Jingzhe was sweating. He had not sweated this much since the day he made his first business deal at the age of nine. The room was cool but he felt as if he was standing on top of a coal furnace.
Mei Mei stood in front of him protectively, guarding him with her body. "Empress mother, A Zhe has no clue as to how to answer your question. The joke is so funny that it is scary."
"Oh." The empress mother responded in a no nonsense tone. There was a threat in her voice, like there would be great consequences if she was disappointed. Her demeanor was somewhat passive aggressive, her eyes cold and her breathing too calm.
Jingzhe stepped out from behind Mei Mei. He lowered her arm that she raised to protect him as if it was a solid wall that would block all arrows for him. He loved what she was doing but he needed to show her that he could protect her as well.
He was an equal partner in everything to do with her, not just a mooch she was bringing along for the ride.
