Chapter 259 - Royal Debut

Doctor Lou chuckled and stroked his long beard with a wide grin, "You don't need to be shy~ Just say it~ Shi -fu~ and I will handle the rest~" He said looking up at Prince Yi with an expectant grin.

Prince Yi knit his brows in confusion at the old man, completely taken aback by the weird request. He was expecting to get a request for money, land, or perhaps even a person, but for him to be his student? What the hell was this old man thinking? 

But in light of the services the old man politely rendered, Prince Yi took no offense and flatly responded, "Thank you for your offer, but I am not interested in a teach-"

"Fine, fine. You may leave." Doctor Lou interjected waving Prince Yi away with a pout. Prince Yi nodded and then left the strange old man alone. As he sat in his carriage heading back home, he snorted, somewhat amused that the old man dared to ask a prince to be his student. 

Now that he thought about, he already did have a teacher...even though it was one he never officially accepted as his teacher. The Voice often nagged him to be called "Shifu", but he unfortunately never felt moved to comply.

Prince Yi sighed, it had been a while since he last heard from the Voice. Then again, it was better for it to be gone. It probably would not have approved with his current plan and being nagged was not something he needed at the moment.

Prince Yi closed his hand around the package as a smile bloomed on his face. This was the key to everything he wanted. As the carriage rolled along, he mulled over thoughts about how to go about handling this thing with Princess Nalan.

Doctor Lou stroked his beard and pouted at the door where Prince Yi had just exited.

{...Stubborn, all too stubborn!... This is all that Qi Yin's fault! All of them are trees! ( ￣^￣ )...}

Now that he thought about his sister again, he remembered the mysterious disappearance and knit his brows in contemplation. Even though he did not like to get involved in other people's matters, this still bothered him. Doctor Lou stroked his beard and sighed.

{...Well technically this involves me, therefore, I can at least ask some questions...and if that Qi Yin dares to ignore me again like last time, I just might truly end her this time! ( ￣^￣ )....}

Doctor Lou decided to leave and the doors of the pharmacy slammed shut as the chair was suddenly missing its pouting occupant. 

***

By nightfall, the Emperor officially ended the search after not finding hair or nail of the enemy. He had received Commander An's report and was relieved to know the prisoner would awaken soon. Although that was dampened by Doctor Lou's words regarding Madam Chen. He will have to prepare for that and compensate the Chen family. 

At the very least, Chen You's punishment was now on suspension. As for what would happen after her mother's passing, he will decide later...or perhaps, have lei Xing decide. But that was a matter for later.

As for his mother, the also received a report on her and she was still alive and well. She had apparently simply fallen asleep and has been sleeping since then, which was great for the Emperor's peace of mind and tranquility of the palace. He had also ordered the guards to simply ignore his mother's ranting. She did the same thing when his father had initially locked her up. 

She will eventually tire of that and come to terms with her new life. 

The Emperor was not interested in talking to her simply because he could tell how the conversation would go. It was a waste of his time to speak with someone that has shown she could not be reasoned with. 

If she ever became tame enough and shows that she has regained her good sense, he might send her off to the Xia palace. He would even have it remodeled just so she could happily retire in peace...If she were actually capable of it. 

***

"...That is why the Emperor has sent me over to assist you as I am - Is something wrong, Your Highness?" The strict looking elder woman stopped and asked when she noticed Lei Xing slightly knit her brows.

"No, no, everything is fine. You have quite the stellar resume..." Lei Xing commented with a polite smile. 

{...The actual question here is how are you still alive? o_O)...}

"Resume?" The old woman asked in confusion with raised eyebrows.

"Experience..." Lei Xing quickly supplied and the elder woman gave a curt bow and said, "Thank you, Your highness, for the praise..."

This elder woman currently having a meeting with Lei Xing in her reception hall is called Ming Shu.

When Lei Xing woke up this morning, the Emperor was already gone. Then this afternoon, Ming Shu arrived at her doorstep on the Emperor's orders to deliver the Empress's seal to Lei Xing. The woman then went on to introduce herself to Lei Xing as her newly appointed personal secretary for all management affairs.

The reason Lei Xing was feeling apprehensive and somewhat overwhelmed by this woman was because she had lived through too many changes in power. Ming Shu had apparently been appointed to this position during the Emperor GRANDFATHER's reign.

She had served the Emperor's father's two Empresses and to top it all off, the Empress dowager. One does not get to keep such a position for so long by being simple. So naturally, Lei Xing was feeling apprehensive of this person.

But the Emperor had sent the woman so Lei Xing's worries were a bit relieved by that. She knew the Emperor would not send her trouble but still, she could not help the need to be careful. 

"Your highness, may I ask a question?" Ming Shu politely requested in a flat voice.

"Of course." Lei Xing responded as she scrutinized the older woman trying to figure out how this woman had survived this long.

She clearly did not seem to like an ass-kisser or maybe it was just that she did not view Lei Xing as someone important enough that would warrant that treatment. But that would be quite stupid given the current state of affairs and the reason she was here...but a stupid person would not have survived and held on to her power as long this woman has. 

With Lei Xing's permission, Ming Shu gave another curt bow and proceeded to ask her question, "What kind of leader would you like to be?"

"I'm sorry?" Lei Xing asked with a raised eyebrow, taken aback by the question as she wondered if this was another interrogation session. It was one thing with the Empress dowager, but she was certain that she did not need to explain her qualifications to her "personal assistant". 

Ming Shu glanced up at Lei Xing and quickly bowed her head and calmly went, "I apologize if that question upset you but it is necessary for us to establish certain things from the start. That way I can know how best to serve you...For example, the late Empress was a leader who liked the process of management and wanted to be aware of all the matters in the palace. While the current Empress dowager was not interested in the general matters and only wanted to informed of important matters that required her approval...I would like to know what your preference is..." 

"Ah, I see...that is a good question." Lei Xing responded, finally understanding how this woman had made it this long. She was simply accommodating and gave as much or as little as was required to suit whoever her master was.

A smart worker who understood how to please, all the while retaining her sense of dignity. The sort never to overstep, therefore, never needed to be "put in her place" as she always remained where she should be. Hence why she could get along even with the crazy Empress dowager and why the Emperor felt comfortable enough to send her here.

Lei Xing thought for a bit and then went, "...I cannot answer that question right now as I do not have a good understanding of the palace affairs. Therefore I cannot decide one way or the other...So for now, explain to me the general affairs I am to oversee and we can go from there..." 

Ming Shu nodded, Lei Xing nodded back and then to Ming Shu's surprise, she said, "...Do take a seat. I'm sure this will take a while...I will have many questions." Ming Shu blinked up at her, not sure she had heard correctly. But Lei Xing had already turned to Xiao Ruo and asking for tea and snacks to be brought for both of them.

Lei Xing turned back to see the elder woman still standing there. She blinked and said, "Sit down."

Ming Shu was considering declining the initial offer as it was not proper for her to sit. But now that Lei Xing said it as an order, she did not want to upset her with a refusal on their first day. So she quietly walked over to a seat on the side and then awkwardly and uncomfortably sat down.

"Okay, you may begin..." Lei Xing said as she looked at the elder woman with keen interest. 

Ming Shu glanced at Lei Xing and then nodded and began.

This was a quite different scenario from what she was used to. This Empress seemed to be missing the loftiness that came with her position. Ming Shu concluded that it must because Lei Xing had not been in the palace long enough.

She would learn with time.