Li Churan's carriage was unusable. With a foul attitude, she walked to Li Su's carriage and demanded he alight so she could take his place, which Qiao Ci occupied.
As soon as she entered the carriage, a sound of smashing ensued.
Zhao Shimei didn't want to incur her wrath, but with so many curious eyes outside, he gritted his teeth and went up. The moment he entered the carriage, Li Churan kicked him out, drawing a wave of mockery and leaving him utterly humiliated.
Qiao Ci, still stubbornly bold, stepped forward and said, "Li Churan, do you need something from me?"
"Get lost!"
Qiao Ci actually complied and left. But just a few steps after she walked away, a bolt of heavenly lightning struck Li Churan's carriage again. Li Churan was blasted off the carriage by the lightning and rolled several times on the ground before coming to a stop.
Qiao Ci didn't even look back, continuing on her way to her own carriage.
At this moment, Li Su had already arrived beside Qiao Ci's carriage and stood there obediently, without a hint of curiosity.
Cui Liu couldn't help but ask, "Why aren't you going to watch the fun?"
Li Su replied patiently, "No one is more important than Princess. I need to wait here for the Princess to return."
Seeing that Li Su did not show disrespect towards the Princess despite the change in his status, Cui Liu felt relieved. She welcomed him into the carriage, while she and Cui Zhu waited outside for the Princess to return.
Qiao Ci got into the carriage upon her return. Li Su's eyes brightened when he saw her, "Princess."
"Mhm." Qiao Ci was in a good mood after watching the spectacle, a faint joy radiating from her.
"Is Princess happy?" Li Su couldn't help but smile as well.
Fearing Qiao Ci would be bored, Li Su had always wanted to find an opportunity to speak with her. However, Li Churan watched him strictly, forbidding him from interacting too much with Qiao Ci, deeming it inappropriate.
"Is it that obvious?" Qiao Ci touched the corner of her mouth, realizing there was indeed a slight upward curve.
"Your elder sister played too much and is being watched by everyone. Aren't you going to offer some comfort?" Thinking of what she had just witnessed, the curve on Qiao Ci's lips widened.
"She has people to comfort her. I only want to see you," Li Su said sweetly.
"Mhm, good boy." Qiao Ci reached out and patted his head like one would a puppy. The young man didn't get angry and obediently tilted his head to cooperate with her actions.
"Princess, when we reach Fengming, don't be afraid. In the future, I will protect you well." Li Su had already decided that no matter what, he would ensure Qiao Ci could live as freely and happily as she did in Tenglong Kingdom.
He had witnessed all of Li Churan's provocations against her along the way.
As long as one held power, one had a voice. In any case, he had the ability to contend for the supreme position in Fengming Kingdom!
Seeing him steal her lines, Qiao Ci found it quite novel and said with a smile, "Alright, wait until you are strong enough to protect me."
"Mhm, I will definitely work hard!" The young man seemed invigorated, having found his first goal to strive for.
Finding it rare for him to show ambition for power and influence, Qiao Ci decided to give him this opportunity to shine.
After the peculiar incident and two instances of embarrassment, Li Churan stayed in her carriage for days and no longer bothered Qiao Ci.
Maintaining a steady pace, the group soon arrived at the capital of Fengming Kingdom.
Li Su was taken into the imperial palace, while Qiao Ci remained at the post station, awaiting her marriage to Li Su.
Inside the imperial palace,
The Emperor of Fengming, Li Chen, and Empress Yin Lihua were already waiting in the palace.
Though Li Su felt unfamiliar with them, he stepped forward and respectfully called out, "Father, Mother."
The Emperor, looking somewhat pale, smiled at his long-lost son and said, "It's good that you've returned."
Seeing that her long-held regret was finally fulfilled, Yin Lihua did not dwell on his previous refusal to return. "You will reside in the palace for now. Someone will be assigned to teach you etiquette, and tutors will help you catch up on what you missed over the years. Since you are back, be a proper prince."
"Mother, can't the Princess of Tenglong Kingdom live with me?" Li Su pursed his lips, finally voicing his thoughts. "The Princess has come to a strange place alone, unfamiliar with the surroundings."
"She will be well taken care of. Your wedding will be arranged in two months, and it is not proper for you to live together beforehand," Yin Lihua explained with a kind smile, then continued to care for Li Su, "You lost your memory before the age of ten. Mother will have the imperial physicians examine you later. You were exceptionally intelligent before the age of ten, and if you regain your memories, you will be able to integrate into this circle more quickly."
"Yes." Li Su had grown tired of hearing the phrase "not proper."
Since they couldn't be together day and night, he would have to find ways to visit the Princess at the post station more often.
Li Su was admitted into the academy, an institution accessible only to Fengming's princes, princesses, and children of noble birth.
It seemed that most people disliked him, their gazes filled with malice. When the tutors were absent, they would torment him in various ways.
When the tutors were usually absent, he would take a book and sit in a corner, greedily absorbing the knowledge within its pages.
"Second Prince, it's time for lunch. Why are you here?" A gentle and sweet voice inquired.
A graceful young woman in a goose-yellow dress walked over and sat down in the seat next to him, like a considerate elder sister.
Li Su was in the middle of contemplating a problem, on the verge of finding an answer, when he was interrupted, his expression clearly displeased.
Seeing that it was a woman, his mood worsened.
He was the Princess's man and absolutely could not get too close to other women. Out of politeness, he replied, "Not hungry."
Then he got up and walked away.
Yun Jiuge hadn't expected him to avoid her like the plague and found it amusing. She was the only daughter of the Grand Tutor. If she were fortunate enough to gain his favor, the throne would also be within reach.
After all, she was not just the Grand Tutor's daughter; her maternal grandfather was the Grand Marshal, and her cousins all held important positions in the army.
She had held a good impression of Li Su since childhood. Initially, she had no expectations of him because the Second Prince already had a fiancée. However, upon seeing his jade-like appearance, aloof demeanor, and his indifferent attitude towards her, it instead ignited her competitive spirit.
She was determined to make him her subordinate!
Subsequently, his various actions were filled with disdain for her. Yun Jiuge couldn't help but wonder if her charm had diminished...
*
Counting down the days, with the wedding date fast approaching, Li Su was filled with joy.
Over the past two months, the Empress had not allowed him to leave the palace. However, the Princess would often secretly visit him in the palace. It was during these visits that he discovered how formidable Qiao Ci's martial arts were.
"I object!"
The night before the wedding, Li Su was summoned to the Empress's palace.
Looking at Li Su's resistant expression, the Empress said unhappily, "You have no choice but to agree. Jiuge is willingly lowering her status to become your co-wife, which elevates your standing. You should know that your younger brothers are scrambling to gain her favor."
"In this life, besides Qiao Ci, I will not marry any other woman," Li Su stated resolutely.
"What? You expect the dignified daughter of the Grand Tutor to be your concubine?" The Empress's expression grew increasingly displeased.