Yun Kui had never seen so much silver in her life.
Back when she was a lowly servant in the Imperial Kitchen, her annual salary was a mere six taels. After years of service, it had only risen to eight taels last year. Meanwhile, palace maids who attended to the emperor’s concubines earned twenty-four taels a year—she had only received three months' worth before being transferred.
Though food and clothing in the palace were provided, there were always slip-ups that led to deductions from her meager wages. Lower-ranking maids like her rarely had the chance to serve noble ladies, so the occasional tips they received were negligible. Add to that the small expenses for novels and snacks smuggled in from outside the palace, and over the years, she had barely managed to save thirty taels in total.
It wasn’t until she was assigned to the Eastern Palace that her savings began to grow, thanks to rewards from the Empress and the Crown Prince. Still, she was far from wealthy.
The last time someone had tried to bribe her with a thousand taels to harm the Crown Prince, that sum alone had been the most she’d ever laid eyes on—though she’d been forced to hand it over in the end.
Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that after a lifetime of scrimping, she’d be handed three thousand taels—with the absurd condition that she had to spend it all in one night!
How could such a ridiculous demand exist?
She wouldn’t even dare to dream this big!
She was just grateful she hadn’t been tempted by petty bribes before, or she’d have ended up as another casualty of the Crown Prince’s wrath—never living to see such good fortune.
The Crown Prince had assigned two highly skilled female bodyguards, Huai Zhu and Huai Qing, to accompany her. Dressed in ordinary servant attire, they blended seamlessly into the crowd.
During their conversation, Yun Kui learned that both had served under Qin Ge for over a decade.
With permission, she gingerly pinched Huai Zhu’s upper arm—the firm, well-defined muscle beneath her fingers left her awestruck.
Armed with three thousand taels, Yun Kui decided to indulge. She invited the two to dine at Wangjiang Tower, the most luxurious restaurant in Pingzhou.
But the moment she saw the menu, her jaw dropped.
None of the signature dishes cost less than two taels. A single serving of braised lamb went for twenty taels, while delicacies like abalone, sea cucumber, deer tendon, and shark fin soared to fifty taels!
She had seen these delicacies on imperial banquet menus and later sampled them at the Eastern Palace. Though she knew they were exquisite, she’d never dream of spending her own money on such extravagance.
But tonight, she had no choice—three thousand taels had to vanish.
Amid her excitement, a sliver of unease crept in. Before ordering, she hesitated. "You’ve served His Highness far longer than I have. Tell me honestly—could this be a test? What if he’s setting me up? Spend it all, and tomorrow I’ll be framed for some crime..."
Huai Zhu looked baffled. "Why would you think that?"
Huai Qing added dryly, "If His Highness wanted someone dead, he wouldn’t bother with elaborate schemes. Giving you silver just to execute you later? That’s excessive."
Yun Kui touched her neck, still intact, and laughed. "Fair point."
Huai Zhu reassured her, "His Highness never goes back on his word. If he gave you this reward, spend it without worry."
Nodding, Yun Kui turned to the waiting waiter and boldly ordered the most expensive dishes.
The waiter’s demeanor instantly shifted to fawning servility.
The feast totaled three hundred taels—a sum even a high-ranking palace maid like the Empress’s attendant, Qin Momo, might only amass in a lifetime with all her rewards combined.
Between bites, Yun Kui brainstormed how to burn through the rest.
Huai Zhu suggested, "You could buy fine silks and jewelry."
Huai Qing chimed in, "Pingzhou is also famous for porcelain, pearls, spices, and cosmetics."
Yun Kui nodded, immediately ruling out perfumes and makeup. The Crown Prince disliked strong fragrances, and as a palace maid, heavy makeup would draw unwanted attention.
After leaving the restaurant, the trio strolled down Changle Street, Pingzhou’s busiest thoroughfare, browsing shops one by one.
Uncertain how long they’d stay, Yun Kui first bought four ready-made outfits for the trip.
Now she understood why the Crown Prince had told her to pack nothing—he’d planned this all along.
She must be… quite favored, then?
Her grin didn’t fade all evening.
Next, she swept through a silk merchant’s store, purchasing ten bolts of the finest fabrics—luminous brocades, pearl gauze, embroidered satins, and patterned silks.
Some were too ornate for palace wear, so she’d save them. Two snowy-white silks caught her eye—perfect for sewing sleep robes for the Crown Prince.
Though clumsy, she’d spent a year in the embroidery bureau. With effort, she could stitch a decent robe. If he disliked it, she’d alter it for herself.
At the jewelers, she went on a spree: six gold hairpins, two pairs of gold bracelets, a jade bangle, and pure gold amulets for Huai Zhu and Huai Qing.
The bodyguards protested—such items were impractical for their work.
Yun Kui insisted, "Fine, refuse the fabrics and makeup, but take these. If you’re ever broke, you can pawn bits of them."
Huai Zhu and Huai Qing exchanged glances. Should they mention their salaries as elite guards dwarfed hers by several times?
Yun Kui pressed on, "Besides, your work is dangerous. Haven’t you read those stories where a gold pendant blocks a fatal sword strike?"
Huai Zhu and Huai Qing: "..."
Defeated, they accepted. "Thank you, then."
Speaking of life-saving gold, Yun Kui decided the Crown Prince needed one too.
Given his frequent assassination attempts—last year, he’d taken three arrows on his return to the capital—one amulet wasn’t enough. Every vital spot needed shielding.
After scouring several shops without success, a goldsmith’s proprietor approached.
"Madam," he said, noting her lavish spending, "if you have a design in mind, our craftsman can realize it."
The address "Madam" made her flinch. Correcting strangers felt awkward, but accepting it risked seeming presumptuous. "Just call me ‘miss,’ please."
The jeweler’s offer intrigued her. Spending the prince’s money to please him might lead to even greater rewards later.
Yet she struggled to articulate her vision. "A gold plate over the heart… another for the abdomen… covering all vital areas… but lightweight, not hindering movement..."
The proprietor and craftsman shared a knowing look.
The craftsman mused, "Didn’t we make something similar last month?"
The proprietor brightened. "Ah! The client hasn’t collected it yet. Let me show you—er, miss."
Yun Kui nodded immediately.
The shopkeeper soon returned with an embroidered box, revealing a golden chain resembling a peacock necklace—though its intricate links lay tangled in the box, obscuring its design. Only after the shopkeeper arranged it, letting the chain drape naturally, did Yun Kui realize it was meant to be worn on the body.
The goldsmith said, "With a few additional gold plates as embellishments in the areas you mentioned, wouldn’t this become exactly the style you desire?"
Yun Kui wasn’t entirely sure if it matched her vision. She studied it carefully, imagining the chain draped over the Crown Prince’s sculpted torso—somehow, inexplicably, it felt... indecent.
But if it could protect him, it would still serve as a token of her devotion.
During the Lantern Festival, Chief Eunuch Cao Yuanlu had hinted she should buy His Highness a gift. Back then, she’d been penniless—even the fruits and pastries she’d bought were paid for with the Prince’s own silver. She knew he’d disdain common marketplace trinkets, but now that she had funds to spare, she might as well return the favor.
"Proceed with these modifications," she murmured, pressing her lips together. "Also, how long will it take to complete? I’m not from here and can’t stay indefinitely."
The goldsmith hurriedly replied, "Two days at the earliest."
Yun Kui considered it. Since the Crown Prince was here to investigate a case, he surely wouldn’t return to the capital within two days. There should be enough time.
The shopkeeper smiled. "Then, Miss, please pay the deposit first."
Yun Kui hesitated. "Including the gold plates, roughly how much will the full set cost?"
The shopkeeper gestured honestly. "No more than three hundred taels of silver."
"Then I’ll pay the full three hundred now," Yun Kui declared. "But don’t you dare swindle me—the person I answer to is far beyond your reach."
The shopkeeper hastily assured her, "Rest assured, Miss, our shop prides itself on fairness to all!"
After leaving the goldsmith, she passed several jewelry and antique shops. Unfamiliar with porcelain and jade—and wary of their exorbitant prices, often reaching thousands of taels—she avoided being duped and settled on two tea sets she fancied.
Later, while idly browsing the antique district, her eyes lit upon a smooth, translucent jade thumb ring. It instantly reminded her of the Crown Prince’s own black jade ring, engraved with dragon motifs and sutras.
The Prince’s ring, always worn, was a symbol of status and authority—crafted from the finest jade. Yet she’d never liked it. Its dark hue felt oppressive, almost suffocating, and the carvings... they chafed unbearably.
She’d traced every groove with her body, memorized every ridge—whether gliding along his waist or elsewhere, it never failed to send shivers through her.
And yet, he always seemed to revel in it...
This emerald-green thumb ring was different. Smooth and warm to the touch, devoid of any engravings, she could easily picture it gracing the Prince’s pale, elegant fingers—exuding nothing but refined nobility.
Most importantly, if he wore this one... she might not suffer as much.
True to the saying "save where you can, splurge where you must," she haggled relentlessly with the shopkeeper until she secured it for six hundred taels.
Upon leaving, she used the leftover silver to stock up on snacks and treats, including some for Cao Yuanlu and Qin Ge. By the time her shopping spree ended, she still had over three hundred taels left.
How was there still so much money? How could she return home without spending it all?
Yun Kui grew frustrated.
Huai Qing suggested, "Why not go back and buy more jewelry?"
Yun Kui shook her head. Most of the gold pieces she’d bought were for her own collection—a lowly palace maid couldn’t very well parade around decked in finery.
Her gaze wandered until it landed on a property agent’s sign outside a building: "Five-courtyard estate, complete with pavilions and waterside terraces—urgent sale for 300 taels."
Three hundred taels—perfect!
Why hadn’t she thought of this sooner?
If she ever left the palace, she wouldn’t even need to buy a house—she could settle straight into this scenic, prosperous area, hire a few guards, and live in absolute comfort!
Upon inquiring, she learned the estate belonged to a local gentryman who’d fallen gravely ill. Years of medical expenses had drained his family’s savings, forcing his eldest son to sell the property for treatment funds.
Yun Kui toured the estate that very night. Despite the darkness, she could see its soaring eaves, winding paths, and well-maintained gardens and ponds. Thoroughly impressed, she finalized the purchase on the spot, completing the paperwork with the agent.
...
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince returned to find her still absent. Amused, he remarked, "How could three thousand taels take her this long to spend?"
A covert guard dispatched by Qin Ge to protect her reported back: "The young lady bought an estate, saying she’d retire there after leaving the palace. That’s what delayed her."
The Prince’s smile vanished instantly, his phoenix eyes frosting over with a sudden chill.
Yun Kui returned laden with goods, first directing servants to unload carts of silks, fruits, and snacks. Following Cao Yuanlu into the main chamber of Pine Garden’s rear courtyard, she prepared to present the jade thumb ring to the Prince.
But the moment she stepped inside, she found him turning toward her—his face dark as storm clouds.
Today’s Crown Prince: spiraling into madness—his wife doesn’t want him.
Three days later: wearing a gold chain as her plaything.
