Vol 7 Chapter 241 – Successfully trapped her mouse

XH 241 - Successfully trapped her mouse

The moment the Emperor spoke of passing down the throne, the Empress had expected him to call for her to have a talk. But she never expected he would finally let go of the possessive feelings he had over her.

In the Emperor's study, without any servants, the pair of husband and wife for nearly seventeen years was going to talk about separation.

"Ling Yi, I can let you go if you wish for it," The Emperor finally approached the main topic after the pleasantries.

His words were expected, but not the lack of possessiveness in his tone. Because of this, the Empress finally looked at his appearance properly for the first time since the last time he had disappointed her. He looked tired and older, his hard edge became softer, giving off a more approachable air.

But the Empress held no sympathy for him when he was only suffering from what he deserved because of his past actions.

Towards his wife's silence, he wore an apologetic expression. "Ling Yi, I have not treated you well all these years and make you unhappy. If you wish to leave, I will make sure you have enough to live comfortably and without disturbance."

His kind words made her feel disgusted instead. Now that he lost his favorite woman, he finally looks at her. But it was too late, not when her heart was already cold.

"I won't leave," the Empress said with a wooden expression. "My children are here, what use would it be if I leave?" Her parents had passed away and her only family were Long Zhu and Long Lian. And the unborn child in her womb.

The Emperor was surprised at her answer. "You can enter the palace anytime you wish to meet the children. No one dares to stop you."

"I wish to stay close to my children." Where she can see them anytime she wanted.

"You can-"

"I am your main wife, your Empress," she cut in and looked straight into his eyes. "I won't leave you, Your Majesty."

Her determined eyes were truly beautiful, and the Emperor wondered when was the last time he looked into her eyes properly. How could he forget this strong, beautiful woman right beside him? His mind told him that she was the perfect wife, but his heart had stupidly remained faithful to Concubine He that loathed him to death, just to rebel against his father.

How childish was he?

"Ling Yi." The Emperor showed his vulnerability before his wife no longer tried to look strong. "I gave you my word that I will treat you very well until the last of my breath."

He does not know the real reason why she insisted on staying with him when he knew her feelings towards him were lukewarm to cold. But this opportunity would allow him the chance to make his amends to his wife, and he swore he will not look at other women again. He does not mind patiently winning back his wife, as they still have years before he would die of old age.

The Emperor's eyes that were previously filled with deep weariness regained some vigor. He inwardly laughed at how he could be influenced by his third son, to start wishing for a peaceful, loving family.

The Emperor was true to his words and quickly sent all his concubines back to their homes, with ample rewards. The concubine that gave birth to the late Crown Prince begged to leave, her previously lively attitude was replaced with depression. Her miscarriage and the death of her son made her unable to stay with the Emperor without driving her insane.

As for Fourth Prince's mother, she wanted to stay to watch over her granddaughter but no longer wish to get involved with the Imperial harem matters.

And so, the Emperor let both his women go, with only the Empress remaining by his side.

Once the news spread out that the Empress will be staying, Long Lian and the servants in the Empress' courtyard were worried about her health, but she acted normally and everyone's worry towards her slowly eased.

Only when the Empress was alone, she would smile slyly to herself, like a cat that successfully trapped her mouse.

Actually, her heart was long frozen from her husband's treatment towards her. She would have chosen to leave if she had not seen his face filled with fear when the Crown Prince directed his sword towards her. She recognized it was pure instinct when he swung his sword to kill his son, and then scared into a blank statue after his mind caught up with his body. But even so, his eyes quickly went to her, checking how she was doing. His worry was genuine, and the ice in her heart slowly melted.

But that was not enough to move her.

Then he surprised her by abolishing the harem, and a tiny seed of possessiveness grew in her heart. With his guilt and fear enveloping his entire soul, he will be tame and compliant, easy to control.

If she had the chance to make him belong only to her, why would she let go?

"Ling Yi, why don't we go to the manor outside the city until our child is born? It's peaceful with fresher air, suitable to recover your body," The Emperor suggested gently, treating her like a bomb that would explode if he handled things wrongly.

"That's fine," The Empress agreed with an indifferent expression but secretly pleased that he always called her by her name lately.

It surprised the Emperor that she would immediately agree. He had thought he would need to coax her a few times before she relented. His face immediately lit up like a bright lantern in the night.

"Then I will tell the servants to arrange!" The Emperor enthusiastically decided.

Long Lian, who was seated beside her parents, asked, "Mother Empress, can Long Lian come along to accompany you?"

The Empress nodded. "You need to rest more to heal your body properly. There's no need to stay beside me all the time when there are servants around."

The Emperor was not happy to have his daughter come along, but since his wife had said so, he swallowed his dissatisfaction. But he will make plans to have his daughter entertain herself when they reach there.

Since Long Lian would be leaving, she decided to inform Xiao Hua, only to be told that Xiao Hua would be leaving as well.

"When will you be leaving?"

"It depends on the Honorable Father. But it should be soon."

Long Lian looked conflicted. "Maybe I should ask Father Emperor to postpone the trip so that I can send you off."

"Don't do that," Xiao Hua quickly shot her plan down. "Sending me off is not important."

"How can I miss sending you off!" Long Lian looked scandalized, but her tone was enough to tell Xiao Hua that her friend would not let this go. "You must be scared to travel to a place you have never been to before!"

"... Ah Lian, do you plan to follow me until I arrive at the Bai land?" Xiao Hua asked suspiciously.

"Of course!"

Xiao Hua: Don't 'of course' me!

"No!" Xiao Hua firmly rejected it. "I would have accepted your kind offer if you had no plans at that time, but you must not postpone your travels! What happens if your mother encounters danger in midway? It would be terrible if you are not there to look after your mother. And also, you need this trip to properly let your body rest! Doctor Bai may have healed your nerves, but not enough rest makes your nerves feel sensitive and tight!"

Of course, she only knew it when Duan XiYing told her, during one of her bored moments that had her let the older woman spy on the palace affairs.

Long Lian's cheeks pinked, feeling pleased with Xiao Hua's concern for her. "I... will listen to you. Xiao Hua, remember to come back to visit me!"

"Come back to visit..." Xiao Hua frowned. "Honorable Father said that Bai family members can only step out for seven days at most. I doubt that I can make the trip back and forth to Guilin within seven days."

"How could this be!" Long Lian cried in dismay before her mind realized something odd. "Hold on, could Xiao Hua remember wrongly? Doctor Bai had stayed in the palace for more than seven days! It's nearly a month then when he decided to stay to wait for the third brother's return, and then his stay extended!"

"...That's true." Xiao Hua recalled.

"Xiao Hua, go and ask Doctor Bai about this matter!" Long Lian suggested excitedly.

"Okay! I will try to ask." Xiao Hua nodded happily.