Chapter 2218 - 2126: So Hard to Coax 3
Chapter 2218: Chapter 2126: So Hard to Coax 3
She hadn’t expected that several maids behind her would hurry to follow.
"You don’t need to follow me."
"Replying to you, Miss, His Majesty said we are to stay close and protect you at all times."
Xia Weibao’s eyelid twitched hard. "He wants to keep me under surveillance?"
"Replying to you, Miss, His Majesty didn’t say that. His Majesty only said we’re to protect you. Wherever you go, we must follow."
Xia Weibao, "..."
How is that any different from surveillance?
She strode out furiously. She was going to settle accounts with someone!
But the moment she stepped out of Snowflake Palace, she discovered there was a whole ring of guards outside. Seeing her come out, they all bowed in unison. "Greetings, Miss Xia."
Xia Weibao’s eyelid twitched again. "Who are you people!"
Please don’t let it be what I’m thinking...
"Replying to Miss Xia, His Majesty ordered us to guard Miss’s safety here."
Three black lines slid down Xia Weibao’s forehead. What guarding—he’s afraid she’ll run off!
And she really guessed right; Lu Hualiang was indeed afraid she’d run.
In the Imperial Study Room, Lu Hualiang wore a worried frown, unable to concentrate on the Memorials to the Throne.
After thinking for a long while, he felt this was inappropriate. If he had people stand guard outside Snowflake Palace, what if Xia Weibao felt he was putting her under soft confinement.
She already yearned for freedom—if he tried to force her to stay locked up, it would probably backfire.
"Eunuch Yang, go pass my order: have the Imperial Guards withdraw, and instead guard all exits of the palace."
The palace was so large—she could run and play however she liked, as long as she didn’t leave it.
Xia Weibao spent ages arguing and still couldn’t get those Imperial Guards to leave; she almost couldn’t help resorting to violence.
But before she could make a move, someone came running over, whispered a few words to the Imperial Guards Commander, and then they all withdrew.
Even those women left as well.
Xia Weibao, "...???"
Lu Hualiang’s conscience kicked in and he was willing to let her leave the palace?
She would find a chance to have a good talk with him. Anyway, before Wang Cai’s injury healed, she wasn’t going anywhere; there were still several days left.
She hadn’t slept all night last night, and this morning she’d made quite a scene. She was already exhausted.
Xia Weibao didn’t go out again, but went back to her room to take a nap.
No matter how she tossed and turned, she couldn’t fall asleep; in a daze, she seemed to finally drift off.
Sensing a warm presence beside her, she turned over and snuggled close, reached out to touch it, and immediately felt a large palm press to her waist, drawing her into an embrace.
That familiar embrace—Xia Weibao let out a soft sound, rubbed her cheek against the man’s chest, and then sank into deep sleep.
Lu Hualiang looked at the woman in his arms whose breathing was gradually evening out, quietly leaning against him like a kitten seeking closeness, and his heart was flooded with mixed emotions.
He lowered his head and gently pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Sleep."
He hadn’t slept last night either. Now, holding this soft little person, drowsiness stole over him and he drifted off as well.
He slept for only a small half-shichen before waking. Afraid that once Xia Weibao woke up she’d insist on leaving the palace again, he hurried out before she woke.
Just as he stepped out of Snowflake Palace, Eunuch Yang came up to meet him. "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager bids you come over."
Lu Hualiang’s sword-like brows sank slightly—just as he’d expected.
When he arrived at the Empress Dowager’s bedchamber, he saw her at a glance, already having brewed tea.
Emperor Xia Liang was the founding emperor. The Empress Dowager had once been a maiden in the boudoir, only entering the palace later with Emperor Xia Liang, so she did not have the imperious air of dowagers from past dynasties written on her face; instead, there was a softer, more gentle look.
Seeing His Majesty enter, she personally poured him a cup of tea.
Lu Hualiang looked at the tea pushed in front of him, with no intention of drinking it.
"Empress Mother, for what purpose have you summoned your son here?"