Chapter 188 - Lost Inquiry

The Emperor raised an eyebrow and then chuckled. This conversation was amusing. Then he knit his brows as he suddenly remembered something important he needed to discuss with the Voice. 

{... I have something to ask...I'm curious...The incident of my mother strangling Xing er', I saw it from my study...It was as a vision or something, quite odd...You've never done anything like that before...But then this time, when she was in danger, why didn't I see anything and she almost -...}

The Emperor frowned and fisted his hands in anger at the thought.

{...She could have died...}

{...*Well, she was fine in the end, wasn't she? So nothing to worry about there - з - )...}

The Emperor could hear the pouting in the Voice's tone, and he was slightly annoyed that the Voice did not seem to be taking the situation seriously. 

{...I'm being serious, she could have easily been killed, you should ha-...}

{...*Okay, got it! But it's not my fault! >_

The Emperor blinked in confusion and then frowned.

{...It wasn't you?...}

{...*It wasn't!...As for why it didn't work this time...Hmm, maybe it didn't work because she wasn't actually dying? I'm honestly not really sure how it works. You see, the situation is a bit special... But that should be it! I figured it out! You're very welcome! ^_^)...}

{...So you don't know what it is?...}

{...*Oh, I know...}

{...Then tell me, what it is? And how does it works so I can -...}

{...*You should know better than I do...}

The Emperor frowned.

{...I don't. If I did, I wouldn't be asking -_-)'...}

{...*Hehe~ Oh yes, that's true. I forgot...Well then, you'll know...eventually, later...As for how it works, I told you what I know...But as I said, this situation is a bit special...}

{...Special?...}

{...*You don't feel it?... Hm, well, if you don't then you don't...}

The Emperor's frown deepened. Of course, he felt she was special to him. He had never felt as peaceful...

{...There's more to it than peace, isn't there? I can't describe it but -...I'm in love with her...deeply so I believe. But that's different from - I don't believe everyone sees visions of the person they love in danger, correct?... And if it's not your doing, then what is this?..I'm glad to have her but...I would like some answers...}

{...*Hehehe~ How adorable...Answers...Since today is a great day, Okay! I shall enlighten you. Soooo...It's like this, hmm...So she's like a - it's like a reflection, no, no, if anything you're the reflection...No, no, no that doesn't work either...A shadow? No, you're obviously two different people so that won't work either...Yin and Yang! Yes, exactly that! So you two are the two halves of the same whole, No, it's actually four parts. Oh, that's actually perfect! I am quite brilliant hehehe~...}

The Emperor's mind froze for a bit, baffled and utterly confused.

{...Four parts?...}

{...*Yes, because you know the Yin and Yang spirits actually have four components to them...You, know, like the symbol...The two white and black bodies and then the little white and black spots on their heads, so four parts all make one! It's the mixture of the four that makes the harmony ^_^)...}

The Emperor was still confused but he was trying to follow the conversation, as weird as it was becoming.

{...Ookay, so four make one...But what does that have to do with Xing er' and I?...}

{...*O_O)...It does...doesn't it? It does!...}

{...Bu-...}

{...*Ahhh! >_

{...Ask my father? What do you mean ask my father?...}

{...*...}

The Emperor asked but the Voice had stopped responding, it had left, leaving the Emperor stunned by the strangeness of his last statement.

His father was long dead and buried. While he might not have been there for his passing, he was there for the funeral and saw his dead body. The Emperor knit his brows in deep contemplation.

{...Was it a mistake?... But then how could it not know?... Could it even have made a mistake like that? Makes no sense...And then Xing er' and my father...There's no connection...}

He knew Lei Xing never came to the palace, as for his father visiting the Lei manor. Perhaps when she was a child. His father rarely left the palace and really only ever left for official occasions, which Lei Xing never attended.

He thought his father might have talked to Defense minister Lei about marrying Lei Xing to him. His father obviously had an affinity with Lei Xing's father, they had been best of friends since they were children so him wanting them to be more through their children made sense. 

But he never heard anything about that and he would have gotten wind of it if there was any talk like that. Unless it was a secret discussion between Defense minister Lei and his father, but then as far as he knew Defense minister Lei did not want Lei Xing in the palace. Perhaps his father asked and Defense minister Lei refused the offer?

{...Perhaps my father had some intuition that we would be a good fit...But even if that did happen...That doesn't explain any sort of connection between us, and the four part yin and yang? It makes no sense...}

The Emperor sighed. As usual, the Voice said it would enlighten him. But, as usual, did absolutely no explaining at all and only left him with more questions than he already had.

{...I expected too much from this conversation...}

***

Lei Xing sat in a warm bath, blushing bright red and patting at her cheeks. She smiled and then pursed her lips, then knit her brows and then lowered her head into the water. She was feeling very nervous, but also quite giddy. She had never done anything like this and it was quite nerve-racking.

{...Ah, why the hell did I decide to do this? -_-)...I should have just let it proceed, stalling makes it even more awkward and all this really isn't necessary...But it would be nice, I guess...He'll like it...He better or I'll pluck out his eyes -_-)...}

Lei Xing finally got out of the bath after getting her courage up. She quietly let her maids fiddle with her, occasionally giving her own input. For once she was actively participating in dressing herself up rather than complaining. When they were done she stood in front of the mirror and stared at herself and her blushing intensified.

{...I can't believe I'm doing this...Why the hell am I doing this? It's embarrassing packaging myself like a present! >__

Lei Xing took a deep breath and willed herself to walk out of the bathroom and slowly made her return to the bedroom, stifling the urge to run as she got closer to the waiting Emperor.

The servants opened the doors and Lei Xing hesitantly walked in, shyly. The Emperor who was still sat there contemplating the Voice's words looked up when he heard the doors open and his eyes immediately lit up.

Lei Xing was dressed exactly as she was the night when she came here to him...the night he had to send her away.

She was dressed in the exact same thin-strapped low cut silk gown with threaded gold vines across the chest band. Loosely hanging on her shoulders, was the same thin see-through shimmery silk red robe. Her hair was even done in the same exact style, a thick braid across the top of her strewn with small flowery hairpins, creating the image of a flower crown. 

Lei Xing stood there, fidgeting with the bit of her hair that had come over her shoulder. She stood there with her head slightly lowered with a bashful smile on her adorably reddened face as she stole glances at him.

Unlike last time she did not look awkward or uncomfortable at all in the outfit. This time she looked shy and lovely...she looked breathtaking.

The Emperor was stunned. He slowly stood up and closed the distance between them with a smile stuck on his face. He did not expect this at all, could not even have imagined that she would do this. He was speechless.

As came to stand in front of her, Lei Xing lowered her head even further and her blushing intensified. When the Emperor simply stood there and did not say anything, she glanced up at him to see him looking at her with a dazed expression on his face.

She felt even more embarrassed and quickly looked back down and mumbled, "Well, say something..."

{...You're making this is even more awkward! >_

The Emperor cleared his throat and then gently took one of her hands, "You look even more beautiful tonight..." 

Lei Xing looked down at their joined hands, and a smile subconsciously spread on her face as she stood there, nervous but happy.

{...Living for a moment isn't too bad...}