Chapter 16: If Something Happens, You Won’t Be Held Responsible
Lin Xihe was taken to the Night Palace. She was still dazed, wondering if someone could explain to her exactly what had happened.
Upon seeing Lin Xihe, A Jiu’s eyes glistened with tears, filled with emotion. “Miss, are you alright?”
Lin Xihe shook her head, then A Jiu pulled her away.
In the main hall, Yu Tingye gazed at the few women kneeling before him and the white-haired man, Meng Yao Yunxin.
“Who is Hua Huan?” Yu Tingye asked.
Among the six women, the most beautiful one stepped forward. “Lord Tingye, I am Hua Huan.”
Yu Tingye said, “Your father is very worried about you. Return home at once. The rest of you may leave as well.”
“Thank you, Lord Tingye.”
“Thank you, Lord Tingye.”
“Thank you, Lord Tingye.”
The six women expressed their gratitude and departed one by one.
Only Meng Yao Yunxin remained kneeling inside the hall.
Yu Tingye stared at him. “Speak. What is going on?”
Yunxin was about to reply when Tang Xiner entered, leading her maid.
“Xiner greets Brother Tingye.”
Her sweet voice made the kneeling Yunxin momentarily stunned.
Yu Tingye beckoned her over. “Xiner, come here.”
---
Tang Xiner told her maid, Hua Wu, to wait downstairs, then she stepped onto the platform and sat beside Yu Tingye. “Brother Tingye, what happened?”
Yu Tingye pointed to Yunxin still kneeling on the floor. “Let’s hear what he has to say.”
Tang Xiner smiled somewhat uneasily.
As she looked at Yunxin, she gave him a warning glance.
Yunxin spoke helplessly, “Lord Tingye, I captured them to obtain their dreams, which I intended to use to enhance my cultivation.”
Yu Tingye said, “I understand that you seek their dreams to improve yourself. What I cannot understand is why you dared to touch my people.”
“My lord, I did not know she was one of your people. I beg your pardon.”
---
In her chamber, Lin Xihe sat in her soft chair, arms folded.
So it was all a lie.
All just a figment of her imagination.
Suddenly overwhelmed with sadness, tears streamed down her face. Seeing this, A Jiu thought she had suffered great injustice. “Miss, shall I speak to Lord Tingye and have that dream demon torn apart?”
Lin Xihe shook her head, wiping away her tears with a sigh.
“Miss...”
“I’m alright now, A Jiu. You go about your business. No need to worry about me.”
At that moment, Yu Tingye strode in.
Lin Xihe, seeing him, stood up from her chair with a little nudge. “Lord Tingye.”
“Were you harmed?” Yu Tingye asked.
---
A Jiu quietly stepped out.
Lin Xihe was surprised by Yu Tingye’s direct question. “No.”
Yu Tingye didn’t believe her. He took off her clothes and examined her thoroughly. Only after confirming she had not been touched did he relent. “From now on, you are not to leave the palace without my permission.”
“Okay.” Lin Xihe nodded obediently.
---
Night Palace, study room.
“Can I see her dream?” Yu Tingye asked Yunxin.
Yunxin shook his head. “The dream was destroyed.”
Yu Tingye considered for a moment, then asked again, “I want to see my own dream. Is that possible?”
Yunxin knelt down in fear. “I dare not, my lord.”
“Take me into the dream,” Yu Tingye commanded.
“This...”
“If anything happens, you won’t be held responsible.”
Yunxin had no choice but to agree.
Yu Tingye set up a barrier inside the study, then sat in his grand chair and said to Yunxin, “Begin.”