The snow had just stopped and the sky was clear, but a slight chill still lingered in the air.
The streets were deserted, but the teahouses were packed with people, and the storyteller's spittle flew as his melodious voice echoed throughout the hall.
Today's story isn't from the classic tales, but rather some interesting observations, occasionally interspersed with analysis and discussion of the current situation. After all, this place is far from the capital, so I'm not worried about anyone overhearing and spreading it around.
"...Speaking of which, His Majesty has executed many people in the past few years. His methods are quite brutal. It is said that no one dares to get close to him even now. The harem is empty. The daughters of officials are terrified of him. It is rare that no one wants to send their daughters into the palace. It is truly a strange story."
"Tsk, what are you saying? So what if the methods are a bit brutal? I think the current emperor is quite enlightened. Doesn't he allow women to participate in the imperial examinations and become officials in the court? I heard that all the noble ladies in the capital are eager to try! I'll send my youngest daughter to study there later!"
"What kind of talk is this about a woman studying? I think you're really out of your mind, brother. After you get married, she'll still belong to someone else's family!"
"Hey! What do you mean by 'marrying off'? Our family won't accept a son-in-law!"
"However, when it comes to female officials, the most remarkable one has to be the current emperor's teacher. She has done us, the Jianghuai region, a great favor. It's a pity, if it weren't for that assassination attempt..."
"His Majesty observed three years of mourning for this, which shows that the two truly had a deep teacher-student relationship. I just don't understand why His Majesty didn't hold a funeral... tsk tsk tsk."
"Didn't they say the body hasn't been found yet? I guess they're still clinging to a sliver of hope. That's just how people are."
The emperor was far away and the government was not strict, so the people were bold. Wen Hemian listened to their discussion, smiled and shook his head, as if he was not one of the protagonists in the story.
The whole world knew about her assassination attempt, but her parents never returned to the capital to see her. Perhaps they were still suspected, because Xie Lang secretly sent someone to the border to check before the New Year, which gave Wen Hemian a fright.
Luckily, she knew the man and took precautions beforehand; otherwise, she would have been caught on the spot.
It's been almost three years since then. She's easygoing and not the type to stay put. She travels around, sometimes stopping and starting. During the New Year, she'll go to the border to visit her parents. This time, she was almost caught, and before the New Year was even over, she quickly slipped away.
I didn't dare go to places too close to the capital, so I simply wandered over to the Jianghuai region, which was as prosperous and dazzling as ever.
She had heard rumors about Xie Lang on and off, and it was expected that he would do well.
However, observing three years of mourning for her is ultimately too irregular, and it's uncertain whether anyone in the court will have objections.
Thinking of this, Wen Hemian couldn't help but chuckle to herself. There was nothing she could do about it now; it was none of her business.
Hearing the storyteller's increasingly extravagant tales, Wen Hemian became interested and was just about to leave after placing tea money on the table when a small, soft child bumped into her arms.
The child was somewhat flustered, and in his haste, he accidentally pulled on the veil she was wearing. His vision blurred for a moment, and then suddenly became clear.
The little girl in his arms opened her innocent big eyes, blinked and looked at Wen Hemian. She looked no more than two or three years old, with chubby cheeks, and looked very cute.
Wen Heming didn't mind and was about to peek out to find the little girl's mother when he heard a flustered voice behind him: "Sorry, sorry! Just now..."
Wen Heming turned his head, and the newcomer's voice suddenly changed tone: "...Lord Wen?"
Liu Qiongyue stared at the person in front of her in astonishment.
Since their separation three years ago, she had never had the chance to see Wen Hemian again. But some people leave a deep and lasting impression, so even after many years, their faces remain vivid in her memory.
The woman before him had black hair and wore a white dress. She was slender and tall. She was already quite eye-catching when she was wearing a veil, but now that she was no longer covered, her bright eyes were clear and her temperament was as cool and aloof as the moon, making it even more difficult to look away.
That's not the most important thing. The most important thing is that this face, which exudes a woman's gentle charm, gradually overlaps with a familiar face from my memory.
Liu Qiongyue could hardly believe it.
Wen Hemian hadn't expected to run into an acquaintance in this place. Meeting Liu Qiongyue's burning gaze, she remained silent for a moment before smiling: "Long time no see."
As she spoke, she lowered her eyes, gently pinched the cheek of the little girl in her arms, and asked tenderly, "Is this your daughter with Lord Lu?"
Yes, yes.
Liu Qiongyue's feelings were indescribably complicated.
Perhaps the commotion was a bit loud, because while they were chatting, quite a few people had already looked in their direction. Liu Qiongyue quickly stepped forward, pulling her daughter with one hand and Wen Hemian with the other.
"It's not convenient here, let's go somewhere else to talk."
Wen Hemian obediently let himself be led away.
Liu Qiongyue led her to a private room with a clear goal in mind. The little girl didn't make a fuss or cause any trouble. She kept looking at Wen Hemian with her bright eyes, her curiosity undisguised.
Looking at Wen Hemian, Liu Qiongyue still felt like she was in a dream. She let out a long sigh: "Lord Wen, since you are alright, why don't you return to the capital?"
Xie Lang's official statement was that he fell off a cliff and his fate was unknown, which meant that there was still a glimmer of hope no matter what.
His Majesty's attitude was clear: everything that belonged to Wen Hemian was to be preserved until now, and as long as she returned, it would all be hers.
"Besides..." Liu Qiongyue smiled slightly, "Lord Wen's reputation is very good, both in the court and among the common people."
"Thank you for the compliment." Wen Hemian smiled. "There are other reasons why I'm not going back."
Liu Qiongyue couldn't think of any reason, so she guessed blindly: "It can't be because of His Majesty, can it?"
Wen Hemian: "..."
Look at that mouth, how can she be so good at talking?
Seeing that she remained silent, Liu Qiongyue had a rough idea of what was going on and tentatively asked, "Is it because of political differences, or something else?"
Wen Hemian shook his head dryly: "I can't say anything else. It's fine for me not to go back to the capital and to stay the way I am now."
Liu Qiongyue sighed, thinking about the current state of the capital, and felt that perhaps not.
But Wen Heming had already made up her mind, and she didn't want to be annoying by trying to persuade her, so she simply changed the subject.
"Lord Wen promised back then that he would be the godfather of my and Zishen's child. Does that promise still stand?"
As if sensing that she was being mentioned, the little girl in Liu Qiongyue's arms smiled sweetly, like a little sweet cake.
Wen Hemian has little resistance to children, especially cute children. This always reminds her of the innocent and naive Xie Lang from back then, so she raised her eyebrows and said, "If you don't mind."
"Of course!" Liu Qiongyue patted her daughter, "Sui Sui, quickly call her godmother."
The little girl must have been a little over two years old. She didn't understand complicated words, but her speech was still fairly clear: "Godmother."
Wen Hemian smiled and agreed.
After a pleasant conversation, both parties were happy.
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