The Sickly Emperor Is Only Immune to Me

Chapter 32: Chapter 032: Decision-making

"Enough."

Working on it further will only complicate things between the two of them and might as well result in a mess.

He Ying spoke sincerely, "With your clear sense of right and wrong, you would be a blessing to the world if you were in a high position."

Sang Yan, as if facing a formidable enemy, humbly said, "Emperor, you flatter me."

"I do not praise lightly. Rise. You need not kneel when we are alone in the future."

"..."

This privilege of avoiding kneeling also seemed overwhelming.

Sang Yan stood up, returned to her original spot, quickly finished her meal, and was about to take her leave.

He Ying didn't let her, asking, "I intend to put your father in charge of this matter. What do you think?"

This was an opportunity for Sang Kun to redeem himself.

Sang Yan, not familiar with Sang Kun's abilities and considering the hiding of the locust plague as a lack of official integrity, said, "The locust plague is a serious matter, the Emperor should choose someone wise and capable. If you believe he has the capability, the decision is yours."

She passed the decision back to him.

He Ying, unable to help but smile wryly, said, "You really are slippery."

After laughing, he changed his tone, "But, he raised a fine daughter like you, how could he be without ability?"

"..."

The Emperor really knew how to offer compliments.

But she was not the original host; she wasn't Sang Kun's daughter.

"Emperor, please rethink this."

"It's alright. I trust you. Let him take on this task. As for the subsequent disaster relief, do you have someone in mind?"

He even asked her.

Sang Yan was displeased, "Is the Emperor trying to be lazy?"

He really was showing more and more traits of an incompetent ruler.

He kept delegating his power to her.

Hearing this, He Ying, partially in playful banter, laughed, "Oh, so I am being lazy. It feels quite good. So, do you have someone in mind?"

Sang Yan shook her head, "I do not."

"You're probably not familiar with the court officials."

He Ying then introduced, "The one with the strongest opposition is Qu Zhi, the Minister of Revenue. You previously pleaded for the concubines in front of the Empress Dowager and Princess Consort Li is his daughter. Yet, he did not appreciate your kindness and instead turned against you. Do you regret saving her?"

Sang Yan still shook her head, "I only strive to have a clear conscience."

Seeing this, He Ying stared at her intensely, "What a clear conscience. Do you feel the same towards me?"

Sang Yan, "..."

She avoided his intense gaze and remained silent.

At this moment, the Ministers finished their meal and came over.

He Ying composed himself and continued to discuss state affairs with the ministers.

This time, a decision was made within two hours.

"The task of locust eradication is assigned to Sang Kun, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, supported by three thousand Imperial Army troops. The disaster relief will be handled by Tao Qin, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. The devastated farmlands will be registered, and taxes in the eight cities of Wuzhou will be halved, with appropriate relief for those in extreme poverty. Yu Huai De, you will also go on my behalf to console the people."

This string of commands stunned the ministers.

Yu Huai De was surprised by this unexpected good fortune and quickly knelt in gratitude, "Emperor is wise. Your servant will not fail your grace."

The other ministers, although reluctant, also had to kneel and obey, unanimously saying, "Emperor is wise."

"Alright, you may all leave now."

"Yes."

The ministers left the Imperial Study and gathered in small groups, airing their grievances.

"The Emperor really is biased."

"Yes. Sang Kun is assigned to eradicate locusts with the help of three thousand Imperial Army troops, but Tao is put in charge of disaster relief under just one official's supervision."

"It's because he has a good daughter!"

"A demoness brings disaster to the country!"

...

They all wore worried expressions, their words filled with envy and jealousy.

Only Sang Kun wore a triumphant smile, humming a tune, and strutted off.

"What a petty triumph!"

Qu Zhi stomped his foot in annoyance, "I want to see how long he can be proud!"

Cai Yuan, seeing this, whispered in his ear, "Sir, if Sang Kun successfully eradicates the locusts—"

His position might become unstable.

Unless Qu Zhi could rise higher.

But without any achievements, how could he be promoted?

Princess Consort Li had once again lost the Emperor's favor.

"I want my position, but it depends on whether he has the fate to keep it!"

A murderous intent flashed through Qu Zhi's eyes.

"Emperor—"

Suddenly, there was a burst of exclamation around her.

Qu Zhi turned back and saw the Emperor and Sang Yan coming out together.

They even got on the sedan chair together.

This!

This!

Qu Zhi was dumbstruck: Insane! Truly insane!

Sang Yan also thought the Emperor had gone mad.

She had resolved the matter with her father and just wanted to leave the palace.

Then the Emperor said, "I will take you back to Yuesang Palace. Your sister misses you."

The latter sentence was clearly the reason for keeping her.

To keep her was one thing, but to escort her in a sedan chair, wasn't that "too much"?

How could she, a daughter of a minister without rank, ride in the Emperor's sedan chair?

"Your Majesty, this is not proper!"

She refused at the first instance.

What came in return was a threat from the Emperor, "If you don't get on, I will carry you up. If I become ill then, who knows what I might do."

Sang Yan had no choice but to get on the sedan chair.

Fortunately, the sedan chair was spacious enough to avoid contact with him.

Yet, wherever the sedan chair passed, everyone knelt down, including the ministers, who knelt for her, leaving her feeling incredibly conflicted.

Admittedly, the feeling of supreme dominance, with the world at her feet, was intoxicating, but, what a sin!

Frowning, she felt gloomy: "Through fierce fire into oil, dressed up like a flowery spectacle—does the Emperor intend to kill me with favor?"

"You see, you always interpret my actions maliciously. Could it not be that I am pleased with you and wish to enjoy the realm together?"

He Ying looked at her tenderly, his tone somewhat sad, "Ah Yan, your heart is encased in ice; if not through fierce fire, how could I melt it?"

Sang Yan: "..."

She was, for once, at a loss for words.

The Emperor was now using a self-suffering strategy!

"Ah Yan, putting aside your worries, does riding in the sedan chair truly make you so uncomfortable?"

The Emperor was bewitching her!

It must be!

"Ah Yan, don't betray your heart."

Emperor!

Emperor!

Sang Yan said, "Your Majesty, people's hearts change easily. What I like now may not be what I like later. But people must not yield to their own desires. Often, individuals destroy themselves over the things they cherish."

She was hinting—even if she liked power, she wouldn't be seduced by it.

He Ying understood her meaning but deliberately misconstrued, "With such words, I am reassured. All this talk of a heart tied to a deceased husband and no intent to marry will change. Someday, your heart will lean toward me."

Sang Yan: "..."

What was that all about?

Was the Emperor deliberately provoking her?

She shut down.

She turned her head, refusing to look at him or speak any further. @@novelbin@@

The sedan chair passed by the Imperial Garden.

The Imperial Garden was in full bloom with butterflies fluttering around.

Several concubines were enjoying the flowers and chasing butterflies.

From a distance, they all looked shocked yet envious at the scene in the sedan chair.

Princess Consort Li Qu Xueli was among them. She stepped forward, blocking the sedan chair, and said, "Your Majesty, isn't this against the propriety?"

She was fortunate to be out of the Cold Palace but had not learned to restrain herself.

Jinpin, Xie Jinhua, tugged at her sleeve, trying to remind her, but she ignored it.

In fact, seeing her like this, she also had a kind of proud spirit that feared no authority.

Unlike the other concubines.

Unfortunately, the Emperor's eyes already had the most unique person in them.

"I thought... I am the rule!"

The last five words, not loud but cold and deep, suppressed any rebuttal.

Such was the majesty of an Emperor.