In public, he couldn't do anything more outrageous. At most, like many lovers, he would hold her hand quietly in private, conveying some unspoken feelings.
Once their lanterns had completely disappeared from sight, Xie Lang moved and led Wen Hemian elsewhere.
The storyteller continued his eloquent tale, but perhaps because of the special occasion, he was no longer telling strange and unusual stories, but rather short tales related to the Qixi Festival.
Among them, the story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl has endured the test of time.
The storyteller spoke in a very slow tone, yet the audience remained as drawn in as ever, and the men and women in the audience felt a sense of sadness to varying degrees.
However, Xie Lang just scoffed after hearing this.
Wen Heming smiled and leaned back in her chair, turning her head to ask him, "Do you have a different opinion on this?"
Xie Lang hummed in agreement, his expression mocking: "Using despicable means just to make a woman stay and suffer with him, and even bear his children, is utterly shameless. How can she be considered a good match?"
That's a very insightful point.
Wen Hemian nodded: "That's true."
“However…” she suddenly changed the subject, “Back then…”
Xie Lang guessed what she wanted to say and abruptly cut her off, lowering his voice: "I didn't mean to keep you trapped. I was just too scared. Once you calm down, I won't force you."
Ultimately, he is not the ruthless and cold-blooded tyrant in the original book. He is a monarch who is upright from the bottom of his heart, a brooding and vigilant wolf cub, who can also be infected by warm companionship.
Wen Hemian chuckled: "You've forced me into things, isn't that enough?"
Every time he kissed her, it was without warning. She realized that Xie Lang was incredibly bold.
His autocratic and dictatorial manner really resembled that of a qualified emperor, leaving her unsure whether to be happy or worried.
Xie Lang glanced at her furtively, making sure it was just teasing and not blame, and subtly curved the corners of his lips: "Sorry."
He didn't seem to be seriously repenting.
Wen Hemian was too lazy to argue with him and turned her gaze back.
There was no curfew on Qixi Festival. After listening to the storyteller, it was already late. Since they were planning to stay outside the palace for the next few days, they could just go back to the Prince's Mansion.
After their heart-to-heart talk, Qingyun still felt awkward about the two of them being together, but she was much better now. At least she could return to her previous attitude; otherwise, it would be uncomfortable to be stuck in this awkwardness.
On the way back, Xie Lang saw Wen Hemian yawning several times. He went to the side bedroom to take a bath, thinking he would find her waiting for him on the bed, but instead he found her wearing a snow-white nightgown, sitting on a small couch by the window.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up, his face full of smiles: "Come over for a drink?"
Wen Heming raised her hand, and Xie Lang belatedly realized that it was not a teacup, but a wine cup. There was also a wine cup on the empty seat opposite her.
Xie Lang watched, and for some reason his heart skipped a beat. Mu Mu walked over, sat down, picked up her wine glass, and took a sip.
The aroma of the wine is subtle, mixed with floral notes, and it's sweet and delicious. But the taste... um, it's a bit familiar.
After finishing his cup, Xie Lang asked in surprise and doubt, "Where did the Grand Tutor find this wine?"
"In those years, I traveled all over the country and always made some gains. I happened to get two jugs of wine from a traveling merchant. The taste was familiar, so I temporarily stored it at the manor. I only had someone deliver it to me a few days ago."
Wen Hemian rested her chin on her hand and looked at him slowly: "I remember clearly that His Majesty once tricked me with this wine."
...They got what they deserved later.
Xie Lang fluently said, "I was wrong."
But then he seized on the key point, his expression slightly dazed: "Did the Grand Tutor know then that I kissed you?"
He could even remember the taste of the wine clearly, let alone anything else. The more Xie Lang thought about it, the more flawed it seemed.
"What does Your Majesty think?" Wen Hemian asked with a half-smile, pouring him another cup.
In this situation, even if it were wine or a potion of intoxication, Xie Lang would still have no choice but to drink it down.
Wen Hemian really didn't hold back, pouring him five cups in the blink of an eye. Fortunately, Xie Lang's drinking capacity, honed over the years, was enough to keep him sober.
He lowered his eyes, loosely gripped the wine cup, and asked, "Has the Grand Tutor calmed down?"
"What if I say no?" Wen Hemian asked curiously, "Would you still like to drink?"
After all, it happened so long ago. To say I was really angry now, I don't think I was that angry anymore. I just wanted to teach Xie Lang a lesson.
"I'm not drinking anymore."
Xie Lang begged for mercy, and when it came to shamelessness, no one could compare to him: "Grand Tutor, please have mercy on me."
If we're really going to settle the score, it's not just about a few drinks. Wen Hemian was clearly taking things lightly, and both of them knew that.
I thought you'd hold on a little longer.
Wen Hemian smiled and looked away, then drank a glass of wine herself.
Having learned from past mistakes, she dared not drink too much.
Xie Lang breathed a sigh of relief. As the effects of the alcohol wore off, his will became less stable. His eyelashes trembled, and he asked softly, "During those three years, I missed the Grand Tutor so much. Did the Grand Tutor... ever think of me?"
When they met again, he used extreme methods, and even when he looked directly at Wen Hemian, his eyes revealed a hint of guilt. He didn't dare to ask any more questions. Now that the old story has been brought up again, he has gained some confidence.
“Of course I’ve thought about it,” Wen Hemian sighed softly. “Every time I want to give you something, I’m afraid of revealing the secret, so I’m saving it up and taking you to see it later.”
Xie Lang's eyes lit up: "Grand Tutor is truly wonderful."
"That's enough, let's take a break."
Wen Hemian found his drunken appearance both amusing and amusing, so she reached out to take his hand, which was quickly grabbed tightly.
Xie Lang, clinging to her hand, hugged her tightly from behind.
Wen Hemian had no choice but to walk heavily to the bedside. The person behind her was obviously not well-behaved, biting her ear and kissing her tenderly. The fragrance of wine mixed with the scent of flowers wafted over her, so strong that it almost overwhelmed her.
Wen Hemian felt a bit uncomfortable.
She pinched Xie Lang's arm: "Loosen up."
I don't know where that strength came from, it was as if they were afraid she would run away, they held her so tightly every time that Wen Hemian could hardly breathe.
Awakened somewhat by the pain, Xie Lang obediently loosened his grip, burying his head against her neck and shoulder, his voice hoarse: "It hurts. If you're sleepy, you should rest first. I'll go to the bathroom..."
He pushed Wen Heming onto the bed, while he stood up. As he spoke, he turned to leave, but his clothes were suddenly grabbed.
It was clearly a very light force, yet he could no longer move an inch and could only stand there blankly, awaiting judgment.
He turned around, his fingertips clenching almost imperceptibly, but a closer look revealed a slight tremor.
Wen Heming lowered her eyes, her expression unreadable, a blush still lingering at the base of her ears. Her cool demeanor was tinged with a hint of allure, and her usually gentle voice carried a touch of questioning: "Xie Huaichuan, what exactly are you afraid of?"
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