When Wen Chengyuan and Qin Yi arrived, they wore the same expressions as Meng Min.
"Han Shuang, you've done something really big!"
Wen Chengyuan was overjoyed; just imagining the enemy unable to climb the city walls filled him with delight.
Wen Heming said modestly, "I learned it by chance, and I'm glad it can be of any help."
Qin Yi, being meticulous, said, "Luckily, this thing didn't fall into the enemy's hands. Let's find a good day to apply it. Don't let the people see it, do it tonight."
Wen Chengyuan nodded: "I know, I'll arrange it right away."
The proportions and specific operating procedures were tested and recorded, so Wen Hemian didn't need to worry about the rest. She naturally became a hands-off manager.
Since I had nothing better to do, I asked for some pen and ink and decided to write some short, educational stories to sell to bookstores in the city as educational books.
Although the border region was far from the capital, far-sighted families still hoped that their children could study more and eventually go to the capital to take the imperial examinations. Therefore, even if the conditions were tough, they would not let their children's education suffer.
Wen Hemian genuinely hoped that more talented individuals could emerge and enter the imperial court in the future to help Xie Lang share the burden, so that he wouldn't be so overworked.
This winter seems to have passed quite quickly; the days flew by, and before long it was April.
Xie Lang used to look forward to April the most because he knew that Wen Hemian would always carefully prepare a gift for him. It might not be anything special, but it would be more thoughtful than anyone else's. In short, it was something he liked.
April this year was particularly special, as His Majesty the Emperor came of age. The Ministry of Rites submitted a memorial well in advance, inquiring about the coming-of-age ceremony and whether it needed to be properly organized.
Xie Lang glanced at it, then picked up his pen and rejected it.
With Wen Heming absent, he had no desire to hold a coming-of-age ceremony.
What's remarkable is that the Ministry of Rites was smart this time. After receiving the rejected memorial, no one had any intention of bringing it up again. They could probably guess that His Majesty was still concerned about Lord Wen's matter.
The coming-of-age ceremony can be skipped, but a courtesy name must be given, as this is to be recorded in the history books.
Fortunately, Xie Lang replied quickly this time, saying that the best name he had chosen was Huai Chuan, and he specifically mentioned that it was Wen He Mian who had chosen it, the meaning of which was self-evident.
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, and only sighs could be heard.
It's not that it's bad, it's that it's excellent.
Your Majesty has accepted this word, and will keep it in mind from now on. It will be difficult for you to let it go.
The fact that no monument was erected and no funeral was held suggests that lingering thoughts still exist in their hearts. The ministers saw through this but kept quiet, secretly wondering when this taut string would finally snap.
Of course, we're not hoping for it to end, but everyone's a little uneasy about this limbo.
Xie Lang didn't care what the court officials thought. After finishing his business, he went to the Prince's Mansion and did nothing but sit in the study for most of the day.
When Wen Hemian was by his side, he never felt lonely. Even the gloom he had developed in the cold palace in his youth was dispelled by the daily companionship. Only when he was all alone did he realize how terrible this loneliness was.
The living carry the weight of hope and cannot easily depart, yet they are tormented by pain at all times, keeping them awake night after night.
"Your Majesty," Lai Xi knocked on the door from outside, "We're having longevity noodles for your birthday. The steward of the Prince's residence sent someone to make them. What do you think?"
Xie Lang would give some face to anyone around Wen Hemian.
Uncle Lu was an old man in the Prince's mansion who had watched Wen Hemian grow up. Xie Lang pondered for a moment and then nodded: "Bring it in."
Lai Xi entered the house with a smile, but when he saw His Majesty's expression, he became slightly more composed and carefully placed the freshly cooked longevity noodles down.
One year, Wen Hemian got the urge to cook longevity noodles for Xie Lang, but she really didn't have much talent for it, and the final result wasn't very appealing. Only Xie Lang cherished it so much that he ate the whole bowl of noodles.
However, he later forbade Wen Hemian from cooking for him anymore.
It wasn't that he disliked her cooking skills, but he was worried that she might cut her hand while chopping vegetables. Xie Lang was terrified just watching her. No matter how much he liked it, he didn't need any more food.
There are many things more worth remembering than being with Wen Heming.
Things have changed.
Xie Lang finished his longevity noodles. Lai Xi, being quite perceptive, didn't say anything and quietly cleared away the bowls and chopsticks, preparing to take them out, when he suddenly heard him ask:
"Laixi, why don't you think the Grand Tutor comes to see me?"
When the late emperor was alive, he was once obsessed with alchemy and fantasized about becoming an immortal. Xie Lang had lived in the cold palace for several years and had seen a lot of the wickedness of people's hearts, so he was known for not believing in ghosts and gods.
Lai Xi was surprised that he would ask such a question, and said carefully, "This servant dares to say that perhaps Lord Wen is blessed with good fortune, but we have not yet found her."
Xie Lang lowered his eyelashes, unsure whether he believed it or not.
Lai Xi glanced at it, then boldly added, "Besides, Lord Wen has always cared for His Majesty, so she certainly wouldn't want to see His Majesty sad."
After being reprimanded for saying the wrong thing last time, Lai Xi has become much smarter. Especially after discovering His Majesty's feelings for Lord Wen, he doesn't point it out directly, but always manages to say things that please people without being too direct.
Being so gloomy all day long is not good for His Majesty's health.
Xie Lang scoffed lightly, as if mocking himself: "Not necessarily. It was I who angered her."
Lai Xi hesitated and nodded, his intuition telling him that he had touched upon something he shouldn't have.
Fortunately, Xie Lang didn't investigate further and waved him out.
They stayed at the Prince's Mansion that day.
Xie Lang did not stay in the room that Wen Heming had prepared for him, but instead stayed in Wen Heming's room.
Qingyun hesitated, unable to speak in the face of the emperor, but fortunately, he still had some reason to suppress his anger and did not step forward to say anything.
After Wen Hemian left, Xie Lang became particularly attached to places that still carried her scent, as if this would allow him to pretend that she was still by his side and find some peace in his sleep.
It's generally true that what you think about during the day, you dream about at night.
That night, Xie Lang dreamed of the figure that haunted his dreams.
In the imperial study, in the court, in the prince's mansion, in every place they had ever been, they passed by in a flash, like a fleeting glimpse of a scene.
Xie Lang carefully held his breath, his eyes fixed on her, afraid that he would miss her if he was distracted. He dared not approach her, nor dared he profane her.
He pleaded in a low voice, "Grand Tutor, could you please come back and see me? I promise I'll listen to you from now on, okay?"
In her dream, Wen Hemian smiled gently, her eyebrows and eyes were clear and beautiful, and she shook her head slowly but firmly.
Xie Lang's eyes widened in fury. He took a few steps forward, trying to grab her hand, but unexpectedly grasped only empty air. In the end, he could only hear Wen Hemian's voice growing ever more distant.
"Your Majesty should strive to be a wise and benevolent ruler."
Xie Lang's breathing became heavy.
No way.
Even though he knew perfectly well that it was just a dream, Xie Lang still couldn't help but feel a little fantasized at this moment.
If you resent him, then come back and teach him a lesson yourself.
Even in a dream.
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