"I won't throw it away!"
Unexpectedly, Xie Rang reacted quite strongly. He took the two ribbons first, held them in his hand, and whispered, "I want to keep them."
Yun Qing raised her voice: "What are you keeping it for?"
Xie Rang lowered his eyes, speechless.
He certainly didn't want to lose something that held special significance, and he was afraid that if he told Yun Qing, she would be even angrier.
However, he forgot that, based on their understanding of each other, this behavior was tantamount to an admission of guilt in Yun Qing's eyes.
Yun Qing was so angry she almost laughed: "Do you really want to be a pervert?"
It's one thing to keep those insignificant little trinkets she gave me like they're treasures, but to want to keep something like this? What's she thinking?
"Grand Tutor..." Upon hearing this, Xie Rang felt a chill run down his spine. He instinctively smiled ingratiatingly, his other hand still rubbing her lower back, his voice trailing off, "Is it really not possible?"
Yun Qing said listlessly, "Whatever, I can't be bothered with you."
Judging from Xie Rang's attitude, even if he throws it away now, he might secretly pick it up again later when she doesn't know. Does the Emperor still have any dignity?
It's fine for them to make a fuss in private, but it's not appropriate for outsiders to hear it.
Having received affirmation, Xie Rang quickly put away the silk ribbon and then diligently helped Yun Qing get up.
Upon hearing the bell, the palace servants brought in the toiletries. No one dared to linger and they all left with their heads down.
Xie Rang was very different from previous emperors. He didn't usually have people serve him. After Lord Li moved into the Taihe Hall, not only did he not need to serve others, but he also had to serve Lord Li. Both of these things greatly broke everyone's perception.
From initial shock to current acceptance, the palace staff all find it an incredible thing.
There was no need for court assemblies, so Yun Qing and Xie Rang wore everyday clothes. Xie Rang was very interested in the concept of matching outfits, and the clothes they made later all had some small correspondences, which could be noticed if you looked closely.
Once their relationship became public, he no longer had any reservations.
Before his initial excitement had worn off, the court officials had already begun to lose interest.
Although there was no court assembly, Yun Qing and Xie Rang could not be idle. They knew exactly what would happen next, and had been working on the defense of the capital recently.
They are away for an unknown period of time, but they must ensure the peace and tranquility of the capital and prevent any disturbances.
When it comes to the defenses of the capital, no one knows better than Lin Chen. Yun Qing and Xie Rang exchanged a glance and came to their conclusion.
"Leave Lin Chen and Deng Yanzhong behind, and Pei Ren will accompany you as a bodyguard. I will bring Yin Rong and some of the Li family troops to go to the border together. The six ministers are all trustworthy people. Even if we leave, we can check and balance each other, so there shouldn't be any problems."
During the southern tour, Xie Rang's wish to go out was fulfilled, but at the same time, they also wanted to see if the capital was functioning normally without the emperor. Fortunately, the results were not bad, and subsequent rectifications were made, so they can now rest assured.
Once this problem is eliminated, the Great Xi Dynasty can enjoy peace for at least the next hundred years. Yun Qing felt that there was a saying that was true: it seems that every dynasty in history had a heart set on unification.
"It has already been arranged," Xie Rang said. "If they still can't do it well, then it's their problem. The secret agents are monitoring the capital at all times, and they will inform us immediately if there are any unusual movements."
They knew perfectly well that this was a war they were destined to win, and that they could use this time away to pull out some well-hidden spies.
"Okay." Yun Qing felt relieved, but a slight restlessness stirred within her.
Having faced many challenges, she was no longer afraid; on the contrary, she even looked forward to that day.
History will be written by them.
-
The fifth day of the fifth lunar month is the Dragon Boat Festival.
Some ministers have already noticed the unusual nature of this year's events, but during the festival, everyone still manages to put aside their worries and fully enjoy the festive atmosphere.
The palace had prepared zongzi in advance, and in addition to those for Yun Qing and Xie Rang, every palace servant received a portion, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the palace.
Honestly, without a harem, the palace servants would have the easiest time. Apart from those serving the emperor, they hardly had to worry. No matter how things changed, they just needed to live their own lives well, and no one had the leisure to discuss trivial matters.
Yunqing and Xie Rang had a slight disagreement about their tastes when it came to eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings).
Xie Rang has always had a sweet tooth, even for sweet rice dumplings, while Yun Qing prefers savory rice dumplings and cannot accept sweet ones.
She found Xie Rang amusing and couldn't help but tease him: "Your Majesty is so old, yet you still prefer sweets. That doesn't fit the image of a dignified monarch at all."
In fact, Yun Qing could understand Xie Rang to some extent. When Xie Rang was a child, he had a hard time even getting enough to eat, let alone snacks. Later, when he came into contact with sweets, he developed a strong liking for them. This impression was probably ingrained in his bones, and he found it hard to give it up.
However, apart from appropriately controlling his intake, he doesn't need to change anything.
Xie Rang muttered to himself, "Even I have never been authoritative in front of the Grand Tutor..."
Yun Qing never restricted Xie Rang's interests and hobbies. In comparison, he was much more relaxed than an emperor in the strict sense. He didn't set any rules or regulations. Emperors were already uncomfortable, and he didn't want to live a more constrained life.
Moreover, without Yun Qing, he probably wouldn't understand what rules are, and would only act according to his own preferences.
Yun Qing chuckled, and only after watching him finish the two sweet rice dumplings did she speak: "That's enough, any more and I'm worried about indigestion."
The imperial kitchen dared not be careless in preparing the food for the emperor; the portions were truly substantial. It was only because the boy's body consumed so much energy each day that he could eat two at a time.
"Um."
Xie Rang took the silk handkerchief that was placed to the side and wiped his mouth.
He and Yunqing had different dietary preferences, but with such a large imperial kitchen, it wouldn't hurt to cook more dishes. Neither of them needed to compromise for the other, which was fine.
Palace servants brought calamus and mugwort to hang outside. A breeze blew into the hall, and a faint, refreshing scent of herbs and plants could be smelled in the air.
"The scene will be different next Dragon Boat Festival."
Yun Qing looked outside and said slowly.
Xie Rang hugged her from behind, his voice firm: "Yes."
He had barely finished speaking when Lin Chen strode in from outside, his face grave: "Your Majesty, Lord Li, urgent report from the border! The Rouran are invading!"
Xie Rang released Yun Qing, her expression calm: "It's about time."
A person's fate is predetermined, and this general trajectory seems to remain unchanged.
“We are prepared, there is nothing to fear.” Xie Rang looked at Lin Chen with a calm and cold gaze. “Mobilize the Imperial Guards, and the Grand Tutor and I will depart immediately.”
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