Chapter 1141: The Princess Consort Whose Memories Were Altered (16)

“My concubine is fine. I was simply absorbed in studying the game and lost track of myself,” Tang Jiao replied hurriedly. After answering, she even smiled at Shangguan Yi.

Shangguan Yi relaxed slightly and held her hand, concern evident in his voice. “If you're feeling unwell, I’ll have someone escort you back.”

“Mhm.”

The loving scene between the two pierced Shangguan Jing’s eyes like needles. A faint smile remained on his face, but the fist hidden within his sleeve clenched so tightly that his joints crackled audibly.

What hurt him even more was that Tang Jiao never once looked his way.

Clearly, the three of them had first met together. Back then, Jiao’er had been carefree and unconstrained, and her favorite thing had been exchanging poems and witty verses with him.

Now that his imperial brother had made her Consort Jiao, every movement and word of hers had become restrained. He hated seeing her trapped in those rigid rules and etiquette.

Those palace walls would only grind away the spirit and brilliance within Jiao’er. He would never allow such beauty to disappear.

Jiao’er loved freedom. One day, he would take her away from these walls. Then she could be as she had been before.

She could go wherever she pleased and say whatever she wished, no longer forced to observe these suffocating rules.

“Prince Jing?”

Shangguan Yi’s voice snapped Shangguan Jing out of his thoughts. He immediately answered, “Imperial Brother, your subject is here.”

“How are things between you and your Princess Consort?”

As he asked the question, Shangguan Yi carefully observed both Shangguan Jing and Tang Jiao. During their lengthy game earlier, Consort Jiao had paid no attention to Prince Jing, and Prince Jing himself no longer seemed to harbor those feelings for her.

The realization greatly eased his mind. Even though Shangguan Jing was his younger brother, he still disliked the thought of his own woman being constantly held in another man’s heart.

Consort Jiao’s lively and spirited nature was precisely what he adored.

In this dull and oppressive palace, it was fortunate that he had such a clever and mischievous woman by his side. She made everything more interesting.

“Very well,” Shangguan Jing answered calmly.

Wasn’t it very well indeed? That woman behaved according to every rule and never crossed the slightest line. No one could find fault with her.

He had to admit that such a woman was an excellent manager of a household.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t what he wanted.

“I heard that ever since the Princess Consort entered Prince Jing’s residence, the entire manor has changed dramatically. Even the shops under your name have been completely revitalized, and their profits have multiplied several times compared to before.”

Shangguan Yi spoke cheerfully, believing he had made a brilliant move.

Tang Guo and Tang Jiao were twin sisters with identical appearances.

He had set his eyes on Tang Jiao, and Prince Jing had done the same.

After conferring the title of Consort Jiao upon Tang Jiao, he knew Shangguan Jing would inevitably feel dissatisfied. Since Tang Jiao’s twin sister looked exactly the same, he had simply arranged a marriage between Tang Guo and Prince Jing, making her his Princess Consort.

It truly had seemed the best of both worlds.

According to reports from every side, this Princess Jing was exceptionally capable.

Not only did she manage all the affairs within the residence with ease, but she also came up with new ideas that increased the manor’s income.

Such a good woman was something other noble families could only dream of obtaining.

The slight guilt in his heart had long since disappeared. With such an outstanding Princess Consort, surely Prince Jing would gradually forget that special affection he once held for Consort Jiao.

“It is indeed as Your Majesty says.”

“Then Prince Jing truly is blessed. Even I am somewhat envious,” Shangguan Yi remarked casually, fully believing that Shangguan Jing was satisfied with this arrangement.

Shangguan Jing lowered his head and pressed his lips together. For a moment, he nearly blurted out—

If you’re so envious, why didn’t you take Tang Guo as your consort and grant Tang Jiao to me instead?

Of course, though the words reached the tip of his tongue, he dared not speak them aloud.

In the end, he said nothing at all, answering only with silence.