Circumventing Fate 90 - Poser

Lei Xing's mind was completely blank. She just stood there in his arms with her eyes closed, not reacting but not rejecting either. When she felt his tongue slide into her mouth and entangle hers, her brain finally woke up, her eyes flew open and she instinctively jerked her head back.

Lei Xing stared at him wide-eyed, when he smiled at her, she immediately lowered her head with her heart pounding erratically.

The Emperor held her face again, causing Lei Xing to knit her brows and go rigid. He lightly stroked a finger on one of her ears, which had gone crimson now.

{...How cute...}

"Xing er', how about staying here tonight?"

Lei Xing did not respond, becoming even more flustered.

{...It's really happening...really...okay, we can do this. It's noth-...}

The Emperor softly called again, "Xing er'?"

Lei Xing gulped and quietly squeezed out, "en."

The Emperor smirked, seeing her this nervous was actually very amusing. After a while of simply looking at her, he sighed and then said, "You should leave now."

Lei Xing blinked up at him in confusion, "Huh?"

The Emperor narrowed his eyes at her, "You don't want to?". Lei Xing quickly looked down again and shook her head. Then she tried to move away, but he tightened his hold instead of letting go, so she just awkwardly stood there with a confused frown.

"Xing er'?"

Lei Xing glanced up at him, then looked back down, flustered, and did not respond.

"Don't dress like this next time, unless you're trying to tempt me, understand?" The Emperor calmly advised.

Lei Xing subconsciously nodded and then lowered her head even further in embarrassment.

{...I'm pretty sure that's the general idea but don't worry, I'm going to evaporate that Xiao Ruo when I get back T_T)...}

The Emperor smiled at the top of her head and then moved his hand from her face and stroked her hair, then pulled her head to his chest in a hug, caressing her head. Lei Xing rigidly stayed still, feeling at a loss.

The Emperor hugged her for a while, resting his head on hers. He closed his eyes and inhaled, her scent was intoxicating. He opened his eyes, this was bad. 

He quickly released her, held her hand, and quickly pulled her along. Lei Xing kept her head down, still trying to prepare her mind. She did not anticipate that she would need this much mental preparation for this occasion, it really was not a daunting task, right?

Eunuch Li smiled when he saw them heading toward the building.

Only for the Emperor to stop in front of the doors where Lei Xing's servants were. Both Lei Xing and Eunuch Li knit their brows in confusion.

The Emperor then looked at Xiao Ruo and motioned for her to come forward, took the cloak from her hands, and draped it over Lei Xing, who was still avoiding looking at him. After he was done tying it, he pat her head and said, "Sleep well."

Lei Xing nodded and then quickly turned to leave. 

Eunuch Li approached the Emperor, who was watching Lei Xing leave with a small smile and asked, "Wh-What went wrong?"

"Nothing."

Eunuch Li frowned, "Then why did you send her away?"

The Emperor smirked at him, "It seems you underestimate me quite a bit." Then he turned and walked inside.

Eunuch Li scratched his head in confusion, then sighed in disappointment, and quickly followed the Emperor.

{...Is there really something wrong? Can't be...}

Lei Xing was left even more confused by the Emperor's behavior.

{...I am very, very confused...Is he gay? Of course not, he kissed me...Exactly! Then does he have some sort of other problem? I mean, he hasn't slept with anyone else either...That would make sen-...}

{...*NO, He doesn't!! It's your fault!...}

{...How the hell is this my fault?...}

{...*He sensed your hesitation! You didn't respond when he asked you to stay!...}

{...Who the hell would ask that sort of question when I already came here dressed like this?!... The only thing missing was me stripping and jumping him, which is impossible for me. I'll probably just end up punching him in the face instead...}

{...*Tch, maybe you should have...It'd knock some sense into his he-...}

{...Wait! You were listening? I thought you were gone?!...}

{...*Hahaha I was gone...but I came back...to check on you!... Then I heard you were having an interesting discussion...about the meditation! I know about meditation hahaha...So I wanted to listen hahaha...I'm not a pervert! haha...ha...Believe me, I'm not!...}

Lei Xing let out a breath in annoyance and did not bother with it.

Shortly after she arrived at her palace, an Eunuch came to deliver the remainder of the scrolls with the message that she should review all of them and write down her thoughts for the Emperor to review in their next session.

Lei Xing sent them to her study, out of her sight, she did not need to be plagued of reminders of what just happened...or what didn't happen. The fact that it didn't happen oddly made her more nervous, she did not like feeling confused. She sat down and started removing the hairpins from her hair.

{...Today's been a crap day. First, there's this dreaded terrorist eavesdropping bracelet with opinions, and then top it all off with this botched seduction attempt!... Wait, I was not trying to seduce him AT ALL...I'm glad it didn't happen. It just feels odd!...}

{...*I agree with you. He's an idiot to let such a great opportunity for progress slip away -_-)...}

{...I wasn't talking to you -_-)...}

As she loosened the braid, she glared at Xiao Ruo and Ah Jin's direction. They have learned that Lei Xing likes to be left alone when in a bad mood. So they did not bother her and quietly stood there. 

"Xiao Ruo, tell me exactly what message you received from the Emperor." Lei Xing asked with a frown.

{...I want to know why I showed up overdressed...or should it be underdressed to a bloody study session! >_<)...}

Xiao Ruo timidly explained, "Eunuch Li called me to inform that the Emperor requested for you to come over this evening...Um, he smiled and said to make sure you are dressed appropriately for the Emperor...Th-that's it. Did the Emperor not like it?" 

{...So it was that Eunuch planning out crap again. He played you and made me a clown!...}

Lei Xing sighed, "It's fine. You two leave."

They quickly shuffled out, leaving Lei Xing alone with her thoughts...and the unwelcome bracelet's.

{...*Ahem!...}

{...Leave me alone -_-)...}

{...*I have a question that I've been wanting to ask for a while now...}

{...I don't care -_-)...}

The bracelet also did not care for her opinion and continued on.

{...*What is the deal with you and him? He's normally so brilliant, decisive, direct, the type of person who gets the job done swiftly and efficiently! But when you get involved, he becomes slow, hesitant, clumsy...just an idiot! Which is why I have to g-...}

The bracelet suddenly stopped talking. Lei Xing rolled her eyes in annoyance, then knit her brows.

{...Have to what?...}

{...*What?!...}

{...You just sa -...}

{...*Your ears must be blocked!...}

{...-_-)...Again, not very smart...Do you know him?...}

{...*...}

{...It sounds like you know him pretty we-...}

{...*I don't! I...I just got the information from your thoughts!...}

Lei Xing narrowed her eyes.

{...Now that I think about it, you suddenly decided to stay after finding out I am "married" to said Emperor and seemed quite offended by my impotency claim just now...So what's your deal with him? -_-)...}

Circumventing Fate 89 - Acknowledgement

The Emperor looked at Lei Xing's confused face and sighed, "Come sit down."

Lei Xing hesitantly walked forward. Looking at the setting in the pavilion, she quickly realized that this was definitely the wrong setting.

The Emperor was sitting on a cushion with a table in front of him, and another cushion was set on the other side of the table. He was holding a book and on the table were several scrolls. As Lei Xing sat down, she did not know whether to laugh or cry.

{...Xiao Ruo! I am going to kill you! T_T)...This looks look like a study session NOT a make-out session! What the hell?! >_<)...}

Lei Xing lowered her eyes, avoiding eye contact and feeling incredibly embarrassed. After a while of the Emperor not saying anything, Lei Xing pulled her eyes up and caught him staring at her and quickly lowered her head, feeling even more embarrassed. 

She then used her hands to brush her hair to the front to drape over her chest. Then she heard the Emperor snort and then chuckle. Lei Xing clenched her fists in her lap, suppressing the urge to break something.

{...I feel like a freaking idiot right now!... That girl is so fired!... Okay, maybe not. BUT I'm never listening to her again! T_T)...}

"So do you have any questions?" The Emperor asked smiling at Lei Xing, who did not look up and simply mumbled, "No."

"Did you read the book?"

Lei Xing blinked.

{...Book? What bo- Shit! I forgot about that...So that's what I'm doing here. It is a study session and I forgot my freaking homework. Great -_-)...}

Lei Xing glanced up at the Emperor, who was looking at her with a raised eyebrow, and then she awkwardly answered, "I apologize. I got sidetracked." 

Then she thought for a bit and suggested, "Since this is the case, let's reschedule the lesson for another day, I will definitely be sure to be properly prepared...How about tomorrow?"

The Emperor  dropped the book on the table and said, "It's fine...I'll just summarize." 

Lei Xing inwardly groaned. The Emperor then began to explain the art of meditation while Lei Xing was just frowning at the book on the table, which she realized was another copy of the book he gave her.

"Any questions?" The Emperor paused and asked. Lei Xing looked up at him, quietly for a while and then said, "You don't have to do all this, you know. If it's j-"

"Read this." The Emperor cut her off with a smile, handing a scroll over to her. 

Lei Xing let out a slight sigh, took the scroll, opened it, and went ahead to read, while occasionally stealing glances at the Emperor, who was reading another scroll.

"Read." The Emperor said after Lei Xing's nth glance. Lei Xing immediately looked down at the scroll, knitting her brows, and stopped looking up.

{...I'm confused, very confused -_-)'...Does he really have nothing better to do?...}

"Focus." The Emperor added.

  Lei Xing jumped, raised the scroll and quickly started reading with a disgruntled frown.

After she finished, he asked her to explain what she understood. Lei Xing explained, and then the Emperor smiled and nodded, "As anticipated, you have a great capacity for learning."

Lei Xing was greatly pleased, restraining the urge to break out in a wide grin, "Thank you for the praise."

{...You, my friend, have great vision hahaha...}

"Here." He said, handing her the one he just read. 

Lei Xing happily took it, read it, and then explained. Then simply waited for her praise. This time though, he simply handed her another one without looking up from the one he was reading. 

She frowned as she took it, her disgruntled mood returned. After going through this a few times, Lei Xing became increasingly annoyed and covertly stared daggers at the Emperor. He was no longer saying anything or even looking her way. He was just reading, listening, and handing her scroll after scroll.

  "Read."

Lei Xing disgruntedly looked down.

{...Does he have eyes on the top of his head? How the hell does he know?... Also, I don't need supervised reading. I'm not a child, neither am I your pet project -_-)...More importantly, isn't meditation is about self-discovery? Shouldn't I be sitting down, eyes shut, emptying my mind or whatever?... Do you even know what you're teaching?!...}

After Lei Xing finished and explained the one she was on and he handed her another. She frowned, took it, and then put it on the table, "I thought we were supposed to be practicing meditation?"

The Emperor calmly responded, "You can't practice what you don't understand." Still not looking at her.

Lei Xing narrowed her eyes at him, then the Emperor sighed and finally looked up at her, "Meditation is a journey of self-discovery. In your case, you are attempting to re-discover yourself. First of all, you must understand your current state of mind, the path to re-discovery lies in understanding your current self."

"And how does this reading help me understand my current self?" Lei Xing asked, unconvinced.

"It helps you understand your depth as a person." The Emperor responded, "Continue."

Lei Xing pursed her lips, picked up the scroll and opened it while mumbling under her breath, "I think I have a great enough understanding of my current self."

{...You, on the other hand, might be a bit confused -_-)... I am skeptical of your expertise in this area and I'm starting to think I am the pilot project of y-...}

"Is that so?" 

Lei Xing froze.

{...How the hell did you hear that? I didn't even hear it!...}

"...Explain your current self then." 

Lei Xing looked up to find the Emperor had dropped his scroll and was looking at her, waiting for her explanation.

She nervously laughed and said, "One can always learn more."

"True, but I'm asking for you to explain your current understanding, not your future one." The Emperor said, narrowing his eyes at her.

{...I need to saw off my mouth! >_<)...}

After glancing around trying to figure out an answer, her eyes settled back on the Emperor, and then she said, "A person..." That was all she could think of.

Apparently, the Emperor wanted more details as he raised an eyebrow at her when she stopped there. Lei Xing looked off to the side and then looked back at him, smiled and then said, "...needs to meditate on that. I will continue to read." She picked up the scroll and looked down, wanting to bury her head in it.

The Emperor blinked, looked at her for a while, then laughed. Lei Xing lowered her head even further in embarrassment.

{...Today is really not my day. It's one embarrassment after another T_T)...}

When the Emperor finally stopped laughing. He looked at the top of Lei Xing's head, which was what he was faced with since she had buried her face so far down in embarrassment. He could also see the top of her ears, which had gone red. 

He smiled as he remembered the same thing happened after her qin performance during the competition. Anyone with basic knowledge of the qin could tell she had little to no idea of how to play. Yet she proudly played it, then stood there and confidently called it her composition and defended it. 

He had found it amusing until his mother purposely set out to embarrass her by asking her to play a second piece. He watched her confidently and calmly sit down despite having no clue of proper play, ready to play what was probably another one of her compositions. 

He had thought her to be conceited and brazen and did not feel a need to interfere. Then he noticed her crimson ears, which betrayed her confident demeanor. In the end, seeing that, he could not help interfering.

{...Thinking back on it, she did put in quite a lot of effort in defending her creations for someone who intended to fail. She probably couldn't stand being shamed, so she made up for what she lacked with her brilliant words. Even in failure, dignity must remain...}

The Emperor then frowned when he recalled his brother's behavior during the competition. Then he sighed and kept looking at her.

{...Proud, intelligent, astute, confident, level-headed, strong-minded...Someone who doesn't show weakness even when she deservingly should...Humorous too...Truly a perfect fit...}

"You have quite the adorable personality." The Emperor suddenly commented.

"Huh?" Lei Xing looked up to find him smiling at her, she immediately looked back down with a frown.

{...Ado-? I am NOT adorable! Xiao Ting is adorable, I am -... am Me! Are your eyes dysfunctional or is it your brain?! Have some respect!... This guy keeps looking down on me. I am in no way ado-...}

Lei Xing blanked when she suddenly felt herself being pulled off the ground. The scroll dropped from her hands, and before she could process what was happening, she felt a strong arm wrap around her waist, and cool fingers glide over her face and her neck. Then she felt a warm, soft touch on her lips. It was a short fleeting kiss. Lei Xing seemed frozen and blankly stared at him. 

The Emperor gently looked at Lei Xing's reddening face and wide eyes looked up at him and smiled. Before Lei Xing could recover from her shock, he kissed her again, pulling her even closer to him with a soft, gentle lingering kiss.

Lei Xing blinked a few times and then instinctively closed her eyes as well. This was a wholly foreign sensation... but not a bad one it seemed.

Circumventing Fate 88 - Lure

As soon as Lei Xing left the royal study, the bracelet began its whining again. By the time Lei Xing arrived at her palace, she was extremely irritated.

{...You are not staying here and that is final!...}

{...*No, it's not!...}

{...Hah! Watch me...}

Lei Xing finally fed up went to remove the bracelet, but then her eyes widened when she could not move it. She panicked and tried to yank it harder, but it seemed glued to her wrist.

{...*Told you I'm no weakling...}

{...Okay, point taken. Get off me -_-)'...}

{...*No! Not leaving!...}

{...We'll see about that!...}

Lei Xing rummaged through her room to find a lubricant. She poured a bottle of scented oil on her wrist, then tried to peel the bracelet off but it still did not budge then she tried cutting the line with a knife.

{...*Ha! Like it'd be that easy...}

Lei Xing then ordered the servants to bring her a jar of honey and dipped her hand right into it and tried again, but it still did not budge.

{...GET THE HELL OFF ME!...}

{...*I'm not leaving! I like it here!...}

Lei Xing took a deep breath to calm herself and tried to negotiate.

{...Okay, I understand that you may be angry with me for holding you hostage, but be the bigger pers- entity! You are definitely above such pettiness, right?...}

{...*Hahaha I am definitely not petty...}

{...*Great! Now, please get off...I'll even apologize, I'm sorry. I'll never, ever... (◔_◔) blackmail anyone or thing again so please get off -_-)...}

{...*Why?!...}

{...Why NOT?!...}

{...*I don't want to!...}

{...If you don't get off, I'll smash you to pieces!...}

{...*Hahaha You'll probably just end up smashing your wrist to pieces instead hahaha...}

Lei Xing held her head feeling aggravated, this bracelet was driving her crazy and now that she couldn't get rid of it, she was feeling suffocated.

{...*Relax, once you get to know me, I'm great...Won't it be nice to have me always there to share your thoughts with whenever?...}

{...NO! IT WON'T. Please leave -_-)...}

{...*Don't worry. You'll see I'm very likable soon...}

Lei Xing sat down and rubbed her head thinking hard about how to get the bracelet off. It did not hurt but it seemed glued onto her wrist. Since apologizing did not work, she started to think about ways to trick it into leaving.

{...*Hahahaha I can hear you, you know...}

{...Arrghh! This is freaking irritating! Get Lost!...}

{...*Okay, calm down. How about I give you some space to cool off? They do say time heals all wounds haha...}

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

After that, Lei Xing could not get a response out of the bracelet no matter what she said. It was either ignoring her or it really shut down to give her space. Either way, she was not happy to have it. 

{...Okay, no need to panic... I'm just being terrorized by a Freaking Bracelet!... It's okay. Even if I can't get it off myself, Tung Mei can!... Yep, it's all fine. I'll just talk to her tomorrow and we'll be done with this...unless she can't get it off -_-)...It's her magic crap, she better have a way to get it off me or I'll off her!...}

While Lei Xing was stewing over her predicament, Xiao Ruo ran in excitedly and informed that the Emperor has summoned her to come to serve him tonight. Lei Xing sighed.

{...Ahh, great, just what I needed. Perfect timing -_-)... I guess we might as well just get that over with...And by tomorrow, he'd move on then I can move on, fine -_-)...}

Xiao Ruo was not fazed by Lei Xing's lack of enthusiasm and went on to rummage through Lei Xing's wardrobe, "This one...no, no, no. Oh, this one! This is the perfect opportunity for this!" She excitedly waved the dress in front of the uninterested Lei Xing, who absentmindedly nodded. On Xiao Ruo's persistent insistence, Lei Xing went through a comprehensive spa treatment.

Lei Xing sighed, absentmindedly going through the motions, thinking about the state of her life.

"Done! So beautiful!" Xiao Ruo exclaimed, greatly pleased with her work. For once, Lei Xing did not complain, and she could fully show off her skills.

Hearing that, Lei Xing's attention was finally called to the scene, to see herself standing in front of the mirror with Xiao Ruo standing beside her with teary eyes and a wide smile.

Lei Xing was wearing a thin-strapped low cut white silk dress with gold vines sewn onto the chest band while the rest of the dress loosely framed the curves of her body. Then on top of this was an even thinner see-through shimmery silk red robe loosely hanging on her shoulders.

Her hair was let down, with a thick braid running across the top, lined with flowery hairpins, making it look like she was wearing a crown of flowers. Lei Xing's subconsciously tried to pull the dress up and frowned at Xiao Ruo, "Isn't this too much?" 

Xiao Ruo happily explained, "The Emperor requested that you dress beautifully so we can only bring forth the best."

Lei Xing looked back at herself in the mirror.

{...But it's not like I'm not going there to seduce him!...*sigh* Let's just get this over with -_-)'...}

Ah Jin then came up to Lei Xing and draped a cloak on her shoulders and said, "Don't worry, you'll have this on. We'll take it off when you get to the Emperor's palace." 

Lei Xing sighed again, resigning herself to her fate and made her way to the Emperor's palace. When she arrived at the front of his palace, Xiao Ruo swiftly took off the cloak. Lei Xing sighed again and wanted to head inside the building when Eunuch Li informed, "His Majesty is waiting in the pavilion." and led her there.

"Your majesty, Noble consort Lei has arrived." Eunuch Li informed.

The Emperor who was leisurely relaxing with a book looked up and his eyes widened when he saw Lei Xing, then he blinked, knit his brows, and then glanced at Eunuch Li who brightly smiled at him and said, "I will take my leave now." and bowed out.

{...Let's see how you'll simply just go to sleep with her now...}

The Emperor frowned and then sighed. He looked at Lei Xing who was awkwardly standing there with a hand constantly tugging at the red robe on her shoulder in a pointless attempt to pull it over to cover her chest.

Now that she was standing here, she was really not comfortable with the level of exposure, and he just kept staring at her which made her feel even more unnerved. Lei Xing looked off to the side, avoiding eye contact with her eyebrows knit and her face turning red.

{...Stop looking at me like that...It's awkward! I'm not some statue on display, let's just get to the POINT!...What am I even saying?! T_T)...}

After a long while, the Emperor finally spoke up, "Why are you dressed like that?"

Lei Xing's expression froze, then she looked at him with her eyebrows raised in confusion.

{...W-Why? What do you mean why? Was I supposed to prepare an explanation for my outfit too? What sort of weird foreplay is this? o_O)...}

Circumventing Fate 87 - Entrapment

Prince Rui and Prince Yi silently made their way out of the palace after confirming the performance details with Eunuch Li.

Prince Yi's mood had been increasingly getting worse as Molin kept glancing his way with a smug expression. When they finally reached the palace gates, Prince Yi smiled at Prince Rui, "I know a place with the best wine in the city, how about a welcome toast?"

Prince Rui smiled back, "That sounds good." Prince Yi then went on to lead the way to a high-end restaurant.  When they arrived, Prince Yi maintained his image of a good host and poured wine into two cups, then frowned when he saw Molin still standing in the room glaring at him.

Prince Rui then said, "Molin, wait outside."

"But he can't be trusted!"

Prince Rui smirked, "What can he do? We are Imperial guests now and he is my companion. We will be spending a lot of time together so get used to his presence. You can stand right outside the door, if you must."

Molin frowned at Prince Yi, "Any noise and I'll be back!" Then he stormed out.

"I apologize for his rude behavior... recent events seem to have put him on edge." Prince Rui offhandedly commented while picking up his cup of wine and scrutinizing its contents, then added, "Understandably." He took a sip of the wine and frowned.

"What is the meaning of this? We had a deal." Prince Yi finally asked.

Prince Rui snorted and then burst into laughter and downed the rest of the wine, "Deal? Is blackmail considered to be the norm in dealings in this country?"

"What do you mean by that?"

Prince Rui refilled his cup, downed the contents and then continued, "I honestly don't understand you Long people, playing games with people's lives like they mean nothing..."

Then he scoffed and added, "It must be a family trait... I wonder what your Emperor is thinking now, throwing us two together like this, is it to prove a point? What do you think?"

Prince Yi narrowed his eyes and did not respond.

Prince Rui scoffed again and got up, "I am sure you now understand the situation. If you want an explanation, then go ask your brother, your Emperor. I owe you nothing." He finished and strolled out of the room.

Leaving Prince Yi there deep in thought, his face contorting into a scowl, he clenched his fists and then slammed the table.

{...I am going to kill him...How dare he treat me like a fool for his entertainment!...}

**

Prince Rui left the restaurant with Molin and made his way to his residence on his own. As soon as they were alone in the study, Molin explained that he had no idea how he escaped Prince Yi's manor.

He had suddenly felt very drowsy and fell asleep and when he woke up he found himself in a shed forest outside the city. He then heard sounds of people in the area and so followed it and came across Prince Rui's group. 

Prince Rui frowned and then sighed.

{...No wonder that stupid brat slowed down all of a sudden and made all the guards join him in a stupid song saying "it was to raise the mood"...*Sigh* At least they sorted out this problem...}

"Your highness, how come we ended up in an alliance? I thought we were supposed to be continuing the war?"

Prince Rui closed his eyes and massaged his head and simply responded, "The plan changed."

After Prince Rui left the capital, he managed to sneak his way into his country through the dense forest barrier to avoid detection. After swimming across the river, finally arriving in his country's territory, he took a short break.

Next thing, he suddenly felt lightheaded and lost consciousness. When he finally came to, he found himself bound to a chair in a finely decorated room to see An Hao sitting across from him in the middle of drinking. 

An Hao looked at him wide-eyed and then quickly dropped the cup, "Ah, you're finally awake! You slept for so long, I thought you were dead. Hehe~ it seems I forgot to tell them to treat you gently. Sorry about that~" An Hao explained rubbing his head and laughing.

Prince Rui frowned, he knew An hao from his time in captivity.

"Since when have you been following me?" Prince Rui asked.

An Hao snorted, "I don't have the energy to stalk you, so I've just been waiting for you."

Prince Rui's frown deepened. 

"It seems we think alike, you did exactly what I would have done. Although, I wouldn't have gotten caught...but you did well enough, it was entertaining." An Hao snickered.

Prince Rui narrowed his eyes at An Hao, as memories started to flood in and he came to a realization that he had fallen into an elaborate setup.

After the Emperor left to return to the capital, An Hao would often come by Prince Rui and Molin's cell to talk to them, asking random questions about if and how they planned to escape, what they would do, asking if they wanted his help.

The two, of course, never responded to him, but An Hao nevertheless continued to ramble on by himself in detail about how he would escape from here and what he would do to avoid capture, at one point it became his daily routine to do this. 

They were eventually able to escape when there was a fire outbreak and the guards in a panic left them unguarded. Luckily, a guard had just arrived to retrieve Prince Rui before the panic and as he ran off, the keys fell.

They quickly unlocked their cell and raced into the nearby forest to circle around the army and head back into Zou kingdom. Shortly after, they realized they troops were already right on their tail and so they had no choice but to head deeper into Long country.

At that time, they had thought it was a miracle that the troops did not catch up to them, but now he could see it was a calculated move. 

"Relax, you're not in any trouble. How about some wine?" An Hao poured Prince Rui a cup and topped up his, "Do you know that the palace has a history of making its own wine, a centuries-old tradition too? So they have the best wine in the country there. The Emperor was soo generous to send you a couple of jugs. Just between us, I drank a few but I'm sure you don't mind hehe~" An Hao whispered the last sentence and winked at Prince Rui as he pushed a cup in front of him.

Prince Rui frowned down at the cup and then at An Hao, who laughed, "Oh your hands. Ah, well then you can drink it later. You'll want to." He then took a sip from his cup and sighed, "It seems to get better and better."

"What do you want?" Prince Rui asked unamused.

An Hao snorted "I don't want anything..." He finished the wine in his cup and then sighed, "But you see all that has been on our Emperor's mind for the longest time is war and conquering. He's exceptional at it too..."

An Hao refilled his cup, took a sip then continued, "BUT luckily for you, our emperor is now looking to expand his horizons, to take on new challenges, if you will. As you can see with the outcome of Yang country, he is one with a heart for the people...and so our magnanimous Emperor would like to offer for your Zou kingdom the same opportunity. Isn't it great?"

Prince Rui simply narrowed his eyes and ignored him. An Hao then rolled his eyes and scratched his head, "Well, this one will be a bit different. Our Emperor has decided to offer you the opportunity of an alliance, of course with certain conditions, the details will be settled on later. So what do you think?"

Prince Rui scoffed, "It seems you have forgotten that thanks to your Emperor I am not exactly in a place to have bearing on my country's political matters."

"I'm sure you have your ways." An Hao yawned then continued, "Well, it's your choice and there's nothing we can do...Oh, but we still have to thank you for all the very useful intel we acquired from you."

Prince Rui deeply frowned ready to face the torture.

"Oh, don't panic. A few rumors here and there is enough...Ah, by the way, how fond are you of your fingers? How about the toes? No, that won't work, needs to be visible...How about an ear? No, that's too much, won't want to ruin that face of yours, you need all the help you can get~" He finished snickering.

An Hao then sighed, "...If you insist on being foolish, then there's not much I can do about that...Be hailed as the people's hero who risked his life to confront the Emperor to broker a way out to save them OR become the traitor who sold his country as we go on to crush you all! Dying a traitor's death...So what's your choice? Hurry up, I'm not very patient and I need to report back to the Emperor as soon as possible."

An Hao was done talking and continued to happily pour and drink his wine, occasionally smiling at the scowling Prince Rui.

As memories of how An Hao had played him in the past flashed across his mind, Prince Rui sighed and massaged his temples in irritation. The fact that the Emperor then sent this same annoying An Hao to escort him was obviously a gimmick to further irritate him.

Circumventing Fate 86 - Runaway Hero

An Hao strolled in and stood in-between Prince Rui and Prince Yi,  smiling brightly up at the Emperor and got on one knee and cupped his hands, "Greetings to your majesty! It has really been too long. As per your order, I brought our esteemed guest here safe and sound!" He finished bowing his head.

The Emperor smiled and said, "Rise, you have done very well." An Hao happily got up with a smug expression.

Prince Rui and Prince Yi cast him a side glance, they were both not sharing in his amusement. On the other hand, the Emperor cleared his throat to stop the urge to laugh.

The Emperor then turned to Prince Rui, "It is good to finally be able to receive you formally...I hope you do not hold your past experience against us, we are a very hospitable people."

Prince Rui put on a smile and said, "Not at all, the past was a different time, it was what was necessary."

The Emperor laughed, "I knew you were a man with a great mind the moment I saw you. I hope An Hao did not cause you too much trouble. He is very capable but because of his young age, he sometimes gets carried away."

Prince Rui's smile became strained and he cupped his hands, "Not at all."

{...His smug face just almost drove me mad...}

An Hao scoffed, "What trouble could I possibly cause? I treated him even better than I would my father." He then smiled at the Emperor, "I served him as I would you, Your majesty, with the utmost care and respect."

The Emperor laughed, "That is very good then. I worried for nothing."

Prince Rui maintained his smile while his irritation was building up on the inside. Prince Yi was also not amused at all. He just witnessed the Molin he had been searching for arriving with Prince Rui.

It was clear that there was now some sort of plot behind all this and he was yet to get an explanation for it and suspected it had to be his brother's doing.

The Emperor looked at the two disgruntled Princes and smiled, "My brother here has graciously agreed to be your companion during your stay here to ensure that you are treated to only the finest of our country's offerings. If there is anything lacking be sure to let him know. Tomorrow we will have a welcome banquet to officially receive you. For today, you should return to get proper rest."

Prince Rui smiled and then said, "Thank you, Your majesty for your hospitality. I do have a request if it's not too much of a bother..."

"Of course, ask." The Emperor swiftly responded.

"My sister, Princess Nalan followed on this journey. To pay respects to Your majesty she has prepared a special performance as a gift to offer during the banquet. The performance requires an outside venue, if it's not too much..."

"A simple one, very well." The Emperor responded and then turned to Eunuch Li, "Do see to it that the preparations are made to properly receive our guests."

Then he turned back to Prince Rui, "Inform him of what you require and it will be arranged. With that being said, we will meet again tomorrow. I leave you in my brother's capable hands." He finished smiling at Prince Yi.

"Thank you, your majesty." Prince Rui bowed his head and turned to leave, Prince Yi bowed as well and followed with Eunuch Li following behind them.

As they left the room, the Emperor got up and walked down to the smiling An Hao.

After the doors closed, An Hao looked the Emperor up and down and said, "Your majesty, you really look good as an Emperor. It suits you perfectly!"

The Emperor laughed and pat him on the shoulder, "How was the journey?"

"Easy!" An Hao swiftly responded, "That prince was quite easy to handle. All that travel must have made him tired. He didn't even put up a fight, everything was settled too easily."

The Emperor snorted, "What is the point of resisting when there is nothing to be done?"

An Hao knit his brows in thought, "I would still have protested a bit...maybe tried to negotiate..."

The Emperor laughed, "I never saw you as someone to allow negotiations..."

"I just follow orders...it's not my fault if they're non-negotiable." An Hao responded with a pout.

The Emperor smiled, "You've done very well. Have you seen your manor yet?"

"I have a manor?" An Hao asked wide-eyed.

"Of course, I chose a great one for you and had it prepared exactly to your liking...Your father should be there too."

"Oh." An Hao's excited face crumbled, his relationship with his father was a bit complicated. The last time he saw him was when he ran off after an argument five years ago.

An Hao sighed already dreading the confrontation.

"There is no need to be worried. Your father has nothing but pride in you and you have truly done him proud. I am expecting you to remain here to assist me in Court so be prepared. You should go home and greet your father, we will talk later."

"En." An Hao nodded dejectedly and just stood there.

The Emperor sighed, "I will have someone take you there." Then he went out with him and had one of his guards lead him to his new home.

An Hao reluctantly left with the guard while casting beseeching eyes at the Emperor.

The Emperor sighed again as he went back to his study, he was glad to have An Hao finally return. He had felt a bit guilty about letting him join the war against Commander An's wishes. But he was skilled, smart, cunning, resourceful and proved himself useful and was like the younger sibling he never had. 

Five years ago, the Emperor and Lei Yong had caught the thirteen-year-old An Hao secretly trailing them. After they captured him, he explained that he was following them because he greatly admired the Emperor and so just wanted to watch him from afar.

He even said that he had joined in the war to follow after the Emperor. He also apologized for "unfortunately" not being able to make it there at twelve years old but then added that thirteen was also not too bad. 

At that time, they were skeptical of his explanation and did not believe his fan-boy theory. Just when they were about to hand him over to the prison guards for a proper interrogation, Eunuch Li found them and on seeing An Hao was shocked and almost injured him.

It was then the Emperor discovered that he was actually Commander An's son who had run away from home.

Apparently, An Hao had always admired the Emperor and had been trying to persuade his father to let him join the war.  After he turned twelve, he became more insistent and often argued with his father over the issue, and then one day he disappeared after an argument with his father.

Commander An had gone away for a few days on a mission and by the time he returned he was informed of this disappearance and sent a message to Eunuch Li to ask him to watch out for him and to send him back home if possible, if not, then to look after him until he could. 

An Hao's mother, Su Ran was Commander An's betrothed since they were children. His parents died when he was young in an accident. His father had no family left and so he grew up with his maternal grandparents who were simple merchants and so his family no longer held any official power.

Because Su Ran was a high-ranking official's daughter many believed she could do much better. The betrothal was able to survive because of Su Ran and her mother's insistence. Commander An had then gone off to join the war to gain merit to make up for what he lacked with the aim of returning home in glory and to finally give Su Ran the prestige she deserved. 

After Xia empire's unexpected collapse. He spent years desperately trying to find her and finally found her in a brothel. He immediately rescued her and they finally got married.

Afterwards, they discovered that she was already pregnant and he happily accepted the child as his. He was very busy then with the missions, but spent every spare moment he had with them. After seven years together, Su Ran passed away from an illness.

With no choice, Commander An left An Hao in the care of their good neighbor and would return as often as possible to spend time with him and even taught him martial arts so he could protect himself while he was away.

He wanted An Hao safe and so did not want him joining the military. In the end, the child made his choice and carved his own way despite the wishes of the father. Commander An sighed as he watched An Hao hesitantly approach him. 

An Hao kowtowed in front him and said, "Father, I have been unfilial." Then remained with his head bowed down. Commander An simply watched him for a while, greatly relieved and then smiled and simply said, "Come sit."

An Hao raised his head and smiled then got up and wen to sit next to Commander An, he saw his father's greying hair and exclaimed, "You've aged quite a lot."

Commander An knit his brows and turned to him, then An Hao gulped, "Hehe~ just joking."

Circumventing Fate 85 - Mea Culpa

Lei Xing rested her head on her hand and knit her brows.

{...I get that part, I'm not an idiot -_-)...And why do you care?...}

{...*I'm bored and you're annoying...}

{...(◔_◔)...}

{...*He must be an idiot too to have fallen for someone horrible like you...You must have tricked him into it, right? And now that you have him, you don't care anymore. Horrible!...}

Lei Xing frowned in annoyance.

{...To think I was actually feeling a bit bad about being mean to you. What do you know? He trapped me here! And "fallen for me"? Bullshit! He must be the kind that enjoys the chase process and so only focuses on one person at a time. Once he's done with me, he'll move on to the next person. That's the way of life in the palace. So why the hell do I have to indulge him?!...}

{...*...}

No response. Lei Xing was actually glad for its silence this time and she went on to play her turn.

{...*You live in the palace?...}

{...Yeah...}

{...*One of that bra- Emperor's wives?...}

{...Technically, yes...}

Another stretch of silence.

{...*Then how come you are so horrible?... Well, I guess he's never really had good taste...}

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

{...*But when did Xiao Ying become friends wi - Wait, which palace are you in?...}

{...We're not exactly friends -_-)...}

{...*I asked where your palace is?!...}

{...In the capital...}

{...*Capital?...Long country?!..}

{...Yes...}

{...*THAT - !!...}

Lei Xing frowned.

{...Honestly! Why do you like screaming so much?! It's annoying!...}

{...*YOU BRAT! YOU BETTER NOT DO ANYTHING DISRESPECTFUL TO THIS BRACELET. IF YOU DO, YOU WILL PAY A HUNDRED, NO, A THOUSANDFOLD, UNDERSTAND?!!!...}

The amplified scream shocked Lei Xing and she clutched her forehead and closed her eyes in pain. The Emperor looked up and asked, "Is something wrong?"

"My head's just hurting a bit." Lei Xing absentmindedly responded.

{...Is this thing trying to give me brain damage?...}

The Emperor ordered the servants to send for an Imperial doctor. He looked at Lei Xing who was still clutching her head and frowning, then poured a cup of tea, put it in front of her, "Here."

Lei Xing glanced at him and picked up the cup and took a sip.

"Does this happen often since your accident?" The Emperor asked.

"En, now and then." Lei Xing responded closing her eyes again.

{...One lie really leads to a thousand -_-)'...Well, it's all fine as long I remember the lies...}

The two sat down in silence and the Imperial doctor quickly arrived. After Lei Xing drank the medication, the Emperor then got up and stroked her hair. Lei Xing knit her brows and glanced up at him, then he quickly withdrew his hand and said, "Sleep well", then turned and left.

Lei Xing watched him leave, she sighed and then frowned down at the bracelet. She was about to remove it but changed her mind, then got up and went to lie down.

{...If I remove it and something happens to it, then it'll blame me...What's worse is that it may even try to strangle me in my sleep before escaping, stupid bracelet -_-)...}

Lei Xing sighed again. At this point, she did not want the bracelet anymore. It had given her nothing but insults and criticisms and now pain.

There was going to be a banquet the day after tomorrow to welcome the Zou representatives and Tung Mei will probably be there. So, Lei Xing resolved to keep it on for security reasons until she could make it happy and deliver it to its owner's hands.

In the afternoon of the next day, Lei Xing went to the royal study on the Emperor's summon. She did not necessarily mind being around him as he was neither interrogating her nor did he seem interested in making any moves on her.

But she did mind the problems all this attention could bring her. Although nothing had happened yet, she was sure that something was probably brewing.

When she arrived, the Emperor smiled at her and told her to come up to sit on the chair set on the side of his desk. Lei Xing looked at him skeptically but complied.

He then handed her a book and said, "I have been thinking and resolved that meditation will be a good option for you. It will be good for setting your mind at ease and would help with your recovery and potentially aid memory recovery as well."

Lei Xing blinked several times, took the book, and frowned down at it, feeling uncomfortable and a bit guilty.

The Emperor continued, "Just go through the book for now and I will show you how to put it into practice later on. If there is anything you do not understand, let me know, and I will explain." Lei Xing looked up at his smiling face and quickly looked back down, feeling even more guilty.

{...*You should feel guilty. He's a great guy...He's smart, caring, handsome and I can tell he will be loyal. Definitely a good catch. No, a great one! You should cling onto him...}

Lei Xing covertly rolled her eyes.

{...You mind your business -_-)...Your Xiao Ying will be here tomorrow, so you will be going home then...}

{...*Hahaha Ah there's no need. I like it here...}

{...No, you don't -_-)...I also don't like you here either, so we're good...}

{...*Hahaha I realize that we may have gotten off on the wrong foot...due to that misunderstanding...But that's all in the past now...You are a wonderful person, a great one too. I have come to enjoy your company greatly!...}

{...You called me nothing but horrible the last few days...You don't need to pretend, I will really let you go, truly, with no strings attached...I'm tired of you too -_-)...}

{...*It's not like that at all. I misunderstood your intent, a horrible person would not have picked up the bracelet with the true intention to return it and taken such great care of it too...I have reflected on my mistake and I apologize. You have forgiven me, right?...}

{...I'm not sure, you almost blew off my head yesterday -_-)...}

{...*Hahaha Another mistake, please don't hold it against me. I will be sad wuwuwu~ I have repented, I'm even shedding tears ...}

{...Like I care -_-)...}

{...*Wuwuhuhuhu, have a heart wuhuhuhuwuuu...}

{...Be quiet! I'm trying to study...}

The bracelet then stopped, and Lei Xing sighed, before she could open the book, Eunuch Li came in and informed, "Your majesty, Prince Rui has arrived and is here with General An and Prince Yi."

"Oh, they are here early." The Emperor said and then turned to Lei Xing, who had not even opened the book yet. Lei Xing quickly got up, "I'll go now. I'll be sure to read it and note down any questions I have for later." She finished with a smile.

The Emperor nodded, she bowed and quickly made her way out.

On seeing Lei Xing come out from the study, the three guests all blinked and then knit their brows. Lei Xing glanced their way and lightly bowed her head in acknowledgment as she passed, and they mimicked her action.

Eunuch Li came out right behind Lei Xing and informed them that they could go in. Prince Yi and Prince Rui quickly made their way in, while General An was still looking back at the corner Lei Xing had disappeared down.

Eunuch Li furrowed his brow and went up to him, "General An, General An...An Hao!"

An Hao immediately turned back to look at Eunuch Li, "Huh? Ah...Who was that?" He asked, pointing in the direction Lei Xing just departed.

"Noble consort L-"

"She's His majesty's wife?" An Hao whispered.

Eunuch Li frowned and looked at him suspiciously, "Yes...why?"

An Hao knit his brows and then smiled, "Hehe~ nothing, she's very beautiful."

Eunuch Li's expression fell, and he hit him on the head and said through gritted teeth, "Focus!" The other servants around all had their heads bowed in line with the matra: See nothing, hear nothing.

An Hao frowned and rubbed his head while mumbling, "I am focusing..."

"Hurry in!" Eunuch Li barked. An Hao quickly straightened up and rushed in, casting one last glance at the corner as he did.

{...Never thought I'd see someone who looks so similar...}

CF 84 - Ant Skit Episode 6: Conspiracy

🐜 : Now you all understand how great my friend is to be helping these two -...alec and tyrant pave their way forward. I personally would have just let them rot in limbo, but that's just me. Honestly though, all this is LX's fault...

👀 By the way, this is not me being vengeful in any way - of which I have falsely been accused of in the past!... This is based on facts! If she would have just lived with a little more...hmm, what is it?🤔 Brain cells, heart, soul, compassion, brain cells, comprehension, understanding, and the list runs on - just endless...

The bottom line is, her insensitivity is the reason she is here today sooo...her fault!... Of course, there are other factors involved here and there, but my point is she could have avoided all this if she just had a little more to her personality😤

... And how do I know all this? It is because I am a ratified enlightened being 😌, who certainly has more brain cells than a certai-... (🐜 commentary: Ch 70, "Unilateral loan")

**Lei Xing angrily closes laptop**

Lei Xing: I am going to destroy that stupid 🐜!... I just have to find a shoe big enough to squash him...or maybe I'll just make one🤔...

Tung Mei: Xing jie, why don't you just ignore him?

Lei Xing: I ignore him, but he seems to think it means he can go on saying whatever he wants. How is all this my fault now? Did I ask to be taken there? Also, so what if I'm insensitive? why do I have to cater to his stupid feelings?! Ratified enlightened -? What does he know?!😡

Tung Mei: I agree, you shouldn't have to cater to anyone's feelings...but you shouldn't let your mood be affected by this idiot either, he's not worth your time...

Lei Xing: 🤨 Why are you suddenly opposed to his destruction? You've been making plans to make his life miserable all this time, why the sudden lack of interest?

Tung Mei: 👀 Hehe~ I just don't you to act recklessly in anger...*looks at phone* Oh, I'm late. I forgot I have an appointment, Xing jie we'll talk later. *🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️, shouts back* Don't act without me~~

Lei Xing: Tch, who needs you?... Who needs any of you? I'll figure it out myself... *pouts, opens laptop and types into chat* How to destroy an annoying 🐜?

Ajax_Flameborn: That's easy...I'll get a shoe

Lei Xing: He's human-sized...and giant shoes are apparently hard to find, I tried.

Yuki_Jen: Hmm could bring out a catapult or a cannon... or something? 🤔

Lei Xing: Unfortunately, stupid Author put a ban on those items on her premises, something about them being a hazard to her safety, it's not like I'd try to kill her or anything 🙄... and the stupid 🐜 would never follow me or anyone I can send anywhere 😑...stupid ANT!

Yuki_Jen: Hmmm how about a slingshot that looks like a swing? ....hahahahaha 

Lei Xing: 🤔 Shooting him off a slingshot is a great idea but it's too noticeable. Same with kicking him, that's why I haven't really worked on the idea. There'll be 👀 watching. It needs to be under wraps, away from prying senses or I could get in trouble...potentially 👀.

Yuki_Jen: Hmmmmm I see.... this is difficult.... how can 🐜 be dealt with without people knowing... can he shrink? 🤔

Lei Xing: 🤔 Not that I am aware of...Plus he'd never tell me if he could, he never listens 😒.

Ajax_Flameborn: You have a magic poison ring. Shot in the dark, maybe it can make poison?

Lei Xing: Well that old man didn't tell me how...Stingy 😒.

Ajax_Flameborn: Wow someone hands out a magic ring and doesn't even show off the user guide? D**k.

Lei Xing: I know right... I wanted to get a vat of poison but Author says we can't get any toxins in here. She's really paranoid for no reason😒...Ah, the Dowager does make poison though but we're not really on good terms, unfortunately...or fortunately, I'm not really sure about that one😅.

Storyreader: Easy then, blow them both with a bomb!!

Lei Xing: I'd love to!...👀 But we live in the same house...they don't go out 😑.

Ajax_Flameborn: if you reveal to the emperor that he stole your three sizes that one time, he'll probably go on a crusade against him ya know...

Lei Xing: He did what now?🤨

Ajax_Flameborn:👀 ...*Hides*

Yuki_Jen: He revealed your three sizes. He said orange or something...

Lei Xing: oranges? Does he even know what an orange is?! 

Yuki_Jen: He also said melons...if I remember correctly 🤔

Lei Xing: Melons?!!! 

Ajax_Flameborn: Yes, he said...Bountiful melons, very squishy. Much WOW...

Lei Xing: 😅😂🤣😑🤬 See it's not me, some people just really need to be gone *Sharpens knives* I have just cause this time!!!😤 

Ajax_Flameborn: Yes, and if you draw in the Emperor...he will ensure that even if 🐜 manages to survive this, he won't.

Lei Xing: Who needs an Emperor, I can kill him myself! 😈😈 

**Lei Xing texts Tung Mei: LX: Watch out for Author! And where's that 🐜?!!**Then opens door and heads out**

Lei Xing: 🐜, Anty~ Where are you? I've got a surprise for you~ A fan letter! Just for you~

Ajax_Flameborn: There will be no dawn for 🐜.

**A while later, Lei Xing returns from her hunt**

Lei Xing: Tch, Cant find him 😭

Yuki_Jen: Let's find a female 🐜 then set a trap.

Lei Xing: Will need to turn the female into a life-size thinker first...and that's hard 🤔

Ajax_Flameborn: Also she may just side with him

Yuki_Jen: Get Ah Jin to dress as an 🐜 then.

Lei Xing:😂 Ah Jin cant be trusted...but I can get Tung Mei to do it....👀 Actually, I want to see that 🤣🤣...Not sure how it would go because he's terrified of her, but he may just be dumb enough to fall for it...he's pretty stupid 🤣🤣

Yuki_Jen: Hahahahaha yes...We will see~

Lei Xing: Now that's settled, I am going to go work on the plan hahahahaha...This will be fun! 😈😈

Circumventing Fate 83 - Generous Giver

Lei Xing spent the rest of the day trying to get the bracelet to talk, she even held out an inkstone above it to threaten it but it kept ignoring her. This lack of communication dampened her mood significantly.

Dinner came and she sat down and absentmindedly picked up her chopsticks.

{...Can you not be so petty?... I already said I will return it so just cooperate, so you can leave faster...}

{...*...}

No response.

Lei Xing pouted and disgruntedly ate her dinner. Later on that night, when she was drinking some tea, she saw Ah Jin looking at the bracelet on her wrist with knit eyebrows.

Lei Xing nervously laughed and explained, "Ah, it's Tung Mei's...We met earlier and she left this behind so I'm keeping it safe for her." She finished with a smile and put her hand down so her sleeves covered it.

"Anyway, you all can leave. I want to sleep." She then stood up, yawned and walked to the bed.

{..Why the hell am I feeling guilty? I didn't steal it...I'm just keeping it safe until further notice...Hey, how about this, let's talk and I'll take you to Tung Mei tomorrow, hm?...} 

{...*...}

Lei Xing sighed and plopped down on the bed, raised her hand up and frowned at the bracelet and then flicked it. Then she went to sleep gripping tightly onto the bracelet, so it could not escape while she was asleep. 

The next day she continued her efforts and even threatened it some more but it still didn't respond, so she just sat there pouting at it.

{...Hey, aren't you bored? Let's talk...}

{...*...}

{...Come onn...Oh, Tung Mei! What's she doing here?...}

{...*You think I'm stupid? Hmph!...}

{...Apparently not very smart either...}

{...*Hmph! What do you know?!...}

Lei Xing rolled her eyes.

{...Okay so, how long have you been with Tung Mei?...}

{...*...}

The bracelet stopped responding again, which irritated Lei Xing.

{...Do you have to be so difficult?!...}

{...*...}

While Lei Xing was poking at the bracelet trying to get a reaction again, the announcement came from outside, "The Emperor has arrived!"

Lei Xing groaned, got up, and bowed as the Emperor entered the room, followed by eunuchs carrying in three big trunks.

As Lei Xing curiously stared at the trunks, the Emperor looked at her and slightly smiled, then waved a hand and the eunuchs opened the trunks to reveal gold ingots.

Lei Xing's eyes went wide, then she frowned.

{...G-gold...Gold?!...Is that for me? No, no wait. What are you giving me money for?...}

The Emperor saw Lei Xing frowning and then frowned himself, "You don't like it?"

{...It said she would like this...}

Lei Xing regained her senses, looked at the Emperor, and gave a half-smile, "Well, everyone likes money...I'm just wondering why...?"

{...Money's great and all...But money with strings? Then it depends...}

The Emperor's frown deepened, and he seemed to be in deep contemplation, then he responded, "A gift."

Lei Xing raised an eyebrow.

{...Lazy gifting...but I'll accept it...Wait, what are you giving me a gift for again? The library is one thing, but taking cold hard cash from him is another - I know! It's compensation, compensation for all the stress. Yes! I've been through a lot! Yes, that's why hahaha So I can take it - Yes, we can!...}

"Since you don't like it then..." The Emperor waved his hand again, and the eunuchs closed the trunks and were about to lift them, when Lei Xing put out her hands and blurted, "I like it!"

Lei Xing blinked and quickly brought her hands back, bowed and amended, "Any gift from Your Majesty is something to be grateful for."

The Emperor raised an eyebrow and then smirked and smugly said, "That's good then." Lei Xing smiled and nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed.

{...I feel like an idiot >_<)...}

{...*You are an idiot -_-)...}

{...Shut Up!...}

After a while of the two standing there looking at each other in silence with the atmosphere becoming increasingly awkward, the Emperor frowned and then turned and left with the eunuchs following behind.

Lei Xing let out a sigh of relief as the doors closed and she was left alone with the trunks of gold, she grinned and slowly crept up to them and opened them. 

{...How much gold is in here? Maybe 300? 500? I should have asked...No, that'll make me look crazy...The suspense will make counting more fun hahahahaha...}

{...*Nothing to worry about there, you already seem crazy -_-)...}

Lei Xing ignored the bracelet and started digging to the bottom of one of the trunks to confirm it was all gold.

{...I'm rich! Rich! I should buy a building...Start a business maybe? Is this even enough to? I need to look into that...}

{...*I'd hate to be the poor guy who just tried to get your attention with money...You completely discount his existence and only focus on the money...You're a horrible person!...}

[...And I'd hate to be the poor bracelet who's in my grasp with a big mouth...What's it to you? I deserve this! You have no clue what I've been through because of him... And I said thank you!... What do you expect me to do? Throw myself at him? I'm not for sale! -_-)...}

{...*Your thoughts express otherwise...}

{...I'm starting to see why she tossed you -_-)'...}

{...*Xiao Ying is an impetuous child, I'm great and you're horrible!...}

{...Are you always this cranky?... Why are you trying to ruin my day? -_-)...}

{...*Because you ruined mine! You're basically keeping me hostage!...}

Lei Xing sighed in annoyance, dropped the gold and went to sit down, and leaned back in the chair.

{...Okay, since we both dislike each other. Let's get this over with...Just a few questions, then I'll toss you to the wind...What are you?...}

{...*...}

{...Fine, next question then...How long have you been with Tu-Xiao Ying?...}

{...*All her life!... Well, most of it...There were a few baby moments I missed before taking her...}

{...Wait, you took a baby?...}

{...*How else am I supposed to get a baby?!...}

{...Make one? It sounds like you kidnapp-...}

{...*It's none of your business! Why don't you make your own?!...}

{...Okay, moving on -_-)...So you're a person or were a person? I mean you have to have existed outside the bracelet to have taken a baby, right? With you being so weak, you cou-...}

{...*I'm not weak! Do you know who I am?!...}

{...No, you skipped the introduction -_-)...}

{...*Well, it's none of your business!...}

{...Fine, I'll ask what is my business then...Three years ago, Tung Mei and I spent some time together, I want to know what happened then...}

{...*Do I seem like an archive to you?...}

{...Didn't you just say you've been with her since she was a baby?...}

{...*So? I'm not some pervert!...}

{...And we're back to weird -_-)...}

{...*It's her job to record her life! So go return this bracelet and ask her!...}

{...So you don't know?...}

{...*What I know is none of your business!...}

{...Stupid ass bracelet -_-)...}

{...*Stupid ass idiot...}

{...-_-)'...I don't like you...}

{...*And I don't like thieves -_-)...}

{...Says the one who "took" a baby...}

{...*...}

Lei Xing sighed in annoyance, this is not how she imagined things going. The bracelet went back to ignoring her again.

This time it seemed that Lei Xing had greatly upset it because it ignored her even after she apologized, threatened it and tried to trick it, and days passed like that.

Lei Xing sighed as she glanced at the bracelet. 

"Are you tired?"

She looked up at the Emperor, "No, I'm good." Then she put her chess piece on a random spot on the board. They were currently in the middle of a chess game. 

This recent pastime began three weeks ago. While Lei Xing was lazing around brooding over the bracelet, the Emperor had randomly come by in the evening after not bothering her for a few days. He had dinner with her and then asked if she knew how to play chess. She said no, and so he took it upon himself to teach her.

Lei Xing was reluctant and tried to dissuade him by saying it will be a waste of his valuable time, to which he simply responded, "It is of no issue."

She then tried suggesting that she could get Li Ru or someone else to teach her instead, just so he could leave. But he said, "That's good, you'll improve faster with more opportunity to practice."

So, Lei Xing begrudgingly sat down, and the lesson proceeded. Lei Xing initially thought it was some stupid ploy so he could stay the night. She already acquired her contraception, but she really was not in a good mood. She irritatedly went through the motions while dreading the approaching bedtime, thinking of a viable excuse she could give.

In the end, after an hour or so of playing, the Emperor got up, told her to sleep well, and to Lei Xing's surprise, he left her sitting there, staring after him in confusion.

The next evening he came again. They played for a bit, then ate dinner together, and then he left again.

The same happened over and over again, he came and always left, which confused Lei Xing, but she reigned herself in and went with the flow and actually began to pay attention to the lessons.

Today he was here again. They had just finished dinner and returned to their game. Lei Xing looked at the Emperor, who was scrutinizing the game board on his turn.

{...What exactly is he playing at?...}

{...*Isn't it obvious? He's pursuing you!... Even I can see that, and I don't have eyes there. But I also can't understand why anyone would want to, so your disbelief is understandable...}

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

***

**

NOTE: The NEXT chapter is an 🐜 side STORy, so SKIP if you will~ Thank you...

Circumventing Fate 82 - Internee

Lei Xing skeptically looked at Tung Mei's smiling face.

{...She's definitely a weird one...not my problem though...}

"You were telling me about how we met."

"Ah yes, so it was a beautiful day in a garden, on the road somewhere. We were both having a relaxing day, separately. When a rogue suddenly approached and started bullying me..." Then she frowned and said through gritted teeth, "...treating me like some stupid pet..."

Then smiled, "And you, Xing jie protected me from the claws of that despicable rogue and since then you have been my Xing jie." Tung Mei finished flashing a bright smile at Lei Xing.

Lei Xing knit her brows, "Is that all?"

"Well~ After that we had lots of fun and many adventures, which I happily gloated about to that despicable rogue. It was a lot of fun~" Tung Mei finished, snickering.

Lei Xing raised an eyebrow, "You know the rogue who assaulted you?"

"Regrettably." Tung Mei responded with a pout and then fisted her hands and continued through gritted teeth, "He is a bully. He even kicked an adorable little baby like me into a forest simply because "I was in his way". Since then I have loathed him, naturally..."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath and then perked up, "But that's how I met my Yong ge so I let that one slide. It was really romantic, as I soared through the air towards potential agony, I suddenly found myself in Yong ge's arms, he caught me~" She finished with a giggle.

Lei Xing frowned, "I thought you met him a few weeks ago?"

Tung Mei blinked, "Oh, that's right. He saved my purse on the street. That's how we met."

Lei Xing looked at her skeptically, "So you just made all that up?"

Tung Mei nervously laughed, "Hehe~ I recently got into an accident, so my memory is a bit scattered these days."

Lei Xing narrowed her eyes, "I just said that."

Tung Mei scratched her head and mumbled under her breath, "Oh you did. It's a good one."

Lei Xing raised her eyebrows, "What did you just say?"

"I said maybe we can share~"

Lei Xing's frowned, "Since you're in the mood to mess around, I'll leave you to yourself." Lei Xing went to get up.

Tung Mei grabbed Lei Xing's arm from across the table, "Xing jie don't me angry. I was just joking about the Yong ge part. I got carried away, I'm sorry~" She apologized, looking at Lei Xing with beseeching eyes.

Lei Xing looked at her skeptically and then settled back down, "So I saved you from some rogue?"

"Yes!" Tung Mei nodded.

"So where was I going when I happened to have saved you?"

{...Outlandish but okay...at least she's talking...}

"Nowhere, you didn't have a destination. You were bored of the capital and so went out to have some fun. I also left home with a similar purpose, and once we started talking, we decided to go have fun together!"

"So where did we go?"

"Nowhere in particular. We just roamed around aimlessly."

"Alone?"

"For the most part..."

Lei Xing pursed her lips.

{...Is that really all? I expected more from this...Unless she's lying, a stone-faced liar -_-)...}

"So how is life in the palace? You seem stres-"

{...*Xiao Ying!...]

Tung Mei suddenly stopped and frowned. Then she bent over and looked under the table. Then she scanned the room and then crawled to the window, and peeked her head out sneakily like a thief.

Lei Xing observed her actions with knit eyebrows.

{...What is she doing now? Is she on the run or something?... She's so sketchy. I really can't buy they weren't doing something criminal together given "my" track record and her current oddities -_-)...}

"What is wrong?" Lei Xing asked.

Tung Mei turned and smiled at her, "Nothing, just the wind." Then she settled back down and flicked the bracelet to the floor with a chopstick, "So how i-"

{...*You be-...thi-..I wil-...-nd..!...}

Tung Mei stopped again then stood up, scanned the room again with a frown while scratching her head.

Lei Xing became a bit concerned, "Are you okay?"

{...*I me-...hur-...-me...will pay...-u!...}

"Xing jie, we'll talk later!" Tung Mei suddenly shouted as she dashed out of the room.

Lei Xing sat there looking at the door with a confused frown, then she sighed. As she got up to leave, she spotted Tung Mei's bracelet on the floor and so picked it up with the aim to return it.

{...*I mean it! You better not get into any trouble or I'll, I'll...You'll see!!!...}

"Ow!" Lei Xing exclaimed, rubbing her head.

{...What the hell are you shouting for?!...}

{...*Who is this?!...}

{...The question should be who the hell are you to be invading my h- What the-? Hahaha it seems I am finally losing my mind...or is it a ghost, is that why she ran?...}

Lei Xing glanced around the empty room and rubbed her head with a frown.

{...*Hey! I asked you a question -_-)...}

 Lei Xing blinked and then looked down at the bracelet.

{...Are you the bracelet? A space! Are you a hidden space?!... You know like a hidden dimensional pocket, are you the spirit of the dimension?...}

{...* -_-)...Where is Xiao Ying?...}

{...Xiao Ying? Sounds somewhat familiar...}

{...*The owner of this bracelet! Where is the owner of this bracelet?!...}

{...Oh, you mean Tung Mei...}

{...*Tung - What? Return it this instant!...}

Lei Xing scrutinized the bracelet.

{...So do you live in the bracelet? Or are you the bracelet?...}

{...*I said to return it right now!...}

{...So you're not the bracelet...}

{...*...}

{...So are you like a soul trapped in the bracelet or what? It'd be great if you were a genie, I'd much rather prefer that to a talking purse -_-)...}

{...*It's not yours, so it's none of your business!...}

Lei Xing snorted.

{...I'd call it my business if you ever want it to be returned...The owner is gone, and I could smash it to smithereens...Now tell me, would you die if I smash it to pieces?...}

{...*Don't you dare! Do you know how long it took me to get this?!...}

{...Hmm, must be hard to find such clear crystals, are these diamonds? They sell for quite a price, can't crush them but I can dismantle this and make a profit...Can you still exist in pieces?...}

{...*Don't you dare! If you do, I will...will...will CURSE YOU!...}

{...*snort* Took you a while to come up with that one...and please stop screaming...}

The bracelet then started shaking in Lei Xing's hand, and she raised an eyebrow.

{...*Ennn, Ahh...Arggh! Why is this so hard?!...}

{...Are you trying to escape?...}

{...*Wouldn't you?!...}

{...Not if I were this weak. I'd negotiate, I'm open to negotiation. I'll return it... After you answer some questions...Don't worry, I'm a pretty decent person, so you can trust me~...}

{...*Hmph! A decent person does not threaten others!...}

Lei Xing smiled and put on the bracelet and admired her wrist.

{...Not bad...}

{...*This is stealing!...}

{...It's not stealing if she abandoned you...and as I said, I will return it as long as you cooperate...Let's talk on the way, what exactly are you?...}

{...*...}

Lei Xing bounced out of the room, ecstatic at her new find. Nothing surprises her anymore these days, she met with Xiao Ruo and began her return to the palace.

{...Hey, are you ignoring me?...}

{...*...}

{...I knew that Tung Mei was off...She has plenty of explaining to do when next we meet...Actually, no, YOU have tons of explaining to do if you ever want to be returned...in one piece, at least...And it better be believable. No crap about gardens and rogues -_-)...}

{...*There better not be a single scratch or I'll destroy you! I mean it!...}

{...Let's be cordial about this, just answer my questions and you'll be scot-free. I'm not enjoying this either...not much anyway hahahahaha...Okay, let's be serious. Introduce yourself...}

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

Circumventing Fate 81 - Solicitation

"Ah, the Emperor also asked that this be specifically handed to you." The Eunuch continued presenting a book to Lei Xing. She took it and looked it over, it was another copy of "The Art of War"

The Eunuch continued, "This is from His majesty's personal collection. He said to tell you that this one is a better version and will be more to your liking and that if you need any books in the future, you should inform him or if you ever feel bored and would like to browse a collection, the royal study has the best collection of books in the country and you are more than welcome to peruse through at any time."

Lei Xing slightly knit her brows and glanced at her desk where she was reading last night and noticed the copy she had was not there.

{...Don't tell me that was what he was retur- It's none of my business...}

Lei Xing walked over to one of the bookshelves and flipped through the books.

{...Well, at least his bribery skills seem to have improved...He still better not come here tonight, I mean it...Military, military, military...Did I tell this guy I plan on going to war or something?...} 

"Your highness, we have finished." The Eunuch informed. Lei Xing continued flipping through a book and simply responded, "En."

The Eunuchs looked up at her and then glanced at each other and remained standing. After a bit, Lei Xing then turned to them, "Anything else?" They quickly shook their heads, bowed and withdrew.

Lei Xing put the book back, glanced around the room, sighed, and went back to her room, where Ah Jin was still standing there looking dejected. Lei Xing sighed again, "You can leave." 

Ah Jin then bowed and quickly went to the door and paused when Lei Xing suddenly added, "Tell them that if anyone comes, they MUST wake me up." Ah Jin nodded and left. 

Lei Xing fell on her bed and sighed.

{...Been a freaking long day...He better not come here tonight...Books don't equal a license to intrude -_-)...}

Meanwhile, the Eunuch in charge of the reorganization went back to report to the Emperor in the royal study. Eunuch Li asked with a smile, "So what did she say?"

The Eunuch glanced up at the Emperor, who was calmly looking at him, and then looked down and gulped, "The Noble consort did not say anything."

"Nothing?" Eunuch Li asked furrowing his brow.

The Eunuch nodded and then nervously looked at the Emperor again and added, "B-but it seemed she li-liked the books..." The Emperor raised an eyebrow at him, and the Eunuch quickly looked down.

{...It's not like I could have forced her to say something, but how could she not even send a simple thank you? And here I thought I got an easy task T_T)...}

Eunuch Li sighed and told him to leave. He turned to find the Emperor back at work with his memorials, seemingly unbothered. Eunuch Li sighed again and left the room.

{...What exactly is wrong with this girl? She couldn't possibly be that clueless, she seemed intelligent too...It seems there's a hard road ahead with this one...}

**

The next morning, Lei Xing's eyes opened, and she jumped up and then sighed in relief when she saw there was no one beside her.

When Ah Jin and Xiao Ruo came in, she asked if the Emperor had come and then let out another sigh of relief when they informed he did not.

She quickly got ready and left the palace, this time taking Xiao Ruo with her. She was not feeling fond of Ah Jin at the moment, but that was not the only reason. Since Xiao Ruo was also pretty close to her, she did not want her to feel left out or ignored.

Not to mention, she would still be involved in the brewing process of the medication so there was no point in excluding her from it.

{...I don't need jealousy problems within my ranks -_-)...}

Lei Xing also used this opportunity to try to encourage loyalty with gifts.

Despite her dislike for shopping, she stopped at various jewelry stalls and had Xiao Ruo choose a couple of things for herself and Ah Jin, and some snacks and little things for the other servants as well.

Xiao Ruo was excited and indulged at Lei Xing's insistence. While Xiao Ruo was looking at some items, Lei Xing glanced at the closed doors of Doctor Lou's shop and sighed.

They were currently at the jewelry stall where she had left Xiao Ting the first time she visited him. 

{...Is he ever going to come back? Is it even safe for him to come back? I have no idea what that Emperor is thinking. Well, I can't exactly blame him, even I would think he was guilty with his sudden disappearance...I hope he's okay, I kind of feel this was all my fault somehow... I'll apologize when I - if I ever see him again...}

After a few more stops for shopping, Lei Xing went to a pharmacy and got her contraception medication.

Of course, she did not buy a huge amount so as not to attract unwanted attention on her return, but she got enough for five doses and would have to regularly restock on use.

{...And I'm perfectly fine with no use...}

As Lei Xing exited the pharmacy and was walking up to Xiao Ruo, she suddenly heard a familiar, "Xing jie." from behind and inwardly groaned.

{...Arrgh! Don't tell me those two are here again (◔_◔)...}

Lei Xing put on a smile and turned around to see only Tung Mei happily arrive and hug her arm, "I knew it was you!"

Lei Xing's eyes scanned the crowd behind her, looking for Lei Yong. Tung Mei turned back as well then asked, "What are you looking for?"

"Nothing." Lei Xing said with a smile. She was relieved to only see Tung Mei and was actually happy too when she remembered she actually had some unresolved questions for her. 

Lei Xing took Tung Mei to a restaurant nearby and got a private room, and left Xiao Ruo to eat in the general area so they could have privacy.

After they were settled in, Lei Xing asked, "Lei Yong is not with you today?"

Tung Mei frowned and then pouted, "I'm following your advice and giving him space like he wants."

"My advice?"

"En. You said I shouldn't keep chasing after someone persistently like that, that it's suffocating and makes him want to run more."

Lei Xing blinked and knit her brows.

{...That does sound like something I would say...Actually, I'm pretty sure I've said that before, then again, I've come across my fair share of desperates before...}

"But is it so wrong to go after someone you like?... Also, Yong ge is a very confusing person...no, he's a confused person! It's him, not me..." 

Lei Xing blinked a few times and frowned.

{...I swear I had thi- Am I that -... I guess it's a common expression, maybe?...and they're friends too, so they could both be confusing - no, confused...She can say it too...}

Tung Mei continued to lament, "When I leave him alone, he starts to worry, gets anxious, and eventually goes to find me and goes "it seems you've been busy" while looking at me like I committed a great wrong. Then once I start going to find him, then he starts running again and treating me like as if I-"

Tung Mei took a deep breath and gulped down her wine.

"Honestly, it's tiring...this is the last chance I'm giving it. If it doesn't work this time, then I'll stop. I mean it this time." She said, looking at Lei Xing with a resolute expression.

"How did we meet?" Lei Xing asked, uninterested in the love affairs of others, and got straight to business.

Tung Mei frowned at the seemingly random question, "Didn't Ah Jin tell you?"

"She said she doesn't know." Lei Xing responded, narrowing her eyes.

Tung Mei then smiled, "Ah, yes...I forgot about that part. So it was three years ago, you left the city, we met on the road through a string of coincidences and went on an adventure together. It was fun!" 

Lei Xing raised an eyebrow and then smiled, "You see, I recently got in an accident and so my memory is a bit scattered. So please share the details. I want to know." 

Tung Mei blinked a few times then went, "Hmm, sure!... So-" 

{...*Where are you?...}

{... Hmph!...}

{...*It has been brought to my notice that you are not home...}

{...And since when do you care?...}

"Everything okay?" Lei Xing asked when Tung Mei suddenly stopped talking and scowled.

Tung Mei smiled, "It's fine..."

{...*Xiao Ying!...}

{...You swindled me! So don't pretend to care. I'll sort my life out myself! You just mind your own business!...}

{...*You better not go start troub-...}

{...I am not listening anymore! This is Goodbye!!...}

{...*You better not re-...}

Tung Mei angrily removed her bracelet and threw it on the table. Lei Xing watched her odd behavior with a raised eyebrow and then asked, "Are you okay?"

Tung Mei smiled, "Perfectly fine...Where was I?"

Circumventing Fate 80 - Irenic

Prince Yi left the royal study feeling irritated and straight away got on his horse and went back to his manor.

The moment he arrived, he stormed into his study with his head guard, Tian Ji following behind him. After slamming the table, Prince Yi asked. "Have they found him?"

"No, Your highness, we're still searching." Tian Ji responded with his head bowed, "It should only be a matter of time, he should not have been able to get far."

Prince Yi took a deep breath and asked, "And those fools?"

"They are still being interrogated, it seems they truly may not have noticed anything."

"Useless! If they cannot give anything useful, get rid of them!" Prince Yi said through gritted teeth.

Tian Ji looked at him for a bit, then bowed and left the room. Prince Yi was fuming in anger, he looked at the "Art of War" book on the table, and his scowl deepened.

{...He's pushing me out now, isn't he?... First of all, they sideline me to that useless library and then now to be a companion? And then after that? Get rid of me? I won't let him!...}

Prince Yi's mood had been very bad since the Emperor's return to the capital, and the events that had followed in the past few days only made it worse.

First of all, there was this issue of the alliance with Zou kingdom which came as a quite shock to him.

He was perplexed as to what Prince Rui was thinking by suddenly turning into an "advocate of peace", even to the point of convincing his father to take a losing deal and virtually be under Long country's rule.

The Zou king has been known to be a weak-minded fool, so manipulating him to agree with their own plan should not have been an issue. 

Their original plan was for Prince Rui to persuade the Zou king to form an alliance with their neighboring nations and then escalate the war situation which had been at a stalemate the past few months. Forcing his brother to send the troops in the capital back to the war front, leaving him more vulnerable.

Then Prince Yi would take the opportunity to move his own hidden troops which he had been accumulating all these years to attack the palace. While this new development of an alliance irritated him, he still concluded that he still had an advantage, so he could get a reasonable explanation once Prince Rui arrived.

After all, he still had an important figure in Prince Rui's life as a hostage, his closest aide and childhood friend, Molin.

Everything still seemed under control until yesterday night, when the captive escaped while the guards on duty were all drugged and passed out. All day, his men have been covertly searching all around the capital trying to find Molin, but they have all been useless so far and have not even found a trace.

He reasoned that Molin had to still be hiding somewhere in the city since the news of Prince Rui's impending arrival was everywhere.

What was worse is that it was clear he had help in escaping, and for an outsider to have been able to penetrate that deeply into his residence without being noticed is unlikely. This meant that it was likely there was a spy on the inside, so he also had that to contend with.

Prince Yi thought he still had some time to sort this out before having to meet Prince Rui, as he would constantly be surrounded by people and watched on his arrival.

Therefore, arranging their meeting would have had to wait until things died down, which would take some time. But now, with his brother doing this, the deadline had been moved forward, and it now seemed more and more likely to Prince Yi that this was all his doing.

{...It's either he's stupidly overconfident or he already interfered with my plans...Either way, he's obviously treating me like a fool!...}

***

Back at the palace.

Lei Xing had returned to her palace feeling a bit irritated and had just been sitting on the side quietly for a while now, with Ah Jin standing there sullenly. Her plan for today was interrupted.

The Emperor's actions were also somewhat confusing, making her feel somewhat anxious.

{...He's a confusing person, no, he's a confused person...It's not my lack of understanding, it's just that he isn't making sense...*sigh* Maybe he has too much free time? He better not come back here tonight to try anything or I'll neuter him!...Okay, maybe I won't, but I may try, so he better not -_-)...}

Lei Xing turned to Ah Jin, "Is there anything else I should know?"

Ah Jin immediately kowtowed and apologized, "I am sorry Your highness, I did not expect this to come up...Also, since you never attempted any embroidery yourself and always left it up to me and Xiao Ruo... it skipped my mind...so it did not occur to me to mention this...I am very s-"

"That's enough, that's enough. Get up." Lei Xing said, massaging her forehead. After Ah Jin stood up, she flatly said, "But I am being serious, anything else I need to know? Think hard."

{...I hate being caught unawares in illegal dealings, tell me now so I can prepare my cover-up story...A good one takes time to craft, you know!...}

"There shouldn't be anything..." Ah Jin hesitantly said.

Lei Xing narrowed her eyes, "No other illegal activities? Are you sure?"

Ah Jin knit her brows and hesitantly replied, "It should be fine..."

"Is it fine or not?" Lei Xing asked a little irritated.

"It is fine." Ah Jin resolutely responded.

Lei Xing sat there scrutinizing Ah Jin for a while and then said, "Since we're talking about past transgressions, tell me, why did I run away?"

Ah Jin went rigid and blankly stared at Lei Xing wide-eyed and then started blinking rapidly, "I - I told you, I really do-"

"If you found me, then you must have known where I was going or at least the direction I was heading?" Lei Xing said, a bit exasperated. All this lack of knowledge was making her feel uncertain, which in turn made her anxious.

This whole life made her feel that way, and this incident just brought her anxieties to the forefront.

{...Who knows where the next phantom embroidery piece is going to come from -_-)...}

"I really don't know..." Ah Jin responded, sounding a bit aggrieved.

Lei Xing let out a breath, "Fine then." and then she remembered her weird dream and asked, "Have you and I ever had a conversation on a cliff's edge before?"

"No." Ah Jin promptly and bluntly responded, Lei Xing narrowed her eyes at her and Ah Jin lowered her head. 

Lei Xing frowned at Ah Jin.

{...I can't tell if you're a good liar or a bad one...But I can know that you're terrible at secrets -_-)...}

Before Lei Xing could further question, Xiao Ruo rushed in with a big smile on her face and happily said, "Your highness, you should come see this! You should really-"

"What?" Lei Xing snapped, and Xiao Ruo then instantly calmed down and said, "The Emperor sent some things over."

Lei Xing's frown deepened, Xiao Ruo urged again for her to follow. After scrutinizing Ah Jin for a bit longer, Lei Xing sighed, then got up and followed Xiao Ruo.

{...I'm really not sure what to do about this maid -_-)'...}

When she arrived at her study, she found a bunch of Eunuchs reorganizing the place.

They had setup four more bookshelves alongside the one she had, put another behind her desk and another set of two on the sides. They were currently stocking them with books from a few trunks.

As she walked into the room, they stopped and bowed to her, and then one of them came up to her with a smile, "Your highness, the Emperor noticed that your collection is quite limited and so instructed for us to bring these over. If you have any specific requests, do tell us."

Lei Xing stood there and scanned the room with a blank expression. 

{...It would seem another demon has now possessed him...or maybe an angel this time?...}

CF 79 - Ant Skit Episode 5: Advocate

 ** 🐜 enters Author's office**

Author: Come, come Borious, you're been doing great so far!

 🐜: It's Borentious 😒

Author: That's what I said. Anyway, everything looks great. You just need to work out a few kinks here and there, namely your mouth... but your path to stardom is assured so do not fret!😉 *pats 🐜 reassuringly on the shoulder* Oh, by the way, you got fan mail again. 

 🐜: I did? 😃

Lei Xing: I'd say this is more fact mail than fan mail...

 🐜: What? 

Author: Ignore her. They wouldn't message you if they didn't care for you 😌...Here you go! *Hands letter to 🐜*

 Silentsarab: The only shady thing about them is that they are both adorable and devoured your soul .lol😘

 Author: Death by the "Adorables"...I'd say it's a good way to go 😂😂

 🐜: I disagree, I'm still bruised😑

 Lei Xing: It's not my fault you have a thin skull and brittle bones, it was an accident. You should work out more, build muscle or something 😒

 🐜:😑...I also haven't been able to get much sleep lately too...

 Lei Xing: Let me guess that's my fault too😒

 🐜: Of course, it is, you sent your double to attack me in my sleep...isn't it enough? I've already apologized!😭

 Lei Xing: I didn't ask her to do anything...If she's terrorizing you, not my problem, nothing to do with me🤷🏻‍♀️

 🐜: Tell her to stop...Pleaseeee😭

 Lei Xing: I doubt that'll work...

 🐜: It will! She always listens to you! Pleeaase, just try 😭

 Lei Xing: *bothered by wailing 🐜* Fine, when next I see her, I'll say something.

 🐜: When will that be?🥺

 Lei Xing:🤷🏻‍♀️

 🐜:... Why not just call her?

 Lei Xing: She's busy right now.

 🐜: Till when?

 Lei Xing: 🤷🏻‍♀️

🐜: But...but...I need to sleep tonight😭...Can't you at least send a te-

 **Lei Xing looks at phone and quickly 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️ out of the office**
**🐜 looks at Author** 

🐜: Can you -

 Author: I don't even have her number...try someone else.

 🐜:...😭😭

** Later on another sleepless night, 🐜 busy on his computer~**

🐜:...Although Ah Jin is a liar and a criminal!... A terrible one, but nonetheless she is one...But she performed these actions under duress. That terrible duo, Lei Xing and her idiotic double terrorized and coerced her into this criminal activity. Therefore Ah Jin is innocent and should be pardoned BUT the masterminds should never be acquitted! They should be locked up!

...If we let them go free, then it will be too late to serve their due justice after they kill someone! ~Namely me, they have been trying but thankfully have kept failing~ 

...You, as a leader have the mandate to protect the masses from such evil and so should never be biased. A crime is still criminal regardless of the motivations behind it or how pretty or maybe adorable the criminals are 😑.

They should still be held accountable and punished! I demand that these criminals be brought to justice today! With that being said, I order you as the enlightened one-...

~Okay, maybe not that one, he'd probably punch me in the face or kill me😰...No! Can't be scared, someone must advocate for justice! 😤 How about this?~

...I order you as the BESTFRIEND of your trusted advisor to Lock Her Up!🤔...~Yes that one's much better, at least he won't kill me hahaha~ *Jots it down in his notepad* 😌... The execution can be scheduled for a later date. Failure to comply will resu-

Tung Mei: Who are you talking to? *Standing in doorway holding door*

🐜: *Jumps* I wasn't talking!

Tung Mei: 🤨...

🐜: 👀...No one...Anyway, why are you in my room?!

Tung Mei: *mumbles* You make it sound like I want to be here. *Closes the door and casually strolls into the room and sits on the bed*

🐜: 😑 What do you w- *Tung Mei 👀 at him* ...Hehe~ I mean, how can I help you?"

Tung Mei: *sigh* I heard you are quite close to Author...

🐜: I wouldn't call it close...She doesn't even remember my name 😒

Tung Mei: I need a favor

🐜: A favor? From me? 🤨

Tung Mei: *frowns* Can you go tell her to get me and Yong ge together already. All this push and pull is tiring. 

🐜: Maybe the push and pull is a sign he doesn't see you that way...

Tung Mei: He likes me!

🐜: Perhaps...but not just that way....Why don't you go ask your "Xing jie" to do it? She's close to Author, she even gets to hang out in her office all the time 😒...

Tung Mei: *sigh* Xing jie won't do it...She'll tell me to move on...

🐜: *sits down beside her* That's a great idea... There are some new good guys coming into town. I hear there's even a foreign prince too...Why not move on with him and then move to another country? New life, new space, new you! Your Xing jie knows best and wants the best for you. That prince is the best option...

Tung Mei:😑 I don't want to...and even if I did move on with that prince, I'll still live here you know😒...

🐜: Oh...I see 😒...{...It's pointless then, tch...}

Tung Mei:😑 So will you do it or not?

🐜: 🤔 Hmm...What do I get in return?

Tung Mei: You're still alive, aren't you? 

🐜: *mumbles* Blackmailing is not how you ask for a favor...

Tung Mei: I am still keeping your secret, aren't I?...

🐜: Fine...then delete the picture and we have a deal 😒.

Tung Mei: When I see progress, then we have a deal.

🐜: Then go talk to Author yourself or persuade your stubborn "Xing jie" to do it. No delete, no deal! 

Tung Mei: 😠 You-!

🐜: *Scurries to the corner* You can kill me if you want, but then you'll never get progress! Author listens to me, I even got fired and promoted at the same time! I'm the commentator! So-

Tung Mei: Fine...I don't need it anyway. *Brings out phone, shows 🐜 the picture and deletes it*

🐜: Let me confirm!

**Tung Mei rolls her eyes and tosses phone to 🐜**

**🐜 catches it and searches through phone**

Tung Mei: See, I deleted it.

🐜: Okay, we have a deal! 

**🐜 hands phone back to Tung Mei and stretches out a hand smiling for a handshake* Tung Mei 🤨 at 🐜's outstretched hand and gets up**

Tung Mei: Just so we're clear, I expect to see progress and soon. I'm sure you are aware I don't need that picture to handle you. At most, I'll get in a bit of trouble...but that's nothing new so-

🐜: I am an upright individual who never turns my back on others, unlike a certain someone...so you can trust me! 😤

Tung Mei: 🙄...A bit of advice, you better stop bothering Xing jie or you will really die. It's only a matter of time before she flips out...

🐜: I am not bothering her. I am only...only fighting against corruption and injustice! 😤

**Tung Mei 🙄, shakes her head and leaves the room and 🐜 sighs in relief**

🐜: Ahem!...Where was I? *looks at notepad* Yes, Failure to comply will result in your dismissal! We, the masses will demand for your resignation!... ~Is that too much? 🤔 No, it's reasonable~...

*🐜 Nods, scribbles in notepad, reads his notes and then rehearses from the top*