Chapter 875: The Young Empress (12)

The consort's heart leapt with joy when Tang Guo acknowledged him.

He was just about to invite her to visit his residence. Earlier, he had overheard that the Empress enjoyed flower tea, and he had been planning to show off a few of his skills.

Unfortunately for him, Tang Guo spoke first.

“Since I've happened to meet the Imperial Consort here, you may accompany me for a walk.”

Tang Guo raised her hand, clearly indicating that Jing Cheng should support her.

Suppressing the confusion in his heart, Jing Cheng obediently stepped forward and raised his arm.

A moment later, a small, warm hand rested lightly upon it.

The instant her hand touched him, a strange sensation surged through him.

His gaze unconsciously dropped to that beautiful jade-like hand.

For the briefest moment, he felt the impulse to clasp it in his own.

Of course, it was only a fleeting impulse.

He immediately suppressed the inappropriate thought and continued walking forward while carefully keeping his eyes straight ahead.

As for the ignored consort behind them, the smile on his face froze completely.

The way he looked at Jing Cheng was filled with malice.

Jing Cheng seemed to sense something and instinctively glanced back.

Unfortunately, the man had already lowered his head and hidden his expression.

Still, as a martial artist, Jing Cheng trusted his instincts.

That gaze had felt like a knife.

Hostile and unpleasant.

“Why is the Imperial Consort paying attention to those insignificant people?”

Tang Guo suddenly spoke.

“Do you really think someone like that could do anything to you?”

Jing Cheng nearly choked.

What exactly did the Empress mean by that?

No matter how he interpreted it, it sounded suspiciously like she was defending him.

That had to be his imagination.

Unable to resist, he stole a glance at Tang Guo from the corner of his eye.

Only to discover her looking at him with a smiling gaze.

He immediately looked away again.

Something was wrong.

Whenever the Empress was around him, she became especially strange.

An Empress smiling wasn't unusual.

Everyone smiled when they were happy.

But Tang Guo's smiles had always been restrained.

Subtle.

Controlled.

Yet when she faced him, her smile was so bright that it was impossible not to overthink things.

So what exactly did the Empress mean?

“Your Majesty, we're almost at the end of the Imperial Garden.”

Seeing that they were about to leave the garden entirely, Jing Cheng finally felt compelled to remind her.

After all, they had barely spoken during the walk.

If they continued any farther, they would enter another area of the palace altogether.

“Is that so?”

Tang Guo seemed to return to herself.

When she noticed the puzzled expression on Jing Cheng's face, her mood brightened considerably.

“It's about time for lunch.”

Relief immediately washed through Jing Cheng.

Exactly.

Your Majesty, please return to your own palace and have your meal.

Going for walks wasn't particularly entertaining anyway.

“Then I shall dine at the Imperial Consort's palace today.”

Tang Guo gave him no opportunity to object and directly issued the order.

Very soon, the message would reach the Imperial Kitchen.

Every dish prepared for lunch would be sent directly to the Imperial Consort's residence.

Jing Cheng: “...”

“Come, Imperial Consort.”

Tang Guo looked at him.

“The sun is getting a little strong. I'm thirsty as well. I'd like some tea.”

Jing Cheng could only nod stiffly and escort her toward his residence.

The moment they arrived, he hurriedly instructed the servants to prepare tea for her.

Then he remembered hearing her mention earlier that she liked flower tea.

As a martial artist, his hearing was exceptionally sharp.

Even conversations from far away rarely escaped him.

So when giving instructions, he unconsciously added,

“Prepare some fresh flower tea for Her Majesty.”

The moment the words left his mouth, he noticed Tang Guo looking at him with obvious satisfaction.

He thought that would be the end of it.

Unfortunately, Tang Guo immediately spoke.

“So the Imperial Consort truly understands my preferences.”

Jing Cheng wanted to explain.

No, Your Majesty.

You've misunderstood.

I only happened to overhear it earlier.

But before he could speak, Tang Guo continued.

“So among all the people in this harem, there is still someone who remembers that what I like is flower tea.”

By the time the tea arrived, she was already leisurely enjoying it with an expression of complete satisfaction.

Jing Cheng sat there silently.

What exactly was he supposed to do after being misunderstood by the Empress?