained the matter of Huo Xiaoru.

After hearing this, Xue Shengkang furrowed his brows; he never expected Hu Xiaotian to make such a request. Although Huo Xiaoru was merely a dancer, she had once attempted to assassinate his younger brother; releasing her would seem unfair to that brother. Xue Shengkang said: "Do you not know what crime Huo Xiaoru has committed?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "I know; for this reason I specially went to the Prince Yan's manor, and the prince has already investigated the matter to its root. Huo Xiaoru was controlled by someone using a soul-bewitching technique or similar, which caused her to commit such a heinous act."

Xue Shengkang said: "If it is truly as you say, Huo Xiaoru could be considered excusable." He paced slowly two steps and said: "I grant you a silver dragon gold medal; take it to the Prince Yan and see if he will extend this favor to you."

Hu Xiaotian was overjoyed, dropped to his knees, and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Xue Shengkang handed him a silver dragon gold medal, speaking meaningfully: "Although I do not know what relation Huo Xiaoru has to you, spending one of my favors on a woman seems rather uneconomical." In fact, it is precisely such a trivial request that Xue Shengkang would agree to; if Hu Xiaotian made an excessive demand, Xue Shengkang would certainly not entertain it.

After leaving the palace, Hu Xiaotian went straight to the Prince Yan's manor; Xue Shengjing had thought the Emperor might not grant Hu Xiaotian this favor, but he never expected Hu Xiaotian to actually persuade the Emperor. He took the silver dragon gold medal, examined it back and forth twice, confirmed it was genuine, then nodded and said: "The Emperor treats you quite well."

Hu Xiaotian smiled, cupped his hands, and said: "Elder brother, I have fulfilled the three conditions you set."

Xue Shengjing chuckled: "Not bad, you indeed did."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Now is the time for elder brother to make good on his promise."

Xue Shengjing smacked his lips: "If you hadn't mentioned it, I almost would have forgotten."

Hu Xiaotian felt a chill inside; could this fellow be going back on his word?

Please give the guaranteed monthly ticket! (To be continued~^~)