Chapter 923: The Young Empress (60)

Su Qing's heart pounded violently as he followed the Grand Chief Eunuch into the Empress's bedchamber.

Never before had he longed so desperately to appear before her. All he wanted was to see her once, to know whether she was well.

He had gone mad. He truly believed he had gone mad—more obsessed, more lost than Nan Yunchuan himself.

The moment he stepped inside, he saw Her Majesty reclining against the bed. Beside her sat the exceptionally handsome Imperial Consort. A bowl rested in his hands as he patiently fed the Empress one bite at a time. Every gesture between them fit together with uncanny harmony, as though they belonged that way.

Su Qing froze, momentarily dazed.

He could not help wondering—if he had been the one to descend and find Her Majesty back then, would she still remember him? Would the one sitting beside her now, keeping her company, be him instead?

Hurriedly forcing those chaotic thoughts out of his mind, he bowed. "Su Qing pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"You may rise."

Tang Guo lifted an arm slightly, and Jing Cheng carefully wiped the corner of her lips. Such a natural, unquestioned act made Su Qing's eyes sting. Jealousy surged uncontrollably inside him.

At that moment, he truly wanted to shove that man away and take his place.

"The Grand Chief Eunuch said you wished to see me. What is it?"

Her tone was detached and distant, as though they had only just met.

Su Qing blanked out. No, it was colder than their first meeting.

"It was only that Su Qing wished to see Your Majesty. I have been worried for Your Majesty's safety."

"I am well. Your concern is appreciated. If there is nothing else, you may leave."

"Your Majesty..."

Tang Guo raised her eyes, an expression of inquiry on her face. "What? Is there something more?"

Looking into those unfamiliar eyes, Su Qing found himself unable to speak. Bitterness spread through his chest.

What could he say? What right did he have to ask? Was he supposed to ask why she had forgotten him?

She had forgotten so many people. He was merely one among them.

"No, nothing more. Then Su Qing shall come again tomorrow to pay his respects to Your Majesty."

Tang Guo did not refuse. She merely nodded, no longer sparing him a glance. Instead, a smile suddenly bloomed in her eyes, though it was not directed at him, but at the Imperial Consort before her.

"Another bite. I haven't eaten my fill yet."

A chill settled over Su Qing's heart. Unable to move for a long time, he could only watch helplessly as the Imperial Consort fed her while she enjoyed it without restraint.

Whenever a bit of food stained the corner of her mouth, she would tilt her chin upward, allowing him to wipe it away.

He had never seen this side of Her Majesty before.

If she had never fallen from the cliff, she would not have forgotten him.

If he had not arranged all of that, she would never have fallen.

So in the end, all these consequences had been brought upon by his own hand.

Watching their intimate interactions, Su Qing finally dragged his heavy feet toward the exit. He stopped several times midway.

Each time he looked back, he saw only Her Majesty eating. Not once did she spare him a single glance.

Just as he was about to step out of the hall, he suddenly heard her ask, "Was I very close with Attendant Su in the past?"

His body stiffened, and he unconsciously halted.

Jing Cheng's answer followed. "In the past, Your Majesty favored him the most."

"Really? Then why don't I remember?"

"You will remember eventually," Jing Cheng replied, smiling.

Tang Guo noticed the insincerity beneath his smile, and the corners of her lips curved upward. "Whether I remember or not no longer matters."

"Does Your Majesty not wish to recover your memories?"

Su Qing remained rooted in place.

He wanted to know the answer.

"Will I remember simply because I want to?" she asked. Then she continued, "Whether I remember or not, the impression left by my Imperial Consort is the deepest. No matter what, I could never forget him."

Su Qing's face turned deathly pale.

At last, staggering unsteadily, he left.