Chapter 54 054 The Minister's Journey.

Zhao Jialing's head was a little dizzy, but he wasn't exactly drunk and confused. As the saying goes, "alcohol emboldens," and he certainly was, but a sliver of reason was still holding him back; he wasn't so muddled that he'd say anything or fear nothing. Upon hearing Xie Lanzhao's explanation, Zhao Jialing was pulled back by reason.

Xie Lanzhao was ruthless; she wouldn't say anything tactful or touching on her behalf, for fear of shattering her heart.

In the beautiful first month of the lunar year, she didn't want to be a heartbroken and dejected person.

She won't listen, so the knife won't fall on her heart.

Xie Lanzhao gazed at Zhao Jialing: "Since Your Majesty is drunk, it's time to clear the table and rest. Then, I will—"

Before she could finish saying "I'll take my leave," Zhao Jialing frowned and exclaimed, "So you've combined the two!" She shook her head, poured Xie Lanzhao a glass of wine, and said with a hint of pride, as if asking for credit, "Look at my hand as I pour wine, isn't it very steady? I could even hold a person up with my hand, let alone a wine cup."

Xie Lanzhao asked in surprise, "A clay figure?"

Zhao Jialing gazed intently at Xie Lanzao: "The person in my eyes." She wanted to appear nonchalant, but after drinking too much, her tongue was a little out of control. She couldn't very well command her tongue to be "punished."

Outside the window, the wind blows and snow falls, while inside the hall, it is warm and cozy.

Xie Lanzhao took a sip of wine and said, "I have something to say."

Zhao Jialing said with a bitter face, "But I don't want to hear it."

Xie Lanzhao lowered her eyes, her tone becoming respectful: "Then I will not speak further."

Zhao Jialing's heart was pounding like a rabbit's. She licked her lips, somewhat troubled. Not noticing Xie Lanzhao's unusual behavior didn't mean there wasn't anything wrong. If she refused this time, did that mean Xie Lanzhao would never confide in her again? Imagine, under the moonlit flowers, she pours out her heart alone, while Xie Lanzhao remains silent like Mount Tai, unyielding to any response from those who came before—that would be a truly terrifying prospect.

【Third Prince, do you think I should ask?】

This is the host's problem.

[Alas, Xie Lanzhao has finally decided to open her heart, but must I close that door because of my own fear? If she were to lock herself away in her isolated fortress, wouldn't that be my fault? Enough! My happiness is a trivial matter; how can I allow Xie Lanzhao to become withdrawn? Wouldn't that be nothing but the torment of a raging storm?]

The system's appearance brought Zhao Jialing's thoughts to the forefront.

Xie Lanzhao's eyebrows twitched, and after a long and detailed explanation, all that remained was a sigh that lingered endlessly.

Zhao Jialing gritted his teeth and pretended to be strong: "Tell me, I can endure it."

Logically, Xie Lanzhao should have gone straight to the point, but seeing Zhao Jialing's expression, she couldn't help but soften. She offered Zhao Jialing a reassuring gesture: "Your Majesty, there's no need to look so tense."

"Really?" Zhao Jialing wiped the sweat from her forehead, denying it. She felt a little embarrassed, but her cheeks were flushed with alcohol, and she wasn't worried that Xie Lanzhao would notice anything amiss. Her eyes were fixed on Xie Lanzhao. "I don't consider you a great enemy."

Xie Lanzhao said, "I did not despise Your Majesty at the time."

Zhao Jialing was taken aback. She felt relieved, but a hint of melancholy remained on her face. She pursed her lips and asked, "Then why won't you become my lady-in-waiting?"

"I am the granddaughter of the Eldest Princess and the daughter of the Prime Minister. You had no interest in that position back then. If I had become your lady-in-waiting, can you understand the consequences now?" Xie Lanzhao said. Her ideals were one thing, but the currents pushing her forward were equally undeniable. At that time, the Crown Prince and Princess Zhongshan were vying for power, a situation the late Emperor was pleased to see "balanced," but a great misfortune for the unambitious princess.

"That's a good question," Zhao Jialing said, her breathing quickening. She whispered, "The Party is to me." Actually, she didn't have to wait until now; she had gradually come to understand this after ascending the throne. But deep down, she had some lingering emotions, so she suppressed them, found a way to vent them, and ignored everything else.

"Since you entered the Imperial Sister's residence, you have stopped associating with me. Has things become so serious?" Zhao Jialing's voice was very soft.

"Either do it or do it to the best of your ability," Xie Lanzhao said. She had her own selfish motives and ambitions, and her feelings for anyone were not pure.

“You grew up with me, and you’re closer to me. Even if you enter my elder sister’s household, you might not be able to gain her complete trust. So you must sever ties with the past,” Zhao Jialing murmured. These thoughts had crossed her mind before, but they were so jumbled and hidden away. Now, brought up by the alcohol, she felt a mix of emotions, unable to tell whether it was joy or sorrow. “Later, there were constant upheavals in the court. You had to contend with the regents left by the late emperor, and deal with some minor troubles I brought…”

Zhao Jialing didn't know what to say for a moment.

"What His Majesty brought is not much trouble." Xie Lanzhao said truthfully. Things like secretly sending secret guards to deliver poems and messing with her bean sprouts are nothing compared to the life-and-death struggle in the court.

Zhao Jialing took a sip of wine and said sullenly, "Then I'm quite useless."

Xie Lanzhao: "..."

Zhao Jialing wanted to casually wipe the wine stains from her lips and give a nonchalant smile. But in reality, she just propped her head up and mumbled, "I'll ask you one last question."

"Um?"

"Xie Lanzhao, did you ever consider abandoning me back then?"

The hall fell silent suddenly, and after a long while, there was the crisp sound of a wine cup hitting a small table.

[Why are you silent? You're so wicked, Xie Lanzhao! Today I will drown her in my tears.]

Xie Lanzhao was startled back to reality by the noise of the collision. Instead of answering directly, she asked in return, "Did Your Majesty ever consider taking my life?"

Zhao Jialing lowered her head, saying sullenly, "I have yelled when I was angry, but that wasn't my intention. Those sycophantic officials have spoken ill of you to me countless times, but in my heart, no one compares to you." She grew increasingly ashamed as she spoke, barely glancing at Xie Lanzhao. A tremendous weight pressed down on her back… Her mind was a blur for a moment, then a sliver of clarity returned. She suddenly looked up and glared at Xie Lanzhao, "I asked you first!"

Xie Lanzhao gazed deeply at Zhao Jialing: "I only hope that you can become the person you want to be."

Zhao Jialing: "But by a twist of fate, I became the ruler of a country." She looked at Xie Lanzao and accused her, "You are no longer pure. You have tacitly accepted that gradual drifting apart." But her occasional tantrums seemed to have made it impossible for them to maintain their innocent childhood friendship. It wasn't entirely Xie Lanzao's fault.

The ways of the world are truly frustrating. I am magnanimous and will forgive and forget. Don't you see, all those of the past are now dust... Besides me, who else was by her side? Ha!

Xie Lanzhao was momentarily speechless at the sudden laughter. After a while, she picked up her wine cup and bowed to Zhao Jialing, saying, "Your subject deserves punishment."

"If only I could stay young forever," Zhao Jialing said with deep emotion. "I could ride on your back until the end of time."

Xie Lanzhao suddenly said, "I have been through a lot."

With the weight lifted from his heart, his racing heart calmed, and his dizziness subsided, Zhao Jialing, now relieved, proudly showed off his strength: "It's alright, my hands are steady. I can even carry you across the smoke and fire."

Xie Lanzhao corrected, "According to custom, one has to step over it oneself."

Zhao Jialing snorted: "I am the emperor, and what I say goes."

Xie Lanzhao put down her wine cup and turned her face away to avoid His Majesty's hazy, drunken eyes.

She probably drank too much, which is why she started arguing with His Majesty about marriage customs.

After drinking to their hearts' content, the two began to play chess. Zhao Jialing was never a match for Xie Lanzao, so he could only play games like "Five Stars in a Row," which required less strategy. He even had to coax Xie Lanzao into giving him a handicap. Sometimes, when he wanted to take back a move, he would casually pick up his little cat and put it on the chessboard... and finally happily declare, "I didn't lose."

Time passed quickly, and the plum blossoms and snow were gradually enveloped by the night, with only the lanterns illuminating a small circle, shrouded in a dim yellow halo.

Zhao Jialing blurted out that there were plenty of palaces and halls in the palace, so living there wouldn't be a problem.

Xie Lanzhao gave Zhao Jialing a cold look. Rumors were already circulating among the court officials, and if he stayed overnight in the palace, who knew what kind of scandalous affairs would be spread.

Zhao Jialing frowned and sighed: "It worked before, why doesn't it work now?"

Xie Lanzhao said, "The relationship between ruler and subject."

Zhao Jialing had no choice but to give up: "Alright." She paused for a moment, "Then I'll go to your house next time."

Xie Lanzhao didn't want to persuade her anymore; it was pointless anyway. As for next time, she'd deal with it next time. Xie Lanzhao was still drunk, and her thoughts were unusually self-destructive.

There have been banquets in the palace these past few days, so the time when the palace gates are locked is not in accordance with the usual practice.

Zhao Jialing followed behind Xie Lanzhao. Before she even stepped out of the hall, she called out, "Xie Lanzhao."

Xie Lanzhao: "Your subject is here."

Zhao Jialing stopped mid-sentence, her brow furrowing: "Could you—"

Her heart began to pound again.

"Could you..."

[Give me a hug.]

The blush that had barely faded returned to her cheeks, and a feeling of dizziness returned. Zhao Jialing blamed herself inwardly for being so weak.

Xie Lanzhao feigned ignorance: "What's wrong?"

Zhao Jialing was still stammering "Can you or can't you?" when Xie Lanzhao looked at her, realizing that only saying half a sentence made her seem less assertive. Zhao Jialing gritted her teeth and forced herself to finish the sentence: "Be careful on the road!" She finished the sentence, but realizing what she had said, Zhao Jialing felt dizzy and almost fainted from anger.

Feeling incredibly embarrassed, she needed to find something to do to ease her awkwardness and embarrassment. Turning around, she personally fetched a fur coat and handed it to Xie Lanzhao.

Xie Lanzhao chuckled. She didn't take the fur coat, but reached out to Zhao Jialing and pulled her into her arms.

The brief embrace lasted only a moment, and Xie Lanzhao, taking a step back, was once again the dignified and composed prime minister.

Zhao Jialing stood there, stunned.

Like hearing the soft cracking of spring ice, she seemed to come alive like a spring melting in the sunlight. Gentle waves rippled, and a strong emotion filled her heart, as if another space-time existed between them.

Xie Lanzhao said, "Your subject takes his leave."

A palace attendant carrying a lantern led Xie Lanzhao away.

After everyone had disappeared, Zhao Jialing still couldn't squeeze out a single "you you you".

She touched her arm and patted her waist; there was still warmth there.

She was somewhat annoyed.

Everything happened so fast it felt like an illusion.

After thinking for a moment, she wondered: "Am I wearing too much?"

[Wait! Xie Lanzhao has gone too far! She has made disrespectful advances towards me!]