Chapter 57 - Social Call (2/2)

...Well someone definitely woke up on the wrong side of bed...Can we go now? I am getting the sense that we are, maybe, unwelcome here so we sh-...

”You!” The Empress dowager said glaring into the crowd of Imperial wives, ”Come forward.”

They all stood there, glancing at each other for a bit confused, unsure who she was calling. Chen You then took the initiative to step forward, only for the Empress dowager to irritatedly say, ”Not you. You there in the back.”

Lei Xing awkwardly stood there, she was one of the people in the back and probably the one in the farthest back. So if she's calling the one ”in the back”...

...Why do I feel like she's looking at me? No, it couldn't be...I mean why would she want me? I haven't done anything....Maybe being in the back was a problem? But, bu-...

”Are you ignoring me now?” The Empress dowager sneered, ”I guess my current state is one to be ignored.” Then she burst into laughter, one that clearly had a self-mocking undertone.

Lei Xing hesitantly stepped forward...slowly.

...At this point, even though she's not talking to me, I think I shall be proactive about this...before things end very badly for me in the unlikely - well likely event really given our awkward history, my face probably pissed her off or something ...but why are you laughing like that? You seem crazy and the last thing you need is more crazy...You're already plenty deranged -_-)...

Lei Xing walked to the front and bowed to the Empress dowager, who then narrowed her eyes and scrutinized her for a while. Lei Xing awkwardly stood there in the silence, after a while she glanced up at the Empress dowager, who seemed to be looking at her absentmindedly.

...What is this now? Did you forget my face or do you need to soak in the rage or something? T_T)...

The Empress dowager then smirked and flatly ordered, ”The rest of you, get out.”

Lei Xing's eyes went wide as she watched the others bow and exit the room.

...Um, why do we need a one-on-one? I find it highly unnecessary (*ಠ_ಠ;)...

After the doors were closed, leaving Lei Xing and the Empress dowager alone in the room. Lei Xing glanced at the Empress dowager, whose smirk had been replaced with a deepening frown.

Lei Xing gulped.

...Perhaps I should say something to break the ice...

”Your m-”

”How dare you?” The Empress dowager calmly asked cutting her off.

Lei Xing blinked.

...Huh? Dare me what?... Stand in the back? Doctor Lou - No, no, no I had nothing to do with that... Either way, let's just apologize T_T)...

Before Lei Xing could open her mouth, the Empress dowager then asked again through gritted teeth, ”How dare you come here?”

Lei Xing inwardly groaned.

....I knew visiting wasn't our thing...Chen You, I shall kill you for this!!... It's not her fault though...I don't care! I knew her visits would ruin my day! ٩(๑˃̌ۿ˂̌๑)۶...

”Your ma-” Lei Xing tried to apologize again.

”Ruining my life once wasn't enough for you?” The Empress dowager said glaring at her as she took steps towards Lei Xing, ”...So you had come here too?”

Lei Xing lightly took steps, moving to the side as the Empress dowager approached her.

...Um, not sure what you're talking about...but I'm sorry? (ΘεΘʃƪ)...

”Your majesty, I am sorry for upsetting you...I didn't mean to-” Lei Xing tried to console the irate Empress dowager

”Of course you didn't. Do you ever mean to do anything? I'm the one with the problems, isn't it?!!” The Empress dowager roared at her, causing Lei Xing to jump back, bumping into the stool and knocking it over. Sending the water basin on it to the floor as well, resulting in a watery mess on the floor.

Lei Xing looked at the puddle of water and then at the Empress dowager who was frowning at the mess, then quickly said, ”I'll clean it - I mean, I'll get someone to clean it.” Lei Xing quickly said, ready to flee.

...I don't know what's going with you, but I am out of here!...

Lei Xing immediately turned around to leave, she had barely taken a step when she felt herself being yanked backwards by her hair with so much force that she fell to the ground, banging her head on the edge of the fallen stool. The sharp pain through her head momentarily made her dazed, when her mind focused, she found the Empress dowager was sitting on top of her, with her hands wrapped around her neck, strangling her.

...WHAT THE F*CK?!!! ⁽⁽(( ⁰ⅈ⁰))⁾⁾...