Did the Imperial Advisor dislike him and no longer wish to associate with him?
Whatever he was thinking, he voiced it: "Imperial Advisor, have I disturbed you?"
"No," Qiao Ci replied immediately without hesitation.
"Then why did you say that..." The young man lowered his eyebrows, his once vibrant and handsome features instantly becoming dejected, as if abandoned by the world.
Qiao Ci was speechless. Had she said anything? She had tried to be as tactful as possible.
"Host, why are you so stubborn? Just ask him directly! Ask him if he likes you and wants to be with you!" Little Spoon, watching this unfold, was getting anxious and quickly offered Qiao Ci some advice.
Qiao Ci found the suggestion plausible, so she asked, "Do you care for me?"
Little Spoon: "Uh, er, er, er, isn't that too direct? Can't you be a bit more subtle?"
As soon as it finished speaking, it was banished to the dark room.
Little Spoon: ...
Upon hearing this, Lu Li's face flushed visibly.
His gaze darted about, his heart a flurry of anxious speculation. Why would Qiao Ci ask such a question? Did she already know his impure thoughts?
Was she about to advise him to abandon this foolish notion?
Lu Li dared not look directly at Qiao Ci, lowering his head even further. He replied helplessly, "No, no such thing, Imperial Advisor. You are worrying too much."
"Oh, then I must have been mistaken. I was originally going to have the Emperor decree a marriage if you were also interested. Since that's the case, let's forget it," Qiao Ci said, continuing to tease him as she watched his flustered helplessness, finding it quite amusing.
"What?" Lu Li immediately raised his head at this, as if he couldn't believe his ears, thinking he was hallucinating.
You are also interested?
What did that mean?
The Imperial Advisor, she, she was interested in him? And was preparing to have the Emperor bestow a marriage?
Qiao Ci smiled and said, "It's nothing. If you didn't hear it, then it's as if it didn't happen."
How could Lu Li let things end like this!
If he lost this one chance, he felt he would regret it for the rest of his life.
Therefore, he shamelessly stated directly, "I heard it! Imperial Advisor, you, you are also interested in me, right?"
He nervously used the word "also." Although he was a head taller than Qiao Ci, his gaze towards her was filled with shyness, admiration, and humility.
She was like the moon in the sky, beautiful and distant.
He was like a monkey on the ground, trying to scoop the moon from the water.
"Otherwise? Why else would only you be able to enter my Imperial Advisor's residence so freely?" Qiao Ci slightly raised the corners of her eyes, exuding a charming demeanor without a hint of vulgarity.
Lu Li's heart felt a slight warmth. He, who was usually unrestrained and flamboyant, only felt so awkward and uneasy in her presence. It was only in front of her that his heart filled with joy, and it was only before her that he felt both longing and inferiority.
"I, am I worthy?" For the first time in his life, he doubted himself.
"Why not?" Qiao Ci gazed at him with her serene, beautiful eyes, which seemed to hold countless stars and oceans of affection.
Lu Li was instantly overjoyed beyond measure. His voice trembled as he corrected his previous statement: "I'm sorry, I lied! I care for you, I like you very, very much. If you are willing to be with me, I will never betray you!"
"Mhm." Qiao Ci's eyes lit up with a smile. She reached out and stroked his hair. The young man's features were as exquisite as a painting, his eyes filled entirely with her. How could anyone not like him?
"As the Imperial Advisor, are you permitted to marry?" Lu Li, with her hand on his head, remained stiff, not daring to move. After a long pause, his mind could finally process thoughts.
Because of Qiao Ci, he had consulted many ancient texts on sacrificial rites. They stated that Saintesses, Divine Maidens, and Imperial Advisors were not permitted to marry normal people, as they were meant to be offerings to the gods.
"You don't need to worry about these things. I will handle them." Qiao Ci stopped her actions and looked into the young man's eyes, still with a hint of pleasure.
"If it's too difficult, you don't have to force yourself. If you cannot marry, I will also remain unmarried and accompany you for a lifetime," Lu Li said earnestly, feeling it was irresponsible to push all the burdens onto a woman.
"Alright."
As the two were chatting, a guard reported: "Reporting to the Imperial Advisor, a servant from the Lu Estate has come looking for Young Master Lu."
"Mhm, let him in." Qiao Ci resumed her aloof demeanor, exuding a cool and detached aura.
Seeing her unapproachable demeanor, Lu Li felt no sense of discord. Whether she was cool and transcendent, dignified and composed, or smiling with her eyes, she was still the woman he loved.
"Greetings, Imperial Advisor!" The visitor was Lu Li's personal attendant. After bowing to Qiao Ci, he excitedly told Lu Li, "Young Master, Master and Eldest Young Master have returned to the estate! Hurry back, everyone is waiting for you~"
Lu Li's face lit up with joy at this news.
"Go." Qiao Ci granted him permission.
"Mhm, mhm. Then I'll come looking for you tomorrow." After saying this, Lu Li left in a flurry with the attendant.
The young man, clad in fine brocade, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, became a bright spot in Qiao Ci's vision.
Only after he had disappeared from her sight did she lower her gaze and chuckle softly.
Love, born from nowhere, grows ever deeper.
Lu Estate,
As soon as Lu Li returned, his father, Old Master Lu, sternly asked, "Where have you been messing around? It's so late and you haven't returned. Have you been out riding horses and disturbing the populace with your good-for-nothing friends again?"
"Father, you are truly wronged me! I went to the Imperial Advisor's residence to seek a divination for you all!" Mentioning the Imperial Advisor's residence, Lu Li's eyes sparkled.
"The Imperial Advisor is a person who can communicate with heaven. You should bother her less, the elder." Old Master Lu knew of the Imperial Advisor, and also knew that the reason he hadn't been struck in a vital spot that time was entirely due to the Imperial Advisor's prayer for rain.
Although he had never met the Imperial Advisor, he held her in great reverence. Thinking that his youngest son dared to bother the Imperial Advisor so late, he rebuked him sternly.
"What elder? The Imperial Advisor is only eighteen years old, okay? She's a young woman!" Lu Li looked at his father in disbelief. How could he say "elder"? Cough, cough, she might soon be your daughter-in-law.
Thinking of this, Lu Li's ear tips turned red. Coupled with his rebellious nature, he looked exceptionally cute.
"What?" Old Master Lu's eyes widened.
Along the way, he had heard the rumors about the Imperial Advisor. Everyone had only spoken of her vast powers, and he had assumed the Imperial Advisor was an immortal being with a head full of white hair. Yet, she was a young girl?
"She's a young girl. Then you must not disturb her even more! A girl's reputation is very important. Look at you, a spirited young man running to her place so late, it's utterly improper." Old Master Lu finally accepted this fact and continued to lecture Lu Li.
"I know, I know~" Lu Li's ears were almost calloused from listening. He had no intention of telling his family about his relationship with Qiao Ci, as he hadn't even asked for her opinion yet.
When he learned that the first rain had saved his father's life, his gratitude and admiration for Qiao Ci grew even more profound.
Hehe, as the saying goes, a son repays his father's kindness. From now on, he would present himself as a gift to her.