The Crown Prince exchanged a glance with her before turning his cold gaze toward Cao Yuanlu.
What kind of questions were these!
Previously, most inquiries had been about "where did you serve before" or "who did you meet before entering the Eastern Palace." But considering these were bedchamber maids, different from ordinary palace servants, Cao Yuanlu naturally adopted a different interrogation approach.
Out of personal concern, Cao Yuanlu didn't wish to see His Highness remain too isolated and aloof.
The Late Emperor and Huigong Empress had been so deeply in love—if they knew His Highness was still alone, they would surely be anxious even in heaven.
Among these beauties, if there were any who remained gentle and dutiful without fearing authority, genuinely wishing to stay by His Highness's side, Cao Yuanlu would be pleased to see it happen.
After all, it was true that the Late Emperor had few heirs. Cao Yuanlu hoped His Highness would maintain good health and have as many descendants as possible. He didn't need three palaces and six compounds with seventy-two consorts like Emperor Chunming, but having a few gentle companions by his side would be comforting.
Moreover, after several days of interrogation, Cao Yuanlu could see that His Highness had discerning eyes—not a trace of malice could escape his notice. So it didn't matter what questions were asked; after a few rounds of questioning, their true nature would be revealed.
The Crown Prince lowered his eyes to drink tea, no longer intervening.
The four women began answering in order.
Si Yi racked her brains: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is of noble status, far beyond my reach. Serving Your Highness is my blessing."
Si Men searched her mind: "Your Highness is brave and skilled in battle, majestic and awe-inspiring, expanding Da Zhao's territory. I admire you deeply, revering you as a deity."
Si Zhang blushed shyly: "Your Highness possesses dragon countenance and phoenix bearing, with celestial appearance. I willingly serve by Your Highness's side."
With each response from the first three, Yun Kui's heart sank further. They had exhausted all the proper things to say—what was left for her?
Was she supposed to say she coveted the Crown Prince's body the most?
The Crown Prince frowned, casting a dissatisfied glance her way.
The young girl had been stealing looks at him too, and when she saw him raise his eyes, she quickly averted her gaze.
The Crown Prince said sternly, "Next question."
With His Highness's command, Cao Yuanlu dared not disobey and hurriedly proceeded: "What skills do you possess that can be of use to His Highness?"
Si Yi took the lead again, inwardly lamenting as she carefully phrased her response: "This humble servant is somewhat knowledgeable in poetry and literature, and can compose verses with Your Highness."
Si Men, following Si Yi's example, continued: "This humble servant excels at playing the pipa and can perform for Your Highness."
Si Zhang added: "This humble servant is skilled in singing and dancing, and can help relieve Your Highness's worries."
Yun Kui: "…"
"I seriously suspect everyone here is targeting me."
"Although I don't have any great talents, I'm soft and fragrant, pretty and beautiful. His Highness likes to sleep with me—is that something I can say?"
The Crown Prince's hand holding the teacup stiffened, his expression darkening.
"Next question."
At His Highness's command, everyone couldn't help but lift their eyes to look at Yun Kui kneeling at the far right.
"Why does she alone not need to answer? His Highness's favoritism is too obvious!"
Only when they caught sight of the Crown Prince's gloomy expression from the corner of their eyes did they lower their heads again.
Cao Yuanlu smiled at Yun Kui, cleared his throat, and began the third question.
As the saying goes, courtesy before force. The first two questions were asked gently out of consideration for their special status, without immediate stern pressure. The several beauties spoke pleasant formalities, and Cao Yuanlu detected nothing unusual. Nor did the Crown Prince pass life-or-death judgments in just a few sentences as he had during previous interrogations of others.
By the third question, Cao Yuanlu finally reached the main point: "Do any of you have ulterior motives for remaining in the Eastern Palace?"
After days of continuous interrogation, Cao Yuanlu had discovered that this type of question most easily revealed clues under the Crown Prince's scrutiny.
Under the Crown Prince's piercing gaze, Si Yi replied in a trembling voice: "This humble maid only wishes to serve His Highness, with no other motives."
"If possible, I wish to gain the Crown Prince's favor. I beg His Highness to grant mercy, allowing my father and younger brother to return from their exile in the bitter cold lands, so my brother may have the opportunity to pursue scholarly honors and restore our family's glory."
Si Yi's family had been implicated by an uncle who embezzled vast public funds, resulting in confiscation of their property. The men were exiled to the border regions, while the women were consigned to the Bureau of Music. Thus, a respectable family was utterly ruined.
Her entry into the Eastern Palace was also motivated by hopes of helping her family, but unfortunately, the Crown Prince's temperament was violently unpredictable, and she still dared not approach him.
Hearing her inner thoughts, the Crown Prince expressionlessly tapped his little finger.
He was no saint who felt pity for everyone he encountered. The collective punishment system existed for good reason—who could say whether her father was truly ignorant or had concealed the truth for wealth and status? Moreover, the law applied equally to all. Even for his own wife's family, he would never lightly show favoritism based on mere whispers, disregarding the law.
Cao Yuanlu turned to Si Men.
The atmosphere seemed to suddenly grow tense. Si Men clenched her fingers nervously and said: "This humble maid feels the same."
"The Imperial Uncle wants me to seduce His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, but I've had no opportunity to approach him at all."
The Crown Prince tapped his middle finger, and Qin Ge understood immediately.
When it was Si Zhang's turn, she appropriately revealed her ambition: "This humble maid only wishes to remain by Your Highness's side and earn your affection."
"Although the Crown Prince is severely injured, he remains the heir apparent. If I can gain his favor, I could eventually become at least an imperial consort!"
The Crown Prince momentarily froze, actually giving her an extra glance.
This glance wasn't for any particular reason—he simply suddenly remembered that this was the same voice that had once inwardly grumbled:
"What does she have that's so special? Just because she's more beautiful, with larger breasts and a slimmer waist?"
Si Zhang had already been stealing glances at the Crown Prince. Discovering he was looking at her too, she could barely contain her delight.
However, the Crown Prince's gaze lingered on her for only a moment before shifting to the person beside her.
This second glance lasted longer, making Si Zhang somewhat uncomfortable.
"Why is he looking at that little slut again?"
Yun Kui noticed the Crown Prince's cool gaze and couldn't prevent her shoulders from trembling slightly.
Too many people had died throughout the Eastern Palace these past few days, leaving her in constant fear. If anyone had guilty intentions, none surpassed her own.
The poison, lip rouge, and silver notes remained hidden in her side chamber. She wanted to bury them somewhere but feared discovery. She wanted to return the items to those who had secretly approached her, but those two individuals never reappeared—perhaps they have perished in this purge.
As for the secret medicine given by the Empress, she lacked the courage to return it either.
But if she confessed voluntarily, would the Crown Prince believe in her innocence? It would only hasten her death!
If one spoke of ulterior motives and hidden purposes, at most she could only be accused of greed and lust.
But did that deserve death?
Yun Kui felt profound sorrow welling up within her.
The Crown Prince sipped his tea, listening with composed detachment to her sobbing inner monologue. Had she shown genuine remorse and reformed openly, he might have considered sparing her life.
"Is it a crime to crave wealth and admire beauty?"
"If I hadn't been tempted by those ten taels of gold, His Highness wouldn't have taken the medicine so quickly and regained consciousness."
"As for admiring beauty—who doesn't? But I've only indulged in private thoughts, never crossing boundaries. Well, except that time I deliberately pressed my chest against him…"
Cao Yuanlu waited patiently but heard no verbal response from her. Instead, he noticed the Crown Prince's expression darkening with murderous intensity. "Lady Yun Kui?" he prompted cautiously.
Yun Kui snapped back to attention and hastily parroted Si Men's earlier reply: "This humble maid feels the same."
Si Zhang gritted her teeth inwardly: "How dare you echo my words!"
Though the four women had given their surface responses, their internal dialogues continued unabated.
Si Yi wondered: "Why would His Highness ask such a question? Could there be a traitor among us?"
Si Men fretted: "Was His Highness looking at me earlier? Does he know something…"
Yun Kui mused: "Truthfully, I just want to peacefully serve until twenty-five, leave the palace with savings, marry a sturdy guard, and live out my days in blissful impropriety. Preferably someone with a figure like His Highness—tall and straight-backed, broad-shouldered with a narrow waist…"
The Crown Prince let out a cold laugh through clenched teeth, rising from his official's chair to glare at the imprudent girl before striding away without a backward glance. Seeing no further instructions from the prince, Qin Ge told Cao Yuanlu: "Return Si Yi to the Bureau of Music. Si Men remains for further interrogation. The other two beauties… may stay for now."
Si Men turned deathly pale, collapsing to her knees with desperate pleas for mercy. The other three trembled in terror.
After all, until today Si Men had been their cheerful companion, showing no outward signs of wrongdoing. None could have imagined she'd be detained by the Crown Prince, facing unknown consequences.
Though disappointed to be returned to the Bureau of Music, Si Yi felt simultaneous relief. Perhaps this was for the best—given the prince's temperament, seeking his favor might eventually cost more than just dashed hopes.
Despite her fear, Si Zhang felt secret triumph. She had assumed the elegant Si Yi and alluring Si Men would be chosen, never expecting herself to be among those retained.
Yun Kui broke out in cold sweat, astonished to have escaped calamity again.
Yet whenever the Crown Prince looked at her, his gaze seemed capable of devouring her whole.
Heaven be her witness—she had done nothing whatsoever!
Cao Yuanlu had been sweating on her behalf, knowing the girl's quarters were filled with irrefutable evidence of conspiring against the crown prince. Was His Highness biding his time, waiting for her to reveal herself before striking?
Cheng Guang Hall
After working day and night, Liang Jin finally perfected the blended incense matching the scent from the attending palace maid and hurried to seek audience with the Crown Prince.
The incense cake smoldered in the gilt bronze dragon-beast burner on the table, releasing tendrils of blue smoke that dispersed a soft, warm fragrance through the air.
Liang Jin explained: "I repeatedly tested combinations of sunflower, pear blossom, frankincense, bamboo leaves, osmanthus, and ginger lily to create this blend. Might I ask if it differs from the maiden's scent?"
The Crown Prince inhaled thoughtfully before pronouncing judgment: "Overpowering. Excessively bitter with insufficient sweetness."
Liang Jin inwardly lamented; it was inherently difficult to replicate a person's natural scent with incense, especially since he had only briefly encountered that woman. Achieving seventy to eighty percent similarity was already quite an accomplishment.
"Your Highness, please forgive this humble servant. Allow me to return and make another attempt."
The Crown Prince replied indifferently, "Mm."
That evening, he did not summon Yun Kui to attend him, instead using the blended incense prepared by Liang Jin.
In truth, Liang Jin was correct—the scent was already seventy to eighty percent similar. However, having embraced Yun Kui night after night, the Crown Prince was intimately familiar with her natural fragrance and could naturally detect the subtle differences.
Especially since he intended to use this incense as a substitute for Yun Kui to alleviate his head ailment, he had to be even more stringent in evaluating the blend.
But after a night had passed, the conclusion was clear—a minute discrepancy made a world of difference.
When Cao Yuanlu led the attendants in to assist with the morning ablutions, he was startled to see his master's pallid complexion, phoenix eyes bloodshot, clearly having stayed awake through the entire night.
Full of concern, he stepped forward and asked, "Has Your Highness's head ailment flared up again?"
The Crown Prince neither confirmed nor denied it, pressing his fingertips against his temple. His hoarse voice carried profound exhaustion: "Summon Yun Kui."