Chapter 1169: The Princess Consort Whose Memories Were Altered (44)

“It must be because the Princess Consort has overworked herself and needs proper rest,” Shangguan Jing explained patiently.

Tang Jiao believed him. “Your Highness would never deceive me. Then this concubine will make clothes and shoes for you instead.”

The results were self-evident. The clothes she sewed were crooked and uneven, the shoes were completely unwearable, and the socks were uncomfortable to put on. Even the exquisite embroidery that should have adorned them became unrecognizable in her hands.

In the end, Shangguan Jing himself could not bear to look at it any longer and stopped her from continuing her efforts.

Whenever Tang Jiao did something that did not match the memories she possessed, Shangguan Jing would always come up with an excuse to cover it up.

Eventually, Tang Jiao rediscovered the things she excelled at. One day, she said happily to Shangguan Jing, “Your Highness, it seems that from now on, these are the only things I can do—writing poetry, painting, calligraphy, and playing chess. I don't understand why all the things I used to know suddenly became impossible.”

“Then the Princess Consort shall focus on those things in the future,” Shangguan Jing replied. “As for everything else, there are servants to handle them. How could this prince allow the Princess Consort to tire herself?”

“Your Highness won't mind?”

“Of course not.”

Two days later, Tang Jiao discovered a new interest. She began collecting jade ornaments and buying beautiful gold and silver jewelry.

She loved landscapes and refined poetry and paintings, and as a woman, she naturally adored exquisite accessories.

Shangguan Jing treasured her like a jewel. Whatever she wanted, he would give her. Since entering the manor, Tang Jiao had never once thought of taking charge of the household.

When the servants began finding the Princess Consort strange, Shangguan Jing, fearing that her identity would be exposed, replaced nearly everyone in the manor.

Aside from his trusted aides and the steward, everyone else was new and knew nothing of Tang Jiao's true temperament.

Meanwhile, without Tang Guo managing the businesses, the shops under Prince Jing's name gradually began to decline.

Shangguan Jing was so occupied with seeking out rare and curious treasures to please Tang Jiao that he had little time to concern himself with anything else.

The steward could no longer bear it. One day, while Shangguan Jing was in the study, he could not help but speak up.

“Your Highness…”

“What is it?” Shangguan Jing looked up. “Has the Princess Consort taken a fancy to some new trinket again?”

The steward sighed. “Your Highness, ever since the Princess Consort… left, the shops under Prince Jing's Manor have not been as profitable as before. Shouldn't Your Highness take a look?”

“So it's that.” Shangguan Jing dismissed it carelessly. “Even if they're not as profitable, they'll simply return to how they were before. Steward, do you perhaps hold some dissatisfaction toward this prince? Do you think I shouldn't have sent her away?”

The steward parted his lips before finally saying, “Your Highness, the Princess Consort was sincere toward you. She was a truly good woman.”

Look at Prince Jing's Manor now. The Princess Consort had been gone for less than ten days, and everything had already changed beyond recognition. If she had still been here, would things have become like this?

The Princess Consort had been kind and gentle.

His Highness had once said it himself—the Princess Consort was a little foolish.

And indeed, if she had not been foolish, she would never have been sent away.

Daoist Yang had exchanged their memories, and the Princess Consort's memories had been altered irreversibly. Things had reached this stage, and nothing could be changed anymore.

All that remained in the steward's heart was regret.

Seeing Shangguan Jing's indifferent expression, he swallowed the words hidden in his heart and no longer wished to speak them.

As Tang Jiao settled into life at the manor, her true nature gradually emerged.

The role she played was that of a noble young lady who knew nothing of hardship, spending her days composing poetry and living in an idealized world.

This character did not understand love.

She only knew how to receive the love of others.

Whatever she wanted, she demanded.

Bit by bit, she naturally brought this temperament to life.