The expedition was scheduled to begin early the next morning.
It came so suddenly that even if we had been prepared, tonight was destined to be anything but peaceful.
Wen Hemian had just met Liu Qiongyue during the day. She handed the token to Xie Lang: "Have someone take this to the Liu family's trading company. Someone will come to make contact."
The advance preparations were simply to travel light. They secretly took advantage of the female lead's aura, and everything went smoothly. They just needed to take what they needed when they arrived.
"Alright." Xie Lang carefully put away the token, a smile appearing in his eyes. "The Grand Tutor has made all the arrangements, I'm at ease."
Wen Hemian didn't want to dwell on these issues with him at this time, so she lowered her eyes and said, "I just hope you can bring them all back safely. I don't want to see you injured."
Medical and sanitary conditions in ancient times were poor, and even minor injuries could easily turn into serious ones. Thinking about future reconstruction, one can only feel that the task ahead is arduous and the road is long.
Xie Lang smiled and hugged her: "I told you, I won't. I'm not a child, I can take good care of myself."
Wen Heming remained noncommittal.
The room remained silent for a long while.
Xie Lang simply held her quietly, and neither of them spoke.
After a long while, the man's hot fingertips finally brushed across her earlobe, sending shivers down her spine, as he poured out his sorrow in the quiet night.
"Han Shuang, we have to part again."
"Didn't you already know? I thought you were prepared."
Wen Hemian looked up at him and was kissed by him. It was an extremely ambiguous touch, yet a careful one, so as not to be annoying.
“I used to just say it, but this time it’s for real.”
Xie Lang pulled her to sit down on the bed, personally taking off her shoes and socks, and then untying her clothes. His movements were practiced and unhurried, as if he were unwrapping a gift that belonged to him.
Wen Heming stopped him before his hand could touch his clothes.
"Is there anything else you want to say? Speak clearly now. Do you really have that much self-control?"
Wen Hemian had an expression that said he knew exactly what was going on with him.
Xie Lang withdrew his hand and smiled, "Grand Tutor, you truly understand me."
"I have done everything I needed to do, and I have nothing else to say to the Grand Tutor."
Xie Lang sat beside her, staring intently at her, his eyes brimming with emotion that was almost overflowing, like a puppy begging for food. "The rest, of course, are our private matters."
After the system was discussed, there were almost no secrets between them anymore. As for private matters, Wen Hemian knew what they were without even thinking.
She was slightly speechless and took a step back: "Why are you still thinking about this?"
Young age and a talent for acting cute—these traits combined make Xie Lang a model of someone who's difficult to handle and impossible to deal with.
"Tonight, please grant my wish."
Xie Lang didn't care about her retreating at all. He chased after her with a smile, his back slightly bent, like a jade mountain collapsing, casting a shadow over her.
The voice was low, carrying a hint of stickiness.
Wen Hemian sighed, her words carrying a heavy weight: "You've already said all that, do I still have a chance to refuse?"
"You can refuse."
Xie Lang is easy to talk to, but whether he will actually do what he says is another matter.
"Fine."
For some unknown reason, Wen Hemian smiled and lowered his eyes, unusually not arguing with Xie Lang for too long, and agreed to his request.
"Consider this a little treat for you in advance."
Her voice was cool and aloof, but her actions were completely different from her demeanor. She stepped forward, hooked her arms around the emperor's neck, pulled him down, and offered her lips to him, while her fingers gently caressed the back of his neck.
"Xie Huaichuan, remember, come back safely."
Xie Lang was startled by this surprise, but quickly recovered, half-closing his eyes and a mischievous glint in his narrow eyes as he smiled.
"Yes, ma'am."
...
The autumn rain drizzled all night, but thankfully it stopped the next day. Although the sky was still overcast, it was cool and pleasant, making it a good day for traveling.
Xie Lang disliked scenes of parting.
The time he sent Wen Heming away left him with a huge psychological shadow. Indulging in a night of entanglement was more like part of his plan. Without seeing her, he wouldn't feel so uneasy.
Before dawn, a group of ministers had already gathered at the city gate to see him off. Ye Zhaoxuan looked around but couldn't find anyone.
He approached Lu Zishen with a puzzled look: "Where is Lord Wen? On such an important occasion, isn't Lord Wen here to see His Majesty off?"
Lu Zishen's lips twitched, but he maintained his composure: "If you're not married, don't ask."
"?" Ye Zhaoxuan looked at his colleague in shock. "Lord Lu, you've changed!"
How could it be so hurtful?
After becoming an imperial censor, Ye Zhaoxuan became much more sharp-tongued. Officials of all ranks in the court were afraid of his sharp tongue, and some even considered sending their daughters to him to curry favor.
Unfortunately, Ye Zhaoxuan firmly refused all of them.
It's so nice to be alone.
Lu Zishen ignored him.
After completing his roll call, the emperor donned his armor and prepared to leave.
In the past, when Xie Lang sat on the dragon throne, few dared to look directly at the emperor's face. Now, this young emperor is tall and slender. Even after changing out of his dragon robe and sitting on his horse, he is still a first-class nobleman, with a majestic and awe-inspiring presence.
Without a doubt, we will win this battle.
The same thought popped into everyone's mind.
Xie Lang tightened the reins, took one last deep look back at the imperial city, and finally made up his mind to lead his army away in a grand procession.
As dawn broke on the horizon, Wen Hemian stepped onto the city gate at that exact moment.
Seeing this, the officials quickly made way for her.
Lu Zishen greeted him, "Lord Wen."
"Um."
Wen Hemian replied briefly, without saying much, and then turned her gaze to the army that had already gone far away, which was no longer very clear due to the distance.
But she knew that there must be someone she cared about among them.
She knew exactly what the little wolf cub was thinking. Since he was going to leave, she decided to go along with him this once. She was very tired last night, but she didn't expect to wake up earlier than expected. After thinking about it, she figured she might as well come here even if she couldn't make it in time.
Lu Zishen stood quietly beside her, and Ye Zhaoxuan, who was usually noisy, also remained silent until the army completely disappeared from sight before Lord Wen spoke.
"You will all have to work hard while His Majesty is away."
Wen Hemian's expression was calm, as if he were ill; his voice was a little hoarse, but it did not diminish his dignity in the slightest.
Immediately, she turned away from the sunlight, her gaze sweeping over the assembled officials. A small shadow fell over her cool and beautiful face, and her voice carried a hint of murderous intent.
"Since His Majesty has ordered me to lead the cabinet to oversee the country, I hope that you will all cooperate well and catch the traitor hiding among you as soon as possible. This will be good for everyone."
Wen Hemian chose to lay her words out in the open with them.
It was a bit radical, but it didn't matter.
She needed to settle things at home as soon as possible before heading to the north.
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