Chapter 193 - Agent Leniency

Lei Xing woke up in the afternoon and simply laid there for a long while, taking the recent events of her life in as her eyes roamed around the room. She could but believe where she was and all the events of last night, but they happened and here she was, on his bed. She sighed and then sat up.

{...It is really reality haha...ha...ha O_O ')...}

Lei Xing sat up and glanced around for her clothes, which thrown about randomly. She wrapped herself in the blanket. Even if she was alone, walking around n.a.k.e.d was a bit much...Not to mention the added fact that there were servants outside, who could come in at any time.

And just as she thought, she had only taken a few steps when the doors opened. Lei Xing froze in her tracks, only too see it was Ah Jin and Xiao Ruo, who had a silly smile on her face. Lei Xing's face immediately flushed and she glared at Xiao Ruo, "Stop smiling."

Xiao Ruo immediately pressed her lips together trying, but failing to hide her smile. She had unfortunately not been with Lei Xing last night when she came here but she had definitely heard the good news. Lei Xing even asked for the dress she had chosen for her the last time and this time it was a complete success and Lei Xing was able to make up with the Emperor. She was absolutely thrilled for her contribution to this.

Xiao Ruo walked over to Lei Xing and picked up the dress at her feet and informed, "Your highness, the Emperor is currently in the royal stud-"

"Did I ask you?" Lei Xing bit back with knit eyebrows as her face went even redder.

{...This girl is getting more unruly...Who wants to know that?... Okay, maybe I...might want to know...But I didn't ask ( *｀з´ )...} 

"I apologize...I thought you would want to know." Xiao Ruo said, still with that silly smile. Lei Xing narrowed her eyes at her but then Ah Jin came up to her, holding her chest band and red robe and also smiled, "Your highness, you should get dressed, so you can go take a bath and then have lunch..."

Lei Xing raised an eyebrow and scrutinized Ah Jin's face, she could not recall ever seeing Ah Jin smile before. Lei Xing gulped and held on to the blanket tighter, she was suddenly feeling very shy.

{...What the hell am I being shy for? Huh?... It's just them...And even it's not th- Scratch that, I'm not exactly into "stripping" for anyone...Not at all...Not ever -_-)...}

"Your highness..." Ah Jin said after she said waiting for Lei Xing to remove the blanket. Lei Xing lightly frowned and then complied. She felt incredibly awkward and fl.u.s.tered as she got dressed. It felt as if they were scanning every inch of her body. Of course, Lei Xing knew it was all due to her heightened senses overreacting but nevertheless, she was quite uncomfortable. 

When she finally left the room, her eyes glanced around as she felt the servants around were looking at her weirdly and she avoided making eye contact with anyone the entire walk to the bathroom. She sat in the bath for a long while, just glancing about the place. It was her first time here and it was truly befitting of an Emperor, thinking about him made her blush again and she glanced at Ah Jin and Xiao Ruo and lowered her eyes with a frown.

{..You've already been sleeping with him for - I don't know even know how long...Bottomline is, it's nothing weird. They don't know nor do they really care so stop behaving like a rabbit! >_

Lei Xing returned to the room to find her meal already set. And also waiting for her, was a bowl of the contraception brew. Lei Xing sat down and stared as she stared at the bowl. She knew he must have ordered it for her and she felt...complicated. She was happy that he took this step for her, but it somewhat felt a bit wrong. She sighed with a wry smile.

{...He's really too kind...}

She downed the bitter liquid and then proceeded to eat her lunch. She was feeling honestly feeling a lot lighter now both in mind and body. Whatever happens in the future, she could worry about it then. 

For now, she was just going to enjoy today and leave tomorrow's sorrow for tomorrow. 

As Lei Xing ate, an eunuch came in and informed, "Your highness, the Emperor said to tell you to come to the royal study when you are ready..."

Lei Xing blinked and knit her brows.

{...Ready?...Ready for?...(⁄⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄⁄)⁄ N-n-no way, what am I thinking? What's wrong with you?! >ω

Lei Xing put her hands on her cheeks to stamp down the heat seeping into them. Ah Jin and Xiao Ruo glanced at each other, and then Xiao Ruo whispered to Lei Xing, "Your highness...your highness?" Lei Xing blinked up at her, "Huh?"

"Say something..." Xiao Ruo said her eyes darting towards where the Eunuch was standing and Lei Xing followed her direction to see the Eunuch still there with his head lowered, pretending not to have noticed her weird behavior.

She immediately dropped her hands to her laps and lightly cleared her throat and dignifiedly said, "I understand." The Eunuch bowed and then left and Lei Xing let out a breath.

{...I really need to stop embarrassing myself! >_

{...*...}

{...-_-)...Really? Nothing? Not even a "good job"? How mean...}

{...*...}

Lei Xing let out a disappointed sigh, some acknowledgment would have been nice...not that she needed it or anything. It would have just been nice.

****

Defense minister Lei made his way out of the royal study with knit eyebrows, confused and worried. So many strange things have been happening recently and he did not know what to think. There was the issue of the Empress dowager constantly bothering him for more men to search the countryside for some monk. He still had no clue what happened between Prince Yi and the Empress dowager and there was the issue with Chen You.

And now, the Emperor was suddenly asking him about the war with Dong country, a history long forgotten. He had asked if something happened, but the Emperor simply said he was curious. Defense minister Lie sighed.

{...Everyone seems to be a mystery recently...}

As he left the building, he saw Lei Xing approaching. He smiled and then knit his brows as she stopped and they bowed to each other. 

Lei Xing noticed him scrutinizing her with an expression she did not understand.

{...What's your problem? -_-)...}

Defense Minister Lei finally sighed and asked, "Xing er', is everything alright with you?" 

Lei Xing blinked and went, "Oh...Everything is fine." As her eyes subconsciously darted to the building behind him and she smiled. 

"Are you certain? It feels like there's something happening to you every few weeks..." He sighed and added, "It is very worrying." Since she entered the palace, it's been one thing after another.

Lei Xing inwardly groaned, remembering what would have called for this concern.

{...Of course, everybody knows, stupid Chen You -_-)...}

Lei Xing smile widened and reassured, "I'm really fine. I haven't been happier...Ah, this time, it was just a misunderstanding..."

Defense minister Li observed her for an expression for a bit and then smiled, "In that case, that's a relief..." 

Lei Xing reassuringly nodded with a happy smile.

Defense minister Lei hesitated for a bit, but then knit his brows and said, "The  Emperor seems to be very angry about Chen You's mistake. I've tried talking to him, but it seems it only increased his anger..."

He noticed Lei Xing's slightly frown and he sighed, "I know you are not very fond of her and you might say I am overindulging their family. But Chen Bo is our only surviving relative and I can't just watch him lose his only child like this..so your father is asking for you try to intercede on her behalf if you can..."

Lei Xing almost rolled her eyes but quickly lowered her head instead.

{...People like this annoy me -_-)...Call me mean, but just because they're your bloody relatives doesn't mean they get to walk all over you! If they're toxic, cut them off! >_

"I'll try." Lei Xing mumbled in response, still keeping her head lowered. She did not feel inclined to intercede at all.

But considering that he did not know the true extent of Chen You's actions, and since she had no plans on enlightening him either, she cut him some slack. And honestly, she did think the death penalty was a bit much for this, despite her irritation and utter dislike for Chen You. 

Defense Minister Lei showed a relieved smile, he could see Lei Xing was not keen on the idea, but he knew she would do as she said. "That's good to hear...Xiao Ting mentioned you attending her coming of age ceremony in a few days, your mother has been very worried about you...It will be very good if you can come..."

Lei Xing gave a half-smile and nodded. She was not sure if she would still be able to attend, she would have to discuss with the Emperor first, but she believed she could work it out.

Regardless, she was tired of this conversation. Talk of Chen You had ruined whatever good mood she was in. So she put on a smile and said, "Father, the Emperor is waiting for me, I will see you at home..."

"You should go on then..." Her father smiled and gave a slight bow and Lei Xing did the same with a half-smile. As she walked off, her smile was quickly replaced with a frown.

{...Plead for Chen You? Why the hell do I have to?... Okay, agreed. Death is a bit much...But still -!  Tch, so infuriating! Making me seem like a horrible person - Well then, I guess I a horrible person for not being antsy to plead for a freakin - No, actually compared to Chen You, I'm a freaking SAINT! In fact, I am Mother Th - No, no that's too much ⚆ _ ⚆)...POINT IS! If the roles were reversed, I would be six-feet under by now! I am not happy! (┛ಠ_ಠ)┛彡┻━┻...}