Chapter 893: Side Story, Xia Hongming and Tang Huaixiao 12
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Hearing Tang Huaixiao talk about Shi Jiu, he was filled with jealousy.
He even thought of replacing Shi Jiu, but on second thought, Xia Hongming wondered if Shi Jiu had also thought of replacing him back then.
Shi Jiu hoped that after he disappeared, Tang Huaixiao would be able to live a good life. This obsession caused Xia Hongming to be especially good to Tang Huaixiao, but as time passed, this obsession became fondness.
After experiencing all kinds of schemes, he missed Tang Huaixiao more and more. He wanted to see her, get her, and conquer her.
Xia Hongming looked at Tang Huaixiao’s masked face with a complicated expression.
Tang Huaixiao said coldly, “You want to see my face? Sure.”
Tang Huaixiao took off her mask.
Xia Hongming was taken aback. After taking a step back, he realized that his strong reality might hurt Tang Huaixiao. He gritted his teeth. “I’ve indeed never seen this kind of face. What 1 like is that you’re special. There are many beautiful women in the palace but I don’t like them.”
Was his reaction different from Shi Jiu’s? No, everyone would be frightened when they saw such a face for the first time.
It was a face with two looks. It was strange and didn’t look good. Being frightened should be the normal reaction.
Tang Huaixiao had already put on the mask. She did not mind Xia Hongming’s reaction at all. Her expression was still calm. “Your Majesty, you don’t have to explain anything. I won’t mind.”
Xia Hongming felt very uncomfortable. The feeling of being unable to touch or get what he wanted spread in his heart. “I-I said that I like you. Do you believe me?”
Tang Huaixiao shook her head. She looked at Xia Hongming as if she was looking at someone else through him. “I know that you don’t like me and that Shi Jiu is the one who likes me and influences you.”
At the end, Tang Huaixiao’s voice softened.
Initially, Xia Hongming felt that he liked her, but after hearing what Tang Huaixiao said, he was no longer sure.
In his dream, Shi Jiu and Tang Huaixiao made him jealous and uncomfortable.
He yearned for freedom at the border.
Shi Jiu loved Tang Huaixiao. Similarly, Tang Huaixiao would only love Shi Jiu.
He asked himself in a low voice, “Then why have I been having a headache these past few years?”
“Did he influence me too? Do I really not like her?”
Xia Hongming’s mind was in a mess. What kind of woman did he like? He did not know. He had had extremely beautiful women and admired gentle women like Liu Sanniang, but he had never felt what it was like to really like someone.
In his dream, his chest was beating violently. That feeling was unforgettable, and he wanted to experience it himself.
Xia Hongming put down his hands and looked at Tang Huaixiao.
“If I insist on keeping you, will you leave?”
Xia Hongming was confused, like a pedestrian lost in the wilderness, not knowing where to go.
Tang Huaixiao shook his head. “I won’t leave. You’re the emperor and a wise ruler. Your health concerns the world. You’re the most important.”
Xia Hongming narrowed his eyes. “Then now, I order you to kiss me.”
Tang Huaixiao looked at Xia Hongming in silence.
Under Xia Hongming’s cold gaze, Tang Huaixiao kissed him.
When their lips touched, Xia Hongming did not move. Tang Huaixiao listened to his orders like a machine.
In the end, it was Xia Hongming who pushed her away and left in embarrassment.
After returning to the bedroom, Xia Hongming dismissed the eunuch and went to sleep.
Tang Huaixiao’s every move would be reported to Xia Hongming by the secret guards. Her life was uneventful as she continued to teach.
Xia Hongming did not go to see Tang Huaixiao again.
The princes were still trying their best to get Tang Huaixiao to praise them.
After summer, it was autumn.
In November, Xia Hongming decided to assess his children.
The empress brought the consorts in the harem to watch this assessment.
They watched as the princes and princesses rode their horses and shot arrows with smiles on their faces.
Tang Huaixiao was a good teacher.
Xia Hongming nodded. “Not bad, not bad. Teacher Tang’s teaching is extremely good. All good things must come to an end. I allow you to leave the palace and return home at any time. However, you’ve been in the palace for a year. I want to see how good your riding is. Teacher Tang, can you compete with me?”
Tang Huaixiao didn’t understand what Xia Hongming meant, but since he could let her go, she didn’t think too much about it.
“Sure.”
Tang Huaixiao agreed.
Xia Hongming smiled. “Bring the horse over.”
The black horse that had just reached adulthood was tall and was undoubtedly the best among the horses. Tang Huaixiao couldn’t help but take a few more glances and praise, “Good horse.”
Xia Hongming was in a good mood. “Indeed.”
The two of them got on the horse and rode the horse in the training ground. Tang Huaixiao drew the bow and shot a few times, hitting the bullseye dozens of meters away.
Xia Hongming watched seriously.
Everyone watched seriously and praised Tang Huaixiao for her superb archery.
After that, Xia Hongming looked at Tang Huaixiao deeply and said, “I’m afraid we won’t meet again after this parting. Have a safe trip, Teacher Tang. I won’t let you down!”
After saying that, Xia Hongming turned around and left. What she wanted was peace and prosperity. He would give it to her.
Tang Huaixiao left the capital.
Xia Hongming leaned against the couch and twirled the wine cup in his hand. “What was she like when she left?”
The guard lowered his head and replied truthfully, “She rode away like a released arrow from the bow, not looking back at all.”
Xia Hongming waved his hand. “I understand. You can leave.”
She had long sealed her heart to someone called Shi Jiu.
As for whether he had feelings for her or not, she did not care and did not want to know.
As long as she had the slightest intention of walking towards him, he would not let her leave.
Since that was the case, why should he force her? If she said that he didn’t really like her, so be it.
Decades passed in the blink of an eye, and the world was peaceful and prosperous.
Xia Hongming was also on the verge of death. His descendants cried for him and all the officials sent him off. Xia Hongming waited for his death with a smile. Countless memories of his life surged into his mind and finally stopped at a certain moment.
Bang, bang, bang… His chest beat violently. At that time, his feelings towards her couldn’t be more real.
Tang Huaixiao would never know how much Xia Hongming wanted to kiss her back crazily to let her know that he was not lying, but he did not do that. He knew that the greatest protection was to retreat and not cause her trouble..
Visit freewe𝑏(n)ovel.co(m) for the b𝘦st novel reading experience