CH 62

It was already late when Ling Xiao made his way to Hopeful Spring Tavern.

He noticed candles were lit all over the tavern as he was led up by a maid to the second floor.

Standing before and looking at the second floor, Ling Xiao was a bit hesitant. When he realized that the Emperor was actually testing him, he felt unwell and became indecisive.    

He felt like his body was tied up and thrown into stifling hot weather. The heat obviously made him feel unwell, yet he did not know how to be relieve from it. There was nothing he could do, but let the heat flow through his veins, corroding both his heart and lungs.

The maid approached the door leading to the Emperor’s room and stopped by its side. She then bent and saluted to Ling Xiao. The meaning was quite clear; Ling Xiao should go in.

Ling Xiao slightly pondered, then waved his hand and had the maid leave.

The maid looked blankly for a bit then obediently and respectfully left with another salute.

Ling Xiao now stood by himself outside the door. He gazed at the Emperor’s reflection through the window, a sigh escaped his lips, as he began losing himself in his thoughts.   

Even with the death-exemption golden plate in his hands, he could not feel secure at all, as he was never really trusted by the Emperor. Ling Xiao knew he had to do something about the Emperor’s distrust in him.

Determined, Ling Xiao knocked lightly on the door and quietly called out for the Emperor once.

A period of silence lingered in the room, then before long, the Emperor’s steady voice sounded.

“Come in.”

He carefully walked in and saw that the Emperor was sitting at his desk, marking in an account book. The Emperor placed down his brush after seeing Ling Xiao, staring at the latter quietly. Then, pretending to not pay attention, he asked, “So you finally decided to come in?”

Ling Xiao stared blankly before quickly understanding what the Emperor was talking about. As the Emperor was a strong martial artist, even the slightest sound would not escape his ears, let alone his sound as he had stayed so long by the door.

The Emperor most likely already noticed him when he had just arrived at the second floor.

Ling Xiao also did not bother hiding anymore and walked in front of the Emperor. He lowered his head in a salute and frankly said, “Ling Xiao doesn’t know how to face Your Majesty.”

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, leaning against his chair, a questioning attitude.

Ling Xiao fearlessly pursed his lips and said, “Your Majesty, you do not trust Ling Xiao.”

Ling Xiao only dared to speak this way because of the death-exemption golden plate in his bosom, which was given by the Emperor.

Since Ling Xiao did not need to worry about his life, then he also did not need to hide any grieving matters in his heart. Ling Xiao firmly spread out his unhappiness in front of the Emperor.

Besides, in the first place, the Emperor hates lies, so being completely honest is the only way to obtain his trust.

His genuineness was the crucial point!

The Emperor stared blankly for a moment, a bit flabbergasted that Ling Xiao would be so frank.

However, the Emperor didn’t dislike this kind of frankness. The corner of his lips curved up and a trace of a smile was in his eyes as he asked Ling Xiao, “You’re not satisfied?”

Ling Xiao nodded certainly, “Ling Xiao really isn’t satisfied.”

“……” The Emperor narrowed his eyes, staring at Ling Xiao before him.

Looking at Ling Xiao’s honest face, whose brows were tightly knitted and some grievance and anger could be seen, along with an unhappy frown; the Emperor could tell just how much Ling Xiao was unsatisfied. It was like a cat, which blamed its master for not taking good care of it, baring its fangs and claws to vent its unhappiness. Yet, it wasn’t threatening at all.

The Emperor watched satisfied, raised his eyebrows and narrowed his eyes.

Ling Xiao clenched his teeth, “Ling Xiao didn’t meet with Fu Yujun.”

The Emperor heard it and his eyes lighten, his thin lips slightly raised as he said, “Since you already went there, why didn’t you visit him?”