Chapter 79: Si Fuqing: Fine, I’ll Remove the Makeup (2)

Translator: _Min_

Si Fuqing appeared entirely unfazed. She sighed, “You know, I once wanted to play the role of an emperor, but now I’ve realized that the role I’d really like to play is that of the empress dowager.”

Yu Xiheng leaned on his elbow, the corners of his eyes hiding a trace of a smile as his imposing aura subtly dissipated. “Oh? And why is that?”

“The empress dowager not only gets served, and they get to lie in bed all day,” Si Fuqing said languidly. “They have clothes put on them and are fed without lifting a finger—my dream of a slothful life.”

Feng San, who had finally managed to move, snorted in disbelief.

What? That’s her reason?

Seemingly struck by a sudden thought, Si Fuqing sat upright.

She stood up, dashed to the coat rack, rummaged through her hanging bag to retrieve a book, and then scampered back to stand in front of Yu Xiheng.

Yu Xiheng looked up, his gaze landing on the tuft of hair sticking up on top of her head. His eyebrows lifted slightly, “What are you up to?”

“Boss,” Si Fuqing clasped her hands together, her expression utterly serious. “I have a lifelong dream that I hope you can help me realize.”

Yu Xiheng’s expression sobered. “What dream?”

“I want to hear Emperor Yin speak.” Si Fuqing pointed to the book in her hand. “Can you read this line for me? Please, Boss, your voice is so pleasant to listen to; even the voice actors I know can’t compare. Let me record your voice!” Feng San was speechless.

Her lifes dreams were to eat roast duck and hear historical figures speak?

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What kind ofrandom dreams were these?

He was sure that Brother Nine would never indulge Si Fuqing’s whims.

Yet, to his surprise, Yu Xiheng set aside the documents in his hand and took the book from her. “Which line?”

“Right here!” Si Fuqing pointed at the book. “Quick, Boss, say it!” Yu Xiheng lowered his eyes, and they darkened abruptly.

The passage read:

“In the third year of the Yuan era, a court official petitioned the Emperor to take in more concubines and fill the imperial harem. The Emperor responded: ‘The sky is unsettled, the sea is not calm, the state is not secure; what household should we speak of?’ He rejected the suggestion, and henceforth no court official dared to bring up the matter again, leaving the imperial harem of three thousand deserted.”—’Annals of Emperor Yin, Chapter 18′

This was one aspect of Emperor Yin that Si Fuqing most admired.

Historians have often lamented that Emperor Yin lived for only twenty-seven years and left no wife, concubine, or offspring behind.

After his death, his court officials, in accordance with his will, adopted an heir from the royal family to continue the lineage of the Great Xia Dynasty.

“The sky is unsettled, the sea is not calm, the state is not secure; what household should we speak of?”

It turned out that there truly were people in this world who could place a greater cause above all personal sentiments.

Yu Xiheng remained expressionless, his voice subdued, “It’s a fine line, but he may not have said it.”

“Whether he said it or not, he lived it,” Si Fuqing tilted her head, “That’s enough, isn’t it?”

Yu Xiheng paused before finally breaking into a smile, “Indeed.”

Having read so much history, he sometimes pondered what people in later generations truly admired about him.

Was it the cold, rigid impression sketched by words, or a fantasized ideal?

But neither truly represented him.

He had his flaws; he wasn’t perfect.

“I’m ready,” Si Fuqing lifted her phone. ‘Go ahead, Boss.”

Yu Xiheng raised an eyebrow and read the line from the history book in his usual composed tone, devoid of emotional inflections.

Yet, to Si Fuqing, it felt as if that was perhaps the tone Emperor Yin might have used—neither stern nor aggressive but indifferently poised. His voice, unhurried and calm, added a nebulous, ethereal quality that momentarily transported her back to the height of the Great Xia Dynasty, as if standing face-to-face with Emperor Yin.

“Done,” Yu Xiheng handed back the book, his final word punctuated with authority.

Si Fuqing snapped back to reality, blinking her fox-like eyes, “Boss, your acting skill isn’t bad.”

Yu Xiheng rested his chin on his hand, the corners of his eyes still hiding that elusive smile, “I’ve had some practice.”

Feng San was puzzled.

When did he not know that his Brother Nine had taken acting lessons?

But regardless of whether he’d had any formal training, his Brother Nine was the most versatile of all. Yet, for a moment there, he felt as if he was truly in the presence of Emperor Yin, and instinctively wanted to kneel in reverence.

Feng San took a step back.

Miss Si was right; Brother Nine would make a compelling emperor.

“OK! Perfect!” Si Fuqing set the line as her wake-up alarm, thoroughly satisfied. “Boss, the first phase of the treatment is complete. I’ll prepare the list of herbs, and we can commence the second phase.”

“Soon enough, you’ll be striding along with unparalleled agility!”

Feng San’s mouth twitched.

Only Miss Si could dish out such over-the-top flattery.

Yu Xiheng’s eyes slightly dimmed.

In a past life, Yu Xiheng had succumbed to a lung disease, his final moments marred by coughing up blood.

During his lifetime, he often wondered what death would truly feel like.

He had felt the excruciating pain of his heart being hollowed out, but soon enough, he found himself inhaling fresh air again.

Though he was granted a second chance at life, the body he inhabited was far from perfect—afflicted legs and a frail body.

He had reassembled the Miracle Doctors Alliance, and their treatments had restored him enough to walk freely.

However, the root of his ailment was unaddressed, leading to periodic bouts of pain every fifteenth of the month.

While the pain was not debilitating, it was a hindrance to his mobility. His encounter with Si Fuqing, stepping into her car, had been on account of such a sudden flare- up.

Yu Xiheng felt a marked relief in his pain since her treatments began. Meeting her vibrant, entrancing fox-like eyes, he smiled once more, “Yes, I’m looking forward to it.”

“I’ll be going then,” Si Fuqing waved her hand dismissively. “No need to see me off; I’ll bike back.”

Yu Xiheng gave a nod of approval.

Just as Si Fuqing reached the doorway, her phone started to ring.

Answering it, she was immediately met with a barrage of rebukes.

“Si Fuqing, what have you done?!” Feng Peizhi yelled, incensed. “Who authorized you to take on an endorsement without the company’s permission? Where’s the contract? Do you see what you’ve been slandered as online? Is the company expected to clean up after you again?

Si Fuqing abruptly ended the call, blocking this new number from Feng Peizhi.

Peace at last.

The sound, of course, did not escape Yu Xiheng’s ears. He spoke up softly, “Need any help?”

“No, not for now,” Si Fuqing shrugged, limbering her shoulders. “Once the show is over, they won’t have any hold over me.”

Staying or leaving Tianle Media wasn’t the issue at hand.

The important thing was to ensure that Xie Yu and Xu Xiyun successfully debuted.

If it weren’t for these trainees, she had no intention of lingering in the entertainment industry.

“Hold on, Miss Si!” Feng San, clutching his phone, ran after her, a sense of urgency in his voice. ‘Your Weibo is blowing up. Comments are claiming that you stole Xia Sheng’s endorsement. They’re challenging you to remove your makeup, asserting theYll keep mum if you look better than Xia Sheng without it.”

He immediately looked back at Yu Xiheng, “Brother Nine, I’ll find someone to shut down these accounts right away. We can’t let them continue to insult Miss

“No need, it’s too much of a hassle,” Si Fuqing interjected, scrolling through her Weibo. “If they want me to take off the makeup, fine, I’ll remove the makeup”

Seconds later, she pocketed her phone, “Done.”

Little Bai’s eyes were once again fixed longingly on the pen in Yu Xiheng’s hand, its pink lips giving a slight lick.

The scent was intoxicating; it yearned to take a bite.

But then its head was forcibly pressed down by Si Fuqing.

Little Bai: “.

Damn you, dog owner!

Feng San escorted Si Fuqing to the doorway, his heart a mix of curiosity and confusion.

On his way back, he opened the app to check Si Fuqing’s Weibo, eager to see what she had done.

The latest post was a retweet, timestamped a mere ten seconds ago.

“@SiFuqing: I dare, get lost. //@XiaSheng’s LittlePillow: Enough with the bets and challenges. Just answer me, Si Fuqing, do you dare to remove your makeup in front of the entire internet? Show us what ungodly beauty…. ]

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