He Ying naturally had never considered this issue.
He even thought that male superiority over females was a very normal thing.
Seeing that he remained silent, Sang Yan knew he couldn't empathize, and she couldn't help but mock herself with a smile, "What 'three obediences and four virtues'? What 'starvation is trivial, but loss of chastity is catastrophic'? All these, they suffocate the thoughts of women. Emperor, I detest such a world."
At this point, she met the Emperor's gaze, and her tone became sharp for the first time, "You see, I am such a rebellious and utterly unrighteous person. I am even unfit to exist in this world."
Because she knew she was unfit to exist in the world, she lived in isolation and withdrew from society.
Yet he disturbed her peace time and again.
He Ying pondered her words, and although he did not agree, he did not refute them either but rather indulged her, "You should know that I am the Lord of the World, as long as you are by my side, there is nothing that would render you unfit to exist."
Sang Yan: "..."
Was he implying—he would accommodate and understand her thoughts?
"Ever since I met you, I knew you were different from other women. The way you look at me, aside from occasional fear, is always lucid and pure. I have never seen such a gaze at the center of power."
He was confessing his own heart, his tone deep and gentle.
Sang Yan's heart uncontrollably fluttered again—the favor of the most powerful man in the world really had too great a destructive power.
Even though she repeatedly warned herself and guarded strictly, there were still moments when she was moved.
"Perhaps the Emperor has seen too little."
Sang Yan deliberately misinterpreted the Emperor's sincerity.
He Ying was somewhat displeased, but he did not erupt in anger, instead, he laughed helplessly, "Then deceive yourself. It doesn't matter, I am not in a hurry."
"Clap, clap, clap—"
Suddenly, a round of applause erupted downstairs.
It turned out Feng Yicheng was talking about the rapist being stripped by a lady's brother, revealing his male identity.
"Ha ha ha, truly, a villain meets a villain!"
"To be favored by the lady's brother, he must be a handsome bastard, and he even taught himself medical skills—it shows he's also smart, but what a pity, smartness not used for good."
"That's right! So smart, why not do something worthwhile instead of engaging in such vile deeds!"
"That's why I say, his heart isn't right, and all his actions are evil!"
The tea guests expressed their opinions one after another.
Sang Yan also sighed, "This person is a criminal with high intelligence. What a waste."
He Ying, listening to this, laughed meaningfully, "When I saw the case files, I thought the same. Look, our thoughts are alike."
Sang Yan: "..."
The Emperor really wouldn't miss any opportunity to flirt with her!
What a pity!
Her heart was like a rock, immovable, yet she intentionally threw cold water, "No, I'm saying, not to nationally announce such case examples as warnings is a waste."
He Ying saw through her thoughts, yet still smiled meaningfully, "No need to feel it's a waste. I have thought the same and acted accordingly. However, instead of a national announcement, it was distributed to each state, instructing state officials to be more vigilant and prevent such crimes. As for notifying the public, to avoid petty criminals imitating and causing greater panic and chaos, that has been put aside."
It was similar to not publicizing modern methods of committing crimes.
"...Emperor is wise."
Sang Yan paid a compliment, then added, "But what about the victims? Their chastity and reputation are damaged, besides those who took their own lives, surely some are barely surviving, right? Has the Emperor provided any consolation? You said it happened last year, there is still time to make amends."
He Ying thought for a moment, then said, "If you insist, when I return I will issue an imperial decree."
Sang Yan: "..."
This was his implication—he could, on her account, provide consolation for those victims.
She didn't want to accept this favor, so she said, "The Emperor is a wise ruler, and should love his people as his children. Women are in a disadvantaged position, as the imperial father, you should provide even more protection."
She was flattering the Emperor.
He Ying, unconvinced, scoffed, "What you said earlier is correct. I indulge in women's company to my detriment—it's a sick heart. But do you know what sickness of the heart I have? If you knew, you wouldn't be saying these things to me."
Sang Yan: "..."
She should follow his words and ask—what sickness of the heart does the Emperor have?
But approaching the Emperor's heart only meant becoming more entangled.
This was not her intention.
"I have overstepped," she said.
She stepped back to a safer distance.
He Ying looked at her, his gaze complex, grateful she didn't inquire further.
Sang Yan's attention returned to the story unfolding below.
Feng Yicheng was still narrating the progress of the story. At the climax, another round of loud applause erupted.
He Ying disliked her focus on another man and started a conversation, "I actually left the palace yesterday to look for you. Unfortunately, you were not in Sang Mansion. I thought you had run away. Fortunately, you hadn't. Otherwise, I do not know what I might have done."
Sang Yan: "…"
Threat!
A definite threat!
Her heart clenched, and she quickly stated, "I had asked to go to the manor myself."
"Asked yourself? That's not what I heard," he said with a cooling tone.
He Ying's mood deteriorated, his voice growing colder, "Your parents drove you to the manor, showing no mercy or pity for you—truly detestable. Do you want me—"
Although Sang Yan was moved by his defense, she didn't want to complicate matters and replied, "Today, the Emperor has coincidentally met me, surely you've investigated many things about me. You should know the peace and comfort I enjoyed at the manor. I like the life there, and it was indeed of my own volition that I went."
He Ying listened and felt mixed emotions; he liked that she didn't crave fame or fortune, yet he was annoyed that she didn't crave it. What would it be like now if she had ambitions, if her ambitions were him?
"Those who do not seize the gifts of heaven invite disaster upon themselves," he murmured after a while.
Sang Yan heard him, her heart skipping a beat, "Emperor—"
The gifts from heaven, if you do not accept them, you, in turn, invite heaven's retribution.
The Emperor was threatening her!
He Ying unveiled the silk covering, looking at the ghastly wound, his tone nonchalant, "What is it?"
Sang Yan weakly replied, "Heaven is merciful."
He Ying chuckled lightly, glancing at her with a serious look, "Then do not waste heaven's mercy."
Sang Yan: "…"
She found herself at a loss for words.
She offered him a handkerchief.
He Ying didn't take it but extended his hand instead, "Wrap it for me."
Sang Yan instinctively warned, "Emperor, you should not be close to women."
He Ying: "…"
He froze for a moment.
After a while, he took the handkerchief and wrapped it himself.
"Actually, I am not afraid of becoming ill because of you; it's just that my appearance when I am ill is truly hideous and frightening, I don't want to scare you."
He spoke while wrapping the wound.
This unintentional tenderness was always touching.
Sang Yan thought about when she tried to touch him earlier and how he threatened to beat her to death.
Wait—
She must stop thinking!
This Emperor is too seductive!
"Just now, the Emperor mentioned his heart ailment, knowing the real reason for his illness, he should clearly communicate with the Imperial Physician and not conceal it."
She said it casually.
But again, she broached a dangerous subject.
"Not just anyone is worthy to hear about the Emperor's heart ailment."
The Emperor's voice was heavy, but his eyes looked at her, gentle yet resolute, "But Sang Yan, I give you this opportunity. So, do you want to listen?"