Emperor’s Domination

“You…” She glared at him with her pretty eyes.

She almost became a pseudo-emperor and was always served by others, not the other way around. Now, this was an honor for her?

Anyone would find this a deliberate insult deserving of death. She became annoyed but still patiently asked: ‘How is this an honor?”

Nevertheless, speaking up inexplicably bothered her as if she didn’t want to displease him.

He only smiled and finished the tea, putting the cup on the table. She automatically poured another for him.

“Still too hot, you have to do a better job at serving.” He said without looking at her.

“…” She nearly vomited blood from anger while glaring at him who didn’t care.

“Who would want to serve you?” She complained.

“Others don’t have the same fortune.” He said patiently and enjoyed the gentle breezes.

She didn’t wish to break his serene state and cooled the tea’s temperature before handing it to him.

The image of him drinking tea looked like a flawless work of art. Ruining it was an unacceptable crime.

“Open the gate.” He ordered.

She didn’t understand the reason but still obeyed. Nevertheless, it bugged her that she was following someone else’s order in her own home.

The night was still, the wind a gentle caress. Li Qiye slowly sipped his tea, facing the large gate with only the ancestral tree beyond.

To have the gate wide open in the dead of night, slowly drinking tea, might seem strange. Yet, when it happened with Li Qiye, it felt completely natural, flowing as smoothly as water.

At first, Teng Sujian was annoyed, even defiant. She slowly stopped resisting and became quite willing to serve Li Qiye, at most muttering a complaint or two.

She didn’t wish to break this natural flow or see him unhappy. Even a furrow of his brows made her think she hadn’t done well enough.

The dew began to thicken as he sat there sipping his tea.

“What are you doing?” She couldn’t help but ask due to the bizarre act.

He didn’t answer and only looked outside the gate.

“Are you waiting for someone?” She followed his gaze and thought this was the only logical explanation.

“Might not happen.” Li Qiye shook his head.

“Did you have an arranged meeting?” She wondered who was the master of this home.

He continued sipping tea and she poured more for him.

After a long while, he looked at the vine and shook his head: “Dead, truly dead.”

“Dead?” She had no clue who he was talking about: “Who?”

He smiled and stood up, heading back to the room. Suddenly, a soft hum could be heard outside the gate and the ancestral vine emitted faint wisps of light.

“!” She became startled since during her stay, she had never noticed anything unusual about the ancestral vine.

It held extraordinary significance to the clan so she walked closer. She saw light flowing from the roots to the branches. Particles flickered and formed delicate arcs, slowly turning red like blood and reaching the leaves.

She had the impression that the vine was becoming sentient and turning into a humanoid form.

“The spirit of the ancestor?” She became startled.

“No, it is telling that he is dead after reverting to mortality.” Li Qiye’s voice came from behind.

“You’re saying our ancestor is dead?” She responded instinctively but this was known to everyone already.