Chapter 37
"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."
Wang Bao was speechless. Even after he went out, he still suspected that he had heard it wrongly. How could His Majesty do such a thing?
Stealing... Mr. Xie's invitation? He never thought that such a thing would happen to His Majesty in his lifetime. Until the Eagle Guard looked at Wang Bao and waited for the message from Eunuch Wang, Wang Bao was even a little speechless. His face flushed for a long time before he cleared his throat with a cough.
"Well what?"
"Come here."
The Eagle Guard thought it was some confidential matter, so he approached cautiously. Eunuch Wang lowered his head and quickly repeated the instructions of His Majesty without missing a word, then he stood up and said, "Go quickly."
"Your Majesty requires that it be taken away quickly. Master Xie must not be aware of it."
If there's even a hint of something going on, you're done.
Eagle Guard: Huh?
Just like Wang Bao, he was confused. However, the Eagle Guards were used to following orders, so even though they were confused, they took a deep breath and quickly retreated.
Xie Ling was sitting leisurely in the carriage, preparing to return to the palace, and had no idea what he would encounter next.
However, on the way back, Xie Ling cleverly thought that if he went back at this time, dinner would surely be gone, so it would be better for him to buy something to eat on the way before going back.
So when he passed by the Yangchun noodle shop, he asked people to stop.
"Hey, big brother, wait a minute, stop for a moment."
Xie Ling saw the Yangchun Noodle House and decided to go there with Qian Ming to have a bowl of noodles. This noodle appeared very frequently in the novel, but he had never eaten it before. He didn't know how it tasted.
As the weather started to get cooler in the evening, more and more people came into the steaming noodle shop, and it was already full of people as soon as you entered.
Xie Ling: It’s stable.
With so many people here, it can’t be that bad.
He glanced at the menu and looked around for a long time before finally finding a seat with Qian Ming. He asked the waiter and ordered noodles. His stomach was already rumbling from the aroma in the store.
Qian Ming had not eaten anything all day, just like Master Xie. Seeing the food outside the palace, he felt a little hungry and whispered:
"Sir, this Yangchun noodles looks pretty good."
Everyone at the table opposite had a bowl of steaming hot noodle soup topped with scallion oil. After drinking it, I felt so comfortable in my stomach.
Xie Ling also nodded: "I've got the name of the store."
“If it tastes good, we’ll come back next time.”
Qian Ming, who was about to continue speaking, suddenly reacted. Thinking about the series of events that happened today when he passed by this street, he was a little conflicted for a moment.
This...even if it tastes good, I'd better not come here again next time.
Lest he get frightened.
Soon, the plain noodles were served. Because there were too many people, Xie Ling and his friends had no place to sit, so they shared a table with the brothers next door.
He turned around and took a quick look. The young man next door who was wearing a coarse cloth shirt seemed to be an accountant, and his fingers had calluses from using an abacus.
It was a rare occasion for them to sit together, so Xie Ling looked at him for a while longer. Unexpectedly, the accountant raised his head.
"Little brother, is this your first time in this noodle shop?"
"This is the best restaurant in the area. Just eating plain noodles is not enough. You need to add a side of roast chicken to make it even more delicious."
As he spoke, he pointed to the freshly served chicken on the table next to him and introduced it enthusiastically.
Xie Ling does look delicious...how about they add a roast chicken?
Without thinking, he added a bunch of other things. It was only after the accountant next to him finished eating and left that Xie Ling realized what was going on. Looking at the table full of dishes, he suspected that this guy was an ancient version of a dinner hostess.
But never mind, it doesn’t matter, at worst I can just pack up the food and take it home.
Xie Ling shook his head and took a sip of noodles, not realizing that while he was talking to the guy next door, the waiter had quietly taken the invitation from his sleeve.
The series of actions happened so naturally that even Qian Ming, who was sitting next to him, didn't notice it. It was not until the two of them had eaten and drunk their fill and packed their things and returned to the carriage that Xie Ling felt something was wrong when he touched his sleeve.
etc.
Why are his sleeves suddenly empty?
After reacting belatedly, Xie Ling reached in and took a look.
Empty?
Not believing it, he simply reached out again.
Still the same thing—the invitation in my arms is gone!
No, could it be that he accidentally dropped something while eating? After thinking for a long time, Xie Ling could only think that the invitation might have been lost when he entered the Yangchun Noodle House. He was in the carriage at other times, so it was impossible that he couldn't find it.
Qian Ming was also surprised for a moment, but after thinking about it carefully, he became a little uncertain.
"But it seems like nothing has fallen on or under our table."
Xie Ling: …
This is a bit strange. Since it didn’t fall and was not found in the carriage, could it have been stolen?
No, who is so curious as to steal an invitation to a birthday party?
This is not something important!
Xie Ling was puzzled and was still thinking about it until he returned to the palace.
After receiving the news, Xiao Huan coughed lightly. When he saw Wang Bao asking him what to do with the invitation letter, he glanced at him.
"How to deal with it?"
He frowned and said calmly, "Burned."
Wang Bao: …
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The invitation that had just been stolen was burned without leaving any trace.
Xiao Huan's brows relaxed slightly, but the next moment he heard that Xie Ling was still talking about this matter after returning to the palace, and his expression became a little bad again.
"It's just an invitation letter. I can have as many as you want."
"Besides, Wu Shanlai is just a dandy boy. Why would he go to his birthday party?"
Wang Bao: …
Wang Bao remained silent.
Xiao Huan: "When is my birthday?"
He suddenly asked.
Wang Bao, who sensed the fatal problem, immediately bowed and said, "About half a month later."
Xiao Huan was silent for a while, and came to a conclusion: "Instead of attending a dandy's birthday party, it's better to prepare one for me."
At least I will reward you with treasures when I am in a good mood. And doesn't Xie Ling admire me? Why is he so passive?
Could it be that he just came across and didn't know this?
Xiao Huan thought about it and looked at Wang Bao.
Wang Bao had already understood what he meant after being reminded of this. He bowed and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will just let the palace know that Your Majesty's birth will be in the next month."
Xiao Huan choked.
Never mind, you still have some tact.
…
Xie Ling went back and searched his body but couldn't find the invitation, so he could only sigh.
Forget it, let it go. Although he really wants to go, there is nothing he can do since the invitation has been lost.
External conditions did not allow it, and he could not think of it. The inspection for booking a restaurant like Zuixianlou was quite strict, and you could not go upstairs without an invitation. Xie Ling thought that he would wait until the next time he saw Mr. Wu and congratulate him in person. Shaking his head, he finally stopped worrying about it, and went to rest after taking a bath.
But when I went out the next day, I was surprised by the festive atmosphere in the palace.
What is...going on?
The Chinese New Year hasn’t even arrived yet, so why are there suddenly red flowers hanging on the osmanthus tree?
He hesitated for a moment, wavering between turning a blind eye and asking, and finally walked over and patted the shoulder of the young eunuch who was getting tattooed.
"Hey, little brother, what's going on? Why did you suddenly hang this up?"
There is a patch of red among the autumn leaves, and it is quite eye-catching when you look up.
The eunuch who received the order in the morning was also a little confused.
God knows, not to mention since Your Majesty ascended the throne, even when Your Majesty was a young prince, he never celebrated his birthday like this.
Xiao Huan had a strange personality. Unlike other emperors who celebrated their birthdays, he did not like birthdays at all. After all, as a person obsessed with immortality, every birthday meant that he was one year older. How could an emperor who wanted to live forever accept this?
So since the Ministry of Rites was reprimanded for first proposing to hold a birthday party for His Majesty, no one dared to bring it up again. For so many years, people in the palace tacitly did not dare to mention His Majesty's age.
Why do we suddenly have to celebrate in advance today?
When the young eunuch received the instruction, he thought someone had forged the imperial edict to harm him, so he went to Eunuch Wang to confirm it. After confirming that it was indeed the emperor's order, he came back in a daze, and then he reacted and ordered people to hang the things up.
Hearing Xie Ling's question, the eunuch tied the knot, wiped the sweat off his head, and immediately adjusted his expression and said with a smile: "Isn't your Majesty's birthday coming soon? Everyone in the palace is planning to celebrate."
"Hanging up this red silk first will make it look more festive."
Xie Ling: Hmm?
Emperor Wu’s birthday is coming soon?
How come he doesn't know?
After thinking about it carefully, he probably never paid attention to this matter, right? Fortunately, the palace hangs things in advance every year, otherwise he almost forgot about it. Xie Ling breathed a sigh of relief: "Tongzi, it's a good thing that I saw it today and asked one more question."
Otherwise, it would be awkward if His Majesty didn't know anything on his birthday when everyone was wishing him a happy new year.
System: ...Okay.
The eunuch did not understand the change in Master Xie's expression, and continued after Master Xie sighed: "Yes, only half a month."
"The adults will also be busy this time."
However, after so many years of celebrating his birthday, it was suddenly announced that it would be celebrated again. Wouldn't the ministers be in a state of panic? After all, it was the emperor's birthday, not just anybody else's, so the preparations had to be serious.
If you respond perfunctorily, you will be charged with contempt for the emperor.
Xie Ling had no idea that this birthday was a last-minute plan, and thought it happened every year. The young eunuch was just expressing his feelings simply at this moment.
After listening to this, he nodded, thinking that he also had things to do.
It’s Emperor Wu’s birthday, and there are so many people vying for it. What should he give as a gift?
If I don’t give my boss a birthday gift, my bonus for that year will be cut in half. I guess I need to think about this carefully.
After bidding farewell to the young eunuch, Xie Ling was lost in thought all the way.
The system thought he had figured something out, but after thinking for a long time, Xie Ling suddenly discovered his blind spot: "Come to think of it, there seem to be quite a lot of people celebrating birthdays recently. Emperor Wu celebrated his birthday, and so did that Mr. Wu."
"Is this month an auspicious month?"
Xie Ling calculated the two people's birthdays and found that they were actually quite close, only five days apart.
The system was speechless: "Is this all you have figured out?"
Xie Ling: "What else?"
"There are still fifteen days left, right? There's no rush."
Giving gifts is not something that can be rushed. If you are in a hurry, you will easily become anxious. It is better to wait and see.
The system watched him sigh with emotion after hearing such a big thing, and then go back to eating and drinking. For a moment, it didn't know if it was really too nervous?
…
Xiao Huan had been asking people to spread the news. Although he didn't seem to care on the surface, he was inexplicably concerned about it in his heart.
After forcing herself to endure it for a day, she finally couldn't help but look at Wang Bao again.
Wang Bao: …
Okay, got it.
"Your Majesty, when Master Xie went out this morning, he saw the eunuch with the red silk hanging on his head. He probably knows, right?"
Xiao Huan picked up the teacup and paused for a moment: "Did he say anything?"
Wang Bao: I knew you would ask.
He smiled cautiously and said, "Mr. Xie sighed after asking this question."
"He said he also needs to prepare well."
After hearing this, Xiao Huan's eyebrows moved and he felt much better. However, he didn't want others to notice it, so he just took a sip of tea and said calmly, "Did he say what he came up with?"
Wang Bao: …
"I'm afraid I don't know this yet."
Since Your Majesty wants to know so much, why don’t you ask Master Xie? You are stuck here for so long.
Xiao Huan frowned and thought: Yes, we must not be careless when celebrating my birthday. This guy probably needs to think carefully, and I don't need to rush.
His mind calmed down and his mood returned to normal. After resting for a while, he continued to review memorials.
But in the afternoon, Wang Bao didn't expect that someone would be so blind as to bump into him again.
Because His Majesty had spread the word about celebrating his birthday, even red silk was hung in the palace. Some smart officials saw this and became interested. When they submitted memorials in the afternoon, they first complimented His Majesty and then asked suggestively whether the Ministry of Rites needed to discuss this.
Just one sentence made Xiao Huan's face darken.
"What does my birthday have to do with them?"
"Oh, these people don't think about doing their work every day, why are they thinking about my birthday?"
The memorial was casually dismissed, and Xiao Huan had no expression on his face.
"Tell them there's no need to have a banquet, just do the same as in previous years."
Wang Bao: …
So all the preparations by the adults were in vain? God knows that since the news of His Majesty hanging the red silk appeared, the ministers immediately took action, but they didn't expect His Majesty to suddenly not do it.
No, it’s not that we won’t hold it, it should be... just a small one in the palace, right?
A small plan, a method that is limited to him and Master Xie.
Wang Bao silently swallowed the words that he would only live with Master Xie. Just thinking about it made him feel a toothache. He quickly dispelled the thoughts in his mind and shook his head.
Just as he thought, the Minister of Rites, who had just submitted a request for instructions, was completely stunned after receiving the reply.
Isn’t it... Your Majesty himself said that he wanted to celebrate his birthday, why don’t you want them to do it anymore?
They had prepared all the gifts, but His Majesty didn't want to accept them? Several ministers looked at each other and had to take back the gifts in grievance, not daring to try again.
Xie Ling didn't know that Emperor Wu had done such a high-energy operation. He rested in the palace for a few days and then left the palace again.
Xiao Huan: ...Tsk.
He probably went out of the palace to prepare a surprise for me.
Forget it, I won’t ask anyone to follow him.
His fingertips paused for a moment and then continued writing.
After going out, Xie Ling first went to study with Zheng Daru for a while, and then read for a long time in the bookstore next door.
Well, although he lost his invitation and can't go, he should at least buy something and deposit it at Zuixianlou, and then ask the shopkeeper to pass it on when the time comes.
After selecting for a long time, Xie Ling chose a wolf-hair brush with high quality, low price and great cost performance and stored it in Zuixianlou.
"A few days later, someone reserved the place for himself. It was probably a young man named Wu. So I asked the shopkeeper to help pass it on."
Zuixianlou had done this countless times, and the shopkeeper took it with familiarity, and after registering it, he said with a smile: "Okay, don't worry, young master, I will definitely hand it over to that young master smoothly."
Xie Ling thanked him before turning around and leaving, continuing to stroll leisurely.
The system twitched its lips, feeling that if Master Su didn't think well about Emperor Wu's gift, something bad would definitely happen!
He watched the host go shopping for another afternoon and asked hopefully, "Host, have you decided what to give to Emperor Wu?"
If you can give a pen to Wu Shanlai, it should be more solemn to give it to Emperor Wu.
Xie Ling: “Not yet.”
"Don't worry, let me think about it slowly."
System: ...Okay.
Fortunately, Emperor Wu did not send anyone to follow the host today, so he doesn’t know what happened to the host today, otherwise... Tsk.
The system is a little weird.
Xiao Huan waited for an entire afternoon until Xie Ling finally came back. He raised his eyes and said, "Serve the meal."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Wang Bao nodded, and then he heard His Majesty casually say: "It would be a waste for me to eat alone, let's ask Xie Ling to come over."
Wang Bao: ...Your Majesty is frugal, but not that frugal, right? However, he did not dare to say this. After Master Xie returned to the palace, he waited obediently at the palace gate.
Just as Xie Ling was about to enter the side hall of Qianyuan Palace, he saw Eunuch Wang Bao standing at the door, not knowing what he was doing. He walked up to him skillfully and greeted him, and Xie Ling looked around.
"My father-in-law is waiting for someone?"
It looked like he had been waiting for a while.
Wang Bao smiled and said, "Your Majesty just heard that Master Xie has returned, and is looking for him."
"The imperial meal has just been prepared by the imperial kitchen. Master Xie is in for a treat."
Hmm, imperial meal? His sharp ears picked up the key words. Xie Ling walked in suspiciously and saw Emperor Wu, who had washed his hands and sat on a chair, looking at him with no emotion.
"We've been out running all day, let's eat together."
Xie Ling: ...Why does this sentence always sound weird?
Xie Ling scratched his head, sat down, washed his hands, and then realized: Wait, isn’t this what those bloggers on the Internet often say to their dogs who are running around at home?
What did Emperor Wu tell him?
Xie Ling had a complicated expression and seemed to be hesitant to speak.
Think about it: His Majesty has been feeding him at a fixed time recently, often letting him eat royal meals, and inexplicably comes to the side hall to watch him sleep at night. Could it be that he treats him as... a dog?
The moment he guessed it in his mind, the system suddenly choked and the electronics were in chaos for a moment. He didn't understand why Xie Ling could have such an outrageous idea.
This guy, what normal person would compare himself to a dog for no reason? But Emperor Wu's attitude is indeed a bit weird.
The system looks at the host.
The host was unaware after he finished complaining. He thought he was a dog just now, and the next second he was happily eating.
Xiao Huan didn't notice the metaphor Xie Ling just made. Seeing the other party lower his head to eat and then drink a mouthful of soup slowly, his eyes slowly fell on the top of Xie Ling's head.
I haven't read much novels in the past two days, and I don't know where the updates are.
A striking golden light flashed by, and the familiar title appeared again.
——"Three sentences to make His Majesty fall in love with me"
"I never thought that even a OP with such a great start could be killed. He will die with regrets."
"Your Majesty, I will keep my eyes open and watch you!"
Xiao Huan: ...
Tsk, this tone, this symbol.
He kept reading with a blank expression.
"The author of the post is sad and has returned. However, things are still going on. After the author of the post predicted the wild boar incident, the Emperor Wu's murderous intentions are ready to move."
"There is only one chance now for the host to turn the tide."
"The host is sad and angry, the host is broken, and the host does not want to cherish this opportunity anymore."
"Fuck it, how do we break this situation?!"
"The Bull Demon can't survive at the beginning! The host's mentality collapsed, anger rose from the heart, and evil was about to come out. He decided to make a move on Emperor Wu's mentality before he died, so that he could also taste the feeling of being dumbfounded. So the host snorted coldly, and before closing his eyes, he told Emperor Wu: - In three years, he will definitely fall in love with the host."
"Oh, let him figure it out."
puff.
Xiao Huan almost choked when he drank a mouthful of soup. He rarely lost his composure like this, let alone during a meal. He coughed twice and almost couldn't hold it in, with a look of shock:
Is this how Xie Ling develops his so-called mentality?
Predict that you will fall in love with him in the future?
This guy really is... Everyone knows that he admires me. Wait, could this be his ultimate goal? When Xiao Huan saw the golden words, he suddenly saw Xie Ling repeating "Your Majesty loves me" over and over again, and he suddenly realized it.
This guy’s idea is quite nice, but how much does he hope that I will respond to him, so he imagines like this in the novel?
When Xie Ling heard the cough, he looked up blankly, and saw Emperor Wu opposite him closing his eyes and drinking a sip of tea to suppress the itch in his throat.
Xiao Huan tried hard to restrain himself from looking away, but he couldn't help but look at Xie Ling.
After being looked at several times, Xie Ling finally couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong, Your Majesty?"
Xiao Huan wanted to ask him why he was so "infatuated" with him, but it was a little uncomfortable for him to ask this question. He had been educated to be extremely reserved since he was a child, and it was difficult for Xiao Huan to ask such a straightforward question. After looking at him strangely for a long time, Xiao Huan just said, "I was just looking at the weather outside."
"You think too much."
Xie Ling: ...Ah, is he overthinking it?
But from this angle, it's clear that he is looking at him. If you want to see the sky, why not look directly outside the door? It's clear that His Majesty's seat is facing the door.
Xie Ling hesitated to speak, feeling complicated at this time.
"Tongzi, I am slow but not stupid."
The system's heart was slightly lifted, and it heard the host say: "Tell me the truth, did I rub food on my face?" Otherwise, why would the Emperor look at him with that indescribable, eerie and strange look?
The system that just thought the host had sensed something:...
I worried for nothing.
"No."
"Host, you think too much."
Xie Ling frowned suspiciously as he heard the same rhetoric as Emperor Wu.
"Did you copy the words of Emperor Wu?" Why didn't even the tone change?
The system was so angry that the electronics were in disarray and it simply shut down.
Seeing this, Xie Ling withdrew his doubts and looked at Emperor Wu. Since everything was fine...
"Then your majesty, can I continue eating?"
Xiao Huan: ... "Eat."
The itch in his throat was suppressed, and he glanced at him and returned to normal.
Xie Ling had no choice but to continue eating.
Xiao Huan looked above Xie Ling's head, and as expected, he saw that his own self in the novel was in disbelief and had a complicated expression after hearing Xie Ling's "prophecy".
I tossed and turned the first night, hesitating for half the night as to whether I was really involved with this young medical officer.
The next day, I looked at it coldly and thought it was impossible.
"How could I be a gay?"
So the young medical officer lived for one more night and then died again.
Xiao Huan took a deep breath and his eyelids twitched. Although he could understand his own psychological activities in the novel, he felt a little uncomfortable after seeing the young doctor being choked again. Although I am not a homosexual, I am just a person who loves me, and it is not that I cannot let him live.
If everyone loves me, I will kill everyone. Wouldn't that make me a tyrant?
Xiao Huan frowned, thinking that he was too careless in the novel. In reality, Xie Ling confessed to him countless times, but didn't he "tolerate" him all the time?
Xiao Huan let out a breath and looked above his head.
The two-day novel came to an abrupt end. After being cursed and killed, the young medical officer had not yet been reborn. Xiao Huan had no choice but to wait patiently for tomorrow's update.
This time, Xie Ling looked at His Majesty and saw that His Majesty looked at him with some pity? Although it was only for a moment, he still caught the look.
Xie Ling: …
Your Majesty, it’s a pity for him, he didn’t do anything.
Xie Ling hesitated for a moment, puzzled. Could it be that His Majesty was going to give him more homework? Every time His Majesty looked at him like this, Xie Ling felt that nothing good was going to happen.
However, His Majesty did not speak again until the end of dinner.
Did nothing really happen?
Xie Ling left in confusion, and after washing up and lying on the couch he still felt a little strange.
What exactly did His Majesty mean today? He was puzzled for a long time, but before going to bed, he suddenly saw Qian Ming bringing an imperial edict.
In the dead of night, an imperial edict suddenly came. Not only Xie Ling was confused, but even Qian Ming, who was holding something, was confused. However, since it involved the emperor's order, he still raised it respectfully.
"Thank you, Master. The imperial decree."
Qian Ming gave a careful reminder.
Xie Ling was about to get up from the couch to receive the order, but he heard Qian Ming say, "Your Majesty said that there is no need to perform the formalities."
"Just on the couch."
Oh, is this okay?
So Xie Ling obediently rolled up the quilt and knelt down.
One of them was standing with the imperial edict in his hand, while the other was sitting wrapped in a quilt with a lazy look on his face.
Qian Ming unfolded the imperial edict strangely. His eyes twitched when he saw it, and he said word by word: "Your Majesty said: Stop daydreaming and dreaming when you sleep at night, and focus on the imperial examination."
Their eyes met, Xie Ling:...?
Wait, Your Majesty is in charge of everything, and you even control people’s dreams?
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