Chapter 586 - Lessons For Horse Riding
Wang Hao stopped Bai Yaling as he came in front of her. "Why did the Princess not accept the Emperor's offer?" Wang Hao asked her.
She gazed into his eyes with dismay and anger.
"Did General Wang ask the Emperor for this?" Bai Yaling questioned him.
"No. This is what the Emperor wants," Wang Hao answered.
"Then, why is General Wang stopping me?" She looked skeptically at him.
"Because I think Princess Bai needs to consider His Majesty's request," General Wang stated.
Bai Yaling did not say anything and started to walk. She had never thought about remarriage. Also, the slanders she would face if she even talked about her remarriage. She would not be called a loyal woman to her late husband. Also, she had no idea what her new family would be like. At least, in the Palace, only one or two were cold to her. Rest were supportive of her and cared for her. There were many insecurities in her heart.
"What are you thinking, Princess Bai?" The voice of Wang Hao brought her out of those thoughts.
"I will not remarry," Bai Yaling replied and stopped at her place. Wang Hao also stopped. Both were at the top of the stairs and turned to each other.
"Why? Tell a valid reason to yourself. Everyone knows how Prince Yongzheng treated you," Wang Hao asserted.
"It would be disrespectful to his soul. We both promised each other while taking vows that we would stay together… no matter what. So, until my death I will only be faithful to him," Bai Yaling answered.
"Have you forgotten what he did to you? I do not understand the definition of love for Princess Bai," Wang Hao stated and chuckled.
"General Wang shall not be bothered by my choice," Bai Yaling replied and turned to walk down the stairs. Her long skirt edge came under her shoe. She passed a low scream as she was going to fall forward when Wang Hao caught her arm and pulled her backward.
She bent backward, Wang Hao's arm on her back while his other hand was holding her arm. They both gazed into the eyes of each other when she heard him.
"Princess Bai should be careful," Wang Hao said and helped her in standing straight. He pulled his hands back and said, "Think carefully. You will not get this opportunity time and again. The Crown Prince has made a special request to the Emperor regarding you. Don't be loyal to your late husband, who never cared for you. I have told you earlier as well. This is your life, so make a decision for it.
Don't think about the bad remarks, slanders, and other negative things. At this moment, you need to fight with them and appear as a strong woman," Wang Hao gave her slight encouragement.
"Why is General Wang informal to me?" Bai Yaling queried him.
"Because you are younger than me. Also, I did not pay heed," Wang Hao replied. "Forgive me. I will address you as Princess Bai. Is that okay?" He raised his eyebrow.
"It is fine. General Wang can be informal," Bai Yaling replied. "I will think about it. I have two days to give an answer to His Majesty. Thank you, General Wang," She said and bowed before him. "I shall take my leave."
Bai Yaling turned towards the stairs and soon descended them. A maidservant followed her from the bottom of the stairs.
"She is too loyal to Prince Yongzheng. But it's the fault of the upbringing she had and also the people around her, who made her feel that way," Wang Hao murmured.
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Lei Wanxi panted as he practiced for an hour. The last time he practiced this way was eight years ago. He sat down on the floor and put the sword down.
Xiao Zhan told a servant to bring the chair and water for Prince Wanxi.
"General Xiao, it is so hot," Lei Wanxi said and looked for his fan. "My fan," he murmured and found he had left that in the room. The servant handed the water glass to Lei Wanxi, who drank it quickly.
"Bring me a fan," Lei Wanxi told him as he gave the glass to the servant.
"Prince Wanxi, you might get sick that way," Xiao Zhan said and gestured to the servant to leave. Another servant brought the chair and informed Xiao Zhan about it, who helped Lei Wanxi to stand up.
Lei Wanxi sat on the chair and found his arms had started to hurt. He rested his back on the chair and closed his eyes. "This is so frustrating," Lei Wanxi murmured.
Weng Yu came to them and greeted them. "Sixth Brother, do you want to do sword fighting with me?" He asked with excitement.
Lei Wanxi moved his hand in the air. "I am not in the condition, Brother Yu," he stated and closed his eyes.
"Prince Yu, you shall head back to your chamber. From tomorrow, the horse riding class for you will start," Xiao Zhan asserted and turned to Lei Wanxi.
"Prince Wanxi, you shall start taking the lessons for horse riding from tomorrow onwards," He suggested.
"I don't think I can. What if the horse threw me away? I cannot take the risk of my life," Lei Wanxi expressed his concern.
"Brother Wanxi, horses are so gentle. I am aiming to get into Brother Sheng's horse. I heard the Crown Prince's horse does not let anyone hop on it," asserted Weng Yu with a smile.
Lei Wanxi opened his eyes and said, "Weng Yu, that's an impossible dream. Also, don't call him a horse. It has a name– Kongqi which means air. Brother Sheng's horse is as fast as the air. Also, Kongqi let Sister Lili hop on it. Even Kongqi knew that only Sister Lili could take the place in his heart," Lei Wanxi said and smiled.
"General Xiao, Kongqi did not even let me sit on it. Does he not know that Brother Sheng adores me so much?" Lei Wanxi mumbled and looked at Weng Yu, who was smiling at him.
"Who knows, Kongqi will let me sit on its back?" Weng Yu said with a smile.
"Hmm. That would be strange to see. I need to take a good bath. Thank you, General Xiao, for today's lesson," Lei Wanxi said and picked his sword from the ground. The servant handed him the sheath and he put it inside it.
"Weng Yu, you shall take a bath too," Lei Wanxi told him and left the practice ground.