The Crown Prince fell unconscious again during the day. Old Imperial Physician Zheng prepared medicinal herbs for his therapeutic bath, which, though unable to fully neutralize the poison, could alleviate his headaches and reduce fever and pain.
The Crown Prince dismissed the attendants and described Yun Kui’s unique fragrance to Old Imperial Physician Zheng in detail.
Having practiced medicine for decades, Old Imperial Physician Zheng had never encountered such a peculiar phenomenon. Still, the fact that this woman could relieve the Crown Prince’s headaches was an unexpected boon.
The Crown Prince then inquired, “Is there a way to recreate a fragrance similar to the natural scent of this woman?”
Old Imperial Physician Zheng paused, considering the feasibility, and replied, “This old subject has a disciple, Liang Jin, who specializes in fragrances. He is on duty tonight—perhaps he could accompany me to the Hot Spring Palace. We could also summon the young lady in question, allowing him to discern her scent and determine which spices and proportions to use.”
The Crown Prince gave a slight nod. “This matter must remain confidential.”
Old Imperial Physician Zheng quickly assured him, “Your Highness need not worry.”
The Eastern Palace was fraught with dangers. If certain parties learned that this woman could alleviate the Crown Prince’s headaches, her life would be at risk.
As soon as Old Imperial Physician Zheng left, Cao Yuanlu entered the hall. After hesitating, he reported the latest news: “This morning, Yun Kui was summoned to the Empress’s palace. According to my informants, Nanny Qin from the Empress’s entourage seemed to have slipped her something.”
Admittedly, Cao Yuanlu had grown fond of the girl. It was also clear that the Crown Prince treated her differently—if not with romantic affection, then certainly because some unique quality of hers drew him in. Otherwise, why would His Highness permit her alone to serve him so closely?
Cao Yuanlu knew that all four of the bedchamber maids sent to the Crown Prince had received some form of “special instruction.” Those who caught His Highness’s favor were the most convenient targets for assassination attempts, inevitably becoming pawns in someone else’s schemes.
The Crown Prince had been away from the capital for years, and Cao Yuanlu himself had been framed and demoted to the Imperial Stables. Other trusted officials had either been suppressed or bribed, while the guards had no authority over internal affairs. As a result, the Eastern Palace was riddled with spies like a sieve, leaving almost no one trustworthy except a handful of old retainers.
After finally finding a docile and pleasant girl to serve by his side, if she were truly swayed by outside forces to harm the Crown Prince, she could not be allowed to live.
The Crown Prince twisted the ring on his finger, his expression dark as he closed his eyes.
If she harbored treachery, he would know at a glance.
The Hot Spring Palace lay northwest of the Eastern Palace. The Crown Prince traveled by palanquin, followed by Cao Yuanlu, guards, and attendants—including Yun Kui and the bedchamber maid.
For nobles, bathing was an elaborate affair. One group handled heating and carrying water, another cleaned the pools, while specialists attended to undressing, scrubbing, massaging, and even nail trimming.
Having spent years in the military, the Crown Prince was less fastidious than other nobles. But given his injuries, Cao Yuanlu, fearing inadequate service, had brought extra attendants.
Yet the Crown Prince had specifically requested Yun Kui’s presence, which surprised Cao Yuanlu.
In the past, the Crown Prince would have eliminated spies without hesitation. Was tonight’s bath an opportunity to lure the enemy into a trap?
Regardless, Cao Yuanlu would remain vigilant to ensure his master’s safety.
Of course, if the girl proved loyal and resisted temptation, he would not harm an innocent.
The bedchamber maid was brimming with ambition tonight.
The Crown Prince would not keep just one attendant. After the medicinal bath, if his health improved, he might summon a maid to his bed.
Would it be her?
She had once feared the Crown Prince, but seeing that Yun Kui not only survived but was favored two nights in a row, her own desires stirred.
Meanwhile, Yun Kui’s mind wandered, still preoccupied with the silver notes.
She had locked away the poison and lip rouge to avoid accidental use, but the thousand taels of silver—she couldn’t stop thinking about them since stepping out.
With that much money, I could not only marry a guard but hire ten strong men as my personal escort!
The Crown Prince, seated in the palanquin with his eyes closed, overheard snippets of her thoughts.
I wonder if sewing such thick silver notes into the lining of my old winter coat is safe enough.
The Crown Prince: “...”
No interrogation was needed. A simple search of her room would yield both the culprit and the evidence.
Such a naive, transparent little spy could be crushed with a flick of his fingers. If not for her usefulness, she wouldn’t have survived the day.
Meanwhile, Old Imperial Physician Zheng and his disciple, Liang Jin, arrived early at the Hot Spring Palace.
Since Yun Kui’s matter was confidential, Old Imperial Physician Zheng instructed his disciple, “When she arrives, do not ask questions. Just find a chance to discreetly catch her scent.”
Liang Jin nodded. Naturally, he wouldn’t act improperly toward the Crown Prince’s bedchamber maid.
From the instructions, he assumed the Crown Prince was enamored with the girl’s natural fragrance and wished to replicate it—a noble’s whimsical fancy, which he understood.
With the physicians’ help, herbs were scattered into the pool. As the Crown Prince departed from the Palace of Radiant Light, attendants began carrying buckets of water to fill the bath.
Upon arriving at the Hot Spring Palace, the chief eunuch led the way, followed closely by Yun Kui and the bedchamber maid.
Yun Kui couldn’t shake the feeling that Cao Yuanlu had been stealing glances at her all evening.
Does he know someone slipped me money?
Before she could ponder further, the moment she stepped inside, the enormous bath left her awestruck.
The hall was warm as spring. The pool, larger than her own quarters, was nothing short of magnificent. Mist curled over the amber-hued water, its medicinal fragrance soothing body and mind. She couldn’t imagine how luxurious it would feel to soak in such a vast pool.
Being the Crown Prince must be amazing. I’d love to try it for a couple of days.
The Crown Prince scoffed, his face icy.
If taken seriously, her treasonous thoughts warranted execution for ten generations.
He glanced at the attendants—Cao Yuanlu, Deshun, and finally Yun Kui—before ordering, “The three of you stay. The rest may leave.”
Yun Kui, having served him closely these past few days, wasn’t surprised.
The bedchamber maid, however, was baffled. Why had the Crown Prince chosen her again? And with only three attendants, how could they manage the elaborate bathing rituals?
She shot Yun Kui a resentful glare—then froze slightly.
On the way from the Palace of Radiant Light, the lanterns had provided dim lighting, making details hard to discern. But now, under the hall’s warm glow, Yun Kui’s delicate cheeks were flushed a tender pink from the steam. Her lychee-red dress, embroidered with grapevines, accentuated her snow-white skin. And the alluring glimpse beneath her collarbone was enough to make one’s face heat inexplicably.
No wonder the Crown Prince favors her. But… bigger isn’t always better! Petite figures have their own delicate charm. Doesn’t His Highness want to try someone else?
The Crown Prince: “...”
The palace maids in the hall all kept their heads bowed deferentially, making it impossible to discern whose thoughts were being voiced, but he could tell exactly whom the woman was referring to.
His gaze instinctively shifted to Yun Kui.
The Crown Prince’s eyes were always sharp and penetrating, their weight almost tangible when they settled on someone. As if sensing his scrutiny, Yun Kui looked up and immediately met those dark, fathomless eyes. Instantly, her hands and feet grew clumsy with nervousness.
"What are you staring at? Keep looking, and I’ll poison you."
Then she saw the Crown Prince smile—a chilling, shadowed grin. His obsidian eyes were like invisible blades, capable of slicing open any secret buried deep within a person’s heart.
A shiver ran down Yun Kui’s spine, and she lowered her head even further.
Liang Jin approached at just the right moment, bowing respectfully to the Crown Prince before addressing Yun Kui with careful deliberation. "This humble official has prepared a medicinal oil to soothe His Highness’s muscles and joints. Might I trouble the young lady to accompany me to the side chamber to retrieve it?"
Yun Kui glanced at the Crown Prince for permission.
Guessing that this was Liang Jin’s excuse to speak with her privately, the Crown Prince responded indifferently, "Go ahead."
Yun Kui bowed in acknowledgment, and Liang Jin led her to the adjacent room.
The medicinal aroma in the bathing chamber was thick and intermingled, making it impossible to isolate the unique scent clinging to this particular palace maid. Moreover, since she was the Crown Prince’s personal attendant, Liang Jin couldn’t get too close. Summoning her alone made it easier for him to investigate carefully.
By the time they reached the side chamber, Liang Jin had already pieced together most of the puzzle.
"This is the medicinal oil for His Highness," Liang Jin said, retrieving a white porcelain vial from a shelf. He then instructed her on its application: "…Warm it between your palms and massage it in slow circles over His Highness’s shoulders, neck, chest, upper abdomen, back, and thighs until fully absorbed."
As he spoke, he noticed the delicate flush creeping across Yun Kui’s lovely, peach-blossom face.
