Chapter 35 - World of Intrigue (1/2)

Back in the royal study, the disgruntled assistant sat there stewing, while the emperor went about his business casually reading and writing. After a while, two maids came in to bring tea and snacks and then left.

The assistant poured tea for both of them and then casually started nibbling on the snacks and drinking tea, she hadn't had lunch yet when someone abruptly interrupted her day. After that, she continued sitting there doing nothing and staring into space, Lei Xing's mood calmed down.

{...Well, this is boring...not at all what I expected...then again, it's not like he would have asked me to scrub the floors or something...then again you never know with this a**h*ole...so am I just going to sitting down here doing nothing? Really?...Not that I'm complaining but...guess it could be much worse...}

She glanced at the emperor who seemed to be ignoring her presence and was absorbed in his memorials.

{...This guy clearly likes to mess with people...No, it's my fault for being pulled along...well, I can't really be blamed for that though...better that, than to have lost an opportunity on the slim 1% chance that he would have really done it...Ahh, I'm really not getting out of here, am I?...I guess at this point, I should start thinking of how to survive rather than escape...}

Lei Xing narrowed her eyes at him.

{...Number 1 rule for survival is to stay away from this person...he's the cause or at least will be the cause of all the hate being thrown around...Well, it's not like I've been going to look for him either...he's the one with active annoying legs -_-)...No, no, actually I wouldn't be here right now if not for playing that stupid game...

...If I had just gone my merry way, he would not have bothered with me...Also if I hadn't stupidly mouthed off at him regarding that crappy empress question, he probably wouldn't have thrown me into his bloody harem to mess with me...

...So in conclusion, it seems I'm the one attracting trouble -_-)'...}

Lei Xing sighed.

The emperor glanced up at her, ”If you're bored you can read some of the memorials”

Lei Xing gave a half-smile and gave the standard response, ”I dare not.”

{...First, I doubt they will be more entertaining than the air...second, I don't think I'm allowed to...third, leave me alone -_-)...}

”It's fine, try this one.” He said as he held out one of them towards her. Lei Xing hesitantly took it and opened it under his watchful gaze.

She was surprisingly amused by it.

The memorial was about reports of some officials being attacked by an aggrieved ghost at night, and then the next morning a slew of letters are spread around the city, that are apparently from the ghost detailing the reasons for the attack, the ghost apparantly signed ”ghost”.

The reasons are apparently ”false” accusations against the official of the night, about plans of rebelling against the throne, corruption and embezzlement.

The letters also explained that the wealth procured by unscrupulous means have been seized. The officials who have been attacked said there was nothing stolen and that they are being wronged by these accusations, and of course, that they have always been nothing but loyal to the throne.

The ghost also goes on to censure the emperor for his inadequacy as a ruler, blaming everything on him and the late emperor for his choosing him, expressing Heaven's discontent with him and also wishes for his quick downfall.

The memorial was calling for justice for the officials whose names are being smeared by this so-called ghost and saying that someone is trying to sow discord between the emperor and his loyal officials, and for also disparaging the emperor.

And that the ghost must be brought to justice to ease the hearts of the people that are anxious and living in fear because of this ”ghost”, who according to the memorial is an enemy of the country.

{...Ghost? Well someone's having fun writing a play...}

”Do you believe in ghosts?” The emperor asked with a smile.

Lei Xing looked at him skeptically, ”Do you?”

”Well, it is possible that they exist.”

Lei Xing looked at the memorial and snickered, ”Well, I doubt ghosts that go about attacking people, and then go writing and spreading detailed letters of complaints exist. Also, this ghost is too inefficient, since it can attack people and seems to think you're the problem and wants you gone, why not just glide into the palace and ki-”

Lei Xing caught herself before she finished the words and cautiously glanced up at the emperor.

The emperor smiled and finished for her, ”Kill me.”

Lei Xing nervously laughed, ”I was just saying that is the common sense approach for a ”real” ghost to take.”

The emperor nodded, ”Makes sense...” and then handed her another memorial, ”What about this one?”

The second memorial was about a ”ghost” again, this time the ghost distributed money on the commoners' doorsteps along with signed ”ghost” letters singing praises of the emperor.

The official who wrote this one was quite enthusiastic in his language, saying in more elaborate words that this was a sign from Heaven that the emperor is the chosen and exalted ruler, and that the imposter going about spreading terror is of no consequence and will be brought to justice soon.

{...Obviously a poor attempt to bootlick with someone else's work...So it's either we have a bipolar ghost...or someone, most likely this person sitting here, is spending money on damage control...ghosts, if they exist - haven't met one yet, but you never know, not interested though...they may go about attacking people and complaining, but they normally don't submit letters of complaints for review, I think...Also, they typically don't go about ”stealing” and definitely don't go around sharing red envelopes with complimentary letters...}

”So what do you think?”

Lei Xing still lost in her thoughts, offhandedly said, ”Damage control.”

”Damage control?” The emperor raised his eyebrows.

Lei Xing looked up, ”Ah, there are obviously two different ”ghosts” with different agendas. While one does bad deeds and slanders people, the other does good deeds and praises in an attempt to boost reputation or at least repair whatever damage has been done by the first ghost.”