Chapter 825

Hu Xiaotian said: "Sir, you flatter me. Zajia, acting on the Emperor's orders to escort the Princess to Yongdu for marriage, is simply doing our duty. I thought that after the Princess's marriage she would live happily ever after, and Dakang and Da Yong would remain forever friendly, but I never expected the Princess to encounter such a sudden calamity in Yongdu..." Saying this, he wore a look of sorrow, lowered the cup he had raised. Although he had not claimed credit, he also did not shirk responsibility; for this mission alone, it could be considered satisfactorily completed. As for Princess Anping's death, it occurred after arriving in Yongdu, and Da Yong should bear full responsibility.

Zhao Dengyun said: "It is said that Da Yong General Huo Shengnan, out of jealousy and hatred, killed Princess Anping."

After Princess Anping was assassinated, Da Yong announced the investigation results to the public; now it is known throughout the world.

Hu Xiaotian said: "The assassins who killed the Princess were all executed on the spot, only Huo Shengnan has fled and her whereabouts are unknown."

Zhao Wusheng beside him said: "This Huo Shengnan is Da Yong's foremost female general, who once earned great military merits for Da Yong, yet no one expected her heart to be so vicious as to dare plot against Princess Anping."

Zhao Dengyun sighed and said: "The Princess was kind-hearted, yet her fate was cruel; she ended up in such a miserable state—just thinking about it makes one feel sorrowful."

Zhao Wusheng, filled with grief and indignation, said: "If I were to capture that Huo Shengnan, I would surely cut her into a thousand pieces to relieve my hatred."

Hu Xiaotian silently sneered, "You're just talking; if you really dared to act against Shengnan, I, old man, would be the first not to let you off." However, Zhao Wusheng is probably not simple; since Ji Feihua values him no less than me, he originally had him meet me here and secretly tampered, making him the true culprit behind the ship's sinking. Hu Xiaotian is wary of Zhao Wusheng, for this person likely knows that Wen Bohuan's death is related to me. He raised the cup before him, drank a cup, and said: "Since the event has happened, it cannot be undone. Zajia now only wishes to swiftly escort the Princess Anping's ashes back to Kangdu to report to the Emperor; no matter how the Emperor blames me, Zajia will have no resentment."

Zhao Dengyun said: "It wasn't that Minister of Rites Wu also accompanied Hu Xiaotian on the mission, so why is it that only Hu Xiaotian returned?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "This is hard to explain in a few words; I will clarify it to the Emperor when we return to the capital." The implication is that you, Zhao Dengyun, are not qualified to know this matter. Moreover, I have already sent Wu Jing-shan and others back to Dakang ahead of time. From Zhao Dengyun's question, it appears Wu Jing-shan may still not have reached Wuxing County, or may have arrived but dared not show himself publicly; Wu Jing-shan is exceedingly crafty, and before the situation becomes clear he may conceal his identity, withdraw from public view, and quietly wait for my news.

Zhao Dengyun said: "Does Hu Xiaotian still not know?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Know what?"

Zhao Dengyun slowly set down the cup in his hand and said: "Something major has happened in the capital!"

Hu Xiaotian's greatest concern was this matter; he eagerly hoped Zhao Dengyun would bring it up, so he feigned anxiety and asked: "What major affair?"

Zhao Dengyun lowered his voice and said: "The Emperor has gone mad!"

Hu Xiaotian had long known this news, so he was not surprised, yet he put on an expression of extreme concern: "How could this happen? How could this happen!"

Zhao Dengyun said: "It's not that he fell ill; he was harmed by someone."

Hu Xiaotian sucked in a breath of cold air and said: "What person dares to be so bold as to plot against the Emperor?"

Zhao Dengyun said: "Who else? Besides that wolf-hearted, ambitious eunuch Ji Feihua, who else would have such audacity?"

Hu Xiaotian's heart sank; Zhao Dengyun openly insulted Ji Feihua to his face—if Ji Feihua were not in trouble, he would never have the audacity to do so. Recalling the news he heard yesterday on the merchant ship's deck, a terrible premonition arose in his mind. Could Ji Feihua truly have met with misfortune? In Hu Xiaotian's mind, Ji Feihua had always been an almost invincible presence, not only because he possessed martial arts that had reached perfection, but also because he had a mind as cunning as a demon and ruthless, blood‑stained tactics; dealing with such a person is never easy.

After Zhao Dengyun finished uttering those words, he furtively glanced at Hu Xiaotian's expression from the corner of his eye. He had insulted Ji Feihua as a eunuch, and Hu Xiaotian is also a eunuch; moreover, almost everyone knows that Hu Xiaotian is a trusted aide of Ji Feihua, and his appointment as Deputy Envoy for the Marriage Mission came solely because Ji Feihua personally recommended him—Ji Feihua is Hu Xiaotian's backing. Now that backing has collapsed; let's see where this little eunuch will go from here.

Hu Xiaotian's complexion was indeed poor, and there was no point in hiding it; feigning calm was meaningless. He pursed his lips and said: "Commander, what do you mean?"

Zhao Dengyun smiled and said: "Everyone says Hu Xiaotian is adept at handling all sides in the palace, which is why he can navigate smoothly; having entered the palace only a short time ago, he stands out, gaining not only Ji Feihua's trust but also the Emperor's deep trust—don't you still not understand what I mean?" His words were not flattery but clearly carried a mocking tone.

Zhao Wusheng said: "Ji Feihua plotted rebellion; fortunately the Empress and the Crown Prince detected it in time and joined forces with senior officials to crush his scheme. Now Ji Feihua has been beheaded outside the Meridian Gate and displayed publicly as a warning."

Hu Xiaotian now could confirm Ji Feihua's defeat, yet he still could not believe Ji Feihua would die so easily, nor could he imagine losing to Empress Jian and Long Ting-sheng. Hu Xiaotian said: "As long as the Emperor is safe, that's good!" At this moment his thoughts were in turmoil; Ji Feihua, whom he regarded as the ultimate stronghold, had fallen so suddenly, and this news completely overturned his previously laid‑out response plan. If Ji Feihua truly died, his own future would be uncertain, and returning to Kangdu he did not know what fate awaited him. Thinking of this, he lost the desire to drink, gave a perfunctory reply, and rose to leave.

Zhao Dengyun also did not detain him; he coldly watched Hu Xiaotian's retreating figure, downed the wine in his cup in one gulp, then slammed the empty cup heavily onto the stone table and said to Zhao Wusheng: "Do not let him leave Wuxing alive!"

"Yes!" Zhao Wusheng exclaimed, then recalled another matter: "But the Princess's ashes are still in his hands."

Zhao Dengyun said indifferently: "What difficulty is there? Just say I wish to keep vigil for the Princess for one night to fulfill my duty as a subject; I expect he will not refuse."

Zhao Wusheng said: "Uncle, your plan is indeed excellent; we will have people lie in wait in the memorial hall beforehand, and as soon as he places the ashes down, we will move to seize him."

Zhao Dengyun nodded, the corner of his mouth curling into a faint cold smile.

Huo Shengnan saw Hu Xiaotian return so early and also felt a bit curious, saying softly: "How come you're back so quickly? Didn't you stay to drink a few more cups with your colleagues?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "The situation seems off; we must leave at once!"

"What?" Huo Shengnan felt deeply puzzled, but since Hu Xiaotian had made such a decision he must have his reasons, and immediately began packing his belongings.

While Huo Shengnan was packing, he already heard dense footsteps outside the door; Hu Xiaotian's heart jolted—he did not expect them to arrive so quickly, and he inwardly fumed. Zhao Dengyun is also a two‑faced villain; just moments ago they were drinking together in harmony, and now he would turn on him. Could it be because of Ji Feihua? Perhaps they intend to seize him as an accomplice of Ji Feihua and hand him over to the court for reward. Judging by the footsteps outside, at least twenty people lie in ambush around the courtyard.

Zhao Dengyun still underestimated himself, thinking he was merely a eunuch with no strength to truss a chicken.

Having returned to the room, Huo Shengnan had already finished packing his gear: "How is the situation?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "The outside has already been surrounded."

Huo Shengnan said: "At worst we'll fight our way out!"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head, inwardly musing that Zhao Dengyun was strange indeed; even if I were Ji Feihua's confidant, he would have no need to act against me, especially since I still hold the title of Dakang's Envoy for the Marriage Mission and carry Princess Anping's ashes—could it be merely to demonstrate loyalty to the court?

At this moment a knocking sound suddenly came from outside, and Zhao Wusheng's voice was heard asking: "Is Hu Xiaotian in?"

Hu Xiaotian's heart jumped; he did not expect Zhao Wusheng to dare come over, thinking he truly believed Hu Xiaotian had no awareness of the outside commotion. He gave Huo Shengnan a look, rose, and went outside again, opening the door—only to see Zhao Wusheng smiling there.

Zhao Wusheng clasped his fists and said: "It's really rude to disturb Hu Xiaotian's rest this late."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Zajia usually stays up late, so it's not a disturbance; I don't know what General Zhao wants from me."

Zhao Wusheng said: "The Commander has specially set up a memorial hall in his manor to house the Princess's ashes; the Princess's spirit has come to Wuxing County, and as a subject it is only proper to keep vigil for the Princess—I hope Hu Xiaotian will consent."

Hu Xiaotian understood his meaning—this was a demand for Princess Anping's ashes; once they were taken, he could act against Hu Xiaotian without restraint. He inwardly sneered, preparing to refuse.

But then Zhao Wusheng sent a mental transmission: "Hu Xiaotian, Zhao Dengyun wants to kill you!"

Hu Xiaotian's heart startled; he locked eyes with Zhao Wusheng, who did not flinch from his piercing gaze, and spoke frankly: "He is acting on the commission of the Grand Tutor Wen Chenghuan, to kill you on your return journey. Following his orders I have already placed twenty archers in ambush outside; Hu Xiaotian, do not panic—he will not act yet. If you deliver the Princess Anping's ashes to the memorial hall, he will personally receive them; that moment will be your best chance to seize him, and taking him hostage while he is unprepared will give you a chance to escape Wuxing County."

Hu Xiaotian replied via mental transmission: "Why are you helping me?"

Zhao Wusheng said: "Lord Ji Feihua once saved my life; I will tell you the details later. The garrison of Wuxing County numbers fifty thousand troops; unless you capture Zhao Dengyun, the two of you alone have absolutely no chance of escaping."

Hu Xiaotian still felt some hesitation, wondering whether Zhao Wusheng might be deliberately setting a trap to numb him.

Zhao Wusheng said: "Time is running out; now all four gates of Wuxing County are shut, and every major road leading out of the Commander's manor is completely sealed—there's nothing more I can do."

Hu Xiaotian pursed his lips; half‑hearted hesitation brings only chaos. If Zhao Wusheng wanted to set a trap, he wouldn't need to come in person so troublesomely; his coming alone means Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan together have a full chance to seize him and use him as a hostage. He then nodded and said: "All right, I'll go with you!" (To be continued~^~)