Chapter 226: Is it Love or Grat.i.tude? (1)

Even though the Empress Dowager felt that there was something strange with his words, she was still happy.

Originally, she wanted to bestow him a marriage herself but Gong Jue had unexpectedly loosened his mouth. The Empress Dowager was led away by his words, “That"s what I meant! This matter……just let your Empress Dowager handle this. When people become old, they like to play the matchmaker for their children. But don"t worry, this girl is very good. You will realize it when you see her!”

The Empress Dowager was full of smiles as she finished discussing the matter with Gong Jue. However, the prince remained silent as he listened to her speak; no one knew what he was thinking about.

It"s fine if he meets her, but if an accident occurs during that time, then he just has no luck with women.

Someone he likes?

The Empress"s words made Gong Che reveal a trace of grief.

“Mother Empress, my decision is final regarding this matter. Let"s talk about this after I"ve returned.”

After saying so, Gong Che was prepared to leave, but how could the Empress let him go just like that?

She dismissed the servants and walked in front of Gong Che. The Empress looked at Gong Che with incomparable grief on her face and said:

“I know that Mo-er"s death has left you hearbroken. However, a person can"t come back alive once they"re dead. Sooner or later you will have to get married and have children……”

When the Empress mentioned Gong Yi Mo, Gong Che"s eyes immediately brightened. He said, “Mother Empress, Mo"er isn"t dead! She"s in Jincheng right now!”

His words shocked the Empress: "Gong Yi Mo didn"t die!"

The Empress"s inner heart was in chaos.

No wonder her son had pulled himself together so quickly. It was because Gong Yi Mo didn"t die. And because she survived, her son Che"er……don"t want to marry!

Thinking of this, the Empress"s face wrinkled into an ugly scowl. In terms of relations, she and her royal son owed Gong Yi Mo a lot, but she didn"t want to sacrifice a son to return this favor.

Gong Che"s heart was at peace as he thought of his sister. Just the simple thought of her always left him smiling with a gentle look on his face.

“Mother Empress feels thankful towards Mo"er too, right? Then, you need to keep this a secret…”

The Empress opened her mouth and with much effort, she nodded her head. Right now, she looked at Gong Che and felt it was time to ask him some things.

“Che"er, this Mother Empress knows that you feel very thankful towards Gong Yi Mo, that"s normal. But…sometimes, people can"t confuse grat.i.tude and romantic feelings as one…do you understand what I"m saying?”

When Gong Che heard what the Empress had said, his expression dimmed. When he"s not smiling, the expression he used to look at other people was gloomy. This was the first time he was like this since he had recovered from his illness.

“What does Mother Empress mean?”

The Empress was forced to retreat a few steps when she saw his expression. She sat on the phoenix seat, her expression was dignified and imposing but it took awhile for her to speak again in a soft voice.

“Do you not understand…what Mother Empress is trying to say?”

Gong Che straightened his back and looked directly at the Empress, softly shaking his head.

“I don"t understand.”

“Che"er!” The Empress supported her head and sighed, “You! Did you end up liking Gong Yi Mo?!”

Gong Che had imagined many different scenarios that would unfold when he told her the truth. He had also come up with countless responses towards her questioning. But now, Gong Che was finally relieved.

He didn"t even think about it before he nodded his head and replied, “Yes.”

Gong Che thought that his response might not be clear enough, so he added, “I like her.”

As if this wasn"t shocking enough, every time he thought about Gong Yi Mo"s laughing and angry face, he always felt happy. His expression softened and his voice was full of tenderness and sweetness.

“Perhaps the word "like" isn"t accurate……I love her!”

When he finished saying this, he raised his head to look at the Empress"s expression as though he was looking forward to her approval.

Even though she had long prepared for this, when she heard him actually say this, the Empress felt that even the Heavens were about the collapse!