After several ministers outside the palace kneeled to death.
Feng Yunian was unable to continue looking.
He certainly didn’t sympathize with them, let alone feel shame or unease.
He was naturally gloomy and selfish, and he never wished to see others live well.
But civil servants governed a state, and the new dynasty needed time to gain strength1. These officials still had a use.
The newly-promoted people were motivated2, but they lacked experience.
They needed some time to be tempered3 before those stubborn and manipulative4 old officials could die.
Feng Yunian wanted to obtain power and seize the throne, but now he truly wanted it for her sake.
This inner journey was strange and mystical to him.
He looked towards Bai Weiwei, half-lying on the daybed5, holding a book6, and gnawing on a melon seed. His gaze softened.
“Your Majesty, the ministers outside the palace…”
Bai Weiwei, who was engrossed in reading the novel, didn’t even think as she said, “If they want to kneel, then let them kneel, ba.”
Of all the endlessly chattering officials outside, each and everyone clamored for justice and wanted to kill Feng Yunian.
It was no exaggeration to say that Feng Yunian was her life, ah.
So she would let the group of people outside kneel to death, unable to touch a hair on Feng Yunian’s head.
Feng Yunian sighed, then turned around and approached her. He called out softly, “Your Majesty, this country still needs the civil officials‘ governance. The new dynasty’s foundation is unstable; they must be appeased first.”
Bai Weiwei lifted her gaze and saw the man before her eyes, his features gentle and warm.
No longer having that gloominess.
But instead, a bit more of a sincere fondness.
She held the melon seeds in her hand as she blankly stared at him. She said, not moving her gaze away, somewhat tongue-tied: “Who let them want to kill you? If you die, what meaning does this country have?”
Feng Yunian watched her duck her head and hid her face.
She felt extremely shy as she spoke these words.
But they didn’t give him the feeling that she wasn’t heroic enough.
On the contrary, he didn’t know how to conduct himself.
What virtue and ability did he have for her to cherish and be fascinated with him?
Feng Yunian sat on the edge of the daybed and leaned over to rest his head on her shoulder. He had never felt such happiness before.
【Ding. The male lead’s favorability has increased to 50.】.
Bai Weiwei: This favorability soared up as quickly as a whirlwind. It truly made her eyes flow with tears of emotion7.
Feng Yunian suddenly said: “Since Your Majesty dotes on me, I will let these ministers return home, ba. After all, if they kneel for so long, Your Majesty’s reputation will not be good.”
Bai Weiwei said with a smile: “Does Yunian have any good ideas?”
Feng Yunian also smiled, the expression in his eyes turning ruthless. “Kneeling outside the palace to pressure Your Majesty is also not a good thing. Is it not to ruin Your Majesty’s reputation?”
He coldly stared at the outer gate.
“They are nothing but dead people. Threatening the monarch in this way, what a bunch of poorly bred dogs.”
“If it weren’t that they still have use, I would have plotted to let their families fall into ruin.”
When Feng Yunian finished speaking, he suddenly stopped talking.
He hesitantly glanced at Bai Weiwei.
Such words were too cruel to be spoken by a meek and gentleman.
Would she be disgusted?
But the woman before his eyes wasn’t in the least bit disgusted. The smile on her lips was unchanged.
Her words carried a hint of a smile: “Seeing you worry for me, I’m quite happy.”
Feng Yunian relaxed. The corners of his mouth slightly hooked upwards, revealing a faint smile of happiness.
Bai Weiwei lazily rested her head on her hand. “Alright, you deal with those ministers outside, ba. Take my command token and the seal, or a blank edict or something. I will support you.”
She still trusted him without any hesitation.
Feng Yunian shook, his heart filled with emotions.
He could take these and seize the throne.
But she freely handed them over.
Was this what it felt like to be loved?
1: 休养生息: recuperate and build up strength; to make provision for recovery from the effects of war and calamity.↩
2: 空有干劲: in vain + have motivation/vigor/drive.↩
3: 磨练: grind + practice/train; to put oneself through the mill; to temper/steel oneself.↩
4: 迂腐; 霸权: pedantry/stubborn adherence to outworn rules and ideas; hegemony/supremacy.↩
5: 卧榻: some translations say it’s a bed, some say it’s a couch. One book on Chinese classical furniture calls them couch beds?↩
6: 杂书: can refer to an essay, a collection or works, or a novel.↩
7: 热泪: hot/ardent tears.↩
