Chapter 885: The Young Empress (22)

The system burst into laughter.

【Hahahaha, Host, judging by the way the Imperial Consort looks at you, he's genuinely loyal. No matter how well you treat him, all he thinks about is how to serve you faithfully. Host, do you have any thoughts on that?】

Tang Guo replied leisurely, "There's nothing wrong with men being a little reserved sometimes. If someone falls in love at first sight, wouldn't that be a bit too careless?"

"He has no memories, and he hasn't spent much time with me. Isn't it perfectly normal that he doesn't have those kinds of feelings for me yet?"

System: Fine.

It understood.

The Host always had countless reasons that left it completely unable to argue.

Jing Cheng once again swept every dish on the table clean.

After finishing, he instinctively felt a little embarrassed.

However, when he noticed that the Empress's gaze held no trace of ridicule and that she was still smiling warmly at him, he relaxed somewhat.

"Imperial Consort, is the food usually enough? If not, I can have them prepare more for you."

"It's enough."

Jing Cheng answered quickly.

He truly never went hungry. The meals provided were already sufficient for him.

Even if they weren't, there was a small kitchen within his palace. He could always have additional food prepared.

"That's good."

Tang Guo nodded before asking casually, "How many years have you been in the palace now, Imperial Consort?"

The late Empress's health had been poor, so Jing Cheng had been chosen very early on. After the throne was passed to the original owner, Jing Cheng had officially entered the palace.

Calculating the years, it had already been four or five years.

"Five years."

"And you haven't returned home once during that time?"

At the mention of home, a trace of longing surfaced in Jing Cheng's eyes.

He nodded honestly.

"No."

He couldn't help feeling a little envious of Nan Yunchuan and Su Qing. Not long ago, both men had been granted permission to return home and visit their families.

It seemed that winning the Empress's favor really did have its advantages.

"Then let's choose a day. I'll accompany you home for a visit."

Jing Cheng froze.

His bowl nearly slipped from his hands.

Was the Empress serious?

Tang Guo's beautiful eyes remained fixed on his face.

"Imperial Consort? Are you pleasantly surprised?"

"I am very pleasantly surprised."

Jing Cheng's heart stirred with excitement.

Being able to return home was naturally wonderful news.

But the Empress accompanying him personally...

Wasn't that a little excessive?

"So when do you think would be best?" Tang Guo asked with a smile. "State affairs haven't been particularly busy lately. I can accompany you whenever you'd like."

Jing Cheng quickly calmed down.

The Empress personally escorting him home would be far too conspicuous.

So he said, "Perhaps... it would be better if Jing Cheng returned by himself."

He had no intention of letting such a rare opportunity slip away.

Perhaps this would be the only chance in his entire life.

Although, as Imperial Consort, he was permitted to summon his father to the palace every month, that was completely different from returning home in person.

"How could that do?" Tang Guo replied with a smile. "You are the Imperial Consort. For your first visit home, I should naturally accompany you."

She paused before adding, "I'll be coming of age very soon. It's about time I accompanied my Imperial Consort back to his family."

The moment the subject of coming of age was mentioned, all sorts of thoughts sprang into Jing Cheng's mind.

The Empress reaching adulthood meant she would begin formally visiting the imperial harem.

No wonder she had been paying so much attention to him recently.

So this was what the Empress wanted from him.

To have him bear her children.

He couldn't be mistaken, could he?

After all, the Empress's heir was of tremendous importance.

The more he thought about it, the redder the tips of his ears became.

As for having children...

That was something he would naturally have to cooperate with.

Still, the Empress had never explained things clearly.

She had nearly caused him to misunderstand.

"Then... the day after tomorrow?" he asked. "Would Your Majesty have time then?"

He understood his position very well.

Since the Empress was showing him favor, he naturally had to be tactful.

If the Empress truly bore his child in the future, then he would certainly have to protect that child within the palace.

When the time came, there would be things he absolutely could not retreat from.