Wen Chengyuan was referring to the superficial reasons.
As a border general, he must have considered all possible contingencies before leaving. More than twenty years have passed, and the border is no longer the desolate place it once was, with its incompetent generals and dilapidated state. His trained subordinates are there to guard the border, so there will be no problems.
However, Wen Heming is an important official in the capital. If he stays too long, more negative comments will emerge, which will be bad for Wen Heming.
Xie Lang nodded: "General, you have made great contributions and worked hard. Thank you for your hard work."
Wen Chengyuan had always believed that a ruler whom his daughter was willing to support and assist could not be a foolish monarch, and what he had witnessed in the past few days had deepened his understanding of this.
The young emperor was completely different from the late emperor. At least in terms of policies, he was very enlightened, selecting virtuous and capable people and appointing them based on merit. He was also willing to give his subordinates power and let them do things.
If he weren't after his own daughter, he could be considered a very good monarch.
Wen Chengyuan was filled with sorrow.
After several exchanges, it was basically confirmed that Wen Chengyuan would depart for the border the next day.
These past few days, Xie Lang has hardly had any time alone with Wen Hemian except at night. He has been in and out of the palace in a hurry. He has finally managed to get her into the palace, and he clearly intends to keep her here.
Wen Chengyuan had been young once, and had his moments of deep affection with his wife. Seeing the young emperor's expectant gaze, he coughed and said, "Your Majesty, I would like to have a private talk with you."
Xie Lang certainly wouldn't refuse such an opportunity to curry favor with Wen Chengyuan: "Okay."
Wen Hemian didn't get involved: "Then I'll go for a walk outside."
She knew her father was holding a grudge, and now that he was back, he would definitely try to resolve it. Who knew when they would meet again?
The three of them reached a pleasant agreement.
Wen Hemian was familiar with everything in the palace. In the summer, there were even more flowers in the garden, and she couldn't help but take a few more glances.
Seeing this, Lanxin, who was standing beside her, quickly asked, "Lord Wen, would you like to pick a few branches to take back?"
After Wen Hemian's true identity was revealed to the public, the palace servants all changed their way of addressing her to "Lord Wen," a title that carried a different weight.
Wen Hemian just thought it looked pretty, but she didn't really care. She glanced at Lanxin's enthusiastic expression and said with a smile, "Go pick it."
Lan Xin bowed and happily went to pick them.
Before long, Lanxin brought out a large bouquet of flowers. As they got closer, the fragrance wafted over. Wen Hemian took out a peony from the bouquet and gave the rest to Lanxin to take back to the palace to cultivate.
Wen Chengyuan and Xie Lang didn't chat for long before Wen Hemian, who was sitting under the corridor, soon waited for him.
Wen Chengyuan stood with his hands behind his back, looking relaxed and with a slightly deep gaze. He didn't seem to be in a hurry to leave the palace. When he got to Wen Hemian, he asked, "Hanshuang, are you really sure you're not going back with your father?"
The palace servants beside Wen Hemian stepped aside as soon as they saw the Prince of Huailing approaching, so that their conversation would not be disturbed.
"Father, I've made up my mind."
This time, Wen Hemian did not hesitate. Her voice was gentle yet firm. She raised her head slightly, looked up at her father, and said calmly, "I have something I must do to stay here. As for the other reasons, you know them too."
Xie Lang's spies are everywhere in the palace. Wen Hemian spoke the second half of her sentence vaguely. She didn't want everything to happen too suddenly, so she couldn't give Xie Lang any further opportunities to take advantage.
"good."
Wen Chengyuan nodded, looked at her, and paused for a long time.
“You are a good child. More than ten years ago, your father and mother could not stop you. Now it is even more impossible.”
“You are more outstanding and more dazzling than anyone your father has ever seen. As time goes by, history will surely record your name.”
"I'm not insisting on taking you with me. Now that you've made your decision, I won't try to dissuade you."
Wen Heming frowned, vaguely sensing the other intention in Wen Chengyuan's words. The next moment, he heard him chuckle: "The little emperor climbs through the window to find you every night. It must be quite tiring, right? Today, your father will not interfere with your thoughts. Your father is going to meet up with some old friends. Remember to come and see your father off tomorrow."
The implication of loosening restrictions and releasing water is quite obvious.
Wen Hemian probably didn't even realize that her eyes had brightened slightly: "Okay."
What's said is said, like water spilled.
Wen Chengyuan patted his daughter on the shoulder, turned around and strode away, his figure quickly disappearing into the corridor.
Wen Hemian twirled the peony petals in her hand, then got up and went back to the palace to find Xie Lang.
During the Dragon Boat Festival, mugwort and calamus are hung at intervals along both sides of the corridor, filling the air with their fragrance. Wen Hemian smiled, clearly delighted.
On this rare holiday, when there was no need to attend court or meet with officials, Wen Heming entered the hall. Xie Lang was not reviewing memorials, but was fiddling with something in his hand, looking very serious.
Therefore, he didn't notice the noise at the door and assumed that Lai Xi had brought something back, so he casually ordered, "Bring it here."
"What are you bringing?" Wen Hemian asked curiously, stepping closer to take a look. Her voice held a hint of a smile as she asked, "What is Your Majesty doing?"
Xie Lang was so startled that his hand trembled, and he almost dropped what he was holding. Fortunately, having been emperor for many years, he had developed the ability to remain calm in the face of adversity, and in the end, such an accident did not occur.
He seemed somewhat speechless: "You...you didn't go back?"
Xie Lang knew Wen Chengyuan's attitude and did not treat him harshly, firstly because of the difference between ruler and subject, and secondly because of his concern for Wen Hemian. Therefore, he had been trying his best to restrain himself these past few days and had not done anything more outrageous.
He didn't want Wen Heming to be caught in the middle and put in a difficult position.
"I thought His Majesty would know that I hadn't left."
The entire palace was under Xie Lang's control. Wen Hemian noticed his surprise and paused for a moment.
Xie Lang raised his hand to touch his nose, paused slightly, and then laughed: "You don't like being watched, so you didn't have them specifically keeping an eye on you."
It's not just out of good intentions, but also out of trust.
Wen Hemian pursed her lips: "So that's how it is."
As she drew closer, she could see clearly what Xie Lang was holding: "A sachet?"
"Hmm." Xie Lang grasped it, his ears burning slightly. He lowered his eyelashes and whispered, "I wanted to give it to you, but it was almost finished."
He assumed that Wen Hemian would definitely return to the manor with Wen Chengyuan, and his original plan was to sneak away at night and give it to her.
There's a slight deviation now.
When the wolf cubs aren't acting crazy, they actually look quite adorable.
Wen Hemian smiled and said, "It's okay, I'll watch you do it, it's the same."
While they were talking, Lai Xi brought in the remaining materials. Seeing this, he quickly put down the materials and slipped away, demonstrating his unparalleled ability to read people's expressions.
Xie Lang wanted to say something, but he opened his mouth without saying anything. Meeting Wen Hemian's gaze, he lowered his head and carefully made a sachet. He was very careful when threading the needle. After a short while, he finally finished making a sachet.
It may not be the most beautiful, but it is decent and, more importantly, it carries the emperor's sincere feelings.
Wen Hemian watched as he hung the sachet around her waist, and smiled, her eyes sparkling: "Thank you, Huaichuan, I like it very much."
Aside from his birthday celebration, Wen Hemian usually calls him "Your Majesty." Xie Lang's eyes lit up when he suddenly heard this title: "Really?"
He grasped the fingertips of the person in front of him with a hint of eagerness, gently stroking them while suppressing his excitement: "Han Shuang, can you reward me?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com