Since the Crown Prince was determined to confront her and force her to enter his dreams, if she were unlucky enough not to dream of him, it would only prove her earlier words to be lies and deceitful tricks.
But if she truly dreamed of him, perhaps the Crown Prince, recognizing her unique skill, would spare her life for now, keeping her for future use.
Just like how she had accidentally uncovered Cai Ju’s poisoning attempt!
Yun Kui’s almond-shaped eyes brightened, and her pessimism faded as she pinned her hopes on tonight’s dreams.
Perhaps after tonight, she too could become one of the Crown Prince’s talented and extraordinary followers!
Suppressing her excitement, she stood up and tidied the tray. When she returned, the Crown Prince was already seated by the bed.
Yun Kui recalled that last night had been the same. Although things hadn’t progressed to the final step, the Crown Prince had taken plenty of liberties with her—the fingerprints he left on her chest from kneading were still visible and hadn’t faded.
The Crown Prince stared at her intently and urged, "Why are you still standing there?"
Yun Kui pressed her lips together and replied, "Yes."
Based on last night’s experience, she probably didn’t need to undress too much. After all, even under the influence of the Joyful Union Powder, the Crown Prince had restrained himself. It was reasonable to suspect that he either couldn’t perform or was severely injured, lacking the ability but afraid others would discover his inadequacy and damage his pride.
Crown Prince: "…"
Yun Kui lifted her eyes and was startled by the Crown Prince’s sinister glare.
"Why is he suddenly so irritable again…"
"Does he think I’m dawdling?"
"Or can he tell I don’t want to undress and is expressing his displeasure through his gaze?"
"Fine, I’ll undress. It’s not like he can do anything anyway."
Crown Prince: "…"
Yun Kui took a deep breath and quickly untied her waistband, slipping off her outer skirt until only a thin red satin undergarment embroidered with pomegranate patterns remained.
As a palace maid serving in the bedchamber, her attire differed from before.
The Imperial Household Department had prepared several sets of new autumn and winter garments for the four of them, all made from high-quality fabric, vibrant in color, and finely stitched. Though not as luxurious as those worn by the imperial concubines, they were far more exquisite than the ordinary palace maids’ attire.
Naturally, all this was done to please the Crown Prince and reflected the Empress’s emphasis on his intimate affairs.
The hall was brightly lit, illuminating the young woman’s snow-white, jade-like skin. The drapes swayed gently against the floor, casting delicate, shifting shadows around her slender figure.
The early winter night was chillingly cold, and Yun Kui suppressed a shiver, slowly wrapping her arms around herself in an attempt to cover up.
She still felt uncomfortable having her body exposed so openly. Even extinguishing the lights would have been better. But with the hall brightly lit by candles, it meant she would have to endure the Crown Prince’s intense gaze for a long time.
How terrifying was it? It was like waking up in the middle of the night from the cold, only to find yourself entangled by a venomous snake, its chilling grip threatening to snap your neck at any moment.
The mere thought sent shivers down her spine.
The Crown Prince subtly averted his gaze from her slender, fair neck and, in a rare act of mercy, ordered, "Extinguish the lights in the outer chamber. Leave only one lamp."
Yun Kui felt as if she had been granted a reprieve. She quietly extinguished the lamps in the outer chamber one by one, leaving only a single glass lamp by the bedside, ensuring it wasn’t pitch dark.
After finishing, she let out a soft sigh of relief and carefully climbed into the inner side of the bed from the foot, careful not to touch the man’s long, sturdy legs.
She lay down slowly, Yun Kui regulated her breathing and stole a glance at the person beside her, then looked at the neatly folded brocade quilt at the foot of the bed. Her heart murmured: His Royal Highness the Crown Prince truly has an iron will—on such a cold day, no charcoal was lit in the hall, and he wore only a thin inner garment yet showed no sign of feeling cold.
"Your Highness, this servant is a little cold," she said softly when the Crown Prince’s expression relaxed.
The Crown Prince looked over with a complicated expression, but his gaze couldn’t help pausing.
In the dim lamplight behind the bed curtains, her crimson undergarment set off her snow-white skin. The young girl’s cheeks were flushed and delicate, her long eyelashes trembling slightly. Below her slender, pale neck, two collarbones arched like flawless jade bridges. The faint candlelight fell upon her rounded shoulders, while the undergarment strained against full curves, its satin pomegranate pattern blooming luxuriantly. The exposed flesh resembled pristine snow under moonlight.
Such a natural-born enchantress, yet she possessed a pair of innocent, timid eyes that could easily stir a man’s desire.
The Empress certainly knew how to pick someone.
Were it an ordinary man, hearing her say she was cold, even the coldest heart would have melted, and he would have drawn her into his embrace for some tender affection.
Unfortunately, he was not one to indulge in beauty.
Yun Kui felt this glance was excessively long—so long that her hands and feet grew somewhat numb. The Crown Prince had gone from completely expressionless to now exuding a faint, menacing aura.
Was he having another episode?
She hadn’t… done anything, had she?
She just wanted to cover herself with the quilt…
Want to cover with the quilt? The Crown Prince’s cold eyes softened slightly as he withdrew his gaze and said indifferently, "If you’re cold, pull the quilt over yourself."
Yun Kui quickly acknowledged and reached for the quilt.
As she sat up, her pale, slender back once again swayed before the man’s eyes.
The Crown Prince averted his gaze, his breathing imperceptibly heavier.
Closing his eyes, with vision blocked, his other senses grew sharper.
The faint rustling of the bedding rubbing against her body whispered in his ears. The subtle scent of sunflowers, mingled with the sun-dried fragrance of the quilt, drifted into his nostrils. The warm, fresh aroma filled his head, and the maddening pain gradually dissipated like silk being unwound.
The closer she was, the more comfortable he felt inside.
By the time the Crown Prince realized it, there was already someone in his arms.
The young girl’s vivid, delicate face was right before his eyes, her dark pupils wide with shock and panic.
The Crown Prince was equally startled by his own actions.
But… since the mistake was made, he simply didn’t let go.
This was his bedchamber, his bed, and the woman beside him was his palace maid serving his bed—was she not his to touch?
Yun Kui blinked nervously. Just a moment ago, the Crown Prince had coldly told her to cover herself with the quilt, but as soon as she lay back down, she was drawn into his warm, firm embrace.
Was this… a ploy of feigned indifference?
Had he wanted to hold her all along but was too proud to show it? Outwardly stern and cold, yet inwardly restless, until he could no longer resist and simply took her when she wasn’t paying attention.
As her thoughts wandered wildly, a hand suddenly reached over and gripped the back of her neck.
Yun Kui instantly lost all her nerve, like a snake seized by its vital spot.
"Your Highness, let’s talk properly…"
The Crown Prince warned her in a low voice, "I’m doing this only to help you fall asleep. Discard any improper thoughts, or I will not be lenient."
So that was it.
Previously she couldn't understand why His Royal Highness the Crown Prince insisted on sharing a bed, and had even cleverly removed her clothes on her own initiative. Only now did she realize this was merely an interrogation by the Crown Prince, except the venue had shifted from the punishment chamber to his bed.
She shouldn't entertain any distracting thoughts—just focus on entering his dream.
Yun Kui buried her head low against his chest, inhaling his bitter medicinal scent, while repeating "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince" in her heart.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince…"
"Ah, actually entering dreams doesn't necessarily require hugging like this. It's so hot… I can barely breathe…"
"If I try to push him away, could I take the opportunity to feel his chest muscles?"
The Crown Prince's face gradually darkened. He felt like he was holding a hot potato and wanted to throw her out, yet his body seemed instinctively attached to her warm presence, unable to make the pushing motion.
His raised fingers ultimately didn't cast her aside but instead landed with a "thump" on her forehead.
"Ouch!"
Suddenly receiving a flick on the forehead, Yun Kui couldn't help crying out in surprise. After realizing what happened, her voice softened into docile meekness: "Your Highness… why did you strike this servant?"
Of course the Crown Prince wouldn't reveal his mind-reading ability to outsiders. To stop her indecent thoughts, he only said sternly: "If you don't sleep now, I'll knock you unconscious directly."
Yun Kui: "…"
Who forces people to sleep like this?
Besides, she had been quietly lying with her eyes closed, not daring to make the slightest noise—was this still unacceptable?
Truly hard to please.
Afraid of being beaten, she sighed softly in her heart, banishing those wild thoughts from her mind as she obediently closed her eyes.
As breathing gradually evened out beside him, the Crown Prince watched her for a moment before lowering his gaze to his slightly parted collar.
This was an area he rarely paid attention to. Previously he only knew women's bosoms might hold some attraction for men—but could women also feel the same about men?
The Crown Prince furrowed his brow deeply, his eyes darkening.
In any case, this big yellow girl couldn't stay. As for the scent she carried, he'd need to find another method.
Closing his eyes, the Crown Prince unusually fell into deep and peaceful sleep within the warm, pure fragrance of the person in his arms.
Yet the dreamscape wasn't entirely peaceful.
It was even infuriating.
He actually dreamed of this girl—and she wasn't soft and timid like in reality, but dared to grope him all over! Drooling while repeatedly kneading his chest with both hands.
The Crown Prince woke up furious.
Simultaneously, Yun Kui also woke up.
Startled awake.
The first thing she saw upon waking were the Crown Prince's gloomy and cold angry phoenix eyes.
What had she seen in her dream? Help…