Chapter 314 - Uplift (1/2)

After leaving Li Ru's palace, Lei Xing went to see Ming Shu, hoping for the distraction of work to correct her mood. But after a while of going through boring paperwork, she concluded this was not what she needed right now and cut the meeting short in favor of more pleasant affairs.

Unsurprisingly, pleasant affairs constituted of a visit to the treasury department where she found the old department head, who happily took on the role of tour guide again.

Lei Xing's mood was quickly uplifted as they moved from room to room. She was actually tempted to pocket a few things here and there for further...analysis. But she opted for the more dignified approach of asking for them to be sent over to her palace for further ”assessment” - which of course, the head department happily obliged.

After all, they were all hers - well, the Emperor's, but obviously what's his was hers and what's her was...well, debatable.

Lei Xing let out a happy sigh as she slowly sauntered through the aisles of delicately and intricately designed vases. She was enjoying herself when she heard a faint, ”Hmph!” Her heart jumped and then isntantly fell, when she realized the sound had come from the old department head, who had stopped to clean one of the vases with his sleeve.

Apparently, he was not very pleased with the maintenance of this part of the treasure trove. Looking at him rubbing the vase even reminded her more of Doctor Lou. Lei Xing sighed and looked away, continuing her walk down the aisle.

Honestly, Doctor Lou was the kind of person she usually disliked the most. They force their way into your life with no regard for your will, and then they come and go as they please with no care for the ones they are leaving behind.

It makes it all the worse when they return and expect everyone around to simply fall in line and behave like they had never left in the first place.

Lei Xing sighed, feeling down again.

”Your majesty, is something wrong? Do you not like this piece?” The old department head asked from behind her, surprising Lei Xing, who quickly realized that she was frowning at a particular vase.

Lei Xing quickly corrected her expression with a smile, ”I was just focusing on the patter.... In deep appreciation for the skill of the artist...”

”It is indeed well done...” The old head said with a nod, appraising the vase, ”Do you want this one to be sent over as well?” He asked with a smile.

”En...” Lei Xing absentmindedly responded and then said, ”I will be leaving now...Till next time.” And with that said, Lei Xing made her way out.

But then when she got outside, she was at a loss for what to do now. There was still plenty of daylight left. She thought of returning to her palace to sleep the rest of the day away but then she would end up unable to sleep when night came.

Of course, she had no issue with staying up late, but the problem was that the Emperor would then end up staying up with her. It seemed he had developed the habit of not going to bed unless she was going to.

And while Lei Xing could sleep and wake up whenever she wanted, the Emperor did not have that luxury - correction, he did not allow himself that luxury, most days..he was very disciplined.

Thinking of him, she decided to go see the Emperor. But then she remembered Princess Nalan's issue. It would be best if she showed up with a report on this one simple task he asked of her, so she asked, ”Is Princess Nalan back?”

”We haven't received any news yet...” Xiao Ruo quickly responded, ”Should we send someone to go check?”

”No need.” Lei Xing said, it was not as if the servants would forget that she instructed them to do something.

With that out of the way, she dignifiedly scurried along to the royal study, hoping he was not in a meeting. Otherwise, they will both be having a late night because sleep was the next best option for a bothered Lei Xing.

Luckily, Lei Xing arrived to find the Emperor working and his face immediately lit up when he saw Lei Xing walk in. It was a rare and happy surprise for her to come here without his prodding. It was even much better when she sat down and proceeded to hug his waist and rested her head on his chest.

”Feeling lonely again?” The Emperor jokingly asked as he put an arm around her.