Chapter Three Hundred Twenty-Two: The One Who Astounds a Lifetime
After listening to this story, Young Master Sang fell into a long silence.
This woman standing at the peak wasn’t as deep and terrifying as he had imagined. Instead, she was so simple that it made one pity her.
Perhaps she was never very bright.
But in order to protect her brother, she still chose the hardest path.
Even with Li Shanyan paving the way, Young Master Sang could imagine how difficult it must have been for Huo Ningxue, a not-so-bright girl, to reach the throne.
This didn’t align at all with the image of a female emperor he had in mind before arriving in the Holy Kingdom—it’s more like a complete mismatch.
But the opposite was true.
He actually liked Huo Ningxue like this.
After all, if she were a powerful, arrogant female emperor, Young Master Sang wouldn’t even consider getting too close. They wouldn’t even belong to the same species.
But a girl like Huo Ningxue, whether she was smart or not,
Young Master Sang would be very willing to be her friend.
“When I was little, before I ascended to the throne, I was always afraid someone would target him, so I kept him hidden in the deep palace.”
“Since he was one year old, he’s hardly seen anyone besides me or the food-delivering eunuchs.”
“I know that, no matter the reason, I’m the one who made him unable to have a carefree and happy childhood like other children, forced to be imprisoned in the depths of the palace away from the sun.”
“I’ve always felt really sorry for him.” Huo Ningxue lowered her beautiful eyes, her tone filled with regret.
“I want to be a good sister that he loves, to treat him better and make up for his childhood.”
“But, but I really am very stupid.” She said in a frustrated tone, “I really don’t know how a good sister should behave.”
“I once asked the former national teacher, but he said that even if he understands the major affairs of the world, he cannot understand human emotions.”
“How to be a good sister—I can only find the way myself.”
“What should I… do…” She buried her head deeply on the table.
Young Master Sang remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking, “Your Majesty, isn’t there a possibility…”
“That in the little prince’s heart, you are already the most perfect image of a sister?”
“Impossible.” Huo Ningxue forced a smile, “That child is just well-behaved and sensible; even if he has resentment towards me, he wouldn’t dare say it in front of me.”
“Today I acted impulsively and hit him… He must have held a grudge and won’t pay attention to me as his sister from now on.”
As Huo Ningxue’s mood sank lower, tears pooling in her eyes, Young Master Sang felt a hint of headache.
Being a legitimate only child, he wasn’t sure what the dynamics of a sibling relationship should be.
However, if it was just about cheering Huo Ningxue up and getting the two of them reconciled,
It wasn’t that difficult.
“Your Majesty.”
Huo Ningxue was gloomily resting on the table when she suddenly heard Young Master Sang’s respectful voice, “Give me a little time.”
“I have a way to not only help the little prince overcome his heartbreak and reconcile with you, but he might even regain interest in the imperial throne which he previously disregarded.”
Huo Ningxue slowly raised her head, looking at him with some disbelief, “Can… can this really be done?”
“Please trust me, Your Majesty.”
Young Master Sang smiled confidently, “I promise I won’t let you down.”
“After all, I’m the teacher you personally appointed for the little prince.”
Huo Ningxue gazed at Young Master Sang, her beautiful eyes somewhat lost.
For Huo Ningxue, although Young Master Sang and Li Shanyan were both national teachers,
Being with the two felt entirely different.
Li Shanyan was like a mysterious, unfathomable immortal. He didn’t care about anything concerning her, his eyes fixed solely on his own matters.
Before Li Shanyan, she always felt like a pawn, just following the commands of this chess player.
But Young Master Sang was different.
Young Master Sang felt like a childhood friend, quirky and full of ideas. Being around him felt so relaxed and pleasant, she even unconsciously spilled her heart out.
Ever since Young Master Sang came to the Holy Kingdom, the pressure of playing the female emperor didn’t feel as heavy as before.
Huo Ningxue really liked this feeling.
Including this moment, as he confidently assured her that he had a solution.
Huo Ningxue believed. He really had a way.
“I believe in the national teacher.”
She smiled softly, “Although I’m very stupid and always don’t know what to do, I know you’re a smart person, always having a solution.”
“With you here, I feel very at ease.”
Young Master Sang froze for a moment.
Huo Ningxue’s smile was so clear at this moment, paired with her lavishly mysterious dark dragon-patterned long dress, there was a unique contrasting charm.
He coughed lightly, somewhat flustered, averting his gaze from Huo Ningxue’s stunningly beautiful face, quietly saying:
“Th-then I’ll go talk to the little prince now, so I’ll take my leave.”
With that, he awkwardly rushed away.
Huo Ningxue quietly watched Young Master Sang’s retreating figure, her beautiful eyes somewhat lost in thought.
She suddenly remembered that when she was little, she once asked her mother something.
…Mom, why did you marry that cold father who neglects you?
…Silly girl, your father has never neglected me.
…It’s me who can’t live without him.
In Huo Ningxue’s memories, whenever her father was mentioned, her mother’s gaze always softened.
Anytime she asked, her mother would show a shy yet happy expression.
She said that she was just a weaver in the marketplace, and that her father happened to help her deal with some troublesome ruffians when he was wandering around the city.
She said she would never forget the way her father stood in front of her like a cloud of colorful mist.
Huo Ningxue didn’t understand, and her mother just laughed and said:
“Silly girl.”
“When you meet the person who can astound your whole life…”
“You will understand.”
But even now, Huo Ningxue didn’t understand.
Maybe.
I still haven’t met that person who can astound me for a lifetime like my mother did.
——
——
When Young Master Sang arrived at the little prince’s chamber,
The little prince was wrapped in blankets, curled up in the corner of the bed, secretly wiping his tears.
“Little prince, what’s wrong?”
“…You don’t understand.” The little prince pouted, “When you reach my age, you’ll understand.”
Young Master Sang leaned in, acting like a caring big brother, gently comforting, “I know, you must be feeling really bad today.”
“The girl you like is ignoring you, and your dear sister just had a fight with you.”
“It’s okay; I know you’re unhappy.”
“How about this, I’ll give you a book. Once you’ve read it, you surely won’t feel so sad anymore.”
“…I don’t want to read!” The little prince huffed, turning his head away.
“You don’t know, this book is amazing!”
Young Master Sang tempted, “It can renew you from the inside out, elevate your soul, make you mature and stable, just the way your sister would be satisfied with, and even the goddess who only used to see you as a brother will gradually be attracted to you.”
Huo Ming wiped his eyes, curious, “What book?”
“……‘Das Kapital’.” Young Master Sang said with a smile.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
