Joy of Life: Me, the Second Prince? Summon Yuan Tiangang!

The Second Prince's Residence, West Wing.

Red candles burned brightly, and the tent was warm and fragrant. An ambiguous and alluring atmosphere filled the air, the air thick with the scent of styrax, a fragrance deliberately applied to ignite the deepest desires in one's heart.

Contrary to rumors, Li Chengze was not in a hurry. He casually kicked off his shoes, wearing only a snow-white undergarment, and lazily lay on his side on the large, carved canopy bed.

His eyes were slightly closed, and his breathing was steady and long, as if he had truly fallen asleep, seemingly oblivious to the stunning beauty beside him.

Si Lili knelt on the outside of the bed, looking through the thin red gauze curtain at the man inside who was breathing evenly. She was torn between her inner turmoil and felt as if she were walking on thin ice.

Her hands gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

"This is the Second Prince, Li Chengze..."

She silently recited it in her heart.

This man possessed a handsome face capable of driving women mad. Now, having shed the eccentricity and sharpness of the day, his sleeping face revealed a childlike innocence.

However, Si Lili knew all too well what kind of power struggles and dangers lay hidden beneath this harmless exterior.

What terrified her even more was the Lord of the Net, who haunted her like a nightmare.

"At all costs, become Li Chengze's bedmate, gain his absolute trust, and control his every move." That cold voice still seemed to echo in my ears.

Now, the opportunity is right in front of you.

As long as she lifts the veil, undresses, and lies down beside this man, she is ninety percent confident that with her beauty and seductive charm, she can make him fall for her and thus complete her mission.

but……

Si Lili bit her lower lip, a hint of struggle and shame flashing in her eyes.

She was a descendant of the Southern Qing royal family. Although she had fallen into prostitution and used the title of courtesan to conceal her identity, the pride of royalty still flowed in her bones. On the banks of the Liujing River, she sold her art but not her body, navigating among the powerful and wealthy while always guarding her last line of defense.

Nowadays, is it really necessary to resort to such despicable tactics as "climbing into someone's bed" just for the sake of a task?

If the Second Prince had taken the initiative, she might have been able to comfort herself with the excuse that she had "no choice." But now, the man was asleep. Was she supposed to act like a shameless woman and undress to seduce him?

"No... I can't do it..."

Si Lili's hand trembled as she reached towards the gauze curtain. When her fingertips touched the cool, silky texture, she recoiled as if she had been electrocuted.

Looking at Li Chengze's unguarded face, she felt a strange pang of sorrow and resistance.

"If I were to take the initiative now, how would I be any different from those playthings he could summon and dismiss at will? Even if I became his woman, I would probably only be looked down upon, let alone gain his trust."

Si Lili made excuses for her retreat in her heart.

She told herself that men don't cherish things that are too easily obtained. What she wanted was to take things slowly, to make him unable to leave her, rather than indulging in a one-night stand.

"call……"

Si Lili let out a long breath, her tense body slowly relaxing. She didn't get into bed, but instead hugged her knees and curled up on the footstool beside the bed, like a frightened kitten, vigilantly and wearily keeping watch all night.

The moment she made her decision, Li Chengze's previously steady breathing paused almost imperceptibly on the bed.

Although his eyes were closed, he was fully aware of the woman's every move.

He heard her rapid heartbeat, felt the trembling of her outstretched hand, and sensed her hesitation at the last moment.

……

翌日清晨，天光微亮.

Li Chengze got out of bed feeling refreshed. Without even glancing at Si Lili, who was sleeping soundly on the footstool, he went straight to wash up and change his clothes. He then instructed the steward to take good care of Si Lili before getting into the carriage and leaving the mansion.

His destination was the Imperial Villa located on the outskirts of Kyoto.

The carriage wound its way through the lush, tree-lined path and came to a stop in front of a quiet and elegant villa. The place was heavily guarded, but upon seeing the Second Prince's token, the guards immediately and respectfully allowed it to pass.

Li Chengze navigated the corridors with practiced ease and arrived at a lakeside pavilion.

A morning breeze swept across the lake, carrying the fragrance of lotus blossoms. A young girl in a pale yellow dress sat in the waterside pavilion, holding a book in her hands, her expression focused.

She was not as sickly as rumored; on the contrary, she had a rosy complexion, snow-white skin, and bright, clear eyes that exuded intelligence and charm.

"It seems I've come at the wrong time, disturbing Sister Wan'er's enjoyment of reading."

Li Chengze's lazy voice broke the tranquility of the waterside pavilion.

Upon hearing this, Lin Wan'er's delicate body trembled slightly. She then put down the book in her hand and turned around.

When she saw that familiar figure, her eyes lit up with surprise, but that light was quickly masked by a hint of cunning and reproach.

"Second cousin."

Lin Wan'er stood up, not performing a full curtsy, but merely giving a slight bow, her tone tinged with teasing, "What wind blew today, bringing the Second Prince, who has just taken a beautiful concubine and is riding high on his success, to my desolate villa?"

Li Chengze didn't stand on ceremony. He walked straight to the stone bench opposite her and sat down. He casually picked up a pastry from the table, took a bite, and mumbled, "What? Even if the wind in Kyoto is strong, can it blow away my desire to see Wan'er?"

"Glib-tongued."

Lin Wan'er rolled her eyes at him, sat down again, and stared intently at him. "What happened last night has spread throughout the entire capital. I heard that Miss Si Lili is the most beautiful courtesan in Liujing River, and her fame is widespread. My second cousin spent a fortune at the poetry gathering and brought her back to his mansion, even declaring that he wanted to take her as a concubine. How come you weren't tired last night?"

If an ordinary woman had said these words, they would have been filled with bitterness. But Lin Wan'er spoke frankly and openly, her eyes clear, as if she were simply discussing an amusing anecdote from the court.

Li Chengze swallowed the pastry, patted the crumbs off his hands, his smile faded, and his eyes became deep.

"Wan'er, you're so clever, can't you see the trick to it?"

Li Chengze leaned forward slightly, looking directly into Lin Wan'er's eyes.

"Self-defilement?" Lin Wan'er frowned slightly, then gently shook her head. "Second cousin, you can fool others, but you can't fool me. There are many ways to self-defile, why do you have to bring a courtesan into the manor? This doesn't seem like your style."

She paused, then lowered her voice, "That Si Lili, her identity isn't simple, is it?"

A hint of admiration flashed in Li Chengze's eyes. As expected of the woman he had chosen; her keen insight far surpassed that of ordinary people.

"She is indeed not simple." Li Chengze did not hide anything and said frankly, "She is a spy from Northern Qi."

"A spy from Northern Qi?!" Lin Wan'er was slightly startled, but quickly regained her composure. "Since you know she's a spy, why keep her by your side? Isn't that like inviting a wolf into the house?"

"A wolf?" Li Chengze scoffed, his eyes gleaming with an arrogant disdain for the world. "She's at best a fangless little fox. Instead of letting her roam freely outside, it's better to keep her in a cage. If she's tamed, she might even bite back at Northern Qi in the future."

At this point, Li Chengze reached out and gently grasped Lin Wan'er's soft hand that was placed on the table.

Lin Wan'er's fingers trembled slightly, but she did not pull them back; instead, two blushes rose on her cheeks.

"Wan'er, the game of chess in this world is vast and chaotic." Li Chengze's voice became gentle yet firm. "Even if I act crazy or indulge in debauchery outside, it's all for others to see. Only in front of you, I am unwilling to act, and I don't want to act."

"That Si Lili is nothing but a decoration, a prop. Last night, I didn't even touch her."

Li Chengze blinked, his face full of expectation for praise. "How was it? Wasn't I very chaste?"

Lin Wan'er was amused by his appearance, and the little knot in her heart instantly disappeared.

She took Li Chengze's hand in return and said softly, "Second cousin, I believe in you."

Li Chengze tightened his grip slightly, gently pulling Lin Wan'er into his arms. The girl's unique, delicate fragrance lingered in his nostrils, bringing a rare moment of peace to Li Chengze's heart, which had grown increasingly hardened by political intrigue.

Lin Wan'er obediently leaned against his chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, but a subtle and complex emotion flashed in her eyes.

"Alright, stop staying cooped up inside, you're going to get moldy."

A moment later, Li Chengze loosened his embrace, gently stroked Lin Wan'er's pert nose, and said with a smile, "The weather is perfect today. I'll take you for a stroll in the streets and let you see the prosperity of this capital."

"Really?" Lin Wan'er's eyes lit up. Although staying in the villa didn't directly restrict her freedom, this time she was going out with Li Chengze!

"When have I ever lied to you?" Li Chengze raised an eyebrow and smiled, took her hand, and strode out.

The guards in the villa looked at each other in bewilderment at the sight, but none of them dared to step forward to stop it.

Just kidding! This guy is a troublemaker who dares to openly contradict the Crown Prince in court and berate the censors mercilessly! Who would dare to block his path if they're tired of living?

I'm afraid that if I step out today, I'll be dismissed for stepping through the door.

And so, Li Chengze swaggered out of the royal villa with the princess in full view of everyone and got into the iconic luxury carriage.

……

The streets of Kyoto were bustling with traffic and noise.

Li Chengze didn't bring many entourage, only a few plainclothes guards following him at a distance. He and Lin Wan'er walked side by side on the street, like a perfect couple, attracting frequent glances from passersby.

Since growing up, Lin Wan'er has rarely strolled around freely with Li Chengze like this. Everything she sees is new and exciting. She stops in front of a sugar figurine stall one moment and is attracted by a street performer the next. Her face is beaming with a smile she has never seen before.

Just like when I was a child.

Li Chengze stayed by her side with a smile the whole time, occasionally taking out money to buy her the little trinkets she liked, his eyes filled with such doting affection that they seemed to drip with tears.

"Get out of the way! Don't block the way!"

Several burly men who looked like servants were driving the crowd away, while a man and a woman stood in the center of the crowd.

The man wore a light purple robe, had a handsome and refined face, and a carefree smile played on his lips.

Beside him, a gentle-looking young woman in a light green dress was tugging at his sleeve, seemingly trying to persuade him.

"Brother, let's go, let's not cause trouble," Fan Ruoruo said in a low voice.

"What are you afraid of? In Kyoto, you can't stop people from walking, can you?" Fan Xian raised an eyebrow, not only not giving way, but also taking advantage of the situation and moving forward a little further.

Just then, his gaze inadvertently swept across the crowd and landed on Lin Wan'er, who was smiling broadly with a string of candied hawthorns in the distance.

In that instant, Fan Xian felt a "buzz" in his mind, as if he had been struck by a thunderbolt.

nice!

So beautiful!

That ethereal, otherworldly charm, that pure and innocent smile, instantly struck his heart, a modern man who had seen countless women.

Is this the legendary...love at first sight?

Fan Xian stared blankly at Lin Wan'er, even forgetting the noise around him and who he was.

"Brother? What are you looking at, brother?" Fan Ruoruo followed his gaze and couldn't help but exclaim, "What a beautiful woman..."

Just as Fan Xian was engrossed in watching, a magnetic yet slightly teasing voice suddenly rang in his ear:

"Young Master Fan, the wind and sand in the capital are strong; be careful not to get them in your eyes."

Fan Xian looked in the direction of the voice and was taken aback when he saw who it was.

"So it's the Second Prince." Fan Xian cupped his hands in a forced smile. "The dust storms in this capital are indeed fierce, but my eyesight is good; I can see the road clearly, and I can also see... people clearly."

As he spoke, his gaze couldn't help but drift towards what was behind Li Chengze.

Li Chengze moved swiftly, blocking his view perfectly. A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips, but his voice was kept very low, only the two of them could hear it:

"Fan Xian, there are some paths you can take, but some people... you'd better not look at them. If you keep looking, I'll dig them out for you."

After saying that, he turned around and, in front of Fan Xian, very naturally reached out and put his arm around Lin Wan'er's slender waist, the action intimate and domineering.

"Wan'er, let me introduce you. This is Young Master Fan Xian, who is also... your nominal fiancé."

Li Chengze deliberately emphasized the words "in name only," his eyes full of provocation.

Lin Wan'er paused for a moment, then looked at Fan Xian, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes, but more of a sense of distance.

She gave a slight curtsy and said politely but coldly, "Wan'er greets Young Master Fan."

After saying that, she didn't look at Fan Xian again, but turned to Li Chengze, her face blooming with that sweet smile that belonged only to him: "Second cousin, the candied hawthorn is a bit sour, I want to eat the osmanthus cake over there."

"Okay, as you wish."

Li Chengze affectionately flicked her nose, put his arm around her waist, turned and left, leaving Fan Xian with only a dashing and resolute back view.

Fan Xian stood there, watching the two figures walk away intimately, his fists clenching unconsciously, a feeling of unprecedented frustration, bitterness, and anguish welling up inside him.

That's his fiancée!

Although it was Emperor Qing who issued the decree and named her, he hadn't taken it seriously before. But the moment he saw Lin Wan'er, he felt a surge of desire to compete.