"I'm not drunk, I just came out for some fresh air."

Yun Qing felt that the scene was somewhat familiar, but the little tyrant back then would not have stood beside her like he did now, exuding a strong sense of oppression.

"No, that's good." Xie Rang's tone held a hint of regret. He lowered his eyes. "Would the Grand Tutor like to stay here a little longer?"

As he spoke, he squeezed Yun Qing's hand with his other hand. It was indeed cold. The sun had set, so it was inevitably a bit chilly. After being exposed to the wind for a while, this was an expected result.

When they were little, Yun Qing would go along with Xie Rang's advances and affectionate gestures, but things were different now. Yun Qing intentionally kept her distance and felt a little uncomfortable with the little tyrant's almost intimate actions.

She pulled her hand back and asked, "Why is His Majesty out here too?"

Xie Rang's smile faltered slightly. He didn't choose to argue about it. He looked at Yun Qing seriously and said, "I saw the Grand Tutor leave his seat and was worried, so I came to check on him."

He forgot that the Grand Tutor was always self-disciplined and would never get drunk on such an occasion.

“What’s there to worry about? This palace is full of His Majesty’s people now.” Yun Qing didn’t understand his thoughts. The place in the whole world that you need to worry about the least is the emperor’s palace. “On the contrary, if His Majesty leaves halfway through the meal, the remonstrance officials will report him again.”

"Let them participate."

Xie Rang didn't care. He hadn't done anything wrong that violated any principles. It was those officials who kept nagging him all day long, even gossiping about his private life. If he cared about everything, he would have been annoyed to death long ago.

Xie Rang shifted his gaze and asked an unrelated question: "What does the Grand Tutor intend to do with Xiahou Jiang?"

"What punishment? You're making them sound like criminals..."

Yun Qing muttered something to herself. Although she wasn't drunk due to the alcohol, her thinking was a bit sluggish, so she didn't understand the implied meaning in the little tyrant's words.

“He works for my father and was only here to deliver a message, so of course he’s going back to where he came from.”

A military talent like Xiahou Jiang should be kept in the army, away from the intricacies of officialdom. That would be the best protection for him.

Knowing that the Grand Tutor's feelings were purely out of concern for talent, Xie Rang's jealousy subsided somewhat: "That's fine, it's good."

Yun Qing thought for a moment before realizing something was amiss: "Why is His Majesty suddenly concerned about Xiahou Jiang's affairs?"

Thinking back on her appearance today, it seems that the Little Tyrant had a misunderstanding about Xiahou Jiang. Yun Qing couldn't help but reflect on whether her actions were wrong.

"It's nothing, it's just that he's someone close to the Grand Tutor, so I asked him a question."

Xie Rang had long known that this matter could not be easily glossed over, so he simply admitted it openly, leaving Yun Qing with no way to find fault.

Yun Qing sighed, "Sooner or later, he will be used by His Majesty."

Five years is enough time for Yun Qing to see that some natural disasters and man-made calamities are unavoidable. Before that happens, they just need to be prepared and wait quietly.

"Let's not talk about this anymore." Xie Rang stepped forward to help Yun Qing up. This time, his movements were very proper, so Yun Qing couldn't find anything wrong with it. He continued, "Does the Grand Tutor still want to go back? If not, I'll take the Grand Tutor to the palace to rest."

"Let's go back. I came out for a while and got some fresh air. My head is clear now, and I won't drink anymore after that."

Yun Qing knew her alcohol tolerance; she wouldn't get drunk in this kind of situation, otherwise who knew what danger it might bring.

Xie Rang chuckled softly. He had promised to go along with her wishes, so he kept his word and finally helped Yun Qing back to the banquet venue.

Although Yun Qing herself strongly stated that she did not need such care, the young emperor, who was still very good at acting cute even after growing up, said a few soft words, and she softened and simply let him do as he pleased.

As it turns out, the child who softened her heart at first sight will still soften her heart when they grow up.

What can be done?

Xie Rang and Yun Qing returned to their seats, completely satisfied. The officials were no longer surprised by the emperor's behavior.

After all these years of trials and tribulations, who in the court doesn't know that His Majesty and the Grand Tutor share a deep teacher-student bond? What is this? The remonstrating officials have impeached him more than once, but it's all to no avail; it's all gone in one ear and out the other.

When Xiahou Jiang saw Yun Qing return, he thought about it carefully and felt that something was wrong with His Majesty's behavior just now, but he couldn't figure it out, so he had to put it aside for the time being.

The banquet was very enjoyable.

In the end, an imperial edict was issued, and Yun Qing received many more rewards. These were all in recognition of her contributions to the Great Xi Dynasty. If her official position had not reached its limit, the ministers would have suspected that the young emperor would have given her even more honors.

The party ended at night.

Today, the palace curfew was lifted, and those who came to the banquet naturally went home. Yun Qing also planned to do the same, but some people were unwilling and insisted on keeping her until the very end.

Xie Rang's reason for this was quite grand: "The timing is perfect, suitable for me and the Grand Tutor to have a long talk all night long."

What a load of nonsense.

Yun Qing saw through his thoughts, took a deep breath, and ultimately decided not to embarrass him in front of so many people.

[This should be spread out so everyone can see what kind of person the emperor is in private!]

He thought this to himself, but he never actually heard Yun Qing say it out loud. Xie Rang knew that his tutor was all talk and no action.

"I will stay in the palace," Yun Qing decided. She said to Xiahou Jiang, "You should return to the Li residence. The rest of the trip will proceed as planned."

Xiahou Jiang: "Yes, young master."

Before leaving, he turned around and glanced at Yun Qing and Xie Rang's backs, still unable to understand.

What exactly is wrong?

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