Chapter 229 - Rankled (1/2)

The three with Lei Xing shuffled behind her as she addressed Prince Yi with cold indifference. Bi Lo and Bi Lu both bowed their head with frowns on their faces while Ah Jin was the only person in the group who managed to maintain a neutral expression. In conclusion, the atmosphere of the group was very cold.

Prince Yi was apparently not phased by the cold reception. He smiled at Lei Xing and then awkwardly asked, ”How are you feeling? I...I, um, I heard you were unwell...”

Lei Xing still did not look at him directly as she said in the same flat voice, ”I am perfectly healthy. There is no need for you to be concerned.” She dismissively finished, nodded her head in farewell then turned to leave but then Prince Yi immediately grabbed her arm, ”Wait -”

”Don't touch me!” Lei Xing instinctively barked as she panicked and reflexively slapped his hand off. Prince Yi blinked in surprise and then frowned as Bi Lu and Bi Lo jumped in front of her with their hands on their swords.

Lei Xing took a deep breath to calm her racing heart as she quickly waved Bi Lo and Bi Lu away from her front to de-escalate the situation. It was obvious that she overreacted, all he did was touch her arm, it was not like he assaulted her.

But still, he should not be touching her.

Lei Xing glared at Prince Yi, adjusted her tone and then calmly but coldly said, ”Prince Yi, please keep your distance.”

Thankfully the only other people in sight were a few servants of the Lei family passing through and a few guards stationed about. But still, this was what Lei Xing was trying to avoid. Before Lei Xing could storm off again, Prince Yi immediately cupped his hands and bowed, ”I apologize.” This got Lei Xing to stop in surprise with raised eyebrows, she did not expect an apology.

Prince Yi quickly continued, ”I just got agitated because I wan-...” He glanced and saw Lei Xing's frown and quickly lowered his head again and swallowed the words he truly wanted to say. Instead, he said, ”I just wanted to apologize...for my rash behavior and any trouble it brought you.” Prince Yi finished with a deep frown concealed from view.

{...Is my touch really so unpleasant?...}

Lei Xing looked at the top of his head confused.

{...Trouble? It didn't really bring any tro - Well not for me anyway...For Chen You...and maybe you but...}

Lei Xing inwardly sighed. She did not understand why she was reacting so strongly to this issue either. It really was not like her to get so worked up over anything. But then again nothing like this had ever happened to her before. But still, it was as if Prince Yi just seemed to get under her skin and always rubbed her the wrong way. Being around him always made her feel uncomfortable and this whole kiss incident amplified her discomfort level.

Regardless of her reservations about his character, she acknowledged that it was not his fault. While she believes that he should have been able to restrain his urges, she technically seduced him.

Therefore, he was also technically a victim in all this and he just apologized so she could not dismiss him rudely.

Prince Yi raised his head and looked up at her and Lei Xing promptly looked away and awkwardly said, ”Please stand. I-it's fine...It's - it's better- best for one to forget past transgressions. No harm, no foul I guess. It's all in the past.” Lei Xing awkwardly finished as her ears went red with embarrassment.

”That's good.” Prince Yi said straightening up with a smile that brightened as he saw her red ears and lightly flushed cheeks.

Lei Xing nodded, flashed a polite smile and swiftly turned to leave but then she immediately froze and sharply inhaled a breath. The Emperor was standing right in the entranceway, looking in their direction with an obscure expression with his hands behind his back.

{...What the hell is wrong with today?! >_

Lei Xing quickly regained herself and speedily went over to the Emperor's side and awkwardly smiled at him, ”You came.”

The Emperor drew his eyes from Prince Yi, who was now staring at him or was it perhaps Lei Xing he was staring at, the Emperor could not tell. He raised an irritated eyebrow at Lei Xing and asked, ”Should I not have come?”

”Of course not, I was just about to come home.” Lei Xing quickly supplied.

”Home?” The Emperor asked blinking at her with raised eyebrows, seemingly surprised.

”En, but if you want to meet my father or brother...or something - I can wait.” Lei Xing awkwardly added, still feeling on edge. Even if she knew she did not do anything wrong here, his timing was just too unnerving and heart was pounding erratically.

{...*Hehehe You've finally seen the light~ Definitely the right decision here. Finally! You have grown up~ *sniff*...}

Lei Xing frowned as she glanced down at her wrist to see the bracelet with the rainbow hue as Tung Mei had promised.

{...Please just leave me alone right now. This is not the time for you -_-)...}

Lei Xing heard the bracelet, Doctor Lou chuckle but then that was cut out when the Emperor pat her head and stroked it. She looked up at him to find him with a smile on his face as he looked at her. She blinked at him in confusion, not understanding this reaction. She thought he was angry, he looked angry when she came up to him, but now he was smiling?