Chapter 1132: The Princess Consort Whose Memories Were Altered (7)

“Why does it taste different from before?” Shangguan Jing asked, turning to glance at the steward. “Has one of the cooks taken leave?”

The steward found it somewhat amusing. Secretly shooting Tang Guo a glance, he replied, “No cook has taken leave, Your Highness.”

“Then why does it taste different?” Shangguan Jing said in confusion. “This prince remembers that the dishes at noon tasted the same as usual.”

Compared to what he had eaten over the past six months, the bite he had just taken was worlds apart.

The steward stammered, “Your Highness, this… this…”

Seeing his hesitation, Shangguan Jing's expression darkened. “Speak. What is going on?”

“Your Highness, please do not blame the steward,” Tang Guo interjected softly as she rose to her feet with a graceful smile. “This afternoon, your concubine was unable to cook in time, so I had the kitchen prepare some dishes Your Highness likes. It is my fault.”

“If Your Highness doesn't mind waiting, I shall immediately prepare a few dishes.”

Before Shangguan Jing could answer, she turned and headed toward the kitchen with her maids.

Shangguan Jing froze in place, unable to react for a moment. It wasn't until her figure disappeared that he coldly called out to the steward, his face dark.

“What exactly is going on? Explain yourself.”

The steward inwardly sighed and had no choice but to tell him that since the second day after entering the manor, the Princess Consort had personally been preparing meals for him.

Naturally, he also added that the Princess Consort had never intended to seek favor. It was simply because her mother had taught her that after marriage, a woman should follow her husband and prepare meals for him as a matter of course.

“If the Princess Consort truly intended to win Your Highness's favor, she wouldn't have waited half a year. Today, she simply spent the afternoon playing chess with Your Highness and didn't have time to prepare the meals.”

“Your Highness mustn't blame the Princess Consort. In these six months, she has always conducted herself properly and has never overstepped her place.”

Shangguan Jing frowned. “I know.”

He wasn't a fool.

If this Princess Consort had really intended to seduce him, she would have acted long ago. Today alone, she had countless opportunities.

But she hadn't.

When discussing painting, she spoke only of painting. While playing chess, she focused solely on the game. Her eyes never wandered.

The eldest daughter of the Tang family truly was the embodiment of a noble lady. There was no doubting it.

The steward breathed a sigh of relief. The Princess Consort was such a good person; it would have been unfair if she were misunderstood over this.

Yet Shangguan Jing still felt something was off.

“Are you hiding anything else from this prince?”

The steward dared not conceal anything further and hurriedly answered, “Aside from Your Highness's meals, your shoes, socks, clothes, and sachets are all made by the Princess Consort.”

Then, looking at Shangguan Jing expectantly, he added, “And Your Highness's daily snacks as well.”

“The new tea purchased for the manor was personally selected by the Princess Consort.”

“Anything else?”

Shangguan Jing rubbed his forehead. This Princess Consort truly was adept at managing a household. He had long heard that many noble matriarchs had wanted her as a daughter-in-law.

“Your Highness's brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones—anything that needs regular replenishing—is personally selected and prepared by the Princess Consort.”

Shangguan Jing sat there silently and unconsciously touched the cuff of his sleeve.

No wonder.

For the past six months, whether his inner garments or outer robes, everything had fit so comfortably. Even the embroidery on his clothes possessed an elegant uniqueness.

His hand drifted to the sachet hanging from his waist, and he fell into a daze.

“She prepared all these things… did she ever say anything?”

“The Princess Consort never said a word,” the steward replied.

“Come with this prince to the kitchen.”

Shangguan Jing found that woman incredibly strange.

How could there be someone so good?

He had neglected her from the beginning.

They had never truly lived together as husband and wife.

And yet she had willingly prepared all of these things for him.

Was there something wrong with her head?