Chapter 886: The Young Empress (23)

 "I'm curious," Tang Guo said to the system, "his ears turned so red. What exactly is he thinking about? That old habit of his really never changes."

The system replied dryly, 【Heh. And whose fault is that? You're the one teasing him.】

"The day after tomorrow, then. I have time."

Tang Guo turned to the Chief Steward and instructed, "Go select some gifts. When we accompany the Imperial Consort home the day after tomorrow, bring them along."

Tang Guo did not stay in Jing Cheng's palace for long.

A palace servant soon arrived to report that Nan Yunchuan wished to see her.

Now that she had been reminded of his existence, she decided she might as well meet him.

She noticed the smile had disappeared from Jing Cheng's face, and inwardly found it rather amusing.

Rising to leave, she had only taken a few steps before suddenly turning back and walking toward him again.

Jing Cheng didn't quite understand.

Truthfully, he was feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

The Empress was exceptional in every way, but she was still the Empress.

She could never belong to him alone.

"Imperial Consort."

"Your Majesty, if you're busy, then you should go."

Jing Cheng sighed inwardly.

If the Empress continued treating him this well, he really might end up liking her far more than he should.

Tang Guo reached out and tugged lightly on his sleeve.

"Imperial Consort, why have you suddenly become unhappy?"

"Your Majesty, I..."

"Is it because I'm going to see Nan Yunchuan?"

Jing Cheng found himself speechless.

If he denied it, he would be deceiving the Empress.

If he admitted it, then he would essentially be confessing jealousy.

For a moment, he genuinely had no idea how to answer.

"You don't need to mind it, Imperial Consort. The only person I care about is you."

Tilting her chin upward, Tang Guo looked directly into his eyes and spoke with unusual seriousness.

"Imperial Consort, you'll understand in the future."

Only then did she release his sleeve.

"Don't be unhappy. If I come across any exceptional sword manuals, I'll have them delivered to you."

With that, she finally departed.

The moment Tang Guo had tugged on his sleeve, Jing Cheng's heart had begun pounding wildly.

At that instant, he had felt an overwhelming impulse to pull her into his arms.

In the end, he restrained himself.

Because she was the Empress.

The thought left him feeling somewhat frustrated.

Still, the words she had spoken eased the discomfort in his heart.

So...

Was the Empress actually explaining herself to him?

Explaining why she had gone to see Nan Yunchuan?

It wasn't because she cared about Nan Yunchuan, but because she had some other reason?

The more he thought about it, the more unbelievable it seemed.

The Empress's thoughts were becoming increasingly impossible to understand.

"Imperial Consort, shall we continue practicing swordsmanship?"

Everyone in Jing Cheng's palace knew his habits.

Whenever he had nothing else to do, he practiced his sword.

Now that the Empress had left, according to his usual temperament, he would undoubtedly immerse himself in training once more.

Yet this time, Jing Cheng shook his head.

"No."

The scene he had witnessed earlier in the garden suddenly surfaced in his mind.

"Let's paint today."

The image lingered stubbornly in his thoughts, refusing to fade.

It made him desperately want to capture it on paper.

The attendants didn't understand his reasoning, but they obediently carried out his instructions.

Meanwhile, after leaving Jing Cheng's palace, Tang Guo soon arrived at the Imperial Garden, where Nan Yunchuan had been waiting.

"Your Majesty."

The moment he saw her, Nan Yunchuan immediately clasped his hands and bowed respectfully.

Only after Tang Guo permitted him to rise did he straighten.

Those peach-blossom eyes of his remained fixed intently on her.

After a brief hesitation, he asked, "Your Majesty, were you just at the Imperial Consort's palace?"

"Mm."

Tang Guo nodded.

"What did Yunchuan wish to see me about?"

Seeing the faint smile lingering at the corners of Tang Guo's lips, Nan Yunchuan felt considerably relieved.

"Yunchuan came to thank Your Majesty. Thank you for allowing Yunchuan to return home and visit his family."

Tang Guo nodded.

"How is your father?"

"He is much better now. Thank you for Your Majesty's concern."

Nan Yunchuan paused before continuing.

"The last time I heard Your Majesty mention that you enjoyed flower tea, Yunchuan prepared quite a lot of it."