Jun Qian Che let go of her and cradled her face, genuinely asking, “Do you trust that zhen will keep you both safe?”
She nodded at him with a firm gaze, “Chenqie believes in you.”
Pleasure rose through Jun Qian Che’s heart. He pecked her on the lips before calmly saying, “Rest first, Empress. Zhen will tend to other things now.” He let go of her and left.
She turned around and glared at his retreating back in utter disbelief, “Jun Qian Che, you piece of trash! You took advantage of me in broad daylight!”
She touched her lips; she could still feel the warmth of his lips there. Although it was only a quick peck, it felt overpoweringly sweet. The corner of her lips curled as her face turned scarlet.
She caressed her cheeks as she sat on the phoenix seat, mumbling to herself, “Jun Qian Che really is a basta*d. I would never like such a man! I am only barely tolerating his kisses because— because I’m pregnant. I’m only giving him face. Right. I still hate him, deep down inside. Of course.” She could only deny the strange feelings that she felt for him. The truth was her feelings for him had changed without her even knowing.
Ban Xiang rushed in. When she saw her mistress sitting on the phoenix seat while smiling to herself, she stepped forward and asked, “What’s wrong, Your Ladyship?”
“Argh!” Mo Qi Qi screamed when she realized Ban Xiang was there. “What the hell, Ban Xiang? You came out of nowhere! You scared me!”
Ban Xiang pursed her lips, “You were the one who didn’t see me entering, Your Ladyship. I was the one who was scared. This servant was originally keeping the Grand Empress Dowager company. Then, she wanted me to send you and the 7th King some pastries. I went over to you, only to be told that the Emperor had taken you away. This servant was worried sick, so I rushed back as fast as I could. Where is His Majesty, Your Ladyship? Is he displeased at you?”
“Why would His Majesty be displeased at me?” asked Mo Qi Qi.
“Did His Majesty get angry when he saw you and the 7th King together?” asked Ban Xiang in worry.
Mo Qi Qi shook her head, “No, he didn’t. The person that Jun Qian Che likes is Yang Shi Han, so he wouldn’t care who I was with.”
Ban Xiang was overjoyed, “This servant doesn’t think so. This servant thinks that His Majesty trusted you; that’s why he didn’t get angry.”
Mo Qi Qi laughed exaggeratingly, “He trusted me? What a funny little joke! The thing is, out of all the women in his harem, I’m the one he least trusted! He probably didn’t scold me because I’m carrying his child!”
Ban Xiang shook her head before curiously asking, “Why were you smiling to yourself just now, Your Ladyship?”
Mo Qi Qi’s face unwittingly turned red when Ban Xiang brought up the matter, as though Ban Xiang could somehow see that she had been kissed, “I wasn’t smiling! I- I was just thinking about the child that I’m carrying.”
“Ohhh,” Ban Xiang dragged her voice meaningfully.
Mo Qi Qi glared at her, “Don’t use that tone when you speak! Bengong is tired and would like to rest!” Then, she walked to her resting chamber.
After she lied down on her bed though, Mo Qi Qi couldn’t sleep. Everything that happened today kept replaying inside her mind, forming a giant question mark.
Why did Jun Yue Hen keep warning her about Jun Qian Che every time they meet? Be it the assassins, or the carriage, or even Chun Fei, he would always point it all back to Jun Qian Che. Were those things really connected to Jun Qian Che, or was it just Jun Yue Hen’s deep feelings on enmity that caused him to unconditionally suspect Jun Qian Che?
Was Jun Qian Che really that ruthless? Was he really capable of killing his own wife for the kingdom? After spending so much time with Jun Qian Che lately, she felt like he was not that horrible as to do all those deeds that Jun Yue Hen claimed he did.
Could it be that Jun Qian Che was just really that good at acting? Or maybe Yue Hen just misunderstood him?
Just who was lying between them? Jun Qian Che kept calling her dumb, but he never really said anything to her. He always left her pondering and guessing. How could she possibly see through everything without assistance?
She could tell that Yue Hen had no ill intention towards herself. His concerns were genuine, but he worried too much. He was too suspicious of everything and was too quick to blame Jun Qian Che.
Jun Qian Che, I am willing to believe your words. I know that you now genuinely want to see our child born safely, so I’m willing to forgive you even though you intended to kill us before. Since I don’t love you, I am willing to be a generous Empress. As long as you no longer have any intention to kill us, I am willing to get along with you. Perhaps this is what a virtuous Empress ought to do.
Two days later, Mo Qi Qi was in the backyard, studying the diagrams of a hot-air balloon. Back then, all the time-travel novels that she used to read always include scenes of the main character introducing modern inventions in ancient times, drawing admiration from the ancient people. Since she had nothing better to do, might as well do it. If it worked, she could use it to traverse the land of the Kingdom. Or if things went south in the palace, she could use it to escape. With all that in mind, her enthusiasm grew stronger. She vowed to make this work.
Just as Mo Qi Qi was in full work-mode, Ban Xiang ran in, “Your Ladyship, Eunuch Lin came by just now, with a decree.”
“A decree? What did Jun Qian Che say? Don’t tell me he wants me to study palace’s etiquette?” asked Mo Qi Qi without even looking up.
Ban Xiang shook her head, “No, Your Ladyship. His Majesty informed you that tomorrow is the annual summer hunt. He wants you to attend it.”
Mo Qi Qi looked up in displeasure, “The weather is so hot and they want to go hunting? Are they insane? Tell His Majesty that bengong won’t come. It’s too hot.”
“Your Ladyship, everyone from the imperial family and the nobles will be there. Even you, and the rest of the consorts. Princesses from the noble clans will also be attending. It’s a huge get-together. Even the generals will bring their wives with them. It will be fun and merry. How could you not go?”
“The sun is like poison, even animals won’t go out of their hiding place! Besides, I’m pregnant, I shouldn’t take part in such a vigorous excursion.” Mo Qi Qi really had no intention to go.
“Your Ladyship, you are the Empress. It’s alright for anyone else not to go, but not you,” reminded Ban Xiang.
Mo Qi Qi wanted to cry, “You’re bullying me on purpose, aren’t you?”
“Your Ladyship, this hunt has been done every year ever since the founding of the kingdom; it is not purposely created to torment you. Don’t worry, though. You are pregnant, so they will not make you take part in the hunt. You can just watch the hunt and the archery competition from the sideline. It will be fun.”
Mo Qi Qi sighed helplessly, “Why is my life like this? I still have to do social niceties even after getting pregnant.”
The next day, everyone had to head straight to the imperial hunting ground after breakfast. She heard that the imperial hunting ground was located outside the capital city and that imperial guards and servants had gone there before them to secure the ground. Members of the imperial clan had been bustling out of the capital first thing in the morning.
After the morning court, Jun Qian Che personally came to accompany Mo Qi Qi to the hunting ground.
Both of them sat inside the same palanquin, a loving couple in the eyes of others.
Jun Qian Che looked at Mo Qi Qi and said, “Once we reach the hunting ground, be good and stay still. Do not run amok. You are pregnant, be careful.”
Mo Qi Qi pursed her lips, “Since you don’t want anything to happen to chenqie, you might as well let chenqie stay at the palace. It’d be safer that way.”
“Do you really think the palace is safe?” asked Jun Qian Che. If she was not by his side, he would not feel at peace no matter how safe a place might seem.
What he said reminded her of Chun Fei. She shrugged, “You have a point, Your Majesty. With so many people gone, it’d be easy for others to hurt chenqie. Thank you for your deep care, Your Majesty.”
“As long as you know it,” replied Jun Qian Che proudly.
Mo Qi Qi secretly stuck out her tongue at him.
She looked at the carriages behind them, “Your Majesty, is imperial grandmother and the Empress Dowager coming?”
Jun Qian Che nodded.
She shook her head, “The weather is so warm and imperial grandmother is so old, what if her body can’t take all the heat?”
An inscrutable smile was formed on Jun Qian Che’s lips, “Don’t worry. Imperial grandmother is so healthy, nothing will happen to her. Zhen initially wanted to postpone the hunt until the weather is a bit cooler, it was imperial grandmother who was adamant to do it now.”
Mo Qi Qi looked at him in shock, “Imperial grandmother is really something! Even us younger people couldn’t take the heat, but she could!”
The corner of Jun Qian Che’s lips curled even more as a shrewd look flashed through his eyes.
She looked at his shoulder in worry, “Will you be partaking in the hunt, Your Majesty?”
“Of course. As were the previous years.”
“But you are injured this year! You shouldn’t go hunting,” said Mo Qi Qi, uneasy.
“Don’t worry, once we’re there, zhen would act according to the circumstances,” comforted Jun Qian Che.
She nodded.
They soon arrived at the hunting ground. The imperial hunting ground was indeed worthy of its name; not only was it huge, but the views were also great. The atmosphere up there was cooler than the one below the mountain. The air was also refreshing. No wonder the Grand Empress Dowager wanted to come so much. Coming here in the dead of the summer was really cooling.
Jun Qian Che led Mo Qi Qi to a tent. There were chairs and tables set up under a pavilion in front of the tent, facing an open field that would be used for martial arts competition later. There were even little targets for the archery competition later.
He looked at the crowd, “Is everyone here?”
Chu Ling Xiao stepped forward and respectfully replied, “Answering Your Majesty, the royals and the generals who are going to compete in the competition later are all ready.”
Jun Qian Che nodded in satisfaction, “Alright, since everyone is ready, the hunt will begin now. The person who caught the most game will be rewarded.”
Seeing this, the Grand Empress Dowager said, “Your Majesty has always been the best in the hunting event. You always caught the most prey. Will you be able to defend your position this year? Imperial grandmother can’t wait to see it!”
Mo Qi Qi looked around for a while, before suddenly clutching her stomach with a pained look on her face, “Your Majesty, chenqie’s stomach hurts.”
Jun Qian Che immediately grasped her, “What’s wrong, Empress?”
She grabbed his hand tight, “Your Majesty, chenqie’s stomach hurts. Is anything wrong with our baby?”
“What happened? Summon the physician! Don’t worry, Empress. Nothing will happen to our child!” comforted Jun Qian Che.
One of the noble madams said, “Perhaps the Empress is having a fetal restlessness.”
“Summon imperial physicians and servants to take care of the Empress. Don’t worry and just go to the hunt, Your Majesty. Aijia will help you take care of her,” quipped the Grand Empress Dowager.
Hearing that, Mo Qi Qi coquettishly clutched Jun Qian Che even tighter, “Your Majesty, chenqie refuse to let you go to the hunt! Stay here and keep chenqie company.”
The Empress Dowager was furious when she heard that, “Stop with that nonsense, Empress. His Majesty has always liked hunting, but the court is always busy and he never had time. It is not easy for him to find the time to be here today, and yet you won’t let him go! Where is your etiquette?”
(TN: Just in case:
- The Grand Empress Dowager = Jun Qian Che’s grandma (Jun Yue Hen’s mom)
- The Empress Dowager = Jun Qian Che’s mom.)
Duke Zhen unhappily snapped, “Your Ladyship, is this hunt more important than the Empress’ pregnancy?”
“Imperial mother and Duke Zhen, both of you may stop arguing. Zhen will not take part in the hunt this year. Zhen is worried about the Empress. The hunt has officially begun, you all may leave now. Empress, let us go to the tent so that you can rest.” Without waiting for any response, he led Mo Qi Qi inside their tent.
Duke Zhen smiled triumphantly.
The crowd began to urge their horses to gallop to the forest to start hunting.
The Empress Dowager was furious. She felt that her son only cared about his wife and had completely disrespected her in public.
Seeing the look on her face, Yang Shi Han quickly comforted her, “Don’t be angry, Aunt. We will have the hunt again next year. The Empress is pregnant this year, the circumstance is a bit special. It is normal for him to worry about her.”
The Empress Dowager sighed helplessly while shaking her head, “Beautiful women will only lead to destruction, ah.”
As for the couple in question, Jun Qian Che led Mo Qi Qi inside the tent, “Lie down on the bed and rest, first.”
She grabbed him by the arm happily, “Did chenqie do well, Your Majesty?”
Jun Qian Che stared at the suddenly invigorated her, “Your stomach—“
“Hehe, chenqie is fine. Chenqie heard the Grand Empress Dowager telling you to go hunting and was worried about your injury, so chenqie faked it for everyone to see.” Mo Qi Qi raised her eyebrows arrogantly.
Jun Qian Che had never truly understood the saying ‘worry makes one lose their equanimity’ until today. He actually did not realize that she had been acting. He had been protecting her so thoroughly during the journey here, so how was it possible for her to even get fetal restlessness? This girl really…
“Chenqie did well, didn’t I? Why aren’t you praising chenqie?” she looked at him, disappointed.
He flicked her gently on the forehead, “You are so…. Did you know how worried zhen was?”
“Chenqie was only doing it for you! Your injury is still not healed and hunting requires great physical exertion, what if something went wrong?”
He stared at her, “To tell the truth, there was nothing for you to worry about. Zhen originally planned to shrug off my guards after I entered the forest. Then, zhen would use my internal energy to shoot at some prey. None would be the wiser.”
Mo Qi Qi disagreed, “Your injury hasn’t healed, you shouldn’t be using your internal energy. Besides, you are the Emperor. Who knows how many people secretly want to hurt you! What if you encountered assassins after leaving your guards? Wouldn’t it be even more dangerous? Perhaps, the assassins who tried to kill you the other day are waiting for their chances here! Chenqie feels like chenqie’s solution is the best way out!”
Jun Qian Che shook her head while laughing.
When Mo Qi Qi saw the sweat on his forehead, she couldn’t help but saying, “Since you don’t have to go hunting, perhaps you can take off your armor, Your Majesty. The weather is so hot, your wound might get worse if it gets wet.”
What she said completely warmed Jun Qian Che’s heart. A faint smile was formed on his lips as he took off his armor.
She was still worried, “Let me have a look at your wound, Your Majesty.”
Jun Qian Che sat on the bed and unbuttoned his shirt, revealing half of his shoulder.
She took off the bandage and inspected the wound. It was all red and and swollen. “Just look at how red your wound is! Lucky you already took off your armor! If you had continued wearing it throughout the way, the wound would have gotten worse for sure.” She blew on the wound softly.
Seeing her actions made Jun Qian Che smile again.
“Let chenqie help you re-dress the wound, Your Majesty.” After letting the wound dry a little, Mo Qi Qi wrapped it with a brand new bandage.
Just as she was in the process of redressing the wound, they suddenly heard footsteps outside.
“Imperial physician, hurry and check the Empress’ pulse,” they could hear the Grand Empress Dowager’s voice speaking outside.
Mo Qi Qi was shocked. She immediately hid the bandage under the blanket before forcing Jun Qian Che to lie down. She climbed on top of him and hid his exposed arm with her wide sleeves. Then, she wrapped his other arm around her waist suggestively.
This was the scene that greeted those people when they came in. The obvious conclusion was drawn once they saw the Empress on top of the half-naked Emperor on the bed.
Seeing them, Mo Qi Qi pretended to hide her face on Jun Qian Che’s chest in embarrassment.
The Empress Dowager pointed at them furiously, “You two— You two—- Preposterous!” Then, she left in anger.
The Grand Empress Dowager on the other hand, laughed sheepishly, “Che Er and Qi Qi, imperial grandmother knows that you are young. However, Qi Qi is pregnant, so Che Er should control your urges.”
“Yes, imperial grandmother,” replied Jun Qian Che.
The Grand Empress Dowager turned to the physician, “Everyone should leave first. Come back later to check the Empress’ pulse.”
In another part of the camp, Yang Shi Han was busy trying to placate the furious Empress Dowager. “Don’t be angry, Aunt. You’ll get sick.”
“Just look at what has become of your cousin! He actually lost his sense of propriety over a woman! People will be laughing at him if they find out!”
Yang Shi Han laughed, “Aunt, no one laughs at things like this. My cousin is young and virile, this is completely normal. In the past, the people at court were actually worried that he had hidden illness! There were so many women in the harem, and yet not a single one was pregnant. My cousin did not seem interested in anyone, either. At least now, the rumors are squashed. We should be thanking Mo Qi Qi instead.”
“Thank her? Aijia would rather kick her out of the palace! What kind of method did she use to make your cousin so obsessed with her?” asked the Empress Dowager heatedly.
Yang Shi Han pulled her to a seat and poured a cup of tea for her, “Aunt, the weather is hot so temper is running low. Please drink some tea to dispel your anger.”
The Empress Dowager smiled at her, “Aunt is lucky to have you. You and Che Er would have been so good together, and yet—“
“Aunt, it does not matter what my relationship with my cousin is. No matter what, Shi Han will always be filial to you,” she hugged the Empress Dowager’s arm coyly.
The Empress Dowager laughed happily.
Back to the Emperor’s tent, Mo Qi Qi immediately sat up the moment the Grand Empress Dowager left. She patted her chest in relief, “That was close! Lucky chenqie reacted quickly. They almost found out about your injury. Your Majesty, did chenqie accidentally press on your wound?”
Jun Qian Che shook his head as he stared at her, “No.”
Mo Qi Qi had tried to open her outer garment haphazardly, revealing her fair shoulders. She was wearing an inner garment, which only stood to mesmerize him more.
When she realized where he was looking, she immediately covered her chest in displeasure, “Watch where you’re looking, Your Majesty!”
He suddenly leaned in towards her.
She took a couple of steps back nervously, “What are you doing, Your Majesty?”
