Chapter 47 (2/2)
“Master Long YinLian, is it true that you once took part in hunting down the rebels back then? And when you encountered accidents, you decided that you were plotted against? Now that you have returned, you wanted to exact your revenge?” the official asked Long YinLian and the last string that was holding Lin Xiao’s composure snapped in half.
“This official–!”
“The Emperor, Qin YiJun has arrived!” a shrill sounding voice entered the room and not long after, the door was opened.
Qin YiJun entered the hall in a calm manner, followed by his entourage behind him. The arrival of the Emperor came as a sudden to the people in the hall and they had reacted slowly.
The first one to react was the official in a purple robe. He quickly stood up and kowtowed to the Emperor. “This official sees the Emperor! WanSui!”
“The servants see the Emperor! WanSui! WanSui! Wan WanSui!”
Only after hearing the official greets the Emperor did the rest quickly followed suit. But Lin Xiao was still in a daze as his eyes continued to look at Qin YiJun. He truly could not shake off that sense of familiarity in his heart.
Long YinLian seemed to have noticed that Lin Xiao has yet to pay his respect to the Emperor, so he quickly pulled Lin Xiao down to his knees. “Xiao-er, you need to pay your respect to His Majesty…” Long YinLian said in a soft whisper, though one could hear the worry in his tone.
Long YinLian knew that since Lin Xiao had forgotten his past, the boy has also forgotten things such as etiquette. He did remember that he had to teach Lin Xiao basic etiquette before when meeting people. Now that they are before the Emperor, he felt that he has failed as both master and parents for not teaching Lin Xiao the basic palace etiquette.
“Until the Emperor said so, don’t raise your head,” Long YinLian whispered once more to Lin Xiao when he felt that Lin Xiao was lifting his head.
Hearing this, Lin Xiao immediately lowered his head once more. Even though he was curious as to why he finds the Emperor’s figure to be extremely familiar, he can’t risk endangering his master. After all, they say that the Emperor’s heart is a fickle. If he angered the Emperor, they might end up being punished heavily.
When Qin YiJun had entered earlier, his eyes was also locked with Lin Xiao’s and he almost felt that he was in a dream. He wanted to approach Lin Xiao when he saw the man beside Lin Xiao pulled him down to kneel, which made him frown. But at the same time, he understood that the man beside Lin Xiao is only worried about the other. After all, he has the identity of an Emperor and therefore, they have to pay their respect.
With this in mind, Qin YiJun can only let out a sigh. “Everyone may rise,” he said and only then did everyone in the hall stood up.
“Thanking His Majesty for his benevolence,” the officials said, and the rest repeated his word. This includes Elder Xiang who sported a sorry figure of being tied up in front of the Emperor.
“Ah! It’s you!!” a voice, that is oddly familiar to Lin Xiao exclaimed. When he looked over at the source, he saw someone dressed as an imperial guard pointing at him. As soon as Lin Xiao saw his face, he began to feel his palm starting to sweat.
Hearing that one of the people he brought along seems to be familiar with Lin Xiao, Qin YiJun can’t help but ask: “Meng Chen, is there something the matter?”
“Your Majesty,” Meng Chen cupped both hands as he bowed before the Emperor. “This lowly guard wonders if the Emperor remembers about the thief, I mentioned two weeks ago. That’s him over there,” Meng Chen said as he pointed at Lin Xiao.
Lin Xiao cursed under his breath as he quickly glanced at the Emperor. But the moment their eyes met; Lin Xiao felt an indescribable feeling bubbling inside him. That sense of familiarity was back, it was as if he had once met with the Emperor long before he lost his memories. The Emperor stood and walked towards him. His attendants following closely behind. Lin Xiao couldn’t take his eyes off the Emperor and only when the Emperor spoke up did he realize how close they are standing.