The Little King

43 | Don't Push Me To Others

Translator: PastTimer

Editor: PastTimer

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Chu Lan didn't leave Xia Xi's bedroom until the next morning, he enjoyed Xia Xi's service for a while before leaving. Xia Xi washed his face, brushed his teeth, tied his hair, dressed him, and did everything that should be done, Chu Lan watched him with joy, just like when he was still twelve, and when Xia Xi was done he finally separated from him. He kissed his raised abdomen and said, "I'll see you again tonight."

Xia Xi sent him out of the house happily, Lan Duo'er and the others came in to serve him without a hint of surprise on their expressions. Even Xia Chun seemed to be used to this and didn't show anything unusual on his face.

His palace was cleaned up prior to his return and it looked bright wherever you looked, creating a gentle atmosphere. It seemed like it had never lacked its master. At noon, Chu Lan sent over lots of gifts; exquisite utensils, beautiful and comfortable fabric, and a special dressmaker who came in to measure his size to make him summer and autumn clothes. Xia Xi's clothes were indeed too narrow, especially the bottom part, almost all of his clothes were modified by either himself or the maids serving him. It was fine to wear that in the temple, but it was a bit out of place to wear it in the Palace.

His status was noble to the end, he was the Queen of a country and couldn't wear such casual clothing.

When the sizing was almost finished, Xia Xi heard a maid announce: "The Imperial concubine is here", and before she was invited in, Cai Huan walked straight inside with a smile on her face. When she saw him she was very affectionate, seeing that Xia Xi was about to wear a robe, she quickly pushed away the others and dressed him personally while saying: "When I used to dress and freshen up your Royal Highness you were always so simple and elegant, I know what Your Highness likes the most."

Xia Xi was a little surprised when he heard these words. He thought that with Cai Huan's temperament, she would reject her past of being a court maid before and would try her best to downplay it, but he didn't expect that she would say it herself. His heart towards her softened a bit more. He stretched out his hand, stroking Cai Huan's head and saying with a chuckle: "You're a noble concubine now, you're not allowed to say such things."

Cai Huan replied: "This is all rewarded by His Royal Highness, what is a noble concubine to that? Today, I understood that only Your Highness is in the King's heart. I'm just a cover for him. Besides, I lied to Your Highness last time. He... had never pampered me..." She spoke in Chinese, the others couldn't understand. After she finished speaking, a lost expression appeared on her face, "I thought that I could have somehow leave an impact in his heart, but I didn't expect the King's heart to only have Your Highness, even a spot the size of a nail won't be surrendered.¹"

When Xia Xi heard her words the smile on his face slowly subsided, revealing some guilt. He whispered softly: "Cai Huan, I can't help you. The reason why I originally proposed it to Chu Lan that day was because I originally wanted to fulfill your...." Cai Huan interrupted quickly: "I know, Your Highness is the most gentle and generous, I don't blame you, I only hate that I don't have any charm. I couldn't attract the interest of the King at all." She swept her eyes to the side and changed the subject. "Now that Your Highness has come back, not only has the threat from the King's side been removed, you're also pregnant and had been rewarded by the King with so many beautiful things. This cloth is so pretty, it looks like something from the Xia Kingdom. Is it ice silk?"

Xia Xi's attention was also diverted, his gaze fell on the piece of fabric and he nodded lightly, "It's a product of Xia Kingdom, not ice silk, but Liuyun brocade." Seeing that it was to Cai Huan's liking, he said: "If you like it, I'll make a set of clothes for you as well. This fabric is breathable in the summer and won't get you sweaty. Just let the Palace staff measure your size."