Chapter 43
In Xie Ling's mind, as long as he could stay in the main hall and sleep on the floor, it would be fine. He didn't ask for much, just that Emperor Wu would sleep on the couch and he would sleep on the floor outside the screen, that should be fine.
It’s just a quilt, it shouldn’t be too much trouble, right?
However, he had no idea how his words would cause misunderstanding.
The teacup in Xiao Huan's hand suddenly paused, and the tea inside spilled out. He suspected that he had heard it wrongly. At this time, he took a deep breath and looked at Xie Ling.
"What did you say?"
Xie Ling blinked and hesitated for a moment, but still tried to speak briefly: "Your Majesty, I mean, can I live with you?"
Xiao Huan: ...
He wants to live with me?
It wasn’t enough that he let me wear the pajamas he embroidered last time, but tonight he actually wants to come into my room and sleep on the same bed with me?
Xiao Huan had no other thoughts in his subconscious mind, and he directly regarded living in Qianyuan Hall as equivalent to sleeping on the same couch with him. He stared at Xie Ling, but Xie Ling not only did not change his expression, but also looked very sincere.
Very good, he actually thought so.
Xiao Huan closed his eyes and tried his best to restrain himself.
"I'll pretend you didn't say that just now."
The eunuchs were far away and did not hear Master Xie's shocking words just now. At this time, they all lowered their heads.
Xie Ling sighed, knowing that Emperor Wu would not be so accommodating. Yes, the other party was a mysophobe, how could he tolerate others living in his bedroom at night.
But he really doesn't want to go back.
The arm cannot bend the thigh, especially when the opponent is the emperor. Seeing that he could not shake the emperor's decision, Xie Ling had to stand up regretfully. However, before leaving, he could not help but open his mouth:
"His Majesty?"
"No discussion." He said calmly.
"Don't go down and rest yet."
"All right."
Xie Ling had no choice but to stop his performance, pack up his things and go downstairs quickly.
Wang Bao secretly took a look from outside. He had no idea what Master Xie had just said that caused His Majesty to react so strongly. He couldn't help but feel a little strange.
Xiao Huan didn't speak after he finished that sentence. He didn't speak until Xie Ling left. Then he frowned and asked, "Is he gone?"
Wang Bao was stunned for a moment and went out to take a look.
"Master Xie left this time."
The tables and chairs outside were also put away, so I guess he really left.
It's better to leave, otherwise Xiao Huan doesn't know what that guy will say next. Sleep with him...Does he know what this sentence means?
Two men are sleeping in the same bed. Does he want to sleep with me?
Xiao Huan originally thought that his decision just now was correct, but as soon as he closed his eyes, the pitiful and lovely expression on Xie Ling's face when she looked at him just now appeared in front of him again, making him upset and feeling a little regretful. He pursed his lips slightly.
"Was I too harsh in what I said just now?"
ah?
Is it harsh? No.
Isn't this the tone of voice that your Majesty always uses when talking to Master Xie? To be honest, it's much calmer than when talking to the court officials.
Wang Bao considered his tone and asked, "Your Majesty, are you worried that Master Xie will overthink it?"
Xiao Huan: Oh, I am worried about what he wants to do.
This guy actually dared to covet me like this, it's a good thing I didn't kill him.
However, his mind was in a mess for a long time, and after a while he still said: "Let someone move the corals that were tributed some time ago to the side hall."
Wang Bao: …
"Yes, Your Majesty."
He knew that His Majesty would not be able to help himself.
He twitched his lips slightly, understood what was going on, and after leaving, he asked someone to go to the warehouse to move things.
Xie Ling returned to the side hall in misery. Thinking that he would have to smell the odor of Coptis chinensis while sleeping at night, he felt a darkness in front of his eyes and a hopeless future.
"System, it's over. It's a big failure today."
System: ...It’s not really a failure, after all, I got a free meal.
But just as he was thinking about how to comfort the host whose charm failed for the first time, he heard footsteps outside.
The familiar voice of the imperial eunuch came through the door. After the system reminded him, Xie Ling turned around.
"Hmm? Eunuch Wang?"
"Why are you here?"
Didn't he just come back from His Majesty?
Just as Xie Ling was wondering, he saw Eunuch Wang turn sideways, revealing a red coral behind him.
The dazzling light was so beautiful that it almost blinded the eyes, and Xie Ling was immediately attracted to it.
My first reaction was: Damn, this thing is beautiful.
The second reaction is: where did it come from?
Seeing Master Xie's confusion, Wang Bao smiled and said, "Congratulations, Master Xie. This is a special reward from His Majesty."
"I specially ordered this old servant to bring it here for Master Xie to enjoy."
The system suddenly retracted its words of comfort.
Careless!
A succubus is still a succubus after all.
Xie Ling was also dumbfounded. He didn't expect that he got a big coral for nothing today. It was quite unreal.
"Your Majesty really said it was for me?"
Wang Bao nodded: "Golden words, Mr. Xie, don't worry."
"I won't bother you anymore."
It was getting late, so the eunuchs in front of the emperor placed the coral in place and left quietly, leaving Xie Ling alone in the side hall, looking at the coral opposite him, and his expression changed in an instant.
"Ahem, system, actually the smell of medicine in this hall is not unbearable."
"People need to be brave enough to endure hardships. I think I am quite strong."
"What do you think?"
Who was it that just now had blackouts as soon as he heard that he had to sleep all night smelling the medicine, and now he's having amnesia here?
The system twitched its lips, watching this guy happily circle around the coral twice, and couldn't help but touch it twice.
"This is the first time I've seen real coral. It seems to be much more expensive in ancient times than in modern times."
"Emperor Wu is very generous."
The more Xie Ling looked at it, the happier he became. If conditions had allowed, he would have even wanted to take a picture of the coral and post it on WeChat Moments. The system and he spent a long while appreciating the coral.
It was Qian Ming outside who saw that the candle was still lit inside and couldn't help but remind them.
"Thank you, Master. We have to get up early for class tomorrow."
"Do you want me to snuff out the candle?"
"oh oh."
Xie Ling coughed lightly and came back to his senses.
"No."
"I'll do it myself."
Picking up the scissors and gently cutting off a section of the candle flame, Xie Ling could not help but look back at the stunningly beautiful coral in the night sky, then he tiptoed to the couch.
Hmm, I don’t know if it’s a psychological effect, but the smell of the medicine is indeed much lighter.
…
After drinking the medicine, Xiao Huan looked at Wang Bao, and saw Wang Bao, who had just returned, smiled tactfully and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, don't worry, it has just been delivered."
"Mr. Xie seems to like it very much."
"I was about to go to bed, but when I heard that it was sent by His Majesty, I even looked at the time for an extra stick of incense."
Um.
They couldn't tell whether it was because the coral was beautiful or because it was a gift from His Majesty, but in short, it was because of His Majesty.
Xiao Huan retracted his gaze and said, "I just saw that he was sincere today, so I gave him a special reward."
He paused, thinking back to his refusal at that time.
"He wasn't upset because I rejected him?"
What? Did His Majesty reject Master Xie at that time?
Wang Bao was slightly curious, but it only rose for a moment before he suppressed it. After hearing what His Majesty said, he recalled, "Master Xie seemed a little disappointed when he went back just now."
"But it will be fine after seeing your majesty's reward."
really.
I didn't let him stay. This guy is really suspicious. But... thinking of his chaotic mood, Xiao Huan still pressed his forehead.
Never mind. At worst I can just be nicer to him in the next few days.
…
Xie Ling found that since His Majesty did not allow him to live in the main hall that day, he seemed to have changed a little. Specifically, he treated him better in an imperceptible way.
For example, the daily breakfast included not only his favorite Eight Treasure Duck, but also other foods he had never seen before, which were obviously carefully prepared.
Well, the time for him to leave the palace was relaxed by one hour, and Xie Ling was even allowed to feed the puppy.
You should know that Emperor Wu of Han never liked stuffed animals because of his mysophobia. All the cats and dogs in the palace were kept in the cat and dog room, and people who served them were not allowed to touch them.
Xie Ling, who often met the emperor, was no exception.
Xie Ling: So, is this the preferential treatment before the college entrance examination? It is equivalent to parents always obeying their children who are about to take the college entrance examination and satisfying them with whatever they say.
He never expected that he would be able to enjoy such treatment after traveling through time.
Xie Ling only thought about it for a second and then stopped thinking.
Now that he has been let go, he doesn't have to endure it anymore.
"System, how about I bring the dog from Linshui Pavilion over here and sleep with him tonight?"
System: "As long as you can find the dog."
However, to the system's surprise, this guy actually found it. With the tacit approval of Emperor Wu, Xie Ling took some animal food from the imperial kitchen and placed it in front of the pavilion as bait, and soon caught the dog.
The white puppy is furry and must have been fed by a palace maid passing by. It is so chubby and feels great to the touch.
Xie Ling couldn't even touch the solid surface with his hand.
Tsk…
"Be good."
Smelling the smell of food, the little fat dog obediently let Xie Ling hold it. After teasing it for a while, Xie Ling looked at the time and picked up the dog.
"Let's go, I'll take you out of the palace first."
Xiao Huan was reviewing memorials when he heard the news that Xie Ling had caught a dog. His forehead twitched.
"Never mind him."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Wang Bao lowered his head and felt that His Majesty was too indulgent, so much so that Master Xie actually took the fat dog... out of the palace.
Xie Ling is taking classes at Zheng Daru's home outside the palace today.
When he came over with the dog in his arms after getting off the carriage, Zheng Wanyun was surprised for a moment.
"Where did this dog come from?"
Xie Ling handed the dog to the puzzled teacher: "I took it out from the palace."
"It should be the cub born by the dog that the late emperor raised before."
There are often free-range cats and dogs in the palace. They used to be the imperial pets, but each emperor had his own pet. When they met the Majesty of this dynasty, they no longer had the imperial status and became small pets in an ordinary cat and dog room.
Zheng Wanyun found this little thing somewhat novel, touched it twice, and suddenly remembered something.
"Your Majesty, don't you like these?"
Xie Ling blinked: "But this is what His Majesty allowed himself."
Well, he saw with his own eyes that when he went to catch the dog, someone from the imperial kitchen went to report.
Upon seeing this, Zheng Wanyun paused. Has His Majesty... changed his temper?
Xiao Huan naturally did not change his temper, he was just holding it back. After reading for a while, he suddenly frowned and raised his head.
"It's the fat dog at Linshui Pavilion..."
His voice was light and suspicious: "What's so good about it?"
“Why don’t I ever feel that?”
The dog was the favorite of the previous emperor. Xiao Huan had some impression of it and had seen it several times when he passed by the Linshui Pavilion. There were many palace servants and eunuchs feeding it in the imperial garden, causing it to become fat and even its eyes could not be seen clearly.
Wang Bao: ...How would he know? But "Young people should like these furry animals."
Wang Bao answered cautiously.
Xiao Huan looked over immediately and asked: "Do you think I'm old?"
Wang Bao: Who understands!
We were talking fine, how come it suddenly became an issue of death?
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I dare not have such intentions. I just think that Mr. Xie is just interested in it for a while."
Xiao Huan: But why does he feel that Xie Ling seemed to have liked me for a long time, and was just waiting for me to relax my jurisdiction, and then he went to tease me.
“Not doing your job.”
With a cold rebuke, he warned himself: Forget it, at least Xie Ling's attention can be diverted for a while, so that guy won't always think about sleeping with me.
Xiao Huan had originally planned this, but he didn't expect Xie Ling to like the dog so much. Not only did he take the dog with him when he went to class outside the palace, but he also brought the dog with him when he returned to the side hall after returning to the palace.
The fluffy white puppy walked wobbly, and its fur looked better than at noon. It was obvious that it had been washed while outside the palace.
Xie Ling and Mrs. Zheng both liked the chubby little dog very much. After finishing their lessons in the afternoon, they decided to give the puppy a bath while the hot water was boiled at home.
The washing made his back and waist sore.
But he was very satisfied with the result. The already good-looking little fat dog became even cuter. Xie Ling almost wanted to hold it in his arms.
"The system said that if you catch the dog, you have to sleep with me at night."
system:……
"Okay, okay, you're awesome."
Xie Ling giggled, finished writing the novel, walked the dog for a while, wiped the dog's paws, and successfully carried the dog onto the couch.
Qian Ming wanted to say something but stopped himself. However, thinking about His Majesty's attitude, he felt that it should be nothing.
It's been a long day, so it shouldn't be a big deal at the moment.
Xiao Huan's patience lasted until Xie Ling carried the dog onto the couch.
Doesn't he want to sleep with me?
He actually held the dog on the couch?!
His face suddenly darkened, and Wang Bao, who was speaking, was startled. Then he heard His Majesty gnashing his teeth and saying, "Go, take the dog back to the kennel."
Wang Bao: It’s so late... "What about Master Xie?"
Xiao Huan's forehead twitched: "Tell him that if he doesn't bring him back, he won't have to see me tomorrow."
Well, Wang Bao knew at a glance that His Majesty was saying one thing and thinking another, but he still did his duty and delivered the message.
Xie Ling didn't expect that after holding the dog for a whole day, His Majesty would suddenly send a message to him when he was sleeping at night.
ah?
Can't we sleep together?
But today they all slept together in the carriage.
Xie Ling looked at the dark sky outside, then looked at the dog who was well fed and sleeping soundly with his clinging to him, and he really didn't want to let go.
The dog finally got a warm bed, but if he leaves, he won’t get any free dog fur pillow.
"Eunuch Wang, will His Majesty be busy tomorrow?"
Xie Ling was torn between his conscience and his desires for a long time, and couldn't help but ask.
Wang Bao: …
"It's about the same as yesterday."
Just like yesterday, he is very busy. So, His Majesty probably won't have time to see him tomorrow, so it doesn't matter whether he goes or not.
Xie Ling made a decisive choice and blinked, "I understand, Eunuch Wang."
"Tell His Majesty that I will come the day after tomorrow and will not disturb His Majesty tomorrow."
Wang Bao:?
Is this what your majesty means? After hearing what Master Xie said, even he hesitated a little, and now he took the message back.
Xiao Huan thought that after he said that, Xie Ling would definitely let the fat dog go back to where it came from. Unexpectedly, after he opened his mouth, the guy still held the dog.
"What did he say?"
The emperor at the top asked again in a cold voice, and Wang Bao repeated it awkwardly.
"Master Xie said that he will come to pay his respects the day after tomorrow."
Xiao Huan: ...
Is that what I mean? This guy is outrageous!
After Wang Bao finished speaking, he carefully added another sentence.
"Your Majesty, Master Xie is already asleep now."
The implication is that it is too late to pick up the dog.
Xiao Huan: ...that’s all.
Oh, do you really think I care?
If he doesn't come to see me, I can handle government affairs more peacefully, which is a good thing.
…
Xie Ling happily slept with the puppy in his arms. The puppy was soft after being washed and still had a fragrance on its body, making it the perfect pillow. There was almost no problem except that he woke up the next morning with dog hair all over his body.
But this is the price of being cute.
"Thank you, Master?"
Qian Ming reminded him outside. Xie Ling and Xiaogou stared at each other for a long time before he said, "Qian Ming, please boil a bucket of hot water for me."
"I'd like to take another bath in the morning."
Bathing early in the morning? Qian Ming was a little confused at first, but when he looked up and saw the dog hair on Mr. Xie's body, he understood and suppressed his laughter.
"Okay, but sir, you should put Xiaobai away first, so that he won't get stained with dog hair again later."
Xie Ling: "Okay, okay, thank you for your help."
Because the fat little dog was snow-white, the eunuchs working in the cat and dog room called it Xiaobai, so Xie Ling followed suit. After rubbing Xiaobai's furry head twice, he hurried to wash up.
This time when he went to the library, Xie Ling could no longer bring Xiaobai to class. After all, it was more relaxed at the teacher's house before, and it would be a bit unprofessional to bring a puppy into the library. Therefore, after taking a bath, Xie Ling could only put the puppy in the side hall and ask Qian Ming to do it.
"Please feed it at noon, Xiao Qian."
"I'll be back in the evening."
"Okay, don't worry, Mr. Xie." Qian Ming reached out to take the little fat dog and looked at Mr. Xie leaving with his homework.
Xiao Huan resisted asking any questions in the morning, and after lunch he glanced at the sky.
"It looks like it's going to rain today?"
"I suppose so."
"It's windy outside now." Wang Bao replied in a low voice. Xiao Huan withdrew his gaze and said nothing more.
The Wannian Pavilion was quiet, with only the sound of pages turning. After reviewing the memorials for a while, Xiao Huan looked at Wang Bao.
"Is Zheng Wanyun going to come over this afternoon to report on the Imperial College?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Lord Zheng will be here around 3 p.m."
Xiao Huan nodded and looked away.
Wang Bao glanced at His Majesty secretly, and was a little confused as to whether His Majesty was asking about Zheng Da Ru or... Mr. Xie.
Well, but since Master Xie said yesterday that he would come to pay his respects tomorrow, His Majesty hasn’t mentioned it again. So he shouldn’t be asking about Master Xie, right?
Wang Bao thought uncertainly and lowered his head quietly.
After lunch, just as Wang Bao said, it started to rain. The drizzle of autumn rain hitting the window sash made people feel upset, and Xiao Huan frowned.
"Zheng Wanyun is old and in poor health. Go to the library and give him an umbrella, so that the court officials won't accuse me of mistreating an old minister."
Which court official would dare to say that? Wang Bao twitched his lips and followed the order, but when he went to deliver the umbrellas, he suddenly had an idea and took two umbrellas from the warehouse.
Well, there is not only Zheng Daru in the library, but also Master Xie. It is normal for him to deliver an umbrella and take one more by the way, right?
Your Majesty must have thought so too.
Wang Bao nodded and held an umbrella all the way to the library. As expected, neither Zheng Daru nor Xie Gongzi brought an umbrella. Xie Ling was not in a hurry to leave after dinner. Seeing that it was raining, he originally wanted to do some homework in the library and wait until the rain stopped before going back. However, the teacher had to go to see His Majesty later, so it was a bit difficult to go on the way. Xie Ling was thinking about whether to take off his outer robe and let the teacher wear it on his head, when he saw Eunuch Wang.
His eyes suddenly lit up and he was a little surprised.
"Why is Eunuch Wang here?"
Wang Bao smiled and pointed to the umbrella in his hand.
"I heard it was raining, and His Majesty was worried about Mr. Zheng's health, so he asked me to come here."
Zheng Wanyun did not expect His Majesty to be so thoughtful and was immediately moved.
The two exchanged a few words, and Zheng Wanyun followed Eunuch Wang out. However, Xie Ling, when he stretched and was about to write a policy paper, turned his head and suddenly saw the palace umbrella placed in the corner.
Hmm? Why is there an umbrella left here?
When did you let it go?
He was a little confused and looked around, but there were no palace servants in the library at this moment, so he had to take the umbrella curiously.
Never mind, at least with an extra umbrella, I won't have to get wet in the rain when I go back home at night. Seeing Master Xie take the umbrella, Wang Bao, who had just left the house, looked back and breathed a sigh of relief.
After waiting for a while, Xiao Huan saw Zheng Wanyun coming over. The two discussed the Imperial College for a while and then talked about the imperial examination.
"There are only three days left until the Autumn Examination."
"Your Majesty, let Xiao Xie relax tomorrow."
Well, studying too hard at this time would be bad for the body and mind. He saw that Xiao Xie was in good condition, so he would just do it naturally. Xiao Huan glanced at him, and thinking that the schoolwork during this period was indeed a bit stressful, his brows relaxed a little.
"I understand."
"Oh, there is one more thing." Zheng Wanyun paused and said, "Your Majesty, why don't you let Xiao Xie stay at my house temporarily during the imperial examination?"
There were many people participating in the imperial examination, so it was somewhat inconvenient for Xie Ling to leave the palace. Zheng Wanyun could not help but remind him, fearing that it would affect the reputation of His Majesty.
Xiao Huan also knew about this. Allowing Xie Ling to study in the palace without a name was already an exception. If he were allowed to leave the palace and enter the examination room, I wonder how many students would look at me sideways and suspect that I favor Xie Ling.
He paused for a moment, and when Zheng Wanyun looked over, he said calmly, "It all depends on Xie Ling's opinion."
"I will have someone question him later."
Zheng Wanyun originally thought that there was no need to discuss this matter, but after hearing His Majesty's words, he nodded.
"Your Majesty will see."
After saying a few more words and waving his hand to let them go, Xiao Huan said calmly: "I haven't even seen the questions for this exam, so how can I cover up for them?"
"Xie Ling has been studying for so long, and all his achievements are due to his own efforts."
This is his bottom line, Xiao Huan doesn't want to hear anyone talking about it.
Wang Bao nodded and said, "Then let me prepare some gifts for Master Xie?" It seems that Master Xie should be allowed to live in Zheng Daru's house.
Xiao Huan paused for a moment. It was clearly a simple sentence, but he said, "There are still three days left. Let's talk about it tomorrow."
"But has Xie Ling gone home now?" He looked outside. The rain gradually subsided. He didn't know if it was because of the rainy day, but it was only 3 p.m. and the sky had already darkened. It looked like late at night.
Wang Bao took a look and said, "He should have gone back, right?"
He heard Qian Ming say that Mr. Xie would come back early today.
Well, probably because I need to feed that fat dog.
He looked at His Majesty cautiously. Xiao Huan didn't react at first, but when he realized something, he slowly frowned.
"He comes back at night and brings the dog with him?"
Wang Bao: “Probably.”
Xiao Huan sneered. Just when Wang Bao thought that His Majesty would still turn a blind eye this time, he heard His Majesty take a deep breath and grit his teeth and say, "Very good."
"Tell Xie Ling."
"What he requested - I have granted it."
Ah what?
What has your majesty allowed?
Wang Bao looked at it suspiciously, and went to find Master Xie with full of doubts. As expected, Master Xie had returned and was feeding the dog in the bedroom.
After seeing Eunuch Wang, Xie Ling was surprised: "System, how many times have I seen Eunuch Wang today?"
system:……
Including the one in the middle of the night, it should be three times.
Wang Bao glanced at the fat dog in Master Xie's arms and said with a smile, "Master Xie, that's great news."
"What good news?"
Xie Ling was still a little confused when he heard Wang Bao say mysteriously, "His Majesty said that he agreed to what you requested last night."
"Please pack up and follow me."
Xie Ling: ...What's the matter.
What did he ask for last night?
Wait, Your Majesty, could you be referring to the fact that he requested to sleep in the main hall of Qianyuan Palace last night?
When he reacted, he looked a little strange.
Wang Bao was waiting for Master Xie to go together. At this time, he saw Master Xie blinking, looking a little dazed, and said innocently:
"But Eunuch Wang, I have something to do today."
Didn’t they agree not to go and greet him today? He was planning to walk the dog with Qian Ming.
Moreover, Xie Ling scratched his head. It seems that the side hall of Qianyuan Hall is not so pungent today, right? He doesn't need to go to His Majesty to get a seat.
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