Chapter 197: Chapter 196: Playing DeadSang Yan returned to her residence, her mood heavy.
Upon seeing He Ying in the room, the sense of suffocation in her heart finally dispersed a bit.
"I’m back."
He Ying beckoned to her, setting aside the petition in his hand.
Sang Yan nodded and walked over.
He extended his hand, pulling her to sit on his lap; he rested his chin on her shoulder and said affectionately, "I’ve been waiting for you for a long time. Why did you only come back now?"
He held her tight, as if he were whining.
He also noticed the faint scent of medicinal herbs on her and frowned, "You have the smell of medicine on you. Were you with that madwoman the whole time?"
In fact, He Ying knew and tacitly approved of Sang Yan’s last encounter with Hong Zhao, but when she actually went and stayed for so long, he was displeased.
He didn’t like others occupying her heart.
Even if it was a woman, he was jealous.
Sang Yan was unaware of his thoughts and didn’t hide anything; she leaned against his chest, her expression tired, "After all, it’s a life. It just feels like a pity."
Beyond pity, she wanted to ask He Hongzhao: why did she do that? Perhaps she still retained a bit of humanity and would explain something. Qi Wuya certainly wouldn’t only have this one conspiracy.
But she failed.
He Hongzhao revealed nothing.
A strong sense of defeat overwhelmed her.
Sang Yan nestled weakly in his arms, murmuring with a sigh, "Xinyuan, power, status, are they really that important?"
She was a modern person, from a time of peace, without much ambition, and crossed into this world just to lie low and slack off.
Therefore, she found it hard to understand why Qi Wuya would kill so many for power and status.
And He Ying, for power and status, had claimed many lives as well.
"Ah Yan—"
He Ying steadied her shoulders, looking into her eyes gently.
For others, he lacked the patience for explanations.
But with her, he was willing to soothe to his utmost, "Stop thinking about her. Everyone has their own pursuits. She just died for her own ’path’. As for power and status? Indeed, they are important. Without them, Ah Yan, I wouldn’t have you, nor could I protect you."
Sang Yan understood his meaning, reminding, "You have to protect not just me but also the countless citizens of He Country."
He Ying nodded vigorously, "Yes. That’s my responsibility. I will spare no expense to defend it all. So, I want to tell you, the process of defending power and status is unavoidably bloody. Conflict reigns until killing stops killing. Peace will only be established atop mountains of corpses and seas of blood."
He spoke with a very cold gaze and an unprecedentedly solemn tone.
But Sang Yan didn’t find him cold; instead, she felt deep sympathy for him, "You’ve had a tough journey."
She thought about how he became Emperor at ten years old; in her era, a ten-year-old child would still be watching Ultraman fight monsters.
Yet here he was, sitting on the Dragon Throne.
So young, he had to engage in constant intrigue.
And he spent many years as a puppet emperor.
Previously, she thought him to be the child of destiny, who had seen through to sweet outcomes and unlimited glory; now, these thoughts broke her heart.
He really hadn’t had it easy!
Her love for him meant more understanding and more heartache for him.
Now she hugged him tightly, wishing to pour all her warmth into him.
He Ying was startled by her passion.
Her enthusiasm had dissipated his heavy mood.
He kissed the fine smoothness of her neck, thinking that perhaps tonight his wish would be fulfilled.
But as his hand touched her slender waist—
Sang Yan slapped his hand away, scolding, "At such a sensual moment, what are you thinking?"
She was a bit angry: this man was really good at killing the mood! At such a heartfelt moment, this horndog was thinking with his libido!
Listening to her reproach, He Ying replied very innocently, "If I don’t think about these things, wouldn’t that be a problem?"
He was referring to the incident with He Hongzhao sneaking that kind of medicine into his, nearly leading him to asceticism.
Sang Yan was momentarily at a loss for words.
Yet she insisted, "Not now."
He Ying kissed her lips, murmuring softly, "Mmm. I wasn’t really planning on anything. Just a kiss—"
Of course, every time they kissed, it was her hands that suffered in the end.
Ah, this lecher!
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The darkness of the night deepened.
The moon was as cool as water.
The road to the burial ground was tortuous, requiring one to pass through a dense forest.
The wind blew.
It carried an inexplicable chill.
The shadows of the trees swayed.
It seemed as if something were drifting about.
Two soldiers carried a corpse, both trembling with fear.
Suddenly, a rabbit darted past—
The soldier in front weakened in the knees from fright and nearly toppled over.
And as he stumbled, a pale white hand slipped out from beneath the straw mat.
In the moonlight, the fingers were slender, pale, stiff, and stained with fresh red blood.
The soldier behind screamed, "Wang Er, what the hell are you doing? Want to die? Watch the path!"
Wang Er, the one being yelled at, was even more frightened. The mention of death nearly made him cry, "Brother Liu, I’m scared. My mother told me, it’s terrifying when a young woman dies; they tend to cling to the living. And this woman was crazy, probably full of resentment..."
"Damn it! Shut up! Don’t talk anymore!"
Wang Er was so scared that he broke out in goosebumps all over.
Fear is contagious.
Both men were afraid, and without speaking, they quickened their steps, eager to dump the body in the burial ground as quickly as possible.
"Squeak, squeak, squeak—"
The Snow Monkey following them leaped about in the air.
Its snowy white fur resembled the billowing skirt of a female ghost.
"Waa—waa—waa—"
Just then, a few crows flapped their wings and screeched as they flew up.
Wang Er stiffened with fear, halting abruptly, his forehead slick with cold sweat, "Brother Li, do you feel... the corpse is moving?"
Li Fei: "..."
Already frightened, Li Fei now had to deal with Wang Er saying whatever came to mind!
"For the love of god, could you stop talking?"
"No, no, Brother Li, can you take a look?"
"Wang Er, I think you’ve got a death wish—"
He was cut off mid-sentence when he saw the dropped hand seem to move. His scalp tingled, his grip faltering, and the straw mat tipped out of balance, causing the body to slide out in an instant.
"Ah!"
He jumped back in terror, retreating several steps and then brought his hands together, bowing his head fervently, "I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. It wasn’t on purpose, there’s a head for every grievance, a debtor for every debt. Miss, we didn’t do anything to offend you."
Wang Er was not any less terrified and hid behind Li Fei, following suit in prayer, "We’re sorry, Miss; it was not intentional, please don’t blame us, we’ll take you away right now."
Even as he said that, he dared not step forward.
Li Fei was equally scared and urged him, "You go! You were in front!"
Wang Er burst into tears, "Brother Li, I can’t, I really can’t—"
But whether he dared or not, he had to.
"Hurry up!"
Li Fei kicked him.
Caught off guard, Wang Er stumbled forward, falling right onto the corpse.
"Ah ah!"
Wang Er’s screams were incessant.
The noise was so loud that it shook the trees, casting fluttering, indistinct shadows all around.
"Waa—waa—waa—"
Innumerable crows burst forth from the woods, their sinister cries piercing as they surged toward the sky.
"Stop screaming!"
Li Fei pulled the man to his feet.
Wang Er wept in terror, "Brother, Brother Li, the corpse, the corpse seemed to move."
As if in response to his words, the woman’s body on the ground suddenly sat up. Her long hair sprawled out, her face pale as a ghost, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth, her dark eyes staring steadily at the two men.
"Mommy! She’s come back to life!"
The two of them were so scared that they bolted!