Chapter 022 Insomnia

"Worries turned to sickness, qi and blood are deficient, and a sudden intense anger attacked the heart, leading to fainting. She needs good care and nourishment."

The voice of the Imperial Physician echoed in her ears.

Sang Yan woke up but didn't want to open her eyes, so she simply pretended to be asleep.

He Ying saw through her act and deliberately said, "Pei Muyang, what are you standing there for? Draft the edict."

"No!"

Sang Yan opened her eyes, sat up in alarm, and looked toward He Ying, "I have no desire to enter the palace, I hope the Emperor will rescind the order."

As she spoke, she tried to get off the bed to kneel despite her weak body.

"Ungrateful!"

He Ying could see what she was thinking and, amidst his anger, also felt a trace of pity, "First, take her back to Yuesang Palace!"

"Thank you, Emperor. I shall take my leave."

Sang Yan got off the Dragon Bed without hesitation, supported by several palace maids as she left Qingning Palace.

Outside the palace,

the eunuchs had a walking carriage ready for her.

That was something only those of a consort's rank and above were allowed to use.

Sang Yan didn't want to sit, but with He Ying watching her from behind, she had no choice but to take her seat.

A grand procession returned her to Yuesang Palace.

The Imperial Physician followed along, and upon entering the palace, handed over a prescription for the palace maids to fetch and prepare the medicine.

Sang Ruoshui heard the commotion and came over, seeing Sang Yan weakly lying in bed, and was quite astonished—she had claimed illness as a pretense, how had she really become sick?

"Sister, where do you feel unwell?"

She approached with concern visible in her eyes—the Emperor had just told her to take good care of Sang Yan, and now she fell ill. What if the Emperor blamed her? She didn't dare think any further.

Sang Yan did not open up to her and did not want to talk much either.

If it weren't for her sending messages to the Emperor, she would have left the Imperial Palace already, so why would she be in such a situation now?

Sang Ruoshui noticed her silence and guessing that she was still angry with her, wisely stayed quiet and went to inquire with the Imperial Physician.

After hearing about Sang Yan's condition from the Imperial Physician, she felt relieved and blamed herself, "It was I who put too much pressure on sister. It's my fault. I acted in haste and displeased you, I will surely not make the same mistake again. Sister, please take care of yourself, nothing is more important than your health."

To her classically pleasantries, Sang Yan was not appreciative, "I'm tired."

She tactfully dismissed her.

Just then, the palace maid came with the medicine.

Sang Ruoshui took it, offering, "Let me feed sister the medicine. After you finish the medicine, I will leave and not disturb your rest."

Eager for her to leave, Sang Yan promptly reached out and said, "Give it to me. I can drink it myself."

"Not so fast. It's still a bit hot."

Sang Ruoshui stirred the medicine a few times with the spoon, blew on it, and waited until it cooled somewhat before passing it over.

Sang Yan took the medicine and drank it down in one breath.

True to her word, Sang Ruoshui instructed the palace maids to take good care of her and then left.

Watching her depart, Sang Yan's thoughts were on He Ying—he meant to make her his consort. Although that idea was now extinguished, she knew she couldn't stay in the Imperial Palace for long.

She must leave.

And it must be unexpectedly.

So, the next day, Sang Yan didn't have anyone pack, just took Qiuzhi, and left the Imperial Palace with an oral decree from the Empress Dowager.

Before going, she had someone send a letter to He Ying, hoping he would let her go.

*

He Ying received Sang Yan's letter after he descended from court.

By then, Sang Yan had already left.

He opened her letter, which contained but a few lines, a poem resembling a love letter:

[I love you

Love to the point of unselfishness.

Just like someone

Whose dove has flown away from his hand,

And from his heart

He wishes that dove a blessed flight.]

What did it mean?

Was she hinting that letting her go was the way to love her?

He Ying read the short poem over and over, forgetting to look into the matter of her departure.

That's exactly what Sang Yan intended.

She left behind that line from Wang Xiaobo's poem to soothe He Ying, hoping he wouldn't be too angry and to signify to him to set her free.

After leaving the palace, she didn't return to the Sang Family, but to their country estate instead.

She had only stayed at the estate for a few days, but she truly liked it there.

Mountains clear, waters serene, all enveloped in greenery, and even the air seemed to breathe freedom.

That night, it even began to rain softly.

Sang Yan couldn't sleep.

Unable to resist thinking about He Ying's next move: Could those few sentences dispel his thoughts? Would he let her go?

Her mind was troubled and restless, making it difficult for her to fall asleep.

The rain grew heavier.

The servants hurried out to move the flower plants in the courtyard.

Hearing the commotion, she opened the window to watch them bustle in the night.

In no time, they were all drenched like wet chickens.

"Qiuzhi, ask Mrs. Liu from the kitchen to brew some ginger soup for them, and make sure they drink it before they go to bed."

She was a good mistress who cared for her servants.

Qiuzhi heard her and immediately responded, "Yes, Miss."

The servants in the courtyard also heard and thanked her, "Miss is truly kind-hearted like a Bodhisattva. / Thank you, Miss. / Miss, please close the window, be careful of the wind. / Right, right, Miss is delicate, catching a cold would be bad."

True sincerity is met with true sincerity.

Sang Yan was moved by their simple concern.

Even her irritability dissipated quite a bit.

"It's alright, I'm wearing a cloak."

She smiled but took their advice to heart, closed the window, lay down on the bed, and eventually fell asleep.

At that very moment

Qingning Palace

He Ying was still unable to sleep.

He tossed and turned restlessly on the spacious Dragon Bed, unable to calm his mind.

"Someone come!"

He finally got up and pushed aside the mosquito net.

"Your Majesty, your servant is here."

The voice arrived before the person.

Pei Muyang pushed open the palace doors and hurried in.

With his entrance, the lights in the hall sparked to life as if it were day.

"Pick up the things on the floor."

Upon hearing the Emperor's words, Pei Muyang noticed a crumpled piece of paper on the ground.

If he remembered correctly, it should be the letter left by Sang Yan.

Sang Yan had some nerve, leaving just a few words and daring to leave the palace on her own.

Truly pampered to the point of arrogance!

"Your Majesty—"

Pei Muyang handed the crumpled paper to the Emperor. His glance at the Emperor's expression showed displeasure, so he cautiously said, "Your servant saw that the night-blooming cereus in the Imperial Garden looks like it will bloom soon. Perhaps tomorrow, you could invite Miss Sang to come to the palace to enjoy the flowers?"

The Emperor obviously didn't want Sang Yan to leave.

But since Sang Yan had left, she wouldn't come back easily.

Unless the Emperor issued a decree.

But an imperial decree would be too conspicuous.

It wasn't that the Emperor feared criticism, but rather he cared for Sang Yan and didn't want her to be criticized.

He would have to be subtle about it.

Pei Muyang had a thorough understanding of the Emperor's thoughts.

He Ying gave him a look, said nothing, and focused on smoothing out the crumpled paper.

As if he wanted to restore it to its original state.

With a touch of cherishing.

Seeing this, Pei Muyang thought he might not be satisfied with this approach, paused for a bit, and then said, "Your Majesty, it has been a long time since you've roamed the city in disguise. It's said that a teahouse in the Capital City has invited Mr. Feng Yicheng to tell stories."

Feng Yicheng was the eldest grandson and direct heir of the Imperial Censor, Feng Yi.

He became a scholar at seventeen, bearing the grace of a dragon and phoenix, and won He Ying's favor, even serving a stint at the Hanlin Academy.

But he didn't care for titles or fame, and he soon resigned from his office to travel around.

Over the years, he visited famous mountains and rivers, composing countless poems and travel logs.

Whenever he published, his works caused a stir—let alone telling stories.

"Your Majesty, why don't you find the time to take Miss Sang to listen to a story? She's been downhearted, and listening might just broaden her spirits."

Pei Muyang racked his brains to please the Emperor's heart.

He Ying was indeed pleased by him—Sang Yan clearly disliked the Imperial Palace, and now with her heart troubled, forcing her return to the palace might exacerbate her troubles. He did not immediately pursue her departure for this reason; thus, wanting to see her, it was better to meet outside the palace.

"Your brains—"

He Ying showed a hint of appreciation and smiled, "They are occasionally of some use."

Pei Muyang, not taking credit, immediately chuckled, "It's all thanks to your excellent teaching, Your Majesty."

He Ying said no more, withdrawing his gaze to the wrinkled letter: Where was she a pigeon? Clearly, she was a rabbit.

No matter how fast she ran—

She couldn't escape the palm of his hand.