How could she explain to His Highness that this was truly just a dream? She had never harbored any improper thoughts toward him... Well, actually, she had, and more than once.
But that wasn’t the point. The real question was—why had the Crown Prince had such a dream?
When Yun Kui first entered the dream, she even thought it was her own. She assumed her usual cravings for him, which she never dared act upon in reality, had finally manifested in her sleep, allowing her to indulge freely.
But as she watched, she realized something was off.
She was merely an observer, unable to participate or influence the scenes unfolding before her. When it dawned on her that this might actually be the Crown Prince’s dream, she jolted awake in an instant—only to meet his icy gaze the moment she opened her eyes, confirming her suspicion.
Had she not reacted with such shock upon waking, she might have feigned ignorance. After all, who could prove she had seen his dream?
But now, her astonishment, panic, embarrassment, and the blush she couldn’t suppress were all laid bare before him.
Everything was self-explanatory.
The man’s hand still gripped her shoulder, his fingers pressing so hard she feared her bones might shatter.
Yun Kui wanted to cry. "Your Highness, wait—please let me explain! I swear I have no idea why you dreamed of such things, but I assure you, I’ve never dared to disrespect you! Dreams often contradict reality. If I appeared irreverent in the dream, it only proves my absolute loyalty to you in waking life!"
Had the Crown Prince not possessed the ability to read minds, her tearful plea might have fooled him. But after listening to her inner musings for so long, how could he not see through her?
She was nothing short of a lustful fiend.
And it was her thoughts that had influenced him before sleep, leading to that absurd dream.
The Crown Prince pushed her away, his chest tight with irritation.
He couldn’t deny it—holding her as he slept last night had brought him more peace than any miracle cure. Killing her now would be a waste.
Regardless of the dream’s content, this incident confirmed her ability to glimpse into others’ dreams—a power as baffling as his newfound mind-reading. The mysteries of the world were truly unfathomable.
He Bailing, with his vast knowledge, might have answers.
Keeping her alive could prove useful, but letting her off so easily was unacceptable.
The Crown Prince cast a sidelong glance at the trembling girl and rubbed his temples, his voice low and rough. "Tell me—who else have you dreamed of?"
This time, Yun Kui didn’t dare lie. Her mind raced like a revolving lantern as she listed names: "Aside from Your Highness, there was Cai Ju, Dan Gui, Gan Tang, Shan Tao, Leader Hao from the Imperial Kitchen, Aunt Bizan, the eunuchs Fu Gui, Ji Xiang, Xiao Fuzi, my fellow villager Guard Li, Guard Zhao at Desheng Gate, Guard Qian at Xianhe Gate, and his good friend Guard Sun..."
The Crown Prince cut her off coldly. "Enough."
He had no interest in memorizing every person in her life.
Yun Kui mumbled timidly, "I’ve only ever dreamed of people I know. Aside from tonight, I rarely dream of important figures... Oh, but there was one exception. Once, after delivering meals near Baohua Palace, I dreamed of Concubine Yu—I saw her entwined with the Heir of Ningde Marquis, their intimacy unmistakable..."
The Crown Prince’s frosty expression finally shifted. "You recognize the Heir of Ningde Marquis?"
"I didn’t at first," Yun Kui admitted awkwardly, recalling the dream. "But in the heat of passion, he forced Concubine Yu to open her eyes and look at him, demanding she call his name over and over until he was satisfied. That’s how I learned it was Xie Huaichuan..."
A rare smirk tugged at the Crown Prince’s lips.
The Marquis of Ningde was the elder brother of the Empress, making Xie Huaichuan her nephew.
As for Concubine Yu, she had once been betrothed to Xie Huaichuan by a prenatal agreement. But after Prince Rui ascended the throne, the Xie family rose in status as the Empress’s kin. They grew disdainful of the modest Yu family and schemed to break the engagement, eventually securing Xie Huaichuan a match with the granddaughter of Duke Ling instead.
Humiliated, the Yu family retaliated by sending their daughter to the imperial selection, where she became one of Emperor Chunming’s concubines. Over seven years in the palace, she even bore him the Ninth Prince.
Yet in her dreams, her heart still belonged to her childhood sweetheart—cuckolding the Emperor in the process.
Noticing his interest, Yun Kui ventured cautiously, "Does Your Highness enjoy hearing such gossip?"
The Crown Prince schooled his expression. "I do not."
Yun Kui: "..."
This man’s moods changed faster than flipping pages.
His cold gaze bore into her as he warned, "You will speak of this dream-seeing ability to no one. If word spreads, I’ll hold you accountable."
Yun Kui nodded vigorously. "This servant obeys."
She had never told anyone before, and now she certainly wouldn’t. If anything, she was curious how the Crown Prince had found out.
After surviving the interrogation, Yun Kui had half a day to rest before her noon duties. But just as she turned toward her quarters, a summons arrived—the Empress demanded her presence at Kuning Palace.
Unbeknownst to her, though she and the Crown Prince had not consummated anything, rumors of her "consecutive nights of service" had spread like wildfire. For a prince notorious for his disinterest in women, this was unprecedented—enough to draw the Empress’s attention.
Every pair of eyes in the palace followed her on the way to Kuning Palace. Yun Kui kept her head down, uncomfortable under the scrutiny, and only relaxed once she stepped inside.
The Empress greeted her warmly. "You’ve worked hard these days. How is the Crown Prince’s health?"
Remembering how he had coughed up blood and even injured himself to resist the aphrodisiac, Yun Kui truthfully reported his poor condition.
The Empress had already received reports from her spies in the Eastern Palace. Her question was merely a test—to see if the girl would lie. Pleased with the honesty, she smiled.
"I heard there were assassination attempts these past two days?"
Yun Kui nodded. "Your Majesty need not worry. His Highness has dealt with them."
The Empress’s smile deepened. "I also heard you played a part in capturing the assassins. Is that true?"
Though she monitored the Crown Prince’s every move, the Empress rarely visited the Eastern Palace—especially after his awakening.
First, as the late Emperor’s son, he refused to address her as "Mother Empress" or Emperor Chunming as "Father," still referring to himself as "this prince" in their presence. His disdain was clear, and the Empress saw no point in forcing affection.
Second, the Eastern Palace had an eerie, blood-soaked reputation. The Empress feared attracting evil spirits and only ventured there after thorough mental preparation.
Yun Kui dared not claim credit, only saying, "This servant merely stumbled upon it by chance—it’s hardly worth mentioning. His Highness the Crown Prince is astute and discerning. Whether or not this servant was involved, the poisoner would never have escaped His Highness’s grasp."
The Empress sneered inwardly.
Over the past twenty years, how many people had she planted in the Eastern Palace? Yet the Crown Prince still lived and breathed, thriving—proof of his extraordinary capabilities.
Though seething inside, the Empress maintained a benevolent smile. "Indeed, I was not mistaken about you. You are beautiful, quick-witted, and eloquent—no wonder the Crown Prince favors you so."
As she spoke, a palace maid entered carrying a red-lacquered tea tray adorned with gold designs, upon which rested a cloisonné lidded bowl.
The Empress said, "You have been serving the Crown Prince tirelessly these past days—tasting his meals, attending his bedchamber—it must have been exhausting. I’ve ordered a nourishing tonic for you, the Taiyuan Drink, to replenish your energy and blood. Drink it while it’s warm."
Yun Kui froze. "T-Taiyuan Drink?"
The character "tai" suggested it was some kind of pregnancy tonic.
She waved her hands hastily, explaining, "Your Majesty misunderstands, this servant has not actually—"
Before she could finish, Nanny Qin cut in sharply, "When Her Majesty bestows a gift, you should simply express gratitude. This Taiyuan Drink is an excellent tonic—for those with child, it stabilizes the pregnancy; for those without, it strengthens the body and prepares the womb for conception. Her Majesty is showing you kindness for your diligent service. Why hesitate?"
Yun Kui dared not delay further. She dropped to her knees in thanks. "This servant is ignorant and begs Your Majesty’s forgiveness. This servant is deeply grateful for the tonic."
Under the Empress’s watchful gaze, she forced herself to drink the bitter liquid down to the last drop.
She couldn’t fathom why the Empress was being so attentive. Perhaps Her Majesty believed the Crown Prince’s days were numbered, and since Yun Kui was his first bedmate, she hoped to secure an heir for him?
But the Empress would be sorely disappointed.
Just as Yun Kui gathered the courage to confess that she had never shared the Crown Prince’s bed, the Empress spoke again. "For your service in the bedchamber, I shall discuss with His Majesty and the Crown Prince in the coming days to grant you an official rank."
Yun Kui’s eyes widened in shock.
The Empress smiled. "What? Do you not want it?"
Yun Kui stood frozen, unsure how to respond.
She had never dreamed of becoming a concubine.
All these years in the palace, her greatest hope had been to follow in Aunt Bizan’s footsteps—leave the palace, marry a guard. For lowly maids like her, that was already a rare and respectable path.
Then misfortune struck, and she was sent to the Eastern Palace. Her expectations for life plummeted to the bare minimum—survival was enough.
These past days serving in Chengguang Hall had been a constant dance with death, every moment filled with dread.
She wanted to live. She wanted to leave. Never had she imagined becoming the Crown Prince’s concubine.
The Crown Prince was unpredictable, cruel, and volatile. A title would not earn her his gentleness—at best, he might grant her a dignified death.
Of course, it was possible he would succumb to his injuries before then. But what fate awaited her, his bedmaid, if he died?
Nanny Qin said, "You are the Crown Prince’s intimate companion. Her Majesty values you, elevates you—this is an unprecedented honor."
Yun Kui knew she ought to thank the Empress, but the words stuck in her throat.
As she left the palace, Nanny Qin suddenly called after her, pulling her into a secluded spot behind the gates.
"Her Majesty understands your concerns. If she favors you, how could she let you perish so easily?"
With that, Nanny Qin discreetly retrieved an exquisite porcelain vial from her sleeve and whispered, "In the end, it’s just a matter of bedding a man. This is a long-lost secret of the inner court. Just administer a drop to His Highness, and he will become utterly infatuated with you—his heart and eyes will hold no one else. This potion has never failed."
"A s-secret potion?"
Yun Kui stared in stunned disbelief, forgetting even to reach for the vial.
