As night fell, the Kunning Palace was brightly lit with candles.
The dramatic court battle has passed, but its aftershocks continue to reverberate within the palace and throughout the previous dynasty.
Lin Wanwan removed her heavy phoenix coronet and wedding robes, changed into a casual palace dress, and sat quietly by the window, holding a book in her hands, but her eyes were somewhat unfocused, clearly not engrossed in reading.
Her words in the imperial palace during the day, seemingly a quick-thinking improvisation, actually took a tremendous toll on her mental energy. Every word, every tone, was the result of her weighing countless pros and cons in an instant.
She saved face, thwarted the Empress Dowager and the Regent's joint suppression, and also helped Xiao Che out of his predicament.
But she knew in her heart that she hadn't really won anything.
The Phoenix Seal was still not in her hands. The reason she was able to fight back in such a desperate situation was not because of a deep understanding of the rules of this era, but because she used logical techniques from modern thinking to exploit an information gap.
This method can be used once, but not frequently.
She was acutely aware that she was like a hunter who possessed the skill to slay a dragon but knew nothing about its scales or breathing patterns. Although she had the weapon of modern thinking, she was almost completely ignorant of the political history, power structure, and factional roots of this era.
This lack of understanding prevented her from truly seeing the whole picture of the game, and even less from truly sharing Xiao Che's burdens.
Today, she is eloquent and persuasive because the Empress Dowager uses "filial piety" to pressure people. But what if, one day, the Regent brings up the laws of the previous dynasty and ancestral classics to challenge her? How will she respond then?
An unprecedented sense of urgency enveloped Lin Wanwan's heart. She had to learn, she had to understand this world as quickly and systematically as possible!
"Your Majesty, His Majesty has arrived!"
Ruolan's announcement interrupted her thoughts.
Lin Wanwan immediately stood up and went out to greet him. She saw that Xiao Che had changed out of his dragon robe and was wearing a black casual outfit. He came with his hands behind his back, a faint smile on his handsome face.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." Lin Wanwan bowed gracefully.
"No need for formalities." Xiao Che waved away the palace servants, walked to her side, and his gaze fell on the scroll she had just been reading. He teased, "What, was it not enough that you debated with the scholars in court today? Now that you're back in the palace, you're burning the midnight oil to study, preparing to debate with the Grand Tutors again next time?"
His tone was relaxed, clearly indicating that he was in a very good mood.
Lin Wanwan didn't take his joke seriously. Instead, she bowed deeply to him again, solemnly.
Xiao Che was taken aback, and the smile on his face faded slightly: "What are you doing?"
Lin Wanwan raised her head, her usual cunning and composure gone, replaced by a genuine sense of fear and self-reproach.
"Your Majesty, I have come to apologize."
"Apologize?" Xiao Che frowned slightly. "What crime have you committed? You did very well today; even I was worried for you."
"That is precisely why I am so terrified!" Lin Wanwan's tone carried a hint of lingering fear. "Today in court, my words seemed clever, but in reality, I merely exploited the Empress Dowager's kindness and used sophistry. In the end, it is because I am incompetent and lack virtue that Your Majesty has been put in such a dilemma, and the Empress Dowager has been put in a difficult position. I... have failed the Empress Dowager's position, and my heart is truly uneasy!"
Her "voluntary admission of wrongdoing" made Xiao Che's eyes show even more appreciation.
He knew she wasn't truly terrified, but rather had seen through the true nature of today's events. Calm and composed, mindful of potential dangers even after victory—his empress was indeed surprisingly wise.
He was about to offer some words of comfort when he saw Lin Wanwan take a deep breath and look at him earnestly in a tone that was both extremely humble and full of aspiration.
"Your Majesty, I know that I am not very talented and knowledgeable. I only have a superficial understanding of the national classics and the affairs of the court. If this continues, I will not only be unable to share Your Majesty's burdens, but I will also repeatedly lose face in front of others and disgrace the royal family."
She paused, as if making a tremendous decision, her voice carrying a hint of expectation and pleading:
"Your Majesty, I humbly request permission to enter the Imperial Library to systematically study history and political classics. Furthermore, I humbly request Your Majesty to appoint a learned tutor to instruct me constantly. I will study diligently and without the slightest negligence, hoping that I can truly become a model for the nation and bring no shame to Your Majesty!"
These words demonstrate such humility and ambition, and such consideration for the dignity of the royal family!
An empress who had just shone brightly in the court and thwarted the Empress Dowager and the Regent was now declaring herself "lacking in talent and virtue" and voluntarily requesting to be "re-educated." No one could find fault with this attitude.
Looking into her eyes, which were filled with sincerity and a thirst for knowledge, Xiao Che was overjoyed.
What does he want?
What he wanted was a legitimate opportunity to spend time with him day and night!
He was long tired of those lame excuses like "inspecting homework" and "checking on meals." What he wanted to discuss with her was no longer just calligraphy and snacks. What he wanted to talk about was the court, the empire, and his deepest schemes!
But all of this requires a reason that no one can object to, a classroom that can reasonably "bind" the two of them together.
And now, his clever queen has personally presented him with this excuse that he had been longing for, perfectly and flawlessly!
This isn't an "apology"; it's clearly a trap!
Xiao Che was inwardly laughing his head off, but on the surface he remained calm. He even pretended to ponder, his brows furrowing slightly, as if he were seriously considering the feasibility of her request.
Lin Wanwan chuckled inwardly at his demeanor, but maintained her humble and eager-to-learn attitude, quietly awaiting his answer. She knew the fish was about to bite.
After a long while, Xiao Che slowly spoke, but rejected her request with a serious expression.
"no."
Lin Wanwan feigned surprise with an "Ah," and a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes at the opportune moment.
Xiao Che then announced in an extremely solemn and unquestionable tone:
"The Empress's scholarship concerns the national dignity and symbolizes the royal face; how can it be entrusted to outsiders?"
He walked up to her, leaned down slightly, looked into her eyes, and said, slowly and deliberately, with a firm and resounding tone:
"Therefore, there is no need to mention the matter of requesting the Grand Tutor again."
"Starting tomorrow, I will personally teach you!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he straightened up, put his hands behind his back, and looked serious, as if to say, "I am doing this for the sake of the country, and I have no selfish motives whatsoever."
However, Lin Wanwan saw it clearly.
Above his serious, handsome face, in that familiar emoji area, there was a cute, fluffy little fox, wagging its nine bushy tails triumphantly and wildly!
Below the image, a line of flashing, animated text further reveals its true mood at this moment—
[Little rascal, you've taken the bait.gif]!
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