Chapter 897: The Young Empress (34)

Of course, the country might also eventually develop into a nation where men and women stood as equals.

But all of that required the right timing.

This wasn't an age of chaos, and Tang Guo had no interest in entertaining herself by stirring up upheaval. Nor did she care to become some enlightened ruler whose name would be immortalized through glorious achievements.

The turbulence of a nation always came at a cost.

Whenever great accomplishments were celebrated, they were often built upon the suffering of ordinary people and the countless lives sacrificed along the way.

And those who perished in the pursuit of such "great achievements"—were they really any different from supporting characters and cannon fodder like herself?

She was simply here on a journey.

To enjoy the scenery.

To fall in love.

And, while she was at it, to take her revenge.

The system couldn't help feeling emotional.

Its host really did see things clearly.

This was exactly the kind of host it liked.

Treat every world as a journey.

Fall in love, punish a few scumbags, and before you knew it, a lifetime would pass.

How comfortable.

"Imperial Consort, don't overthink it. They won't be able to do anything to me."

Tang Guo reassured Jing Cheng.

"I already have plans for dealing with them."

"Your Majesty doesn't intend to kill them?"

Jing Cheng was surprised.

From her words, he could tell that she had no intention of executing those two.

"I am curious to see how they plan to harm me," Tang Guo replied with a faint smile. "And how they intend to overthrow my Western Saint Kingdom."

She paused before continuing.

"I also want to see whether, after I've treated them so well without holding anything back, they'll eventually realize their mistakes and turn back."

"If they do realize their mistakes," Jing Cheng asked carefully, "will Your Majesty accept them again?"

Tang Guo immediately noticed what he was truly concerned about.

She shook her head.

"No."

Her voice was calm but firm.

"I cannot tolerate betrayal."

"Whether they pull back at the edge of the cliff or finally come to their senses after losing their way, things can never return to how they were before."

Only then did Jing Cheng feel relieved.

That was good.

"Your Majesty understands, then."

His expression grew serious.

"People who have betrayed you once should never be trusted with important responsibilities again."

"Someone like that only needs a moment of weakness before betraying you a second time."

Naturally, there was a great deal of selfishness hidden within those words.

If the Empress truly accepted those two men again, then he would never be able to have her to himself.

That was the truth.

He wanted her all to himself now.

The first time that possessiveness had taken root inside him, even he had been startled.

But the more time he spent with the Empress, the stronger that feeling became.

Now, he no longer wished to suppress it.

Reaching out, he covered the hand resting on the table with his own.

"If Your Majesty ever faces something difficult, let me handle it."

"All right."

Tang Guo agreed without hesitation.

"Since Jing Cheng is working so hard to prove himself, I won't stand on ceremony."

She had called him by name.

The simple sound of it sent warmth flooding through his chest.

Almost instinctively, Jing Cheng lifted her hand and pressed a kiss against the back of it.

The moment he did so, he realized he had crossed a line.

Yet something inside him told him that the Empress would not be angry.

On the contrary, she would be pleased.

Sure enough, when he looked up, he was greeted by Tang Guo's smiling face.

At that moment, a thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.

If only he could kiss Her Majesty's cheek.

"Next, I'm going to do a few things."

Tang Guo intertwined her fingers with his.

"Jing Cheng, don't take them to heart."

"I'll continue treating them very well."

Her expression remained relaxed.

"I want to see how this ends."

Looking at her, Jing Cheng felt a pang of heartache.

He pitied her.

She was the exalted Empress, yet how many people beneath her truly cared for her sincerely?

"I understand."

That was all he could say.

He wanted to comfort her, but couldn't find the right words.

In the end, he simply said,

"I only hope they come to understand Your Majesty's kindness and don't do something they'll regret for the rest of their lives."

Even if the Empress could not grant every man in the harem her affection, she had always treated everyone fairly.

Over the years, no one had truly been wronged.
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