Chapter 892: Side Story, Xia Hongming and Tang Huaixiao 11
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Wang Xinlan echoed, “I had the same idea long ago. The emperor didn’t say how long he wanted us to teach his children. We can’t possibly teach them forever, right? A few days ago, my family sent a letter to me asking when 1 would return home.”
Tong Xia nodded. “It’s indeed about time. Why don’t we hand in a resignation letter together?”
The three of them looked at Tang Huaixiao.
Tang Huaixiao nodded. Xia Hongming hadn’t had a headache in a long time. He should have recovered. After the incident with Zhen Pin, he hadn’t looked for her and the two of them hadn’t seen each other. Since he had recovered, she could leave.
The four of them handed in their resignation letters.
After a few months of interaction, the four of them were already very familiar with each other.
It had been a few days since the resignation letter was handed in, but there was still no news.
However, they didn’t take it seriously. After school, they ate, drank, and had fun as usual.
On this day, a palace servant rushed into the courtyard with something bright yellow in his hand.
The other eunuchs all knelt down.
The four of them looked at each other and knelt down.
“The emperor has issued an imperial edict. The four teachers are outstanding and have been teaching for more than a few months. His Majesty will assess his children. After the prince and princess pass the assessment, His Majesty will allow you to return. If they can’t pass the assessment, you will have to stay to continue teaching the prince and princess.”
After the eunuch finished reading the edict, he handed it to the four of them.
The four of them smiled.
Tong Xia said with a smile, “It seems that we can leave now. I can’t wait to ride my horse across the vast wilderness.”
Xiang Xinlan nodded in agreement. They stretched and began to discuss how to arrange their return trip after leaving the capital.
When he returned to the hall, the eunuch reported in a low voice, “Your Majesty, when the four teachers heard that they could go back, they were extremely happy. They said that there is no freedom in the palace.”
The eunuch thought that Xia Hongming was going to flare up, but Xia Hongming only looked unhappy and did not say anything.
The assessment was set on the fourth of March.
Xia Hongming would personally assess his children.
The princes and princesses all passed the curriculum taught by Xiang Hong, Xin Lan, and Tong Xia. However, when it came to Tang Huaixiao’s curriculum, they all failed.
Xia Hongming glanced at Tang Huaixiao. “I’m afraid Teacher Tang will have to stay for a few more days to consolidate the foundation for my children. Teacher Wang, Teacher Xiang, Teacher Tong, I’ve already prepared a handsome reward for you. You can leave the palace at any time.”
After saying that, Xia Hongming stood up and left.
Xiang Hong and the others did not even have a chance to speak.
When Xia Hongming returned to the palace, he sent a secret guard to find out if Tang Huaixiao had any reaction.
The guard returned and reported, “Teacher Tang was not angry. She just ate alone and practiced archery for a while. Then, she brought a pot of wine to the roof to drink before returning to her room to sleep.”
Xia Hongming felt bad. He waved his hand and the secret guard left.
He asked Tang Huaixiao to stay. Tang Huaixiao was not dissatisfied and continued to teach.
Xia Hongming had waited for a month, but he couldn’t wait any longer.
After the court session ended, they went to Plum Blossom Pavilion to ask about the princes’ learning progress.
After dismissing the servants, Xia Hongming said, “Teacher Tang is so happy and carefree. I’m so envious.”
Before becoming the emperor, he could not leave the palace at will. After ascending the throne, there were many trivial matters he had to handle. Therefore, he would never be able to live a carefree life. Standing within the walls of the palace, he felt a sense of suffocation.
Tang Huaixiao felt that Xia Hongming was in a bad mood. She looked at Xia Hongming. “Your Majesty, are you still suffering from a headache recently?”
Xia Hongming shook his head. “No.”
Xia Hongming hesitated for a moment before asking, “Can you tell me what it was like between you and Shi Jiu?”
Tang Huaixiao knocked on the table and said calmly, “The Tang family was plagued by the curse. At that time, we heard that there was a master in the capital, so my brother and I decided to enter the capital to invite her. Before we entered the capital, we met Shi Jiu. He was covered in injuries. My brother and I saved him. Because there were assassins, we had no choice but to return to Jiufang City.”
“At that time, Shi Jiu had been unconscious. It was me who took care of him. After a few twists and turns, I managed to shake off the people who were chasing after him. When we were about to return to Jiufang City, Shi Jiu woke up. He had no memories and did not know who he was. I was ugly and not one liked me. My brother forced him to marry me as repayment for saving him. He agreed.”
“I know that I’m not worthy of him. He didn’t dislike me. Later, Miss Liu was asked to come and look for him. Only then did we know that Shi Jiu is you, but he doesn’t have any memories of you. He has an independent consciousness. We completed the marriage. Don’t worry, we didn’t consummate the marriage. He loves me, but we’re not fated. When you came back, Shi Jiu was gone. That’s all. There’s nothing special.”
Tang Huaixiao spoke calmly, but her tone gradually became gentle.
Xia Hongming knew that Tang Huaixiao also loved Shi Jiu, but only Shi Jiu, not him.
Xia Hongming gulped. “Has Shi Jiu seen your true appearance? I’m not a superficial person who judges people by their appearance.. You definitely won’t believe me if I say that 1 like you a little, right?”