Chapter 1162: The Princess Consort Whose Memories Were Altered (37)

“Very well.”

Tang Guo’s voice pulled Shangguan Jing out of his wandering thoughts.

The thoughts he had just entertained made him laugh inwardly. Had he not always disliked her proper, noble-lady demeanor? Yet in that brief moment, he had unconsciously praised her in his heart, and for such a short span of time, he had even forgotten about his beloved Jiao’er.

He should not have. Truly, he should not have.

Tang Guo followed Shangguan Jing back into the carriage, and it soon carried them away to another destination.

As the carriage departed, the scholars who had gathered nearby could not help but feel a sense of loss.

“So close… just a little bit more…”

One of the scholars who had been painting shook his head regretfully. “Now that she’s gone, I fear I can’t finish this painting. The most captivating part of a beauty lies in her eyes.”

“Her gaze is far too complex, unforgettable even, but without her before me, no matter how I paint it, something always feels wrong.”

Staring in the direction where the carriage had disappeared, the scholar sighed. “There was joy in them, but also sorrow. A trace of bitterness as well. Yet I could tell there was something else hidden in those eyes. What a pity.”

Sorrow? Bitterness?

Yan Huo was utterly puzzled.

Just now, he had only dared steal glances at the woman from afar. She had been facing the lake, while he stood slightly behind and to the side, allowing him to admire her exquisite profile but leaving him unable to see her eyes.

He only remembered that the last time he had seen the young Princess Consort of Prince Jing, she had been radiant and self-assured, without the slightest trace of sadness, much less bitterness.

Thus, when he learned that she was Prince Jing’s Consort, he had felt profound regret. A woman capable of displaying such a dazzling side of herself must surely have been living happily in Prince Jing’s Manor.

Yet now, hearing the scholars discussing her expression, he found himself confused.

“Master, why didn’t you go over and greet the Princess Consort just now? She should still remember you.”

Yan Huo’s subordinate could not understand. His master had clearly never forgotten the Princess Consort.

Knowing her identity and choosing not to pursue her was understandable. Their master was an upright gentleman and disdained becoming a shameless seducer who coveted another man’s wife.

But surely exchanging a few greetings and asking after her well-being would have been harmless.

The customs among the various kingdoms were rather open-minded these days. Speaking a few words to each other could at least serve as some comfort.

Yan Huo smiled and shook his head. “She is Prince Jing’s Consort. What would it mean if I approached her? Prince Jing himself was right beside her. If he misunderstood, she would only be burdened with endless trouble.”

“Master truly conducts himself honorably and uprightly.”

Yan Huo murmured softly, “But my thoughts are not so upright. If I saw her often enough, it would become difficult to remain proper.”

His subordinate was left somewhat bewildered.

Their master really was astonishingly straightforward.

“So this is what it feels like to like someone.” Yan Huo chuckled quietly. “If I had gone over, my eyes would have betrayed me and stayed on her. Prince Jing is an exceptionally perceptive man. With one glance, he would have understood my thoughts as another man. And since I know her, Prince Jing might say nothing openly, but once they returned to the manor, she would be plagued by trouble.”

“My feelings for her are merely my own selfish desire. We have no fate together. For her sake, it is enough for me to watch from afar. There is no need to approach her and create unnecessary troubles for both of us, disturbing the peaceful life she now has.”

“Master is truly a gentleman among gentlemen.”

Yan Huo laughed inwardly. He was no true gentleman.

He simply could not bear to see her suffer.

She was Prince Jing’s Consort. If he failed to restrain his actions and his feelings, she would endure endless grievances. She could have lived her entire life peacefully, but because of his appearance, everything she possessed would be ruined.