Chapter 24: Yes, you are the consort of the Princess Mansion! |
Su Li had seen the female officer scrubbing Princess Changle’s body on numerous occasions. Additionally, there was always readily available hot water and fresh clothes for Princess Changle in the house. Despite this convenience, Su Li couldn’t shake off his unease. He gently set Princess Changle aside and fetched some hot water.
Deep down, Su Li knew that if Princess Changle were conscious, it would be more humiliating for him to scrub her body than it was for the female officer. After all, the officer’s gender matched Princess Changle’s, and the sense of shame could be overcome to some extent. But for Su Li, the situation was different. Firstly, he was a male, and secondly, he was Princess Changle’s husband. It was evident that Princess Changle would find it difficult to accept.
This was the main reason why Su Li had never offered to clean Princess Changle’s body himself. In her current state, her psychological well-being was of utmost importance. However, the present situation called for immediate action. Su Li couldn’t leave Princess Changle in his arms and search for assistance. Waiting for someone to return was also out of the question.
For individuals in a vegetative state, timely cleaning and proper hygiene were crucial to prevent complications. Su Li knew that he needed to clean Princess Changle thoroughly, ensuring she remained dry and clean to avoid any health issues. Furthermore, honesty and openness were essential in their relationship as husband and wife.
Most importantly, in the journey of emotional intimacy, the couples who endured were often not the ones who solely appreciated each other’s strengths but rather those who embraced each other’s flaws. Husbands and wives were lifelong partners who supported one another. No matter how embarrassing the situation, they must offer each other the utmost tolerance and understanding. This was the path they had to follow.
Certainly, it was crucial for Su Li to provide Princess Changle with psychological support during the caretaking process.
“We are husband and wife…” Su Li said softly as he untied Princess Changle’s garments.
“As the saying goes, when two people marry, they commit to love and care for each other. It’s a bond that extends through generations, providing love and support for decades. What challenges can’t be overcome?” Su Li spoke gently.
“Perhaps… one day, when you wake up, I might find myself lying in bed, unable to move…?” Su Li softly explained, uncertain if Princess Changle could hear him.
During that time, even if he couldn’t indulge in unrestrained adventures as he did now, there would always be a foundation of love. They could live a normal life as a couple and still experience meaningful moments. At the very least, Su Li desired Princess Changle to accept him as her sudden husband.
He undressed her without any intrusive thoughts. Indeed, Su Li had no distracting thoughts as Princess Changle’s current state was delicate.
How could one put it? Even fairies had bodily functions, and it seemed that was what made them human. When one disregarded the princess’s status, appearance, and other superficialities, the essence of being human boiled down to eating and excreting. No one was exempt from this reality. Su Li did not find it repulsive either. Because he understood that this was a part of being human.
Time could not be deceived, and people would inevitably age. Being together as a married couple did not entail masking each other with filters but accepting one another without external appearances, embracing the truest essence of a partner.
She also defecated and passed gas… Her flatulence was as pungent as anyone else’s, and she might even occasionally clog the toilet…
One had to acknowledge that the other person wasn’t a perfect fairy. They were just human. She would have a prominent nose and occasionally release an unexpected fart while one’s attention waned. Su Li attended to her meticulously, remaining composed throughout the process.
Just at that moment, the lady officer arrived. She had everything prepared for the bath and was about to call Su Li to accompany Princess Changle, but to her surprise, neither the princess nor Su Li was in the courtyard. She went inside the house to check and found Su Li helping Princess Changle undress.
“My son-in-law… I’ll handle this…” Although the lady officer couldn’t see clearly, she knew that it must be Princess Changle due to their absence.
The lady officer didn’t realize that she had subconsciously overlooked Su Li’s misconduct towards Princess Changle during their absence. Even when she witnessed Su Li undressing Princess Changle for the first time, she disregarded it. Her brain seemed to automatically ignore Su Li’s inappropriate behavior towards Princess Changle, although she noticed that Princess Changle was in a vulnerable state.
Realizing this, the lady officer quickly approached Su Li with a complex expression on her face.
“It’s almost done… I can take over,” Su Li smiled.
The lady officer noticed that although Su Li wasn’t as skilled at bathing as she was, he was being careful and serious. Moreover, he didn’t seem disgusted at all.
The lady officer also realized that she genuinely approved of Su Li in her heart. Despite witnessing all the hardships that Princess Changle had endured, Su Li accepted and cared for her without reservation.
“I…” The lady officer began, but Su Li interrupted gently.
“After all, I am a son-in-law, aren’t I? This is what I should do.”
The lady officer was momentarily stunned, but as she looked at Su Li’s sincere expression, she couldn’t help but smile. She then bowed in salute.
“Yes, you are the consort of the Princess Mansion!” she emphasized once again.
“However, as the son-in-law, you shouldn’t be undressing her. I have taken care of the princess until now. I instructed the maids to prepare the bathing necessities, and I also advised you to take a bath and rest,” the lady officer said, smiling.
“Huh? Do I look dirty?” Su Li realized, in a daze, that he had been so absorbed in earning points for over a month that he had neglected his personal appearance.
“Your son-in-law should take a look in the mirror…” The lady officer smiled and pointed at the bronze mirror, exhibiting the affectionate demeanor of an aunt caring for a younger relative.
Being almost forty years old, she had watched Princess Changle grow up. Now, witnessing Su Li’s devoted care for the unconscious princess, even assisting her with bathing without showing any discomfort, the lady officer fully acknowledged Su Li’s role.
Su Li heard her words and looked at the bronze mirror. Goodness… his hair was messy, his overall appearance disheveled, and his beard unkempt…
Under these circumstances, he truly needed to tidy up his personal image. Although scoring points was important, he realized it was also necessary to take care of his own appearance. After all, it would take some time before he could accumulate enough points.
Su Li could also sense the lady officer’s warmth. When she had instructed the servants in the mansion to prepare for the bath, Su Li knew that he had solidified his position as a son-in-law in the princess’s mansion.
Well… he deserved a bath to celebrate.
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