Chapter 34
The touch of his fingertips was surprisingly soft, and Xiao Huan was stunned for a moment.
Xie Ling was also stunned and looked up at His Majesty.
Wait, why is Your Majesty touching his mouth?
Their eyes met, and Xiao Huan looked away: "Some osmanthus flowers fell here just now."
He spread out his hands, and there was indeed a small osmanthus flower on his fingertips.
The pale yellow osmanthus flowers were blown away by the wind, and Xie Ling couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed.
"I was so focused just now that I didn't notice it."
"Nothing." Xiao Huan glanced at him. The thirst in his throat not only did not subside because of the accident just now, but instead spread even more.
He frowned slightly in his heart, but his expression remained normal. He withdrew his hand and said calmly, "I'm going to the Wannian Pavilion."
"Go to class."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Watching His Majesty's back as he left, Xie Ling scratched his head, feeling that something was wrong.
Your Majesty, why were you so... weird just now?
Would it be like this with osmanthus? Xie Ling inexplicably felt that the action of caressing his lips just now was too intimate, and for a moment he even felt a little numb on his scalp.
Forget it, I don’t want to think about it anymore. It was probably just an accident. After all, how could His Majesty take the initiative to touch him and do such an intimate thing.
Who doesn't know that Emperor Wu was homophobic?
Xie Ling was careless and didn't take it seriously. But Xiao Huan couldn't calm down after returning to Wannian Pavilion. When he closed his eyes, he could see Xie Ling's fluttering eyelashes. When he opened his eyes, he could see her lips. The sweet-scented osmanthus was just an excuse he made temporarily. At first, there was indeed a sweet-scented osmanthus on Xie Ling's lips, but he didn't notice it until he stopped. The subconscious caressing just now was completely instinctive.
It was he who had just done such a frivolous thing to Xie Ling.
Xiao Huan didn't think he was a frivolous person, but even he couldn't convince himself of his actions just now.
After a while, just when Wang Bao came in cautiously and asked if he needed more tea, Xiao Huan closed his eyes.
"Prepare water. I want to take a bath."
"Yes, Your Majesty." His Majesty had been acting strange since he came back from the Imperial Garden. Although Wang Bao was a little surprised, he didn't dare to ask. Seeing that His Majesty was going to take a bath, he subconsciously went to prepare, but was stopped by someone.
Xiao Huan paused and took a deep breath.
"Cold water."
Cold water? In this weather...
Although the weather is good today and there is some sunshine, would it be bad to take a cold shower in autumn? Wang Bao hesitated slightly, but did not dare to disobey His Majesty's order.
…
After Xie Ling returned to the library, he naturally handed in the picture of wild boar that he had drawn at noon. Of course, he also said that it was His Majesty who taught him to draw it.
Zheng Daru shouldn't mind the rounding, right?
Zheng Wanyun really didn't mind. Painting was a matter of cultivating one's sentiments. Regardless of whether it was taught by His Majesty or not, this painting had been completed.
He looked at it for a while, admired the painting, and then handed it back to Xie Ling.
"Put it away."
"Teacher, don't you need to collect it?" Before, his homework had to be collected and marked.
Zheng Wanyun shook his head: "This is the original work of His Majesty. Since it was given to you, how can I take it away?"
"Your Majesty values you, so take it well."
During these days in the palace, Zheng Wanyun could also see that His Majesty was very indulgent towards his little disciple, even to the point of raising him like a child.
Although I don't know why, this is always a good thing for Xie Ling. Zheng Wanyun didn't want his disciple to anger His Majesty because of this matter. He asked after seeing the other party put it away.
"The Autumn Examination will be held in a while. Are you ready?"
The time was getting closer and closer, and according to the course arranged by Zheng Wanyun, the first round of teaching was about to end. Xie Ling was gifted, and he studied hard and basically did well in this round of lessons, but Zheng Wanyun was a little worried that he would be nervous at the end.
After all, it is a scientific examination that concerns the lifelong events of thousands of students, so it is normal to feel pressure.
Xie Ling didn't react that much. He had taken so many exams since he was a child that he had already become timid about them. However, he couldn't say that to his teacher.
He hesitated for a moment and pretended: "Then should I make more preparations?"
It’s best to prepare for the next imperial examination.
Zheng Wanyun: ...
Forget it then.
The concern he had just expressed was withdrawn in an instant, Zheng Wanyun shook his head and simply turned the page of the book.
"Go on."
Xie Ling blinked, sighed, and continued studying.
Xie Ling said he was not nervous, and he really was not nervous. Many students in the Imperial College stopped socializing and studied hard at home every day. But Xie Ling ate and drank as usual, and was not affected at all. Qian Ming was amazed at Mr. Xie's mental quality.
With this mentality, no matter what ranking you get in the exam, it is admirable.
Xiao Huan was also a little surprised. He had thought that if Xie Ling was nervous, he would let him rest for a few days, but he didn't expect that this guy was fine.
He stopped writing and took a deep breath as he thought about what happened that day.
"What do you think of me towards Xie Ling?"
Emperor Wu, who was reviewing memorials, suddenly raised his head and looked at Wang Bao.
Wang Bao was stunned for a moment, not understanding why His Majesty suddenly asked this, but his professionalism made him react immediately and said with a smile: "Your Majesty is naturally very good to Mr. Xie, and many people are envious of you."
He was telling the truth. Who wouldn't be surprised by His Majesty's favor towards Master Xie? Many times he thought Master Xie was going to be punished, but His Majesty didn't do anything. Who wouldn't be shocked?
Xiao Huan paused and said, "In other words, you think I have a special feeling towards Xie Ling?"
He had not felt anything during this period of time. He just thought that he was given some special treatment because Xie Ling had supernatural powers and followed the updates every day.
And because... Xie Ling admired him sincerely, he was unconsciously more tolerant.
After all, this guy is not annoying.
Although I hate gay men, I don't hate him.
He himself didn't realize it, but at this moment he suddenly realized that he had given Xie Ling too much special treatment, so much so that when Xie Ling bandaged his wound that day, he actually subconsciously made such a move.
Between men and women, this has crossed the line.
This time, there was no medicine from Marquis Dingyi, nor was there any external force. It was just like when he was in the carriage. He just felt it when he touched Xie Ling slightly.
He took a deep breath. Although he tried his best not to think about it these days, the shadow still remained. Whenever he looked at Xie Ling, he would unconsciously look at her lips, and he would be distracted and upset.
Wang Bao did not dare to answer the emperor's question. Who knows what the emperor meant by "special"? If the emperor did not answer this question well, it would be a disaster.
Wang Bao kept silent and just smiled cautiously.
Seeing the old servant's frightened look, Xiao Huan felt bored. He waved his hand and asked him to leave. Then he thought about Xie Ling's leisurely life these days and felt a little aggrieved for some reason.
It was obvious that he admired me, so why did I feel uncomfortable after that day?
This guy is fine?
After enduring for a long time, Xiao Huan couldn't help but sit back again, and warned himself in his heart: What does it look like to be so impetuous?
Since becoming emperor, Xiao Huan rarely showed his true colors like this. After a while, he frowned, restrained himself, and began to review the memorials again.
Seeing that His Majesty had been silent for the entire afternoon, Eunuch Wang Bao finally breathed a sigh of relief. He couldn't help but wipe the cold sweat from his forehead. He just felt that His Majesty had become increasingly difficult to serve recently.
However, Your Majesty asked Mr. Xie what to do?
…
Xie Ling was not in the palace today. He and Zheng Daru went out for a study tour. They were supposed to return to the palace in the evening, but for some reason it suddenly rained heavily on the way and they were unable to go back.
Xie Ling hesitated for a moment, and had to ask the guard to go back to the palace and report to the emperor, and he stayed at Zheng Daru's house for one night.
There shouldn't be anything to worry about at the teacher's house, right?
Although he had committed a crime, the whole world belongs to the king, and he would not run away. His Majesty would certainly not blame him. Xie Ling shook his head without thinking too much, and got off the carriage and went into the yard of Zheng Daru's house.
Zheng Daru lived in Wuhua Lane, a place where scholars in Beijing often lived. Next door was his colleague Dr. Sun from the Imperial College. As soon as he got off the carriage, he saw rows of elegant courtyards, with water dripping from the eaves, which was quite interesting.
"Teacher, let's go."
Xie Ling jumped down with familiarity, and only went in after seeing Zheng Daru coming down.
Not long after returning to the yard, the rain started to fall even harder, with thunder rumbling from time to time. Xie Ling rubbed his nose and sneezed while standing in the yard.
"Hiss, it's a bit cold."
As expected, every autumn rain brings a chill. It was quite comfortable in the morning, but now the cold wind is penetrating into the bones. It would be so comfortable to wrap yourself in a quilt and curl up in bed at this time.
However, he did not dare to be so presumptuous in the teacher's house. After finishing his meal, he obediently digested his food in the yard, and by the way, he also praised the teacher's wife with sweet words.
He came here often during this period, and the Zheng family had gotten used to it. Seeing that he was good-looking and polite, Mrs. Zheng couldn't help but laugh.
"It's cold outside. Didn't you say you like milk tea?"
"I cooked some, come and try it."
Hey, milk tea.
Ancient version of milk tea!
Xie Ling mentioned it just now when they were having dinner, but he didn't expect that the teacher's wife would remember it. He felt a little embarrassed at this time. He subconsciously glanced at Zheng Daru, and when he saw the teacher nodded at him, he smiled and came over.
"Well, thank you, Master's wife."
The system couldn't bear to watch the succubus start to bewitch people again. It didn't understand how the gentle and polite Mrs. Zheng could be deceived by this guy's appearance.
Tsk.
“Is it delicious?”
Just as Xie Ling took a bite, he heard the system couldn't help but ask.
He tasted it carefully and said, "Purely natural and without additives, what do you think?"
"Alas, it's a pity that I can't let you taste it, so I have to drink it all by myself." After saying that, he took another sip to suit the occasion.
The system chuckled twice and simply shut down. Xie Ling felt a little sorry that he didn't anger the system.
Seeing that someone was staying overnight, the servants in the yard had already started to clean up the room for Xie Ling. Zheng Daru had two sons and one daughter. His two sons were away studying and his daughter had already married, so there were many empty rooms. Xie Ling temporarily lived in the yard of the male family in front.
Just as he was about to rest, the guards returning to the palace had already arrived in front of Emperor Wu.
Xiao Huan had allowed Xie Ling to go out several times during this period. Today, he restrained himself from asking and did not know that he had left the palace. He only found out after the guards came back.
"You're not coming back today?"
He frowned slightly, his expression showing no emotion.
The guard didn't think this was a serious matter at first, so he nodded.
"It's raining heavily outside, so Master Xie is thinking of returning to the palace with Zheng Daru tomorrow."
Staying overnight at the teacher's house is very normal in this era. Your Majesty would not even allow this, right?
Xiao Huan looked at the heavy rain outside and should have asked the guards to go down. However, when he thought of Xie Ling's absence, he felt a little irritated.
The inexplicable restlessness almost took control of him, and by the time he came to his senses, he had already spoken.
"Get the frame ready."
"I need to leave the palace for a while."
Wang Bao, who was watching his nose and his heart intently at the side, suddenly raised his head. His Majesty is leaving the palace at this time?
It was already 12:00 p.m. and it was still raining outside. Why did His Majesty choose this time? Wang Bao asked tentatively, "Is there anything urgent, Your Majesty?"
Xiao Huan frowned for a moment after he said this, but he didn't change his brows at this time.
"I have my own plans."
"Go down."
Wang Bao had no choice but to retreat and prepare.
…
It was ten o'clock in the evening, the ancient time of Haishi, and the night watchmen had already declared curfew. Xie Ling had just washed up and was about to go to bed when there was a sudden knock on the door.
The sound of knocking on the door was particularly clear in the rainy night.
Xie Ling: …
Who is it? Looking for someone so late at night?
Zheng Daru was not asleep at this time. When he heard the sound, he immediately told the servant to go and check. However, as soon as he opened the door, the servant ran back stuttering.
"Sir, it's someone from the palace."
In the palace... Zheng Wanyun reacted and thought that it was the palace guards or eunuchs who had sent an imperial decree, so he quickly got up and sent someone to wake up Xie Ling.
Xie Ling was called out with a lot of questions on his face. As soon as he walked into the front yard with an umbrella, he saw the unexpected Emperor Wu.
Xie Ling: ???
No, is he seeing things?
"System, am I experiencing night blindness and having an illusion?"
Otherwise, how could we see Emperor Wu coming in the middle of the night and appear at Zheng Daru's house?
Being forced to reboot the impatient system was also startled.
One man, one unified, is as quiet as a chicken.
After Xie Ling realized what was happening, he quickly followed the teacher in paying his respects, thinking that something serious had happened.
Could it be that the test questions were leaked, and His Majesty came out to investigate overnight? Even if that was the case, there was no need to do this. There were people below to handle it, and the Emperor did not need to leave the palace in person.
Xie Ling's mind was in a mess.
Xiao Huan said nothing. After being driven out of the palace by an inexplicable impulse, his mind had calmed down along the way. However, when he saw Xie Ling, he did not regret his impulse tonight. After a moment of silence, when Zheng Wanyun looked at him in confusion, Xiao Huan said calmly, "I just remembered that there are some political matters that I have not discussed today."
Even though he knew that His Majesty worked day and night and was extremely diligent, Zheng Wanyun choked at this moment.
However, who would dare not welcome the emperor's visit? Although Zheng Wanyun was surprised by the reason his majesty gave, he still welcomed him in.
"It's cold and rainy outside. Your Majesty, please go inside and take shelter from the rain."
The rain had not subsided when he left the palace. Xiao Huan's sleeves were slightly wet. He nodded and went into the study. But when he was about to leave, he suddenly looked at the crowd.
"Xie Ling, follow in."
Xie Ling: ...Ah?
he?
He doesn't understand anything about politics.
The teacher was His Majesty's man in the Imperial College, so it was completely normal for the two of them to discuss things, but he was nothing. However, under His Majesty's gaze, Xie Ling reluctantly followed him in.
After Xiao Huan felt someone was around, the irritability he felt disappeared a lot, and he couldn't help but look at him again.
A nose, two eyes and a mouth, no difference.
How come it has such a big impact on me?
Xiao Huan felt that it was terrible to have his emotions influenced by others, especially tonight.
He should kill Xie Ling. This is the most basic reaction of an emperor. However, before he saw the other party's murderous intent, it disappeared without a trace, as if it had never arisen.
Xiao Huan had a blank expression on his face, and he sat at the top and drank a sip of tea. After he adjusted his mood, he casually found a topic to discuss with Zheng Wanyun without changing his expression.
To outsiders, it would look like a famous scene in history books of respecting wise men and seeking advice late at night.
Only Zheng Wanyun was somewhat confused. These matters... His Majesty never asks for other people's opinions. Why today?
He was in a slightly strange mood, and if he wanted to ask, shouldn't he have asked after the court session this morning? Why wait until now? No matter how confused he was, Zheng Wanyun couldn't ask in public, so he could only ponder and discuss with His Majesty.
The light in the study was always on.
With Your Majesty here, who dares to sit?
Xie Ling leaned against the pillar and yawned, feeling extremely sleepy.
In the past, he would sleep after updating the novel at this time, but now it has been delayed for a long time. How long will your majesty talk?
Although Xiao Huan was asking Zheng Wanyun on the surface, he kept glancing at Xie Ling from time to time. When he saw that Xie Ling was dozing off, he paused.
"Never mind. I understand."
"I'm bothering you today, Dr. Zheng."
"It's getting late. You should take a rest first. We can discuss the rest tomorrow."
Zheng Wanyun: ...
It turns out that Your Majesty also knows that it is getting late.
After a moment of mixed feelings, Zheng Wanyun immediately saluted.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Thinking that His Majesty was about to leave, everyone in the Zheng family bowed hurriedly to see him off.
Xiao Huan stood up and glanced at the pillar.
"Are you still not leaving?"
Xie Ling: …
ah?
Is he going back too? He thought His Majesty would leave by himself after the chat, but he didn't expect that he would take him with him. Xie Ling really didn't want to leave for most of the night.
But when I think about having to go back to the palace tomorrow... forget it, I'll just bear with it.
After saying goodbye to his teacher, he opened an umbrella and quickly followed His Majesty.
The carriage had already been packed, and Wang Bao opened the curtain after Xiao Huan got on.
"Thank you, Master. Please ride in the same carriage with His Majesty."
Because there was only one carriage out at night, Wang Bao knew what the emperor meant just by looking at his expression, and spoke on his behalf with a smile.
Xie Ling actually felt that the emperor looked grim and in a bad mood today, so he was a little hesitant to come. However, since Eunuch Wang Bao had spoken, he could only come up carefully and stay away from the emperor.
As soon as Xiao Huan raised his head, he saw Xie Ling's actions.
"Am I that scary?"
"Of course not." Xie Ling shook his head quickly and sat closer under the gaze of His Majesty.
Are you kidding me? Who dares to say that Emperor Wu is terrible? You are asking for death!
The guards outside had already started to turn their cars around. Xie Ling leaned against the wall of the car and stared at Emperor Wu for a long time. Finally, he couldn't help but blinking with sore eyes.
I muttered to the system in my mind: "I'm so sleepy."
system:……
"You can sleep with your eyes open. I heard it's a unique skill."
Really? So awesome?
Xie Ling tried it, opened his eyes wide and began to daydream.
At first, Xiao Huan thought that Xie Ling was looking at him. After being stared at for a long time, he looked over carefully, only to find that Xie Ling was sitting there, but his soul had floated away somewhere else. He couldn't help but choke a little.
Looking at the young man with lifeless eyes, he raised his eyebrows.
Sure enough, not long after, Xie Ling couldn't hold on any longer and closed his eyes.
The young man next to him nodded his head. He knew clearly that he shouldn't sleep, but he couldn't help it. Slowly, even the expression on his face began to struggle.
Xiao Huan watched him try hard to open his eyes at first, and then give up resistance. The whole process only took a moment.
Xiao Huan: ...
Unable to bear the sight, he turned his head away. Xiao Huan originally thought that he could turn a blind eye and return to the palace peacefully. But perhaps because it was too uncomfortable to sleep sitting like this, when the carriage turned into the alley, Xie Ling couldn't control his body and lowered his head along with the carriage.
With a "click", the soft cheek rested on his shoulder, and Xiao Huan only felt a furry head falling down. From his perspective, he could even see Xie Ling's messy hair crown when he slept at night.
He took a deep breath and wanted to wake up Xie Ling, but he didn't know if this guy was sleeping too soundly or what, the hand he stretched out stayed there for a long time before he finally retracted it.
Forget it, I was the one who insisted on bringing him back at night. This guy was already sleepy in the study, so I should let him sleep for a while, so that he won't complain to me again later.
As Xiao Huan thought so, his fingertips paused slightly, and he turned his head away and no longer looked at Xie Ling.
…
Because of the rain, the carriage was moving very smoothly. The guards outside were also worried about something happening, so they would rather slow down than disturb the emperor.
So Xie Ling was not woken up until he returned to the palace.
"Wake up, we're here."
A disdainful voice sounded in his ears, and Xie Ling subconsciously raised his head. Before he could figure out where he was, he saw His Majesty's lowered eyes.
This distance...
The two were almost face to face, too close!
Xie Ling was shocked when he realized what was happening.
"System, what's going on?"
"How come your majesty is so close?"
system:……
This time it's not Emperor Wu's fault. It was clearly you who leaned over it while sleeping.
It twitched its mouth to remind its host.
"First, take a look at where you slept along the way."
Where is he? Xie Ling lowered his head in a trance and saw... Damn, he was leaning on Emperor Wu's shoulder, and the black clothes that belonged to Emperor Wu, who had just woken up, were left with a mark by him sleeping.
Xie Ling: …
Wait, it's over.
How could he fall asleep so peacefully, and sleep so soundly and recklessly?
"Tongzi, I won't be charged with disrespect, will I?"
System: “No, don’t worry.”
Xie Ling didn't know why the system was so sure. He looked up doubtfully and found that His Majesty's expression was just a little impatient, and he didn't seem very angry?
Um?
He blinked and Xiao Huan looked over.
"Why don't you get up? How long do you want to sleep leaning against me?"
Xie Ling: “Oh.”
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will be up in a moment."
Unfortunately, although his words were powerful, his body was not. After sleeping in the carriage for an hour, Xie Ling's whole body was stiff and soft like cotton. He felt sore when he moved.
He tried to sit up by supporting himself on the wall of the car, but his movements were unstable and he fell on Emperor Wu's legs.
Xiao Huan: ...
The soft palm made him close his eyes slightly. Fortunately, it was dark in the car and Xie Ling didn't notice it.
He lowered his throat and his voice deepened.
As Xie Ling hurriedly apologized, he clamped the other person's elbow and lifted Xie Ling up easily.
Xie Ling was lifted up forcefully with one hand: Damn, what arm strength!
However, Your Majesty's reaction was too big. He just accidentally used the other party's force. Why is he so stingy?
Glancing at Emperor Wu secretly, Xiao Huan smiled and said, "Why, didn't you press hard enough just now?"
"No, no."
Xie Ling quickly shook his head like a rattle.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. It was just an accident."
Xiao Huan glanced at him and said nothing. Fortunately, Wang Bao and the others outside the frame had probably opened their umbrellas, and they lowered their heads slightly and said outside.
"Your Majesty, that's enough."
Xiao Huan responded calmly and looked at Xie Ling: "You go out first."
Because of the position just now, Xie Ling was standing at the entrance of the carriage. It was too late to change positions at this time. He smiled awkwardly and lifted the curtain to come out.
After a while, he saw Emperor Wu come out, and he clearly saw... that the other party seemed to have tidied his clothes just now.
"Tsk, he really cares about his image."
Xie Ling couldn't help but take a peek.
The system that knows what Emperor Wu was trying to calm down: ...
"Take it easy."
"oh oh."
But what does the system mean? He has always been very cautious in what he says and does, okay?
Xie Ling refused to accept.
The system hesitated to speak, and finally shut its mouth.
Xiao Huan glanced at the time and said, "Let's all go down and have a rest."
"Someone else will take over tomorrow's duty."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Wang Bao bent down slightly.
At this time, Xiao Huan looked at Xie Ling again: "Why are you still looking at me?"
"Tomorrow's visit to the library will be postponed for two hours."
After all, they came back late today, and neither Zheng Wanyun nor Xie Ling had a good rest. Xiao Huan was not that strict.
Xie Ling's eyes lit up and a golden light flashed above his head. He was "Your Majesty" just now, but now he had changed immediately.
"Your Majesty is so considerate!"
"I love your Majesty!"
Hehe, he thought he would have to stay up late to attend classes tomorrow, but he didn’t expect that he could make up for the lack of sleep. Who wouldn’t like that!
As expected, he had misunderstood His Majesty before.
Xiao Huan: ...
His forehead twitched slightly, and he raised his eyebrows and looked at Xie Ling opposite him. He suddenly paused, wondering if this guy who just stood up on the carriage fell on his legs to gain leverage... on purpose?
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