"People wouldn't even know," retorts Mo Qi Qi, unconvinced.
Jun Qian Che turns around before coldly saying, "If you refuse to sleep with zhen, you will have to sleep on the long couch. If you fell and hurt the baby, you must not blame zhen."
"You—-" Mo Qi Qi looks at the couch that is less than one metre wide. She is not a graceful-sleeper, she might indeed fall over if she sleeps there. She would not have been worried, if she is not pregnant. However, she is currently carrying a child and the pregnancy is not even 3 months old. A simple stumble might pose great danger. Besides, the dragon bed is so big; 5 to 6 people can easily sleep side-by-side and there would still be some spaces to spare. There is no need to worry about space if they sleep there.
For the sake of the baby that she is carrying, Mo Qi Qi decides to bite the bullet. She climbs onto the bed, as far away from him as possible, before slowly drifting to sleep.
Jun Qian Che listens to her movement stealthily. When he takes note of her uniform breathing, he slowly turns around. By now, Mo Qi Qi is already asleep. The great distance separating them displeases him.
Since she refused to get close to him, he can only be the one who reduces that distance.
He quietly scoots over to her. He stares at her, drinking in the details of her face, imprinting her pretty face on his mind.
Even the simple act of looking at her makes him feel as though he is about to lose control. He plants a gentle kiss on her forehead before closing his eyes, wanting to sleep.
She has a certain scent with her. Not the scent of rouge, but the clear, crisp scent that people usually has. He can smell it really clearly now that he is lying so close to her. He likes her scent, it calms him down. He slowly drifts into sleep.
Sleeping next to her tonight allows him to sleep soundly. He has never slept this well, after ascending the throne two years ago.
He was usually busy with politics. Even when the issue at hand has been solved, there were more things for him to worry about, so he usually has a hard time sleeping at night.
At certain nights, when he really cannot sleep, he would open a book and read until he gets sleepy.
However, that is not the case tonight. He is able to sleep well. This can be regarded as the best sleep that Jun Qian Che has ever had for the past 2 years.
The next day, Jun Qian Che wakes up really early. When he sees her sleeping with such an unguarded expression, like a worry-free child, he becomes reluctant to look away.
No wonder his 7th Imperial Uncle fell so hard for her and refused to let go. Not even after she entered the palace and became the Empress. He never knew she is this attractive. He used to avoid her, so he did not really have the chance to look at her properly. Now that he has taken a good look, he finally realized how enchanting she is.
Has his 7th Imperial Uncle seen how attractive she is? A burst of sour feeling suddenly fills his heart. She is his Empress. Only he has the right to see her beauty, no other men can.
It doesn't matter if his 7th Imperial Uncle appreciates her beauty. In the end, he can only yearn for her from afar. He can never obtain her.
Mo Qi Qi, it does not matter how much we hate in each other the past. From now on, zhen will treat you and our child well. Zhen will not let you go.
Jun Qian Che leaves the bed as quietly as possible. He does not wish the wake her. He change into another robe to attend the morning court. He plants a kiss on her forehead, and leaves even though he is reluctant to.
As for Mo Qi Qi, the moment she wakes up, she hesitates over whether or not she should open her eyes. She does not know how to face Jun Qian Che. How awkward would it be?
Even so, she cannot possibly stay this way all day! After quietly persuading herself, she slowly opens one eye. When she realized that she is the only person on the bed, she quickly opens both eyes. She sits up and looks around.
"You are awake, Your Ladyship," Ban Xiang appears in front of her.
Disappointment sweeps over Mo Qi Qi. Although she was afraid of the awkwardness that would ensue if she sees him, not seeing him unexpectedly makes her sad.
Seeing the expression on Mo Qi Qi's face, Ban Xiang curiously looks at her, "What's wrong, Your Ladyship?"
Mo Qi Qi shakes her head, "Nothing."
Ban Xiang laughs teasingly, "Your Ladyship, are you disappointed that His Majesty is not here?"
Mo Qi Qi did not expect the jumpy Ban Xiang would actually see through her. Is she that obvious? She touches her face and pretends to glare at Ban Xiang, "What nonsense! I am glad that Jun Qian Che is not here! Why should I be disappointed? You better mind your words!"
Ban Xiang laughs to herself before changing the topic, "Your Ladyship, didn't you follow Eunuch Xiao Shun Zi to see how His Majesty would deal with those men? How did it end up with you being the one on the dragon bed?" She covers a smile shyly, "His Majesty sure is something. Your Ladyship is pregnant, he should have controlled himself."
Mo Qi Qi's face reddens at that. She knocks on Ban Xiang in the head before scolding her, "What on earth is inside your head? We did not do anything last night. We simply slept on the same bed."
Ban Xiang thought she was merely being shy, so she nodded, "Yes, yes, yes, you did not do anything. Your Ladyship, it is late now. You should get up." It is clear, from her face, that she does not believe that.
Mo Qi Qi opens her mouth to explain herself further, but in the end, decides against it. After all, she is carrying Jun Qian Che's child right now. They have crossed that border long ago. Let other people think what they might.
Mo Qi Qi gets up and returns to Feng Yang Palace with Ban Xiang.
In the meantime, the news of the Empress staying at Yu Jing Palace for the night has spread throughout the Forbidden City. Certain people originally wanted to use this chance to spread the rumor about the Emperor's sexual orientation, but now that the Emperor has kicked those men out and instead lets the Empress stay, the verdict is pretty much clear now. They can no longer use this to discredit the Emperor's reputation.
Ban Xiang originally wanted to persuade the Empress to stay, so she and the Emperor can have breakfast together. The head-strong Mo Qi Qi refuses, so, she gives in.
Jun Qian Che on the other hand, quickly concludes the morning court and rushes back to Yu Jing Palace, hoping to have his breakfast with Mo Qi Qi. Unfortunately, she already left. Disappointment sweeps over him.
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