HCB Chapter 1086 Cut Down the Thorns That Block the Way
Chapter 1086 Cut Down the Thorns That Block the Way
At that time, she truly felt that living was exhausting, but if she died in the palace...
My parents will be heartbroken.
At that time, she didn't care about her own life; she just thought she couldn't die like that.
It benefited others but also broke the parents' hearts.
Until she had His Majesty.
But now that His Majesty has secured his throne, she is no longer as young as she used to be.
"Brother, it's time to hand the Xiang family over to the children."
Xiang Huayue didn't say who the child was, but she did reveal who would be the most outstanding among the next generation of the Xiang family.
She believed her older brother understood.
“A-Zheng is naturally the most outstanding child among the younger generation, but she has no official rank and cannot serve as an official in the court. How can she protect the Xiang family?”
Xiang Huayan covered his head, still unable to bear the headache.
"What did A-Zheng say?"
Xiang Huayue could only ignore her elder brother's current headaches. Compared to her brother's suffering, the Xiang family was now standing on the edge of a precipice.
The Great Xia Dynasty is full of talented people. Nowadays, all the old-fashioned noble families in the Great Xia Dynasty are now in a situation where no one has a particularly outstanding child.
Then you're not far from falling off the cliff.
“A-Zheng didn’t say anything, only that the Xiang family’s situation would be better once A-Ke returned from the Taihang Mountains.”
Xiang Huayue frowned and looked at her elder brother:
"So, Ake's trip to the Taihang Mountains was also part of Azheng's plan?"
Xiang Huayan nodded; Xiang Huayue had already figured out Azheng's plan.
Children who grow up alongside His Majesty are bound to be exceptional.
“Then let’s do as A-Zheng says. Also, the youngest member of the Xiang family should be sent to school.”
Xiang Huayue emphasized it again:
“I’m talking about all children. There’s no need to run a private school at home anymore. They won’t learn anything if they’re too comfortable at home.”
Xiang Huayue had seen overly old-fashioned wealthy families run private schools in their homes, and even hire famous masters.
In the end, only a handful of them achieve good results.
“All the girls have been sent to the girls’ school in the capital, which was run by His Majesty. The teachers there were all found by His Majesty’s people. My elder brother couldn’t find any better teachers than there.”
Xiang Huayue only found out when she returned this time.
It's been so long, more than a decade, and the academies His Majesty established have already cultivated many talented individuals.
The eldest brother is still working in isolation.
"Brother, don't look at me like that. There is no war at the border. Practicing martial arts can indeed help us defend the border. His Majesty will not forget the contributions of the Xiang family."
But we must also consider the current situation. His Majesty's diligent governance aims to ensure that there will be no more wars in the land.
The Xiang family's children are all skilled in martial arts, but this is only enough for the Xiang family to maintain its foothold in the capital; it's difficult for them to reach the same heights as before.
“Your Majesty has my blood in your veins, and I have the blood of the Xiang family in my veins. In the future, there will never be a Xiang family queen or empress in the palace again. Your Majesty will not allow it.”
Xiang Huayue remembered that His Majesty had told her about some blood ties that could not be broken.
It is inherently difficult for women to give birth, and it is impossible for the future emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty to spend years pregnant while waiting to give birth in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"I've said all I can say. As for what to do, it's up to you, elder brother, who is now the Duke of Dingguo. You should make the decision yourself."
Xiang Huayue picked up her teacup and took two sips before she could suppress the frustration in her heart.
If His Majesty came to save her, to save the Great Xia royal family.
Xiang Zheng was the hope that the Xiang family had been given before they were in dire straits. After Xiang Ke returned, he could use his relationship with Ming Lang to directly enter the imperial court as an official.
Just like the olive branch His Majesty extended to Xiang Zheng back then.
The olive branch meant for Xiang Zheng was severed by the Xiang family themselves, and they almost cut off Xiang Ke's olive branch as well.
Now, Xiang Zheng is using the story of his arduous cultivation in the Taihang Mountains as a raft to re-establish the olive branch.
This time, the Xiang family took the initiative to move towards imperial power, which was quite different from their previous avoidance of it.
But as long as the result is good, that's enough.
The years that Xiang Ke has held on to have been enough for the Xiang family to cultivate new hope.
A small figure appeared in Xiang Huayue's mind, and she sighed deeply.
The more decisively the Xiang family severed ties with Xiang Zheng back then, the more difficult it will be for Xiang Zheng to build that connection for Xiang Sheng now.
No wonder most of the businesses that my third and fourth brothers had ended up in Xiang Zheng's hands.
It is both compensation and exchange.
This cannibalistic imperial power has turned this family into this.
"And one more thing."
Xiang Huayan was still pondering how to proceed according to the Empress's wishes.
Hearing the Empress's words, he suddenly looked up, waiting for her to speak.
Xiang Huayue felt somewhat helpless looking at her elder brother; it was clear that he was at his wit's end.
Otherwise, Xiang Zheng wouldn't have been able to gain a voice at home so quickly.
"Even His Majesty can't decide on Minglang's marriage, so it's even less likely for me. Tell those people to give up. Minglang is still young."
Xiang Huayan realized that the Empress was referring to what happened this morning.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will handle this matter properly. When Your Majesty returns, this will never happen again."
Xiang Huayue nodded, presumably His Majesty had also seen it today.
Fortunately, His Majesty took Xiang Zheng away, so he can still offer some explanation for today's events.
“Brother, the Xiang family has had a long and difficult journey. The plaque of the Duke of Dingguo’s mansion was built by the ancestors of the Xiang family who died in battle. His Majesty will not forget this. Let’s leave the matter of resignation here.”
As they were talking, Xiang Huayue burned the resignation letter in front of Xiang Huayan.
I only felt at ease after seeing it burned down to ashes with my own eyes.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I did not consider this matter carefully. Rest assured, I will not let the plaque built with the blood and flesh of our ancestors fall into my hands."
Xiang Huayue saw hope in her older brother's eyes, and she understood.
The Xiang family is not truly beyond saving yet.
The Xiang family still has talented people; it just needs time. One day, the Xiang family will return to its most glorious era.
"Your Majesty, why don't you stay at home for two nights? The house has been cleaned, and the children will all be back tonight."
Xiang Huayue originally didn't plan to stay, but after thinking about Xiang Sheng, she decided to stay instead.
"All is well, please make the arrangements, elder brother."
When Xiang Huayan heard that the Empress had agreed, his tense heart relaxed considerably.
Even breathing became easier.
"Your Majesty, please have some tea."
Xiang Huayue could tell that this was the last good tea of the year. Xiang Zheng's business was very large, and it wasn't just that restaurant.
The fact that my brother has such good tea here proves that Xiang Zheng has long since forgiven, or rather, understood, her decision back then.
She found a new path through a thicket of thorns.
Sooner or later, she will be able to take back everything that belongs to her.
"The tea is good."
"Really? Ah Zheng brought it. She said it was very good, but I'm clumsy with words and can't taste much difference."
As Xiang Huayan spoke, he took another sip, and smelling the aroma of the tea, he seemed to be able to taste something different.
"As long as your Majesty likes it."
Xiang Huayan originally wanted to say that if the Empress liked it, she could take some back with her.
Fortunately, the response was timely, as they were used to delivering things to the palace.
We've all forgotten that if Her Majesty can appreciate such fine tea, there must be even better tea in the palace.