Chapter 212 - Guilt-Trip (1/2)

Chun Hua jumped to her feet with knit eyebrows when she heard the announcement of the Emperor's arrival. She was not expecting the Emperor to suddenly come to see her again.

Last night when she was taken out of her cell, she was prepared to be tortured again. But instead, the Emperor observed her for a while and then informed that Lei Xing was grateful to her for trying to help her and so she had pleaded on her behalf. Therefore, the Emperor decided to spare her and told her to return to her former life.

Before the guards could escort her out of the prison, she got on her knees and pleaded with the Emperor for one last chance to see Lei Xing again so she could at least apologize and thank her for her grace in person. The Emperor hesitated and eventually, he just told the guards to escort her out.

Chun Hua thought that she had failed but after her wounds were tended to and her meager belongings were brought to her. It was obvious they had been rummaged through but she was not worried about them finding anything there and assumed it was just to ensure she was not taking any stolen items from the palace. Then to her surprise, she was brought a meal and then told to rest.

Chun Hua tried to talk to the attending maid to get a sense of what was happening, but the maid did not respond to any of her questions, other than giving directives, she was ignored.

So, Chun Hua assumed that it was Lei Xing who arranged all this for her and she expected to be summoned the next day. She went to sleep with hope that her plans could still be carried out. And all day today, she had been waiting to be summoned.

But then the Emperor came back to see her?

She was puzzled as to why he would come back here. But then got her explanation when the doors opened and she saw Lei Xing follow the Emperor in. Chun Hua immediately fell to her knees and bowed in greeting and then glanced up at Lei Xing and began to play her role. She immediately kowtowed and shakily began, ”Your majesty, Your highness, h-how could I cause you to come to a place like this...If I had known, I would have waited outside. I apolo-”

The Emperor dismissively cut in, ”Noble consort Lei was concerned for your injuries and insisted on coming here to see you.”

{...I did what now? O_O)...}

Lei Xing immediately turned to the Emperor with a raised eyebrow. He simply raised his eyebrows and motioned his head towards Chun Hua, signaling for her to play the concerned role. Lei Xing knit her brows but disgruntedly played along, ”Yes, how are you?”

Chun Hua sat back on her knees as she looked at Lei Xing with tears running down her face, ”I am well...But...” She paused and choked back tears and then continued, ”...Y-you treated me with kindness and...not only did I not repay you but I also brought you trouble...I deserve death!” She sobbingly said as she kowtowed again, banging her head on the ground.

Lei Xing turned to the Emperor with a pout and an accusing glare. The Emperor lightly raised an eyebrow at her and thinking that her accusing glare was because of Chun Hua's injuries, he lightly shrugged and looked off to the side.

{...I'll explain it to her later...It was all necessary...}

But Lei Xing did not care about Chun Hua's injuries, and her accusing glare was because he put her in an awkward position and she did not like it. But that was an issue for later, Lei Xing turned her gaze back to the kowtowing and sobbing Chun Hua.

{...What the hell am I supposed to do with this crying person? And what did he mean by ”grateful”...Okay, yes she tried to help - not sure that I believe that though, but let's say that I do. It's not like her efforts resulted in my life being spared, it honestly was a completely pointless and useless move, Li Ru couldn't do anything...Not that she could have done anything else, but...I just don't feel that grateful...}

Lei Xing let out a sigh and said, ”Stand up.”

Chun Hua shook her bowed head, ”No, I will rep-”

”Stand up.” Lei Xing cut in a louder and firm tone that shocked both the Emperor and Chun Hua. Lei Xing was not in the mood for this self-pity act to get sympathy.

Chun Hua frowned but quickly put on a proper pitiful expression as she slowly and shakily stood up with her head lowered. Lei Xing noticed her favoring a leg and then said in a gentle but flat tone, ”Sit down.” Chun Hua did not protest and complied thinking that it was better for her plans if she cooperated with Lei Xing's orders.

”Why did you want to see me?” Lei Xing directly asked.

Chun Hua wanted to get on her knees again, but as soon as she moved Lei Xing immediately ordered, ”Sit and talk.”

”I want to apologize for causing you trouble...and...” Chun Hua hesitated and sniffed, holding back tears, she then looked up at Lei Xing with a resolute and beseeching expression, ”I will use the rest of life to pay for this sin, please allow me this retribution!”

She kowtowed again and continued, ”It does not matter what sort of task you assign me to, I will be satisfied with even scrubbing the floor you walk on, just let me repay you with this little life of mine!” She finished and held her breath, waiting for Lei XIng to respond.