As the saying goes, judge a person by their face first, and to catch bandits, first capture their leader. Yun Kui was someone who valued looks above all else, and even in this unbearably tense situation, she couldn’t help but notice the face before her.
Moreover, the face in front of her was beyond description with her limited vocabulary.
For a moment, she even wondered if this was a hallucination before death—a fantasy where the Crown Prince wasn’t the ferocious monster she’d imagined, but a gentle, jade-like gentleman of extraordinary beauty, who would ask her in the softest voice:
"One thousand taels of silver or becoming this Crown Prince’s consort—which do you choose?"
Of course, she would choose… the former!
Men’s hearts were fickle, but money, solid and tangible in her hands, would never betray her.
However, a cold, mocking laugh shattered her delusion. "So, you were the one who fed me medicine last time?"
Yun Kui snapped back to reality, quickly lowering her head. "Y-yes, this servant was the one."
The Crown Prince heard her thoughts loud and clear. To think this foolish girl still harbored such unrealistic fantasies even at death’s door.
Had the Empress truly run out of people to send? To dispatch such an idiot here…
Yun Kui kept her head bowed when suddenly, a chill crept up her neck, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine.
Then, her chin was slowly lifted by the man’s icy, pale fingers.
The nightmare of being strangled flooded her mind instantly.
The Crown Prince leisurely traced the line of her carotid artery, his touch feather-light yet sending waves of terror through her, nearly suffocating her.
She was certain that even in his weakened state, snapping her neck would be as effortless as crushing an ant.
His dark, fathomless eyes fixed on her as he spoke softly, "You served me well with the medicine. Tell me, what reward would you like?"
"I just want to live—can you grant me that? Waaah!"
Though inwardly weeping, Yun Kui answered with obedient deference, "Serving Your Highness is this servant’s greatest honor. I dare not claim merit, especially since Her Majesty the Empress has already rewarded me."
"The Empress is the Empress, and I am I," the Crown Prince said, smiling. "This Crown Prince rewards and punishes with clarity. Ask for anything, and I shall grant it."
"I already said I don’t want anything! Why won’t you drop it?!"
"I want to see your chest muscles—would you show me?"
The Crown Prince’s unshakable composure finally flickered.
What… did she just say?
Perhaps his prolonged injury had dulled even his hearing.
Yun Kui hesitated. Her service wasn’t significant enough to demand something like a pardon—who did she think she was?
If she asked to leave the palace, it would be a blatant admission: I’m afraid of dying, so I don’t dare serve you. Please find someone else!
At a loss, she cast a pleading glance at Aunt Wei beside her.
Aunt Wei forced a smile and chimed in, "This girl is simple-minded and wouldn’t dare overstep. Just being allowed to serve by Your Highness’s side is already the greatest blessing for her."
Yun Kui nodded obediently.
The Crown Prince studied her, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You’re willing to serve me?"
Yun Kui had no choice but to meet his gaze, swallowing hard. "Th-this servant is willing."
"Like I have a choice! Saying ‘no’ would be suicide!"
"But you’re trembling," the Crown Prince mercilessly pointed out.
Well, of course she was! She’d been shaking since she stepped into the hall. Maybe it was his overwhelming presence, but even though winter hadn’t arrived, the palace felt like an icehouse—especially under his gaze. Her teeth chattered uncontrollably.
And when those shadowed obsidian eyes locked onto her, the bone-deep fear was impossible to suppress.
Like right now.
She realized she was trembling even harder.
Before she could react, gasps erupted around the hall. "Your Highness! The Crown Prince is coughing blood!"
At the same time, a few warm, crimson droplets splattered onto the back of her hand.
As for the scene before her—Yun Kui was certain this would haunt her nightmares for life.
The man chuckled lowly, his entire body trembling. Blood spilled from his pale lips, quickly soaking the front of his dark robes. Dressed in loose black, he looked like a vengeful ghost come to claim a life.
Holding her breath, the last shred of reason told her to retreat and let the imperial physicians attend to him.
But she found herself frozen—unable to move, even to breathe—as that bloodstained hand slowly closed around her throat.
"Now then."
His voice was deep and hoarse.
Now? What did he mean?
Yun Kui was starting to think she no longer understood human speech.
The Crown Prince stared intently at her and asked again, enunciating each word, "Do you still want to serve me?"
Her chin forced upward, Yun Kui struggled to breathe.
"Your Highness, if you want to ask questions, can you not do it while choking me?!"
"Empress, I hate you! I told you I couldn’t handle serving this ancestor, but you forced me anyway! Waaah…"
Hearing her thoughts, the Crown Prince smiled in satisfaction. "Finally admitting it."
Yun Kui: "…"
Was he talking to her? Admitting what?!
She hadn’t said a word!
The grip around her neck tightened. She watched as the veins on his hand bulged, his dark eyes growing even more unfathomable.
Overwhelmed by terror unlike anything she’d ever known, just as she was about to lose consciousness—the hand abruptly released her.
Then fell limply onto the bed, still dripping blood.
Freed, Yun Kui clutched her throat, gasping for air as tears streamed down her face.
With the Crown Prince collapsing, the hall erupted into chaos. Physicians and servants rushed forward, while Yun Kui scrambled away on all fours.
Had she… just narrowly escaped death?
Or was this merely a temporary reprieve?
Aunt Wei motioned her aside. "Are you unharmed? Did His Highness injure you?"
The girl’s face was streaked with tears, her neck and robes stained with blood—even the outline of a handprint was visible. She looked utterly disheveled.
As the suffocating fear slowly receded, Yun Kui swallowed with difficulty, touching her neck. Realizing the blood wasn’t hers, she exhaled in relief.
"This servant is fine," she whispered hoarsely. "But I’m useless… I don’t think I can serve—"
"Good, good," Aunt Wei cut her off. "The fact that the Crown Prince spared your life and even offered a reward means he favors you. Clearly, he intends to keep you by his side."
Yun Kui: "…"
Excuse me? Since when did choking someone equal favor?! If he hadn’t passed out from coughing blood, I’d be dead!
Ignoring her aggrieved look, Aunt Wei instructed, "Go clean up first. Don’t let your disheveled state offend His Highness’s eyes."
Gritting her teeth, Yun Kui had no choice but to comply.
Turning away, she noticed the other maids watching her with mixed expressions—pity, lingering fear, relief that it wasn’t them, and a very distinct trace of… envy?
Yun Kui: "…"
Was it because of Aunt Wei’s ‘favor’ comment?
Did you all miss the blood on my neck?! You want this kind of ‘blessing’? Be my guest!
Yun Kui returned to take a hot bath, scrubbing the bloodstains off her body with great effort.
Living in Chengguang Palace wasn’t entirely without its perks—for instance, she didn’t have to squeeze into the communal baths with the other palace maids. The side chambers had private bathing rooms reserved for them.
The Crown Prince prized cleanliness, so the servants under him had to remain immaculate from head to toe. Their clothes couldn’t bear even a speck of dirt, nor could they carry any unpleasant odors—this included the scented powders, hair oils, and soaps used by the palace maids. None were allowed to have overly strong fragrances, which was why Aunt Wei provided them with only light, elegant perfumes.
Even their meals were strictly regulated. They couldn’t eat onions, ginger, or garlic, and any food with strong or fishy smells had to be consumed with caution—lest they offend the Crown Prince’s nose and lose their heads.
After what felt like ages of scrubbing, Yun Kui’s hands were nearly raw before she finally rid her dress of every last trace of blood.
The fright the Crown Prince had given her left her with no appetite. Once all her tasks were done, exhaustion overtook her, and she collapsed onto the bed, falling asleep instantly.
She had no idea how much time had passed when she suddenly felt her entire body being shaken violently. Still half-asleep, her eyelids were pried open by force.
Yun Kui: “…Is this murder?!”
But when she fully woke, she realized the situation might be even worse than murder.
The one who had shaken her awake was Cui Xiang, a palace maid from the Eastern Palace whom she’d crossed paths with a few times.
Cui Xiang hurriedly pulled her up, saying, “Sister Yun Kui, how could you sleep so long? The Crown Prince needs his bandages changed and a bath. Aunt Wei sent me to fetch you…”
Still groggy, Yun Kui sat up in a daze. It took her a moment to fully regain her senses—and then her eyes flew wide open.
Change the Crown Prince’s bandages and… bathe him?
Her?!
