The Crown Prince's sinister face twisted with an uncharacteristic expression of fury. At the same time, he could feel his blood surging violently in response to the thoughts echoing in his mind, the veins in his neck bulging ominously. His lower abdomen burned unnaturally, as if countless ants were gnawing at his flesh. Having spent years immersed in medicinal concoctions, he was intimately familiar with all manner of poisons. Realizing what this was, a murderous glint flashed in his eyes.
"Did you drug me?"
Yun Kui's face paled in shock. She had no idea what the Crown Prince meant and instinctively denied it. "This servant would never dare…"
She had only just entered the hall—how could she have poisoned him? Had the Crown Prince been poisoned again?
The Crown Prince didn’t believe her. This seemingly meek and obedient girl was, in truth, a shameless deviant who lusted after his body day and night. Even without the Empress’s orders, she might have been bold enough to drug him and throw herself at him.
He had been too lenient, allowing her to live until now. He should have disposed of her long ago—then he wouldn’t have fallen into her trap today.
Suppressing the restless heat in his body, the Crown Prince slowly raked his gaze over the trembling girl before him, his voice eerily calm.
"Where shall I begin?"
"You want me so badly? How about I skin you alive and turn you into a human lantern, hanging you in this hall to keep me company every day?"
Yun Kui’s teeth chattered in terror as she shook her head frantically. "Your Highness, spare me! I truly didn’t do it!"
If anyone else had said such a thing, she might have thought it an empty threat—but not the Crown Prince. He would genuinely turn her into a human lantern.
Literally.
Yun Kui wanted to cry again.
Just as her life hung by a thread, an urgent voice echoed through the hall. "Your Highness!"
Yun Kui turned in relief, as if seeing a savior. "Eunuch Cao, save me!"
Cao Yuanlu took in the corpse on the floor and the dagger in the Crown Prince’s hand, his heart filled with regret. He had only stepped away for a moment, yet assassins had seized the opportunity to strike.
"This servant was negligent. Has Your Highness been injured?"
He quickly scanned the Crown Prince’s bloodstained robes, relieved to find the blood belonged to someone else. However, the Crown Prince’s eyes burned crimson, his expression dark with fury—likely another episode of his chronic headaches. Cao Yuanlu immediately turned and called out, "Old Imperial Physician Zheng, please examine His Highness at once!"
Old Imperial Physician Zheng hurried in with his medicine chest. Though advanced in age and long retired, he was one of the few physicians still trusted by the Crown Prince. While not as skilled as the legendary He Bailing, his medical expertise was profound, and his experience vast—he had treated the Crown Prince since childhood. Cao Yuanlu had personally fetched him from outside the palace.
With one glance, Old Imperial Physician Zheng recognized the Crown Prince’s condition. He stepped forward to take his pulse, then sighed gravely. "Your Highness has been poisoned with Lust’s Embrace."
Yun Kui’s lips parted in shock. Though she knew nothing of poisons, the name alone made her eyelashes tremble.
Wasn’t that… the kind of drug that made people lose control?
She hesitantly lifted her head, only to meet the Crown Prince’s icy, pitch-black eyes boring into her.
Yun Kui: "…"
Wrongfully accused, Your Highness! She wouldn’t dare drug the Crown Prince with an aphrodisiac!
Not that she could deny his breathtaking beauty—tall, broad-shouldered, with a powerfully built frame and muscles that made mouths water. But even if she had ten extra lives, she wouldn’t dare disrespect him. Did she have a death wish?
The Crown Prince clenched the dagger in his hand, his knuckles cracking ominously. Even if she hadn’t administered the Lust’s Embrace, her impudent thoughts alone were enough to warrant execution.
Just as Yun Kui braced for death again, Old Imperial Physician Zheng suddenly spoke up. "The Lust’s Embrace was smeared on this maid’s handkerchief!"
Everyone turned. The old physician had crouched by the bed, covering his nose with his sleeve. After diagnosing the Crown Prince, he had searched the hall for the poison’s source—inspecting the medicine, incense burners, even the candlesticks—before finally detecting the scent of Lust’s Embrace on the handkerchief tucked in the maid’s sash.
Cao Yuanlu covered his nose and examined it, then deduced, "The assassin must have laced the handkerchief with the drug. If the assassination failed, she could use it to seduce Your Highness and strike again. A truly vile scheme!"
Just as he prepared to launch a full investigation, the Crown Prince closed his eyes. "No need. Take her away."
Cao Yuanlu was stunned. "No investigation?"
Of course not. The moment the woman entered, she had announced her mission: "The Imperial Uncle’s orders—the Crown Prince must not live past this month. Tonight is the perfect opportunity."
He simply hadn’t expected the assassin’s backup plan—the poisoned handkerchief.
These clowns would pay. Soon.
Confused but obedient, Cao Yuanlu bowed and ordered the corpse and handkerchief removed.
Cleared of suspicion, Yun Kui immediately swore, "Your Highness, I truly had nothing to do with this! I’m innocent, utterly loyal to you!"
The Crown Prince’s breathing was ragged, his eyes unnaturally red.
Old Imperial Physician Zheng sighed. "Lust’s Embrace has no antidote. Given Your Highness’s current condition, resisting it could be fatal."
Cao Yuanlu glanced hesitantly between the Crown Prince and Yun Kui but didn’t dare speak.
After a pause, Old Imperial Physician Zheng stated bluntly, "The only remedy is physical union. Does Your Highness have a consort or bedchamber maid?"
Silence.
"Well, uh… that would be me…"
Yun Kui’s head snapped up—then she shrank back in terror.
"But no! Absolutely not! Who knows if the Crown Prince might realize he can’t perform and strangle me in a rage? He just threatened to turn me into a lantern! Nope, not worth it—find someone else!"
"Though he is ridiculously handsome, and those muscles look so firm… If I were the one drugged, and the Crown Prince was unconscious on the bed, helpless under my touch… I might not hold back…"
The Crown Prince’s face darkened, his teeth grinding as he glared at this brazen deviant.
Yun Kui hung her head, then reconsidered.
The Crown Prince hated her. Surely he wouldn’t choose her.
But before she could finish the thought, a cold laugh sounded above her. "Fine."
F-fine? What?
Trembling, she looked up and met those bloodthirsty eyes, her entire body freezing in terror.
The Crown Prince’s lips curled into a cruel smile. "Everyone else, leave."
His gaze locked onto Yun Kui. "You stay."
Yun Kui: "…"
Cao Yuanlu exhaled in relief. He had worried his master, who had avoided women for years, might refuse even under the influence of Lust’s Embrace. Yet he had agreed so easily.
He shot Yun Kui an encouraging look, only to find her looking as if she’d just lost her entire family. He wanted to reassure her, but the Crown Prince’s condition was urgent.
"Attend to His Highness well," he said instead. "You’ll be richly rewarded afterward."
And why not? She would be the Crown Prince’s first bedmate—and the one who relieved his torment. With such merit, she might even be elevated to concubine status by morning.
Though Cao Yuanlu was well aware of the Crown Prince's temperament and knew the palace maid must be terrified at this moment, he had never seen the Crown Prince hesitate when it came to executing someone. This meant Yun Kui must possess something extraordinary—a reason for His Highness to spare her life.
Cao Yuanlu escorted Old Imperial Physician Zheng out, even tactfully extinguishing the lamps in the outer chamber.
As the candlelight dimmed, only two figures remained in the hall, shrouded in deathly silence.
Yun Kui’s body tensed as a cold draft swept through the corridor and into the chamber, sending a shiver down her spine.
Her mind was in turmoil—she never expected the Crown Prince would actually let her stay!
But she knew better than to mistake this for favor or elevation.
To him, she was merely an antidote, to be discarded once used.
The Crown Prince scoffed, amused by her self-awareness. "Get on the bed," he commanded coldly.
Yun Kui bit her lip and whispered, "This humble maid is willing to serve Your Highness. I only beg for my life in return for my loyalty."
Her meek appearance belied her true nature, something the Crown Prince knew all too well. His face twisted in disgust. "What makes you think you deserve to beg for anything?"
Heart heavy, Yun Kui rose slowly and approached the ornate sandalwood bed, its intricate carvings gleaming under the dim light. Fragments of her dreams flashed through her mind.
She had a rough idea of what awaited her—perhaps being pinned beneath the Crown Prince as he took what he wanted, or scrambling to serve him while he lounged indifferently, delivering sharp slaps to her backside without mercy.
The Crown Prince: "..."
Suddenly recalling Aunt Wei’s teachings, Yun Kui turned to him hesitantly. "Does Your Highness require assistance in undressing?"
He’s only wearing that inner robe. If that comes off, there’ll be nothing left…
Before she could finish the thought, the Crown Prince loomed over her, his expression dark and predatory, as if he wanted to devour her whole.
Yun Kui: "..."
Once the Crown Prince settled on the outer side of the bed, she took a deep breath, swiftly shed her outer garments—leaving only her thin underrobe and drawers—then removed her shoes and climbed gingerly to the inner side. She pulled the covers up just enough to offer herself for his use.
The brocade curtains filled with the warm, delicate scent of a woman. The Crown Prince lay with his eyes tightly shut, veins bulging at his temples.
Yun Kui lay flat on her back, her heart pounding so hard she feared it might leap from her throat. Why wasn’t he making a move?
Wasn’t he known for his insatiable appetite, for taking whoever he pleased? If the aphrodisiac had already taken effect, why the restraint?
Was he waiting for her to take the initiative?
Perhaps she should be the one to act—the Crown Prince’s abdominal injury prevented vigorous movements. If his wounds reopened because of her, she’d be executed as the serving maid who failed in her duty.
But without his command, how could she dare press herself against him?
Better to wait for his order.
"Your Highness… are you… alright?"
The Crown Prince’s breath was scorching, his silence unbroken.
When no response came, Yun Kui ventured again, cautiously, "The physician said the aphrodisiac is highly damaging. If not relieved in time—"
Before she could finish, a forceful grip seized her waist. She gasped as she was abruptly yanked against the hard, burning heat of his chest.
