The night was cool as water, but the aura emanating from His Majesty was even colder. The guards all shrank back, not daring to utter a sound.
Xie Lang has always been very clear about what he wants. Just like when he was a child, he knew that what he wanted was to have enough to eat and then take revenge on those who bullied him. Later, when that wish was fulfilled, he had other desires.
He aspires to be the wise ruler praised by Wen Heming.
Now, when Wen Hemian smiles in front of others, he understands more clearly what he wants—Wen Hemian.
Whether you call him ignorant of manners or rebellious, he didn't realize before that perhaps while he was having those dreams, many things were gone forever.
He was greedy, not content with just being Wen Heming's student; he wanted her to have him in her heart, and he wanted her to show him that kind of smile.
Regardless of his identity, he was absolutely certain that he would not like anyone else, except... Wen Hemian.
With a thousand thoughts swirling in his mind, Xie Lang stood rooted to the spot, not moving an inch. The raging storm in his eyes surged and was then suppressed until finally, a calm returned.
Seeing Wen Hemian bow and bid farewell to that person, Xie Lang finally suppressed the overwhelming thoughts in his heart, calmly withdrawing his gaze, and even revealing a slight smile on his lips: "Let's go, back to the palace."
The guards exchanged quiet glances, feeling that His Majesty was even more terrifying than before, and no one dared to ask whether he was still going to the Prince's residence.
The next second, the emperor calmly ordered, "Investigate the background of the person next to the Grand Tutor."
A quick-thinking bodyguard stepped forward and accepted the mission: "Your subordinate obeys."
As if the heavens were deliberately working against him, all of today's plans were disrupted. Xie Lang lowered his eyes in a somber mood, took a deep breath, and felt less suffocated.
Fortunately, he figured out what he wanted.
-
Wen Hemian currently had no use for Murong Yue, so after agreeing on a code word and chatting briefly, she took her leave when it was getting dark.
"There are many filthy people in the capital, just like merchants. If Young Master Murong needs any help, he can go to the Prince's Mansion to find Uncle Lu."
Murong Yue didn't stand on ceremony: "Alright, take care, Your Highness. Farewell."
Wen Hemian smiled and shook his head. When he looked up, he seemed to notice a familiar figure flashing past on another painted boat not far away, and he paused for a moment.
He then realized he was overthinking things; why would Xie Lang be here at this time?
And even if he does appear, he will definitely come to her, instead of just watching silently from behind.
At times, His Majesty the Emperor's presence is extremely strong.
So it can't be him.
Wen Hemian withdrew her wandering thoughts, raised her hand to put on the mask, and returned to the mansion.
...
Strictly speaking, the days off for officials of the Great Zhao were not entirely for rest; when they encountered matters that needed to be dealt with, they still had to handle them urgently.
Wen Hemian wanted to do more for Xie Lang before she completely retired, so she would still handle official business even when she was resting. In short, she was a worrier.
Indeed, as Xie Lang said, she is the most suitable person to be in this position. Knowing the future is convenient. At least Wen Hemian clearly knows who can be used and who cannot.
Those who are unusable should be excluded for now. Those who are usable should be promoted. Whether they will change their mindset can be discussed later. At least until Xie Lang takes control of the court, they are enough.
Wen Hemian set the list aside to dry, and sighed softly when her gaze fell on another piece of paper.
She agreed easily, but when it came to coming up with a name for Xie Lang, she didn't know what to choose. She had looked up many classical allusions over the past few days, but none of them were suitable.
As he was pondering, someone gently pinched his shoulder from behind, and a young man's low, husky, and amused voice came: "What is the Grand Tutor thinking about? You didn't even notice me coming closer."
Startled by this sudden turn of events, Wen Hemian felt a chill run down her spine. She looked up at Xie Lang and asked, "Your Majesty, do you walk without making a sound?"
Xie Lang refused to admit that he had deliberately slowed his pace. He chuckled and said, "It's obvious that the Grand Tutor was too engrossed. He was handling official business even on his day off. He should show those officials how much he cares."
This is what involution is.
Wen Hemian choked back tears: "...Let's not."
She feared that future generations would hate her.
Xie Lang neither agreed nor disagreed. He casually sat down beside Wen Hemian, lifted his robe, and raised an eyebrow to ask, "Does the Grand Tutor wish to go out and take a look?"
In the past, this question would usually have been asked by Wen Hemian to Xie Lang.
Unlike the young emperor who was trapped in the capital and could occasionally go out for a stroll, Xie Lang had almost never left the capital.
He was truly a puppet emperor.
Wen Hemian looked at him: "Your Majesty, do you intend to...?"
"Hmm." Xie Lang confirmed her guess. "Due to the limitations in the capital, the news was blocked by Ning Hechu. In the end, there was only a trivial memorial. The key information was not visible. I'm afraid only by going there in person can we find out a thing or two."
When the emperor is in a high position and has not yet fully consolidated his power, especially when there are powerful ministers in the court to check him, he is most vulnerable to being deceived and misled.
Xie Lang had long had this idea, but he had never had the opportunity before.
Wen Hemian looked at him approvingly: "Your Majesty is right."
Xie Lang suddenly laughed, moved a little closer to her, and whispered, "However, Grand Tutor, I think we can't go so openly."
If Xie Lang were to actually announce in court that he was going on an incognito trip, the commotion would be enormous. Before he even reached his destination, someone might tip him off, and his subordinates could easily put on a show to deceive him.
Because they were discussing serious matters, Wen Hemian didn't realize how close the two of them were. She narrowed her eyes slightly and said, "If I remember correctly, there seems to be someone in His Majesty's secret guards who is skilled in the art of teleportation. Why don't we find a substitute to stay in the palace for His Majesty?"
Theoretically, it should work, but Ning Hechu is a shrewd person. If the other party has too much contact with the fake one, he will be able to tell the difference.
Xie Lang nodded: "That's exactly what I was thinking. But we need to go and come back quickly."
Wen Heming: "Where does Your Majesty intend to begin?"
Xie Lang pondered for a long while, his deep gaze drifting out the window before he finally spoke: "Mingzhou, perhaps."
Mingzhou was not wealthy and had never caused any major trouble. It wasn't far from the capital, but it was a crucial point for salt transport by waterway, and also...
Wen Hemian paused slightly. If she remembered correctly, this was Xie Lang's mother's hometown.
A villain is a villain. The original book sums it up with a single sentence about his miserable childhood. But humans are not plants or trees, how can they be without feelings? You can see from the anniversary of his mother's death every year that Xie Lang remembers her deep in his heart.
For both public and private reasons, Wen Hemian could not refute his idea. Her gentle smile carried a hint of reassurance: "As Your Majesty would, let's go with this place."
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