Chapter 1184: The Princess Consort Whose Memories Were Altered (59)

The ruler of Chen Kingdom was so excited that the fat on his body trembled. Cupping his hands, he gratefully said, "Then I must thank the Emperor of Southern Shu. Exchanging one beauty for countless treasures—Your Majesty truly is a wise ruler."

Afraid that Shangguan Yi might change his mind, he immediately ordered his men to carry all of the treasures into the palace and present them.

During the process, the ministers objected one after another. Minister Tang Yanxin even knelt on the ground without rising, yet he still could not change Shangguan Yi's mind. In the end, Shangguan Yi had people drag him out.

All this while, he had been observing Shangguan Jing's expression. Seeing the pain on his younger brother's face, Shangguan Yi actually felt a sense of satisfaction.

It seemed that his dear younger brother wasn't nearly as indifferent toward Princess Consort Jing as he pretended to be.

Since Shangguan Jing had stolen his Jiao Fei, then he would give away the other's princess consort, sending her off like a commodity in exchange for mountains of treasure. It truly was a wise decision.

Suddenly, he sensed a gaze upon him and instinctively looked over. Tang Guo was quietly staring at him with eyes filled with confusion and sorrow.

Those eyes caused his heart to constrict for no reason, leaving him deeply uncomfortable.

For a brief moment, he actually regretted it.

In truth, she had been good.

He recalled how, during these days, he often listened to her zither playing, ate the snacks she prepared, and slept each night on the herbal pillow she had sewn herself. So many things around him had been carefully made and arranged by her.

But he quickly cast those thoughts aside.

He was the emperor. What kind of person couldn't he have?

She had only tried to please him because he was the emperor.

The one he loved was Jiao Fei, not her.

With the women of the world at his disposal, was it possible that he wouldn't find another woman like her in the future?

Perhaps he could even find someone better.

He shifted his gaze away and refused to look at her again, accepting the toasts of the foreign envoys.

And through it all, she didn't say a single word.

She merely looked at him quietly for a while. In the end, those beautiful eyes became dull and lifeless, devoid of even a trace of vitality. The phrase "heart turned to ashes" could hardly have described her state more aptly.

Yan Huo's eyes turned bloodshot, and he nearly rushed forward.

But he knew that charging out now would accomplish nothing. He wouldn't be able to save her or take her away.

All he could do was clench his fists tightly, his eyes never leaving her for even a moment, terrified that something might happen to her.

Shangguan Jing was equally distracted. Yet he dared not look at her and could only keep drinking cup after cup of wine.

After presenting the treasures to Shangguan Yi, the ruler of Chen Kingdom swallowed hard and asked, "Your Majesty of Southern Shu, may I now take this greatest beauty with me?"

Shangguan Yi froze. His eyes instinctively drifted toward Tang Guo, who stood motionless. After a moment of silence, he said, "Consort Jiao, you now belong to the ruler of Chen Kingdom. Go with him."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Hearing her lifeless voice, Shangguan Yi found himself at a loss for words.

Her voice had once been soft and pleasing, and those eyes of hers had always shone with a captivating brilliance when one least expected it.

Now, all of it was gone.

She had become like stagnant water, incapable of producing even the slightest ripple, so quiet she resembled a corpse.

Tang Guo followed the ruler of Chen Kingdom, expressionless as she walked by his side. With so many people present, the ruler of Chen Kingdom naturally didn't dare do anything improper to her in public.

Having obtained such a beauty, he wasn't in any hurry. If he angered the people of Southern Shu, the gains would hardly outweigh the losses.

Seeing this, Yan Huo picked up a wine jug and cup and approached the ruler of Chen Kingdom.

"King Chen, congratulations."

"Lord Yan from Northern Yan?" The ruler of Chen Kingdom was pleasantly surprised. "An envoy from Northern Yan!"

Immediately, he enthusiastically ordered someone to bring over another seat.