The room had clearly been specially arranged. Moon-colored sheer curtains fluttered in the breeze, and thick red candles burned.
On the bed made of golden silk nanmu wood, a small lump was raised beneath the large red brocade quilt.
Qiao Ci knew it was the young man’s slender body.
She walked over and saw the bulging quilt trembling slightly, unsure of what expression or state of mind he held beneath it.
Qiao Ci was in no hurry. She sat down nearby and began to prepare tea, showing no inclination to lift the quilt and see the surprise.
From the moment he heard the door open, Li Su, beneath the quilt, had held his breath. His face was flushed, a mixture of shyness and trepidation.
He had initially detested the idea of being a male consort, but after spending time together, the dazzling Great Princess had captured his heart.
To be her consort was something he dared not even dream of. If she wanted him to serve her, he felt he would be willing.
And so, he had delivered himself, packaged and all.
After waiting for a long time, Qiao Ci still hadn’t noticed him. Li Su feigned a cough a few times, trying to attract Qiao Ci’s attention.
The coughing nearly choked him, and only then did he realize that perhaps Qiao Ci already knew of his presence. Could it be…
Fearing he would suffocate, Qiao Ci walked over and lifted the quilt the moment he stopped coughing.
The young man’s clothes were neatly arranged, his collar buttoned up perfectly, not even his Adam’s apple visible. There was no hint of the cool allure that Qiao Ci had imagined.
However, the youth’s face was rosy, his long lashes fluttering, his eyes as innocent as a fawn’s, evoking a desire to tease.
Qiao Ci secretly let out a sigh and asked, feigning ignorance, "What are you doing here?"
Li Su was momentarily speechless, then his voice came out muffled and wronged, "Warming the bed."
Qiao Ci genuinely reached out and touched the quilt, praising, "Indeed, the bed is very warm."
Seeing that she still hadn't made any particular moves or spoken any words, Li Su prompted, "Princess, it is time to rest."
"Mmm," Qiao Ci replied. In front of him, she began to unbutton her clothes, gesturing for him to move over and lie down properly.
At this moment, she felt a sense of daze.
Li Su closed his eyes, his hands nervously clutching the corners of the quilt beneath him. He had no experience in this regard and decided to wait for the Princess to make the first move.
He waited and waited, but the Princess made no further moves.
Li Su opened his eyes and looked curiously at Qiao Ci. However, it was dark, and her face was turned outwards, so he couldn't see it.
He whispered, "Princess, are you asleep?"
"Mmm," Qiao Ci answered faintly.
Li Su: "..."
Li Su pursed his lips. "Princess, are you unwilling to touch me?"
Qiao Ci opened her eyes. "Why, were you stimulated by my imperial sister today, and came to offer yourself?"
"No, no… it’s because I admire the Princess," Li Su replied, his tone somewhat shy.
"So you’re willing to be a male consort?" Qiao Ci asked again.
Li Su pursed his lips. "When the Princess needs me, I will be there. Can I not be a male consort?"
He still felt some aversion to the title of male consort. He wanted to follow the Princess without any official designation. When the Princess tired of him, he would leave the Princess’s manor with his adoptive mother, take care of her, and search for his own origins.
"Yes, if not a male consort, then you can be this Princess’s consort," Qiao Ci said, her expression unreadable.
Li Su’s eyes dimmed. "Someone as lowly as me cannot be the Princess's consort. Otherwise, you would be ridiculed."
Qiao Ci: "I don't care, and no one dares. Besides, you are not lowly."
"Thank you for your favor, Princess. I am already very content to be loved by you and do not ask for more. I hope the Princess can understand," Li Su said, sitting up halfway.
"You mean, you want us to maintain this relationship, and at the same time, my consort can be another man?" Qiao Ci’s tone began to turn cold.
"Yes," the young man replied with a decisive voice. "You are a high and mighty Princess, and you deserve the best man in the world."
"I am not that desperate. You may leave," Qiao Ci said, rubbing her forehead, not liking his words at all.
"Did I say something wrong?" Li Su’s eyes showed a hint of panic.
"I don't want another man. If you continue to think this way, there's no need for you to offer yourself," Qiao Ci said faintly, her emotions unreadable.
"But I am someone whose origins are unknown…" He didn't even have memories of his past, only knowing his name was Li Su. He knew nothing else.
"Will you be willing once you find your origins?" Qiao Ci asked, her voice muffled. It seemed they would have to endure a long-distance relationship?
When he returned to his rightful status, their marriage would become complicated.
"Mmm… as long as my identity does not disgrace you, I… I can," he said. He had always wanted to find his family, and if the Princess was willing to help him, it would surely yield twice the results with half the effort.
"Mmm, do you have any token or keepsake? Having such an item would make finding them quicker," Qiao Ci asked, feigning curiosity, as in the storyline, she already knew his identity and wanted to avoid appearing too abrupt.
It couldn't be helped. The cub wanted to go home, so let him go home. If any obstacles arose then, she would deal with them.
Li Su hesitated for a moment before taking out his jade pendant.
He was willing to trust her this once.
Qiao Ci took the jade pendant and examined it. "This jade pendant does not look like it belongs to an ordinary family. It should be easy to find."
"Thank you, Great Princess," Li Su said, his eyes brightening upon hearing that it would be easy to find.
"Mmm, you can thank me later when it's found," Qiao Ci said, returning the jade pendant to him.
"Uh, won't the Princess keep the jade pendant and send people to search?" Li Su asked, surprised.
"No need. This Princess has a photographic memory. I will draw it on a diagram tomorrow and instruct people to search discreetly. Go to sleep, I am a little tired," Qiao Ci said. His question made her want to tell him the truth immediately, but Little Spoon advised giving it some time for transition.
"Mmm, Princess, I will serve you now…"
"Let’s wait until you’ve regained your original identity. I don't take advantage of others," Qiao Ci said, her face unblushing and her heart untroubled, completely forgetting her earlier reluctance to help him find his origins.
"Thank you, Princess."
"Mmm, sleep now."
The next day,
Li Su walked out of the room. Cui Liu and Cui Zhu looked at him with gossip in their eyes.
Although they were still young girls, they knew that when a man and a woman were in the same room, it was unlikely for there to be no sound. Could it be that the Princess had not favored him?
"Is the Princess alright?" Since the Princess hadn’t called them in, the two didn’t know about the situation inside. Cui Liu whispered gossipy.
Li Su’s face instantly turned red. "Nothing happened last night."
Cui Liu looked at him with suspicion: Could it be that you are not capable?
Sensing her gaze, Li Su hurried away, fearing he would be questioned further.
He returned to his adoptive mother’s residence. His adoptive mother had already taken her medicine with the help of a servant. Seeing that his usually impassive face held a hint of joy, she couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Su, what's making you so happy?"