After Hu Xiaotian and Murong Zhan respectfully saw Qiqi off, they exchanged a glance. This was their first meeting since they had traveled to Western Sichuan together as envoys.
Under the starlight, Murong Zhan's face was deathly pale, and his gray-white eyes gleamed coldly. "After we parted in Western Prefecture, where did you go, Your Highness? I worried about you for quite some time before hearing that you had returned safely. I never expected to see you again so soon in Kang Capital."
Hu Xiaotian smiled. "Are you disappointed to see me alive, Commander Murong?"
Murong Zhan's white brows furrowed. "What do you mean by that, Your Highness?"
Hu Xiaotian burst out laughing. "I was only joking. Don't take it seriously, Commander Murong." After returning from the Five Immortals Cult Headquarters, he had learned many of Murong Zhan's secrets from Granny Shadow-secrets even Murong Zhan himself did not know. Hu Xiaotian was deeply suspicious of him. Every indication suggested that Murong Zhan was very likely colluding with Hu Buwei. Hu Xiaotian had probed him several times before, but Murong Zhan was so calculating that he had revealed few flaws, leaving Hu Xiaotian unable to obtain any solid evidence.
"It's late," Murong Zhan said. "You should return and rest early, Your Highness." He did not wish to speak with Hu Xiaotian alone.
But Hu Xiaotian said, "There's no hurry. Have you heard anything from Feiyan lately, Commander Murong?"
At this renewed mention of his daughter, displeasure immediately surfaced on Murong Zhan's face.
"A great deal has happened in the Fragrant Kingdom lately," Hu Xiaotian said. "As far as I know, Hu Buwei now holds the real power."
Murong Zhan naturally understood what he meant. Hu Buwei had effectively seized control of the Fragrant Kingdom. Empress Dowager Long Xuanjiao had been stripped