To tell the truth, the Empress herself wasn't very clear on the matter. She also only heard about it after she was picked up by the Liu family. However, she was clear that she couldn't tell some things to her son at the moment. Otherwise, with his weak body, he wouldn't be able to take the shock.
She first shared some good news such as the fact that the people who plotted against him were exposed and he was pardoned. The Emperor also took pity on him since he was injured and released her, Gong Che's mother, from the temple.
The Grand Canal was also opened and so on...
But even if she said some unimportant things to say, it was also very dangerous. When Gong Che heard that he was escorted the whole way by Gong Yi Mo, from Huaihe River back to the capital, he couldn't resist any longer and asked what was bugging him.
"Imperial Mother, where's Mo'er? Why... isn't she here?"
Could it be that she was really tired? But didn't they say that they were already back for seven days now?
The Empress didn't know the best way to break the news. After all, this thing was blown up to such a level, there was no way she could hide it. However, she didn't dare to mention it and brushed the topic aside, saying that Gong Yi Mo went out of the palace. Afterwards, she made an excuse and exited.
There was an older woman who served as a confidante to the Empress named Shui Xian. She walked in softly and quietly with her head lowered, afraid to meet Gong Che's eyes as she fed him his medicine.
At this moment, Gong Che suddenly smiled.
He was beautiful from birth and also a gentle person. This smile caused others to be shocked.
"Aunt Shui Xian, Imperial Mother said that Princess is with Imperial Father. Why isn't she coming over?"
When he spoke, Shui Xian lurched, unaware that she spilled the medicine. The normally unnoticeable wrinkles on her face suddenly became prominent as she frowned deeply.
Gong Che didn't notice anything strange about her demeanor, and instead laughed, "I feel much better today. Can I bother Aunt Shui Xian to call her over?"
He really... wanted to see her!
But when he finished speaking, Shui Xian quickly held the medicine bowl and knelt, shuddering. Since she didn't know what the Empress told him, she could only remain silent lest she say something wrong.
Her actions caused Gong Che's heart to freeze. A thought he didn't dare think rose up in his mind.
His face paled and forcefully smiled, "What is Aunt Shui Xian doing? Where's Mo'er?" His last few words were spoken quietly, his voice trembling.
Shui Xian's entire body was tense, her forehead breaking out in cold sweat. She silently knelt there, unsure how to break the news to him. If she told the truth, she was afraid that Gong Che's body would not be able to take the shock. That would be really damning her to high hell!
"What is Aunt doing?"
Gong Che finally couldn't maintain his smiling face and questioned word by word.
"Where's Mo'er?"
Shui Xian whispered, "This slave... doesn't know..."
Gong Che seemed to be relieved as he smiled, "Quickly get up, Aunt. Look at you, you don't need to be so nervous just because you don't know where Mo'er is."
Shui Xian almost broke out in tears. At this time, the uneasy Empress came back. She looked at the situation and sighed, waved her hand and sent Shui Xian away. Shui Xian was relieved and quickly retreated.
Gong Che looked at his mother deeply, as if trying to see through all her secrets.
"Imperial Mother, what was wrong with Shui Xian? I was just asking her to pass on a line, why was she so scared?"
Empress Liu revealed a mournful expression at his words. She sat at the head of Gong Che's bed, thought a while, opening her mouth as if she wanted to say something. In the end, she sighed.
"My son... if Imperial Mother tells you, you must promise me that you will be good!"