At Wen Hemian's signal, Xie Lang naturally went over and moved closer to her.
Even though the space was so small, he still insisted on getting close. He stood there tall and imposing, which was quite intimidating.
Wen Hemian frowned slightly, about to speak, but Xie Lang calmly took the memorial from her hand and sat down to the side.
Across the small table, at a distance that was neither too close nor too far, Wen Hemian opened her mouth, but suddenly didn't know what to say.
That's a perfectly normal action.
Xie Lang slightly raised his lips, a smile flashing in his eyes. He was thinking that if he had bent down just now, he could have directly pulled the Grand Tutor into his arms.
When they first met, he couldn't break free from her embrace, but so many years have passed, and he is no longer that little child; he can now hold her completely in his arms.
However, having just let people lower their guard, it would be counterproductive to act rashly. Xie Lang understood the difference between a full meal and a full stomach, and quickly drew Wen Hemian's attention back.
"Those censors are so quick to believe anything they hear. I'd rather rely on myself than on them," Xie Lang said bluntly. "They're always making a fuss, but they haven't said anything useful. They're just too full."
They'd rather nitpick about whether he had a harem or not than talk about whether the common people were suffering from hunger or how many corrupt officials were sucking the marrow from the bones of the court. In short, they're just bored and have nothing better to do.
Wen Hemian silently spoke up for the censors, including Ye Zhaoxuan: "Your Majesty, there are still good people among them."
Her words were tactful and quite interesting.
Xie Lang couldn't help but smile, then changed his words: "I meant the majority."
The position of censor is often a sinecure. Except for those who stand out too much and risk losing their heads, those who keep quiet are the most likely to live a life of ease while receiving a high salary.
When Emperor Shun was still in power, many officials in the court used their connections to get their good-for-nothing younger relatives into the government. After a few years or when the younger relatives made contributions, they would be transferred to other places.
"Hmm." Wen Hemian didn't want to dwell on this any longer, so she asked, "What we were talking about earlier, does Your Majesty have any plans?"
"I will summon Zuo Dudu to come and see you later."
Xie Lang wouldn't joke about such things; if a real fight broke out, a single moment of carelessness could cost him his life.
He had worked so hard to get to this point, so naturally he wouldn't give up what he had gained.
Moreover, she must accompany the Grand Tutor to help her create the peaceful and prosperous world she desires.
Wen Heming nodded and did not inquire further.
The Wen family already holds military power, so logically and emotionally, she shouldn't interfere in these matters anymore.
Wen Hemian casually picked up a piece of pastry and put it in her mouth. She wondered if the chef in the imperial kitchen had put in too much sugar today because it was a bit too sweet.
Just as she was about to reach for the tea, a cup of warm tea was pushed to her side.
Xie Lang restrained his gaze, moving it from her fingertips to her lips, and lowered his voice: "Grand Tutor, have some tea."
Wen Hemian had the same idea, so he didn't stand on ceremony, took the cup, and drank it all in one gulp.
After finishing the drink, Wen Hemian sighed and put down the half-eaten pastry, finding it utterly unacceptable.
She looked up at the scenery outside the window. Spring was approaching, and everything was full of life. She was immediately moved and suggested, "The imperial examinations are always very lively in the capital. In the past two years, they have been cooped up in the palace and refused to go out. This year, they should go out and see the world."
Xie Rang looked at her quietly and subconsciously asked, "Will the Grand Tutor come with me?"
"...Okay, go ahead."
After a slight hesitation, Wen Hemian agreed.
Even if she doesn't go out with Xie Lang, Lu Zishen and Ye Zhaoxuan will definitely ask her to go out.
Rather than facing an awkward situation outside and having to appease someone later, it's better to take it one step at a time.
"Alright, Grand Tutor, you can't go back on your word."
Xie Lang made the final decision, his eyes and brows full of smiles.
Wen Heming: "No."
-
The imperial examinations in spring consist of three sessions, starting on the ninth day of the third lunar month and ending on the fifteenth day.
Students from other places arrived in the capital early and settled in. Besides studying, they gathered in various restaurants and inns in the capital to inquire about news and see if they could meet like-minded people.
Among them, Zhuangyuanlou is the most famous.
It's not just because of the name, but because it houses handwritten inscriptions from many top scorers in the imperial examinations, which everyone wants to admire before taking the exams.
It's comparable to the modern practice of praying to a statue of Confucius before taking an exam.
Wen Hemian silently complained.
Xie Lang asked, "Did the teacher leave any inscriptions here?"
"No chance."
Wen Heming was telling the truth.
She already knew what she would face later. Apart from preparing for the exam, all she did was prepare to successfully enter the palace and kidnap people. She had no chance to wander around outside.
To be honest, he only had a moment of glory when he rode his horse through the streets.
"My teacher sacrificed a lot for me."
Xie Lang's voice was soft.
Wen Hemian smiled and said, "I also have my own selfish motives."
Strangely enough, aside from feeling a little sentimental when she thinks of her grandparents, she doesn't seem to have much attachment to the modern world she has lived in for over twenty years.
In contrast, she prefers this era, where she can have a healthy body, run and jump, and help the system with tasks; it's just paying the price.
Xie Lang's eyes lit up slightly, and he wanted to ask her what she meant by "having selfish motives," but before he could speak, he was interrupted by a commotion below.
The students started arguing for no apparent reason; it was a chaotic scene, with a few taking advantage of the confusion to start a fight.
They were sitting on the third floor, far apart, and had been chatting and talking, so they hadn't noticed what had happened. Now it would be difficult to extract any useful information.
Xie Lang waved to his bodyguard: "Go and inquire about it."
Under the emperor's nose, and right around the time of the imperial examinations, the authorities are even stricter in cracking down on troublemakers. Anyone with a brain wouldn't think of causing trouble at this time. If we get arrested and imprisoned for a few days and miss the exams, it's not worth it.
The guards quickly found out the information.
He cautiously glanced at the young emperor's expression before speaking: "They were talking about Lord Wen just now. One of them said that Lord Wen was not worthy of his position, and the others argued with him and had a little quarrel."
Upon hearing this, Xie Lang's face immediately darkened.
He could accept someone calling him a puppet, but he absolutely could not accept someone slandering Wen Hemian to his face: "Go and find out that person's background."
The guards knew what it meant and quickly went to carry it out.
Wen Hemian didn't expect that she would encounter something related to herself just by coming out. She was quite open-minded: "It's okay. I'm not gold or silver. I can't make everyone like me. Besides, there are people who don't like gold and silver either."
If Wen Hemian had to worry about these things every day, she would probably be driven crazy with frustration.
In life, one must maintain a peaceful mindset.
Xie Lang disagreed with her. Although he still had a smile on his face, it was a cold smile: "When they enter the court in the future, they should learn how to respect the emperor and how to respect my teacher."
He would not tolerate anyone disrespecting his Grand Tutor.
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