The Sickly Emperor Is Only Immune to Me

Chapter 29: Chapter 029 Obsessed with Love

Feng Yicheng had entered the palace, and the sky was already nearing dusk.

At that time, outside Qingning Palace, a row of guards was hitting themselves.

"Bang!"

One punched himself on the forehead.

The force was so fierce that his body shook and he nearly fell down.

What mistake had they made for the Emperor to punish them this way?

As Feng Yicheng pondered, he waited for the Emperor to summon him.

He didn't have to wait too long before Pei Muyang arrived with a message, "Mr. Feng, the Emperor invites you in."

Feng Yicheng expressed his thanks and then entered the palace.

He was dressed in coarse cloth robes, which clashed starkly with the grandeur of the glittering palace.

He Ying noticed this and frowned, "You are the son of a distinguished family, yet you dress like this. What kind of impression does that give?"

Feng Yicheng kneeled to pay his respects, smiling as he replied, "This you do not understand. Traveling the world, observing the common people's conditions, if one dresses lavishly, then all who approach are sycophants, their true hearts hidden. If one dresses humbly, it's easier to encounter true empathy during hardships."

He Ying was not interested in this, and waved his hand, "Rise."

He then offered him a seat.

The two sat down to play chess.

He Ying took the white pieces, which represent superiority, and made the first move as befits someone of rank.

Feng Yicheng took the black pieces and followed suit.

They played intensely for a quarter of an hour.

The game was evenly matched, neither could claim advantage.

It was then that He Ying spoke of the matter at hand, "The fraud case in Fu State, you were once involved in the trial and should know of the plight of those victimized women. A year has passed, and you are to review the continued impact. I have disbursed three thousand gold from my private treasury for you to distribute as you see fit. Additionally, if there is any slanderous talk persecuting them, trace it to its source and suppress it with severe punishment. In summary, you must ensure their peace and happiness for the rest of their lives."

Feng Yicheng hadn't expected the Emperor to summon him for this matter, and among his surprise, he quickly guessed the reason, "Because of something the Heir's wife said?"

"You are a clever man."

He Ying glanced at him and did not argue, which served as a tacit agreement.

"The Emperor is compassionate."

Feng Yicheng stood up and kneeled again, but his next words were, "Only the Heir's wife... is truly not a good match."

He had previously been mindful of Sang Yan's presence and held back much of what he wanted to say, but now he spoke his mind, "Four years ago, when Jiang Zuo wished to enter an engagement with Sang Yan, I had advised against it. We even consulted Wan Jianzheng from the Observatory about their marital fate. It was inauspicious, but he would not heed advice, followed his own will, and met an early demise. Emperor, the lesson is clear, I hope you will reconsider before taking action."

"You compare me with him?"

He Ying frowned, visibly displeased, "I am the Emperor, surely favored by heaven. Feng Yicheng, you ought to watch your words. Let this not happen again."

Feng Yicheng bowed his head in silence.

He Ying told him to rise.

Yet Feng Yicheng kept his head bowed, as though he would kneel indefinitely.

He Ying's interest in the chess game vanished at once.

He cast the chess piece he was holding back into the box, angrily saying, "I thought you were different from those stubborn old pedants, but it turns out you are also one for blind adherence to tradition."

Hearing this, Feng Yicheng sighed, "The Emperor is a wise ruler in a golden age, but Da He cannot afford this risk."

"... rise."

He Ying also sighed, his expression becoming grave, "I am aware of your concerns. But she is the one I set my eyes on from the start. I cannot let her go."

Feng Yicheng disagreed, "With three thousand women in the harem, how can you not let go of one girl?"

He Ying paused for a while, then corrected, "It should be said... I do not want to let her go."

Feng Yicheng, "..."

This was a problem.

The most to be feared is love-stricken foolishness, for it often leads to a tragic end.

"I am the Emperor, fearless."

He Ying's eyes were bright, his words filled with audacity.

Seeing this, Feng Yicheng didn't know what more to say.

Just then, Pei Mu walked in, paying his respect and whispering, "Emperor, not a single person has fainted."

He Ying frowned upon hearing this, seemingly in a dilemma.

After pondering, unable to answer Sang Yan's question, he had ordered the guards to punch themselves as a test; now it seemed to have been futile.

Suddenly, the attention shifted to the person kneeling before him.

"Feng Yicheng, you are learned and well-traveled, with broad experience; I have a question for you?" @@novelbin@@

```

Hmph.

He praised me so highly, if I can't answer, let's see if he has the gall.

Mr. Feng, unaware of the situation, respectfully said, "Emperor, please pose your question."

He Ying then coughed twice, cleared his throat, and asked, "It's like this. If you punch yourself and knock yourself out, does that mean you are strong or weak?"

Mr. Feng: "..."

What kind of odd question is this?

He also found it difficult, "Emperor, why would you ask this?"

He Ying said, "I just thought of it. What's your view?"

Mr. Feng thought for a while before replying, "I can't claim to have any profound views; I just find this question... very tricky."

"Go on."

"If I knocked myself out with a punch, and we assume it means that I'm strong, then being strong contradicts the fact that I fainted. If we assume it means that I'm weak, then being weak contradicts the fact that I managed to knock myself out with a punch. The trickiness of this question lies right here. Either answer leads to a contradiction."

"Correct. Continue."

"To solve this contradiction, you would need to step out of this logical paradox."

"How do you step out?"

"Emperor, it's a word game. Knocking oneself out with a punch could also have nothing to do with strength or weakness. With this perspective, the premise of the question becomes invalid."

"...That makes some sense."

He Ying raised his hand, indicating for him to stand up.

After Mr. Feng stood up, he returned to his original seat and looked at the chessboard, only to realize that he had unwittingly fallen behind.

"It's your move."

"Yes."

His mind preoccupied, he made one wrong move and then another.

He Ying won the game, which improved his mood somewhat, and he changed the subject, "After the matter in Fu State, you should join the court as an official. I need you."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Feng's expression turned somber and he diplomatically declined, "There is no confidant in the court for me, and so it holds no charm. Emperor, I still prefer life outside the palace."

He Ying, thinking of his own confidant Jiang Zuo, frowned coldly, "Mr. Feng, Jiang Ling has been dead for four years now. If you cannot move on, I will send you to join him."

He detested how they all pined for a dead man.

Sang Yan was the same.

And to his surprise, so was he.

"Emperor, please calm down."

Mr. Feng had not yet reached the point of a scholar dying for a confidant and tactfully remained silent.

He Ying did not like to oppress others with power, and seeing Mr. Feng's sensible reaction, he spoke earnestly, "Beiqi has been restless. I may have to lead the campaign myself before long. The court is full of crafty men; when the time comes, I will need you to check their influence."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Feng turned solemn and advised, "Beiqi is currently embroiled in internal strife, with seven sons fighting for the succession, fighting amongst themselves. It poses no threat. And the court is filled with capable generals, why should you personally lead the campaign?"

He Ying waved his hand with a smile, "My mind is made up. You may leave now."

Mr. Feng: "..."

He couldn't persuade the Emperor.

Just as his father couldn't persuade the late Emperor.

The He Royal Family was full of obstinate people.

He left the palace with a heavy heart.

Night had fallen.

Only a few sparse stars dotted the night sky.

He was led out of the palace by a eunuch.

On his way, he encountered the drunken Wan Zhang.

Wan Zhang, disheveled, stumbled like a lost soul.

Patrolling guards looked at him with disdain, keeping their distance.

Mr. Feng, however, was different; he approached with a smile and greeted him, "Director Wan, it has been a long time."

Wan Zhang, too drunk to recognize anyone, had to hold the man's face and look closely, "Feng, Feng— what's your name again?"

"I am Feng Yicheng."

"Oh..."

Director Wan slapped his forehead, remembering, and laughed, "You once came to me to have your fortune told."

He laughed, but then tears fell, "Since ancient times, the pursuit of love has been a hero's grave, alas, such sorrow, such fate."

Thinking of the deceased Jiang Zuo, Mr. Feng's eyes reddened, but since he couldn't indulge in his sorrow, he forced a cheerful smile and said, "Director Wan, would you please calculate my fortune in marriage once more?"

```