Chapter 003 Jealousy

"Any other ideas? Speak them all at once."

He Ying, seeing Sang Yan cowering in silence, thought she was timid and added, "Even if it's offensive, I will pardon you from any crime."

He had never been this generous.

Sang Yan didn't think so; on the contrary, she felt he had ill intentions.

She knew that feudal emperors always craved novelty, so she tried her best to behave like an ordinary woman, "Your Majesty, the idea I just mentioned was nothing more than a foolish thought that occurred to me by chance. Where would I have any other ideas?"

He Ying somehow didn't believe her, "Really? None?"

Sang Yan lowered her head, weakly replying, "Really none."

Upon seeing this, disappointment tinged He Ying's eyes, "You had quite a reputation in your boudoir. Had it not been for my abstinence from women, you would have entered the palace long ago. But now it seems, that's all there is."

Sang Yan: "..."

She felt relieved at being underestimated: that's all there is, good.

Sang Ruoshui was different.

When she heard the Emperor's words—had it not been for my abstinence from women, you would have entered the palace long ago.

Her mood suddenly became heavy: why would the Emperor say such a thing out of the blue? Was he expressing regret that Sang Yan hadn't joined the harem?

Some words are spoken without intent, but the listener may find their own meaning.

Including Chief Eunuch Yu Huai De, who also found the Emperor's action unusual.

With his peripheral vision, he looked at Sang Yan—it was indeed the finest of appearances. Compared to her sister Sang Ruoshui's pure and vivacious charm, she had an elegance and grace that was further complemented by a cold and bewitching beauty.

A contradicting beauty.

So the Emperor liked this kind of woman?

"The Emperor has taken time out of his busy schedule to visit his concubine, which deeply touches my heart. I wish to dedicate a song to the Emperor to convey my gratitude, hoping for his gracious approval."

Sang Ruoshui thought of attracting the Emperor's attention by showcasing her talents.

He Ying, upon hearing this, although not particularly interested, did not want to insult her pride and nodded, "Then I will trouble my beloved concubine."

Sang Ruoshui immediately had her trusted palace maid Xiangxiu bring her zither and played the song "Phoenix Seeking Phoenix."

She, being a lady raised with endless pampering, naturally had good skills with the zither.

Listening, Sang Yan found the music flowing and natural, filled with lingering sadness.

In modern times, it would be of master's level.

Considering Sang Ruoshui was only sixteen or seventeen, the age of a high school girl, having such skills was indeed impressive.

"It seems the Heir's wife is very fond of this piece."

He Ying casually sipped tea, listened to the music, and unconsciously glanced over at Sang Yan—a woman intently listening, eyes slightly narrowed and the corners of her lips smiling, as if immersed in it, looking innocent and cute.

Sang Yan, being singled out, felt a rush of anxiety and quickly apologized with a smile, "Princess Consort Sang has superb skills with the zither. Naturally, I like it."

He Ying also smiled, "Since the Heir's wife likes it, Princess Consort Sang deserves considerable credit, and will be richly rewarded."

He turned to Chief Eunuch Yu Huai De at his side, instructing him, "Bring over ten lychees presented by Min State."

Upon hearing this, Yu Huai De was astonished: those lychees had been transported over great distances to the Imperial City, many spoiling along the way, leaving no more than thirty in total. Throughout the Imperial Palace, the only ones who received such a gift were the Empress Dowager with ten, the Empress with six, and the remaining concubines none at all.

Now, with just a song played by Princess Consort Sang, the Emperor was rewarding her with ten—what great favor!

"Yes."

After a moment of stunned silence, Yu Huai De hurried to have a little eunuch fetch them.

"This concubine... thanks the Emperor for his reward."

Sang Ruoshui was naturally excited and happy to be rewarded, but the Emperor's words—"Since the Heir's wife likes it, Princess Consort Sang deserves significant credit, and will be richly rewarded."

It sounded as if it was only because she had pleased the Heir's wife with her playing that she was rewarded.

Nonsense!

While Sang Ruoshui kept a smile on her face, her hand inside her sleeve clenched into a fist, nearly breaking her nails.

Sang Yan also felt the malice in the Emperor's words—was the Emperor sick? His words, overt and covert, were like roasting her on a fire! And he seemed intent on ruining the sisterly affection between them! All because she was just as mediocre? What a lunatic!

She could no longer stand it, so she said, "Emperor, I have drunk too much tea and would like to go..."

To relieve herself or to change her clothes?

Her ancient knowledge was insufficient, and facing a grown man, moreover an Emperor, she felt very embarrassed to say it out loud.

Her face was burning.

He Ying understood what she meant but deliberately did not let her go, even misinterpreting her intention, "Would you like to take a walk in the Imperial Garden?"

Sang Yan: "..."

She needed to relieve herself, not walk around!

This Emperor was really ill!

She didn't want to talk more with an ill Emperor. The more one said, the more mistakes one could make, so she simply stood up and said respectfully, "Emperor, I really need to use the restroom and can't hold it any longer, I hope for Your Majesty's forgiveness."

Having said this, she hurriedly left the main hall for the side hall.

He Ying watched her escape in a panic, a smile unconsciously appeared in his eyes.

This smile put Sang Ruoshui on high alert—could it be that the Emperor had taken a liking to Sang Yan? No! Absolutely not!

"Emperor, your unworthy concubine would like to hear Your Majesty's esteemed feedback on the music piece, in the hopes of improving."

She tried again to attract the Emperor's attention.

Yet, the Emperor replied coldly with two words, "Not bad."

He seemed not to want to talk to her.

Sang Ruoshui's face froze, unable to force a smile.

He Ying drank his tea, bored to death.

After waiting a while and seeing that Sang Yan didn't return, he knew she wouldn't be coming back and stood up, "My beloved consort, rest well. I shall visit you another day."

His voice was cold, signaling that his words were just for formality.

Sang Ruoshui wanted to stop him, but facing that indifferent royal visage, she lost her courage.

She saw the Emperor off, noticing that he glanced at the side hall but did not stop.

The Emperor was interested in Sang Yan.

This realization stung her heart painfully.

Chief Eunuch Yu Huai De also realized this, but he did not show it.

A widow with a husband-killing fate was absolutely unfit for the Emperor.

He believed the Emperor was aware of this and would not allow himself to become the laughingstock of the Imperial Palace both inside and out.

Yuesang Palace Side Hall

Sang Yan paid attention to the movements in the main hall and saw the Emperor leave, then she went to the main hall.

She brought up the matter of leaving the palace again.

This time Sang Ruoshui did not try to retain her.

"Your fate is both good and bad."

Sang Ruoshui's words were sarcastic, with a touch of schadenfreude.

In fact, she was envious that Sang Yan, despite her husband-killing fate, could still receive the marriage proposal from the Heir of Jiangling, and now the Emperor had shown interest in her after meeting her.

If it weren't for her deadly fate, she might have been a femme fatale!

Sang Yan could naturally hear the mockery and contempt in Sang Ruoshui's words, but she did not mind. The original owner's sister was just a girl with little complexity, who had also fallen for the Emperor. In this merciless harem where people are consumed whole, she was pitiable. Why argue with her?

Still, there were some things that had to be said.

"I know you are young and passionate, and you adore the Emperor, harboring hostility towards me, but Sang Ruoshui, I hope you can control your heart. Do not be blindly infatuated. The Emperor is cold-hearted and indifferent. If you wish to survive in the harem, do not let emotions cloud your judgment, otherwise, you'll only bring suffering upon yourself."

That was all she had to say.

She walked out of the palace door, looked back at her once, "We are sisters in this place, take care of yourself."

Seeing this, Sang Ruoshui's heart was filled with regret, feeling that she had spoken wrongly again.

Yet, thinking of the Emperor's gaze toward her, jealousy flared up again, "Hypocrite!"