Xu Jiayang spoke while he clicked open a web page to search.
"Look at this analysis, written by a very famous historian who researched King Cheng for many years. He speculated that the king might have been in love with a woman who died, so for her sake, he remained unmarried for life.
That is, the role of the female lead in ’The Chengtian Dynasty’, Wu Mei.
In history, there was indeed a person named Wu Mei. She was a strategist by King Cheng’s side and harbored deep affection for him.
Later, during an assassination attempt on King Cheng, she took a stab for him and died.
The script of ’The Chengtian Dynasty’ is based on her experience, fabricating an intimate female confidante for King Cheng."
As Xu Jiayang spoke, he handed his phone to Xia Weibao.
"Baby, understanding more about these historical events will help you delve into your character."
Being a director and a screenwriter, he knew the famous figures in history quite well.
Xia Weibao took the phone and looked it over, finding the argument rather convincing.
If that was true, then King Cheng’s experience was very similar to Yuan Zhinan’s, both having decided to remain unmarried for a woman.
"It might not be because of a woman, though. Maybe he really was a eunuch."
Leng Yan’s sudden outburst left everyone speechless.
Even if there was a problem with King Cheng in that respect, there’s no need to label him a eunuch.
He was the emperor, after all!
Xia Shi said, "It’s hard to say for sure. Maybe King Cheng dedicated all his mind to the welfare of the state.
Taking the world as his responsibility, his boundless love might have led him to sacrifice his life for his people, forgetting to take a wife and sire children."
He looked disdainfully at Xia Shi, "Women, always so unrealistic, always like to idealize those great men.
I am sure, King Cheng must have been a eunuch!"
What did King Cheng do to you, to deserve such spite!
Xia Weibao picked up the script, "If what Sister Xia Shi says is true, then this King Cheng is indeed a paragon of virtue."
Ah, how I wish I could discuss King Cheng’s deeds with Emperor Xia Liang.
That’s what a true emperor is!
So pure and devoid of desire!
And then look at him, damn it!
A thousand years had passed, yet every time she thought back to those days of serving in the Imperial Harem, she still felt a sore back and aching waist.
Xu Jiayang felt that only he among those present was cultured; the other three were idiots.
"Xia Shi’s idea is impossible. Even with a heart set on the welfare of the state, securing a lineage is still a top priority. Would the entire court just ignore that?
It is recorded in history that when a high official wanted to send his daughter to the Imperial Harem, King Cheng dismissed him from his post and confiscated his property. He was very determined not to take a wife.
It probably wasn’t due to impotence either, because he held selections for consorts.
He held beauty pageants regularly, and only the most beautiful women could enter the palace to participate.
But none of them were ever selected.
Some historians analyze that he was extremely handsome and had high standards, and no woman could catch his eye.
But I don’t think that’s likely; it feels like he was looking for someone.
Searching for a very beautiful woman."
At this point, Xia Weibao suddenly felt a touch in her heart.
As for why she was touched, she couldn’t quite explain it.
"Looking for someone?"
"That’s right. King Cheng ascended the throne at twenty-eight, ruled for forty years, and held eighty beauty pageants in total, right up until the year he died. Yet, he had no woman in his life.
In the end, he died alone and lonely.
He didn’t even have someone to attend to him in his final moments.
The throne was then passed to the Royal Clan.
If he wasn’t looking for someone, then why would he hold so many selections?"