The voice of a certain tyrannical Regent Prince was hoarse to the extreme.
He affectionately kissed the back of her hand, then trailed along her fair and slender fingers, his soft lips landing on the fingertips. His rosy lips parted slightly, just about to take them in when…
Yun Li withdrew her hand. “Not now.”
Rong Zhou instantly resembled a large dog with drooping ears and tail, opening his eyes to gaze at her with a pitiful look.
She coaxed him, “I want to take you to eat something delicious first, I guarantee you’ve never had it before!”
At this moment, Rong Zhou’s heart and eyes were filled only with thoughts of devouring her.
But hearing his little Princess Consort say this, a spark of light still flickered in his dark pupils, and he obediently followed her instructions.
Just then, a cheerful voice rang out—
“Coming!”
Rong Zhou, holding his delicate little treasure in his arms, looked up at the sound and saw Lian Qiao leading several maids from the manor, carrying large pots and small plates into the hall.
Yun Li eagerly craned her little head to look.
Her eyes suddenly lit up!
She knew entrusting this matter to the foodie Lian Qiao was the right choice—the copper pot, beef and mutton, sashimi, tripe, meatballs, sesame paste… everything she wanted had actually been prepared!
“Your Highness, Princess Consort, be careful, it’s hot.”
Lian Qiao reminded them, thoughtfully placing a barrier before having the maids set up the stove stand, stove ring, and stove plate. After placing the alcohol bowl, they lit it and placed the copper pot on top.
The copper pot was already filled with a prepared broth base, and the aroma instantly spread freely throughout the hall…
Rong Zhou raised the corner of his eye: Hot pot?
This was something from the modern era, not belonging to the Great Yu Dynasty they were in now.
But… guaranteed he’d never eaten it before?
Rong Zhou lowered his eyes and let out a helpless chuckle. His A-Li truly didn’t know—he, like her, had been reborn in the modern world before returning to the ancient Yu Kingdom.
It was just that, fearing he would cause her tragic death again as in their previous life, he had suppressed all desire to approach her, silently protecting her from the shadows without ever appearing before her.
“So fragrant.” Yun Li took a deep breath.
She intimately wrapped her arms around Rong Zhou’s neck, her voice sweet and proud, “A-Zhou, this is hot pot. It’s especially delicious—you’ve definitely never had it before, right?”
Rong Zhou pressed his thin lips together, his fingertips lightly rubbing…
Since he had already chosen silent guardianship before,
Why let her know now, causing his little Princess Consort unnecessary regret and displeasure?
“Mm.” Rong Zhou responded in a slightly low voice.
The man then raised his arm to wrap around her waist, lowering his eyes with a subdued chuckle, showing no trace of flaw or unease. “Indeed, I’ve never had it before.”
“I knew it!” Yun Li smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons.
She had searched for him throughout her entire life in the modern world but found no trace, so he likely hadn’t traveled through time!
Just then, the hot pot broth began to boil.
The aroma grew even richer.
Yun Li picked up her chopsticks and swished a thinly sliced piece of mutton in the pot. Seeing it change color, she dipped it in the sauce she had given Lian Qiao the recipe for.
Then, with a charming smile, she fed it to Rong Zhou. “Try it. You don’t like spicy food, so I specially prepared a clear broth! The dipping sauce is my exclusive recipe too!”
This exclusive recipe was actually just sesame paste.
But Rong Zhou didn’t expose it.
He let Yun Li feed the mutton slice into his mouth, his peach-blossom eyes sparkling with amazement as he nodded in approval. “It’s a very unique method, a delicacy unparalleled in this world.”
Yun Li had no idea he was just a big bluffer.Seeing Rong Zhou eat with delight, she continued feeding him, “Then try this one~ Shrimp meat is mashed into a paste, shaped into balls and boiled in the pot. The texture is springy, tender, and crisp~”
Rong Zhou let out a soft, helpless yet doting chuckle.
Playing along with his little Princess Consort, he carefully tasted the shrimp ball before wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into his embrace.
So what if this wasn’t anything new to him?
Rong Zhou still indulged her every whim, neither showing off nor holding back his praise—
“To come up with such a unique way of eating, my little A’Li is truly remarkable.” He lowered his gaze to stroke her face, his deep, seductive voice laced with laughter, “This prince is pleased.”
…
Three days after the wedding, the couple returned to the bride’s family home.
Yun Li rose early to carefully apply her makeup, selecting hairpins and step-shakers with care. Her water-blue brocade gown flowed gracefully as she moved.
Studying herself seriously in the bronze mirror, she asked, “Lian Qiao, have you packed all the things we need to bring?”
“All packed!” Lian Qiao replied cheerfully.
She bounced over to Yun Li’s side, helped choose a pearl hairpin to secure in her hair, and finally voiced the question that had been puzzling her—
“Miss, why have you suddenly changed your mind? I remember when His Highness was courting you before, you clearly said he was cruel and cold-blooded, no good man, and would rather die than marry him!”
Yun Li’s brows furrowed slightly.
Had she really said such things in her past life?
How foolish she had been, mistaking a pearl for a fish eye—utterly blind!
“Don’t ever mention such words again.”
Yun Li couldn’t wait to defend her husband, her charming eyes tinged with sweetness. “The husband I’ve married now is the best husband in the world!”
Lian Qiao pouted slightly, not quite understanding.
A young lady’s heart was truly hard to fathom; now she couldn’t even understand the mistress she had grown up with since childhood.
“Also,” Yun Li set down the bronze mirror, “a married woman follows her husband. Remember to call me Princess Consort from now on, and when we visit my mother later, you’re not allowed to say anything bad about His Highness.”
Lian Qiao nodded somewhat comprehendingly.
She said straightforwardly, “Since Little… Princess Consort has decided on His Highness, then this servant will listen to you!”
After all, she had always obeyed her mistress’s commands since childhood.
She didn’t understand how to choose a good husband, and she couldn’t tell what kind of man His Highness was now, but if it was Yun Li’s wish, she naturally had no reason to oppose it.
“Let’s go.” Yun Li flicked her sleeves and stood up.
Lian Qiao hurriedly ordered the servants to carry the items out, loading the boxes and cases into the sedan chairs one after another.
Seeing the Princess Consort packing her things ready to flee, while His Highness hadn’t yet returned from court, Wen Nan was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. “What to do… what should we do?”
The Princess Consort trying to escape just three days after marriage!
And His Highness had specifically instructed the household before leaving for court that whatever the Princess Consort wanted to do, she should be allowed, and no one was to stop or provoke her, but…
Who would have thought the Princess Consort would want to escape?
“Bei.” Wen Nan took the sword he was holding and poked the icy man beside him with the scabbard. “What do you think would happen if I used force to stop the Princess Consort?”
Wen Bei glanced at him indifferently.
“Drawn and quartered.” He spoke coldly.
Wen Nan fell silent for a moment, then said nothing more. He imagined the scene of being drawn and quartered and shuddered all over.
“Then what do you think we should do?” Wen Nan pressed.
Wen Bei looked at him expressionlessly. “You can try using force to stop the Princess Consort. Don’t worry.”
“You think His Highness would be magnanimous with me?”
“I’ll help collect your body.”
“…”
Wen Nan speechlessly rolled his eyes at the sky and continued pacing anxiously in front of the mansion gate.Fortunately, the sound of hoofbeats was soon heard!
Wen Nan’s eyes instantly lit up, and when he looked up, he indeed saw a figure in dark robes returning on horseback at full speed.
“Your Highness!” He immediately rushed forward with swift strides.
Rong Zhou tightened the reins and dismounted, casting a cold glance at the anxious Wen Nan. “What is it?”
“The Princess Consort… she’s trying to escape!”