The corner of Ban Xiang’s lips twitches as she looks at Mo Qi Qi in grievance, “Your Ladyship, I had just finished doing my makeup. You ruined it, and now I have to do it again…. Wuwuwu—“
Mo Qi Qi puts down her cup resolutely, “Come. Let’s go to Chun Nuan Palace.”
Ban Xiang rubs her face, “But my makeup is ruined. Can this servant fix them first before going?”
Mo Qi Qi impatiently snaps, “Look at the situation around you! Is this the right time to do your makeup? Don’t do it. In fact, it’s better for you to go looking like this, as though you’ve just cried. People will think you were mourning for Chun Fei. Let’s go.” She drags Ban Xiang away without giving her chance to refuse.
Ban Xiang feels aggrieved, but did not dare to refute her master and simply lets Mo Qi Qi drags her off.
When they reach the entrance to Chun Nuan Palace, they are greeted with the sound of weeping.
Mo Qi Qi lets go of Ban Xiang before gracefully walking in.
“Wuwu, how could you just leave, Chun Fei?” one of the grieving people weeps.
Other concubines from the harem also attend the mourning, “You left so suddenly, sister. We did not have the chance to meet you for one last time.”
Mo Qi Qi walks in. There is a coffin in the middle of the receiving hall, which is left uncovered.
She walks on.
When the other concubines sense her presence, they quickly go to comfort her, “Your Ladyship, you are pregnant. You must not let your grief overcomes you.”
“Your Ladyship, we know how good your relationship with Chun Fei was. She always made you pastries. Now that she is suddenly dead, you must be heartbroken. However, you must restrain your grief for the sake of the child that you are carrying.”
Mo Qi Qi steps towards the coffin. There is a white piece of cloth that is covering the dead body. She picks it up, intending to take one last look at Chun Fei.
Ban Xiang immediately tries to stop her, “Your Ladyship, Chun Fei is already dead. Let her leave peacefully.”
The other concubines agree with her, “Yes, Your Ladyship. Don’t look. It will only break your heart even more.” The truth is, they are too scared too look.
Mo Qi Qi lets go of the white cloth before heartbrokenly saying, “Bengong did not think you would simply just leave. It’s all bengong’s fault.”
“You must not say that, Your Ladyship. You treated her really well. You couldn’t have possibly known that she would contract sudden illness and would die,” one of the concubines say.
“Yes, it’s not like you possesses medical skills. You couldn’t possibly conduct a health check-up for us everyday. It’s not your fault that Chun Fei’s life is short.”
“Your Ladyship, you are with child, you must not be too emotional. Why don’t we leave first? If we stay here, you would only get more agitated,” says Ban Xiang.
“Yes, she’s right. You should go first, Your Ladyship. We will keep her company on your behalf,” agrees another concubine.
Mo Qi Qi nods, “Alright. All of you must stay strong.”
Everyone nods.
Mo Qi Qi leaves Chun Nuan Palace while sighing deeply, “She was just fine yesterday. Who would’ve thought she would suddenly die?”
Ban Xiang is not as sympathetic, “Your Ladyship, Chun Fei brought this unto herself. She shouldn’t have tried to harm you. Serve her right.”
Mo Qi Qi stares at Ban Xiang before smiling bitterly, “Who would have thought that you, who usually cries a lot and is softhearted could also be merciless. Looks like you are not as weak as you appear to be.”
Ban Xiang looks at her, aggrieved, “Your Ladyship, this servant only thinks that it’s unfair to you. This servant can be softhearted in all matters regarding you, but if someone tries to hurt you, this servant can be merciless as well. This servant wouldn’t mind them dead if it means protecting you.”
Mo Qi Qi smiles, “Bengong knows that you are loyal. It’s just that Chun Fei died so suddenly that it surprised me. Bengong thought that Jun Qian Che would only question her; give her a house-arrest or something, or demotes her to the position of a Daying or a Meiren. At worst, he would just send her to the Cold Palace. Bengong didn’t expect him to directly kill her.”
Ban Xiang smiles, “It means His Majesty cares about you and the little prince!”
“But why do bengong feels like His Majesty is only doing this to shut her mouth once and for all?” As in he was afraid that Chun Fei would expose him, and so he decided to get rid of her.
“You are overthinking this, Your Ladyship.”
Mo Qi Qi looks at the sky grievously, “Why is it so hard to live inside the palace? Wuwu, who can tell me who the good and bad people are?”
“Your Ladyship, this servant thinks you should believe in His Majesty. After all, he is your husband. Now that you two are having children, you should be even more united in the face of all your trials and tribulations. His Majesty will protect you from any form of harm,” says Ban Xiang earnestly.
Mo Qi Qi sighs, “But could I truly count on him? Although a married couple should be united, we are not your normal married couple. There are power and Mo Clan standing between us. Could I truly count on him? And would he truly be willing to stand beside me?” There are too many things standing between her and Jun Qian Che. Other than Mo Clan, there is the 7th Imperial Uncle. There is also that man from the viewing tower. All of these are detrimental to their relationship. And that child she is carrying; she does not know if giving birth to the child would be a blessing or a curse. Life is too hard. Every step proves to be surprising.
Hearing her master’s words, Ban Xiang’s heart sinks as well.
