Chapter 41 - Plot Hole (1/2)
Lei Xing bowed her head slightly and said, ”I am fine, thank your majesty for your concern.”
”En, then why are not eating or drinking anything?” The empress dowager asked with raised eyebrows.
Lei Xing glanced down at her table, she really hadn't touched anything the whole time, but this shouldn't particularly strange.
It was never compulsory to eat or drink, and also this was not the first time Lei Xing did this, so the sudden concern was a bit disconcerting.
{...Since when did you start caring whether or not I was eating?... I have less of an appetite now with your ”concern”...Leave me alone -_-)...}
Lei Xing bowed her head again and explained, ”I am not feeling too well this morning, and don't have much of an appetite this morning. I wasn't even able to eat breakfast before coming because of this.”
The empress dowager knit her brows, ”I see. It seems your body is quite weak.”
Lei Xing bowed, ”I'm sorry for your worrying your majesty.”
{...Well if you'd all leave me the hell alone, I'm sure it'd be much better -_-)'...}
Lei Xing let out a silent sigh and straightened up thinking it was over, then the empress dowager spoke up again, ”It's okay not to want to eat but you should at least drink something.”
Lei Xing blinked.
{...Um...no?...}
The empress dowager continued, ”I saw that you seemed to enjoy Tienchi flower tea before, and so I had that prepared today. Xing er', you should at least drink some, it will help you gain some energy.”
Lei Xing could feel some glares being directed at her.
{...What is this woman's problem today?... As if her son's problem is not enough, she wants to also put some effort towards my hate meter now...did he put her up to it?... Seriously! Mind your own business!!-_-)'...}
The empress dowager interrupted Lei Xing's thoughts asking, ”Aren't you going to drink?”
Lei Xing looked at her smiling face and wide eyes that seemed to be staring her down and really didn't want to drink it all the more.
{...I thought you say there is no need to force myself ...why does it seem like you're trying to force me now?... Aren't you being contradictory? Don't tell me you forgot that?...haah, I'm seriously not in the mood to deal with more bs today -_-)...}
Before Lei Xing could open her mouth to respond, the empress dowager's smile vanished, she frowned and asked, ”Or don't tell me you don't want to drink it because you think there is something wrong with the tea? I personally made the blend myself and allowed you all to indulge yourselves in it, the tea was also brewed by my own personal maids. How can there be anything wrong with it? What are you insinuating?”
{...Um lady, I didn't say anything...aren't you jumping the gun here?... If I don't drink it now, won't it be like I'm insinuating THAT given what she just said?...}
Lei Xing quickly bowed her head, ”Of course there could not be anything wrong with the tea, thank your majesty for your concern. It is indeed an immense honor to be able to enjoy this grace.”
{...Saying stuff like this is really irritating -_-)'...}
Lei Xing slowly reached for the cup, and the jewel on the ring changed slightly.
{...And of course, there's something wrong with it -_-)'...}
”Is there something wrong?... Or are you perhaps feeling unwell?” The empress dowager eagerly asked narrowing her eyes, seeing Lei Xing was not moving.
Lei Xing looked up at her and saw her expression.
{...Are you concerned or do you want me to be unwell?... Why do you sound so happy asking that? She looks as if she's waiting for me to say something or be ”unwell”...Lady, I think we need to have a conversation, what exactly is your problem with me?...
...I have already apologized to your ”precious” son about that whole empress thing...at least I think I did...probably, maybe...either way, he seems to be over it!...so why won't you let me off? It was just a slip of brain matterT_T)...}
Lei Xing looked up at the empress dowager with a smile, ”Ah, it's just I feel this is a bit cold already -”
”Bring a fresh pot, cold tea will not do you any good.” The empress dowager promptly ordered. Lei Xing smiled lightly and bowed to thank her.
The empress dowager continued her speech on royal etiquette and expectations. Lei Xing inwardly sighed in relief.
{...It seems I dodged this one...Shouldn't she be magnanimous and forgiving as an elder and as a royal?... She really holds grudges unnecessarily...what am I talking about? If the inhabitants in the palace were magnanimous and forgiving I wouldn't have been trying so hard to not be here...I mean there's still the sharing a guy bit that's still off-putting - but that's a side note right now...}
After a short while, a maid came up to Lei Xing with a fresh piping hot pot of tea and poured a cup for her.
The empress dowager turned her attention back to Lei Xing and smiled, ”The tea is here, you should hurry and drink it before it gets cold again.”
Lei Xing reached for the cup again, and the ring changed again.
{...Shit!! I guess I didn't dodge this one... Should I pass out again?...}
She slightly glanced up and saw the empress dowager squinting in her direction with a slight smile on her face, seemingly eager about something.