Chapter 126: She’s a Total Predator!

"My Lord... this..."

Liufu did not answer, standing still with his head bowed. How strange—he had just bestowed favor upon a new beauty, so why was he suddenly pining for Qiao Qingyun again?

"Enough. You may go."

Yuan Zaichun felt deeply agitated and waved his hand. As if granted a reprieve, Liufu did not dare to slow his pace, quickly scurrying out toward the door.

Left alone, Yuan Zaichun sat in the room, solitary and still. The books on statecraft he once loved to pore over now seemed utterly insipid.

"I never imagined Zhong Shi was actually the Young Master."

"Indeed, indeed! Zhong Shi—no, no, Young Master Lu, did the Emperor bestow a marriage upon you today?"

Upon returning to Zijing Palace, all the maids had learned of Zhong Shi’s true identity. They rushed over in a swarm, firing questions at him until even Hongying couldn't squeeze in a word.

"Shouldn't you all be concerned with how to serve the Princess?"

Zhong Shi retorted with a single sentence. With his icy expression, he appeared stern to everyone.

Qiao Qingyun had finally changed into comfortable clothing and hurried over to the group, suggesting with great enthusiasm, "I’m actually quite hungry. How about we roast some meat?"

It had been a while since she last enjoyed barbecue, and her mouth had been watering at the mere thought. Because they were in the Imperial Palace, she hadn't wanted to make such requests, suppressing the urge time and again.

"Roast meat?"

Qinglu paused, a thought striking her. She hurriedly turned to ask Yuanbao, "Tell me, do you remember those coals we brought back last time?"

Hearing this, Yuanbao was struck with a sudden realization. "I put them in the storeroom, thinking they were for heating during the winter. But there is other charcoal—I’ll go fetch it right away."

"Go, quickly!" Qiao Qingyun urged, spurring Yuanbao to run even faster.

"Is Yuanbao truly loyal enough to serve?" Zhong Shi asked, seemingly indifferent, though the earnestness in his eyes could not be hidden from Qiao Qingyun. As an attendant by her side, he had to be constantly vigilant of everyone, even someone like Yuanbao.

"He’s fine. Besides, he has already mastered most of his duties. Zhong Shi, you don’t know—while you were away all this time, I didn't even dare to step out, fearing I might be plotted against."

Hearing this, Zhong Shi’s previously despondent heart was reignited. He feared being easily replaced.

"Is that true? Princess, you have no idea; my brother has been urging us to return every single day, I..."

Before Hongying could finish her sentence, Zhong Shi’s face flushed red. He gave Hongying a swift kick to the backside, sending her stumbling far away.

"Ah!"

Qiao Qingyun was amused by their interaction, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

Seeing that the charcoal had been brought out, Zhong Shi personally went to fetch a leg of lamb, processed it right before Qiao Qingyun’s eyes, and set it over the fire.

"The first time we had barbecue was at the General’s Mansion. Qinglu had never eaten anything so delicious before." As she ate the sliced meat, Qinglu remarked with a sigh, tears welling up in her eyes.

Yuanbao had not been there, so he knew nothing of what had happened back then. He only knew that Qiao Qingyun had later become the Crown Princess, and then, what they now called a Princess.

"That’s true. At the time, I was a bit skeptical. After all, the Princess was a sheltered lady; how could she cook so many things? But after it was done, I felt like nothing else tasted as good!" Hongying stuffed her mouth while praising the food. Yuanbao ate obediently, and Qiao Qingyun chuckled softly. "Alright, alright, stop the flattery. Zhong Shi is the one who grilled this today; are you trying to praise him to the heavens?"

The group laughed together. Yuanbao went to bring back some wine, placing it before them. "Where there is meat, there must be wine! Since there are no guards here today, can we drink to our hearts' content?"

This had been Qiao Qingyun’s idea. She had been craving wine for a long time, but Qinglu and Yuanbao had blocked her at every turn, which had infuriated her. Now that she finally had a chance to touch the wine, she was determined to drink her fill.

"Fine, fine, fine!"

Zhong Shi shook his head, reaching out with lightning speed to snatch the wine jar from Qiao Qingyun’s hands. "The Princess is not in the best of health; you cannot drink."

"Hahaha!"

Qinglu and Yuanbao could not hold back their laughter. Qiao Qingyun was stunned, pouting with a pitiful look. "Why are you all bullying me? Yuanbao and the others won't let me drink, and now you won't either."

As she spoke, Qiao Qingyun scooted closer to Zhong Shi. Knowing he couldn't resist her when she acted vulnerable, she begged in a soft, sweet voice, "Please? Just one sip. Really, just one sip. I beg you."

Watching Qiao Qingyun’s charming demeanor, Zhong Shi stiffened. As if under a spell, he nodded. Qiao Qingyun nearly jumped for joy. "Yay!"

A flicker of tenderness crossed the man's eyes before he immediately reined it in. Qiao Qingyun had not fully accepted him yet... he couldn't be too obvious, or he might frighten her.

They drank and sang, reflecting on the fleeting nature of life.

"Hiccup..."

As expected, Qiao Qingyun was drunk.

"Hehe, Zhong Shi, why do you have three heads?"

Once intoxicated, Qiao Qingyun became a completely different person. She grabbed onto Zhong Shi and started rambling, and even when Hongying and Qinglu tried to rescue him, they couldn't pull her away!

"Hehe, handsome, how old are you? Do you have someone you like? Do you have a wife? Would you mind being ravished?"

Qiao Qingyun clung to Zhong Shi, her face inches from his. Yet, the drunken Qiao Qingyun was so adorable that it stirred an inexplicable desire in him to simply sweep her away.

"Gulp..."

Zhong Shi swallowed hard, wrapping one arm around her waist to keep her from falling. He lowered his head, his voice deep and husky. "Your servant... your servant..."

Qinglu looked at Zhong Shi’s predicament, torn between laughter and pity. "Sorry, Zhong Shi, I’m afraid you’ll have to suffer for a while."

"Hey, the mistress can stay drunk until tomorrow morning. You’d better figure out how to get her to sleep!" Yuanbao watched the scene and instinctively hid behind Qinglu. If he were the one being targeted, he wouldn't have Zhong Shi’s good fortune.

"I..."

Zhong Shi looked as if he had swallowed gall. It wasn't for any other reason than the difficulty of restraining his own impulses when faced with the one he loved—he even wanted to strike while the iron was hot!

"Be good, handsome. Don't struggle. Let me hold you for a bit, or else your purity will be in grave danger today!"

Qinglu: ...
Hongying: ...
Yuanbao: ...

Is she a female hooligan? Qiao Qingyun’s lascivious look certainly didn't seem like she was joking!