Chapter 349 - DownCast (2/2)

”Good choice.” Lei Xing sarcastically went, she also did not want to know about it either, but somehow Princess Nalan was now her business. The girl was apparently on the verge of throwing another fit again, insisting that she would not eat until Lei Xing showed up. Lei Xing did and it seemed the girl had been thinking, demanding to know what was happening with Prince Yi's ”release”.

Lei Xing inwardly sighed.

{...Like it could happen that quickly -_-)... Doesn't she know anything about buttering up someone? Even if I ask, he's not going to arrest him today and then release him today...}

In the end, she had to eat dinner with her to ensure the girl actually ate. Lei Xing was of a mind to leave her alone to starve but then what if the girl got sick or lost the baby - Her country would accuse her - well, them of doing something to her.

Lei Xing frowned, ”Speaking of that, um... A maid confessed, apparently she panicked when she saw Prince Yi being led to the prison and rushed over to tell Princess Nalan in a panic. Ming Shu says I can't just send her out of the palace or demote her and that I need to make an example. She's ”suggesting” 100 lashes with that plank thing, but that would kill anyone! I might as well just sentence her to death, which I am not going to do. That will be too much for a simple lapse in judgment, but I understand the need for maintaining order and I accept that I may have been too lax in my management hence causing this lapse....”

”...But still, even though I understand that this little lapse may have led to an international incident, I can't condemn someone to death for something so little. Therefore, I was thinking how about a productive yet hard punishment? A sentence to work the fields, for example, she could learn a skill and be punished. How about a year? Too little? 2? 5? What do you think?” Lei Xing vented all in one breath, looking at the Emperor expectantly.

She believed he would understand. But then the Emperor simply took her other hand and offhandedly said, ”Your hands are cold...” As he rubbed her hands in his.

”My hands are fine... Were you even listening to me?” Lei Xing asked with a frown as she tried to pull her hands free.

”En. A maid... punishment. Just do as you fit.” The Emperor dismissively said.

Lei Xing blinked and nodded, ”Okay then...moving on, I... um.” She paused and pursed her lips, thinking of how to carefully phrase this next bit about her arrangement with Princess Nalan, ”...I was the - wondering, about your bro-

”Can we -” The Emperor loudly and sharply interjected, then took a deep breath and calmly continued, ”... Let's not talk about any of that, right now... Later.” The Emperor added warmly c.a.r.e.s.sing her hands with a sigh. He did not mean to snap at her but the last thing he needed right now was to argue with Lei Xing about his brother of all things.

Lei Xing, who was taken aback by the sudden sharpness, simply blinked at him and slowly nodded with an awkward, ”...okay...”

{...Guess not today O_O)...}

”Good.” The Emperor said with a half-smile and then he wrapped his arms around her tightly as he buried his face in the curve of her neck. He closed his eyes and breathed in her flowery scent and let out a relieved sigh as he felt his tense muscles relax. This was his happy place.

”Did something happen?” Lei Xing asked as she tentatively put her hands on his back.

The Emperor was quiet for a bit before he opened his eyes and sighed, ”My mother will finally be leaving soon...”

”Oh~” Lei Xing exclaimed and then immediately chided herself, hoping that her tone did not sound too happy just now. It was good he was not looking at her when he said that otherwise, she did not think he would have appreciated the excitement on her face just now. But she could not be blamed, the woman hated her and had literally tried to kill her and would do it again if she got the chance.

”...Eunuch Li is leaving with her.” The Emperor quietly added.

”Oh...” Lei Xing went again, this time solemnly. Now she understood his poor mood. She awkwardly patted his back a few times, thinking of what to say. Finally, she cleared her throat and said, ”Well... I mean, it doesn't have to be permanent, right? Maybe...” She paused, thinking a bit more before continuing.

Even she did not believe the words she was about to say. After all, she did not think the Empress dowager's issue with her was purely spiritual. Crazy or not, the woman did not like her and it was unlikely that an exorcism would change that.

But for the Emperor's sake, she went against her better judgment and continued, ”...Maybe the Monk really has a way and um, she could...change.” Even Lei Xing slightly rolled her eyes at that, ”... and well... it doesn't have to be permanent -”

”It doesn't matter anyway...” The Emperor said, closing his eyes and hugging her even closer. If he could pull her into himself, he probably would, that way he can always feel happy and content.

{...They can leave, they can all leave... anyone but you. Only you are not allowed to leave me. Never...}