Wen Hemian never expected that the carefully crafted persona she had created would come back to haunt her years later.
Fortunately, she handled the situation well and the problem wasn't serious.
Upon hearing this, the young emperor's face immediately darkened, and he pursed his lips, looking displeased.
The ministers looked at each other, unsure of what the two men were thinking.
Xie Lang's tone was cold, neither confirming nor denying: "Continue."
Alright, let's put aside the matter of selecting officials for now. Everyone present discussed and finalized the other procedures. Seeing that the emperor was pondering, they all tactfully clasped their hands in farewell and took their leave.
Finally, they were left alone.
Xie Lang took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly at the end: "Do you really have to go? Is it to avoid me?"
Wen Heming wondered to himself, "Did I show that intention?"
"You know exactly what I'm thinking, yet you bring it up now. How can I not overthink it?"
Taking advantage of the fact that no one else was around, Xie Lang abandoned all pride and dignity, his eyes quickly reddening, like a wronged puppy.
He accused in a low voice: "Hanshuang, it's one thing for you to avoid me for so long, but you know I won't let you go to the epidemic area."
At the beginning of the epidemic, which was the most dangerous time, officials had to think carefully before speaking. He had personal feelings, so how could he let Wen Hemian go?
“Even if they don’t want me to go, I’m going anyway.”
Wen Hemian kept in mind what the system had said. It couldn't possibly lie, which meant that she must have a crucial part in the process.
Although she didn't know what it was, she didn't seem to resist it.
“Ah Lang”.
Wen Hemian called out that name after a long time; it was the first time he had used it since their stalemate began.
Xie Lang stiffened for a moment, then slowly forced out a single word from his throat: "Mm."
He blinked and stared at Wen Hemian, looking very obedient.
Wen Hemian rarely could withstand such a gaze, after all, there was the filter of watching her grow up, so her voice was still relatively gentle: "We need to be apart for a while. I can't calm down and think things through while I'm by your side or in the capital."
"you……"
Xie Lang's eyes widened slightly, as if he hadn't expected her to say such a thing.
Wen Hemian pressed on while the iron was hot: "This time, I am the most suitable, and only I can handle it well."
Wen Hemian is confident when she needs to be, and she never hesitates to praise herself in various aspects.
So, will you say yes?
Finally, she asked in a low voice.
The way she looked at Xie Lang was the same as before, always filled with kind tolerance, and a smile played on her lips, radiating warmth.
For a moment, Xie Lang really wanted to hug her, but in the end, he curled his fingers and didn't move.
"Okay, just this once."
"You agreed so quickly?"
Without much explanation, Wen Hemian, still somewhat unaccustomed to the situation, warned in a low voice, "Don't forget the lessons I taught you: a son of a wealthy family should not sit under a dangerous roof. Don't even think about sneaking over with me."
Given Xie Lang's character, if he's not at ease, he might actually do something like that.
Xie Lang: "..."
The redness in his eyes didn't last long, replaced by a chilling resentment: "I understand."
Wen Hemian's attitude was firm; there was no room for change at this point.
It was impossible for Xie Lang to go along, so he had to tamper with the arrangements, adding several more imperial physicians to the original list, sending an official from the Ministry of Personnel to accompany them, and adding many more guards.
Wen Heming hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
No, it's really not that bad.
But she could empathize with Xie Lang's worries. To put it another way, if it were Xie Lang going out tomorrow, she would feel the same unease.
After finishing, Xie Lang closed his eyes wearily and made his last request.
"Grand Tutor, please stay in the palace tonight. Consider it my farewell gift to you."
Their cold war had dragged on for so long, and before they could even open up, the epidemic struck, giving them no time to catch their breath.
Xie Lang is really reluctant to see Wen Hemian leave soon.
After saying that, he looked at Wen Hemian with that hesitant and timid gaze.
Wen Hemian's brow twitched twice: "Keep your eyes away, and stop acting like a child. You're such a grown man, Your Majesty, don't you feel ashamed?"
As long as it's useful, it doesn't matter if it's embarrassing or not.
Wen Hemian sighed, "I'll stay. Send someone to the Prince's residence to have Qingyun prepare what I need."
With the goal of keeping the person here achieved, Xie Lang readily agreed, "Okay."
Even though everything was arranged on the surface, Xie Lang was still very worried. That evening, he insisted on pulling Wen Hemian aside to confirm again: "Are you sure nothing will happen?... I'm starting to regret it."
His voice grew softer and softer, and he looked away, unable to meet Wen Hemian's gaze.
Wen Hemian asked in a sinister tone, "Who was it that told me before that I shouldn't change my mind so easily?"
Xie Lang refused to face the facts: "Anyway, it wasn't me."
Wen Heming was speechless.
She did reveal a little: "Regarding the epidemic in Jianghuai, I might have some clues. Although I'm not sure if they're correct, I won't get myself into trouble."
Based on her years of cooperation with the system, she still has some credibility.
Sensing the certainty in her tone, Xie Lang remained silent for a long while before speaking in a hoarse voice, "Since the Grand Tutor says so, I believe you. But if something goes wrong, I will never believe you again."
He had never wanted to put Wen Hemian in a dangerous situation, and with her guarantee this time, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.
If everything goes smoothly and peacefully, that's fine. But if something really happens, Xie Lang thinks he'll go crazy.
Wen Hemian suddenly felt like she was coaxing a child: "I understand. There's no need to think about it so seriously. If the time is right, when I come back, I can have a New Year's Eve dinner with His Majesty."
Xie Lang: "Okay, I'll wait."
The two spent dinner peacefully.
Time was of the essence, so Xie Lang issued an order to set off early the next morning. After having a meal, he urged Wen Hemian to rest early in the morning.
Wen Hemian had a strange feeling of returning to the past.
She yawned, her expression softening slightly: "Your Majesty should also rest early."
Incense was lit in the hall, its light fragrance quite pleasant. After closing the door, Wen Hemian quickly washed up, turned off the lights, and went to bed to rest.
I felt sleepy unusually quickly today, but perhaps because I was thinking about something, I fell into a hazy state around midnight, unable to open my eyes.
In a daze, it felt as if something gently brushed across my face, then slowly moved down to my chin and then to my neck, a sensation that was both precious and terrifying.
She realized that this didn't seem like a dream.
In the darkness, all the thick, obscure emotions fermented and amplified, ultimately becoming only a crystal-clear kiss on the lips, the teeth pried open, wantonly stealing the breath.
The pressure on his chin was quite heavy, accompanied by a barely audible sigh.
"Wen Hemian, I'm waiting for you..."
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