Chapter 339: The Wishes of Ordinary People
That night. In Young Master Sang’s room in the National Master’s residence.
Lying on the bed, Young Master Sang stared at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep for a long while.
“…Nian Nian, are you there?”
“If the Host is looking to dump some midnight emo trash, sorry, not here.” Nian Nian’s playful voice chimed in.
“…”
Young Master Sang sighed and said, “Forget the trash talk, let’s get serious.”
“Who do you think is behind the Third Prince?”
“Didn’t the Host already ask? A thousand points, no credit.”
“…You little swindler.” Young Master Sang responded helplessly.
“I think, since the other party is so sure that Li Shanyan won’t show up, it means they not only know of the existence of ‘Dream Realm Dust,’ but likely did something to Li Shanyan in the Dream Court that prevents him from leaving the dream space.”
“In other words, something must have happened that we don’t know about when we left the Dream Court that day.”
“And if this assumption is true, then Li Shanyan not only doesn’t know when he’ll wake up; it’s highly likely he’s in grave danger.”
“But if he doesn’t wake up, can the Holy Kingdom really rely on Huo Ningxue alone to keep things together?” Young Master Sang felt a headache coming on.
Suddenly, Nian Nian materialized beside him. She floated in mid-air, arms crossed, her cute little face showing a hint of mock seriousness.
“Humph. In the end, you just can’t bear to part with your precious empress.”
“…Stop with that nonsense; our relationship is purely clean.”
“Is a kiss considered clean?”
“Well, that was an accident.” Young Master Sang awkwardly searched for words to justify himself. “You see, Huo Ningxue doesn’t even understand what kissing means or what it’s like to like someone. The situation was purely accidental… I can’t just trick a fool like that into going home with me. That’s just too immoral.”
Nian Nian adjusted her glasses, making a very serious remark: “Hearing the word ‘morality’ from the Host is quite a rarity.”
“…”
Young Master Sang stared at the ceiling and suddenly said, “Nian Nian, I have a feeling this matter isn’t over yet.”
“The Third Prince’s rebellion is indeed suspicious. Forget about the Third Prince himself; what’s the reason behind the people supporting his rebellion?”
“Is there something within the Holy Kingdom that they need?”
“If that’s the case, then even if the Third Prince is dismissed, they might still turn their attention back to the Holy Kingdom next time.”
“If Li Shanyan were still around, we could rest easy. But if he’s stuck in the dream for a long time and can’t wake up…”
Nian Nian shot Young Master Sang a sidelong glance.
“If you’re so worried about Huo Ningxue and her brother’s safety, why not stick around and be your National Master?”
No way.
Little Ying and the others are still waiting for me back home.
To the Holy Kingdom, I’m just an outsider. A temporary worker, really.
Once the job is done, I’ll definitely head back.
But it wouldn’t be true to say I’m not worried about that silly girl Huo Ningxue.
After spending time together, Young Master Sang understood that this silly girl would helplessly count money for those who sold her out.
Now that the Holy Kingdom has just seen the end of chaos, if there are still forces lurking around outside…
“Sigh.”
Young Master Sang quietly sighed, “Why am I overthinking this?”
“I’ve been here too long, losing my grip. I really started to think of myself as the Holy Kingdom’s National Master, worrying about the kingdom’s affairs.”
“Such matters can be left for the officials and the National Master’s residence to worry about. I should just focus on going home and do my job as the Punishment Department head.”
“Thanks for listening to my complaints. Goodnight, Nian Nian mom.”
With that, Young Master Sang turned off the light and rolled over to sleep.
But Nian Nian didn’t disappear as usual. Instead, she quietly sat on the edge of the bed, gazing at Young Master Sang’s back.
After a long moment, she pouted slightly and murmured, “Seriously. I don’t know where this stupid Host got such a contradictory personality.”
“If you miss him, just say it. There are so many people at home, what’s one more?”
…I’m the same.
Why have I become so contradictory?
Clearly seeing more people around him makes my heart feel sour.
But seeing a girl like Huo Ningxue, I can’t help but empathize.
I inexplicably wonder, if one day I end up hesitant like that, what should I do?
“Ugh… this is so annoying.”
Suddenly, Nian Nian pouted, grumbling in frustration, “Why do I, a system, always have to overthink?”
“Just chalk it up to bad luck having such a troublesome and fickle Host.”
Taking a deep breath, she kicked Young Master Sang, who was lying sideways: “Stop pretending to sleep. I know you’re not.”
“Let’s just say this system has pity on you and will generously give you a hint.”
Young Master Sang immediately sprang upright.
“I knew Nian Nian mom was the best! Quick, tell me, what’s the hint? Is it about the forces behind the Third Prince? Or Li Shanyan’s situation in the dream?”
“…Neither.”
Nian Nian shot him an exasperated glare: “It’s about Huo Ningxue.”
“Actually, Huo Ningxue isn’t naturally foolish. Just look at her brother and you’ll know. They’re family; how could such a smart brother be a complete idiot next to her?”
“She’s always thought she’s smarter than others since childhood.”
“Over time, she forgot how to think like a normal person and fully embraced the image of a fool.”
“…Just like now, fully embodying the empress persona.”
“Deceiving herself?” Young Master Sang questioned, puzzled. “Why?”
“Because her mother knew she wasn’t favored in the harem. She neither manipulated relationships nor excelled in intrigue. Once the late emperor passed, a single person couldn’t protect Huo Ningxue.”
“So, she tried to hypnotize Huo Ningxue in various ways since childhood, making her believe she was a fool.”
“That way, perhaps during future royal battles, the other princes would let her off since she seemed non-threatening.”
After hearing this, Young Master Sang couldn’t help but frown. “That… seems too idealistic.”
“Yeah.” Nian Nian crossed her tightly wrapped legs, speaking lightly, “From the Host’s perspective, such behavior might seem silly and laughable.”
“But for Huo Ningxue’s mother.”
For an ordinary seamstress from a humble background, an everyday woman.
This was her only way to think of leaving her child a sliver of hope.
She didn’t want her child to fight for the throne and become the supreme ruler of the Holy Kingdom.
She only hoped her child could find a husband from an ordinary family.
And live a safe and peaceful life.
After hearing all of this, Young Master Sang couldn’t help but feel emotional.
But turning his head, he asked, “So what are you trying to hint at with all this?”
Nian Nian looked at Young Master Sang speechlessly.
“I’m saying.”
“Actually, the Host doesn’t need to be so tangled up about Huo Ningxue.”
“Because she’s not foolish at all.”
“She will make her own choices.”
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