The fifth day of the fifth lunar month is the Dragon Boat Festival.
During festivals, palace servants receive an extra sum of money, which they give to their families to supplement their living expenses, creating an exceptionally lively atmosphere.
Lai Xi took bundles of mugwort and calamus early in the morning and hung them in various parts of the palace. When Wen Hemian arrived, she smelled a light and elegant fragrance of herbs in the air, which was very pleasant.
"Lord Wen has arrived! His Majesty is waiting for you inside! The zongzi leaves have been prepared and sent in. Lord Wen, please come in and have a taste!"
Lai Xi was busy but in good spirits. He was a forgiving person. Xie Lang had punished him by making him clean the chamber pot, but when he came back, he went about his business as usual, without showing any gloom. This suited his name perfectly; he was a typical optimist.
He doesn't hold grudges and is loyal, making him very suitable for serving in the imperial court.
"Okay, thank you." Wen Hemian was kind to everyone. She slipped a few coins to Lai Xi as a reward, and before he could refuse, she quickened her pace and went inside.
Xie Lang had come out early after hearing the commotion. When he saw Wen Hemian, he snorted, "I'm afraid only the Grand Tutor would dare to bribe Lai Xi in front of me."
"Don't call it a bribe, that's called a trouble fee. You've made things difficult for them quite a bit, haven't you?"
Wen Heming's gaze was piercing, making Xie Lang feel incredibly guilty.
He touched his nose: "Let's not talk about that. The rice dumplings are still warm, Grand Tutor, have a taste?"
"Hmm." Wen Hemian nodded, and as she passed by him, she casually stuffed the sachet into his hand. "Take it, one every year, but you're not allowed to take one today."
Xie Lang took the sachet with a beaming smile: "Great."
Growing up in this environment, Xie Lang never went through a rebellious phase. He listened to Wen Hemian the most, and treasured everything she gave him.
The rice dumplings had cooled down a bit, so Wen Hemian opened one and took a bite. The aroma of glutinous rice mixed with the fragrance of bamboo leaves was wonderful. The imperial chef's skills were excellent, and it suited her taste perfectly. She finished one in no time.
Xie Lang tried one and commented, "The new imperial chef's skills are better."
"That's good."
The zongzi were small, and Wen Hemian and Xie Lang shared the few that were delivered, barely managing to fill them up halfway.
Xie Lang had fallen out of favor a few years ago, and the palace had not held a banquet for the Dragon Boat Festival to entertain ministers for a long time. The reason for not holding one now was that he disliked pretense and insincerity.
The two, enjoying a rare day off and with the lively atmosphere in the countryside, changed into casual clothes and went outside the palace to watch the dragon boat races.
The moat is usually guarded by soldiers, but on this special day, people are allowed to race dragon boats on it. There are also many vendors around, so you can watch the dragon boat races and eat delicious food at the same time.
Wen Hemian didn't think that their special status made them superior to ordinary people. He mingled with Xie Lang in the crowd, but they were also surrounded by bodyguards who would intervene if there were any unexpected situations.
The dragon boat race was organized spontaneously by the local people, but it looked quite professional, and the onlookers were very supportive, cheering them on.
They arrived late and weren't standing very close to the front, so Wen Hemian curiously leaned forward to take a look.
The next moment, perhaps because someone had won, the crowd erupted in cheers. In the crowded scene, Wen Hemian was bumped by someone and almost fell backward.
At the critical moment, a strong hand firmly supported her waist, and Wen Hemian heard Xie Lang laugh in her ear: "There are many people, teacher, be careful."
Just a few years ago he was still so small, but in the blink of an eye he's taller than her, and his physique is no longer as frail as before. Wen Hemian rarely gets this close to him. The heat emanating from the young man feels tangible, so she quickly takes a step back.
"I understand, it was just an accident."
Wen Hemian was a little annoyed. Not going out often makes it easy to overlook these small details.
Xie Lang gazed at her quietly, his fingers, hidden beneath his sleeves, gently twirling as if lingering on the warmth he had just touched.
He used to think that the Grand Tutor was thin and frail, even less so than he was when he grew up. Now he realized that the Grand Tutor's waist was also thin, so thin that he could wrap his arm around it completely. He was pitifully thin.
But clearly, it used to be this person protecting him, when did things change...?
etc.
Realizing what he had just been thinking, Xie Lang felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, and his face paled involuntarily. The slight blush on his face, already flushed from the sunlight, was barely noticeable.
"Snap out of it, Ah Lang."
Wen Hemian watched the new dragon boat race with great satisfaction. He turned around and saw Xie Lang still standing there in a daze. After a few seconds, seeing that Xie Lang looked confused and showed no sign of coming back to his senses, Wen Hemian couldn't help but wave his hand in front of Xie Lang's eyes.
Wen Hemian's eyes held a gentle, bright smile: "What are you thinking about? You've been thinking a lot lately."
She hadn't intended to pry, but then she thought that teenagers are prone to overthinking, and if they needed any psychological guidance, she could help.
"I'm wondering what kind of person a teacher would like."
Xie Lang blurted it out.
But he quickly realized what was happening and pursed his lips tightly, looking as if he was about to demonstrate to Wen Heming what a tightly closed clam shell looked like.
"Um?"
Unexpectedly, Wen Hemian choked slightly, looked at Xie Lang with complicated emotions, and said honestly, "I don't know, but maybe he's... an obedient person who doesn't cause trouble?"
Liking someone doesn't necessarily have to be interpreted in that way; she also really likes Xie Lang.
Who doesn't like an obedient child?
Xie Lang paused, a subtle glint appearing in his eyes: "Really?"
This time, Wen Hemian answered with certainty: "Really. Why did you suddenly ask me this question... Ah Lang, do you have a girl you like?"
Upon closer reflection, there is indeed such a clue.
Wen Hemian doesn't object. He's an adult now and can date. It's understandable for a young man to have romantic feelings.
But she didn't seem to have seen Xie Lang interact with any girls. Could he be a palace maid?
"No!" Xie Lang denied decisively, and said in a low voice, "I don't have a girl I like."
"Don't get excited." Wen Hemian pulled him out of the crowd, her smile gentle and her voice calm. "Whether you have a girl you like or not is not important. This is nothing to hide or be ashamed of."
Xie Lang was stunned: "Really...?"
"Um."
Wen Hemian composed himself and said seriously, "Alang, I just want to tell you that if you like a girl, treat her well and don't betray her sincere heart."
Wen Hemian didn't know if teaching a monarch in this way was right or wrong. She just didn't want to see more women struggling in the palace, spending their lives hoping for the emperor's illusory love, wasting their beauty, and torturing each other.
Xie Lang looked into her eyes, which were clear and bright, reflecting only his own image.
He knew why the Grand Tutor would say such a thing, but his heart still skipped a beat.
After a long pause, he said solemnly, "I will."
"Wen Hemian, I will do it."
After he finished speaking, Wen Hemian clicked his tongue and said, "Why are you calling your teacher by his name again? Do you know how disrespectful that is?"
Xie Lang chuckled softly, admitting it.
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