112 The Monarchs Anger (2/2)

He gave him a once over and continued, ”But as far as Zhen can see, nothing happened to you so don't spout that you were worried sick for Zhen.”

The Head Commander didn't know what wrong he had committed but he was of the firm belief that the ever magnanimous monarch wouldn't scold him without any rhyme and reason so he kept his grievances to himself and reflected on his actions.

Maybe the monarch was upset because he had been against the outing or maybe because he had heard Imperial secrets of the proud Son of Heaven which was against the established rules?

Still, he didn't dare voice his thoughts and simply lowered his head.

”Just leave Zhen alone for now.”

Finished with her words, Su Li made for her chambers but then she recalled the person who was stuck like a dog-plaster to her since the evening and raised her hand to massage her forehead where she could feel the beginning of an oncoming headache.

Sighing to herself, she called.

”Unit commander, you follow Zhen and Head Commander, you go and tell Imperial Mother that Zhen is back.”

At her words, it was as if a bolt of lightning had struck the Head Commander and he turned to give Ning Fu the stink eye because he realised the reason as to why the emperor was cross with him.

It must have been this bastard that had something against him to the monarch and filled the naive and kind-hearted monarch's ears with his lies.

Well, no worries. Days were still long and it wasn't sure who would have the last laugh.

He would get even with this sour-faced eyesore another day.

Thinking up to here, the Head Commander of the Shadow Guards turned a warning glare at Ning Fu and then left promptly when he saw that the monarch was losing patience.

Meanwhile, Ning Fu silently followed the emperor to one of the side gardens.

Neither of them said a single word to each other - Su Li because she was lost in her thoughts and Ning Fu because he was lost looking at the side profile of the monarch.

A few minutes later, Su Li said in a deceptively soft voice, ”Beloved Official, we are humans and Zhen can understand that as humans we all are naturally curious about a lot of things and have the innate desire to know about things or people we come into close contact with every day.”

She paused in her words and then with a lamentable sigh continued, ”But we should also remember that all humans are private and don't like airing out their dirty laundry for the entire world to see. ”

”Your Majesty, it wasn't this lowly one's desire to hurt you or to even anger you. This lowly one just thought that if you spoke about the matters in your heart, it might lighten your burden.”

Su Lin didn't want to listen to any of Ning Fu's words so she overrode him.

”Zhen is not asking you to explain the reasons for your actions or even what gave you the courage to hoodwink Zhen. Zhen just wants to tell you that this is your first and last warning and to ever dare to pry into Zhen's matters ever again. You can leave now.”