“I wonder if Your Majesty has time today?”
Tang Guo naturally would not say she had no time, and followed Nan Yunchuan to his palace.
Watching Nan Yunchuan brew flower tea with smooth and practiced movements, her expression did not change much. Only the corners of her lips lifted slightly. She was completely unlike how relaxed she had been in Jing Cheng’s palace.
The Head Steward, who had followed her since childhood, had long noticed that His Majesty treated the Imperial Consort differently.
Before, he had not been certain. Now he understood very clearly that the only person His Majesty truly kept in her heart was likely the Imperial Consort.
After drinking Nan Yunchuan’s flower tea, Tang Guo praised him a few times and rewarded him with many items. After saying a few words of concern as usual, she prepared to leave.
Nan Yunchuan quickly said, “If Your Majesty wishes to drink flower tea in the future, you may come to Yunchuan’s place.”
“Alright.” Tang Guo turned back, a faint smile on her lips. “Yunchuan’s tea-making skills are indeed quite good.”
“Oh right, from now on I permit you to return home once every month, how about that?”
Nan Yunchuan could hardly believe it and looked at Tang Guo in shock. Seeing those beautiful eyes fixed on him, his heart suddenly began to beat faster.
Was he… about to obtain the Empress’s true affection?
Thinking of this, he could no longer control his heartbeat.
At that moment, his heart truly beat for the young woman before him. But he quickly came to his senses. The person he intended to overthrow in the future was precisely the Empress before him.
His goal was to gain her trust. Of course, if he could obtain her true feelings, that would be even better.
As long as he obtained the Empress’s true feelings, everything he wanted to do would become easier.
Now that the Empress permitted him to return home once a month, he would be able to accomplish many things.
He still intended to refuse, but Tang Guo would not allow him to refuse. In the end, Nan Yunchuan happily agreed.
From that day on, Tang Guo was almost invited by Nan Yunchuan every day. Occasionally, Su Qing would also appear to show his face.
But all the men in the harem knew that the one the Empress favored the most was Nan Yunchuan.
Some time ago, the Empress had accompanied the Imperial Consort back to his home. They had thought that the Empress favored the Imperial Consort the most. However, after returning to the palace, the Empress did not often go to see the Imperial Consort, instead visiting Nan Yunchuan every day for a while.
They understood. The Empress treated the Imperial Consort with respect at most. As for Nan Yunchuan, that was genuine affection.
“If this continues, the Empress will certainly trust you deeply. It will make our plans much easier.” Su Qing no longer wore his usual sorrowful expression in front of others. In his cold eyes was full calculation. Seeing that Nan Yunchuan was lost in thought, he could not help tapping the table. “Yunchuan.”
“What is it?” Nan Yunchuan came back to his senses. He had only been thinking about the recent days spent with the Empress.
The Empress had indeed treated him very well. He felt a bit of regret. If the Empress were not the Empress, perhaps she could have lived.
Su Qing immediately saw through Nan Yunchuan’s thoughts and warned, “Brother Yunchuan, do not lose your heart. Do not forget, she is the Empress, the Empress of the Xisheng Kingdom. Today she treats you well, tomorrow she may treat someone else well.”
“Could it be that because you crave her exclusive favor, you are willing to remain in the harem forever, allowing the men of the Xisheng Kingdom to never have a chance to rise?”
“I understand.”
Nan Yunchuan put away those inappropriate thoughts. Su Qing still reminded him, “It is good that you understand. Do not abandon our ideals because of the Empress’s gentleness toward you.”
“I know.”
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