Previous Chapter ∩ Table of Content ∩ Next Chapter

Chapter 54: A Section With a Lot of Words

---

The strict arrangement within the Imperial Study gave people a stifling feel. Trembling with fear, Ling Xiao knelt on the ice-cold floor, his face full of nervousness.

Only two people have remained inside the room; the Emperor and Ling Xiao himself.

“What is your name?” The Emperor suddenly walked in front of him, overshadowing Ling Xiao with his tall figure, bringing with it a sense of oppression.

Ling Xiao hurriedly replied respectfully, “Answering Your Majesty, this servant is called Xiao Lingzi.”^[1]

“We asked you, what was your name before you entered the palace?”

The Emperor’s voice was very flat, like he was asking about an insignificant matter, but it was enough to cause the kneeling Ling Xiao some doubt. However, even if he was doubtful, he still did not dare to not reply. He could only deferentially reply to him, “Answering Your Majesty, this servant was called Ling Xiao.”

“Ling Xiao.” The Emperor chewed over the name, pursed his lips and asked, “Are you here for your family’s master?”

Ling Xiao dipped his head, “Yes.”

The Emperor raised an eyebrow and looked down at the kneeling little eunuch, “You’re pretty honest.”

“Your Majesty, Master is wholly devoted to you. You have not been present for a while and Master is already wasting away.” Ling Xiao saluted and answered.

The Emperor heard that, swept his gaze across the little eunuch and turned to walk to the table. Waving his hand, he said, “You can go.”

The Emperor’s tone sounded displeased and Ling Xiao was helpless, so he could only salute and reply, “This servant… will leave.”

Ling Xiao opened his eyes in a daze, looking at the cotton veil above him and at his surroundings. Only then did he notice it was very late at night and there were no other presences in the room. There was only a dim yellow lantern light flickering.

Just now… that was just a dream…

Ling Xiao turned to the side and sat at the edge of the bed, a complicated look in his gaze. He had unexpectedly dreamed of an old matter from his past life. Mo Qi had just entered the palace at that time and was just barely conferred a title. She did not have anything the Emperor paid attention to and suffered for several days. Not seeing the Emperor come, Ling Xiao thought up of a way.

But the Ling Xiao back then had also just entered the palace. He did not have enough connections and he did not understand his circumstances well. How would he dare to randomly think of a way? So he could only brazenly go ask for permission to see the Emperor, thinking that even if he can’t get the Emperor to consider Mo Qi, he could at least get some insight on how the Emperor’s mind worked.

Ever since their first meeting, Ling Xiao could clearly feel the Emperor’s displeasure when he talked to him about Mo Qi. However, he did succeed that day since the Emperor had shown up in Mo Qi’s palace that very night.

Ling Xiao originally thought that the reason why the Emperor showed up was become of his words and that he could feel Mo Qi’s deep love. However, Ling Xiao slowly started to understand and was certain by the end that the reason the Emperor came was because of some other interesting point he paid attention to.

And yet, the Ling Xiao of his past life never found out just what was it that took the Emperor’s interest. He noticed though that after the Emperor asked him his name, he would habitually use ‘Ling Xiao’ to address him.

When Ling Xiao met the Emperor in this lifetime, he had remembered the event from before. Rather than replying to the Emperor that his name was ‘Xiao Lingzi’, he directly answered ‘Ling Xiao’ just like the way the Emperor wanted.

And the Emperor clearly likes to call him ‘Ling Xiao.’

Was it his own name that has a problem?

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t understand it. Ling Xiao flung his head around in confusion.

There was no meaning of thinking about that since he already left the palace and will no longer see the Emperor.

The strangest thing was that even though he left the palace for this long already, he had never dreamed about the Emperor. This sudden dream made Ling Xiao feel uneasy.

As expected, it was because of that shadow that just flickered by today! Ling Xiao pursed his lips and frowned.

Suddenly, the sight before his eyes went dark, a shadow appeared in front of him. Ling Xiao raised his head on instinct, but that shadow flashed and didn’t give him the chance to see clearly.

Ling Xiao’s heart started to pound out of fright and he wanted to shout, but before he could even make a sound, something warm and moist covered his own lips.

He was kissed!

Ling Xiao widen his eyes, stunned. But what was in front of him was a pair of serene and deep, double-pupil eyes.

This pair of eyes…  Ling Xiao can never forget this pair of eyes that has a double-pupil in his entire life…

Mu Country’s Emperor, Mu Chong Xuan!

So stunned, Ling Xiao forgot to struggle and the Emperor happily kissed him. Following the small gap between his lips, the Emperor made his way into his mouth, doing as he pleased as he drew away the fragrance there.

His mouth went limp and numb, allowing Ling Xiao to return to his senses. He suddenly used his hands and feet to shove the Emperor away.

The Emperor felt Ling Xiao’s refusal and slightly frowned. Displeased, he pushed Ling Xiao down.

The large figure pressing down on Ling Xiao’s body prevented him from struggling. The Emperor firmly grabbed Ling Xiao’s wrists with both hands and held them to his sides. Then he leaned over without restraint and sampled the red lips before him.

“Hnn…”

Ling Xiao dodged left and right, but couldn’t escape the Emperor’s passionate kiss. As if they were newlyweds, this overbearing kiss had many emotions behind it.

Kissing him so much, Ling Xiao became confused and disoriented. He didn’t know when, but his struggling had turned into pandering, his hands hooked around the Emperor’s neck and his head tilted to actively let the Emperor invade his mouth.

“Haaaa~”

His whole body erupted into a heat that wanted his life, his breathing hard, and his lower body started to swell. Ling Xiao moved impatiently and shifted around. His clothes unconsciously sliding down his shoulder while he was at it, exposing a large amount of alluring skin on his chest.

As if sensing Ling Xiao’s impatience, the Emperor left his lips, his gaze was attracted by his exposed chest.

Fair skin with a rosy tint, carrying a color and luster that dazzled people, seducing them into stepping forward to sample.

The Emperor’s double-pupils darken, carrying a desire as if he wanted to swallow him whole. He reached out his large palm and touched the naked skin before him.

The Emperor’s palm had callus from martial arts, startling Ling Xiao as his tender rosy skin was touched. He gave a small jump and his body perked up in pleasure, the palm barely touched him yet Ling Xiao felt extremely weak.

His body’s sensitivity was too inconceivable.

Ling Xiao opened his blurred eyes, heavily panting for breath. His eyes were full of longing and this appearance pleased the Emperor. The Emperor happily leaned over and lightly planted a kiss on his lips.

“Looks like, you also really miss Us.”

The clear cold voice carried an odd attraction, entering Ling Xiao’s mind. Ling Xiao’s body felt a suddenly limpness and he couldn’t help but make a low noise, his lower body swelling even more, becoming more unbearable.

He pulled back his legs, wanting to lightly rub himself free of that unbearable feeling, but when he did so, he touched the Emperor’s burning hot matter and that heat gave Ling Xiao a shock, his mind sobering up.

However, the Emperor seemed to have been teased by Ling Xiao’s movement to the point where his last strand of reason broke and he lowly moaned, his body pressed down on Ling Xiao even more.

Boiling hot kisses landed at random on Ling Xiao’s body, the feelings they brought were hard for Ling Xiao to endure, like soft tickles. Ling Xiao softly moaned, the corners of his eyes moistening.

“Your… Your Majesty… wai… wait…”

He tried to push the Emperor back, but the Emperor did not budge at all. In a moment of desperation, Ling Xiao clenched his teeth and using his wrist, he used the skill that Fu Yujun taught him.

The Emperor noticed his movement and was pushed away a little, his eyebrows slightly raised in surprise. He grabbed Ling Xiao’s wrist, narrowing his eyes dangerously.

“Haven’t seen you for dozens of days and you have certainly learned a couple of things We are not fond of.”

The Emperor’s voice was flat, his anger not easily noticed in his it, but his gaze was threatening. Fear arose from the bottom of Ling Xiao’s heart.

Ling Xiao swallowed his saliva, using the most respectful voice he could muster, he said, “This is just some self-defense Ling Xiao learnt.”

“Self-defense?” The Emperor approached Ling Xiao and grasp his chin, “Who are you going to use it on?”

Ling Xiao widen his eyes. What he really wanted to say was ‘to protect myself from you, the Emperor’.

But the Emperor gave off the oppressing feeling that if Ling Xiao dare to nod his head at this, his head would fall so he hurried shook his head.

The Emperor’s face somewhat relaxed and he released his hold on Ling Xiao, who seized the opportunity to shift back a bit. The Emperor eyed Ling Xiao when he saw that and straightforwardly waved his hand and caught Ling Xiao into his embrace.

Ling Xiao’s body went stiff, which the Emperor noticed. His hands started to gently move, lighting up a fire wherever he touched Ling Xiao and made him repeatedly gasp for breath. His body went soft like a puddle of spring water.

“No…don’t…Your Majesty…”

Ling Xiao struggled to reject it, but the Emperor acted as if he didn’t hear anything. Ling Xiao clenched his teeth, his hand tightening while his body gave him devastating pleasures and his reason dithered at the edge. He obviously wasn’t drugged this time, so why was the Emperor’s touch so pleasurable…

Was it because he had already experienced it once before and wanted to try it again?!

Ling Xiao felt stunned. Suddenly, his lower part was wrapped in a thick hand, causing him to tremble from the sudden burst of pleasure and cry out.

This cry carried the peak of his pleasure and astonishment.

The Emperor would actually touch that part of him? Wasn’t it the part that he hide from the Emperor? The Emperor would actually…

Does the Emperor want to personally castrate him?!

Ling Xiao was filled with cold sweat as he thought of that. Although his lower part felt very pleasurable being held, it had still gone limp.

When he saw that, the Emperor narrowed his eyes to look at Ling Xiao. Ling Xiao’s face was pale white, cold sweat flowing from his forehead, he was losing his head out of fear when the Emperor turned his sights onto him.

The clothing on his body was quickly sliding off, but he was too busy to worry about it. He merely stared close at the Emperor holding onto that thing, his body especially stiff.

Little did he realize, that his current appearance with his eyes misting with lust, staring at his own sex organ like he was enticing someone and his clothing that was still hanging off his arms, added him even more flirtatious feelings.

The Emperor’s eyes darken and his hand below started to move.

“Ahhhh~”

With just one action of the Emperor, Ling Xiao went soft at his waist and he laid powerlessly in the Emperor’s arms. His voice unceasingly leaking out.

His voice carried a pleasure that he could not bear, he trembled until he made one final cry.

His cry caused the Emperor’s heart to shake and his gaze turned even deeper.

The Emperor did not stop his movement below and Ling Xiao continued to moan. His voice sounded like he couldn’t endure it anymore, huskily crying out in a low voice as he once again peaked in pleasure and a high moan ripped out of him.

Such a sweet and unctuous voice, rising and lowering, shot straight to one’s head and caused one to impatiently heat up.

The Emperor’s actions became faster and faster and Ling Xiao entered the realm of the utmost pleasure until finally, his own waist started to follow the Emperor’s movement.

…………

………

……

After cumming, Ling Xiao was limped on the bed, dazing lazily and enjoying the pleasant feeling that lingered after.

The Emperor’s hand now quietly reached behind Ling Xiao’s back.

Slowly probing and softly stretching him.

Ling Xiao did not notice the Emperor’s sudden movement while immersed in his pleasant feeling.

He only came to his senses from the stab of pain when the Emperor finally attacked, but it was too late by then.

…………

………

……

Ling Xiao does not know when the Emperor stopped that night, nor does he know when he had fallen asleep.

He only knows that his throat had almost gave out on him. Any kind of words begging for mercy were said, but the Emperor just wouldn’t stop.

In the morning, Ling Xiao was roused by a screech.

He muddled-headily opened his eyes and looked around, only to see Hong Ye staring at him with a face full of shock.

Ling Xiao wrinkled his brows and followed her gaze down to look at himself. What he saw was his exposed body, covered in numerous kiss marks.

Last night’s scene suddenly appeared in Ling Xiao’s mind and his face couldn’t help but freeze and then turn red. He hastily pulled the blanket over him to cover his body, looked left and right before finally realizing the Emperor had long left without a trace.

His behind had clearly already been cleaned up, the moist warmth from there showed that the medicine was probably also applied.

Thinking about how it could have been the Emperor personally placing medicine at that area, Ling Xiao suddenly felt a burst of heat and his sensitive body went limp just from imagining it.

Ling Xiao clenched his teeth, frowning to resist this soul-devouring feeling and cleared his throat, “Hong Ye, why didn’t you knock on the door?”

Hong Ye returned to her senses and bowed her head, feeling wronged as she replied, “Young Master, Hong Ye did knock. This one knocked for a long time, yet did not hear Young Master respond. This one was afraid something happened to the Young Master and therefore brazenly came in to see.”

Ling Xiao heard the answer and turned to look at the sky. It was really already well into the day. Since he was too tired from last night, he most likely slept like a log and was unable to hear her knocking.  

Ling Xiao was embarrassed and he played with his hair when he thought of that. Hong Ye clenched her teeth when she saw that, her eyes carrying a trace of misgiving as she asked, “Young Master, your body…”

Ling Xiao heard her and he paused, collecting himself.

How would he be able to talk about such a matter with a young woman?

Even if she wasn’t a simple woman.

Furthermore, he doesn’t have any reason to talk about it with her, right?

With those thoughts, Ling Xiao feigned a master’s imposing manner, “I do not believe I have a reason to tell you what I do, right?”

Hong Ye heard his words and her face went white, feeling wronged as she lowered her head. Her hands played together as she gloomily said, “Hong Ye was just worried about the Young Master.”

Her appearance with her lowered head and a suffering face full of grievance, made it look like Ling Xiao had bullied her, causing him to feel sorry.  

Ling Xiao opened his mouth, wanting to comfort Hong Ye a bit, but found himself unable to find the right words for it. Helpless, he only cleared his throat and change the subject, “What time is it now?”

“It’s almost noon.” Hong Ye answered.

“So late!” Ling Xiao was surprised.

He had even made an appointment with Fu Yujun to do morning exercise today!

Ling Xiao wanted to get up, but then noticed that he wasn’t wearing anything and Hong Ye was still at the entrance. He discontentedly sat back down and said, “Hong Ye, you can leave first.”

In the end, he also warned, “Hong Ye, this is my own personal matter. The fewer people who know the better, do you understand what I mean?”

Hong Ye looked slightly blank at what she heard, thought a bit with her head lowered then softly said, “Hong Ye understands. If that is what you wish, Young Master would have to clean up those traces well, or else it might be seen by someone, especially the Second Prince.”

Hong Ye withdrew. Ling Xiao kept feeling that Hong Ye’s final words held some other meaning.

When he thought some more about it, he felt that there might not be anything deeper to them. The person that shouldn’t see the traces on his body the most is Fu Yujun in the first place.

Otherwise, if he asked about what happened, how should he answer?

Tell him that the Mu Country’s Emperor had ran out from the Mu Country imperial palace? And then ran over to Shao Country to tangle with him for a night?

Even if he did put aside whether Fu Yujun would believe his words or not, and even if he did believe that Ling Xiao was sharing the Emperor’s bed in Mu Country, how was he supposed to deal with the Emperor, who traveled to Shao Country all alone, now?

It would be hard to say that the traces on his body were involuntary, right? If Fu Yujun misunderstood about him and the Emperor having made a plan in advance, then it would threaten his own safety.

Although this possibility is rather low, it could still happen. He absolutely cannot let Fu Yujun know that the Emperor is in Shao Country.

Ling Xiao tried to make an excuse to himself to hide the Emperor’s whereabouts.

When all was said and done, he doesn’t wish for the Emperor to face any danger.

With his face tangled in confusion and grimace, Ling Xiao held his aching waist and wore his clothes, hastily washed his face and walked to the front courtyard.

What he found was that Fu Yujun was not in the place where they normally practiced martial arts. Puzzled, Ling Xiao went to his room, only to see the man drowsily walking out from within.

When he saw Ling Xiao, the sleepiness in Fu Yujun’s eyes dispersed a bit and he quickly walked up to him, apologizing deeply, “I overslept today and missed our appointment.”

Ling Xiao was surprised, staring at Fu Yujun with astonishment. Fu Yujun has always had the habit of getting up early, he didn’t expect that he would also have a day he would sleep in.

And that was even last night…

Was it the Emperor’s work?

Ling Xiao sank into thought while Fu Yujun saw his appearance and helplessly knocked on his head, “Just what are you thinking about, so deep in your thoughts?”

“Ah…” Ling Xiao returned to his senses and randomly replied, “I was just thinking if we are still going to practice today.”

Fu Yujun raised his head to take a look at the sky and responded, “Can’t, I still have to drop by Imperial Brother’s palace today.”

“?” Ling Xiao puzzled looked at Fu Yujun.

The little servant’s face had a trace of pinkness due to the burning heat. His eyes were slightly moist with a slightly quirked eyebrows, that gave him an enchanting grace. It was very seductive now that he was even using that sort of naive and curious gaze to stare at him. Such pure ignorance mixed with his beauty really baited a person to commit a crime.

Fu Yujun’s heart started to pound without reason and a burst of heat flash through his body.

Today’s little servant really caused one’s heart to throb.

He turned his line of sight subtly, feeling uncomfortable. He cleared his throat, “Although I have slept in today, I have thought of a good way to draw Mo Qi out.”

“Mo Qi?” Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow.

Fu Yujun nodded, “I will also get the answer to that secret.”

Now that he has the little servant, he wasn’t actually that attached to that dancer anymore. However, Fu Yujun still wanted to find her and take a look at just what kind of person she would be that the Emperor of Mu Country would hide her so.

His infatuation from before has dispersed a lot with the appearance of the little servant, but his curiosity was still there.

No matter what, Fu Yujun wanted to take a look at the dancer with his own two eyes.

Hearing Fu Yujun’s determination, Ling Xiao’s face paused and his expression turned stiff.

Just why was this Fu Yujun so attached to this matter?!

What’s so special about it?

He guessed that Fu Yujun would want to vomit to death, if he were to know that that dancer was him, a man. Ling Xiao rolled his eyes, too lazy to continue being tangled up with Fu Yujun’s thoughts. He gave his full attention to the matter about drawing Mo Qi out.

While thinking, Ling Xiao asked, “What kind of an idea do you have that will make your Imperial Brother let go of Mo Qi?”

Fu Yujun answered, “Imperial Brother fears death the most. Mo Qi right now has a highly toxic poison in her, if we told Imperial Brother that the poison is infectious, we wouldn’t even need to do anything and he would drive her out himself.”

Ling Xiao suddenly realized and smiled, “Then, we just need to have someone keep watch at the First Prince’s home and we would be able to find Mo Qi.”

Fu Yujun smiled and nodded his head.

Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow, “However, what if she is already dead? You did say that the poison was highly toxic.”

Fu Yujun put on a facade when he heard that. He lightly sighed, “If she is dead, then it would be like your wish came true, and you have successfully avenged yourself.”

Fu Yujun saw Ling Xiao’s mouth twitch as the latter was about to interrupt him. He knows that what he said wasn’t what Ling Xiao wanted to hear, so he couldn’t help but smile, “If you are talking about me, then you don’t need to worry. If Mo Qi really died, it can only mean that she really didn’t have anything to do with that dancer. I won’t force the issue anymore.”

Ling Xiao was astounded, Fu Yujun would say it so lightly?

Ling Xiao was now aware that he really wasn’t able to make sense of this man.

The little servant had a face of astonishment, one moment it was doubt and another it would be a sighing appearance. It was extremely vivid and made Fu Yujun happy from the depths of his heart. He gave a gentle look and lightly smiled, scratched Ling Xiao’s nose a bit and gently said, “After all, I now have a man that can make my heart beat besides that dancer.”

Ling Xiao raised his head in surprise, but Fu Yujun moved and slipped to the door, “You can eat by yourself in the house, you don’t need to wait for me.”

“……” He’s leaving just like that?

It looks like, it wasn’t as insignificant as he had made it to be!

Ling Xiao returned back to his courtyard, a bit bewildered.

Was that dance really so attractive?

Ling Xiao was really doubtful. He knew his own dance the best and he was very confident about it.

However, he also didn’t think it would cause Fu Yujun to be so attached to it.

Ling Xiao was contemplating in his room. Taking a look around and seeing no one, he walked in front of the mirror and lightly performed the dance steps. He watched his movements in the mirror. He thought to himself if he had saw such a dancer…

“Oh…” Just when he had done a few dance steps, a cry of surprise came from the entrance. Startled, he hurriedly stopped his movement and looked toward the door.

It was the woman dressed in red and with delicate makeup on her face, Hong Ye. Ling Xiao stared blankly, his mouth twitching. Why was it that in the same day, this woman had seen two of his unspoken secrets!

This woman really wasn’t simple.

Thinking this and that, Ling Xiao unhappily looked at Hong Ye who knew she had been rude and knelt by the door, bowing and explaining, “Hong Ye just wanted to ask the Young Master if he would like to dine. Seeing that the door wasn’t closed, Hong Ye came in, but unfortunately Young Master was…”

“Forget it, forget it.” Ling Xiao waved his hand, he didn’t feel like listening to Hong Ye’s explanation. No matter whether it was intentional or not, since she had already seen it, what use would hearing her explain be? He needs to give this Hong Ye, who recklessly did as she wished and doesn’t know how to knock on doors, a good lesson!

Ling Xiao walked to the table and sat down properly. Then, he waved his hand at Hong Ye to call her over. Somewhat surprised, Hong Ye still walked before Ling Xiao and obediently stood in front of him.

Seeing Hong Ye so obedient and since Ling Xiao was also not a petty person, he looked toward the seat across from his and indicated, “Sit.”

Hong Ye was overwhelmed by the kindness and looked toward Ling Xiao. Ling Xiao picked up the teapot from the table and poured two cups. Eyeing Hong Ye who didn’t dare to sit, Ling Xiao said, “I feel oppressed with you standing in front of me.”

Hong Ye only then carefully sat across from Ling Xiao when she heard that.

Ling Xiao pushed the tea he had poured before her and she said in a soft voice, “Many thanks”.

Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow in surprise. It looks like this woman wasn’t provoking people’s dislike on purpose.

Considering that thought, Ling Xiao smiled and said, “Hong Ye, you were a dancer in Hopeful Spring Tavern before, the first woman entertainer dancer of Shao Country. Many people supported and cherished you and you had your own way of handling work. I will not interfere, however, you had asked me to bring you back, then you should comply with the rules here.”

“Hong Ye…. knows.” Hong Ye seemed to have thought of her two mistakes and frowned, blaming herself as she answered guiltily.

When he saw that, Ling Xiao sighed. This was also awkward for Hong Ye, who was a loved female dancer and never thought she would have to attend to someone one day. Now that she will never obtain the same kind of feelings from before, it was indeed hard for her.

But there was something that Ling Xiao couldn’t understand, just why did she follow him back to become a servant girl?

She obviously wasn’t a simple woman.

When he thought to this point, Ling Xiao probingly asked, “Hong Ye, now that there is only the two of us here, tell me truthfully. What is it that you want from me that made you follow me back? Or to be straightforward, what… is your purpose?”

Hong Ye shook as she heard that. Her gaze fell down and something dark flitted through her eyes.

She restrained her expression as if she had thought of something and pretended to be resentful. She got up, stared at Ling Xiao like she was mistreated, “What do you mean by that Young Master!? Are you suspicious of Hong Ye!?”

Ling Xiao watched Hong Ye’s change of attitude and raised an eyebrow. His gaze slightly sweeping past Hong Ye’s plan as he continued to probe, “But your hands have thick calluses, do you not think this point is suspicious?”

Hong Ye instinctively hid her palms and immediately pretended to be calm. After releasing her palms she said, “Hong Ye’s family was poverty-stricken and so I had done many heavy works. What does it matter if these hands have thick calluses? Young Master saw the calluses on Hong Ye’s hands and immediately became suspicious, then Hong Ye could not be anymore wronged!”

Hong Ye recounted all of that in a tearful voice. If it weren’t for Fu Yujun reminding Ling Xiao many times that Hong Ye identity wasn’t simple, then Ling Xiao really would had been fooled by her.

“If the Young Master does not believe in Hong Ye, then Hong Ye will not invite the Young Master’s dislike and will leave at once.” Once she said that, she really was prepared to leave.

Fu Yujun said to have her stay and be observed so Ling Xiao could only hurriedly stop her from leaving. If he really angered her away, then how would he explain it to Fu Yujun?

With those thoughts, Ling Xiao took the initiative to calm her, “What I said was wrong, I’ve misunderstood Hong Ye. Don’t be angry, if you leave now, you will get tangled up with the First Prince. In this entire Shao Country, the only one that can somewhat worry the First Prince is the Second Prince.”

“Leaving right now the Second Prince’s home will not be a sensible decision, so just stay here.” Ling Xiao stated.

Hong Ye dipped her head, appearing to be thinking about it and Ling Xiao waited for her to decide, saying nothing.

After around half a quarter, Hong Ye raised her head. With her face full of tear stains, she looked at him with red eyes, “Then would Young Master still be suspicious of me?”

Ling Xiao was startled, hurriedly shook his head. Hong Ye smiled through her tears, “Thank you Young Master for your trust.”

Ling Xiao sighed in his heart. She was actually the first girl besides Mo Qi to cry so miserably in front of him. Ling Xiao’s heart soften and he got up, walked to her and gently wiped her tears, “Alright, stop crying.”

Hong Ye’s face redden. She lowered her head and stopped sobbing. But her tears still dripped down one by one.

Ling Xiao was helpless. People said that women were made of water and it looks like they weren’t lying.

“However.” Ling Xiao shifted the conversation and cleared his throat, continuing, “Although you can stay, what I said before still needs to be complied with.”

“Please feel free to order this one Young Master.” Hong Ye lowered her head and spoke, finally her tears stopped.

Ling Xiao let loose a breath, quietly saying, “Although I said it like that just now, the rules here aren’t that strict. If I must say, I only have one request, and that is to respect other’s privacy.”

“You… do you understand what privacy is?” Ling Xiao paused then asked.

Hong Ye nodded her head.

It looks like this statement was commonly used. He raised an eyebrow and continued, “Then, it also means to respect one’s secret. First, you need to knock on the door before you come in, and if the door isn’t closed, you can try yelling into the room. No problem?”

Hong Ye shook her head, eager to express her aspiration, “Hong Ye remembered, today was Hong Ye’s mistake… Hong Ye will not repeat the same mistake next time.”

Ling Xiao interrupted her, “It’s not that you won’t repeat the same mistake next time, but that there wouldn’t be a next time, do you understand?”

Hong Ye nodded and Ling Xiao narrowed his eyes in satisfaction, “Very good, There is one more thing, and it is what I am about to tell you right now.”

Ling Xiao moved close to Hong Ye’s ear, coldly saying, “Sometimes knowing too much isn’t a good thing. It would be better for you to be oblivious to some matters, do you understand?”

Hong Ye slightly trembled, bit her lips and replied, “Hong Ye is clear, Hong Ye today… did not see anything at all.”

Ling Xiao smiled in satisfaction and told her to go bring some food over from the kitchen and carelessly settled down for lunch.

Fu Yujun said he would not insist on finding out who the dancer was and yet, it was already evening and he was still not back.

Ling Xiao sneered. According to Fu Yujun’s characteristics, how could he give up on finding the dancer?

Ling Xiao felt the answer was set. How could he not go look for the dancer when he was unable to let it go!

Ling Xiao gave a long drawn out sigh. He really didn’t know just how much farther he could continue concealing this matter. If Fu Yujun found out the truth, how could it be good for him?

Fu Yujun has been thinking so much about that dancer, always believing that the dancer was a youthful woman and was always full of admiration for her. But if he were to know that that dancer was a coarse man, and that coarse man had even watched him run around like a headless chicken looking for the dancer…

It would probably be… very hard to not bother himself about it.

If they started to argue, going their separate ways would perhaps be Ling Xiao’s best option. However, Fu Yujun might even kill him in a fit of anger.

Ling Xiao seemed to have thought of something scary and frightened out cold sweat from himself.

That made him feel as if he could not continue to sit around and wait for death.

Rather than waiting for Fu Yujun to slowly find him, why not take the initiative to divert his attention?

Wasn’t it just a dance!

If Ling Xiao could perform this dance, then other people could do so as well.

Since Fu Yujun didn’t see how the dancer looks like before, as long as someone can learn how to perform that dance and reveal themselves in front of Fu Yujun at the appropriate time, he will automatically believe that that person was the dancer.

Ling Xiao would then be able to let nature take its course and get himself out.

The more he thought about it, the more good the plan seemed. The first person that Ling Xiao thought of was Hong Ye.

She already has the basics down and it would be very easy for her to learn. Plus, her appearance was first-class, her height and body shape were all similar to his, he could probably force her to learn the charm from him.

But right now, there was one point that made Ling Xiao hesitate. He didn’t know what her purpose was nor her background, would he take the risk to teach her this dance?

Ling Xiao frowned in loss until the moon was up high, but Fu Yujun still had not come back.

Ling Xiao’s heart pounded once. Since this Fu Yujun hasn’t return even though it’s this late, perhaps he had gotten something out of Mo Qi?!

Ling Xiao’s mind was very uneasy and he felt that he cannot wait any longer. Perhaps that Hong Ye is dangerous, but it was something Fu Yujun was also concerned about.

The most important thing right now was how to get himself out!

With that thought, Ling Xiao had Ji Xiang and Fu Kang light candles in the courtyard, organizing them in the correct spots and then to stand guard at the entrance. When all was done, he called Hong Ye over.

Ling Xiao stood within the small cuped candles whose flame illuminated the courtyard. Wearing a light green robe, his hair casually scattered over his shoulder with only a thin forehead ribbon to keep it away.

He had both hands behind his back and his head was raised to look at the bright moon. His long sleeves drifted in the wind, giving him an immortal appearance. His charming face gave a faint radiance under the moonlight.

Hong Ye watched in fascination, her heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.

Feeling that someone had approached, Ling Xiao turned around to see who had arrived.

When he turned to look, it was like things had brighten up. His bright pupils carried brilliance that caused others to be overshadowed, reflecting everything before his eyes. Limpid and bright, like a clear spring flowing into one’s heart and cleansed a person of all their distracting and nasty thoughts. Hong Ye widen her eyes in astoundment, a faint feeling of understanding why this man was able to receive the Emperor’s love.

She would no longer be able to find another with the same kind of eyes as these in this world.

Such clear and pure eyes…

“Hong Ye, you came.” Ling Xiao’s voice called back her consciousness.

She gracefully saluted to him and Ling Xiao crossed over the candle lights, walking until he was in front of her and smiled, “You don’t need to be so polite, just be yourself.”

While speaking that, Ling Xiao paused, “I asked you to come here because I wanted to…”

“I wanted to…”

Ling Xiao frowned, he was somewhat at loss on how to explain this matter to Hong Ye.

Hong Ye looked strangely at Ling Xiao, her eyes full of doubt.

Seeing that, Ling Xiao closed his eyes, thought a bit and then rephrased his words, “The last time I saw you dance, I thought that you did pretty well. So I was wondering if you were interested in taking me as your teacher.”

Hong Ye was astounded and Ling Xiao was suddenly aware that the way he said it might have been somewhat rude and he hastily explained, “As you have already seen it earlier, my other secret is that I can dance. Naturally, you might not have been able to see it clearly this morning, so why don’t I show it to you again? You can then decide whether to learn it or not.”

Saying that, Ling Xiao did not wait for Hong Ye to react. He walked and stood in the center of the light up candles.

Barefooted, he accurately played out the dance steps within the flames. The turns of his soft waist and movement of his wrists caused his sleeves to fly.

Like a fairy, which descended on earth, Ling Xiao’s eyes were lively, some allure appearing from their corners while his face was full of enticing charm.

Hong Ye had never seen this kind of dance, a bit graceful and free, like an immortal, yet also a bit alluring and enticing, like an evil spirit that confused people. It made people unable to resist watching it.

Hong Ye was unable to take her eyes off. Unconsciously, her footsteps took her step by step to where this man was. It was like she had lost her soul and was only able to think about getting closer to him.

Closer… and closer.

Hong Ye walked until she was near the candles, but as if she did not know how to stop, she kicked a candle holder when she raised her leg. The holder and candle both fell on her foot.

The heat from the boiling hot candle wax passed through her thin cloth shoes and scalded her tender skin within. Hong Ye called out in pain and was only then able to return to her senses.

Ling Xiao naturally also saw that and he stopped dancing, walking slightly stiffly to Hong Ye. The movements he just performed have implicated the injured place the Emperor had caused to his behind last night, so his walking looked stiff now.

However, when he walked toward Hong Ye, an extra person in white suddenly appeared by her side.

The man was dressed in exotic white clothing, wearing a turban with gold pieces hanging on his clothing. Fu Yujun returned just now.

And under Fu Yujun’s feet were the unconscious Ji Xang and Fu Kang…

“It was unexpectedly you, Ling Xiao.”

Fu Yujun was distracted and absent-minded as he walked toward Ling Xiao step by step. The gaze he used to stare at Ling Xiao was full of vengeance.

“It was unexpectedly you, sigh…” Repeating this line again, he arrived before Ling Xiao with a light smile, expressing his shock.

“I…” Ling Xiao licked the corner of his mouth, frowning in embarrassment. Why did Fu Yujun immediately run toward him when he came back!

Ling Xiao was very much at loss and he quickly searched through his mind for an excuse, but he noticed that there wasn’t anything he could say that would be helpful.

He unconsciously went silent, lowered his head and bit his lips. He honestly said the words he always wanted to say— “I’m sorry.”

Fu Yujun shook at what he heard and forced a smile, “Was that the only thing you wanted to say?”

---

Footnotes:

[1]Looks like all eunuch get their name to Xiao (surname)zi. Steward Xu called him Xiao Lingzi before.

---

Previous Chapter ∩ Table of Content ∩ Next Chapter