Sang Yan still remembered the matter of putting on new clothes for the Emperor to see.
Due to her internal resistance, she dragged her feet until dusk before she went to Qingxin Hall.
In the hall
the sound of silk and bamboo was pleasing to the ear.
The Emperor was looking at petitions.
"Paying respects to the Emperor—"
Sang Yan knelt down and knocked her head on the floor, uttering flattering words, "May the Emperor live a peaceful life."
There was no response.
The Emperor appeared as if he hadn't heard her, leisurely reviewing the petition with a relaxed posture.
The sound of silk and bamboo instruments suddenly stopped.
The palace attendants left under Pei Muyang's orders.
The hall became eerily quiet.
Sang Yan felt that the Emperor was doing it on purpose, so she quietly knelt down and said no more.
Mainly because she didn't know what to say.
The Emperor's thoughts were deep and unfathomable, and given her absolute position of disadvantage, she could only go with the flow and act according to the circumstances.
She believed he wouldn't make her wait too long.
Indeed, just as she thought,
He Ying soon spoke with a weird tone, "I thought you had forgotten due to being overwhelmed with favors. We were about to send someone to invite you."
As he spoke, he did not lift his eyes to look at her.
Sang Yan caught a glimpse of his actions, listened to his sarcastic tone, and couldn't help but feel nervous, forcing a smile, "The Emperor misunderstands. I was thinking that the Emperor is busy with state affairs and did not dare to rashly come over and disturb you."
How could He Ying not hear that these were words meant to placate him?
He lifted his eyelids slightly, glanced at her with a feigned smile, "You are quite considerate. Should I reward you for it? But what would be a suitable reward, I wonder?"
His index finger tapped his forehead, pretending to be deep in thought.
Sang Yan sensed that this was not going to be anything good and hastily said, "No merit deserves no reward; I haven't done anything, how dare I accept any reward?"
"Then do something,"
He Ying seemed to have been waiting for those exact words and laughed, "Come here. Grind some ink for me."
Sang Yan: "..."
A misstep.
The Emperor's mind was too quick, she was no match for him.
She could only resign herself to grinding ink.
Right next to his right hand.
A little too close.
Fortunately, the desk was long, so she took the materials and went to the other end of the table to grind the ink for him.
"What are you doing?"
He Ying frowned, confused by her actions.
Sang Yan explained, "Three steps away. Have you forgotten, Your Majesty?"
He Ying remembered his own secret ailment, indeed having to keep a distance of three steps from her, and was at a loss for words for a moment.
After a while, he smirked sarcastically, "You do have a good memory."
He had forgotten that he needed to maintain a distance from women.
This woman remembered so clearly, how much did she not want to be close to him?
Sang Yan heard the displeasure in his voice and hastily tried to please, smiling, "How dare I be negligent in matters concerning the Emperor?"
She was too cautious in front of him.
In fact, everyone acted this way when they saw him.
But He Ying found that he didn't like that she acted the same, so he said, "It doesn't matter. Even if you are negligent, I will not punish you."
Since the first time he saw her, he had made many exceptions for her.
If Sang Yan were really a woman from ancient times, she likely would have taken the opportunity to climb up the social ladder by now.
Unfortunately, she came from modern society and was deeply "poisoned" by palace drama TV shows, avoiding the Emperor and the Imperial Palace like the plague.
"The Emperor is merciful. I am terrified."
Her attitude remained utterly respectful.
Seeing this, He Ying knew that raising her courage would take time and could not be rushed, so he changed the subject, "Take a look at this petition."
He pushed the petition in front of her.
Without waiting for her refusal, he added, "I absolve you of any wrongdoing. You cannot refuse."
Sang Yan: "..."
She had no choice but to read it.
The content was Imperial Censor Feng Yi accusing the Jizhou Governor Xie Sui of abusing torture, acting unjustly as a parental official, and calling for his immediate dismissal and investigation.
[...Xie Sui is cruel and tyrannical by nature, addicted to killing, and half a month ago, mentioning that the execution scene was not grand enough, he consequently had all the prisoners in custody in various counties under his jurisdiction executed, resulting in a blood flow that did not stop for ten miles...]
Sang Yan looked at the text and couldn't bring herself to imagine that scene.
Too gory and brutal.
"What is your opinion?"
He Ying looked at her, his gaze had softened somewhat, and encouraged her a bit, "I absolve you of any wrongdoing."
Hearing him say that, Sang Yan was still very cautious, "Your Majesty, my insights are shallow and I truly have no opinion."
Even if she had some opinions, she didn't want to say them out loud.
In ancient times, women discussing politics was a very serious matter.
Especially since she didn't want to stand out and attract the Emperor's attention.
He Ying, unaware of the situation, was also dissatisfied with her response and asked with a frown, "Nothing at all? He was recommended for his position by your father."
Sang Yan: "..."
What's the meaning of this?
Is he implying that she could speak on his behalf?
But such an official really deserved to be punished!
The bloodshed extended for miles—how many prisoners had been killed?
And among them, how many truly deserved death?
In this world where people were treated as nothing, coupled with harsh penal laws, life was truly unbearable!
"The Emperor is wise and sagacious—I believe Your Majesty already has a judgment in mind."
Sang Yan said this, clearly aware that the official words were meaningless.
But she had no choice.
In her view, she wasn't the ambitious protagonist of a time-traveling novel; all she could do was to keep to herself and quietly be a passerby in this world.
"And what judgment do you think I have come to?"
He Ying looked at her with a smile that contained a hint of purpose.
He knew she was playing dumb, but he wouldn't allow it.
Sang Yan, unaware of his thoughts, lowered her eyes and spoke with a hint of helplessness, "I dare not speculate on the divine will."
"I've said it before, you are forgiven of any wrongdoing."
He found himself repeating this often, his patience waning and tone intensifying: "Sang Yan, you cannot shirk this."
Sang Yan: "..."
She realized that unless she said something, the dog Emperor would never let it end.
Fine then.
Speak, if he insists.
Whatever happens, happens.
"The Emperor is a wise ruler and must surely understand the principle of 'combining grace with severity.' While the state official's slaughter of prisoners might have the power to deter others as a warning, when it comes to the people, they still need to be taught and guided."
She voiced her opinion, also hinting at the "judgment" of the Emperor—that he should be dissatisfied with the state official.
"Not bad," said He Ying.
He wasn't asking for much from Sang Yan; he was satisfied as long as she dared to speak up.
As for her response, it was as he had expected—reasonable and showing that she had potential.
He was happy to have unearthed a gem and encouraged her, "Then how should the punishment be administered?"
Sang Yan knew it was necessary to speak carefully since her words could affect a person's life and future.
After a moment of consideration, she cautiously asked, "May I inquire why Your Majesty sent this man to govern Jizhou? Or rather, what is the security situation like in Jizhou?"
There's a reason for every effect.
She needed more information.
Otherwise, without knowing the full picture, she withheld her judgment.
He Ying hadn't expected her to be so thorough and was pleasantly surprised, revealing overt admiration, "Well asked. You are more responsible than those ministers."
After praising her, he also clarified the details, "Jizhou borders Beiqi Country. There, interactions between the two countries are frequent, cultures are muddled, customs are not ancient, and bandits roam freely. There are often spies from the enemy country stealing domestic intel. The last two governors both died under mysterious circumstances. Xie Sui came from a poor background, loathed evil as if it were an enemy, and had an iron hand—a bit like me in my earlier days. That's why I appointed him to Jizhou."
So that's how it was.
Sang Yan's attitude shifted, "It seems, according to Your Majesty, Mr. Xie has served with merit in his governance."
He Ying shook his head, "Although he has merit in governance, in a land of barbarians, education is also essential. To rule by brutality might be effective instantly, but it is not a sustainable strategy."
Sang Yan offered a timely compliment, "Your Majesty is wise."
He Ying was writing the handling measures on the petition when he heard her. He looked up at her and said with a smile, "You are also clever. From now on, there's no need to hide anything in front of me."
Sang Yan: "..."
It felt like everything was seen through by the dog Emperor.
She numbly said, "Your servant is terrified."
He Ying laughed lightly, "Why are you terrified? Speak up, so I can provide a remedy."
Sang Yan feared this feudal autocratic era and his identity as the ruler of a country.
But such things could not be plainly stated.
All she could do was lower her eyes, "Your Majesty asks knowing the answer."
He Ying's gaze became sharp as he looked at her, "If I'm knowingly asking, then you are knowingly committing the offense."
Sang Yan: "..."
She was always left speechless by the dog Emperor.
"Your servant is terrified."
"That's becoming your catchphrase."
He Ying mocked, then abruptly changed the subject, "Since you've put on new clothes, why do you still dress so plainly?"
Sang Yan was clad in a simple pinkish-white palace gown, her long hair reaching her waist, tied only with a white silk ribbon, wearing not a single piece of jewelry, her makeup also understated. Thankfully, her natural beauty added a cool, ethereal charm.
He Ying was initially captivated by this cold beauty, but now he felt a sense of untouchable distance which he did not like.
Thus, not waiting for Sang Yan to say anything, he had a sudden realization and answered his own question, "Oh, it's my oversight for forgetting to have a few headpieces made for you."
Sang Yan felt undeserving of such imperial favor and tactfully declined, "Your servant prefers simplicity."
He Ying frowned upon hearing this, his tone suddenly turning cold, "And what if I don't like it?"