Upon receiving Wen Hemian's response, Xie Lang's eyes visibly brightened again. If he hadn't wanted to come back early to rest with her, he probably wouldn't have wanted to leave.
Wen Hemian was both amused and exasperated, and turned to go back first.
After returning to the palace and washing up, Wen Hemian changed into softer and more comfortable nightgowns. Not feeling too sleepy, she sat on the edge of the bed and read for a while.
Xie Lang knew that she didn't like having people serving her, so he probably gave prior instructions. The newly transferred palace maids were very perceptive and kept watch outside without disturbing her, remaining quiet and well-behaved.
Wen Hemian loved reading. She had been reading this book for several days and was taking advantage of this time to finish the last few pages. When she closed the book, her eyes were a little sore.
His gaze unconsciously drifted towards the small couch by the window.
Xie Lang refused to leave at night, and without her permission, no one dared to go to bed. Over time, the small couch was decorated with a lively atmosphere.
But it's only slightly better.
Xie Lang probably wanted to play the victim and win his heart, so he refused to let Lai Xi decorate the place any more luxuriously. It was indeed quite pitiful that the big guy slept with his legs tucked up at night.
As she thought about it, Wen Hemian couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Putting aside his domineering nature in matters of the heart, Xie Lang is quite amusing.
Despite the age and experience gap, Xie Lang's occasional clumsiness still brought a smile to people's faces. His efforts to bridge the gap between them were, at times, quite amusing.
Perhaps as early as three years ago, when Wen Hemian realized his feelings, his mind had already changed when he looked at these things.
Unfortunately, she didn't realize it at the time.
Wen Hemian smiled for a while, but the smile slowly faded.
In the stillness of the night, it is a time for deep thought.
She remembered what Ye Zhaoxuan had said.
As she entered the banquet, she noticed many gazes falling on her, mostly surprised, with few expressing disgust. Moreover, these were mostly people who had never been on her side before, which was quite normal.
Having put aside the troubles of the capital for so long, she thought she was truly indifferent, but it turns out she still did care.
I must return to the imperial court.
I just don't know when the right time will be.
"I could see the lights on in the distance. It's already past midnight. Why isn't the Grand Tutor resting yet? Is he waiting for me?"
The emperor's smiling voice came from behind him. Wen Hemian looked back and saw him standing by the screen, his eyes filled with joy, his gloom lessened.
Wen Hemian wanted to say no, but as soon as she opened her mouth, she couldn't break the expectant smile in Xie Lang's eyes, so she simply admitted, "Yes."
Sure enough, the puppy's eyes immediately brightened.
Xie Lang suppressed his smile and said, "Wait for me a little longer."
As Xie Lang spoke, he hurriedly went to the side to wash up. He smelled of alcohol from the banquet and didn't feel very comfortable, so he quickly took a shower.
He had already said that it wouldn't be good for Wen Hemian to wait too long, but he was really sleepy, so he simply leaned against the headboard and dozed off.
When Xie Lang returned, he saw her looking so tired. He couldn't help but chuckle. He swallowed back the words he wanted to say, went over and trimmed a few wicks in the lamp, and said softly, "Go to sleep. We can talk about it tomorrow."
The light suddenly dimmed, which made Wen Hemian a little more awake. However, seeing that Xie Lang had already turned and walked towards the small couch, she hesitated to say anything.
It's still a little different.
Xie Lang was extremely insecure. He appeared calm during the day, but at night he couldn't relax and needed chains to bind each of their hands before he could rest at ease. But not tonight.
Wen Heming's heart stirred slightly.
She tried asking, "Why don't you let me wear the chains tonight?"
Xie Lang paused for a moment. He sat on the small couch, and his movements indicated that he was looking in this direction.
After a long pause, a muffled voice came: "You don't like it."
Those are chains that can imprison freedom; what normal person would like that?
Wen Hemian almost laughed again.
However, recalling the torment he endured over the past three years, he couldn't bring himself to smile.
This method is theoretically a bit annoying, but it's the best way a stray dog could come up with to gain a sense of security.
Wen Hemian sighed silently.
But this habit is bad and needs to be broken. She took the initiative to ask, so of course she wouldn't rush to wear it again. Xie Lang didn't say much about it, and the two understood each other without saying a word, and each lay down to rest.
She was so sleepy while waiting for someone that she was almost asleep, but after lying in bed for a long time, she became more and more awake.
In the dead of night, Wen Hemian opened her eyes and stared blankly at the bed curtains, feeling like a fool.
It's just a kiss, isn't it? I've been kissed before, so why now... sigh.
"Contains frost".
In the silent darkness, the young man's voice came. Xie Lang was not asleep either; in fact, he sounded quite awake.
He then asked, "...Can't you sleep?"
"Is there a slight disturbance, Your Majesty?"
Martial arts practitioners are very sensitive to breathing sounds. If they are in the same room for a long time, they will not be wary of each other. However, if their breathing becomes disordered, they can immediately detect the abnormality.
Wen Hemian thought that her noise had disturbed him.
The result was the next moment.
"I can't sleep either."
Darkness can amplify emotions, but it can also obscure them.
Since neither of us is asleep, let's chat.
Wen Hemian: "Why can't you sleep?"
Xie Lang seemed a little uncomfortable and coughed twice: "I'm not used to it. I'm afraid that when I wake up... you won't be by my side anymore."
He didn't specify what he wasn't used to.
Wen Heming understood: "Just because of this?"
"Hmm." Xie Lang responded vaguely, then quickly explained, "You'll get used to it in a couple of days."
Only Xie Lang himself knew that this was the most conservative estimate. Without the chains that he could hold onto, he felt a sense of unease and couldn't help but want to open his eyes to make sure that Wen Hemian was really still there.
He changed the subject: "Grand Tutor, what's keeping you up at night this time?"
Wen Heming remained silent.
Of course, it's because I realized my bottom line was crumbling.
The little rascal is a master of both gentleness and firmness; he's incredibly adept at slowly boiling a frog in water. His methods are undeniably brilliant.
Wen Hemian was much more reserved, and fortunately Xie Lang didn't expect to get an answer from her, let alone feel sad. The hall was briefly silent.
Her breathing gradually calmed down on the bed. Just when Xie Lang thought she had fallen asleep, he heard a familiar, calm voice: "It's not comfortable sleeping on the small couch. Come up to the bed."
!
After saying this, Wen Hemian moved over to the inside. The bed was big enough to comfortably fit two people, or even two more. She wasn't used to this kind of arrangement, so she lay on her side facing inwards.
Before long, footsteps came from behind him, and he could clearly feel the bed next to him sinking slightly. Xie Lang quietly lay down, and suddenly heard another person breathing beside him.
Xie Lang tentatively reached out and put his arm around her.
Wen Hemian's body stiffened, and her shoulders hunched over uncomfortably.
However, apart from that gentle kiss on the back of his neck, Xie Lang did nothing else.
"Go to sleep."
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