Chapter 469: Consummation? Abstinence!

Duan Rongshi: "I don't know."

Duan Rongshi said it was the truth.

Over the past year, Princess Chang has had no dealings with Prince Su's residence.

Even if Duan Rongshi personally probes, Princess Chang never takes the bait.

Since the West City Gate incident, Princess Chang has completely become a different person; the once bold and straightforward Princess Chang has transformed into an aloof imperial princess who now manipulates court affairs, toys with power, and is full of ambition.

The entire Princess Residence has become an untouchable, most powerful noble house within the Imperial City.

Apart from the New Crown Prince Duan Rongjue, she, favored by the emperor, is also the person with the greatest power in the Imperial City.

Even the once‑renowned Prince Su cannot contend with her, who shines like the noon sun.

Li Qingluo felt a deep unease: "The Western Regions... could it be related to Zu Li Ya?"

A speculation flashed through Li Qingluo's mind: could Zu Li Ya be still alive?

Or perhaps Qin Yu has been reborn in Princess Chang?

Yet they share no blood relation.

No, on the day of the West City Gate incident, another person also died, and that person had a strong blood tie to Princess Chang.

"Duan Rongyin!"

"A Shi, have you probed yet? What exactly is Princess Chang…"

Duan Rongshi lightly tapped Li Qingluo's back of the hand with his finger.

"She is the elder sister."

"No Western Regions sorcery, rest assured."

Compared with Li Qingluo's wild speculation, Duan Rongshi remained very calm.

"Perhaps this is her original ambition."

Outside, the rain fell in large drops; after the meal, Qingyangzi went down to rest.

After the earlier commotion, the monks of Ningyuan Temple had witnessed the prowess of Li Qingluo's party.

Especially the Kill-Word group's speed in extinguishing fire left the monks powerless to intervene.

Even their water buckets were snatched away by them.

The monks instead became mere onlookers.

Afterwards, Jiechi personally returned a silver note worth five hundred taels.

Que'er seized the chance to say that with so many people, three courtyards were insufficient.

If more rooms aren't arranged, the fire‑extinguishing Kill-Word members will crowd into the monks' meditation chambers.

Then the whole temple would be noisy, and no one could expect cleanliness.

Jiechi hurriedly opened two more, actually three, courtyards.

With that, dozens of people finally got lodging.

Night deepened gradually.

Li Qingluo lay on the bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Duan Rongshi lay rigidly at the edge, and after hearing her turn over for nearly half an hour, finally couldn't help opening his eyes.

"Why can't you sleep?"

Li Qingluo propped her head up, glared at the man beside her: "What do you think?"

Duan Rongshi: "... the bed is too hard?"

The room was indeed a bit small.

One table, and a bed made of stone and mud.

The bed had only a thin mattress.

That was no different from sleeping directly on a hard board.

Her delicate, soft body couldn't endure it, which was natural.

Duan Rongshi rolled over, preparing to get up: "I'll fetch you an extra mattress."

Hearing this, Li Qingluo quickly sprang up, lunging at him.

"No need—"

The warm nest instantly became drafty.

Wearing only an undergarment, Li Qingluo involuntarily shivered and then sneezed.

Where could Duan Rongshi push her away again?

He could only pull up the quilt and hold her tightly.

"Luo'er? What's wrong with you?"

Li Qingluo hurried forward, clinging to Duan Rongshi's neck, then pressed her whole body against him.

Inside, she was furious: He asks what's wrong with her? And it's about a mattress?

The formidable, decisive Prince Su, in this regard, might be a fool?

Or perhaps his body harbors some hidden ailment?

In the dim room, she stared at his eyes with a resentful gaze.

"Duan Rongshi, why won't you consummate with me?"

She finally voiced the words she had bottled up for half a month.

Duan Rongshi froze for a moment: …

Though unseen, Li Qingluo felt his neck and ears suddenly become scorching hot.

She reached out to touch, but Duan Rongshi seized her tightly.

"You—"

Duan Rongshi, unable to laugh or cry, said, "You can't fall asleep, is it because of this?"

Li Qingluo: "Yes... but also no..."

She still harbored the matter of the Guanyin statue in her heart.

Duan Rongshi seemed to sigh, "Qingluo, although this Ningyuan Temple isn't a great place, it is still a Buddhist sect."

"Since we are staying here, we should observe the strict rules."

The foremost precept is the word "lust."

Li Qingluo was startled all over.

Her face also turned scorching red.

She... forgot this incident.

However...

"Fine. We aren't consummating here; on the way out of MiaoJiang we stayed at several inns, whose beds were soft and comfortable. Why did you still go to sleep on that low stool yourself?"

She questioned assertively, determined to get an explanation from him today.

A few feelings of grievance inevitably rose in her heart.

Duan Rongshi was momentarily at a loss for words.

In this world, perhaps only she, a woman, would brazenly question her husband about consummation.

He couldn't help but smile, allowing her to cling to him wildly, and raised his hand to gently hold her.

"Qingluo, I don't want to rush into completing this with you."

"Moreover, I haven't given you the proper royal wedding gift due to you as a princess."

"Therefore, I certainly don't want to wrong you."

"Do you really think I want to sleep on that low stool myself?"

"I, this king, have never suffered such grievance in my life!"

"It's only for you; I gladly accept it as sweet as candy."

He said this while lowering his head, his eyes fixed tightly on her.

Li Qingluo saw a slight ripple in his throat.

She also became a bit flustered.

Sin, sin, this sacred Buddhist place must never harbor evil thoughts again.

Li Qingluo quickly buried her head.

She pressed her head firmly into his embrace.

Listening to the overly intense heartbeat beside her ear, she slightly lifted the corner of her mouth.

Her wavering heart seemed to finally find a harbor where it could dock.

So it was simply because he cherishes me, not because he is incapable.

Her heart gradually settled down.

And a strong joy welled up.

"Great, I thought you couldn't..."

Duan Rongshi: "What did you say?"

He thought he misheard.

Yet his hearing has always been extremely sharp; even a sparrow flying outside now could not escape his ears.

Therefore, he definitely did not mishear.

Duan Rongshi almost laughed in anger.

He squinted, pinched Li Qingluo's jaw and lifted it, "Qingluo, say it again."

Li Qingluo: "Heh... heh..."

"I have indeed thought it through: I want to write a letter to Grandpa Luo, so he can take a look for you."

Duan Rongshi: "... You!"

His anger made his heart pound, yet he only gently squeezed her chin.

Then he shouted a warning, "Remember this!"

Li Qingluo, unafraid of death, still tried to explain: "Rongshi, this isn't something shameful. With Grandpa Luo's medical skill, surely just two doses of medicine will cure it..."