Isn't that stating the obvious?
The dignified and elegant Crown Prince—if one served him poorly, it could be a crime punishable by death. How could a lowly palace maid like her not be afraid?
Yet such words must never be spoken.
"It's not fear…"
Meeting his deep, penetrating gaze, Kan'er couldn't bear it and lowered her eyes, turning her head slightly aside. Her voice was soft and faint.
"If it's not fear, then what is it?"
Kan'er: "It's… it's reverence."
Luo Xun wanted to say that reverence still contained fear.
But he quickly realized that reverence encompassed both fear and respect.
His brow imperceptibly lifted.
"So you're showing that reverence on me?"
Kan'er: "…"
Up close, his voice carried a particularly mesmerizing magnetism that made one's ears tingle and body soften.
Hearing him ask such a question with such seriousness…
Kan'er felt her entire body grow unbearably warm.
It was also because she had been so thoroughly trained by him in her past life that she had become increasingly sensitive to his gaze, his voice, and his presence.
Even later, when they had become an old married couple and had three children together, she still couldn't bear speaking to him at such close quarters.
Pressing her lips together, Kan'er decided to throw caution to the wind.
Boldly, she leaned softly against his shoulder and said gently, "Your Highness, this servant wishes to attend to you. May I?"
Luo Xun remained expressionless. Meeting the little palace maid's clear, honey-colored eyes, he didn't forget that she was here to receive favor on behalf of Lady Zheng.
"Hmm."
He gave a slight nod.
"But first, you must answer my question."
Kan'er appeared confused and uneasy, but in her heart, she knew what he was going to ask.
Luo Xun looked at her and said solemnly, "What are your thoughts on raising the child in Jiarong Tang?"
Exactly the same words as in her past life.
And how had she answered back then?
Kan'er thought about it.
She had said, "This servant will follow the Crown Princess's decision entirely."
For a slave who was entirely at her master's mercy, this answer was the most loyal and the safest and most appropriate.
Even though Kan'er hadn't wanted it at the time.
But who made her low-born, destined from birth to be a slave? Such words had been spoken to her ever since she began to blossom into increasing loveliness. People around her would always say:
No matter how beautiful she became, it was useless—she was fated to be a slave. They said her fox-like beauty was unfit for proper society and that she could only secretly become a companion to eunuchs.
Hearing it said so often, over time, she came to believe it.
Especially since, back then, Kan'er had personally witnessed palace servants who disobeyed their masters being beaten to death with clubs—mangled flesh clinging to stark white bones, blood pooling on the ground, and bits of flesh flying everywhere.
They were literally beaten in half!
Kan'er didn't want to die, and certainly not like that.
So, when faced with the Crown Prince's question in her past life, Kan'er hadn't hesitated for a moment to declare her loyalty.
She thought that was what the Crown Prince wanted to hear.
But the truth was, she had answered wrong.
The Crown Prince's expression had turned terrifyingly cold at the time.
He had even been on the verge of leaving without bestowing his favor upon her.
But how could that be?
If the Crown Prince left, the Crown Princess would deem her useless and might find some excuse to have her beaten to death.
Kan'er didn't want to be beaten to death.
She was too afraid.
In her panic, she clung to the Crown Prince and shamelessly told him that although she was a slave, her body was pure.
Whether it was because she cried too pitifully, making the Crown Prince take pity on her, or for some other reason, he ended up bestowing his favor upon her.
Although the process hadn't been pleasant.
But it was that one time that she became pregnant.
"Why are you crying?"
The man's voice pulled Kan'er back from her thoughts. She raised her hand and indeed felt wetness on her cheeks.
"Your Highness, please forgive this servant."
She tried to rise, but Luo Xun held her down.
Looking at her reddened eyes and recalling the near-tragic expression on her face moments ago, he said, "Speak now."
"This servant dares not speak."
Kan'er gazed at him hesitantly.
Luo Xun took out a handkerchief and wiped the tears from her rosy cheeks.
"You are pardoned."
His expression was indifferent, revealing no emotion.
Kan'er subtly tightened her hands hidden beneath her sleeves, then seemed to make a firm decision and said, "Your Highness, this servant is unwilling."
She looked at the Crown Prince earnestly, her eyes resolute and bright.
Like a steadfast rock under the blazing sun.
Unbreakable and dazzling.
Luo Xun watched her, feeling as if something had pricked his heart.
"Unwilling? Why?"
Pretending not to notice the scrutiny in his eyes, Kan'er blurted out, "Because it would be this servant's and Your Highness's child."
If not forced by circumstances, if not compelled by fate, what mother would willingly give up her own child?
Kan'er blinked away the bitterness in her eyes.
She tried to use words appropriate for her age and status.
"Your Highness possesses a celestial grace, and this servant dares not harbor improper thoughts. Yet, to have the honor of serving Your Highness brings this servant great joy.
This servant is young and does not understand the feelings of a woman with child, nor how to be a proper mother, but…"
She smiled, a little embarrassed.
"This servant was once a child too. Though my mother has been gone for many years, I still remember her voice and appearance, her tenderness and care for me in my early years.
This servant thinks, if I were fortunate enough to have a child with Your Highness, I would surely cherish and love them just as my mother cherished and loved me."
No amount of regret for the regrets of her past life would change anything. What she must do now is seize this opportunity with all her might.
"So, Your Highness, this servant is unwilling."
By the end, Kan'er's voice seemed to weaken, but her gaze did not waver—still clear, bright, and focused.
The corner of Luo Xun's lips lifted into a faint, almost imperceptible curve, and a ripple stirred in his calm eyes.
Indescribably handsome and striking.
Kan'er unexpectedly met the man's starry gaze, and her hand, which had been gripping his, paused for a moment.
Luo Xun pressed his lips together slightly, returning to his usual stern expression.
His large hand, resting on Kan'er's slender waist, hesitated briefly before drawing her closer. His voice was low.
"Childbirth is difficult. Are you not afraid?"
"Wouldn't you be there?"
Realizing she had responded too quickly, Kan'er's voice grew so soft by the end that it was almost inaudible.
But Luo Xun heard it.
With him there, she was not afraid?
Luo Xun looked at the little palace maid's bright red lips, moist and full, exhaling a faint orchid-like fragrance, like freshly offered cherries.
Her breath carried a subtle hint of sweetness.
He did not care for cherries, finding them rather unappealing.
But now, Luo Xun suddenly felt a desire to taste them.
And he did.
His pale pink lips pressed against her plump, crimson ones. The moment they touched, both their bodies seemed to stiffen slightly.
The man's eyes seemed to conceal a dense fog, swirling and elusive, making Kan'er's heart flutter.
Yet this version of him was also the one she knew best.
As if enchanted.
Kan'er parted her lips slightly and gently sucked on his lower lip.
Luo Xun had never imagined that one day he would lose control and become so intimate with any woman.
He had not expected her to be so bold.
A sudden fire ignited in Luo Xun's heart. He thought, she truly was as daring as in his dreams, enticing him from the very start!
His throat bobbed, and Luo Xun cast aside all restraint.
He captured her petal-soft lips, nibbling and sucking.
Sweet and tender, truly delectable.
But while he feasted to his heart's content, Kan’er was left to suffer.
Because the Crown Prince didn’t know how to kiss!
Kan’er tried to guide him, but she was already accustomed to his scent, and this body of hers simply couldn’t withstand such teasing.
Kan’er felt her mind growing hazy.
Her hands instinctively wrapped around his neck, her delicate and fragrant body pressing even more tightly against him.
Luo Xun’s gaze darkened further.
His hand at her waist slowly slid downward.
Suddenly, a soft sound came from beyond the partition.
Hai Shun stood with his back to the room, his forehead beaded with cold sweat.
“Y-Your Highness, His Majesty summons you to Qianyuan Hall.”