In just a few short days, first Princess Anping of Great Kang had been assassinated, and then the Fourth Prince of Black Hu had met the same fate. What schemes and struggles lay behind this string of assassinations? Heavy clouds of suspicion hung over the hearts of many in the Yong Capital.
While some rejoiced, others grieved. Wanyan Chixiong's death left the Black Hu people stricken with sorrow and cast a pall over most people of Great Yong, who feared the retaliation it might bring. Yet many from Great Kang were wild with joy. Xiang Jimin was one of them. When he brought the news to Hu Xiaotian, he could not even conceal his delight.
Although Hu Xiaotian had returned safely to Qichen Palace, he was still deeply uneasy. He had taken every precaution the previous night, but he did not know whether Dong Tianjiang and Zong Tang had escaped safely. Even if they had, Zong Tang was one thing, but would Dong Tianjiang expose him out of humiliation and anger? The possibility was slim. After all, Dong Tianjiang was no fool. Exposing Hu Xiaotian would amount to admitting that they were the ones who had sneaked into the Red Mountain Guildhall the night before.
After informing Hu Xiaotian of Wanyan Chixiong's death, Xiang Jimin noticed that he showed no reaction at all to this tremendous piece of good news. Puzzled, he asked, "Lord Hu, have you already heard?"
"Heard what?" Hu Xiaotian asked. His mind had been wandering, and he had not taken in a single word Xiang Jimin had said.
Xiang Jimin did not know whether to laugh or cry. Lowering his voice, he said, "Wanyan Chixiong is dead."
"So what?"
Hu Xiaotian's indifferent response dampened Xiang Jimin's enthusiasm. "His death means Black Hu and Great Yong won't