Chapter 53 - Interrogation (2/2)

”Don't worry, you can trust me.” Tung Mei reassuringly said.

”I don't think so...” Ah Jin mumbled shaking her head.

”You'll see...” Tung Mei offhandedly said and then bounded ahead to join Lei Xing and Lei Yong, linking her arms in theirs.

Ah Jin looked at the trio ahead with Lei Yong ”politely” trying to rip his arm out of Tung Mei's and asking for her to release him, while she ignored his pleas and happily talked to Lei Xing, who was trying to suppress her laughter looking at Lei Yong's aggrieved face. Ah Jin sighed and then picked up her pace.

Lei Yong took it upon himself to escort Lei Xing back to the palace, and of course, Tung Mei tagged along as well. As they approached the palace gates, Lei Yong began imparting some more words of wisdom to Lei Xing, who quickly nodded and sprinted through the gates with Ah Jin, before he could truly begin his lecture.

Lei Yong frowned at the palace gates Lei Xing had disappeared through and then sighed. Tung Mei, who was beside him waved a hand in front of his face, causing him to flinch and then look at her. Tung Mei then smiled, ”You worry too much, Xing jie will be perfectly fine. Although I don't agree, that guy can be useful so...she'll be fine.”

Lei Yong frowned and scolded, ”I told to stop referring to refer to the emperor like that.”

Tung Mei massaged her ear and mumbled under her breath, ”Don't you get tired of saying the same thing over and over again...Honestly, it's actually really annoying”

”What did you say?” Lei Yong asked.

”I'm hungry, let's go eat something.” Tung Mei swiftly responded and turned and walked off.

Lei Yong sighed as he watched her walking off, then he glanced at the palace gates and sighed again and then turned and followed after her.

**

As soon as Lei Xing returned to her palace, Xiao Ruo rushed towards almost in tears and informed her that the empress dowager sent for her, and urged her to quickly get changed. As Lei Xing got changed, Xiao Ruo briefed her on the visits she received, and about how Ling mama returned to inform that she is to go see the empress dowager the moment she returns. Lei Xing was not concerned about Chen You, as she could guess what she came here for, but she was very concerned about the empress dowager.

...What did she want me for? And why today of all days?... Am I in trouble? No, I haven't done anything wrong!...

Lei Xing took a deep breath to calm her mind and started running through possible scenarios in her head, planning out her lines.

...Haah, why did she have to call for me today? I mean, every day I just laze around here doing nothing and she never sends for me...Now the one day I choose not to do that, here she comes... I'm definitely one of those unlucky people who always get caught on their first attempt at crime T_T)...Wait, I didn't commit any crime, I had permission and if she has a problem with that then she should go meet the judge!... Yes, makes perfect sense...That would be the rational thing to do BUT if she were rational then we wouldn't have a problem, now would we? Noo T_T)...

Lei Xing finished getting dressed and quickly made her way to the empress dowager's palace. When she arrived she was led to the reception hall where the empress dowager was sitting on the main seat, with Song mama beside her, both staring down at Lei Xing with blank expressions as she walked in.

...Okay, not awkward at all... She was really waiting for me T_T) Have you been waiting all day like that? This feels like one of those intervention scenes...

”Your majesty please forgive for my tardiness.” Lei Xing apologized as she bowed in greeting.

”I heard you went out of the palace.” The empress dowager calmly said.

”Yes, I did...The emperor gave me a pass yesterday, so I felt obliged to make use of it so...” Lei Xing answered lowering her head in the process.

...Yes, I had to use it because otherwise, it would be an insult to the gifter...An affront to his ”immense grace”...Yeah, so it's his fault! Go interrogate him, please T_T)...

”I see...” The empress dowager calmly said, then sighed and picked up her cup of tea and leisurely took a sip. Lei Xing glanced up at her, to see her with her eyes closed, seemingly savoring the taste of the tea.

...So can I go now? Is that it?...

The empress dowager opened her eyes and Lei Xing quickly lowered her head again.

...This woman's eyes make me feel highly uncomfortable...It's like looking into a bottomless abyss of bitterness and emptiness and...bottomline I don't like it, not to mention she tried to kill me!...

”So where did you go?” The empress dowager asked fixing her gaze back on Lei Xing.

”Ah...I used the opportunity to go visit a doctor. I had met with him before entering the palace and he was able to help improve my health condition, so I thought to go visit him again...” Lei Xing swiftly responded with her prepared answer. She had thought about it and it was best to give the truth, well a half-truth.

...Not to mention if I get caught in a lie, these people can make it a crime...If the dramas got it right, then it's an off with your head kind of crime...Okay, maybe not off with your head but definitely a demotion + jail sort of crime, if they wanted it to be...Either way, it's trouble!...

”A doctor?”

”Yes, he is very skilled and famous.” Lei Xing rationalized.

...Is he really famous? I have no clue...he said he was, didn't he? Well, can I even take his word for it? I don't know...Whatever he should be at least skilled -_-)'...

”I see...In that case, you could have sent someone to summon him for you, there was no need to go out of your way to visit him.” The empress dowager calmly advised.

Lei Xing paused and then scr.a.p.ed up an answer, ”Um...He is very picky about his work environment, so it was just easier to go to him than to try to accommodate his many requirements....but he is very skilled so it's worth the journey.”

...He is quacky so I'm sure that's not a lie, plus he doesn't even seem to like to work in his own shop, so I doubt he'd be so inclined to journey anywhere for anyone -_-)...

”I see...and who is this famed doctor that is even more skilled than the palace physicians that requires such special treatment?” The empress dowager inquired with a raised eyebrow, it seems her interest has been piqued.

Lei Xing blinked.

...Uh, oh...No one really, he's nobody...Oh shoot! This is going to be trouble -_-)'...

Lei Xing inwardly sighed and without a better option gave the answer, ”He is called Doctor Lou.”

...I'm really sorry doc, but it's not like I say no T_T)...but this should work out for you, right?... Perhaps you will get a promotion in life, that's a good thing, right?... I don't think he wants a promotion, I don't think he can peacefully sleep on the job here -_-)'...He'll definitely hate me for this, I'm sorry!! T_T)...