Huai Qing, being the closest, swiftly pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her face.
Huai Zhu hurriedly asked, "Miss, what’s wrong?"
Yun Kui pressed her nose, waiting for the bleeding to stop before forcing an awkward smile. "It’s nothing, just the dry weather making me a bit feverish..."
The gold shop owner, however, gave a knowing smile. "Don’t worry, miss. This is a fine item, highly favored by noble ladies. Once you try it, you’ll understand its charm."
Both Huai Qing and Huai Zhu, trained in martial arts, couldn’t see how this chain served any protective purpose. In fact, the more they looked at it, the more it resembled... something meant for intimate play.
His Highness, with his noble bearing—would he ever use such a thing?
The two waited for Yun Kui’s decision. If she refused but hesitated to speak up, they were ready to draw their blades and demand the three hundred taels of silver back.
Yun Kui examined the golden chain, her cheeks flushing faintly.
Well... this wasn’t exactly the effect she’d intended. It was her fault for not explaining clearly. Seeing the custom-made chain others had ordered, she’d half-heartedly agreed, leading the shop owner and goldsmith to misunderstand her intentions.
But the silver had already been paid, so... she might as well reluctantly accept it.
Truthfully, she was rather curious to see His Highness wear this chain—though there was a good chance he’d not only refuse but also punish her for it. Just the thought made her waist ache faintly in anticipation.
Then again, they were bedmates now. She served as his antidote, so it was only fair he repaid her with his charms and fulfilled her every whim. Why should he get all the benefits?
With renewed determination, Yun Kui decisively took the chain and left the shop.
As she stepped outside, plotting how to coax the Crown Prince into wearing the chain, her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sound of shouting and blows.
Turning toward the noise, she saw several brothel enforcers surrounding a man in rough blue clothing, kicking and punching him as he curled up on the ground, covered in blood, groaning in pain.
Huai Qing and Huai Zhu frowned, immediately shielding Yun Kui and steering her away.
The beaten man, scrambling in the chaos, caught a glimpse of a woman’s face passing by and cried out in shock, "A-Kui? Is that you?"
Hearing that voice—both strange and familiar—Yun Kui’s heart clenched, her legs suddenly heavy as lead.
It felt like a knife had sliced open an old wound, letting long-buried memories seep back in.
"A-Kui, since you live with us, you’ll be my wife someday. What’s wrong with pinching your cheeks?"
"People aren’t wrong to say it—your mother was the most infamous whore in the region. Unwed and abandoned, she had to crawl to my parents for shelter. Our family took you in out of mercy, and you owe us everything. Understand?"
"If you let me kiss you, I’ll put in a good word with Squire Zhu. He’ll treat you better—give you meat to eat and silver to spend."
The memories of her childhood rushed back, leaving Yun Kui ice-cold and pale. She wanted nothing to do with her past, yet her gaze involuntarily shifted toward the man.
The beaten figure, face swollen and bruised, stared at her with bloodshot eyes, excitement twisting his features. "A-Kui, it really is you! You’re here? Wait—don’t go!"
He clasped his hands pleadingly toward the enforcers. "Brothers, this is my sister! My own flesh and blood! Give me two days, and I’ll pay back what I owe! Look at her—dressed in silk and gold, she’s got money to spare!"
The enforcers eyed Yun Kui, noting her fine clothes and maids. After a moment’s hesitation, they lowered their fists.
Huai Qing asked, "Miss, do you know this man?"
Yun Kui stared stiffly at the figure on the ground. Despite the years, his features were unmistakable.
It was her cousin, Qi Chengye—whom she hadn’t seen in seven years.
Qi Chengye struggled to his feet, limping on his right leg, his face a mess of bruises and dirt-streaked blood. His scruffy beard and ragged appearance couldn’t hide the familiar face from her past.
He looked Yun Kui up and down. She’d grown into her looks—still the same delicate features, but now fuller, her skin fair with a rosy flush, her figure curvaceous in an embroidered apricot-pink dress. Clearly, she’d landed in luxury.
Staggering forward, he reached for her arm, only to be blocked by Huai Qing’s sword hilt.
Noticing the gold shop and the armed maids—one even carrying a long brocade box, no doubt holding the jewelry she’d just bought—Qi Chengye’s eyes gleamed.
He forced a greasy smile. "A-Kui, it’s me, your cousin! You remember, don’t you? Our family raised you for ten years. Now that you’ve climbed so high, surely you’ll help me in my time of need?"
Yun Kui felt no pity at his wretched state.
The men of that household had been lecherous gamblers and drunkards; the women, cruel and lazy. They’d always planned to sell her off for profit. Her escape must have sent them into a rage.
She’d wondered how they’d fare without her. Seeing Qi Chengye reduced to this—beaten in the streets—was no surprise.
"I don’t know you," she said coldly, turning away.
The words were for him—and for the enforcers, cutting all ties between them.
Hearing this, the men immediately seized Qi Chengye again, fists and feet raining down.
"How dare you forget your roots, A-Kui!" he howled between blows. "Living in comfort now, but who raised you? Which rich man’s concubine are you? Does he know about your mother’s disgrace? That you were promised to another?"
Yun Kui clenched her fists, spinning back with a glare. "How dare you slander me!"
Qi Chengye spat blood, his face twisted in pain, but he managed a sickly grin. "Just lend me some silver—a thousand taels! That’s nothing to you, isn’t it? Less than you’d spend on a few trinkets!"
She knew the family’s wealth had long been gambled away. This was his just deserts.
The sight of him filled her with visceral disgust. "My mother paid my uncle for my keep—I heard it with my own ears. By the time I was knee-high to a table, I was working, earning my own way. What my mother gave, plus what I scraped together, was more than enough—until you and my uncle stole half of it. The moment your wife tried to sell me to Squire Zhu, I severed all ties with your family."
"You think you can just cut ties like that?" Before the words were fully spoken, Qi Chengye interrupted with a snarl. "You act so high and mighty, refusing to be Squire Zhu’s concubine, and now what? You’re someone’s kept woman instead! Even hired female attendants—what, is your master keeping you on a tight leash, afraid you’ll sneak out to cheat?"
Yun Kui had no chance to retort before Huai Qing struck first, kicking the man who had just broken free from the brothel thugs and grinding his face into the dirt with her foot.
Qi Chengye immediately spat out a mouthful of blood, two of his teeth shattered.
Blood and spittle flew as he raged, "You could kill me, and it still wouldn’t erase the past! Besides, in broad daylight, would you dare? Listen here—if you don’t hand over the money today, don’t think you’ll waltz back to your cushy life as a kept woman! Your mother was shameless, and you’re nothing but a little temptress. One word to your master, and none of us will have peace!"
A crowd of onlookers gathered at the commotion. Huai Qing and Huai Zhu exchanged a glance, murder flashing in their eyes.
Qi Chengye caught the lethal intent in their gazes and shuddered, his tone suddenly wheedling. "Good A-Kui, just give me the silver, and I’ll leave right now. Forget everything I just said—let’s go our separate ways from now on..."
Yun Kui clenched her fists, teeth gritted. "Let’s go. Ignore him..."
She didn’t have the authority to kill someone in broad daylight, nor did she want to escalate things, drawing the attention of officials and more spectators. The last thing she needed was for the Crown Prince to clean up her mess.
Deep down, she didn’t even want him to know about this.
This rare trip outside the palace, and she, a mere bedchamber maid, had caused such a disgraceful scene... No matter how much His Highness doted on her, he wouldn’t want to deal with this filth.
But life had a way of delivering the very thing one feared most.
No sooner had she spoken than a tall, imposing figure appeared at the edge of the crowd.
Yun Kui’s pupils constricted, her heart lurching violently.
Qin Ge and Zhao Yue cleared the way, shoving aside the gawking bystanders.
Qi Chengye, still pinned under Huai Qing’s foot, screamed even louder. "Murder! This little bitch is killing her own cousin! Someone help—"
Before he could finish, a gag was shoved into his mouth. Qin Ge, with practiced ease, twisted his right arm with a sickening crack, dislocating it. Qi Chengye’s face contorted in agony, veins bulging as his screams were muffled.
Without pause, Qin Ge repeated the motion on his other arm, then snapped both legs. Qi Chengye convulsed before passing out.
The crowd recoiled in terror, the brothel thugs paling at the guard’s brutality, their eyes darting to the imposing man behind him.
Dressed in an embroidered black-and-gold robe, the Crown Prince strode forward, his posture regal, his gaze icy. The natural authority of a ruler radiated from him, suffocating in its intensity.
He stopped before the crumpled Qi Chengye, looking down with the disdain one might reserve for a pile of filth. "Take him away. I have questions."
Yun Kui’s nails dug into her palms, her body trembling.
Questions... What questions?
Did he hear Qi Chengye’s vile words? Does he want confirmation?
She didn’t know how much he’d overheard, but surely enough. A chill seeped into her bones, the urge to flee overwhelming.
Words like "harlot," "promised to another," "little slut"—these were his taboos.
She’d merely spoken to Li Meng once, and His Highness had flown into a rage. Now, to be publicly denounced with such filth...
Qin Ge addressed the thugs, not revealing the Crown Prince’s identity but flashing a palace guard’s insignia. Knowing better than to resist, they surrendered Qi Chengye without protest.
Yun Kui kept her head down, catching the Crown Prince’s approach from the corner of her eye.
She braced herself, waiting for the storm.
But instead of cold reprimand, he stopped before her and said, voice firm yet measured, "From now on, if anyone dares mistreat you, don’t endure it. Don’t fear consequences. Even if you kill them in the street, I will bear the weight for you."
Her heart skipped. She lifted tear-filled eyes to his—no longer sharp and cold, but almost tender.
Words clogged her throat, unspoken pleas trapped inside.
Your Highness, don’t believe a word he says...
She begged silently.
If His Highness wanted answers, they’d be about her. And what could Qi Chengye’s mouth produce but poison? She’d endured it for years—slanders against her mother, against her...
The Crown Prince sighed deeply, pulling her into his arms. His palm warmed her back as he murmured by her ear, "Don’t worry. If I can hear your heart, I can hear his too."
His touch eased the tension coiled in her body.
To Huai Qing and Huai Zhu, he ordered, "Take my lady back first."
His voice was quiet, yet it carried.
Yun Kui’s mind buzzed, the meaning of that address dawning on her only after a long moment.
