Night had fallen.
Just past 7-9 PM, Xu Nanny and the maids of Qinghuan Court had already sunk into deep slumber.
Ever since they came to serve the County Princess, their sleep quality had improved tremendously!
Even Xu Nanny's years-long insomnia was cured without treatment.
After their breathing became steady, Yan Wu retrieved his sleeping smoke, concealing his skills and reputation.
This was a sleeping drug that Yan Seventeen had spent a great deal of effort to develop, not only harmless to the body but also beneficial for improving sleep.
As Yan Wu puffed out his cheeks to blow the sleeping smoke, a sudden evening breeze blew it back into his nostrils.
An incense stick's time later, he collapsed to the ground with a thud, giving Yan Qinghe a terrible fright.
While Yan Qinghe was frantically trying to revive him, inside the room, Li Shuchen already had a soft, fragrant beauty in his arms.
"For the banquet ten days from now, there's no need to dress up."
Hearing this, Qi Huan's fingers paused as she caressed the invitation, quickly understanding the reason.
The fake Longshun Emperor was lecherous and depraved, wishing to possess all the beauties in the world.
Although this palace banquet hosted by Imperial Consort Yao was rumored to be for selecting a wife for Li Shuchen, the Longshun Emperor would also be present, and it was uncertain whose bed the chosen one would end up in.
However...
"If I'm too ugly, will I be eliminated right away?"
Seeing through the worry in her eyes, Li Shuchen gently patted her head: "It doesn't matter, I'll be there."
Recently, due to Eunuch Feng's deliberate instigation, the Longshun Emperor had been looking at him with increasing displeasure. Regarding the selection of Princess Consort of Prince An, he had come up with the following requirements:
First, her status couldn't be too high, to prevent him from forming alliances with court officials through marriage;
Second, her status couldn't be too low, or it would be face-losing;
Third, she couldn't be too beautiful, as the Longshun Emperor feared he might not resist the temptation of his daughter-in-law;
Fourth, she couldn't be too ugly, at least needing to have proper features.
These conditions seemed simple, but finding a suitable candidate still proved difficult for the Longshun Emperor.
At this moment, the astute Eunuch Feng reminded him: "Didn't Your Majesty recently bestow the title of County Princess?"
The Longshun Emperor had a sudden realization!
A County Princess held the rank of Senior Grade 2, not too low in status. Moreover, this Cloud Brocade County Princess was an orphan, with her only reliance being a maternal family of sixth rank.
Looking at the portrait Eunuch Feng had collected, this girl's features were decent, but the few pimples on her face were quite unappealing, completely failing to tempt him.
The Longshun Emperor was thoroughly relieved!
Seeing his relaxed expression and satisfaction, Eunuch Feng felt even more at ease!
After hearing the reason, Qi Huan began to fiddle with makeup.
But she only knew how to use concealer to hide pimples, not how to draw them!
Who would practice drawing pimples on their face for no reason?
After a series of fierce operations—
The woman in the bronze mirror had a delicate face, except for a large black mole by her lip that ruined the beauty.
Yes, this was a "pimple" she had drawn with an eyeliner pen.
"It looks just like Matchmaker Wang from the west of the city..."
As her words drifted into his ears, the smile in Li Shuchen's eyes froze, his voice unreadable: "When did you see Matchmaker Wang?"
Could someone have proposed marriage to Ah Huan behind his back?
"I've seen her a few times at the restaurant," Qi Huan poured makeup remover onto a cotton pad, wiping away her "big mole."
Just as she was about to try a second time, Li Shuchen naturally picked up her eyeshadow palette, took her makeup brush, and began painting on her face with focused attention.
Qi Huan blinked, her curled lashes fluttering: "Ah Shu, you know how to do makeup?"
"If you ever return to the Heavenly Court with me, you could be a makeup artist..."
Li Shuchen frowned slightly, replying coolly: "Only for you."
After finishing the makeup, Li Shuchen pinched her chin, examining her carefully for a while: "...Still very cute."
Fearing that others might covet Ah Huan, he added a few more freckles.
When he was satisfied with his work, Qi Huan looked at herself in the mirror: "Thank you very much."
"...Forget about the fake emperor, probably not a single man at the event will think of me."
"I will."
His solemn tone carried an irrefutable force.
Qi Huan looked up at him while removing her makeup, suddenly remembering a very important question.
"Ah Shu, I won't always be eighteen, but there will always be eighteen-year-olds. When my looks fade, will I still be the only one in your eyes?"
Li Shuchen pulled her up, embracing her, and let out an almost inaudible sigh.
It seemed he hadn't given Ah Huan enough sense of security for her to ask such a question.
"I'll answer this question with the rest of my life."
Qi Huan smiled sweetly, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing against his chest, replying: "Then I'll spend the rest of my life watching your answer."
With emotions running so deep, she didn't want to keep anything hidden anymore.
The most important thing for two people together is sincerity.
She honestly said: "Ah Shu, there's something I need to confess to you."
"I lied to you before. I'm not from the Heavenly Court, nor am I really a fairy. I come from the Blue Star, where our history is longer, our civilization more advanced, and our society more open-minded, which is why I've become who I am now."
"In our world, girls like me are commonplace, and many of them are more outstanding and lovelier than I am."
"The reason I seem special in your eyes might just be because I've benefited from social development and compulsory education."
"If you ever have the chance to visit our world, you'll discover that I'm actually quite ordinary."
...
As her calm voice continued, Li Shuchen quickly processed this information, then silenced her lips with his own, using a passionate kiss to soothe all her insecurities.
Unknowingly, they moved from the dressing table to the bed.
Li Shuchen pressed her beneath him, his Adam's apple bobbing as he spoke in a husky voice: "Love isn't about who's more outstanding. In my heart, you are unique, the epitome of goodness and beauty."
"No matter where you're from, from now on, you can only stay by my side."
Outside the window, the evening breeze scattered the clouds, and the bright moon peeked out quietly.
The clear moonlight, broken by the wooden lattice of the carved window, scattered into beams on the ground. In the dappled light and shadow, Qi Huan's eyes grew moist.
She turned to look directly at Li Shuchen, her gaze brave and fearless. The last trace of worry buried in her heart crumbled, and fireworks exploded in her mind.
She surrendered herself completely to him, body and soul.
*
Last night's pleasure became this morning's ordeal.
Qi Huan stayed in bed until the sun was high, missing breakfast entirely.
It was nearly noon when she finally got up leisurely.
Hearing movement, Ruo Lan entered the room with a basin of water for her to wash up. Ruo Zhu went to fold the bedding as usual, but discovered it wasn't the same set as yesterday.
Had the County Princess changed it herself?
Ruo Zhu was slightly puzzled.
But Xu Nanny had repeatedly instructed that as servants, they should speak less and work more.
So she didn't mention this matter, just silently turned the inside-out duvet cover right side out.
Seeing her action, Qi Huan quietly muttered: Ah Shu is a silly handsome man.
In a flash of inspiration, she suddenly had an idea.
It seemed that duvet covers hadn't appeared in the Li Kingdom yet, with most people directly sewing two pieces of fabric onto cotton batting...
Only her Qinghuan Court was "innovative."
Perhaps she could have the clothing shop produce them for sale.
