Chapter 951: The Young Empress (84)

"Because my time is running out."

Those words kept echoing in Tang Nuoyue's mind.

Calculating her age, the Empress was only a little over thirty. How could her time be running out?

And more importantly, how did the Empress herself know that?

Regardless, Tang Nuoyue was kept in the palace.

The Chief Eunuch led her to the palace residence that would belong to her in the future. Staring at the magnificent chambers before her, she finally felt as though she had stepped out of a dream.

Inside the residence stood that exquisite and luxurious dragon robe.

She stopped the Chief Eunuch and asked, "Was what Her Majesty said true?"

"What does Prince Yue mean?"

After hesitating for a moment, Tang Nuoyue asked, "Her Majesty said her time is running out."

Truthfully, she had never been interested in the throne. Besides, she thought the Empress had governed Western Saint Kingdom exceptionally well.

Sure, the Empress often summoned her wherever trouble arose, treating her like some kind of perpetual motion machine.

But aside from that, the Empress was genuinely a good ruler.

She never needlessly suspected her and had granted her enormous freedom and authority.

Whenever Tang Nuoyue made suggestions, the Empress would carefully consider them.

To Tang Nuoyue, the Empress was simply her boss.

Compared to the demanding bosses she had known, the Empress was truly excellent.

Young, talented, and neither arrogant nor foolish.

With such an Empress on the throne, Western Saint Kingdom couldn't help but grow stronger.

Tang Nuoyue still had countless ideas in her mind. She wanted to put them into writing and carry them out alongside the Empress, making Western Saint Kingdom even more prosperous.

One day, even those nations that worshipped men would have no choice but to regard Western Saint Kingdom with envy.

And the men of Western Saint Kingdom would never again harbor thoughts of overthrowing the Empress's rule.

That had become the goal of her second life.

Now the Empress was saying her time was running out.

Tang Nuoyue felt uneasy and strangely sad.

The Empress appeared perfectly healthy. There had never been rumors of any illness.

So how could her time be running out?

The more she thought about it, the heavier her heart became.

She had already changed everything.

Xiao Jin was gone.

Nan Yunchuan was gone.

Su Qing had practically ruined himself.

By all rights, the Empress should have continued living.

"Her Majesty did say such things," the Chief Eunuch sighed. "At first, this servant also thought Her Majesty was joking. But after serving at her side for so many years, I know Her Majesty doesn't speak carelessly. I'm afraid she may truly mean it."

Tang Nuoyue fell silent for a moment.

"Have the imperial physicians examined her?"

"The imperial physicians take Her Majesty's pulse every day. It was His Majesty's order. They've discovered nothing unusual."

"Perhaps… perhaps it's only Her Majesty's misconception."

Tang Nuoyue comforted herself with those words.

She truly hoped the Empress would live a long, long life.

That way, she could remain a wealthy prince, sheltered beneath the Empress's rule and live peacefully.

Even if she had to run around occasionally, she didn't mind.

"Prince Yue, you should begin preparing yourself," the Chief Eunuch advised. "Her Majesty never jokes about matters like these. Whatever happens, it's better not to be caught unprepared."

Tang Nuoyue nodded blankly.

"Very well. I understand."

Still, she couldn't believe it.

How could the Empress possibly die young? She wasn't even sick.

Tang Nuoyue desperately hoped it was all just a joke.

On the second day of her stay in the palace, ten teachers appeared before her.

They all seemed strangely familiar. Looking carefully, she suddenly realized that they were retired ministers who had long since returned home after leaving office.

She turned to Tang Guo in confusion.

What was going on?

"Being Emperor is no simple matter," Tang Guo said. "For the next several months, they will teach you everything they've seen and learned throughout their lives. As for how much you can absorb, that depends entirely on you."

At last, Tang Nuoyue understood.

The Empress was serious.

Truly serious.