During the days when the rumors started circulating, the ministers whispered among themselves many times, unable to figure out exactly when His Majesty had developed feelings for Lord Wen.
They even found substitutes and imprisoned the girls in the palace, forbidding them from leaving.
It sounds pretty absurd.
It was so absurd that it reminded them of the late emperor's style.
The ministers couldn't help but look bitter. If only the Imperial Tutor were still here, he could keep His Majesty in check.
It's all the fault of those treacherous officials. Of all people to assassinate, they had to choose the Imperial Tutor... Alas, it's too late to say anything now.
The ministers had been frowning for a long time, and they had been secretly discussing how to advise His Majesty. But now they were told that Lord Wen was not dead and had even returned to the capital.
Not only that, the young lady His Majesty imprisoned in the palace is none other than Lord Wen—what kind of mess is this!
The ministers were all experiencing a similar sense of despair, and some of the victims turned their attention to Ye Zhaoxuan, already planning how to question him after the banquet.
Ye Zhaoxuan: "..."
She hugged herself tightly in fear.
Rumors are harmful!
Xie Lang withdrew his gaze and calmly announced the start of the banquet.
Seeing that someone was helping her share the firepower, Wen Hemian breathed a sigh of relief and began to look at the people present.
There were many familiar faces and many unfamiliar faces. She had known about them beforehand, so there was nothing surprising. She had been gone for three years; it would be truly bizarre if she hadn't changed at all.
It's worth mentioning that Wen Hemian saw two female officials at the end of the banquet. Although their official ranks were not high, at least he saw women in the court. There should be more women in the future.
Besides these, there were also the invited feudal lords.
Among them, Prince Jia, Xie Yong, was the closest to the royal family and held a higher position, so he sat in the front seat.
Unlike Ning Hechu, who had a smile that concealed a knife, Xie Yong seemed more aggressive. Regardless of anything else, members of the royal family were all good-looking. His three-white eyes seemed to be smiling but not smiling, and he stared straight at people, which made people feel very uncomfortable.
Wen Hemian could clearly feel the probing gaze that fell upon her, sinister and ambitious, in short, with ill intentions.
The master of ceremonies announced the ceremony, and the proceedings proceeded smoothly. The strange atmosphere that had arisen due to Wen Hemian's appearance gradually eased. Fine wine and delicacies were served, and the entire banquet was filled with laughter and joy.
Just then, Xie Yong, who had been sitting still, suddenly stood up and spoke: "Your Majesty, I am far away in your fiefdom. When Your Majesty ascended the throne, I was unable to send you a congratulatory gift. Today is the Emperor's birthday, a day of celebration with Heaven. I have prepared a birthday gift and, having heard that Your Majesty is pregnant, I am presenting it to you."
Upon hearing this, everyone present was taken aback.
After what just happened, everyone knew that the commotion in the harem was related to Lord Wen. Although they whispered about it in private, no one dared to say it openly.
This Prince Jia looks respectful and sincere, so how could he be so audacious in this matter, as if he's afraid His Majesty won't punish him?
Wen Hemian paused in her drinking, her expression unchanged, though she was actually a little surprised. She hadn't expected this person to make a move so quickly, involving her. What was he planning to do?
Xie Lang was no longer the impulsive young man he once was. After years of tempering, he spoke calmly and easily: "Prince Jia is very thoughtful."
Xie Yong smiled and gestured for his subordinates to bring up the birthday gifts. They were all local specialties, indeed niche and precious. Even some well-informed ministers couldn't help but show surprise upon seeing them.
Of course, these gifts are not the main point.
The key point is...
Along with the birthday gifts came several beauties, some plump and some slender, all with captivating eyes.
"Your Majesty is now over twenty years old, in the prime of your life, and it is the perfect time to have many children. I have heard that Your Majesty's harem is in decline, so I am sending you a few beauties in the hope that Your Majesty will soon have more children."
When Xie Yong said this, he looked very natural, as if he really meant well and was thinking about the emperor's offspring, with a concerned look in his eyes.
However, the ministers' expressions changed, and they glanced at Xie Lang and Wen Hemian with suspicion, feeling even more that Xie Yong was incredibly audacious.
Regardless of what happens in the future, we can't and shouldn't be so tactless right now!
Xie Lang had anticipated this turn of events and calmly chuckled, "I will make my own decisions regarding matters of the harem; Prince Jia need not concern himself with them. I am not a lecherous man like the late Emperor. Prince Jia, if you have the leisure and refined taste, you may enjoy it yourself."
The late emperor's behavior has been criticized more than once or twice. Everyone knows Xie Lang's background, so there is actually no way to criticize him for disrespecting his ancestors. However, no one expected that he could use this method to retaliate against Prince Jia.
Brilliant!
Upon hearing that he was grouped with the late emperor, Xie Yong's face darkened, but he dared not say anything to his face and could only reply dryly, "Yes."
With this precedent set, all the other vassal kings who dared to cause trouble afterward behaved themselves and dared not continue to act recklessly.
After drinking for half a day, a cool breeze began to rise.
Xie Lang frowned slightly, just about to ask Lai Xi to send Wen He Mian a cloak, when he saw her get up and go outside for some fresh air.
The palace was heavily guarded, and with secret guards following him, Xie Lang wasn't worried about anything happening. He restrained himself for a while and didn't rush to go out.
He had long realized that he couldn't keep her by his side forever, and that bringing her to appear in front of everyone this time was actually a way of expressing his attitude.
He knew it, and Wen Hemian knew it too.
Wen Heming didn't go too far.
Tonight, most people's attention is focused on the banquet. Undercurrents are swirling among the princes, and some are trying to find out about the situation in the capital through conversation. Most of their methods are not sophisticated, and it is estimated that not many of them really want to take action.
The garden was quiet and secluded. Wen Hemian stood under the corridor admiring the scenery. A young palace maid came forward to drape a cloak over her shoulders. It was obvious who had given the order.
Perhaps knowing she wanted to be alone, the palace servants quickly withdrew quietly.
A short while later, Wen Hemian heard another set of footsteps. She didn't know whose they were, but it certainly wasn't Xie Lang's.
"Mr. Wen."
The visitor was Prince Jia.
Wen Hemian turned around, his eyes calm: "Your Highness Prince Jia."
Xie Yong's eyes held a hint of amazement.
It is said that beauty is seen under the lamplight. He was quite surprised to learn the truth about the double at the banquet. However, even from a distance, he could confirm that the Imperial Tutor, who had changed back into women's clothing, was an absolute beauty. Just sitting there, she made people feel that she was untouchable.
No wonder the young emperor had his eye on it.
He had a general idea of why his gift offering had failed, but he didn't expect Xie Lang to be so ruthless and decisive in refusing him.
However, with such a superior beauty in front of him, it's understandable to refuse.
Wen Hemian frowned in disgust: "May I ask what business Your Highness, Prince Jia, has with me?"
"Grand Tutor Wen is His Majesty's teacher," Xie Yong said with a smile. "I suppose Grand Tutor Wen may not be willing to stay in the palace. If you wish, I might be able to help you negotiate."
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