Ultimately, regardless of how much thunderous tactics the emperor before his eyes might exhibit after ascension to the throne, how wisely he might perform, or how heroic his actions, he still was, at the root, just a sixteen-year-old boy.
If he could stay unmoved by the horrific price Pei Xuanjing talked about, if he had no feelings about it and agreed decisively…
Then Pei Xuanjing would be somewhat worried - worried that the other party was playing him or if he was just innately heartless and ungrateful.
Either of these possibilities would reveal how terrible the other party could be, certainly not the type of collaborator Pei Xuanjing wished for.
Pei Xuanjing would rather slow down his plans than to seek a partnership with a cold, ruthless person, because that would leave a major catastrophe.
The emperor's face showed a struggling, hesitant expression, having trouble making a decision in this moment.