After the milk ball arrived, the father who had no heirs had a string of good luck.

Because of this, Zhang Ji kept a cold face for several days.

Situ Che was a typical straight man and didn't notice Zhang Ji's little mood at all.

When it was lunchtime in the afternoon, I went to Qin Zhiyan's courtyard on time to report for lunch!

A gentleman's word is as good as his bond; he had promised Qin Zhiyan, and naturally he would keep his word.

Tang Rui, who had originally run to Qin Zhiyan's yard to play with her, quickly left.

She doesn't want to be a third wheel.

As she rolled away, Tang Rui earnestly suggested, "Father, why don't you stay and sleep with Mother tonight?"

Qin Zhiyan's face instantly turned bright red, both angry and ashamed: "Rui Rui, don't talk nonsense, Your Highness, I absolutely did not teach Rui Rui to say such things."

She was genuinely afraid that Situ Che would misunderstand.

But Situ Che had long since gotten used to Tang Rui's occasional outrageous remarks.

He glared at her, then looked at Qin Zhiyan suspiciously: "You...didn't you say you liked me?"

"Yes...yes..." Qin Zhiyan nervously rubbed the handkerchief in her hand, not daring to meet Situ Che's eyes, and not understanding why Situ Che would bring this up again.

Seeing her like this, Situ Che, a straight man, automatically interpreted it as resistance.

So, all that talk about liking someone is just a lie, right?

Tang Rui sighed and added, "Father, Mother is just shy, and she's worried you'll misunderstand that she's using me to win his favor. Mother, Father is very straightforward. You must tell him everything you're thinking, otherwise he'll misunderstand that you're lying when you say you like him."

what?

Is that... the case?

Qin Zhiyan quickly said, "I'm not lying. I... I'm afraid you'll misunderstand me and think I'm using Rui Rui..."

"Oh..." Situ Che finally understood, and coughed awkwardly, "I am your husband, and it is only right that I share a bed with you, as long as you don't find it troublesome..."

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all, I am very happy..." Besides being happy, she was also very nervous.

After several years of marriage, this was the first time the prince had shared a room with her.

Even though I can't have sex, having my loved one sleeping beside me is a very happy thing!

Just thinking about it makes her almost faint with happiness.

"Father, Mother, you two go to sleep. I'm going back too!"

Tang Rui finished her task and then left, shaking her head.

This family would fall apart without her!

Upon hearing this, Qin Zhiyan quickly gave Rong Mama a wink.

Rong Momo smiled and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, this old servant will take good care of the young princess."

After years of being alone in my empty room, I have finally seen the light of day after all the clouds have parted.

She was genuinely happy for the princess and even more grateful to Tang Rui.

"Then... Your Highness, I'll have the servants boil some water for you to soak your legs, so you can sleep more comfortably."

Qin Zhiyan blushed and immediately directed the servants in the courtyard to get busy.

Situ Che didn't care at first; it didn't matter where he slept.

The princess married him, and she wasn't the empress's spy, so she didn't dislike him.

But he's not ready yet. Besides that, he should also try his best to fulfill his responsibilities as a husband and give Qin Zhiyan the respect she deserves.

As for soaking his legs, he used to dislike others touching his legs.

But Tang Rui told him today that he couldn't stand up not because he was crippled, but because he had a golden silkworm gu in his body.

With no disability, all the feelings of inferiority in my heart disappeared.

To his surprise, Qin Zhiyan's "leg soaking" was more than just soaking her legs.

Behind the screen, a larger wooden tub was filled with hot water.

Qin Zhiyan specially added some Chinese medicinal herbs, and squatted down to roll up her sleeves and personally take off his shoes and socks, and then massaged his legs with moderate pressure.

Situ Che frowned: "You are the Princess Consort of Li, these tasks can be done by the servants."

"I only wish to handle Your Highness's affairs personally."

The rising steam from the tub softened Qin Zhiyan's features, and her dark eyes couldn't hide her affection: "After Your Highness returned from the battlefield, I specially asked the Imperial Physician to massage your legs. These medicines were also specially prepared by the head of the academy. I was worried that the servants wouldn't serve Your Highness well because they don't know their place."

Situ Che had only just learned about these things, so it was impossible for him not to be moved.

But it was just that I was moved.

He didn't know what liking someone meant, and he didn't feel that flutter of the heart at all.

All he had was…

Situ Che pressed down on her hand and said very seriously, "Qin Zhiyan, I don't like you!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Zhiyan's rosy face gradually lost its color.

Before she could even feel sad, Situ Che added, "But I don't like other women either."

Qin Zhiyan forced a smile, and managed a hoarse voice, "What does Your Highness wish to say?"

Situ Che gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his beautiful peach blossom eyes softening with tenderness. "I don't know what love is, but you are now my wife, and a husband's duty is that of a wife. As long as you don't betray me, you will always be Princess Consort Li. I will keep our vow of lifelong commitment, respecting you, valuing you, and protecting you. Heaven and earth bear witness to this. If I break this vow..."

"Stop talking!" Qin Zhiyan interrupted him, feeling a warm current flowing through her heart, which warmed her entire body. "Your Highness, with your words, I would die without regret."

Situ Che had a faint, enigmatic smile playing on his lips, his dark eyes fixed on her face as if trying to discern something: "Don't you resent marrying such an unromantic man?"

For the first time, Qin Zhiyan met his gaze without flinching, her eyes as gentle as ever: "My mother taught me from a young age that men's love is the most fickle thing in the world. They may like a woman today, but when that woman grows old and loses her beauty, they will like another woman. Just like... my father. Only a man's respect is the most precious thing. Your Highness's willingness to respect me, value me, and protect me is a promise that is a thousand times heavier than love. Why should I complain?"

"I... am very content, very happy, truly..."

As she finished speaking, tears welled up in Qin Zhiyan's eyes.

These are tears of joy.

She felt she hadn't misjudged him; Prince Li was the true man of the world.

Aside from King Li, what other man could be as honest as King Li?

Situ Che was relieved to find out she didn't resent him, and extended his hand to her: "Alright, from now on, you and I will be of one mind and advance and retreat together."

"It is my honor!" Qin Zhiyan extended her hand to the Demon Lord.

The couple exchanged a smile, everything understood without a word.

...

Tang Rui saw the couple again the next day at the entrance of the Prince Li's mansion.

Today she is ordered to go to Prince Chen's residence.

But... the couple stood at the door, shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand.

Ouch!

Tang Rui exclaimed, "Daddy, you've finally figured it out?"

"Don't worry about adult matters at such a young age!"

Situ Che coughed awkwardly, but didn't let go of Qin Zhiyan's hand. He solemnly instructed her, "I won't accompany you today. Rong Mama will go with you to the Chen Prince's residence. Remember, don't cause any trouble, understand?"