The Little King

10 | The First Real Kiss

Translator: PastTimer

Editor: PastTimer

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Zhangcheng was a city bordering the territory of the Northwest Barbarians, travel there would only take a few days. Since they were Barbarians there was no need for ordinary customs that many merchants had to go through.

The Kingdom of Xia was rich in products, but the jade of the Barbarians was one of a kind. Along with a surplus of cattle, sheep, etc, there was also a huge supply of fur.

Xia Xi had stayed at Zhangcheng while he was travelling to the Barbarian nation to get married. He was somewhat excited after hearing that Chu Lan wanted to take him there because he knew it was a prosperous city.

The most excited one was Cai Huan, it had been five years since she had last seen anything related to Xia culture. She had grown from twelve years old to the romantic age of seventeen, although she didn't have many relatives left back in her home, she still wanted to go to places inspired by its influences. Too excited to sleep, she dug out the clothes she used to wear back at the Kingdom of Xia, Cai Huan wanted to change into it but found out that it was too small for her to wear. She couldn't help but feel a bit down, pouting, she said unhappily: "How can we go back to sightsee when we can't even wear the proper clothes."

Xia Xi smiled lightly and said: "You were only twelve years old when you came here, as old as Chu Lan. You're seventeen now, of course, the clothes you wore back then wouldn't fit."

Cai Huan bit her lip, "His Royal Highness, will we continue to dress like this? It's not that I find Barbarian clothes ugly; they're just a bit heavy, also matching colours with them is so complicated. The designs get so dull once you stare at it."

Barbarian clothes were indeed a bit cumbersome but Xia Xi liked it. His figure was different from a pure woman's, with these kinds of clothes, his flat chest didn't seem as obvious. Xia Xi thought for a while and said, "Princess Hui gave me some clothes before I left, I haven't worn them yet. You can try it out, maybe it'll suit your taste." Although Cai Huan wasn't as tall as him, she was just half a head shorter.

Cai Huan hurriedly dug out the box after hearing what Xia Xi said. The box was obviously very heavy, but Cai Huan had gained some strength in the past few years so it wasn't too difficult for her to move it alone. After opening it, Cai Huan was fascinated by the beautiful clothes inside and yelped in surprise, she couldn't wait to pounce on it. Looking at it one by one, she praised: "It's so beautiful and the material is so good, I've never worn such quality clothes. Even though it's been in storage for several years, the colour hadn't faded at all, Princess Hui's really kind to you."

Xia Xi smiled lightly, Xia Hui's beautiful face appeared in his mind. To be honest, when he first knew that he was going to replace Xia Hui as the bride, he had some opinions about her, but over the years his view of the matter gradually changed.

This was his fate, he couldn't blame others.

Xia Xi said: "Pick one you like and take it." What Xia Hui sent was women's clothing which Xia Xi didn't like. When he was still living in the Xia Palace, he didn't wear clothing for women, he wore men's. In his heart, he was a man, albeit a special one. Xia Xi had never lacked education, Concubine Yu taught him that if he ever lived a life as a civilian¹, whether he be part of the bourgeoisie or a farmer, he must uphold righteousness. Perhaps it was because of his nature, but his character had always been a little weak, not even as good as his late younger sister.

Cai Huan said with excitement: "Thank you, Your Highness!"

When Chu Lan arrived, he overheard the cheerful conversation between master and servant. He softened his footsteps and deliberately eavesdropped for a while; unfortunately, most of it was just the little maid blabbering and his gentle Queen responding from time to time. Even so, his heart still warmed listening to her (T/L: Chu Lan still thinks Xia Xi is a woman) soft voice. After doing this for a while, he walked in and asked, "What brings joy? Why are you gals so happy?"