Chapter 98 - Proposition

{...*It's not funny -_-)'...}

{...Hahaha trust me it is, lighten up! Hahahaha...}

{...*-_-)...}

Lei Xing was greatly amused. She picked up her cup and leisurely sipped on wine, enjoying herself.

The Emperor, being the cordial host gave his consent and Princess Nalan continued on to Prince Rui's annoyance, "Since this is my first time here, I would like to take the time to explore but I as am very unfamiliar with the surroundings, I was hoping I could get a companion to keep me company and show me around."

The Emperor nodded, "Very well - "

Before the Emperor could continue, Princess Nalan added, "I already have someone in mind. I was hoping Noble consort Lei could keep me-"

Lei Xing choked on the wine and broke into a coughing fit on hearing her name, interrupting Princess Nalan's words. Everyone turned to look at her, some casting disapproving frowns her way. Lei Xing quickly controlled herself taking the water Xiao Ruo handed over, looking down feeling embarrassed and in shock. 

{...What the hell do you want me for?!...}

{...*Hahahaha You're right! This is truly hilarious hahahaha...}

{...Be quiet!... And where the hell is that Ah Jin?!...}

Princess Nalan glared at Lei Xing, annoyed with the interruption, then looked away and continued, "I was hoping Noble consort Lei could keep me company. I have heard good things about her and believe I will be in good company with her."

Lei Xing was not the only one in shock, many of the guests were also shocked with this development. The only news floating around about Lei Xing was the fact that she was currently the Emperor's favorite.

For Princess Nalan who came here with the prospects of marriage, obviously aiming for the position of Empress, to request for her was very odd. Some wondered if this was her attempt at scouting out the competition before marriage or maybe a power play to showcase her influence as a princess. Either way, it was definitely an interesting development.

The Emperor frowned, but quickly replaced it with a smirk and looked at Lei Xing, "Xing er', what do you think?"

Lei Xing glanced up at him to find him narrowing his eyes at her, then she glanced at Princess Nalan who was looking at her with a disgruntled expression. 

{...Can I say no? T_T)...}

She looked back at the Emperor, who now seemed to be intently staring her down. She gulped, put on a smile and said, "I will do my best." bowing her head.

The Emperor's expression fell, he was silent for a bit, then dismissively said, "It's settled then."

Princess Nalan bowed in gratitude and after a few more pleasantries returned to her seat with a displeased Prince Rui.

The festivities resumed and Lei Xing stared at the foreign guests wondering how her name got into this mess. She sighed and looked away only to catch the Emperor frowning down at her.

{...What? I'm sorry for ruining your moment. I don't enjoy being embarrassed either! >_

The bracelet continued howling in laughter, further irritating her. Lei Xing knit her brows and turned to scan the crowd. She saw Tung Mei with Lei Yong, then she looked around for Ah Jin wondering where she was. After getting impatient, she called Xiao Ruo and told her to find Ah Jin.

"Well, that was a disappointment. What fragile beauty? Ahh, You really can't trust information these days." Zhao Chang quietly commented to Prince Yi.

When Prince Yi did not respond, Zhao Chang turned to him and saw him blankly staring off at the platform. He followed Prince Yi's line of sight and settled on Zhao Lan, his sister who was sitting next to Lei Xing, he then sighed, "A truly missed great opportunity. If not for my late aunt I could have arranged for you two to be together."

Prince Yi knit his brows and turned to him, "What?"

Zhao Chang looked at Prince Yi with an understanding expression, "But don't worry, there's still hope. From what I hear he's only been focusing on the Lei family's daughter, which I must say he has good taste." Then he frowned, "But my sister is not that bad either, she matches up!... Honestly, I feel a bit offended, not that I want him with my sister, but why not?! She's not lacking in any way..."

Prince Yi looked back at the platform ignoring Zhao Chang's continuing lament. He looked back at Lei Xing, who had her eyes fixed on Tung Mei. Then he looked up at the Emperor, who seemed to be frowning at Lei Xing. Prince Yi then frowned in annoyance and looked away, eyes landing on Prince Rui which further increased his annoyance. He sighed and then looked away, focusing on the dancers.

Meanwhile, An Hao was also glaring in Lei Xing's direction, still stewing over Ah Jin's denial and Tung Mei's words. He narrowed his eyes when he saw Ah Jin come up beside Lei Xing and the two began talking.

{...Making me look like a fool again, I am going to investigate this and expose their lies! Then they'll see... Although they didn't exactly do anything wrong, at least it didn't look that way...If anything they did a good deed. In that case is there even a point in dig-...But if they're innocent why behave like thieves? They also attacked me and made me look like an idiot!... Oh yes, they also debated killing me! That's definitely something they should get in trouble for... Hahaha, either way, I want them to get credit for their good deed! Let's see them lie when I have proof!...}

An Hao sneered, concluding that Lei Xing could not be trusted at the Emperor's side. Regardless of how much he liked and trusted Lei Yong, his sister definitely had some explaining to do before she could be found worthy of his Emperor.

Lei Xing, on the other hand, was unaware of all the stares and disgruntlement being directed at her. She was preoccupied with the state of her own affairs. When Ah Jin delivered Tung Mei's words, Lei Xing became livid and was now staring daggers at Tung Mei, but it seemed like Tung Mei was deliberately avoiding looking Lei Xing's way as she never even once looked in her direction.

{...*Hah! Told you I wasn't leaving!...]

Lei Xing was battling with the urge to just storm up to her and demand that she remove the bracelet. 

{...*If it helps you feel better, even if you meet her, she won't be able to get it off unless I allow it either...No one can!... Okay, maybe a few people can? Hmm, it depends...Anyway, it's all the same to you...}

Lei Xing sighed, she had considered that possibility before but she still wanted to try it. But now it seemed that Tung Mei was avoiding her and the bracelet.

{...*Hey, lighten up! I don't plan on staying here forever...just untilll...}

Lei Xing frowned as the bracelet dragged out the last word, then sighed.

{...What do you want? -_-)...}

{...*Now you're finally being reasonable!... Hmmm...Call me Shifu first! ^_^)...}

**(Shifu means Teacher/Master...)**

{...No...}

{...*WHY NOT?! I'm just as GREAT!...}

{...If I call you Shifu, will you leave? -_-)...}

{...*Nooo...?...}

{...Then state your business or get lost!...}

{...*Tch, you're still so stubborn. No fun!...}

{...-_-)...}

{...*Fine! I want a wedding!...}

Lei Xing blinked in confusion.

{...You want to get married?! To Who?! O_O)...}

{...*Of course not!... What are you thinking?! I want to witness a wedding!...}

{...-_-)'...Oh, I see...You know you're very weird...}

{...*It's none of your business!... So, are you going to do it or not?...}

Lei Xing let out a breath in irritation.

{...It seems you have forgotten but I'm already "married". Your Xiao Ying on the hand should be getting married soon so your chances of a wedding are better there -_-)...}

{...*Xiao Ying is getting married?!...}

{...0_0)...Ohhh, it seems you are unaware. How could she not tell you? How rude!...}

{...*I know right! Ungrateful brat...}

{...I completely understand, you should go give her a piece of your mind. She must be reprimanded!...}

{...*Haha~ Nice try, I'm not leaving -_-)... So, who is she marrying?...}

{...Ahh, well the wedding hasn't been set, there probably hasn't been a proposal either...BUT if you return I will do my utmost to make it happen asap. She's going after my brother, you know. I can expedite the process, how about it?...}

{...*No! I can handle Xiao Ying later...}

{...-_-)...You don't expect me to go hunting around the city for weddings to crash, do you?...}

{...*Hehe~ Nope, just have your own!...}

{...I. AM. MARRIED -_-)...}

{...*Well, yes but you are only a consort. Become Empress and you get a wedding, how about it?...}

Lei Xing frowned and swiftly responded.

{...No...}

{...*Why not?! It will be a grand ceremony and I want to witness it!...}

{...Why the hell should I?!...}

{...*You said you're already married, so what's wrong with consolidating it in a ceremony?!...}

{...What's wrong is I don't want to have to vie for the position of Empress to please some stupid bracelet!... If that's what you want, then I say welcome to the rest of your life!...}

{...*Then I also say welcome to the rest of YOUR life, stuck with me!... Why are you so stubborn?!...}

{...Says the one making outrageous demands (◔_◔)...}

{...*First of, it's not outrageous, at all!...You ke- *sigh* Let's not point fingers here...Either way, it will take a while to arrange the wedding so we'll still be together for a few months at least...}

{...-_-)...You make it sound like I can just go crown myself Empress...}

{...*Well maybe not, but your Emperor would! Just ask...}

{...It's not happening -_-)...}

{...*Hahaha I have faith in you...}

{...Still not happening...}

{...*I believe you will come to see reason soon hehe~...}

{...-_-)...}

Lei Xing was not pleased at all. She was stuck with a bracelet with weird fetishes, and now there was also babysitting a seemingly spoiled princess added on her plate. She glared at Tung Mei and resolved to storm into her house the next day to force her to take back her bracelet. If that fails, she began to seriously consider sawing off her own hand as a last resort. 

{...*That will hurt a lot, you know...A wedding will be a whole lot eas-...}

{...Get lost!...}