The imperial guards look on in shock. The Empress was trying to escape! Lucky the Emperor is here, otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Eunuch Lin chokes a little, when he hears Mo Qi Qi’s frank words.
Even Jun Qian Che did not see it coming. An icy smile is formed on his lips, “Do you mean it, Empress? Are you really tired of the palace?” Jun Qian Che only managed to catch her because he got worried after she locked herself up inside her palace. Previously, she was busy sending women to his side, but all movement suddenly stopped from her part, raising his curiosity. He thought she was sick and sent secret guards to monitor her. Just imagine his shock when they reported that she was trying to escape instead.
Jun Qian Chew as furious, but he did not show it. Instead, he ordered the guards to return to Feng Yang Palace to continue monitoring her. He had hoped that she only said it in the heat of the moment, out of anger. He did not think that she would actually do it tonight. He is very disappointed, very heart-broken. The Mo Qi Qi who used to put her entire heart into becoming the Empress is really gone.
That determination she has is now used for something else; her desire to leave the palace. And for whom? Is it for his 7th Imperial Uncle? She must have regretted entering the palace. Only after she entered the palace did she realize that the 7th Imperial Uncle is better for her, so now she is trying to return to him.
Mo Qi Qi, you are currently carrying zhen’s child and yet you are still adamant to leave, has your heart truly died for zhen? Although zhen wants to grab onto you and does not let go, doing that would only hurt you. Does that mean zhen truly has to let you go? Is letting go really that easy?
Why did you change? Why did you make zhen like you? If only you continued the way you were, zhen wouldn’t have fallen for you. If zhen did not like you, letting you go would’ve been only too easy. In fact, that was what zhen used to hope for. But now, that is the hardest thing for zhen to do.
As for Mo Qi Qi, the moment she heard Jun Qian Che’s question, she wanted to say, “Yes!” However, Ban Xiang stops her and drags her back by the sleeves, shaking her head profusely.
Mo Qi Qi knows that Ban Xiang is worried for her. However, although putting it so honestly might be dangerous, it might also give her hope. Jun Qian Che might let her leave. If she did not, she would lose both her chance and her hope.
Seeing her quiet, as though she is thinking how to put things into words, Jun Qian Che quickly say, “Be honest! If you really want to leave, zhen will fulfill your wish!”
Jun Qian Che has no idea how much courage he has used up just to say that, and he has no idea how he managed to say it so smoothly. Perhaps it is because he does not wish to see her hurting.
Mo Qi Qi, zhen will only give you this one chance! If you really want to leave, zhen will swallow the pain and let you go. Hurry and answer zhen, otherwise, zhen might change my mind.
Mo Qi Qi looks at him in surprise. She did not expect him to be so kind! Joy blooms in her heart.
However, Ban Xiang does not think the Emperor would let go of the Empress that easily. She fears the Emperor is only testing them. If the Empress says yes, the Emperor might capture her and banish her to the Cold Palace. As the Empress’ personal maid, she cannot just sit and watch her Mistress going down the road of no return. Before Mo Qi Qi jumps at the chance to answer Jun Qian Che’s offer, she quietly whispers to her, “Your Ladyship, this servant has just remembered something. There is a toilet at the Empress Dowager’s palace, but only she can use it. You have not tried that place.” The Empress has been interested in toilets ever since that fall from the viewing tower. In fact, she once told Ban Xiang that she would have left the palace long ago had it not been for the toilets. Ban Xiang suspects that only toilets can make her change her mind, right now.
The words that are about to come out of Mo Qi Qi’s mouth is immediately swallowed back. She looks at Ban Xiang, half-convinced, “Why didn’t you say it sooner?”
Ban Xiang scratches her head, “This servant was afraid that you might sneak into the Empress Dowager’s palace. Her Ladyship does not like you that much to begin with, sneaking into her palace might worsen your relationship with her.”
Mo Qi Qi knocks on Ban Xiang in the head, “You ah! I almost lost this chance!”
Although protecting the child is a pressing matter, returning to her universe is even more pressing. If the way back is really inside the palace, then, she must stay here regardless of how dangerous it is.
And so, Jun Qian Che who has already prepared himself for the worst finds Mo Qi Qi turning back towards him with a brilliant smile on her face, “Your Majesty, chenqie does not want to leave the palace.”
Jun Qian Che looks at her in shock and confusion.
Mo Qi Qi scratches her head awkwardly, “Chenqie was too bored earlier and decided to test the guards’ discerning ability. Chenqie wanted to see if chenqie could leave the palace. Chenqie was really close to succeeding, but Your Majesty came. You must have a thousand eyes, Your Majesty!”
“Do you mean it, Empress?” asks Jun Qian Che. Although he knows she was lying about the whole testing the guards thing, he is ecstatic that she decides not to leave. If only Jun Qian Che knows that Mo Qi Qi is only staying for a toilet and that he, the Emperor has just lost to a toilet, heads would probably roll tonight.
“Of course! Chenqie only said what chenqie said to test Your Majesty. Chenqie wanted to see if you care for chenqie. Who would’ve thought Your Majesty would let chenqie leave! Chenqie has lost face-ah! Chenqie is currently carrying your child, how could chenqie possibly leave? You made me so sad, Your Majesty,” says Mo Qi Qi coyly.
Jun Qian Che can finally let go of his worry. He pretends to glare at her, “You still remember that you are pregnant? What are you doing here in the dead of the night, creating ruckus?”
Mo Qi Qi smiles, “Your Majesty, you only said that because you are angry, right?” Since she has decided to stay, she needs to regain some of her dignity. Otherwise, if it spreads out that the Empress tried to leave and the Emperor did not even stop her, she wouldn’t even be able to lift her head inside the palace after this.
Jun Qian Che also wants to help her regain her pride. After all, she is pregnant and he does not want others to think lightly of her and by extension, their child. “En.”
Mo Qi Qi laughs and walks over to him. She hugs his arm coquettishly, “Please don’t be angry, Your Majesty. Chenqie will stop creating ruckus after this.”
When the guards hear that, they realized that anger means love. They must never offend the Empress in the future.
“In consideration for the child you are carrying, zhen will forgive you this one time.” This is your own choice, Mo Qi Qi. There will never be this chance again in the future. Zhen will hold on to you tight.
