An unexpected answer.

Yun Qing remained silent for a long while: "What do you not trust about yourself?"

The emperor, a man of great stature, not only showed no airs in front of her, but also appeared extremely humble.

Xie Rang gave a wry smile: "If that day really comes, I don't trust that I can keep the Grand Tutor."

To him, Yun Qing was like the moon in the sky, something he could only look at but never reach. For a long time, he pondered a nonsensical question: if he truly became a wise ruler and was capable of shouldering the responsibility of the country, would Yun Qing leave after completing her mission?

If I slowed down a little, would Yunqing be able to stay longer?

The Grand Tutor had many important people and things in his eyes, and Xie Rang did not consider himself to be one of them.

Yun Qing felt a pang of sadness. She said in a low voice, "Why would you think that? Even if we take a step back and assume I'm not going to leave, do you think my promise is so worthless?"

Her voice carried a hint of anger, and her gaze towards Xie Rang was filled with disappointment and disappointment.

"I thought I had made myself clear enough."

As various clues converged in her mind, Yun Qing suddenly realized that she might have misunderstood something: the system's assessment of trust was probably not quite what she had imagined.

This level of trust is a mixture of too many things.

Anything related to her, regardless of who was at fault, was included in the calculation.

Xie Rang hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head sullenly under Yun Qing's gaze: "I was wrong."

Nothing else is quick, but admitting mistakes is quickest.

Having already asked, Yun Qing was determined to find out the whole story. She paused for a moment and asked, "If I really have to leave, what will His Majesty do?"

Yun Qing had thought about retiring more than once, and she didn't know if Xie Rang had heard her at the time. Since the topic had been brought up, she decided to eliminate all the potential problems.

She gently stroked the teacup, gazing intently at Xie Rang, awaiting his reply.

Xie Rang gave a strange laugh: "It's better if the Grand Tutor doesn't know."

Yun Qing: !

What the hell?

Having been deceived by Xie Rang's obedient appearance for so long, Yun Qing was somewhat unable to accept it now that the veil had been lifted.

She took a sip of tea and didn't utter a word for a long time.

Clearly, Xie Rang knew he had gone too far with his words. After speaking, he leaned closer to Yun Qing in a somewhat ingratiating manner: "As long as the Grand Tutor is here, I won't do that."

Yun Qing: "Heh."

His trust in Yun Qing diminished significantly. After realizing the man's ruthless nature, Yun Qing became less polite when speaking to him: "So, you mean, if I want to leave, His Majesty will still do it, right?"

The tyrant has been brought back, but Yun Qing forgot that some personality traits are innate and will never completely disappear no matter how much they are influenced by her—isn't Xie Rang's true nature being exposed now?

Xie Rang shook his head: "I won't do that."

Xie Rang had thought about this question many times. If Yun Qing really chose to leave, he would be unwilling and would try his best to save her, but he just couldn't bring himself to imprison her.

Putting aside the fact that he is not an ungrateful person, given Yun Qing's personality, if he did that, there would truly be no possibility between them anymore.

Thinking about it doesn't mean I have to do it.

"I want Grand Tutor to stay by my side willingly, not to be forced," Xie Rang said. "The world that Grand Tutor originally came from is one that Da Xi may never catch up to in its entire life, but I am willing to make Da Xi better and closer to the world that Grand Tutor sees."

He decided to learn to be a wise ruler for Yun Qing's sake.

This was the first time Xie Rang had so directly presented his thoughts to Yun Qing. As he spoke, he observed the changes in her facial expressions, and if anything seemed amiss, he would likely stop immediately.

He pursed his lips: "...And what does the Grand Tutor think?"

What were you thinking?

Yun Qing's emotions were complicated. Sometimes she really felt that Xie Rang was harder to deal with than when he was crazy. At least with the latter, she could tell herself with a clear conscience not to be soft-hearted, but the former hit her weak spot.

She began by asking a question: "Does Your Majesty now believe that I will not leave?"

"I believe it, I really believe it."

Xie Rang nodded hurriedly.

He was certain that if Yun Qing wanted to leave, this was the best opportunity. As long as she didn't say anything, no one would know she was in Ancheng, and no trace of her could be found in Jiangcheng. She would be nowhere to be found anywhere in the world.

But she didn't.

Even though she knew she was exposing everything, she still headed towards him.

If such polite acknowledgment still doesn't put your mind at ease, then you're being rather heartless.

Upon hearing the answer, Yun Qing smiled, a sense of relief washing over her. She sighed with relief and said, "Then Your Majesty should also believe that I am proud of you."

"I am willing to stay, not only because of various factors, but also because of you."

This is a fact that Yun Qing has come to understand.

At first, it was probably mostly out of habit and affection, but if she really had no feelings for him, she wouldn't have agreed to Xie Rang's request to give it a try, nor would she have tacitly agreed to those two kisses.

Yun Qing has never been in love with anyone.

She had reflected on her relationship with Xie Rang and had to admit that, perhaps unknowingly, they had already crossed that line.

Regardless of whether it was just a momentary passion or what the final outcome would be, Yun Qing's biggest gamble with Xie Rang was to be soberly and wildly fall in love.

She's already experienced and accepted things like time travel after death, so what else can't she try?

"But Your Majesty—"

Yun Qing drawled out her words, her eyes curving into a beautiful arc as she smiled lazily.

"This is not a reason for you to keep controlling me."

Yes, to grasp it.

After much thought, Yun Qing became increasingly convinced of this conclusion.

What she thought was obedience was actually Xie Rang's deliberate manipulation. They were too familiar with each other and knew each other too well. These actions were all subtle and gradual. By the time she realized it, there were already traces of another person all around her.

"Grand Tutor..." Xie Rang's breath hitched slightly. He tried to grab her hand, but it was easily pulled away when he touched it. His Adam's apple bobbed. "I won't use any more tricks in the future."

Xie Rang used to dream of Yun Qing returning to the female form, and now that his wish has come true, he finds that he seems to have gone too far and can no longer control the development of the situation.

After regaining her senses, Yunqing found herself in a position of control over the relationship that was in no way inferior to his.

But strangely, Xie Rang felt a faint excitement.

It was as if they were expecting something.

He looked at Yun Qing eagerly: "Has the Grand Tutor agreed to my request?"

Yun Qing paused for a moment; she already had her answer when she decided to come back.

"yes."

"But before that, Your Majesty should think about how to help me regain my identity."