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"Lord Long?"

"Please forgive Your Majesty, Ang is somewhat unwell today and will take his leave first." He seemed to brace all the strength in his body just to keep from raising his fists and punching the reigning Son of Heaven, striving to maintain the deportment and curtsy of an elegant woman. Yet once he turned around, he could no longer restrain himself, taking long strides toward the door.

"Hey! Wait! Lord Long, Zhen was only joking, don't take it seriously!"

The banter did not call back the one whose heart was ablaze with anger, but it did summon the messenger.

Seeing the True Dragon of Heaven, the messenger immediately knelt, kowtowed, and shouted "Long live" three times.

Lowering his gaze, Longyang saw that it was none other than a page from his own household. "Why did you run all the way here?"

"Second Young Master, there is an urgent matter that requires you."

"What urgent matter couldn't wait until I returned to the estate? Why come to Dongxu Mansion to make a fool of yourself?"

"This, no..." The page was so anxious tears were nearly spilling forth, and though he cast a furtive glance at Your Majesty, he dared not voice what he wanted to say.

"Hmm? Long Er, your page seems to have unspeakable difficulties because Zhen is present. Should Zhen withdraw?" Your Majesty closely observed the page's intermittent glances cast toward him, a hint of dissatisfaction in his gaze. "Could it be that Long Er has some matter Zhen is not permitted to know?"

"Bah! I am not like certain people who always keep so many secrets clutched and hidden away." Longyang cast a vague, sidelong glance at Li Chenjing, who remained immersed in telepathic sweet-nothings, before turning to scold his household page. "What is with all