After being released from the imperial prison, Wen Hemian felt somewhat heavy-hearted.
The original book only briefly describes Ning Hechu in a few words: he is wicked and tyrannical. Therefore, Wen Hemian was always extra careful when dealing with him.
He is a calm and composed person who is good at understanding people's hearts, and he certainly has the qualities that make people wary of him.
On the other hand, what one experiences firsthand is different from what is described in books.
More vibrant, and with more stories.
No one wants to be a treacherous official from the start.
Wen Hemian thought for a moment and then instructed the coachman, "Go to the Ning residence."
The driver did as instructed.
As luck would have it, when they arrived at the Ning residence, they ran into people from the Dali Temple coming and going. Chen Yi saw Wen Hemian and greeted him, "Lord Wen."
Wen Hemian asked, "Can I go in and take a look?"
In principle, it is not allowed for the government to handle cases, but this person is different. Chen Yi knew that the young emperor respected his teacher very much, so he smiled and nodded: "Lord Wen, you can go in if you want, but the things inside have been almost confiscated."
"It's alright, I'll just go in and take a look." Remembering her promise, Wen Hemian hesitated and asked, "Are the trees still there?"
"Huh?" Chen Yi was a little confused, not understanding why she asked this, but he still nodded, "Yes, we'll dig it all out later to see if there's anything buried underground."
Wen Heming: "Okay."
The mansion had indeed been almost completely ransacked. Wen Hemian thought it would be difficult to find, but to her surprise, she had only taken a few steps inside when she saw the loquat tree planted in the middle of the courtyard. Its branches and leaves were lush and the tree was quite pleasing to the eye.
"I thought he would plant some precious trees at home, but I didn't expect him to plant a loquat tree. This tree looks quite old. Hey, maybe we can still eat loquats next year."
Chen Yi laughed from the side.
But as he was laughing, he noticed that Wen Hemian had fallen silent and asked in confusion, "Lord Wen, your expression is so solemn. Could it be that there is something strange about this loquat tree?"
"No, I just had a story in mind."
Wen Heming lowered his voice considerably: "There is a loquat tree in the courtyard, which my wife planted in the year she died. Now it stands tall and spreading like a canopy."
“What a novel story, I’ve never heard one like it before.” Chen Yi stroked his chin. “But he doesn’t seem like the kind of person who’s troubled by love.”
The "he" here naturally refers to Ning Hechu.
Wen Heming smiled but didn't answer the question. Instead, he asked, "Can I dig this tree up?"
Chen Yi chuckled and said, "It's just a tree. If Lord Wen wants it, I'll have someone dig it up and send it to your residence later."
"Okay, thanks."
Having said what he meant, Wen Hemian didn't want to disturb their investigation any longer, so he took his leave.
-
With the Ning Party fallen, it is self-evident who will be the next most powerful person.
After the busy period, the number of people visiting Wen Hemian suddenly increased. She was too tired to deal with them and didn't want to, so she asked Uncle Lu to turn them all away.
Ning Hechu was suspected by some people because of his overwhelming power and factionalism. In any case, Wen Hemian did not want to become the next him.
After the purge of the rebels, the imperial court underwent a major reshuffle, with many officials becoming new faces. They were fortunate to be born at the right time, as there was a shortage of personnel.
Not knowing what Xie Lang was planning, and with the cabinet matter still unresolved, Wen Hemian stayed in her residence, not wanting to walk into his trap. She secretly plotted how to push the position of Minister of Personnel out of the cabinet.
Should I say it outright?
Wen Hemian thought about the little brat's stubbornness, shook her head, and felt that it wouldn't work.
She had a vague feeling that Xie Lang might have put the official position in her hands partly because he wanted to keep her in check.
This calculation was perfectly timed.
Such imperial cunning was taught to her by her own hands.
Wen Hemian sighed softly, and the next moment, she raised her hand to block the hand that wanted to touch her, her tone helpless: "Your Majesty."
Xie Lang gritted his teeth slightly, feeling a surge of resentment, but still managed a smile, his voice tinged with grievance: "If I don't leave the palace to see the Grand Tutor, is the Grand Tutor going to hide from me forever?"
Wen Hemian knows martial arts and has the ability to protect herself, which is a good thing. But sometimes, it's not so good. At least, it's basically impossible for Xie Lang to sneak up on her from behind.
Wen Hemian did have this thought, but how could she admit it to his face? Without blushing or skipping a beat, she said, "No."
The boy said in a low voice, "I don't believe it."
Wen Heming was speechless, not believing her question.
"Wen Hemian, you know perfectly well what my feelings for you are, is it really that hard for you to accept?"
Xie Lang finally approached her, placing his hands on her shoulders and giving them a light squeeze. The longing in his eyes was almost impossible to conceal: "Besides you, I don't want anyone else."
When his shoulder was touched, Wen Heming subconsciously trembled. Her brow twitched, and she couldn't help but turn her body to the side to avoid his touch.
Xie Lang's expression darkened, his eyes becoming unfathomable.
Not long after, he heard Wen Hemian say, "Yes, it's difficult for me."
After all, he was a child she had watched grow up, and even with his wildness, he was still a pitiful child. Wen Hemian had previously thought that she should not hurt his feelings, so all her actions were gentle.
Now it seems like a huge mistake. Not only did he not understand, but he also tended to make things worse.
"Xie Lang, you're not a child anymore. These things can't be decided just by talking. You may think this way today, but you might change your mind soon. You've seen far too little to be able to justify your words."
Wen Hemian was frighteningly calm, analyzing the situation for him word by word, and finally said: "I'm not that beastly to have any feelings for a child I've watched grow up. Even if I did, it would be the affection between a teacher and student."
Xie Lang's smile vanished: "How can the Grand Tutor be so certain that I will change?"
Without thinking, Wen Heming blurted out, "You're too impulsive and reckless..."
"Impulsive and reckless?"
Xie Lang paused upon hearing this word, then spoke in a very soft voice, "The only time I was truly impulsive and reckless was that night..."
He couldn't even count how many dark and twisted thoughts he had in his heart, wanting to hold this person and keep him within his grasp forever, but at the same time he was too cautious, only daring to kiss him subtly and ambiguously under the cover of night.
Wen Hemian's expression changed, and she stopped him from saying anything more: "Shut up!"
She rarely lost her temper in front of Xie Lang, but her sudden outburst revealed something.
As if realizing a possibility, Xie Lang suddenly smiled enigmatically, the gloom in his heart vanishing: "So, Grand Tutor, you know everything."
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