Chapter 91

He thought Yan Donghuang would not see Sheng Jing’an. After all, she had just punished him to kneel for half an hour yesterday, so she should be tired of dealing with him.

However, to his surprise, Yan Donghuang did not put on any airs and directly ordered someone to bring Sheng Jing’an over.

Feng Yaoguang stood silently to the side.

Sheng Jing’an was still dressed in a white robe, which made his tall and slender figure appear more ethereal and cold. His appearance could be considered handsome. However, his expression was noticeably gloomy.
After entering the hall, he bowed to Yan Donghuang and looked up at her, his tone somewhat questioning: “Donghuang, I heard you took in a few male concubines. What is this about? You are a woman. How can you do such a shocking and disgraceful thing? I—”

Before he could finish, a dark shadow flashed before his eyes.

Accompanied by a cold and ruthless voice: “Kneel.”

Bang!

Sheng Jing’an was kicked to the ground, unable to get up for a long time due to the pain.

Feng Yaoguang looked at Rong Ying in surprise, silently praising him and then giving him an approving look. But Rong Ying ignored him.

Yan Donghuang casually lowered her eyes to drink tea, ignoring Sheng Jing’an’s embarrassment. When he straightened up and tried to stand, she coldly reminded him: “I didn’t tell you to get up.”

Sheng Jing’an froze, looking at her with a pale face: “Do you mean that from now on, every time I see you, I have to kneel and salute you?”

His tone was filled with shock and disbelief as if he had completely forgotten the lesson he had received outside the palace gate the previous day.

Yan Donghuang’s expression was cold as if she were looking at a fool.

“Young Master Sheng, your question is truly laughable.” Feng Yaoguang sneered, suddenly in a good mood, “The Grand Princess holds military power and is the Crown Princess. There is a distinction between ruler and subject. If you don’t salute her, what do you expect? Do you want Her Highness to kneel to you? Why don’t you ask the emperor, or better yet, ask your father in the underworld?”

Sheng Jing’an angrily said: “Feng Yaoguang, the matters between the Grand Princess and me are none of your business.”

“I allow him to speak.” Yan Donghuang looked at him, “But you, if you can’t recognize your status and learn the rules of respect, I will have someone teach you properly.”

“Donghuang, you…” Sheng Jing’an gritted his teeth, his face pale, “Fine, fine, very well! Is it that in the eyes of the Grand Princess, there is only status, power, and no past affection?”

Yan Donghuang found it laughable.

Everyone wanted to talk to her about affection.
Was affection so worthless?
Yes, it was worthless, very cheap.

Sheng Jing’an took a deep breath, suppressing his temper: “I want to ask, why did the Grand Princess bring Sheng Jingming and the others into the mansion?”

Yan Donghuang’s lips curled slightly, but the smile did not reach her eyes: “They said that no man in the world would be willing to share a wife with others. I think they are right. With their status and character, they are only fit to be lowly male concubines.”

Sheng Jing’an couldn’t believe it: “Just because of that?”

Chang Lan couldn’t stand it anymore and said coldly: “Young Master Sheng, if you want to know the whole story, perhaps you should ask the Marquis of Pingyang. The four of them openly insulted the emperor, criticized the crown princess, and spoke foul language. Her Highness was merciful not to kill them on the spot. What right do you have to question Her Highness here?”

Sheng Jing’an clenched his fists: “Even so, they should be dealt with as appropriate. Why humiliate them by making them male concubines? This is not only humiliating them but also humiliating the Grand Princess herself—”

“What’s so humiliating about taking a few male concubines? I will have more male concubines, consorts, and secondary husbands in the future. It’s better to get used to it early.” Yan Donghuang’s casual tone showed that she didn’t care about such matters at all, “These reckless fools, do you think I will favor them? Think again. Once I have tortured them enough, I will have them dragged to the mass grave to feed the dogs. They are only fit to feed wild dogs.”

Sheng Jing’an’s face turned pale.

More male concubines, consorts, and secondary husbands?
Where did that leave him, her legitimate fiancé?

Sheng Jing’an felt a chill in his heart, finally realizing that Yan Donghuang’s personality had truly changed as if she were a different person. Although he didn’t understand why. But the current Yan Donghuang was too ruthless, completely different from the previously cold but kind-hearted girl.

Feng Yaoguang turned to look out the window, knowing that those foul-mouthed officials’ sons were likely doomed. However, since Her Highness brought them back as male concubines, one thing was certain: Her Highness didn’t care about her reputation.

But then again. She was going to be a female emperor, so what did reputation matter? If a man could be an emperor with countless concubines, why couldn’t a woman?

However, this raised another question…

Feng Yaoguang frowned, unable to help but wonder, who was Her Highness’s true choice for the emperor’s consort?

It couldn’t possibly be this irresponsible Sheng Jing’an.

Feng Yaoguang glanced disdainfully at Sheng Jing’an, thinking that with the decree to annul the engagement in Her Highness’s hand, he was undoubtedly unqualified to be the legitimate husband. With his lofty attitude, he probably wouldn’t want to be a secondary husband either.
In that case, a new candidate would have to be chosen…

“Please forgive me, Grand Princess.” Sheng Jing’an realized that Yan Donghuang was serious and had to lower his stance, “I don’t know what happened at the Marquis of Pingyang’s mansion and dare not speak carelessly. But Sheng Jingming is my cousin, and I am engaged to Your Highness… If malicious rumors spread about brothers serving one wife, it would be too unpleasant. I beg Your Highness to spare him or change the punishment to teach him a lesson.”

“When did my affairs become your decision?” Yan Donghuang frowned, her eyes cold, “You still don’t recognize your status.”

Sheng Jing’an’s face turned pale: “We were still engaged before yesterday. After yesterday, your attitude suddenly changed. How am I supposed to recognize my status? Yan Donghuang, don’t you think your words are ridiculous?”

“In that case, it is my fault.” Yan Donghuang nodded, “Then I will have someone help you.”

She then ordered loudly: “Mo Lin, take Young Master Sheng out and teach him the rules of meeting and speaking with me. After he has learned, have him demonstrate more than a hundred times and ensure he will never commit the crime of disrespect again, then let him go.”

“Yes.” Mo Lin obeyed, turning to order his subordinates, “Take Young Master Sheng to the punishment room.”

Sheng Jing’an’s face turned pale, instinctively retreating: “Punishment room? What are you going to do? It is absolutely forbidden to punish nobles—”

“Who said we would punish you?” Feng Yaoguang sneered, “The Grand Princess wants to teach you the rules of being a subject. Although you do not hold an official position in the court, considering your engagement to the Grand Princess, calling you ‘subject’ is already giving you face. You should learn the rules of being a subject properly.”

He paused, “In the past, when the emperor selected concubines, those well-bred ladies had to learn the rules under the supervision of senior maids after being selected. How much more should you, who have been so rude today, learn the rules?”

This was simply absurd.

Sheng Jing’an’s face was dark and ugly.

Yan Donghuang hadn’t even ascended the throne yet, and she already wanted to emulate the emperor with three palaces and six courtyards?

Chapter 92

Mo Lin waved his hand expressionlessly. Two guards grabbed Sheng Jing’an by the shoulders and forcibly dragged him out.

The hall returned to silence.

Feng Yaoguang looked through the window at Sheng Jing’an being taken away, feeling particularly pleased. His eyes shone with a bit more brilliance: “Your Highness.”

Even his voice unconsciously softened.

Yan Donghuang lowered her eyes and drank tea, responding indifferently with a hum.

“Didn’t the emperor appoint you as regent?” Feng Yaoguang turned to look at Yan Donghuang, “You should be in the Qin Zheng Hall in the palace at this time.”

Yan Donghuang said, “Someone will bring the memorials here after noon. I plan to handle state affairs at the Grand Princess’s residence.”

Feng Yaoguang responded with an “oh,” walked over, and sat opposite Yan Donghuang: “Will the ministers come?”

“They can come if they want.” Yan Donghuang didn’t care, “Whoever doesn’t do their job well will be dismissed. I’m not afraid they won’t come.”

Feng Yaoguang nodded.

“Your Highness.” The stewardess walked in from outside and respectfully saluted, “Princess Fengyang requests an audience.”

Yan Donghuang said indifferently, “No.”

“Yes.”

“Princess Fengyang used to be very close to Your Highness. I didn’t expect her to do something so unreliable this time.” Feng Yaoguang frowned, “Who is she helping?”

Yan Donghuang said calmly, “From the perspective of the Marquis of Pingyang’s mansion, naturally, she is helping Yan Ming.”

The Chu family and the Marquis of Pingyang’s mansion are in-laws. With the Chu family destroyed, and Yan Ming demoted to a prince, the Marquis of Pingyang’s mansion has lost its backing. How could they not be anxious? It’s just that the method they used in their anxiety was too foolish.

Feng Yaoguang sat beside her, poured himself a cup of tea, and then hesitantly spoke: “Your Highness has lost feelings for Sheng Jing’an. When you ascend the throne, the emperor’s consort will need to be replaced. Do you have anyone in mind?”

Yan Donghuang looked at him expressionlessly: “Why?”

“…No reason.” Feng Yaoguang stared at the teacup as if organizing his words, “The civil officials in the court, coerced by the serious threat of the Qingluan Army, had to submit to the fact that you are the heir. However, their loyalty is not firm, and their future loyalty will be greatly reduced. If someone finds an opportunity to rebel and support another prince for the throne, these civil officials are very likely to defect.”

Yan Donghuang said, “I won’t give them such an opportunity.”

In her previous life, she was poisoned because she trusted people too much, trusted Sheng Jing’an and Consort De and her son, which led to them finding an opportunity to harm her.

In this life, she is already on guard. No matter what those people have in mind, they will never succeed… If they do, it means she deserves it.

However, Yan Donghuang still nodded: “You are right.”

“So I have an idea.”

“Speak.”

“Your Highness, do you think you should choose a reliable person to keep by your side?” Feng Yaoguang seemed to be suggesting, “For example, one of the seven generals?”

Yan Donghuang shook her head lightly: “No.”

Feng Yaoguang pursed his lips: “Why not?”

Yan Donghuang said, “The seven generals are all upright men. They are admired as valiant generals on the battlefield. Even with their military merits, they can carve out their own territory. Putting them in the harem would be too much of a grievance for them.”

Feng Yaoguang lowered his eyes: “Who says it’s a grievance?”

Yan Donghuang raised an eyebrow: “Isn’t it?”

Feng Yaoguang’s tone was calm: “If it were me, I wouldn’t feel aggrieved.”

Yan Donghuang fell silent and looked at his handsome face. Seeing his expression slightly expectant yet somewhat tentative, her lips curled slightly before returning to a calm and indifferent expression.

“In life, there are gains and losses.” Yan Donghuang frowned, “A general leading troops cannot be involved in politics. If he becomes the emperor’s consort, assisting in state affairs, he can no longer lead troops.”

Feng Yaoguang said, “Not going to the battlefield is also good. You can wear beautiful clothes, enjoy the palace’s gourmet food, and spar with those old foxes in the court. Life shouldn’t be boring.”

Yan Donghuang was silent for a moment: “That’s just your idea. It may not be the idea of the other generals.”

“Is it not enough for me to think so alone?” Feng Yaoguang frowned, “Someone to conquer the land for Your Highness in the front and someone to assist in governing the world in the back. Your Highness will have much less to worry about.”

Yan Donghuang picked up the teacup, lowered her eyes, took a sip of tea, and slowly said, “Are you trying to recommend yourself?”

Feng Yaoguang: “…”

“In fact, you are handsome.” Yan Donghuang put down the teacup, leaned against the brocade couch, and seriously examined Feng Yaoguang’s eyebrows, “A hundred times better looking than the four male concubines who just entered the mansion today.”

Feng Yaoguang’s features were well-defined, as if meticulously carved, with slanted eyebrows and captivating peach blossom eyes. Even when not smiling, he exuded an enchanting charm. A slight smile and his elegance shone. However, such a beautiful person was ruthless on the battlefield, like a fierce lone wolf, making the enemy tremble with fear.

“Comparing me to those lowly things is an insult to me.” Feng Yaoguang seemed dissatisfied, then smiled, “But I feel honored that this face can catch Your Highness’s eye.”

Yan Donghuang considered this seriously and gave him the following advice: “Serving others with beauty, when the beauty fades, the love will wane.”

Feng Yaoguang was not worried about the love waning with the fading of beauty. He just wanted to know: “Does Your Highness like my beauty?”

Yan Donghuang was silent, unusually speechless.

If she said she liked it, would his tail go up to the sky?
If she said she didn’t like it… it seemed a bit insincere.

Yan Donghuang propped her chin, thinking calmly. Feng Yaoguang was not only good-looking but also had a more flamboyant and bright personality than most people, with a kind of arrogant vitality, putting no one in his eyes. But he was devoted and loyal to Yan Donghuang. Such an excellent and faithful man who admired her would indeed make one feel that not liking him seemed like a betrayal.

Moreover, Yan Donghuang promised before her death that if there was a next life, she would never betray him—although he didn’t remember, she should keep her word.

It’s just that she was destined not to be an ordinary woman, so even though she had already made up her mind, she still hoped Feng Yaoguang could think it through.

“After I sit on that throne, the harem is destined not to have only one person for whatever reason.” Yan Donghuang said thoughtfully, “You are a great general leading troops outside, holding great power, commanding many. In the future, you will have many opportunities to be ennobled for your military merits, possibly even becoming a duke, benefiting your descendants, and becoming the ancestor of a noble family.”

Feng Yaoguang said lightly, “I hope my descendants will carry the bloodline of both me and Your Highness.”