Chapter 304

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Kang Xi was delighted to hear the King’s decision, but what came next shocked him.

“Kang Huijuan will be banished from Qinping. He will no longer hold the title of a nobleman,” Qiu Zedong announced his decision.

Kang Xi begged to pardon Kang Huijuan’s punishment and kept pleading with the King.

“Kang Xi, when I punished Lóng Wei, I didn’t flinch for a second. Your son’s punishment is still not severe enough because he lied to me. Being a King, I cannot make an exception for your son. Kang Huijuan is banished from the land of Qinping for a year. Tomorrow, he will marry Xin Jue, and then he has to leave Qinping. If he tries to come in, then he will be beheaded,” Qiu Zedong loudly said.

Kang Xi quickly stood up and ran to Lóng Wei. He asked Lóng Wei to speak with the King. He reminded Lóng Wei how he had promised to help them if he became governor. Everyone looked at Lóng Wei when the King ordered everyone to leave. Qiu Zedong turned to leave when Lóng Wei’s voice stopped him.

“Banishment isn’t the answer, Your Majesty,” Lóng Wei said. Qiu Zedong turned to look at him and asked him if he was objecting to his decision.

“I dare not raise any objection, Your Majesty,” Lóng Wei said and stepped up. “I do not want Kang Huijuan to become my enemy in the future,” he pronounced. Everyone was astonished to hear from Lóng Wei. He never cared about anyone, so why should he be so kind to Kang Huijuan?

“Why would Kang Huijuan become your enemy, Prince Lóng Wei? It is fair justice. I sent you to the cold palace after snatching your rights as the prince. If Kang Huijuan tries to harm you in any way, he will be punished along with the entire Kang family,” Qiu Zedong stated, with a stern tone.

“Your Majesty, all I wanted from Kang Huijuan was to admit the truth. He can be removed from his position in the government. That will be the best punishment for him,” Lóng Wei asserted.

.....

Kang Huijuan remained quiet because it was the best way to get away from the punishment. Also, he knew why Lóng Wei intervened and acted as if the almighty.

“I agree with the Sixth Prince’s words. His Majesty can remove my son from the government position,” Kang Xi pronounced. “Your Majesty, Xin Jue will be the daughter-in-law of the Kang family as per your order. But please do not banish my son,” he begged again and knelt on the ground.

“Then, Kang Huijuan will no longer work for the government for a year. He will marry Xin Jue tomorrow,” Qiu Zedong said. He was proud that Lóng Wei thought about the long term while taking a decision. His youngest son had grown, and it made him happy. He dismissed everyone and left the palace ground.

Kang Xi rose to his feet and rushed to Lóng Wei. He apologized and thanked Lóng Wei for helping his son. He didn’t say anything and walked away. He ascended the stairs and went towards the pillar, where Li Hua was present.

Hei Chengxi wondered what was in Lóng Wei’s head. He was not the type to forgive someone so easily. He asked the soldiers to free Kang Huijuan from the shackles. The princes left soon for their respective manors.

Kang Xi took his son home and asked him to respect Lóng Wei all the time. “You are saved because of him. You must not anger him,” Kang Xi made his son understand. Kang Huijuan hummed.

~~~~~

Lóng Wei asked Li Hua what she was doing in the palace ground, and she told him how she encountered the King and ended up following him after getting the news.

Lóng Wei stopped and walked in front of her. Li Hua astonishingly peered at him and asked him what happened.

He shook his head and hugged her . Li Hua asked him not to do it openly when Lóng Wei tightened the hug. “Li Hua, I won’t let you get harmed while doing my work,” he said.

Li Hua pondered his statement and hugged him back. “I have faith in His Highness,” she said.

When Kang Huijuan told him that he would harm Li Hua, Lóng Wei decided to forgive him for the mistake he made. He had to act confident and strong in front of Kang Huijuan. Moreover, if he let him get banished, then a day would have come when he would have returned for revenge.

Lóng Wei wasn’t afraid of anyone, but he was not sure about the future. He rested his hand on the back of Li Hua’s head and gradually withdrew from the hug.

He held her hand and took her to the manor.

Upon reaching the chamber, Li Hua asked the maidservant if the bathhouse was ready for Lóng Wei.

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“Yes, Your Highness,” the maidservant answered. Li Hua dismissed her and went inside the chamber. Lóng Wei had removed his clothes when Li Hua told him that he should take a hot water bath.

“You are right. I am so tired,” Lóng Wei said, and told her that he would return soon.

“I will help His Highness,” Li Hua said.

Lóng Wei was amused to hear her.

“Why don’t you bathe with me?” He asked. Li Hua smiled and headed to the bathhouse. Lóng Wei followed her and found that she was pouring rose water into the hot water bathtub. He took off his robes and told her that she was acting differently.

“Am I?” Li Hua asked as she carried the tiny bamboo basket, which had fresh rose petals in it.

“Yes.” He let the upper robes fall on the floor. Li Hua put the rose petals into the bathtub. She found out that the illuminance in the bathhouse had been reduced and that Lóng Wei had blown off many of the candles that were on the slabs on the wall.

While Lóng Wei entered the ground bathtub, Li Hua sat on the raised platform. He sat on one of the steps made in the bathtub with his back towards Li Hua. “This new bathtub design is good. I am glad that Gao Bing didn’t take time to finish it,” he told Li Hua.

“I agree with His Highness,” Li Hua answered.

She ran her fingers over the scar that Lóng Wei got after taking the poisonous arrow shot.

“It’s healed. Don’t blame yourself for it,” Lóng Wei said, as he tilted his head a little. His arms rested on the platform and he asked her if the King again said something to her.

“How does His Highness find out?” Li Hua asked as she carried the wooden hemispherical mug. She poured the lukewarm water taken from the bucket over his body. She rubbed his shoulders and waited for him to answer.

“Whenever Father meets you, he asks you questions. He might have asked again if you found out why I killed my mother,” Lóng Wei stated.