A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1150: Do You Think People Have a Next Life?

Hai Tang offered a smile. "You are truly wonderful!" Xia Tingfeng's eyes immediately welled up, tears threatening to fall as he managed to utter a single word. "Mm." The anguish in his heart was profound, a feeling beyond words... How could he be wonderful?! It was she who was far too easily pleased. Hai Tang's smile bloomed like a delicate flower. "Tell me, do people get another life?" "Yes, they do!" "Then, in that life, would you be able to recognize me?" "I will!" Xia Tingfeng responded without a second thought. Hai Tang beamed, and uncharacteristically, like a young girl, she continued her coaxing. "Then... could we... meet sooner?" "We will, we absolutely will!" Xia Tingfeng could no longer contain himself, tears streaming freely down his face. She was so kind to everyone. Even her desires were expressed with such restraint. She carefully concealed her true feelings, always mindful not to burden others. But had anyone ever inquired about her burdens?! He only now understood the depth of her hidden wishes! However, he was already devoted to Manxue. His heart held no space for another, and even with this knowledge, what could he do?! So then... Should he be grateful for her kind deception?! Yet, such a deception was incredibly cruel to her! Xia Tingfeng clutched his chest, the pain so intense he could barely breathe. A deeply satisfied smile graced Hai Tang's lips. "If there is a next life..." Her hand slowly lifted, trembling slightly, reaching out to gently caress his cheek. But... As her hand moved midway. It dropped heavily, as if her very soul had been abruptly torn away! Her pupils dilated, her glaze-colored eyes lost their luster. Her breath hitched, her heartbeat faltered, and the last vestiges of warmth on her body rapidly vanished. The young girl who radiated brilliance under the sun. The woman with the captivating glaze-colored eyes and sun-kissed skin. The 'good brother' who shared laughter, drinks, and meals with them. Had departed forever. From this moment onward. No one would playfully call him 'big brother'. No one would playfully claim the title of 'godmother' to his child. No one would assist him in managing those other three unruly 'rough men'. No more. Their connection seemed so ephemeral that he couldn't recall their last shared drink. Yet, their bond was also profoundly deep. So deep that now, he felt a suffocating pain. His chest felt as though a colossal iron hammer was relentlessly and ceaselessly pounding within. Xia Tingfeng trembled, his hand reaching instinctively towards her face. But he withdrew it halfway. 'I am sorry! My heart already belongs to someone else, I cannot...' 'If there is a next life, I will surely...' Helpless, Xia Tingfeng sank to one knee. He slowly removed his robe and gently draped it over her face, distinctive yet now pallid. Tears again coursed down his cheeks. "Fate plays with mortals, fate toys with us all!" ... Feelings are indeed subject to fate. Love, too, lies beyond one's command. It disregards propriety, reason, and any notion of virtue or morality. It simply unfolds with wild, unbridled chaos, leaving all utterly powerless. Hai Tang was a virtuous soul; she committed no wrongs and possessed her own dignity. She upheld her promise, remaining true to her conscience and virtue, never shattering another's union. Her integrity was unwavering towards heaven, her conscience, and everyone. Xia Tingfeng was also blameless. He was a devoted brother, husband, son, elder brother, and commander... offering his boundless kindness to all those around him. Ni Manxue was even more innocent. She was benevolent and magnanimous, gentle and radiant, warm-hearted and sincere, embodying all the most beautiful virtues a woman could possess. She was a wonderful sister-in-law, mother, and wife, whose goodness to everyone was beyond any reproach. Not a single soul was at fault. The sole culprit was fate. ... In the mid-July of Jiayuan's Fourteenth Year. Western Xia's sole legitimate princess, Princess Hai Tang, passed away, plunging the Great Chu Army into collective mourning. General Yang He secretly decreed that Imperial Guards Commander Xia Tingfeng, along with his son Yang Chenyi, would personally lead five hundred elite soldiers to escort the princess's coffin to the capital city of Western Xia, where a burial site with auspicious feng shui would be chosen. (As per Western Xia custom, a princess could not be interred within the Imperial Mausoleum). In early August of the same Fourteenth Year of Jiayuan. Hai Xiangjin, leading his remaining forces, arrived near Yanguan City, intending to coordinate with the Fifth Princess Consort Hai Feng from within and without to capture the strategic gate. However, the Great Chu Army's pursuing contingent arrived with swiftness, encircling them completely. The Western Xia forces ultimately met their defeat, trapped beneath Yanguan City by the Great Chu Army. Their entire army was annihilated, all surrendered, and King Western Xia, along with all his generals, were taken prisoner. Thus. A conspiracy and conflict, spanning three months and meticulously planned for over a year, reached its dramatic conclusion. Within the confines of Yanguan City.

Yang He ordered his troops to stand guard.

They awaited the return of Xia Tingfeng and Yang Chenyi.

Meanwhile, prisoners were dealt with and the camp was organized.

Preparations were made to return to the imperial court once all matters were settled.

Within the main army camp.

The ten-year-old Crown Prince occupied the head seat at the table.

The Fifth Prince was seated to the Crown Prince’s left, with General Yang He to his right.

All other generals and their deputies were arranged in order along both sides.

In the cleared space at the center, several captured Western Xia generals were made to kneel.

Among them, Hai Xiangjin, tightly bound, knelt at the forefront.

Hai Geli and Hai Situ knelt directly behind Hai Xiangjin, followed by various lower-ranking deputy generals.

After the conflict began at Yinshan City, Crown Prince Zhao Qichen remained positioned at the rear.

As the Crown Prince, even in the vast northwest, it was not his place to engage on the front lines of battle or charge into enemy ranks.

Regardless of his martial prowess or skills, no one would dare permit him such a role on the battlefield.

Therefore, in the face of everyone’s urgings, concerning matters of life and death.

Zhao Qichen refrained from rash actions, remaining quietly in the rear, engaged in strategic planning and overseeing the broader situation.

Now.

He occupied the main tent's head seat, his gaze fixed intently on the captives kneeling below.

His expression appeared serene, yet his heart churned with a mix of emotions.

'How wonderful it would have been if I had personally captured this Western Xia dog!'

'What a pity not to have witnessed this old fox's defeat firsthand!'

'However...'

'To see this cur brought to such a desolate state nonetheless brings satisfaction!'

His thoughts turned to this scoundrel who had begun tormenting the Great Chu's populace a year prior.

He recalled the tens of thousands of citizens from Yinshan City and Beiguan City, immolated and slaughtered by him, their homes reduced to desolate, corpse-filled cities.

A deep fury flushed his face.

With a resounding 'bang,' he slammed his hand forcefully onto the table, his voice booming as he reprimanded.

"Western Xia dog, you inflicted harm upon tens of thousands of our Great Chu citizens, are you cognizant of your transgressions!"

"Hahaha... what sin have I committed?" Hai Xiangjin let out a wild laugh.

"What are tens of thousands of commoners? I yearn to eradicate every last one of you from the Chu Dynasty, to drive you from this bountiful land!"

"May your descendants also experience the gnawing hunger of chewing tree bark and consuming grass roots for years to come!"

Zhao Qichen responded with a chilling sneer.

"Indeed, there exist nations far more impoverished and struggling than yours!"

"Our Chu Dynasty never hesitated to extend assistance from our coffers!"

"Yet you resorted to such malevolent and savage tactics, perpetrating atrocities and engaging in rampant looting!"

Hai Xiangjin suddenly erupted into uproarious laughter, as if presented with the most ludicrous jest.

"Hahaha... offering aid, haha..."

"We seek no charity from your treasury; our desire is to annihilate you, to seize all that you possess."

"Did you comprehend my words clearly? Everything! Everything!!!"