The Empror's Trap

Chapter 4: Ch 4 - Siyue

Kenji had always felt that his personal guard might have some kind of mental issue.

Whenever he spent time with her, he sometimes sensed a bit of danger. Not the kind of danger where she'd chop his head off, but a different kind altogether.

"Let's talk business." Realizing he couldn't win against his own guard in a game of back-and-forth, Kenji quickly changed the subject. "Her Majesty gave me a small warning this time, but it's nothing serious. We're still safe."

"There's no need to tell me," Lina said. "I don't understand these things anyway."

"You need to learn, you know? You can't just spend your days dreaming of killing people. Even if you come from a demonic sect, you're still from some sort of cultivation school, not an assassin group. Why do you keep thinking about killing?!" Kenji shot a displeased look at her. "Have you read the books I gave you?"

"Huh? Those books are for reading?"

"What else would they be for?"

"I thought they were for starting a fire. I already used a few as kindling..."

"..." Kenji was speechless. Then he whacked Lina squarely on the head.

"Ouch! That hurt!"

"Tell me the truth, did you really burn them?"

"No, no! I wouldn't dare burn your precious library," Lina said with a fawning. "I kept them safe."

"So you haven't read them at all."

Kenji could only shake his head. But after some thought, he decided it was no use forcing her to be an avid reader. She never had anything close to a normal childhood, and even her cultivation was taught verbally. Getting her to write more fluently and learn some social etiquette was already an achievement. Expecting her to read books every day might be too much.

"Master, reading isn't my strength. But if you really want me to, I can try."

As soon as the old butler came forward to greet him, Kenji asked about his sister.

"She's the same as ever, Master Kenji," the butler said. "But..."

"But what?"

"She was talking nonsense again this morning. Right after you left, she started muttering something about wanting a tablet." The elderly butler sounded helpless. "Master Kenji, about the young lady's condition..."

"Yeah, I get it. She's not doing too great, but at least she's calm today."

Kenji's eye twitched a little before he quickly headed to his study.

"When will she get better? Even Her Majesty brought royal physicians from the palace..." Lina's voice sounded strangely soft and sympathetic.

"Lina, That's enough. Go tidy up my room first. I'll be working there later. I need to have a chat with Siyue."

"All right."

...

Kenji walked into the study.

In one corner, a small girl was sitting cross-legged. She wore a lightweight white shirt imported from the western kingdoms. Her long silver-gray hair draped down her back, and she was angrily scribbling on a sheet of expensive paper with a brush. She was so petite he almost wanted to scoop her up in his arms.

But seeing her gritting her teeth like that...

Well, she did look pretty cute.

"Siyue, drawing again?"

"Yeah," Siyue said, raking her fingers through her silvery hair. "This damned era doesn't even have drawing tablets. I just want to sketch an erotic pic, but I have to use a brush. It's driving me crazy!"