The person before me wore a dark blue long dress, a rather understated color, yet it seemed to shroud her in a cool, ethereal halo, a completely different kind of exquisite beauty from when she wore crimson official robes.
Xie Lang had imagined her in women's clothing many times, but none of them could compare to the shock of seeing it with her own eyes.
Like the cold moonlight, frost and snow embrace me.
"I, the Grand Tutor..."
The boy, who had arrived with a steady gait, suddenly seemed flustered and couldn't utter a word for a long time.
It's rare to see a hint of naivety in it.
Wen Hemian didn't want to sigh on her birthday, so she said, "Let's go in and sit down first."
The rules of the world are stingy. After the task was completed, Wen Hemian's already shaky cover-up finally became completely ineffective in the past few days.
The system indicated it was powerless to help, so Wen Hemian could only try to stay away from the area as much as possible.
On the surface, it seems like she wanted to keep a low profile, but in reality, she had no choice but to.
When her birthday arrived, a rare and joyous day that only came once a year, she didn't want to continue wearing a mask, which is why she made this decision.
Anyway, Xie Lang already knew her true identity, so it didn't matter what she wore.
But things took an unexpected turn.
Xie Lang hurriedly sat down.
His eyes were glued to Wen Heming, unwilling to look away, and his voice carried a hint of unwitting hoarseness: "Beautiful."
Wen Heming paused slightly, her fingertips twitching slightly, before pouring the tea and pushing it towards him: "Drink."
Thinking back, it was better when her identity wasn't exposed. Now, facing Xie Lang, Wen Hemian had no idea how to get along with him.
Not to mention that this little brat harbors some shady thoughts.
Xie Lang downed the cup of tea, and only then did he calm down a bit.
I still don't know where to look.
I always feel that leaving it anywhere would be a desecration of this person.
"It seems that the people around the Grand Tutor don't really welcome me."
After a long pause, he said this.
Her eyes were downcast, as if she were feeling a little wronged.
Wen Hemian choked with emotion.
It would be strange if they welcomed it.
Those who were even slightly closer to the emperor could all see that the young emperor had ulterior motives. If the secret guards hadn't been hiding in the shadows and unable to come out, the situation wouldn't be like this now.
But she couldn't really say that.
"It's just an illusion. Eat first, or the food will get cold."
The meal was prepared separately for Xie Lang, while Wen Hemian had a bowl of longevity noodles in front of her. Qingyun had personally cooked and made the noodles for her, topped with an egg and some green vegetables. It was light and refreshing, perfect for this weather.
The candlelight flickered, the moon rose outside, its light soft and warm. No one came to disturb them, and the place was exceptionally quiet.
Just now, she was asking Xie Lang if he was not used to it, but she didn't expect that she was the one who was not used to it. The two of them did not talk for the first time and quickly finished their dinner.
Wen Hemian put down his chopsticks and immediately met the boy's clear and bright gaze, which seemed to sparkle under the flickering candlelight. He stood up impatiently and said, "Wait for me."
The relationship between the two is strange and awkward now. Wen Hemian is unsure what he wants to do. Despite her trepidation, she has no choice but to face what is about to happen.
When Xie Lang returned, he was carrying something wrapped in cloth, so it was impossible to tell what it was.
Wen Heming's brow twitched again.
Xie Lang had already placed the item in front of her, a hint of anticipation in his eyes: "Hanshuang, want to open it and take a look?"
Well, just because of that form of address, Wen Hemian already had some uneasy thoughts in his heart.
Even though she was mentally prepared, when she removed the outer layer of cloth and saw what it was, Wen Hemian couldn't help but catch her breath slightly, and her fingertips visibly froze.
This is an iron certificate with inscriptions and gold inlay, larger than a palm.
Wen Heming knew exactly what this was.
A "golden decree of immunity from death," or, in simpler terms, a "death-exemption token."
The Wen family fought alongside the founding emperor to establish the dynasty, and they originally possessed a piece of the Wen family's empire, which had been passed down through generations and was the only one of its kind in the entire empire. Now, Xie Lang had given her another piece.
"And this too."
Xie Lang seized the opportunity and quickly took out another item hidden in his sleeve. It was bright yellow, and when he unfolded it, it turned out to be a blank imperial edict that already had the seal affixed.
Either of these two things, taken individually, is enough to make people's jaws drop.
Their relationship was close, unlike that of a typical monarch and his subjects; when giving birthday gifts, they valued the sentiment rather than the value of the gift.
Wen Hemian never expected that in this very year, he would give her two incredibly valuable gifts.
Xie Lang stared intently at her, his gaze earnest: "Why aren't you saying anything? Don't you like it?"
Wen Hemian paused, lowered her eyes, and her expression was not very clear: "This is not appropriate."
She could accept ordinary birthday gifts without hesitation, but these two were beyond her means. If word got out, the entire capital would probably be in an uproar.
There's nothing inappropriate about it.
Xie Lang's expression changed slightly, but he still tried his best to suppress the emotions surging in his eyes, and said in a deep voice: "If the Grand Tutor thinks it is inappropriate, he can keep it at home and not tell outsiders, and keep it as our secret. But you are qualified to accept this."
He glanced at me again as he spoke: "You always say I'm a qualified monarch, and as an emperor, my decisions shouldn't be changed so easily. Isn't that right?"
Wen Hemian looked at the boy standing in front of her.
With handsome features and a slender figure, he still retained a touch of naivety, but his methods were decisive and efficient, easily controlling people's hearts, not only others' but also hers.
They've also learned to use these grand principles to shut people down.
She didn't know whether to feel relieved or laugh.
Wen Heming was in turmoil. She didn't respond, her whole being seemed shrouded in a thin layer of frost, and her voice was low: "Xie Lang, does it really have to be this way? You are an emperor. Whether you find a good girl to accompany you in the future, or have three thousand beauties in your harem, it doesn't have to be just for me..."
That's because I don't need anyone else.
Xie Lang interrupted her, the smile in his eyes completely disappearing until his face became expressionless: "Hanshuang, you can refuse me, but you shouldn't push me to someone else. I know what I want, just like before."
He initially wanted revenge and to seize power, so he pretended to be obedient and coquettish and clung to Wen Hemian's side, just to achieve his own wishes.
After spending a long time together, he developed genuine feelings for her and all he wanted was for her to stay by his side forever.
In that case, isn't it only natural that he fell for her?
He could give her time to recover, instead of letting her be like this now.
"Today is your birthday, and I don't want you to be unhappy."
The boy leaned down slightly, gently brushed a strand of hair that had fallen onto her cheek, and carefully tucked it behind her ear.
His eyes were filled with a deep, dark color that seemed capable of swallowing a person whole.
"I'm leaving now, goodbye."
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