378: Desperate Times

Desperate Times

"Is everything alright?" Xiao Ting quietly asked as she motioned towards Xiao Ruo, "Did you bully her?" Xiao Ting teasingly asked. The entire time she has been here, Xiao Ruo had been standing in the corner staring at Lei Xing fixedly with a disgruntled pout.

Lei Xing narrowed her eyes at Xiao Ruo and muttered, "If anything, she's the one bullying me..." 

Xiao Ting raised her eyebrows, but Lei Xing smiled at her before she could comment and said, "Ignore her. We're here to talk about you." 

"Me?" Xiao Ting said, a bit surprised. 

Lei Xing sipped her tea and put her cup down, "I usually don't like to get involved in these things, but...here we are." She said with a sigh. 

Xiao Ting put her cup down as well and readjusted in her seat. She knew it had to be serious for Lei Xing to send for her. Lei Xing had never sent for her before. 

Rather than continue, Lei Xing knit her brows in thought as she considered how to approach this subject without it seeming like she was pressuring her one way or another. Usually, she would have never bothered with something like this, but the Emperor was quite persuasive in his endeavors. 

After a long debate with himself, An Hao did end up writing to the Emperor inquiring about Xiao Ting, citing her lack of a response as a "concern" of his. At a loss on how to handle this inquiry, the Emperor then turned it to his lovely wife to deal with since she was a "woman" and her older sister. 

It would be odd for him to ask Xiao Ting himself. The girl seemed to cower whenever he was around. It seemed she was only brave with alcohol. Besides, he did not think it was his place to ask such questions of an unrelated woman. It would be too awkward to bring it up to Defense minister Lei, and Lei Yong was gone chasing the wind, so Lei Xing was the only available choice. 

Lei Xing naturally did not want to get involved, she told him to leave them alone to sort themselves out, but the Emperor was persistent. He spent the better half of the night convincing her, he would not let her sleep otherwise. First, he told her of An Hao's past, about how they met. Then he told her the many tales of An Hao, about how An Hao was a great guy, a bit silly but with a "good loyal heart and great promise". 

As for his family's background, the Emperor explained that Commander An was of noble birth from the Xia empire. He even said that after he ascended the throne, he had offered Commander An position in court, but the man was satisfied with the Commander of the Imperial guards' position as it allowed him to look after the Emperor properly. Commander An was extremely loyal, noble, and trustworthy and was also someone with "great promise". 

The Emperor then rounded it all up with the fact that he knew An Hao well, and if he were not truly bothered by this, he would not have asked the Emperor to look into it. Moreover, the Emperor told her about how An Hao had never doted on anyone as he did with Xiao Ting - except for maybe the Emperor, but that was different, the Emperor said as he brushed it off. Then, of course, he stressed that he was not asking her to get her sister to accept An Hao. He only wanted her to talk to Xiao Ting.

Since the Emperor was working so hard to sell this father and son-in-law package, Lei Xing had no choice to accept this task. The Emperor's face instantly lit up. He kissed her, told her she would not regret it, and finally allowed her to sleep. 

Lei Xing finally understood why An Hao always seemed to be giving her the evil eye whenever they met. It was now evident to her that if An Hao were a woman, he would be her competition because the Emperor had never pestered her so much on someone else's behalf. It was great that An Hao has now found another outlet for his overflowing "devotion".

"Jiejie, is everything alright?" Xiao Ting carefully asked. Lei Xing had suddenly gone silent with a deepening frown.

"Oh, fine. I'm fine." Lei Xing said, blinking out of her thoughts, "Okay, first, um... I have to ask, uh, how do you feel towards that An Hao character?"

Xiao Ting knit her brows, "This again, I've told-"

"Don't be coy. Answer the question straight." Lei Xing snapped, somewhat irritated. She glanced over at Xiao Ruo, who was still looking at her with an aggrieved expression, then she quickly looked away with a silent sigh. Her mood has not been too good recently, and Xiao Ruo's nagging has only been stressing her out more.

Xiao Ting bit her lip, looking visibly distressed. Just when Lei Xing was about to lament about this being another headache, Xiao Ting took a deep breath and nodded, "I do... He's fascinating and funny. He also listens to me, happily too ..." She said, lowering her head. It was nice to have someone to talk to happily. An Hao never got tired of talking with her. It was a nice change from what she was used to - people behaving like she was bothering them, "... He hasn't said anything like that so..." She mumbled, her face reddening.

This was the first time she had ever openly admitted to anyone that she liked An Hao. She was certain that An Hao liked her as well. During his off-duty period, he came to see her almost every day, often cooking for her or bringing one interesting thing or the other. Even after he resumed his duties at court, he still dropped by often to check on her and spend some time. She was not stupid, no one - no man especially, invested this much time in a "friend". 

Her mother had even spoken to her about it much earlier, to makse sure that was comfortable with his visits. If she had said no, then An Hao would have never stepped foot in the Lei manor again. She said it was alright with it. Then her mother had gone another tangent about the consequences of indulging such attentions. Suffice to say, she got an earful on what expectations brewed. 

But on the same token, she was honestly not sure if An Hao himself was aware of his feelings for her. He seemed quite dense, he was lucky that appealed to her. 

"Well, sometimes actions speak louder than words...and well, his hav been plain for all to see." Lei Xing wisely said. 

{...Plain enough for my Emperor to detect his brooding state from a simple letter -_-)...}

Lei Xing plastered on a smile and continued her dutiful role of matchmaker, "So tell me, why haven't you been replying to his letters? Have you not been reading them? Or did they upset you?"

"No, no, not that! They were very entertaining...and sweet..." Xiao Ting bashfully said, lowering her head again, "I didn't know how to send them..." She admitted with a frown.

"Huh?" Lei Xing cocked her head, not quite understanding, "You don't how to send letters?"

Xiao Ting fervently nodded, "He didn't say... and the eunuchs only dropped the letters and left. They came from the Emperor... it didn't seem appropriate for me to be sending letters to the Emperor... an-and..." She lowered her head again with a pout and mumbled, "I wrote them, you know...responses..."

Lei Xing blinked at her, at a loss. She did not expect this level of stupidity - she was not sure that was the right word for this, but it was all that came to mind, "Why didn't you ask me then?"

"You were already making fun of me..." Xiao Ting mumbled in response again, lowering her head even further. 

Lei Xing facepalmed, closed her eyes, and massaged her aching head as she lamented over who the stupid one here is between An Hao, the Emperor, and Xiao Ting? What sort of messenger does not establish a chain of communication? 

Lei Xing finally sighed and said, "Have any letters you have sent to me."

"Really?" Xiao Ting exclaimed with wide eyes, blush intensifying.

"Oh, no one will have a problem with that -" Lei Xing's words were cut off when Xiao Ting flew over the table and hugged her, "Thank you!" She quickly released Lei Xing and then turned to fly off, but then she stopped and turned back to Lei Xing, "How did you know I haven't been responding to the letters?" She asked, blinking at her with a knit eyebrows.

"How do you think?" Lei Xing offhandedly responded.

Xiao Ting inhaled and put a hand over her mouth, and crumbled back to her seat, "Do you think he's upset?"

"Just explain I'm sure he'll understand... He seems as lost as you." Lei Xing mouthed that last bit under her breath.

Xiao Ting heard but was not at all bothered, "I'll bring them right away!" She hurriedly said and scurried off.

"You can just send someone..." Lei Xing called out after her, but it seemed Xiao Ting could hear her through the excited buzz in her head. 

{...Ah, young love, so cute - then again, I'm not exactly old myself. My love's still young, very young-ish...}

"Your majesty, we should send for the head physician..."

Lei Xing's smile fell as she found Xiao Ruo had resumed her incessant nagging now that they were alone again. Lei Xing let out an irritated sigh, "Xiao Ruo, aren't you tired of repeating yourself? I certainly am."

Xiao Ruo frowned and dropped to her knees, "Your majesty please, this isn't normal. Something is definitely wrong, your health isn't -"

"I've told you I'm fine, perfectly fine. This happens sometimes. There's no need for this unnecessary fuss. Just give it some time, okay? Please don't add to my stress right now." Lei Xing wearily said, 

Xiao Ruo knit her brows, she remained silent, but her face was still protesting. Lei Xing sighed and rose to her feet, "I'm tired, just going to sleep, nothing is wrong, just tired." She stressed before Xiao Ruo could start up again. "Don't follow me." She added and walked off with a deepening frown. 

{...There's nothing to worry about, I'm perfectly alright...I am...}

****

"You said she would be free once the girl saw her father... It's been a week now. Why is she still here?" Doctor Lou impatiently said, pulling on his long beard as he glared at Tung Mei's bedroom door.

When his words were met with silence, he turned to his companions who were proving to him once again that they did not understand the gravity of the situation.

Doctor Lou was currently sat in a white jade pavilion that seemed too big for this tiny courtyard but yet it "magically" fit the space. This white jade pavilion, much like his "guests", possessed an ethereal glow, beautiful and serene. His "guests" were a man and a woman, a couple who, to the old man's annoyance, were happily taste-testing various jars of alcohol on the table before them.

"Her mother's memorial's a few days away. Perhaps she wants to stay for that." The woman offhandedly responded, then she sipped the wine the man poured out for her, and her face lit up, "This is surprisingly good~"

"I know right, who knew lava could work. Here, drink more~" The man happily said, refilling her cup with a smile, "Want some?" The man when he noticed Doctor Lou glaring at the wine jug.

"Can you two be serious for once? My daughter's life is at stake." Doctor Lou said, now furiously squinting.

"We're here, aren't we?" The man lazily responded as he filled up his own cup instead. "Hanging out in some random courtyard with a cranky old man is not my idea time well spent..." He added, picking up his cup and facing the other way, obviously not happy with the current state of events. 

"Your daughter's fine, it's not going to kill her..." The woman offhandedly responded, also going back to leisurely drinking. It was all they could do in this boring place the old man bullied them into staying. They could leave if they really wanted to but it was rare to see "Doctor Lou" squirm like this, so they were indulging him a bit. 

"Just because it didn't kill you, doesn't mean it won't kill others." Doctor Lou impatiently barked in annoyance, feeling the urge to kick them out. If he did not need them, he would have done just that. 

The woman rolled her eyes with a sigh, "I detest repeating myself, but for your sake, I shall once again do it. Before we get to that point, I will get her out -"

"Why not just do it now then?" Doctor Lou asked, narrowing his eyes at her, "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

The woman responded in kind with a sly smile, resting her arm on her partner's back and leaning back as she drawled on, "Despite the fact that our positions are now different, I - we," She corrected, "...have always looked up to you. It is truly a rare occurrence that I, a junior disciple would be in a position to offer help to our esteemed senior-"

"Lifen darling, you're sounding a bit too bitte-"

"Shush, don't interrupt me!" Feng Lifen quietly admonished her partner, hitting his shoulder. Pointing out her bitter tone was unnecessary. Moreover, who wouldn't be after growing up with someone like Doctor Lou lording over their heads all their lives? She was permitted to gloat on this august occasion.  1

She refocused her attention on Doctor Lou, "Where was I? Ah, so yes, I am enjoying this - just a little bit, but unlike you, I do not take joy in playing with people. So, I will repeat myself once again. If I withdrew her right now, the mortal will leave this world unfulfilled. Then all of Xiao Ying's good work would have been for nothing. I will not do that." She resolutely added, matching Doctor Lou's glare. 

While the other two engaged in a battle of wits with their eyes, Bao Huan leisurely drank, occasionally studying the wine in his cup that never seemed to go empty, "Has it occurred to either of you that perhaps the mortal girl has also fallen in love with that "Lei Yong". Perhaps her new fulfillment will come from a life with him. In that case-" 

"Why would you say that?!" The other two suddenly barked, turning their glares on him, both annoyed for very different reasons. Doctor Lou out of concern, and Feng Lifen out of irritation that Doctor Lou would become harder to handle. 

Bai Huan narrowed his eyes in annoyance as he lightly rubbed his ear, "Seemed like a natural progression. After all, it seems to be all Xiao Ying wants. If it changed once, it could change again. People get greedy~" He said with a smile, which quickly diminished when he saw Lifen was now glaring at him. He slightly cleared his throat and turned away again to focus on drinking. 

This was not his business. 

"Go do it. Right now." Doctor Lou ordered, rising to his feet. When Feng Lifen did not move, he added, "If anything happens to my baby. I will ensure that I slowly, very very slowly torture and maim your own stup-"

"Fine, no need to make threats. It's not like I cared about the mortal girl anyway so fine, let's ruin her dreams." Feng Lifen sarcastically threw out, slanting Doctor Lou a disgruntled look as she rose to her feet and marched towards the door. Doctor Lou naturally fell in step behind her, but she turned and pushed him back with a finger, "I don't need you hovering." She said, narrowing her eyes at him before turning and disappearing through Tung Mei's door.

Doctor Lou frowned and stubbornly proceeded to follow, only to be pushed back by an invisible shield. He rubbed his forehead, "This cheeky - Open the door!" He shouted through the door but got no response. After studying the shield formation for a while, he gave up and went to sit down with a disgruntled frown. There was nothing he could do since that brat insisted on being difficult.

Unfortunately for him, these two idiots here happened to be two of the most powerful beings in existence. But, of course, he was no joke himself. He could ordinarily break down the shield if he really wanted to, but he had recently exhausted himself trying to bring Xiao Ying back to her body. If not for him, his foolish daughter would have killed herself doing charity work. He had no idea where she learned her from, he definitely did not teach her that. 

Doctor Lou eyed the door again and pulled hard on his beard, he really wanted to know out what was going on in there, maybe take some notes too. It was not every day he encountered something that puzzled him. 

{...Stingy...}

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