Translator: _Min_
Born with unremarkable genes, she was just an ordinary person.
Old Master Ming, feeling deeply guilty about this, instructed, “Alright, go and make the arrangements. Make sure Wenxian enjoys herself.” The guard once again left as silently as he had come.
At eleven o’clock in the evening, in the small courtyard of the villa.
Yu Tang returned home, feeling utterly content after having successfully obtained an autograph and a photo with Upon Brocade.
As soon as she entered, she saw Yu Xiheng sitting on the sofa and instantly restrained herself, greeting, “Uncle Nine.”
Yu Xiheng didn’t look up, his voice calm, “Mhmm, it’s time to sleep.”
“Oh,” Yu Tang peeked around, “Is Qingqing already asleep?”
Yu Xiheng glanced up, “Whether she sleeps or not, you need to. It’s already eleven, you’ve come back too late today.” Yu Tang huffed.
Her Uncle Nine, with his double standards.
Tomorrow, she’d introduce more eligible men to Qingqing, just to annoy him.
Yu Tang went upstairs.
The living room was silent, save for the ticking of the clock.
Yu Xiheng glanced at the time, massaged his temples, and set down his documents.
Just as he was about to head upstairs, he noticed a book on the sofa beside him.
The book had several colorful tabs and annotations.
Yu Xiheng paused, his eyes slightly downcast, as he read a line highlighted with a marker: “In the sixth year of Chuanyuan, corrupt officials caused chaos. Those who dared to oppress the people and accept bribes were severely punished. Within a year, the Emperor Yin executed over five thousand corrupt officials. Thereafter, peace and prosperity returned to the court and the nation.” – From “Chronicles of Emperor Yin, Chapter 38”
Yu Xiheng’s gaze deepened slightly, his brows lightly furrowed.
Events from his past, now recorded in history books for future generations to read.
Indeed, a peculiar feeling.
This part of history detailed how he executed over five thousand officials who oppressed the common people within a year.
Yu Xiheng closed the book, sat quietly for a while, then took the small elevator upstairs.
He arrived at a bedroom on the second floor and knocked on the door. The door was quickly opened, and a girl peeked out, “Boss?”
Her forehead was damp from a recent bath, and her fox-like eyes shone with moisture.
Droplets of water trailed down her hair, and her cheeks were tinged pink from the steam, her skin like jade.
She looked much healthier than when he first met her.
Yu Xiheng raised his hand, smiling slightly, “You left your book downstairs.”
“Ah? Oh,” Si Fuqing took it, her eyes bright, “Thank you, boss. Good night! You should sleep early too, it’s good for your health!”
Yu Xiheng didn’t leave immediately, his gaze calmly resting on her, “Do you mind sharing your thoughts about this part?”
“Hmm?” Si Fuqing glanced at the bookmarked page, “I just finished reading this. My thoughts certainly can’t compare to yours, Boss. Besides, Emperor Yin was so great, how could I casually judge him?”
Her first rule for a salary raise: simultaneously praise the boss and Emperor Yin.
“He was human, not a deity,” Yu Xiheng leaned his head on his hand, “This part of history is interesting. The opinions are polarized. Many criticize him for his cruelty, even executing his old ministers who helped him ascend the throne. Not a benevolent ruler, how could he govern the Great Xia Dynasty?”
“But for an emperor, if one is too kind and lenient, how can one manage the empire?” Si Fuqing countered, “If it were me, I’d be even more ruthless.” To be kind to an enemy is to turn the blade on oneself.
“Not killing means suffering for the nation and the people. The Great Xia Dynasty faced internal issues and external troubles. Without resolving the internal issues, how could the external troubles be addressed?” Si Fuqing’s gaze was steady, “Therefore, execution was necessary.”
This was actually the mess left by the previous emperor.
The previous emperor was indecisive and favored his cronies.
As a result, the treasury of the Great Xia Dynasty was empty, and the people suffered.
Yu Xiheng smiled, without revealing his true emotions, “Is that what you think?”
“Yes,” Si Fuqing looked at him, “Is there a problem?”
Surely he wasn’t about to dock her pay just because her views differed from some historians?
“Mhmm, it’s late,” Yu Xiheng said nothing more, his gaze serene and deep, “Rest now.”
“Alright,” Si Fuqing’s eyes curved like a fox’s, “Good night, boss.”
The door closed.
Silently, the hallway remained dark.
After a while, his eyelashes drooped, his voice faint, dissipating in the wind, “Good night.”
The next day was Sunday.
The production team had given the trainees a day off, planning to take them to visit an ancient street of Lin City and shoot some behind-the-scenes footage..