Zhou Ting had only been at home for a few days when he heard the news that Ning Zhang had been dismissed and investigated. Not only that, but the merits that Ning Zhang had previously claimed were returned to their rightful owners after the investigation was completed.
Recalling the young emperor's confident gaze, Zhou Ting couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine: "His Majesty actually has this ability..."
We used to think the young emperor was a puppet controlled by powerful ministers, but now it seems we were all wrong. It's time to overturn that idea.
Seeing him standing there in a daze, a colleague nudged his shoulder and asked, "What are you muttering about?"
"No!" Zhou Ting suddenly snapped back to reality, startling his colleague. He looked around to make sure no one was paying attention to him, then said to his colleague with shining eyes, "I have some urgent business at home. I'd appreciate it if you could cover for me. I'll definitely thank you later!"
Colleague: "Go ahead, go ahead, there's nothing else to do anyway."
Zhou Ting thanked him and left in a hurry.
His colleagues watched his retreating figure: "What a strange person..."
...
Zhou Ting certainly didn't dare to rush into the palace to see the young emperor. He returned home, carefully wrote a letter, and had someone secretly deliver it to the palace.
Huo Ping had someone keep an eye on the area around the Zhou family's residence, and smoothly delivered the letter to Xie Lang.
Wen Hemian was also in the palace at that time. She glanced at the young boy's expression and asked, "Is it done?"
"Hmm." After reading it, Xie Lang burned the letter on the candle, his eyes lowered, his expression mature and calm.
Wen Hemian often found it both funny and heartbreaking. She patted the child's shoulder and said, "I knew it. It's quite impressive that Alang was able to do this much."
Xie Lang knew how to protect himself wisely. He didn't directly get involved, but simply went with the flow, making Ning Hechu think it was done by his political enemies. He was very good at shifting the blame.
Xie Lang subconsciously moved closer to her, feeling both happy about the compliment and a little embarrassed: "Mm."
Wen Hemian then rewarded him with a pat on the head.
I increasingly felt that this child was like a puppy begging for a reward.
It used to be a drowning puppy, now it's a pampered puppy.
Half a year has passed since Wen Hemian took over Xie Lang's care. Watching Xie Lang grow taller little by little, she couldn't help but sigh at how fast time flies. Wen Hemian was delighted: "The Mid-Autumn Festival is just a few days away. Have you tried on the clothes that were sent over and seen if they fit?"
Xie Lang wasn't interested, but since the Grand Tutor liked it, he accepted it without hesitation: "The waist size is a bit small, send it back and have it altered."
Wen Hemian nodded: "That should be about right. There will be a banquet in the palace at that time. It will be a rare opportunity to get close to the court officials. Even if we can't show our talents for the time being, we shouldn't let people see our embarrassing side."
First impressions are very important.
Xie Lang said in a low voice, "There's no need to worry about the Grand Tutor. Their attention is probably all focused on Ning Hechu, so why would they spare any attention for me?"
Wen Heming said meaningfully, "That's not necessarily true."
From her perspective, at least some neutral parties were still silently observing the newly enthroned young emperor.
Xie Lang felt that the Grand Tutor's words had a hidden meaning, but Wen Hemian clearly did not intend to explain it to him in detail, and glossed over it in a few words.
After Ning Zhang was dismissed, a vacancy opened up in the Ministry of Works. Wen Hemian gave him a push and selected a capable and honest person from the original book to fill the position. She told Xie Lang that this person was trustworthy.
Xie Lang had little doubt about this: "I trust the people the Grand Tutor trusts as well."
Xie Lang had few trusts to place, and most of them were with Wen Hemian.
Wen Hemian was both amused and exasperated: "Aren't you afraid I'll sell you off?"
The young boy replied earnestly, "Grand Tutor, I don't know."
Wen Hemian smiled and said, "Indeed."
A banquet was held in the palace during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which was organized by the Ministry of Rites.
The emperor's left and right seats were occupied by Ning Hechu and Wen Hemian respectively. In the Great Zhao Dynasty, the left was considered the place of honor, and the meaning conveyed by this arrangement was self-evident. Wen Hemian didn't care, but Xie Lang was not so happy.
Unfortunately, now is not the time to confront Ning Hechu directly. He felt frustrated and could only endure it for the time being.
The outcome of Ning Hechu's entanglement with the aristocratic families was still uncertain, but it did not prevent him from enjoying his immense prestige. At a banquet, people came one after another to offer him a toast, all of which Xie Lang coldly observed, pondering how to deal with them later.
Ye Zhaoxuan, having barely recovered enough to walk, quietly approached Wen Hemian and raised his cup to her: "Grand Tutor, please forgive me, I cannot drink alcohol for the time being, so I will use tea instead to express my feelings."
"Okay." Wen Hemian raised her glass and took a sip. The wine was sweet and not too strong. "Go back quickly, Ning Hechu's glare is about to cut you to pieces."
Ye Zhaoxuan waved his hand casually, a typical example of "the more debts, the more burdens": "Holding a grudge once is the same as holding a grudge twice, so why not just get it over with in one go?"
Wen Hemian admired his mindset: "Lord Ye is a man of great righteousness."
That's what they said, but Ye Zhaoxuan didn't stay long. After chatting with Wen Hemian for a few minutes, he returned to his seat.
Seeing the young emperor sitting alone, all by himself, with no one to talk to, Wen Hemian felt a pang of pity. Halfway through the palace banquet, she decisively took him and slipped away.
Huo Ping was in charge of the palace's defenses, so he didn't have to worry about safety. He didn't have a chance to eat at the banquet, but when Lai Xi saw them return, he quickly brought out the mooncakes that had been prepared in advance. There were both sweet and savory ones, which were not greasy when eaten with tea.
The chrysanthemums of various colors were blooming beautifully in the courtyard, stretching out their petals and vying for attention. Lai Xi brought over a small table, and Wen Hemian and Xie Lang sat under the eaves, chatting casually.
"At tonight's palace banquet, how many capable people did His Majesty discern?"
Wen Hemian had a general idea, but it wouldn't be appropriate for her to say it directly. Instead, she planned to guide Xie Lang to find out the truth step by step.
Xie Lang took a bite of the mooncake, discovered it was a mixed-nut filling, frowned, put it down, and subtly pushed it aside, his face serious: "Less than half."
This is a very weak statement. Let alone half, it's hard to say even if we halve it again.
Wen Heming noticed his little gesture and chuckled: "Look on the bright side, at least there are still people around. Besides, Your Majesty, when did you start wasting food?"
Perhaps because he had suffered in the past, Xie Lang always cherished food and was not extravagant or wasteful in his daily life. This was the first time Wen Hemian had ever seen him show such dislike for any food. It was a bit childish and cute.
"It tastes awful." Xie Lang had never eaten anything with such a strange flavor before. He frowned. "I don't want to eat it."
Wen Hemian didn't say anything to blame him, but instead curled her lips and said, "It's alright, His Majesty is still young and has the right to be picky."
Xie Lang said sullenly, "I do wish I could grow up faster."
As he spoke, he glanced to the side and was almost blinded by the Grand Tutor's smile. No matter how many times he saw him, the Grand Tutor was always amazing. If he didn't have such a high status, he would probably have been targeted by some people with ulterior motives long ago.
Wen Hemian laughed at his precociousness, but seeing the moon high in the sky and the atmosphere harmonious, she finally smiled and comforted him: "It's another year of full moon. Once you get over this hurdle, Your Majesty will be one step closer to growing up."
At the same time as the words fell, a gentle and warm force landed on his head, touching the softest spot in Xie Lang's heart.
He subconsciously rubbed his palm against hers and softly hummed in agreement.
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