Conversation Between a Monarch and a Servant (Part 1)

　　"Sit."

　　We're still at the Vermillion Hall. There were only two people in the room. Everybody else had returned to their respective places already.

　　Seeing Shen Yiren refuse to take a seat, the emperor laughed bitterly.

　　"What's wrong? Are you expecting me to beg you to take a seat?"

　　Shen Yiren's facial expression was still as though her usual demeanour was pretence. She knelt and said: "I failed to teach my subordinates properly causing you to suffer. Please have me punished!"

　　The emperor waved his hand and said: "Alright, alright, skip that rubbish. I asked to see you because I wanted to know how you've been recently. Did you think I'd punish you? Get up and speak."

　　Shen Yiren continued kneeling and didn't raise her head. The emperor watched her grow up so he dotes on her like she's his own nephew. If it was somebody else who caused today's ruckus, they'd have been punished, but not her. Shen Yiren was well aware of that.

　　The la.s.s usually has no regards for any rules or laws, so of course the emperor knew her act was for something else. However, he was well aware that her request would be something difficult to complete.

　　"Yiren, there are no outsiders. I want to have a heart-to-heart talk with you." The emperor wasn't putting on airs. He could be lax with anyone. That's just how he is. However, his ident.i.ty as the emperor means that he must be careful with every word he says and every action he takes. But otherwise, he's just like a close uncle to Shen Yiren.

　　"To punish Yan s.h.i.+san's mistake that year, I deliberately gave Liu Shan Men the cold shoulder all these years. But I know that you've been working hard. You sold your household stuff to fund the repairs of Liu Shan Men's plaque. You even went as far as giving your hand in marriage to Song Ou to expand the influence of Liu Shan Men. Why do you put yourself through this suffering?"

　　Shen Yiren pursed her lips and a sad look appeared in her eyes and then quickly disappeared. She then said: "I'm ashamed, your majesty. My parents did everything they could for Liu Shan Men. Expanding Liu Shan Men is my lifetime-dream. What I've done can't compare to what my parents did."

　　"What you just said has made me feel even more guilty towards your parents. Shen Jun was my childhood friend, and our bond was like that of brothers. He has been my benefactor on many occasions, and I remember them all. I highly respect Mrs Shen who was a heroic woman." The emperor felt more apologetic towards the girl before him as he recounted the past. "When Brother Shen pa.s.sed away, I promised him that I'd look after you. I feel that I've let him down now though, since you and your brother are leading such harsh lives."