Seeing that Yun Qing readily agreed, Xie Rang's face showed some joy.

However, before he could be happy for long, he noticed a headache and couldn't help but frown.

Yun Qing saw this and asked, "What's wrong?"

Xie Rang said, looking aggrieved, "I have a headache."

"Now you know you have a headache? Why didn't you have a headache when Shunfeng advised you to go back and rest?"

Yun Qing snorted, seeing that he was really having a headache, and went over to pull him into the hall.

Shunfeng quickly stepped forward and opened the door, then closed it again after they went inside.

Yun Qing pulled His Majesty the Emperor to sit down on the small couch. Xie Rang obediently listened to him the whole time, but his gaze fell on Yun Qing, and under the cover of alcohol, he concealed his deep-seated burning emotions.

"We've already sent someone to fetch the imperial physician. Sit quietly."

Yun Qing isn't a doctor and can't help Xie Rang; at most, she can spend more time with him during this time.

Since it seemed impossible to leave the palace today, Yun Qing calmly accepted the fact that she would have to stay there for the night.

This wasn't the first or second time; she had seen through the little tyrant's clingy nature.

This behavior completely disregards his own health. Yun Qing wanted to teach him a lesson, so her expression and voice were cold: "Do you know what you did wrong?"

Xie Rang rarely spent time with the Grand Tutor at night; the last time was when he was playing chess with Yun Qing.

He had seen this person countless times during the day, yet he still felt that only at night was the Grand Tutor truly real.

After all, the gentle face shown during the day is for others, and only at night can one relax a little.

Her eyebrows and eyes looked beautiful in the candlelight.

After a long silence, Yun Qing glanced at him suspiciously, her gaze meeting Xie Rang's. She paused, then asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Xie Rang snapped out of his daze and obediently admitted, "I was wrong, I won't do it again next time."

He was decisive in his actions and quick to admit his mistakes. Xie Rang's attitude left Yun Qing speechless. She sighed softly, "Let's see if he can do it."

This brief conversation was overheard by the imperial physician who had been summoned. He glanced at the two people sitting in the hall and felt a tremor in his heart.

Sure enough, no matter how many times you've heard this kind of talk, you'll still be surprised.

Regarding the rumors circulating outside, the imperial physician could only comment, "What do they know? Even if the sky falls, the teacher-student relationship between His Majesty and the Grand Tutor will not collapse."

Despite his inner turmoil, the imperial physician remained calm as he took Xie Rang's pulse: "Your Majesty is in good health. To prevent catching a cold, I have prescribed some medicine. Just take it as a preventative measure."

"Yes." Yun Qing nodded lightly. "I will keep an eye on His Majesty."

[She didn't learn anything from me, but she did learn to dislike taking medicine. I absolutely refuse to admit that I led her astray!]

Xie Rang: ...

-

Before the southern tour, there was one more thing that needed to be resolved—the imperial examinations.

Yun Qing took over the position of supervisor of the examinations, and in principle, she was in charge of all of this. However, because she was also the Minister of Personnel, she was also responsible for some of the questions. In the end, the Emperor, feeling uneasy, took on some of the work himself.

Xie Rang announced the abolition of the cabinet half a month ago, so now the question setters are the six ministers and some senior court officials. The scope of the questions is no longer limited to the books, but is based on the current situation of Da Xi and is more flexible than before.

At first, some people were unhappy about this, but Xie Rang rejected all of them, and they had no choice. Now that the benefits are becoming apparent, the dissenting voices have gradually been suppressed.

Change is a long process, but fortunately, once you get started, the difficulties can always be overcome.

Xie Rang was used to having everything under control, so after the questions were set out, Yun Qing personally brought him a copy.

After reading it, Xie Rang chuckled: "Now they know the benefits."

Xie Rang was not the former emperor. He was forced to ascend the throne under extremely harsh conditions. Apart from Yun Qing, he had no other family to help him. Therefore, he had no old feelings to cherish and was much less constrained by the powerful families.

Especially in recent years, with the influx of fresh blood into the court, his power has gradually grown stronger, and in the future, no one will be able to threaten Xie Rang.

His initial wish has been fulfilled.

As for other things he wants... he will strive for them himself.

"Those who obey prosper, those who defy perish; they understand this principle."

Yun Qing offered an objective assessment, after all, no one wants to die if given the chance.

A smile touched her lips as she bowed to Xie Rang, saying, "Congratulations in advance, Your Majesty."

Xie Rang stepped forward to support her, his eyes shining brightly: "I have to thank Grand Tutor for all of this."

“It’s also because His Majesty has worked hard.” Yun Qing sat down comfortably to the side, and after Xie Rang sat down as well, he slowly took out another item. “Now that the Great Xi is at peace, this item should also be handed over to His Majesty.”

Shen Tingsi's actions reminded Yun Qing that she had sent Qing Que to the northern desert that day to personally retrieve the tiger tally and bring it back. Today was the perfect opportunity, so she brought it along as well.

Returning the tiger tally was essentially a way of showing loyalty.

Xie Rang's gaze trembled as he stared at the hand holding the tiger tally in Yun Qing's hand, but he remained silent for a long time. The smile on his face had disappeared at some point, becoming very faint.

[What's going on? Didn't you want to take back the power? Why do you look unhappy even though I voluntarily handed it back?]

Yun Qing pondered to herself, wondering what exactly she had done to offend the little tyrant again.

Xie Rang gritted his teeth.

At times, the Grand Tutor is frighteningly perceptive; he's just unhappy!

He would be happy if Shen Tingsi returned the tiger tally, but he didn't want Yun Qing to do the same, so he never mentioned it.

That's because he trusted the Grand Tutor, and by extension, trusted the Li family behind her. He didn't want their relationship to become as distant as that of rulers and ministers in history. Keeping the tiger tally was just that; it was more like an unusual signal.

But now, it's Yun Qing who's actually taking the initiative to offer to return it!

Xie Rang felt a dull, choking sensation in his heart.

"Don't you want it? My arms are getting sore from holding it up."

Yun Qing thought for a long time but still couldn't figure out where the problem lay. She smiled and gently placed the tiger tally on the table.

Xie Rang glanced at it, his face tense, still feeling annoyed: "I don't want it!"

Yun Qing was puzzled: "Why don't you want it anymore? Only when His Majesty holds military power can he have the confidence to face the world without fear."

Xie Rang accepted the tiger tally handed over by Shen Tingsi, but never mentioned it to Yun Qing. Based on her understanding of Xie Rang, it was probably because of the deep affection he had for her since childhood that he was too embarrassed to say it.

Since that's the case, Yunqing thought, why not speak up herself?

"Grandmaster..."

Xie Rang took two steps forward and gently took her hand. His eyes were red at some point, perhaps from anger, or perhaps for something else.

It looks pathetic, like a puppy that has fallen into the water.

His voice was slightly hoarse: "I thought the Grand Tutor and I were close enough that the tiger tally would be the same in either of our hands. Is the Grand Tutor trying to distance himself from me by doing this?"

Yun Qing opened her lips, but couldn't say a word.