The skinny little boy has grown into a handsome young man. Even with Wen Hemian's careful correction and guidance, some of his personality traits have remained, such as his stubbornness. He is usually easy to talk to, but he refuses to back down in situations like this.
Xie Lang stared intently at Wen Hemian and repeated softly, "Only the Grand Tutor will accompany me."
He never acted like a monarch in front of Wen Hemian, but when he used this self-reference, it meant that he was really serious.
Wen Hemian felt a little awkward, but thinking of her plan, she still spoke gently: "Alright, A-Lang, this doesn't conflict with me celebrating your birthday with you. At worst, we can just ask them to go back early. Besides, don't you really want to give Ning Hechu a hard time on your birthday?"
So far, the two sides have been fighting behind the scenes, with few opportunities to confront each other openly, mainly because it is not easy to break off relations.
Over the years, Ning Hechu has always maintained a strong foothold in the court. If one wants to completely seize power and establish authority, the first step is to undermine his prestige.
To be honest, Xie Lang really didn't want to cause any trouble at this time, but when he met Wen Hemian's earnest gaze that was considering his feelings, he couldn't help but fall silent.
He knew, of course, that the Grand Tutor was genuinely concerned for him, but no matter how he thought about it, he still felt a little resentful.
Sensing the resentment emanating from the boy, Wen Hemian chuckled. She smiled and added a condition: "How about this, for the wasted time, I'll give His Majesty a promise, okay? It doesn't have to be used right away; you can save it for later."
As it turns out, making empty promises is always effective, especially for a boy who is usually obedient and clingy. Wen Hemian watched his gaze change several times before he finally suppressed his struggle and reluctantly said, "...Okay."
"Then it's settled."
Wen Heming made the final decision to prevent him from going back on his word.
He wouldn't back down, but Xie Lang was a little regretful that he had brought it up himself. However, since he had already agreed, they needed to discuss the next steps: "What does the Grand Tutor plan to do?"
Wen Hemian shook his head: "I don't need to do anything. It's mainly up to you. You are the emperor, and the birthday banquet is your domain. If he really wants to do something, we can just deal with it as it comes."
The main purpose was to show outsiders that Xie Lang was now capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with Ning Hechu.
Xie Lang raised an eyebrow slightly, with a hint of arrogance and composure: "Then that makes things simple. I hope he can keep his composure."
The two exchanged a smile, their unspoken understanding evident.
After finishing their business, Wen Hemian took out some pastries she had prepared in advance from the food box. She had originally intended for Xie Lang to take them back to the palace, but now that they were enjoying the peach blossoms, they were a good snack.
Wen Hemian picked up a piece of pastry and handed it to Xie Lang, gesturing for him to take it.
"Try it, the pastry has flower petals in it, it tastes good."
Xie Lang frequently visited the Prince's Mansion, and over time, in order to cater to his tastes, the mansion specially hired a new chef who studied pastries, and would occasionally give the two of them some small surprises.
Wen Hemian remained calm. Xie Lang glanced at the hand that held the pastry in her hand, which was white and flawless, like a piece of fine jade. When he was a child, he always felt that the hand that touched him was extremely gentle. But now, he found that the Grand Tutor's hand was even smaller than his own.
"Ah Lang, what are you thinking about?"
Wen Hemian held the pastry for a long time without him taking it, and her wrist was getting sore. Seeing that he seemed to be in a daze, she was about to take her hand back when the boy leaned over and snatched the pastry from her hand.
"...I was thinking about the Grand Tutor."
Xie Lang chewed the pastry in a few bites and swallowed it, almost choking. He quickly picked up his teacup and took a sip of water. His words were very straightforward, with a hint of a smile in his eyes: "I am taller than the Grand Tutor, so I can protect him from now on."
He raised his chin with a touch of pride, his eyes clear and sincere, clearly pleased with the matter.
Wen Heming withdrew her hand somewhat awkwardly, feeling a bit strange as she recalled the scene just now: "Why are you still thinking about this?"
Xie Lang said with a serious expression, "The Grand Tutor taught me that one must keep one's word."
Wen Hemian: "..."
It seems that he did indeed teach it.
But who would have thought he would remember it for so many years?
This was a topic that was not worth arguing about. Wen Hemian nodded, quickly ignoring the strange feeling in her heart.
Not long after, the carriage came to a stop in the suburbs, swaying and rattling.
Lifting the car curtain, I saw that the mountains outside were covered with peach blossoms, pink as the sunset. It had rained last night, and water droplets clung to the branches and leaves, a truly delightful sight.
Xie Lang said, "It's doing better than last year."
Wen Hemian looked at him in surprise: "You've been here before?"
"I happened to pass by on my way to Feihong Camp and made a note of it," Xie Lang said. "This mountain isn't high, and there's a temple halfway up it. Would the Grand Tutor like to go up and take a look?"
Xie Lang did not hide the existence of the Flying Goose Camp from Wen Hemian, nor could he really hide it. These were people he had trained himself. According to the original story, they would have been introduced later, but now it was different; he could train them much earlier.
Wen Hemian only knew about it; he had never seen it with his own eyes.
"Let's go take a look." She looked up at the mountain and smiled. "It's so boring just looking at peach blossoms. When you come out for a spring outing, you should walk around more."
They walked ahead, with the guards following quietly behind, not wanting to disturb their masters' enjoyment.
When no one else was around, Xie Lang became unusually talkative. He was a little curious: "Did the Grand Tutor feel lonely when he lived in a temple?"
Xie Lang thought back to when he lived in the Cold Palace. It was all empty around him, and there wasn't even a candle at night. It was alright in the summer, but in the winter, when the wind blew, it sounded like ghosts howling. Alone in the room, he had to be on guard at all times and didn't have time to think about anything else.
It was no secret that Wen Hemian was raised in a temple when he was a child. He had seen the way the concubines cried and howled before they were sent to the temple, and guessed that they must not have had a good life outside.
"No, not at all."
Wen Hemian thought back carefully. Apart from being physically weak, the original owner of this body seemed to be dull-witted and had virtually no memories, but her memories after arriving were clear.
“My father and the others left people to protect me. Although the temple is a bit remote, I have teachers to teach me to read and guards to protect me and teach me martial arts. To be honest, I’m actually doing quite well.”
Wen Hemian enjoys a peaceful life, and her tone is full of smiles when she talks about it.
Xie Lang knew he shouldn't, but a strange pang of sadness welled up in his heart, and he suddenly asked, "Will the Grand Tutor regret entering the court?"
If she hadn't entered the imperial court, under the protection of the Prince of Huailing, she should have been able to live a peaceful life, instead of having to constantly guard against open and covert attacks as she does now.
"What are you thinking, Your Majesty? This is the path I chose myself, and I certainly won't regret it."
Wen Hemian knew he had misunderstood, and her tone softened slightly: "Besides, if I hadn't entered the court, how could I have met such an adorable little Your Majesty?"
Caught off guard by the compliment, Xie Lang paused for a moment, then met Wen Hemian's soft and bright gaze, his ear tips slowly, slowly turning red.
He hurriedly turned his head away: "...Hmm."
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