Chapter 872: The Young Empress (9)

If anyone was to blame, it could only be because she was the Empress of the Western Sacred Kingdom.

The Empress of the Western Sacred Kingdom was destined to become a sacrifice in this struggle.

“Yunchuan, you've drifted off.”

Nanyun Chuan was startled awake by Tang Guo's calm voice, one from which he could discern neither pleasure nor displeasure.

How could he afford to lose focus at a moment like this?

He immediately bowed his head in apology.

“Your Majesty, please forgive me. Yunchuan was at fault.”

“It doesn't matter.”

Tang Guo's tone remained gentle.

“You were thinking about your father, weren't you? I understand. I often find myself missing my own Imperial Mother as well.”

Nanyun Chuan smiled faintly.

“Thank you for Your Majesty's understanding.”

After that, he continued accompanying Tang Guo through the Imperial Garden.

Throughout their walk, Tang Guo's words carried unmistakable concern and regard for him.

The steady warmth hidden beneath her calm demeanor nearly unsettled Nanyun Chuan's mind.

He was supposed to be the one deceiving the Empress.

So why was he the one being affected?

Especially those eyes of hers.

When facing others, they carried dignity and authority.

But when she looked at him, they were focused and sincere.

A faint smile often lingered within them.

Whenever he spoke of his own past, her eyes even seemed to brighten slightly.

Nanyun Chuan was no fool.

On the contrary, he was exceptionally intelligent.

Faced with such intimate behavior, he found himself forced to believe that the Empress had genuinely fallen for him.

Otherwise, how could an emperor—or in this case, an empress—show such expressions to someone?

Excitement stirred in his heart.

The Empress had fallen for him.

The plan was progressing even faster than he had anticipated.

Then again, she was only fifteen years old.

Just a young girl.

She might be capable of governing the nation flawlessly, but when it came to matters of the heart, she was still a blank slate.

He had invested so much effort.

If he had failed to move her, then something would have been seriously wrong with her.

Tang Guo noticed the contemplation and excitement hidden within Nanyun Chuan's eyes.

The corners of her lips lifted slightly.

Be proud.

Enjoy it while you can.

Soon enough, you'll learn what it means to become blinded by success.

And what it means to capsize in the gutter.

Eventually, the two parted ways.

Nanyun Chuan left with light footsteps.

He practically seemed to be walking on air.

Once he reached a place where no one could see him, the smile on his face became impossible to suppress.

Winning the Empress's heart meant his dream was one step closer to becoming reality.

Suddenly, the image of the young Empress surfaced in his mind.

Her youthful face.

That faint yet genuinely pleased smile.

Those eyes that had watched him with such unwavering focus.

For a brief moment, he became distracted.

Immediately, he shook his head.

No.

He was someone destined to overthrow the Western Sacred Kingdom.

He absolutely could not soften his heart.

Even if the Empress herself was innocent, she still had to be sacrificed.

For the future of all men.

For their status.

For their rise to power.

【Host, it seemed like he hesitated for a moment?】

“Only for a moment.”

Tang Guo had missed none of the expressions on Nanyun Chuan's face.

“He'll still do what he intended to do.”

She smiled faintly.

“Have you forgotten everything that happened in the original timeline?”

“These men want to overthrow women's rule. To accomplish that, they need my death.”

“Only by killing the Empress can they intimidate the world.”

The System sighed.

【Then he's kind of pitiful.】

With the Host here, weren't they all pitiful?

The System found himself increasingly curious about how Tang Guo planned to deal with these people.

But after seeing the sinister smile on her face, he wisely decided not to ask.

Some mysteries were better left unexplained.

Spoilers ruined all the fun.

Just like that, Tang Guo adapted to her identity as the Empress of the Western Sacred Kingdom in a single day.

A young Empress.

An Empress with more than thirty consorts.

Although none of them had the slightest relationship with her.

Following the original host's habits and schedule, she attended court, reviewed memorials, and carried out her daily duties.

Every day, as she passed through various parts of the palace, she would see numerous handsome and elegantly dressed consorts.

Each of them appeared to be occupied with their own affairs.

None seemed aware of her presence.

At least...

That was how it appeared on the surface.