The emotions hidden within were so intense that she almost instinctively looked away.
Moreover, the child's tone was also strange. Wen Hemian had a strange intuition that the gift must have a hidden meaning.
She opened her mouth, wanting to skip the topic, but the boy's voice suddenly rang out again: "Grand Tutor, don't you want to know what gift I gave you?"
Wen Heming suppressed his wandering thoughts: "We'll know when the time comes. Until then, Your Majesty, please give me some room for imagination."
Xie Lang: "Hmm."
Wen Hemian sometimes speaks in strange ways, but over the years Xie Lang has gotten used to it. Even when he doesn't quite understand something, he can usually guess the meaning behind it.
"It's not too late to find out on your birthday."
Xie Lang paused for a moment, then smiled again, tapping the table lightly with his fingertips: "Now that the matter is settled, has the Grand Tutor thought about when to reveal his identity?"
Despite the criticism that might follow, Xie Lang was confident that he could withstand the pressure and allow his Grand Tutor to stand openly before everyone.
Don't say that it's against the natural order for women to hold official positions, and it doesn't necessarily mean that they would do a better job than Wen Heming in this position.
For some reason, Wen Hemian hesitated for a moment: "Wait a little longer."
Xie Lang assumed that she didn't want the current situation to become more chaotic, since his tutor always considered the big picture, and often even put himself last.
"As you wish, Grand Tutor." Xie Lang said, his smile widening. He was unwilling to miss such a good opportunity, so he urged, "Grand Tutor, you can stay and have a meal with me today, right?"
In the past, when busy, Wen Hemian could always find various reasons to refuse, but Xie Lang, wearing the guise of a wise ruler, couldn't bring himself to say no.
But now, everything has calmed down, is that alright?
Unexpectedly, Wen Hemian shook his head: "No, I need to... go to the Imperial Prison."
Xie Lang pondered her thoughts and frowned: "Go see Ning Hechu? His matter is already settled. Why would the Grand Tutor still want to go to that dark and gloomy place?"
Wen Hemian was surprised by his keen insight, and smiled with her hands in her pockets: "After being enemies for so many years, it's not too much to go and see him off on his final journey, is it?"
Xie Lang didn't understand, but he wouldn't upset Wen Hemian over such trivial matters. After all, it was just a meeting, and with someone watching, nothing would happen.
He said, "Alright, Grand Tutor, go ahead."
Wen Hemian nodded, not intending to linger in front of Xie Lang any longer. After stating his purpose, he turned and left.
She didn't notice the boy's suddenly intensified gaze.
-
Although he had heard of the Imperial Prison many times, this was Wen Hemian's first time visiting it.
The entrance to the imperial prison was only wide enough for one person to pass through. Once inside, a chilling aura hit you, making you feel cold to the bone, even though it was still warm in September.
Especially as you go further in, you can smell the blood and stench wafting in the air.
The jailer leading the way smiled awkwardly: "The road here is slippery, sir, please watch your step."
Wen Hemian responded and quickly followed him to the last cell, which was specifically for death row inmates.
Since entering prison, Ning Hechu has been unusually cooperative, his calm demeanor making people think he is the one interrogating him. As a result, the prison guards treat him like a ghost, and they haven't used any torture.
When Wen Hemian saw him, he was wearing a prison uniform, his hair disheveled and his face dirty, leaning against the wall. It was hard to believe that this was the once glorious Chief Minister Ning.
Wen Hemian glanced at the jailer and waved his hand: "You can go now."
The jailer hesitated, "You..."
"Rest assured, His Majesty understands."
Wen Heming shut him up with a single sentence, and the jailer, seeing this, had no choice but to leave.
Hearing the noise, Ning Hechu lazily lifted his eyelids. When Wen Hemian turned her head, she saw his slightly meaningful gaze.
"Grand Tutor Wen is not disgusted at all, and he even came to the imperial prison to see me, a dying man."
That's what they say, but judging from his appearance, he doesn't seem to have much fear of death.
Wen Hemian cut to the chase: "You did this on purpose?"
Ning Hechu always knew how to extricate himself from the situation cleanly. The Ning faction got into a lot of trouble, but he was almost never caught red-handed, which shows how meticulous he was.
However, the items found in the Ning residence this time were quite complete.
It was as if he had been preparing for this day all along.
"What do you mean by intentional or unintentional? I don't understand." Ning Hechu smiled leisurely. "It's just that Grand Tutor Wen and His Majesty are capable. It's all about the winner taking all."
Ignoring his read replies, Wen Hemian continued, "You came for revenge?"
Ning Hechu remained silent for a while, then raised an eyebrow: "You found out all of this?"
"I overheard it by chance," Wen Hemian said calmly. "I wasn't sure at first, but when you said those words to me, I was certain."
"Speaking of which, it was I who provided the evidence." Ning Hechu chuckled, then his tone turned fierce. "The late emperor deserved to die, I was just giving him a taste of his own medicine."
"Um."
Wen Heming did not deny this, but his feelings were somewhat complicated.
After so many years of fierce confrontations in the imperial court, it's unbelievable that she can chat with Ning Hechu so calmly in the end.
When I first met Ning Hechu, I thought he was a smiling fox, but now I see that he has aged.
After a long while, Wen Hemian heard him sigh, "Grand Tutor Wen, I was also a top scholar."
Wen Heming was well aware of how prestigious the title of "Zhuangyuan" (top scholar in the imperial examination) was in ancient times.
If Ning Hechu hadn't formed cliques, harmed members of the royal family, he probably would have become a very good minister.
Unfortunately, there's no turning back once the arrow is released. He abused his position to open doors for his subordinates, causing countless honest officials to die unjustly and many people to be displaced. These mistakes are irreparable.
"The royal family is cold-hearted, and the emperor's heart is unfathomable. If I'm not mistaken, the young emperor treats you differently, doesn't he? Homosexuality, especially towards his own teacher, is truly deceitful, immoral, and contrary to ethics."
Ning Hechu looked on with great interest, completely oblivious to the fact that he was about to die.
Wen Heming remained silent: "..."
She let out a difficult breath, cursing Xie Lang a thousand times in her heart, and didn't pick up the subject: "Is there anything else that Chief Minister Ning wants to say to me?"
Regardless of what kind of person he is, given Xie Lang's personality, there is no way he would let him off the hook. Wen Hemian's offer to see him off was not just empty talk.
The next time we meet will be at the execution ground.
"there is none left."
After saying this, Ning Hechu closed his eyes, appearing calm and waiting for death.
Wen Heming sighed, picked up the torch, and was about to walk outside.
As I turned around, I heard his low voice.
"If possible, please ask Grand Tutor Wen to take care of the loquat tree in my residence."
After his death, the Ning family will surely be raided. The raid will mean leaving nothing behind, and it's unclear why they would bother to protect even a single tree.
Wen Hemian paused in her steps: "Okay."
Ning Hechu: "Thank you."
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