But, she was ordered not to speak, so she didn't speak.
Meanwhile, 'Huo Ling' turned to Jonathan and spoke. "She sprained her ankle." He answered.
How can he not notice Kong Chuan's malicious gaze? As soon as Kong Chuan appeared by the doors of the royal palace, he could feel his disgusting presence. The disgust he feels intensified when the party started. Thus, when Kong Chuan and his female companion reached them, he has already has raised his guard.
Not only was he staring at Kong Chuan, but also on Kong Chuan's female companion. Kong Chuan is a public figure, after all, like them. So, like them who can't make a move in the public, Kong Chuan also can't do so. Also, one takes the color of one's company. Since Kong Chuan has a belly full of evilness, the people around him should also have..
As expected, Kong Chuan kept his hands to himself while it was his female companion who made the move. After all, he could just wash himself of this incident using her as a sacrifice, saying that his mistress is mischievous and jealous and such.
Thus, it was him who hit the foot of Kong Chuan's female companion, making her think she succeeded in her plan. At the same time, he made his own female companion fall back, making it look like she really was tripped.
"What?" Jonathan frowned, his expression filled with dissatisfaction as he looked at 'Huo Ling', then to 'Huo Ling's female companion.
Kong Chuan saw that none of them is looking at him and the smile on his lips froze while his body stiffened. Even 'Huo Ling and his female companion are not paying him any attention and their eyes are just on each other.
"Excuse me." He called as he coughed his throat to catch their attention.
Everyone finally turned to Kong Chuan. The expression on their faces looked like as if they had just noticed his small presence, along with his female companion.
"Oh. Mr. Kong, is it?" Jonathan spoke as he wore a small smile on his face.
Meanwhile, Lu Si just remained silent and secretly observed Kong Chuan and Kong Chuan's female companion. Lu Si isn't a royalty, after all, so he can't speak out of turn. Likewise with Maxwell, who is in the same position as he, but as Jason's husband. Meanwhile, Jonathan is Jason's senior so Jason also didn't speak.
The three of them just stood on the side, letting Jonathan speak alone while they acted like a part of the background, together with 'Huo Ling', and 'Huo Ling's female companion who never spoke a word for the whole night, acting just like a vase.
"Yes, yes, that's me." Kong Chuan answered and laughed. "I am honored that His Highness noticed me." He said, his voice is filled with flattery.
Jonathan, however, naturally didn't buy his bullshit. "What is Mr. Kong doing here?" he asked before he suddenly paused when he realized there's something strange with his tone and his words.
He sounds like he doesn't like Kong Chuan's presence here, and doesn't want Kong Chuan to be here. Which both are true.
"I meant, why is Mr. Kong and his female companion together with my 'nephew'?" he clarified.
Kong Chuan didn't think much of Jonathan's pause, nor his two questions. "It was my female companion who 'accidentally' bumped into Prince Howee's partner." He explained before he apologetically smiled. He glanced at 'Huo Ling' before he immediately retracted his gaze and lowered his head to hide the malicious glint in his eyes.
"Oh." Jonathan just muttered, seemingly disinterested. But, his fists on his sides clenched because of his suppressed anger. How can he not notice Kong Chuan's gaze on 'Huo Ling' just now? He works in MI6, so his eyes are sharp. More especially since it is his nephew's life at stake here, so he is doubly sharp tonight, and tenser.
Lu Si also noticed it, but he held Jonathan's hand, tight, to comfort him, and as a reminder to him that they are in public. Jonathan felt his lover's warm hand and his hands loosened.
Kong Chuan, meanwhile, was taken aback by Jonathan's bland response as thoughts appeared in his mind which surprised himself. Does the uncle and nephew not close to each other? Or they have a disagreement? He thought as he glanced at Jonathan and 'Huo Ling' before he suddenly paused. No… all royal family members are close. Then, just now –
His eyes fell on 'Huo Ling's female companion. They don't care about this woman? Could it be they don't approve of 'Huo Ling's girlfriend? He thought and secretly smiled, thinking he is right. So, they actually have a disagreement tonight? Then, this makes tonight's attack easier. He suppressed the grin that is about to form on his lips.
Kong Chuan's mood was lifted. "I deeply apologize." He said and bowed. "May I know if there is something we can help her with?" he asked, making his voice sound genuine but inside he is gloating.
If Jonathan really despises 'Huo Ling's girlfriend, then Jonathan will definitely be displeased with his question and 'concern' towards the woman. But, he wouldn't lash out to him. Instead, he would hate her more and become more dissatisfied with 'Huo Ling'.
As he expected, Jonathan's expression became uglier. "No need." He coldly answered before he turned to 'Huo Ling'. "Take her back to her room." He told him and frowned, not hiding his dissatisfaction.
"Yes." 'Huo Ling' meekly answered and hung his head.
"Then, we'll call the doctor." Jason timely spoke. He and Maxwell left together with 'Huo Ling' and his female companion.
Kong Chuan saw Jason patted 'Huo Ling's back, seeming to comfort him. He saw 'Huo Ling's meek response earlier with Jonathan and his suspicion was confirmed. Jonathan is displeased with 'Huo Ling's female companion.
Suddenly, he saw 'Huo Ling' stopped. Before Kong Chuan could react, he saw 'Huo Ling' bent down and lifted his female companion in a princess carry. His eyes widened as he gaped at their receding figures. Is 'Huo Ling' not afraid to piss his uncle more?! He thought. But, there is a smile on his lips.
As long as no one would care for Huo Ling's safety, his work tonight would be easier. He turned to speak to Jonathan, and also to see Jonathan's reaction to 'Huo Ling's action by carrying his female companion, and in a princess carry at that. But, to his surprise, he saw that Jonathan and Lu Si were gone and had actually already left.
"…" his smile on his face froze. Never mind. He thought. As long as 'Huo Ling' is alone and out of the public's eyes, his people can take action.
Meanwhile, Jason, Maxwell, 'Huo Ling' and his female companion had already left the public's eyes.
"Here is good." Jason spoke as he wrapped his arm around Maxwell's waist.
'Huo Ling' nodded. His female companion tapped his shoulder, indicating for him to put 'her' down. "Are you alright?" he asked 'her' as he carefully placed her down.
'She' opened 'her' mouth and was about to speak when 'Huo Ling' remembered something and placed a finger on 'her' lips to prevent 'her' from speaking. 'She' pouted in response before 'she' removed 'Huo Ling's finger on 'her' lips. But, a cloud of red can be seen on 'her' fair cheeks.
Jason and Maxwell smiled seeing their interaction. 'Huo Ling's female companion is wearing a white ball gown, making 'her' slender body and fair skin become more distinct. 'her' white gloves reach beyond 'her' elbows, hiding the muscles on 'her' upper arms. Her short brown hair was also tied beautifully. So, no one would notice that this 'woman' is actually a man in disguise!
This 'woman' is none other than Huo Ling. And 'Huo Ling' is Yi Bing in disguise. Physically, he shouldn't be qualified to disguise as Huo Ling. With how wide the MI6's network, they could definitely find someone to disguise as Huo Ling.
But, time is tight. Also, no matter how one is good in disguise, but to disguise perfectly as Huo Ling… his bearing, his temperament, as well as his subtle behaviors like eye movements… that person should take a long time in order to act perfectly like Huo Ling.
They found one, actually. Ironically, it was someone who is physically disqualified – Yi Bing. How can Yi Bing, who have been through eight worlds with Huo Ling, not know Huo Ling's behaviors and temperament?
Jonathan and Lu Si, who have raised Huo Ling, can't completely act like Huo Ling. So, they were puzzled how could Yi Bing act like Huo Ling. But then, they remembered that the two have lived in the same house together for several days. Although it was for a while, not too long nor too short, they attributed it to Yi Bing being a fast learner to learn Huo Ling's behavior. They also attributed it to the two's closeness.
Thus, with a small amount of misgivings, they elected Yi Bing to disguise as Huo Ling.