"Slandering me."
Wen Hemian chuckled: "You're doing this for my own good. When did I ever say I was going to talk about you?"
She knew exactly what his concerns were, and that he cared deeply about her, so why should she scold him?
She's not indiscriminate.
Xie Lang's eyes lit up, just like an adorable puppy, obedient and well-behaved.
Although she knew this was most likely just a facade, Wen Hemian still felt affection for him. After a moment of hesitation, she leaned in and kissed him on the corner of his lips: "Your Majesty did very well. Keep it up in the future."
Xie Lang's smile deepened as he took her hand and warmed it, saying, "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."
...
The news didn't stay hidden from the palace; the ministers gradually learned that Lady Wen was pregnant.
After so long, everyone has accepted it well, and with the holidays approaching, most of the things that have piled up throughout the year have been dealt with. When people get together, they inevitably start talking about it.
"I don't know if it's a prince or a princess, but thinking about it, regardless of gender, they should be very outstanding."
"It would be wonderful if she were a little princess," Ye Zhaoxuan said with a smile, holding her wine glass. "Who knows, she might even become an empress."
Lord Ye, who has now become a key minister, understands that given the current situation, this possibility is still very high.
Lu Zishen smiled, somewhat agreeing: "I'm also looking forward to it."
Several close friends gathered together, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
However, compared to the optimism of his ministers, Xie Lang was clearly more anxious.
The more books he read and the more he learned, the more his fear grew. Eventually, Wen Hemian couldn't bear to read any more and simply confiscated the books from him.
She glanced at it, clicked her tongue, rolled it up, and hit Xie Lang on the head.
"Don't worry about things that haven't happened yet. If you get sick, will you take care of me or will I take care of you?"
Mental illness is still an illness. It was not easy to help him get rid of the nightmare-like shadow of those three years. If he were to develop mental illness because of it, it would not be worth it.
Xie Lang raised his hand to cover his head. It didn't hurt, but it was enough to make him obedient: "Okay."
He was like an obedient puppy, sitting on Wen Heming's lap with his arms around her, his eyes darting back and forth with conflicted thoughts, as if he wanted to say something or do something, but he didn't actually take any action.
Wen Hemian smiled and tried to distract him: "Since everything's alright, why don't we think about what name to give the child?"
This tactic worked as expected. Xie Lang frowned and said, "...So difficult."
"That's right, it should be difficult." Wen Hemian's tone was indifferent, but a closer look revealed a smile in her eyes, which carried more of a indulgent tone. "There's still so much time, think it over carefully. If it doesn't sound good, I'll make the children resent you later."
Xie Lang, of course, didn't believe her. He couldn't help but lower his eyes and kiss her hair: "There won't be that chance."
Wen Hemian raised an eyebrow: "That's hard to say."
Xie Lang opened his mouth, about to defend himself, but the gentle warmth in his arms had already gotten up and left him.
Wen Hemian glanced at him sideways, looking rather ruthless: "Alright, stop being so affectionate. There are still those memorials on the desk that haven't been approved yet. I'm going out to meet someone."
Xie Lang, unwilling to give up, asked, "Who is it? Are you sure I don't need to come along?"
“We’re not that fragile yet.” Wen Hemian thought for a moment, then turned and ruffled the Emperor’s hair. “Come back before dinner.”
Having said that, he leisurely walked away.
Xie Lang had no choice but to reluctantly look away.
The person Wen Hemian wanted to meet was, in a sense, an acquaintance.
This private room was reserved by Liu Qiongyue. After getting off the carriage, someone came up to greet Wen Hemian and led her to the top floor.
Liu Qiongyue and the guest had been waiting for a long time, and they both smiled when she came in.
Alina smiled and said, "Lord Wen, it's been a long time."
This princess from the barbarian tribe was no longer the gloomy girl they had first met. Her features had matured, and she possessed a unique depth and elegance characteristic of her tribe.
Wen Hemian smiled politely and replied, "Long time no see."
The seat left in the middle was obviously for her. As soon as Wen Hemian walked over and sat down, Liu Qiongyue pushed a teacup over to her and winked playfully.
"Fruit tea, you can drink it, try it and see if you like it?"
Liu Qiongyue had given birth to a child, so her experience was naturally richer than Wen Hemian's, not to mention these small matters.
Wen Heming picked up the cup and took a sip. The fruit tea was refreshing and sweet and sour, and the taste was indeed quite good.
She nodded: "Okay, I like it."
Liu Qiongyue immediately laughed: "See, I knew it! Even Lord Wen likes it. I don't think we'll have to worry about selling this tea next year!"
Alina nodded in agreement: "That's right."
Wen Hemian was both amused and exasperated: "Are you using me to test the tea?"
"After all, Lord Wen has a great reputation, and those wealthy and powerful people will definitely not hesitate to give it a try after hearing about it," Liu Qiongyue explained.
Wen Heming said he could understand, it's the celebrity effect.
After saying this, she looked at Alina and asked, "Why has the princess come to the capital?"
She hadn't forgotten what Liu Qiongyue had told her back then. At the time, she thought Alina had ulterior motives, but now it seemed that wasn't the case.
“I came to the capital with a caravan,” Alina said gracefully. “After I returned home, I avenged Anang and then went into business with my friends. Now we’ve built up quite a business.”
"On the eve of the war between the two tribes, I received news by chance. I was grateful for the help Lord Wen had given me back then, and I wanted to inform you, but the city gates were too heavily guarded and I didn't find an opportunity."
Alina sighed, "Life among barbarians is hard, but if you are honest and law-abiding, you can still make a living. Unfortunately, the pro-war faction is greedy and insists on going against the tide... You know what happened next."
"I see." Wen Hemian said after understanding the situation, "You cooperated with us back then, so we have already repaid your kindness. There is no need to take this risk."
Alina shook her head: "I just don't want to see more of my people harmed by them."
Whenever a fight breaks out, it is always the ordinary people who suffer; this principle applies to everyone.
"But things are better now. They've been beaten into submission, and because of trade, more of their people can come out and seek new ways of life."
Alina sighed, "The Great Zhao is so prosperous, its submission is only a matter of time."
Wen Hemian was a little surprised: "The princess can see clearly."
“I’ve just been through a lot.” Alina smiled and shook her head, turning her gaze to her. “I just never imagined that the upright and virtuous Lady Wen was not only a woman, but now she has become… Empress.”
At this point, her gaze became somewhat subtle.
Liu Qiongyue raised her eyebrows, about to speak, but Wen Hemian spoke first.
She smiled and said calmly, "The situation is unpredictable."
"Is this also the case for Lord Wen and His Majesty?"
Alina asked this question, and before the other party could answer, she chuckled to herself, her eyes crinkling into crescents, and shook her head firmly: "That's what my people guessed, but I don't think so."
People like Wen Hemian are not meant to be forced or controlled.
Unless she does it voluntarily.
Wen Hemian paused for a moment, then said, "Yes."
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