Chapter 004: Infatuated Love

He Ying learned that Sang Yan had left the palace two days later.

During those two days, he was pressured by the Empress Dowager to produce an heir, to the point that he couldn't be bothered to visit the harem.

It wasn't until he attended court that he saw the Marquis Zhongyi.

For some reason, he thought of his legitimate eldest son, who had braved the pressure of a husband-killing fate to marry Sang Yan.

Young Master Jiang Ling was incomparably handsome and unique in his generation.

Sadly, on his wedding night, he drowned in the lotus pond and died young.

"Emperor, the matter of the heir is of great importance to the nation and cannot be delayed any further," said Feng Yi, the Imperial Censor.

Already close to sixty with white at his temples, he was a core minister of the Fertility Party.

Under his leadership, the entire assembly of civil and military officials knelt down and implored together, "We beseech the Emperor to favor his concubines and sire an heir."

He Ying, fatigued by the daily pressures to produce an heir, responded dismissively as usual, "I am aware. If there's nothing else, you are dismissed."

After leaving court, he headed for Yuesang Palace.

Yuesang Palace

With a sweet smile, Sang Ruoshui attended to him diligently, "This is the daughter red my mother personally buried sixteen years ago, please, Emperor, taste it."

Holding the wine, she gracefully approached, stopping three steps from the Emperor.

The Emperor is indisposed towards the company of women, so the ladies of the palace always stop at three steps' distance.

He Ying was not there to drink.

His gaze swept around, not finding the person he wished to see, he asked, "Why don't I see your sister?"

Sang Ruoshui's smile stiffened, her hand holding the wine cup wavered slightly before steadying quickly, then she forced a laugh, "Thank you for your concern, Emperor. My sister mentioned that she's not accustomed to life in the palace, and she's already returned home."

He Ying was unsatisfied with this answer.

His handsome face was expressionless, his eyebrows furrowed as he inquired, "Returned where? Is she still with the Jiang Family, mourning Jiang Ling as a widow?"

Sang Ruoshui sensed a hint of anger in the Emperor's last question as if he were jealous.

She too felt jealous and envious feelings overflowed, "My sister, she... she..."

She acted as if she had an unspeakable secret.

Seeing this, He Ying's frown deepened, "What's happened to her?"

Sang Ruoshui knelt on the ground, hesitant, "Forgive me, Emperor, I... I cannot say."

The more she couldn't say, the more curious one became.

He Ying, losing patience, slammed the table and demanded, "Speak!"

Sang Ruoshui then revealed, "My sister is suspected to have an unclear relationship with the second son of the Jiang Family, and she was sent back home six months ago."

Sent back was a term filled with negative connotations.

She was intent on smearing Sang Yan's reputation—who would want a woman of loose morals?

But He Ying did not think of these things; instead, he felt the men of the Jiang Family were fearless indeed!

Indeed, "though one perishes beneath peony flowers, to die a ghost would still be amorous."

Just thinking of Sang Yan, like that peony, appropriated by someone else did not sit well with him.

"I believe in my sister's innocence. She said herself that she's deeply in love with her husband and will never remarry in this lifetime."

Who would want a woman with another man in her heart?

To diminish the Emperor's interest in Sang Yan, Sang Ruoshui went to great lengths.

He Ying was unaware of Sang Ruoshui's thoughts and malice, simply sighing, "She truly is a faithful lover."

The constraints on women were strict in those days, but widows weren't forbidden from remarrying.

Especially in cases like Sang Yan's, a widow without children.

Yet she remained devoted to her deceased husband, refusing to wed again—how could her deep affection not move one's heart?

"Unfortunately, my sister is ill-fated, having parted from her husband by death too soon."

Sang Ruoshui deliberately reminded him of Sang Yan's husband-killing fate.

Upon hearing this, He Ying frowned but said nothing more. After sitting for a short while, he got up and left.

A mere span of time as it takes for a cup of tea to brew.

He didn't even drink her daughter red.

Sang Ruoshui watched the Emperor leave, and once he was far enough, out of sight, she violently smashed the wine to the ground.

"Bang!"

The exquisitely crafted wine pot shattered on the floor.

"Slut!"

"She's always seducing men!"

Sang Ruoshui cursed furiously.

The palace maids and eunuchs were so frightened that they knelt on the ground, "Lady, please calm your anger."

Xiangxiu stepped forward to persuade, "Lady, you mustn't think that way, the Heir's wife left the palace early, isn't that because she was trying to avoid the Emperor? If she had any intentions, no, no, she would never dare to. With the Emperor's status? Her husband-killing fate would be inexcusable even if she came near him. The Empress Dowager and the ministers would never stand by."

Listening to these words, Sang Ruoshui felt a bit more comforted, but her hatred persisted, "How am I inferior to her? She's already twenty-four years old, a faded flower, on top of being a remnant of willows, and the Emperor, the Emperor—"

It was infuriating, indeed, how vexing the Emperor was!

"Go fetch some paper and brush, I want to write a letter to my family."

She was determined to have her family send Sang Yan into the nunnery. Since she had a husband-killing fate, she should spend her life accompanied only by the ancient Buddha under the green lamplight.

Imperial Study

He Ying took a sip of the tea handed to him by Yu Huai De during a break from handling state affairs.

"Am I that frightening?"

The question came out of the blue.

Before Yu Huai De could speak, the Emperor said, "Like a rabbit. Quite alert, though."

His face turned pale as he knelt to the ground, "Emperor—"

He Ying glanced at him, then took another sip of his tea.

Yu Huai De pleaded from the floor, "Emperor, the Princely Heir's wife has a fierce destiny, cursed with the death of four fiancés and now a widow. Your involvement with her... must absolutely not happen."

Upon hearing this, He Ying only let out a chuckle and said nothing.

He was the Emperor; whatever he desired, he would obtain.

Should anyone obstruct him, it would mean they wished for no good to befall them.

Sang Mansion

Piao Yan Pavilion

The boudoir of the original mistress.

Nestled against the mountain and beside the water, enveloped in twilight, it seemed like a fairyland.

It was Sang Yan's third day of playing the salted fish.

After leaving the Imperial Palace and returning to the Sang Mansion, she had immediately sought permission from her original mother to leave and reflect at their villa, but her mother—a woman still—could not bear the thought of her daughter, lovely as a flower, suffering on the outside.

So, she ended up staying.

Before she knew it, three days had passed.

She enjoyed grapes, read stories, and listened to her maid Chunzhi gossip about matters inside and outside the mansion, living quite a delightful life.

Until

Her original mother sent a maid with a message, "Miss, the lady requests your presence."

Sang Yan had a hunch nothing good was coming, but she didn't know what it could be.

For the past three days, she had secluded herself from the world, living a carefree life, never leaving Piao Yan Pavilion unless necessary—surely, she had not become an obstruction in someone else's eyes, had she?

Before long, she arrived at her original mother's quarters.

Ms. Lin had given birth to two daughters and a son—her legitimate eldest daughter was Sang Yan, her legitimate eldest son Sang Jue, and her legitimate second daughter Sang Ruoshui. Now forty years of age and well-preserved, she still possessed a captivating charm.

Yet her eyes and brows were heavy with worry.

"Mother—"

Sang Yan entered, bowing in salute.

Ms. Lin looked at her young and beautiful daughter, her expression carrying a deep sorrow, as she sighed heavily.

Seeing this, Sang Yan felt nervous but cared deeply, asking, "What troubles you so, Mother? Share it with me, and let me help you think of a solution."

"My poor daughter."

Ms. Lin's eyes red, she embraced Sang Yan.

Such outward emotions from her came only half a year ago, when Sang Yan had returned home.

Sang Yan's bad premonition grew stronger, "Mother, please don't cry, what on earth has happened? Could it be Father—"

Had her father, the Vice Minister of Ministry of Revenue, made a mistake?

Was he caught for corruption and bribery?

While she was wildly speculating—

Ms. Lin released her, turned her head away with a pained expression, and said, "Ah Yan, a few days ago you mentioned... wanting to go to the villa. Go ahead then."

Sang Yan: "..."

Was she being rejected? Cast out of her own home?