Xie Rang used to dislike this name, and he had never mentioned it to anyone before Yun Qing came.

As time went on, he gradually let go of the past and began to find that the name was starting to sound pleasant, simply because the person calling him was someone he trusted wholeheartedly.

Although he didn't know then whether she would stay.

Mentioning this name inevitably brings to mind Xie Rang's difficult childhood, filled with untold filth and corruption, yet his name alone remains pure.

Seeing his cautious demeanor, Yun Qing felt uncomfortable: "If you really like it, then choose this one. If it's just to match our names, there are other options. There's no need to force it."

Yun Qing had no idea that it could be interpreted in this way.

Xie Rang shook his head: "I'm used to it, so this will do. I like hearing the Grand Tutor call me that. As for the deeper meaning behind it, only the two of us will know."

They've come through all that together, relying on each other. There's no secret the other doesn't know; their trust transcends everything, and their unspoken understanding is implicit.

"Alright, then this will do." Yun Qing, who hadn't done this in a long time, reached out and touched his head, her eyebrows curving slightly. "My Your Majesty, may you live a peaceful and safe life from now on."

From the very beginning, she was determined to protect the child. It was important to correct the situation and for the child to grow up safely. Now that she has seen the results, she is very happy.

However, at that time, Yun Qing could never have imagined that the little brat would covet her when he grew up. In fact, she never even thought about who she would be with in the future.

She was completely unfamiliar with this world, and being with people from ancient times seemed to be beyond her imagination. Moreover, given that she was disguised as a man, she really didn't need to consider these things. Whether she could successfully keep it a secret for a lifetime was a question.

However, as time went by, many of her ideas changed.

"May the Grand Tutor also be safe and sound."

Xie Rang took it very seriously, which was also his expectation.

"I don't know when this rain will stop. Too much rain is not good for the crops."

As Yun Qing was talking, she started to worry about other things. The current prosperity of Da Xi was pieced together bit by bit, but the hidden dangers had not been eliminated and countless challenges awaited in the future. She couldn't feel at ease just thinking about it.

"The officials below will all be taken care of, Grand Tutor, you don't need to worry," Xie Rang said. "There are too many things to handle, does the Grand Tutor expect to manage them all? What's the point of the court maintaining so many officials then?"

"I don't know why, but I always have this empty feeling. Maybe doing something will make me feel better."

Yun Qing certainly understood the reasoning behind Xie Rang's words, but she probably wouldn't be able to completely put her mind at ease until she saw the entire period of history she had studied come to an end.

"There's no need to do these things. Wouldn't it be better if you spent more time with me, Grand Tutor?"

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, Xie Rang approached step by step, and finally boldly trapped her between his chest and the pillar. He lowered his head and gently brushed her lips, seemingly close yet distant, his gaze as hot as boiling water, yet careful not to hurt her in the slightest.

"Are you telling me to keep you company?" Yun Qing said irritably. "I think you'd love to devour me whole."

Xie Rang sometimes wondered if his tutor was doing it on purpose. He was clearly naive in these matters, but he always seemed to unconsciously say things that stirred Xie Rang's heart and made him unable to restrain himself.

He murmured to himself, "I'd like to, but I can't right now..."

There was nothing here, and Xie Rang didn't want to wrong her, so he could only make do with what he had. He suddenly regretted it and felt that staying in the palace wasn't so bad after all.

"You actually thought about it?" Yun Qing glared at him slightly, then reached out and pinched his ear. "Let me make this clear: if there's another one, I won't help you!"

Being with Xie Rang makes it easy to be bewitched. Yun Qing realized this in the morning. Couldn't Xie Rang handle this kind of thing by himself? Why did he have to put on that aggrieved act? Wasn't it just for her to see?

"No." Xie Rang knew that it was good enough if this happened once. He knew his pushing his luck was within limits. If he went too far, it would be a different story. He buried his face in Yun Qing's shoulder and took a gentle sniff. It was a very fresh scent of soapberry. "Just let me hug you."

Yun Qing noticed the change in his attitude and narrowed her eyes slightly: "Your Majesty, are you perhaps thinking of going back on your word?"

That's why they say they understand each other best.

Xie Rang grabbed her waist tightly and rubbed it: "Yes, I have changed my mind."

Clearly, His Majesty the Emperor didn't think that contradicting himself was a big deal. He didn't have any so-called authority in front of Yun Qing. She had already seen his childish self when he was young, and it was just another embarrassing story in his past.

Yun Qing leaned back, raised her hand and patted his shoulder, her voice cold: "Then go back on your word."

I told you long ago, someone would always go back on their word.

It's either her or Xie Rang.

Xie Rang had no words to express his suffering.

After lingering in the corridor for a while, the wind grew stronger. Xie Rang, worried that Yun Qing would catch a cold from being exposed to the wind, pulled her into the inner hall and, taking advantage of the wind, brought a cup of ginger soup to each of the two troublesome masters.

Cui Li had taken a leave of absence to visit his family some time ago, and now that he's back, he feels that things have taken an unexpected turn. He glances at the two most distinguished people in the world, and bites his pen, deep in thought.

Can I write it or not?

Looking back at the previous dynasties, Your Majesty was undoubtedly an excellent ruler, and Lord Li was an upright and powerful minister who did not form cliques or engage in self-interest. The two of them together would undoubtedly be a beautiful story of a harmonious relationship between ruler and minister. How did their relationship develop into this way?

When there's nothing much going on, Cui Li can write something vague, leaving room for future generations to have some fantasies. But now that there really is something, he doesn't dare to write anymore.

I wonder if the Emperor and the Imperial Tutor are prepared to make it public. They can't let his lifelong reputation be ruined by the things he recorded, can they?

Cui Li's face darkened, a struggle between strong professional ethics and inner conflict raging within him, and before long, Xie Rang noticed him.

Xie Rang glanced at the historian who was recording things beside him and raised an eyebrow: "What did you record? Bring it here for me and the Grand Tutor to see."

Given that Cui Li had always been quite perceptive, he was the historian who had served Xie Rang the longest. Yun Qing had previously said that the authenticity and rigor of historical materials should be guaranteed, so Xie Rang had never interfered with how the historian recorded his story, as long as it was fair. However, he would still take a look from time to time when he remembered.

Cui, the official, stood up shakily and placed what he had written on the table: "Your Majesty, please take a look."