No one expected that an assassin would be hiding in this place. This change happened too fast. Xie Lang's blood almost froze. The next moment, he felt a blur before his eyes and was swept behind him.
Wen Hemian's brows furrowed, and he swiftly drew his sword from his waist to meet the attack.
In a few exchanges, swords clashed and clanged. The newcomer seemed not to have expected her to know martial arts. In a moment of hesitation, her weakness was exploited. Wen Hemian's moves were clean and swift. Before long, she kicked the assassin to the ground, her foot on his chest, the tip of her sword against his neck. She lowered her eyes and stared at the assassin with indifferent disdain.
Xie Lang was stunned by what he saw. His lips moved, but he didn't know what to say. However, he finally understood why he couldn't break free from Wen He Mian's movements before.
"So...you knew martial arts before?"
The hidden guards surrounded them. Wen Hemian glanced at the little boy to make sure he wasn't frightened before smiling and explaining, "Your Majesty, my surname is Wen. My father spent his life on the battlefield, so even if I'm not very good at it, I've still learned a few martial arts skills."
As she spoke, Wen Hemian drew even closer with the sword in her hand, coldly watching the man, a sudden smirk playing on her lips.
"I don't know who gave them the wrong impression that I'm just a sickly person."
Xie Lang's expression was indescribable. Looking at how tightly she was wrapped up, he thought to himself, "Don't you look like it?"
"They do look quite similar."
Wen Heming lifted his foot and handed the assassin over to the arriving Imperial Guards to be taken away for interrogation.
Xie Lang then realized that he had just spoken his true feelings. Before he could react, Wen Hemian suddenly leaned close to him and asked curiously, "Your Majesty, did you just call me Grand Tutor?"
Xie Lang was wary and concerned about his reputation. After raising him for so long, Wen Hemian had never heard him call him Grand Tutor. He had given up hope, but today he accidentally heard it.
Is this considered a bit too docile?
"...Yes." Xie Lang pursed his lips. He wasn't so bad as to deny what he had said. He muttered softly, "You were originally my tutor."
"That's right. You were frightened just now, weren't you?"
Xie Lang recalled how she shielded him from the sword light as it struck, and his heart was still pounding. Even with his eyes closed, the image lingered. He had to admit that he truly couldn't bear to see Wen Hemian get hurt.
She was so good to him.
Seeing that he did not answer, Wen Hemian sighed and poked his cheek: "Speaking of which, it was my oversight. Your Majesty is so old, it is just right for you to learn martial arts. I will find you a martial arts teacher later."
The little tyrant in the original book was also skilled, but he was a self-taught martial artist who honed his skills through blood and tears. With Wen Hemian around, there was no need for him to suffer like that.
Xie Lang did not refuse this time: "Yes, thank you, Grand Tutor."
Wen Hemian raised an eyebrow in surprise, keenly realizing that the little brat's attitude towards her had changed quite a bit. She was secretly pleased: "Then Your Majesty must learn well so that you can protect me in the future."
It sounded a bit strange, but Xie Lang thought it was fine and said firmly with his head held high, "Alright, Grand Tutor, I'll be there to protect you."
The child's eyes were bright, like beautiful gemstone beads, and they were a delight to look at.
Having ambition is a good thing, so Wen Hemian didn't discourage him and continued to walk with him to the side hall.
After having a late-night snack, an unexpected person arrived.
The young man had striking features, including sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. He wore a black patrol uniform with a knife at his waist. He was tall and slender, and an old scar was faintly visible on the web of his wrist. He was none other than Huo Ping, the commander of the Imperial Guards.
"Greetings, Your Majesty, Lord Wen."
Huo Ping concealed the fierceness in his eyes, but his imposing manner remained as he bowed. His gaze swept over the two men, and he lowered his head, saying, "This subordinate was careless and allowed thieves to enter the palace, disturbing His Majesty and Lord Wen. Please forgive me."
On the day Wen Hemian led his men into the palace, he met Huo Ping. This commander of the Imperial Guards was cold and aloof, but a loyal royalist. With his waist token in hand, he reacted quickly and lent Wen Hemian a helping hand. However, this was the first time he had ever met Xie Lang.
Xie Lang's gaze was cold, his dark eyes fixed on him like a deep pool, showing no fear whatsoever, and he said, word by word, "This is dereliction of duty."
Huo Ping narrowed his eyes.
He already knew Xie Lang before this; a prince who came from the cold palace, timid, illiterate, and always following Wen Hemian when he went out. He seemed like a hopeless case, but after meeting him, he felt that this was not entirely true.
Rather than a puppet, it's more like a wolf cub lurking in the shadows, waiting to grow up and bite off its enemy's neck.
He pondered slowly, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. How do you intend to punish me?"
“According to palace law, the punishment is fifty strokes of the cane and a year’s salary deduction.” Xie Lang’s expression was cold, and there was no hint of a smile in his eyes. “However, Lord Huo has made great contributions, and considering this is his first offense, the caning will be waived.”
Huo Ping was amused, finding the young emperor increasingly interesting.
The Imperial Guards are directly under the Emperor's command. His visit today was indeed partly motivated by observation. Looking at the young Emperor's melancholy gaze, he suddenly felt a chill.
His combination of kindness and severity, and his imperial cunning, made him far better than his father.
He accepted the punishment, saying, "Thank you for your forgiveness, Your Majesty."
After observing their interaction, Wen Hemian gave Xie Lang an approving look and asked, "Did you find out anything about that person's background?"
Huo Ping's expression turned strange: "They say they are chivalrous people who cannot stand Lord Wen holding the emperor hostage."
Xie Langrui commented: "You might as well just say you didn't find anything out."
Anyone with eyes can see that this is just an excuse.
"But that person was definitely after me. Whether they were assassins or secret guards, their mouths were sealed shut, so it was useless. It's just that they probably still have people planted in the palace, otherwise they wouldn't have been able to sneak in so easily."
Wen Heming saw through the phenomena to the essence.
Xie Lang coldly said, "Then kill them, and then clean up the palace again."
Wen Hemian's hand trembled, but he didn't say anything more.
An emperor is different from others; she cannot use modern educational concepts to restrain Xie Lang, otherwise it may backfire.
Huo Ping accepted the order and left.
Xie Lang then withdrew his cool aura. He glanced at the silent Wen Hemian beside him, his eyes dark and unfathomable: "Does the Grand Tutor think that I am too cruel?"
Having spent a considerable amount of time together, Xie Lang, with his keen intellect, had come to understand Wen Hemian's character. This man sympathized even with stray cats begging for mercy in the snow, let alone a living human being. He hadn't even tried to kill him during the fight.
Now that he's given the order, are you feeling pity?
Wen Hemian snapped out of her daze and realized she had been wronged: "How could that be? He was about to kill me, and I felt sorry for him?"
She frowned, staring at Xie Lang with a puzzled look: "Your Majesty, stop thinking about all sorts of things with your little brain, or you'll turn into an old man, you know?"
Xie Lang suddenly lost his composure, his shoulders slumping: "I shouldn't have cared about you."
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