Chapter 165 - Xu Family’s Visit I (1/2)

Third person POV

Hong er was peacefully drinking her tea in her Floating Lotus Pavillion with Xue Lang who was practicing his calligraphy when a maid hurriedly walked towards her and reported.

Maid: ”Your Majesty Empress, Great General Xu and Madam Xu had come to visit.”

Hong er: ”Hm? So sudden. Where are they?”

Maid: ”His Excellency is waiting in the front gate.”

Hong er: ”En. I will personally escort them in. Prepare a new set of tea and side dishes. Xue Lang, you continue to practice.”

Xue Lang: ”Yes, Imperial Mother.”

Then Hong er walked off, leaving Xue Lang bewildered. Even though Xu Tingfeng was impatient, he knew well the rules in royal palaces especially Back Palace (Palaces where Emperor's wives stay.).

Though he is married long ago and the one that he was going to meet was his own daughter, doesn't mean that he could just enter without the master of all palaces, Weisheng. However, he had received the permission to freely enter Hong er's palaces without having to ask for permission from him in every visit.

Knowing that Hong er would be happy to see her parents, Weisheng didn't really mind that Xu Tingfeng and Bai Huiqing visited her frequently, only if it didn't disturb his time with her. Their visit gave him some benefits too as sometimes they would bring information or new research's prototype for him to see.

Sadly, Weisheng was stuck on his court and couldn't go to see his beloved wife. And for that, Hong er had solution to cheer him up during his worktime. Before he departed to his court, Hong er whispered to him.

Hong er: ”I will cook our favorite dishes so cheer up.”

And gave him a gentle peck on his lips as an energizer which works more than those Qi refill drinks (Energizer drink). Weisheng kissed her deeply for a minute and left with contented heart.

Xu Tingfeng was thinking of the son that Weisheng talked about 2 days ago in the opening of the tournament. He called the elite forces that he assigned to protect Hong er and interrogated them. They said that Hong er wanted to be the one to tell him therefore she ordered them to not leak this information to any Xu family member.

Hong er: ”Father! Mother”

Hong er joyfully called out whilst smiling as bright as sun. Xu Tingfeng turned his body around in the speed of light and smiled like Hong er.

Xu Tingfeng: ”Hong er!”

They high fived and laughed out loud. Bai Huiqing and the servants around them had the same thought from seeing the scene in front of them.

All: 'Like father like daughter.'

Realized that her behavior were unbefitting for an empress, Hong er quickly gained back her calm composure but her eyes were twinkling and her gleeful smile couldn't be hidden.Xu Tingfeng who saw her change of composure also gave his utmost respect to Hong er as she is an empress despite being his daughter.

Xu Tingfeng & Bai Huiqing: ”Greetings to Your Majesty Empress.”

Before they could fully bow, Hong er swiftly take their hand and softly shook her head.

Hong er: ”This daughter doesn't deserve father and mother's bow. Please, treat Ben Gong like how it used to be and please do call Ben Gong as Hong er, because I like that nickname more.”

(A/N: Hong er uses ”I” in the last part of the sentence as in normal way, it's not like Ben Gong or what to show that she didn't want Xu Tingfeng and Bai Huiqing to treat her like she is higher than them.)

Bai Huiqing: ”En. I'm just concerned that some people will bad mouth you if we call you by that nickname.”

Hong er: ”I don't care what they are going to say about me. As long as we are happy, let them say what they want.”

Xu Tingfeng: ”Hong er got my genes ah!”

Hong er: ”Yup!”

(A/N: I'm sorry, it is me again. I just want to remind all of you that Hong er is still a 15 years old girl so sometimes she couldn't hold back her playfulness if she is near someone as playful as her despite their old age (XTF=35))

Hong er chuckled then she suddenly remembered that she had left Xue Lang alone in her pavilion.

Hong er: ”Father, mother, I assume that both of you are curious of this 'son'. Firstly, I'm not pregnant. He is adopted and he will be 7 years old this winter.”

Xu Tingfeng: ”His background?”

Hong er: ”Commoner, he was locked by his parents since he was born and almost got auctioned as a slave. Fortunately, I made it in time to save him and other kids.”

Bai Huiqing: ”My, poor child.”

Xu Tingfeng and Bai Huiqing suddenly recalled the first time Hong er arrived at Xu residence and that memory imprinted in their brain forever. They stared at Hong er with sad eyes as they felt guilty for not saving her quicker. Hong er saw their sad gaze ad asked with a smile.

Hong er: ”What is it?”

Her smile showed that she didn't live in misery anymore and that makes their heart relieved. They smiled and shook their head.