The most dissolute couple in the capital

The warm breeze of early spring swept through the capital, scattering a carpet of red makeup across the ground.

The Minister of Personnel's residence was brightly decorated and filled with a joyous atmosphere. Today was the auspicious day for Cui Lingyi, the eldest daughter of the Cui family of Qinghe, to get married.

Cui Qingyi was dragged out of bed by Su Xin early in the morning.

"Your Highness, today is Miss Cui's wedding day. You promised yesterday that you would go early to do your wedding makeup."

Cui Qingyi rolled over, still wrapped in the blanket, and said sullenly, "I meant going early, not before dawn."

Su Xin, without changing her expression, pulled open the curtains, and the early spring sunlight mercilessly smeared Cui Qingyi's face.

"It's already Chen Shi (7-9 AM), Your Highness."

Cui Qingyi sat up in pain, her hair a mess like a bird's nest.

She glanced at the empty pillow beside her.

"Where is the prince?"

"His Highness got up at dawn, saying he wanted to personally check the dowry box for Miss Cui, in case the shop assistants at Chenxiang Pavilion packed it incorrectly," Suxin said while combing her hair.

Cui Qingyi was stunned.

In the six months since marrying into the Liang Prince's mansion, Cui Qingyi has actually been pondering an extremely profound question:

Why does Lee Seung-kyung dislike sleeping in late?

He doesn't have to get up early for court, and he doesn't have in-laws to greet him morning and evening. As a prince whose only hope in this life is to be idle and receive the highest salary from the court, why doesn't he even have the slightest awareness of "sleeping until the sun is high in the sky"?

Even though it's nighttime, this person is still incredibly energetic and full of creative ideas.

The whole of Chang'an was abuzz with rumors that the Prince of Liang had suffered an injury in his childhood that would hinder his ability to have children, and even he himself believed it. But after experiencing it firsthand for half a year, Cui Qingyi could only roll her eyes. It was probably just that it would hinder his ability to have children, but his strength in bed was not diminished in the slightest!

Because he no longer had any worries, he became even more unscrupulous and reckless.

Once night falls and all is quiet, the dignity of the imperial family is thrown to the winds.

Not only did it cling to her and wouldn't let go, but it also nestled against her neck, whimpering sweetly.

"Qingyi..."

"Good Yi'er..."

Please...

"Please help me..."

"Good madam, please give me another chance, just half an hour..."

Since he works so hard and sweats so much at night, how does he manage to get up so early every day?

Doesn't he feel he's in debt? Doesn't he need to conserve his energy?

Cui Qingyi sighed, washed and dressed, and changed into a pomegranate red brocade jacket, paired with a coral pleated skirt, and a red gold hairpin in her hair.

It wasn't that she wanted to dress so formally; it was just that her cousin Cui Lingyi's wedding was such a big deal.

Cui Lingyi's father, Cui Wenhan, was a direct descendant of the Qinghe Cui clan and held the official position of Minister of Personnel, just one step away from becoming prime minister; her mother was from the direct line of the Taiyuan Wang clan. This background already placed her at the pinnacle of aristocratic families, but today she was to marry the son of General Xiao, who held considerable military power and was at the height of his influence.

With the foundation of a top-tier aristocratic family and overwhelming military power, this couple practically possessed all the power in the court. No wonder this marriage attracted so much attention from the time it was arranged until the bride's wedding.

Although Cui Qingyi came from a collateral branch, the two had always been close, and now that she was the Princess Consort of Liang, it was natural for her to go and add to the dowry.

When she arrived at the front hall, Li Chengjing was sitting at the table with an exquisite sandalwood box in front of him.

The box was open, and inside was a pale yellow Shu brocade satin, on which were neatly arranged a complete set of exquisite items from the Chenxiang Pavilion, each item packaged in a unique glass bottle found only in all of Chang'an.

The morning light shone through the window onto the glass bottles, refracting tiny specks of light that made the ointment inside appear even more lustrous.

Hearing footsteps, Li Chengjing put down his fine-tipped brush and looked up.

Upon seeing Cui Qingyi, his eyes lit up instantly. He quickly stepped forward, put his arm around her waist, and gently rubbed his forehead against hers.

"Qingyi is dressed so beautifully today. I can't bear to think that so many people will see her when she goes out."

Cui Qingyi gave him a reproachful look, her gaze falling on the sandalwood box: "Your Highness, you've gotten up so early this morning, just to work on this?"

"When it comes to my cousin's makeup, I can't be careless." Li Chengjing led her to the table and pointed to one of the glass jars as if showing off a treasure. "I specially mixed this lip balm twice. The first color was too bright, and my cousin's elegant temperament might not be able to handle it. The second time, I changed the formula and added a light golden mica powder, which makes it the most gentle and noble after applying it to the lips."

"Your Highness has gone to great lengths." Cui Qingyi looked at him with a smile. "If my cousin knew that you personally prepared all of this, she would probably be moved to tears."

"Of course." Lee Seung-kyung raised an eyebrow smugly.

He lowered his head slightly, his gaze returning to Cui Qingyi's smiling face. His eyes lingered on her lips for a moment, but then he suddenly frowned slightly.

"However, the color Qingyi is using today is inappropriate."

Cui Qingyi was taken aback: "What's wrong?"

"It has a slightly yellowish tinge, which overshadows the brightness of your pomegranate red dress. It doesn't look as vibrant as you do. Qingyi, wait for me."

He turned and went into the inner room, returning shortly with a palm-sized white jade porcelain box. Opening the lid revealed a shimmering, watery red begonia color inside.

Cui Qingyi watched as he so naturally picked up the fine brush beside him, dipped it in some ointment, and brought it closer, making her feel completely numb.

The man's scent carried a faint fragrance of sandalwood, almost within reach. He gently lifted her chin with one hand, and with the other, he took a fine brush, dipped it in the lipstick, and delicately outlined her lips with tender movements.

"Alright." Li Chengjing took two steps back, looked you over, and nodded in satisfaction. "This color is perfect; it suits your outfit today. Let's go, I've had Liu Lu prepare the car."

Cui Qingyi touched her lips and glanced at herself in the bronze mirror.

Professional tasks should be left to professionals.