Chapter 398: Prince Su, a Great Jealous One!

Emperor Yan has eight sons.

The eldest is an illegitimate son, of mediocre talent and bearing the title of eldest, so from childhood he was despised and ignored by Emperor Yan.

And he is quite self‑aware, rarely appearing before Emperor Yan to be a nuisance.

He spends his days idle, a leisurely prince without even an official post.

The second prince is Crown Prince Duan Rongyin.

He is Emperor Yan's legitimate eldest son.

From childhood he was intelligent and diligent, gentle and refined in temperament, and his appearance most resembles his father's.

Therefore, he is the most favored and cherished by Emperor Yan.

Although six years ago a grave mistake caused Emperor Yan to strip him of the Crown Prince title, with time Emperor Yan has come to miss his virtues day and night.

Reluctant to imprison him forever in the Southern Mountain Villa, he smoothly, using the Empress's influence, restored the Crown Prince.

The third prince, Prince Jin Duan Rongjue.

His mother consort comes from humble origins, a small merchant's daughter, yet Prince Jin is far from ordinary.

Otherwise he would not have risen among the princes to be granted the title Prince Jin.

His principal wife is the eldest daughter of the Qu family.

Thus Prince Jin is the wealthiest among the current princes.

Unfortunately the Qu family's reputation is ruined and now entangled with the Zhong family's affairs, so it is uncertain whether the Prince Jin couple can escape unscathed.

The fourth prince Duan Rongxuan is not mentioned.

The fifth prince is Prince Su Duan Rongshi.

The sixth prince Duan Rongchen was the first prince born in the palace two years after Moon Noble Consort's death.

He is now only fifteen, has not entered court, and has not been granted a princely title.

He is also Prince Su's only relatively close younger brother.

The seventh and eighth princes are even younger, both under ten.

These are the prince information booklets that Li Qingluo had Uncle De collect for her earlier.

She has a rough understanding of these princes' characters and family backgrounds.

Hence she knows the sixth prince's birth mother is Consort De.

She also knows Consort De was the palace concubine closest to Moon Noble Consort when the latter was alive.

Seventeen years ago, Consort De was still young.

She entered the palace at thirteen; because of her prestigious lineage, she was immediately granted the rank of Noble Lady.

Yet due to her timid nature, she was often ignored and occasionally bullied.

It was Moon Noble Consort who took her under her wing.

Treating her like a sister.

This gradually brought a smile back to young Consort De's face.

Later, after Moon Noble Consort's death, Consort De sealed the palace gates for a whole year, refusing to see anyone.

When she reappeared in the harem, her temperament had completely changed.

She relentlessly pressured the Empress's faction, carving her own bloody path through the mysterious palace intrigues, and gave birth to the sixth prince.

She no longer smiled, becoming an icy beauty who even treated Emperor Yan coldly.

Yet she was especially close to Prince Su.

She often took the sixth prince to Prince Su's residence.

Just now, Grandfather Hai said the osmanthus cake was brought by Consort De, but Duan Rongshi is feeding that cake to a rabbit.

This startled Li Qingluo.

Could Consort De perhaps not be a good person after all?

Duan Rongshi wiped his hands with a damp cloth and said, "In this palace, there is no one I can trust."

Li Qingluo thought for a moment, took a cloth from her bosom, and carefully wrapped a piece of osmanthus cake inside it.

"I'll go back and let Grandpa Luo have a look."

After speaking, she rose again, "Your Highness, I must return."

"Take your time washing."

As she spoke and stepped back, before she could turn she was gently seized by Duan Rongshi's wrist.

"Since you're here, why the hurry?"

Duan Rongshi pulled her into his arms again, "Luo'er, the whole Gui Fu Palace is cold and lonely; can you truly bear to leave me alone here?"

"If you won't come, that's fine."

"But you insist on appearing."

"In the endless night, how do you expect this king to get through?"

Li Qingluo's heart trembled, and she stammered, "Your Highness, although we already have an engagement, we are not yet married."

"Some matters must not be taken lightly…"

Duan Rongshi, hugging her slender waist, pressed close, "Oh? What matters? You may tell this king; I will not act rashly."

Li Qingluo: "I don't know, I—"

A fervent, longing kiss landed.

This is the third chapter.

He studies the books daily, imagines it many times, repeatedly summarizes and analyzes, and now finally can skillfully enjoy it.

The back‑and‑forth chase.

The intertwining was heavy at times, light at others.

Duan Rongshi was already deft and at ease, skillfully leading her to explore this forbidden little game together.

Gradually, both of their breaths grew heavy and coarse.

Li Qingluo was also drawn to actively step and clasp Duan Rongshi's neck.

Until she sensed something very abrupt…

Li Qingluo realized something and suddenly opened her eyes wide.

Yet before she could react further, Duan Rongshi had already let her go, turned, and leapt into the hot spring pool.

He was entirely immersed in the steaming, swirling vapor.

He didn't even dare look back.

Li Qingluo felt so embarrassed she wished she could crawl into a hole.

Just as she was about to flee in a panic, Duan Rongshi called out, "Luo'er, could you help Your Highness place the clean robe on the shore?"

Li Qingluo quickly slipped into the inner chamber.

She, flushed, gasped, patted her scorching cheeks a few times, and couldn't help touching her already slightly swollen lips.

Truly… beauty clouds the mind.

Li Qingluo lingered for a long while.

After her thoughts settled again, she finally gathered her clothes.

Duan Rongshi was already propping his head, leaning against the shore, asleep.

Li Qingluo tiptoed over, set down the clothes, and as she prepared to leave, a deep reluctance welled up inside her.

Gui Fu Palace seemed vast.

But aside from a Sea Elder, he was the only one there.

The Yan Emperor intended to use his own son to cleanse the lingering resentment here.

Although all this might simply be the nonsense of Cloud Crane Immortal and his disciple Qingyangzi, Hu Zhou.

But if there truly is resentment, whose would it be?

Alone, he guards this desolate palace—does he yearn for his mother queen day after day?

Li Qingluo wanted to ask him about his mother queen.

But she didn't know how to start.

After watching him for a while, she finally prepared to stand.

But the ground was slick; as she rose, she accidentally stepped on her own hem, and with a splash—she plunged headfirst into the hot spring pool unprepared.

"Gurgle—"

Li Qingluo took a sip of water before Duan Rongshi pulled her out.

Duan Rongshi opened his eyes and said, "Want to keep messing around?"

"Luo'er, no need to be so hasty; we have plenty of time ahead, let's take it slow…"

He gave a half‑smile that provoked Li Qingluo to punch his chest.

"Your Highness—"

Duan Rongshi, as swift as lightning, raised his hand and tightly clasped her small fist.

"Don't be angry."

He raised an eyebrow and gently tapped his own face with her hand.

"If you can bear it, then strike."

Amid the swirling vapor, his whole body was wreathed in water vapor.

The long hair at his temples was damp, clinging to his face, with a few strands hanging down.

Not to mention his face, as benevolent and divine as a god.

Even this lofty, noble prince, at this moment humbled himself to look down in flattery, and those eyes alone could capture her soul.

Truly, it was a death sentence.

She swallowed hard, never having thought that one day she could be so swayed by a man's looks that she could barely control herself.

Such beauty, truly impossible to give up… oh no, even if she were willing, where could she dare actually strike him?

Unless Li Qingluo had the courage of a bear's heart and a leopard's gall.

Li Qingluo just wanted to get ashore quickly.

Flushed, she freed her own hand, clumsily wiped her face, and prepared to crawl toward the shore.

But the pool bottom was also slick; she couldn't stand steady.

In panic, she reached out toward Duan Rongshi.

Just a grab.

His chest‑clasped robe strangely flared open completely…

Li Qingluo: …

The air fell into a dead silence.

Duan Rongshi: "Luo'er, what are you so impatient to do now?"

"Your Highness doesn't mind; whenever Luo'er wishes, I can accompany at any time…"

Li Qingluo, too embarrassed to hold back, clamped her hand over his mouth.

"Your Highness, did you do it on purpose?"

You deliberately left the robe loose and sagging, waiting for this moment?

She saw through his trick at a glance!

Duan Rongshi smiled slightly: "Is Zongzheng Wuheng more good‑looking, or is my own body more good‑looking?"

Li Qingluo also smiled slightly: "Your Highness, what answer do you wish to hear?"

Duan Rongshi: "Do you have any other answer?"

Li Qingluo thought: "Who in the world could know that the renowned Prince Su, famed for his violent temper, is secretly such a jealous fool?"

It's already been several days, and you still won't let it go when the chance arises?

Li Qingluo knew that if she failed to coax him today, she wouldn't be able to leave the palace.

So she simply gritted her teeth and leaned over.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing herself a little closer.

"Your Highness, haven't you always wanted to know about one thing?"

"Your body, back then in that cave on the cliff, I had already seen it."

"To this day I still can't forget that profound memory! And Your Highness, your very beautiful body."

"Your Highness, do you know that because you were poisoned and your whole body was cold, it was Luo Er who warmed your body?"

"Your Highness, do you also know how hard Luo Er had to drag you along to get you away from the cliff?"

"Finally, when you accidentally fell into the cave, I fed you medicine to save your life, each pill Luo Er blew into your mouth, one by one, into your stomach."

"Just like this…"

Saying so, she pressed her lips to his again, just as the first time, without distraction.

A gentle blow.

Duan Rongshi squinted, and with his other hand pulled her into a flip.

He pressed Li Qingluo onto the stone.

He reached out and brushed aside the damp strands of hair at her temple.

"Like this?"

He, following the same method, lowered his head and blew a breath toward her as well.

"Since Luo Er saved my life, how shall I repay you?"

"How about offering my body to you?"

Li Qingluo couldn't help but laugh: "Alright."

Duan Rongshi pressed his forehead against hers, and again couldn't help but kiss her.

This time, they tangled together for an unknown length of time.

At least, he constantly restrained himself from taking any further step.

Until they both were panting again, Duan Rongshi was reluctant to let her go.

"Luo Er, will you come into the palace to stay with me?"