Chapter 71: Chapter 071 Thunder Strike
The Emperor was nearly struck by lightning!
Rumors were circulated to that effect.
However, the truth was—the lightning struck a guard standing next to the Emperor’s carriage.
It was unclear what sinful deeds the guard had committed, but his left arm was completely severed.
The incident caused quite a stir.
He Ying dispatched people to suppress the rumors, comfort the guard, and secretly summoned Wan Zhang back to the palace.
...
Sang Yan only received the news the next day.
She hadn’t even eaten breakfast when she hurriedly rushed to the main hall of Qingning Palace.
Outside the main hall
Many concubines had already gathered.
Dressed in flamboyant attire, they were there to express their concern.
Among them, Sang Ruoshui was particularly frantic.
But without the Emperor’s summon, no one could enter.
Not until Sang Yan arrived.
Sang Ruoshui grabbed her and pushed her toward the hall, “Sister, go see how the Emperor is doing! Heavens, how could such a thing happen? It’s absolutely nerve-wracking!”
Sang Yan was also anxious and was about to enter—
when the ministers ca out from inside.
They confird that the Emperor was unhard and their expressions relaxed, but their words were still laden with worry:
“Unpredictable disasters strike from the heavens. Who knows what might happen tomorrow? The Emperor always thinks he is young and strong, not taking this as a serious matter.”
“True, and the Emperor still doesn’t have an heir. If sothing really happened, Da He’s nation would be in peril.”
“Look, the Sang Family’s daughter is here!”
“Do you think it could be her husband-killing fate—”
…
They already had grievances against Sang Yan, and now they were blaming her even more.
“A beauty brings disaster!”
“It must be her husband-killing fate that caused the Emperor such misfortune.”
“Yes, I heard she even caused the misfortune of her own brother and sister-in-law! And her sister-in-law was pregnant!”
“Struck by heavenly retribution! If it were my daughter, I would have sent her to a nunnery long ago.”
“Mark my words! The Sang Family will eventually reap what they sow!”
…
They passed by Sang Yan, discussing among themselves as they walked away.
Sang Yan then entered the main hall.
Inside the main hall
Even Empress Dowager Pei Yiqing had arrived.
She sat at the bedside, twirling her Buddha Beads, murmuring softly, “Why would you go out in such thunderous weather? My child, you increasingly neglect your own care. I’ve long advised you to find soone close to your heart, yet you keep hesitating. How can you be so stubborn?”
“There’s no need to worry, Your Highness. I’ve rely caught a chill. I’ll recover in a few days.”
He Ying lay on the bed with a damp, cold towel on his forehead.
Sang Yan watched this tender mother-and-son scene, unsure of what to say, and simply stood quietly to the side.
He Ying was half-closing his eyes and actually hadn’t seen her.
It was Empress Dowager Pei who noticed her first.
“Alright, I know you grow impatient with my nagging. I will leave now and let your beloved stay with you.”
Saying this, she beckoned Sang Yan over, her eyes filled with affection: “Good child, take good care of the Emperor. And try to persuade him too.”
Sang Yan naturally responded, “Yes.”
Empress Dowager Pei left.
At that mont, He Ying saw her, perhaps being vulnerable due to illness, his first words were, “You knew to co!”
The tone was admittedly a bit resentful.
Like that of a wronged woman.
Sang Yan was amused by her own thought and deliberately said, “If Your Majesty doesn’t wish to see , I’ll leave imdiately, so as not to offend your eyes.”
He Ying imdiately felt indescribable bitterness, “When have I ever said I didn’t want to see you?”
He was clearly indicating she had co late.
Even the Empress Dowager had arrived before her, yet she was the last to arrive.
Though she knew it was due to the isolation of the Cold Palace, it still saddened him.
Last night, he had encountered the thunder strike on his way to the Cold Palace.
Though unhard, he had sweated a cold sweat.
She had the nerve to co only now.
Sang Yan knew she was the source of the danger the Emperor had encountered and felt sowhat guilty, so she asked tenderly, “How are you feeling now, Your Majesty?”
“Headache. Stuffy nose. Completely weak.”
He was feigning misery.
Sang Yan knew but didn’t expose him, continuing to ask, “Has Your Majesty taken any dicine?”
He Ying nodded. “Of course, I have.”
Just then, Pei Muyang brought over the dicine. “Your Majesty, please drink the dicine. It’s been reheated twice already.”
He Ying, “…”
Ah, my face hurts.
How could Pei Muyang be so tactless?
Knowing he hadn’t taken the dicine, Sang Yan’s tone cooled. “Don’t tell you’re avoiding it because it’s bitter and you don’t want to drink it.”
He Ying genuinely didn’t want to drink it.
“I feel that dicine is poison in part and it’s not always necessary to take it for a minor illness. With my constitution, I can easily endure this minor ailnt.”
In his early years of campaigns in the south and north, his body had been strong— usually, two bowls of ginger soup were enough to rejuvenate him.
In short, he avoided taking dicine whenever possible.
Hearing his excuse, Sang Yan didn’t persuade him further but simply said, “That’s fine. If Your Majesty can’t endure it, then I can leave the palace.”
He Ying, “…”
Not on your life!
He had to endure.
“Pei Muyang, give the dicine to —”
He took the dicine bowl, closed his eyes, and drank it in one breath.
The bitterness contorted his features, prompting him to cover his face with his hands.
Seeing him like that, Sang Yan inexplicably found it cute and chuckled, “So His Majesty is just like a child, scared of taking dicine.”
Actually, this contrasting charm made him seem more genuine and endearing.
But He Ying didn’t see it that way, feeling his image was compromised, he retorted stubbornly, “It’s not fear; it’s unnecessary. Do you think I have your frail body?”
Manly pride demanded he be strong!
Sang Yan didn’t argue with him. Seeing he had finished his dicine, she sat down and advised, “Even if you are physically strong, Your Majesty must still take care of yourself. You are the Lord of the World, and all your people rely on you.”
“You? Do you rely on ?”
He Ying gazed at her tenderly and said emotionally, “You have no idea how scared I really was. I have yet to win your true heart. If sothing had happened, I would have been unwilling.”
The topic was a difficult one to continue.
Sang Yan thought for a mont and also expressed emotion, saying, “Your Majesty always says you are the Emperor, divinely protected. Now, you too are scared.”
She thought about the ministers’ discussions and beca confused: Could the Emperor’s close encounter be due to the original owner’s husband-killing fate? Is heaven hinting or warning sothing?
As she pondered this, she heard the Emperor say—
“I indeed was scared.”
“But I feared leaving you behind to suffer the world’s censure alone.”
“I don’t care about any husband-killing fate; I’m only worried it might trouble you, depriving you of peace.”
His words were too tender.
Like a warm stream flowing into her parched heart.
So the Emperor was actually so worried about her?
What had she done to deserve such deep affection from him?
“Since Your Majesty is scared, you should take even greater care of yourself.”
Her heart was ultimately open for him: “Your Majesty, you are not alone now.”
He Ying, catching the underlying aning, sat up excitedly: “So, Ah Yan, are you admitting now that you are mine?”
Sang Yan shook her head, and with twinkling eyes amidst his gradually dimming ones, smiled and said, “No, it’s that Your Majesty is mine.”
He Ying, “…”
A sudden joy.
Who belongs to whom?
He gladly accepted, “Very well, very well, I am yours.”
He was too delighted.
He couldn’t help but reach for her hand.
Sang Yan dodged it gently, saying, “Your Majesty is already feeling unwell; let’s not add the pain of a flare-up.”
He Ying shook his head, his gaze resolute. “It’s alright, for you, I’m willing.”
Saying this, he reached out his hand toward her. “Ah Yan, give it to . I want to hold your hand.”
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