Chapter 885: Side Story: Xia Hongming and Tang Huaixiao 4
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Xia Hongming waved his hand. “Prime Minister, you’re right. This is not a small matter. Some families who have been guarding the capital for generations have made great contributions. They deserve to be rewarded. Hl leave this matter to you.”
Xia Hongming did not specify who he wanted to reward.
This problem fell on Ying Xiangru. He had to figure it out himself.
If this matter was handled well, he could relieve the emperor of his burden. If it was not handled well, he would naturally be blamed. He did not even know who the emperor wanted to reward.
Xia Hongming added calmly, “As long as it’s someone who has fought for the Xia Dynasty, regardless of gender, age, or status, they can come to the palace. I want to drink with them to express my gratitude.”
Thinking that Tang Huaixiao was a woman and might be missed, Xia Hongming added that gender shouldn’t be the deciding factor.
Ying Xiangru looked into Xia Hongming’s deep eyes and felt sweat break out on his forehead.
It was too difficult to guess what the emperor was thinking.
Ying Xiangru lowered his head. “Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I’ll do as you say.”
As an old prime minister, the emperor believed him, so he naturally had to do a good job.
Xia Hongming nodded and waved his hand gently. “I believe you. You can leave. It’s already October. I’ll give you three months. In three months, I want to see them.”
Ying Xiangru lowered his head and silently wiped his forehead. “Yes.”
Three months was too short.
Xia Hongming closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He couldn’t help but look forward to it.
He was sure that they had not seen each other since they parted that day.
He did not know how she would react when she came to the capital and saw him.
After the headache subsided, Xia Hongming began to take care of his body. He was not fat, but he did not have the physique he had when he was young. It seemed that he had to exercise.
Some people in the palace secretly asked around, but the news they received was only what Xia Hongming was willing to let them know. No one knew who Xia Hongming really wanted to see.
However, during this period of time, the palace was bustling with activity.
Because Xia Hongming picked up archery, the consorts also followed suit, hoping to have a common topic with him.
As women, they could all sense that Xia Hongming had someone else in his heart. This person could even threaten their status, but they did not even know who their opponent was.
After receiving the order, Ying Xiangru immediately began to prepare. Invitations were sent out everywhere in the Xia Dynasty.
In December, thousands of people would probably arrive at the capital.
This time, even the capital was unprecedentedly lively. This year was a bumper harvest year, so when October arrived, everywhere was festive.
The first snow of the winter came without warning.
Outside the capital, a group of people rode on horses and looked at the capital not far away.
Tang Huaixiao, Tang Huaijin, and Tang Huaiyu rode side by side towards the city gate.
Tang Huaijin was burly, and half of his face was covered in thick stubble. It was snowing heavily. Tang Huaijin smiled and said, “The capital is much better than our Jiufang City. It’s not cold at all in winter.”
Tang Huaiyu smiled and rubbed his cold hands to warm them. “Brother, you have never been afraid of the cold, but I feel like my body is about to freeze. I hope to enter the capital before dark. At that time, I’ll drink a pot of warm wine and try the braised meat in the capital.”
Tang Huaijin patted Tang Huaiyu’s shoulder and smiled. “You need to build a good body. Along the way, you’re the only one who keeps sneezing. Look at Huaixiao and me. We don’t sneeze.”
Tang Huaixiao, who was wearing a copper mask, nodded. “Second Cousin is indeed a little weak.”
Tang Huaiyu tightened his cloak. “You’re all soldiers. How can I compare to you? Let’s go. I can’t wait to see what the capital looks like.”
Tang Huaijin nodded.
It had been more than ten years since he came to the capital last time.
If not for the fact that the emperor wanted to reward them, they would not have come.
Behind him was a carriage filled with local produce.
Facing the wind and snow, a group of people slowly rode towards the capital.
Tang Huaijin sighed. “I wonder how he’s doing. All these years, he’s been a good emperor to the people.”
Even the border of the three countries was peaceful. There were fewer wars, and the commoners were having a good time.
However, they didn’t know why they were suddenly invited to the capital.
Tang Huaiyu smiled and did not say anything.
He asked around, but he did not find anything useful.
Tang Huaixiao was a famous brave woman in Jiufang City who contributed greatly to the stability of the border. It was impossible for her not to come.
Shi Jiu, the person who only appeared in Tang Huaixiao’s life for a few months, occupied Tang Huaixiao’s heart. Tang Huaijin and Tang Huaiyu did not say it out loud, but they knew in their hearts that Tang Huaixiao probably came to see how Shi Jiu was doing.
After all, Shi Jiu had once lived in the emperor’s body..