Chapter 369 - Reality Calls (1/2)
By the time Lei Xing resurfaced again, a few hours had passed. Xiao Ting looked up from her embroidery to see Lei Xing, fully dressed, coming towards the pavilion with the Emperor in tow. Lei Xing seemed to be pouting while the Emperor, was seemingly coaxing her saying some words with a doting smile on his face.
Xiao Ting blinkingly stared at them as they came closer, Xiao Ruo even had to remind her to stand up to greet. Xiao Ting quickly stopped staring and shot to her feet, ”G-greetings to the Emperor...jiejie...” She hesitantly added, keeping her head lowered, not quite sure if the Emperor would be alright with her not greeting Lei Xing.
After being ignored earlier, she was making sure to be very careful this time. She would have already gone home but she could not leave without permission from either Lei Xing or the Emperor, so she was stuck. She had even refused to go back inside to her guest room for fear of running into the Emperor again, but then he still ended up coming here himself. It seems some things cannot be avoided.
”Be at ease.” The Emperor calmly said and then asked, ”How are you feeling?” When Xiao Ting did not respond, the Emperor called, ”Xiao Ting?”
”Huh?!” Xiao Ting went as her head shot up, and she stared at the Emperor in wide-eyed shock. The Emperor smirked, ”Your sister and brother call you Xiao Ting, so I automatically did the same. It would be odd to address you as anything else.”
”O-oh.” Xiao Ting awkwardly responded with a nod. This was confusing. The Emperor was actually talking to her, so casually too. Before he had not even bothered to acknowledge her presence, was it because Lei Xing was here that he was suddenly being nice? Xiao Ting felt even more nervous.
”So?” The Emperor went again, and it took Xiao Ting a few seconds to register that he was waiting for an answer to his question. She quickly bowed and responded, ”My health is fine. T-thank you for the concern.”
The Emperor nodded, ”That is good. Be careful not to overindulge in alcohol like this again. It is bad for your health.”
”I-I will keep it in mind. I thank Your majesty for your concern.” Xiao Ting repeated, bowing even lower as cold sweat started to drip down her back. This was uncomfortable, she wants to go home!
”Be at ease, you are family, so there is no need to be so formal.” The Emperor said, and even Lei Xing gave him a dubious look.
{...What are you suddenly being so nice for?...}
The Emperor smiled at Lei Xing and continued, ”Since you're already here, you should stay a few more days to keep the Empress company -”
”Huh?!” Both sisters went in surprise. Xiao Ting quickly reigned in herself and lowered her head, while Lei Xing frowned and whispered, ”What are you doing?”
”Your mood hasn't been too good recently, and I saw yesterday that the presence of your sister greatly lifted your spirits. So I think it will be good to let her stay for a few more days, or you don't think so?” The Emperor cluelessly asked. She had been so eager to be with Xiao Ting last night, and even today, she wanted to run to find her as soon as possible, so naturally, he thought that this would be a welcome surprise for her.
Lei Xing looked at Xiao Ting, who was staring at her with wide eyes, like a doe in headlights, and she did not have the heart to refuse her. So Lei Xing sighed, ”Of course, it will be good.” She said, plastering on a smile while sending daggers into the Emperor with her eyes.
{...Tactless (≖_≖ )... I guess she has her uses too...}
The Emperor smiled and turned to Xiao Ting, who quickly lowered her head. ”I will inform your father.” The Emperor calmly said and then sternly added, ”No alcohol.” and Xiao Ting fervently nodded.
Satisfied, the Emperor turned to Lei Xing, lightly pat her head, ”I'll see you later.” He softly said with a smile and then turned and left.
Xiao Ting stared after him, and once he was gone from view, she turned her astonished gaze to Lei Xing, ”Jiejie -”
”You don't say anything!” Lei Xing swiftly warned with a glare and walked over, ”Xiao Ruo, I'm hungry, food.” She ordered as she plopped down on a seat. Xiao Ruo bowed and quickly went off to see to the arrangements, leaving the two sisters alone.
”Jie -”
”Didn't I tell you to be quiet?” Lei Xing interjected again with a glare and Xiao Ting closed her mouth and bit on her lower lip, looking at Lei Xing with a red face, watery eyes, and an extremely wronged expression. Lei Xing uncomfortably twisted in her seat and faced away from Xiao Ting as her own face started to heat up.
{... Ahhhh, who do I kill in this case? („ಡωಡ„)...}
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Princess Nalan skeptically followed the guards through the dark corridors of the prison. After her rude dismissal earlier, she had not expected that the Long Emperor would actually allow her to meet Prince Yi, not so quickly anyway. But to her surprise, the Long Emperor randomly grew a heart in a few hours and decided to be reasonable.
They turned the corner, and she saw him, sitting on the bed with his eyes closed. ”Shan!” Princess Nalan exclaimed as her eyes lit up. She immediately rushed to him but was impeded by the bars. She frowned and turned to the guards and the eunuch behind her, ”Open the door!”
”The Emperor has given you fifteen minutes. It is best not to waste it.” The eunuch advised with a curt bow and turned to leave, only for Princess Nalan to grab his collar and drag him back, ”Are you deaf? I said, open the door!” She ordered, pushing him against the bar.
The guards put their hands on their swords, ready to draw and Princess Nalan stared down.
The Eunuch panicked a little and tried to mediate, ”Princess, we cannot release him just because you say so. You are already wasting your little time with t-”
Princess Nalan frowned, ”That's not your concern! I said o-”