Since confessing everything to Xiao Che and holding that unique "Royal Secret Handover Ceremony" in Kunning Palace, Lin Wanwan felt much more relaxed.
It was an unprecedented sense of security, like shedding a heavy disguise and getting rid of an invisible crutch.
Even now, she still sits behind the screen in the imperial study as usual when Xiao Che is handling state affairs.
However, their state of mind is now completely different.
She was no longer "spying" on emojis to adjust her "survival strategy" at any time. Instead, she truly acted as the empress, listening to state affairs, pointing out his shortcomings, and sharing the hardships and loneliness unique to emperors.
Today, the people discussing matters in the Imperial Study are several generals who have just returned from reporting on their duties at the border.
They were all outstanding generals from humble backgrounds, personally promoted by Xiao Che after his incognito visit in Volume 6. They still carried the hardships and fierce aura of the frontier, and their speech and behavior were far more direct and rough than those of officials in the capital.
Lin Wanwan took a sip of tea, listening to their report on the changes at the border in recent years, from the promotion of military settlements to trade with neighboring tribes. A smile of satisfaction crept onto her lips. These were all traces of her and Xiao Che's joint efforts.
At first, the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
However, when the topic inevitably touched upon the most sensitive and core issue, the air in the entire Imperial Study seemed to freeze instantly.
—Reform of military pay.
A general with a thick beard, dark skin, and eyes like copper bells suddenly stepped forward and said in a booming voice, "Your Majesty! I have something to report!"
"In my opinion, the current distribution of military pay is riddled with problems! With layers of deductions, less than one-tenth of what is actually paid to the soldiers guarding the border! The soldiers can't even get enough to eat, so how can they be expected to be loyal to the country and defend their homeland?!"
His words were incredibly fierce; every word was like a raging fire bursting forth from his chest, carrying a reckless and valiant spirit.
"What's worse, the pensions for wounded veterans are being treated as private property by corrupt officials! I have personally witnessed at the border that some veterans, after being discharged from the army and returning to their hometowns, have been reduced to begging on the streets! Your Majesty! If this trend is not resolutely curbed, the country will cease to exist!"
As the general finished speaking, tears welled in his eyes, and he suddenly knelt down on one knee with a "plop," his voice filled with grief, indignation, and earnestness.
Inside the imperial study, the silence was so profound you could hear a pin drop.
All eyes instinctively turned to the dragon throne.
Lin Wanwan's heart jumped into her throat.
It's here!
This is the feeling! This is the scene that almost triggered a stress response in her!
In the imperial court, the ministers spoke vehemently, while the emperor sat high above, silent.
Is this silence the calm before the storm? Or... a scrutinizing gaze concealing a thunderous rage?
A chilling sensation, uncontrollably, slowly crept up Lin Wanwan's spine.
This is the origin of her "Cold War ptSd".
It was precisely because they couldn't see through or guess Xiao Che's true thoughts in this "poker face" state that the fierce cold war almost pushed the two of them to the brink of a complete break.
At that moment, muscle memory seemed to overcome reason.
Lin Wanwan's gaze unconsciously drifted towards the top of Xiao Che's head.
She desperately, almost yearned, to know whether there floated a cold, furious expression or one that was the complete opposite—an expression of approval.
However, the place was empty.
As always, it was completely empty.
A familiar, almost overwhelming sense of anxiety washed over her like a tidal wave.
She still couldn't see through him!
If she guesses wrong on such a crucial military and political issue, the consequences will be unimaginable!
Just as Lin Wanwan's palms began to sweat and her breathing became somewhat rapid, she suddenly bit her tongue.
The pain instantly brought her to her senses.
In her heart, she whispered to herself: Lin Wanwan, wake up!
You don't need that thing anymore!
You promised him, and you promised yourself, that you would try a new approach!
She took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the ingrained anxiety from the past. She stopped futilely trying to "see" that empty void, and instead focused all her attention on "observation."
She began, like a meticulous hunter, silently observing her "prey".
Xiao Che, seated on the dragon throne, had a somber expression, his thin lips pressed tightly together, revealing no emotion whatsoever. His phoenix eyes were unfathomable, making it impossible to fathom the turmoil within him.
Judging from their expressions, they gained nothing.
Lin Wanwan's gaze slowly moved downwards.
She observed his posture; it was still the standard imperial sitting posture, his back straight, dignified and composed.
It's impossible to tell anything from it.
Her heart began to sink again. Was their new model destined to fail the very first real test?
Just then, her gaze fell on the rosewood armrests of the dragon throne, which were carved with intricate dragon patterns.
Xiao Che's hand was resting there.
Its joints are clearly defined, and it is long and strong.
Suddenly, Lin Wanwan's pupils contracted slightly.
She saw that Xiao Che's right hand, which was resting on the armrest and seemed relaxed, twitched very slightly with its index finger.
It wasn't an unconscious tremor, nor was it an impatient tapping.
Rather, it was a kind of... highly rhythmic, extremely restrained tapping.
one time.
Two times.
Three times.
After three strikes, silence fell.
The whole process was so fast it was like an illusion; if Lin Wanwan hadn't been completely focused, she would have hardly noticed it.
But those three barely perceptible taps were like a thunderclap, exploding in Lin Wanwan's mind!
In that instant, she understood everything!
The heavy weight on his heart vanished in an instant, replaced by an indescribable warmth and tacit understanding, as if connected to his very soul.
This is their "new code"!
It was after that heated argument, when she pressed him with the question, "What if I can't see this again if we encounter this situation again in the future?" that Xiao Che hesitated for a long time before finally deciding on the "human code"!
Three light taps signify—
"I agree. However, the timing is not right, and I need you to smooth things over."
I see!
He wasn't angry at the general's harsh words, but rather he agreed with his unwavering loyalty!
His silence was not due to displeasure, but rather because he was weighing his options, thinking, and considering the consequences.
Military pay reform is a complex undertaking with far-reaching consequences. The vested interests involved are deeply entrenched and cannot be easily shaken by mere enthusiasm. Expressing support on the spot would only push this loyal general to the opposite side of everyone, making him a target of public criticism!
Having figured all this out, Lin Wanwan's heart finally settled down.
Looking at Xiao Che's still cold and aloof "poker face," she felt an urge to laugh.
This man, he's still so deep in thought, still so bad at expressing himself.
However, it's okay.
Now she understands.
Now that she had received the "instructions," it was time for her, the "wise wife," to take the stage.
Lin Wanwan calmly picked up the teacup beside her.
The palace maid behind the screen was so nervous that her palms were sweating, completely unaware of the Empress's actions.
Lin Wanwan's fingertips tilted slightly.
"Crack—!"
A crisp sound of porcelain shattering suddenly rang out in the deathly silent imperial study!
The sound was so abrupt, like a needle piercing a taut balloon.
Everyone was startled, including the bearded general who was still kneeling on the ground, and they all instinctively turned around to look.
"oops!"
Behind the screen came the Empress's exclamation, tinged with annoyance, and the palace maid's fearful apology.
"Empress!"
Xiao Che, sitting on the dragon throne, was immediately and "perfectly" jolted awake from his reverie. He abruptly stood up, his icy expression instantly replaced by a layer of "concern," and strode towards the screen, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of...relief.
"Is everything alright?"
He walked around the screen, looking at Lin Wanwan being helped up by a palace maid, and the broken porcelain shards scattered on the ground, his brows furrowed.
Lin Wanwan smiled apologetically at him, but a sly glint flashed in her clear eyes.
Xiao Che understood instantly.
He turned around and faced the generals again. Although his expression remained serious, his tone had softened.
"Today's topic is of paramount importance, and I already have a clear understanding of it," he said slowly. "However, this matter is of great significance. Even the Empress was so unsettled by your earnest concerns while listening that she made a mistake."
"It seems that it is indeed not appropriate to discuss this further today."
He waved his hand and made his decision in an unquestionable tone.
"Let's put this aside for now. I will discuss this matter with the Cabinet at another time. Generals, you must be tired from your journey. Go and rest now."
A tense meeting was thus brought to a swift and abrupt end by an "accidentally" overturned teacup.
Although the generals were somewhat taken aback, they could only bow and take their leave once the emperor had spoken.
...
That evening, at Kunning Palace.
When Xiao Che finished dealing with the remaining government affairs and returned to his bedchamber, Lin Wanwan was leaning against the soft couch, leisurely flipping through a storybook.
"Today, I owe it all to the Empress." Xiao Che sat down beside her, his imperial majesty from the daytime gone, his voice filled with a heartfelt sigh, "Your tea cup was spilled... at just the right time."
If it had been any later, he probably would have lost his temper and exploded on the spot.
Lin Wanwan put down her storybook, looked at him with a smile, and her eyes sparkled.
“Of course,” she said softly, deliberately drawing out her words with a hint of smugness.
"After all, I am now quite proficient in using Your Majesty's 'artificial voice pack'."
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