Before they knew it, it was Yun Qing's birthday.

She had just woken up when she felt someone watching her. She slightly lifted her eyelids and, sure enough, Xie Rang was sitting next to her, watching her without moving.

Anyone else would have been terrified, but Yun Qing was used to it and found it alright.

"The Grand Tutor has woken up."

Seeing that she was awake, the young man leaned closer, wanting to kiss her, but since he hadn't washed up yet, Yun Qing felt awkward and raised her hand to block him.

Feeling the slight tickle of her lips on her palm, Yun Qing's eyelashes trembled. After putting them down, she propped herself up and sat up: "Why are you here so early?"

She had just woken up, wearing only a simple nightgown with the neckline slightly open, revealing her slender and smooth neck to Xie Rang. Her hair was slightly messy, falling in front of her chest, casual and languid.

Xie Rang's eyes darkened, his Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and then he raised his hand to straighten her clothes, his voice hoarse: "Grand Tutor, don't treat me like a gentleman. You know I'm not a saint, it's impossible for me to be completely unmoved."

Yun Qing paused for a moment; of course she knew.

After all, they were hot-blooded young men, and even a simple kiss could easily ignite a fire in their bodies.

Although she had no experience, she was not actually opposed to such things. She and Xie Rang hadn't been together for very long, but in terms of companionship, they had been together for almost ten years. If things were to naturally progress, then it was not impossible.

But Xie Rang seemed to have something to consider, so he always held back. The worst thing he did was beg her for help, and he never did anything more outrageous.

Yun Qing thought about it for a long time but still couldn't figure it out. Finally, she couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, I didn't ask you to endure it."

"I know." Xie Rang's response was to hug her, gently nuzzle her shoulder, and give an ambiguous reply, "...It's not the right time yet."

Yun Qing didn't know why he said that, but intuitively felt that it was related to something he was hiding, so she didn't ask any more questions. After he finished acting cute, she ordered, "Go and get my clothes."

His Majesty the Emperor willingly allowed himself to be ordered around by her, helping her to get dressed, and then kneeling down to carefully smooth out the wrinkles on her skirt. In the end, Yun Qing couldn't stand it anymore and pulled him up.

She looked at Xie Rang: "Why is Your Majesty acting so strangely today?"

"Where? Today is the Grand Tutor's birthday, of course the Grand Tutor is the most important. I was just doing what I should do."

Xie Rang didn't care. As long as the court officials didn't see them, no one could interfere with how he and the Grand Tutor got along in private. Neither of them had formally studied etiquette, so they did things as they pleased, which made them more comfortable.

Yun Qing slowly withdrew her gaze, not arguing with him.

After washing up, breakfast was served. Since His Majesty the Emperor arrived early, he naturally received a share as well. Perhaps because they thought Xie Rang would bring her into the palace for his birthday this year, breakfast was just a bowl of clear soup noodles with an egg. Xie Rang and she received the same treatment.

"Speaking of which, the letter I sent to the border a few days ago still hasn't received a response."

According to normal time constraints, a round trip would be enough. Perhaps the letter she and Xie Rang wrote together stunned the couple, leaving them speechless.

The mention of this reminded Xie Rang of the fear of being controlled by writing letters. He calmly said, "They probably tacitly agreed."

Yun Qing felt this was very likely, but she still gave Xie Rang a strange look and reminded him, "Don't speak too confidently, Your Majesty. You will be able to see them soon."

The course of history is clear, and Xie Rang knew perfectly well which event Yun Qing was referring to.

He unusually evaded the question for a moment: "Let's talk about it then."

Yun Qing chuckled, finding his actions quite endearing and recognizing glimpses of his childhood self.

"Yun Shu won't be coming back this year."

Yunqing had always had mixed feelings about this younger sister. She liked her, but she wasn't sure how she would react if they met again. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her sister not returning, but she also felt a little melancholy.

Xie Rang, however, was pleased with the outcome and suppressed a smile, saying, "It's alright, I'll accompany the Grand Tutor this year."

Even after this peaceful year, there are still some unsettling things waiting for us. These are predetermined, and no one wants to bring them up now, so let's not spoil the good mood.

"Today is the Grand Tutor's birthday. Let's not talk about these things. I'll accompany the Grand Tutor for a stroll."

Yun Qing glanced at him: "What, you're not planning to let me into the palace?"

Yun Qing had been busy for the past few days and hadn't had time to go to the palace or meet him. Xie Rang was unusual and didn't even urge her. Yun Qing was puzzled about this for a long time. Of course, she could go to the palace at any time, but she also had some thoughts on what Xie Rang was up to.

“Of course not.” Xie Rang took her hand, a smile playing on his lips. “I know the Grand Tutor doesn’t want to investigate, otherwise, with that token in his hand, no one would dare to stop him.”

They could both read each other's minds perfectly, and there was no way to decipher their thoughts. Yun Qing snorted, which was taken as an admission of this statement.

After breakfast, Xie Rang and Yun Qing put aside their business and went out for a leisurely stroll. By this time, the autumn harvest was over, and the cold winter was not far away. People were busy preparing for the New Year, and the atmosphere was harmonious and joyful.

They played like this until evening, and Xie Rang had rented a pleasure boat in advance so they could go up there.

Every year on her birthday, Xie Rang would always try to give Yun Qing something. Yun Qing was quite curious about what he would give her this year, as it was different from the gifts he gave her.

Before, it was because they were the closest, but now it's their first year together.

I never expected it to be a bracelet.

The red bracelet was adorned with several lotus-pod-shaped gold beads. Yun Qing took a closer look and exclaimed, "Hollow?"

“The hollow lotus pod symbolizes that all paths lead to the same destination.” Xie Rang explained as he untied the empty red string that Yun Qing had been wearing on her wrist, his voice gentle, “I hope that everything the Grand Tutor does will come to fruition.”

Yunqing is already by his side, and their future is foreseeable. He no longer needs to hope that God will bless them to be together forever; this is a given fact.

He only hoped that everything Yun Qing wanted to do would succeed, whether now or in the future.

Suddenly, a firework burst open in the distance, illuminating the entire night sky and causing the calm water to shimmer.

People outside gasped in surprise—it was still far from time to set off fireworks.

Yun Qing then understood that these were fireworks that Xie Rang had lit for her.

She and Xie Rang both turned and quietly looked up at the night sky. For a moment, Yun Qing subconsciously glanced at Xie Rang and saw that the beautiful light seemed to fall into his eyes, vivid and lifelike.

She squeezed Xie Rang's hand, her eyes brimming with smiles: "Okay."