Chapter 100 - Ringing Endors.e.m.e.nt (1/2)

Early the next morning, Lei Xing was woken up from her sleep to get ready because the Princess had sent for her. Lei Xing irritatedly went through the motions,  she was surprised because she thought the Emperor would have made alternate arrangements since he seemed unhappy with the arrangement. She yawned as she sat in the carriage as they carted her off to the Princess's residence.

{...Why didn't he change it? I don't like early morning events. Where the hell does she even want to go this early?! T_T)...}

She yawned again and comfortably settled in to take a nap, jerking awake when the carriage stopped. She quickly straightened up her attire, took a deep breath and got down. She was led to the reception hall and sat down waiting for the Princess to arrive.

Princess Nalan quickly arrived, smiling brightly at Lei Xing. They exchanged greetings and then sat down quietly. With Lei Xing sitting upright, trying to maintain a dignified aura, and ignoring discomfort with the princess who was sitting across from her slowly and quietly scrutinizing her from top to bottom.

”What is your name?” Princess Nalan finally asked.

Lei Xing cordially responded, ”Lei Xing.”

”I heard you're the defense minister's daughter?”

”Yes, I am.”

”How old are you?”

”Seventeen.”

Princess Nalan nodded, ”That's a good age.”

Lei Xing slightly knit her brows and looked at the Princess suspiciously.

{...What do you mean good age? Good age for? -_-)...}

”Anything you're skilled at?”

Lei Xing gave a half-smile, ”Nothing in particular.” She flatly responded, starting to feel annoyed.

{...What the hell is this? 99 questions? I didn't know I was coming for an interview -_-)...}

”I heard you're your Emperor's current favorite?”

Lei Xing's lips twitched and she did not respond.

Princess Nalan smiled and continued, ”Do you like your Emperor or...?”

Lei Xing finally fed up, squarely looked at her and flatly said, ”I believe that is a personal matter.”

Princess Nalan raised an eyebrow and then laughed, ”You have spunk too. That's very good, pushovers are no fun.”

Lei Xing frowned, she did not share in the amus.e.m.e.nt. She was already upset with her rude awakening and now having to play mind games to entertain someone was not helping her mood.

Princess Nalan then got up and said, ”Let's go.” Then she bounded the room with the disgruntled Lei Xing trailing behind.

They arrived at the back garden to see Prince Rui and Molin practicing martial arts, shirtless. Lei Xing did not think much of it and absentmindedly looked on, enjoying the performance.

Princess Nalan smirked then nudged her, ”Isn't it great?”

Lei Xing turned to her and Princess Nalan pointed at the fighting duo. Lei Xing turned back to them, knit her brows and looked back at Princess Nalan who just smiled at her. Meanwhile, Prince Rui saw them from the side of his eyes and frowned, the enthusiastic Molin used this moment of distraction to land a blow, sending Prince Rui to the ground.

It was also at that moment that Lei Xing came to a realization.

{...I should not have been looking, should I? >_

Lei Xing quickly turned her back, acting the part of a modest noble woman, thinking it's better late than never. Ah Jin beside her also followed along and turned her back. Princess Nalan looked at the two, snorted then walked up to her brother, who had gotten off the ground and was glaring at her.

”Why did you bring her here?” Prince Rui quietly asked.

”To see you, of course. You look very dashing like this.” Princess Nalan responded.

”Oh, that's that girl, right?...I'll go greet her.” Molin said and started in Lei Xing's direction, when Prince Rui pulled him back, ”You can't go meet her like that! Go clean up and get dressed.” Molin looked at his shirtless chest and went, ”Oh.” and quickly walked off.

Prince Rui then turned to Nalan and said through gritted teeth, ”I told you it isn't like that.”

His sister had developed a habit of setting him up with girls over the years. If he showed even the slightest interest in a girl, she would go off to start arranging meetings with said girl. He had hoped she would show some restraint here given the seriousness of the situation here, but he definitely thought wrong.

Prince Rui frowned, ”Nalan, are you trying to get me in trouble?”

”It's not like they'll kill you just for meeting her.” Princess Nalan offhandedly responded.