4. Emperor's Heart

Many people in the capital knew that she had risked her life for her lover. She was originally a clear-minded scholar, but she fought in the street for the second prince.

She didn't care about so many things at the time. She just felt that the anger in her heart was unbearable. She didn't consider that she had no martial arts skills and just went for it with her fists. Thinking about it now, it was really embarrassing.

But she will still go if it happens again.

Wen Yanhe sent her a letter that day, calling her stupid in an inexplicable tone.

"You're having a great time hanging out with that arrogant Second Prince, and you haven't even been out with your childhood sweetheart yet."

Yun Zhihe sighed.

Now that she has grown up, she can no longer be like before, where he climbs a tree and she catches him, or he gets into trouble and she takes the blame. For the sake of his reputation, she naturally has to keep her distance.

But the Second Prince’s case this time was not related to that. Although they were a single man and a single woman, they had legitimate reasons to apologize.

With the release of this drama, there were some rumors about her and the Second Prince in the capital, but for some reason they died down after a while and disappeared without a trace in an instant.

However, she asked someone to deliver the little black panther, and the ruffian was executed for molesting the prince and defying the imperial power. His Majesty, in accordance with the principle of taking responsibility for one's own actions, did not pursue the lives of his family members, and the public security in the West City was also greatly improved.

But Yun Zhihe, who was always elegant and refined, had bruises on her face, which lasted for several days, and Xuanyuan He only glanced at her more.

But for some reason, Madam Fu Ya's temper was getting worse and worse. She would scold even if something small was not up to standard.

It's too depressing.

They were no longer children, yet Madam Fu Ya's way of punishment was to slap their palms. Yun Zhihe was in so much pain that he couldn't even maintain his calm expression, while Xuanyuan He bit his lower lip and refused to say a word.

Her lower lip was bitten until it was bleeding.

It was a break time, and Xuanyuan He was still reading the documents. She hesitated for a long time before speaking, her voice soft, her eyes filled with worry, as she asked.

"Your Highness, would you like to take a short break?"

Xuanyuan He paused. The young man pretended to be calm, and although his palms were in so much pain that they were shaking as he held the pen, he shook his head.

"No need, thank you... Madam Yun for your concern."

These words sounded very polite. Yun Zhihe sighed, took out a few pieces of osmanthus candy and handed them to Xuanyuan He.

She always had an inexplicable discomfort, and her intuition told her that it was very dangerous to let Xuanyuan He continue like this, like... depression.

She felt bad about this word subconsciously, and she suddenly felt a little distressed when looking at Xuanyuan He.

Especially when he saw Xuanyuan He staring at his red palms, his eyes dull and filled with a distant and indifferent look, and when he realized that Yun Zhihe was looking at him with a decent and steady smile.

It seemed as if the darkness like the waves at that time was fake.

After thinking about it, I remembered that he liked to eat osmanthus candy when he was a child.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince was very fond of osmanthus candy when he was young. Would you like to have one?"

Yun Zhihe smiled and blinked deliberately to show her friendliness, just like the way she used to coax him when they were children. It seemed that all the brilliance in the world was hidden in her eyes.

Xuanyuan He looked at her with a dark look in his eyes, pursed his lips and wanted to refuse, but for some reason he hummed lightly and agreed to go.

He swallowed a piece.

The sugar is very sweet, with a hint of sweet osmanthus that goes all the way to the throat.

He twitched his fingertips cautiously, lowered his eyes to look at his fingertips, and it seemed that even the palm of his hand didn't hurt so much anymore.

Seeing that his mood seemed to have eased a little, in order not to disturb him, Yun Zhihe walked out of the door, holding a collection of poems in his hand, and was composing a new poem.

When the weather is beautiful and the moon is bright, Madam Xiaoyun likes to compose poems and couplets.

Strolling leisurely in search of rhythm, the voice and footsteps formed a beautiful sound.

Xuanyuan He was a little dazed and stopped what she was doing. She just looked at Yun Zhihe from afar, her eyes full of affection and her mouth murmuring the rhythm of poetry. To her, the poetry was like sweet words to her lover.

The sweet osmanthus candy on his lips was greasy and he hadn't eaten these things for a long time. His status as a prince made him afraid to speak or act recklessly.

He paused, then began to chew the candy with his sharp canine teeth. The sound of the candy breaking into pieces was accompanied by his expressionless face.

It looks a bit dark and calm.

To comfort a child...?

Xuanyuan He's eyes were calm as he stared at Yun Zhihe, watching Yun Zhihe rejoice as he found the rhythm of the sunlight.

But he is no longer a child.

The broken candy melted in his mouth, and his throat felt dry and greasy. He frowned and swallowed the melted candy in his mouth.

“It’s so disgusting…”

The clear and light voice was filled with strong disgust.

Sometimes he would stand and stare for a long time at the second prince riding the newly tributed horse from afar. Qin Zhimo had his hair tied up high, blowing in the wind, and he looked free and unrestrained.

But that's all.

The emperor's mood has been unpredictable recently. From time to time, he would issue decrees to demote or reprimand officials, and everyone who served him was terrified.

Yun Zhihe could also sense Xuanyuan Ying's emotional fluctuations.

Xuanyuan Ying snorted coldly and put the letter in his hand aside. His brows were tightly furrowed, and anger could be seen in his expression.

Even though she was concentrating on preparing for the exam recently, she could still hear some rumors.

The emperor wants to establish an imperial examination for men.

He had been planning this matter for several years, but it was always suppressed and was only discussed again this year.

As a man who has ruled the world for many years, he naturally has the means. Besides, the Xuanyuan family is also a century-old family. However, he did not expect those old guys to be so stubborn.

Even the Xuanyuan family did not support him.

Since ancient times, men have been accessories to women. He has done enough over the years, and the Xuanyuan family has long had great controversy about his "improvement of men's status."

Some officials even criticized him implicitly, saying, "Are you trying to build a world where men are respected?"

The emperor is a man and holds the imperial power. Even the generals are men and hold the military power. It is no wonder that some people strongly oppose the two major powers in the world being held by men.

Xuanyuan Ying suddenly raised his eyes to look at her, and said in a hoarse voice, "Jinniang, have you heard about the recent events in the court?"

Yun Zhihe's heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm on the surface, "I have heard a little bit about it."

She knew that His Majesty would soon throw a big trouble at her. It was nothing more than a topic about whether men could engage in politics. Answering one wrong question would be a taboo. Yun Zhihe had not yet entered the court, so it was no wonder that she was so worried. Since she had not yet entered the officialdom, she just wanted to be safe, so she planned to fool around.

"Then Jinniang, please tell me."

He put down the memorial and tried to chat with her, his eyes as cold and handsome as stars.

The emperor spoke calmly, but Yun Zhihe's mind was in turmoil. He smiled modestly and began to speak.

"May Heaven bless Daling. Your Majesty's concern for his people is well known to all. But isn't Your Majesty a little... too hasty?"

"If we take it step by step, I believe the adults will not strongly object and will actively cooperate."

When you think about it, her words are useless and she doesn't express her own opinion. Xuanyuan Ying certainly knows that success comes from taking things step by step, but he wants to take advantage of this imperial examination to implement his plan.

I don't blame her for being cunning, but if I think about it carefully, if there is nothing serious,

We can only take it step by step. If we don't take tough measures, this dilemma will be unsolvable.

If you talk too much, you will inevitably be suspected of colluding with court officials.

Xuanyuan Ying glanced at her and naturally understood what she was thinking. In just a moment, there was silence in the Shengchen Hall. He spoke in a hoarse voice for a long time.

"Why are you so reserved in front of me, Jinniang?"

Yun Zhihe's heart paused. He sounded unhappy. After a pause, he spoke again. His voice was cold and suddenly low.

"A month ago, I went to the West Market with the Second Prince. Jinniang, however, is more reserved than now."

Um?

Yun Zhihe was a little confused. A month had passed since the incident, and His Majesty had clearly distinguished between rewards and punishments when he gave her rewards and even praised her for protecting the prince. Why did he sound a bit blaming now?

Yun Zhihe was a little confused, but she could tell that the emperor was blaming her, so she just lowered her head and accepted the scolding.

Xuanyuan Ying pursed his lips, his expression somewhat cold, knowing that he was taking his anger out on others, but whenever he thought of the heroic woman saving the beauty a month ago, he couldn't help but get angry.

Really... ridiculous.

"Jinniang is not a child anymore. You should be more careful and considerate in what you do. If I hadn't taken action, the whole capital would be filled with rumors about you."

“How will it end in the end?”

He snorted coldly.

"Does it mean that I have to marry the Second Prince?"

Why didn't you think carefully when fighting for the Second Prince, but you started to think carefully about every word when it came to him?

Yun Zhihe lowered his head and kowtowed to apologize.

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me."

Xuanyuan Ying paused and looked at Madam Xiaoyun who bowed her head and apologized.

Madam Xiaoyun was like a crane in the clouds, free from dust. Now she lowered her head, and her elegant white clothes seemed to be covered with a layer of haze.

Xuanyuan would not punish her, but his chest felt tight, and the emperor who never showed his dislike for things finally showed some of his manly temper.

His forehead was throbbing a little. He had been too tired recently and the pain felt like a needle prick. He frowned and hissed uncontrollably. Yun Zhihe looked up when he heard it.

He was deliberately throwing a tantrum. Ever since he got married at the age of fifteen, he had not been a pampered young man, but his emotions were surging and he just wanted to vent.

Although it was clearly against etiquette, he still spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Come here...rub it for me."

There was no anger in the man's words this time, and Yun Zhihe also obediently moved forward. His fingertips slowly touched the temples and he gently pressed them.

Xuanyuan Ying closed his eyes. The warm body temperature made him feel a little restrained, but he still relaxed and felt the innocent Xiaoyun massaging his temples.

Government affairs had been very busy these days, and coupled with the soothing fragrance from Yun Zhihe, Xuanyuan Ying fell asleep in a short while. In his drowsiness, he seemed to feel Madam Xiaoyun sighing softly.

The man looked quiet and inexplicably fragile while sleeping, and it was rare to look at his handsome face clearly.

He was born handsome and indifferent, with a look of indifference and reserve between his eyebrows, rosy lips and a high nose bridge.

Even when he was sleeping, his brows were slightly furrowed, as if he was a majestic and noble emperor in his dreams.

He glanced at the memorial on the table. The words on the memorial were elegant and vigorous, just like his eyes, which were narrow and long, always cold and indifferent. The corners of his eyes drooped slightly, and when he raised his eyes, he was chillingly indifferent. His thin lips were rosy and slightly pursed, and there was no emotion at all.

When it was time for the meal, Eunuch Li came in quietly. Yun Zhihe looked a little helpless at this moment, not knowing what to do. He just winked at Eunuch Li, asking him to continue or leave.

Eunuch Li smiled happily, waved his hand to stop the waiter from entering, bowed lightly and walked out without giving Yun Zhihe an answer.

Yun Zhihe stared at Eunuch Li's departing back and felt a little flustered.

At this time, Xuanyuan Ying, who was in his sleep, spoke in a daze, his voice hoarse and lazy.

"Carry me to the bed..."

Yun Zhihe obeyed the order, feeling inexplicably nervous. His Majesty's voice was hoarse but the ending tone was magnetic... and delicate.

She carefully picked up the man, which was a little strenuous, but she forced herself not to let him feel it. It was rare for a tall and handsome man to look so cuddly, nestling quietly in her arms.

Yun Zhihe carried him to the bed and lowered her head to cover herself with the quilt, but the man's hand was holding the corner of her clothes and refused to let go. At this time, their faces were close to each other, and the man's mature breath lingered at the tip of her nose, with an indescribable meaning in it.

He seemed to have had a nightmare, his brows slightly furrowed, his fingertips clenched tightly, and he hummed softly in his dream.

"Jinniang..."

The hands never separated for a moment.

Like she'd leave.