Chapter 924: The Young Empress (61)

"Young Master Su looked terribly pale. He didn't seem well at all."

The Grand Chief Eunuch dutifully reported what she had witnessed, secretly stealing a glance at her Empress. Her Majesty was leisurely enjoying the fruit being fed to her by the Imperial Consort, while cold sweat trickled down the eunuch's back.

Especially when the Imperial Consort casually swept his gaze over her—she had nearly lost her soul from fright.

"In the future, there's no need to report such matters."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Grand Chief Eunuch hastily answered. As she withdrew, she could not help wiping the sweat from her face. The thoughts of Her Majesty had become increasingly unfathomable.

And this Imperial Consort… he truly hid his depths well. To receive such special treatment from Her Majesty was no ordinary feat.

"Ah Cheng, you looked far too fierce just now. You frightened the Grand Chief Eunuch."

Tang Guo laughed teasingly. "She was so scared she broke out in a cold sweat. I imagine her clothes are soaked through."

"The expression on Your Majesty's face just now frightened her no less."

The two gazed at one another before breaking into smiles. In the end, Jing Cheng spoke first.

"What does Guo'er intend to do with Su Qing?"

It wasn't that he deliberately wanted to target Su Qing. The man harbored malicious intentions to begin with.

Had Guo'er not been clever enough, she would have long since fallen victim to his schemes.

"What do you want to do with him?" Tang Guo asked instead.

"I'll follow Your Majesty's wishes. Since Guo'er doesn't wish to kill him, then send him out of the palace. Someone like him remaining by your side is simply too dangerous."

He did not care about Su Qing himself. What he feared was Su Qing harming Guo'er.

"Then we'll wait a little longer. Once an opportunity presents itself, I'll send all the men away."

Jing Cheng's eyes immediately brightened.

"And I'll leave only you behind."

The sincerity in her eyes sent heat coursing through his body, and before he knew it, he had already wrapped his arms around her.

"And Xiao Jin," Tang Guo continued. "He's been trying to borrow the power of Western Saint Kingdom to reclaim the throne of Qi Kingdom."

"The Moon Prince isn't simple either. I've observed her. She doesn't seem to harbor any disloyal thoughts toward Guo'er. We can make use of her to deal with Xiao Jin."

Jing Cheng's face was full of calculation.

"As for the others, they're not worth worrying about."

"I never imagined Ah Cheng understood the situation so thoroughly."

His ears turned slightly red.

"That's because Guo'er is caught in the middle of this whirlpool. I want to protect you."

"I know. I understand your feelings."

Tang Guo didn't mind that Jing Cheng had investigated these matters. The reason he could speak of them so openly was because he trusted her and knew she would not take offense.

Really, what an adorable man he was.

As usual, Su Qing visited Tang Guo every day.

But every day, what greeted him was the loving sight of Tang Guo and Jing Cheng together.

Under his own watchful eyes, the feelings between Her Majesty and the Imperial Consort only grew deeper with each passing day. Watching them daily felt like needles stabbing into his eyes.

Until one day, Her Majesty announced that she would dissolve the imperial harem.

She declared openly that she had not yet come of age, and that every man in the harem remained untouched and innocent.

Those who wished to marry elsewhere would be granted imperial marriages along with generous dowries.

Those unwilling to do so would be given residences purchased within the imperial capital. Whether they chose to marry in the future or remain single would be entirely up to them.

As soon as the decree was issued, not only did turmoil erupt within the harem, but the entire court exploded into uproar as well. Memorials flooded in, urging the Empress to withdraw her order.

But Tang Guo's attitude was unwavering.

No matter what obstacles they raised, she resolved them with effortless ease.

Eventually, they discovered that Her Majesty held evidence of their own secrets and weaknesses in her hands. Left with no choice, they compromised and no longer dared oppose the dissolution of the harem.

Many of the men in the rear palace, realizing they could not change Her Majesty's mind, agreed to leave.

After all, compared to wasting away their youth within the palace walls, it was far better to go out and live comfortable, fulfilling lives.