Chapter 874: The Young Empress (11)

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Even after witnessing a different side of the Empress earlier, Jing Cheng still performed his salute with impeccable form.

Every movement was clean and efficient.

Nothing like those consorts who constantly sought opportunities to show themselves off.

His gaze remained steady and respectful.

He neither stole glances nor tried to appear charming.

When he looked at Tang Guo, he looked directly at her.

“Imperial Consort, you still haven't answered my question.”

Jing Cheng was somewhat puzzled.

Why had the Empress suddenly taken an interest in him?

And more importantly...

She seemed different.

When she interacted with others, she appeared exactly as she always had.

Nothing seemed to have changed.

Yet whenever she looked at him, something was undeniably different.

Having spent years in the depths of the palace, Jing Cheng suddenly felt as though he had grasped something.

Could it be...

The Empress had some plan involving him?

Naturally, he didn't think she had developed feelings for him.

More likely, she intended to use him for something.

Or use his status.

Perhaps she even wanted the position of Imperial Consort itself.

Still, according to his instincts, it didn't feel as though she was trying to remove him from that position.

In truth, Jing Cheng didn't particularly care about being Imperial Consort.

His status was already high enough.

As long as he committed no major mistakes, the position would remain his.

After all, the late Empress herself had issued the decree appointing him.

Compared to being the Empress's husband, he would much rather be fighting on a battlefield.

His father and mother had met during a military campaign.

Unlike most noble households, the Jing family was somewhat unusual.

Within their family, men and women were treated far more equally than elsewhere.

He held no particular dislike for the Empress.

Nor did he harbor any special affection toward her.

Since entering the palace, they had met several times.

As Imperial Consort, even though the Empress was not yet of age and could not consummate any relationships, she would occasionally visit his residence.

The Empress was undoubtedly a qualified ruler.

Before this, she had routinely visited each palace residence once a month.

The rest of her time was devoted to governing the nation and handling state affairs.

However, after Su Qing and Nanyun Chuan entered the palace, she had clearly begun viewing those two differently.

Even so, Jing Cheng didn't care much about such matters.

In fact, if the Empress didn't favor him, that would be ideal.

It meant he would have more time to practice martial arts.

As Imperial Consort, he could do whatever he pleased within his own residence.

No one dared disturb him.

Even if the Empress favored others, as long as he committed no mistakes, she would never embarrass him publicly.

Honestly...

Life like this wasn't bad at all.

“Imperial Consort?”

Tang Guo suddenly leaned a little closer.

“Have you drifted off?”

Jing Cheng snapped back to reality and hurriedly apologized.

Then he answered her earlier question.

“The weather is pleasant today, so I also came to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers and enjoy the sunshine.”

He was telling the truth.

However, after noticing the jealous looks coming from the distant consorts, his expression became somewhat awkward.

Everyone had gathered here waiting for the Empress.

It seemed he had chosen the wrong day to take a stroll.

“Is that so?”

Tang Guo stepped even closer.

Looking directly into Jing Cheng's eyes, she smiled.

“I thought the Imperial Consort had come here specifically to wait for me.”

Her voice carried unmistakable amusement.

“It appears I misunderstood.”

A faint smile curved her lips.

“I thought perhaps the Imperial Consort cared about me as well.”

Jing Cheng: ...

He was now absolutely certain.

Something was wrong with the Empress.

The Empress was a serious person.

She never joked.

And she definitely never said such flirtatious things.

His thoughts immediately spiraled into complete chaos.

At that moment, a reasonably handsome consort approached and bowed respectfully.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

The smile disappeared from Tang Guo's face at once.

Her expression returned to the composed, dignified mask she normally wore.

“Rise.”

The abrupt change left Jing Cheng stunned.

The tiny bit of suspicion he had been harboring instantly vanished.

The Empress was still the same Empress.

That much was certain.

Which only raised an even stranger question.

Why was the Empress different whenever she was with him?