Chapter 1164: The Princess Consort Whose Memories Were Altered (39)

When Tang Guo headed toward the kitchen to prepare some side dishes, Shangguan Jing stopped her. “This prince invited a chef from the north yesterday. There is no need for the Princess Consort to trouble herself with preparing the meal today. Let that chef handle it.”

He added, “You've been the one preparing meals every day. I fear it's too exhausting for you. If the chef's skills are satisfactory, then in the future, Princess Consort, you needn't enter the kitchen anymore.”

Though he said so, a trace of reluctance rose in his heart.

This enormous Prince Jing's Manor had always been managed by the virtuous woman before him. Every day, the dishes he ate had been personally prepared by her. They were delicious and exquisite—how could any ordinary chef compare?

“Your Highness has become accustomed to the dishes I make every day,” Tang Guo replied. “How about I prepare just two dishes? In case the chef's cooking doesn't suit Your Highness's taste.”

Recalling the flavor of her cooking, Shangguan Jing nodded. “Very well. But only two dishes.”

He thought to himself that Tang Guo would naturally make his favorite dishes, while the chef had been instructed to prepare dishes according to Tang Guo's and Tang Jiao's preferences. Both women would surely eat them, and with the fine wine he had prepared, they would certainly fall into the trap.

Daoist Yang was already waiting in a specially prepared room. All that remained was for the two women to lose consciousness so that their memories could be exchanged.

Before sunset, “Consort Jiao” would be sent back to the palace, and from then on, he could spend his life together with the real Jiao'er.

Thinking of this, he suppressed the slight discomfort in his heart, and his mood became exceedingly pleasant. From time to time, he even exchanged a few words with Tang Jiao, though he carefully avoided expressing his feelings too openly.

Things had already reached this point. He could afford to wait. There was no need to rush and ruin everything.

Tang Guo prepared two of Shangguan Jing's favorite dishes before leaving the kitchen.

As for the chef, having received his instructions, he prepared only dishes favored by Tang Guo and Tang Jiao. Aside from a few designated dishes, all the others had been laced with something.

When the dishes were served, Tang Guo and Tang Jiao cooperated perfectly with Shangguan Jing, eating the food without suspicion. However, neither of them showed any intention of drinking the wine for the time being.

Shangguan Jing did not appear anxious. He quietly ate the two dishes placed before him—both made by Tang Guo.

They were exceptionally delicious.

After tonight, he would never taste them again.

Without realizing it, he ate slowly, chewing each bite with unusual care.

“Your Highness, is today's cooking not to your liking?” Tang Guo asked. “If so, perhaps you should eat the dishes prepared by the chef instead.”

Hearing her voice, Shangguan Jing raised his head and saw that her cheeks were slightly flushed, her expression tinged with disappointment, as though she were upset that her cooking had fallen short and failed to satisfy him.

He froze for a moment before regaining his senses. “No. They're excellent. The dishes prepared by the Princess Consort have always been excellent—better than the chef's. I merely feel that two dishes are too few, so I couldn't help but savor them slowly. I'm afraid… afraid that once I finish them, I may never taste them again.”

“How could that be?” she replied in an innocent tone. “As long as Your Highness wishes to eat them, I can make them for you whenever you want.”

Listening to her simple words, Shangguan Jing felt a heaviness in his chest and said, “I know. Princess Consort, you are truly a good woman.”

Yes, she was indeed good.

Aside from being somewhat foolish and treating her husband as her entire world, believing whatever he said, she was flawless in every regard.

But what he wanted was not her goodness.

No matter how good she was, it had nothing to do with him.

He only hoped that after today, she would live peacefully in the imperial palace for the rest of her life.

There, she would be one of the Emperor's consorts, a noble lady of the harem. Naturally, she would no longer need to prepare such dishes. Her days could simply be spent teasing cats and admiring flowers.

She would no longer have to labor for Prince Jing's Manor, nor would she need to do so many meaningless things in order to please him and earn his affection.

“Princess Consort,” Shangguan Jing suddenly said, lifting his cup, “this prince wishes to offer you a toast.”