Chapter 58
"Who is better, me or Zhang Jing?"
Xie Ling went over this sentence in his mind and felt as if an electric current ran through his back, making him completely stunned.
Your Majesty, what is this, what does this mean?
Which emperor in the world would compete with a minister? Especially the always proud Emperor Wu.
Why did Your Majesty ask him this?
Xie Ling felt like his heart was about to jump out, and the next moment he heard a light laugh.
"What are you thinking about?"
When the voice sounded in his ears, Xie Ling subconsciously tightened the reins. He always felt that his answer represented a different meaning. However, no matter how he thought about it, in his heart it was "Your Majesty is good".
Xie Ling stuttered as he spoke. It was the first time he felt so uncomfortable with his broken mouth.
When Xiao Huan heard the answer he wanted, he raised his eyebrows, but didn't say anything else, just stretched out his hand.
"Come down."
"Oh, oh." Xie Ling reacted and realized that he was still on the horse. He subconsciously grabbed the saddle and was about to get off. But when he lowered his head, he realized... he overestimated himself.
This horse was even taller than the Benxiao he had seen in Xiyuan. He couldn't get off at all when the other one was standing.
While Xie Ling was hesitating, Xiao Huan glanced at the horse.
"What are you afraid of?"
"I am here."
In one sentence, by the time Xie Ling came to his senses, the world was spinning and he had been grabbed by the belt and pulled down.
His body landed lightly on the ground, and he was startled.
"His Majesty."
Damn, I’m so scared.
Xie Ling didn't know for a moment whether his heart was beating wildly because of his wrong thoughts or because his action just now was too sudden. He coughed lightly and said with a blushing face, "Your Majesty, it's getting late."
"Your Majesty will probably have to deal with government affairs later, so I'll be leaving first."
Know that too much is as bad as too little.
Xiao Huan nodded, and saw Xie Ling hurriedly leave after bowing.
Wang Bao watched this scene from afar and was impressed by His Majesty. He originally thought that His Majesty would never be tempted, but he didn't expect that the iron tree would bloom now.
Moreover, he is quite good at dealing with Mr. Xie.
Tsk tsk tsk, he shook his head slightly and walked forward.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty."
"If good things are coming, I will ask for a reward during the New Year."
Xiao Huan glanced at him and chuckled, "Old fox."
…
Ahhhh, Xie Ling hadn't calmed down until he returned to the side hall.
When Qian Ming heard Mr. Xie's voice, he looked up and was stunned for a moment.
"Master Xie, why is your face so red?"
Red? Xie Ling looked in the mirror and found that the color on his face had spread from his neck to his face.
"It's okay, it's just too hot."
"Xiao Qian, please get me a cold towel."
"Oh ok, thank you sir."
Qian Ming came to his senses and felt a little strange.
Too hot? But hasn't Master Xie been complaining about being cold these past few days? His Majesty even specially asked someone to add a few more heaters in the side hall.
He shook his head slightly, thinking that maybe Master Xie had gotten too hot outside, so he took a cold towel and saw Master Xie lying on the couch, exhausted.
"Thank you very much."
"Xiao Qian, you said His Majesty..."
Xie Ling opened his mouth and subconsciously wanted to ask, but then he closed his mouth. Forget it, Xiao Qian probably doesn't know about this kind of thing. After all, who can figure out the mind of His Majesty the Emperor Wu?
So, who can tell me whether he is flirting with me or not?
Master Xie, who had been surfing the Internet for many years, found that he had no idea how to recognize it.
After a while, with a look of ashes on his face:
"Tong, I have a feeling that I'm going to have insomnia again tonight."
system:……
The system considered and made careful suggestions.
"Why not write a novel?"
Xie Ling:……!
“Good idea.”
System: Hmm?
Is the host really crazy? He said he wanted to write a novel, and the host actually said that was a good idea?
The system was shocked and looked at the host doubtfully. Then it saw that after being depressed for a while, the host actually got up and started writing.
Could it be that... an ambiguous atmosphere is more conducive to brain creation?
If the system seems to be thinking, it means vibration.
Xiao Huan actually did not fall asleep tonight. Since he understood Xie Ling's feelings, everything he did to Xie Ling in recent days was from the heart. After ascending the throne for so many years, he rarely was so frank with others, so it was inevitable that he felt a little uncomfortable.
But as soon as he closed his eyes, Xie Ling's face of blushing as she leaned against him and took a nap today jumped into his mind again, making him inexplicably think about it for a while longer.
The more I think about it, the more I find... this guy is adorable.
It was as if a Xie Ling jumped out of his heart, making him appear calm on the surface, but always thinking of the other person.
Wang Baoben thought that His Majesty had rested after lying on the couch for an unknown period of time, but he did not expect that His Majesty suddenly got up again.
"Your Majesty?" The eunuch outside asked hesitantly.
Xiao Huan came back to his senses: "No need to come in, go and rest."
He walked to the desk alone, stretched out his hand to place a piece of paper, and somehow drew Xie Ling.
The person on the paper was lifelike. Perhaps it was the midnight that suited his mood, Xiao Huan's brows were relaxed and he did not even feel sleepy.
It was not until a long time later that Wang Bao outside reminded him that he looked at the time, put away the dried drawing paper, and put it in the nearest bookcase.
…
Xie Ling said that he felt like he was going to have insomnia, but he didn't expect that after tossing and turning for a long time, he finally fell asleep. Well, maybe it was because he ran for a while during the day, and his physical strength was exhausted, so he had to sleep even if his brain was not tired.
The system was relieved to see that the host had finally stopped writing novels like crazy. Its expression twitched as it watched the host write as much as the previous week in one night.
Wait, so the host is not really unable to write in the past, but just procrastinates and doesn't want to write every day? Why do I write so much when I want to write?
Tongzi doubted his life and worked hard to review the manuscript for a whole night. However, after submitting the host's chapter, the system suddenly "beeped" and the energy it absorbed was already 80%.
Have I realized that there are already so many?
Forget it, don’t think about it anymore. It’s all thanks to the host and Emperor Wu. The system will store the energy and shut down to sleep.
Xie Ling slept for a long time, and as soon as he poked his head out from under the quilt in the morning, he couldn't help sneezing.
"A-choo." It's so cold.
He rubbed his nose and saw Qian Ming coming in with a heater.
"Today happens to be the winter solstice, so the temperature outside is a bit colder."
"Thank you, Master. Wait a moment. I'll get a basin of hot water and you can wash up."
Xie Ling nodded and waited for Qian Ming to come in.
After a while, a basin of steaming hot water was brought up. After a short soak in the boiling hot water, Xie Ling felt the chill on his body go away.
But "Is your Majesty awake now?"
Qian Ming responded with a stern voice: "Your Majesty has already left the morning court."
"Well, all right then."
Xie Ling yawned and tidied up a bit. When he came out after washing up, he saw a figure standing under the eaves of the side hall.
You can tell who it is just by looking at the tall and straight figure.
But... Your Majesty, why don't you go in? It's so cold today, even if you stand outside wearing a crane cloak, you will be freezing, right?
Xie Ling walked over in the blink of an eye and saw Emperor Wu turning around.
"Are you up?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Why are you here?"
He was just beginning to feel a little strange when he heard His Majesty say, "Today is the winter solstice. We want to eat Jiao'er. The imperial kitchen has already prepared it."
"Now that you are up, it's time to continue cooking."
Hmm? Dumplings?
Xie Ling was quickly distracted from the topic and had no time to wonder why His Majesty was here. His mind was filled with steaming dumplings.
Hey, dumplings. It's so cold and looks like it's going to snow, so eating a bowl of steaming dumplings is perfect. He almost forgot what day it was today, thanks to His Majesty for reminding him.
Sure enough, not long after returning to the side hall, Eunuch Wang Bao brought two bowls of hot dumplings.
The soup specially prepared by the imperial chef is fresh, fragrant and delicious, and it looks warm when paired with Jiao'er.
But looking at His Majesty's clothes, Xie Ling felt a little strange when swallowing the dumplings.
"Your Majesty, are you going to leave the palace today?"
This crane cloak is obviously something that is worn when leaving the palace, and he just saw that Eunuch Wang seemed to have prepared a carriage.
Xiao Huan drank a mouthful of soup and said: "Today is the winter solstice. Let's go to the camp outside the capital to take a look and distribute some Jiao'er soup."
Officials have already noticed this during this period, but now that the court has clarified the matter, there is no need to conceal it deliberately.
Xie Ling reacted and was a little conflicted for a moment. He wanted to go out with His Majesty, but it seemed too cold today.
In the end, the desire to go to the camp outside the capital prevailed, and Xie Ling said, "Your Majesty, I will go with you."
Xiao Huan paused. Today's weather was bad, with wind and snow. He didn't want to take Xie Ling with him. After all, this guy was weak and could easily get sick in the wind and sun, not to mention the rain and snow. However, looking at the person opposite him, he couldn't say no.
He just looked away and glanced at Wang Bao.
"Add some more warmth to the carriage."
"Bring me my white feather cloak."
The eunuch withdrew in response.
Xie Ling waited for a while, and then saw someone coming with an extremely beautiful and warm feather coat.
This cloak looked very similar to the one His Majesty was wearing, but it was brighter than the one His Majesty was wearing. Xie Ling was a little hesitant.
“Wouldn’t that be bad?”
Why does it feel like he dresses better than the emperor?
Xiao Huan sneered: "What's wrong with that?"
"Put it on."
He reached out and put the feather cloak on Xie Ling. He saw that Xie Ling's face looked a little rosy after drinking the Jiao'er soup, and his brows relaxed a little.
"Let's go."
Xie Ling was wrapped in this obviously precious white feather cloak, and he felt that many palace servants and eunuchs were looking at him when he was walking in the imperial garden, and his heart paused for a moment.
"Tongzi, I'm so sorry."
"However, your Majesty is wearing gray and black, and I am wearing white. At first glance, it looks like a couple's outfit."
The system scanned back and forth and came to a conclusion.
“It is indeed quite similar.”
Well.
Now it was Xie Ling's turn to feel embarrassed. He just said something but he didn't expect the system to agree.
So when Xiao Huan got on the carriage, he saw Xie Ling following him with red ears. He stopped for a moment, stretched out his hand to pull Xie Ling up, and when he lowered the curtain, he suddenly looked at his ears.
"Didn't they say that eating Jiao'er will prevent your ears from freezing?"
"Why are your ears red?"
With a smile on his face, when His Majesty reached out and touched his earlobe, Xie Ling's face flushed, and before he could react, he subconsciously reached out and held His Majesty's hand.
He originally wanted to pull His Majesty's hand away, but because of his movements he ended up getting closer.
Xiao Huan's eyes darkened for a moment, and Xie Ling immediately coughed lightly and let go of his hand awkwardly.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. My hands were a little out of control just now."
Wang Bao, who came over from behind, felt like laughing for some reason when he heard what Master Xie said.
Xiao Huan smiled, and as Xie Ling blushed, he said calmly, "It's good not to be ordered around."
Xie Ling: ...It's numb.
What on earth is he going to do!
Because his heartbeat was unbalanced, Xie Ling stopped calling him "Your Majesty". The system looked at him strangely, suspecting that the two of them were flirting, and they even had evidence.
However, seeing the host's righteous look, the system swallowed the words silently.
The carriage moved slowly towards the outskirts of Beijing. Due to the extremely cold weather, there was not much beautiful scenery along the way. Even the windows were tightly closed, which made Xie Ling feel even more uneasy. After thinking about it, he felt that the only way out was to sleep.
After all, it's really too embarrassing to face each other like this.
As for why he didn't read books like Emperor Wu, Xie Ling felt that it might be harder for him to pretend to be studying than to pretend to be asleep, and the exposure rate was as high as 100%.
Just pretend to be asleep.
Xiao Huan didn't know what Xie Ling was thinking.
However, he just looked up tiredly from reading, and saw this guy pretending to sleep with his eyelashes trembling.
His breathing was of varying depths, and it was obvious that he was not asleep.
Xiao Huan: ...
You are pretending to sleep like this, do you think I am blind?
He pressed his forehead slightly, glanced away and pretended not to see it, and the person opposite him really breathed a sigh of relief.
I don’t know how long I walked, but just when Xie Ling was pretending to be asleep and was about to fall asleep, I heard the long-lost sound outside.
"Your Majesty, thank you, Master. It's snowing outside."
Eunuch Wang's voice came through the car window.
Xie Ling opened his eyes slightly and was stunned for a moment before he realized what was being said.
It’s snowing?
Is it really snowing today?
Xie Ling opened his eyes subconsciously, then he remembered that he was pretending to be asleep, and pretended to yawn and stuck his head out.
“Where is the snow?”
"Let me see."
Eunuch Wang was almost dying of laughter at Master Xie. Seeing that His Majesty did not object, he suppressed his laughter and said, "Master Xie, come out and take a look."
"It's snowing outside right now, so maybe we should walk slower."
Xie Ling quietly turned around to glance at His Majesty. Seeing Xie Ling's curious look, Xiao Huan raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Go ahead."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The young man in the white cloak got out carefully, and his eyes lit up when he saw the outside.
At this moment, not only was it snowing as Eunuch Wang had said, but the dead branches and tree trunks along the way were all covered in white, and from a distance even the roofs were covered in white.
Snowflakes were still falling. It was the first time for Xie Ling, a southerner, to see snow. After looking at it for a while, he suddenly reached out to catch a snowflake and quickly got into the carriage.
As soon as Xiao Huan raised his eyes, he saw Xie Ling raising his hand.
"Your Majesty, Snowflake."
The fragrance of magnolia flashed away along with the chilly air. Xiao Huan looked down and saw only the last snowflake melting, and a drop of water fell into Xie Ling's hand.
"Is this your first time seeing snow?" he suddenly asked.
Xie Ling nodded subconsciously.
"Yeah." After getting the response, he suddenly realized.
Wait, what did he just say? The original owner was born and raised in Beijing, how could this be his first time seeing snow? He had seen snow countless times, why did he act so unfamiliar?
Xie Ling's heart skipped a beat: "Tongzi, it's over."
"Did I just let something slip?"
With the Emperor's keen sense, would he be able to detect something was wrong? He raised his eyes cautiously and met His Majesty's gaze.
"What's wrong?"
"His Majesty."
"What I just meant was that this is the first time I've seen such beautiful snow. Hahaha, the snow this winter is really beautiful." He immediately tried to laugh it off and attribute his recent slip of the tongue.
Xiao Huan glanced at him and could see what he was thinking, which was unclear.
"Oh, so that's how it is."
Xie Ling was worried, not sure whether His Majesty really believed it or not. But His Majesty didn't say anything at this time, so it should mean that he would not pursue it, right?
He slowly relaxed and clasped his hands together.
Because of the snow on the way, they didn't reach the camp outside Beijing until after noon. Xie Ling watched His Majesty coming down, and before he had time to say anything, he was taken down.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Xie Ling tried to remain calm and comforted herself: It's okay to wear so many clothes, no one will recognize who I am.
Xiao Huan didn't know what he was thinking. He saw Xie Ling coming down and looking at him.
"Would you like to go to the tent with me, or walk around?"
Knowing that His Majesty went to the tent to discuss military intelligence, Xie Ling thought for a moment and shook his head.
"Let me look around."
"Aren't you going to distribute Jiao'er Soup? I'll go help Eunuch Wang and the others."
Staying outside now, Xie Ling has adapted to the temperature outside and is in high spirits.
Seeing this, Xiao Huan said nothing more: "Go ahead."
He didn't look away until Xie Ling left and walked forward.
Xie Ling wandered around for a while and found Eunuch Wang and the others. The Jingjiao Camp was indeed trained by His Majesty himself, and the discipline was strict even in such cold weather.
When Xie Ling went over, Eunuch Wang had already laid out the food, and he walked over and took the bowl.
"Let me do it."
"I'll help you for a while."
Wang Bao saw that Master Xie was indeed in good condition, so he smiled and said, "Thank you very much, Master."
Xie Ling waved his hand quickly. He couldn't just do nothing after following along, so he felt more comfortable helping out. After all, it was a bit embarrassing to see everyone busy while he was wandering around alone.
Xie Ling helped to prepare the Jiao'er soup and handed it to the soldier who came over, then took another bowl.
After a busy afternoon, only the soup base was left of the pot of jiao'er soup.
When Xiao Huan came out after discussing government affairs, he saw Xie Ling stretching. This guy was so busy that some snow fell on his body, but fortunately it was blocked by the crane cloak.
"Your Majesty, would you like to be accompanied?" the old general beside him asked in a low voice.
Xiao Huan raised his hand: "No need, go back and continue training."
"I'm just walking around casually."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After the generals behind the tent retreated, Xiao Huan walked over.
As soon as Xie Ling raised his waist, he noticed that the snowflakes in front of him had stopped falling, and it seemed as if an umbrella was being held over his head.
When I turned around, I found it was His Majesty.
"Your Majesty is coming out?" His eyes lit up.
Xiao Huan nodded: "Why did you fight so many?"
He originally brought Xie Ling out to relax, and he said he came to help. Xiao Huan thought he was just here to take a look, but he didn't expect Xie Ling to actually help with so much.
His heart moved slightly, and his eyes fell on the empty bowls.
Xie Ling also took a look and scratched his head: "It shouldn't be too much."
"I see that everyone around here is playing a lot."
"It's the winter solstice, it's a rare opportunity to eat Jiao'er, everyone is very happy."
Speaking of which, the crane cloak that His Majesty gave him is really warm. He stood in the snow for a long time and not only did he not feel cold, he even felt warm now.
Xiao Huan regained his composure, paused for a moment, and suddenly said:
"After you return to the palace, come and get your reward from me."
Xie Ling turned around suddenly.
Get a reward?
Wait, is this what Your Majesty mentioned yesterday at noon?
Did he meet the standard of good performance today?
Xie Ling blinked. He didn't expect such a pleasant surprise. However, "Your Majesty, does this crane cloak from this morning count?"
This should also be considered a reward, right?
He held the crane cloak tightly, thinking that he liked it very much. If the reward was something else, could it be exchanged for this?
Xiao Huan didn't expect Xie Ling to be so obsessed with this, and was amused by this guy's useless look.
"Don't worry, I will never let you suffer any loss."
"As for this crane cloak..." He deliberately paused and said nothing.
Xie Ling looked at him eagerly, and Xiao Huan just said, "Let's talk about it when we get back to the palace."
Xie Ling: …
Let’s talk about it when we get back to the palace.
So does this crane cloak have to be returned?
never mind!
He wanted to see what he could exchange this crane cloak for.
Xie Ling was hesitant to speak all the way back, wondering what the emperor would give him? How could something so mysterious be better than his crane cloak?
Holding the two sides of the feather cloak with both hands, Xie Ling expressed his dissatisfaction.
This crane cloak is already top-notch, isn't there anything else that can replace it?
Xie Ling's eyes were conveying something along the way.
Xiao Huan raised his eyes when he was being looked at, and in an instant he saw the face of the person opposite him change quickly.
"What's wrong, Your Majesty?"
"Tea?"
He paused slightly, with a half-smile.
"Pour me a cup of tea."
Xie Ling reached out to help His Majesty the Emperor pour a cup, and then heard His Majesty say: "Look, my reward will be cancelled."
What? Your Majesty discovered?
Xie Ling immediately withdrew his gaze and sat down obediently.
It would have been fine if the crane cloak could not replace the reward, but to cancel it would be even more of a loss. He blinked obediently and pointed to shut up, and Xiao Huan's brows relaxed a little.
The moment he was looked at just now, he almost couldn't help but reveal the reward. When did I become so unstable?
This guy is really my nemesis.
After waiting for a long time, they finally returned to the palace. Xie Ling was almost impatient to follow His Majesty back to Qianyuan Hall, and didn't even care about having dinner.
Xiao Huan still remembered that this guy had eaten a meal in the morning.
"Go prepare some light porridge and snacks, and use them as you please."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Wang Bao withdrew as ordered.
Xiao Huan looked at Xie Ling and said, "Let's eat first."
"Okay, Your Majesty." Anyway, we have been waiting for so long, so it doesn't matter if we wait a little longer. Xie Ling thought so, and when Eunuch Wang brought the meal up, he reluctantly put aside his curiosity and ate dinner first.
However, what Xie Ling did not expect was that after the meal, he was actually taken into the study by His Majesty.
Um?
The reward is in the study? He just looked around curiously, and saw that His Majesty paused, and actually did not turn his back on him, and reached out to open the secret compartment.
As the shelves on the bookshelf separated, a small space appeared in front.
Emperor Wu reached out and took out a small box and handed it to Xie Ling.
"Open it and take a look."
What is it?
"Tongzi, could it be chalcedony?"
The box was not big, nor was it particularly heavy, which made Xie Ling a little confused.
The system also shook its head and waited eagerly.
Everyone was confused, but when it was opened, they suddenly opened their eyes slowly.
Xie Ling had never expected that such a thing existed, and that His Majesty had given it to him. He was completely dumbfounded.
This, this, this, he didn’t make such a big contribution.
"Your Majesty, is this the wrong thing to do?"
His hands were shaking as he held the box. It wasn't that he had never seen anything like it, it was just that the contents were too amazing. If the news got out, people outside would go crazy trying to get it.
Xiao Huan glanced at him.
"Don't want it?"
Why not? I want it so badly!
But this is too expensive. Xie Ling put the box on the table.
"Your Majesty, please take it back. I am truly unworthy of it."
Xiao Huan didn't expect him to be so afraid. Both publicly and privately, in his heart, Xie Ling could afford this thing.
In terms of official business, if it weren't for Xie Ling, I don't know how long I would have lived, and those things that affected the stability of Dagan would have happened just as recorded in history books.
But now, Xie Ling avoided them one by one.
As for private matters, Xiao Huan had his own selfish desire - he wanted to give this to Xie Ling.
After all, this guy always cares about his identity. If he gets this thing, he can save his life, so he should be relieved. He looked at the opposite side: "Why dare not accept what I give you?"
He paused and thought of a reason that Xie Ling could accept.
"Just consider it an advance gift."
"If you are uneasy, then repay me by serving the court."
Seeing that His Majesty had made up his mind, Xie Ling struggled for a long time, but couldn't help but tempt him. He picked up the "Golden Medal of Immunity from Death", gritted his teeth and said solemnly:
"Thank you very much, Your Majesty."
"I will definitely die to repay the emperor's kindness."
To be honest, Xie Ling had never expected that something so important would happen today. He felt mixed emotions at the moment. His Majesty was simply beyond his expectations of him.
He paused, took a deep breath, and reassured the system in his mind.
"Tongzi, I have decided. From today on, whether His Majesty likes me or not, I have decided to have a crush on His Majesty!"
"Your Majesty is more than just a superficial astringent with broad shoulders, narrow waist and long legs."
"I'm going to get serious."
system:……
Xiao Huan had just given away the golden medal of immunity from death.
I thought that Xie Ling, who had always been very sensitive about his identity, would be very moved, and might even admire me even more. At this moment, I turned my head and unexpectedly saw the golden light on Xie Ling's head.
Xiao Huan narrowed his eyes, and his expression changed slightly when he saw the "superficiality of broad shoulders, narrow waist and long legs".
I didn’t expect the next sentence to be “I’m going to get serious.”
Wait, if he starts to be serious now, then what happened before?
Isn't this guy - truly in love with me to the point of being unable to extricate himself?
Xiao Huan's face suddenly turned dark, and he subconsciously looked at Xie Ling, and saw the golden medal of immunity from death in the other's hand.
Xiao Huan: ...
Damn, it’s too early!
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