618 The Secret About the Past 236 (1/2)
Keeping his eyes fixed on her face, Tuoba Gucheng asked, ”Are you angry because the Princess Consort is pregnant?”
Um, what?
An Xiaoning could not fathom how silly he was. Does he seriously think that I'm leaving because I'm jealous?
”I'm afraid you're mistaken, Your Highness. The Princess Consort's pregnancy is an extremely joyous piece of news worth celebrating. How could I possibly be upset about that?” An Xiaoning answered calmly.
”I'm not allowing you to leave,” said Tuoba Gucheng.
Greatly taken aback by his answer, An Xiaoning said, ”Your Highness, I'm not the only bodyguard in the palace. There are thousands of people waiting in line to be your bodyguard. You don't have to worry about a shortage of manpower.”
”Who said I was worried about that?”
Not wanting to discuss that matter again, An Xiaoning said, ”I've already made up my mind. Please grant me my wishes, Your Highness.”
”Mu Ning…”
An Xiaoning looked at him earnestly and said, ”You once mentioned that you would protect me as far as possible. However, I don't need you to do that. All I'm asking is for you to fulfill this one wish of mine, that is, to allow me to resign and live life the way I want.”
”Forget about it, I'll never agree.” Tuoba Gucheng left as soon as he finished speaking.
An Xiaoning was filled with dismay, not expecting him to be such a tough nut to crack.
He's not allowing her to resign?
Although it was a tall order to leave the Autumn Palace, it was not entirely impossible.
An Xiaoning exited from the room, after which the bodyguards began bombarding her with questions.
”What did His Highness say to you?”
”Oh, it's nothing.”
”Did he forbid you from leaving?”
”How is it any of your business?” An Xiaoning hissed, rolling her eyes at them. She then turned around and made her way upstairs with her luggage.
She locked the door from the inside once she entered her room.
She knew that Tuoba Gucheng would definitely hand down instructions to the guards to forbid her from leaving the Autumn Palace.
An Xiaoning opened her luggage again and took all her important belongings and valuables with her, planning to leave her clothes and shoes in the room.
She initially thought that she could leave as soon as she informed him of her resignation.
Yet, to her astonishment, he did not allow it.
Seemed like she had no choice but to come up with another solution.
Thus, An Xiaoning decided to go on a strike, though her efforts were futile.
Tuoba Gucheng still knocked on her door to get her to come out, nonetheless.
She did not bother changing into the bodyguard's uniform. Instead, she just put on a pair of trainers and followed Tuoba Gucheng around.
”Are you really that reluctant to follow me?”
”Yes,” An Xiaoning answered without hesitation. Contrary to her expectations, he did not get angry and instead chuckled.
”You still have to continue working for me even if you're unwilling to. Doesn't this feel horrible? Forget about trying to escape. It's impossible. I've already instructed all the guards,” said Tuoba Gucheng.
An Xiaoning felt like she was choking and at a loss for words. ”Why are you acting this way, Your Highness?”
”No reason. I'm just used to having you as my bodyguard. I don't want someone else following me around,” he answered, looking in front.
”It's only been a few months, what do you mean you're already used to it?”
”I just am. So, be obedient and stay by my side. I'll be doubling your wage, what do you think of that?”
”I want to go out of the palace.”
”I'll pay you triple of your current wage.”
”…”
She could not communicate with him at all.
Noticing that she was remaining quiet, he said, ”I won't be so distant and cold toward you again. So don't leave.”
An Xiaoning did not answer him, making him think that her silence meant consent.
In reality, An Xiaoning had actually thought of another solution to leave the Autumn Palace at that very moment.
There was a large lake that connected the palace to the rest of the city. However, that was precisely the reason why there were also guards around the area to prevent trespassers from entering.
There must be a barrier in the lake.
However, An Xiaoning found no harm in giving it a try.
By evening, she had already prepared a snorkeling tube and several other tools, in a bid to leave via the lake.