"But Mother, it's all for your own good." The Empress looked at him, displeased. How could she not consider his feelings? Weren't the beauties sent to serve him?
What man doesn't love beauties, especially all sorts of delicate and charming ones?
"However, this son does not need them." Li Su looked at the Empress stubbornly, the blood on his face making his features strikingly resolute.
"You! I am your mother, how could I harm you?" Yin Lihua looked at him with disappointment, wishing he were steel instead of mud.
It was always the same sentence, and Li Su was tired of hearing it. Clearly, it was just her own selfish desire to put Qiao Ci in her place, but in a blink of an eye, it all became for his own good.
If his Princess Consort was unhappy, could he be happy?
"If Your Majesty has nothing else, this son will take his leave." No amount of talking was as effective as showing her what he truly wanted.
The Empress's expression changed instantly. He was becoming more and more unruly. She needed to have the imperial physicians retrieve his memories from before he was ten years old quickly. Then her obedient and well-behaved son would return!
Returning to the Eastern Palace, he saw Qiao Ci napping on the couch. Li Su slowed his steps, walked over gently, pulled up a small stool, and sat beside her. He propped his chin on his hand, watching her sleeping face, and liked her more the more he looked.
His Princess Consort was truly beautiful.
When she slept, she was soft and delicate, with no trace of aggression. When she was awake, she was heroic and spirited, making him want to cheer and shout for her.
He wondered why Mother disliked her. Did Mother have poor eyesight…
Qiao Ci woke up the moment he returned. She opened her eyes, looked at his soft, cute expression with his chin in his hand, and couldn't help but laugh, "Why the expression? Quite cute."
As she spoke, she half-sat up, reached out, and ruffled his hair as if petting a puppy.
Hearing her call him cute, Li Su's eyes sparkled like fireworks. He obediently lowered his head for her to pet him, "Does Princess like me being this cute?"
"Of course, I do. Otherwise, why would I travel thousands of miles to marry you?" Qiao Ci ruffled his hair fiercely a few times before stopping.
"If Princess likes it, then I will always be cute." Li Su blinked his eyes, looking incredibly adorable.
Qiao Ci's eyes darkened slightly. This was a bit too much.
She pinched his chin and kissed him.
Unlike the previous night, Li Su did not take the lead this time, but rather passively accepted what she gave him…
The Grand Princess's Mansion,
"Zhao Shimei, are you still unable to forget Qiao Ci?" Li Churian's eyes narrowed as she looked at Zhao Shimei, her tone full of suspicion.
"Churian, you are overthinking things. Don't you know my feelings for Qiao Ci?" Zhao Shimei's expression remained unchanged.
"However, the way you looked at Qiao Ci today was not right. Your eyes were full of longing." Li Churian was not easily fooled. She picked up a lock of his hair and sniffed it under her nose.
"What does the Grand Princess mean? Are you suspecting that Zhao is fickle, or are you doubting your own charm?" Zhao Shimei smiled with unfeigned openness, then pulled Li Churian into his arms. "Hmm?"
Li Churian was certain of Zhao Shimei's feelings for her and also liked his assertiveness in certain aspects. Especially in the past few days, she felt he had changed, becoming even more captivating.
A casual glance today revealed him watching Qiao Ci, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. Or perhaps she had misread the situation.
Li Churian no longer dwelled on it and changed the subject, "I didn't expect such an unusual phenomenon to occur during Li Su and Qiao Ci's wedding. Father Emperor dotes on Li Su immensely now, and Li Su is completely obedient to Qiao Ci.
Father Emperor's health has not been good, and the imperial physicians have been entering the palace more frequently lately. If Li Su truly ascends the throne, will there be any good for the two of us?"
Zhao Shimei's eyes deepened, "Then we must find a way to strip him of his position as Crown Prince."
Li Churian, "But Father Emperor strongly believes in destiny. Various signs indicate Li Su's extraordinary nature. How could Father Emperor depose him as Crown Prince?"
Zhao Shimei did not believe in destiny at all. Otherwise, why had everything changed in this lifetime?
Moreover, even if there was a concept of destiny, in the previous life, it was the Fourth Prince Li Feng who ascended the throne of Fengming Kingdom.
"Then find a way to change the Emperor's mind, or directly change the Emperor himself," Zhao Shimei's lips curved into a slight smile. "It's just that I don't know if Churian can steel her heart…"
Li Churian's eyes lit up, "My consort, quickly tell me."
Zhao Shimei whispered into her ear, and Li Churian's expression shifted from hesitation to determination…
Those who achieve great things do not stand on ceremony. If it could eliminate future troubles and ensure a lifetime of glory, a little risk would be worthwhile.
Since Li Su was appointed Crown Prince, his studies had also increased.
As a qualified Crown Prince, there was much to learn. Li Su had lived in the common folk for a long time before, so there was even more to learn.
Fortunately, he was naturally intelligent and learned everything quickly. All the tutors who taught him praised him highly, and the Emperor frequently showered him with praise and rewards.
After a day of hard work, Li Su was visibly exhausted.
Upon returning to his residence, he saw Qiao Ci eating pastries freshly made by the imperial chef. His fatigue instantly vanished.
He stepped forward, snatched the half-eaten pastry from her, and put it into his mouth. While chewing, he asked, "Is it delicious?"
Qiao Ci was not angry about having her pastry snatched. She casually picked up another one and ate it, feeling the sweet fragrance of the pastry fill her mouth and closing her eyes in enjoyment, "Delicious!"
"Why don't I find it delicious? Is the pastry you're eating sweeter than mine?" Li Su said, then lowered his head, pecking and devouring…
An hour later, Qiao Ci, wrapped completely in a quilt, was carried by Li Su into the bath.
Feeling the warm water envelop her, and the massage service from the handsome man beside her, Qiao Ci gently closed her eyes.
Suddenly, with a whiz, a dart flew through the window, targeting Li Su's chest.
Qiao Ci, with quick hands, pulled Li Su into the bath. With her other hand, she caught the dart and threw it back in the direction it came from. A muffled groan and the sound of something heavy falling were heard.
Li Su looked at Qiao Ci's hand, which had touched the dart, turning green rapidly. His eyes were filled with anxiety. He reached out to touch her hand, but she dodged him.
"Guards, quickly summon the imperial physician!"
However, there was no response from outside. Then, several darts, capable of instantly killing upon contact with blood, flew towards them. But before the darts could get close, they were sent back the way they came, and the sounds of heavy objects falling echoed.
"I'm fine. Just follow me, trust me." Qiao Ci grabbed a nearby robe and draped it over herself, comforting Li Su as she walked towards the door.
She could not rest assured leaving him out of her sight. He was safest by her side.
Li Su knew that with his abilities, he would only be a burden to Qiao Ci. Seeing that the green on her hand had faded and her expression was unchanged, he gritted his teeth and obediently followed behind her.
Outside the room, seven masked men in black had already fallen. The guards, eunuchs, and maids were all lying on the ground. Judging by their chest movements, they had only been hit by sleeping powder, and their lives were not in danger.
Suddenly, three masked men in black descended from the roof, their cold, sharp swords thrusting directly at Li Su—