This was the scene Xie Lang saw when he hurriedly stepped into the courtyard, braving the cold wind.
In this battle, he and many soldiers in the army went through life and death together. The emperor, who used to sit high in the Mingtang, led the troops and personally led them deep into the enemy camp to achieve a surprise victory. The generals who were originally hesitant were now completely convinced.
When Xie Lang was eager to return to see people, they even took the initiative to handle some of the follow-up matters, allowing Xie Lang to get back more quickly.
The relationship between His Majesty and Lord Wen was no secret among the high-ranking officials in the capital; however, no one publicized it before knowing the specifics of their plans.
Wen Hemian traveled a long way to the border and worked day and night to oversee the military camp. Everyone who saw this couldn't help but sigh at the deep affection between the two.
Thus, under the eager gaze of his subordinates, Xie Lang was finally able to take a few days off to rush back and reunite with Wen Hemian.
Wen Hemian wore a light-colored dress today, with a white cloak draped over it. Her neck was buried in the fluffy collar, making her look simple and elegant, but her beautiful eyebrows and eyes were still strikingly noble.
It ignites a burning passion within one's heart.
Upon seeing him arrive, Wen Hemian looked over at the sound of his voice, slightly surprised: "You actually made it in time?"
The waiter was perceptive and quickly served another bowl of mutton soup to Xie Lang, who was walking over.
Xie Lang took the bowl of hot mutton soup, and his anxiety was soothed by the soup. He waved for the waiter to leave, and then sat down next to Wen Heming.
"I promised to come back and be with you."
Xie Lang subconsciously lowered his voice, glanced at her cautiously, and asked in a low voice, "Are you still angry?"
"Hmm." Wen Hemian replied indifferently, then suddenly became curious, "Your Majesty, are you doing this to get revenge for me leaving without saying goodbye back then?"
"Where can I find it!"
Xie Lang instantly bristled, his eyes widening: "Hanshuang, you're wronging me."
That heart-wrenching feeling is something you can only experience once. After all, he was in the wrong back then, pressing me relentlessly, acting impulsively and recklessly. No wonder Wen Hemian chose to escape.
"...This time, it really was an accident."
Xie Lang said, "The barbarians attacked in more than one wave. We were indeed in the ravine that day, but I had some prior knowledge of their presence and lured another wave of barbarians into the ravine. The wind was strong and the snow was heavy, so they couldn't see clearly and were blown up. I thought at the time, why not turn the tables and let them kill each other, that's why..."
That's how the rest of the story came about.
He looked at Wen Hemian somewhat guiltily: "I arranged everything in advance."
Wen Hemian met his gaze kindly: "It doesn't matter whether I'm here or not, right?"
Xie Lang shook his head repeatedly.
Considering his long and tiring days, Wen Hemian had no intention of pursuing the matter with him at this time. She leaned over to look at the pot and her heart softened: "Let's eat the meat first. We can discuss other things when we have time."
Let's leave this matter here for now.
Xie Lang breathed a sigh of relief and enjoyed dinner with her.
A bowl of this in winter is a real treat. The mutton is tender, and the dipping sauce masks any gamey smell. The taste is rich and mellow, unlike what I've had in Beijing. Compared to the bland meals I've had lately, it's truly delicious.
How long will you stay this time?
Having eaten about 70% full, Wen Hemian calmly put down his chopsticks and began interrogating Xie Lang.
"Three to five days," Xie Lang said. "With muskets, the barbarians can't beat our soldiers. I reckon they'll surrender in a few days."
The year-end has passed, and when they return to the capital, it will probably be springtime, when the grass grows and the orioles fly. In this way, another year will have passed since they last met.
"That's not bad," Wen Hemian said leisurely. "It's all time to end this."
War inevitably results in death and injury; she longs to see a peaceful world, a time of tranquility and peace.
Xie Lang finished the last bit of mutton in the pot, put down his chopsticks and bowl, and replied to her words: "Yes, it's all over."
"The system also said it would tell us a story, but when you came back, it disappeared again."
Wen Hemian laughed as she spoke, glancing around but unable to find the unreliable system, so she had to give up on the idea for the time being.
She was actually quite curious about the long story the system had been telling her, but the system insisted on telling it only when both of them were present, which meant she missed many opportunities to hear it.
"It's alright, you can listen to it when you get back."
Xie Lang cares about the present moment.
He reached out and touched the woman's cheek; it was a little cold, so he gently warmed it for her.
Wen Hemian shrank back subconsciously, her eyebrows curving upwards: "Alright, go back to your room to wash up after you finish eating, you're covered in dust."
Xie Lang didn't detect any disdain in those words, and obediently withdrew his hand, avoiding anything offensive: "Okay."
Taking a bath in this freezing weather is quite a hassle. The conditions here aren't as good as in Beijing; there's no underfloor heating, and the only way to warm up is by burning a stove in the house.
Wen Hemian lowered her eyes and carefully applied ointment to her hands. She was too busy to pay attention to it. This year, she actually got chilblains for the first time. Although it was not too serious, if she did not take it seriously, it would recur next year.
I have no choice but to take good care of myself.
After Xie Lang finished bathing, he came out from behind the screen, walked to the stove to dry his body, and then slowly approached her, his eyes filled with heartache: "Let the imperial physician take another look when we get back."
Wen Hemian didn't think much of it. She chuckled, "Concerned about my hand? Your Majesty, your injuries are probably much more serious, aren't they?"
It seems they only report good news and not bad news, but on the battlefield, there is no such thing as turning danger into safety every time. Wen Hemian had heard Zhou Ting talk about the crises they encountered several times, which were truly perilous.
Xie Lang instinctively replied, "No..."
"Whether you have it or not, take off your clothes and let me see. Wouldn't it be obvious at a glance?"
Wen Hemian immediately grasped the key point.
Xie Lang was speechless.
He couldn't resist those clear, gentle eyes after all.
A moment later, the belt was loosened, and the clothes were slightly open.
This was the first time she had seen his body in such a formal setting. His skin tone was slightly darker than hers, showing that he had always lived a life of luxury.
Wen Heming lowered her eyes, raised her hand to stroke the hideous, crisscrossing scars on his chest that had clearly just healed, and her gaze darkened.
"Does it hurt?"
Xie Lang hesitated for a moment, then grabbed her hand. The twilight was dark and heavy as he said in a hoarse voice, "It doesn't hurt anymore."
It must have hurt at the time.
Wen Hemian took a deep breath to suppress the sour feeling rising in her heart, and with a hint of tenderness, she lowered her head and rested it on his shoulder and neck.
"If you get injured this time, don't get injured again in the future."
Xie Lang tensed slightly, feeling that her soft voice didn't sound like she was feeling sorry for him, but rather like she was seducing and bewitching him.
"Okay," he replied softly.
As if sensing the change in the other person's body, Wen Hemian chuckled softly twice, her lips slightly upturned. After a moment, she looked up and took the young man's hand, placing it on her sash.
"Your Majesty, sometimes you don't have to be so sensible."
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