After finishing her scolding, she ordered her palace attendants to prepare a grand congratulatory gift for the Second Prince and Qiao Ci, and immediately drafted an imperial decree, appointing the Second Prince Li Su as the Crown Prince.
Having given these instructions, the Emperor felt a little more at peace.
If the heavens favored this prince, why would he go against destiny by not making him Crown Prince?
Heaven blessed his Fengming, heaven blessed his Fengming.
The Empress: "..."
Her feelings were more complex than anyone else's at the moment.
When the imperial decree naming him Crown Prince reached the Second Prince's residence, the other princes and princesses became restless.
Regardless of their intentions, they all prepared generous gifts and came in person to offer their congratulations.
They had thought that Li Su marrying the princess of Tenglong Kingdom would make it difficult for him to contend for the throne, but unexpectedly, he made a stunning appearance and staged a great comeback!
Upon hearing the news, Li Churan smashed everything breakable in the room.
Ever since the incident on the way back was spread throughout Fengming Kingdom, the entire kingdom had been jeering and scornful of her.
It had been two months since her return, and she had only visited the palace to see her father and mother, and had not left the Grand Princess's residence since.
Zhao Shimei, who was by her side, was also in a bad mood.
He had only known that it wasn't Li Churan's first time with him, but he had never expected that she would keep so many male companions of various appearances in her princess's residence!
He had returned with her inexplicably, and the wedding was not as grand as he had imagined, not even as grand as the wedding with Qiao Ci.
Moreover, although she was called Grand Princess, her authority was only slightly more than that of other princesses, which was having her own princess's residence outside the palace.
Zhao Shimei suspected that she had built the residence outside solely to keep male companions.
However, fortunately, the Emperor and Empress truly doted on her, sending her rare treasures every few days for her enjoyment, which provided Zhao Shimei with considerable comfort.
Seeing that most of the things in the room had been smashed, he spoke, "Isn't Li Su your brother? You becoming Crown Prince would be beneficial to you. Why are you so angry?"
"What do you know?" Li Churan shot him a dark glance, "I have already made an enemy of Qiao Ci. If she becomes Empress in the future, will you and I have a good life?
Besides, this brother, Li Su, is not close to me at all. If he ascends to that position, it won't provide me with much convenience. It would be better to choose a prince with whom I have a good relationship."
Zhao Shimei also felt jealous of Li Su in his heart. He was just a lowly slave whom he could have crushed with a single kick at any time, yet now he had soared to the heavens, far above him. What he found even more unbearable was that such a person was also Qiao Ci's husband!
Hearing Li Churan's words, a glint flashed in his eyes, "Then let's find a way to make sure he can't hold onto the position of Crown Prince~"
On their wedding night, Li Su put the imperial decree aside and then looked at the bride sitting on the bed.
At this moment, she had re-covered her head with the red veil and was sitting demurely and quietly on the edge of the bed.
Li Su's heart began to pound uncontrollably.
His princess.
His bride.
His wife.
As if afraid of startling her, he walked forward gently and slowly lifted the red silk, revealing closed eyes beneath the veil.
Asleep?
"Princess?" Li Su called out softly.
Qiao Ci slowly opened her eyes, her expression a little dazed, "Ah?"
Li Su found it novel to see Qiao Ci so unguarded.
"Princess, it's time for the cross-cupped wine."
Even though they were married, even though he was the Crown Prince, he still preferred to call her Princess.
Qiao Ci was pulled by him to sit by the table, and then a small cup was placed in her hand.
Smelling the pungent aroma of the wine and looking at Li Su, who was as handsome as a deity, Qiao Ci felt a sense of intoxication.
It seemed that no matter in which small world, the cub was always the most outstanding in appearance.
When he stepped forward, everything and everyone else would dim.
A soul that could withstand many small worlds must be incredibly resilient. Then why did he always have such tragic character settings in every world?
Qiao Ci didn't understand, nor did she have time to understand, because after drinking the cross-cupped wine, she was led by Li Su to the bedside.
"Princess, I've learned a lot from the fire avoidance diagrams in the palace. Don't be afraid."
The momentarily sober Qiao Ci: ...
Damn it, what sins had she committed to have to endure such pain in every world?
The bright moon hung in the sky outside, and soon the night descended into a stormy passion.
...
As noon approached, Qiao Ci woke up to the smell of food.
"Princess, are you awake?" Li Su was quietly placing the prepared dishes on a small table, waiting for the princess to eat as soon as she was hungry.
"Let the servants do this," Qiao Ci couldn't help but want to laugh at his nervous expression.
He looked so guilty, was it really necessary?
"I never had the chance to serve the Princess personally before, but now I finally do. I want to take care of all your daily needs from now on." Perhaps it was because of their intimate relationship, Li Su's demeanor towards Qiao Ci had become much more natural.
"Why do you still call me Princess?" Qiao Ci didn't dwell on the matter of service. After all, in every world, he was the one who took care of her more in terms of daily life.
"No matter what my identity is, you will always be my Princess," Li Su said solemnly.
Qiao Ci said nothing more, got up to wash, and as she took the first sip of porridge, she couldn't help but look at him.
Li Su looked at Qiao Ci with some shyness and asked expectantly, "How is it, is it delicious?"
"You cooked it?"
Li Su was a little embarrassed by Qiao Ci's directness, "Mother-in-law taught me when she was at the princess's residence, saying this soup is the most nourishing."
"Thank you." All efforts are not taken for granted. Qiao Ci looked at his slightly red and swollen hands and said.
"Ah, there's no need for thanks between us, are we not husband and wife?"
Qiao Ci raised her eyebrows and smiled, looking bright and unrestrained, "Yes, husband and wife."
Originally, they were supposed to go to the palace to pay their respects to the Emperor and Empress this morning. However, due to the auspicious omen that appeared on their wedding day, the Emperor decided to postpone these formal rituals and let the newlyweds rest properly.
Since the Emperor had not informed the Empress and had instead sent an eunuch to deliver the oral decree, the Empress, unaware of this, had gotten ready early in the morning, dressed elegantly, and waited for her daughter-in-law to come and serve her tea. However, after waiting for a long time, she never arrived.
When she learned that it was the Emperor's intention, her face turned ashen with anger.
Yun Jiuge had not slept all night, and the next day, with a pale face, she entered the palace to see the Empress.
"Your Majesty, you must uphold justice for Yun Ge. Qiao Ci is deceitful and rude in her conduct, actually disgracing the Yun family and the royal family in public~" Yun Jiuge was truly unwilling to accept this. Her father and brothers had all advised her to let it go, but she refused to resign herself to fate.
She had loved the Second Prince since childhood, and now that they had a chance to meet again, even if it was only as a concubine, she could not give up like this! Moreover, Li Su had now become the Crown Prince.
"Uphold what justice?" The Empress was already annoyed, and seeing her crying made her mood even worse. She didn't want the person who came to her doorstep, and she couldn't seize the opportunity herself. Why was she crying to her? Useless thing!