Having had Xie Lang seize the initiative multiple times, Wen Hemian had gained some experience and quickly spoke up.
"You are the emperor, holding the power of life and death. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, these people will all serve you in the future. They should respect you, not me. Besides, my parents are guarding the border. It's better for them if I keep a low profile. I believe you understand this."
Xie Lang remained silent.
He truly understood this principle, yet he wished he didn't.
Seeing this, Wen Hemian softened his tone: "Just consider it for my sake. If Your Majesty truly cherishes our teacher-student relationship over the years, then listen to me."
Under the moonlight, the young man's handsome face seemed shrouded in shadow, adding a touch of gloom. As the effects of the alcohol gradually wore off, he reluctantly replied, "Alright."
Actually, I was still quite unhappy.
Unlike outsiders, he wouldn't be wary of Wen Hemian's excessive power. In fact, he would rather she become a powerful minister. The more power she held, the less likely she would be to leave, and he would have a legitimate reason to keep her here.
Wen Hemian smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xie Lang said awkwardly, "There's nothing to thank me for."
It seems he's almost fully awake now.
Wen Hemian caught a glimpse of Lai Xi cowering behind a pillar and chuckled, "Don't hide there anymore, bring the hangover soup to His Majesty."
Xie Lang rarely drank alcohol. After he came of age, Wen Hemian stopped restricting him. It's better to have a certain alcohol tolerance than not, and it's good to practice.
However, to avoid headaches after sobering up, you should drink the hangover soup.
Lai Xi secretly glanced at His Majesty's dark face, hesitated for a long time, but still gritted his teeth and listened to Lord Wen's words, and happily delivered the hangover soup over.
"Your Majesty, a hangover remedy."
Xie Lang may look intimidating, but he rarely takes his anger out on others. However, that doesn't stop Lai Xi from being afraid.
Wen Hemian raised his chin: "Drink it."
With Lord Wen speaking up, the matter is settled.
Sure enough, Xie Lang's expression was different, but he still obediently picked up the glass and drank it.
Seeing that he had finished drinking, Wen Hemian reflexively took out two candied fruits.
Xie Lang was taken aback: "The Grand Tutor carries this with him at all times?"
Wen Heming calmly asked, "I'm used to it. Do you want some or not?"
Being a worker is really busy. Sometimes Wen Hemian is so busy that she doesn't have time to eat. Later, when Uncle Lu found out, he instructed the small kitchen to make some snacks for her to carry with her, so that she could at least fill her stomach and not ruin her stomach.
This includes candied fruit.
It's just a bit too sweet, so Wen Hemian rarely eats it, but Xie Lang would probably like it.
"eat."
Xie Lang nodded, not wanting to miss the opportunity that was offered to him.
It's just a pity that Wen Hemian has learned his lesson this time, and he had to reach out and take it himself to avoid suspicion.
The hangover soup had only a slightly bitter taste, but the moment the candied fruit entered his mouth, the strange taste was instantly dispelled, leaving only a sweet flavor, and Xie Lang's mood immediately improved.
Wen Hemian stayed with him in the moonlight for a while, and when she estimated that it was about time, she suggested, "Get some sleep, I'll head back to my residence first?"
Xie Lang truly felt the downside of revealing his identity. Before, he could use his charm and sweet talk to get her to stay, but now he had no reason to stay at all, and could only say dejectedly, "Hmm."
Wen Hemian did not soften her heart.
If she softens her heart, she won't be able to leave tonight.
-
The announcement of the results was quite a lively event.
Those who made the list were overjoyed, while those who failed were disappointed and waited for the next attempt.
The palace examination was scheduled for three days later. After their initial joy, those who passed the examination hurried back to their lodgings to prepare for their audience with the emperor.
Wen Hemian quietly entrusted most of her affairs to the diligent Right Vice Minister, while she went out to have tea with Lu Zishen and Liu Qiongyue after finishing her important tasks.
"You two look so happy today, is there some good news coming your way?"
With a smile on his face, Lu Zishen poured Wen Hemian a cup of tea. Liu Qiongyue, who was standing next to him, also looked very happy. She said generously, "I'm pregnant."
"Hmm?"
Wen Hemian raised her eyes in surprise, then quickly recovered and said, "Congratulations! See you again sometime, I'll arrange for you to bring a gift."
"No need for gifts or anything, that would be too formal."
Liu Qiongyue's business has partnerships with the Wen family. Over the years, she and Lu Zishen have become familiar with Wen Hemian, so they can speak their minds freely.
"But if possible, perhaps we could become godparents?"
Liu Qiongyue was joking.
Unexpectedly, Wen Hemian nodded seriously: "Sure."
At first, she was wary of the male and female protagonists, fearing that they would conspire to overthrow Xie Lang like in the original book. However, she later discovered that the two of them had no ambition at all and only wanted to live their own lives, so she gradually stopped being wary.
Having two more friends is always better than having two more enemies.
In the original book, the two of them never had children. It's unclear whether the timeline shifted too much, which indirectly changed their life trajectories and resulted in them having a child.
"That's great. Now the child will have a godfather to take care of him in the capital."
Liu Qiongyue was all smiles.
In contrast, Lu Zishen was much more serious: "Thank you, Lord Wen."
Wen Hemian waved his hand: "There's nothing to thank me for. You've also put in a lot of effort in the trade with the barbarians, so I should be the one thanking you."
Liu Qiongyue does indeed have a talent for business, that much is undeniable.
The three chatted for a long time and talked about other things before Wen Hemian reluctantly went back.
The palace examination took a day, but Wen Hemian got the results much faster. She already knew that the top scholar this time was a talented man from Jiangnan named Shen Changyan.
This person had just reached the age of twenty. Although he was not as dazzling as Wen Hemian, who achieved the highest score in the imperial examination, he still achieved the highest score in the palace examination and performed exceptionally well.
Wen Hemian had never heard of this person in the original book, but with so many changes that some hidden talents have emerged, it's not surprising.
After the results of the palace examination were announced, in addition to the newly appointed scholars parading through the streets on horseback, another important event was the Qionglin Banquet.
This is the first time the Qionglin Banquet has been held since the late emperor's death. Xie Lang now has a slight edge over Ning Hechu, so he no longer needs to be restrained in these matters.
Wen Hemian didn't go to the palace examination, and if she didn't go to the Qionglin Banquet, Xie Lang would secretly be angry, so she readily agreed to go.
This wasn't exactly a private banquet; everyone was dressed quite formally. Wen Hemian chose a relatively understated white outfit, tied her hair up, and got into the carriage.
The Qionglin Banquet was held in the Imperial Garden. She arrived quite early, but to her surprise, many people were already waiting inside.
Wen Hemian was used to big occasions and calmly took her seat under the gaze of everyone.
Ye Zhaoxuan, who had also come to join in the fun, saw her arrive and quietly crept over, winking at her: "Look, Lord Wen, what do you think of these Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations)?"
Wen Heming raised an eyebrow: "It gives me the feeling that... someone has a successor?"
Ye Zhaoxuan choked back tears: "I don't remember this word being used like that."
Wen Hemian didn't want him to remember; she wanted him to feel it himself.
As they were talking, the eunuch announced that His Majesty had arrived.
Immediately, everyone on the scene knelt down. Ye Zhaoxuan also quickly straightened up and bowed. As he bowed, he felt a cold gaze sweep over him like a knife, and he couldn't help but shrink his neck.
He thought to himself, "There can't possibly be an assassin."
Not far from the seat of honor, Xie Lang frowned and looked away, feeling increasingly aching and bitter in his heart.
The Grand Tutor avoided any attempt to get close to him, so how could he chat so happily with a stranger?
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