565 The Secret About the Past 183 (2/2)
”I'll remove the needle and tube for you once the drip is finished,” he insisted.
An Xiaoning nodded in agreement. The pain in her back was still as painful as before and would become excruciating with every slight movement she made.
She was extremely sober and clear-headed, perhaps because her fever had subsided.
”Your Highness, may I ask something of you?”
”What is it?”
”After my wounds are healed and I've recuperated, could you allow me to continue remaining in the Autumn Palace and not chase me away?” An Xiaoning requested, seemingly having guessed his upcoming plans.
”Why do you want to stay here so much? Do you know that some people wish dearly for a chance to leave this place?” he asked.
”No reason, I just want to stay here.”
Tuoba Gucheng nodded and said, ”I can agree to your request but you have to promise me something too.”
”Is it about keeping the miscarriage a secret? I never planned to tell anyone about it from the start.”
”No. I'm not asking you to promise me that,” he negated.
”What is it, then?” she asked in puzzlement, unsure what else there was for her to promise him.
”Share the same room as me at night.”
An Xiaoning stared at him in astonishment. ”Your Highness…”
”Don't be mistaken, I don't have any designs on you. I just want you to guard my room when I'm sleeping at night. You may rest in the day instead of following me around.”
An Xiaoning was rather reluctant to agree since it was much easier to go out at night, unlike in the day where there were many people around.
However, he wanted her to take over the night duties clearly because he felt paranoid and lacked a sense of security ever since the incident.
”Are you unwilling to do so?”
”I wouldn't dare to be. I'll do as you say, Your Highness,” An Xiaoning agreed with a nod.
Tuoba Gucheng removed the needle from her body and pushed the intravenous drip stand to the side before exiting the room.
An Xiaoning got up and locked the door. Just as she was about to go to the bathroom, the surveillance camera in a particular spot on the wall caught her attention. She stepped forward and tiptoed to remove it.
As she stared at the camera in her hand, the only person she could think of behind the act was Tuoba Gucheng. I can't believe he actually put a surveillance camera in my room, she thought to herself.
She scanned her surroundings closely once more and headed to the bathroom to remove her mask, only after ensuring that there were no other cameras.
She opened a fresh pack of beauty serum facial mask and laid it across her face before lying down in the bed again.
An Xiaoning set an alarm and continued to lie in bed, not in the least bit sleepy at all.
She opened her eyes and waited for the facial mask to dry up. She then placed her human skin mask on the headboard and forced herself to sleep.
At four o'clock in the morning, she heard a gentle knocking on the door. ”Who's there?”
”It's me,” a voice answered softly. However, An Xiaoning could recognize it right away. It was Xiao Chi.
She put on the mask and hurriedly opened the door. ”Why did you come at this hour?”
”Young Sir wants you to call him,” he answered, handing her the mobile phone.
An Xiaoning allowed him to enter the room, after which she sat down on the bed again. ”Did he mention what it's about?” she asked while dialing Jin Qingyan's number.
”No.”
Once the call went through, she placed the mobile phone beside her ear and said, ”Hello.”
After a moment of silence, Jin Qingyan answered in an extremely hoarse voice, ”Are you hiding something from me?”
”No.”
”Are you really not?”
”I really am not. Qingyan, what's wrong with your voice?” An Xiaoning asked, seemingly having sensed that he was in low spirits.
Tears streamed down Jin Qingyan's face as he lay on the couch. ”You lied to me. An Xiaoning, how dare you lie to me? Don't you know how well I treat you!?! How could you treat me like this!?!” he snapped.
An Xiaoning quivered in shock, puzzled about why he flew into such an immense rage. Just what did I lie to him about?
Although she did hide her pregnancy from him, she did not lie to him about anything else.
”Qingyan, I really didn't lie to you. Don't you trust me at all?”
”Yeah… I trusted you too much. You were allowed the chance to commit such atrocity, precisely because I trusted you unconditionally. An Xiaoning, you've really let me down greatly,” he hissed, sounding extremely disappointed.