Chapter 871: The Young Empress (8)

Nanyun Chuan's smile was flattering without being excessive, graceful without seeming forced.

There were probably very few women who would dislike a man like him.

Tang Guo smiled faintly.

“That's good. What I actually meant is that if you miss your family, I can permit you to leave the palace for two days.”

Mm.

Plenty of time for you all to exchange information, pass messages, and discuss your plans.

“Does Your Majesty like flowers?” Nanyun Chuan suddenly asked.

Pointing toward a blossom in full bloom, he said with a smile, “Your Majesty's beauty is much like this flower. No, actually, Your Majesty is even more beautiful. And unlike flowers, whose blooming season eventually ends, Your Majesty's beauty will never fade. In Yunchuan's heart, Your Majesty will remain this beautiful forever.”

The System immediately exploded.

【Aaaaah! Host, this guy really is slick-tongued! Even his compliments are dripping with grease!】

Tang Guo glanced at the flower.

It was a vibrant red rose.

Calmly, she replied, “It's all right. But compared to flowers, I prefer flower tea.”

Even Nanyun Chuan, who had carefully prepared countless sweet words beforehand, was momentarily silenced.

He was complimenting her.

Telling her she was more beautiful than a flower.

That her beauty would outlast any bloom.

Yet the Empress's focus was astonishingly strange.

She had somehow managed to turn the conversation toward flower tea.

Still, Nanyun Chuan recovered quickly.

Letting out a bright laugh, he said, “What a coincidence. Yunchuan happens to know a few tricks when it comes to brewing flower tea. If Your Majesty ever has time, perhaps you could visit my residence. I would be honored to prepare a cup for you personally.”

“Very well.”

Tang Guo answered lightly.

Then she immediately steered the topic back to visiting his family.

“Yunchuan, do you miss home? Whenever you wish to return, simply send word to me.”

After a brief pause, she continued,

“Select a few pieces of jade to bring back as well. Consider them gifts for your father.”

Nanyun Chuan genuinely had not expected Tang Guo to be serious about allowing him to visit home.

For men like them, entering the palace generally meant abandoning any hope of returning to their families.

Yet today, the Empress herself was offering him permission to go home.

Was it sincerity?

Or a test?

“Your Majesty... Yunchuan...”

“You don't wish to go?” Tang Guo's gaze rested on him thoughtfully.

“I don't believe anyone can truly stop missing home.”

She spoke as though merely recalling something casually.

“Some time ago, Minister Nan mentioned that your father's health has not been very good recently. Do you truly not wish to visit him?”

“While you're there, I'll have some medicinal herbs prepared as well. You can bring them back together.”

Nanyun Chuan froze.

His father's health truly had been poor lately.

At that moment, he had no room left for suspicion.

Immediately, he bent into a deep ninety-degree bow.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

This expression of gratitude sounded far more sincere than any of his earlier words.

The corners of Tang Guo's lips curved slightly.

Fortunately for her, Nanyun Chuan failed to notice the deep amusement hidden within her eyes.

Inside, he felt a surge of excitement.

It had been a long time since he entered the palace.

At last, he would be able to see his father again.

The only thing he worried about was his father's health.

In fact, his father was precisely why he had resolved to overthrow this nation ruled by women.

His father came from a humble family.

From childhood, he had been raised as a delicate and fragile male.

Later, he had been sent to Nanyun Chuan's mother almost as one might present a toy.

Growing up, his father repeatedly taught him one lesson:

Never lose the pride and dignity of being a man.

His mother had never valued his father.

To her, he had been little more than a plaything.

Life within the residence had not been easy for him.

However, after Nanyun Chuan successfully gained the Empress's favor, his mother's attitude improved somewhat.

For the sake of preserving appearances before the Empress, she treated his father far better than before.

As these thoughts passed through his mind, Nanyun Chuan found himself dwelling on his father once again.

And just as quickly, whatever gratitude he had felt toward Tang Guo vanished.

No matter how kindly the Empress treated him...

He would still overthrow this nation.

And one day—

He would personally kill her.