Even after returning home, Wen Hemian still felt like she was in a dream.
Her skin is thin, and bruises from bumps and scrapes often linger for a long time. So even though Xie Lang only used a little force to grab her, the red marks haven't faded yet.
Although it was clearly cold, her wrist still felt hot, making it difficult for her to calm down.
Xie Lang's behavior in the imperial study made her vaguely realize that she might have been too happy too soon.
Just as she understood Xie Lang, Xie Lang understood her as well.
Knowing that she wouldn't easily accept such feelings, he took a step back to gradually erode her guard, so that she wouldn't avoid him as directly as she had at the beginning.
But he was still young, and Wen Hemian's slight probing led him to inadvertently reveal his true intentions.
Beneath his gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and modest exterior lies an obvious ambition and desire, waiting for her to be at her weakest point to devour her in one fell swoop.
Wen Hemian's mind went blank as she stared quietly at the potted plants on her desk. She suddenly felt a little glad that she had finished her official business. Otherwise, after this ordeal, how could she have calmed down to deal with it?
All her experience came from trial and error.
I suddenly feel a bit annoyed. When I heard my teacher-training friends complaining before, I didn't ask them more questions about what to do when a student confesses their feelings to you.
It's not exactly a confession, but given this trend, it's a bit risky.
I thought about a whole bunch of random things, but in the end I didn't come to a conclusion.
However, Wen Hemian realized that there were some things she should prepare for much earlier.
Thinking that she had nothing else to do anyway, she picked up her pen and prepared to write a few more articles on governance.
Life is unpredictable; who would have thought that the knowledge I learned in the past would actually find a place to be used in this unfamiliar world of books?
-
The case of Fei Yuan selling exam questions was quickly adjudicated.
Not only would he be executed, but his family and servants would also be implicated. The candidates involved would not only face imprisonment, but would also be exiled to the army after their release, suffering the hardships of exile.
The punishment was very severe.
But exams and cheating have always been twins. Despite knowing the high risks, countless people still rush to test the limits like moths to a flame.
This has always been the case throughout history.
It is worth mentioning that when Fei Yuan learned of what he had done, his wife was also very indignant. She felt extremely guilty that the matter was caused by her, and in a fit of rage, she died before Fei Yuan was executed.
"She was a pitiful person too," Wen Hemian sighed softly. "Let someone give her a proper burial."
Husband and wife share both glory and misfortune.
She couldn't get involved in the matter, and that was all she could do.
With her instructions, no officers or soldiers made things difficult for her, and her family was allowed to give her a proper burial.
This matter has essentially come to an end.
Because the cheating was discovered in time and the court dealt with it promptly, it did not have a significant impact on the imperial examinations. After the cheating candidates' papers were removed, the busy grading process began.
While Xie Lang said he was still considering having someone replace the Minister of Personnel, Wen Hemian had already begun taking action.
Min Rong was someone who had to be eliminated. Fortunately, the Right Vice Minister was honest and efficient, and was highly valued by Wen Hemian. After nearly a year of consideration, she made up her mind.
Taking advantage of his busy schedule reviewing documents, he delegated most of the affairs to the Right Vice Minister, leaving Xie Lang with no reason to object.
As for Min Young's dissatisfaction? Well, he can keep it to himself.
Wen Hemian was just waiting for him to find an opportunity to cause trouble so that she could take action in a seemingly logical way.
Once you get busy, time slips away like sand through your fingers, incredibly fast, and you can't hold onto it.
The day before the results were announced happened to be Xie Lang's birthday. Wen Hemian had already chosen a birthday gift a long time ago. After some hesitation, she decided to spend the birthday with Xie Lang.
They used to live together, but now that she's suddenly refusing, I'm afraid this brat will do something even more outrageous.
She could manage while maintaining a calm facade, but a complete breakdown left everyone wondering how to proceed.
So after the banquet, she took the prepared gifts and went to the back hall to find Xie Lang.
As the April weather warmed up, Xie Lang sat on the steps in front of the palace, propping his chin up and looking at the moon in the sky. One leg was stretched out lazily, and his cheeks were a little red, perhaps because he had drunk too much at the banquet.
Hearing the noise, he looked over, his dark eyes sparkling with undisguised joy and longing.
"Grand Tutor, I knew you would come."
He was quite certain of the result.
That's true.
Wen Heming did not go over and sit down. She stood in front of him at a distance that was neither too close nor too far, and took out her hand, with a jade pendant lying quietly in her palm.
"A birthday gift for the new year."
This jade comes from the northern desert. It is an extremely rare and precious jade. It has a light blue hue and a warm, smooth texture. Wen Hemian obtained a piece from Murong Yue by chance and specially asked a craftsman to polish it into a jade pendant, which he gave to Xie Lang as a birthday gift for the new year.
She always treated these special days with extra care and never treated them perfunctorily just because they were close to each other.
Xie Lang's eyes immediately brightened. He leaned over, took the jade pendant, happily rubbed it a few times, and then put it on his waist.
After wearing it, she stood up and spun around to show Wen Heming: "This was a gift from the Grand Tutor, I like it."
Seeing his appearance, Wen Hemian sighed and secretly rejoiced. Luckily, she had dismissed the servants when she came, otherwise, seeing His Majesty the Emperor behave like this would have been a great loss of dignity.
Wen Heming smiled.
It was only at times like this that Xie Lang would show his childlike side, reminding her of the well-behaved and adorable little boy he used to be.
Unfortunately, he's already a wolf cub.
After the joy subsided, Xie Lang seemed to realize that his behavior was somewhat inappropriate. He coughed twice and looked at Wen Hemian very seriously: "When it is the Grand Tutor's birthday this year, I will also give the Grand Tutor a gift."
He sent gifts every year, and Xie Lang wished he could stuff all the good things into her mansion.
This special mention made Wen Hemian's heart tighten. She smiled calmly, responding to the situation with composure: "I like all the gifts His Majesty has given me."
Xie Lang hummed in agreement.
He then asked, "After the results are announced, will the Grand Tutor accompany me to the palace examination?"
In the previous imperial examinations, they were exhausted from fighting with Ning Hechu. Those court officials used the excuse that His Majesty was still young to trip them up at every turn, and Xie Lang couldn't even get a chance to sit in on the proceedings.
Now, this is the first imperial examination led by him, which is of extraordinary significance.
At such an important moment, Xie Lang hoped that Wen Hemian would be by his side.
After saying that, he looked at Wen Hemian with pleading eyes, hoping she would agree.
Wen Hemian paused for a moment, then shook his head: "No, I'll go. It wouldn't be good for His Majesty to establish his authority."
The court officials are one thing, but those newly arrived scholars don't know what the situation is like. If they assume that the emperor is still controlled by powerful ministers, then there will be trouble.
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