Chapter 189: Chapter 189: Scheming"I missed you, so I came," he said matter-of-factly.


    Sang Yan had heard similar things too many times to call him out on it.


    "It’s late. You should get some sleep."


    He put down the book he was holding and smiled, patting the spot next to him.


    Sang Yan found this gesture dangerously intimate, her heart racing even faster as if it were about to leap out of her throat.


    These past days, they had been sharing the same bed.


    He Ying had never expressly told her he wanted to take things "further."


    But in fact, his gaze and actions had made his intentions very clear to her.


    "Come here."


    He Ying, seeing her standing still, urged her.


    Sang Yan, feeling helpless, adjusted her tightly fastened neckline and climbed over He Ying onto the bed.


    Lying down in the blanket, she said anxiously, "I just—"


    "Let’s sleep."


    He Ying swept his arm over, pressed it against her chest, essentially making it so they slept in a holding position.


    Sang Yan tried to appear nonchalant while internally contemplating: If He Ying wanted to do something, how could she tell him that her body wasn’t feeling well?


    He Ying lay beside Sang Yan, smelling her familiar scent.


    In the past, that scent gave him restless nights, filled with burning passion.


    But tonight, was it really... dead calm?


    On second thought, last night was... actually quite serene.


    Sang Yan, oblivious to He Ying’s thoughts, felt him looking at her with eyes full of joy as she closed hers.


    And was there a fleeting trace... of astonishment?


    Astonished by what?


    Could it be that he hadn’t expected her to dress like this today?


    As Sang Yan was speculating—


    He Ying got up: "I just remembered I have something to do."


    He threw back the blanket, got off the bed, and carefully covered Sang Yan again: "You go to sleep first; I’ll be back soon."


    Sang Yan: "?"


    What’s going on?


    Leaving just like that?


    This wasn’t what she had in mind.


    Shouldn’t he be clinging to her, hugging and kissing her like before?


    She watched him throw on his robe and hurriedly leave, frowning deeply: He still wasn’t well; nowadays, she tried not to disturb him whenever possible. So, what could be so important that he had to run out in the middle of the night?


    Aside from her confusion, there was a touch of disappointment in her heart: His gaze just now, it really contained no desire. Could it be that she had rejected him too much, annoyed him, or even affected his libido?


    At the same time


    In the study


    He Ying’s mood now was even more chaotic than Sang Yan’s.


    He sat in a chair, fiddling with the Buddhist prayer beads on his wrist.


    This was a trinket from Sang Yan, who had told him to play with the prayer beads when he was in a bad mood instead of losing his temper and scaring people.


    Now, after fiddling with them for a long time, his mood was getting worse.


    "Has Pei Muyang not returned yet?"


    He inquired with the guard outside.


    The guard was Lu Zijin.


    He stood by the door, sensing that the Emperor was in a foul mood, quickly walked in, and reported, "Mr. Pei sent a letter two days ago, mentioning that he had found Doctor Liu and should be arriving in the next few days."


    "Okay, I know."


    He Ying breathed a sigh of relief and then gestured for him to leave.


    Pinching the bridge of his nose, his thoughts were still in disarray: His Ah Yan was truly beautiful tonight. Her shy and timid appearance was still lingering in his mind.


    Yet, he had not the slightest manly desire towards her.


    Even his male instincts did not react at all.


    That couldn’t be right.


    His feelings for Sang Yan hadn’t diminished in the least, and both were in the prime of their youth; how could he possibly have no thoughts about her?


    Before, his passionate love surged whenever he saw her, wanting to pounce on her like a wolf. sea??h thё Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Something was amiss.


    He was not himself.


    Ever since drinking the medicine from Hong Zhao, he had been increasingly detached from worldly desires day by day.


    "Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell?"


    Lu Zijin stepped back to the doorway, noticing the Emperor’s troubled expression and asked.


    With fists clenched, a trace of malevolence crossed He Ying’s eyes: "Go fetch Hong Zhao—"


    He stopped mid-sentence, glanced towards Sang Yan’s room, and swallowed his words.


    Now wasn’t the time to act rashly.


    Ah Yan was very close to Hong Zhao.


    If he acted against Hong Zhao without clear evidence, it might be more than Ah Yan could bear.


    He decided to wait.


    Once Doctor Liu arrived, everything would become clear.


    The following day


    As usual, Qing Wu brought the medicine that had been prepared.


    "Lady, as always, the Emperor should drink this while it’s hot."


    Qing Wu handed the bowl of medicine to Sang Yan.


    In recent days Sang Yan had been the one to care for He Ying as he took his medicine.


    This time, Sang Yan took the medicine bowl and smiled at Qing Wu: "Thank Sister Hong Zhao for me."


    Despite her weak constitution, she still prepared He Ying’s medicine thrice daily, never entrusting the task to anyone else.