“Isn’t your Great Princess of Tenglong too arrogant? She was the one who sent the message to my Fengming royal family, yet she’s refusing me entry for some trivial matter! I think she’s deliberately trying to cause trouble.”
Upon learning that the young male consort was the Second Prince of Fengming, Zhao Shimei’s jealousy flared up like bamboo shoots after rain.
No wonder Qiao Ci chose him. She must have known his identity long ago and intended to use him as a bargaining chip to demand benefits from Fengming.
Thinking this, Zhao Shimei voiced his suspicion, “Could it be that she wants to use that young male consort… oh, the Second Prince. Does he want to use the Second Prince to demand benefits from your Fengming Kingdom?”
Li Churian let out a cold laugh, “What Second Prince? Nothing is certain yet.
Even if he is, so what? Someone who has been a male consort to another country’s princess will be looked down upon even if they return to Fengming.
If it weren’t for my mother’s longing for her son, I wouldn’t have had to come personally. However, this trip is not in vain. Shimei, would you be willing to return with me? Be my驸马 (fùmǎ - consort)?”
Zhao Shimei put on a distressed expression, “But I am an official of Tenglong, and I was once the Great Princess’s驸马…”
“These are all minor matters. I will negotiate a marriage alliance with your emperor. Qiao Ci doesn’t know how to cherish you; that’s her loss. She hasn’t allowed you to touch her after a year of marriage. What use is such a woman?
I will show you the true glory that belongs to a驸马. As long as you live better and more honorably than her in the future, she will regret her actions towards you.”
“Churain… it’s good that you understand me.” Zhao Shimei was overjoyed in his heart, but on his face, he appeared deeply moved and affectionate.
Li Churian raised her eyebrows and stared directly at him, “However, as my 驸马, you must remain pure for me. I wasn’t part of your past, but I want to control your future completely. From now on, I don’t want to see that cousin of yours again. You should send her away as soon as possible.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Shimei’s expression stiffened.
The reason he had delayed consummating his marriage with the Great Princess was to use it as an excuse to belittle her. Besides the secret pleasure of dominating the princess, it was to control her and achieve his goal of having multiple wives and concubines even as a 驸马.
Now, Li Churian was much more overbearing than Qiao Ci, and possessed considerable power and status. If he still harbored such thoughts…
“Hmm? You’re unwilling?” Seeing his hesitant expression, Li Churian’s expression turned displeased, carrying the pressure of a superior.
Zhao Shimei dared not entertain any other thoughts at this moment and could only pacify her, “Of course.”
“I will return tomorrow. I will report Qiao Ci’s disregard for our Fengming Kingdom to my father and mother in full. Then, I will come to pick you up as the Grand Princess of Fengming.” This time, my identity was concealed. If I want to retrieve Li Su and punish Qiao Ci at the same time, I can only do it openly.
A pampered princess with no power or influence dares to refuse her entry, hehe.
Days passed one by one. It had been over a month since Li Churian first arrived at the princess’s mansion.
The hopeful spark in Li Su’s eyes gradually extinguished, with only a hint of loss occasionally surfacing.
Qiao Ci smiled helplessly at his demeanor. She felt that the time was about right; it was time to give him an answer.
That same evening, strangers visited the Great Princess’s mansion. Simultaneously, Li Churian, who was attending the Dragon Teng Kingdom’s ruler’s birthday, was received at the embassy by envoys from the Dragon Teng Kingdom, in her capacity as the Grand Princess of Fengming.
Inside the princess’s mansion, the lights were bright, and the atmosphere was luxurious and elegant.
Li Su’s eyes were covered, and Qiao Ci led him forward by the hand.
He couldn’t see anything, which made him feel a bit lost. However, the hand holding his was soft and delicate, giving him a sense of security.
He was attached to her holding his hand intimately but also worried that he might fall if he stumbled and implicate her. In short, he felt conflicted.
“Princess, where are you taking me?” The warmth from his hand made him inexplicably nervous, and he even used the respectful term “you” which Qiao Ci had forbidden him to use.
“Of course, it’s a surprise for you.” Qiao Ci looked at the youth, whose skin appeared fairer and features more exquisite with the black veil covering his eyes, and spoke gently.
Li Su was delighted but said, “Princess, you’ve already given me so much. There’s no need to trouble yourself preparing a surprise.”
“I just don’t know if this surprise will startle you or delight you. No matter how you feel, remember that you still have me. I will always stand behind you.” Qiao Ci spoke ambiguously, also hoping he would be mentally prepared.
“Mm, thank you, Princess.” Li Su pursed his lips, and anticipation slowly built up in his heart.
With the creak of the door opening, Li Su heard a prompt to step over the threshold and then stopped in a certain spot.
Qiao Ci untied the bandage from his face, “Alright, you can open your eyes now.”
After removing the bandage, Qiao Ci left the room, leaving the space for them.
Li Su slowly opened his eyes and instinctively looked around. He didn’t see Qiao Ci. Hearing the sound of the door closing, he became flustered for a moment and tried to chase after her, but his sleeve was grabbed.
He frowned, turned around, and saw a woman of noble and elegant demeanor standing before him, looking at him with excitement.
He pulled his sleeve back and said coldly, “Please have some self-respect.”
Yet, his mind inexplicably began to wander: Did the princess intend to give him to another woman? Otherwise, why would she put him in the same room with this noble-looking lady?
The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became. He quickly walked towards the door, wanting to find Qiao Ci to get a clear answer.
“A’Su, I am your mother. A’Su, you don’t recognize your mother?” the lady of noble demeanor said, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked at the youth who resembled her child from childhood.
Li Su then understood what the surprise Qiao Ci had mentioned was. He stopped and looked at the tearful noblewoman, appearing somewhat constrained, “You, you mustn’t cry. I’m sorry, I have amnesia. I can’t remember anything before the age of ten.”
“My son, you’ve suffered. It was all my fault for not watching you carefully, for letting you be harmed by villains.” Yin Lihua wanted to touch Li Su, but finding his eyes filled with unfamiliarity and resistance, her heart ached even more.
“It was indeed bitter in the past. But now it’s quite good, and I’m satisfied with my current life.” Knowing that his mother hadn’t intentionally abandoned him, the knot in Li Su’s heart finally dissipated.
“You, you like the Great Princess of Tenglong?” Yin Lihua remembered the young girl who had sent her a secret letter asking her to come and see her son. She was aloof yet not unpleasant.
Because she had saved her second son, she felt some gratitude towards her.
However, if she were to become her son’s wife, she still felt some resistance, especially since she had been married before.
Li Su’s future wife would definitely be a young lady from a distinguished family with a pure background. A princess of Qiao Ci’s status would not become a concubine to someone else.
Therefore, they were not suitable.