Sang Yan didn't want to listen.
The reason was still the same—touching upon the Emperor's painful spot meant deeper entanglement.
All she wanted was to keep her distance from the Emperor.
Thus, she tactfully refused, offering a compensatory smile, "Emperor, any of your concubines who receives such an opportunity would be tearfully grateful. As long as you open your heart to them, you will discover many interesting souls, and I am just ordinary."
"What if you are just ordinary?" He Ying's gaze drifted off, his expression somewhat lonely, "With myriad choices like the abundant water of Ruishui River, drinking only a ladle is a choice in itself. I have chosen you, and I will not choose another."
Sang Yan: "…"
Is the Emperor a love-talk-producing machine?
She felt if things continued this way, she really wouldn't be able to bear it anymore.
"I am frightened."
She lowered her head, seemingly obedient but rebellious at heart.
"Accompany me for a walk."
"…Yes."
They left the elegant private room one after the other.
Outside the private room,
The people they brought along tacitly followed suit.
He Ying glanced at them without expression, but his strong aura staggered their steps.
However, protecting their master was an instinct rooted deep in their bones, and they all kept their distance as before.
Unaware of this, Sang Yan put on her veil hat after leaving Qingfeng Inn.
"Where would you like to go, my lord?"
"I am open to anything. The key question is, do you have a preferred destination?"
"…No."
She truly didn't have one.
Traveling with the Emperor was too stressful.
And she was afraid of the possibility of the original host cursing the Emperor— who knows if it would extend to him?
Seeing her response, He Ying said, "Since you don't have a preference, we'll go where I wish to go."
He then revealed a mischievous smile, "You are so clever; surely you know where I want to go, right?"
Sang Yan understood immediately, "Emperor wants to return to the palace?"
He Ying nodded with a smile, a look of approval on his face, "Correct. I'm taking you back to the palace. See, we really are in tune."
Who's in tune with you!
You oppressive tyrant!
Sang Yan silently complained, then said aloud, "What if I don't want to?"
He Ying looked at her, his gaze slightly cold with an intimidating air, "Sang Yan, people always have to do things they don't want to do."
Sang Yan: "…"
Emperor!
Emperor!
"However, if you can make me happy, I might grant you a few more days of freedom."
The Emperor was playing hard to get!
Such cunning!
Filled with spirit, Sang Yan proposed, "Emperor, may I ask you a question?"
He Ying nodded, "You may."
"It might be a bit offensive."
"Go ahead. You are pardoned in advance."
"Thank you, Emperor."
Sang Yan asked with relief, "Emperor, tell me, if you were to knock yourself out with a punch, does it mean you are strong, or does it mean you are weak?"
He Ying: "…"
What kind of question is that?
He really didn't know how to respond at that moment.
Seeing him frowning silently, Sang Yan felt she had scored a victory. Suppressing her laughter, she pretended to be aggrieved, "I am foolish and very curious to know, I hope the Emperor can enlighten me. If you cannot answer now, I won't rush; you can think it over slowly after returning to the palace."
Wasn't he going to give her a few days of freedom?
If he couldn't answer, would he feel embarrassed to face her?
Oh, she was indeed too clever.
He Ying easily saw through her small scheme but was temporarily at a loss on how to handle her.
"I asked you to make me happy, yet here you are, troubling me with such a question."
"Emperor is supremely intelligent; how could such a trivial matter trouble you? I believe the Emperor can surely provide an answer."
Sang Yan nonchalantly flattered him, putting him on a pedestal.
He Ying, seeing her smug look, found it amusingly adorable and thus indulged her.
The two walked and talked along the bustling main street.
During that time, they watched acrobatics and selected jewelry.
While selecting jewelry, He Ying felt they were crudely made and unworthy of being worn by her.
"I have already had the Clothing Bureau create jewelry for you. Once you enter the palace, they will send it over."
"Your honey is my arsenic. I actually find these pieces of jewelry quite appealing and fitting for me."
She was indirectly rejecting him.
He Ying could tell, his brows furrowed slightly, but he said nothing, only sighed, "Well, if you like them, wear them for fun."
His tone was like that of an indulgent father who was helpless against his mischievous daughter.
Sang Yan felt goosebumps all over—it was too creepy. How did the Emperor start sounding like a dad?
"Look at this one?"
He Ying picked a wooden hairpin and showed it to her.
Embedded in the hairpin was a red jade butterfly.
For some reason, Sang Yan thought of Jiang Yue, who wore a red jade butterfly movable hairpin on her head.
Hmph, the Emperor was indeed observant!
"Mediocre. It doesn't really suit my aesthetic."
She randomly selected a couple of pieces of jewelry, paid for them, and then left the stall.
Seeing her leave, He Ying tossed down a gold ingot without waiting for the change, which the stall owner probably couldn't make anyway, and followed her carrying the wooden hairpin.
His strides were long, and he caught up within a few steps, joking, "Not bad. You are becoming less afraid of me now. You even dare to walk ahead of me."
Sang Yan: "..."
Alright.
It was her lack of manners.
This cursed feudal society.
"Emperor, forgive me."
She stopped, bowed her head, and admitted her mistake.
He Ying said nothing, reached out, and inserted the wooden hairpin into her hair.
Sang Yan felt it and suddenly looked up, her gaze startled, "Emperor—"
He Ying gently smiled and slowly said, "If you do not wish to return to the palace, allow this hairpin to accompany you. I hope you will think of me often."
These words carried a touch of humility.
Sang Yan looked at his handsome face, feeling a bitter tang in her heart, and thought herself cruel for wounding his heart.
No!
Sang Yan, stay alert!
Being softhearted towards men was the beginning of misfortune!
"Emperor, your affection..."
I do not deserve such.
May the Emperor soon clear his confusion.
She had a thousand words to say, but they all turned into one phrase: "I am apprehensive."
Hearing this, He Ying laughed with a tinge of helplessness, "If you feel apprehensive, I always feel that it is my fault. Enough. One day, you will no longer feel apprehensive."
After saying this, he walked on.
In the distance, a young woman was eating a skewer of candied haws as she walked toward them.
He saw her, also bought a skewer of candied haws, and handed it to her.
This time, Sang Yan did not refuse, she carefully avoided his hand, took it, and said a soft "Thank you."
Just two words.
But after she thanked him, she genuinely ate the candied haws.
It was just such a simple act, but the impact on He Ying was immense.
Happy.
Endless happiness.
Why was he so joyful just because she ate the candied haws he bought?
As if all his efforts had been rewarded.
He suddenly realized—he asked for little from Sang Yan, just her joyful acceptance of what he offered was enough to make him happy.
"Is it tasty?"
"…Quite tasty."
Sweet and sour, clean and uncontaminated.
Truly a staple of drama series.
"I heard that a restaurant nearby also serves delicious food. Come with me."
"Yes."
Sang Yan was very conscious of her role as a companion.
The two then went to the restaurant.
The food at the restaurant was indeed excellent.
After lunch and a conversation, they parted ways.
He Ying sent a Hidden Guard to escort Sang Yan back to her manor, then returned to the Imperial Palace.
Upon entering the Imperial Palace, he ordered Pei Muyang, "Summon Feng Yicheng to the palace."