The reason she said it was familiar was because Wen Hemian had smelled this scent on Xie Lang before.
As for the scene at that time, Wen Hemian gritted her teeth and decided it was better not to talk about it.
The thought flashed through his mind in just a few seconds. Wen Hemian lowered his eyes and stepped into the Imperial Study without changing his expression.
Upon entering the Imperial Study, the exotic fragrance became even stronger. Even Wen Hemian, who was wearing a veil, coughed from the stench. Xie Lang, who was sitting behind the desk, heard the noise and rushed over, bringing a cup of tea to extinguish the incense burning in the stove.
He frowned, looking momentarily flustered, but quickly regained his composure: "Are you alright?"
Wen Hemian had no choice but to ask: "What kind of incense are you using in the Imperial Study? Why aren't you using the old incense anymore?"
Xie Lang paused for a moment, then said vaguely, "I don't like it anymore. Let's choose something else."
While the change was indeed a change, this particular one seemed somewhat unusual. Wen Hemian secretly noted it down in her mind, and sensing that he was unwilling to talk about it, she didn't press him further.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Xie Lang, as he had done many times before, pushed her to sit down on a chair.
The Imperial Study originally had only one chair, but Xie Lang later added one for Wen Hemian for convenience. No other minister received this special treatment.
I didn't expect it to still be kept.
Wen Hemian's prepared words caught in her throat. She slowly raised her eyes and asked, "Has anyone in the court angered His Majesty?"
Xie Lang looked at him strangely: "Lai Xi said that?"
Wen Heming: "I asked."
As a close attendant of the emperor, Lai Xi should not have revealed the emperor's information. He was only willing to speak up because Wen He Mian was a special case. However, he had to take the responsibility upon himself, otherwise he would feel uneasy if Xie Lang blamed him.
"Um."
Xie Lang didn't say anything, but then he changed his tone: "I said I don't want anyone else. If the Grand Tutor is like the court officials who are advising me to open a harem, then there's no need to say anything more. I won't listen."
Xie Lang lowered his eyes, trying to hide the loneliness and gloom in them. He knew that Wen Hemian no longer had romantic feelings for him, and her rejection was expected. She might have thought of other ways to dispel his thoughts.
My heart is filled with bitterness, and I have nowhere to confide in.
Wen Heming was taken aback: "...I didn't."
No matter how much he grows up, Xie Lang is still similar to the child who used to snuggle in her arms. He always swallows his bitterness, and Wen Hemian will unconsciously care for him.
She said softly, "I just wanted to ask why His Majesty didn't attend court before. He didn't intend to interfere in the affairs of the inner palace, not before, and not now."
When Xie Lang heard what she said, a smile flashed in his eyes. Like a big dog, he immediately perked up his droopy ears and his eyes sparkled: "You can interfere. You can interfere with the harem as you please."
Xie Lang was happy as long as he wasn't aligned with those old-fashioned ministers.
He didn't answer Wen Hemian's previous question. After saying this almost ambiguous sentence, he asked, "Then can the Grand Tutor answer me first? Is it because I didn't attend court that I came back?"
Wen Hemian checked the time with the system, and the system received the notification around the same time. She hesitated for a moment, but still admitted, "...Perhaps."
Xie Lang pressed further: "Is it because you're worried that I'll neglect state affairs and become an incapable ruler?"
His gaze was intense, and Wen Hemian felt as if she had been burned. She looked away and couldn't answer for a long time.
Worried that he wouldn't be a wise ruler? But the system never mentioned that at the time. It only said that it detected that he was turning to the dark side, so Wen Hemian rushed back. It had nothing to do with that.
Wen Hemian didn't know what to say, let alone give a suitable answer.
Seeing this, Xie Lang's enthusiasm cooled slightly: "I understand, Grand Tutor, there's no need to say more. Not attending court... was something I did intentionally when I first learned of your situation. There's no other reason. Don't worry, I won't neglect my duties because of this."
No matter how much suffering it takes, this is the empire that Wen Hemian wants to see.
Xie Lang remembered what she had said, so he took it as a way of currying favor.
Wen Heming did not expect this answer.
Suddenly, I realized that the two questions Xie Lang had asked earlier were actually based on some clues.
The answer he wanted was perhaps the simplest.
Due to her physical condition and experiences in her previous life, Wen Hemian knows how to follow her heart when dealing with other people and things, but she is more reserved and introverted when dealing with herself.
That's not what I meant.
Wen Heming couldn't help but speak, lowering her voice slightly for the second half of her sentence: "We've been together for many years, and I do care."
Wen Hemian had to admit that even after they parted ways, she would occasionally think of the boy she had taught, wondering what new things she wanted to show him, or imagining what he would be like when he grew up.
It's because you care that you think about it.
Xie Lang looked up in surprise, suddenly feeling a little flustered: "Is...is that so?"
Wen Hemian still wanted to emphasize: "I didn't mean anything by it. Over the years... I'm not a heartless stone man, how could I not have any feelings?"
Xie Lang only listened to what he wanted to hear. When he heard the word "care," he became excited and happily added, "I care about the Grand Tutor too."
Wen Hemian caught a hint of childishness in his voice and almost laughed. But when she realized what he was saying, she coughed twice, choked by the sound.
Xie Lang frantically patted her back.
Wen Hemian took off her veil; it was too stuffy.
The incense burning in the imperial study had permeated the entire room, and even after it was extinguished, the smell lingered.
Xie Lang probably knew she was feeling unwell, and offered, "Why don't we go for a walk outside?"
Wen Heming shook his head: "No."
There was definitely something unusual about this incense. Even though it was heavily scented with spices, Wen Hemian could still detect a hint of medicine in it. It would be good for Xie Lang to stay here a little longer.
"I……"
Just as Wen Hemian was about to get up and say that she would go back to the side hall first, Xie Lang spoke even faster, and said with a smile: "Alright, I have a few things I can't figure out, so I'll ask the Grand Tutor to take a look."
As he spoke, he casually grabbed a few folded documents from the desk and placed them in front of Wen Heming, as if he genuinely had some questions or concerns.
Wen Heming swallowed back the words she was about to say, picked up one of the books and flipped through it. It was a report on trivial matters submitted by an official surnamed Liu. She flipped through another book, and it was about the same.
Wen Heming's eyes were full of doubt. He couldn't figure it out.
Xie Lang, without batting an eye, said, "It gives me a headache."
Xie Lang thought without a guilty conscience that, in another sense, he wasn't exactly lying.
Wen Hemian sighed and chose to be accommodating: "Let Your Majesty say what you will."
As soon as he finished speaking, his wrist was grabbed. Xie Lang's voice was slightly hoarse, and he adopted an even more pitiful posture: "I admit, I just want you to stay and keep me company, is that not allowed?"
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