Chapter 44 - 044: Physiognomy

Sang Yan was speaking with Feng Ji.

She had learned from the guards around her that he was an Imperial Censor and, seeing him kneeling under the sun at such an old age with a readiness to die for his country, her heart went out to him.

“Please get up.”

“It’s such a hot day, if you pass out from the heat, your body won’t be able to take it.”

“You keep saying you’re loyal to the Emperor and love your country, but if something happens, it’s the Emperor who will be blamed. Do you want people to call him a foolish or tyrannical ruler?”

After advising him for a few moments, she had someone prepare mung bean soup.

As the ministers were leaving the court, they saw her offering the mung bean soup to Feng Ji.

“Putting on airs!”

“Such pretense!”

They came over and forcibly helped Feng Ji to his feet.

Feng Ji was still shouting, “Emperor, the heir is most important!”

Sang Yan felt they were filled with malice towards her and did not persist with her unwelcomed efforts, but instead, she set down the soup and moved aside.

They were supporting Feng Ji to leave—

But Feng Ji pushed them away, walked straight up to Sang Yan, and bowed, “Miss Sang, as the female officer before the Emperor, you should know the matter of the heir is of vital importance to the foundation of the He Country, we must not delay. I hope you will advise the Emperor.”

He was not like those ministers who wanted their own daughters to conceive the heir.

He simply wished that the Dahe Royal Family would soon have an heir, a Crown Prince, so that the Royal Family would flourish.

To him, it didn’t matter whose womb the heir came from.

Sang Yan was baffled by his reasoning—what did it have to do with her? Was this moral coercion?

However, his demeanor was respectful, which she found respectable.

She had no ill feelings towards these ministers who served their country and even admired them a bit, so she said, “Mr. Feng, you exaggerate. I will do my best to advise the Emperor.”

Life expectancy was short in ancient times.

An Emperor at twenty-six without a child indeed posed a problem.

He had suffered from the political difficulties due to the Crown Prince being too young during the late Emperor’s reign; it was a cautionary tale.

“The lady understands reason. This old man thanks you.”

“…”

She was only advising; success was not assured.

Ah, it felt like she had taken on a burden.

She only came here to find out what Wan Zhang had seen in her face reading.

“Master—”

Pei Muyang came with a smile, “The Emperor invites you inside.”

Sang Yan bid Feng Ji farewell and followed Pei Muyang into the Taihe Hall.

The hall was silent.

He Ying sat on the throne, his gaze descending upon her as he gestured for her to come over.

“Come and sit.”

“…Emperor?”

Sang Yan knew the Emperor was unorthodox in his actions, but she hadn’t expected this.

Letting her sit on the Dragon Throne?@@novelbin@@

What was he thinking?

Was he not concerned that those outside had not criticized her enough?

It was madness!

She wouldn’t join him in his folly, and directly asked what was on her mind, “Emperor, I want to know what the matter with the Observatory is? Why did you issue such an order? Did Director Wan say something?”

He Ying, anticipating she was here for this reason, did not immediately clarify her doubts but instead said, “First, come over here.”

Sang Yan did not move, but bowed from a distance, “Emperor, forgive my bluntness, but you are increasingly acting like a foolish ruler.”

“You dare to speak to Us in such a way; you certainly have grown bold.”

He Ying was not angry, but defended himself with a smile, “But Ah Yan, if I were a foolish ruler, you would have been my concubine long ago.”

Sang Yan was speechless.

After a moment of silence, she said, “These are two separate matters, and should not be confused. Emperor, as the ruler, you must govern diligently. As someone in high position, every action affects the people, and you must constantly reflect on yourself.”

Why did she feel like she was worrying excessively for him?

Was this the legendary scenario where the eunuch frets more than the Emperor?

What happened to keeping things simple?

Ah.

Such is the life of toil.

“He Ying came down and approached Sang Yan, his gaze tender yet forceful. “I like you and want to share everything with you, does that not make me a good Emperor?”

Sang Yan: “…”

She was at a loss for words again.

Temporarily speechless.

And her heart was beating faster.

The Emperor’s gaze was intensely focused on her, making her breathing erratic and her body momentarily stiff.

However, although her body was stiff, her mind was spinning: “Emperor, are you… changing the subject?”

He Ying: “…”

Now it was his turn to be at a loss for words.

He gave a bitter smile. “Ah Yan is indeed hard to deceive.”

Sang Yan thought to herself: No, I almost really fell for it! You, with your scheming ways, one must always be on guard when speaking to you.

“Please speak, Emperor.”

She took a step back, her expression solemn. “Why did you treat the Observatory that way? What did Director Wan tell you?”

Please don’t let it be because of my face.

She really didn’t want to be a femme fatale.

There’s no good end to that.

“You worry too much.”

He Ying slightly smiled. “Wan Zhang didn’t even read your face. It’s truly useless.”

Sang Yan: “…”

Why does it feel like a lie?

If it’s so simple, would the blame fall on the entire Observatory?

“Emperor, do you think I’m a three-year-old child?”

She felt her intelligence insulted.

He Ying heard her and smiled. “If you were a three-year-old child, that would be easier.”

“How would that be easier?”

“I wouldn’t fall for you, but I would treat you like a daughter.”

Great, there’s that paternal vibe again!

“Emperor, you’re changing the subject again!”

Sang Yan was almost stomping her foot. “Can’t you act a bit more like an Emperor?”

She felt the Emperor’s character was collapsing too quickly.

But even an Emperor is human.

In front of the woman he likes, he too, like any other man, would drop any pretense to make her happy.

“Alright. It’s my fault.”

He Ying looked at her tenderly, his smile indulgent. “Then tell me, what do you think an Emperor should be like?”

He asked this, actually querying what her ideal man would be like.

Sang Yan, caught off guard, responded: “An Emperor should self-reflect, be stringent with himself, care for the world, and be magnanimous and benevolent.”

“Anything else?”

“Let me think—”

Poor Sang Yan was distracted again.

Meanwhile,

On the mountain path leading to the Imperial Mausoleum,

Two groups of guards were escorting a group of officials from the Observatory.

“Alas, alas, I said that would bring trouble, and I was right.”

“Entering the Emperor’s Mausoleum, our future prospects are completely ruined.”

“Wan Zhang! Wan Zhongshan! You have caused great harm to others!”

…

The officials were all full of complaints about Wan Zhang.

Except for Chu Jun.

Seeing Wan Zhang, sweaty, disheveled, and his lips chapped and in a sorry state, he couldn’t help but feel pity and handed him a water pouch, whispering, “Director Wan, have some water?”

Wan Zhang didn’t play coy, took the water, and drank it all in one go.

Chu Jun: “…”

He was pained by his water but didn’t say anything. Instead, he lowered his voice and asked, “Director Wan, what exactly did you tell the Emperor? About Miss Sang’s face—”

Before he could finish, Wan Zhang smashed the water pouch on his face, then blew away a stray hair from his mouth and started humming a poem with a smile: “Do not laugh at my madness, for such madness is unparalleled. Not of this world, rare is the soul that leaves its fragrance.”

Chu Jun: ?