"Imperial Preceptor, there are people everywhere in the Imperial Palace. People will get the wrong idea about us like this."
Xie Huizhou smiled, his gaze falling on Zhang Lanhe's hand clamped firmly around his wrist. The way he gripped so hard yet feared hurting him was truly amusing.
Why grab my wrist? Hold my hand with our fingers entwined!
Even Xie Huizhou felt anxious for Zhang Lanhe. How had this arrogant man, who held no one in regard, lost his nerve at a time like this?
Xie Huizhou continued, "If this goes on and implicates your reputation, Imperial Preceptor, my conscience will never rest for the rest of my life. It would be better for the two of us to keep some distance."
The hurtful words pierced Zhang Lanhe like thorns.
"Is that so? Your Highness certainly has my best interests at heart."
Hearing Xie Huizhou deliberately provoke him, Zhang Lanhe suppressed his anger and dragged him along through gritted teeth.
Had most of the rumors about Zhang Lanhe not originated with Xie Huizhou, those words might have had some credibility.
Zhang Lanhe dragged Xie Huizhou into the cave entrance of the Artificial Mountain Rock and blocked his way out. As he gradually obscured the exit, he looked exceedingly dangerous.
Xie Huizhou rubbed his wrist, which had been squeezed red. "Imperial Preceptor, what are you doing?"
"Your Highness, are you deliberately trying to anger me? You have done so time and again. I can only take it as you deliberately trying to provoke me."
With no one watching them, Zhang Lanhe's eyes turned dangerous. Xie Huizhou even saw the phantom of a white snake appear behind him.
Its emerald-like snake pupils stared fixedly at Xie Huizhou, just as they had when it appeared in his dreams.
Xie Huizhou guessed it