He Ying looked at the woman who had fainted in fright and slightly frowned his thin lips, then he uttered three words with a slight movement, "No backbone!"
If you listened carefully, you would find that his tone was not purely one of disdain, but also carried a hint of pampering affection.
When the faint-hearted Sang Yan woke, she was still in the palace.
However, she wasn't on the ground, but on a soft couch.
She glanced at the spot where the dancer had died, and it had been cleaned up so thoroughly that not a trace of blood could be seen, though a faint bloodstain still hung in the air.
It made one want to vomit.
"Scared silly?"
That familiar male voice carried a mocking undertone.
Sang Yan looked in the direction of the voice and saw the Emperor sitting on a chair not far away, staring unblinkingly at her.
"Your Majesty—"
She called out softly, showing weakness, "I was truly frightened."
It was a living, breathing life after all.
And now it was gone.
Such a waste.
He Ying did not know her thoughts and repeated those three words, "No backbone."
However, this time it was clearly affectionate.
Because right after saying this, he turned to Pei Muyang.
Pei Muyang immediately picked up a bowl of medicine from the table and handed it over, "Miss, it's just the right temperature. Please drink it."
Sang Yan looked at the black and red medicinal juice, frowned, and asked, "What is this?"
"Soothing Soul Soup."
He Ying responded.
"Drink all of it."
His tone was gentle yet commanding.
Sang Yan, feeling intimidated, hurriedly said, "I feel much better now. There's no need to drink it."
"You must drink it."
He Ying frowned, and his voice turned into a firm command.
"Miss, you should drink it."
Pei Muyang smiled appropriately and explained on He Ying's behalf, "The Imperial Physician said that after being frightened, Miss must drink a bowl of Soothing Soul Soup upon waking; otherwise, you're likely to suffer from soul-loss later on."
Sang Yan: "..."
What the hell is soul-loss?
It sounds pretty frightening.
Looking at the master and servant, both stern and gentle, she obediently drank it.
It was both bitter and sweet.
An oddly unpleasant taste.
"Thank you."
She casually expressed her gratitude.
But it seemed more like she was thanking Pei Muyang.
He Ying scolded discontentedly, "Ungrateful thing."
Sang Yan: "..."
She sighed inwardly, got up, got out of bed, walked over, knelt down, and obediently said, "I thank Your Majesty for the Soup."
He Ying was pleased but did not let her rise; instead, he decided to settle scores after the fact, "I had someone make clothes for you, and I hear five outfits have already been delivered. Why haven't you worn them? Don't you like them?"
As he asked, he didn't wait for her to reply, and his tone suddenly turned cold: "If you don't like them, then there's no need for the Clothing Bureau to exist."
Sang Yan: "..."
This tyrant!
He'd just been the target of an assassination—couldn't he be a bit more restrained?
She didn't dare say she didn't like them and so she lied, "I forgot. As soon as I heard Your Majesty's summons, I didn't dare delay and so I came right away."
"Really?"
He could guess somewhat at her thoughts, "It's not that you don't want to wear them?"
Sang Yan: "..."
I'm exhausted.
Talking to this despicable Emperor always has me on edge, it's just so exhausting.
"How could that be?"
She gave a hypocritical smile, "I haven't even seen such beautiful clothes before, I could hardly bear to wear them."
He Ying was pleased by her words and laughed, "Why hesitate? You could wear a new set every day, and I would be more than able to supply them."
Saying this, he looked at Pei Muyang and gave a command, "Go, bring them all here. I want to see if the Clothing Bureau has been neglecting their duties."
Sang Yan: "..."
Is this really about inspecting the Clothing Bureau for negligence?
It's clear he just wants to see her change into them!
It's confirmed.
This despicable Emperor is just like the overbearing CEOs in those novels; he enjoys watching women change clothes.
Sigh.
I can't change here!
Randomly changing clothes— if word got out, my reputation would be ruined.
"Emperor—"
She spoke up to stop him, "There's no need for someone to fetch it. I shall wear it tomorrow. I'll wear it for you to see, alright?"
The last sentence, soft and coquettish in tone.
He Ying's heart stirred, and he nodded, "Rise."
Seeing this, Sang Yan stood up hastily and changed the subject, "Emperor, about the female assassin... could it possibly affect my fate?"
"What's there to fear? I am protecting you. Whoever dares to slander will regret ever opening their mouth."
His words were truly domineering.
For the first time, Sang Yan felt the exhilarating power of imperial authority.
"I thank the Emperor for his protection."
This time, she truly meant her thanks.
He Ying sensed her sincerity and was pleased; he became more amiable, "You were startled today; you need not keep me company for chess. Go back and rest."
Sang Yan couldn't wait to leave and quickly said, "I thank the Emperor for his concern. I take my leave."
Seeing her eagerness to leave, He Ying didn't want her to go after all.
In truth, letting her stay to rest here wouldn't affect anything.
It's just that the interrogation would inevitably be bloody.
And she was timid.
Well then.
He'd train her courage later.
"Summon the Prison Department officers in."
"Yes."
*
Sang Yan returned to the side chamber of Yuesang Palace.
She learned from Qiuzhi that Sang Ruoshui had received many rewards from the Empress Dowager.
It seemed the Empress Dowager was still quite fond of her.
She believed that action would soon follow.
Indeed, it did.
That afternoon, Sang Ruoshui came to have a detailed discussion, "I heard the Emperor has a good capacity for liquor. It would be difficult for me to get him drunk alone. Sister, you must help me."
Sang Yan didn't want to get involved in their affairs and tactfully declined, "I can't drink either. How can I help you? Besides, I'm ill-fated, and it's not suitable for me to be close to the Emperor. Today, the Emperor was almost assassinated. Do you know that? If someone with an agenda uses me—"
To this moment, she was still shaken by the morning's incident.
Sang Ruoshui listened and didn't take it to heart, "Sister, you don't have to be afraid. The Emperor has ordered the Prison Department to conduct a thorough investigation. Who in the palace doesn't know its methods? I believe it will soon be found out who is playing tricks. Besides, the Emperor is the True Dragon Emperor; how could he be afraid of your fate? Moreover, the Emperor also said, if anyone dares to criticize Sister, they will be shown no mercy. With the Emperor supporting you, what's there to fear?"
Sang Yan was silent.
What a dangerous mindset to put all hope in the Emperor's favor!
She warned herself internally and deliberately said on the surface, "I'm afraid I might fall in love with the Emperor and fight with you for him. What if, after getting him drunk, I also want to climb into his bed? What then?"
Sang Ruoshui shockingly said, "Then, let's do it together."
Sang Yan was speechless.
Madness!
Such audacity!
She was scared, really scared, "You should leave. I need some quiet."
"Then Sister, think carefully."
Sang Ruoshui said nothing more, but before leaving, she played the card of kinship, "We are sisters; we should share honor and disgrace."
Sang Yan was silent.
Thank you.
But inside, she was rejecting it.
*
Youlan Pavilion
The lingering glow of the setting sun shone through the window, casting its light on Noble Princess Consort Lan Zhou Jinglan.
She knelt, deeply engrossed in practicing her calligraphy on fine paper.
"He... Ying..."
Every stroke, filled with deep emotion, she poured her heart into the tip of her brush.
Suddenly, Mingtao whisked aside the beaded curtain and hurried in, whispering a few words into her ear.
"They really said that?"
Zhou Jinglan was so shocked that she dropped her brush.
It fell onto the paper.
Leaving a large, black blotch.
Ruining the carefully written characters.
She couldn't care less at that moment, her face white with shock as she exclaimed, "How shameless! How dare they! That's the Emperor!"
Mingtao fervently agreed, "Yes! Those sisters have no shame, conspiring with intent, arrogant from favor. They plan to defile the harem. My Lady, we must report them to the Emperor!"
"No!"
Zhou Jinglan patted her startled heart, speaking slowly, "You also said it; they are arrogant from favor... We are... not their match. Moreover, the Emperor has just decreed that that woman is not to be criticized."
Mingtao was sweating with urgency, "So what do we do? Do we just watch them gain favor?"
Zhou Jinglan lowered her head, eyes fixed on the name on the paper, remaining silent.
After a long while.
A crazy idea popped into her head, "What if... we do the same as her? Get ahead of them..."