Chapter 78 Chapter 78

Jiang Huai came to his senses as soon as he touched her and wanted to withdraw his hand, but Xiao Jingzhao's initiative made him embarrassed and he stroked her face twice with his fingertips.

"I think I dreamed about you?" Seeing Xiao Jingzhao, Jiang Huai remembered some of the content of his dream.

It was just Xiao Jingzhao in the dream. Jiang Huai glanced at Xiao Jingzhao. Although they looked exactly the same, that face made him feel nervous, while the Xiao Jingzhao in front of him made him feel at ease.

Xiao Jingzhao was a little curious about what Jiang Huai dreamed about, but this dream made Jiang Huai so unhappy. He was worried that if he asked, Jiang Huai would really remember it and feel even worse.

"It seems that you didn't meet me in the dream. No, I died on the way to exile..." Jiang Huai was still recalling, and he actually recalled some content, but before he finished speaking, Xiao Jingzhao covered his mouth.

Xiao Jingzhao would not think too much about the dreams of ordinary people, but Jiang Huai had the experience of his ancestors visiting him in dreams, so the implied meaning of this dream was very complicated. Xiao Jingzhao did not want to think too much about it, but he had no choice but to think about it.

"That was all a dream, it's fake, don't think too much about it." Xiao Jingzhao's voice was a little tense, but Jiang Huai was still focused on his memories and didn't hear it.

But even if he didn't hear it, Jiang Huai knew that the content of this dream was too stimulating for Xiao Jingzhao, and it was indeed not auspicious, so he didn't think about it anymore.

However, Jiang Huai quickly remembered the question he had thought of before falling asleep. Xiao Jingzhao hadn't slept well before, maybe because of him?

Is it because you don’t live with him, or because you’re worried about where he’s going?

Jiang Huai inexplicably felt that both of these reasons were probably the case. So what should he do?

"Huai'er?" Xiao Jingzhao noticed that Jiang Huai was staring at him in a daze and called out in a low voice.

Jiang Huai came back to his senses instantly and found that his hand was still on Xiao Jingzhao's face, so he hurriedly put his hand away.

"Ahem, it's okay. Let's go have dinner first. I'm a little hungry." Jiang Huai blurted out, blocking Xiao Jingzhao's next possible questions. Although it was an excuse, Jiang Huai felt that he was really a little hungry after he said it. After all, he hadn't slept for a whole night, and his consumption was greater than usual.

Although Xiao Jingzhao could see that Jiang Huai was worried, he didn't dare to ask any further questions and could only have a meal with Jiang Huai. However, during the meal, Jiang Huai was obviously a little absent-minded and ate slowly.

However, this gave Xiao Jingzhao the opportunity to feed Jiang Huai. He put the delicious food in front of Jiang Huai's mouth. Jiang Huai accepted it all and ate it all. Even though he ate slowly, he was still full with Xiao Jingzhao feeding him.

After breakfast, Xiao Jingzhao asked Jiang Huai if he wanted to rest for a while. After all, Jiang Huai was not as energetic as yesterday. He had rested for a while yesterday, so he would probably need to sleep longer today.

Jiang Huai yawned. He was really sleepy, but...

"No, I've been in the palace for so long, I want to go back." Jiang Huai shook his head, and as soon as he finished speaking, he felt that Xiao Jingzhao seemed to freeze.

"Go... back?" Even though Xiao Jingzhao knew that it would be good for Jiang Huai to stay in the palace for more than a day, he couldn't suppress the loss and a little uneasiness in his heart when he suddenly heard the news that Jiang Huai was going back.

Even though Jiang Huai's attitude has softened a lot, he doesn't know if his heart will harden again after Jiang Huai leaves.

If Jiang Huai hadn't entered the palace to accompany him, perhaps he could still accept Jiang Huai's previous attitude and control his emotions, but now...

"Huai'er, please don't go, okay?" Xiao Jingzhao moved closer to Jiang Huai, his face full of anxiety. Jiang Huai could feel that Xiao Jingzhao was holding his hand and trying hard to restrain himself, not wanting to hurt him by squeezing too hard, but the uneasiness made him somewhat unable to control himself. This was an obvious emotional ups and downs for a martial artist.

"I'm just going back to take a look. It's not like I'm alienating you." Jiang Huai explained. What's more, he also needs to think about it carefully. If he really wants to be with Xiao Jingzhao, he will have to face a lot.

After all, if Xiao Jingzhao was just a general, everything would be fine, but Xiao Jingzhao was the emperor, so he had to think carefully about it.

"Is it because you couldn't sleep well in the palace?" Xiao Jingzhao believed that Jiang Huai was not trying to evade him, but he couldn't help but think of other reasons. "What makes you uncomfortable? You..."

"Neither, I just want to go back and think carefully about our relationship. Give me some time, okay?" Jiang Huai blocked Xiao Jingzhao's mouth and said seriously.

Xiao Jingzhao quickly realized what Jiang Huai meant. His pupils dilated, his breathing became rapid, and he didn't dare to say anything else. He was afraid that what he said would affect Jiang Huai's impression of him, so he could only make arrangements to send Jiang Huai out of the palace.

Speaking of leaving the palace, Jiang Huai suddenly remembered that it was the time when officials were on duty. If he went out now, he didn't know how many people he would meet. So he simply changed the time of leaving the palace to the evening. By then, it would be dark and even if someone saw him, they would not be able to recognize him.

Xiao Jingzhao was extremely surprised by this. After all, if Jiang Huai left later, they could stay together for a while longer.

Jiang Huai thought he should rest for a while, after all, he didn't sleep well the night before. Although Xiao Jingzhao wanted to accompany Jiang Huai more, he also knew that he didn't sleep well, so he urged him to rest. He just rested in bed for a while. Jiang Huai found that he had slept enough yesterday, and he took a nap in the morning. Although his complexion was a little worse, he was still energetic and didn't want to sleep anymore.

Xiao Jingzhao was handling government affairs in the front hall, and Jiang Huai didn't want to go over. After all, even if he was wearing a mask, there would always be officials from the previous dynasty who knew him. If they recognized him, it would seem even more embarrassing to wear a mask.

Jiang Huai simply walked around and took a look. The palace servants who would accompany him had already been arranged by Xiao Jingzhao, so Jiang Huai could go wherever he wanted.

Originally, it was not convenient for outsiders to walk around the palace at will, after all, there were many female relatives in the palace. But after Xiao Jingzhao entered the palace, he moved the emperor to another palace, and the concubines in the harem were either taken out of the palace or sent elsewhere. Not a single female relative was left in the entire palace.

However, Jiang Huai did not walk too far. Although he could travel by carriage, after walking for a while, he found that the palace was empty. Jiang Huai was frightened and returned to Yong'an Palace.

When Jiang Huai came back, Xiao Jingzhao also came back.

Xiao Jingzhao thought Jiang Huai would come back later, but he didn't expect Jiang Huai to come back so early. He came up to him in surprise and asked, "Is there something you don't like?"

In Xiao Jingzhao's impression, when Jiang Huai went out shopping or sightseeing, he would look at something for a while unless he found something he didn't like.

Hearing Xiao Jingzhao's question, the palace servants became nervous unconsciously. Although Jiang Huai did not show any dissatisfaction on the way, what if it was dissatisfaction that they did not notice? If Jiang Huai said something after His Highness asked this question, they would be punished.

"No, everything in the palace is good, but it's too big. I'm not familiar with it, so it's pointless to just take a quick look around." Jiang Yaohuai shook his head. He felt like he was visiting a tourist attraction. Although the scenery was beautiful, there seemed to be no point in visiting it if he didn't understand it.

"Then I'll walk with you later." Xiao Jingzhao said subconsciously.

"Okay, this can be considered as the house you bought in Kyoto." Jiang Huai continued.

As soon as this matter was mentioned, Jiang Huai couldn't help but think of the conversation they had when they were still in Anyuan Mansion, and he fell silent for a moment.

Xiao Jingzhao also thought of this incident, and his eyes unconsciously fell on Jiang Huai's face. He found that Jiang Huai was silent for only a moment, but his face did not seem to care too much, as if he had let it go.

Did Jiang Huai completely stop caring?

Xiao Jingzhao didn't know whether Jiang Huai's attitude was good or bad. He wanted to ask Jiang Huai, but was afraid of making him unhappy.

After waiting for a long time without any response from Xiao Jingzhao, Jiang Huai realized what he had said. He blinked and looked at Xiao Jingzhao, and changed the subject somewhat unnaturally: "Let's eat first."

If Jiang Huai had not behaved like this, Xiao Jingzhao would not have dared to think about it any further, fearing that he was being too sentimental. However, Jiang Huai's statement was enough to explain his attitude, and made Xiao Jingzhao's eyes brighten a little.

In the afternoon, Xiao Jingzhao took Jiang Huai on a tour of the palace. Compared with Jiang Huai's own cursory tour in the morning, Xiao Jingzhao had a much deeper understanding of the palace. He also knew which parts of the palace were beautiful and which were boring. He also knew the history of each palace like the back of his hand. Jiang Huai was like a tour guide taking him on a tour of the scenic spots, and had much more fun than in the morning.

Xiao Jingzhao originally had little interest in the palace, but seeing Jiang Huai was happy, a smile appeared on his face, which frightened the eunuchs following behind him.

"But the palace is really big. We usually have to rely on carriages to travel around." Jiang Huai sighed. If he had to walk, Jiang Huai suspected that walking every day could help him stay healthy.

"If you don't like it, I will live with you in the future." Xiao Jingzhao heard Jiang Huai's attitude towards the palace and blurted out. He didn't have much thoughts about the palace. If he could live there, he would live there. If not, he could accompany Jiang Huai.

As soon as he said this and saw Jiang Huai remained silent, Xiao Jingzhao knew that he was impulsive, but he did not regret his impulse at this moment. He understood Jiang Huai. Sometimes Jiang Huai might need him to push him, otherwise the other party might stay where he was and be unwilling to move.

Jiang Huai was indeed touched by Xiao Jingzhao's words, but the conflict in his heart still prevented him from speaking.

Soon it was time to leave the palace. The sun was setting and the sky was getting dark very quickly. Although the sun was still hanging in the sky, the surroundings were already a little dim and needed candles for lighting.

"Let me take you home." Xiao Jingzhao helped Jiang Huai into the carriage and said naturally.

Jiang Huai had already prepared for him to follow and nodded.

Perhaps because the surroundings were too quiet, the carriage was also extremely quiet. Jiang Huai could only hear the crisp and light sound of horse hooves stepping on the brick road.

Jiang Huai turned his head and saw Xiao Jingzhao sitting next to him. He obviously wanted to hold his hand, but seemed to be worried about something. He gently pulled his sleeve, looking anxious like a kitten who knew his owner was leaving home.

But Jiang Huai knew that Xiao Jingzhao was not a cat, but a ferocious hungry tiger. He just endured it for his sake and chose to face him with the image of a harmless kitten.

Before, even if Xiao Jingzhao appeared harmless in front of Jiang Huai, he would not push himself so hard, simply because he was nervous.

Xiao Jingzhao's attention was all on Jiang Huai, so he naturally noticed Jiang Huai's gaze, and there was a hint of doubt in his eyes.

"You, stay here for a while." Jiang Huai said.

Xiao Jingzhao was stunned and a little unable to react. He thought he was hallucinating because he was too reluctant to leave Jiang Huai.

"Huai'er, you?" Xiao Jingzhao hesitated.

Over the past few days, Jiang Huai has been clear about his feelings for Xiao Jingzhao, but trapped by his personality and habits, he has always been unable to take that step completely. He is entangled and hesitant, but is he really going to go on like this? It is better to let it go.

"Didn't you say before that you would stay with me? Then stay here for one night and get used to it." Now that the words were out, Jiang Huai didn't hesitate anymore and spoke frankly.

Xiao Jingzhao was now sure that he was not hallucinating, and unconsciously held Jiang Huai's hand tightly: "Huai'er, do you not mind that I concealed my identity before?"

Even though he knew this was what Jiang Huai meant, Xiao Jingzhao still wanted an accurate answer.

"I don't mind." Jiang Huai thought seriously for a while and shook his head at Xiao Jingzhao's uneasy gaze.

"So, are you willing to stay later?" Jiang Huai asked, looking at Xiao Jingzhao seriously.

His question was not just about whether Xiao Jingzhao could stay, but also contained another meaning. This question should have been asked a long time ago, but because of the previous concealment of his identity, it was delayed until now. Now, Jiang Huai didn't want to delay any further.

Jiang Huai's meaning was so obvious, how could Xiao Jingzhao not hear it?

"I do." Xiao Jingzhao held Jiang Huai's hand tightly.

This time it was Jiang Huai who took the initiative to hold him tightly, and he would never let go again.