Chapter 002 Emperor

Sang Yan would have left the palace even if she hadn't heard Sang Ruoshui's words.

Who would wish to live a life depending on others?

Only Sang Ruoshui is of the Sang Family.

One's honor is the honor of all, and one's loss is everyone's loss.

She still had to do something.

Currently, the Emperor had no heir. The previous dynasty's harem was watching the matter of the Emperor's bed closely.

The Emperor suffered from a strange illness; whenever he was near a woman, he would feel itchy and nauseous all over, likely due to a psychological reaction, an allergy to women.

For mental illnesses, the cure must also be psychological.

Unfortunately, who could understand the Emperor's psychological troubles, or say, his childhood traumas?

Sang Yan didn't have much modern medical knowledge, but she had heard of methods like hypnotherapy and desensitization therapy. Combining the two, she had an idea.

The next day

She packed her belongings and headed to the main hall.

The main hall had returned to normal.

Sang Ruoshui, after a night of readjustment, had regained her reason, or rather, had been persuaded by Xiangxiu. When she saw Sang Yan packing her bags ready to leave, she put on a smile and said warmly, "Sister, what are you doing? I was confused by tears yesterday and spoke out of turn, did you take it seriously?"

Sang Yan: "…"

Great.

She was still getting used to this sudden display of sisterly affection.

"I was wrong, Sister. I am young and ignorant, and I offended you. I hope you can forgive me. I am now walking on thin ice in the palace and hope for your support."

Sang Ruoshui lowered her posture significantly.

Sang Yan thought that this ability to be flexible could indeed help her survive longer in the palace.

If the child was teachable, perhaps she could delay leaving the palace.

"Naturally."

Sang Yan forced a smile.

Sang Ruoshui invited her to dine together.

The palace meals were a major reason Sang Yan stayed.

Helplessly, she was a foodie, unable to resist the temptation of delicious food.

For Sang Yan, good food had the power to heal the soul.

Thus, having eaten and drunk her fill, she felt better and shared her idea: "If you want to be favored by the Emperor and become the most favored in the harem, you must be bold and take the initiative."

This was indeed a topic of interest to Sang Ruoshui.

She immediately dismissed everyone around and quietly asked, "Please tell me more, Sister, how to be bold and take the initiative?"

Sang Yan sipped her tea and slowly said, "The Emperor feels unwell around women, which I suspect is largely due to mental illness. So, what if the Emperor does not know you are a woman? You could seek the Empress Dowager's support, disguise yourself as a man, pretend to be a eunuch, get close to the Emperor, and increase physical contact. Once the Emperor shows no signs of illness, your good days will follow."

"Great idea."

Sang Ruoshui clapped her hands in delight.

Indeed, as Xiangxiu said, having more allies offered more possibilities, keeping her here was the right decision.

"Indeed, a good idea."

A chilly male voice echoed.

Sang Yan turned towards the voice and saw a tall figure in bright yellow standing outside the hall.

Beneath him, palace maids and eunuchs knelt all over the ground.

This was her, the original host's, first time seeing the Emperor.

The Emperor was very young, with a pale, cold face, handsome features, a sharp nose, thin lips, almost six feet tall, robust and upright, dressed in a bright yellow imperial robe, beautiful and dignified.

He ascended the throne at ten, took personal charge at sixteen, and over ten years, had grown from a brutal new Emperor into a mature and reserved sovereign.

"Your servant greets the Emperor."

"I greet the Emperor."

Sang Yan didn't want to kneel, but under the Imperial Power, her legs went weak.

"The Emperor was upset last night. I have come to see her today."

Sang Yan heard the Emperor's voice feign gentleness, guessing his psychology—undoubtedly, the Emperor had tried and failed to favor many women over the years, but visiting to console afterward must have been rare. Therefore, it was clear the Emperor was pleased with Sang Ruoshui.

"Everyone, rise."

He Ying's gaze swept past Sang Ruoshui and settled on the woman in white beside her.

This woman had just suggested a "good idea"!

Sang Yan felt the burning gaze overhead and knew that her recent words, to borrow a phrase from modern clichéd bosses, were—"Woman, you have caught my attention."

However, being a widow cursed to bring her husbands death, and with the Emperor allergic to women, she didn't have much to worry about.

Of course, it was still best to keep a low profile.

With that in mind, she stood up, bowed her head, and cowered behind Sang Ruoshui.

He Ying saw her sidesteeting act and thought her to be cowardly and petty.

He grew annoyed but did not show it, instead he asked, "Are you Sang Yan, sister to Princess Consort Sang?"

He had heard of the woman who had defeated four fiances before meeting them but had never seen her.

"Lift up your head."

He had heard that after the curse of Sang Yan spread, no one dared to marry her, leaving her to miss her youthful years until she reached twenty, and then she was engaged to the Prize Heir Jiang Ling of Marquis Zhongyi.

And it was Jiang Ling who had sought the match.

What kind of beauty would make a man risk a curse to marry her?

He was indeed curious.

Just from a quick glance, her figure was outstanding—beneath her simple mourning attire, she was curvaceous and elegant, a stark contrast to the thin beauties of the harem, possessing an allure that was both vibrant and extravagant.

Especially in that plain white mourning attire!

To be attractive in mourning—truly remarkable!

If he remembered correctly, she had been in mourning for Jiang Ling for three years and was still wearing mourning clothes, which showed a deep and heavy affection.

Sang Yan, unaware of He Ying's thoughts, lifted her head when he asked.

Their eyes met.

The man's gaze was sharp and fiery, making her face flush.

She timidly averted her eyes, feeling somewhat panicked—could the original beauty's looks cause trouble? She did not want to get involved in the harem's disputes.

He Ying knew Sang Ruoshui was considered the most beautiful woman under the heavens.

It was for her beauty that he had come over that morning.

After all, if he had to favor one woman to produce an heir, he definitely wanted the most beautiful one.

But the most beautiful was—Sang Yan.

Her skin was tender; her hair black, her lips red, her makeup light and charming; but those eyes, when they looked at someone—both bewitching and enchanting.

Her solemn white mourning clothes made her cold and noble like alpine snow, and her bewitching eyes threw her into the mortal coil, like a blossoming flower dripping with nectar...

How could someone be both ethereal and so enthralling?

Like a nymph.

"Emperor—"

Sang Ruoshui, watching the Emperor's infatuated expression, felt a jealous urge to kill.

He had never looked at her like that.

Even though she lay naked before him last night, he remained indifferent throughout, his breathing unchanged.

Why!

Sang Yan was just a widow cursed by her husbands!

"What is it, my concubine?"

He Ying came back to his senses, his amazed gaze becoming flat and detached.

Sang Ruoshui suppressed her bitterness and forced a smile, "Please sit down and enjoy some tea."

He Ying nodded, sat down, and had her and Sang Yan sit as well.

Then, he returned to the initial topic, "It was a good idea, but unfortunately, I heard it."

Since he had heard it, the idea was now useless.

Sang Yan heard the implication in his words and thought to say—I have other ideas.

But she held back.

Beauty is a sin.

The Emperor's look just now was too dangerous.

Better to keep an even lower profile.