Chapter 46 - 046 Admit

He Ying left.

He dropped the sentence: “Reflect on yourself here for now.”

As Sang Yan listened to his words, she inexplicably thought of the last misunderstanding.

At that time, he had also told her to reflect.

Then rumors had spread of her falling out of favor, and she was even tricked by Sang Ruoshui, suffering a bit as a result.

This time, he was telling her to reflect again.

Sang Yan truly did reflect and felt that she was caught in a strange loop with him, where the tighter he pursued, the more dangerous and uneasy she felt.

The Emperor’s love was intense and passionate.

But such love often did not last long, like fireworks, fleeting as if a dream.

So, what was her fault?

She didn’t long for riches or power, and from start to finish, she simply wanted to live out her days in peace.

Their values were different, why should he disturb her tranquility?

After reflecting, Sang Yan still felt she was not in the wrong and decided not to reflect anymore, instead just lying back idly.

Ah, love indeed causes vexation.

No wonder it’s said online that being in a relationship comes with numerous small and large problems, and being single only presents the occasional wish to be in a relationship.

Indeed, the truth!

*

Imperial Study

None of the officials from the Ministry of Industry had any objections to the construction of Liufang Temple, and they were even quite eager.

Ah, the Emperor was finally going to build a palace, and they at the Ministry could show their prowess.

Meng Zhiang, the Minister from the Ministry of Industry, was so excited he almost cried: “Your servant will submit the blueprints and oversee the construction promptly, not failing Your Majesty’s grace—”

The Ministry of Industry ranked lowest among the six ministries, always busy with work and never getting much in return.

Now, with the construction of Liufang Temple, being the first palace built since the Emperor’s accession, it was surely a distinguished project, providing them with an opportunity to show their worth!

Of course, besides gaining favor from the Emperor, there was profit to be made.

Truly a great opportunity for both fame and fortune.

Minister of Revenue, Qu Zhi, however, could not bring himself to smile.

He was in charge of the national treasury and was notoriously stingy, not wanting to spend.

“Why has the Emperor suddenly decided to build Liufang Temple?”

He cautiously advised, “The locust plague in Wuzhou has not yet been resolved, and the Ministry of Revenue’s finances are indeed tight; I hope Your Majesty could empathize.”

“Mister Qu’s words are inappropriate,”

Meng Zhiang objected: “Not to mention the Emperor has been in power for over a decade without having built any such memorial structures, and now we can’t come up with the funds for just a Liufang Temple? If word gets out, wouldn’t it make Du a laughingstock?”@@novelbin@@

Cao Chenghan, Deputy Minister from the Ministry of Industry, also said: “Nanquan Temple was famously an auspicious place for the imperial family, and it’s a pity it fell into disrepair. Now that the Emperor is rebuilding it into Liufang Temple, which has implications for the imperial dignity and even the heir, Mister Qu should be careful with his words.”

“Mister Cao, your words are a bit harsh. The Emperor has few concubines and currently no heir, and given the Emperor’s celibacy and the frequent expulsion of palace maids from the palace, there are many vacant palaces already. It really isn’t necessary to waste funds on building more—”

“You mean if the Emperor doesn’t live in those palaces, they should not be constructed?”

“It’s the locust plague in Wuzhou. Building palaces at this time could tarnish the Emperor’s reputation.”

The Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Industry began arguing.

He Ying did not intervene.

He sat on the Dragon Couch, holding his forehead, lost in their shouts.

He thought of Sang Yan.

Last time he asked her to reflect, she ended up falling ill.

Now asking her to reflect again, given her sentimental nature, he worried something might happen again.

With this thought, he lost any interest in discussing palace construction and said: “Enough. Give me some time to think.”

The officials from the Ministry of Industry were stupefied.

The officials from the Ministry of Revenue smiled: “The Emperor is wise.”

*

The wise He Ying returned to Qingning Palace.

After much thought, he summoned Sang Yan.

When Sang Yan entered, she saw He Ying applying the Jade Frost Ointment. His outer robe had been removed, revealing a delicately opened white undershirt, his exquisite collarbones, and well-developed chest muscles.

She glanced at him once, then turned her gaze away, muttering in her heart, “What is the Emperor up to now? A plot of seduction? Well, he does have a great body – slim in clothes, robust without. That long black hair falling down, epitome of classical male beauty.”

“Greetings, Your Majesty—”

She bowed slightly, quickly performing the ritual.

He Ying sat on the Dragon Bed, watching her expressionlessly and asked, “Do you know why I summoned you?”

Sang Yan didn’t know and shook her head.

But she could tell the Emperor seemed to have been provoked by something; he was acting strange, almost frightening.

Her premonitions were always eerily accurate.

The next moment she heard—

“I wish to take you into my favor.”

“What?”

Sang Yan’s eyes widened in shock.

Her steps involuntarily retreated.

Yet He Ying suddenly stood up, walking towards her step by step, “Didn’t you say you wanted to have a one-night stand with me? I shall fulfill your wish.”

Sang Yan: “…”

Thankful.

Absolutely unnecessary.

“Your Majesty, please don’t come closer, calm down.”

She kept stepping back, thinking of what to do, “Your Majesty, your health—”

“I’ve already applied the Jade Frost Ointment. Even if I fall ill, I will endure. As long as it’s not fatal, nothing can affect me—”

“If Your Majesty had made this decision sooner, why would you worry about not having an heir?”

She must be insane.

Was she really concerned about his heir at such a time?

Had she taken on the role of a saint?

“Yes, I should have made this decision sooner, perhaps you’d already have my heir by now.”

“…”

Damn.

The Emperor was beyond reason.

Seeing him in the manner of a conquering despot, Sang Yan also feared and inadvertently glimpsed a sword, rushing over, she drew it, pointing it at him, “He Ying, how are you any different from those tyrants and scoundrels by doing this!”

In her distress, she even yelled out the Emperor’s name.

“Do you wish to kill me?”

He Ying was not concerned about the breach of protocol, his thoughts conversing around his own sword, his tone both disdainful and curious, “Come, let me see the courage you’ve grown to under my care.”

Sang Yan: “…”

Why did he sound proud of it?

The Emperor must have a masochistic streak.

“Your Majesty—”

The tip of the sword had already pressed against He Ying’s chest.

His white undershirt was thin.

A spot of bright red was distinctly visible.

He kept walking towards her.

Sang Yan stepping back with the sword, exclaimed, “He Ying! You’ve gone mad!”

“I indeed have gone mad.”

He Ying watched her eyes, his smile carrying sadness and the bitter hatred of unrequited love, “You wouldn’t let me build the Liufang Temple, I listened to you. You asked me to eradicate pests, I obeyed. You asked me to console the victims, I complied. I adhered to your wishes every step, but have you ever listened to me? Sang Yan, what are you exactly? You even took my sincerity—”

“Do you feel aggrieved, Your Majesty? Treated unfairly?”

Sang Yan interrupted him sharply, sneering, “Your Majesty, what are you trying to say with this? Your superiority? My being loved by you is an honor? But do you know? I wish you were just a commoner. Maybe even my servant. If I gave you a bit of love, would you also be filled with fear and gratitude?”

She threw the sword to the ground, continuing, “Now that things are out in the open, it’s better. He Ying, as long as you remain the Emperor, we can never be equal. I can never truly open my heart to you.”