Chapter 21: I Want You to Be My Prince Consort

Nanny Rong and Tao Hua exchanged glances, their faces etched with shock. Having served by the princess’s side for so many years, they had never seen her so invested in any man.

Rong Nanny looked at Xie Ning, who was still unconscious on the bed, then back at the princess, whose eyes held an unprecedented determination. Deep within, she harbored a bold suspicion.

“I will see to it immediately,” she said, suppressing the turbulent emotions within her and respectfully accepting the order.

“Mm,” Li Qingning nodded.

Her gaze returned once more to Xie Ning, and the coldness in her eyes unconsciously softened.

She recalled how he had fainted from exhaustion while saving her just moments ago. She also remembered their encounter in the carriage, when he had boldly declared before everyone that she was his woman and he was her consort, just to rid himself of Li Rushi’s persistent harassment.

At the time, she had thought it absurd.

But now…

She found herself uncontrollably considering that marrying this man might not be such a bad choice after all.

He was interesting, courageous, and, most importantly, affectionate.

Though she was uncertain whether his feelings were genuine.

Yet, he had saved her life—twice.

Thinking this way, pledging herself to him no longer seemed unreasonable.

Such a thought emerged uncontrollably from her heart, then grew wildly like a vine, impossible to restrain.

…

Xie Ning slept soundly, as if the world had gone dark.

He dreamed a long dream.

In it, he was back in his previous life, pursued through the mountain by a mysterious old Taoist holding a feather duster, muttering ceaselessly:

“You brat, didn’t study well—now you see the consequences.”

“I’m telling you, your fate lacks water—no, it lacks a woman! A woman who can tame your kingly aura!”

“...”

When he opened his eyes again, the first thing he saw was the ornate tasselled bed canopy.

The air was filled with a faint, soothing scent of sandalwood.

He moved his fingers and felt his entire body weak and aching as if he had been thoroughly beaten.

“Where am I?” he murmured.

“Young master, you’re awake?” a gentle voice sounded nearby.

Xie Ning turned his head to see Tao Hua’s pretty face.

“Miss Tao Hua?”

He struggled to sit up but found he had no strength at all.

“Young master, please don’t move,” Tao Hua hurried forward, supporting him and helping him rest against the soft pillow.

“You overexerted yourself and are severely depleted. You need proper rest.”

“The princess has already ordered that you stay here and recover without going anywhere,” she added.

At her words, Xie Ning recalled everything before he lost consciousness: the cruel Four Yin Deadly Trap, the suddenly broken beam, and Li Qingning’s soft yet cold body.

“How is the princess?” he asked anxiously.

He had risked his life to drag her back from death’s door; he hoped nothing had gone wrong again.

At the mention of Li Qingning, Tao Hua’s face bloomed into a sincere, radiant smile.

“Thanks to the young master, Her Highness is currently safe.”

Relieved, Xie Ning sighed.

At least his efforts hadn’t been in vain.

Still, seeing his own frail state, he couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

He had saved someone else, only to put himself in harm’s way.

This deal seemed a bit of a loss.

“Young master, are you hungry?” Tao Hua asked eagerly.

“The princess ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare a supreme tonic soup for you, using the very best thousand-year-old ginseng from the treasury, simmered over a gentle flame, just waiting for you to wake.”

At the mention of food, Xie Ning’s eyes lit up.

He felt he could devour an entire ox.

“Hurry, bring it to me!”

Soon, a bowl of richly aromatic, thick tonic soup was placed before him.

Xie Ning disregarded all decorum and gulped it down.

The warm broth flowed through his limbs, easing the emptiness he felt inside.

“Excellent soup!” he exclaimed.

Truly, the skill of the royal chefs was unmatched.

At that moment, the door creaked open.

Li Qingning entered, dressed in a pale purple palace gown.

Her complexion had regained its rosy glow, her skin as translucent and flawless as the finest jade.

Her beautiful phoenix-like eyes sparkled with lively brilliance, radiating an awe-inspiring beauty and the solemn dignity befitting her high status.

Xie Ning stared at her, momentarily stunned.

The Li Qingning he knew had been a pale beauty, beautiful indeed but always carrying a chill and frailty that kept others at a distance.

Now, she was like a dusty jade polished clean, dazzling with the brightest radiance.

“Had enough of looking?” Li Qingning approached the bedside, looking down at Xie Ning with a faint, teasing smile.

Snapping back to reality, Xie Ning rubbed his nose and grinned slyly.

“Never enough. A celestial beauty like Her Highness—one could never tire of watching her all their life.”

His words were slick and playful.

In the past, Li Qingning might have frowned coldly.

But today, she did not get angry; instead, a delicate blush quietly blossomed on her pale cheeks.

“Smooth talker,” she chided softly and then sat down on a stool beside the bed.

“How are you feeling?” she asked gently, her voice laced with concern.

“Not bad. Not dying,” Xie Ning shrugged.

“Just feel completely drained, badly in need of nourishment.”

He handed the empty bowl back to Tao Hua.

“Another bowl, please!”

Li Qingning watched his carefree demeanor, torn between amusement and frustration.

This man had risked himself to save her, yet acted as if nothing had happened.

She was silent for a moment, seemingly gathering her thoughts.

Then, as if making a firm decision, she raised her head and looked directly into Xie Ning’s bright eyes.

“Xie Ning.”

For the first time, she called him by his full name with such solemnity.

“Back in the carriage, in front of all those people, you said something—does it still stand?”

“Huh?” Xie Ning paused mid-sip of his second bowl, confused.

What did I say?

He thought carefully.

In the carriage, in front of many people...

An absurd thought suddenly popped into his mind.

No way.

“I said...” Li Qingning’s cheeks flushed deeper, but her gaze remained steady.

“You are my consort. Do you still stand by that?”

“Pft!”

The mouthful of soup Xie Ning had just swallowed almost shot out in surprise.