Hu Xiaotian remembered hearing the Hujia Flute Music again that night at the Red Mountain Guildhall. He had experienced no unusual reaction, and even his companions had been unaffected. Could that have been the Spirit-Calming Pearl's doing? If so, it really was a treasure, and Xue Shengjing had gotten it for nothing.
Xue Shengjing said, "Quite a few things have happened in Yong Capital lately. Wanyan Chixiong, the Fourth Prince of Black Hu, was assassinated. His Majesty hasn't been in a very good mood."
Hu Xiaotian said, "His Majesty will come to Qichen Palace tomorrow to pay his respects to Princess Anping's departed spirit. That will be my only chance to beg for his mercy."
Xue Shengjing said, "If he gives the word, I'll release her!"
"What if His Majesty refuses?"
Xue Shengjing's smile was as pleasant as a spring breeze. "Then I'll give you Huo Xiaoru's corpse."
Looking at Xue Shengjing's seemingly harmless smile, Hu Xiaotian felt a chill run down his spine. This man was unquestionably the most sinister person he had ever encountered. If he could say it, he could do it.
Opportunities always arrived unannounced. That afternoon, Shi Kuan, Commander of the Golden Scale Guards, came to summon him, saying that His Majesty wished to see him. Hu Xiaotian was secretly delighted. He had been fretting over having to wait until tomorrow to see the emperor, only for his chance to arrive now. He followed Shi Kuan to the Diligent Governance Hall, where Xue Shengkang, the emperor of Great Yong, was reviewing memorials.
Hu Xiaotian silently applauded him. Judging by this alone, Xue Shengkang was far wiser than Great Kang's emperor. Long Yelin had long since handed such matters over to Ji Feihua. Come to think of it, Long Yelin had been a pitiful emperor-a puppet