226: Lore of The "Liar"

Lore of The "Liar"

Lei Yong dragged Tung Mei along for a while looking for a quiet place for them to talk. He did not want anyone overhearing their conversation and causing unnecessary talks. His family had come to enjoy her presence and grown to love this additional figure in their lives and he did not want to complicate things for his family and hers by exposing her as a liar.1

After roaming around for a while, he finally stopped in a courtyard in the northern most part of the residence, which apparently used to be Lei Xing's residence. With her gone, no one came here during the day except the occasional maid or two who came over to clean and maintain the area. And with Xiao Ting's coming of age ceremony going on, all the servants were preoccupied with other matters. 

Before Lei young could speak, Tung Mei frowned and asked, "Why did you bring me here?"

Lei Yong ignored the question and asked, "Where have you been all this time?"

"I asked first." Tung Mei indignantly responded, narrowing her eyes at him. 

Lei Yong frowned at her, but Tung Mei stubbornly met his gaze and so Lei Yong let out a breath and answered, "It's quiet...Where have you been?"

"Here and there..." Tung Mei replied with a shrug.

Lei Yong's frown deepened, "Where exactly?" 

"Nowhere in particular. I needed some space and then I was bored and so I was moving around a lot." Tung Mei offhandedly responded. 

Lei Yong remained looking at her with a frown, she was not giving a proper response. Not being able to find her during these disappearing spells was very concerning. But she seemed so indifferent about it and that made it more irritating.

Tung Mei glanced around and her eyes lingered on Lei Xing's former bedroom door for a moment and then she impatiently turned back to him and asked, "Is that why you brought me here?"

Lei Yong noted her impatient voice and then calmly asked, "Did you lie about meeting Xing er'?" 

Tung Mei blinked in surprise and then went, "Lie? What do you mean lie?"

Lei Yong narrowed his eyes at her, "During the time period you claimed to have met Xing er' your mother had just passed away."

"So?" Tung Mei asked blinking at him, not understanding his point.

Lei Yong knit his brows and continued, "You were occupied with your mother's funeral and reports showed that you never left your home during the month Xing er' left the capital. Xing er' was also not gone long enough to have made it Xia Zhou and back. So how could you have met her then?"

"You investigated me?" Tung Mei asked with raised eyebrows and blinked at him in disbelief. 

Lei Yong blinked and then looked off to the side and quickly clarified, "No...I just came across the information, from a verified source. Either way, explain yourself." He finished narrowing his eyes at her.

Tung Mei sighed and then said, "I'm not sure what you want me to explain..." But Lei Yong remained silent and simply waited for her explanation.

Tung Mei then let out a breath and said, "Well...as far as everyone knows, Xing jie has never left the capital but yet the truth is that she has. I'm not sure how deep your investigation went but as far as everyone knows I was shut in at home in mourning...Just as it was with Xing jie's case, my father also would not have made my absence public for the sake of my reputation..."

She paused and then let out a sigh and wearily continued, "It was a tough time for me. I was feeling overwhelmed. I wanted a break and so I left and encountered Xing jie."

"And where did you meet?" Lei Yong asked with knit eyebrows, his family had never pressed her for information on this issue despite their interest in knowing Lei Xing's whereabouts doing during that time. Whenever it was brought up, she always seemed uncomfortable and gave vague answers about the time. She seemed uncomfortable with the topic and so they respected her not wanting to discuss it and left it alone. 

"On the road." Tung Mei swiftly responded.

"Which road?" Lei Yong pressed.

"I don't remember." Tung Mei offhandedly responded. 

"Then where did you two go?" Lei Yong further pressed.

"As I've told you before, we wandered around randomly for a while and then went our separate ways. I went home and I assume she came home as well."

Lei Yong knit his brows and scrutinized her, he was not sure what to make of this situation. She did not seem like she was lying, but then again she was giving vague responses. 

Tung Mei frowned at him and then said, "I have no reason to lie, but if you don't believe me then you can go ask Xing jie. I'm sure she will be able to clarify whatever doubts you have." 

Lei Yong also thought the same as Tung Mei. She had no reason to lie. She had lived with them for a while now and had been nothing but pleasant and has shown no ill will or done anything to warrant any suspicion.

The only possible motive he could think of was her lying was to get close to family because of feelings she might have for him. And that in itself was not necessarily a big problem. But then she knew things about them that could not have been easily accomplished through an investigation. 

Lei Yong had also considered that perhaps the girls became close during the concubine selection and that Tung Mei simply made up them having a long history because it sounded better. But then he looked into it and uncovered that the candidates were under strict guidance. The only way they could have spent time enough together for them to become close would have been if they shared the same residence, which they did not. 

He had even briefly considered writing to her father to ask about her story, but then he had no basis or reason to ask such questions. Moreover, it could easily be taken the wrong way and he was not planning on starting a family feud.

Lei Yong was feeling very conflicted. Her explanation seemed to make sense but still, no investigation was foolproof unless one experienced it for themselves. But still, it seemed a bit off. 

Tung Mei glanced around and when Lei Yong was still not responding, Tung Mei let out a breath and said, "Let's go ask Xing jie then." And with that, she stormed back towards the corridor they had left Lei Xing on.

Lei Yong knit his brows and then let out a sigh as he followed behind her. He decided to just play it out and leave it up to Lei Xing. If she corroborated Tung Mei's story, then he would leave it at that. Tung Mei was clearly not hurting anyone and appeared to hold no malice and so he did not really want to make an issue of this. 

Tung Mei covertly glanced over her shoulder at Lei Yong and knit her brows.

{...This is getting so tiring...Can you get Xing jie to corroborate the story?...}

{...*You shouldn't complain when it's what you wanted ( ￣^￣ )...}

Tung mei frowned in annoyance.

{...This is isn't what I wanted. You literally pushed me into this whole mess with false promises!...}

{...*Hehe I thought we already forgot about that... It's why I'm not complaining and letting you do as you like~...Buuut, if you really have such heavy grievances. Then I shall have no choice as the concerned and very responsible FATHER that I am to begin to recall my own grievances, forgotten rules, and other such inconvenient matters  ( ￣^￣ )...}

Tung Mei rolled her eyes and inwardly sighed.

{...Fine, all forgotten...Can you now please go tell Xing jie to agree to this? -_-)'...}

{...*Great choice~ I knew you were the smartest, just like me! Are you going to come back soon? Father misses you a lot~...}

{...-_-)'...Xing jie. Please!...}

{...*There's nothing to worry about there, with her personality she'll agree with it just to get Yong to leave her alone...Moreover, Xiao Kai came to pick her up so she already left. It was quite the show too hehehe~...}

Tung Mei let out a silent sigh in relief. She honestly did not believe that Lei Xing would deny her, if not for anything, but at least to avoid the questions that would undoubtedly be thrown her way. Not to mention, Tung Mei also knew some of Lei Xing's secrets and had even helped her with the bracelet. It was normal that they would help each other out. 

But Tung Mei's brilliant "godfather" had annoyed Lei Xing near her breaking point earlier today. And so there was a possibility, however unlikely, that Lei Xing might just ignore Tung Mei or even deny her just out of spite and irritation after hearing Lei Yong's claims. 

Therefore, Lei Xing's absence was great for Tung Mei as she did not believe that Lei Yong would seriously pursue Lei Xing to the palace. She glanced at Lei Yong and with a renewed sense of confidence, she led the way back to where they had left Lei Xing and the others.

{...That stubborn Xing Xing interrupted our family time. Father will make a grand meal for you. I have some great wine too, I'll share~ ( ^_^ )...} 

{...Family time? You were trying to break my head -_-)'...}

{...*All in good fun~ How about this? I'll reduce your debt. You only have to give me four bottles of wine and I'll even share one with you~...Are you coming? You're going to come, right?...I've been really lonely here you know, no one comes to visit. It's like everyone forgot about me *sniff* wuhu wuhuhuhu - (つω`｡)...}

{...Fineee, I'll come (◔_◔)...}

{...*Hehehe~ Xiao Ying is definitely the best. If that blind Yong keeps rejecting you then I'll tie him up and throw him into a-...}

{...I've told you I don't need your help anymore ≖_≖ )...}

{...*Then don't be late or I might really change my mind~...}

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

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