Chapter 884: Side Story: Xia Hongming and Tang Huaixiao 3
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
This sounded ridiculous, but it was precisely this that troubled him.
He could not imagine the feeling of waking up another person in his body who had nothing to do with him. He could not imagine that in a short period of time, that person had fallen in love with a woman.
Even if he did not know that woman’s appearance at all, he still had a strange feeling. He could even dream of her and even want to protect her.
He knew that the other person living in his body was called Shi Jiu, and Shi Jiu and Tang Huaixiao met during the transition between autumn and winter handover.
Xia Hongming took a deep breath, still unable to suppress the frustration and anger in his heart.
The imperial physicians could not answer Xia Hongming’s question, so they could only remain silent.
Accompanying the emperor was like accompanying a tiger. What if they said things they shouldn’t and accidentally angered Xia Hongming?
Although Xia Hongming was a wise ruler and did not kill wantonly, who knew what would happen when he lost his mind?
Xia Hongming waved his hand angrily. “All of you can leave.”
Only Imperial Physician Hu, who was performing acupuncture on Xia Hongming, stayed.
Xia Hongming instructed the eunuch, “Go and invite the Prime Minister over. I have something to discuss with him.”
The eunuch left.
The news of Xia Hongming having a mental illness quickly spread in the palace.
Xian Fei came to see him in a hurry, along with the empress.
The empress was chosen by Xian Fei for Xia Hongming. The empress governed the harem well. Xia Hongming and she respected each other.
However, at this moment, Xia Hongming did not want to see the empress, so he didn’t even look at her.
The empress was smart and immediately understood. She said sensibly, “I’m worried about you, Your Majesty. I’m relieved to see that you’re fine. Then I’ll take my leave first. If there’s anything I can do, just tell me.”
Xia Hongming nodded.
Xian Fei nodded at the empress, who turned around and left.
Xian Fei was already the empress dowager. After Xia Bingguang abdicated, she moved out of the palace with him to live a carefree life. Xia Hongming was her son and the current emperor. He was not feeling well, so Xian Fei naturally had to come back and see him.
Now that there was only the mother and son left, Xian Fei said, “Hongming, what is causing your mental illness? Don’t hide it in your heart. Tell me. Tell me and we’ll think of a way to cure it together.”
Xia Hongming said helplessly, “Mother, I think it’s due to what happened while I was on the run that year.”
Xian Fei was shocked. “How can that be?”
Xia Hongming pondered. “What exactly happened during that period of time? I haven’t figured it out yet. Even Miss Liu didn’t tell me the full story. I only know that Shi Jiu likes that woman very much, but I don’t know anything about what happened between him and that woman. After Shi Jiu left my body, I would still dream of that masked woman standing on the high wall and looking into the distance.”
“She’s not as petite as an ordinary woman. She’s almost as tall as me.”
Xia Hongming felt a headache coming on as he pondered. “Two years ago, I started dreaming about her. From then on, autumn and winter became torture to me.”
Xia Hongming was too embarrassed to say that he even dreamed of kissing that woman. He was so excited and happy that his heart seemed to be about to jump out of his chest.
He had never experienced such a feeling before.
To put it in an exaggerated way, he even felt that he was willing to give the entire world to her.
It was as passionate as a burning fire.
However, Xia Hongming knew very well that that was not his feeling. That was Shi Jiu’s.
Xian Fei looked at her worried son and suggested, “I didn’t expect that this is what is causing your mental illness. Why don’t I let that woman enter the palace to accompany you?”
Xia Hongming thought of Tang Huaixiao and felt uncertain. “Mother, she’s very different. I thought about doing this, but I felt that it was wrong to do it.”
Xian Fei did not want to do such a thing either, but seeing that Xia Hongming was tortured, she made up her mind and said, “If you can’t bring yourself to do it, leave it to me.”
No matter what, Xian Fei was willing to do anything for Xia Hongming. In her heart, Xia Hongming was more important than anything.
Xia Hongming took a deep breath and said, “Mother, don’t worry. I already have a plan. I’ve suffered from a splitting headache for her for three years. It’s time to meet her in person and put an end to the knot in my heart.”
Since there was no avoiding it, there was no need to keep avoiding it. What needed to be faced had to be faced.
The Prime Minister entered the palace.
Xian Fei sat at the side and waited anxiously.
Ying Xiangru had served two emperors and was very respected. After entering, he bowed and waited for Xia Hongming to speak.
Xia Hongming did not want to beat around the bush. He said, “Prime Minister, the few families guarding the border have worked too hard over the years. Do you think we should reward them?”
Ying Xiangru said respectfully, “The Xia Dynasty has been established for hundreds of years. The country is stable, and the people live and work in peace. Naturally, this won’t happen without the soldiers guarding the border. Now that the world is peaceful and there are no wars, I think we should summon their descendants to the palace to reward them..”