Chapter 46 - Floating Illusions (2/2)
Lei Xing immediately frowned at her.
...What does he want now? Can't someone have some fun in peace for once?! Is it a crime?!... Also, why is he waiting outside? -_-)'...Wait, not that I want him in here...Outside is good, very good...
While Lei Xing was zoning out, Xiao Ruo implored her, ”Your highness, you should hurry up and go out, it isn't good to keep the emperor waiting.”
Lei Xing sighed and got up and glanced at Ah Jin, who was still kneeling, ”You should get up, there's no need for panic, it's not a crime even if you know her.” Ah Jin bowed again and Lei Xing walked out of the room.
When she got outside, she was led to the gazebo on the side, where the emperor was standing with his hands clasped behind his back. Lei Xing inwardly sighed, and then walked forward and bowed in greeting, ”Your majesty.”
He glanced at her, ”Ah, you're still awake?”
Lei Xing's forehead pulsed and she inwardly sighed.
...Not in the mood for this crap -_-)... You called me here, I didn't ”stumble” upon your quiet time...Actually, this is my palace too...so this is not a coincidence, don't talk like it is! -_-)'...
When Lei Xing didn't respond, the emperor smirked and then looked forward again. Lei Xing looked at him and waited for him to state his business, but he didn't say anything, after a while, Lei Xing traced his line of sight.
...Hey, the wall couldn't be that interesting...also, if you want to wall gaze, there are so many other places around to do that, and I know for a fact it is a hobby better enjoyed alone -_-)...
Lei Xing inwardly sighed.
...He's really just there to ruin my night, isn't he? -_-)...
”How did you find the view of the lanterns?” The emperor finally spoke up, still looking forward.
Lei Xing raised an eyebrow at him and flatly responded, ”It was magnificent.”
...Did he really come here to converse about floating lanterns? ...If he's looking for someone to praise him for his aesthetic choice, he came to the wrong place -_-)'...
The emperor turned to look at Lei Xing with a calm smile, ”Really? I thought it had evoked some unpleasant memories for you.”
Lei Xing raised her eyebrows, ”No, not at all.”
...What tangent is this guy on now? -_-)...
”Really? Then why the tears?” He calmly asked.
Lei Xing blinked and was confused, ”What tears?”
...Is this guy hallucinating now?...
”You were crying as you watched the lanterns.” The emperor stated matter of factly.
Lei Xing nervously laughed and flatly said, ”I wasn't crying.”
”I distinctly remember seeing tears...”
Lei Xing put on a strained smile and repeated, ”I wasn't crying.”
The emperor laughed, ”There is no need to feel ashamed, it is understandable...”
Lei Xing's lips twitched, ”Two teardrops doesn't equal crying.”
”Very well...why the two teardrops?”
Lei Xing blankly looked at him.
...Are you bored? -_-)'...I know life here is very boring, but there should be plenty keeping YOU busy...
He continued before she could respond, ”...Is there something causing you grief...or perhaps something you miss?”
Lei Xing gave a half-smile and offhandedly said, ”It was just a beautiful moment...a nostalgic moment.”
”A nostalgic moment?”The emperor repeated and then looked forward again and sighed, ”That is an apt description.”
The two of them stood in silence for a while, each with their own thoughts. Then the emperor turned to her with an outstretched hand, ”Here.”
Lei Xing glanced down at his hand which was holding a carved jade object and then back up at him, he motioned for her to take it, so she hesitantly took it and turned it over scrutinizing the object. Then he continued to explain, ”That is a pass to leave the palace.”
Lei Xing froze and looked up at him wide-eyed in disbelief, ”A...A pass?”
The emperor smiled looking at her awe-stricken face, ”Yes, it is.”
”I...I can leave?” She asked still in disbelief.
”Yes, you can.” The emperor calmly responded.
Lei Xing smiled cheerfully and then laughed, and then remembered to show gratitude and bowed, ”Thank you, thank you so much...The universe will reward you, thank you...”
....Oh my goodness! I can't believe this happening! Finally getting out!... Oh, wow I can't believe this....just when I was giving up hope T_T)'... I'm sorry for all the insults, you're a really good person...
Lei Xing was so overjoyed and felt like she would cry.
...Today's really something...I'm usually not a crier, hahaha but who cares!... Today we cry, Tomorrow we're free!!! ... This feels too good to be true! T_T)... Wait, this is really too good to be true...and feels that way, it usually is...
Lei Xing's happy excited demeanor immediately vanished and she cautiously looked at the emperor, who had been watching her moment of joy with a smile, Lei Xing looked at him skeptically, ”...Thank you...but what's the catch?”
”The catch?” The emperor repeated confused.
”Ah...I mean, like the cost...” Lei Xing tried to explain the expression.
”Cost?” The emperor asked with a raised eyebrow still confused.
Lei Xing pursed her lips thinking of a better term, ”...Um, the pitfall.”
”Pitfall?” The emperor knit his brows, ”You mean like a trap?”
Lei Xing nodded, ”Exactly!”
”Catch...” The emperor quietly said to himself and then smirked at her, ”...should there be?”
Lei Xing slightly narrowed her eyes and became even more guarded.
...I knew it, there is no way this was a going to be a free walk...I knew it, it's probably a prank too...Wait, but why would he lie? -_-)'....I don't know, crazy's not my forte! -_-)...Maybe baiting?... It may truly be a pass but watch him say something like, ”It is a pass and you can use it to leave...after my death.” or ”It is a pass, that you could have used to leave yesterday” or some other stupid crap like that -_-)...