Chapter 888: Side Story: Xia Hongming and Tang Huaixiao 7
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Xia Hongming was a good emperor. Tang Huaixiao also hoped that he could live long and govern the country well.
Xia Hongming was a little surprised. He looked at Tang Huaixiao. “You, you’re really willing to help me? What if 1 let you stay? My head hurts because of you. Perhaps if you are by my side, 1 won’t have a headache.”
After saying that, Xia Hongming looked at Tang Huaixiao.
Tang Huaixiao nodded without hesitation. “Sure. If you need me, I can stay until you recover.”
He could not believe that Tang Huaixiao said this. He thought that a woman like Tang Huaixiao would be the kind of person who yearned for freedom. How could she allow herself to be trapped within the walls of the palace?
Tang Huaixiao agreed too readily. Xia Hongming didn’t understand. He looked at Tang Huaixiao in confusion. “Why did you agree so quickly? 1 want to hear the truth.”
Tang Huaixiao said calmly, “Because the world needs a wise ruler. My family has been guarding Jiufang City for generations. I’ve seen too many wars and invasions since 1 was young. I hope that the world will be peaceful. As long as you’re a wise ruler who can save people from the suffering of war, why wouldn’t I agree?”
Xia Hongming felt inexplicably disappointed because Tang Huaixiao’s words were too neutral and unmixed with personal emotions.
However, it was a good thing that Tang Huaixiao was willing to stay. “Then stay. After 1 recover, you can leave if you so wish.”
Thinking about how he had been having a headache for the past three years, Xia Hongming felt extremely uncomfortable. He missed Tang Huaixiao, but Tang Huaixiao did not have him in her heart. She was willing to get close to him only because Shi Jiu used to be in his body.
The night was very cold. Xia Hongming returned to the hall dejectedly.
Soon, he fell asleep in a daze.
He dreamed of Jiufang City and Tang Huaixiao.
The dream was blurry, but there was one scene that was deeply engraved in his heart.
Shi Jiu had once drawn a portrait of Tang Huaixiao!
The next day, Xia Hongming fell sick from the cold.
Three days later, the ceremony ended and people left the city one after another, leaving only four women to teach martial arts to the three princesses in the palace. It was also with this excuse that Xia Hongming could keep Tang Huaixiao around.
Tang Huaijin and Tang Huaiyu were extremely worried about Tang Huaixiao staying.
Tang Huaijin said angrily, “This is unacceptable. I’ll go and reason with the emperor. We’re used to being free. How can we let Huaixiao be trapped in this cage?”
Tang Huaiyu also frowned. “Huaixiao, tell us the truth. Why did the emperor want you to stay?”
Tang Huaixiao’s tone was a little melancholic. “Xia Hongming is sick. My past with Shi Jiu made him have a knot in his heart. Every autumn and winter, he will have a headache. To untie it, he has to see me. He’s a good emperor, so 1 decided to stay.”
Tang Huaijin wanted to curse, but after thinking about it, he held it in.
Tang Huaiyu was a thoughtful person. When he entered the palace, he had asked around, so he already knew about Xia Hongming having a splitting headache.
However, he was still worried. Was the knot in Xia Hongming’s heart related to something else?
Tang Huaiyu said slowly, “Huaixiao, you’ve met him in private. Can you tell if he has any romantic feelings for you?”
Tang Huaixiao shook her head.
Xia Hongming was unfathomable. She was not good at reading people’s minds, so she could not guess.
Tang Huaixiao looked at her two brothers who were worried about her and said, “First Brother, Second Brother, no matter what the reason is, it’s a good thing for the world that he’s safe and sound. You can go back first. With my martial skills, it’s not a problem for me to protect myself here. Other than Shi Jiu, no one will like my face.”
Tang Huaixiao was a stubborn person.
She firmly believed that she and Shi Jiu must be fated in their next life. Therefore, in this life, she was prepared to die alone. Somehow, she even felt that Shi Jiu was waiting for her.
She would not fall in love with Xia Hongming just because Shi Jiu had once used his body. That was different.
If Xia Hongming wanted to kill her, it was not a bad thing for her.
Tang Huaiyu and Tang Huaijin were silent.
Once Tang Huaixiao had made up her mind, no one could change it.
In the end, Tang Huaixiao and the other four women stayed.
The others had already left the capital and returned home.
When Tang Huaiji and Tang Huaiyu left, Tang Huaixiao went out of the city to send them off.
Xia Hongming glanced at Ying Xiangru, who was sweating profusely.
Xia Hongming said slowly, “It’s all thanks to you, Prime Minister, that this matter went smoothly. You’ve worked hard these days. I’ll give you ten days of leave to rest well.”
Only then did Ying Xiangru feel at ease. “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. It’s my duty to help you.”
Xia Hongming turned around and left.
Seeing Xia Hongming return to the palace, the officials were still guessing if the knot in the emperor’s heart had been resolved.
There were four brave heroines left in the palace. Who was the knot in the emperor’s heart?
Tang Huaixiao taught with the other three women. What she taught was riding and archery. Xia Hongming had three princesses and three princes. The eldest was 12 years old, and the youngest was only four years old. Tang Huaixiao held a ruler in her hand and said sternly, “Pull the bow. Keep your lower body stable. Only then can you shoot accurately..”