"I don't know why you are so certain."
Xie Yong sipped his tea, his eyes subtle and unreadable: "But it would be best if the young emperor came in person, so that I would have the opportunity to personally take his head."
His aides hesitated, wondering where his confidence came from.
However, once you're on this pirate ship, there's no going back.
No matter how arrogant Prince Jia was, his advisors could only offer him advice, after all, this was a major rebellion, and it was a matter of life and death if it didn't succeed.
"Your Highness is valiant," the advisor praised, offering a dry compliment. "But perhaps you should take a look at this map first before making any arrangements?"
At this point, Xie Yong casually took the map handed to him by his staff and frowned: "Are the locations on this map all accurate?"
Those in high positions are often suspicious, and Xie Yong, who had been tyrannical in his fiefdom for many years, was no exception. He would always investigate and confirm the news sent by his subordinates before believing it.
The aide bowed and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, we have already sent someone to check, and it is approved."
Only after receiving a definite answer did Xie Yong begin to look at it seriously.
He said, "The north is a thousand miles from the capital, and the young emperor can't reach it. Even if he temporarily mobilizes troops, it's enough for us to take action. The ones we should be most wary of are those two at the border. I don't know what kind of spell the young emperor has cast on them, that they don't even care about this behavior..."
Thinking of this, Xie Yong gritted his teeth in hatred.
Neither of the two surnamed Wen wavered, making him look like a clown.
The aide said, "The teacher and student have always had a very close relationship. Even if they have fallen out, they cannot be trusted."
"Don't drag my affairs into your own grudges," Xie Yong said coldly, his tone laced with warning. "I only believe what I see with my own eyes."
The aide was startled and quickly lowered his head, saying, "Yes."
Let's leave that matter aside for now.
Xie Yong was indeed going to make preparations. He secretly recruited soldiers and horses, and outwardly appeared submissive, all for that one day. There was only this one chance, and he was willing to risk cooperating with the barbarian royal court to get what he wanted.
No one wants to live a miserable life in their fiefdom. Xie Yongcai is not that kind of person without ambition. We are both surnamed Xie, so why should the throne be held by his useless brother's son instead of him?
After the two men withdrew their men from the courtyard, they chatted happily, seemingly oblivious to the slight rustling coming from the tall trees outside the courtyard as they discussed defenses.
Hearing the strange noise, the guards rushed over, but there was no one there. Only a few leaves were swirling and slowly drifting to the ground.
Unwilling to admit their oversight, they looked at each other, exchanged glances, and unanimously came up with an excuse: "Perhaps it was a bird."
-
While someone in the north was plotting something, Wen Hemian received a gift from her parents.
It just so happens to be on my birthday.
We've missed celebrating birthdays together many times in the past, but I've never missed giving you birthday gifts every year. It's not about how expensive they are, but how unique and interesting they are, and they all carry my heartfelt wishes.
Unlike emperors, ordinary people don't have elaborate banquets for their birthdays. They usually just invite close relatives and friends to sit at a table and have a meal together.
Wen Hemian disliked these formalities, and this year she continued her usual practice of not hosting banquets and only accepting gifts from a few close friends, taking her low-key approach to the extreme.
In the past, it might have been simply to please her, but now, some people might be trying to subtly curry favor with Xie Lang through this incident.
This phenomenon must never occur.
Wen Hemian felt that she had made the right choice in majoring in history, as it taught her how to nip problems in the bud from the very beginning.
Xie Lang was an exception.
The seedling was not only not extinguished, but it grew stronger and more robust.
"What's this? A rattle drum? A bell?"
Xie Lang usually sees rare treasures, but no one would present him with these childish things. The package was full of them, and he rummaged through it more enthusiastically than anyone else.
Looking at the sapling growing strong in front of her, Wen Hemian asked him with a half-smile, "Your Majesty, is this your birthday gift or mine? How childish!"
Xie Lang paused for a moment, trying to appear nonchalant: "I'm just checking it out on behalf of the Grand Tutor."
When Xie Lang was just beginning to remember things, he and his mother were thrown into the Cold Palace. Later, his mother fell ill and passed away not long after she was able to protect him. He stumbled and grew up to be ten years old amidst the cold stares and ridicule of the palace servants.
Before the age of ten, he worried about food and drink every day. After meeting Wen Hemian, he no longer lacked food and clothing, and he had to work hard to grow up and deal with treacherous officials.
To be honest, it was quite a tragic story.
The thought swirled in her mind, and Wen Hemian smiled as she picked up the rattle drum and shook it in front of him, making a soft thumping sound: "My parents sent so much, it can't all be for me. Why are you pretending to be so arrogant in front of me? Take whatever you want."
Even at her worst, she lived a smooth and successful life in both lifetimes, while Xie Lang truly suffered a tragic childhood, which inevitably makes one feel sorry for him.
But he is the emperor and will not easily show his weakness in front of others. In this respect, Wen Hemian can be more tolerant of him.
Consider it as making up for the three years I was away.
Xie Lang felt that his tutor was truly excellent.
He had found those things quite interesting just now, but now he found the person in front of him even more interesting. He took her hand, leaned in and kissed it gently, and then picked up the rattle drum: "Okay."
He had said before that there was no need for formalities between the two of them, so naturally he wouldn't make an exception and just accept it.
Wen Hemian glanced at him: "It must be hard for you to suppress your true nature."
They appear dignified and aloof in front of others, but secretly they are quite interested in these little gadgets, which is rather unusual if you were to tell others.
Xie Lang didn't deny it. He laughed and said, "Since I've accepted the Grand Tutor's gift, I'll make him a bowl of longevity noodles to try."
Wen Heming looked at her with suspicion, and then paused, "You can cook?"
Now that he's the emperor, the task of cooking and preparing meals will definitely not fall to him. Wen Hemian has never seen him cook, so it's perfectly normal for her to have doubts about it.
Xie Lang snorted: "Grand Tutor, don't look down on me."
Wen Heming remained silent.
True to his word, Xie Lang personally went to the imperial kitchen that afternoon, dismissed the irrelevant people, and after a long time, he actually brought out a bowl of longevity noodles that looked quite appetizing, with an egg and some green vegetables on top.
The emperor personally brought the bowl of noodles to Wen Hemian and handed her the chopsticks: "Hanshuang, have a taste?"
By this time, Wen Hemian's skeptical look had mostly disappeared, and after tasting the noodles, she was completely convinced.
"Your Majesty, when did you learn this skill?"
Xie Lang sat obediently opposite her, a hint of embarrassment showing on his handsome face: "A long time ago."
He vaguely remembered that a long time ago, Wen Hemian personally made longevity noodles for him. Although the final result was not very appealing, Xie Lang still cherished and finished them.
From that time on, he secretly learned how to make it, hoping that one day he would have the opportunity to make her a bowl of longevity noodles by himself.
Unfortunately, I didn't get that opportunity.
Wen Hemian suddenly realized something, and steam rose in front of her, blurring her vision.
Her voice was soft: "Your Majesty is so kind, I really appreciate it."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com