This time, on the tour to comfort the disaster victims, Xuanyuan Mo brought along all the high-ranking imperial concubines from the palace.
Including Tang Guo, the Imperial Concubine, there were a total of eight consorts.
Although everything was kept simple, Xuanyuan Mo had no intention of mistreating them, especially Tang Guo and his cherished “White Moonlight,” An Ningxiang.
Tang Guo was openly pampered, while An Ningxiang was secretly cared for.
Due to the many watchful eyes around, Xuanyuan Mie found it inconvenient to appear publicly and could only follow in secret.
Xuanyuan Mo shared a carriage with Tang Guo, while the other concubines rode in several different carriages.
In truth, Xuanyuan Mo had not been alone with Tang Guo for quite some time. The carriage was not particularly spacious, and they were the only two inside.
To his surprise, he felt an unusual nervousness, glancing at the person leaning against the soft cushions without revealing any emotion on his face.
She was even more dazzling than in previous years.
Over the years, he had subconsciously ignored her existence. Although they met daily, every encounter brought a sense of discomfort to his heart.
Perhaps it was due to his elder brother’s warnings, as he often left noticeable marks on her exposed skin.
“Is the Imperial Concubine feeling well?” Xuanyuan Mo asked.
Tang Guo nodded with a gentle smile. “I’m fine.”
“The journey is a bit bumpy. I hope you are not feeling aggrieved.”
“Not at all. It has been years since I last left the palace. I wanted to come out for a look,” Tang Guo said, her beautiful eyes fixed on Xuanyuan Mo. “Besides, I’m traveling with Ah Mo, which makes me very happy.”
She lifted the curtain, gazing at the swiftly passing scenery outside. A faint, ethereal smile appeared on her face. “Ah Mo, over the years, I’ve had a feeling.”
“What kind of feeling?” Xuanyuan Mo asked. His hand subconsciously tugged at the fabric on his knee, wrinkling it. Realizing this, he quickly smoothed it out, afraid it might be noticed.
Tang Guo didn’t turn back, her gaze still fixed outside. “Ah Mo, I’ve always felt that you’re drifting further and further away from me.”
Xuanyuan Mo’s heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly said, “The Imperial Concubine is overthinking.”
“Ah Mo, there are times when even you may not realize it,” Tang Guo said with a gentle smile as she finally turned her head to look at him. “Regardless, there was once a time when Ah Mo liked me genuinely, right?”
Xuanyuan Mo dared not meet her gaze. Her bright eyes were too pure, so pure that he felt unworthy. It was as if his presence might taint them.
He braced himself and replied, “Of course. Other than you, who else have I treated well?”
“Just hearing that answer makes me happy,” Tang Guo said, turning her gaze back to the scenery outside the window. “No matter what the future holds, knowing that Ah Mo once cared for me is enough for a lifetime without regrets.”
Then, she murmured softly to herself, “Hearts, after all, are fickle.” Her voice was so low that Xuanyuan Mo didn’t catch it, drowned out by the clattering of the carriage wheels.
“The Imperial Concubine always likes to let her thoughts wander,” he said.
The young woman smiled and turned to him again. “Ah Mo, I’m curious. In the past, when I was merely a Consort, you addressed me as Consort. Now that I’m the Imperial Concubine, you call me Imperial Concubine.”
Xuanyuan Mo’s heart tightened. Yes, was his way of addressing her too distant?
“Ah Mo, you’re just too lazy to call me by my name, aren’t you?”
Before Xuanyuan Mo could explain, she gave him a plausible excuse. Looking at her playful smile, Xuanyuan Mo found himself at a loss for words. He decided to remain silent.
After a long pause, he said, “If you feel unwell, let me know.”
“There’s no need.”
The carriage fell silent. She continued to gaze out at the scenery, and Xuanyuan Mo felt an unsettling sensation—as if she might disappear at any moment. He wanted to reach out but quickly withdrew his hand, remembering something.
“Are you hungry?” Xuanyuan Mo asked.
“Not hungry.”
She turned back to him and smiled—a smile that seemed to reach deep into Xuanyuan Mo’s heart. For no apparent reason, he felt a pang of unease and confusion.
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