While trying to make up an excuse to leave he suddenly heard a low voice muttering, "l am sorry," in a sincere heartfelt tone that made Wen Qinxi subconsciously turn to look at him. He was faced by a tall man with a downcast expression his eyes flushed with guilt. He looked exceptionally obedient like a docile puppy which made Wen Qinxi feel like laughing. The usually arrogant CEO was unbelievably cute that Wen Qinxi couldn't resist reaching out to pat his head. He pursed his lips covering up a smile before saying, "l haven't forgiven you yet but l won't ignore you. Behave and give this ancestor some space."
Though reluctant, Qin Ranzhe shuffled a little instantly causing the two nosy men to heave a sigh of relief. But their relief was short-lived because Qie Ranzhe moved in closer once more whispering something with his hand placed on the ground behind Lin Jingxie which from their angle seemed extremely enigmatic. Ling Mingxu leaned backwards trying to see where Qie Ranzhe's hand was touching but he no matter how much he craned his neck, he simply couldn't see.
Master Lin was about to stand up from his comfy cushion to reprimand them but Emperor Qie suddenly walked in and the first thing he saw was his son flirting in public. The emperor casually walked over and lightly smacked Qie Ranzhe's head with his closed fan. This instantly burst the pink bubbles floating in the air with the ambiguous atmosphere disappearing in an instant. The father and son pair literally had a conversation with their eyes till Qie Ranzhe moved a few inches away from Lin Jingxie.
Satisfied the emperor settled down after some salutations with food immediately following after. He was slightly disappointed when his wife and his older son didn't accept his invitation but this event was important to him so he could only continue. The conversation soon died down as the guests indulged themselves in delicious food ignoring the salty atmosphere gradually filling the air. Master Lin and the emperor kept on glancing at each other with one wanting to say something but the other giving him a look that seemed to say 'don't you fuckin dare'. Emperor Qie ignored him and loudly cleared his throat before opening his mouth, "l ha-," but didn't continue when Lin Mo stood up and interrupting with his cup raised saying,
"I am truly grateful for his majesty's kindness we aren't worthy of such a great honour. This drink is to thank you for inviting us to your beautiful home," and both men drank their wine in one go with their eyes stuck in a stalemate.
The atmosphere turned lively with laughter and alcohol flowing but Lin Mo took this chance to scold his childhood friend. "Why are you so enthusiastic, I haven't even told my wife let alone Lin Jingxie yet you want to announce to the whole world?" he said in an icy tone.
Emperor Qie let out haughty laughter while taking a sip from his now filled cup, "These things should just be said fast like ripping off a bandage. It will hurt once but you will soon forget and move on."
"You scoundrel you haven't even got Lin Jingxie to agree," said Lin Mo with his eyes shifting non-stop as though checking if someone overheard them.
"Haha, you still need his consent when l the emperor issued that order? Haha, you must be joking. Fine, leave it to me. I will get him to agree with ease," said emperor Qie looking like he had heard the funniest joke of the year.
"You.....," said a speechless Lin Mo. He dared not think what kind of scrupulous method the emperor would use to win over Lin Jingxie. He suddenly sympathised with his son. Seeing a tongue-tied Lin Mo, Emperor Qie felt amused having for once got the upper hand over his friend.
He was about to gloat when the door was violently pushed open letting in a bone-chilling breeze followed by agonizing shrieks filling the once boisterous room. Empress Da-Xia crawled into the room with disbelieved hair, swollen bloodshot eyes and scratches all over her body some healed and some fresh with blood seeping out of them. Though top quality her blood-stained clothes were torn exposing her lacerated calves and shoulders. The entire scene was simply unsightly but the empress didn't seem to care for her appearance resembling that of a madman.
The deadly pale woman kept scratching at the already open wounds as though unconscious of the pain as her entire body trembled like a leaf. Her servants rushed over apologizing to the emperor but the shooked emperor rushed over to help his wife. Seeing in this state, he couldn't help but ask, "Who did this?" He couldn't comprehend how his wife turned out this way when she fine just a week ago. This past week she had refused to see him using QIe Ranzhe's presence has an excuse. Thinking she needed time to accept it, he granted her wish and gave her space but who could have thought in that one week something as gruesome as this could occur.
Before he could reach and help her up, Qie Ranzhe suddenly stopped him with a frown on his face. Emperor Qie was about to shake off his son but changed his mind when she spoke with a brittle voice, "I did it, I did it....Shao Meili, I did it!" as though talking to someone with her gaze fixed at an empty space like she was talking to a ghost, "You will leave me alone right...right? If l say it you will go?" She fell silent for a while before nodding with a smile of relief appearing on her face as though whoever she was talking to had agreed.
"I will tell them everything as long as you leave me alone," she continued while scratching her scalp with her long nails stained with blood before turning to face her baffled husband.