Long Xiyue gazed at Qin Yutong with a trace of sadness, unable to understand why such a gulf had opened between them.
Qin Yutong lowered her eyes and said softly, "Hu Xiaotian is wild and unruly. It is time someone reined him in properly. Why don't you marry him, Your Highness?"
At the mention of marriage, Long Xiyue's pretty face immediately flushed. Of course she had thought about it, but back in the Fragrant Kingdom, she had publicly told Empress Dowager Long Xuanjiao that she would observe three years of mourning for her father.
Qin Yutong said, "Everyone in this world is selfish. Your kindness and gentleness may become an excuse for others to indulge themselves, Your Highness."
Long Xiyue shook her head. "No. Xiaotian wouldn't. He would never betray me."
Qin Yutong let out a melancholy sigh. "Forget it. Some things aren't mine to say, and some matters aren't mine to question."
Long Xiyue blinked her beautiful eyes and looked at Qin Yutong, asking quietly, "Why can't we go back to the way things used to be?"
Qin Yutong said, "Because neither of us is who we used to be!"
Meanwhile, the pressure on Hu Xiaotian continued to mount. Not only was Great Yong constantly reinforcing the Nanyang Water Fortress, but Great Kang had also begun to move. While strengthening the defenses of the seven cities surrounding Cloud Marsh, they had dispatched ten thousand troops to Yangquan, the city closest to White Spring City. Rumors that Great Kang and Great Yong had formed an alliance to wipe out Hu Xiaotian together were spreading among the people like bamboo shoots after the rain.
Hu Xiaotian sent men to keep close watch on his opponents while ordering troops on all fronts to heighten their vigilance and stand ready to aid one