Chapter 326 - Irrational Understanding (2/2)

”It's alright...” The Emperor said, patting her head with a smile. Then he led her up the steps and sat down with her on the throne chair. Although he said that, Lei Xing was not entirely convinced that it was alright. After all, this was not a simple situation.

”So...what are we going to do?” She asked with a frown, getting to the meat of the matter.

The Emperor knit his brows and went, ”Well, considering that he prevented you from possibly getting hurt, I can't exactly punish him for that so...we'll have to let it go.”

Lei Xing blinked at him and then snorted, ”I'm not asking about that, I'm asking about their request to marry.”

”Oh.” The Emperor went blinking at her, he then cleared his throat and said, ”Well... There is nothing else to do but for them to get married.”

”Seriously? Just that?” Lei Xing asked in surprise. She did not expect the answer to be that simple. After all, this was not a simple issue of a boy and a girl getting married, this was a political situation. More importantly, a political scandal!

And most importantly, Princess Nalan was a political pawn that came with some advantages, that she did not think was exactly alright for Prince Yi to have access to, given his disposition.

The Emperor could almost see the wheels turning in Lei Xing's head so he went, ”I want to ask you something, I need an answer honest answer...”

”Okay...” Lei Xing swiftly responded.

”Do you think my brother is sincere about Princess Nalan?”

Lei Xing hesitated for a moment and then honestly and bluntly admitted, ”No.”

The Emperor raised a curious eyebrow and then went,”...Because you know he has feelings for you -”

”No.” Lei Xing swiftly denied with a frown.

{...Is he going to keep mentioning this? -_-)...}

The Emperor let out a breath and said ”Xing er', it's okay. I said to be honest...”

”I am being honest, it's not that... My answer would have been the same even without that point...” She indignantly responded.

”Alright, I'm listening...” The Emperor calmly said, urging her to continue.

”Well, it's because Princess Nalan is a powerhouse, one connected to an entire nation. Even if you don't particularly perceive them as much of threat, it doesn't change the fact that they are a threat of some measure....” Lei Xing succinctly explained.

She knit her brows in thought for a bit and then continued, ”I understand that given the situation and the fact that their affair was made public, the obvious rational response would be to permit and rush their marriage to avoid criticism of the royal family. But even Nalan had not known that he planned to announce it right there. It was clearly a calculated move to force the issue when you understandably had reservations and refused to give immediate approval. I hope that he is sincere but I can't help but worry that is simply a ploy to gain more power to aid his aspirations for the throne. It's problematic to feed ambition with power -”

”How do you know my brother wants my throne?” The Emperor interjected with knit eyebrows, c.o.c.king his head to the side. He had never mentioned it to her.

Lei Xing blinked at him and tentatively went, ”You didn't know?” It seems in her analytical state, she had said a bit too much,

”I know...I'm asking how you know. I didn't tell you and I doubt your father or brother did. So, how do you know?... Did he tell you?” The Emperor asked with raised eyebrows, his eyes slightly widening in surprise.

Lei Xing stiffened and immediately wanted to knock her head against the wall. They had just gotten over this jealousy and she just had to go and mention that.

{...Shit! I'm a bloody idiot－‸ლ)... Should I just lie? He'll never know, right? I mean, it's not like he'll go ask him or anything...And even if he did, the dude's not that stupid to admit to having such intentions... right? ⚆ _ ⚆)...}