Chapter 31: Boiling Frog in Warm Water
Since there is no way to escape or hide from it, this feeling has taken deep root.
So, instead of being destroyed by it, why not... try to control it! He, Liu Cong, has never been a person who sits and waits for death.
After despair, there was a calmness like burning the boats. He began to plan a battle on the "heart" like a wise strategist. Target: Cui Xiao
He quickly analyzed the situation and his own strengths and weaknesses.
Gender gap: This is the biggest obstacle. Cui Xiao is a man, and he has clearly never entertained any thoughts of homosexuality. Getting him to accept this relationship is incredibly difficult.
He was a prince, Cui Xiao was a minister, and also the third brother's study partner. This relationship naturally carried taboos and pressure.
Once exposed, the consequences will be unimaginable.
Cui Xiao clearly only considered him a friendly prince, or at most a close friend. How could he be enlightened? This was a difficult problem.
But I also have advantages...
He lived in the palace, and Cui Xiao was his study companion. They were both in the palace, so they had many opportunities to interact with each other.
He knew Cui Xiao's weakness—he had a fondness for sweets and loved reading storybooks, especially those with twists and turns in the plot and vivid writing. This was the perfect opportunity to break through.
Liu Cong was well aware of his advantages: he was handsome, as beautiful as a woman, knowledgeable, witty, and of noble status. With the right approach, he could charm anyone.
This is his biggest reliance. He doesn't need quick success; he has plenty of time to slowly build his network.
A clear and bold plan took shape in Liu Cong's mind: Boil the frog in warm water and love will grow over time.
What he wanted to do was not to make a shocking confession, as that would only scare Cui Xiao away.
Instead, it seeped into Cui Xiao's life silently and became a part of his habit, making him rely on himself, trust himself, and feel extremely comfortable and happy around him.
Capture his stomach with delicious food, occupy his leisure time with wonderful stories, and make him accustomed to your presence with meticulous yet just the right amount of care.
Cui Xiao felt that when he was with Liu Cong, he could always get what he wanted most and have the happiest time.
He wanted Cui Xiao to unconsciously develop a sense of closeness and dependence on him that went beyond the boundaries of friendship, and even... a desire for exclusivity.
When habit becomes natural, when dependence is deep in the bones, perhaps, it is an opportunity to pry open that ignorant emotion.
Liu Cong knew very well that this was by no means an easy task and was extremely risky.
But he had no choice. This overwhelming love would either completely consume him, or... become the brightest light in his life.
He chose the latter. Even if the road ahead was a bottomless abyss, he would still cut through the thorns and advance step by step.
So, there was the scene at the beginning where cherry yogurt and storybooks were delivered in the imperial garden.
This is just an insignificant daily silhouette in Liu Cong's huge plan.
In the following days, Ninghui Palace became the place Cui Xiao visited most often, besides Xiefangzhai and the third prince's study.
"Ah Xiao, come quickly! Today we have freshly baked 'Crab Roe Pastry'. The pastry is as thin as a cicada's wing, and the crab meat is fresh and sweet. It's best eaten while it's hot!"
Liu Cong's voice always carries just the right amount of enthusiasm, neither too earnest nor irresistible.
Exquisite dim sum exudes an enticing aroma and is presented on elegant celadon plates.
Cui Xiao looked at the golden and crispy pastry dotted with tempting crab roe and swallowed his saliva. The struggle in his heart of "this is not good" was once again defeated by the delicious food.
"Your Highness...you are so kind."
As he spoke, he sat down obediently, picked up a piece and took a bite, and was instantly captivated by the ultimate deliciousness.
"Mmm! So delicious!"
Liu Cong looked at him with a smile and poured him a cup of warm rain-previous Longjing tea.
"Eat slowly, don't burn yourself. Eat more if you like."
He didn't deliberately get close, but just kept a comfortable distance, his eyes greedily capturing every subtle expression of Cui Xiao.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he enjoyed the food, there were some puff pastry crumbs at the corners of his mouth, and his cheeks were slightly flushed with satisfaction.
Every frame made Liu Cong's heart skip a beat, and he felt a secret satisfaction.
In addition to food, storytelling has become a more important medium.
Liu Cong used his own channels to always get the latest, most popular, or some rare legends on the market.
He knew Cui Xiao's taste very well, and selected works with ups and downs in the plot, vivid characters, and excellent writing, especially those that described chivalry, family and country feelings, or stories with delicate emotions.
"How about this book 'A Record of Six Tribulations in a Floating Life'? It's said to describe all the joys and sorrows of life, and the writing is excellent."
Liu Cong handed a book with an ancient binding to Cui Xiao.
Cui Xiao took it, flipped through a few pages, and was immediately drawn in: "Great! This opening is so captivating! Thank you, Your Highness!"
"No need to thank me. I just think it would be a shame if such a good book had no one to share it with."
Liu Cong said it lightly, but his eyes were fixed on Cui Xiao's profile as he was immersed in the book.
Sometimes, he would use the excuse that he was also interested in a book and read it with Cui Xiao and discuss the plot.
"Ah Xiao, when do you think the seeds of affection were planted for Young Master Li and Miss Su? Was it the fleeting glance they first saw, or was it the subsequent sharing of hardships?"
Liu Cong pointed to a passage in the book and asked casually.
Cui Xiao thought about it and analyzed carefully.
"In my opinion, they were just stunned at first, but the real love was when Young Master Li risked his own life to block the poison arrow for Miss Su in that rainy night in the ruined temple. True love is revealed in times of crisis."
Liu Cong's heart moved and he nodded in agreement.
"That makes sense. A friend in need is a friend indeed. The care and dedication accumulated bit by bit is the most touching thing."
He looked at Cui Xiao meaningfully, but the latter was concentrating on the plot of the book and did not realize the deep meaning of his words.
Sometimes, Liu Cong would quietly make some very slight physical contact, such as "accidentally" touching fingertips when handing a book to someone;
When Cui Xiao was engrossed in reading, she brushed away the non-existent dust on his shoulders;
Or pat him on the arm when he laughs at something in a book.
Every touch was like a weak electric current passing through Liu Cong's heart, bringing a shudder.
He carefully observed Cui Xiao's reaction and saw that he had no obvious resistance or discomfort, but sometimes smiled a little shyly. Liu Cong knew that his test was successful.
He was carefully and gradually breaking down Cui Xiao's psychological defenses, making him get used to his proximity.
Liu Cong's "seduction" plan went on in an orderly manner.
He is like the most patient hunter, carefully setting every sweet trap.
Cui Xiao struggled less and less, and went to Ninghui Palace more and more frequently, and for longer and longer periods of time.
He gradually got used to the "feeding" and "sharing" from His Royal Highness the Second Prince, and even began to look forward to it.
In Ninghui Palace, he could always have the most relaxing time, enjoy the best food and the most exciting stories, and have Liu Cong's gentle and humorous company.
This feeling of comfort and pleasure, like addictive honey, made him gradually ignore the subtle sense of "uncomfort" deep in his heart.
He would occasionally think of his duties and feel a little guilty towards the third prince Liu Chang.
But Liu Chang really didn't seem to mind, and sometimes he would tease him.
"Are the snacks in Second Brother's palace so delicious? Seeing you go there every now and then, the tea here seems tasteless."
Cui Xiao blushed and tried to explain, but Liu Chang just smiled and didn't ask any more questions. This made Cui Xiao feel less guilty.
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